It’s Friday and once again, I’m home instead of at work. It’s been another crazy week, but since I never took the time to let my body rest up, I’m now sick. So now that I’m enjoying some downtime, here’s some random stuff that also happened this week…
- On the eve of the MoCCA fest was the last show ever by the Beer Drinking Fools. Joe and I have been catching their shows for the past two years or so, ever since Joe starting doing artwork for them. Not only is the BDF the nicest band on earth, but they’re actually good, which I really can’t say for most punk bands in the scene today. Their last show was at the Acme Underground, and it was easily the best performance I had ever seen. They were just on, and the great crowd showed their love by moshing and maintaining a constant shower of beer cans and shot glasses aimed at their heads.
The BDF ended their careers with an encore of their most popular song Meet Me at the Bar, and everyone from the mosh pit was brought on stage to sing along. I really wanted to be up there, but since I didn’t know the words, I stayed behind, though it was soon apparent that neither did those guys. Oh well. Their set ran really long, way past the amusement of the band after them. After all was said and done, their guitarist Steve said it best… “Okay, we’re done.”
- On the subway, I saw the Magic guy again. He’s this angry guy who, as soon as he gets on a crowded train (I’ve only seen him during rush hour traffic), immediately starts yelling at people about how fat they are. He doesn’t resort to jokes, simply plain, old fashioned, cruel remarks. And he’s loud too, and you can see his targets’ will to live deteriorate right before your eyes. Plus, he’s a big dude, hence why no one says anything. Everyone just becomes rigid until he exits, then a huge sigh of relief can be heard from everyone.
This time, I was sitting on a seat and a couple right in front of me were reading magazines as Magic guy was doing his thing. When he left, the woman asked the guy “What was the deal with that guy?” And he responded with “I don’t know, I was ignoring him. But I did notice he had the world Magic shaved on the back of his head.”
- At work I have a coworker who has a problem: she gets hit on all the time, by mostly freaks and weirdos, like the annoying AC technician or the creepy elevator operator. Recently, a person from a different department started calling her under the guise of official business, but always ends it with an invite to dinner or something, much to her annoyance. This past week he showed up (along with a coworker, a cute girl) to learn how we handle security, which makes no sense on multiple levels since everyone uses the same security guards. So my boss showed them around the department, and next thing you know, they’re were getting a full blown, red carpet tour of our entire facilities and all its equipment, with the girl scribbling notes the entire time. We have some rather high end computers and cameras on our end, and people from other departments are always trying to find ways to use them. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole visit was simply a reconnaissance mission in disguise.
And of course, the guy took the opportunity to hit on my coworker in person. But what really caught my eye was his companion; as I said, that girl was cute. Really cute. I asked my coworker if she had any info on the girl, but she didn’t. Same with my boss. So now I’m determined to find out who she is and talk with her. And as soon as other coworkers caught wind of this, they suggested I repay her department by going over for some bullshit reason to spy on them. More on this as it develops…
- Also at work, a food delivery guy showed up with some weird shit on his face. It was a big, ugly moth. When a coworker (the same one from before) mentioned that he had a month on his face, he proudly proclaimed, “It’s a butterfly! Let him stay!” And we did.
- By now most people are familiar with my bitching about how disgusting the kitchen is, thanks to my ultra filthy roommates, to the point that some friends think I’m exaggerating. Well earlier this week, I brought someone over, and as soon as she stepped one foot inside, her reaction was “Jesus fuck that smell is bad!” And then after a few more seconds, it was so much for her, she started to gag.
- When it first became hard to speak on Wednesday, I simply thought I had shot my voice from all the talking I did at MoCCA. But by Thursday, I was full blown sick, with the addition of a nasty, phlegmy cough and an even greater sense of tiredness than usual, which made teaching last night really rough.
Started off by asking the class why they think Mario is no longer popular, which led into a discussion regarding how people relate to video game characters, both back in they days when all you could have was 2D, iconic cartoon characters and today where photo-realistic 3D people and worlds are possible. I also touched upon narratives in games, as well a game’s focus, and how having many things to do is often used to hide a game’s underlying mediocrity. I even spoke of my feelings regarding first person shooters and how multiplayer deathmatches actually go against some rather fundamental rules of gameplaying, which I don’t think most people were not able to follow me on.
Next up was the first ever in-class activity in which everyone worked in groups to design a game in which a character had to tackle one of three objectives: breaking and entering, defeating a strong foe, or collect all the pieces of whatever. Plus the character could only have two actions, and one had to tie in with the ability to fulfill the objective. Of the games the class came up with, the pro terrorist game was by far the most interesting. I think the class really enjoyed the classroom activity. Can’t say they enjoyed hearing what the homework was: to design a sequel to one of the other group’s games, and I choose which one.
But along with the in-class critiquing, plus speaking with one student one on one regadring a full blown game he’s creating for his portfolio and who’s asked me to be an advisor, my voice was totally gone by night’s end. And I was so tired that I didn’t even stay up to see the 2am repeat of Futurama, which is a first for me.
- Tonight I’m going to see The Frames at the South Street Seaport. Despite not feeling 100%, I could sure go for some fine Irish rock right about now (with a dash of WIly Wonka).
