Choose Your Language

Friday 6 November 2009

A Desperate Week

Unfortunately, sometimes real life just seems to be against you and all the best laid plans go awry. I suppose I could have just left any post this week, but decided writing about it might be a cathartic experience and help move things on so I can get back to doing more on the module. That said, I imagine many readers will be investigating the newly released Dragon Age to be reading many blogs (mine included) at this time.

So what has happened? Well, to myself, I have had an appeal against a health insurance claim declined again, which means having to spend more time appealing and chasing up hospital reports. And all the while this is being declined (18 months now), it simply adds stress, which is only compounding my current health problems.

Then, I have my mother being conned out of thousands of pounds and not having the backbone to do something about it. And when I try to help, being told I am only scaring her into action. Meanwhile, due to her lack of taking responsibility, she is being threatened to be taken to court for more thousands of pounds. Believe me, I am trying to be very patient and helpful, but to be told all I am doing is scaring her and then having my own sister (who has not had to deal with the problem) yell in my face for doing so (when they should both know all I am doing is trying to help) is very frustrating.

So, this week, my wife and I decided (as much for my own health and sanity) that we would have to leave my Mum (and sister) to their own self-destructive lives. As much as it breaks my heart to say so, the last few months have shown my mother (and sister) to not be the people I thought they were. Obviously, there is a lot more to it than what I have said, but I don't want to place every piece of dirty linen out for all to see. Thankfully, before coming to this decision, I was able to have my mother's sister get involved and (what appears to be) a reasonable and competent solicitor. Unfortunately, I don't see any room for reconciliation for ourselves due to too many lies from my mother being said. (She says she forgets.) What can one do when a person holds back truths and is afraid of taking responsibility for what they do - and then blames others who are only trying to help?

THE MODULE

As far as doing work on the module, I was unable to do much more than finish a cutscene I was working on. I can say that I recommend using the SetCommandable function over a SetCutsceneMode function when making cutscenes, as the former prevents a weird "view the top of the PC's head" after coming out of a conversation, which you get with the latter.

I am also hoping to meet up with Geoff (Quillmaster) this weekend to discuss all things Neverwinter Nights and modules, so hopefully, I will be able to put last week behind me and try to do more relaxing things, like work with the module. Geoff's own NWN1 module is nearing completion and I hope to help him finish a little scripting with some items (Soul Stones) that act in a similar manner to my own Life Essence, so that should be straight forward enough. In return, I am hoping he may be able to help with some artistic touches to my own module, or at least secure some time in the future for such.

However, to end my week, I have to visit the dentist later on today for a toothache problem that was not cured the last time I went only a few months ago!

8 comments:

Jclef said...

Ah Family matters...

I'm sorry to hear about your problems there, Lance. I hope everything gets worked out. You and your wife did the right thing by moving on - no matter how hard it may seem, you can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves.

It's a common theme of frustration across many families. Because they're your blood, it's only natural to feel the need to come to their aid in difficult times. It sounds like you've done all you could - it's their turn now.

And yeah, I've read your blog because I don't have DA:O yet! ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lance,

you don't know how much I understand your problems!!! I have very similar matters to handle, with the aggravating circumstance that in my family I AM the "reasonable and competent solicitor", so I HAVE to take their responsibilities! And, since my family doesn't pay my wage, I have to do it at night and in the weekend! That is why I never have time to mod and it takes me 4 months to make an area in the toolset!

Best of luck to you and your family, and screw the insurance!

Wyrin said...

maybe modders are jinxed at the moment - jclef's graphics card, me caught in a car accident then locking myself out of the house.... not good times!

Families are strange. They are your closest blood, and yet I and they are guilty of treating each other the worst sometimes. And its that closeness that makes them drive you insane too.
Take it easy. Modders anonymous is always here.

Lance Botelle (Bard of Althéa) said...

Jclef, Nacaal and Wyrin,

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support. Just reading your responses are extremely encouraging to me and my wife.

I am glad I shared now, because your comments have given me he encouragement I need to get stuck in again and not to keep fretting over circumstances that I am not being allowed to help in.

Thanks to you all once more. :)

Lance.

Anonymous said...

Modders anonymous sounds like a great idea. I'm all for it.

Hope everything works out!--and that the dentist isn't out of "Marathon Man", ;)

Lance Botelle (Bard of Althéa) said...

Hi Chaos Wielder,

M.A. is definitely a welcome.

Re the problem, there has not been any communication since I wrote this, so no change there. :(

The most painful part of the dentist visit this time was the bill at the end of it, even though I had a filling. :(

Lance.

Eguintir Eligard said...

Your friends are you friends because you choose them and they treat you the way you want to be treated. Your family pretty much gets thrown in with you no matter who they are.

I don't necessarily agree with the family, blood vs water business.

Lance Botelle (Bard of Althéa) said...

Hi Eguintir,

Well, I have been let down by friends before as well, so I guess it's mainly to do with human nature more than anything else and personal standards. If one person's standards are different to another, then when the standards are tested, the differences show.

Maybe there is something that works for both in the saying, "You always hurt most the ones you love".

Lance