We've been working like maniacs and banging out product like crazy. Then came the 2009 Open House. It was fantastic and everyone had a blast, but it was a lot of work (and we still have a few bugs to iron out regarding game schedules, sign-up and inventory).
I was feeling a bit burned out after the Open House. I think all the long hours of work, 6-7 days a week for months, finally caught up with me and the Palladium crew. I gave Wayne Friday off (with pay of course), and made sure Alex, Julius, and the rest of the crew were not working into the wee hours every night of the week.
As for myself, I decided to take Friday and the weekend off for a change, so I did get my three days off.
Actually, one could argue I started goofing off Thursday night, as Wayne, Kathy, Alex, Julius, and I spent three hours playtesting Carmen Bellaire’s Rifts® board game, and another hour discussing it and ideas for improvement. So hey, 7:00 PM to 10:45 P.M. was work of sorts. Fun, but work nonetheless. No, really.
Friday, I slept in and went out to see the new Star Trek movie that morning with a friend. I loved it so much that I came to the office and took Julius, Alex and Kathy (my treat) to see it later that same afternoon.
I’m not a Trekkie or Trekker, or whatever Trek fans call themselves these days, but I always enjoyed Star Trek, and loved the original series. I don’t know how the “serious Trek fans” feel about the film, but I thought it was incredible. The writing was brilliant, the casting, acting and direction was superb. In my humble opinion, this movie is the BEST Star Trek movie in ages . . . maybe ever. Fun. I highly recommend it.
Tears came to my eyes at the end of the credits when I saw the film was in memory of Gene and Majel Roddenberry. Perfect. There can be no question that Star Trek influenced my young mind in the 1960s. I had the pleasure of meeting Gene Roddenberry at a convention in the 1970s. He was a very nice man and an inspiring figure for me and Alex. I met his wife, son, and various Trek cast members over the years too, so it was nice to see a film recapture those characters and the feel of the original series so completely. Seeing such a great movie made me daydream about the Rifts® movie. I sure hope they make it someday.
I only spent about three hours at work on Friday.
I slept in on Saturday and Sunday too. Caught up watching some shows I had recorded on the DVR, watched the Last Mimzy and Golden Compass on cable, watched Iron Man on DVD with Alex (he had never seen it; another fun film), read a few dozen comic books, enjoyed a little outside time, watched a bit of TV, went to Barnes & Noble where I found a copy of Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles on the shelf; lazed around my apartment all day Saturday, called my Dad, brother and some friends on the phone, got a bit introspective and thoroughly enjoyed my three days off.
Now it's back to work. I feel rested and inspired. My allergies (or a cold, or something) has me a little under the weather, but overall okay.
I spent the morning answering e-mails and taking care of some business. I hope to start getting caught up on something like 80 Private Messages today. Sorry it has taken me so long do so, folks. Then it is back to getting out new books!
We are feeling optimistic and excited about keeping new product rolling out from Palladium Books® EVERY MONTH. I need to finish Nightbane® Survival Guide and dive into the next few books.
I hope everyone had a nice weekend as well. Game on.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Game Designer & Game Producing Madman
© Copyright May 11, 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Heroes Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Warpath, Shemarrian Nation, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.