SO, here I am. Actually living in NYC, BLOGGING from NYC. First though, living here is way different from visiting. For starters, I actually have a key to a building where I can retreat to at a whim. So that’s pretty nice. Also, it’s less crazy. When Bill and I visited it was more or less non-stop-doing-stuff, or at least figuring out what to do.

I’ve been doing a lot of hanging out. Usually in cafes, sometimes in parks, sometimes in Central Parks… I’ve been reading Chance’s copy of Speaker for the Dead which is REALLY GOOD and I can’t put it down. It’s one of those stories that I don’t want to end. Luckily for me, I’m a pretty slow reader! I like to read, stop, think about what I read, re-read and so on. Usually this is a bad thing but, for good stories and cash-strapped-people, it’s awesome.

Bill will recognize this place! We stopped here for a late night meal and it was possibly our first “true New York restaurant” experience. Very small, packed with people, staff had thick accents and were hard to understand, AND good food. When Lindsey and I were walking around on my second or third day in I realize, “Hey, I know this area!” That was pretty cool.

I’m still working out the job situation and more importantly, the internet situation. (hah) Right now if I want internet on the laptop I have to sit on the far left side of the couch and hold the laptop up into the air until I can connect to an open network in the area, then sloooooowly move back on to the couch. Then repeat.

My iPhone is actually my main internet device now! Who’da thunk? The only problem is it’s hard to make a post with a little keyboard.

The first few days were quite emotional, but I’m much better now. Moving to a new region of the country is hard and weird! And this is the first time I’ve done it.

After spending 22 years in the Midwest, I will never forget it or the people who are there. I will definitely be back for visits and never think for a second that I’ll forget or resent where I came from.

Woah hey, SO! I just bought a one-way plane ticket to New York, leaving October 8th. I’ve got a sublet all setup out there and enough money saved up to not have a job for awhile, should push come to shove. I’m getting more and more contacts out there so I think that things will even out. Also, it will be much easier to find a job if I’m actually in the city and when people “could you come in to talk?” I won’t have to say “Oh, actually I’m in Minneapolis right now.” Soo… that’s happening. Finally.

Also, I just False 3D in Flash: Displacement Maps">posted this over at my lab.blog mostly because it was more work-related than anything. Plus, does anyone here really care about displacement maps in ActionScript 3? I won’t be offended if you say no!

BUT, something you should care about (and have probably noticed) is that Shambot’s got some new polish! Centered, cool-gray background, flash header. Yes, my friends, this is e-paradise with a touch of class. I will be posting something more in depth about the header and how it came about.

Also, I played Call of Duty 4 with Tim on Xbox Live last night! Fun city! It’s always more fun to play with people you know. There was lots of “Go on without me!” and “Damn it I won’t leave you!” Good times all around.

Here’s a video of the last year of my life compressed into three minutes and ten seconds.

August 7, 2007 – September 13, 2008 from Joel Gillman on Vimeo.

then you should watch this video. Actually, even if you think you do understand Twitter this is very informative.

It’s pretty much my favorite buttface typeface right now. I had some spare time at work yesterday and I made the picture below (click for full size!). Everything it homemade, including the stars! Believe it or not, it’s difference clouds!

…and the rest of the kids of Coolsville.

I found this guy sitting outside of where I work. I think he wanted a snack.

What I love about Shambot, is that I can post anything here and I don’t need to make it super special. For example, I spent 68 seconds making this post.

After walking for miles and hours, we decided to get new kicks! We’ve seen a lot of Nike wearing people here and decided to fit in. Unfortunately, we won’t actually get our shoes for another four weeks because they’re being custom made… BUT on the up side, we’ll have freaking custom made shoes.

Hey ya’ll! Next weekend I’m flying to Chicago! My parents are flying there to visit my Aunt and Uncle and they said I should come, too. Being the good son I am I said that if they would pay, I would go! And here we are.

Then, the weekend after that Bill and I are flying to New York City for a week. I’m interviewing with studios out there and checking out possible places to move while Bill talks to peeps and more or less does the same thing.

In the meantime, I’ll be hangin’ out and working at Space150 (which is a pretty rockin place).

Many of you probably don’t know this, but my uncle Jimmy is a film critic. He had a column that he used to write (and maybe still does) but now he has a TV Stop, as well! He looks and sounds a lot like my dad and anyone (Evan) who has met my dad will probably agree. (click to play)

June 27th

July 4th

Probably the nerdiest thing I’ve done lately. Though I’m not ashamed of it and I’m liking it. Chance is a good dungeon master and knows what he’s doing. FUN.

(btw, this is a drunk post) so sorry for misspellings/gramar