Thursday, July 22, 2021

Let's play 60 questions

 So, it's Thursday evening and I don't have a lot going on at the moment, so I figured I'd do a self questionnaire. For Starters, I'll list out the questions, and over the next week or so, I will answer them. My other Blog 'A Little about Myself' has more answers, but this seemed more fun.

1. Where was I born?

    A. I'm a Navy brat, so I was born in Morocco, Africa, where my Dad was stationed.

2. Do I wear glasses?

    A. Yes. I'm nearsighted in one eye, and farsighted in the other.

3. What do I drive?

    A. I drive a 2008, GMC Sierra 4 wheel drive truck extended cab. It isn't a Monster Truck. I don't need to compensate for anything 😁

4. Have I ever been married?

     A. Twice. I think they were both bad choices in retrospect. I'm single now.

5. What is my favorite drink?

    A. Mostly coffee, but I also like Green Tea

6. What music do I listen to?

    A. These days, mostly Classical, Metal, EDM, and Ambient. I never much listened to Death/Thrash Metal. I don't have a morbid outlook, so it didn't appeal to me.

7. Do I have tattoos?

    A. I have 2. An Australian Redback spider on one arm, and a Celtic Scorpion on the other.

8. Do I have any piercings?

    A. Just one ear, but the channel is messed up and closing back up.

9. When was the last date I was on?

    A. I got divorced in 2007, but nothing since then.

10. How many states have I been to?

    A. I've been to about 36 states. I haven't been to the upper Northeast or Northwest.

11. How many countries have I been to?

    A. Hmmmm. Africa, Phillipines, Mexico, Hawaii (I know it's part of the US), and Japan

12. What sports do I like?

    A. As a kid I watched Baseball and Football. Today not so much. I watch a few College football games now. When I was younger I did participate in Wrestling at my school, and was involved in Judo. I got to Green Belt and we moved, and I slowly lost interest. I played softball briefly at a job I worked at, and was on a Swim team when I was 12, for the summer.

13. What instruments do I play?

    A. Just guitar these days. I do compose music with many different VSTs though.

14. How tall am I?

    A. 5'7"

15. How much do I weigh?

    A. About 150 pounds.

16. What is my hair color?

    A. Mostly natural blonde with a couple greyish highlights, but the bottom half is Sapphire Blue. I may go to purple tips. > Forgot to add: My hair is down to my waist now.

17. What languages do I speak?

    A.Primarily English, but I have/had learned a little bit of other languages like Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Tagalog. Most of it has been forgotten since there are very few to have a conversation with. Japanese is my latest endeavor, but I have a long way to go.

18. Can I cook?

    A. Yes I can. I'm not a master chef, but I know my way around the kitchen pretty well.

19. What is my daily ritual?

    A. Every day starts with Coffee and a cigarette. After that it is a matter of what I feel like doing. I have more hobbies than I have time, so whatever gets in the schedule for that day is it. No matter the schedule, there is always someone on my mind.

20. Do I have kids?

    A. No I do not. I always wanted kids, but fate has not been so kind. I would be a great Dad because of my personality and wisdom. It would also give me an excuse to play with their toys (which I would get to pick out) 😁

21. Would I ever go skydiving?

    A. Yes. I've never done it, but it may end up on my Bucket List. Sounds like fun! It would also help to conquer aviation fears. I mean, why jump out of a perfectly running airplane?

22. Have I ever been in an ambulance?

    A. Yes. About 5 years ago, I blacked out in a store. When I woke up I was on my way to the Hospital, as I fractured my shoulder socket in 3 places. They still have no idea why my brain shut off.

23. What physical condition am I in?

    A. For my age, I'm in very good shape. I own a home Gym, and I watch what I eat. I don't take medications, or abuse substances. Except for my knees, I feel about 40 years old. At one point, having too many doctors giving me pills, I now have an issue with my balance. I used a cane because of that, and my knee.

24. What kind of personality do I have?

    A. I'm not a Type A or Type B. I don't see the need to categorize myself. I'm pretty laid back, humorous, patient, smart, and philosophical. It takes an overwhelming amount of work to piss me off. I don't make everyone's business my business.

25. What is my favorite Holiday?

    A. I don't really have a favorite Holiday, as they are mostly for people who have someone to share it with. I've been single for over a decade, and Holidays usually bum me out.

26. How can I just stay at home for so long?

    A. Actually I'm used to it. I go out when I need to, but wandering isn't a priority now.

27. Is there someone special in my life?

    A. Yes there is and she is My Angel  😇

28. Do I prefer cats, or dogs?

    A. I don't have either, but I do enjoy them. I have had quite a few in my life. My Mother is allergic to them, so I can't have any.

29. What things scare me?

    A. Very few things. I should have died several times in my life, but I'm still here.

30. What is my favorite food?

    A. I don't really have a specific favorite, but I do enjoy Ramen and toasted cheese meals. I also like many Asian meals and some Italian. I'm a carnivore but I only do meat, not organs or raw meat.

31. Am I scared of heights?

    A. Not to my knowledge. I can get a bit dizzy, but it doesn't scare me.

32. Am I left, or right handed?

    A. Rightie, although I'm a bit ambidextrous.

33. Who is the first person I tell my good news to?

    A. I don't have that person near me, so I don't know.

34. Can I dance or sing?

    A. I can slow dance. That's about all my knees can take, I can sing better than average, but I don't.

35. When I go to sleep, lights on, or off?

    A. I like a little light so I don't run in to stuff. I normally go to sleep with the TV on a quiet show and watch it while I'm dozing off.

36. Do I believe in  Love at First Sight?

    A. I absolutely do. Love at First Sight is rather common, but True Love at First Sight is extremely rare and you may only experience it once or twice in a lifetime.

37. What is my Zodiac sign?

    A. I'm a Virgo

38. What scares me about getting old?

    A. Dying alone and irrelevant.

39. Am I a forgiving person?

    A. Yes. It's easier on the heart and mind if you can forgive and keep moving forward. Holding a grudge is like an anchor that keeps you stuck in the same mindset.

40. How many relationships have I been in?

    A. Very few. For me there has to be a Chemistry for it to work. If there are no fireworks with that person, it just isn't going to work. Overall I'd say less than 5.

41. Would I ever consider living abroad?

    A. If I could afford it, hell yes!

42. What sports did I do when I was younger?

    A. I covered some of this in question #12.

43. Have I ever been to Disneyland?

    A. Yes, the one in Orlando Florida. I could have died on Space Mountain as my restraint belt came undone before the ride even started. Well, it came undone as soon as we went over the first drop. I endured the whole ride with no safety strap in place. At the end of the ride, the guy yelled at me for undoing my seat belt. I went right back in line, so that fear was conquered right away.

44. Am I a morning person, or a Night Owl?

    A. I am a bit of both, although I love the night better. It's dark and quiet. So I don't have to listen to lawn mowers and edge trimmers while I'm trying to compose music.

45. Which bands have I seen in concert?

    A. Foreigner, Boston, Doobie Brothers, Triumph, J Geils, and whoever their opening bands were.

46. What I did on my last Birthday

    A. Mom took me to Applebees. After that I spent the day sitting alone at my computer.

47. Is the glass half empty, or half full?

    A. This question always puzzled me. If it started empty then it is half full. If it was full, it is half empty. But theoretically, all glasses are created empty. You fill it with what pleases you.

48. What is the most important thing in my life?

    A. Difficult to say at this point, although someone remains in my thoughts each day.

49. Would I rather be wealthy, or happy?

    A. Definitely happiness. Money can't buy true happiness.

50. If I were granted one wish, what would it be?

    A. To be 25 years younger, knowing what I know now.

51. What makes me sad?

    A. * Usually every holiday that involves someone else being there too.

        * Watching the world devolve into a social nightmare.

        * Seeing couples who truly cherish one another. That chapter of my life is missing.

        * Seeing people suffer all over the world, when it could have been avoided.

        * The concept that people think politics is the way to solve real world problems.

52. What outdoor activities do I enjoy?

    A. I enjoy fishing and camping. Just sitting on my ass in the Sun has no appeal to me.

53. What is my fashion sense?

    A. Much of the time, I'm in a casual fashion, but I can dress up in a suit and still feel just as confident.

54. Am I modest or humble?

    A. A little of both. I don't put myself above others, and I have been very humble for a long time. Competing for status is a social defect.

55. Am I high maintenance?

    A. Not at all. All I really need are creature comforts and I'm fine. I'm not cheap at all. Just practical, and I'm not the first one to follow trends. It doesn't take money to make me happy.

56. What would my ideal first date be like?

    A. I think the most important part of a date is to get to know one another. Conversation is very important. So a nice dinner with light background music would be great.

57. What is my favorite color?

    A. Blue, because it is the color of my Birthstone and my eyes.

58. Which one person would I like to spend time with that is no longer around?

    A. My Father was my best fishing buddy, so I'd love to spend more time sitting at the bank of the lake with my dad, just talking and occasionally catching fish.

59. Do I drink alcohol?

    A. Rarely do I drink. I was an alcoholic twice, but these days, I can have a shot of Bourbon without having to finish the bottle. Same with wine.

60. What's the fastest I've ever driven?

    A. Probably about 100 mph in an SUV on my way back from Florida.

61. Do I have a police record?

    A. No, I do not. Although I can be a bit rowdy, I know my limits. I'm not a 'bad boy' and I don't pretend to be. The bad boy thing doesn't really work in the long term relationship. If I were self absorbed, I might be. But no, I'm not.

62. Will I ever start dating?

    A. That is the $64,000 question.

63. How many guitars/Amps do I have?

    A. 3 of each actually. I own a Schecter 7 string, a Yamaha Pacifica 120 6 string, and an acoustic. The amps I own are a Peavey Spydr II sampling amp, a Blackstar battery powered portable amp, and a Vox headphone amp. While I also have the Guitar Rig Pro 5 for my Focusrite  2i2 3rdGen, I tend to use the Vox quite often.

64. What are my favorite foods?

    A. I don't really have any favorites, but the things I eat most often is fish and chicken. I do eat fast cook items like burritos, pizza, Ramen, toasted cheese sandwiches. I sometimes have to smack myself to stop eating Cheezit Snack Mix though. I rarely eat sweets, but when I do, a strawberry cheesecake is a good choice. I also like Mexican food, and a big fan of Asian cuisine, but not really a sushi fan. I make the best grilled Ribeye steaks on the planet. In the winter time, I enjoy making chili and beef stew in the crock pot. I also enjoy a big bowl of homemade Red Beans n/ Rice with kielbasa, pepper and onions.

65. What would be my Apocalypse Day meal?

    A. On the last day of mankind, I think I would like to dine with my Crush. In a glorious and peaceful setting with the finest wine. The meal would be important, but I think I would rather spend my last moments on Earth gazing softly into her eyes. That would be my parting memory. As for food, I would be content with a Ribeye steak, 3 flavors of cheesecake, baked macaroni and cheese, and steamed vegetables with a side of rice. And maybe a big plate of Hot Wings 😁

66. If the movie Armageddon was real, and they needed me to stay on the asteroid and push the button, would I do it?

    A. I think I would. The world is more important than I am. I wouldn't hesitate if it meant saving the ones I love.

67. Do I believe in ghosts?

    A. We can't rule it out. Most of my life I have 'known' that they inhabit what we would call the next dimension, the 4th dimension. One night I awoke about 3am and a figure was next to my bed. He was dressed in old 1800's style clothing. He just floated there, looking. I didn't pay it much concern as I gestured "What?" and there was no response, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.

68. Have I ever seen a UFO?

    A. While I do think they exist, I have not personally witnessed anything that I could not explain.

69. What would I do if I won millions in a lottery?

    A. First I would relocate. I would invest part of it, give part of it to charities, then go on a world cruise (hopefully not by myself) and enjoy the world while I still have time and good health.

70. How do I sleep?

    A. I still sleep in a twin size bed. It's just me in it. It's a memory foam mattress. I am a side sleeper most of the time so I don't take up much space. I normally wake up 3 or 4 times a night. Sometimes it's just to confirm that I was already asleep. Other times, I have things on my mind.

71. What natural disasters have I been through?

    A. I've been through a few, but the one that stands out is when Hurricane Hugo hit S. Carolina. It was a category 5 storm, and the eye went over my condo. The wind gusts were up to 160 mph. It spawned tornadoes, torrential rain, a 10-12' storm surge. I was without power for about a month. The tap water was contaminated badly, and my cat was terribly infested with fleas. I also survived a bad blizzard in Ohio where the temps were below zero and the wind chill was -70F (-56C). The snow drifts buried houses. We were evacuated to a school for a couple weeks, but we were trapped in our house for 2 days as all the doors were frozen shut. There was no power and the snow was half way up the door, so they had to dig us out.

72. What is my Spirit Animal?

    A. It used to be a white leopard, but it would turn aggressive from time to time, so I released it. My Spirit Animal now is a bottle cap or an old straw or something. 😁

73. What foods do I not like?

    a. I've never been a fan of eating animal organs. Don't like liver, and was fooled into eating pork brains once. I rarely eat raw meat (salmon, sushi, etc). No interest at all in animal testicles. On a lighter side, I like potatoes and I like cheese, but I don't like augratin potatoes. There isn't really anything normal I won't eat, but I avoid processed foods as much as possible. I don't eat bugs either. Yes I've tried them.

74. Am I a prepper/Conspiracy Theorist?

    A. Nah. I used to be, and you quickly discover how massive that rabbit hole is. Research is your friend and your nemesis at the same time. At some point, you lose your perspective on reality and humanity. You will get scars from discovering the many ugly realities going on in this world. On the other side of this Life Token is a beautiful, wonderful, awe inspiring world that needs saving. If anything, I am a survivor. I see the world through a different optic these days, but I'm no push over. I still own an AK47 and an AR15 and I still know what I've learned. I still have a unique set of skills, but the key is knowledge. Knowledge and wisdom will place you on a different path, and it's pretty cool from my viewpoint these days.

75. Am I a trustworthy person?

    A. I tend to think so. Let's put it this way. If you gave me a $100 bill to hold, and came back a year later for your money, you would get the exact bill you handed me (down to the serial number). I'm also not a gossipy person, so things told to me in confidence would remain just that way. That's how I was raised, and how I will continue to be.

76. What is on my desk now?

    A. My desk usually stays a bit cluttered, mostly with post-it notes stuck everywhere. I also keep a few small notebooks and assorted paperwork handy. There is always something to drink, sometimes water and coffee at the same time. My computer monitor along with a 3TB external hard drive and a docking station with 2 more hard drives (for another 3TB). I have 10TB of storage all together. I also have a boom mic clamped to my desk, so I have somewhere to hang my headphones 😁 For my music setup I just have a pair of Bose speakers, no monitors yet. That's how I mix/master my music.

77. What is near my desk?

    A. Lots of stuff lol. My guitar and amps, a printer stand with 2 printers, a 3k watt power inverter for my personal solar setup. I'm in a pretty small space so many things are nearby like my bed, the TV, laptop, my 9mm S&W, my weights, and other things.

78. Am I a nice guy?

    A. Sure I am, and that's mainly why we finish last. Nice guys are not self centered or obsessed with competitive or greedy behavior. I try to give the other person the benefit of the doubt, and try to put myself in their shoes. Being fair and objective may not be the way to success, but I have no ego or complex to contend with. I don't have to juggle so many different faces.

79. Am I religious?

    A. When I was much younger, I was. I went to Church and Sunday School like everybody else. I learned what everyone else learned, then I started asking questions. Time after time they went unanswered and I drifted away from the institutions. Today I am not religious, but I am more spiritual in thought and action. I treat others as I would like to be treated, all without judgement or suspicion. Trust is earned, not given. On another interesting perspective I was told that "If you're not Christian, you are a Satanist". That being said, I am neither, but I was then judged for my ideals by the ones who are supposed to be benevolent and merciful.

80. What's my DVD collection like?

    A. I have about 400 movies. Once I copy them to my external hard drive, I put the DVDs in a DVD catalog and discard the package to free up a bunch of shelf space. 

81. What would my past life be?

    A. I'm not 100% positive, but I may have been from the Far East. I couldn't say when but I've always felt a connection there. Everywhere I have lived, I always had some kind of Asian decoration. I'm fascinated by the people, fashion, and the culture, and I have a particular fondness for Asian women (not that I have dated any). I am still amazed by the architecture and villages of Japan as well as a preference for Asian food. I could identify with the honor and bravery of the Shogun, and I've always liked watching martial arts movies from the 1970's and 80's. In part it was the art itself, and also the views of life.

82. Do I have a potty mouth?

    A. Yes lol. I know every curse word there is, and some very colorful ones at that. I have worked construction and am prior military so I can spout off a rich bouquet of diverse poetry. The thing here is, I respect others and their boundaries. If they do not use that language, then neither do I. So you don't have to worry about me dropping the F-bomb in a conversation if I know you don't like that word. Respect.

83. What other interests do I have?

A. Many! I enjoy watching combat robotics (Battlebots) because of the immense amount of engineering that goes in to them. Yes I like the destruction too 😁  I'm also a WeatherSpotter for the National Weather Service out of Blacksburg Virginia. I have also authored several books (2 of them are on Amazon I think). 1 on Survival, another on Bunkers and underground habitats. The 3rd is a 2 volume set about ancient mysteries and prehistory, climatology, archaic phenomenon, ancient legends, cosmology, inevitable patterns, and so on.You already know about my game level design, music composition, and my Crush. At one time I was the Team Leader in our local Community Emergency Response Team. I also play guitar, and in my spare time I eat lunch 😉

84. So how handy am I around the house?

    A. Well, I've repaired/replaced many door lock sets, repaired leaky plumbing on many occasions, I've wired houses for electricity and installed those household devices, I've painted and papered, I can cook, wash dishes, AND program the microwave. I've assembled many desks/tables/cabinets. I've made my own knives, reloaded my own ammunition, built my own computers, as well as your typical auto repairs and maintenance. I was an industrial maintenance tech for about 15 years as well as working in middle management. I handled explosive devices in the Navy and was the Division Training Petty Officer. My father was a JAG at the Pentagon for 6 years and I learned about fairness, philosophy, justice, and critical thinking. I also took a course in Private Investigation and passed in the top 2% of the class. I know how to do basic hair dying, and could probably paint nails too. I give legendary massages because I understand anatomy and Holistic practices. I'm also a nerd who can answer a variety of odd questions, and systematically figure things out. How's that for being 'handy'? 😁

85. Why am I single?

    A. I can't answer that, but I haven't pursued a relationship in quite a few years. That is all explained in my "The One Candle" blog 😇

86. What qualities would I look for in a partner?

    A. Tough question, given my current situation. But to answer, I would say chemistry is the first thing. I don't mean chemicals 😁. I like smart, passionate, compassionate, funny, quirky, sensible, considerate, talented, compromising, strong hearted. The visual side is important to me also. Seeing is a stimulation to the heart and soul, so the eye candy factor does play in. I'm not a 'big booty or huge rack' connoisseur. I much prefer petite. Always have.

87. What was the last thing I ordered online?

    A. I'm glad you asked. I just ordered a Violin and other accessories from Amazon. I wanted to play violin when I was a kid, but they were all too big for me. I finally broke down and ordered one. Whether I can play it is another question :)

88. What was the last thing I cooked?

    A. It was lunch today. I put chicken in the convection oven, warmed up some green beans, and made some Spanish rice.

89. What did I think about today?

    A. Beyond the normal every day stuff, I thought about my crush. I did philosophize quite a bit today about sustainability issues in the automotive industry and how it is possible to have EVs that rarely require charging from an external power source. Completely doable, but the impact on the energy Barons would make it a bad idea.

90. What is my IQ?

    A. Kind of a silly question, really. There are some who say it is bad manners to discuss IQs, as the numbers may be irrelevant. Some test are very misleading. However I did have a few opportunities to be tested when I had a breakdown. They tested me twice and both times it was 130+ (closer to 140). I also took the Mensa test, and was 2 or 4 points from qualifying to be a Mensa Member. That being said, many IQ tests measure how good you are at math. The function of an IQ test, is to measure your ability to solve problems, and the flow of logic. Don't be fooled by the internet clickbait ads that give you a 150 IQ simply by solving a picture puzzle.

91. Why do I live where I do?

    A. I actually moved to WV after my heart attack. But in retrospect, I like it here because of many reasons. I don't particularly care for the rat-race lifestyle. Plus there are weather events that influence it. We all pick our poison in the USA. The choices are earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, blistering heat, or Blizzards. I chose the Blizzard prone area as it is very infrequent. We rarely ever get earthquakes, or tornadoes. We only get the tropical downgrades from hurricanes, and the Summers here are much better than in the South or West. Out here is quiet, but near enough to other cities when things are needed.

92. What's my computer setup like?

    A. While I usually built my own computers for many years, I custom ordered this one and made a few changes. It's an Intel i5 3.5 GHz base system with 32 MB of 1200 Hz SODIMM RAM. I upgraded the graphics card to a Radeon RX550/550 Series with 4GB DDR5 RAM for my 27" monitor, and upgraded the sound system to a Sound Blaster Audigy 5.1 to attach my Bose speakers to. Nothing is overclocked.

93. What games do I play?

    A. As of late I haven't played much, but on occasion I play Forsaken World. My main there is a Lvl 110 Protector who gets in the Top 5 on Hell Road (I can only mange to get to floor 45 of 50 of Hell Road Depths). Once in a while I play Diablo 3 as I like my Demon Hunter and my Witch Doctor, both at Torment 10 difficulty. I played Diablo 2 for a decade years ago, and I'm looking forward to the remake. I know Blizz is under the gun right now, but games is games. I also take a break and play Boggle online to keep my mind sharp. I'm still learning to play Mahjong also.

94. What instruments do I play?

    A. For the time being I play the guitar. I should be receiving my Violin in a couple days, so I'll learn that too. I know I won't be a child prodigy or a rising force, but I do it for the skill and enjoyment. I have trouble with the fine motor skills from a neurological incident so I do stumble over my fingers a bit. But I won't let that stop me from learning. I went over 20 years without playing, but a few years ago I was inspired to begin again.

95. How is my music career coming along?

    A. It's still at a snail's pace. I'm almost up to 20 monthly listeners on Spotify. It isn't because the music is bad, but because it is a very niche genre. It isn't a radio ready genre. I check my play stats a few times a month on Bandcamp, YouTube, and Spotify. Many times the play number is Zero or close to it. I wasn't hoping the whole world loved my music. Just one or two people. I create because I can, and because I was inspired to do so.

96. What is my health routine?

    A. I go to the gym several days a week. I ride the recumbent bike for up to 4 or 5 miles, then I do my routine with 6 different resistance machines. Mostly upper body. I'm almost to my target weight, and I'm only doing training for tone. There is more detail in my Gym Routine blog.

97. Star Wars or Star Trek?

    I'm a Star Trek kinda guy, but the first 3 Star Wars were pretty good.

98. Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?

    A. Most definitely Lord of the Rings (and the Hobbit series).

99. Family Guy or The Simpsons?

    A. Family Guy for me.

100. What cologne do I use?

    A. I don't usually wear cologne. I do use an Old Spice body wash though, so I smell dreamy 😇

101. What is my favorite Birthday treat?

    A. I know what most people would say, but I don't have that luxury, so I'm not going to answer that 😁. So I usually go for a grilled steak, Mac n' cheese and a plate of Hot Wings, and for desert, a Strawberry and Cream Cheese cake with Moose Tracks ice cream.

102. Do I ever discuss politics?

    A. Rarely. I don't much agree with the concept of politics, and how it manipulates public opinion for the good of the politicians. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Politicians are not Leaders, and Leaders are not politicians. I see things from an outside perspective where both sides feel the need to undermine each other for leverage.

103. How do I feel about age differences in a relationship?

    A. For me it's a no brainer. People say all the time that Love has no boundaries. Age and distance are merely factors. As long as there is a bond between two people, the age will always be a number. If they enjoy being with each other, and are inseparable, then age is not a factor. There are plenty of couples around the world with a noticeable age gap, and they can be married for decades. I will say that there is a limit. A 50 year old man has no right or reason whatsoever to marry a 10 year old girl. Let's be logical about this.

104. How was my Birthday?

    A. It was basically just another day. Although I did have a really nice meal at Applebees, that was the high point of my day. When I got home, I checked my emails and social media in hopes there would be something exciting. There was nothing, but I kind of expected it although my hopes were so very high.

105. How is my Gym ritual going?

    A. Pretty well. I try to make it 3 days a week. Some weeks just get cluttered up, and I prefer to go right after lunch as there aren't many people there during that time. I'm still working on my weight. It's always that last 5 pounds on the midsection that are the hardest. And since I still have this Abdominal Mesh dilemma, I can't work it out as much out of concern that it may again become dislodged. Much of my workout is all upper body, which is shaping up nicely. The recumbent bike is still being done for some cardio but distance is limited due to some MCL issues in my knee. I'm only working out for tone, not powerhouse animal results, but I do have some nice guns though 💪😉👍

106. What Charities do I donate to?

    A. At this point (and for the last 4 years) I have automatically donated each month to the ASPCA and the Wounded Warriors Project. Locally, I have made contributions to the Family Resource Network, and every winter I prepay for about a dozen propane bottle refills for those who can't afford it to stay warm. I have also bought hundreds of dollars worth of food and necessities and dropped them off at our local Food Bank on the way home. I'm on a fixed income, but it brings me happiness to know that I try to help when I can. Random acts of kindness can have big results. Not financially, but my heart is in the right place.

107. What things do I hate?

    A. Actually I don't hate anything. There are things I'm not very fond of, but as I grow older, I have a much better tolerance of these things. Some things I still cannot tolerate is abuse, neglect, bullying, selfish personalities, and being judged. We live in such a shallow world these days, so good things in life are important. I don't even mind waiting. If it has to be done, then it is only an exercise in patience. I do have reservations about participating in what is known as the American Healthcare System. It's a battle of attrition. More often than not, I get the perception that strangers classify me as a dumb strung out pill head and alcoholic, just because I don't look 'normal' like them. I'm not real fond of being rushed either. I like to make sure it is done right, not thrown together. I'm not a procrastinator either. I like to be sure I have what I need to do the task, and the mindset to go with it. So riding my ass is not going to get it done any faster 😀. I don't even mind getting behind someone who is driving under the speed limit. It's always a reminder that we need to slow down a little so we can take in the sights along the way. The journey is just as important as the destination.

108: Do I have any addictions?

    A. No I do not. While many think that drugs or alcohol are the only addictions, but there are many kinds of addiction. As far as I can tell, I have no dependencies or addictions. I have a pretty strong willpower, so I don't have those kinds of problems. When I decide on something, it's pretty much a guarantee that it will come to pass. I do smoke cigarettes (light smoker), yet ironically, that is the only thing that has been consistent in my life.

109: Am I self confident?

    A. Yes I am. I learned so many things in my time on this Earth, so I have many interests and skills. I am good at what I do, but I don't brag about it. Nor do I consider myself 'better' than others. They may have skill sets I do not have, and I may learn things from them as well. There is a difference between confident and cocky, and only the wise will know the difference.

110: Am I a Go-Getter?

    A. Most of the time, I am. I am also a realist, meaning I'm very practical about my goals and ambitions. Do I expect to be an internet sensation? No. I'm not young or pretty, so the bar is a bit too high for my efforts. Much of the industry is unfortunately focused on the visual aspects, so those of us that fall outside the typical demographic have to work 10 times harder for 1% in returns. Just look at the photos in any top 50 music chart, and you will understand. I have composed about 80 songs, wrote 3 books, design video game scenery, play guitar, try to be the 'nice guy', and I'm not much further ahead than when I started. Even so, I am still determined to make each day better than the one I left behind. It keeps me humble, but I'm quite shy anyway, so I don't push myself on others. I'm not negative at all, but I know how the game is played.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

A quick word about my Unity projects

 I know folks have read my Unity game development projects, and I wanted to let you in on a few things. As many game devs know, there are programs that can create procedural world and objects like complete cities, bridges, and fences. The way I do mine is still a bit primitive. The only procedural asset I use is Gia Procedural Worlds, in which I create Terrains mostly. I also use the auto shaders, skybox, and terrain functions, as well as the 3rd person controller which I use to test colliders and mobility. Beyond that, everything is laid in piece by piece. Whether it be a Basic structure which is incomplete as far as details like doors, windows, lighting, and such. I still lay in fencing and railings one little rail at a time. Many structures were built from scratch, meaning the asset components were used to build a complete structure. On projects like the Tenge Castle/Temple/Shrine structures, they were all built from 1 sided components. The walls required an inside and outside structure, and it all had to match up, while using single panel components from the asset bundle.

 While it would be faster, and probably more detailed, I chose not to use procedural or world-builder routines. There are many great add-ons for Unity for click and drag structure building. I lay everything in by hand and do the minor adjustments, scaling, detailing, and the close in work manually. I get much more satisfaction doing it piece by piece as I look at the overall progress of the project. I do this as a hobby, and usually when I am done with a project, it gets saved, and just floats around on my hard drive until I decide to revisit it. To the best of my knowledge, all of my projects are fully navigable.

If anyone has developed Unity Assets, and would like them incorporated into a scene for functionality and user input, let me know. I have found assets without colliders. Having a bridge with no collider is not very functional, and the end user will notice that immediately. Other assets send error messages to the console. Object Snapping during builds is also a key factor as to how well the structure lines up. On some projects, I have spent hours and hours trying to get a roof to finally get perfectly square and free of defects.

The most aggravating part of building large sets is the importing of the assets into the project. Many programs also rely on DLLs to function, and due to the variations of the libraries, things get overwritten, and others call out for procedures that I am not using, resulting in a non-playable scenes, since the Red errors need clearing manually, and I am not a coder. Other asset bundles install duplicate routines, throwing the engine into a frenzy trying to locate whatever routing from whichever random library call. At times, I have well over a dozen asset bundles loaded into one project, and they can easily conflict with one another. 

 It isn't uncommon to have a varied set of assets try to import their CrossPlatform library, which makes Unity throw out errors. Same with the audio listeners, CharacterControllers, shaders using the same name (something gets overwritten), and a variety of DLLs that don't like something from another asset package. So asset compatibility among developers is always something to consider. There are also assets that look good, but have no surface colliders. Placing a bridge that fits the scene is great, until you go into game mode and try to cross it, only to drop into the water. Sometimes it would just be easier to only import assets without any libraries, but many asset packages require shader libraries, and routines to use Atlas and texture bundles. I use one large asset bundle, in which I have to go into the shader properties and changes the Albedo to normal instead of metallic, and remove the shineiness. And every asset bundle probably has to go through a scaling process to insure the chair is not twice the height of the player.

Blender 3D Stuff


 Along with other hobbies I have, I also tinker in Blender 3D CAD software from time to time. Some things I create are a bit crude, but I don't have much extra time to devote to learning all the nuances of Blender. But at this point, I am proficient in creating things. As an example, here is an interstellar battleship I designed:

 



 It has all the gun turrets, shuttle bays, telemetry, launchers, and propulsion. The propulsion is intended to be antigravity nodes. Two in the rear, and one in the nose. This covers the multidirectional thrusts it would require to navigate in a vacuum environment. There are 12 launching bays for shuttles and smaller defense craft. While it is fitted with a multitude of 'guns' a few energy weapons are also installed along with radar/antennae for navigation and communication. In the front are an array of weapons launchers for missiles and such.

The 3 pics below are for a Deep Space Explorer I designed. The tanks in the rear are for the propulsion system, which is an Ion drive engine. It requires much less fuel, and provides enough thrust for movement. The remainder of the tanks are liquid Hydrogen and liquid Oxygen, These two elements can account for many functions such as Hydrogen propulsion fuel, combining the two for water, and Oxygen for crew environment. Fitted in 4 places on the nose are 5-way thruster for adjusting axis points, which can use the Hydrogen and Oxygen as combustible components for effective use. The center ring is on a massive bearing system to simulate centrifugal gravity for the crew. The body is constructed to house all the gear, provisions, and support for long duration missions. It also has 2 launch bays for extravehicular excursions as well as a shuttle craft.




This is one of my favorites. It is a Frigate/Cargo vessel. It kind of looks like a bug to me, but is a very defensible ship, as the side panels also protects the hull from direct hits from every angle except top down. The yellowish hatches are designed for cargo pods to be slipped in, but can carry launch pods if required. It is equipped with long range communications gear, as well as a compliment of attack/defense arsenals. It also has a few launch bays for small ship delivery/loading into a generous sized warehouse interior. While it does have several propulsion engines, it is also equipped with inertia engines synchronized to create momentum without physical thrust. Similar to what an Impulse engine does in Star Trek.

 





Another fun project of mine was this Capitol Ship. It's over a half a mile long, and is designed to be a city in itself. It has dozens of various landing/Launch bays for a multitude of ships of many sizes and functions. There are bays at the rear, a few on the underside of the ship, and another series of Bays at the nose of the ship. I would estimate you could house 50,000 crew and passengers on board. Along with the 5 rear engines, there are also some forward thrusters and engines to control the various axis points. Along with a fleet of fighters/Attack vessels, it is also equipped with a few directed energy weapons, and a dozen different weapons launchers. On a ship of this size, there would also be dozens of smaller laser weapon systems for defense, path clearing. It would be considered as an Aircraft Carrier role in an Interstellar fleet.











While it is a Command style ship, another series would be the main accompaniment for the Fleet, all of which would fall into a class called the Buffalo Series. The Buffalo Series is a series of completed, functional modules that can be assembled anywhere at any time, and can be reconfigured for every purpose. With the Command module of the ship, and engine module can be attached and any mission modules can be assembled into various craft to fit mission needs. It has Passenger modules, Medical, Science, propulsion, navigation, research, factory, life support, power unit, battleship configurations, and so forth. Below is a series of pics that show some configurations as well as a 'Master' ship with all the modules assembled into one long craft. Examples include a Tug setup, a Battlecruiser, A Transport ship, and some of the modules the fleet uses. The modules shown are the Weapons module, Command module, Life Support module, Science/Medical module, and a forward propulsion module.












That will wrap up my Blender3D blog for now. Will post more as they are located.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

On the Brink

 Right now it would seem that I am on the brink of a major depression. I won't go into any details at this point, but everything in my life seems to be grinding to a standstill. I can't seem to create any momentum, and my motivation is about drained. It's hard to create without inspiration. The stress and anxiety of having to wait (for over a year and a half so far) for events I have thought about for years, is now beginning to manifest as physical pain. It's getting harder to find pleasure in the things I do, because I feel alone, irrelevant, and non-validated. I have no partner, so things just boil inside my head and keep me up at night. And they're still there when I wake up.

Maybe I'll explain later, but right now I just feel sad. Not suicidal sad, just a heavy sadness.

7/20/21: I do feel better today. This morning when I awoke, I remembered the moment on 2017 that changed my life, and it gave me hope. It took me back to they day I heard her voice.

8/1/21: I'm back on my game now. That was a heavy week. I occasionally get frustrated at the current travel situations and I've been trying to get somewhere for nearly 2 years, and all this waiting tends to get aggravating at times.

9/22/21: I just had my 60th Birthday, and like every other holiday, I spent it alone. Sure my Mother is here, but you understand what I mean.     It would have been nice to snuggle with someone special and feel their heartbeat. To touch her softly and see her smile. Some days I feel like I'm just fading away from the dreams I have. Sometimes it feels like I'm standing still and watching her slowly walk away. She was never mine, but she was always mine to lose. Some days I have a heavy heart when I think of these things. I try to keep smiling, and that's how people see me. They don't know about my heart and soul.

2/1/21: Today has just been one of those days. No matter what I accomplish or share, or create, or do better on, I just can't seem to get any traction. It's like most everything I work on has no relevance. I share parts of my life on social media, and much of it goes unnoticed. I'm not trying to be an attention whore. I spend most of my days in silence, and I've gotten used to it. I treat others with respect, honor, and dignity, but I feel that I get very little in return. Naturally, I'm a quiet person, and I don't expect the world to patronize me. I do understand that I am older, and as people get older, they become irrelevant in many aspects. Unless you fall into a particular marketable demographic, you end up that one guy sitting in the corner at a party. Often I see people advocating for mental health, but they don't want to get involved. They think they will have to deal with the emotional baggage. A lot of times, there really isn't that type of baggage. In my case, I just feel unwanted and lonely. I don't do 'church groups' or anything like that, and I have nobody around here that shares my interests. I live with my Mother, whom I usually have to take care of, so I'm single. She is allergic to pets, so there's no companions here either. I'm not a 'player' out looking for one nighters. I detest that mentality. I'm on a fixed income which makes me unattractive to those who still worship money. I'm 60 so I have been pushed out of the dating demographic. I do go to the gym and have worked on my physique, which does not look 60 at all. I'm not to the point of sitting in a recliner all day, drinking decaf, wearing a farming hat, watching the neighbors, going to bed after the 6 o'clock news. My Mom thinks I should lower my standards and just take whatever comes by. I cannot think that way. I never have. If I don't want to see you naked, it isn't going to work out. I'm still very capable of the bed activities. That's like having a cheese sandwich when you can have a great meal instead. I ask for so very little from this world, and I have given a thousand fold. They say whatever you give, comes back many times over. I can admit that this anomaly has not happened. It doesn't stop me from being a good and benevolent person. I still work to better myself at every opportunity, but if I'm destined to be alone for the remainder of my years, then what's the point? If I die just as I am, or as a fat, weed smoking alcoholic, who would care? Why would they want to if I'm not adding to their popularity or status? It's hard to build self esteem and confidence, when things I offer to society go unnoticed. I don't fit into the 'popularity' group I suppose. I'm not a 30 year old cover-boy model. I'm not shallow or self absorbed. And apparently, undesirable. Society dictates your status based on looks and popularity, no matter what you offer. I've learned to live with going days or weeks without a compliment, or getting upset because I'm not getting enough attention. They say it is part of 'getting old', but I don't fit that stereotype. I don't act like others my age. I still have much to offer, but nobody cares to take that chance. And that's what hits hardest. I didn't post any of these thoughts on social media. I just needed to vent a little, even if nobody reads it. Some days I don't feel like making music, even though it is an ideal way to express emotion, but if nobody listens, is it still worth sharing? As hard as I'm trying to leave a speck of my legacy, who is actually interested? I love someone who does not love me back, and I cannot  'move on'. When I let go of that, there will be an unending void that no one else can fill. At this point, she is all I have, and most people cannot understand that. If you're not old, you will not understand. I have no children to pass my legacy on to. No girlfriend, no wife. I have had to come to terms that I am the last of my personal bloodline. It's difficult to share that, as most people "don't do drama" and it is perceived as negative. They pretend to be concerned about mental health issues, while at the same time thinking 'go fix it yourself. I can't help you, and I'm soooooo busy".

I'm taking a break from things for an unknown period of time, at the risk of becoming even more irrelevant. If I post, most of it goes ignored. If I don't, then I become slowly forgotten. There is no happy medium. I already feel like a ghost, but will it get better or worse? I know, I know. We all just 'need to be better' and you have to do the grunt work yourself. Try doing that for decades with no payoff. Commit to something you love, and fight for it. Can you do it solely based on talent? Without nobody knowing what you look like? With little to no encouragement at all? When nobody is in your corner cheering for you?

6/12/22:

There are days that seem like I'm standing in a large field. Here I stand alone amidst the commotion of the world. Almost frozen in time, I look around and I see no footprints in the sand as the seasons change. Nobody comes to water my roots or to set eyes upon me. I grow and create the best foliage that I can, just in case a passerby would notice. I do the best I can with the water that is given me. For many years I have stood, and have faced the tempests with courage and hope. Sometimes the tempest wins, and after the thinning of my branches, I endure. Grateful that it was kind enough to give me water, and brush away the clouds, that I might bask in the sun. But still, no footprints. As the twilight of my years awaits on the horizon, I still stand strong and hopeful. Maybe someday, there will be footprints and I can cry with joy, placing water on my roots that I saved from the storm. How nice it would be to have another along side me to grow with, to sit together and watch the Moon pass gracefully by.

My Fukinari Unity3D project

  It has been a while since I posted a blog covering the progress of my Unity projects. This is another island project using Asian assets fr...