Everything Else

My first Utter

Here is my first post using Utterz, a cool new service I picked up on at the SXSW Tradeshow. Many many cool things learned, new services discovered (including this one) and most importantly, new faces met. I will be posting about my experiences over the next couple days. Look forward to photos, a little video, and inane rambligs.
Mobile post sent by mattheerema using Utterz.

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Posted March 15th, 2008 in Everything Else by Matt

Overcoming Burnout

Last fall I experienced a bit of burnout with Web design and development. I had so many different projects all going on at the same time, and shifting responsibilities and roles in my position that I had a hard time discerning up from down. I came to a point where I just wanted to quit and take up farming, or become an auto-mechanic, or anything not involving sitting in front of a computer all day.

Relief came over time as I learned to groove with my new responsibilities, cut back side projects (I’m not taking any currently), stopped answering my phone every time it rang, implemented “inbox zero” for e-mail, and generally simplified life in other ways.

I also started reading more frequently, spending more time away from my CrackBerry and other methods of being plugged in, and spent more time with my wife and daughter. Suddenly I found a new well of hope and inspiration.

I have heard of several others who are on the verge of burnout. It is good to work hard, and there are seasons in life where we must put our nose to the grindstone and simply keep plowing away. But there are other times to rest.

Have you experienced burnout like this, and how have you overcome it?

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Posted January 22nd, 2008 in Everything Else by Matt

Tips for Cleaning and Sealing a Deck

Do it in the Spring
Buy the expensive tools for the job, not the cheap ones. They’ll break and/or not function properly, causing you to renounce your faith.
Hand brushing is faster than using a cheap-o pump sprayer, but get a push broom to do it with rather than a 4″ hand brush
Use a pressure washer to clean the deck, they are a lot of fun.
Do it in the Spring
Allow several hours for each phase, plus cleanup
Hire someone to do it for you
Tear your deck down and replace it with a concrete or faux-wood recycled plastic one.

This public service announcement brought to you by a hot, sweaty, messy, frustrated homeowner.

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Posted September 3rd, 2007 in Everything Else by Matt

Tweets on 2007-08-12

At a lake-side cabin in Okiboji, IA. Though not on vacation. Finishing up wireframes that were supposed to be done yesterday :( #
@dotcomlarry it’s all about the EVDO. really really slow here, but functional #
@lisamac i knew you’d be back. they always come back. #

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Posted August 12th, 2007 in Everything Else by

Tweets on 2007-08-11

@dotcomlarry: he’s stone quiet when working hard. hence the irony of my tweet ;) #
Time to rock. #
Just got back from the gig. We didn’t play very well, but the crowd had a good time. #

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Posted August 11th, 2007 in Everything Else by

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