Archive for March, 2008

Thanks to the internet, and blogging in particular, we have entered a new phase of connectivity with society: the ability to have 2-way communication directly with celebrities.

In fairly recent memory, the only reasonable way “common people” (such as myself) could communicate with celebrities was by writing them a letter and sending it to some mysterious Post Office box. The results were often lackluster, as a reply was generally never received. This often raised the question, “did my letter ever reach [insert celebrity name here]?”

With more celebrities blogging, not only are we able to get a better feel for who they are as people, but we are afforded the opportunity to communicate with them directly — at least in the case of those whose blogs allow comments.

I’ve been reading Graham Linehan‘s blog for a while, and recently replied to one of his posts. In less than an hour, he had replied. To me. By name.

Penn Jillette — of whom I’ve been a fan longer than any other celebrity — has a video blog over at Crackle. Viewers are invited to submit their own video comments, which I did, and to which Penn replied, once again mentioning me by name (well, screen name, anyway).

I also have evidence in the form of Google Analytics, which suggests that both of them visited my blog.

I’m not one to be easily star struck (perhaps because I grew up in acquaintance to a few A-listers), but I have to admit that when Penn Jillette and Graham Linehan talk directly to me, even if by blog-proxy, that’s pretty damn awesome.

I’ve been writing code at home, at work, and on the bus for over a week now. Remember those 2 websites I mentioned? The first one is due this week, and it has been providing some interesting (read: annoying) challenges.

While I’ve taken short breaks here and there, I haven’t had a day to myself for almost a month. The past week has been particularly trying, as I’ve been working up to 15 hour days. Also bear in mind that after I finish this site, I immediately have to get started on the next one (it’s due in about 3 weeks), and it’s a much larger project. And let’s not forget that the video for MWR isn’t finished yet (it’s now due at the beginning of May). It’s pretty much done, but they haven’t seen the latest cut, and I’m supposed to get more footage this week.

Those 15 hours? Yeah, they aren’t 15 hours spent on my client sites. No, I’d be done if that were the case. That’s about an hour and a half in the morning (instead of exercising or making a proper breakfast), then about 30 minutes on the bus, then 4 hours of my day job, then an hour of client work at lunch (if I’m lucky), another 4 hours of day job, 30 minutes on the bus ride home, then about 4 hours or so before bed. No T.V., no movies, no fun. Morah has been making dinner, cleaning the apartment, and being the best damn wife anyone could ever ask for, while she patiently waits for me to get this all taken care of.

Hmm.

When I started this post, I was going to say something like, “gee, I’ve been working really hard all month. I deserve a night off to relax,” but reading over what I just wrote, I don’t see where I have much of a choice but to keep working at least as hard as I have been.

It won’t be this hard all the time, however. I agreed to deadlines on these websites that I knew were ridiculous. From now on, I’m going to think long and hard about how much work the site requires and in what time frame the client wants it before I agree to any deadline.

Anyway, back to it, I guess.

Most people are familiar with the term, “banker’s hours,” which basically means a short working day. We all know that banks have lousy hours, but the United States Postal Service could give any bank a run for its money.

When do you work? The stereotypical work day is from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with a lunch break at noon, and I think it’s safe to say that most people work those hours – including the employees at the USPS.

Since I work during the hours the post office is open, I can’t go before or after work. Could I go at lunch? Perhaps, but have you ever tried that? Everyone else is there! And how many employees are working at the front desk during this time of peak patronage? Just a single, lackadaisical clerk.

Well, it’s inconvenient, but I’ll just wait until Saturday, right? Sorry, folks. That might work with the bank, but you can forget about it when it comes to the post office.

To be completely fair, these hours only apply to my local post office. There are other post offices that keep much more reasonable hours – including being open on the weekend! Still, having to go to a post office that isn’t in my neighborhood is rather inconvenient.

I think from now on, I’m going to find a way for everything to be done digitally.

I haven’t written all week because I’ve been working my butt off.

Friday night found me sitting at the computer editing a video for local ad agency MWR. I worked on it all weekend, and again on Monday and Tuesday nights. I’ll be working on it again this weekend, trying to get it done.

I need to get it out of the way, not only because MWR needs to send it off to their new parent company Ascentium, but also because I just landed two new web design contracts through my personal company.

If I’m a bit quiet for the next few weeks, you’ll know why.

Dear Starwood Vacation Ownership,

STOP CALLING ME!

You have called me several times in the past few days. I know it’s you, because you keep calling from (909) 388-5000 and a simple Google search reveals people complaining about your lousy (not to mention potentially illegal) telemarketing. Did you notice how I never answered? That’s going to keep happening, so give up now; you’re not making any friends.

Thank you in advance for knocking it off.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Brown.

P.S.: My phone number is listed on the National Do Not Call Registry. One more call from you and I’m going to file a complaint with the FTC.