So here’s what I sent to my clients to let them know what was going on this week:

As of September 5, I am no longer with Meijer as a Senior Content Designer and Project Manager.  I have struck out on my own and am working hard to make a go of a career as an independent web designer and entrepreneur.  This path is not the easiest, but the satisfaction of doing what I love all day, every day and the challenge of small business ownership makes this the most satisfying career path I could imagine.

 

In addition, my wife Liz and I are preparing for a move to Missoula, Montana for three months and then will head to a more permanent home in Portland, Oregon.  We are very excited to take this step and are looking forward to the active outdoor lifestyle and incredible natural beauty of the Western U.S.

 

That said, I am still planning on being actively involved with my Michigan clients and being your go-to guy for all your web needs, despite my westward trek.  If you have any concerns about our new working arrangement, please don’t hesitate to call or email.  I’d love to sit down with you and discuss the future of your site and your needs as a business if you like.

 That’s about it, the summary of the next year or so.  Wish us luck!

Oh, so pretty.

Amped Tyler alert: I just picked up a new Trek 1.2 road bike from Speed Merchants in Rockford, MI and I couldn’t be more amped.  This may be just an entry-level bike, but compared with what I was riding it’s smooth as silk and five times as fast.

Also, we’re heading to Missoula, Montana for 3 months, arriving on October 13.  I’ve been looking it up and this city of almost 1 million souls seems really cool.  Not to far from great snowboarding, many miles of bike trails, and within a few hours of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  Sounds pretty rad if you ask me.  We’re getting prepped to go, then head to Portland not too soon after that.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — how do I get my web needs taken care of with you in Montana? Never fear folks, I’ll be checking in with each and every one of you to be sure we have you covered in the lead up to my leaving, and to set up processes to ensure a smooth transition to our new working arrangement.

Captain’s log supplemental (nerrrrrd): Can I post twice in one night? Regardless, just came across pdxcross.com and it is chock full of gorgeous photos of Cyclocross racing in Portland.  And, since I’m moving there in 3 short months (by way of Missoula, Montana — more on that later), I thought I ought to post it.  I’ve also delicious’ed the link for you, check out delicious.com/tdoornbos.

So, I was just asked to do a site for The Rotors, a band from St. Paul, Minnesota.  I’m really rather excited, as I haven’t done a band website since doing the site for my band, Bonzai, when I was like 16.  (And no, you can’t see that — it’s long gone, thank God.) 

In other news, I just did the “photorealistic” tutorial at SixThings and I think it was one of the most satisfying tutorials I’ve done in quote a while.  Check out the results:

Not perfect, but I’m digging it.  Anyway, more later. 

-TY

So, the new tjd-dsn.com is finally live, after a couple of big days.  I still have some little bits and pieces to get into place, but it’s mostly all set.  So, seeing as I’m posting just to play with my new Worpress setup, I think I’ll just post a quote.  This quote works nicely both because the leaves are starting to drop here in Michigan, and I love to look at my blockquote style.

Fall is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.

-Albert Camus

Profound, non? Well, anyway, have a look around so all this work I did isn’t for nothing.