Category Archives: Life

Off-topic posts about things that just happen.

Major Computer Failure

Sorry for the lack of updates, but this has really been an all-around horrible week.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you probably already know that I’ve been having trouble with my desktop computer. Around Tuesday or so it randomly decided that it wasn’t Direct3d compatible anymore. On a Windows machine, this of course spells major trouble. Not only does it render most games unplayable, it makes it virtually impossible to get any sort of work done. Even browsing the internet can be a chore because Windows is chugging along mostly on CPU-generated software graphics. OpenGL appears works just fine, and the display is going out correctly to both monitors, the computer just refuses to interface with or even recognize Direct3d.

I’ve tried everything. I’ve reseated the video card (multiple times), uninstalled and reinstalled the video card drivers (multiple times), installed older versions of the drivers, started up with all non-Microsoft services shut down, even messed around with the Windows registry and system BIOS. Nothing. The only thing I haven’t tried is wiping the main hard drive and reinstalling Windows, but to give you an idea of just how long it’s been since I’ve had a good system upgrade, the only Windows install disc I have is for XP service pack 1.

The entire reinstall process will take days in and of itself. I’ll have to download install all the updates to bring XP up-to-date (well, as much as XP can be), find and reinstall all my work software, reconfigure all the settings back to how they were, troubleshoot all the new issues that inevitably pop up… I’m getting worn out just thinking about it. And, while this should fix the issue, if it’s a hardware issue with the motherboard/CPU or the video card, I’ll have done it all for naught.

This has been a long time coming. My computer’s failure was inevitable, and I knew it. I’ve only had minor upgrades to my system over the past decade, mostly with hand-me-down-parts, and the last one was five or six years ago. I’ve had lots of issues with my computer over the past few years, becoming increasingly worse, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it finally gave out. It’s part of why I put so much effort into getting Another Star finished before that happened. Sales from the game were supposed to help pay for a major overhaul of my system, but that didn’t work out.

Thankfully, I still have a laptop, which despite some minor issues of its own is functional. It’s not really designed for anything other than playing DVDs and surfing the internet, but it works at least. I suppose I’ll have to be switching over to it for my main system. However, with the lack of storage space and processing power, I’m not sure how long it’s going to hold up as a work machine, especially for a freelance artist.

Only time will tell.

Moving Week

For those of you who don’t follow me on Twitter and don’t already know, I’m in the middle of a move (not nearly as drastic as my last, thankfully). I’m still working on Another Star here and there when I can, but as you might expect this is taking up a huge chunk of my time. Not to mention all the stress that goes with it.

I was hoping to release the game around the end of this month, but because of complications during the move the chances of that are very small (but there nonetheless; just don’t get your hopes up). We’re probably looking at a February release instead. There’s still more to be done, but it’s really close! And don’t worry, barring a medical emergency or something of that nature, once the new release date is announced it won’t get pushed back again.

On Break

Family I haven’t seen in years are in town for the week and there’s a lot going on, so don’t expect to hear much from me over the next few days. 🙂

But don’t worry! I plan to get back to work on Another Star once everything has settled down.

No, I’m Not Dead

I’m currently in the middle of restructuring the legal entity that is Vision Riders Entertainment. Not sure what I’ll be doing with what’s left of it in the near future, but I don’t plan to shut down entirely. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a few pages of Swordmaster Odyssey or something up in a few months.

Rumors of My Demise Have Been Slighty Exaggerated

No, I’m not dead just pining for the fjords. I’ve busy as of late with “real life”: helping family move, getting ready to move myself, all kinds of stuff like that. Don’t know when Swordmaster Odyssey will return, but I am working on other stuff that will hopefully be ready to share in another month or two.

As for Sketchbook Monday, I’ll try to get back on top of that next week.

An Apology

I’m so sorry! I keep promising things that I am unable to deliver on. I said I would have some Adventurer’s Guide entries up by now, but so far I haven’t even gotten around to drafting them. I’m such a horrible person! 🙁

For the past week or two I’ve been storming through the second draft of Under a Different Moon, that is, Iccari’s story. You may remember Iccari from some of the many Sketchbook Monday entries in which he has appeared. It is rare for me to keep up such an extended session of creativity and, as I near the end of the second draft, I fear it will go out again before I finish. Please understand my predicament. I still plan on getting a page up this week, but if it doesn’t happen, at least it won’t be due to my own laziness for a change.

Thank you for your understanding (or your lack thereof as the case may be). I really am sorry.

In the meantime, how about taking a minute to vote in the annual character poll? 🙂

When they say “life is unfair”, it should be followed by a rimshot.

Today is shaping up to be a horrible day, topping off an equally horrible week. Alas, I haven’t even finished today’s page! Far from it, in fact, as it sits in the corner sketched and still waiting to be inked. However, you must forgive me, for I have more important things to attend to at the moment. The toilet has just backed up, you see, and that is only the latest in a series of downers. 🙁

Vacation Time Over! Boo!

Just got back in town a little bit ago; had a great time. It was nice to be able to meet with relatives that I haven’t seen in ages.

Anyway, it’s back to work for me on Monday. Or Tuesday. It depends on how tired I am. I’ll definitely get some work done on AetherFall then, but Swordmaster Odyssey will likely be up in the air for awhile (I need to order more paper, you see).