Game Design Geek

Well, the last few mornings here in Southern California still have that morning haze you get in the morning called June Gloom. But I have to admit the tempatures have been really mild in comparison to the last few years. By this time last year it was really hot. I have been doing a lot of thinking this weekend about things, and what I want to do, where I want to live, work etc. Dont think I have come up with any concrete dicisions yet, but I think Im getting close to a few.

I spent another Saturday with Austin. I got up early and made my way down to see him. We went and bought him a practice club so he could get some swing practice. It was a Mizuno Mp32 forged 6 iron. I made sure to get a training grip on it for him so that he doesnt learn any bad habits. After we got the club we made our way to the mall in Eastlake to meet Rudy for lunch. I have to admit that it was good seeing Rudy. I havnt seen him in a really long time. Its been about 6 months now. It didnt feel like it, but it was. We talked a lot about game jobs in the area, and that he was applying for some. I really do miss him, as much as we didnt hang out a lot when we lived together.

After lunch Austin and I went to hit some balls at Eastlake Country Club. It feels really strange to go back there, even thought it appears that nothing there has really changed. Austin and I had a lot of fun, hit some balls, talked some. Then we hit the putting green and embarrased ourselves for about a good 45 minutes or so missing a lot of short puts. He has turned out to be a really good kid, in spite of his father. It was a great day with him, I cant wait to see him again.

Went down to San Diego to see my son on the weekend, and we had lunch and hit some balls at the driving range. You know, he was hitting my 5 iron about 150 yards, which is pretty good considering my clubs are Professional Grind forged blades. It has to be genetic, he was born with a swing that’s just so fluid and natural that you just have to cry to see it. I really don’t have to say anything to him, he just does what comes natural, and its like butter.

Put his swing next time mine and you see that the similarities aren’t just cosmetic, its oddly genetic. And this is with forged blades that are about 4 inches too long for him mind you. I have to admit that I can see a day soon where he will be outhitting the old man. We also went to T-Mobile and got him a new phone, he was overdue to graduate from the prepaid plan to a real phone.

On a much more somber note I was informed by Gary that Rose was back in the hospital and that I might want to come out and see her. They were not sure, but all the prelim tests were saying stomach cancer. And tonight I got the call that it was indeed cancer, and had spread to the liver. I have to say it was deeply disturbing to see her lying in that hospital bed. I know shes 71 and that anyone that makes it to that age would consider themselves lucky, but I never thought there would be a day soon where she wouldn’t be around. It seems just like yesterday when she was at the snack shack at the end of the second hole at National City GC handing out Gatorade to me. She was so full of life and spry, even at 58. She would get on the range with us and hit balls…… That’s how I want to remember her, not lying in that hospital room.

Who I really worry about is Manny, and how he is going to do after Rose is gone. I was reading a study with some scary facts that men over 70 that lose a spouse die at a rate of over 75% themselves within 6 months. Broken heart syndrome? I don’t know, but I do know that I worry for him, I think losing them both so quickly would really bother me.

Ok, enough of that. It was nice seeing them all. but that drive to El Centro is a real killer. It seems really weird that they live out there now. National City had been their home for so many years. It just seems so weird to go to San Diego and everyone I know just doesn’t live there anymore. San Diego used to feel like home, and now it just doesn’t feel that way. Lots and lots of really good memories though.

Work is really busy, I have been putting in some crazy hours trying to get the milestone out, and Alpha. As usual with every game I have been on, we are behind the 8-ball. Its just par for the course I guess for the game industry, you never do have it go smooth, and if you did, you would have to wonder what the heck was wrong. Anyway, things are moving right along.