Movie night on the quad.

getting ready to watch Iron Man on the quad of the UofI. its a free showing. and its really nice outside right now. but is probably going to get a little chilly.

Fred gibb car show laharpe il 2008

View the rest of the Fred Gibb Car show photos.

Continue to Hanger3.com

Yo

love the personality of my new job.

After the show.

I showed up an hour early to see batman, and decided to park far away in the sidelot. last sunday this lot was jam packed full of cars. they even parked in illegal spots. so to anticipate all the cars, I parked in what I saw as the safest spot. and the photo was what I saw after the show. not a single car other than mine was in this lot. safe for sure. :)

The Dark Knight

waiting in the imax theater waiting
for the dark knight to start. 35 mins to start.

Live from the foo fighters

the second stage.

Foo Fighters Indianapolis

At the fair.

nice night out. be sure to check out my flickr page to see some real photos in the next few days.

Champaign county horse races.

warmup of the final race of th night.

How Michigan wants to kills its drivers.

I lived in Michigan for a brief time. I commuted through Michigan for about 3 months, and then lived in Michigan for about 5. And while in Michigan I did a lot of interstate driving, and a little city driving. Here are the things that drove me nuts about how poorly the roads are set up.

Michigan Left. Noun. Verb. Adj. To drive 1/2 mile to the right, before you're allowed to make a u-turn to head in the direction you were wanting to go.
There are SEVERAL places in Ann Arbor and around Michigan that won't let you make a left hand turn. Either because there is a median in the way, or they just plane don't want you to turn left. The make you turn right, and then use one of their special u-turn only ramps. They've wasted so much money by printing and installing No Left Turn signs, and No U-Turn signs. Its so confusing. You look down a 1 mile length of road and all you see are those two signs. Its so cluttered that when you want to turn left you don't know where you can do it all. So you end up driving all the way down the road to a stop light, pulling into a parking lot, and turning around.

Non stopping traffic. Will freak you out the first time you come up on a section of road where the traffic doesn't stop. Ok, here's the scenario. I exit off the interstate and come up on a stop light. I want to turn left. I wait until I get a green light. The light turns green, and I begin to turn left. But I notice that the traffic going the direction that I want to go is not stopping. In fact, they don't need to. I have like a 20 footmerge ramp, and that's it. Keep in mind, this is a shopping area, and a 4 lane busy road. But I slam on my breaks before I even get to the merge ramp, because I think that people are blowing a red light. I almost cause an accident behind me, because those people have obviously encountered this intersection before, and knew what to expect.

Non stopping traffic 2. Ok, picture the same situation. I get off ramp, need to turn left and am stopped at a red light at night. Light turns green, and I can't see where the lanes are that I need to turn into because they are all faded. I notice that the traffic of the direction I will be turning is stopped, so I know they are supposed to be stopped. But whats this? A car is flying about 50mph and doesn't seem to be slowing down. I again slam on my breaks, and watch him as he gradually veers away.WTF ? Its a ramp to get onto the interstate. It's not a sharp turn from the stop light, no, its a 3rd lane that starts to veer towards the interstate where the stoplight is. And when coming up on that intersection from getting off the interstate, it completely looks like cars are blowing through the red light since they don't have to stop.

Construction zones. They must have run out of money for signs from spending it all on no turn signs, because they really don't like to warn you that a lane ends until you are right there. In Illinois, they give youplenty of warning. They give a sign at 2 miles, at 1 mile, and then several flashing arrow signs telling you that the lane will end soon. And then the gradual bucket line pushing you out of the lane. In Michigan, you pretty much have 200 feet to merge over before you hit the cones. Which then causes backed up traffic because everybody is trying to merge in such a small area. If only they would warn people a few miles in advance, andIm not just talking about the construction in general, I mean which lane will be closed, the flow of traffic would be much smoother.

Non construction zones. Same as above, just without the construction. There are several places where 3 lanes turn to 2. And 2 lanes turn to 1. They only give you about 100 feet notice, and 100 feet of merging room. The first time I came up on it, I was passing 3 cars and was next to the middle one, and came up on adisappearing lane. I was driving in the inside emergency lane for a little bit, because the arrogant Michigan drivers didn't want to give me room to merge in.

And speaking of arrogant Michigan drivers, they like to cruse in the left lane. And there is usually a train of them together. So I'll pass someone, and move back over to the right lane. I come up to the next slow car, and want to merge over, but I can't because I have to wait for the 7 slower cars that are right next to me innascar drafting formation to pass. So I end up at the back of the pack. I pass the slow car, and then move back to the right lane. I resume mycruising speed, and slowly pass the Nascar pack one by one. But then I run into the next slow car. And now I have to wait even longer because now the 7 drafting nascar pack is now 10 cars. So after doing this several times, I finally give in, and turn into a Michigan driver. About a full hour later, I am able to pass the Draft Pack. PLEASE, MOVE OVER! if you know you're going to be passing a car eventually, but are not to that car yet, please move over to the right lane. Its the law in Illinois. Even if I know I'll be passing a car again in 10 seconds I always move over just in case someone behind me can get around me. I may have to slow down for a few seconds to wait for them to get around, but at least I didn't hold up a faster driver. I'm no authority figure, so I can't control people who I feel are speeding.

Parking lots. Whoever designed shopping center parking lots much have been crazy. And its not just one area, it was all over Ann Arbor. One place there were only 2 one-wayinstances in, and only 1 1-way exit out of the lot. And all the lanes of parking are so narrow, that only one car can pass at a time. But there are several instances of roads into and out of lots that go from 2 lanes in, to 1, and there are no signs of such, until you realize that your now driving into oncoming traffic.

Stop lights. This isn't just a Michigan thing. I was in Toledo Ohio quite a bit. For some reason they like to put your direction of stop light directly above your car, and not across the other side of the intersection. Everybody I talked to that grew up in that area didn't get what the big deal was. But man, there were several times where I had to stick my head in the dash and look strait up to see what the light was doing. I finally started getting wise, and stopped further back. And there was a good size car-length between me and the 'stop behind this line' line.

So there are some things that piss me off about Michigan driving. If you don't believe me, I dare you to drive to Ann Arbor, and not encounter one of the things I mentioned above. Its not possible.

New office.

I get a real office. not much in ityet, and a lot of it is getting replaced.

New place.

just sitting on my second floor patio. nice breeze outside. everybody in the neighborhood is nice.

An update.

remind me to make a post about all the things I hate about driving in Michigan.

so I will be leaving michigan for good this weekend. got a new job that should be friken awesome in champaign IL. and will be moving to my new rental house. know of anybody who wants to buy a condo near Ann Arbor. or A2 as only the locals call it. I've been taking some really good photos of my condo to post on craigslist. if the photos don't generate interest, nothing will.

and about driving in MI. that will have to wait till another time. lets just say, I think the state is trying to kill you. I've got to collect my thoughts and make sure I include every poor choice in road design, to the way michiganians drive.

New job

as you know, I way laid off from Borders. 200 people. I took some time and just went on a road trip, as seen in the previous posts. well, things have quickly turned around for me. while I was back in my home town, I decided to send an email to someone who I had a portfoilio review with back in college. I had known that he had since started his own design firm, and always had it as a goal to either worl at this place, or find something very similar. and well, not more than 20mins later I received an email asking if id like to come in to the office and chat. a week later I go to meet him and the team. its a very cool place. looks like a creative environment. I was there for about 2 hours. I left feeling good about the place and felt good about myself. and sure enough the next day I get an offer to join the team.

as of now im still looking for a place to live. I have aplace lined up to see this monday, and if all goes well, I could move in that next weekend.

im excited.

Link to my Flickr photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody24/sets/72157605690181728/

I want one of these.

today was fun. went to the dayton air force museum. for those that don't know, dayton is where the wright bros had there shop and built the flyier. I think you can tour their shop but I didn't know where it was. maybe another trip.

I took my nice camera and my sisters tripod to get some good shots of the planes on display. I have all 350+ up on flicker. ill post a link to them later.

as I was walking through though today, there was this subtle head nod, or friendly exchange from others who had nice camera and were taking there time getting the right shot. I had seen a guy laying belly down on the ground as if to use his own arms as a bi pod to stead the 1 second exposure. I was wanting to get a photo of that plane too, so I pulled out the tripod, and was setting up behind the guy. he then gets up sees my tripod and says 'i guess that'll work too.'

it was fun. would love to have a few of them. would love to see what the insides of them look like too.

Hangar 3.

hanger3. 3 hangars. get it? ah haaa

Dayton Air Force museum

here's a few photos from the museum.

this is the Super Fortess that dropped the bomb to end the second WW.

Back on the road.

4 hours at the museum. will update with photos later. right now I just want to get back.

Alcatraz

at at the alcatraz brewery. pretty good food. was expecting a little more of an alcatraz theme. one of these days I would love to go to the real alcatraz.

Photo opp.

I've driven by this place a few times, so I've decided to stop and take a few photos with my dslr.

Trip back home

on my way to Indy. beautiful outside.

Snake alley Art Fair.

lots of booths. lots of art. and some so-called art.

Flooding in Iowa

this is a view from Burlington Iowa looking over to the Illinois side. you can't really see where the flooding has happened, but when going over the bridge you can really see it.

Oops

forgot the shinny shinny photo.

Shinny shinny

at my desination in s. illinois.

Misc trip photos

I want one.

Misc trip photos

duckies

Misc trip photos

before leaving my sisters I noticed that my mileage was exactly 16000.0 miles.

Stoppin at the mc'y d's

finally got on the interstate and on my way south in illinois. had to stop to pick up something little to eat because I was expecting to be at my destination by lunch time.

Went for a walk.

since every way to get to the interstate seems to be blocked, I went for a walk to the county courthouse. im in brazil indiana trying to get to carterville illinois.

Blocked.

flooding in indian is keeping me off and away from the interstate.

Holy gas prices batman

a few years ago you would have thought
that this was an SUV.

Destination 1

staying the night
with my sister in indy.

Stop three.

bathroom break. 218.8 miles into the trip.

Stop three.

bathroom break. 218.8 miles into the trip.

Detour

stopped at a cool WWII/car museum. spent a little more time than I planned in there.

First rest stop.

about 50-60 miles into the trip.

The trip begins

Continued. read the story below first.

Didn't realize I had a limit on the size of the message. so to pick up, one of my new skillls would be becoming a businessman. this wll be more advanced than me just selling necklaces, it'll have veriety.

but I still won't be able to run that site exclusivly. I will need a new job. I was already in the thought process of finding a new job, Borders just beet me to it.

so if theres anyone out there in Internet world that knows of a small design firm that needs a jack of all tradesman, let me know. looking to move to IL and surrounding area. and if possible no real specfic jobs. like only web designer, only production, etc.

so that's me. the owner of hanger3. eventually one day hanger3 will be huge and I will have my own corporate office. I can worl formyself and have others work for me. you may be thinking that its not possible, but it is. never underestimate a person and their dreams. there are numerous successful people out there who have been told they were going to fail.

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Personal update.

since I can't sleep at this current moment, I decided to give un update to anyone other than my family who may be reading this. I apologize for any missspelled words or incomplete thoughts as I am typing this on my phone and with two PM pills in me.

tuesday I was laid off from my fulltime job. hanger3 is just a side business in case you thought that's all I do. I was an interactive designer for Borders. it was a great opportunity but wasn't for me. it was too much of the same thing over and over again. and when I really thought about it, I was only using 1/8 of my potential. 2/3 of myskills was already wasted because I also know print and video. then in that 1/3 of web, I was doing a lot of maintanance, banners, or just making pages from already pre designed designs.

so I figure I was only using 1/8 of my skills. so with this time off, im making hanger3 the best it can be. I am going to use all my skills for the new design, plus add some skills I don't even know I have yet. cont

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To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

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Insomnia

I don't know what it is, but I can't get to sleep tonight. I slept perfectly fine last night. and I drank diet caffene free rootbeer today. im no more stressed than I was yesterday. its not roasting in my room. just can't sleep tonight. I don't like to take pills, but I finally took some advil pm just a little while ago.

so before I start to get sleepy, ill make some blog posts. next ones coming up.

Hanger3.com v2 progress.

im going to hold all of you accountable in making sure I get the re-design of www.hanger3.com done.

its looking pretty good at this point I think. and as I buid this im trying to keep in mind that this needs to be CSS, PHP, and oscommerce friendly. very unlike www.hanger3.com v1. I was in such a hurry to get that one done, that I skipped a lot of stuff. its served its purpose
and its time for the new.

A/C for the offce.

since it gets up to 83 degrees in my office, I installed a window unit. now it stays at 72.

Tin cans

new idea

Hanger3.com v2

is coming along very nicely.

Strawberry smoothy.

yum!

Finally a place that tells it like it should be.

you always see signs that employees are required to wash their hands, but you never see them even suggesting that customers do the same. never understood it. I guess those other places are just being too polite.

Ezra

Roaarrrr

waiting in line for the yankees game. I think the over did it with tigers at this place. you could stand at the main gate and see about 40 tigers built into the stadium. huge heads a run all along the perimiter walls. and several statues in front and on top of the entrance.

Yankees win!

went to the yankees tigers game. very cool

Saturday morning

just chatting

A clean(er) bedroom.

sheesh, after three month of living here, I finally get my bedroom somewhat clean. I hadn't vacuumed since the first week I moved in. now to do the rest of th condo.

Moleskine

I have become obsessed with Moleskines lately. I have about one of each kind. but until now, I haven't really found one I like for every day use. so to help me stay motivated in using them, I will post a picture of my progress from time to time.

Game night

monday after work a we had a good ol game night. two xboxs, one 65in tv, and one 100in projector.

Still a mess.

I've been moved for about three months now, and my room is still a mess.

Smoke break.

I don't smoke but ill take a break if its nice out on a friday.

Its showtime.

we have a required meeting for Borders. I don't know what's its about, but I do know Its Showtime!

Testing links.

just wanted to test out how links are handled in this. so below are just some of my tests.

hanger3.com
www.hanger3.com
http://www.hanger3.com
<a herf=http://www.hanger3.com>hanger3</a>

Grillin

grilling outside for the first time in my new place. its nice out. about 50 degrees, no wind, and no clouds.

The phone.

this is the phone/camera that I've been using. I love it. its a Samsung i760.