Who am I? You decide.
WILL THE REAL MIKE METCALF PLEASE STAND UP?
Jim Metcalf, a hotel business tycoon in Hawai'i recently sold me my domain, mikemetcalf.com for a few hundred bucks (he was holding it onto for his son, Mike, but he didn't want it). I'm REALLY excited to finally own the domain, as I've had my eye on it for awhile. But now that I have, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it.
THE VALUE OF A GOOD PORTFOLIO
For web designers, a strong portfolio is far more important than a college degree or an awesome resume. Fortunately, I have a great job right now, but with child #2 on the way, it's become even more important for me to make sure I have something to fall back on. So my new website will basically be a place where I can strut my stuff, and hopefully serve as a means of bringing in extra work for Code Greene too!
I AM MY OWN WORST CLIENT
So I got the domain, I've got the skills, now I just need to put it together right? This should be a cinch right? I opened up Illustrator a few nights ago with hopes of coming up with a good logo for my new me, and ended up just staring into the void. I read an article about redesigning for yourself, and found some revealing advice. Before I can redesign, I need to rebrand. So who am I? What are my roots? How am I unique from the thousands and thousands of other designers in the market?
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
I spent a morning writing down adjectives I thought described myself. It was a helpful exercise, but my own perception is not always parallel with how others might perceive me. And so I turn to you, dear friends... I need your help!
If you would be so kind, please write down 3 adjectives that you think describe who I am. Please be completely honest in your responses (it's ok to use words like "grotesque", "dastardly", or "obnoxious"). You might also use words such as "charming" or "definitely hotter than Taylor Lautner".
Once you write down your adjectives, please post them as a reply to this post along with how long you have known me, and your relationship to me.
EXAMPLE:
Name: Santa Claus
Adjectives: nice, skinny, ungrateful
Relationship: jolly friend
Time known: forever
RULES:
You are forbidden to read others' responses before posting your own. So write it down on paper before you scroll any further!
Did you write it down yet?
Ok, you can open up Notepad or Textedit too. You don't actually have to use a pen (I can tell you were worried).
Alright, got it? Sweet, post away.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Idea courtesy of Lea Alcantara. Thanks Lea!
Jim Metcalf, a hotel business tycoon in Hawai'i recently sold me my domain, mikemetcalf.com for a few hundred bucks (he was holding it onto for his son, Mike, but he didn't want it). I'm REALLY excited to finally own the domain, as I've had my eye on it for awhile. But now that I have, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it.
THE VALUE OF A GOOD PORTFOLIO
For web designers, a strong portfolio is far more important than a college degree or an awesome resume. Fortunately, I have a great job right now, but with child #2 on the way, it's become even more important for me to make sure I have something to fall back on. So my new website will basically be a place where I can strut my stuff, and hopefully serve as a means of bringing in extra work for Code Greene too!
I AM MY OWN WORST CLIENT
So I got the domain, I've got the skills, now I just need to put it together right? This should be a cinch right? I opened up Illustrator a few nights ago with hopes of coming up with a good logo for my new me, and ended up just staring into the void. I read an article about redesigning for yourself, and found some revealing advice. Before I can redesign, I need to rebrand. So who am I? What are my roots? How am I unique from the thousands and thousands of other designers in the market?
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
I spent a morning writing down adjectives I thought described myself. It was a helpful exercise, but my own perception is not always parallel with how others might perceive me. And so I turn to you, dear friends... I need your help!
If you would be so kind, please write down 3 adjectives that you think describe who I am. Please be completely honest in your responses (it's ok to use words like "grotesque", "dastardly", or "obnoxious"). You might also use words such as "charming" or "definitely hotter than Taylor Lautner".
Once you write down your adjectives, please post them as a reply to this post along with how long you have known me, and your relationship to me.
EXAMPLE:
Name: Santa Claus
Adjectives: nice, skinny, ungrateful
Relationship: jolly friend
Time known: forever
RULES:
You are forbidden to read others' responses before posting your own. So write it down on paper before you scroll any further!
Did you write it down yet?
Ok, you can open up Notepad or Textedit too. You don't actually have to use a pen (I can tell you were worried).
Alright, got it? Sweet, post away.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Idea courtesy of Lea Alcantara. Thanks Lea!
posted by mikemetcalf at 8:48 PM
27 Comments:
Cheater Alert! I knew you would look. Get your own adjectives and scroll back up. FOR SHAME...
name: Joseph LeBaron
adjectives: optimistic, playful, inventive
relationship: coworker, dotcomrade
time known: 3 years
Hmm, I have not used paper and a pencil in some time. Does that stuff still exist? Either way...
Name:
Chad Ehlers
Adjectives:
Positive, Dedicated, Committed, Determined (that's good and bad ;) ), Anti-Touchy (you knew it would be there)
Relationship:
Real Coworker (I don't know this "Joseph" guy)
Known: 1 year (Is that all? Seems longer)
name: Doug Freiss
adjectives: witty, undaunted, reliable
relationship: ex co-worker
time known: 2 1/2 years
Name: Shawn Metcalf
Adjectives: funny, homely, friendly
Relationship: Brotha
Time Known: 23 yrs
I looked I looked........
@shawn: homely? As in the british definition? "simple but cozy and comfortable"... :P
Bridger Jensen
fortitude, patient, malable, dedicated
Just a good friend and former client
2 years
Name: John B
Adjectives: warm, easy-going, no "brand"
Relationship: coworker
Time Known: very brief
So far, I don't really know you Mike. So, why respond? Because the above are my first impressions. What does "no brand" mean? It means, I don't see you present yourself with an identifying characteristic - an "instant identity". From some views this is a plus. From others it is a negative. Overall, I agree with you that YOU must decide what you want to be. Here's a place to start: "If you could get up in the morning and do anything you wanted to do what would it be?" Know this and you know something about your brand. Life is a wonderful adventure. Have fun discovering it!
Thanks to everyone for your feedback so far, it's been insightful.
This is actually Emily's evil half.
Name: Claytone
Adjectives: understanding, original, refreshing.
Relationship: Pal/Drummer (well i guess brother-in-law too)
Time known: I wish all my life but so far only about... five years? Is that right?
When i think of Mike Metcalf i can't help but sorta giggle. You have a witt and personality that is refreshingly original. (see above if confused) I honestly can't think of a bad thing about you.
name: Luke Larsen
adjectives: Solver, Inventive, Unique
relationship: CoWorker / Friend
time known: 3.2 years
Name: Bob LeBaron
Adjectives: sweeping (as in "thorough", not as in "balding"), gregarious, inventive
Relationship: former coworker and Halo pistol-whippee
Time known: two years
Haha, funny that Joe and I would both use inventive. I'm pretty sure if there's two witnesses it's doctrine.
Mike, you already know who you are so why have others try to define you? Within is a quiet strength that just needs a slight kick in the pants to get it rolling then who knows... Define yourself, stay true to your feelings and just BE excellent. It is more of a habit to do so than a destination. Yoda said it best, " there is no try, there is do or do not.." Do.
UnK Barkey
Name: Dexter T. Dragon
Adjectives: Slacker, WoW Addict, "Designer"(yeah)
Relationship: Mortal Nemesis
Time Known: Any amount is too long
Does that help? ;)
Name: Jordan Metcalf
Adjectives: Hilarious, kind, and talented
Relationship: Brother-in-law
Time known: 1.5 years
Others: gamer, inferior to Shawn in all aspects, and a good daddy :-)
Name: BJ Stewart
Adjectives: Professional, Intelligent, Creative, Not overweight
Relationship: Client/Friend
Time Known: 2 months
name: Kelly Rowe
adjectives: intelligent, creative, oh so clever
relationship: aunt
time known: how old are you now Mike?
Name: Roxanne Turner
Adjectives: Innovative, contemporary, extraordinary
relationship: Co-worker
Known: 1 year
This was fun exercise...I could think of several more adjectives but these were the first three that came to me...I hope it is helpful. I'm sure you can tell that I really like your work, but more importantly, I like who you are.
name: Ryan Metcalf
adjective: witty, thoughtful, offensive
relationship: brother
time known: 2 decades
Name: Woody
Adjectives: Optimistic, Sympathetic, Humorous, Mellow
Relationship: Friend
Time Known: whoa, like 10 years already
Emily--the real one not the imposter.
Adjectives: Spontaneous, Trusting, Earnest
Relationship: fellow invader zim lover
time known: since I don't recall my previous lives, it is undetermined.
MIKE--YOU ROCK! And I have rolls.
Okay, I admit it... I starting to slowly scroll down and then hit Joseph's Cheater Alert! It made me laugh, but I scrolled back up and played by the rules...(mostly!)
Three adjectives? Not enough to do the job justice, but I'll try...
Name: Juliana Metcalf
Adjectives:
WITTY - somehow this word doesn't quite capture the quality I'm trying to describe, so you get the dictionary definition, too. "Amusingly or ingeniously clever in conception or execution." Yes!
THOROUGH - thoughtful and deliberate in all you do, personally and professionally, too. Details matter; people matter most.
GIFTED - with so many of the qualities that make up the elusive but magnetic "X" factor that some people are lucky enough to possess. Positive, loyal, FUN, creative, intelligent, discerning, kind... see, I told you three qualities weren't enough! Oh, and tends to run a little late. (Had to throw in the last one in the interest of full disclosure and so I don't sound totally biased.) :)
Relationship: Mom
Time known: 27 years, 8 days, about 15 hours and counting...
Name: Rick Metcalf
Adjectives:Smart,Creative,Fun
Also: Likes dogs and cats.
Relationship: Pa
Known: For life.
Name: Lauri
Adjectives: patient yet attentive, personable, refreshingly humorous, innovative, and has amazing navigational skills on the computer (however, I don't know how he is in a car)
Relationship: client
Time known: short, but long enough to have a GREAT website designed by his creative genius
Name: Pertaining to Mike (usurper of birthdays) Metcalf
Adjectives: quick-witted, sincere/warm-hearted, and creative/imaginitive (also, bite-eriffic)
Relationship: I am the sis of the aforementioned
Time known: since my second birthday
Name: Natalie Buttars
Adjectives: kind, clever, mischievous
Relationship: Your wife's cousin/your old 2-doors-down neighbor
Time known: However long its been since you two started dating.
And hows about comparing apples to apples? You have nothing in common with Taylor Lautner, so suffice it to say you are hotter than that retarded sissy Rob Pattinson.
Name: Sean
Adjectives: funny, techie, slouch(y?)
Relationship: Brother-in-law(in-law?)
Time known: since you married my sis-in-law
When i think of Mike Metcalf i can't help but sorta giggle. You have a witt and personality that is refreshingly original. (see above if confused) I honestly can't think of a bad thing about you.
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