Time flys when your standing still

yeah, I'm talking to you!

I’ve been a busy susie lately. I’ve uploaded and launched my first E-Commerce website -
dakotamercantile.com
It was like a first-born to me. I’m a Graphic designer by trade and web developer hobbist, although I am considering switching the two.

I’ve picked up a little gig as webmaster for
micanopychamber.com
and am in 4th gear for SEO the websites I’m working on. Amazing, you can get paid for the little things you don’t even think of.

Everyday is a new learning experience. I’m loving it and …hating it. It seems most of my colleagues are ‘graphic’ designers and most of my recent troubleshooting is regarding web and coding. “the technical” stuff. Good thing there’s the internet

I’m freelancing, serving at Red Lobster, packing/moving and trying to saviour the last days I have here in Gainesville before I make my move to Tampa. Multi-tasking is def a plus!

I’ve been pulling all-nighters that turned into dayers and all dayers that turned into all-nighters. The cushion on my chair literal is imprinted to my rear and my thoughts are constantly clouded with solutions, software, debugging and a sitemap in my mind of whats next with what.

I have to say..Life is finally getting fun again

Project: Dakota Mercantile – Debugging Flash/Browser Compatibility
                 Micanopy Chamber of Commerce – Photo Gallery
                 Gainesville Parkinson’s Disease – Discussion Forum
Listening: Uh Huh Her
Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop CS4, Internet

Paying Rent

I’ve recently found myself a new apartment in Tampa, 10 minutes from Ybor City. I was planning on moving in the first week of June with a transfer to a new Red Lobster, 15 minutes from my new apt. but due to the slow economy, my transfer was delayed until Aug. So, I’m stuck in transition from Gainesville to Tampa until Aug leaving me to pay two rents.
This can put a damper on my plans and also some more financial stress but I am coping. Just as most of us Americans are coping at this time of economic times. I’m working more, splurging less and trying to keep an optimistic outlook on the ‘what to come’.
I have to admit, I do feel like a hooker, whoring myself for an extra shift or lowering my wages so I will get that freelance gig. If my pride was any bigger than it had, I’d probably be on Skid Row right about now, but I’m not and I believe its because I know your never too good and karma.
I have a saying, “Small Sacrifices, Greater Rewards” and this is a perfect example of it.
I feel a little drained, but my Red Bull ( a luxury I will not give up) is keeping me fueled.

Project: Dakota Mercantile – WP Blog
Listening: Amanda Fucking Palmer
Dreamweaver, HTML, WordPress, Photoshop CS4

Eat or Be Eaten

Prop 8 – Personal Blog

This picture above depicts two photos. One from 1978, a young gay couple and the second of 2008, the same gay couple in their later years, still together after 30 years.  

Gay Marriage Civil Rights is not special privileges but the freedom like others to express and love their partner on the same level as everyone else. Most importantly, to be protected by the same laws that protects everyone else.

From a personal experience, I was in a severe, near fatal automobile accident when I first moved to Florida from California. I was in a fairly new relationship with a young woman whom I met and was dating exclusively.   I was sustained in the hospital for 2 weeks before I was released to bed care at home. My mother was in California, at the side of her brother, who was fighting death.  My younger two siblings were still students in High School and unable to comfort me day and night at the hospital. 

The only person who could was my girlfriend “X” (I’m not disclosing her name because not all of her family is aware of her lifestyle).  She was the only one that had the availability and compassion to nurture me and comfort me during my time of injury and recovery, but she wasn’t allowed to be by my side. Why? Because hospitals don’t allow visitors unless they are intermediate family to stay over night. Same sex relationships are not recognized as legitimate relationships, only heterosexuals.  

What did we do to bypass this ridiculousness. We lied and said she was my “Sister”. Can you imagine that? To LIE so you can have someone you love and loves you too to be by your side when you are in the hospital.  We had not been together long enough to do what heterosexual married couple don’t have to do, and create a Power of Attorney so she would have the right to same rights or the permissions as if she was my boyfriend.

Its uncivilized and unfair. The fundamentals of a marriage are still the same wither you are gay or straight. Love unconditionally for better or worse, be Faithful, Loyal and Respectful. Financial and materials are split 50/50 etc..etc…  What do people think? Gay marriage is different. Gay marriage today..Bestiality tomorrow? Seriously is our society still that prehistoric and naive?

As a born and raised Californian, I am deeply disappointed by the outcome of Prop 8.  California not only boasts itself as Liberal and Diverse but has cities that have been a major landmark for Gay & Civil Rights. I would have thought California would have been in the forefront of this Civil Movement, not the back.

With great faith and optimism, I still hope for a better tomorrow.

Update

Hi Everyone – Just an update what I.M. Designs & Ink Martyr Graphics has done and what to come.

1) I.M. Designs (aka. me) has finished its comprehensive marketing/collateral material for Micanopy Doc Hollywood Days ‘09. My office won from the Silent Auction (which I LOVED) a nice Japanese set of pictures/paper weight/jewelry box and tea pourer. It was a fun project and can not wait for next year as the path has now been paved.

2) Holiday Inn, Lake City FL, asked I.M. Designs to created an 8.5×5 color mailer emphasizing it is the ONLY FULL SERVICE Inn. These mailer were completed and distributed in the North Central Florida

3) Networks, Los Angeles CA, a Caterer to the Stars requested a flyer to be created for Father’s Day and Graduation (in progress)

4) I.M. Designs is in the final phase of its FIRST E-Commerce website for Dakota Mercantile Gracious Living. It is currently customizing the blog page as well as completing a Flash intro. Merchandise will be displayed for online purchase in June 2009. (in progress) www.dakotamercantile.com/dakota (beta)

5) I.M. Designs will be creating a brochure for AlphaVictor. June 2009

www.alphavictor.com

Thank you again for all your continued support. Adios!

listening: Peter Murphy

working: Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4

Tampa bound

Its official. I’m moving to Tampa. I pick up my keys the 17th of this month and I’m off to a new adventure. I’m looking forward to meeting other designers and businesses alike and plan to get some networking done once I’m settled in.

Gainesville community has been kind and memorable to me. I’ve met a lot of sincere and great people who have been my clients later friends and vice versa. I graduated from college here and have shared some of the college sports victories and loses.

I will miss this great place but am optimistic of the future.

Working: Client – Dakota Mercantile Gracious Living website : www.dakotamercantile.com

Listening: Sigur Ros

Watching: My cats sleep 

Taking it all in

I’ve been doing my homework and am ready to start the drafts of my first E-Commerce website.  I’m looking forward to the reward although I know getting to the goal will be challenging being that I am a one man army as opposed to a team of 2 or 5.

I do know once the ground work is done, it’ll be easier for others.

Currently watching:Netflix online – Zohan

Listening to: C89.5 worldwide online streaming

Cinco De Mayo

I had a great experience with a fellow graphic designer who did the print for a project I did for Micanopy Doc Hollywood days.

Although school does a great job of ‘introducing’ you to what the real world offers…there’s nothing like “real world” experience that truly teaches you. Each print project differs from printer to printer and patience truly is a virture for each job.

Glad to say. Mission complete and I look forward to the hardcopy.

Thanks again Benji from thought2production.com !

Sample Work

I finally took the time to finish a little side project and post up some samples of my work.

Although I am going through a lot of trial and error learning the new versions of software. 

I’m eager as ever to indulge myself in this new information.

http://www.inkmartyr.com/sample.html

Next course – Customizing blogs

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

new beginnings

I’m starting a new path today and with that comes new habits. I’m taking the viral leap and taking my pen and paper, online.

This is day one and I am currently working on some websites, flyers and Java script so this intro will be short…

…but I’ll be back