what once was here...is now gone...for now

A Public Service Message from BEYOND THE GRAVE...

PRE ORDER YOUR WII NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!!

IF YOU ARE EXPECTING ME TO GET YOU ONE, DON'T!!!

First Post 2K6

OMFG!! I have posted!! Only 3 months late I guess...

Anyways, a quick update:

-- life is good!
-- girl is good! Goin' on to 9 months soon.
-- Metroid Prime Hunters is done. Game comes out next Monday and its going to sell like hotcakes!
-- Metroid Prime Hunters was HELL. I worked sooooo much in the last 3 months. I am soooo glad its over!
-- going to GDC next week in San Jose and staying in SF for the weekend. Going to hang out with Jon, Songco and Kahn and any other gaming geeks I find there!
-- had a great 30th birthday last week. Would you believe my girl actually planned a surprise bday party for me, and managing to get about 25 people to show up, 1/2 of whom she never met!!? She is truely awesome!!

Anyways, check out the photos for my bday here:

http://public.fotki.com/namofni/

I also planned to start posting more too. New blog layout and everything! Plus I have like 5~6 photos albums I have yet to post from 2005, like Halloween, San Diego and Tokyo...

So, stay the fuckin' tuned!!

My Life in a Nutshell

Hello Gang. Wow. Long time no see, eh? Yeah yeah...what can I say...just been super busy here in Seattle...we are currently wrapping up crunch time for the holiday. Because our next game comes out in March, crunch time is Nov/Dec as opposed to Aug/Sept that I have been used to.

Anyways, things are wrapping up -- well, kinda...still been staying very late every nite these past 2 weeks dealing with last minute fires that I have to put out... and I am getting ready to take a break from it all.

In the meantime, lets highlight my life since October:

Halloween:
what a different and unique halloween I had. Yes, I dressed up and hit a whole bunch of clubs on Friday night ("I am just a scientist..."), but after that, my girl and I (wow! did I say that!) went and did something totally different for halloween. Lets see, we hit an amusment park for Fright Night (riding rollercoasters in the dark), ran a corn maze, and actually went Trick or Treating with bunch of ppl around my age! (we wanted to have a kid with us, but he cancelled, sez he was "too old" for that!). Must say, it was one fun halloween!

San Diego:
after 3 years, I went back to San Diego to visit and party with my good friend NZ for his final days in San Diego. It was a bitter sweet experience for me to come back to SD. On one hand, SD is absolutely one beautiful city, on the other...walking thru the streets of SD also reminded me of how miserable I was in San Diego. But nevertheless, it was good to see NZ, Pennya, Denny, Steve, James, Junvi, Lani, Uncle Shitsy, Glen, Jing Jing, Bill Kydd and Josh Hart and meet some new friends as well..but everyone gave me a hard time for not bringing my girl too (I said it again!) and my snoring :(.

Thanksgivin':
did multiple things for this day of thanks...yes, did go to a dinner as well as try to do some black friday shopping (i bought a new G5 iMac...my new pc...yeah, I am going Apple! woohoo!). But the biggest highlight was I took my girl (there I go mentioning her) to Victoria, BC for a romantic (but cold) weekend of walking, shopping, bug zoo and horrific tortured wax people. But come back for the tea (and when its warmer).

Company Holiday Parties:
her company party: huge, lotsa ppl, took place in a convention center with casino and dancing, and prize giveaways that including all expenses paid 5 day trips around the world.
my company party: small little dinner party with a Austin Powers impersonator and a chance to win a Darth Vader voice changer mask!! woohoo! Oh, at least I did get to win a blue Gameboy Micro for my girl (hee hee)

Pictures:
I have TONS of pictures that need to make public, including everything above and more pictures of her (awwwwww...) But I need to find the time. I hope over this holiday...


A Toronto Holiday

Speaking of holiday, I guess I forgot to mention that I will in Toronto for 2 weeks starting xmas day til Jan 8th. Would love to see ya all...I hope we can!! EMAIL ME!!! (or call)

And I will promise to post more since I wont be too busy (with work at least). But then again, I am one lazy bastard sometimes...

And, no, she isn't coming with me either... :P

Look! I am famous! (and an geek!)

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000680072273/

Real post coming soon. I promise...

FAQ v.1.0

Q: Alright guy, What have you been doing and why haven't you updated in such a long time?
A: Well, basically been very busy, with work mostly. I am on 2 projects, one of which is in super crunch mode to finish in time for next year. Not only do I do game design on both these projects, I also coordinate a lot of it too...so my hands are always full of things to do...And as much as I wanna post in my blog more often, by the end of the day, I am just pooped to even look at a computer...

Q: Hey punk, what about your 3 day trip to Tokyo?
A: It was very fun but also very tiring. I was there mostly to attend the Tokyo Game Show and for the Nintendo's unveiling of the new Revolution Controller (which was soooo awesome to be there...the place just lit up with anticipation and joy!) but I did find sometime to do some sightseeing and shopping, though as much as I love going to Akihabara, I couldn't wait to get out of there (it was SOOOOOO CROWDED!!)

Q: Wait Buddy! Where are all the pictures of those fine Tokyo Game Show Booth Babes?
A: Unfortunately, like my blogs, I have a backload of photos (not just from Tokyo) as well to upload, edit, insert witty title and then post and make public. But I did take A LOT of pictures from Tokyo...just be patient with me...

Q: So Beggar, what else been happening to you?
A: Well, the other big event in my life was just this past week, when my best friend Danny and his gf Wendy came and visit me in Seattle. I picked them up last weekend from Vancouver where I took them on a whirlwind tour featuring outlet malls, needles from space, the first Starbuck, Pike Street Market, Fry's Electronic, hunting down Bruce Lee's first martial art studio and his grave, Victoria, hiking in pitch dark and LOTS OF GOOD EATING! I may never eat out again! Though it was great for them to see me, I am completely exhausted from their visit. Not just from showing them around, but from trying to also work during that time! INSANITY for even thinking I still manage to get all my work done!!

Q: C'mon biatch! I know there's something else you are withholding from us! Spill it!!
A: Alright...for the last 4 months, I have been seeing someone and yes, she is my girlfriend. Though I try not to say anything too personal on my blog, all I will say is she is one incredibly awesome girl who adores me as much as I adore her and we are having a great time together...

Q: OK iNfo.,...any pictures?
A: Actually, there are some already posted pictures of her on some of my public albums so lets see if you can find her (i think you can figure out who she is)

Q: Well Lazyass...dont you usually have a new blog layout design every year, usually around Feb? Its like October NOW?!!
A: Yeah, you're right...Usually, around Feb I get someone to change my webpage design but if you recall earlier this year, I was in a small little accident which kinda postponed my life a bit...

Q: Yo Gimp! How's the back?
A: Good. Though I dont think I will start learning to snowboard this season :P

Q: Then Mister! What's next?!!
A: Well...currently trying to figure out what the heck to do on Halloween this weekend (as well as figure out what to wear!). I am heading to San Diego (first time in 3 years) to go visit NZ with Pennya and Denny in the first weekend of November. Trying to also figure out somewhere "special" to take my girl over Thanksgivin' weekend. And will be planning to go home for 2 weeks for the first time in 2 years over the Xmas / New Years Break...CAN'T WAIT!!

OMG! My First Post in over a MONTH!!

In the US, did you know there's a new Ruffles Potato Chip flavor, called "The Works"? I purchased a bag thinking this may be America's answered to Canadian Ruffle's "All Dressed" favour...

It was not...

That's concludes my first post in a Month....thank you for your time and support...

What I Have Been Working...

From PR:

NINTENDO NEWS: METROID PRIME HUNTERS WILL BE WI-FI READY

Aug. 26, 2005

Since the Nintendo DS™ first launched with demo versions of Metroid® Prime Hunters, fans have been clamoring for the completed version of the game. Their patience has paid off. Metroid Prime Hunters will launch in the first quarter of 2006, complete with access to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s upcoming online gaming service. Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will debut before the end of the year with a Mario Kart® and an Animal Crossing® game, and will let players connect wirelessly with one another as easily as if they were sitting in the same room.

For the first time, fans can get their hands on a trial version of the new single-player mission of Metroid Prime Hunters this weekend at the Penny Arcade Expo in Bellevue, Wash. Attendees also can see three previously unreleased bounty hunter characters in the game. These include Sylux, a ruthless sharpshooter who harbors an intense hatred for Metroid heroine Samus Aran; Trace, a young outcast who seeks power and a planet to invade; and Weavel, a cyborg Space Pirate assassin. For more information and videos of the bounty hunters in action, visit www.metroidhunters.com.

Being the multi-tasker that I am, not only did I work on the PR to announce this feature, I also designed this damn wi-fi feature for it!

Pretty nifty, eh?

Desktop Crapola!

Desk Crapola!!

Yes, I built it myself.

My Nintendog Hecka

My Nintendog Hecka

Oh yes she's a good girl...oh yes she is...

ALBUMS ARE UP!!

That Baseball Game where I CAUGHT the First Pitch!
My Dragonboating Pictures
Hiking Pictures from Mt. Si and Mt. Rainier

Enjoy it!

Happy 3 Years in Seattle!

So, this Monday, marks my 3rd year anniversary here in Seattle. Actually, to be more precise, Aug. 15th is when I first started work, but I arrived in Seattle (Bellevue, really) at like 2am, 2 days earlier...

So, how did I go and celebrate this?...


Why, I went to an Mariners game where I went onto the field and CATCH THE FIRST PITCH OF THE GAME :)

Actually, Saturday was Nintendo Day at Safeco where I already purchased 24 tickets for my friends to the game in the cheap seats (nosebleed) to watch them play against the LA Angels.

About 3 days before the game, I learned that I had won the right to CATCH the first pitch at the game. I was absolutely blown away with this chance. Another employee won the other right to throw the pitch.

Anyways, actually I decided to keep this a secret...I wanted to surprise all my friends at the game when I walked on to the field, with my face on the Jumbletron and catch the ball in front of the filled stadium and then get to meet all the players while I was down there.

Of course, that never happened...

The employee who threw the ball actually threw the ball very WIDE and I couldn't catch it :( And to add insult to injury, NONE OF MY FRIENDS SAW IT!! Either they didn't get to the park early enough to see it or just missed it while talking to each other (it was NOT a very excitingly announced event). Lesson learnt...when you know you are about to THROW or CATCH the first pitch at a game, TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!

Also...we only got to pose and get an autograph from only ONE PLAYER of whom even our PR person didn't know (Turns out to be No. 52 pitcher George Sherrill). And...the Moose (Mariner's Mascot) didn't even come to take pictures with us :(

The game was okay. Actually, kinda boring. Seattle got slaughter by the Angels like 9-1 (only run scored by Seattle was a homerun by Ichiro).

But still, one INCREDIBLE DAY!!

More great pictures to come :)

Japan AGAIN!

Guess what?!! I am going back to Tokyo in September for the Tokyo Game Show AGAIN!! Another 3 days of pure video gaming / booth babes / shopping madness and lack of sleep.

I can't wait!!

Bad Water

A great article that will make you think twice before buying bottled water:

Bad to the Last Drop - New York Times

Fantastic Four

No, its not about that horrible movie I refuse to see...

Turns out I am currently on 4 PROJECTS, all doing something different on each.

And just today, I was just told I won the EMPLOYEE of the MONTH for this month (for all the 4 project work I did last month). That means a cool wall plaque and rockstar parking in the front!! WOOT!!


Anyways, despite that, I am really not as busy as you think. Er...busy with work, I mean. I actually been having a lot of fun lately, and i have been really happy and great. In fact, been doing a lot of outdoorsy stuff, like hiking (Mt. Si, Mt. Rainer and the City of Vancouver) and Tennis and Soccer (starting today) and Baseball (starting soon). And I have been having fun in other ways too (will get back to you on that later)... :)

Just one of those GREAT months...

Beam Me Up Scotty...no more...

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20779

Man, not only was I surprised that we lost a great geeky icon, but he lives RIGHT HERE in REDMOND, WA (where i live and work as well). It would be interesting to know where he actually lived, but I wouldn't be surprise to find out eventually when a makeshift memorial set up by local Trekkies in front of his home.

And he's also from Vancouver, BC too...

Mr. Doohan, you will be missed...

Dragonboating...

This past Saturday was my Dragonboat races that I was to participate in after 3 whole practices together with the team (while other teams train all year around, about twice a week...also, I missed the last practice :P ).

First off, we needed to be at the lake / event at 6:30am in the morning. Fat chance of that happening, especially since I was up to 3am earlier. Anyways, about 2hrs worth of sleep later and one Starbucks Doubleshot later, I was there by 8am (only 30 mins away from the FIRST race that we were all apart of). But it turns out, I wasn't the only one late...

Recap:

FIRST RACE WAS HORRIBLE!! Not everyone showed up yet (but we still had enough for a full boat) including our "caller". A "caller" was the guy who sat in front and beat the drum for the rhythm of our strokes and shouting our rowing commands. Since he didn't show up then, we had to use a last minute volunteer. But boy, was that a bad idea.

Bad Caller == Not rowing in sync. We were hitting each other's oars and splashing each other. And when a paddler is not in sync, one must stop and get back in sync...this of course, pauses their rowing for a bit, which results in a lost of power...

Result: 4th place (out of 4) with a time of 2 min 45 sec. We also lost to a team of Seniors :(


SECOND RACE WAS LIKE CLOCKWORK!! With a hour and 30 minutes of rest, everyone showing up and some dry practicing on land, we were ready! And we got our "caller" back.

And when we rowed, we ROWED as a team!! Not one hitted oar or splashing (at least from me) and I dont even recall pausing once (I was very tired though). Though we didn't win, we didn't come in last!

Result: 3rd place (out of 4) with a time of 2 min 37 sec. It was a very good time and we were very proud.


THIRD RACE WAS TIRING!! With our last "victory" we were on cloud 9 and ready to have our lunch. We start BBQing our food when without notice, our next race with up!! We only 30 minutes of rest, we put out our BBQ grill fire and got ready to race again.

But we were not ready. We were still recovering from the last race with not enough rest inbetween. Though we once again ROWED LIKE CLOCKWORK, ultimately, we were too tired.

Result: 3rd place (out of 3) with time of 2 min 40 sec. We lost to the caffinated Starbucks team.


That was our final race (we didn't qualify for any more).

But it was an awesome and rewarding time. Met some great new ppl and if anything, I proved that my back was okay :) Afterwards, I also had my company picnic to go to but was just too tired to drive there. Went home and pretty much slept til the next day...

Pictures coming soon...

OMG!! I AM BEING REPLACED!!

*cue Terminator 2 music*

http://software.treonauts.com/product.asp?id=822

Often imitated, never duplicated!

The Return of Random Crap from my Desk

The Return of Random Crap from My Desk

The next Batman: Christian Bale trains with the Autobots.