eMeehan.com

Text Message Chain Mail

So the other day I got a text message from my friend Joel, it said:

Take a picture of whatever is in front of you and send it to me then forward this message and see what random things you would receive

I normally don’t participate in these kind of things, but media and social networking has peaked my interest in the past few years and I had to see if this would work. I sent them message out to about 30 people and 17 people responded. Thought it would be fun to post the images here on my blog and then blast this back out to everyone so they could see what people sent. This was actually a cool chain mail, and it was a good excuse to catch up with some friends that I have neglected for a while.

It was pretty cool to see what everyone is doing, I might try to do something similar or maybe and scavenger hunt.

Wrapping up 2009!

Well it’s here, a new year and a new opportunity for a fresh start. 2009 seemed to pass by without my knowledge, yet so much has happened. I started this post with the idea of doing a review of 2009, but looking back is harder then it seems. I guess I was just having too much fun, or was I trying to forget something. The past 2 years of life lessons in Austin have been great, made some good friends and some unforgettable weekends. With all the excitement I forgot my golden rule of moderation, and I have the debt and empty bank accounts to prove it. Ha, but I don’t regret any of it, what is money if not to be spent.

I do have a few things I want to get off my chest, just so I don’t have to talk about them again in 2010. I have met some cowards in the past few months that remind me we should always be respectful of people regardless of how important you think you are. The first coward is a business owner I met while interviewing in Austin. This guy talked a lot of game, had me do a phone interview, worked on some test files (aka free work), and then called me in for a face to face. I come into the office with my game face and ready to talk shop, I was polite, well dressed and on time. The interview went well, lasted over 2 hours and I talked with everyone in the company, all 3 of them (small web firm). I walked out with confidence I had made a good impression. I followed up 2 days later with a thank you email and “looking forward to hearing your decision” which they replied too. Well another week passed and I got no word, so I sent my final email, another short thank you and “looking forward to hearing your decision”, this time no reply. Months later and I have a new job in San Diego now, still no reply. Now I could understand not replying to a resume, or a phone interview, but an in person interview and not giving the person the courtesy of an email or a phone call… very unprofessional. So here small web firm coward, let me write my “not interested” email for you.

Dear Edward,

Thank you for your interest in our company, but we regret to inform you that we decided not to select you for this position. We want to thank you again for your time and the best of luck on your job search.

Thank you,

John Coward

Now was that so hard? Well seemed he could not muster up the words, was almost comparable to getting a text message break up, or the ever hilarious Facebook relationship status change. Guess with all the texting and emails, we forgot how to be people and talk face to face.

The second coward, well I wanted to go into detail, but decided it would be best to just take a lesson from him and not go on a rant.

Well all that crap aside and I am now in San Diego, working for a startup news blog. I am looking forward to what new challenges should come with my new position, and hope to take with me what I have learned from all the talented people I have had the pleasure of working with. So let’s rock this 2010.

Ghost on Town Lake

Was doing my normal run on town lake the other day, on a normal late after noon. I was passing one of the small bridges when I noticed a guy standing just below it. The man looked like a transient, but my mind locked onto the image of an old friend. A very good friend of mine from high school, who transplanted to Hawaii from Northern Canada, and ran into some trouble in his life along the way. Its been years since I have seen him, but last I was told he may not even be among us any longer. This man brought back his memeory with a rush of overwhelming emotion. I don’t fully understand what it did to me, but it was if I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. I almost wanted to stop and go back to see if it was him.

I want to never forget friends like him, seems the older I get the harder it is to make those kind of friends. He was a great artist, and I have been thinking of adding a new tattoo, think his art work would be a great way to never forget.

Paddle into it!

Sitting on the beach, stretching, watching, looking for rip currents and set sizes. Looks good, think I will paddle out. Small burst of excitement as I walk towards the water, and the chill of the cold as I first make contact with the ocean. Walk my board past the inside breakers… its deep enough now, think I can paddle out. Wait for the right moment to jump on my board and start the battle against the sea, no sets in sight, let’s go.

The first time the water hits my face it stings of cold, but then numb, then warm shortly after. First couple of inside waves hit me head on, they are small and I duck them with no problem. A few more paddles and I pass my first wave without duck diving, it’s an easy paddle to the outside from here.

Ahhh… relax. Sit up on my board and just take in the calm of the ocean. So smooth, not a ripple in sight… man I have not seen it this glassy in weeks. Look back at the beach to check my position, looks like the current is not as strong as I thought. I see a small set on the horizon, act like I don’t see it and maybe the others won’t notice.

Slowly paddle outside, but try not to make a scene. The lines are getting closer.  Yeah… that’s definitely a set coming, how big are they? Okay, shit I think I am too far inside, I don’t know where the sets are breaking, I notice others paddling out past me… maybe I should follow suit. Oh crap, that’s a big set, small panic, butterflies, paddle your fucking ass off, and get over this first wave!

It’s a wall, it casts its own shadow… the off shore breeze blows over the forming lip. The gentle lift as I start to paddle over, look down the line to see the lip form, like a cover of Surfer Magazine… this wave is beautiful, yet ugly all at the same time.

Looking back the spray off the lips smacks my face, and just for a moment it stops time.

Oh Shit!! Panic! There is another set wave, and this one is bigger!! Paddle! Paddle now, and paddle fast! I think I can catch this one, only if I can just get a little further. I turn now, as if I changed my mind, but I know exactly what I want… this wave is mine!

It’s big enough and steep enough that I don’t need to paddle hard to catch it, she catches me. The drop is steep, big bottom turn.. get into the pocket and just maybe I will get a little barrel action. I get my few seconds of adrenaline (they feel like minutes) and pull out the back…. Man that was Fucking awesome. Let’s do it again.

Moments before SXSW 2009

Well it’s here again, the week of all weeks for geeks around the globe to come together and share in Austin, TX. Another year has passed, and so fast. Did I learn anything from last year? Did I take home any inspiration? I think I did, but it wasn’t in the panels or the trade show. It was the large masses of people, geeks like me, but better.

In my daily tasks I am alone in my inspiration, constantly searching the inter-web for little sparkles of greatness. I see all these great designs, but they don’t speak to me, yet I know what they are saying. I look beyond the “wow” and ask “how”, and SXSW is my one chance to meet some of these creators of WOW. So many great minds, so many people who think like me, yet none of us are the same.

Being different is really what makes us great, but having a common interest is what brings us together… and that is what the internet is all about.