Journal2002October
From Simreal
Contents |
October 2002
Okay, twice a year is pretty pathetic for journal updates. So, I've been busy, okay? Fighting for survival, living by the skin of my teeth, that kind of thing.
The sad thing is, I don't really remember what happened since March. Nothing much of note I guess, since I didn't seem inspired to write here. No new projects cooking, no new robots, or electronics. Pretty quiet.
My new company, Wittlock Engineering, LLC is not thriving, but neither has it been dragged down into defeat. The stress of it all, though, and the lack of funds, has definitely put a damper on my side projects, my time, my energy... all that good stuff. Those of you whose companies tanked last year know what I'm talking about.
All of the editing on Applied Robotics II is done, and the publication date is set to December 16, so that should be fun. It seems a bit late to me, though, and it will probably miss the Christmas buying spasm for this year -- with any luck, y'all will buy it with your Christmas money from Grandma or something. Yeah, even you big kids with jobs, a family, and a life - I bet you still get that $10 Christmas check from Grandma.
The last few months, I've been working hard on projects for the Haunted Trails at the Wild Basin. Nothing very mechanical this year, mostly squishy corpses, and some electrical effects for the Mad Scientist room and the Finale. Pictures to come in November, give or take.
Of course, I'm also getting married! November 23, and if you want to send a present, we are registered at Amazon and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. (Kidding!) (Mostly!)
So that's most of it... survival, book, Halloween, wedding... I feel like I missed something, but I can't imagine what it would be.
Of course, I'm also thinking about the next book. What do I write next? It would be interesting to do a "Dummies" type book on the lines of "Mathematics from the Ground Up"... which could lead to a series... "Electronics from the Ground Up" and so forth. Start at the beginning and develop the topic in a cascading series of developments for as far as a 300 page book would allow.
And then there is the Haunted House workshop the Halloween-L list wants to have that I could host. Plus I still want to write a Haunted House book -- something to extend the Animatronics book with specific details on building a professional looking haunt on a budget.
Or, the Animatronics II book that goes on to talk about more advanced work... faces, creatures, the fancy stuff that no one talks about how to make.
Or, fiction. I love horror as a genre, but it's pretty sadly represented these days. Just a few authors, and with Stephen King retiring, heck, there's lots of room for a new writer!
Or maybe I'll just get through the holidays alive and see what strikes my fancy next year.
