Dear Elsa,

The crisp nights in Skyrim remind me of home. Aurora is like a constant companion waving her shimmering veil over the mountains. So far, I’ve managed to stay out of the local war keeping busy between my studies at the mage’s college and high paying jobs, mostly dangerous work.

Forever yours,
Ezekiel

Dear Elsa,

The snow seems to hide some towns, nearly forgotten, rumor calling their names. I’ve been granted the use of a rather intimidating horse. The beast stands out in the snow like dark flame. You might be surprised to learn I’ve gain the admiration of a warrior. Mjoll the Lioness they call her. She’s been accompanying me without pay, though I outfitted her with a special dark armor and often shower her with enchanted jewelry. We make quite the team. At times she engages an opponent while I strike from the shadows, and sometimes we fight shoulder-to-shoulder clearing out the catacombs of their walking dead.

Truly yours,
Ezekiel

Dear Elsa,

I’ve somehow climbed into a leadership role within the college. They seem happy with my performance. Mjoll continues to follow me. I’m uncertain what drives her more, traveling the countryside or the spirit of battle. I seem to have a talent for finding battle. I’m certain she suspects given my insistence on traveling at night and other routine habits. She will often remind me of her hatred for vampires, yet she continues to travel with me and even protect me with the fire only a Nord could command. It must be the battle.

Always yours,
Ezekiel

___________________________________________________________________________

Screen shots from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda Softworks, Inc.

I’m formatting the ebook for Kandy Fangs which will be ready soon. Meanwhile, I’ve posted the final episode for the serial over at www.KandyFangs.com. I started working on Kandy’s story about a year ago, and it’s been a strange ride. Thanks to Carrie (and Xan) and Jason for their support.

After a long pause, Kandy Fangs continues today with the first of the remaining six episodes in the serial. The novella will be ready by the end of August. Read episode 22, “An Encounter with Sin.” Find other serials at TuesdaySerial.

My #FridayFlash is Crimson Dress at Kandy Fangs.

I updated the website with Twenty Eleven theme for a cleaner look. I like the less clutter on posts with a wider post area. I also added the software section for my upcoming iPad application.

About 17 years ago, I built modifications for games, mostly games by or based on the game engine by id Software (DOOM, DOOM II) using tools like Deu by Raphael Quinet and DeHacked by Greg Lewis. Back then I was known as “DragonRook” from AOL. I enjoyed DOOM, but the biggest selling point was the modding community giving us endless new levels and monster customizations, some of them better than the original game.

Castle Phobos end shot

My first mod was “Castle Phobos” that started as 3 levels and grew to 10 levels with original music written by a friend, Ross A Warren. “Terror Mall” was my next project that included a customization that turned the big red demon into glass window that shattered when shot and snipers in trees. My primary goal in both mods was to provide a high level of challenge offering the player barely enough ammunition to survive, more ammunition available to those willing to search for secret doors. Secondarily, I enjoyed toying with architecture. Terror Mall also included “clues” with custom graphics to find the teleporter to the exit. Years later, I also made a small single-level mod for DOOM 3.

Terror Mall- watch out for snipers in the trees

Back then I received job offers for level design. I didn’t accept any. My interest moved on, and now that I have the knowledge to write my own FPS I would rather create my own game.

After all these years, I still stumble across my boards containing chat about modifications or receive messages from fans. Although many of the old boards are gone, that people still talk about these old games and mods says a great deal about id Software and the entire modding community. For those that are able to play, try the links at the bottom to the zip files.

Thanks for the kind words about my work and Warren’s original music. I thank Ross A Warren for sharing his great music. Without it, I don’t think “Castle Phobos” would have been as memorable.

From the community:

• Sanglidrums sharing Warren’s original music on YouTube
• Doom Wad Station
• Review of “Wizard’s Rage” on DoomWorld
• New Doom Forums
• Maps at Doom3 File Front

Download my old mods:

• “Castle Phobos” for DOOM II, cphobos5.zip
• “Castle Phobos” for DOOM, cphobos31.zip
• “Terror Mall” for DOOM II, tmall2.zip
• A deathmatch level for DOOM 3, dracotorre_dm1.zip

It’s up to you to figure out how to play these mods on modern machines.

Screen shot from my Doom3 mod

Shimano Ultegra Crank

I chose a Shimano Ultegra crank to replace the one broken by Bike-Breaker Hill. It costs more, but worth it for longevity considering my regular riding habits and strong legs. I like the modern bottom bracket. Easy to install and very smooth. May it last more than 30,000 miles.

Caution: Bike Breaker Hill

Caution: Bike-Breaker Hill

Bicycle parts break. It happens. Most vulnerable are the moving parts. On my ride home this week, a part broke that I never expected. The crank arm. Snapped clean off at the middle. I one-leg pedaled the rest of the way home.

The arm snapped off during a power stroke and sent me wobbling. At first I thought it was the pedal. When I spotted the broken crank arm on the pavement, I paused a moment to stare at it making sure it was real. I couldn’t believe the arm snapped in half.

Broken rank arm

Clean break

The bike has never taken damage from a crash. I have a bad habit of accelerating hard, and maybe it doesn’t help that I live on a steep hill. It’s good exercise. Two years ago, I snapped a chain on the hill. Since then I only use the same high quality chains I use on my mountain bike. The crank lasted five years and about 30,000 miles. The sad thing is I just replaced the chain rings (teeth.) I’m replacing the crank with a stronger model from a different brand.

I have broken spokes, wheels, chains (one on my hill,) a brake, and a frame (crash.) Now a crank arm while pedaling. Crazy.

Leg power? Maybe it’s just Bike-Breaker Hill.

Gazing down Bike-Breaker Hill

.

Portland, Oregon

For the month of September, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, or BTA, hosts a Bike Commute Challange in Oregon to promote bicycle commuting. The goal is to introduce new riders by getting local businesses and veteran riders involved. To encourage first time bike commuters, the BTA counts partial commutes. Other BTA events during the year include the popular Bridge Pedal when bridges over the Willamette River in Portland close for the bike tour. On the first day, challenge participants logged over 24,500 cumulative miles.

Portland is very accessible for bike commuting due to a mild climate, bike lanes connecting suburbs, and protected bike parking offered by the city and private enterprise. The local buses have bike carriers for riders wishing to reduce their pedal distance. Many bike riders commute all year, including the wet winter months, but the numbers rise during the summer. Getting around by bike in the downtown area bests a car any day due to low speed limits and congestion. Here are some Portland bike statistics from Portland Office of Transportion:

• 13% of daily vehicle trips across bridges are bicycles
• Over 5,000 bikes cross Hawthorne Bridge each weekday
• Annual bike trip increase in 2006 was 18% over 2005
• About 5% use a bike as their primary mode of commuting

Hawthorne Bridge marked for bikes on inside and pedestrians on outside

I commute to work by bicycle because it is faster and cheaper. Riding wakes me up in the morning, and the moderate exercise is a nice break from working at a computer all day. Skeptics claim that most bike commuters ride for the environment or fashion, that bike riding is too hard or inconvenient. I believe most of the regular bike commuters agree that the primary goal is saving money. Some save time. Living twelve miles from work, my average bike commute time is 42 minutes door to office while my average car trip is 44 minutes. If I leave earlier in the morning, the car trip time shrinks to 35 minutes, but heavy traffic can increase the drive time to over an hour. Bicycles dodge traffic jams with ease and bypass accidents leaving weather as the primary factor in time. The best part: I don’t need to stop at the gym after work; I sprint hard for home cutting my time by another 10 minutes. Parking a bicycle is cheaper downtown, in the office or in an enclosed bike locker. Savings include gasoline, parking price, and gym membership. For single commuters to an office with small cargo, bike commuting makes sense.

Office parking

Thanks to efforts by the BTA and encouragement from veteran bike commuters, bicycle commuting has exploded in Portland over the last few years. A decade ago, I was among a very small group of regular riders, but today the major bike routes into downtown receive a near constant stream during commute times. In addition to calling my passes, I installed a bell to ring if my speed is higher. On the hill before the Hawthorne Bridge, the city widened the bike lane since packs of bikes sometimes spilled over into the car lane. Second to a surge in gasoline prices last year, the biggest factor I hear in the increase in bike commuting is the realization that biking to work is not as hard as it seems especially with the help of private enterprise providing parking, support, and showers. Look for the Bike Central network.

My advice to new bike commuters:

• Follow the rules of the road (Stop signs!)
• Plan your trip: look for quiet streets or bike paths. Longer might be safer.
• Maintain a line, checking shoulder before swerving or passing.
• Maintain visibility: clothing, lights, and road position.
• If a driver yells obscenities, try to keep calm and follow the rules.
• Some drivers break the rules. Avoid antagonizing them by being a traffic nanny. A few enraged drivers may unleash their frustration on the next bicyclist.
• Don’t wear headphones. It’s against the law, and you can’t hear my bell.

Enjoying an autumn day in 2001

Halfway into the Bike Commute Challenge, my office of four is at 65% bike commute rate with 380 cumulative miles. Does it mean anything? I ride for my own reasons. My co-workers may choose to ride or not. The challenge is a fun event that may introduce a few new bicycle commuters that were uncertain before. Maybe some want to save money on parking, avoid heavy traffic, enjoy a nice day once a week, or ride for the environment. Everyone has their own reasons.

Ride, drive, share the road, enjoy the day.

Mountain biking down single-track trail enjoying a beautiful summer day along 8-mile creek near Mt. Hood.

The helmet camera is VIO POV 1.5. Two lessons I learned: I need to find a better place to hide the microphone from the wind, and find a rider to follow. Next time I will experiment with other camera positions.