Some of you may be wondering what happened with the BrokenJpg Podcast.

For the moment, I’m not making any episodes simply because I’m writing most of what I’m doing down, so the need for a podcast becomes moot. I’ll be sure to record another (if only for the sweet audio embrace of my own voice) when (and if) the need arises. I’d rather have something interesting to talk about than put out a bunch of boring drivel.

Fair?

Now, the same people may also be wondering what’s up with the oft-hushed project of mine called The Attic.

Rest assured that it’s still alive and kicking, but you may either be delighted or saddened to hear that I’m changing the writing style to a kind of fragmented first-person type. Instead of taking the typical route with this short story and doing the whole “XXXXX,” said Such-and-such haughtily, “XXXXX.”, I’m opting for this fragmented type of writing for a few reasons. One is because it will give you a much clearer view of what’s happening according to the person it’s happening to, and two is because it will fit wonderfully with the ending. And yes, I already know how it’s going to end.

Anyway, you’ll all see what I mean soon enough, as I’m writing more of it as we speak. And as far as getting it published goes? Well, you know how to work an inkjet printer, don’t you?

[i/o]

Well, it has come to my attention that only a mere 18 months after CS3 was released, Adobe is planning to release it’s bigger, possibly costlier brother, CS4.

October is what I’ve heard, and while it’s only a few months shy of the 2-year span that was between CS2 and CS3, it still feels like only yesterday that I got my copy of CS3.

They are talking about all of these sweet new features that will rely on the graphics card to take tasks off the processor, so you’ll be able to (theoretically) play around with 432 megapixel files as though they were nothing.

To me, these new features should really be rolled into the current version of CS, instead of busting out with a new version while people are still trying to revive their wallets from the previous attack.

I understand that Adobe has to keep the money train going to make everyone (including their shareholders) happy, but they are already the end-all be-all solution for design, page layout, web authoring, etc. that they really don’t need any extra help.

What do you all think?

[i/o]

[Update: Adobe Photoshop Project Manager John Nack, who gave the presentation cited in the TG Daily article that made the original claims, says that many of their claims are baseless. Regarding their claim of an October 1st release date for the next Photoshop release, Nack says that they "pulled a date apparently out of thin air." He also says that the technology he demonstrated has not been promised to appear in any particular future version of Photoshop]

[Update 2: Adobe has released the beta versions of Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4, and Soundbooth CS4. Curious.]

So Alaina and I became actual, factual Sam’s Club member’s today!

She had been looking around online (as is her wont), and she came to the realization that we might save some money buying in bulk.

Not that we’re hard up for money, but waste-not-want-not, right?

The place was a lot to take in.

Triple boxes of cereal, 30-packs of hot dogs, cases and cases and cases of drinks.

Alaina’s favorite by far though was the 20 count box of Fiber One bars. Those things sure are tasty, but you only get 5 to a box if you get them from Wal-Mart.

But the odd thing is that they also stock things in sizes and amounts I had never thought possible.

1352 Q-Tips? Say huh? Couldn’t stop at 1200? Or 1250? Or even 1350?

Anyway, just thought I’d let everyone know that we are now, as Alaina put it: “Official Club Members”

So, you know…if you ever need a thousand pencils or 25 pounds of pickles…you know who to call.

[i/o]

I’m of the mind that there are certain things that you never forget how to do - shuffle cards, tie your shoes, and of course ride a bike. I’m also of the school of thought that there are certain abilities or talents that must always be used or you will forget how to use them. For me, drawing is one of those precious things that you must not stop doing once you find out that you are able to do it, at least enough to satisfy yourself.

And that’s another thing I’ve come to realize.

I never really think of the aftermath of creating something with my tablet, I simply draw for the sake of creation. To be quite honest, I really do it for myself. I know no one will ever buy anything I make with my tablet, and that’s actually kind of freeing. Unlike at work, I don’t have to worry about making a client happy, or sticking to a certain color palette, or even what fonts to use. I’m simply free to spill whatever is in my head out onto the digital paper.

I’ve been asked (several times now, actually) how I make these pieces. As you can tell I’m reluctant to call them art, or paintings, or even illustration. To me they’re all three and they’re none at the same time. I have a folder on my computer that houses all of them, and I simply name that folder Tablet Works, and I think that sums it up, at least somewhat.

Anyway, the process is as much a discovery for me as it must be for you the first time you see the finished products. Imagine an old, stony well in a deep forest. The light is green in cast, and even the air smells green around the well that juts out of the ground like a rotten tooth. A large stone cap has been pushed onto the mouth of the well, one might assume to keep others out. The wise know that it’s to keep the substances of the well in.

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Photo 1: What you see when you walk into the room. You can plainly see the TV that didn’t work for shit.

Photo 2: If you step to the right from Photo 1, you’ll see this little sink/coffee-maker dealie. Nice if you’re into that sort of thing.

Photo 3: Shot of the bathroom. Not shown: Toilet I totally destroyed.

Photo 4: Further into the room. Apparently the room was like a cave and the sun was only a few feet outside the window in the picture.

Photo 5: Sweet-ass bed. I threw that odd red cylindrical thing on the floor after I laid down. It looked nice though.

Photo 6: Shot of me doing the typical MySpace photo. But I only took it so you can see the shirt I’m wearing that I made for one of the company websites.

Photo 7: Closer shot of the shirt. Reminds me of the green lantern.

Photo 8: Shot of my epic meal. Samuel Adams-braised short ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, broiled Butternut squash, Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing to go with the leafy greens, vanilla ice cream, strawberries, and a slice of WARM PECAN PIE.

In short, I could have done with crappier food if the TV had at least worked.

Oh well.

[i/o]

8:13 - “It’s what you deserve.”
Ernesto the driver in response to my question of if they had a smaller car than what I was being driven in - a Hummer.

So, it may be fairly commonplace for the daddio, but I’m not very used to business trips. It seems as though that barrier will be broken tomorrow, as I’ll be picked up by the company driver at 8:00 a.m. to begin my journey to New York.

Granted it’s upstate NY, so I won’t really get the whole big city feel, but it’s still a bit nerve-wracking.

I’m worried about all of these little things that I’m sure will work themselves out…but still. The drivers’ name is Ernesto. Does he speak fluent english? Will we stop to eat? Will I even want to talk to him? Where am I staying? Will Ernesto pick me up in the morning and drop me off at night? Where do I eat supper? Should I just call room service? How do I check out of the hotel if I’m not paying? Do they expect me to do work while I’m there? I don’t have a laptop, and I don’t feel like getting reacquainted with XP (or…God forbid…Vista), so what will that be like? Will everyone have a different view of me from email correspondence, so they’ll think I’m weird in person? Will I like all the coworkers I’ve talked to over the past few months? Will I get bored not doing anything all day? Will I kill everyone and run to Canada?

So. That’s pretty much the long and short of my worries. I’ll be gone from 8 Wednesday morning until 8 Thursday night. A rather short stint, but apparently said time at the office will let them move me “up the ladder more expediently”. So there’s always that to look forward to.

Anyway…wish me luck…and wish them all quick and merciful deaths.

[i/o]

So, yesterday, Alaina was nice enough to slake my thirst for Magic cards and take me to this local place called the Silver Dragon.

I thought it sounded cool enough, but I got to talking to the gentleman there (Scott, very agreeable fellow), and apparently the Silver Dragon is the place to play Magic in New Hampshire.

I was told that the top 5 best players in NH frequent the Silver Dragon, and it hosts sanctioned prerelease and draft tournaments of well over 50 people.

Good stuff.

So anyway, after explaining to Scott (said shopkeep) my predicament of having given away or sold all my old cards, he recommended something called the “Fat Pack”.

I’m not sure how long they’ve been releasing these, but apparently for the past few sets they release not only boosters, pre-constructed decks, and two-player starter packs, but also the glorious Fat Pack.

This colossus of cards comes with a pack of 9 of each land, a set-specific 20-sided die (mine is Shadowmoor, natch), a player’s guide/card list, a novel that explains and expands on the lore of the set, 8 booster packs, and a handsome card box to carry your new lovelies in.

It really is quite the feast, but there’s only one problem…I don’t have anyone to play with!

Ah, but it would seem the Silver Dragon strikes again! They participate in Friday Night Magic, Type II tournaments (which uses the newest set released, and includes a few sets back), Type I tournaments (which includes any Magic card ever released, I’m looking at you, Dad!), prerelease tournaments, drafts, and weekly bouts of kickball, whiffleball, and basketball.

So, perhaps I shall soon let my fierce Black-Red deck have its first taste of flesh.

But, remember this for when you come to visit, father: we are still throwing down on that box of boosters.

[i/o]

Just thought I’d toss up another drawing I did last night.

Not sure what it stemmed from, but it may have something to do with having this song on repeat in iTunes:

You Are A Pirate

Anyway, just thought I’d give you all a little more tablet junk as well as try and get that songs’ hooks into you.

Maybe I just need to go dig up some treasure or something.

[i/o]

Just thought I’d toss up two new ones I did last night.

I was feeling particularly broody after Alaina and Jack headed up to Maine for the weekend, so I thought I’d see if I could tap into that a little.

I’m not sure if it worked or not, but I’m pretty happy with the results, especially number 2. Number 1 may have been a warmup, but I still think it has its place.

So put on Thriller or the Monster Mash, and get down with these two creepy pieces.

[i/o]