helveticampbell

One: got a new job

Around the time of my last post (Sept. 2010) I was on the verge of changing companies. I was approached by a tightly knit team in Clearwater for a UI designer position and at first I was skeptical. The original phone call went something like this:

Them: “Hi, is this Tim?”

Me: “Yes?”

Them: “Hi, we found your resume…”

Me, in my head: Great, another insurance company or something. It clearly states on my resume that I’m a Detail-Oriented designer with…wait, ‘Detail-Oriented’? Why on earth would I write something so unoriginal? No wonder I only get calls from people in boiler rooms. Oh, they’re still talking…

Me: “Wait, User Interface what?”

I swiftly realized that this was something good. I’d even go as far as to say it was something quite good. Quite good, indeed. I phone interviewed, paid them a visit in person, and became part of the family shortly thereafter.

I’m much happier with the working environment, as well. My old company had nothing going for it. Actually it had become exceedingly successful in going the wrong direction. I was the one who took the job, though, so the buck ultimately stops with me.

I’ll officially update the portfolio soon, but for now here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been working on:

Two: got a new hobby

“What does an 11 year-old who isn’t into sports want for Christmas?” This question led me to my local hobby shop to purchase some rockets or planes or trains or something that would not get thrown back up the chimney on Christmas morning. With one step inside I cast my eyes on all the things I’d wanted as a kid – and had since forgotten about.

I tried to stay focused but the temptation was too great. I strayed from the rockets dangling in the corner and sidled over to the (holy crap how much do these cost?!) RC cars in the main aisles. I flashed back to my childhood and tried to remember the details of the awesome car I had so I could find something that would surely bring me similar fits of joy. I asked the helpful chap at the counter about this and he pointed me in the direction of the entry level stuff. I saw one I liked, picked out the color, and saved it in my mental file of nice things to have.

Later that weekend, my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I want to go on record and say the SHE is the one who suggested the RC car, not me. Sweetie, if you’re reading this, it was YOU! For those of you who have a problem becoming obsessed with new things or if you don’t have much spare time or money, I would suggest not getting a hobby-level RC car. And I would also strongly urge you not to persuade your friend to buy one. And whatever you do, do not let a mutual friend also buy one…so you can all race…in his parent’s yard that used to have grass on it until three RC cars carved it up one winter evening.

This thing is so fun I had to limit myself to only racing it one night a week for the good of the family. One rather large word of warning with these: this is a classic give them the razor, sell the blades situation. Yes, the car can run fine completely stock and with the original battery and charger. However, the sheer number of upgrades and parts for this hobby is staggering. To the weak willed who love to tinker this is dangerous territory. We limited ourselves to a new charger, batteries, motor, and tires. And spare parts when they break. And a toolbox to hold all the spare parts and batteries and charger. But that’s all.

*Sigh, I love you, Santa.

P.s. For those of you wondering, I got this car and my friends both got this car.