All In My Saab

Okay Guys, so it looks like it has happened =( MJ passed away yesterday.

BUT this is a great excuse to buy a shirt! Over at Merch we put up some new shirts from MJ.

Michael Jackson Merchandise
King of Pop
Pop is Dead

Michael Jackson Pop is Dead Shirt on Digg

Check them out!

The Killers - Human from Bean on Vimeo.

This coming May 11th Amy’s Senior art opening is taking place at La Sierra.  In order to be ready for the show, we launched “AmyCronkArt.com” last night.  Although I have to admit that the site is fairly simple, I do like the look. (looks a little familiar to www.juliansutter.com).

Well if you have time take a look around at the site.  I am hoping to get a few more items up at a later point.

Cheers

Julian

content

Ethen has arrived!

I have 4 brothers and now thanks to Reuben (brother) and Lisa (his wife) I now have 6 nephews (all boys).  It is sad that all of them live in other states, but still, it is pretty awesome to be an uncle.

So welcome to Ethen! You are a huge baby, and I hope to make my way out to New Mexico to see you soon!

The Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States from White House on Vimeo.

My good friend Andrew Murphy sent me this video to watch.   Although it is a very technical and talks a lot about programming, the message of the speaker REALLY rung true to me.  Quotes like “I demand all of your talent and trust non of your judgment” really reminded me of some places I have worked.

Especially Min. 15 -> 30ish.

Zed Shaw - The ACL is Dead

If you don’t have time to watch an hour and a half video on programing, here are some of the basics.

• Creativity has a value beyond the product that it can produce.
• Most creative people work for business (read non creative) minded people.
• Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.  If someone values your creativity and drive, they should show it beyond a paycheck. (This is one place were I disagreed with the speaker a bit.  He seemed to imply that EVEN a high paying job is not enough of a reward.  Although I agree that ideally one should benefit directly from there work… there is a value to job security and a FAT paycheck as long as you enjoy the job).
• Don’t let your creativity slow down if your job does not fulfill it. (I got a BFA in graphic design, but within 1 month of my “design job” I was doing SEO and writing HTML.  I had to find a way to keep designing on the site in order to keep my design skills up to par).
• Do something other people are not doing.  “I am going to start a blog about being a mom and review toys.”  That’s fine, but you should have a real good twist to it if you want a following.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t make it with a simple “parenting blog” it just means your chances are slimmer.

Before I left my job and started my own firm, I used to do a lot of the things he mentioned.  I had various sites that I would work on in my free time.  Although, as an employer I don’t agree with doing personal projects while on the clock, I do agree that any creative work (this includes programming) requires some level of flexibility.

Have you gotten to the point were you are getting the value out of your talent? If not, how are you able to keep the creativity going?  Are you actively moving towards a place in life were you can benefit?

This has been a really wierd, twisted, touching and emotional Christmas. My grandpa passed away on Sat. night from acute Leukimia. We found out about it 4 days prior. It was quick. On top of that, anyone who knows me personally has seen how stressed out life has been over the past few months for me.  It has been good none the less.  The business is doing well (especially for this economy). We are growing quickly and all the stress and responsability is only making me stronger.

Leading up to Christmas I have been very negative towards Christmas.  I have been scared of Christmas Eve mostly.  This is because I didn’t have anything planned.  Sure I could have found some way to take up time, but part of me wanted to feel lonely tonight.  I was afraid, afraid that I would have another night of drinks, bad tv and home made guacamole.  Somehow I have avoided that.

Today I have been at peace.  All day I have been less energized, less “spazzy” than I usually am on a day to day basis.  This evening however I just feel peaceful.  I doubt it has to do with the symbolic celebration of the birth of Christ.  I think it has more to do with the arival of something I was waiting for, Christmas.

Tomorrow I spend Christmas with my family.  My empowering mother, father who is always helpful, and brother who is both cooler and younger than me.  For tonight however, I spend Christmas with myself, and thats okay.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope you are as peaceful tonight as I am.

- Julian Sutter

Keith and Chemda do it again.  How to take care of a baby is a fantastic tutorial on childcare.  I think that I am ready for one now.  Application by interview only. kthanksbye.