Wichi Dude

NEW GAMES

I found out that two of the games I have played, and enjoyed, are coming out with the next versions.

The first one by "Valve", is "Half-Life". I enjoyed that one a lot. It was one of the first interactive computer games I played. At times frustrating. but always challenging. "Half-Life 2" has been written about and I went looking for it with no success. Looking at their web site, it appears it is not available to the public yet. The reviews were of pre-release versions. Looks like I'll have to wait.

Unfortunately, it also looks as if my computer is old enough not to be able to run it. I have a 350mhz. and the system requirements call for a minimum of 700 mhz. I could try to force it, but I don't know how well it would work. The newer graphics really strain the resources of a system. Unless I want to live in terminal lock-up with the computer, I may have to wait until I can get a new system before I get the game.

The next one, was "Deus Ex" through "EIDOS" and "IONSTORM". This one allowed for choices you make in playing, to dictate how the game continued, to a certain degree. Checking their site, I found it would be available early in December. It does not give the minimum requirements for running the game. If it is needing a higher speed system, this will have to be put on hold also.

Technology is outpacing the basic needs I have for a system. For most of what I do, I get along just fine. But after that, I have a boat anchor.

Can't stop progress.

HOLIDAY STUFFING

Thanksgiving is closing in on us again. Usually, we host the Thanksgiving dinner at the "Casa Wichi". This year the whole drill is still in the works.

We have been invited to dinner at the "House in the Hat", as well as CK's boyfriend parents house, "The Castle Chew". So far, all the dates for dinner are on different days. Therefore we are entertaining the possibilities of having three Thanksgiving dinners. Now, how cool is that? Can't beat it with a drum stick.

The finalization of all the plans still hasn't gone through yet though. But, we are still planning a small dinner at "Casa Wichi" no matter what happens.

Boy. Three holiday dinners in one week. That would be some kind of record, if it happens.

All this is due to meeting the schedules of all the participant. Not a problem really. I don't want anyone to feel slighted. It is kind of neat.

Well, I have some serious table eating exercises to do if I plan on surviving the week.

UPDATE:

GRISTLE

The Dudette is a big fan of gristle. Don't ask why, I've been trying to figure that out myself for a few years.

Anyway, she made a crock-pot chicken for dinner tonight. The chicken has been crocking for a couple days so it is nice and tender and juicy. At dinner she treated herself to a good size piece of gristle and was disappointed that it was mushy. She likes it to "CRUNCH".

I will leave you to whatever disgusted delusions you want to have over that one.

Otherwise, the meal was quite good.

O.T. HOURS AGAIN

OK. Just when I thought it was safe to go back to work, they change the hours again. For only two days, we will be on the squirely hours, Tuesday and Wednesday. Why only those two days? Well, management felt that if we add the extra hours in there, then if we hit our production, we get to leave early on Friday. If not, then we have time to get caught up before the start of our Thanksgiving week off.

Not a bad plan really. But it sure screws everyone up having the LONG hours in the middle of the week.

Oh, what can you do.

PHONES

We have an issue with phones in the house. CK thinks they make great basketballs. Seems like everytime we get a cordless phone, it ends up getting dribbled on the floor like a basketball. A little rough on the life expectance of the phone.

The current one has gotten to the point where we never know if we can hear when we pick it up. So it is time for a new one.

Dudette and CK went out today to purchase it. We researched which one had the features we wanted, without the problems inherent in cordless phones.

So we are now in the process of getting the new one set up and charged. By Sunday morning it should be up and going. We got a second remote handset to go with it. The second remote location hand set is for CK. We purchased an extended warranty for that one. If she destroys it, they replace it. If she destroys OURS, we replace HER.

Fair enough.

Darn expensive basketballs.

Addendum to answer a good question:

STORY THOUGHTS / NOT THE STORY THOUGH

Lately I have been getting feedback about the latest story line, "Bright Lights".

Either people are trying to make me feel good about this project, or I might be on to something. Several have commented that they think the story is going to reach novel status, and length. Could be.

I know I have given enough side bar information to keep this going for a LOOOONG time if it suited my fancy. There are so many different directions this thing could go. I think some of the people reading it are getting more interested in the characters, and their development.

I know Buffy and Bogie have commented that they are ready for more and want me to hurry up.

Others want to know, if I am going to explain the backgrounds of, and further develop, the two main characters in this story. And whether I plan on spinning off other stories about them. Could be.

What has made this interesting so far is getting thoughts and snippets from people, kind of like "stump the chump". Just to see if I could incorporate them into the story line and have it make some kind of sense. I like that.

I haven't lost interest in the story or the writing, so don't let that worry anyone. I plan on continuing with the story writing.

My question on the whole situation is with myself. Should I let the story take over and let it flow freely? OR should I continue taking requests and snippets, melding them into the story line. You know, let them bump it around from side to side, not unlike the ball in a pinball game. Flip the lever and send the ball careening off in a different direction, ping off another loaded bumper, sailing to yet another uncharted location. Hoping to get the full score and not "tilt" by whacking it too hard to get it under some semblence of control.

I'm having fun, so "I" am getting value out of this, and not doing it just to make the audience happy. But is the audience getting value out of it?

Am I making this a worthwhile adventure for the folks that commit the time to read what I have put down?

If it stopped, would anyone really notice? Or care.

Oh well, now back to "real" stuff.

At a Science Fiction convention I attended years ago, a well known author was having a discussion with a group a people. He commented that the biggest irritation he had with meeting people at conventions is, in the course of conversation, someone always said, "I would have ended this story differently." At this point, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a pencil and said, "I had these made for me for just such occasions." And he handed the pencil out to us to see. On it was embossed, "YOUR ENDING HERE".

He said, "I tell them that if they don't like the ending, tear out the last five pages and write their own. That usually shuts them up."

The group of us, (none guilty of that fax paus), were left with a souvenir, a good story and a great laugh.

Thanks for letting me air out my brain. I promise to get back to the story as soon as I get a block of time to work with.

GROOVIN' ON THE TUNES

Dudette is at a remote location for her work tonight. She should be heading home before too late but may not be in until after I am long asleep. She is doing her monthly H.R. visit and Safety presentation.

In the meantime, I'm hammering on the computer listening to STYZ Greatest Hits. The band has gone through some changes but I still find it to be sappy quality music. Sometimes it is a little "POP" other times it is hard driving rock. A good mix.

Maybe some Sammy Hagar before bed.

CHANGE IN HOURS

I mentioned last Thursday that our hours at work were changing for the week. Today was the first day of overtime. But rearranging our schedules was a tricky thing last night.

I went to bed before 9. Dudette followed shortly after. I was gone to the world in no time, but not Dudette.

Just as she was falling asleep, about 9:45, CK and Chew were down stairs and started watching a movie. Full volume.

Dudette was ready to kill inflict harm. But instead, grabbed the phone and called CK's cell to tell her to turn it down. She could hear the phone ringing, but no one answered.

Just as she was concidering going down to talk to CK, CK poked her head into the room and said, "You called?"

"Yes. Turn the TV down."

"OK."

Dudette thought she would get back to sleep then. But again, as she was getting ready to nod off, it was time for the kids to come upstairs and make more noise.

They finally settled down and it was off to slumberland again. Wrong.

For some reason, I woke up and got out of bed. Dudette asked if everything was OK.

"Yeah. I'm getting ready for work." And I headed off to the closet to get some clothes on.

"It's 11:20. You sure you want to get ready for work?"

"11:20? I have to check this out." And I headed off to the kitchen to look at the clock. Why the kitchen, and not the bedroom clock, I don't know. Just made more sense at the time.

Yup. 11:20. Back to bed I went.

OK. Back to sleep for both of us.

About 1:30, Dudette woke up again. No reason for it, just awake. She finally got back to sleep a while later.

I told her it was because it was TOO quiet for a change.

ART CARNEY IS GONE

In case you missed it, Art Carney has passed away. There is a good article here .

I always liked him. He gave Jackie Gleason a run for the money on the "Honeymooners".

We are losing more and more of our treasures each day.

"BRIGHT LIGHTS" PART 5

It's still coming. This will be the fifth installment of the story "Bright Lights".

Hope everyone is happy so far. With luck, it should be finishing up before too much longer. I really didn't expect this story to take on a life of its own, but it has. Sometimes, it just works out that way.

That said, shall we get started?

For those who have lost track:
The first installment is here .
The second is here .
And the third is here .
And the fourth is here .