A long, rambling post about rambling things

Wow... 5 comments! Sure, 3 of them are spam, but the other 2...

Ya... In 4 months I have not manged to add to the story thing I was/am writing. Still, I have a few things written for it, so I'll post the first section after the long winded rambling section of my blog. Please note that it's not even in the rough draft category yet, so it is not that great. I have a decent amount of it planned though, so at least I will not be flying blind with it. Hopefully I can stop being lazy and actually finish it one day... along with all those random programming projects of mine. I will make it a different color though, so it is easier to find.

So.... four months have past. A lot of things happened. Well... I would at least like to think a lot of things happened.

The biggest event to have occurred in that time frame was my car accident. The accident occurred on the first of August, while I was driving down to a Kira's place to play a round or two of Munchkin with her, Megan, and Thomas. A person turned in front of me, and I slammed on my breaks to avoid hitting him. Unfortunately, the person behind me was not as able a driver as I, and he rear ended me (I was almost completely stopped). The damage to my vehicle was enough to total it. I missed a week's worth of work due to not having a vehicle, and the guy's insurance (eSurance) still has not reimbursed my insurance company for the reckless damage of my vehicle.

It was not a fun event. I think the worst part about the event though, was that it was MY vehicle that got totaled. My vehicle, paid in total with my funds (as opposed to the Station Wagon I drove at one point, which was a combination of my funds and my parent's funds). I mean... I'm not one of those gear heads who could tell you the stats of their vehicle, or freaks out if the windshield gets smudged. But it was more than a vehicle with the amount I drive. A good part of my time each week was spent in that vehicle. Some weeks it was more time spent in my old Volvo than I spent waking hours in my dorm. In a year I put something like 40k miles on the car (Ok, might have been closer to 25k, since I got it at 80k in Feb of 09, and lost it at 130k miles on Aug 1st, but that is still a lot of time spent behind the wheel). I mean, it was less of a vehicle, and more of a home. I felt safe in it. I felt comfortable. It was my world in there... and now it's gone. All because some person couldn't pay attention to the god damn road.(And yes, I'm physically uninjured... Just taking this more personally than is probably healthy to do).

I'm currently driving the Camry. It was what I was driving before the Station Wagon. Ended up buying it from my sister with the check my insurance gave me after the accident. It just... doesn't feel the same as the Volvo I guess. It doesn't feel like my vehicle. It isn't my car. Well... I guess legally it is my car, but it doesn't feel like it. It was initially my parent's car, and that's what it feels like. With regard to transportation, I feel that I am once again entirely beholden to family, and at their whim and mercy. I know that is not the case, at least logically I know that, but... Anyway, Christine (the sister I bought the Camry from) used the money to make a down payment on an Aveo...

I ended up canceling my EvE Online subscription again... this time to do something that doesn't eat up so much of my life. Truthfully, I think MMO's in general give me a dose of melancholy. Not anything to do with their mechanics or how they operate, but because I tend to go overboard when playing MMO's (or at least when playing EvE), and spend an ungodly (like 20) number of hours in the game each week. I think I need to be around people to be happy. Actual, physical people. And as realistic or immersive or interesting they make an MMO, that part still is not there. So I end up feeling like some sort of shallow, empty shell when playing them for long periods of time. Well, that and I also feel significantly less productive when I play an MMO. I mean a sense of real productivity. Not the hallow feeling for gaining a random level or building a fake object. Still, if I could discipline myself to spend no more than ten hours a week on an MMO, I would probably go back to it.

The thing I'm doing instead of an MMO? NetFlix. It's pretty cool. Not the getting movies mailed to you via snail mail. But the whole being able to stream their collection straight to your PC is cool. Sat down and started watching a TV series on Netflix called Sanctuary. It's pretty good... Though it has some fairly large-ish or weird-ish plot holes and things that just don't seem to add up. Still, it's an enjoyable diversion every once in a while.

I ended up getting B's in both of my Summer classes. That made me feel pretty well... or maybe pretty swell... or maybe just a general, vague sense of accomplishment/pride. Yes... I know. It was only 2 classes. But damnit, it was the first semester that I was "Full Time" and that I passed all my classes (2 classes over the summer is full time, as opposed to the standard 4 classes in fall/spring).

This semester though, my load is a little heavier than it was in recent semesters. I'm taking a System Software course, a Process and Design course (ie, the process of making software), an Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, and a course on Graphics Rendering in OpenGL (curse you spell checker! OpenGL is not misspelt!). The AI course and the Process and Design course are both... well... I'm not sure how to describe them, except that I do not look forward to attending the rest of those classes.

I took a look at the miniatures wargame Warmachine, and I have to say, it looks pretty cool. Going to try to get into it with an elf army (err... Retribution of Scyrah army), since very few people play that at the local game store. To sum up the game real quick, it's mages controlling steam powered warmachines that wail against each other.

Anyway, I need to call it a night. But before I do, see below for the opening sequence thingy. Anyway, ~Night!

---

Chapter 1:
Valnerstadt. Last trade city of the north. Its buildings towering over the cobbled stoned streets below, blocking out what weak sunlight could penetrate the thick clouds overhead. To the east lay the Issen river, winding along the city's west side like a python constricting its prey. Its deep, murky waters teeming with boats and barges carrying goods to and from the more pleasant Southlands.
The warehouse area was subdued. Workers and townsfolk were intentionally avoiding the area, giving two people plenty of room. ---NOTE TO SELF:: ADD MORE HERE::---
“Care to explain to me why one of your clerks were found here, Helios?” came Valner's voice.
Helios looked down at the cobbled stones beneath them and saw what was left of one of his clerks. The body had been savaged by animals, and what remained was a horrid sight. Its throat had been violently ripped out, and parts of it had been been torn and rent, till it was barely recognizable as human. The face remained though, but around it blood had pooled. It had thankfully frozen over sometime in the night, but the frozen crimson contrasted sharply with the cobblestones beneath.
“I assume the torn throat made it somewhat difficult for him to be found elsewhere, High Valner.” Helios responded.
“And what was he doing that would have gotten his throat torn out?” the Steward asked.
“Probably going home after a drink, I'd wager. During his stroll home, he fell, froze over, and became food for the animals that roam your streets.” Helios replied.
“Would you then please explain why the only men to have been victim to animal attacks in the past 3 months were your clerks, Helios? And also elaborate on how there can be so many stray animals in the city to present the Artificer's Consortium such problems, yet not be seen by the guards?”
“My Most High, I have people looking into it as we speak, and I am sure I can give you an answer-”
Valner's stern voice cut the Consortium member's reply short. “May I remind you that it is my duty, as Steward, to defend and protect the people of this city, and if that means replacing clerks who can not do their job adequately, then I shall send a request for a replacement to the chapter in Arine Proper.”
The steward looked over the grizzly remains, his tone softening. “Honored Helios, I have been Steward of this city for as long as you have been alive. In that time I have made mistakes that have cost uncountable lives. I will not make those mistakes again. I have no desire to involve an outside chapter of the Consortium, but if it is warranted, I will bring in an outsider to run your chapter. If another clerk of yours dies by animal attack, it will happen.”----NOTE TO SELF::FINISH THIS SCENE AND MAKE IT TIE INTO NEXT SCENE::----"