Invading Spaces nears completion

This week, I've been working double shifts. From 7:30AM to 4PM, I've been doing my normal work duties (and what a week it's been). From 4PM-midnight and beyond, I've been putting the finishing touches on my new book, Invading Spaces. This last writing push has made me not want to blog much this week, but I thought I owed it to everybody to know where I've been.

My original goal was to finish the book by the 1st of July; that date came and went. My drop dead date was this past Monday; that's come and gone, too. As of last night, the book is 99% complete. Tonight after work I'm going to finish the cover and deal with some minor formatting issues and then it'll be done. It's funny, the cover of Commodork just popped into my head, but I'm having a lot of issues with this one. My initial idea, an arcade cabinet with the words "INVADING SPACES" across the marquee and additional words across the monitor just isn't panning out. I'll try again tonight but if it fails again, I may have to go with something simpler.

Invading Spaces debuts August 9th at the Oklahoma Videogame Expo in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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Fashion Quiz

Morgan went to school with a blue shirt, green shorts, and pink shoes. Please choose one of the following reasons:

A - Today was 80s dress-up day.
B - Both I, and Morgan, are color blind.
C - Susan is out of town.

If you guessed "C", you nailed it. 100% for you, please give yourself a scratch-n-sniff sticker as a reward. Susan's in San Francisco this week for a GSA conference. While Susan's out of town, my days go like this:

6:30am - Wake up, shower, get dressed.
7:00am - Wake kids up, get them dressed, deal with morning drama. (*1)
7:30am - Drop kids off at daycare, go to work.

(Work)

4:00pm - Pick up kids at daycare.
4:30pm - Arrive at home, unwind with kids.
6:00pm - Fix dinner, deal with dinner drama. (*2)
8:30pm - Give Morgan bath.
9:00pm - Put Morgan to bed / Put Mason in bath.
9:30pm - Put Mason to bed.
10:00pm - Deal with bedtime drama. (*3)
10:00pm to Midnight - Watch TV, work on my book.

Rinse, repeat, try and make it through the week.

*1 - Morning drama typically involves one of the following: kid does not want to wear clothes that were laid out the night before, kid forgot to tell me the night before that kid needs to take x$ to school, kid decides he/she doesn't want to eat at daycare and would rather eat at home and/or McDonald's, or kid comes up with some bizarre thing to throw a fit about that only makes sense in kid's brains (ie: "there's no school today because it rained yesterday.")

*2 - Dinner drama typically involves one of following: kids cannot agree on what/where to eat, kid(s) don't want to eat anything, and the worst, kid(s) decide that they don't want to eat whatever was just prepared/purchased. (Tonight's battle? Two kids, but only one official Shrek brand TV dinner. Had to use a Sharpee draw Cinderella on the other one.)

*3 - Bedtime drama is almost always the same: for some reason, kid(s) cannot go to bed. All the usual make believe kid reasons apply here: room is too hot or cold, kid doesn't like this particular shirt/pajama, or this week's classic, "you covered me with the wrong side of the blanket."

My parents told me a long time ago not to sweat the small stuff. Now I see why; there's not enough hours in the day.

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Review: Complete Computer Fireworks Celebration Kit

While both videogame consoles and home computers allowed owners to play videogames, home computers also gave creative kids and adults the ability to create their own. Through BASIC and other languages, home computer owners were able to create their own games. Unfortunately, many young programmers found out the hard way that creating a game from scratch was rather difficult.

Out of this need, a new genre was born -- the "construction kit." The first one I remember seeing was Electronic Arts' "Pinball Construction Set," a program that allowed budding programmers to place bumpers at will and create their own virtual pinball tables. Pinball Construction Set would soon be followed by Arcade Game Construction Kit, Adventure Contruction Set, Shoot-Em-Up Contruction Kit and Wargame Construction Set. All of these programs greatly simplified the process of creating your own programs by managing the majority of the code, allowing young game makers to focus on things like graphics, sound and gameplay.

One of the weirder additions to the "construction kit" genre was Activision's "Complete Computer Fireworks Celebration Kit." Dubbed "the fireworks construction kit" by gamers, Activision's 1985 release allowed users to create their own virtual firework displays. Seriously. The Complete Computer Fireworks Celebration Kit (CCFCK) was written by Jon van Ryzin, the same man that wrote H.E.R.O.

Like any other "construction kit" program, CCFCK offers a multitude of options that allows virtual fireworks maestros the ability to customize every part of their display. Users can choose one of six backdrops (a bridge, a city, a castle, etc) and from a list of twenty songs, from The Star Spangled Banner to Happy Birthday. The program is compatible with Music Studio, so custom songs can also be imported. The fireworks displays also include text messages displayed at the bottom of the screen which can be customized as well.

And then there are the fireworks. There are several different types of fireworks than can be used, and each one can be modified using sliders, giving users the ability to alter each fireworks size, color, speed, and so on. The sliders, like every other part of the program, are controlled using a standard joystick. CCFCK requires very little keyboard interaction (other than the custom display messages users can enter).

Each event is ultimately stored on a vertically-scrolling event list. Each entry can be changed, inserted or removed. With enough time and effort, a person could theoretically synch their fireworks display up with the background music.

Once your masterpiece has been completed it can be saved to disk, where it can be reloaded or traded amongst friends (assuming they also own the program -- from what I can tell, the saved firework displays are not stand alone executables).

While many people apparently have fond memories of this program, I have to admit I found the whole thing pretty boring. I mean ... seriously, virtual fireworks? For a fraction of this program's retail cost, I could put a fireworks display on in my own backyard. After ten or so minutes of messing around with Activision's Complete Computer Fireworks Celebration Kit, I actually wanted to to turn off the computer and go outside -- and that's really saying something.

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Fourth of July Three-peat???

Long time blog readers know that for us, the Fourth of July means participating in the City of Yukon's annual Fourth of July Children's Parade. The parade is also a competition with three categories: most patriotic, most creative, and best costume.

Susan, the kids and I entered floats in 2006 (the Rocketship) and 2007 (the Birthday Cake). In 2006 we won "best costume" and in 2007 we won "most creative". Not to sound cocky, but I ended the 2007 blog post with the following prediction: Next year? Look out for the three-peat!

This year's float entry was titled, "From Sea to Shining Sea." Using old Dell computer boxes, some colored duct tape, a bit of paint and Granny's garden wagon, we put together the sailboat (the U.S.S. Freedom) in a day. If there's one thing participating in the Olympics/Odyssey of the Mind taught Susan and I as kids, it's that you can build pretty much anything out of cardboard, duct tape and paint.



Susan was responsible for the theme, the cardboard work, and the sail. And speaking of the sail, it's really a working sail. It can be raised and lowered through some series of rope secrets that sailors (like Susan) know. A little over the top, but a nice touch.

Building a float in your front yard is one thing; getting it to the parade is quite another. I'm reminded of those cake decorating contests from the Food Network, where chefs must not only decorate their cakes but also transport them from the kitchen to the display area. While I will agree that those cakes are more fragile than our floats, I'd like to see them toss one into the back of a pickup and drive it at 40mph. Fortunately for us everything held together (the sail is removable), the only damage being done during the boat's removal from my truck -- nothing a little more duct tape couldn't resolve.

As always, people took an early notice to our float. Within a few minutes, a local news station had set up their camera and began interviewing the kids. Mason gave a lot of one word answers and I don't expect to see the interview on the news, but I have Pivo set to record it just in case.



I wish I could say the competition was stiff this year but to be honest there weren't as many entries as there were the past two years. The kids are divided into four groups; three by age, and one for "groups." We always get lumped into the group category because we have two kids together. This year, we had three -- cousin Griffin came along for the ride. Griffin wore his pirate costume from last week's birthday party. Morgan wore a sailor outfit. Mason was supposed to wear his pirate costume but decided it wasn't cool about an hour before the parade and so he wore blue shorts and a red shirt.



And so, down the parade route we went, kids-a-wavin' and dad-a-pullin'. We were one of the very few dad-pulling-wagon entries. Most "floats" either consisted of kids on bicycles, scooters, or battery-powered cars. We considered using the golf kart as part of the float multiple times but the logistics of transporting everything up to the parade has so far prevented us.

After the parade was over it was time for judging. I've tried to make this at least a little suspenseful but, c'mon, did you see that sail? When I call a three-peat, I call a three-peat people.



First place for "most patriotic" ... Mason, Morgan, and cousin Griffin. Not only did we pull the three-peat, technically we rocked a perfect trifecta by winning all three categories in three years. How on earth can we top that? I'll tell you how.

Uncle Samtron 2000.

About three months ago, I woke up at three in the morning and said the words aloud: "Uncle Samtron 2000." I dreamed it. There we were; Susan and the kids, leading me down the Fourth of July parade route in a ten-foot-tall robot costume. The robot was a cross between a mech warrior and a Transformer-looking robot. It was painted red, white, and blue. It was big, it was patriotic, and it was bad ass. Not only did I dream about the parade, but I also dreamed about the blueprints. Last year I called it -- three-peat. This year, I'm calling it again.

Most Creative, 2009: Uncle Samtron 2000

As for the U.S.S. Freedom? Well, while freedom is forever, cardboard sailboats representing freedom are not. Sometimes cardboard sailboats representing freedom don't even make it home from the parade.

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My Guitar Hero

Mason has discovered Guitar Hero III. I have owned Guitar Hero for the PS2 for a while now, and have had Guitar Hero III for the Wii for several months. Mason tried it when I first got it, found it too hard, and discarded it. Apparently, one of the Mason's teachers has been bringing their Xbox 360 up to daycare along with Guitar Hero, and now he's hooked. He's played Guitar Hero at home every night this week.



Guitar Hero has four levels: easy, medium, hard, and expert. I beat the game on easy and medium and can't get anywhere on hard. In a week's time, Mason's already working his way through the easy mode and I suspect he'll move up to medium before long. It's both exciting and depressing to see your six-year-old's gaming skills approach your own.

The best thing about Guitar Hero is the music. Mason's been walking around the house singing Heart's "Barracuda," Pat Benetar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," Mountain's "Mississippi Queen," and KISS's "Rock and Roll All Nite." I'm sure if I played any one of those songs for him in the car I would've received my usual treatment -- an eyeroll, followed by a request for Kidz Bop or High School Musical. Somehow though, these Guitar Hero songs are "cool," so it's a win/win. I'm sure Dad will be impressed the next time he hear's Mason humming Cream's "Sunshine of your Love."

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Princesses and Pirates Party

Cake? Check. Presents? Check. Eyepatch? Check.

This weekend Morgan turned three years old, and this year her birthday party had a theme: Princesses and Pirates.



When your kid's birthday party has flyers, you know you've gone too far. Actually, Morgan's party had not only flyers, but games, craft tables, food, and activities for all the little princesses and pirates, most of whom came in costume. One of my favorite games was "Pin the Eyepatch on the Princess." My videogaming friends may recognize the princess as Princess Peach (aka Princess Toadstool) from Super Mario Bros.



One of the surprises Susan planned was Cinderella, played by one of the ladies from the daycare. Cinderella helped out with the activities and even sang a song to the little princesses. As you can tell by the following photo, Morgan was pretty worn out by the end of the party.



See all of the party photos here.

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Three Pictures

Here are three mini updates, all with pictures.



I had a very successful writing session down at the cabin. I'd say when I left I had somewhere around 20% of the book done and I now have around 80% written. Thank you to everyone who answered my slipshod poll. The reason for the question about Amazon was this: when I sell books through my own website for $15, a little over 50% of that is profit. When I sell books through Amazon for the same price ($15), the profit margin is less than 6%. That means between the publisher and Amazon they are taking almost 94% of the profits. Of course, what one gives up in profits s/he gains in exposure. One option is charging more for the book on Amazon than I do on my own site to make up the difference. Another is offering something additional for people who order the book directly from me. A lot of people ordered directly from me last time just to have their books autographed, but I would like to offer something more. I'm still kicking this one around.



Susan had a nice birthday dinner last night. Family and friends showed up for some Mexican cuisine. Nice, low key evening. Good times.



Put the squirrel trap outside where the squirrel hangs out. Came home and caught not one but two birds. Stupid birds ate my cracker covered with peanut butter too. Dumb birds. I was a little nervous about turning them loose as I was afraid they might hang around and peck me in the head, but my fears were unfounded. The minute I opened the trap they flew away in opposite directions. Apparently spending the afternoon in a trap was not a bonding experience.

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Happy Birthday, Susie-Q

My old lady got a little older today. Happy 35th birthday, honey!

Morgan turns 3 this Saturday, but her party's Sunday. Morgan's having a Princesses and Pirates birthday party. Everyone (including, unfortunately, mommy and daddy) are dressing up for the shindig.

Morgan has requested a "doll" cake. So far we've taken two stabs at it. The cakes are coming out okay but the dress designs leave something to be desired. On the left is the one Susan did last week; one the right is the one I did last night. Unfortunately all the extra icing I used to increase Barbie's bust fell off during the night. Gotta work on that part.

/

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Black Sabbatical

My dear Susan has blessed me with a mini-sabbatical -- a two-day stay at a local lakeside cabin. The cabin is small, off the beaten path, and quiet; exactly what I need to finish up work on my second book, Invading Spaces. In order to make my self-imposed August 9th deadline (the date of Oklahoma Videogame Expo) I need to submit the book to the publisher/printer sometime in July. How soon I finish the book determines whether or not I get to see a hard copy proof before I order the final products -- a big risk, indeed. When finishing work on Commodork I didn't have enough time to order a hard copy proof; as a result, the first 30 copies had a slightly off center cover, and no UPC number. While it wasn't the end of the world, it was less than perfect and somewhat disappointing. My original idea of including custom arcade tokens with each book looks to be cost prohibitive, but I'm still brainstorming ideas.

I only brought the bare essentials along on this trip: the laptop, a change of clothes, and a copy of Funny Farm on DVD. If that movie can't get you in the mood to write, nothing can.

I'm turning off the modem now. I'll check e-mail before bedtime, and once or twice tomorrow. Other than that, consider me offline for the next 48 hours. I return to the land of the living Wednesday morning, going directly to work from the cabin.

While I'm away, here are a few questions I'd like to ask those of you who purchased Commodork and/or are considering purchasing Invading Spaces:

01. How important is it to be able to order my books through Amazon? Would you still purchase the book if it were only available through either the publisher or directly through me (via PayPal).

02. How important is media shipping vs. first class shipping vs. priority shipping? With Commodork I made priority shipping the default shipping method and it seemed to work okay but I would like to hear your feedback.

Looking forward to reading your responses on Wednesday.

- Rob

PS: I already see why the cabin placed a flyswatter out on the kitchen cabinet ...

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You Don’t Know Flack - Episode 105

Episode 5 of You Don't Know Flack tells the story of Boss BBS, an old BBS I used to call back in the Commodore 64 days -- until the day it mysteriously disappeared, and I heard the sysop's name on the 10pm news ...

You Don't Know Flack - Episode 105
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