Tomorrow is the start of the IGDA Leadership Forum. I am speaking in it. I’m actually more nervous about catching the Caltrain to get there than I am for the actual talk – not because I’m prepared (I’m not), but because a guy died at the Redwood City station last Friday. So I am more worried about saving my life than saving face.
Of course, when it’s finally my turn to speak, my priorities will probably reverse.
Also, whoever made the bookmark for my talk is brilliant:
My sister isn’t really into music, but as part of her “Please get out of the house more, Luna” movement, she bought us tickets for the Bridge School Benefit in the Shoreline Amphitheater. It’s an annual acoustic concert organized by Neil and Pegi Young; the proceeds go to the Bridge School, which helps children with physical or speech impairments.
We went to the Sunday show (Oct. 25) and got there a bit late; I barely caught Gavin Rossdale doing “Glycerine” (sis asked who he was, and I simply replied with, “Pogi.“*) We had paid for real seats instead of camping out on the lawn, which suited our lazy asses just fine – and once we sat down, the great acts just kept on comin’.
First up were Wolfmother, whom I wasn’t that familiar with – but their rendition of “Woman” was just amazing. I’ve always believed that getting a rock band to do an acoustic set is the fastest way to find out if they’re worth anything. The amount of energy Wolfmother put into their set was ridiculous, and very impressive. (YouTube: See for yourself.)
Next were Fleet Foxes, and if I thought Wolfmother were impressive, Fleet Floxes made me curse out loud with awe. They were so indie, meek, unassuming – but the instant they started singing in unison, they blew everybody away. (Hearing “White Winter Hymnal” live, it was impossible not to fall in love with them.) I am totally buying an album soonest!
Monsters of Folk and Sheryl Crow were next, and they were very good, too, but unfortunately we weren’t their target market We spent this time buying food and beer (overpriced, by the way – $12 for a glass? Really?). Continue Reading »
(while working beside my brother-in-law at 10:20 pm)
Brother-in-law: Is your company paying for your new laptop?
Me: I’m paid enough to buy my own stuff.
Brother-in-law: Let me teach you something valuable – you are never paid enough. Are you doing an adult’s job? Can you live on your salary if you had a family? Food, shelter, education for your kids? You are NEVER PAID ENOUGH.
Me (distracted by work): I’m trying to make a flaming lizard disappear properly.
Brother-in-law: Maybe you are paid enough.
I spent my last two weeks in Southern California running around like a crazed rabbit, culminating in a last day worthy of the Amazing Race. If my first week was hectic, here’s my second week:
Went to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night with the cousins. If you know me at all, you’d know that I haven’t seen a scary movie in 10 years and I hate being surprised. Much screaming ensued. (There was one actor in the Saw maze who scared me so well that I had to congratulate him afterward!)
Had lunch with Ciara, a high school friend and now famous jewelry designer, in North Hollywood. We had Philly cheese steaks. Mmmm
Explored North Hollywood, with their little stores and cupcake places. I tried to hang out at Independent Coffee because I’m a fan of little neighborhood coffee shops, but I accidentally ordered the worst thing ever. (Do not have their powdered green tea latte – it tastes like piss. Seriously.)
Had dinner with Nelson, a Fil-Am designer whom I’d met at the IGDA Manila forums, and talked shop. He makes serious military games for different countries – they teach soldiers the culture of their assigned posts so they don’t misunderstand the locals and make stupid mistakes. Amazing job, if you ask me
Watched my first stand-up show at Improv in Ontario, with college friend Glowie. American humor is hit and miss for me, and the comics that night were so-so, though Gary Owen was kind of funny
It was actually raining hard that week so I thought business was slow I decided to make up for it on my last week: Continue Reading »
We spent this time buying food and beer (overpriced, by the way – $12 for a glass? Really?). 
