Have been busy at work on HJ; we're gearing up for something playable by SimuCon. Which means database, scripting language, game server, GM tools, some basic scripts, and UI. Other than depositing my two cents in meetings though I'm sticking to the 3D engine. Have been doing lighting lately -- per-pixel, really nice stuff for those with high-end cards, scaling down for other cards. SpeedTree 1.6 integration and real-time dynamic shadows are next on my list.

If we were only writing for Radeon 9700's and 9800's it would have gone faster. NVidia cards at that same price range are, sadly, nowhere near as fast when it comes to DirectX 9 class stuff. All too often they've been benchmarked using only DX8 capabilities, but when Half-Life 2 comes out with its HDR lighting and whatnot, the last of the doubters will see the real difference. Apparently Valve has spent 5 times as much development time trying to improve frame rates on NVidia cards than they did just writing the engine in the first place, and haven't been fully successful...

I've been playing GemStone 4 quite a bit. I have a two-weapon rogue who's extremely, frighteningly effective in combat but I have taken a dislike to her personality -- I'd come back from a fast-paced, thrilling, profitable hunt and then just park her butt at a private table in the Inn and web surf while experience absorbed, because I didn't like her when I roleplayed. Deciding that was no fun, I had brief and unsuccessful attempts at a couple of pure spellcasting types but decided it required more patience than I wanted to expend. Finally I rerolled my lunatic 10th level sorceress from a couple years ago as a Ranger. She's a hoot to roleplay -- personality modeled after Delirium from the Sandman comics, and she's developing a special fascination with bugs and worms -- but sorcery in GemStone is for those more patient than I. Eventually they have extreme power and a big intimidation factor, but really they're far more show than go.

As a 3rd level Ranger she's hunting the same 6th level creatures that she did as a 10th level Sorceress... with less effort, less risk and better success. Granted she can't surround them with a swirling vortex of death and then go get popcorn and enjoy the show. But two solid whacks with a machete tends to have the same result in less time. ;) I really enjoyed the stealth-as-defense uphunting that my rogue was doing, and going Ranger gives me many more interesting spell options without needing to beat purely level-based spell resistance. Since I chose sword-and-board and can still afford to train in dodging, her defense is outstanding. She'll deal out damage a bit more slowly than my rogue did, but still at a very respectable rate.

With a player-run auction tommorow afternoon and Return of the Spitfire next month I'm sure my characters' bank accounts will be empty of silver in short order. :)

Wedding plans thus far: get married in late June at the courthouse, which unfortunately only can happen on Wednesdays. Reception the following Saturday in a hotel near the airport, but I can't invite everybody from work (we're keeping it small). Perhaps a Kemetic wedding at Retreat or another time at Tawy House II in Joliet.

I'm going down to visit her over Valentines' Day weekend, and she's coming up to visit me in early April. My parents want to visit during one of those occasions, leaning toward April, but I haven't gotten confirmation of that yet. (I did just call to ask and they're out to lunch, heh.)

When she visits here, that will help decide whether we try to upgrade a 2-bedroom place here right away, or wait for the lease to come up in September and then find a 2-bedroom place here or elsewhere. A house is probably later down the road, so (A) she has a job and (B) we don't add to the stress with a house hunt quite yet.

Let's see...

- I've been working a bit on tracks for the second CD, but in no hurry. There's the start of a track sitting there now and I can't decide if it's good for Shu or not, so I'm thinking I'll just start something else.

- The unplanned-semi-low-carb diet is going okay, still on a big plateau as far as weight goes but still keeping blood sugar under control. Not getting a lot of exercise other than walking sometimes on my lunch hour.

- My cat has not thrown up since I banned her from the bedroom after the last time she barfed all over my blanket, sheets and pillow.

- The car is still doing great, aside from the one flat tire in Lizardland I've had no trouble with it at all.

- The laptop is still a happy purchase though the graphics chip is slooow. It's great for the things I bought it for. When Half-Life 2 comes out I suspect I'll play it at work rather than home, since I've an NVidia card in the not-too-fast-anyway home desktop and a Radeon at work.

- Weather has been alternately cold and bitterly painfully cold; there was some snow and ice a couple weeks ago but nothing heavy. I long for the day I can turn off the heat and open the windows.

- Am reading Liz Williams' Nine Layers of Sky which is quite cool. Medieval Russian myth and legend meets the stark realities of the early 21st century, which is the way it is because the dream of the Soviet Union has been leached away by the denizens of an alternate reality...

- Have been writing much in my LiveJournal which is why the infrequent updates here.

- Haven't eaten yet today so I'm wrapping this up. :)

Posted 09:08 AM CST [Link] [Archives] [Index]

Good to hear things are goin' well for you, Dave. Your wedding is comin' up fast, only a few months away. You'll have to take lots of pictures. :)

Sometimes I hop over to your livejournal site, but since I'm not a member there, I can't comment on any of your entries.

But, oh well, it's good to see you haven't forgotten us over here. :)

Rob and I were married at the Wednesday only courthouse. :) It was nice. The judge put out fresh flowers, we got to know everyone else waiting to be married and we got there early enough to be the number two couple married for the day. The judge also did a good, sincere job as if we were the only ones getting married that day. :)

That's good to hear :)