Having difficulties

I was hoping to dive right into Illustrator after messing with the CS5 trial and now having  CS2, but I think that my skills aren't even close to what it takes to create something of importance and something of worth. I've tried the past few days to "make it work," but I seriously lack the patience for it to work. I've tried creating logos through it, but I have no idea how to, nor do I have the energy to create anything "grand." I think, though, that I need translucent paper and a copier—I have neither. But maybe I will one day.

A little somethin'

In the wake of the most recent Mel Gibson scandal, I wanted to create something funny, but also showing my support to Mel. If he is guilty or not of hitting his wife, I will support him. Largely in part because of the media coverage and constant defamation of Mel through "tabloid" TV. I know Mel isn't a saint, but c'mon this shit is becoming ridiculous—jumping to conclusions like they have. And thus, this is why I created the image above.

Photoshop and Illustrator designs to come

Once I can get the CS disc off of my brother—or once he finds it, that is—I will be able to post new uni concepts and/or logos for games, specifically NCAA 11 and hopefully FIFA 11. Once that gets going I can post some in-game shots from my EA account. I know it's nothing "grand," but is something nevertheless.

I want to start working on a new Pacers concept, but that's going to take a lot of time, time I don't know if I have in me. I like to do this for fun, so when something like this comes up I usually feel it out, then, and only then, do I actually attempt anything. Otherwise it's a waste of my time and energy.

You need to check out some of the submissions over at Puckdrawn. Phenomenal.

FIFA 11 looking hot

I was being my curious self tonight and noticed that I had an update on GameStop. The update was about FIFA 11 and it's new feature; a web-based team and player creator, similar to NCAA's TeamBuilder web tool. If it's anything like TeamBuilder, I think it's going to be an amazing addition.

Long have I craved to create my own clubs within FIFA games. I have a few in mind but won't be able to settle on anything until more information is released. Supposedly we can create players, teams, stadiums and use (probably) in-game logos as our own. I hope we can create our own online, too. I think that NCAA has it right. NCAA allows it's users to create their own teams and make their own logos through programs like Photoshop. Using something like that would be really useful within this game.

NCAA 11 madness

July 13th is approaching fast, and I'm eagerly waiting for it to come because of the release of NCAA Football 11. Why? Well, because every year I buy it. Some people think it's stupid to by sports games annually, I know, but I enjoy it. This year seems like it's finally going to be something really worth my while. Listen, I play the game and enjoy every minute of it. There hasn't been many iterations of the series that I didn't like, except last year's. Why? The player models weren't great. Let's just say that the Safeties were very large. Things like that ruin my experience. I want it to feel as authentic as it can be, given the current technical restrictions and time constraints that the developers are under—I get it. But simple things like that (the player's size) matter to me.

I'm excited for this year's game because of the StoryBuilder mode within the game. StoryBuilder allows the players, when in Dynasty Mode, to create their own stories during their dynasty and/or season. I think it's really good because it's basically like a little blog that you can access online and edit every word—or even create your own made up stories.

I have a scenario. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I think if I can integrate it well enough, I can see it working really well. The scenario is this: When in Dynasty Mode I envision there being some not-so-good kind of stories associated with my team. If I feel that a player is underperforming, I will make up some kind of story about the kid's grades and possibly being benched because of off-the-field troubles to give the stories that extra layer of  authenticness that I'm looking for. I can literally create what I want, profanity aside. The best thing about this is that when I'm playing in my Online Dynasty, I can brag about high-end recruit signings to everyone in my dynasty.

So happy

I woke up today finding out that Brazil had been beaten by the Netherlands. Supposedly it was a great match, but I wasn't awake early enough to see it. I'd been rooting for the Netherlands since the beginning. I am tired of seeing Brazil, Argentina and Germany winning it all. At least one of them is down and out.

Happy.

So later in the day, not soon after the Dutch finished off their match, Ghana were in a long, drawn-out match against Uruguay. I was watching the game while stepping in and out of my room, watching my niece play around in the living room. Then I heard a lot of commotion out of my room coming from the television. The commentators were talking loudly as the fans in the background yelled and celebrated because of a penalty had occurred around the goal area. Well, sure enough it was Ghana with the shot at a penalty kick. But before all of that, before the whistle was blown, there was an amazing series of events happening around goal. The penalty was called because a Luis Suárez used his hands to stop a well-headed ball from going in. He  (Suarez) was soon tossed from the game, due to a deliberate attempt to smack the ball away with his hands, which is very illegal in soccer.

Concerned.

So I sit down to watch what had happened, waiting for the penalty kick, thinking to myself, Stop it! Stop it! Sure enough Gyan chank'd it off of the upper post. I was yelling at the screen and thinking, Karma is a bitch. After the missed attempt the game went into a shoot out. A couple of fantastic stops later, a beautifully kicked ball from Sebastián Abreu, and Uruguay pulled it out 4-2, as team Ghana watched in horror and disbelief. I loved every minute of it!

Very happy.

What I'm watching

Currently I'm watching couple of shows during the week, I consider them to be "must-sees," but others probably disagree—that's fine.

I'm going to start you off with a few shows that aren't really series, but rather, competition-based TV shows such as: Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen and Top Shot. I also have become very fond of American Pickers, Pawn Stars and Ax Men, all of which happen to be on the History channel. It's safe to say some of my favorite shows are on History.

One of my favorites is Party Down (season 2) on Starz network. The show is completely mad at times, and offers up so many awkward moments and hilarity that I consider it a must-see. Although, if you're easily offended by sexual references, then I say stay away—far away.

Another that I really enjoy watching is Royal Pains (season 2) on USA network. The show is so easy to watch because it's not a violent or graphic show. It's really accessible and fun to watch with the family. It also offers up laughs and some romance. A good medical show, I think.

I recently finished off season 2 of Brotherhood. I really think this show is a sleeper. But sadly, the show ended in '08. I think it's still a good watch regardless of the cancellation.

In all honesty, I'm really biding my time, waiting for season 5 of Dexter. I mean, who isn't, right?

Grand Rapids Griffins jersey concepts

What I tried to create was with this first one was a classic, timeless look that goes well with any modern franchise. I wanted to capture America with this look. I figured the best way to capture America, without using stars in the design, that I’d use a classic, traditional look to best replicate that American feel, so to speak (I love our sports heritage and wanted to capture that). I also thought since the Griffins have a modern, conservative look that going vintage wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. I tried to integrate the team’s colors with this look with a few tweaks of my own to pull off the vintage look, knowing that they’ll be wearing red bottoms. My style is simple, clean and effective. It may not appeal to everyone, but that's what I like to do most. 

All that said, it’s been a blast and a real learning experience (first time using Illustrator). I’ve enjoyed creating something, with the help of PuckDrawn’s tutorials--which have been very, very helpful.

So what's the deal, right? Well, over at PuckDrawn there is a design competition for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL (American Hockey League). The creator of the blog was contacted by a representative of the team to come up with a jersey/logo creation for the annual New Years Eve game.

Being a mid-westerner, a fan of the 'Hawks, and being from Indiana, it's tough to create something associated with the Red Wings. That in mind, I wanted to do something clean, simple, and wanted something that can appeal to everyone.

My life as a gamer

I am a gamer; have been for over 20 years. To some, that might not be a lot. To others like myself, it's been an awesome 20 years.

The first game that I remember playing was Donkey Kong. We had an NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) growing up and Mario and Donkey Kong were the only thing we played for years. Every Mario game that was released when we were growing up—we had it. Then came games like Zelda, Contra, Doom, Double Dribble, Blades of Steel, Bulls vs Blazers, Jordan vs Bird, F-Zero, Road Rash and NBA Jam (to name a few). I consider myself as a well-rounded gamer---but I love sports games most of all.

As I grew up I got more into FPS (First-Person Shooters, for those that don't know). So it's not a surprise that my favorite game of all-time is GoldenEye 007. Why? Simple: I had the best time playing GoldenEye with friends, making up our own game-types, playing with 4+ people every night after school, and sometimes battling into the night like little Barbarians. Let me tell you ,  there's nothing better, and have yet to even come close to the feeling that I felt then.

I had a friend, Michael, that had a sweet setup. And while his father was still at work, after we got out of school, we'd all gather at his place, blaring ZZ-Top and playing GoldenEye. Not only did he allow us to game there, he always had these trash bag-sized bags full of a Chiclets-type gum. It's safe to say that we were never short of sugar, mouths crammed with goodness.