I woke up at 4:30am and was super productive. I figured I’d reward myself with trying something new, so I hooked up my camera to my macbook and shot a time lapse video out my office window. I think my best work is done on Eastern Standard Time, which is great because some of our favorite clients are on the east coast.
For your enjoyment, here is the view out my office window:
Last summer I sold my car and walked everywhere. The business was in a good state and it allowed me to be fairly flexible, when I had a meeting and they weren’t coming to our office, I was usually able to schedule it in a way that I could borrow my wife’s car.
Summer turned into fall and I was still walking, fall into winter … still walking. I was walking in Tacoma, up and down hills an average of 15 miles a week. It was good exercise, but got old when it start to rain all the time.
Why did I do this? Because, throughout that whole time, one of my best friends, Joe Undziakiewicz, was building me what my children call “my racecar”. You see, last summer I bought an Infiniti J-30 off craigslist for $300. The car doesn’t look like anything from the outside, I’ve heard people refer to it as a sleeper. I bought it because Joe had a vision of placing a really fun (replace fun with so fast it will rip your face off) engine into that car.
I say all of this for two reasons, some of my clients have wanted to go for rides in my “racecar” and the second is, Joe is a genius who has just started his own company fixing cars at 60% less than dealerships. At one point last winter, my garage had the engine we ordered from Japan in about 30 pieces and the original engine Joe had taken out of the car in about 30 pieces. He was the most organized and professional mechanic and it was a picture of who Joe is. Meticulous, professional, detail-oriented to a level only OCD could explain. Nobody but Joe will ever touch my cars. Some of the horror stories of dealership “stunts” and “mishaps” make me fear for taking my car anywhere else.
If your car needs help, call Joe the neighborhood mechanic.com
Darius Rucker, it’s been a long time.
Do you remember when Hootie and the Blowfish could do no wrong? I remember their CD was the first one I purchased when I started driving and since I didn’t have a ton of money, it stayed in my stereo for a very, very long time. It stayed in there so long that it got really old, but then, when I persevered through that lull, it became the greatest CD ever known to man! HA!
But that’s not why I’m wring this, I’m writing to let you know that according to my 6 and a half year old daughter’s blog (evahpearl.com) I am not very good at teaching antelopes how to stand on their hind legs. She’s right, I can’t even teach my dog how to stand on it’s hind legs, I am in need of some animal training help, anyone out there know how to do this?
We are currently running a promotion here at Ainsworth Studio. We are preparing for a new business development and have decided to offer friends of our customers this special deal. These are not templates, but customized designs to specifically showcase your business. That is why we are only offering 5 of each package at this price! This promotion will only last until September 7th, 2009.
Today is my birthday! That’s pretty much all I’ll say about that. In other news, Ben and I have been working all week on a big Ainsworth Studio project. We placed the final touches on it yesterday and will launch it early next week. Keep us in mind if you’re looking for a great website or graphic design.
Also, a bunch of my friends are returning from a trip they took to South Africa. They went down to help a group in the slums of Capetown about two weeks ago, I’m excited to hear their stories.
And finally, Jason Boisture, a good friend of Ainsworth Studio is getting married tomorrow. He is the greatest copy writer and Search Engine Optimizer I know, honestly, the man’s a genius.
For your reading and linking pleasure, I found an article regarding taking a cruise on a freightliner. Apparently it is far cheaper than a cruise on a cruise ship. Probably because it’s the most boring thing you’ve ever done in your life, but hey, you can save some money! I’ve never been on a cruise but have always wanted to go on one. I can tell you this, I cannot imagine cruising on a freightliner would ever be fun but maybe this website and this article can convince you that it could be?
Just ran across this fantastic posting of resources. If you are a graphic or website designer, check this out.
I went out to look at the amazing meteor shower last night, but, it was raining here. I just saw that there’s supposed to be a much larger meteor shower tonight and the sky is looking pretty clear currently so, finger’s crossed, maybe I’ll get to see it.
I remember about 10 years ago laying out in the deserts of western washington watching the meteor shower. It was spectacular because there were none of the lights of the city to deal with. As a graphic designer, I’m always looking for ways to be inspired and because I am amazed by the universe and am such a nerd, I usually look at boston.com/bigpicture for space photographs. These pictures of the sun are probably the most intriguing photographs i’ve ever seen. It blows my mind that is what the sun’s surface looks like.
I just received an email from the Prince of a small country in Africa who is going to forward me $41 millionUSD. HA! Just kidding.
I’m just filled with hope and excitement! It’s a good day. I’m doing what I love, designing websites and brand strategies.
About 5 years ago I was hired to photograph a concert where one of the bands playing happened to be Mercy Me. I had a great time that night and would have to say: these guys are pretty amazing and fun to hang out with. I saw this article and my heart goes out to them. What a tragedy.
If you know me, you know that I love Baseball. I would always prefer playing it over watching it, but I do love the game. Starting this business, Ainsworth Studio, has been what seems a very long time. I am constantly feeling like I’m learning new things, new rhythms, new strategies. It’s been a grueling “game” if you will. But so fun that I never want it to end. I will write more later on about the mistakes that I’ve made up to this point, the things I wish I’d known when I started this business, and the hope and excitement of what running a business in the state of Washington feels like.
If you’re reading this and have recently started a business, contact us to find out how we can help with your graphic and website design needs. We do everything from brand strategy including logos, business cards, letterhead, brochures, stationery packages to websites, Search Engine Optimization and email campaigns.
Oh and if you’re wondering what the Longest Baseball Game Ever Played was, it was on May 8th, 1984 between the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers. Who won? Read this article to find out.
