You know how I casually joked/commented how I understood how some people might consider trying alternative means to generate income while actively searching for a job in this crazy economy (such as medical experimentation)? Well, I actually took a risk and decided to participate in one of those clinical trials you sometimes read about in newspapers or job search publications. This particular study needed healthy people to test the potential side effects an experimental drug. I will not reveal too much detail because I honestly do not know if it is permitted.
I know you may (or may not) think I am absolutely crazy for even considering this as an option. However, being the studious person that I am, I did a lot of research on the pharmaceutical company, the drug itself, and the organization before deciding to participate in the study. Fortunately, I could not find a single negative review about the company. I also learned that over 90 people participated in the trial before me. Out of those 90+ people, only two had any reported side-effects. One person had a slightly elevated heart rate, while the other had some small spot(s) that appeared on the eye itself without affecting their vision at all. In the documents I signed, the company said they would pay to treat me for any potential side-effects that may result from the clinical trial. This seemed like pretty good odds so far. Plus, the study was only for two weeks and would wash out of my system once I stopped taking the pill.
I know that I was taking a major risk by not having employment secured before moving to out here to Los Angeles. However, it was a risk I was willing to take for the sake of pursuing my goals and dreams, verses remaining unemployed in a location that dried up for the film industry.
What is great about this program is that it has given me a lot of time to catch up on my studying and reading on various topics, reflect on my goals for the year, meet some interesting people from Los Angeles, rest (for a change), and converse with some beautiful Japanese and Filipino nurses I would have never been able to meet otherwise. ;) Too bad they're all married.
Even though we are not allowed to leave the hospital or eat any outside food (I miss my local Chinese restaurants), we do have a recreational room that has movies, internet access, video games, and board games. In fact, I am thrilled to say that I played Risk for the first time ever. All this time, I thought it would be an incredibly boring game and even picked on a former president because it was rumored that it was his favorite game in college. However, I retract my uninformed preconception and wholeheartedly recommend this classic board game.
In the mean time, the moment I receive a check for participating in the clinical trial, (after paying my bills) I plan to send my second board game invention to the same toy broker for review and to see if he might be able to license it to a major toy company for me. Hopefully, when I return home, I will have heard from one of the literary agents for my nonfiction book as well. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for me. Have a wonderful weekend!
Mahalo! (Thank you!)
~Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
So Many Great Ideas!
Today, I was flipping through a notebook that I write a variety of ideas and tips I receive from books, magazines, website articles, seminars, meetings at my local Small Business Administration and interactions with friends. I was surprised to find so many ideas I wrote down and completely forgot. This is a perfect reason why someone like myself needs to write down ideas AS SOON AS INSPIRATION HITS! (Hence the reason I always have a pen or three in my pocket.)
Some of the methods I use to figure out which ideas are worth pursuing include:
1. Write down your idea in a journal or notebook! I personally like to make sure I include the date I wrote the idea and where the inspiration came from. It gives me a personal insight on what fuels my creativity and how important the idea is to me, based on how long I have been procrastinating to take action.
2. Compare the idea to your goals in life. I like to review each idea I have and compare them with the goals that are most important to me in my personal life. There is only so much time, money, and resources that you can dedicate to so many goals, desires, and obligations. Everything needs its own time and commitment to be accomplished, i.e. exercising, family, education, work, investing, hobbies, etc. Therefore, I recommend waiting at least a few days after you have written down your goal and then going back to determine if it still makes sense and coincides with your personal aspirations in life.
3. Get feedback! Sometimes, if I spend enough time focusing on a creative project (i.e. designing a new board game or writing a book), I might lose perspective on what may or may not be well received by the public. It is absolutely critical (if you are trying to sell a product) to have a group of people that can give you honest and brutal feedback about your ideas and projects. This is something I ALWAYS emphasize to those I trust and value for their opinions. If you recall from my previous blogs, I have also received feedback from professional toy brokers/agents, board game groups on Meetup.com, and from touring my games in local libraries. (See below for the list of questions I asked people to rate from 1 to 10.) Don't forget to say "thank you" in your own way to those that took the time to evaluate your work.
4. Re-evaluate, if necessary. Once I receive honest and brutal feedback, I will take it all into consideration, then keep what I want and throw away the rest.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you are thrilled with your results!
This has been a major help to myself over the past couple of years and I hope this is helpful for you and your goals.
Mahalo (thank you) for reading my blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Warm Regards,
~Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
Some of the methods I use to figure out which ideas are worth pursuing include:
1. Write down your idea in a journal or notebook! I personally like to make sure I include the date I wrote the idea and where the inspiration came from. It gives me a personal insight on what fuels my creativity and how important the idea is to me, based on how long I have been procrastinating to take action.
2. Compare the idea to your goals in life. I like to review each idea I have and compare them with the goals that are most important to me in my personal life. There is only so much time, money, and resources that you can dedicate to so many goals, desires, and obligations. Everything needs its own time and commitment to be accomplished, i.e. exercising, family, education, work, investing, hobbies, etc. Therefore, I recommend waiting at least a few days after you have written down your goal and then going back to determine if it still makes sense and coincides with your personal aspirations in life.
3. Get feedback! Sometimes, if I spend enough time focusing on a creative project (i.e. designing a new board game or writing a book), I might lose perspective on what may or may not be well received by the public. It is absolutely critical (if you are trying to sell a product) to have a group of people that can give you honest and brutal feedback about your ideas and projects. This is something I ALWAYS emphasize to those I trust and value for their opinions. If you recall from my previous blogs, I have also received feedback from professional toy brokers/agents, board game groups on Meetup.com, and from touring my games in local libraries. (See below for the list of questions I asked people to rate from 1 to 10.) Don't forget to say "thank you" in your own way to those that took the time to evaluate your work.
4. Re-evaluate, if necessary. Once I receive honest and brutal feedback, I will take it all into consideration, then keep what I want and throw away the rest.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you are thrilled with your results!
This has been a major help to myself over the past couple of years and I hope this is helpful for you and your goals.
Mahalo (thank you) for reading my blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Warm Regards,
~Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Welcome to L.A.!
Aloha, My Dear Readers, (Whomever and wherever you may be!)
To my American friends, I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! I heard that fireworks shows were cancelled back home in Florida due to the rain. If it makes you feel better, fireworks are against the law where I live because the climate is so dry, the mountain in our back yard might catch on fire. You laugh, but that is exactly what happened about eight months ago! My roommates described it as something straight out of Lord of the Rings. (Movie geeks. You gotta love them!)
It has been about three weeks since I moved to Los Angeles (already?!?!) and I have been hitting the pavement virtually nonstop since I have arrived, searching for employment. On one hand, I feel that I was born to be here because there is so much emphasis in the arts and just about anything else you like to do here. On the other hand, I have never seen so many out-of-work or under-employed artists in my life! LOL!
I contacted an old neighbor of mine from Boca Raton, Florida who is producing his own film in L.A. right now. I told him that I just applied to be a crew member for about 22 featured films shooting within the next few months. He says, "Great! Now you only have about 400 more to go!" Wow, what am I getting myself into?
Since I have arrived here, my only gigs have included being a paid audience member for the T.V. shows "Minute to Win It" and "Don't Forget That Lyric." Tia Carrere was a celebrity guest star, playing for charity on "Don't Forget the Lyric." I thought it was hilarious that a Grammy winner and former rocker on "Wayne's World" got every song wrong! They actually had to stop taping to help her with the first couple of songs. I admit, I probably would have failed horribly on that show as well. If I was in her place, the directors of the show would probably receive text messages from the audience in all CAPS reading, "KICK HIM OFF THE STAGE!!!"
I also got to be a part of the (un-paid) audience for the Jay Leno show, where Queen Latifa was a guest star. In my opinion, she is such a classy, fun, and wonderful woman and role-model (unlike the incredible vane reality show star from "Jersey Shore" who also appeared that night and will remain nameless).
I absolutely love it here in Los Angeles. However, being without a source of income is becoming nerve-wrecking. I'm am beginning to rapidly understand all the stories I've read about people volunteering themselves for medical experimentation, plasma blood donations, and other means of supplemental income. The military is starting to look very tempting right about now. Welcome to L.A.!
On a productive note, I bought a great book for writers, called, "Write the Perfect Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why" by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman. After reading some very useful tips, I changed my book title (3 times) and finally completed a pretty darn good first draft book proposal. I feel confident to start sending query letters to literary agents for my first nonfiction book. Today, I think I may also have found the perfect agent for me. Wish me luck!
Mahalo! (Thanks!)
Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
To my American friends, I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! I heard that fireworks shows were cancelled back home in Florida due to the rain. If it makes you feel better, fireworks are against the law where I live because the climate is so dry, the mountain in our back yard might catch on fire. You laugh, but that is exactly what happened about eight months ago! My roommates described it as something straight out of Lord of the Rings. (Movie geeks. You gotta love them!)
It has been about three weeks since I moved to Los Angeles (already?!?!) and I have been hitting the pavement virtually nonstop since I have arrived, searching for employment. On one hand, I feel that I was born to be here because there is so much emphasis in the arts and just about anything else you like to do here. On the other hand, I have never seen so many out-of-work or under-employed artists in my life! LOL!
I contacted an old neighbor of mine from Boca Raton, Florida who is producing his own film in L.A. right now. I told him that I just applied to be a crew member for about 22 featured films shooting within the next few months. He says, "Great! Now you only have about 400 more to go!" Wow, what am I getting myself into?
Since I have arrived here, my only gigs have included being a paid audience member for the T.V. shows "Minute to Win It" and "Don't Forget That Lyric." Tia Carrere was a celebrity guest star, playing for charity on "Don't Forget the Lyric." I thought it was hilarious that a Grammy winner and former rocker on "Wayne's World" got every song wrong! They actually had to stop taping to help her with the first couple of songs. I admit, I probably would have failed horribly on that show as well. If I was in her place, the directors of the show would probably receive text messages from the audience in all CAPS reading, "KICK HIM OFF THE STAGE!!!"
I also got to be a part of the (un-paid) audience for the Jay Leno show, where Queen Latifa was a guest star. In my opinion, she is such a classy, fun, and wonderful woman and role-model (unlike the incredible vane reality show star from "Jersey Shore" who also appeared that night and will remain nameless).
I absolutely love it here in Los Angeles. However, being without a source of income is becoming nerve-wrecking. I'm am beginning to rapidly understand all the stories I've read about people volunteering themselves for medical experimentation, plasma blood donations, and other means of supplemental income. The military is starting to look very tempting right about now. Welcome to L.A.!
On a productive note, I bought a great book for writers, called, "Write the Perfect Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why" by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman. After reading some very useful tips, I changed my book title (3 times) and finally completed a pretty darn good first draft book proposal. I feel confident to start sending query letters to literary agents for my first nonfiction book. Today, I think I may also have found the perfect agent for me. Wish me luck!
Mahalo! (Thanks!)
Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Toy Agent Results
My Dear Readers,
I must apologize that I have not been keeping you up to date with the latest results of Global Quest and Treasure Hold 'Em. I have been eager to share this with you sooner. However, I am moving from Greenacres, Florida to Los Angeles, California in 3 days and have been preparing like a madman to get ready for my transition. (Not to mention that I have been also trying to find a literary agent for my first book I wrote about amazing technologies that can help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil).
First, let me begin by saying, the $125 I spent on having this toy agent review Global Quest was very well spent! I was impressed with amount of research that went into finding similar games on the market and seeing how they performed in terms of sales and marketing. Most of them, I have never even heard of - which can not be a good thing.
To sum up the review, the Toy Broker explained that while my unique concepts for Global Quest "would add flair and interest to the category, it would be viewed (by major toy companies that are looking for new games) as too subtle a contribution in a category featuring many styling effects and executions that bring more life to the contest."
He basically said, unless my game is tied to a popular movie (i.e. "Transformers" and "Iron Man") or television show (i.e. "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" and "Dora the Explorer"), or has so much instant appeal that kids would literally force their parents to take out their plastic money (i.e. "Playstation 3" or "Tickle Me Elmo"), then they will most likely see my new game as too much of a risk.
Since I also write screenplays and I am moving to Los Angeles to learn to become a better writer, perhaps I should write a creative film or television show based on the game and enter it into screenwriting contests, lol! Maybe then, I will earn enough to make a small run of both games and place them in specialty stores around the country.
Another possibility would be to take an example from the makers of Cranium and try to market my games in a market that no one else has ever thought of. If I recall correctly, the makers of Cranium were friends with the head of Starbucks and sold their game through the coffee shop. They were able to sell over one million copies without spending any money on advertising! How incredible is that?!
Despite the feedback I received from the toy agent, I still believe in my games because of the great feedback I have received from teachers, parents, college students, and teenagers from my library tours. I believe it is just a matter of raising the money to get started and finding my own unique niche and marketing strategy.
Until then, keep pushing to find a way and STAY POSITIVE!!! Best of luck in your endeavors! Mahalo!
Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
I must apologize that I have not been keeping you up to date with the latest results of Global Quest and Treasure Hold 'Em. I have been eager to share this with you sooner. However, I am moving from Greenacres, Florida to Los Angeles, California in 3 days and have been preparing like a madman to get ready for my transition. (Not to mention that I have been also trying to find a literary agent for my first book I wrote about amazing technologies that can help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil).
First, let me begin by saying, the $125 I spent on having this toy agent review Global Quest was very well spent! I was impressed with amount of research that went into finding similar games on the market and seeing how they performed in terms of sales and marketing. Most of them, I have never even heard of - which can not be a good thing.
To sum up the review, the Toy Broker explained that while my unique concepts for Global Quest "would add flair and interest to the category, it would be viewed (by major toy companies that are looking for new games) as too subtle a contribution in a category featuring many styling effects and executions that bring more life to the contest."
He basically said, unless my game is tied to a popular movie (i.e. "Transformers" and "Iron Man") or television show (i.e. "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" and "Dora the Explorer"), or has so much instant appeal that kids would literally force their parents to take out their plastic money (i.e. "Playstation 3" or "Tickle Me Elmo"), then they will most likely see my new game as too much of a risk.
Since I also write screenplays and I am moving to Los Angeles to learn to become a better writer, perhaps I should write a creative film or television show based on the game and enter it into screenwriting contests, lol! Maybe then, I will earn enough to make a small run of both games and place them in specialty stores around the country.
Another possibility would be to take an example from the makers of Cranium and try to market my games in a market that no one else has ever thought of. If I recall correctly, the makers of Cranium were friends with the head of Starbucks and sold their game through the coffee shop. They were able to sell over one million copies without spending any money on advertising! How incredible is that?!
Despite the feedback I received from the toy agent, I still believe in my games because of the great feedback I have received from teachers, parents, college students, and teenagers from my library tours. I believe it is just a matter of raising the money to get started and finding my own unique niche and marketing strategy.
Until then, keep pushing to find a way and STAY POSITIVE!!! Best of luck in your endeavors! Mahalo!
Luis
www.GlobalQuestGame.com
Reader's Question
Today, one of my readers asked me if I knew what will happen to the oil that is collected from all the oil booms that have been created. I just wanted to share with you my response.
"That is a very good question. I think the people at Matter of Trust would be the best ones to answer that one. I would imagine that it could still be used for some of the hundreds of products that we currently rely on petroleum for -- i.e. In the book I just finished writing a few months ago, I included a (small) list: (LOL, you're gonna love this!)"
"Ammonia, anesthetics, anti-freeze, antihistamines, antiseptics, artificial limbs, artificial turf, asphalt, aspirin, awnings, balloons, ballpoint pens, bandages, beach umbrellas, boats, bubble gum, cameras, candles, car battery cases, car sound insulation, carpeting, cassettes, caulking, clothesline, cold cream, combs, conditioner, cortisone, crayons, credit cards, curtains, deodorant, detergents, dice, dishwashing liquids, disposable diapers, dolls, dresses, drinking cups, dyes, electric blankets, electricians’ tape, eyeglasses, false teeth, fan belts, faucet washers, fertilizers, fishing boots, fishing lures, fishing rods, floor wax, folding doors, food preservatives, garden hoses, glue, golf bags, golf balls, guitar strings, hair coloring, hair curlers, hand lotion, hearing aids, heart valves, house paint, ice buckets, ice chests, ice cube trays, ink, insect repellent, insecticides, isopropyl alcohol, kerosene, laundry detergent, life jackets, linoleum, lipstick, loudspeakers, LP records, lubricating oils, luggage, milk jugs, model cars, mops, motorcycle helmets, movie film, nail polish, oil filters, paint, paint brushes, paint rollers, pajamas, panty hose, parachutes, paraffin wax, pavement, perfume, permanent press clothes, petroleum jelly, pillows, plastic wood, plastics, plywood adhesives, purses, putty, refrigerator linings, roller-skate wheels, roofing, roofing shingles, rubber cement, rubbing alcohol, safety glass, salad bowls, shampoo, shaving cream, shoe polish, shoes, shopping bags, shower curtains, shower doors, skis, slacks, soap dishes, soft contact lenses, sports car bodies, sun glasses, sweaters, synthetic rubber, tar, telephones, tennis rackets, tents, tires, toilet seats, tool racks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toys, transparent tape, trash bags, TV cabinets, umbrellas, upholstery, vaporizers, VCR tapes, vitamin capsules, wading pools, water pipes, wire insulation, and yarn. (Whew! Try saying that all in one breath!)
"That is a very good question. I think the people at Matter of Trust would be the best ones to answer that one. I would imagine that it could still be used for some of the hundreds of products that we currently rely on petroleum for -- i.e. In the book I just finished writing a few months ago, I included a (small) list: (LOL, you're gonna love this!)"
"Ammonia, anesthetics, anti-freeze, antihistamines, antiseptics, artificial limbs, artificial turf, asphalt, aspirin, awnings, balloons, ballpoint pens, bandages, beach umbrellas, boats, bubble gum, cameras, candles, car battery cases, car sound insulation, carpeting, cassettes, caulking, clothesline, cold cream, combs, conditioner, cortisone, crayons, credit cards, curtains, deodorant, detergents, dice, dishwashing liquids, disposable diapers, dolls, dresses, drinking cups, dyes, electric blankets, electricians’ tape, eyeglasses, false teeth, fan belts, faucet washers, fertilizers, fishing boots, fishing lures, fishing rods, floor wax, folding doors, food preservatives, garden hoses, glue, golf bags, golf balls, guitar strings, hair coloring, hair curlers, hand lotion, hearing aids, heart valves, house paint, ice buckets, ice chests, ice cube trays, ink, insect repellent, insecticides, isopropyl alcohol, kerosene, laundry detergent, life jackets, linoleum, lipstick, loudspeakers, LP records, lubricating oils, luggage, milk jugs, model cars, mops, motorcycle helmets, movie film, nail polish, oil filters, paint, paint brushes, paint rollers, pajamas, panty hose, parachutes, paraffin wax, pavement, perfume, permanent press clothes, petroleum jelly, pillows, plastic wood, plastics, plywood adhesives, purses, putty, refrigerator linings, roller-skate wheels, roofing, roofing shingles, rubber cement, rubbing alcohol, safety glass, salad bowls, shampoo, shaving cream, shoe polish, shoes, shopping bags, shower curtains, shower doors, skis, slacks, soap dishes, soft contact lenses, sports car bodies, sun glasses, sweaters, synthetic rubber, tar, telephones, tennis rackets, tents, tires, toilet seats, tool racks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toys, transparent tape, trash bags, TV cabinets, umbrellas, upholstery, vaporizers, VCR tapes, vitamin capsules, wading pools, water pipes, wire insulation, and yarn. (Whew! Try saying that all in one breath!)
Friday, June 11, 2010
No More Donations! Volunteers Needed! Thank you!
Just wanted to pass along an update from Matter of Trust - the nonprofit organization making oil booms out of hair and fur. They thank everyone for their generous donations and now have enough hair and fur to make 25 MILES OF BOOM! Over 10 miles has already been made by hundreds of volunteers!
At this time, they CANNOT take any more hair donations. However, they really use volunteers. If you can, please check out www.MatterofTrust.org
Luis
www.globalQuestGame.com
At this time, they CANNOT take any more hair donations. However, they really use volunteers. If you can, please check out www.MatterofTrust.org
Luis
www.globalQuestGame.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
15 Lbs of Hair!!!
A few days ago, I drove around my city visiting barber shops and salons to see if they would donate hair (that would otherwise go into the trash) to help out with the oil spill clean-up. A non-profit company called, "Matter of Trust" has a few locations in Florida where they stuff the hair in women's stockings to create "booms". The booms are then dragged along the ocean's surface and effectively collects the oil that is spilling throughout the gulf.
Today, I just mailed 15 lbs of hair for the oil spill cleanup to: Hair Boom Program, Ikaros Aviation, Inc., 8301 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050.
They said they are having a beach clean-up this weekend to search for traces of oil near the Florida Keys. If you have the means and a few hours of time, I encourage you to go around your local area to collect freshly cut, clean, and dry hair to donate as well. If you do, make sure to save your receipt because you may be able to write the postage off for taxes, since they are a non-profit company.
P.S. Let me know how it goes!
Mahalo! (Thanks!)
~Luis
Today, I just mailed 15 lbs of hair for the oil spill cleanup to: Hair Boom Program, Ikaros Aviation, Inc., 8301 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050.
They said they are having a beach clean-up this weekend to search for traces of oil near the Florida Keys. If you have the means and a few hours of time, I encourage you to go around your local area to collect freshly cut, clean, and dry hair to donate as well. If you do, make sure to save your receipt because you may be able to write the postage off for taxes, since they are a non-profit company.
P.S. Let me know how it goes!
Mahalo! (Thanks!)
~Luis
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