Sugar Cube

I think about you
Can't dream without you
I always want more
Trance to the dance tune
Under a full moon
And a reason to...

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So the first week and weekend of classes has come and gone. They weren't too bad, I have all my favourite teachers; Wren, Willis and Grimsby. The others aren't bad either, but my game teachers are fantastic. The schedule is light at the moment, but I want to take two more, which involves having people drop classes to let me in. I'm watching them like a hawk, but right now nothing is opening up. Hopefully something will open soon, but right now I'm not holding my breath.

Mondays require me getting up at 8am to get ready for a 9am class. Not much there, the class is nice, but I got stuck with the one person I didn't want to, so now I'm contemplating dropping the course, as we have the same group the entire semester. If nothing opens up, I have no choice. It doesn't help that right now my first grade is in said person's hands, and I am terrified of relying on other people for group projects. I have been let down before, hard, and I don't like taking those chances. Right now I am contemplating doing some of that work just in case, which will probably be the case. Waiting to see if he replies to my e-mail before I do anything.

After that class, I have a bit of a break before I return to the art building for Game 310, which is the game studio class. We're going to use one of the common engines and actually make a game. I'm really looking forward to that, since the engine itself is pretty easy to use and runs beautifully. Jay is in that class with me and he's picking it up pretty easy too, and we've already started bouncing ideas off of each other ha ha.

Tuesdays are really entertaining. Everyone in my dorm gets up around 9 to get ready for our 10:30 classes and we then walk (mostly) together to our destinations. My first class is Advanced Game Animation with Noelle. Grimsby wants to push us a lot more this time around, but the first couple of weeks are going to involve us getting friendly with Photoshop and the new modeling system we're using. I am really excited, and will hopefully be able to get help from Noelle if I get stuck. She is really good at modeling and texturing and, well, everything ha ha.

I then meet up with Noelle later on in the day for our Music class. It's alright, nothing exciting. Though I can't remember where to get the homework for the class. It's supposed to be on Blackboard, but the teacher hasn't even set it up yet.

Kristina says hi? She is waving.

Wednesday was the same, a couple of assignments to do for Monday, nothing heavy. However, it started sleeting and snowing and getting nasty out. GMU closed all classes after 4:30, and everyone was trying to get off campus. I swear the cars outside my building didn't move for hours. We were watching the news later that night and found out that around 300,000 people were without power, traffic had been backed up for several hours and it got to the point where people were like "FUCK THIS" and just abandoned their vehicles.  Kristina's brother was stuck in a car for 5 hours.

Needless to say, classes were canceled on Thursday. I was a little upset by this, because my really important class (Advanced Animation) is on that day, and I don't want a repeat of last Spring (Snowpocolypse). So we just chilled most of the day and I got some work done.

The rest of the week went pretty smooth. Gio had a party on Wednesday that I went to since classes were canceled. Didn't stay long and instead hung out with Molly. Then partied again on Saturday after seeing Black Swan. All I have to say is that I absolutely loved the movie. It was really interesting to watch the main character go insane. Also, since she was played by Natalie Portman, I couldn't help but have Natalie's Rap stuck in my head the whole movie. It was hilarious for a while, until the movie actually started getting crazy and I was like "OMG NATALIE WHAT ARE YOU DOING." If you haven't seen it I highly suggest seeing it.

BUT ANYWAY. The party. I stayed for a lot longer than I thought I would. Before that though, I met up with Liz, mostly on accident since I was looking for Molly actually, and I waited with her since she was going to the party as well. I was then introduced to this wonderful girl named Minnet who is getting her master's in Game Design and is currently a composer. We talked about games and then what she was going to wear for the night. Liz then hid shot glasses in her double d's and clanked the whole way down the hallway. It was hilarious. I decided I was her buddy for the night, and sat next to her and Minnet for the night. Minnet and I talked about everyone in the room while Liz attempted to execute this secret plan that she had for the night. It ended up not working out, sort of, but I don't think I'm allowed to talk about it? Sorry. I don't really know, I was too busy having conversations with Gio and then playing Never Have I Ever. I ended up leaving around 3 I think, and came back to the room to Kate, who then started mocking me. It didn't help that when I went to put away my contact solution I dropped it and it crashed to the ground. SMOOTH MOVES GEORGE.

But yeah, it was overall a decent weekend, and am now giving my group member another ten minutes or so before I just do the work. I mean, I'm sure he'll have it, but sever paranoia will make me second guess all night.

Anyway, I'm going to go draw or think up some concept ideas for my game/models for this semester. I'd like to mess around with the game engine, but for some reason it has a panic attack every time I use it (since I run it on parallels) and it makes it rather frustrating. I also need to go grab MAX, which is the new modeling program. Luckily it is free for students for two years. Cool right? Otherwise it is like $1,000+. Like I want to spend even close to that much money.

Anyway, I have stuff to finish up and songs that need listening to. I'll probably update sometime this week, since apparently a huge snow storm or seven are supposed to run through VA this week. Snowpocolypse 2.0 is on it's way. And even sooner this time around! Anyway, hope everyone had a good weekend and has a good week to come!

No Minecraft

This post will not have Minecraft in it I SWEAR.

Anyway, I made it back to school yesterday and it was nice to see everyone. Scooter, Kate, and Kristina were the only ones here on Saturday, so we all hung out together and talked about all the things we have done so far. We then ordered Chinese and hung out as per usual. Around 10 or so I saw my friend Heather on Battle.net and messaged her, hoping we could play Starcraft 2 together. However, I got no response and decided to go do something else. After several minutes, I got a text from her asking if I was in my room. I told her yes. After a short while she came down and we hugged. We decided to go back to her room to geek out.

It was funny though, she came downstairs in her pj's and wet hair (seeing as she had just showered and was planning to sleep early tonight to get into swing for school). When we got to her room it smelled of Chlorine and I commented on it. She told me it was her new cleaner and she hated the smell. I laughed and told her I love the smell of chlorine. Don't ask me why, I just do. Anyway, so we set up base around her desk and played a test round against medium computers. She said she wasn't that good so we did a test run. We stomped the two comps and decided to up the difficulty. We did fine against the two hard computers, me going defensive to stop the initial waves and her building up an army. It worked well and we crushed the comp. During that game her dad signed on and she was like HEY LET'S PLAY WITH HIM. I told her that was just plain weird but we did it anyway. We did 3v3 and it worked really well. He massed Void Rays and Heather and I dealt with the invading forces. We decided to go for one more game, thinking it would be another sort of short game. We were so wrong.

The game started out normal. We did this one map (I forget the name) that puts us into one massive base on the bottom right, and the others at a massive base at the top left. Heather decided to rush Hydras and I attempted to rush Dark Templar. It was going pretty well, but I only got two templar before the enemy attacked. I was hoping the computer wouldn't notice my cloaked units, but a scan went off and they killed one. Heather pumped out what she could as I tried to get more units. We somehow managed to force them to retreat, and her dad began to build defenses around the entrances. My base took serious damage, so Heather did what she could to help while I rebuilt. However, the Computers were too fast and I couldn't rebuild fast enough. Heather and I could only hold off two waves before we started to get overrun. Her dad, during this whole time, was massing Void Rays and moved in for the kill. At the same time, the computers started to overrun my base. Just before major damage was done, her dad's attack on one of the comps caused them to retreat to defend.

The game started to back and forth like this. Heather and I would try to branch out for minerals and get destroyed. It got to the point where we were done for. However, the computers had lost all of their other bases and didn't have any minerals to rebuild. Her dad also managed to destroy chunks of the main bases to keep them at bay, and in the end we managed to pull through. The game lasted around an hour and it was one of the most intense games I have ever done. Sadly, it was just against computers haha. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun. We decided we needed to do this more often. I agreed, but it was getting late so I headed back.

Scooter, Kate and I hung out for a little while longer, but then decided sleep was in order. Slept for forever today and then got Lunch with Kristina, Kate and Scooter. It was nice, but meal plans didn't activate till 4pm, so I had to use Bonus. It was whatever, and the food was decent. We then hung out in our dorms for a while as we waited for everyone else to come here. Liz showed up first, followed by George and Hunter, and Randall finally showed up later that night.

Later on, Sarah asked me to come tank Heroic Shadowfang Keep in WoW for her and Justin to help him get geared. I said yes because I didn't expect to really be doing anything that night. However, Jay showed up and we started to talk, but it's hard to chat and effectively tank. We then had a ton of trouble on the boss because the dps was sucking hard (not Sarah). After a very painful first boss, I had to afk real quick because my friend wanted to chat. I didn't think to stay very long, just pop in and see what was up, but there was rum and everyone was like LOL BRING MORE even though we had nothing. It was also Sunday before the FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. WHAT ARE YOU GUYS EVEN THINKING? So I convinced them to do something this weekend rather than before the week even began. However, while I was down there I got a text from Sarah asking where I was and then found out everyone was messaging her on WoW. I came back to find everyone herded around my computer and just shook my head. We then finished the run and only ran into trouble on Godfrey, but that was because we had no Decurse, which SUCKED. We managed to get him down, but not without pretty much everyone dying. Justin was not happy about it, and it was partially my fault for afking for so long. OH WELL.

So yeah, it is time fore sleep, since I have a 9am class tomorrow and it is my first of the semester. I am not looking forward to being the only one up at that time, but the class seems fun. Anyway, night all.

A Post for Sarah

This is gonna become a regular thing ha ha.

Anyway, I posted about Minecraft last time and didn't get around to posting about Sarah's Treehouse. She called me out on it, but the reason I didn't get to it is because IT IS SO FAR AWAY YOU HAVE NO IDEA. So today I decided that while waiting for everyone to get ready I would do a rundown of Sarah's house. SO I DID. HERE IS HER TREEHOUSE.

 This is the "Field of Dispair." I will forever spell it wrong because that is what the sign says. These are also natural. Sarah found them one day while she was exploring, and they are pretty much the coolest thing ever in our world.

 They even kill animals.

 A natural lava flow. It's probably the reason the trees are on fire. It doesn't really explain much though.

 Up there is the new Sarah's Treehouse. That's the stairs going up.

 This is the entrance to Sarah's mines. I can't remember what it looks like, but I don't explore other peoples mines anymore. Not after getting lost in Justin's for 20 minutes...

 One of the many views from the treehouse. ISN'T IT PRETTY?

 Sarah's couch. It's so cute!

 It looks over the Field of Dispair. Lovely view.

 I have no idea what this is or how it got there, but it is really pretty. You'd have to ask Sarah about it ha ha.

 Yet another lovely view. The water looks really nice in this game.

 THE LAZY ENTRANCE. You can just go into the waterfall and slide all the way down. Going up is a lot harder, but so much cooler.

 I have no idea what this is for, but it's just a door.

 The original treehouse. You used to have to use this elaborate route through three trees in order to get up into the house. It was really really cool.

 The inside. It's got everything you need to survive nightfall.

 I decided I wanted to build something out on the lake behind her treehouse, but it turned to night and I didn't have enough blocks or anything to do what I needed to yet. So instead I made this.

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT SARAH. NOW WHEN YOU SPEND THE NIGHT AT YOUR TREEHOUSE THE WATER WILL TALK TO YOU.

Au Revoir, Connecticut

Well, today I am heading back to GMU. My sister and I will be making the drive down with my mother's Jeep. My sister is stressing like crazy because of all the drama the last two days and I think so is my mom and dad. Hopefully everything will be better by next weekend, but by then I will be at school already so I will focus more on getting a job and seeing how my classes go. I'm going to miss everyone here, even though I really didn't get to see anyone this break due to work and such =\.

I also apologize to Kate, Scooter, Kristina and anyone else who was in the Skype chat last night, as I got distracted and forgot about it untill about midnight, when I realized OH SHIT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET ON SKYPE. I am a bad person and I apologize :(

Anyway, that's all I got for now. I have to go finish packing for the trip back. However, HERE IS SOME MORE MINECRAFT BECAUSE I LOVE IT.

BTW THIS POST IS HUGE

 This is Matt's house. It's pretty cool. Lava guards his entrance.

 HE BUILT TWIN TOWERS GUYS. THEY AREN'T AS TALL AS MINE THOUGH.

 Signs pointing you towards everything. Yes, "despair" is spelled wrong. No one feels like changing it.

 The path leading to the "Field of Dispair" and "Sarah's Tree House." Sarah made all of the walkways.

 Justin's Castle and Tower. THE TREE ON THE TOP WAS PLANTED BY ME AND HE STILL HASN'T FOUND IT LOL.

 Justin's Courtyard. That's his tower. It's really nice looking.

 This is supposed to be the Tri-force. I don't see it.

 Way off in the distance you can see my towers. Isn't that awesome?

 My entry wall. There is no door because of creeper damage. I still haven't fixed it haha.

 The hall leading down into my Fortress.

 YOU CAN SEE MY LAVA FALLS. Also the second floor.

 Sign pointing you towards what I have built.

 MY LAVA FALLS. Aren't they wonderful? If you stand in it you die.

 I need more lava. The area isn't filled yet.

 Guys. This is my shed. It leads to my mines and all my crafting stuff. It also was my original safe house. Isn't it so cozy looking?

 "Beyond Lies the Den of Evil." It's a reference to Diablo II. I hope someone got it... Also this is where my mines begin.

 MY "SECRET" SHRUBBERY!

 One of the many many many many many hallways in me mines. They go on forever. To capture the true vastness of it you have to walk through yourself or see a video. I'll think about it.

 I made the shortcut on accident. Luckily it cuts the mine size by about 1/8.

 The spiral downward. It leads almost to the deepest part of my mines.

 One of the many stairwells down. I have no idea how deep my mines go, but it takes about half a day to go up and down the mines.

 THE HALL OF LIGHTS SIGN

 THE ACTUAL HALL OF LIGHTS. It is my favourite part of my mines. I am going to make it extend so much farther, but I have been busy getting supplies on the bottom level, so right now it isn't even close to how deep I want it.

 I didn't know what to call it, so I just came up with the name "The Dark Depths." Oddly enough, A dungeon appeared down at the bottom. I'll explain when we get to it.

 I was digging out some iron and found this area. So I made some stairs down. There was a skeleton waiting for me. But that's not all..

 There was also lava.

 And a Dungeon. Dungeons spawn endless zombies until you surround it with light. There is supposed to be a skull in there, but something is wrong so instead there is a spinning pig. You have to put light around it because bad things can only spawn in the dark. Also, another indicator is the green moss tiles. They let you know bad things lie ahead.

 Another section of my mine. I like torches.

 OH HEY LOOK MORE STAIRS DOWN. These actually lead to the deepest section of my mines.

 And this is the hallway I have been digging out. It's the last section of my mines, and it goes on for quite awhile. It's pretty decent handywork for five days of play.

And that's all I'm gonna show for now. Working on making SO much more, but have been taking a break atm. See you guys soon though!

Houston, We Have a Problem...

As you are all well aware, I head back to school this weekend. The plan (as it was to be) was for my sister to return from DC with the rent-a-car, pick the car "that is waiting or her" and then drive me down to school with said car. This was the easiest plan, requiring no more rent a cars and my sister would have an easy way to get to and from her work.

Best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.

As it turns out, my dad does not have a car for her, and he won't extend the rent-a-car any longer. This morning, he was like "I don't have a car for Ray. I don't know how you're getting back. Probably will have to take the train."

I don't think he understands where I am going or what I have to bring. I have two MASSIVE bags full of all my stuff and on top of that I have my chair. So what the hell am I supposed to do? We can't take my mom's car because it has 200k miles on it, and he refuses to let it go anywhere. Take his car? He'd sooner die than have us drive it down. But then we'd have the problem of getting it back and then getting HER back. In otherwords, shit has hit the fan and nothing has even begun to happen. Sister gets back today. All hell is going to break lose.

In other news, I'm going shopping with my mom tonight to get some what I need for school. After, I'm going to start gathering all my things and putting them together. Took Friday off from work to hang with Sarah and get my last packing done, but it's supposed to snow again. Lovely. I am now incredibly anxious and paranoid that tomorrow and Saturday are going to be really really bad.

Hopefully I'll see most of you Sat/Sun/Mon. Dunno when anyone is getting back, but I'll see you guys shortly. I miss you bunches <3

In other, other news. I acquired my favourite mount ever in WoW the other day. Not that any of you care :P. I also got Fallout: New Vegas and haven't touched it yet. I feel bad, because aparrently there is a quest to get a whore robot named "Fisto." I am excited.

I also got this wonderful game called "Minecraft." If you haven't heard of it, Google it and check it out. SO GOOD. You basically build whatever the hell you want. Just gotta watch out for all the creatures that spawn at night. One of them, the "Creeper" is the most annoying piece of shit ever. It chases you, hisses and then EXPLODES. I had the front entrance of my fortress blown to smithereens. It was frustrating I tell you. The good news is I converted my waterfall into a lavafall. OH YEAH I HAVE A POOL OF LAVA NOW.

Anyway, things are pretty good. Got some money in my pocket  and ready to head back. I'll keep you posted on the frustration to come. I'll also post pics of what I've been building when I get a chance (as the ones I have are outdated and at night), but here's what I've done so far.

SEE YA

 This is my tower. It's 40 blocks high (which is pretty damn tall). You can see most of our world from the top.

 I know it's dark, but you can see the lights that lead from my Fortress headed towards Matt's Tower and Justin's Castle.

 This is my glass tower. It's much prettier in the day. You can look out and see a lot of pretty parts of the world.

 The entrance to the glass tower. There used to be a skeleton that killed me and his body never vanished. I called him "Steve the Asshole" because him and two creepers blew the shit out of that entrance.

 A gift from Sarah. It's a little yellow flower I encased in glass for protection. It makes my Fortress more homey.

 This is from the entrance of my Fortress. It's dark because not only is it night but there aren't enough lights there yet. It branches off in three directions: One leads to my tower, one to the second floor and the other into the Shed that goes into my mines.

 This is looking down into the second floor of my castle. It's not done, and I'm thinking of adding other floors and rooms. I haven't decided yet. It's pretty big. I have no idea how much Cobblestone I have used so far ha ha.

 This is from the uncompleted tower (now completed) looking over to my glass one. You can see over it from the very top of this tower.

 Uncompleted top of my tower. There is now a pointed top above this. It looks great.

 Top of my tower looking down. Told you you could see over it.

Looking down at my second floor. The holes in the roof are there on purpose. They were letting light in so my floor could grow grass and look better. It made my head hurt to see so much Cobblestone everywhere.

And to think, this is only a fraction of what I have done in this game ha ha.