2024-W12

I know that game development is no simple undertaking, but I am an expert at being mean to myself. It doesn't take long for me to start an internal monologue around these lines.

There have been so many games that have been made by a single developer. Any roadblocks that I might be having is simply a skill issue.

While this is not untrue, it's not productive or healthy. I saw this recent comic by Poorly Drawn Lines that does a great job of summing up this feeling.

![[do-everything.png]] :(

My work is completely remote. Most of my time is spent in a single place on my various machines. Even after working hours, my personal projects are plotted across monitors in a room that I do not regularly leave. It can be bleak down here, y'all!

I have been applying for jobs in the Nashville area with the hopes of finding a great group of people to start working with in person. If you've been following these posts, this should sound familiar. I've been applying for a while and have had little feedback, but I quickly got an interview with a promising startup. The interview process was shorter than what I was expecting and I ultimately didn't get the job.

So I took a week off. My son and I went on a road trip to DC, making stops in Johnson City, Asheville, and Greenville along the way, seeing family and friends. Having this time dedicated to movement, space, and newness was rejuvenating.

![[paul-phin-dc.jpg]] :(

Now I am home, and a little voice is telling me to learn Godot. After searching "learn godot" in Google and clicking on the first Reddit link, I quickly purchased this course on Udemy. It was $15 when I bought it as a part of some sale they were having (but they always seem to be having a sale, so).

I've only completed the first section of that course, but Godot is feeling very good to my brain. Maybe it was the week-long vacation. Maybe it's the node structure and built-in animation features. Maybe it's Maybelline? Whatever it is, there appears to be a clear (but long) path forward.

Until then.