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The Independents Hall website was launched yesterday, and I cannot tell you how good it feels to contribute to an organization such as this. The IH meeting earlier this week left me very anxious for more. Alex has given me the coworking bug and I am studying all I can on the subject. It has also made me revisit the foundations of my design philosophy. Alex’s little synopsis of what Independents Hall was all about, and how the idea of coworking could really benefit the Philadelphian freelancer, gets right in line with my Bauhaus driven design philosophy. Echoes of the Wiener Werkstätte and the Werkbund, founded by Hermann Muthesius and Peter Behrens; rang in my ear as the meeting progressed. I could not help but consider that both of those early design organizations probably started the same way. Both were founded on the idea of creating a profitable environment for designers and craftsmen, while promoting the improvement of the services and goods they were offering. In 1903 it was mostly centered on manufactured goods, but for our modern times it is design and technology, which, for all intents and purposes, are modern manufactured goods. The coworking movement is following this very same idea; get a bunch of talented free-agent designers, developers, artists, and business types together to build on the success of each other. All the while promoting free flowing, ideas in a creative, open minded environment; contributed to, and sustained by the very workers that provide it. To me that was always the business model for my dream job! Among the many benefits that come with coworking at Independents Hall, the one that sets its hook in me is the social creative environment that it generates. As a creative that has worked in bullpens with other designers, and now works alone, from a home studio; I feel the subtle drain of sustained creativity, due to lack of social interaction during my business day. I was not aware of how much I feed off the everyday company of coworkers, and creatives; it is kind of scary. Independents Hall is sure to leave its mark, and I am ecstatic about the opportunities, and relationships that are sure to blossom. [tags]independents hall, coworking, philadelphia[/tags]

Tuesday of this week Alex Hillman and myself meet-up for a couple of beers at Eulogy. I had only known Alex through the PANMA list-srv, where we traded occasional banter. I knew he was a developer who had recently returned from SXSW, and really had his hand on the pulse of current, positive, web trends. Someone who’s experience and talent I could really get on board with and start coworking. Independents Hall, is a philly based coworking community started by Alex earlier this year. The basic premise is to create a community of independents; sharing off of mutual success in a professional, yet cafe-like atmosphere. The idea; while I am sure was thought of by many independents, was placed into motion in San Fransisco by Brad Neuberg, back in 2005. As a newly independent/freelance designer I was starting to feel the rough edges of working from home, alone, everyday. It is a fantastic time to be a freelancer especially in the current design and development arenas. However, there is such an atmosphere of ideas that gets generated when you work in an office with other creative types, and I was missing that in a big way. My mind just started to feel the pinch of not working with anybody. Getting involved with Independents Hall is about to change all of that. Through Independents Hall I will be able to work on projects with other designers and developers, expanding my services through the services of others. Now as a member of a group of independents, we all benefit from assets we can provide each other; equipment, experience, services, technology, vendors, etc. All of us working together to gain success. The first meet-up for Independents Hall is Monday, and I am attending with a good amount of excitement. I am forever grateful to Alex for introducing a concept such as this to me! There is a bright shiny future ahead for my business and lifestyle that will blossom from this initial meet-up.

In all of my confusion with projects and promotions, I totally forgot that this weekend is the FIRST F1 RACE OF THE SEASON! I do not think any of you appreciate the gravity of this weekend. F1 is my favorite sport, and as an American fan it is very difficult to find peers that are just as excited as I, when it comes to the top racing championship in the world. Formula 1 is a glorious sport with a rich and interesting pastime. Names like Ferrari, Lotus, Renault, and McLaren have made their names on the shoulders of Formula 1 seasons. Since 1894 there have been Grand Prix races which were the roots of Formula 1. The “formula” is a set of rules and regulations that each team must adhere. After World War II, the FIA, racing’s world governing body, established Formula 1 as the highest class of auto racing. Through the years the rules have been changed to reflect the times, but for the most part it has always been the cutting edge of automotive engineering.

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I got sick of being a born-again soccer player and not being able to watch any of the matches, in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. Seeing as these are the biggest platforms for the most glorious of footballers, how could I really call myself a player and fan with out knowing anything about them. It downright bothered me. That is when I picked up the phone and ordered Fox Soccer Channel and GolTV, when I found out it would only cost $5 extra on my cable bill, I got up and danced a jig. $5!! Are you kidding me? I had to ask the customer service rep; “You mean I can get all the Premier League Games, La Liga, FA and UEFA Cup games, all for $5?” There was only silence for a moment and then, “Uhh, yes!” I told her to sign me up and quick! Two days later the cable guy came in, dropped a box on my set, and that night I watched Tottenham vs. Everton! It was a replay from the Wednesday before but i did not care. I was now going to journey down the road of international football. Since getting the package it has become a daily stop in my TV watching. I just have to find out what is going on and who is doing what. There is a level of confusion as I am coming into the last half of many seasons, not fully understanding how all of the Cup qualifications work. Although I am familiar with the Champions League, there are other cup tournaments that I know little about. That is exactly why I purchased this service. It is unbelievable what can be bought for $5! I can tell you it is the best $5 I have ever spent.

Since I have gone freelance back in June, I thought rarely that I would do very good. I mean, it was just something to do between jobs right? Until recently that is all I thought it was, just something to do so that I did not have to take the first “production” job that happened to come up on craigslist. I took a risk back in June when I told my, soon to be former boss, that what he was paying this designer, equaled jack shit compared to the kind of employee I was. I left the company two weeks later, with nothing but a loose contract with a possible freelance client. One client! I look back and think, I must have been crazy. In this, my 3rd attempt at freelance, I have noticeably learned from the previous two attempts. That one “possible” client ended up sustaining me until September. It was nothing glamorous, mind you; it was just enough. From June to September I searched for jobs; in Philly, abroad, on the West Coast, etc. You get the picture. All the while looking for potential work. By the end of September things were rough. My one client halted work on their project, I was a month behind in rent and was about to call my parents to see if they could help me out. The next day I picked up two clients, it was as if life just wanted to “waterboard” me a bit to see if I could take it. Since September things have been progressively gaining momentum. I now have 5 clients including 3 that have me on retainer. I am still living month to month but I can see the foundation of a prosperous freelance design career. I likened this to an old car. You get in it and try to start it up, nothing happens. You make adjustments, and try again, now you are getting clicks and chokes. You make more adjustments and she starts to turn over. This is how my career is feeling right now. It is as if I am a car turning over, just waiting for the opportunity to rev my engine and peel down the road, on my hopeful way toward my own design studio.

At this very moment I am at a bachelor party. So “What the hell am I doing in front of a computer?” you ask! Avoiding! That is what. Downstairs there is a bunch of guys, 1, at least with a rubber penis on his head, getting their fix of female solicitation. I am not against this sort of thing, I just have never been comfortable with the de-romanticism of sex. Okay, call me a pansy! Go ahead, I may deserve it. It is just that I know that these sort of things feel so utterly false. You receive a woman’s attention, you feel the curves of her body, you smell the sweetness of her skin, and you have a desire. But…hold on, this girl could care less. This is a job for her, you are a job! She performs and you take nothing with you from the experience but a story to tell, that the guys from the last party she worked are telling, at that very moment, down at the corner bar.

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So here in Philadelphia we have Wawa, the very successful convenient store chain based out of Wawa, Pennsylvania. Those to the north of Jersey and south of Richmond have no idea what you are missing. Nor do those living West of Pittsburgh. Wawa is a local staple and a popular one at that. G Love sings its praises in the song “I Like Cold Beverages” with the lyric “Wawa’s to the right, they got beverage inside!” Damn right G, a whole lot of beverages including coffee. Anyway, Wawa is a daily stop during my morning, I walk up from my studio and grab myself one of their 24oz coffees at least twice a day. So the other morning as I was strolling the counter of coffee pots, which are brewed fresh all day, I noticed a pot a little different. It had flowers on it and the label said “Kona”. I stopped and stared in excitement. Could it be true, the marriage of my favorite convenient store and my favorite coffee? Yes true believers Wawa, had taken a step in the direction of ultimate greatness, and were serving Hawaii’s finest coffee. You have no idea how much this improved my mornings and quite actually my day! I grabbed a 24oz cup and poured myself a tall one. I usually go 3/4 of the way up and top it off with some cream. 6 sugars and I am that much closer to heaven… I mean damn! The first sip brought on feelings of such fulfillment that I literally stood there for a moment, engulfed in bliss, until a woman tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was in line for the check-out. I looked at her with wide eyed amazement, as if I just awoke from a dream. I know for sure that I said something reminiscent of Will Farrell in “Old Skool” like, “Ohh, when it hits your lips….” She scurried off; quickly realizing she had interrupted a man with a passion. That’s right lady, run and get yourself one. Only then will you see what I mean.

This past Friday was a grand night out. I tend to fall into them on a regular basis. Anyway, the Black Keys were in town, and since Matt first played them for me I cannot get enough. The Black Keys are a downright, badass, blues-rock band that plays with the dirtiness of an all weekend whiskey binge. We all know how much we like those. They hail from Akron, Ohio and have been selling out shows all over the Eastern seaboard. With a cocktail sound of Hendrix, Velvet Underground, and a dash of Thorogood, shaken, poured into the shot glass and lit on fire; the duo of Dan Auerbach on guitar and Pat Carney on drums is an electric combination on stage. Two man bands are rare. Good two man bands are almost non-existent. Matt had told me these boys were at their finest when you saw them live, he had experienced that at the Austin City Limits show 2 months ago. Let me tell you; he was damn right. Only seeing two guys on stage ripping through songs like “10 A.M Automatic,” and “Girl Is On My Mind,” left me with my jaw agape and my ass shaking to the rhythm. I mean, DAMN!!! Not only did they rip up the TLA, they left dirty, blues rock all over it for the morning crew to clean up. The show goes on my “Best Shows Ever” shelf and I have to give the boys credit. Keep on Keepin on, Keys. In Philly we love you. You can check out more on the Black Keys and their tours at their website. www.theblackkeys.com