My Projects

Hey everyone!

So, I have a few things I'm working on. Quite a few tasks and responsibilities I have queue'd up and I'm working to get done. Some are personal and some are professional. Here's a list in no particular order with some explanation below!

• Web Development Languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Writing Portfolio (websites)
• Writing Portfolio (games)
• Making a game
• Making a website
• Making a fansite
• Financial matters (401k, Savings Account, credit card)
• Getting my truck registered to Texas

1. Web Development Languages-I'm currently studying the basic web languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This should help me accomplish other goals on the list (website/fansite), but also help me a lot in my current career. I want to be able to move to a different department, and these skills should be a big boon along with my English degree. I want to actually get my certification in each of the listed skills, and go from there to see what's next. I think, in terms of web development, it would be either PHP or ASP.net. I'm going to have to discuss that with a few people to see what they suggest.


2. Writing Portfolio (websites)-So, this portfolio will focus on my writing in general with hopefully websites, reviews, editorials and such. I'm trying to get some information to my HR department about a few things I'm interested in doing. One is writing for The Escapist. They recently added a "Write for The Escapist" section, but I need to run it by HR to see if I can do something like that since it is paid. Another thing I'd like to do is simply write for a gaming site, no pay, just building my writing skills and getting my name out there. This is something else I can use in my current career as well--published works to show off my writing skills. Finally, something else I have to run by HR, is a voluntary moderation position at MMO-Champion, and I need to get some moderation experience; however, that may be obtained on on of my other projects if it works out (see below).


3. Writing Portfolio (games)-This project is mostly related to Project Pathseekers, and focuses on building my portfolio in writing for games. I need to get some more stuff written up on there. I have one more nation to write up, and some more extended scenes to get on there. Other than Pathseekers, another game I'm working on (see below) fits into this category as well, but I'm not just writing stuff for it, I'm working on level design and general project management with my other friends on it as well. We had our first semi-successful meeting the other day.


4. Making a game-A few people at work and I are spit-balling a game concept that could work for smart phones (and maybe even steam). We finally got together and banged out a solid concept to build on. It's going to be set in a steampunk environment and about capturing renegade robots (maybe some ghosts) and other things! It's envisioned as a side-scrolling, action platform style game. Some game mechanics still need to be reviewed and discussed, and we just came up with the idea, so I haven't went into story development just yet. I plan on getting into that some this work week before work, but gotta focus on Web Development stuff as well. I think it's a solid concept, but there's so much to do to get it off the ground. I need to figure out how to make levels for it in the UDK, actually write story, and find someone who can produce art for the game (assets, everything like that). We'll see where we go from here.


5. Making a website-This one is a bit far off, I think. I was talking to a friend, and we're thinking about making our own gaming website. Possibly with reviews, editorials, and all that jazz. That's what I want to do at least, and I think he's interested in making videos on games and such. However, I need to get a solid base in Web Design. I'd like to get a forum up and running on it, so I can do my own community building and moderation for career experience.


6. Making a fansite-Another one that is just a bit off as well, but something I'm really interested in doing. I think it blends together my current study of web design with my creative aspirations. It would be a Diablo 3 fansite, but not your typical site. I'd like to make one focused on following my Monk's journey through Sanctuary in a blog style writing (journals on his travels) and extended scenes written by me (story excerpts from his journey). Of course, I need more HTML experience and it wouldn't happen until whenever D3 comes out, and who knows when that will be.


7. Financial matters-So, I finally set up a savings account, so that's out of the way! Yay! However, I've yet to set up my 401k, so that's very, very bad. I talked to a financial adviser today, and he explained the stuff to me a bit more; though, I'm still slightly confused when looking at the setup page, so if there's anyone out there that has set up their company 401k, and wants to help me out, let me know! And finally, credit card! I need one. I don't really want one, but I need to build credit. I'm 25 and have neutral credit, which isn't bad, but it isn't helpful either. I have to decide which one to go with through Chase.


8. Getting my truck registered to Texas-Finally got all the information here, but I need to look into how much it's going to cost, where I need to go get the title switched to my name, then how much it will cost to change the license plate over and where to do that. I've been procrastinating on this one a long time, but I really need to get it done!

And that's about it on my list for now. I know there are other things, but not everything can be listed. I also feel pretty overwhelmed as it is. On the bright side, this whole post was written using HTML, so that's something, right? Anyway, I have to get to work early, and figure out some stuff. So, I'll be back eventually with more updates! Later days!