Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Happy April Fool's Day!

Yep, it's the day of the year when I typically post something weird to try and catch you unawares when you read my blog. But not this year! (Again.) Sorry if you're disappointed.

I do want to take the opportunity to wish Seth and Melissa a very happy 1st anniversary! They were married a year ago today and I hope their first year has been great!

The 1st also marks the first day for me working with a new team at work. I hope that goes well, but I have some reservations. My old Champions team was pretty darn good, so it'll be surprising if the new group is at least as fun.

I think I'm done typing for the night. I'll be back soon.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

There and Back Again

Last weekend I went back to Seattle for the weekend. My good friend Kim (Goffin) Peacock was in town for an internship at a vet's up in Bothell. She stayed with Julia during her time in town and it was nice to be able to spend a day or so visiting with her -- even though she had to work most of Friday and then left for the airport at 11pm. I doubt she'll be back to work at that vet clinic, but I hope to see her again soon.

As for Julia and I, we spent the weekend running a few errands and working in the garden. We planted some of the starts that Julia has growing inside and even planted some seeds. It will be very cool to see those when they start growing! We also spread out some bark that's been sitting on the driveway for over a month now. I was very happy to get that off the pavement, because it really left a dirty mess where it was sitting, including some moss. I imagine the rain will clear off the dirt, but I'll have to take care of the moss myself, I'm sure.

I also moved a pile of gravel that's been sitting on the back patio since the week after we moved in. We kept trying to think of where we wanted it to go, but this weekend Julia said, "Move the whole pile up by the front spigot!" and it was done!

While working in the garden we saw our first two frogs of the year! One in the front yard and one in the back. I love those silly things.

Other than yardwork, we watched some movies over Netflix together and had a nice cookout Saturday evening instead of going out. I made some pretty tasty hamburgers, if I do say so myself! It was very nice.

This week at work I've been working on some maps and missions for my boss. It's mostly filler work until I move to the new team, but it's all stuff that needs to get done, so I'm happy to chip in and help out. As for the new team, I have no idea where I'll be sitting, but (in theory) I'll be moving on or around the 1st of April. I'll let you know what I find out.

In my free time I've been painting figures for Warmachine. It's not something I ever thought I'd do, but since I get the models for the best price you can imagine (free) and I can do the painting on a TV tray while sitting on the end of my bed in my room, well, it's sort of a nice little hobby. It turns out I'm a pretty good painter, too. Who knew? I'll post some more pictures when I remember to bring the camera back from Seattle. If Julia can part with it for a few weeks! The flowers and plants will be coming in, so I'm sure she'll want it for them.

Over this weekend, Jim and I played some Warmachine -- it's nice to actually get some use out of the figures I've been painting! Had a nice breakfast at the diner in Los Gatos, which we do every Saturday, but it's a relaxing thing to do for both of us. Oh, and we drove to a game store by the airport to check out a flea market they were having. It was packed with good deals, so I picked up a few different books for really good prices (I don't even think I spent $6) and then went home to paint, watch some movies and relax.

Now you're all up to speed. Sorry it took so long to post something here, but my weekends at home always throw me off. More soon.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A Year and a Week

Today (Tuesday, that is) marks a year and a week that I've been working at Cryptic and living in Los Gatos/Campbell. I'm very glad to have the job, enjoy what I'm doing, love that I'm learning something new that I'll be able to continue to do for a long time, and have generally enjoyed myself in the time I've been here, but I really miss my wife and would love to find a job back in Seattle again. I would love that. Love it.

With the launch of our recent game (Star Trek Online) and the beginning of a new project, I'm moving from working on Champions Online to another game that's not announced yet. It's a good fit and I'm a little sad to say good-bye to the people I work with now, but since I'm going to work with people who used to work on Champions, well, I'll be with some familiar faces. I think it'll be just fine. I'm supposed to move at the start of next month.

The past few weeks and weekends I've spent a fair amount of my free time painting the miniatures Kim gave me last time I was home. That's been nice and I'm very happy with how they've turned out. I'll see if I can grab the camera and take some photos for the Flickr site. While painting I've also watched a few television series (Legend of the Seeker and Supernatural) which have been on in the background.

This Thursday I fly home for the weekend. Kim (from Madison) has been staying with Julia for the last two-and-a-half weeks while she's been interning with a vet. She leaves early Saturday morning, so I'll likely only see her Thursday and Friday nights -- if she manages to get home at a reasonable hour, which has definitely been an issue for her while she's been here.

I had a doctor's appointment awhile ago and I heard today that everything looks quite good. My blood sugar's been a little higher on average this time around, but I was expecting that (unfortunately). I haven't been as good as I've wanted with my food and exercise the past few months, but I'm rededicating myself to it and I'm going to start walking home from work most nights now that it's not dark and rainy.

Okay, I'm done for now. Talk to you soon!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Eyes Tired

I was going to post about the last week tonight, but my eyes hurt from painting all day. I will post tomorrow. Right now I'm going to relax and go to sleep.

More soon.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Good News x3

Three bits of good news this week!

First, Seth and Melissa left on their belated honeymoon! I'm very happy for them and I hope they have a blast! I can't wait to hear what they thought of it -- and I hope they enjoy their time relaxing, snorkeling, and whatever else they get up to!

Second, Julia had an appointment with the doctor today (he actually moved the appointment up) and he said her foot is healed, so she can do without the cane and even try wearing a shoe again until it gets too painful, then switch back to the big boot she's been wearing for a while. So, I'm also very happy for her. This whole surgery/recovery thing has been a big pain for her (I think especially because I haven't been there to help her out) and I'm happy she's literally back on her feet.

Thirdly, Kim from Madison arrived in Seattle Sunday morning and is spending a few weeks with Julia at the house. They get along really well, so I hope they get some time to hang out and be girly together. I think they'd enjoy that.

As for me; my big projects are going well. So well, in fact, that I had Wednesday night and Thursday night "off" to do some painting (on my miniatures) and some DVD watching (Burn Notice, Season 2). Time to get some dinner and get started on the fun!