“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”
Full Speed Ahead
I'm excited to tell you that I am once again accepting new clients for website design, graphic design, fine art commissions, consulting, and audio and video production. Firewind Productions is now partnering with a simply amazing, powerful new website technology that has a drag-and-drop interface that makes managing your website easier than ever. AND it's standards-compliant. AND responsive to multiple devices. AND mobile-ready. AND easy for anyone to use. No, really.
Difficult Decisions
After hours of prayer and the loving advice of family and friends, I've come to some difficult decisions about the future of Firewind Productions. The time has come to share them with you.
Seventeen years ago, I accepted my first web design project. As a freshman at Northwest Christian College, I was excited about HTML and web technologies. I learned HTML inside and out, and after three weeks of furious study I was fluent enough to write my code from scratch. I embraced CSS and other technologies and tried to stay abreast of the wave of innovation that was sweeping the internet. Over these almost two decades, I have tried to do my best and be my best for my clients. I've not always been successful, but I have tried hard and for the most part I am proud of the work that I have done.
In 2004, I began an intensive process of testing content management systems to bring better rich media and rich content management to my clients. In 2007, I reorganized and relaunched my business under the name Firewind Productions in honor of the new philosophy that I found for content-driven websites and idea ignition. Since then, as Lindsay reminded me last night, I have been a part of a number of success stories.
Having trouble with phone
I've been having trouble with my cell phone; if you've called or texted me and not been able to reach me please let me know right away. It's come to my attention that I've had missed calls that haven't even rung through. I am in a conversation with my cell service provider about the issue and I apologize for any inconvenience.
In the Balance Production Notes
I was honored to be asked to be a part of the 35 Year Celebration event for Life Choices Clinic this past Tuesday evening. Scott and Susanne Maynes approached me a few weeks ago with this slideshow presentation project, featuring Susanne's song "In the Balance" and photos of babies the clinic has helped along with staff and volunteers who make it all possible.
How not to do social media: a comedy in four acts
There are few workers I feel sympathy for as much as waiters and waitresses. It's often a thankless and very difficult job. Because of idiotic loopholes in the laws, a restaurant can still pay a waiter or waitress much less than minimum wage, expecting that the server will make up the difference through tips.
For myself, I rarely tip less than 20% because I know how tough a server's job can be. To me, it's just a social contract. So you can imagine my utter dismay when reading about a pastor who made a horrible comment on an Applebees receipt containing an 18% gratuity added for a party of 8 or more: "I give God 10%, why should you get 18%?"
The case of the mysterious squeaking noise
Oh, this is just too rich not to share! I've been hearing this intermittent, almost indescribable squeaking noise at my computer all morning. It's been driving me bonkers. At first I thought it was my nose, actually, since I'm a bit stuffed up and it honestly seemed to be coming from that direction. You know, when you're stuffed up and it starts to clear, sometimes you hear a little squeak? I blew my nose twice but kept hearing the noise, very intermittently.
So then I started going through all the other things the mysterious noise might be. Animal? I have two cats, so it's very doubtful that I have mice. I actually got up and went into the living room to make sure Reepicheep, my dwarf hamster, was still safely snoozing in his cage. He poked his head out of his little hut but went right back to sleep, since I didn't have a treat for him.
Almost thirty years in the making, the river Beautiful will be published as a premium hardcover, a value softcover, and a very special online multimedia experience.
Select a chapter below to view exclusive content from the upcoming collection of new and selected works by Jason Christopher Hackwith.
original prose, poetry, lyrics, illustrations and typography
