After months of speculation Apple has finally announced the iPad and its reception is exactly what you would expect from a major Apple product announcement - a blend of everything from people ready to trade their children for one to disgust and disappointment.

But there is no denying that Apple's loyal followers will drive the sales of this tablet up beyond that of any other tablet on the market, and that means there is another app gold rush coming. With that rush will come a barrage of new games and a mountain of money... But not necessarily for independent game developers.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of places to go online to get help with a project. I've tried Freelancer.com, oDesk.com, and RentACoder.com in an effort to shore up either my development or artistic needs but with each new game project I embark on I find that tracking down a good artist can be hard to do.

This time, I think I've hit the jackpot...

Everyone makes New Year's resolutions. Some people make them privately, some people shout them out loud, and some people resolve to not make New Year's resolutions - then they implode in a puff of inconsistent circular logic. I make resolutions, too, but I call mine Nerd Year's resolutions.

As many of my friends, family, and coworkers know I have been fundraising for Easter Seals to help fund programs designed to help children with disabilities. Last night I hit my goal of $1,5000.

On September 8, 2009 at 1pm I will be dressing up like a superhero and rappelling down the side of the Sutton Place Hotel (10235-101 St.).

I've never done anything like this but after the training I'm pretty confident I can do it... Of course we'll see how I feel once they lower me over the edge 28 stories in the air.