February 26, 1999

I had a Scribble all pre-written and ready to update when I heard something that pretty much threw me for a loop. So, I'm going to write about that first, and then put the intended Scribble after. At the very least, both Scribbles are similar in the sense that my head's killing me now; unfortunately, for different reasons.

I heard this morning that Sierra was being closed down. The impact of the news didn't hit me until I started reading the articles and postings from the people in the gaming industry, fan/gamers and former employees.

For everyone else, you'll just have to bear with me for a little while.

What I felt could not be summarized by simply saying "Geez, that sucks." There were posts from other fans who were outright angry. Some were stunned speechless, others were grieving. I wondered, what was going on? This happens every other day in the business world: pond fish swim to big sea, big fish eat small fish, bigger fish eat big fish. But then, I found my cheeks suspiciously wet.

It may sound weird to you to shed a tear or two at the passing of a software company. [Can you imagine crying over the demise of..let's say Microsoft? (snorts, chortle)] That's okay; it does to me. In fact, I sat there nearly appalled at my reaction. But as I read some more, and remembered even more... I re-lreaned that Sierra wasn't just a company, nor are the people involved just fans and just disgruntled employees.

Sierra was founded the same year I was born; I found that coincidental. However, the point I'm trying to make is that I grew up with Sierra. Although its influence has dwindled greatly in the past few years, it's not something you forget.

I first found a use for the computer was when my father bought King's Quest IV: Perils of Rosella. Some will remember running around as a character made of graphic blocks through the clumsy manipulation of text commands! ["Quickquickspace bar! Now what.."] I'd take that sort of game over Doom any day! I confess that I'm not a serious gammer, mostly because I don't have the time to figure the puzzles out, and am too stubborn to look at the hint book. Besides, it takes out the "kick" when someone in your own household finishes it first--and you saw the ending.

But it wasn't and still isn't the special effects so many games have now the cool -- 3D figures, or voice for characters, etc -- that was responsible for my having fun whenever I played. You could tell the game was done lovingly (be it an ambivalent love or a crazy kind of love) in a way that sort of rubs off... the way you find yourself laughing horrified as your hero attempts to do what you tell him to do, and fails miserably (a la Roger Wilco) or simply doing nothing and getting pee'd on (a la Leisure Suit Larry)! There is heart and soul (plus blood and sweat!) invested in the game that you feel apart of. Well, then again, perhaps you just need a weird sense of humor.

In 1990, shortly after my family became (more or less) dedicated Sierra gamers, we were given the chance to beta test The Sierra Network. In those early days, we met a lot of employees who were ... well, crazy. They were a wacky, wonderful family who would be happy to include you. After chatting and playing [games] with the very people responsible for all those wonderful games, we went up to Oakhurst in the following year (with me just recovering from chicken pox--hmm!). We were given the official tour (with tour guide and all) of the headquarters, but the tour quickly turned from "And this is where Quality Assurance team works.." to "Hey! That's so-and-so! When are we going to play bridge again?" and "Hiiiiiiii! I know you!"

[The Sierra Network was bought over by AT&T, changing its name to ImagiNation Network. It was then bought over by AOL who toyed with it, before throwing it out. (sighs) Fish, big fish, bigger fish]

An employee (who became a friend of the family) and his family was even kind enough to let us bunk at their place.

Being a little ignorant of things (I blame my youth (snickers)), I didn't know Oakhurst was this tiny town near the mountains where almost everyone knows everyone else. "So, that's why they put the half-dome!" I had expected to see big corporate-type buildings or something highly tech-y. I only found trees...and lots of 'em! It's a beautiful, beautiful town.

Then again, it made sense. When I said the Sierra people were a family, I couldn't be more accurate ... Not only did they work together, they lived together. We went to that employee's son's little league game--and you'd be surprised at how many familiar faces you saw there! I can only imagine how the BBQs, weddings, or even town disputes were like (see Mandel's article).

Sierra played an indirect role in my choosing my major in Computing. I made friends [programmers, graphics designers, computer- nuts(-and-bolts, in some cases), geeks!] who loved their work and enjoyed it. They were, in one way or another, where I first learned about computers... and how "the computer can be your friend." While I cannot say Sierra is solely responsible for my choice of profession, it did give the first tiny push.

Though I have long been out of touch with Sierra, and I've even lost touch with the gaming [1] as recent games seemed more mainstream than the Sierra-trend-setting kind of games I grew up with [2], I still remember what Sierra once was. Or at least, a part of me still remembers.

My deepest condolences to the employees that were heartlessly thrown out on a withering branch. Good luck with your futures... and while wherever you go will benefit from your talents, the rest of us loses a formidable team that brought us more than just 'entertainment'. I'll end this by simply giving a link to Josh Mandel's "eulogy".

[1] - I play; it's just a miracle if I complete it before Dad does
[2] - There are exceptions! ... Gosh, I'll miss those.

I have a rock in my head.

Give or take, it should be about the size of my fist. I have to be very careful not to jostle it, but to keep it delicately balanced in the middle of my skull. You see, an absent-minded tilt of the head would cause said-rock to roll one side and ka-thunk! with the side of my head. "Ow."

I believe I'm getting sick; the kind of sick where you don't feel well, but you don't feel completely sick, either. That only means one thing: you've got to continue your daily routine feeling half-icky. I don't want to be sick nor can I afford to be sick, but sometimes, I think it'd just be simpler to get sick, get a few days off, and get better. But, never mind.

I was on the bus the other day, with a particularly huge rock in my head, when I saw a car sticker that said: Save the Males. It took me a while to finally draw the similarities with "Save the Males" and "Save the Whales." However, I still don't get it. Save the males? What's that supposed to mean? I'm not feeling indignant, mind, I just don't get it.

It reminded me of the story I heard where there was a statement that ##% more males than females were instituitionalized. And then, the punchline went something like, "And who's driving who up the wall?" Was that what the sticker meant? "Save the Males" -- from the females? Pish-posh--blaugh. Then I remembered a guy friend who hung around with all seven of us girls: we consider him one of the gals. Perhaps, that's what it means. Somehow, I think this was an exception. Well, whatever. Who knows? Who cares?

I used to collect rocks/stones. I think I mentioned that before.

I was interviewed on Wednesday for a scholarship, after being informed the night before. That was interesting. I was, for the most part, comfortable with the interview as it was happening, but afterwards, I started to rewind and play the scene over in my mind. Boy, all the mistakes you find the second time around. And third, and fourth. I've only been interviewed thrice in my life... The first time during a competition, the second time online, and the third time just recently. I guess interviews just aren't my thing. Heh.

Do you know rock pets are possibly the most convenient pets?

One interviewer implied that I wasn't active enough at college (yet). I'm not totally sure if that was good news or not. She said she was looking forward to seeing my student leadership skills. Blaugh. Ask me to participate, fine, but please don't ask me to 'lead'. A friend suggested I go to the quarterly "Leadership Camp". Eh. It's bad enough trying to be responsible for myself, and then to be responsible for others--? I can almost feel the size of head-rocks that would produce!

Rocks are exceptionally handy for knocking people out, I think.

People are visiting! Yay! .. and not signing the guestbook! Ehh! Oh well. Come one, come all. It'd just be nice to see who's visiting, that's all. It's funny, but now with the counter moving again, I'm wondering how much effort I can put into this homepage. Not much free time, anymore. It's coming close to a bi-annual session of updates. "Come back in 6 months to see another session of rapid updates!" On second thought, don't do that. That'd be depressing. Or rather, I'd get depressed!

I think the rock-in-my-head is growing.

What? I had to have a theme going here...it makes it easier to title this during the next update. "Rockin'", maybe.

Previous Scribblings: Feb 20, 1999 - Family Matters II

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