Art Test from Naughty Dog

Some time between 2 and 3 pm yesterday, there were a couple of bugs in our database that needed to be updated as they had been sitting there untouched for quite a few weeks now. I needed to get them closed off. But I just wasn't feeling up to it. So I thought to procrastinate a little bit. I had exhausted all other means of procrastination when I said "Hey, I know! I can check my email!"

Which I did, without realizing the surprise that was waiting for me. There was an art test from Naughty Dog in my inbox. I had applied to an environment artist position with the team a few weeks back but I didn't think I was going to get a callback because

1) I'm Canadian
2) I don't have experience
3) My cover letter said "Dear Rainmaker"

A few days earlier I had received a "We are reviewing your qualifications" and thought, oh it's just another one of those. So yeah, DEFINITELY surprised that they wanted to take my application process to the next step. I told a couple friends on MSN, one of who flat out didn't believe me (not that I blame him).

Cause I mean, this is the maker of UNCHARTED, only among the best looking games ever! What in the world would make them want to look at little ol' me?! Well I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. So today I get started on the art test. I have 2 weeks to do it, strictly modeling. Wish me luck!

New Home!

So I've moved out of Port Moody, finally. I've been aching for this kind of freedom for a very long time now. From little things like mother coming into my room unannounced with the laundry, to not having the living room to myself because brother and his girlfriend are occupying it, watching TV or whatnot. I've been confined to my room recently, as it has been my only place of solace.

That changed when my friend at work Mike, asked me if I was interested in moving in with him and his other room mate Jamie, who also works with us. I was a little nervous at the prospect of leaving home because this was my first time doing so. I wasn't sure what kind of a room mate I would be, what kind of unwritten rules there would be to abide by.

I requested leave for the week of May 110th to work on my portfolio - completely forgetting that I'd planned to make the move that week. I ended up moving the first of my belongings over on the saturday before, and spent that week settling into my new place (which saves 45 minutes off my commute to work every morning.)

The Deep South

I went to Atlanta, Georgia for Christmas Break from Dec 26 to January 3. Touched down in Atlanta at night at around 10:30. Taxi ride in a van with a driver from Jamaica who had been living there for some time. Told me where I was staying was a safe part of the city with police 5 surrounding police outposts. Bums were the biggest problem but it's not like they were dangerous. Around 1 AM went out to look for some food and found a karaoke joint called Metro City where the people singing inside could be heard around the block. Had beer and chicken wings there - alone - but it was still delicious, all while listening to the people sing downstairs. Little bit later, walked back to the motel to get some sleep.

The next day I woke up early at around 8 something. I wanted to spend some of the day touring and trying out the local cuisine. For the first few hours I looked up local restaurant Benihana, the Coke Factory and the aquarium, and worked on my Balamb Garden scene for a few hours. Later in the afternoon, I went to the nearby Marriott hotel and found a Starbucks where I bought my Starbucks Atlanta cup from. Another one to add to the collection!