December 22, 2009
The oughts? The zeros? No wonder nobody ever talked much about this past decade. Its names were always awkward. This is the end of 2009, and once again here’s another quick update of the worky stuff I’ve been doing.
Fab Apps is busily humming along as usual. Some of the really cool stuff we did over the past month was done as a subcontractor to Unison Agency, a very talented design firm in Georgetown. We are also getting close to a few firsts: our first iPhone app in the iTunes App Store and first public launch for a site on the new Bubbly platform. We’re all anticipation.
For a general overview of what the end of 2009 hath wrought, check out the December 2009 Fab Apps email newsletter. Are you on the Fab Apps email list? If not, you might want to go sign up here.
Speaking of email newsletters, have I mentioned the Digital Division email newsletter lately? I help produce it every few months in collaboration with Digital Division, my longest-term client. I usually write the Web Tip column at the end, so go check that out too. I enjoyed writing on this month’s topic: How to send files that are still too large to email in 2010.
Let me add an extra shout-out here to Steven Waters, Fab Apps’ talented and productive Interactive Media Developer. Just because there are never enough chances to say thanks!
I sincerely hope you all enjoy any holidays you choose to observe this holiday season, and have a happy new year!
November 12, 2009
I am enjoying a wonderful November! It helps that I had my birthday this week and am all celebrated out. (This also means I should wish a happy birthday to my twin sister, Sheridan, since hers is the same day as mine.)
Since my last update, Fab Apps has at least three bona fide launches to celebrate:
Also — and I hope I don’t sound like a broken record here — we’re going to launch a Bubbly crowdsourcing site in just another few short weeks for a DC-based green company. This is going to be fun!
In other news, some form of madness drove me to join my friends in National Novel Writing Month, a national challenge to write 50,000 words in a scant thirty days. I don’t know if I’ll reach 50k, but I’m enjoying the challenge. Making up words is easy, right? :)
October 6, 2009
Hi everyone! Here is another quick update about what I’ve been up to with Fab Apps …
During my “spare time”, you might imagine I have also been busy, considering how long it’s been since I updated this blog. We traveled a lot this summer to Florida, New York, around the Appalachians, and other places. In my free time, I’ve been drawing a lot, writing, reading a bit much Jane Austen (among other authors), and studying the Regency period of British history … for fun. Currently I’m taking a new class on drawing techniques, mostly learning how to do pen and ink drawing.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I have little hope of getting an updated resume posted on this site anytime soon, but I’m adding a link to my LinkedIn page, because that’s pretty current. I’m not planning to hit the job market again anytime soon, so I’m abandoning hope of keeping a resume up to date for the moment.
In fact, my three-year anniversary of leaving my last day job (at Green America) is approaching next month. The impending date makes me consider what life would be like if I hadn’t stayed self-employed all this time, and wonder whether permanent self-employment is in my future. Who knows?
June 25, 2009
This has been a fun and busy summer! Between all the work that’s keeping me busy, I’ve taken some really fun trips to New York City, Skyline Drive and the Shenandoah Mountains, Staunton VA, and other great places.
Here are some quick blips about what I’m working on … starting with Bubbly!
- Fab Apps has partnered with CoolTown Beta Communities for a fun project: Creating a spiffy web-based application called Bubbly that will help cities, towns, and organizations crowdsource fresh ideas and build communities of creative people. Check out CoolTown’s blog for more information about their work.
- Fab Apps is working on a brand new website for the Passionists JPIC effort, which will highlight their important work on U.S. and international social justice and environmental issues.
- Fab Apps is preparing to revamp the Ace Recycling website with lots of new information, because the company has now opened its Richmond, VA recycling facility.
- I’ve been working with Digital Division on their website and social media outreach, as well as working with a few of Digital Division’s nonprofit clients on issues like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and email marketing.
I have also been up to a few other things, but this is a pretty good overview of what’s been flashing across my computer screen lately! Until next time … stay classy ;)
May 14, 2009
I guess it’s been a while! I am really getting tired of this web design. I think I’ve had it since 2006. Hopefully a xiann.com redesign is coming soon. Also, a resume and portfolio update … which is kind of unnecessary, but not keeping them up-to-date could become a bad habit.
So what’s up? I’ve been doing a lot of work with Green America, the Social Investment Forum, and Digital Division recently. More of my clients are interested in social media outreach, so I’m coaching folks on the nuances of Twitter and such a good deal these days.
Wordage.info is doing great! If you haven’t checked out our free expanded thesaurus tool, you should definitely do it now. We have some exciting new developments planned, and just this month, Wordage.info became integrated into the KallOut search tool, a great cross-platform Firefox add-on and Windows tool that you should also check out.
Well there’s some work news. I’m sure there’s more, but you get the idea. (You can find more of my work news on the Fab Apps site.) When I’m not doing that stuff, I’ve been busy drawing, writing, and enjoying the spring. Jim and I just planned a hot summer trip to Miami, which we think is gonna be great!
March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s been a busy month. Here’s a quick update on the latest.
I’m sure I have some more news, but I hope this rundown covers a good sample of the things that are going on.
Also, enjoying the springtime! Even if it is 40 degrees here in DC :)
February 16, 2009
Affinity Lab, the innovative shared office where Fab Apps (my web company) is based, has been getting a lot of press this past week. We were featured in EXPRESS, biggest DC’s free newspaper, and on DC’s FOX 5 evening news. In the FOX news coverage, you can see me lurking in the background a few times. (Steve Waters was kind enough to say I had a few “cameos!”)
In other news, Fab Apps recently contributed a ton of Flash/Actionscript development to the Unison Agency website redesign, which looks and works beautifully. Check it out.
Also, we’re busily humming away on some fun new additions to Wordage.info — so watch this space for updates on that project, plus more interesting developments.
January 8, 2009
It’s the new year! The holidays seemed to go on for a long time this year. Not that I’m complaining … they were relaxing and wonderful!
The latest news is the Green Recycling Network web launch, which I think is a rather nice and polished website based on WordPress as a CMS. Fab Apps designed and developed the website entirely. Check it out.
Over December, Fab Apps also did a lot of work on the online membership system for Social Investment Forum and worked on a project for Unison Agency that will be launching very soon. I have also continued to do some fun work with Digital Division, who later this year will celebrate their 10 year anniversary!
My former employer and current client has, as of January 1, renamed themselves from Co-op America to Green America! I did some work helping them rename themselves (such as creating the morphing logo at the top right when you first visit the website) and will continue to work with them over the new year.
Here in DC, the big excitement is the upcoming Inauguration! It’s going to be like Marti Gras for Washington. It’s the day after MLK Day, and most people get the Inauguration Day off work, so many of us get a four-day weekend. The city should be brimming with visitors, and everyone’s abuzz.
Stay tuned for more news — and have a wonderful 2009!
November 30, 2008
November has been another action-packed month. I can’t believe it’s all but over. Here are a few random updates:
Hmm, that’s just about all the news I can post here for now. Meanwhile, we’re also preparing a new website for the Green Recycling Network over the coming weeks, and there are some secret projects in the works too! Good times.
October 17, 2008
Hi there! It’s time for another quick update. I have been juggling several projects lately with what has become my usual six or seven active clients at once. Here are some highlights:
The November elections are on their way and Washington, DC is practically on fire! I’m pumped, this is one exciting month. Stay tuned for some more website launches and news!
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