Shadowcasted Realities

Free Game Trial = MMO Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Okay, my title is a bit misleading to the point of this rant, but at the same time, it's spot on. So, let me explain. Possibly one of the real benefits of MMO's is the fact that the vast majority of them have Free Trials. Basically, it allows you to enjoy the game's entire experience for a set period of time. The most popular being a 14 day trial, but some offer 20, 24 or 30 day trials. While it guarantees that you will never be able to see the entire game with a trial, it at least allows you to understand if you really want to get committed or not for the price of nothing. After all, who wants to pay $10-20 on a game they only play 1-5 times before they quit as it's not for them?

Now for the bad. In many of these games, if you are playing them via the free trial, this is indicated. Some show it on the character description when someone examines you, while others indicate it on screen next to your avatars name. This is a problem as playing these games via trial comes with its own form of instant hate. The vast majority of this hate spawns from the early days of free trials. Gamers would pour hours, if not helpful items, into new players, only to have them stop playing when their trial came to a end. This causes an understandable hate towards trial gamers thanks to the amount of time and gear wasted. In the end, you see a trial player, you ignore them or treat them poorly.

Where this goes so wrong for these games is that many gamers that jump into the trial know they want to play a MMO. They want the insane size of experience, the creativity that comes from it, and the online friendships that will spawn. They desire the team up and get things done feeling that only these type of games can create, even more so then the Call of Duty's and Left 4 Dead's of the world. Yet, no matter how much they come to like what the game offers, the chances of them sticking around when they see the other players treating them so damn poorly is slim.

I'll take a personal experience. I wanted to give WoW a good go, and the first time I tried my computer threw up. >.> <.< By my second try, mostly via a suggestion of a friend, I couldn't really get into it. It was the first time I used a keyboard and a mouse to play in a long while (read: Half Life being the last game I really used the combo on), which lead to a great deal of dscomfort and lack of joy. The third time I gave a trial a chance was when I was comfortable again with a mouse and keyboard and another friend asked me to give it a go. My experience with WoW for the first time unhindered was a lot of fun. Despite the cartoony graphics, which fit the game and its old school dance weilding avatars, the depth of many elements was what I was looking for in a MMORPG.

Take for example the quest system. Most games give quests where the reward is a set single item. So, if you can't use it, I guess you can always sell it. Though, that route is rarely as rewarding. Also the quests give no real feeling of restraint on your level to complete it. Sure, some are for lower level characters and others for higher, but you don't really feel like there is anything in the way, unless it's too tough at the time. WoW on the other had offers quests with multiple awards to choose from, giving you a high level chance of earning something you can actually use. Also, these quests are level based, just like mobs. So, if you are level 10 trying to take on a level 20 quest, the rewards (items and exp) are going to be much higher compared to you taking on the same quest at level 30.

Stuff like that made me excited about the game, but I never started to pay the monthly fee. Why? Attitude.

The attitude towards me and my character were piss poor from everyone I ran across in the game. Not because I didn't understand the game or was a horrible player. It was because it indicated me as a 'Trial player', which immediately slapped me with bad juju. The only thing anyone wanted to do together with me was Duels. And, to say the least, that's not much of doing anything together then beating each other up. Could be fun, but not when you are trying to make progress.

Sure, I understand that once I lose that little indication I'd have no problems, but that's not what I pay for. My x amount of dollars a month goes to knowing there will be expansions, improvements and so on, from the game and it's developers. I don't pay to just be accepted, and that's how it feels to someone that understands why the bias exists.

What I'm getting at here is this; Free Trial Periods to the game, esperially MMO's, are a must. In fact, a 30 day trial should be the standard, as that would deliver to the player the exact feel of what it is to pay month to month. Yet, I believe that there should be absolutely no indication that someone is on that trial to the rest of the players.

The prime reason for this is then more players can truly start these games for the reason they are trying them out in the first place. Not just to play a game, but to team up with people all over the world, and to make new friends. Something that rarely happens to many gamers because they are never given the chance, just because of one small stupid thing.

In the end, I'd love to see some real stats on a game like World of Warcraft. The number that are playing compared to the number that started a trial, then stopped. Then for those that stopped, just how many stopped because of 'the lack of other players wanting to do what MMO's are about. To join up and kick ass.' Even though I have no numbers in front of me, I'm pretty damn positive that most stop playing because of the lack of comradely, and not because they don't enjoy the game itself.

Update ... it's been a while.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Spent my day mostly in bed sick. Did listen to the movie Milk and the last episode on disk 4 of Dr. Who season 4. I say listen due to the fact that if I watched more then five minutes at a time, my mind screamed in bloody agony. They were great, my sickness just refused to allow me to enjoy them. Will have to give them both another real 'viewing' once I feel better. From what I did get to see during the listening, Milk is an excellent movie, though I'm sure the multitude of male on male kissing will scare off most. As for Dr. Who. It's frickin' Dr. Who, of course I enjoyed it. Though, I'm curious to see in what direction they are really taking the character and this series.

On other fronts, I'm still working on trying to get a few things out of the way to make Misdirection into a podcast novel. Part of this delay comes from waiting for a few emails to be returned. One in particular I'm hoping for a 'yes' from, as it will make things go smoother. Yet, if I get a no, the show will go on, somehow. So, yeah, even more delays for something I felt I would have had out a while ago now.

On the good side, got my invitation to Cliff's wedding reception. Really hope I can make it, but the day and hours might be a problem. In the end, I want to make it, and will do my absolute best to make it, because it will be good to see Cliff, Kirk and Colleen again after what feels like a lifetime. It will be nice to catch up in person and not over the web.

Amazonfail

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Saga continues to pry Nina Kimberly from their greedy hands. Venting at 11.

How to Lose a Customer

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:10:00 +0000

While I have used Amazon.com in the past, here and there, to collect things to clutter my room with, I tend to go to a local store. In the case of buying books lately, I have been exclusively buying from Amazon to help out fellow authors. After all, it's not if your good or not, it's how high that ranking gets. I don't feel this way, but clearly there are people who do, so I do my best to help where I can. Sure, I can get awareness as well by making sure my local bookstore carries them, especially if I have to special order the damn thing, but most people seem to feel more comfortable with those ranking numbers. Oddly, even more-so, the ones found on Amazon.com.

A couple of months ago, I pre-ordered Personal Effects: Dark Art by J.C. Hutchins. Later, I added to that order Nina Kimberly the Merciless by Christiana Ellis, and then chose to just have both orders sent once the books are available. Since Nina Kimberly was already available at the time I ordered it, all I had to do was wait for June 9th for them to be sent together. Color me surprised when I received a email from Amazon.com stating that my books had shipped on the 3rd of June, meaning, as long as it was sent via standard mail (using gas powered machinery), I should receive my books by June 9th, or close to. Yay!

This was not the case.

Today, thirteen days after the order was said to have shipped, the man carrying my order, I'm guessing by foot from Kentucky to Utah, finally arrived. Proof in the picture below.

Despite this, I am not happy. Not by the fact it nearly took two weeks for my order to travel what should have taken much less. I say this because I can send BACK an game to Gamefly and have them send my NEXT game and get it in less time.. These said games being forced to travel just as many states, if not more in the process. I'm upset because even though my shipment order sheet clearly states that Personal Effects and Nina Kimberly were shipped in the same package, only Personal Effects exists in said package.

Now I've been forced to deal with Customer Support where I was asked almost right off the bat, "Did you double check the box?" What, did the rep really think they sent a box the size a Live Doll comes in? The box was barely big enough to contain Personal Effects, so I doubt I missed where Nina might be hiding. (I swear I'm not Francis, Nina, Really!)

Now, after supposedly convincing them I did not receive the book, I have to wait for Amazon to send me my missing book. A book they say they will be sending to me via Two Day Shipping. Let's see if it take this package the 2 days, or 13. Either way, not the best way to keep a customer.

Promo for Misdirection in the Works

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Well, going to throw down the gaunlet and attempt to record the promo audio for Misdirection today. If all turns out well, I'll start recording episodes soon after, or next week; all depending on how well things go, the quaility of the sound (still battleing background crap), and if my voice behaves. Until then, the pic to your right is the current choice I have made for the cover of the podcast novel. Let me know what you think.

1000th post - Misdirection News

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Well, decided that for my 1000th post I'd talk briefly about Misdirection and where I'm going with it. I hope to start recording the podcast novel version of it soon. This is happening much later then planned thanks to a few last edits and the fact I'm still waiting for the second half to be looked over by my guest editor. *glares* You know who you are.

I'm also working on a new idea to help spread the word about Misdirection, but still need to see how it will all turn out. This new idea will involve something that I'm calling 'backgrounds', and I plan on posting them here and on Twitter, maybe even Facebook. Yet, I'm getting ahead of myself here, as I still need to work this idea out, make some test versions, and insure that my long run goal with them works.

Until then, I will try to actually start posting again a bit more frequently ... well, any amount is a hell of a lot more then I have been doing. So, hopefully everyone that pokes their head in here just to see if I've done anything won't completely be disappointed.

Oi! I Live!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:22:00 +0000

Yes I still exist. While I'm not sure when the next real update will hit, I am taking time to rearrange a few things here. Hope to have some real stuff soon, including some nice news about Misdirection and Red Brick House. Hopefully you stay tuned.

Funy of the Week: RWAR! Barbie

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of real updates, but here is the funny of the week.

Funny of the Week: I Love Disclaimers!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:17:00 +0000

A Email To Jaffe

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:45:00 +0000

Just got done reading/watching a post over on David Jaffe's site that made me go, WTF? Not anything David said or did, but what was sent to him in a email by a journalist over at MSNBC ... if that's really the persons profession. I decided, for the shits and giggles, to copy and paste that email below and answer it myself as a gamer. A gamer, mind you, that doesn't own a PS3. So, you might think what I am about to say is bias, but wait and see.

David,

I'm working on a story for MSNBC examining the life-to-date chronology of the PS3. As a respected PlayStation developer, would you be willing to answer a few questions? In the interest you are, here goes:

In hindsight, noting the PS3's lukewarm reception and relatively high cost, a lot of people wonder what Sony was thinking when developing the PS3. So... what were they thinking? Um, how about they were thinking of making the best console possible at the time. What's so wrong with that? Microsoft did the same thing with the 360 when you think about it, as well as the original Xbox. Not to mention Sony did the same with the PS2 and original Playstation. And to dig deeper, so did SEGA and Nintendo with all their previous systems as well. Nintendo broke that chain with the GameCube, but really, have any of them really thought poorly in their systems design and capability? Not really.

It's been said that Ken Kutaragi and Howard Stinger dictated what technology the PS3 should include instead of doing proper research to what the consumer wanted while paying little mind to price. As a development partner, did you feel that was the case? Why/why not? I find this to be the problem with all companies, as well as the bonus. What they think the consumer wants and what the consumer wants tend to be two separate things since the dawn of the home console. So, why is this a big deal now? Plus, they were intent on helping their new technology get a better launch (Blu-ray) and did so successfully having it built into the system, unlike HD-DVD which you needed to buy a very expensive add on to run. Who wasn't thinking of the consumer again? Plus, they had been researching CELL for a while before they even announced the PS3. To say they didn't do proper research before implementing it is like saying you DID do proper research before coming up with that question.

It seems that releasing a feature-rich console for $600, now $400, was a crippling move for Sony, especially given the recent economic downturn. Would you agree? Why/why not? In what way was it crippling again? Besides, it's not like they could foresee the current economic climate. Besides, while not everyone can lay down the once $600 and now $400 for the console, considering what is packed inside the $400 price tag is a pretty sweet deal! Besides, if you want a crippling price point that killed someone, you should look towards the Neo-Geo or even the Turbo-Grafix ... oh, forgot those consoles already, did we?

Did you ever perceive low morale within the company once the $600 price was announced in 2006? Can you elaborate? I can't this question though.

Consumers appear indifferent to Blu-ray technology. Do you feel Sony overvalued Blu-ray, after DVD helped the PS2 become such a huge success? Um, did you forget that Blu-ray WON the format war already? Besides, every movie getting a release now comes out as Blu-ray and Blu-ray IS selling well. So I'm not sure why in the hell this question is even being asked.

It seems the PS3 has been cobbled together since its release: feature-cutting to help cut costs, patched with controller rumble, patched with Home, patched with trophy achievements -- like the console never had a specific plan. During your tenure, did you feel the powers that be at Sony had a grip on what exactly would make the PS3 a success? Why/why not? As if the 360 hasn't been patched with NXE, chip and motherboard changes to help fight off RRoD and so on. Sure, I think Sony has dropped the ball hard on removing backwards capability so soon (proof is in the PS2 still selling like mad), but as gamers in a day and age where games and consoles can be upgraded through patches, its nice to see the PS3 making improvements instead of dealing with what it was lacking out of the box. Unlike all of us who own a 360 who have to send our systems off once every two years (or less) to get it replaced cuz it no longer works. Besides, it's clear Sony had a very specific plan when they developed and delivered the PS3, some of the things they happened to deliver later due to popularity (such as Trophy's to equal out the playing field of achievements on the 360) or because the project was far from done (or in the case of Home, still far from done and way overhyped).

What has been your biggest concern as a PS3 developer? I can't answer this as a developer, but as a gamer, I'd have to say Sony's lack of trying to hold onto its exclusives. That isn't helping one bit loosing so many of them to the 360, and even the Wii. That and they have canceled some huge titles that the fans have wanted to see finished. That doesn't help either. I mean, Heavenly Sword might not have had that critics going crazy for more, but gamers in genreal did.

Was the Wall Street Journal right: has hope faded for PS3 as the "comeback player"? When has the Wall Street Journal been on top of the video game industry? Try never! I remember when they first started to do game reviews to get new blood to read their paper and they complained that GTA Vice City didn't allow you to use a steering wheel to drive and the light gun to shot. I'm surprised they didn't claim it should of allowed you to use the DDR pad to walk and run and come with a blow up doll to fuck then beat over the head with the light gun to get your money back. Oh, wait, this is the same paper that said that the Wii had an uphill battle even at its lower price point. Who's winning the race again?

Kindly,

Mystery Journalist (A.K.A. I know as much about the gaming industry as a nat)

Funny of the Week: Wal Mart Bingo

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:16:00 +0000

14 Years and 14 Sleepless Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:47:00 +0000

First of all, I'm extremely tired, so if any of this post doesn't make sense, blame it on the lack of sleep. Now, on with the show:

It's strange to think that soon it will have been exactly 14 years since Cerra died, and for the past 8 or so of those years, I have to keep wondering why my body cycle hasn't reset itself yet. I guess I should explain a few things real quick.

Cerra was the love of my life all those years ago and she was unfortunately taken away from me thanks to a incurable disease. What's worse, outside of her obviously dying on Valentines Day, it was also her birthday. This in itself can lead me to want to tlak about her view on this, but I'll skip[ it for now.

Since that time, I've found it impossible to fall asleep between February 13th and 14th. Why, I can't say. Well, maybe I could at first all those years ago, but it's not like she's exactly on my mind 24/7, and she sure wasn't on my mind tonight before I came to my realization. So, why can't I fall asleep?

What triggered my thought's about her this time was the fact that thanks to not being able to sleep, I started to read through Misdirection one more time ... just to make sure ... and when I came across the description of Jessica, it hit me. You see, I ended up basing her looks off of Cerra, knowingly, but it wasn't really until this time through that it stuck with me.

I hate to think my subconscious self will hold onto that day for the rest of my life. I like sleep too much for that one day to interfere. Yet, it makes me wonder why it holds on so strongly after all this time. Sure, I could probably give you a list, but its a list I never really think about unless it comes up. That's what confuses me. If she's really never on my mind, why does this always happen?

Bah, I'll just ramble on for two more paragraphs unless I stop myself. Just wanted to let my mind get this out before I try to fall back asleep ... hopefully successfully this time. I really don't want to make it 14 years is a row without sleep on the same day.

Silence Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:44:00 +0000

Yesterday, Erica came over so we could not only watch some Children of Dune (awesome), but also so we could pull off two other things, both of which she was the center of. To see how Mike and Nichelle react to her. While the reaction from Mike was fun, it was what happened with Nichelle that was so damn good. While the initial interaction seemed like she was handling things well, when Erica said she was going to be hanging out at my place, something changed. Might have to do something with the way she was dressed ... who knows. Anyway, today when I saw Nichelle at her work, she didn't even try to talk to me at all. Wow ... Silence ... did not expect lol.

Funny of the Week: Chad Is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:38:00 +0000

A day late, but hopefully the fact it is Chad Vader will make up for it. ^_^

Welcome To Stalkersville

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:52:00 +0000

Yes, I'm going to talk about past relationships, so you know it's going to be interesting considering my track record. Anyway, since I'm not really sure what I have/have not expressed so far here, I'll try to do the Cliff Notes version to catch everyone up on the latest Wondermint™

It all started last year when I started to date this ex and everything was good. We had fun, we enjoyed our time together, explored some hills and valleys, all that stuff. Then on New Years Day, we texted to each other while I was at work ... which helped pass the time nicely I might add. The next day, the texts continued, got a bit more interesting, but then suddenly went off the damn chart ... the wrong way.

Now to set this up, let just say that I was having fun texting away when she said she was going to swing by to see me. I can handle that. After all, the last time she did that I got food on top of seeing her. Double Ding! But this time when she said she was going to come see me, she combined it with, 'where are you at?'

This didn't really catch my attention until after I answered it and I got back, 'Um ... I know this is going to sound silly but ... I think I don't know who I'm talking to. Who are you?'

...
...
...
...

Now, my mind froze for multiple reasons, as I'm sure you can all understand. What stuck in my mind the most was, she's sending all these texts, with what we were texting, and she doesn't even know who's she's texting? WTF?!

Anyway, I pointed out who I was, which i didn't think I had to, and I got this in return; 'Oh yeah, I thought you were someone else. Sorry Dude.'

...
...
...
...

Was she asleep the past few months? Or just asleep when we were hanging out? I know for a fact she wasn't asleep when we were exploring valleys and hills!

This of course started even more questions of who in the hell did she think she was talking to, which she refused to really answer. The answer came after work when I stopped by where she worked and talked to someone that we both know. I then found out that she was seeing someone else and the reason ... you'll love this ... he drives a nice car.

ATTENTION SHALLOW BITCHES EVERYWHERE: A car means dick ... and I'm not talking about the erect kind. If you are going to fall for someone based on what they drive ... well, I don't want to have anything to do with you.

This of course also lead to me finding out that she's been doing a lot more then just 'hanging out' with this dude. Oh well, guess I'm better off anyway.

Where this is leading is that after about two weeks, she was already trying to get back with me. After all, Mr. Hot Ride was an asshole (surprise?), and she knows better now. As for me, I'm not impressed. If anything I have learned in all these years, I refuse to give anyone that cheats on me a second chance and she is on that list.

Fast forward to this week. I was texting Erica, a good friend from work, when I just so happened to walk into the ex's work. She saw me, saw me texting and asked, 'so who are you texting?' I in return said, 'My new girl friend.'

Well, I wasn't lying. Erica is a 'new' 'friend' and she is a 'girl'.

This won me a wonderful look of, 'oh no you didn't go get a new girlfreind instead of hooking back up with me' look. Yes, I found it funny too. After a few more very small plesantries, I left and began to text Erica about the encounter and how she felt about me using her as a faux girlfriend, and she loved it actually. The bad part being I didn't think about showing the ex a pic of Erica until I got home just to see her reaction. Oh well, I'll leave that in the next time file.

Fast forward about 4 hours, the ex decided to come over after she got off work so we could talk like normal human beings. READ: She beated around the bush for an hour and a half until she got to the meat of why she came over. She wanted to know what she had to do to get me back. After a long explaintion of 'no way in hell', I walked her home.

Sure, I might hate her for cheating on me, but it was 3 am and I didn't want to see her A) beaten B) rapped C) both of the above or D) A+B+C+ whatever else.

Interestingly enough, she called me earlier, waking me up to boot >.<, so she could again ask the same question, just phrased differently.

How the hell do I find these people?!?!?!?!

And does anyone happen to have the number to a ex-girlfried exterminator????

Words of Wisdom: Teaching A Old Man New Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:48:00 +0000

How do you get a man to try something new? Tell him he's too old to do it!

Funny of the Week: When Not To ... Well, You'll See

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:04:00 +0000

Fun With Alarms

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:39:00 +0000

One of the fun aspects of working security is that we also get to have fun with every type of alarm that can exist. At least, as long as that company has some system set up for said alarms. For the most part, a good number of the alarms we deal with are false alarms, most of which being set off by the weather.

When it comes to fire alarms, one of the biggest contributors is the units on top of the building and the air system, which can set off the smoke detectors when the motor burns up or eats through a belt. Of the twenty or so fire alarms I have had to deal with since starting security, 99% of those have been set off this very way.

Today was no different, though there is one interesting twist to the story.

After the fun took place, the company that is over the system came out to check the smoke detectors, as there was no fire and we’ve had a few recent issues. Though today being the only one that set off the actual fire alarm. Either way, his arrival marked the start of the twist.

The employee consulted the on-site maps of the smoke detector placements to the readout on the alarm screen and … they didn’t match. Ooops. In fact, a good number of the fire alarm system did not match the map. Ooops. Because of this, the employee was not able to find the smoke detectors in question. Ooops.

Now, I’ve been working security a long time. I’ve had to deal with my fair share of alarms. Yet, this is the first time I have seen this happen. I’m sure you can guess at this point there are some confused and not too pleased people built into this situation.

My question then becomes; if the map isn’t for our building, whose does it belong to? And, where’s ours?

In the end, it’s not too bad as it was a false alarm and the building is in good shape, even if the fire system clearly needs some work. The sudden adrenalin rush mixed four hours sleep did make a bad combination with 9 hours of the work day still ahead of me, but I rather deal with a false alarm then a real one any day.

Back In The Saddle AgainNo, Not That One

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:09:00 +0000

One of the things about work that is always in constant curiosity is co-workers. In the world of Security, this can be in constant flux. The reason for this is that most people that jump into security just don't have what it takes for it. Not necessarily because its too hard, but they are disappointed to find out its not like in the movies where you just sit back in your chair, watch reruns of Knight Rider and sleep. You actually have to do things like; rounds, interact with employees, deal with rule changes, deal with employees who think that somehow you are behind those rule changes and so on. If know that doesn't sound so bad, you haven't worked security at a site full of people from all walks of life or attitude. Nor have you clearly had to work every damn holiday for the past decade.

Now, one of the biggest problems as a security guard can be the fellow guards that come in to relieve you or you come in to relieve. The reason behind this, not all of them are easy to get along with, let alone ones you want to get along with. Some of you that have been around for a while might remember I've done plenty of posts on past guards I have worked with, one so wonderful I even created a word for his actions: Richardisms. Which I have wanted to post a few more, not all done by the holder of the name mind you, I just haven't done so.

For a while, the people I have had to deal with haven't been all that bad, but for a few weeks not to long ago, I had to deal with a huge Jesus freak on the weekends at my place of work. I have no problem with people that have religion, or want to talk it. Hell, half of the people I talk to on a regular basis are huge into their faith. But lets face it, there are limits, and it is always passed when these people feel like the only way you will ever see salvation is if they somehow save you. By PREACHING to you and at the end act like they are the only reason you have seen or understand what they just covered. Even if you've known about it since age 5.

sigh.

Thankfully, I no longer have to deal with this person, as the guard was swapped out for someone else. In this case, swapped out for someone who kicks 37 types and ways of ass. It's nice to deal with someone again that I can actually talk to without having to play it safe, can say whatever is on my mind, and we have a lot in common. Movies, music, games, no shame in talking about any part of our lives and laughing about it. You get the idea.

Of course, thanks to our easy to get along nature, some have mistaken our interactions. A few of the people at the site are curious when I'm going to ask her out (I'm looking at you John) or if we are dating,(you know who you are Maura), which isn't going to happen. Not because I don't like her. She's actually pretty hot, but it's a combination of her being with someone and she's 14 years younger then me. Yeah, don't ask me how I keep running into them and becoming friends, but I do and I'm not going to start complaining anytime soon. Yet, out of all the people that are misreading our interactions is our very own supervisor that I have the most curiosity and interest in.

Why I find this so obvious, curious and interesting? It wasn't until this weekend that he saw how we interacted with each other when he showed up to drop off a few things. He then came back later in my shift (to look for something) and for the first time in all the time I have known him, and at least two years of working at that site (we've known each other longer), he's asked about my relationship life.

So why now after all this time?

While he never came out and said it, it was clear he thought me and Erica might be hooking up, if not already hooked and toning it down for the work environment. The fun part of all this, and one of the reasons I'm even bringing it up here, is that for the fun of it we might just go for it. Not seriously mind you, but to mess with our Supervisor, cuz you know it will be fun as hell. The idea only passed by in a conversation and we really didn't decide on anything. We were having too much fun talking about everything else, but it would be fun to mess with his mind.

As for the title of this post, it actually has nothing to do with work, relationships, or made up ones to mess with peoples heads. Its about my writing. After finally getting past a few things, and have a good 'go to hell' moment, I'm back in the saddle of finishing off Misdirection. I really hope to have it done soon, as well as have it and a few of my short stories ready to be put up in podcast novel form before mid-February.

So here's to being back in the saddle! w00taga!

Funny of the Week Part 1.0: Jeff Dunham #003

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Funny of the Week Part .5: Jeff Dunham #002

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Funny of the Week: Garbage Man Flirt

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:55:00 +0000

The Other Inauguration Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:30:00 +0000

Make your own at Inauguration Speech Generator. Mine was as follows:

My fellow Americans, today is a w00t day. You have shown the world that "hope" is not just another word for "dream", and that "change" is not only something we can believe in again, but something we can actually pocket.

Today we celebrate, but let there be no mistake – America faces dexterity and intelligence challenges like never before. Our economy is grave. Americans can barely afford their mortgages, let alone have enough money left over for women. Our healthcare system is headless. If your left ball sack is sick and you don't have insurance, you might as well call a disembarrred lawyer. And America's image overseas is tarnished like a chunky peanut butter. But swinging together we can right this ship, and set a course for Las Vegas.

Finally, I must thank my strange family, my comedy campaign volunteers, but most of all, I want to thank Anarchists for making this historic occasion possible. Of course, I must also thank you, President Bush, for years of dry humping the American people. Without your swinger efforts, none of this would have been possible.

Funny of the Week: Jeff Dunham #001

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Until I can get the other things I want up ready, I'll let you all have a few laughs ^_^

Kinchan no Kasoh Taisho Strikes Again

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Gardner) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:14:00 +0000

Man, these guys seriously can do no wrong!