Abby Goodrich's Blog (13)

Today was the first time we actually finished a game within our lunch period. I won!! I rode off into the sunset with 33 pieces of gold. The object is to have either 50 pieces of silver or 30 pieces of gold to win the game, but then you have to get to a spot that says sunset. We had decided to try robbing places because it seems to pay off more than honest work. Let's just say I'm a horrible robber. You have to roll a 4 or higher to be successful. I kept getting less than that and it wasn't for… Continue

As I said in the previous blog, we played again yesterday. Robert Ray decided to make his gunfighter be both good and bad. He started to rob places. He successfully robbed three different establishments and had three wanted posters. He was now worth 12 pieces of gold if I could capture him. I got close enough to him (he'd been trying to avoid me throughout the game) to engage in a gunfight which I also declared that I was a bounty hunter. I won the fight and sent him to jail. I got my bounty… Continue

Yesterday my manager, Robert Ray, and I played a Western board game over lunch. A guy sent a prototype of his game for us to see what we think and give suggestions. It was fun and we're going to play again over lunch. One of the strategies is to engage another player into a gunfight and if you win you get gold. Robert tried twice and lost both times! Ha. Don't mess with me. Our editor, Meghan was suppose to join us, but she's been out sick. By the time she gets back and we play the game, she… Continue

The 2010 Source Book was approved this morning and now it will be printed. We are celebrating tomorrow by having Subway sandwiches courtesy of our fearless leader, BBB. I think everyone here is very glad to see it go out the door. So party time for lunch! Plus who can refuse a free lunch?!



We are now working on the Jan/Feb 2010 issue. It's weird to be writing/typing 2010. I've caught myself labeling folders 2009. We're already finished with that year. Onward and upward we… Continue

Yesterday we celebrated Robert Ray's 50th birthday. There were decorations around his desk and all of True West went out for lunch. We went a place called Bad Donkey. BBB enjoys the salads there and RR ushered in being a year older by chowing down on a sandwich. Ended the afternoon with a cake and all was right with the world. It was the first "real" cake I've ever made. I was really nervous, but everyone said it was good or pretended they liked it. It did turn out well enough so I was glad… Continue

Gus Walker and family were nice enough to stop by our offices to say hi. They're only in town until Tues and then head back to Alabama. It was nice to see him again! He misses Arizona Mexican food. He says there isn't good Mexican food in Alabama and he and Patti end up making their own. It sounds like he's doing a lot of porch sitting and enjoying life as a semi-retired mapinatior. BBB was kind enough to give a shout out to huge fan's that Gus' daughter knew. I have to say BBB is funny!! It's… Continue

This Saturday is Meghan’s birthday, so if you feel inclined go ahead and send her a birthday wish on her ning page. We are all going out to lunch to help celebrate today. She isn't in the offices on Fridays. And Robert Ray made a cake, but apparently the frosting didn't turn out right so he had to throw the whole thing out. A little sad about that because he’s a really good baker/cook. Speaking of Robert Ray he’s been nice enough to bring in some of his veggies from his garden. If you do happen… Continue

As BBB mentioned in his blog, we had Joey in today to do some how to pics. He's a really nice guy and he shared some home video of both his kids (3 yr old boy & 6 mos girl, but don't quote me on that one). Anyway, I think we got some nice shots and I even video taped some of the photo shoot. Not sure what we'll do with that yet, but I have some of Joey practicing his gun tricks before the actually photo shoot.



No big news here. Haven't heard from the David Letterman show, but… Continue

Oh my gosh! My manager, Robert Ray said Letterman was probably watching the Westerns channel and kept seeing Bob in his True West Moment skits. So if you would like to see BBB on Letterman, write in at cbsmailbag@aol.com. I did, Sheri did and so did Sue. We all said he's much funnier in real life.



Just helped out with a huge fashion shoot for one of the issues. I got sunburned on my shoulders and I felt bad for the models because they all had to wear long sleeved shirts. For anyone… Continue

We are working on the May 09 issue. It's going out the door this afternoon. For all of the Alamo fanatics there are a few articles about it. One that is interesting about trying to preserve the Alamo of what it use to be.



Yesterday Robert and I had lunch with Ken to talk about what he would like to see in his magazine. It's very exciting about the design he wants for it, but a bit scary too. We want it to look the best it possibly can be. I think we're all on board on what he's… Continue

We had a graphic meeting yesterday and I think our new system is going to work mighty fine. Production (RR & I) are laying out stories 2-3 issues ahead so we can solve problems in a timely manner if they arise. We're planning on having a June 09 meeting this coming Tues. morning to look at images. This way we're able to pick the best pictures possible. I think this is good. We're able to be a little ahead of the deadline. They always seem to come fast and furious. My friend always jokes… Continue

I was told this morning that we're taking on another magazine. I'm responsible for the ads and helping out with the layout of the magazine. Robert Ray is working on creating a schedule where this one and ours don't collide with each other’s deadline. The other magazine is only published 6 times a year. So we won’t be pulling our hair out trying to keep up with everything. I think it will be OK, but I'm sure it will be a little bumpy at first. It usually is when it’s new and a routine hasn’t… Continue

Nothing much to report. We are just working on the April 09 issue. Listening to my ipod, I like having my own radio station. All my favorite music all the time! Which at lunch my manager couldn't stop humming John Cash’s Ring of Fire, so now I'm afraid I'm going to have that tune stuck in my head.



I've been working on cutting out the books for book reviews. Robert takes the pictures and then we cut them out so there will be a white background. It's amazing what Photoshop can do. A… Continue