Avalonstar is the personal website of Bryan Veloso: content creator, retired professional user interface designer, and compass of purpose.https://avalonstar.com/en-usSun, 03 May 2026 22:02:17 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/eris/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/eris/Eighteen years ago, Jen found a flea-ridden kitten hiding beside a trailer wheel. On Sunday, we said goodbye to that same kitten—our baby, our vibe detector, our Goddess of Discord.Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:54:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/mamita/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/mamita/A tribute to my late mother-in-law, Leony.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/a-reflection-on-my-time-at-vshojo/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/a-reflection-on-my-time-at-vshojo/After the collapse of VShojo, I'm here to share my story—one of betrayal, resilience, and ultimately finding meaning in the work I did for the talent and fans who deserved better.Sat, 26 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/erased/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/erased/On legacy, being forgotten, and what happens when someone else stakes your claim to history.Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:06:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/john-cena-destroyed-wrestling-entrances/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/john-cena-destroyed-wrestling-entrances/John Cena's heel turn brought me back to wrestling, but it was his WrestleMania entrance that truly blew this designer's mind—proving that sometimes the absence of spectacle creates the most powerful moment of all.Thu, 15 May 2025 19:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/between-authenticity-and-performative-empathy/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/between-authenticity-and-performative-empathy/Being back on LinkedIn has reconnected me with old friends, but also reminded me why I left in the first place—the presumptuous narratives that claim to know your struggle while knowing nothing at all.Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:44:35 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/the-enshittification-of-dribbble/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/the-enshittification-of-dribbble/While stumbling onto Dribbble, I saw a post (and its... expected comment section) that served as a microcosm of the current state of a once beloved service.Fri, 28 Mar 2025 23:56:55 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/what-a-blog-represents/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/what-a-blog-represents/Twenty-five years of avalonstar.com got me thinking: what does a personal blog truly represent? Join me in a nostalgic trip down memory lane as I muse on the existential purpose of a website old enough to rent a car.Wed, 12 Mar 2025 01:11:55 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/ravyn/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2025/ravyn/Twenty years wasn't enough time with our beloved Ravyn, who left us this afternoon after a life filled with love, memories, and an unending quest for food. He was a mainstay through countless changes, and I'll miss him forever.Wed, 05 Feb 2025 03:08:45 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2023/the-experience-fans-deserved/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2023/the-experience-fans-deserved/Designing a convention booth for a group of VTubers was an opportunity I never imagined I'd have, but my time at VShojo made it a reality. This post chronicles the journey of conceptualizing and creating an unforgettable fan experience for Anime Expo 2023.Tue, 04 Jul 2023 01:06:43 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2022/the-end-of-altair/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2022/the-end-of-altair/The end of an era. After almost two years, my startup Altair has run out of money. I dive into the different decision to shut down and the journey that led us here, staying true to our values until the very end.Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2021/ivs-and-the-psychology-of-hope/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2021/ivs-and-the-psychology-of-hope/Altair's launch plans were shaken by unexpected changes, but we have a story of resilience and hope to share. Join us as we navigate the challenges of building a creator-first platform in an ever-shifting landscape.Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/what-im-embarking-on/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/what-im-embarking-on/After a whirlwind week of soul-searching, I've embarked on a new journey to build altair.tv—a content creation platform founded on principles that put people over metrics. It's time to be the change I want to see in this industry.Sun, 28 Jun 2020 21:57:16 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/finding-my-pride-in-pride/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/finding-my-pride-in-pride/A sheltered upbringing and a college experience that shattered my worldview. I'm sharing a deeply personal story about coming to terms with my identity and the challenges I faced along the way.Wed, 24 Jun 2020 17:44:35 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/a-single-evolving-world/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/a-single-evolving-world/I've been an avid follower of Bungie's work since the early Halo days, and Destiny 2 has managed to grab me in a way few games do. Luke Smith's Director's Cut got me thinking about the vision of "a single, evolving world"—and I've got some thoughts to share.Mon, 25 May 2020 01:33:44 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/on-big-brothers-and-being-dad/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/on-big-brothers-and-being-dad/A reflection on being a "big brother" figure and the transition to being called "dad" by my online community, for better or worse.Sun, 24 May 2020 01:50:49 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/a-career-with-aphantasia/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/a-career-with-aphantasia/How my journey of self-discovery led to a startling realization about the way my mind works—and how it shaped my entire career as a designer.Mon, 11 May 2020 20:50:48 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/rebooted/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/rebooted/After 6 years of dormancy, Avalonstar reboots once again—albeit unfinished. Join me as I reminisce about the past and give you a glimpse into the latest evolution of my little corner of the web.Fri, 01 May 2020 06:22:22 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/subscriber-streams-as-anxiety-remedies/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2020/subscriber-streams-as-anxiety-remedies/Anxiety is a constant battle when you're a content creator, but subscriber streams have been a game-changer for me—providing a safe, comfortable space to connect with my community on my own terms.Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:08:48 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/three-months/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/three-months/Three months in, I'm finally feeling like I'm hitting my stride at Twitch. It's been a challenging transition, but with the help of an amazing team of designers, I'm growing in ways I never expected.Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:49:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/slides-for-the-back-of-the-room/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/slides-for-the-back-of-the-room/When creating slides for PyCon, I left the bottom third blank for the benefit of the people in the back—a decision that surprised me with the positive reactions it garnered. So when you're creating your next presentation, make sure to keep your surroundings in mind too.Fri, 02 May 2014 00:51:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/fitting-in/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/fitting-in/I'm starting a new job with an employee number higher than 30 for the first time, and I'm terrified that I won't fit in with the established culture.Tue, 15 Apr 2014 22:16:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/the-graphs-are-always-greener/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/the-graphs-are-always-greener/Data shame and streak phobia fuel my GitHub obsession, motivating me to commit daily for over a year. The fear of breaking my streak drives me to extremes, but I've learned to use it to my advantage.Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:34:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/my-ambition-is-dead-long-live-ambition/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2014/my-ambition-is-dead-long-live-ambition/I reflect on the dreams that were and the harsh realities that followed. The road from wide-eyed aspirations to reluctant acceptance is a bumpy one, filled with doubt and the weight of a life's work.Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:29:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2013/in-a-vacuum/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2013/in-a-vacuum/After a year and a half of ignoring Avalonstar because of self-doubt, I'm going to attempt writing for myself again, in a vacuum. It's time to let this place become the personal journal it once was, even if it's harder than it sounds.Fri, 13 Dec 2013 12:10:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/my-humanscale-m8/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/my-humanscale-m8/I've been on a mounting spree lately, and my iMac was the last piece of the puzzle. Getting my hands on a Humanscale M8 took nearly a month due to backorder, but it was definitely worth the wait.Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:50:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-removing-barriers-to-writing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-removing-barriers-to-writing/I'm moving off Harmony and onto GitHub Pages—an experiment to see if I can bring blogging to the same level as my development process. Here's to knocking down the barriers between designing and writing.Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/dont-clobber-the-web/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/dont-clobber-the-web/The web's stuck between a rock and a hard place, with vendors and developers playing the blame game. It's 1999 all over again, and we're all along for the ride.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-fandoms-and-analysis-paralysis/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-fandoms-and-analysis-paralysis/When you're sitting down between tasks with pizza and soda, weird ideas happen. I asked Twitter about the non-tech fandoms of tech people and got some fascinating responses that made me ponder the diversity of interests in our industry.Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/super-hybrid-robots/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/super-hybrid-robots/After years of dabbling in everything from Cocoa to Puppet, I've come to associate myself with the concept of a hybrid—and found some surprising parallels with Mega Man along the way. My latest presentation at the GitHub summit explores what it means to be a "super hybrid robot."Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/a-weekend-with-z-shell/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/a-weekend-with-z-shell/After a year of avoiding it, I finally took the plunge into the world of Z Shell and crafted a prompt that made me giggle with geeky satisfaction. Take a peek at my new setup and grab the code from my dotfiles repo.Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/let-tweetnest-accept-json/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/let-tweetnest-accept-json/It's a sad reality that our tweets are lost to time, but there's hope on the horizon. I stumbled upon some ancient tweets in JSON format—now to see if I can get TweetNest to accept them and bring a piece of my history back to life.Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:25:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/bryan-day/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/bryan-day/A whole year at GitHub—a personal milestone and my first startup anniversary. Looking back on past jobs, stubborn dreams, and the gravity of responsibility.Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-foreman-and-procfiles/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2012/on-foreman-and-procfiles/Foreman is my new find of the day. It's a Ruby gem that lets me run multiple services with a single command using a Procfile, and it's a godsend for my detail-oriented (read: obsessive) development needs.Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/best-year-ever/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/best-year-ever/2011 was a year that felt like five, and it's quite unbelievable how much we managed to fit in. From joining GitHub to getting married, it was definitely a year to remember.Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/the-spirit-of-giving/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/the-spirit-of-giving/On the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy, I'm embarking on an epic quest to marathon every game in the series on their original Japanese release dates—all for charity. It's dangerous to go alone, so I'm seeking a few brave souls to join me on this year-long journey of gaming, giving, and probable insanity.Sun, 25 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/spoon-feeding/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/spoon-feeding/Arin's video on MegaMan X gave me a new perspective on one of my favorite childhood games, but more importantly, it spoke to the designer in me and confirmed my belief that user experiences should encourage exploration and discovery rather than forcefully spoon-feeding the obvious. Nothing annoys users more than being patronizingly taught what they already know.Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/asking-the-right-questions/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/asking-the-right-questions/Asking questions is a skill that's been crucial in my journey as a programmer. I'll take as much time as I need to craft that perfect question, because wasting anybody's time is the last thing I want to do.Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:50:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/my-process-is-circular/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/my-process-is-circular/My design process is like a drunken walk down a circular path, full of "eureka" moments and stumbles. I bounce between sketching and Photoshop like a manic game of pong, but hey, whatever gets the job done, right?Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/to-come-into-being/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/to-come-into-being/After 840 days, I'm finally dusting off Avalonstar again. The neurons are firing, the Photoshop layers are stacking up, and I'm ready to rise from the ashes like a phoenix... or something poetic like that.Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/rekindling/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/rekindling/After losing my way, I'm attempting to rekindle my love for writing—not just blogging, but writing about anything and everything. It's time to come full circle and get back to the basics: just write.Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/rolling-your-own-honeyfund/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/rolling-your-own-honeyfund/After 8 years of engagement, Jen and I are finally tying the knot. But when it came to wedding registries, we wanted to avoid the typical blenders and china sets—so we decided to roll our own honeyfund instead.Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:07:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/on-weddings-and-websites/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/on-weddings-and-websites/After 8 years of being engaged, I'm finally tying the knot in 24 days—and designing our own wedding website, ren.ai, has been the ultimate challenge. Join me on this journey through the invitations, inspirations, and late night design sessions that brought it all together.Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/music-morning-musume/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/music-morning-musume/For the first time, I was able to connect the two worlds that were the definition of mutually exclusive--my love for Japanese idols and my new life at GitHub. What followed was probably the best presentation of my very short presenting career, and it wasn't just the beer talking.Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:07:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/the-ballad-of-the-takoneko/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2011/the-ballad-of-the-takoneko/It's my first day at GitHub and I've got a lot to learn, but I couldn't be more excited to get started making awesome with this incredible team. While I may be the lone Python guy in a sea of Ruby, I'm ready to dive in and see how I can make life even better for my fellow Pythonistas on GitHub.Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:41:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/1234/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/1234/Have you ever had an unconscious tendency that turned into a freaky pattern? My iPhone's clock striking 12:34 has been following me around for months, and now it's even showing up in the most unexpected places.Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:34:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/a-decade-comes-with-some-celebration/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/a-decade-comes-with-some-celebration/A decade of memories and a barrage of nostalgia-inducing blows as Avalonstar turns 10. Rather than try to contain the celebration in a mere 24 hours, I've been hatching a plan over the past few months with the help of some close friends to create something special.Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:25:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/stuff-compensation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/stuff-compensation/I'm experimenting with a new way of doing client work: trading my services for stuff instead of money. It's a bit crazy, but it might just keep me motivated and my sanity intact.Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/raw/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/raw/I'm trying this alternate blog thing again. It's a place for the other 75% of my interests: wrestling, game soundtracks, idols and J-pop.Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/rich-media-experiences/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/rich-media-experiences/I want to make Flash-like "rich media experiences" without using Flash. There's no way to do that? Guess I'll throw a hissy fit then, since it's going to hurt my business.Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/objective-assistance/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/objective-assistance/After years of saying I'd never touch server-side code, I've found myself diving headfirst into the world of Objective-C and iPhone development. Let me share some of the resources that have helped me along the way, hopefully saving you from the same headaches I encountered.Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/the-re-designer/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/the-re-designer/I'm a re-designer by trade, and my brain is wired to improve what already exists rather than create from scratch. It's a blessing and a curse, but the more you know about your quirks, the easier it is to take advantage of them.Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/mimeo-and-the-kleptopus-ringtones/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/mimeo-and-the-kleptopus-ringtones/Shaun Inman's Mimeo soundtrack has me so enthralled that I just had to make iPhone ringtones out of it. Grab the 8-bit audio goodness and let Mimeo's chiptunes rudely awaken you!Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/commits/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/commits/After 1609 commits, Hello! Ranking is finally entering private beta--and I'm shaking in my boots. Join me in commemorating this milestone as I share some of the more... colorful conversations I've had with myself in the Git repository.Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/buzz/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/buzz/Google Wave? What's that? Oh well, onto the next overhyped Google product. I'm sure this post could've been a tweet, but where's the fun in that?Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/a-year-too-early/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/a-year-too-early/The iPad is finally here, but it feels like Apple jumped the gun by releasing it with the same old iPhone OS 3.2. I can't help but feel that this magical device deserved to be paired with truly magical software from day one.Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/harmonizing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/harmonizing/Avalonstar is now running on Harmony, the awesome website management tool from my buddies Steve and John. After months of running my own cobbled-together Django multi-site CMS, the novelty wore off—especially when my analytics showed the site was down for half a month.Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/for-the-love-of-ponies/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/for-the-love-of-ponies/A year ago, the Django Pony was born out of a simple purchase on iStockPhoto. Now this fairy tale creature has become a symbol for the Django community, finding its way onto everything from memes to tattoos.Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/bowling-into-retirement/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/bowling-into-retirement/After four years of memories, smiles and strikes, it's time for the Avalonstar Bowling Extravaganza to take its final bow. To everyone who has supported it since 2006, thank you from the bottom of my heart.Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/hello-coda-slider/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2010/hello-coda-slider/Let's start 2010 with some code, shall we? I dove into Niall Doherty's awesome Coda-inspired jQuery script and wrestled it into submission to build a slick carousel for Hello! Ranking.Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/a-first-time-for-everything/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/a-first-time-for-everything/I never thought it would happen to me, but a simple drink at the movies turned into my first experience being completely passed out in public. It was an embarrassing spectacle, but at least I got a story out of it.Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/the-power-of-the-mundane/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/the-power-of-the-mundane/Mundane tasks like chores might not seem like a cure for designer's block, but they're the only thing that's worked for me. Forget walks in the park or museum visits—I'll take washing dishes or vacuuming any day.Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/high-school-friends/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/high-school-friends/My high school friends are starting to discover my internet notoriety, but I don't think they quite understand what it is I do. Then again, having the most popular WordPress theme for porn blogs isn't exactly something I can explain to them.Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/chrome-frame/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/chrome-frame/Google Chrome Frame may be the best way to drag Internet Explorer into the future, and I'm all for it. It's time we spread the word and help get this train moving.Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/free-lunches/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/free-lunches/The running joke of me saying cliches I never tweeted began with a spambot retweeting something I never said. The Django community rocks, even if they won't let me live it down.Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/hello-party/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/hello-party/Jen and I took a dive into holding our first event for the Japanese pop community, commemorating Morning Musume's American debut at Anime Expo. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience, pushing us out of our comfort zone and showing the incredible support of the fans.Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/itunes/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/itunes/iTunes 9 is out and I have some choice words for the UI teams at Apple. Seriously guys, what the hell are you doing over there?Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/timewarp/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/timewarp/Take a 3-minute journey through the history of Avalonstar with this screencast time machine. Watch as 160 posts come back from the dead in this trek from Distortion to Redemption.Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/batteries-not-included/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/batteries-not-included/Batteries not included, and neither are a lot of other things. After being held back by an overwhelming design, I'm blogging again with a new challenge--a light, minimal look that's full of HTML5 and CSS3 goodness.Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/soft-launch/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/soft-launch/Redemption is coming. After a bit of a hiatus, I'm back with a sneak peek at the next version of Avalonstar—number twenty-six. It's not quite finished, but I figured I'd give you a taste of what's to come.Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/bryan-and-jen-in-japan/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/bryan-and-jen-in-japan/Jen and I are finally off on our first trip to Japan! Follow along as we share our memories on our new Tumblr blog, konokoi.com - I'm anxious and excited to get started on this adventure.Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/suittie/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/suittie/A new adventure begins as I team up with WooThemes to create "Suit&tie," a business-style WordPress theme. It's Django Plugables meets translucency with a dash of mourning for the stripes that didn't make the cut.Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/zoomed/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/zoomed/I have a bit of an addiction to zooming in on my Mac with ⌘ + 8. So I decided to record a session of me working zoomed in - it's a bit nuts, but hey, it's fun. :)Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/geek-motivation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/geek-motivation/It's the little things that keep us geeks going. Like how a beautifully designed iPhone app finally got me to stick to a diet. Who knew pretty pixels were the key to my weight loss motivation?Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/2009-design-predictions/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2009/2009-design-predictions/Surprise me this year. Throw out the speculators and rumor mills, break out of that shell and try something new. Oh, and you'll be seeing those eggrolls soon, much to the delight of certain addicts.Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/2009-bring-it/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/2009-bring-it/2008 was a year of setting the stage, and now it's time for the curtain to rise on 2009. Bring on the challenges, the triumphs, and everything in between—I'm ready for all of it.Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/archive-for-the-holidays/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/archive-for-the-holidays/It's that time of year again! I've wrapped up 13 Photoshop files filled with over 425MB of unused designs and experiments as a holiday gift to you all. Go grab the 2008 archive and spread some holiday cheer. :)Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-first-30-days/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-first-30-days/The first 30 days of Revyver have been a whirlwind of product development, recognition for the Addictionary, and hacking away at our first project, Hello! Ranking. It's been an exciting—and at times frightening—journey stepping into new roles and seeing big ideas start to materialize.Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/revyver-to-be-acquired/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/revyver-to-be-acquired/Revyver is joining forces with SpectrumDNA and we couldn't be more thrilled! Although we'll become a "label" of Spectrum, Revyver will stay Revyver - with some awesome new things in store.Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/change-and-withdrawal/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/change-and-withdrawal/After 21 months of one of the most beautiful campaigns in our country's history, the person I wanted for President has been elected. As a designer, I can't help but feel a bit empty—Obama's campaign has inspired countless designers with its strong identity, and I will miss it.Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-internet-revolution/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-internet-revolution/In honor of Google's 10th birthday, they've released an archive of their earliest index from 2001, and it's a hilarious blast from the past. I dug up an article I wrote back then as an FBLA officer, and let's just say it's chock-full of buzzwords that'll make you giggle.Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/belated-eighth/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/belated-eighth/Eight years and counting, Avalonstar has been through its own rises and falls. But as I look back on this cyclical journey, I realize it's not about being that next great blog—it's about creating work that shines, backed by the person behind it.Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/twenty-twenty-two/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/twenty-twenty-two/HTML5 is coming... in 2022? I'm still laughing at this proposed timeline. I want to hear your raw thoughts on whether the internet will even matter by the time HTML5 is a real thing.Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-web-framework-for-ponies/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-web-framework-for-ponies/So the Django Pony wasn't just a figment of our imagination--it's real! After Cal Henderson's DjangoCon keynote on why Django needs an awesome mascot with magical powers, I couldn't help but oblige.Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/smashed-into-apathy/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/smashed-into-apathy/The super blogs may be super, but they're also super intimidating. It's hard to get motivated when the big guys are doing it better, faster, and with more gusto.Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/gotta-catch-em-all/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/gotta-catch-em-all/Google Chrome's logo is curiously familiar to any Pokémon fan. Is it just a coincidence or has Google's design team been playing too much Pokémon Blue Version?Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/i-failed-at-freelancing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/i-failed-at-freelancing/I failed at freelancing and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's time for some real talk about who I am, what I learned, and the people who are still fighting the good fight.Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-addictionary/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-addictionary/Six weeks of ups, downs, and a bright path ahead thanks to SpectrumDNA's "Addictionary," a social dictionary engine that challenged me in ways I couldn't have predicted.Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/mobile-assimilation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/mobile-assimilation/After a month of fumbling with task management apps, I think I've finally found one that fits into my workflow. It only took a change of platform and a little perseverance.Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/my-3g-day-in-pictures/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/my-3g-day-in-pictures/Yesterday brought out a flurry of emotions, but at the end of it all, I got my iPhone 3G. Rather than drone on about it, why not check out the pictures that chronicle the day's events?Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/a-widget-apart/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/a-widget-apart/Widgets have always alluded me, but now I'm forced to come to terms with their existence. I need your help in understanding the hows, the whys and the whats of these little gremlins that seem to be taking over the web.Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/can-haz-assimilation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/can-haz-assimilation/Assimilation is hard, yo. I'm trying to figure out why it's so damn difficult for me to incorporate new things into my routine - maybe you can shed some light on your own experiences?Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/birthdays-and-test-tubes/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/birthdays-and-test-tubes/After a few weeks of motivation, I'm proud to introduce Revyver Labs, a new home for all my released works. It's donation-supported to help animals, and comes with a fresh redesign of Revyver too.Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-story-and-state-of-revyver/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-story-and-state-of-revyver/As Revyver turns two, join me as I take an honest look back at the journey that got us here - from a high school dream to the realities of starting a design firm. It's storytime mixed with a healthy dose of self-reflection.Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/revyver-week/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/revyver-week/It's Revyver's second birthday and we're celebrating with a week of posts about the company's interesting shift in direction. I'll share the story behind the changes, explain a diagram, and throw in a surprise - it should be a fun week!Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/r20/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/r20/Memories of the Blue Bomber come rushing back as I geek out over the R20 artbook, a gorgeous collection spanning Rockman's history. From classic 8-bit battles to X and Zero's 16-bit adventures, this series never fails to leave me giddy.Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-drafting-hand/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-drafting-hand/Dan Rubin's Dot Grid Book caught my eye at WebVisions, and in this pair of sped-up videos, I give it a go for the first time—attempting to create a legend and wireframe a new site. Grab your rulers and watch me take a crack at old-school drafting.Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/weather-center-live/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/weather-center-live/In a blast from the past, take a look at some highlights from my stint as Bridgewater-Raritan High School's resident meteorologist. Complete with suit, tie and surprisingly accurate predictions that put the local news to shame.Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/spring-cleaning/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/spring-cleaning/After a whirlwind of travel, it's time for some much-needed spring cleaning—both in the house and on the web. Time to tackle those projects I've been meaning to get to and hopefully bring some fresh air to Avalonstar.Wed, 28 May 2008 18:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/blogging-visually/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/blogging-visually/Tired of my atrocious writing habits and run-on sentences? I'm mixing things up with a new way to express myself visually rather than subjecting you to more of my grammatical shortcomings. ScreenFlow and Keynote, don't fail me now.Mon, 05 May 2008 23:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/django-plugables/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/django-plugables/The story of how I built Django Plugables in 5 days to scratch my own itch. Trying to keep all my Django apps up-to-date was pissing me off, so I opened up TextMate and started coding my own solution.Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/with-one-wish/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/with-one-wish/If you could have one HTML5/CSS3 property or attribute added into every modern browser today, what would it be? I'll play it clean and only state one—text-shadow, because all the bitmap elements have drop shadows, so why shouldn't the text?Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/pixel-prostitution/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/pixel-prostitution/When a client takes your design and "reworks it," how do you handle becoming their pixel prostitute? I didn't have the backbone to stand up for myself, but you can learn from my mistakes.Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/obsessive-os-rearranging/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/obsessive-os-rearranging/Every time I reinstall OS X, my workflow and application choices seem to change. Am I the only one with this obsessive compulsive reformatting disorder, or are there others out there in the same boat?Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/sidebar-creative-year-two/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/sidebar-creative-year-two/It's been one hell of a year for Sidebar Creative. Four friends came together on Skype with a dream, and we've taken that dream further than we ever thought possible.Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/bash-ing-my-birthday/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/bash-ing-my-birthday/It's my birthday, but instead of boring you with the details, here's a little bash script that'll save you the hassle of remembering all those extraction commands. Drop this in your `.bash_profile` and thank me later!Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-design-distortion/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-design-distortion/A rare glimpse into the design process behind Distortion. Join me for a casual 30-minute walkthrough filled with kitties hissing, sirens and my usual tangents.Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-message-is-distorted/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2008/the-message-is-distorted/After 7 years, 5 months and 23 days, I'm back with a vengeance and a brand new design I call "Distortion." I'll tell you straight up - the last version of Avalonstar was a copout, but this time around, I've poured my heart and soul into creating something I can truly be proud of.Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/leaving-silicon-for-seattle/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/leaving-silicon-for-seattle/After 72 hours of non-stop apartment hunting, Team Revyver is packing up and moving from Silicon Valley to Seattle. Jen's switching gears to study Japanese Linguistics at UW, so we're trading the Valley for the Emerald City--exciting times ahead!Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/final-fantasy-san-francisco/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/final-fantasy-san-francisco/Today, Jen and I braved traffic and crowds to check out the Final Fantasy 20th anniversary event at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco. It ended up being more of a money grab than a celebration, but hey, we're blind fans - we had to see what the crystal hooha was all about.Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/revyver-grows-by-one/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/revyver-grows-by-one/Revyver grows in more ways than one as my fiancé Jen officially joins me in building our budding company. With new projects on the horizon and an exciting road ahead, two is definitely better than one.Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/my-addiction-to-rearranging/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/my-addiction-to-rearranging/I can't seem to stop rearranging my desk and cords whenever I need a break from the stresses of life. It's an addiction that parallels my constant desire to redesign Avalonstar.Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-subject-of-relevance/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-subject-of-relevance/The relevance of our words and how they stand the test of time. A reflection on whether our blogs accurately represent our current state of mind as we grow and change.Thu, 31 May 2007 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-love-money-relationship/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-love-money-relationship/Reflecting on the relationship between work and love, and how my winding path led me to an unlikely job at Facebook. It's funny how things work out sometimes, but I'm learning to appreciate the journey.Fri, 11 May 2007 19:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/an-overview-of-sxsw-2007/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/an-overview-of-sxsw-2007/After an epic 2,500 mile road trip filled with deserts, outlet malls and speeding tickets, I finally made it to Austin for SXSW 2007. Here's my take on the awesome conference that once again changed my outlook for the coming year.Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-success-that-was-abx/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-success-that-was-abx/In true Avalonstar fashion, the second annual ABX event went off without a hitch--despite the potential roadblocks that popped up along the way. From sponsorship issues to transportation woes, this year's bowling extravaganza tested our planning skills, but with some quick thinking and a lot of help, we pulled off a night that exceeded all expectations.Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/my-j-music-obsession/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/my-j-music-obsession/Let me take you on a journey through my recent obsession with Japanese music, from its origins in my anime and gaming addictions to the next level of immersion thanks to Jen. If you're up for a trip inside my head, keep reading!Sat, 03 Mar 2007 21:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/perceived-inferiority/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/perceived-inferiority/Four years and a lifetime of changes later, Jenni and I celebrate our anniversary with a trip down memory lane at Uno's. It's amazing how much one person can impact your life without even trying.Sun, 25 Feb 2007 22:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-2006-archive/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-2006-archive/78 megabytes of design goodies from the past year, packed into one download - the 2006 Archive is here. Grab it now and take a peek into the bits and pieces of my work that never saw the light of day.Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-road-to-sxsw/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-road-to-sxsw/The road to SXSW is a long one, especially when you're a small-time player like me. But with a trusty Mazda, a significant other, and a burning desire to prove myself, I'm ready to take on the 2007 festivities head-on - kitty logistics and scary public speaking be damned.Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-return-of-chaoticsoul/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/the-return-of-chaoticsoul/The ChaoticSoul theme is back and better than ever - now with widget support and a custom header system to work flawlessly with WordPress 2.1. I never imagined it would come this far since releasing it 10 months ago, but seeing it become the 4th most popular theme on WordPress.com has been an amazing surprise.Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/say-hello-to-sidebar/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/say-hello-to-sidebar/After much anticipation, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of Sidebar Creative along with some of my closest friends in the industry. We're ready to take on any challenge you throw at us, so bring it on!Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-slight-step-back/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-slight-step-back/After months of setbacks and overwhelming challenges, Avalonstar's long-awaited redesign has been put on hold as I step back to rethink my approach and hopefully find the determination to give this site the revamp it truly deserves.Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-kitty-break/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/a-kitty-break/A quick break from the serious to share two of my favorite photos of Willow and Ravyn, my first two bundles of joy. It's amazing how much these little creatures impact our lives - I do what I do for them as much as anything else.Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/file-re-organization/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2007/file-re-organization/It's that time of year again - time to buckle down and get my files in order. But with so many projects and an increasingly entropic nature, deciding on the perfect directory structure is proving to be a challenge.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-2006-retrospect/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-2006-retrospect/Looking back at the year that was, 2006 brought me many opportunities and experiences that changed my life. From my "coming out party" at SXSW to facing my fears speaking at WebVisions and Webmaster Jam Session, I grew more than I could have imagined.Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/halfway-there/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/halfway-there/Two weeks into my self-imposed redesign challenge, I'm taking the time to talk about the first stage - the mentality, the "why", and the wireframing process that began this journey to Avalonstar 23. It's been a mixed pot of emotions, but your feedback is keeping me going.Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-fit-of-absent-mindedness/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-fit-of-absent-mindedness/Absent-mindedness strikes again as I accidentally create a new drink sensation, Apple Mountain Dew. Just another day in the life of this silly, easily-embarrassed Asian child.Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/pressing-for-change/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/pressing-for-change/The journey continues as I part ways with Automattic and return to Revyver, questioning if entrepreneurship is my true calling after all. But before I go, I unveil my final work - mock-ups for the next major version of WordPress, fulfilling my promise to all of you.Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-top-dilemma/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-top-dilemma/The laptop or desktop debate rages on as I ponder my next big purchase. Will power or portability win out in the end?Wed, 06 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/corporate-responsibility/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/corporate-responsibility/When the big brands fail you, it's easy to lose faith. But with Media Temple, I'm willing to stick by them through the growing pains - because I believe in their service and commitment to making things right.Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/booo-hisss/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/booo-hisss/Wow, the haters are out in full force today! I come home to find my poor site under attack, all because I decided to redesign my personal playground. Apparently stripping things down means I'm lazy, jumping on bandwagons, and trying to torture my readers. o_O?!?Sun, 03 Dec 2006 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-swift-design-kick-in-the-ass/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-swift-design-kick-in-the-ass/Sometimes you just need a swift kick in the ass to get going. I'm stripping Avalonstar down to its skeleton so I'll be forced to make it better - stay tuned as the Aries Project evolves.Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/one-year-strong/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/one-year-strong/One year down with my Mazda RX-8 and it's been a hell of a ride. Let's look at the stats, the mods, and the sheer number of ricers I've destroyed - all worth every penny, even if it means four more years of payments!Sat, 25 Nov 2006 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/happy-halloween/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/happy-halloween/Happy Halloween everyone! In the quirky spirit of the holiday, I'm sharing a fascinatingly bizarre 10 minute music video from Japanese artist Tomoko Kawase (Tommy February6 & Tommy Heavenly6) - it's definitely worth checking out for a mix of J-pop, gothic lolita fashion, and Halloween fun.Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/design-protection/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/design-protection/When evil eyes lurk to reap what you've sewn, how much power do you have to protect your designs? As hard as it is to keep things unique in a world full of themes, we designers still fight the good fight.Wed, 04 Oct 2006 11:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/avalonstars-6th-birthday/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/avalonstars-6th-birthday/6 years of Avalonstar and I sit here, reflecting on how this place has given me more than most "friends" could have ever given. So many things in my life have changed because of this site, and I wonder what the next year will bring as I ponder the future.Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-long-way-home/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-long-way-home/Stuck in Corpus Christi on what should have been an hour trip to Houston. A storm, a reroute, and a fuel truck later, I'm wondering if Texas just doesn't want me to leave.Sat, 23 Sep 2006 20:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-jam-session/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-jam-session/The Jam Session has been an awesome, intimate event that's allowed me to mingle with so many people (while spoiling us speakers rotten). My first time really stepping on stage alone in ages, and although the nervousness was there, I was surprised at how quickly I blew through my material - guess I know what to do for next time!Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/symbolic-links/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/symbolic-links/Symbolic links have always baffled me - until now. Here's a simple way to use symlinks to maintain a single image directory across WordPress, bbPress and MediaWiki.Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/design-is/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/design-is/Another day, another meme! I couldn't resist having some fun with my own take on the "Design Is..." craze sweeping through the community - so here's my humorous spin, complete with nonsensical logos and a color swatch extravaganza. Enjoy the wallpapers and check out the other brilliant entries linked up!Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/for-those-wondering-about-bbpress/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/for-those-wondering-about-bbpress/Mike Adams joins team Automattic and goes to town on bbPress, pushing the version to 1.0-a. Get ready for a bunch of cosmetic changes over the next few months to the entire line of products - it should be fun. ;)Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/ads-make-me-feel-dirty/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/ads-make-me-feel-dirty/Ads and blogs together make me feel dirty, like there's some ulterior motive at play. Call me naive, but I refuse to give in to the temptation of making a quick buck at the expense of my content.Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/diary-of-a-linux-noob-part-2/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/diary-of-a-linux-noob-part-2/In the second part of my Linux noob chronicles, I dive deeper into the command line, learning to use vi, nano and screen while setting up a private game server. It's a bumpy but enlightening ride as this designer continues to navigate the uncharted waters of 'nix-land.Mon, 04 Sep 2006 08:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/its-quite-hard-to-explain/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/its-quite-hard-to-explain/Ever tried explaining what you do to a family member outside the industry? It's like trying to describe the color blue to a dog. But hey, such is life in our little niche of the web world.Sun, 20 Aug 2006 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-bit-oversimplistic/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-bit-oversimplistic/Boxes. Yeah, I'll do boxes. Witness the making of bryanveloso.com as I take you through my thought process of figuring out what to do with this domain that represents me.Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/you-have-a-few-million/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/you-have-a-few-million/Got an email from a random guy wanting to buy avalonstar.com. How much should I ask for, a few million?Mon, 07 Aug 2006 13:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-stark-contrast/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-stark-contrast/A stark contrast between my first weeks at Facebook and Automattic - 81.5 hour work weeks versus actually *seeing* San Francisco. Sometimes it matters that your audience knows who's behind the awesome things they're using.Sat, 05 Aug 2006 07:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/feelin-automattic/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/feelin-automattic/An opportunity I couldn't miss - joining the Automattic team as their eighth member to take a pro-active position in designing and developing the only blogging software I'd ever use. The journey starts once again, and it's going to be an awesome ride.Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/flickr-all-the-social-networking-i-need/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/flickr-all-the-social-networking-i-need/Social networking has become a staple of Web 2.0, but are complex networks really necessary? A look at how Flickr's simplicity provides all the networking I need.Fri, 28 Jul 2006 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/webvisions-2006-wrap-up/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/webvisions-2006-wrap-up/Recapping my second web conference experience at WebVisions, which despite some hiccups, proved to be a new favorite that rivaled SXSW. The journey there was an adventure in itself, but the real stories began once I arrived in Portland.Sun, 23 Jul 2006 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-new-101/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-new-101/A new episode of Live From the 101 drops along with a shiny new website. Two times the awesome for your Saturday.Sat, 08 Jul 2006 11:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-manila-folder-reminder-system/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-manila-folder-reminder-system/A simple blue folder became my unexpected savior in the battle against disorganization. Who knew such an unassuming office supply could help me conquer my to-do list and make me feel like an organizational superhero?Sun, 02 Jul 2006 23:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/revyver/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/revyver/Revyver is born, my new company that embodies the revival of my entrepreneurial spirit. With an awesome logo by Anton Peck and a fresh design that showcases my versatility, the floodgates are now open as I move beyond just being a design company.Sat, 01 Jul 2006 08:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/rotorfest-2006/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/rotorfest-2006/Took part in my first car meet with some great company - an unforgettable experience seeing what people can do with their rotary-powered rides. Pictures tell the story better than I ever could.Sat, 24 Jun 2006 20:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/10000-miles/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/10000-miles/Hit 10,000 miles on the RX-8 today and it's been a blast every mile of the way. Here's a look back at some fun stats over the first 175 days of pure driving enjoyment.Sat, 17 Jun 2006 22:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/racing-beat-heaven/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/racing-beat-heaven/Took a trip down to Racing Beat's headquarters in Anaheim to pick up some new toys for my RX-8. The install took a few hours, but I think the pictures will tell the story better than I can.Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/logos-of-times-gone-by/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/logos-of-times-gone-by/Take a trip down memory lane with me as I unearth a treasure trove of logos from my past. From the birth of the Avalonstar phoenix to some forgotten gems, these blasts from the past showcase my love for logo design back in the day.Sat, 17 Jun 2006 07:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/flock-gets-a-makeover/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/flock-gets-a-makeover/Flock gets a makeover and yours truly had the privilege of being a part of it. I threw myself into the fire to deliver a redesign that could effectively reflect the awesomeness that is Flock.Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/godaddy-made-me-eat-my-words/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/godaddy-made-me-eat-my-words/After three squatters and a backorder, I finally got my hands on bryanveloso.com. I may have looked like a fool, but I've got something up my sleeve for this domain - you'll see. ^_^Wed, 07 Jun 2006 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/godaddy-backordering-sucks-ass/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/godaddy-backordering-sucks-ass/GoDaddy can't grab my domain and I'm out $19. What the hell am I paying them for if "sorry, we were too slow" is all I get? Screw you GoDaddy, I want my money back.Fri, 02 Jun 2006 09:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-new-online-identity/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-new-online-identity/The internet has changed the game when it comes to our identities. I dive into the concept of "information flow" and how sites like LinkedIn are becoming the new resume - allowing us to share relevant pieces of ourselves in a way that just works.Thu, 01 Jun 2006 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/fashionable-mail-icons/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/fashionable-mail-icons/Tired of your boring Mail.app icons? Break out your favorite icon set and let's get customizing! A quick tutorial on how to bring some style to your inbox.Mon, 29 May 2006 11:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/faceoff/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/faceoff/After 10 amazing months at Facebook, I'm moving on to flex my entrepreneurial muscles and revive my passion for this industry. It's time to give Avalonstar the love it deserves, get a podcast co-host, and embark on one hell of a ride - you ready?Wed, 24 May 2006 21:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/updates-or-lack-thereof/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/updates-or-lack-thereof/Just a quick update while I'm working on sprucing up the place. I'll be tackling some neglected things over the next few days, so feel free to drop me a line and say "hi" in the meantime.Tue, 23 May 2006 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/this-is-not-a-wordpress-theme/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/this-is-not-a-wordpress-theme/Bryan rants about people expecting his site designs to become free WordPress themes, and shares a conversation with Kyle Neath on the difference between a design and a template.Wed, 17 May 2006 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/diary-of-a-linux-noob-part-1/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/diary-of-a-linux-noob-part-1/Parallels and my new MacBook Pro have opened the door to the world of Linux for this long-time Windows user. Join me as I stumble through my first attempts at using the command line and building from source - will I ever get the hang of this?Wed, 10 May 2006 16:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/never-talk-to-techies-about-consoles/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/never-talk-to-techies-about-consoles/Never bring up consoles around techies, especially during E3 week, or you'll be bombarded with hardware stats and fanboy arguments that'll make you want to throw a pipe bomb at the group.Tue, 09 May 2006 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/am-i-condemning-myself/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/am-i-condemning-myself/A friend of mine was recently fired from her summer internship before she even started - all because of what she wrote on her personal blog. It's a familiar story, but it still leaves me with a feeling of anger. Have we really reached the point where we're condemning ourselves with our own online words?Sat, 06 May 2006 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/thats-1000-companies-to-you-mister/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/thats-1000-companies-to-you-mister/Facebook just got a whole lot bigger, supporting over 1,000 work networks now. Big ups to Matt for making the new page look sweet - I guess my design chops are getting a little rusty.Wed, 03 May 2006 08:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/say-hello-to-aries/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/say-hello-to-aries/After months of planning and sleepless nights, Avalonstar v22 - the Aries Project - is finally live! With a new dark color scheme, a real sidebar, and graced by Azumanga Daioh, I've redesigned this place to better express who I am.Sun, 30 Apr 2006 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/saying-goodbye/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/saying-goodbye/It's time to bid farewell to a design that's been a part of me for so long. Join me in saying goodbye to versions 20 and 21 of Avalonstar as I prepare to unveil the next evolution in less than 24 hours.Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-terror-of-feed-readers/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-terror-of-feed-readers/I've given up on feed readers completely. Crazy? Maybe, but it's freed up more time for me to focus on the blogs that really matter.Tue, 18 Apr 2006 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/where-was-i/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/where-was-i/A trip down memory lane as I reminisce about my life 10 and 5 years ago, from my shy middle school days to being an accomplished high school senior on the brink of graduation. It's funny how much has changed, and how much I've grown.Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/my-rules-for-commenting/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/my-rules-for-commenting/If you want to comment on this site, you better follow my rules. I love the discussion, but there's nothing worse than someone ruining it by being completely off-topic or idiotic.Mon, 10 Apr 2006 19:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/funny-what-the-sun-can-do/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/funny-what-the-sun-can-do/The sun finally showed itself today, and I took full advantage of it to break out of my mental funk. It's amazing what a little physical activity and a change of scenery can do to recharge the creative batteries.Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/treehoused/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/treehoused/Met the guys behind ParticleTree, Treehouse Magazine and Wufoo last night - great food and even better conversation. Oh, and they interviewed me for their latest issue of Treehouse, so check it out!Tue, 04 Apr 2006 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/23/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/23/Turning 23 may seem mediocre, but I'm welcoming it with open arms as my life has already changed so much this year - more conferences, people, websites and projects to come.Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/how-to-make-lumpia/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/how-to-make-lumpia/Lumpia is more than just a Filipino appetizer, it's a delicious tradition. I share a recipe graciously borrowed from Chef Andy Pforzheimer, but let's be real - my mom's lumpia reigns supreme.Sat, 01 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/wishing-for-a-wash/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/wishing-for-a-wash/The rain seems to have it out for my car, striking every time I think about getting a wash. I'm not the only one who wakes up to water spots in the morning, but sometimes I wonder if I'm being a little too obsessive about keeping the oxidation at bay.Fri, 31 Mar 2006 16:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/my-rules-for-ims/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/my-rules-for-ims/Here are a few "rules" I've developed over the years to keep my sanity while instant messaging. Break them and you may incur the wrath of o_O, my favorite emoticon that can mean anything from "WTF?" to "Oh no she didn't."Tue, 28 Mar 2006 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/introducing-chaoticsoul/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/introducing-chaoticsoul/It's time to get nostalgic! I'm bringing back one of my favorite designs, ChaoticSoul, but this time as a WordPress theme for all of you to play with - bugs and all.Tue, 21 Mar 2006 22:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-vanity-plate-bit/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-vanity-plate-bit/I need your help deciding on a vanity plate for my new RX-8. I'm indecisive as always, so I'm looking to you wonderful creatives for suggestions on the perfect seven characters to grace my ride.Sun, 19 Mar 2006 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-one-with-the-speech/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-one-with-the-speech/After an amazing experience at SXSW, I look back at my less-than-stellar acceptance speech for winning best blog. Here's what I wish I would have said at that special moment.Wed, 15 Mar 2006 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/anticipation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/anticipation/Anticipation abounds as I gear up for an epic bowling showdown at SXSW alongside web design legends, promising an unforgettable night of friendly competition and web geek camaraderie.Tue, 07 Mar 2006 22:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/quotations/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/quotations/A look back at some of my original quotations from the avalonstar.net days, little phrases that came to mind during my college years.Sat, 04 Mar 2006 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/css-for-kittens/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/css-for-kittens/So I wrote a book about kittens and CSS. I know, it sounds crazy, but trust me, it'll be the best damn web design book you've ever read - and the only one co-authored by cats.Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/dont-take-our-word-for-it/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/dont-take-our-word-for-it/GM's new "see for yourself" ad campaign is a refreshing change of pace, asking buyers to think for themselves and check out the competition.Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/bringing-the-101-home/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/bringing-the-101-home/Saying goodbye to Odeo and hello to a new home for "The 101," my weekly carcast that's ready for a fresh start—and I want to hear from you! Let me know what subjects or people you'd like me to rant about as I bring this baby back to life.Wed, 08 Feb 2006 20:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/tigers-and-twenty-birthday-wishes/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/tigers-and-twenty-birthday-wishes/Yesterday was Jenni's 20th birthday, and we celebrated it with a memorable trip to the Minnesota Zoo - home to an amazing tiger lair where you can come within inches of these majestic felines.Mon, 06 Feb 2006 21:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/blogging-isnt-a-minute-gig/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/blogging-isnt-a-minute-gig/It's not as easy as it used to be - blogging isn't just a "sit down and write" sort of thing anymore. With so much to consider and the time it takes to really craft a post, you start to see that blogging is one time-consuming activity.Sun, 05 Feb 2006 06:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/sxswi-web-award-finalist/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/sxswi-web-award-finalist/Just got word from the SXSWi crew that Avalonstar is a finalist in the Best Blog category! Up against some awesome competition, but it's an honor just to be in the top five. Wish us all luck!Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/thrifty-enterprise-and-the-under-25-crowd/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/thrifty-enterprise-and-the-under-25-crowd/Renting a car under 25 can be a total pain in the ass. I'll tell you about my experiences with Enterprise and Thrifty, and how much it ended up costing me just because I was a few years shy of the magic number.Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-governments-common-sense-flag/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-governments-common-sense-flag/Holy crap, the government did something right for once! A senator actually used common sense to question the broadcast flag mandate, and the RIAA lost their cool when they found out he owned an iPod. Imagine that!Fri, 27 Jan 2006 14:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-rotary-bit/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-rotary-bit/After months of research and indecision, I've finally settled on my new ride - a 2005 Titanium Gray Mazda RX-8. This beauty packs 238 bhp under the hood and goes from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds, all while avoiding the typical rice rocket look.Thu, 26 Jan 2006 18:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/welcome-back-ddr/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/welcome-back-ddr/After a five year hiatus, Dance Dance Revolution is back in the arcades and I couldn't be more excited. DDR has been a huge part of my life, from being the first connection with my fiancé to one of the first games I was ever good at, so I'm beside myself with anticipation for DDR SuperNOVA.Wed, 25 Jan 2006 17:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/tagged-to-the-fourth/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/tagged-to-the-fourth/Four jobs, four movies, four places... four of everything. Paul tagged me and now I'm spilling the beans about myself in this little meme. I'll be back to my regular scheduled programming tomorrow, but for now, learn a little more about the man behind the blog.Sun, 22 Jan 2006 21:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/evolution/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/evolution/Looking back at my old LiveJournal, I'm amazed at how much my writing has evolved over the years. It's embarrassing, intriguing and a reminder of how we mature and change with time and purpose.Fri, 20 Jan 2006 11:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-change-of-pace/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/a-change-of-pace/The Aries Project begins - a pioneering change of pace for this site and for me. I'm going in blind, but determined to create something that's a true compilation of everything I stand for.Fri, 13 Jan 2006 07:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/peace-officers/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/peace-officers/Since when did we start calling the men of the law "peace officers"? I wonder why I get an eerie feeling when I say it, not that I don't respect the police.Tue, 10 Jan 2006 21:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/google-pack-the-play/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/google-pack-the-play/Google released their Pack software, but it's only for Windows? Bryan visits the Google campus to confront them about the lack of Mac support, only to be clubbed in the face. Classic Google.Fri, 06 Jan 2006 23:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-2005-archive/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/the-2005-archive/It's 2006 and I'm feeling generous! Grab my 2005 archive - 85.2MB of unfinished sites, logos, brochures, and Photoshop madness. Spread the word and kill my bandwidth, but don't do anything stupid!Fri, 06 Jan 2006 11:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/user-created-competition/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/user-created-competition/Users love to pit products against each other in imaginary battles, even when the companies themselves aren't trying to compete. It's an interesting aspect of human nature that we can't seem to let things just coexist without turning it into some kind of competition.Wed, 04 Jan 2006 21:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/getting-real-and-getting-real/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2006/getting-real-and-getting-real/Another year, another clean slate - or is it? 2006 is upon us, but before we start making predictions, let's take a hard look at the bullshit we're leaving behind and get real about the change that needs to start from within.Tue, 03 Jan 2006 11:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/looking-ahead-to-2006/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/looking-ahead-to-2006/As 2005 comes to a close, I reflect on the triumphs and challenges of an incredible year, and look ahead to the changes and opportunities that 2006 will bring for Jenni and I, Avalonstar, and my new role at Facebook.Sat, 31 Dec 2005 00:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/better-to-give/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/better-to-give/The holidays are a time of joy and stress, but this year was special as I focused more on the happiness of giving than receiving. I wish you all happy holidays and hope you keep the spirit alive, as I head back to San Jose with a lot on my mind.Sun, 25 Dec 2005 13:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/how-to-fill-out-a-w-4/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/how-to-fill-out-a-w-4/Your favorite tax schedule, the W-4, has been a mystery for far too long. I'm going to break it down and show you how to fill it out right, so you can get the most out of your paycheck without owing Uncle Sam big time.Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-aries-project/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-aries-project/Secrets, secrets are no fun. I've got something brewing behind the scenes for 2006, but you'll have to wait and see what it is. Let the speculation begin!Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/fantasy-and-the-epic-battle/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/fantasy-and-the-epic-battle/Swords, spears, mythical creatures, knights and epic battles - I love it all. I'm not your average "geek" and frankly, I've grown apathetic to talking about web development all the time; there's so much more to me, and to all of us, than redecorating the same thing over and over again.Sat, 10 Dec 2005 22:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/tis-the-season-to-take-it-easy/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/tis-the-season-to-take-it-easy/It's the most wonderful time of the year - full of slack, food and cool things. But step into any store and it's an utter mess of selfish, impatient people bitching their way to good tidings.Sun, 04 Dec 2005 07:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/spreading-the-knowledge/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/spreading-the-knowledge/Spreading the knowledge shouldn't be confined to the internet. I take a break from the world of blogging to show a fellow learner the ropes at a bookstore, and come out smiling.Tue, 22 Nov 2005 23:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-xbox-360-best-buy-fiasco/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-xbox-360-best-buy-fiasco/Jen and I are camping out at Best Buy for the Xbox 360 launch, but things just got interesting when they told us we have to buy expensive bundles. Looks like it'll be a long night filled with tough decisions.Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/my-buddy-list-is-sacred/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/my-buddy-list-is-sacred/AOL, you've messed with the wrong buddy list. Touch my sacred AIM friends again and you'll have to answer to my wrath.Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/google-analytics-the-play/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/google-analytics-the-play/Google Analytics is a sea urchin that stinks up the place and doesn't do shit. After waiting for days and getting no stats, I chucked the damn thing at Google's empty campus - maybe they can have it for lunch when they get back.Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/live-from-the-101/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/live-from-the-101/Hell has frozen over, because I finally caved and started podcasting. Come join me on my daily drives and listen to me ramble about random crap like ramen - bleeding ears not included!Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/short-blog-posts/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/short-blog-posts/I have a confession to make - I can't write short blog posts to save my life. I dive into the dilemma of short versus long posts and ponder if there's a stigma against long ones boring the reader.Wed, 09 Nov 2005 07:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/defineavalonstar/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/defineavalonstar/Ever wonder how I came up with the name "Avalonstar"? Well, it's not as heroic or mythological as you might think. Join me as I dive into the not-so-thrilling origins of my online moniker and set the record straight on its proper spelling.Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/extending-your-reach/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/extending-your-reach/How can you extend your site's reach and get more people to see it? Let's talk about "reach" - what it means, how to build it from the beginning, and what you can do to put those metaphorical arms out and draw more people in.Sat, 05 Nov 2005 13:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/hype-the-business-model/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/hype-the-business-model/Hype is a double-edged sword that can make or break you. Just like on "The Apprentice", people who talk big but fail to deliver get the boot, while the true winners let their skills do the talking.Wed, 02 Nov 2005 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-2004-archive/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-2004-archive/In a rare move, I've decided to open the vault and share a treasure trove of my design work from 2004 - PSDs, AIs, and even a coded site - for your perusing pleasure. Grab the 20MB download and enjoy a glimpse into my creative process, but play nice with these relics of Avalonstar past.Wed, 02 Nov 2005 11:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/hello-reboot/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/hello-reboot/Avalonstar comes limping in 12 hours late with a half-finished reboot, but there's a method to the madness. With new features on the horizon like tagging, the swag shop and a few tricks up my sleeve, it's better to launch at 75% than not at all - even if it means you get to see the process unfold before your eyes.Tue, 01 Nov 2005 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/keep-the-change/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/keep-the-change/Bank of America's new "Keep the Change" program rounds up your debit card purchases and deposits the extra into your savings account, helping people like me who suck at saving. It's like an electronic coin jar that does the work for you, and they'll even match your savings for the first 3 months.Mon, 24 Oct 2005 20:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/5000000/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/5000000/Five million strong and growing, Facebook celebrated by throwing one hell of a party. Oh, and we launched this little thing called Facebook Photos - it's like Flickr, but Facebook-style.Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-love-my-readers/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-love-my-readers/Readers, you're the reason I do this day in and day out. You inspire me, keep me writing, and push me to be better. I'm lucky to have you, and I don't take that for granted.Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebooks-print-look/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebooks-print-look/A peek into the print side of my work - Facebook's new business cards. Pantone 661, 656 and black on 130-pound matte stock, designed to look just like a member's profile.Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-want-my-life-back/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-want-my-life-back/Browser bugs are the bane of my existence, sucking away precious days, weeks, even months of my life. It's time for browsers to stop screwing around and start following the specs - spare me from this hell and give me back my sanity.Thu, 13 Oct 2005 07:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/randomosity-reborn/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/randomosity-reborn/Random thoughts galore as I dive into a bit of everything—from Photoshop adventures to pondering del.icio.us integration, Halloween themes and bubble-bursting startups. My neurons are firing on all cylinders tonight.Mon, 10 Oct 2005 23:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-volume-rule/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-volume-rule/The blogosphere has a few unwritten rules, and one of them is that the more readers you have, the louder your voice becomes. It's a simple concept, but it's something that many people don't realize.Tue, 04 Oct 2005 08:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/winners-of-the-birthday-bash/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/winners-of-the-birthday-bash/After 26 entries and some tough decisions, the winners of my Birthday Bash contest have finally been chosen. Kyle, Phu and Mike - you guys rocked it hard, and I can't wait to see these bad boys in print.Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/a-place-we-call-home/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/a-place-we-call-home/After a whirlwind of post-college job searching and apartment hunting in Silicon Valley, Jen and I finally have a place to call home. It's been quite a journey, but we're excited to start this new chapter in our lives at the Avalon at Cahill Park in San Jose.Mon, 26 Sep 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/blogging-while-intoxicated/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/blogging-while-intoxicated/Drunk blogging from SoCal after my dad's 50th birthday party - flailing my arms, forcing cousins to dance, and failing at Halo 2. The aftermath is pretty, well, interesting to say the least.Sat, 24 Sep 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-evils-of-reblogging/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-evils-of-reblogging/In a world of ubiquitous reblogging, I take a stand against the unoriginal and unskilled, arguing that constant reblogging deteriorates a blog's quality and imploring readers not to become brainless, soulless rebloggers.Wed, 21 Sep 2005 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-met-internet-people/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/i-met-internet-people/The world of online friendships and "geek gatherings" collide as I throw myself into the fray, attending events like the Blog Business Summit and Flickr Fiesta. Join me as I navigate the quirky social dynamics and ponder the intricacies of meeting internet people in the flesh.Tue, 20 Sep 2005 08:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/ripping-apart-linkedin/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/ripping-apart-linkedin/So I decided to rip apart LinkedIn's design for an interview - here's what I came up with. It makes you wonder what I could've done for them in the long run, eh?Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/advent-children/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/advent-children/The much-anticipated Final Fantasy VII sequel is here, and it's a CG movie that'll blow your mind. Advent Children brings back everything I dreamt of and more - the visuals are so unbelievably stunning that I almost couldn't believe my eyes.Wed, 14 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/reminiscing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/reminiscing/Reminiscing about the good ol' days with an old friend, thinking back on the highs and lows of my heyday in the web design world. My, how times have changed.Sun, 11 Sep 2005 16:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/chair-throwing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/chair-throwing/Steve Ballmer's chair-throwing, profanity-laced tirade against Google is not only unprofessional, it's a disgrace to respectable CEOs everywhere. As an aspiring business leader, Ballmer exemplifies exactly the kind of hotheaded, arrogant behavior I hope to avoid.Wed, 07 Sep 2005 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/mint-mentos/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/mint-mentos/Mint 1.0 is out, and I'm digging into this refreshing new stats package despite a few hiccups. It's slick, sexy and goes great with my other new toys - move over Mentos, Mint is my new candy of choice.Mon, 05 Sep 2005 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/monster-is-dead/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/monster-is-dead/Monster is dead, so don't bother wasting your time there. Take it from me—I've been down that road, and it's a dead end. If you're serious about finding a job, LinkedIn is where it's at.Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars-finale/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars-finale/After a week of switching to full-text RSS feeds, I've noticed some interesting changes in reader behavior. It's a catch-22: full-text may encourage more reading, but seems to discourage the commenting and discussion I'm after.Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebook-high/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebook-high/High schools, watch out! Facebook is coming your way and it's time to start bugging your friends to get in on the action. I'm betting we'll hit a million high school users in no time - come on Bridgewater, represent!Fri, 02 Sep 2005 09:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars-reprise/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars-reprise/After much deliberation, I've decided to switch to full RSS feeds as an experiment. We'll see if it impacts commenting levels, but at the end of the day, I want you to read my content - whether it's here or in your aggregator.Sat, 27 Aug 2005 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/a-friendly-contest-reminder/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/a-friendly-contest-reminder/Just a friendly reminder that there's less than a month left in the Avalonstar contest! $300 worth of pretty much anything is up for grabs, so put those thinking caps on and send me your best t-shirt designs.Fri, 26 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebooks-colophon/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/facebooks-colophon/After 94 hours of coding, debugging and testing, Facebook's facelift is finally complete. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like the rush of launching a site with 14 other people at 2 AM - it's a balance of pressure and excitement that can't be replicated.Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rss-the-length-wars/With the dust settling, I took a gander at my RSS feeds and pondered the age-old question: to go long or short? So I'm posing the question to you, dear readers - what's your take on the great RSS length debate?Mon, 22 Aug 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-end-of-week-1/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-end-of-week-1/I survived my first week working for Facebook, clocking in a whopping 81.5 hours in 7 days. My biological clock is busted and Internet Explorer is the bane of my existence, but I'm excited to be a part of the upcoming release tonight.Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/fog/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/fog/Fog is hyped, but is it all it's cracked up to be? I take a look at the darker side of this natural phenomenon and why, after living in the Bay Area, I've grown to hate it.Sun, 21 Aug 2005 01:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/coding-during-the-graveyard-shift/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/coding-during-the-graveyard-shift/Coding until the crack of dawn takes its toll on the body and mind, but with a few tricks up my sleeve, I managed to survive the graveyard shift. From late night munchies to anime tunes, here's a glimpse into my 60+ hour coding frenzy.Fri, 19 Aug 2005 10:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-first-48-hours/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-first-48-hours/The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind of coding, learning and adapting to a new job - from getting a crash course in UNIX to navigating proprietary template systems. It's been quite the experience diving headfirst into the trenches, and I've still got a ways to go.Tue, 16 Aug 2005 23:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/wayback-follies/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/wayback-follies/The Wayback Machine fails me once again in my quest to preserve Avalonstar's history, leaving gaping holes in my archives thanks to its shoddy crawling. Looks like I'll be crying over lost designs for a little while longer.Sun, 14 Aug 2005 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/avalonstars-5th-birthday-bash/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/avalonstars-5th-birthday-bash/It's Avalonstar's 5th birthday and we're celebrating in style! I'm giving back to all of you who have supported me over the years with the "T-Shirt Contest of Doom" - 14 prize packages are up for grabs, so start designing and may the best shirt win!Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/good-night-peter-jennings/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/good-night-peter-jennings/After growing up watching Peter Jennings every night, his passing hits me harder than any other celebrity. He was the voice that guided me through everything from the Gulf War to 9/11, and I'll miss his captivating presence on World News Tonight.Mon, 08 Aug 2005 07:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/job-in-the-bag/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/job-in-the-bag/Woohoo! I've signed my life away to a little company called Facebook. Starting August 15th, I'll be their Interaction Designer and 2nd-in-command, brainstorming ideas and flexing my web standards skills. Here's to no longer being unemployed!Thu, 04 Aug 2005 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/wait-in-utter-anxiousness/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/wait-in-utter-anxiousness/Waiting for Monday morning has never been so nerve-wracking. With a few potential life-changing calls on the horizon, I've compiled some guidelines to help me (and maybe you) pick the right company to start the next chapter with.Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/kick-ass-and-take-names/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/kick-ass-and-take-names/Back from a whirlwind trip to San Jose, full of Apple Store visits, Google tours and quality time with friends. It was a jam-packed couple of days, but I'm happy to report it was a success!Sun, 31 Jul 2005 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/trying-again/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/trying-again/Tomorrow I'm flying out to the Bay Area to take my first real crack at turning my design hobby into a career. I've got a few prospects lined up, so keep your fingers crossed for me as I dive headfirst into this exciting new chapter.Tue, 26 Jul 2005 23:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/an-omen-of-death/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/an-omen-of-death/Got the best fortune cookie ever today - an empty bag with no cookie inside! I wonder what kind of omen this could be... maybe Buddha just didn't want me having a cookie.Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-mt-reprise/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-mt-reprise/The mystery of the Media Temple mailbox has been solved! After another trip to LA and some daytime sleuthing, I finally found their not-so-obvious offices.Thu, 21 Jul 2005 12:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/oh-crap-books/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/oh-crap-books/It's time for another round of "Bryan reads books once in a blue moon!" Thanks to Dave for tagging me with this meme, but man, it's like getting smacked with a baton. Let's dive into my embarrassingly small book collection and the few gems I've actually had time to read lately.Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/stylegala-and-semantics/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/stylegala-and-semantics/Stylegala put me on their site, and it got me thinking about the whole "semantics" issue in web design. Is there a balance between being totally semantic and still letting the design take a central role?Sat, 16 Jul 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/bryan-gets-a-call/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/bryan-gets-a-call/Well, it looks like my little investigation into (mt) has come to an end. After a very professional call from the powers that be, I've taken down the links and complied with their request - but don't worry, this isn't the last time I'll be putting on my gumshoe hat!Tue, 12 Jul 2005 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-mt-headquarters-mystery/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-mt-headquarters-mystery/The quest to find Media Temple's headquarters takes an unexpected turn as Bryan and Jen scour the streets of Santa Monica, only to discover something entirely different at the fated address.Tue, 12 Jul 2005 08:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/frantic-rush-to-the-finish/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/frantic-rush-to-the-finish/Slap me silly and call me AJAX, the 'ol 'roll is under attack! But it's a good attack, and even though the site's not 100% yet, I've got a lot in store for you in the coming days. \*laugh\* \*puke\*Mon, 11 Jul 2005 22:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/totally-screwing-with-myself/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/totally-screwing-with-myself/After having a much-needed epiphany, Avalonstar's back with a vengeance and a brand new design. Dry humor, actual content and new features are all on the horizon, so stay tuned while I dust this place off and get it back in order.Tue, 05 Jul 2005 22:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/back-to-square-one/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/back-to-square-one/Back in California and feeling like I'm at square one, but I'm determined to make the best of this necessary detour. The future's looking bright, and I'm hoping for a better outcome this time around.Thu, 30 Jun 2005 10:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/finally-some-progress/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/finally-some-progress/After a week of designer's block, I've finally settled on a new design for Avalonstar. It's still a work in progress, but I'm racing against time to get it done before moving back to California.Sat, 25 Jun 2005 16:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/drastic-change-in-priorities/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/drastic-change-in-priorities/Just when you thought I was set on Savannah, life threw me a curveball. Now Jen and I are back at square one, looking for a new place to call home and start the next chapter.Fri, 10 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/interviews-and-sightseeing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/interviews-and-sightseeing/Savannah's growing on me, but interviews are kicking my butt. I'm praying I made it through to the next step, because the more I explore this place, the more I want to be here.Wed, 08 Jun 2005 19:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/getting-there/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/getting-there/Jen and I are embarking on our next adventure - Destination: Savannah. I'm writing this from Atlanta as we make our way to our new home, where I'll be starting my career and Jen will begin her schooling in sequential art.Mon, 06 Jun 2005 08:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/day-one/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/day-one/The culmination of the last four years, the end of one chapter and the start of another. To the class of 2005, we did it - and I couldn't be happier to finally spread my wings and fly.Fri, 20 May 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/another-one-bites-the-dust/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/another-one-bites-the-dust/Three days before the big day and my brain's fried. The college countdown's dead, but I'm trying to resuscitate the site layout - we'll see how it goes when the procrastination wears off and the motivation kicks in.Wed, 18 May 2005 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/mmm-sith/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/mmm-sith/An early morning wake-up call for the final Star Wars prequel, Revenge of the Sith. I got a sneak peek thanks to my vegetable friend, and let me tell you, it's the best of the new trilogy hands down.Sun, 15 May 2005 04:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/staring-down-graduation/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/staring-down-graduation/Graduation is days away and I'm feeling a strange mix of emotions - burnt out, indecisive yet decisive, and scared of the impending life change. It's the closing of one chapter and the start of a new journey into adulthood, one where I'll have control over my own destiny.Sat, 14 May 2005 09:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/swot-ting-your-website/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/swot-ting-your-website/Applying a conventional business tool to an unconventional subject, let's break down the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that make or break your website. A SWOT analysis of a different kind.Tue, 05 Apr 2005 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-countdowns-on-hold/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-countdowns-on-hold/I'm putting the 100 things about me on a little hiatus while I focus on this last trimester of school. It's not you, it's me - and my goal of getting a 4.0 this term. But don't fret, this break will give me time to come up with an actual theme for this place and cook up some other projects. You know the drill - stay tuned.Tue, 15 Mar 2005 10:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/confused-much/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/confused-much/Took the "Commonly Confused Words Test" and was pretty surprised with my score. Who knew a math geek could handle the English language so well?Mon, 07 Mar 2005 21:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/children-of-the-sea/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/children-of-the-sea/A trip down memory lane as I reminisce about my cousins in the Philippines and the wonderful times we shared. Looking at this photo, I can't help but wonder where they are now and if they'd even remember me - but at least I'll always have this moment frozen in time.Sun, 06 Mar 2005 23:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/roommate-roundabout/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/roommate-roundabout/Roommates can be a mixed bag of personalities, quirks and experiences. Join me as I take a trip down memory lane to my freshman year of college and introduce you to the cast of characters I called "roommate."Sun, 06 Mar 2005 22:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/long-lost-cousin/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/long-lost-cousin/You'll never guess who I ran into on my design forum - a long lost cousin I never knew existed! It's a small world after all, and you won't believe the story of how we connected the family dots.Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/what-not-to-wear/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/what-not-to-wear/Inspired by TLC's "What Not to Wear", I've come to the realization that wearing clothes a size too big was a major fashion faux pas. After switching to better-fitting attire, I feel more comfortable and confident in how I look.Sun, 27 Feb 2005 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/jolly-green-bryan/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/jolly-green-bryan/Looks like I'm finally growing up and eating my vegetables, even if it took a bit of a reality check from my waistline. Trying to stick to the South Beach Diet and expand my horizons beyond just meat and junk food.Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/welcome-back-internet-bubble/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/welcome-back-internet-bubble/Jason Kottke has shaken up the blogosphere by quitting his job to blog full-time, and it's got me thinking. Is this a bold step into uncharted territory or a flashback to the misguided exuberance of the dot-com bubble?Fri, 25 Feb 2005 10:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/shamu/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/shamu/Reminiscing about a day of hyper hilarity and soaking wet adventures at SeaWorld San Diego with my cousin, sister and her boyfriend - from the Sky Ride screams to the Shipwreck Rapids overkill. Great times, great memories, great laughs all around.Tue, 22 Feb 2005 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/half-my-diet-is-chinese/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/half-my-diet-is-chinese/Half my diet is Chinese food and I'm not afraid to admit it. Take a glimpse into my college culinary adventures as I navigate the world of fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and the joys of having a Chinese restaurant just 250 feet from my house.Sun, 20 Feb 2005 16:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/crappy-chefs/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/crappy-chefs/Number 47 on the countdown is the unforgettable crap they called food at Johnson & Wales. It was so bad, it's forever etched in my memory and made me appreciate good eats a whole lot more.Fri, 18 Feb 2005 20:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/talking-outside-the-box/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/talking-outside-the-box/From trembling wreck to articulate speaker, I've come a long way in the past four years. It just goes to show that you never know how you'll change through the experiences you face - and being closed-minded about your abilities only makes you presumptuous.Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/tap-dancing/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/tap-dancing/Reflecting on my early college days when Dance Dance Revolution was still a foreign concept to most, and how a simple dorm room practice session turned into an impromptu performance for half my floor. Things sure have changed since then, but the stares haven't.Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/nineeleven/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/nineeleven/Recalling the tragic events of 9/11 and how I spent that day during my first year at Johnson & Wales University. It's a day that will forever be etched in my memory.Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-50-greatest-moments/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-50-greatest-moments/With 100 days left until graduation, join me as I count down the 50 greatest moments of the past four years - from the memories made at Johnson & Wales to the experiences had in Providence. It's sure to be a fun ride down memory lane.Wed, 09 Feb 2005 19:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/kitty-lickage/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/kitty-lickage/Our little Willow's been licking everything in sight lately, from walls to noses. It's a bit weird, but that's our girl - quite possibly the oddest feline to grace this Earth.Mon, 07 Feb 2005 17:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rain-snow-and-six-apart-buys-livejournal/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/rain-snow-and-six-apart-buys-livejournal/Rain and snow suck, but Six Apart buying LiveJournal? Now that's something to talk about. Mena Trott hit the nail on the head about the whole blogging community thing.Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-advent-of-2005/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2005/the-advent-of-2005/A new year brings new opportunities, and as we say goodbye to the old and hello to 2005, I hope that we can all find something to be happy about and someone to share it with. Don't throw your life away this year - value it, and value those around you.Sat, 01 Jan 2005 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/i-found-my-pony/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/i-found-my-pony/After test driving a 2005 Ford Mustang, I've found the car I want to buy after graduation. It's awesome, it's powerful, and I'm counting down the days until I can have my very own pony.Sat, 11 Dec 2004 06:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/the-firefox-family/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/the-firefox-family/My family has officially joined the Firefox revolution! With the help of my sister, her boyfriend and yours truly, my parents are now using Firefox as their daily driver. It's a good feeling knowing they're on board with the best the web has to offer.Sun, 28 Nov 2004 02:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/turkey-trip-time/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/turkey-trip-time/It's 3:30AM and I'm pulling an all-nighter, not for fun, but because I have a 7:55AM flight to California for a short Thanksgiving trip. Lots of news to share about Southwest Airlines, a rocky design presentation, and my latest trimester grades.Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/all-puffed-up/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/all-puffed-up/Two cuties from Japan with high voices have taken the states by storm with their new show on Cartoon Network. Check out "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" and explore the world of these rising stars.Fri, 19 Nov 2004 17:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/movabletragedy/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/movabletragedy/A few little things are bugging me today, from IE6's borked dotted borders to comment spam - but a kind mention of my old tagline shows that while the web changes fast, people sure take their time to catch up.Thu, 11 Nov 2004 14:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/in-the-big-scheme-of-things/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/in-the-big-scheme-of-things/Firefox 1.0 is out and aims to dethrone Internet Explorer, but the biggest challenge will be convincing the average user to switch - the soccer moms and retired grandfathers that make up a large chunk of the market share.Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/election-day/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/election-day/I finally got to vote in my first major election today. It felt good to do my part, but I couldn't help but wonder - why don't schools take the day off so everyone has a chance to vote?Tue, 02 Nov 2004 10:45:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/technology-overload/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/technology-overload/Technology is taking over my life as I eagerly await the arrival of my new iPod, router, and TiVo - giving me the power to avoid incompetent commercials and get lost in a world of digital entertainment.Fri, 29 Oct 2004 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/university-employment/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/university-employment/Examining the relationship between student and university, this post delves into the idea of being an "employee" of your school. JWU serves as an intriguing case study for how career-focused colleges must adapt to the needs of their true customers: the employers who eventually hire their graduates.Thu, 28 Oct 2004 15:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/my-ipod-is-chinese/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/my-ipod-is-chinese/Just when I thought my new iPod would be coming from somewhere in the US, I find out it's being shipped directly from Shanghai, China. The things you learn when you join the millions of iPod owners around the world!Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/getting-to-know-you/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/getting-to-know-you/Jen and I had a spectacular time seeing "The King and I" over the weekend, thanks to her winning a Nordstrom's sweepstakes. Sandy Duncan and Martin Vidnovic were amazing in this lively and humorous take on the classic musical.Mon, 25 Oct 2004 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/wow-updates/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/wow-updates/Updates galore! After diving into the MovableType manual, I've added some of my old writings to the site. I'm also looking for inspiration for my next article, so if you have any ideas or questions you'd like a second opinion on, let me know.Sat, 09 Oct 2004 23:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/community-woes/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/community-woes/Running an online community is like a quirky relationship that starts out heavenly but can turn into a living hell as people mature and grow fed up with each other, leaving you to keep the peace while not letting the drama cross into your offline life.Tue, 05 Oct 2004 16:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/talk-about-owned/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/talk-about-owned/Spam actually works - just ask the man who lost $300,000 to his Nigerian "friends." It's sad, but it proves that there's a sucker born every minute.Sun, 03 Oct 2004 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/browns-losing-it/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/browns-losing-it/UPS is dropping the ball and their reputation is paying the price. I'm losing faith in Big Brown - how can they expect us to sell their services when they keep screwing up?Fri, 24 Sep 2004 18:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/time-management/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/time-management/Balancing life is a juggling act. Between work, school and kittens, I'm still trying to master the art of time management and not losing my head in the process.Wed, 22 Sep 2004 18:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/style-playground/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/style-playground/A playground to further my CSS knowledge through the creation of different styles and "skins." Have any ideas you'd like me to try? Let me know and I'll see what I can whip up.Thu, 16 Sep 2004 09:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/compliance/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/compliance/Struggling to stay ahead of the web standards game as the community rapidly evolves. I'm left more confused than motivated, wondering how to make a meaningful contribution in this saturated space.Sat, 11 Sep 2004 15:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/trash-for-sale/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/trash-for-sale/Getting ready for a garage sale next weekend and realizing how much junk I have. Time to clear out the old to make room for some shiny new stuff from Ikea, even if it burns a hole in my wallet.Fri, 10 Sep 2004 10:15:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/normality/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/normality/Lately, I've been hit with a barrage of revelations that have left me reeling. Join me as I reflect on the overwhelming thoughts, emotions and lessons learned during this pivotal moment in my 16-year educational journey.Thu, 09 Sep 2004 18:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/disengaged-interview/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/disengaged-interview/An interview with yours truly on disengaged.org, where I discuss my journey into design, the power of art with a message, and the inspirations that keep me going. Dive in and get a glimpse inside my mind.Mon, 16 Feb 2004 21:52:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/power-of-the-message/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/power-of-the-message/The pursuit of power can blind us from the causes we originally stood for. Finding the balance between power and selflessness is key to making our voices heard without losing ourselves in the process.Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/escaping-designers-block/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2004/escaping-designers-block/Designer's block sucks, but you're not alone. I share some tips on how to overcome it based on my own experience and revelations.Wed, 27 Nov 2002 13:30:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/visually-infected-interview/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/visually-infected-interview/An exclusive look into the mind of a digital artist. Visually Infected spills the beans on his creative process, the tools of the trade, and the turning points that shaped his career.Tue, 12 Nov 2002 12:00:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/how-do-you-critique-art/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/how-do-you-critique-art/Have you ever looked deeper into a piece of art or design? I talk about how critiquing has changed for me and why the concept and meaning behind the work is just as important as the technical aspects.Wed, 16 Oct 2002 20:50:00 GMThttps://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/culture-and-design/https://avalonstar.com/blog/2002/culture-and-design/A reflection on how internet culture has evolved over the years, and how designers are often driven to chase the latest trends rather than develop their own unique styles. Is there any room left for true originality?Wed, 25 Sep 2002 12:00:00 GMT