Blog Date:1.29.10
Welcome 2010! Another year in front of us full of new challenges and opportunites, I pray everyone has a blessed year.
GUITAR LESSONS: If anyone is interested, lessons are available out of my home on Saturdays. I have a few available openings. Contact me through the form below if you're interested.
Blog Date:10.04.09
Happy Anniversary to my lovely wife! We're heading to Cancun, Mexico next weekend to celebrate 20 wonderful years of marriage.... honeymoon style :) Allllllright, Giggidy!
Musically, I'm writing new Instrumental tunes... while at the same time learning Pro Tools. I thought PT would be a little more intuitive, but it's not :( So, it's a slow process. I'm updating and beefing up my home studio... so hopefully I'll be able to produce some quality stuff.
Other than that, the next thing coming will probably be a site re-design for my homepage. I really need to blog way more often. I'm just a guy of few words... That's it for now. Take care!
Blog Date:4.15.09 Happy Tax Day!
I'm excited!
I'm coming home this weekend 4.18.09 to visit.
I'm really looking forward to seeing all my family and friends.
It's been awhile... so, I'll cut to the chase: The job in FL didn't exactly work out the way we were hoping it would. So, we're staying here in Atlanta, GA. Actually, we are relieved. Now we don't have to sell our house and move Lexie to another school. And, most importantly, we don't have to leave our new friends and church that we love. I've taken a job with some old friends here and it's working out great.
Musically speaking, I'm still playing with the band at
Westridge. And now that I know we're staying, I may start a new band here. I'm missing playing the instrumental stuff too. So, who knows? I just want to have fun with it.
Blog Date:1.20.09
Well, the new year is off to a great start. For now, I'm mostly working from home here in Atlanta. I telecommute for meetings and etc. Eventually, we're going to relocate to Orlando, FL., but we need to sell our home and etc. Fortunately, the company has been very understanding.
Since I'm home more, I AM NOW TAKING STUDENTS ! If you are interested in taking lessons, please contact me for schedule availability
and rates. Lessons are given out of my home.
I'm playing guitar @ Westridge again. It's good to be back. I'm going to really miss these guys when we move. Tim Grandstaff, one of the pastors from Westridge, is starting a church plant in Orlando, which is really cool. I'm sure I'll get involved with helping him since we're moving there too.
The family is doing well. Pam is still making custom tables. She is getting really good. And her tables are pretty nice too :) She is as lovely as ever! Lexie is getting so big... it won't be long until I'm looking up to her. Shane, my son, is still looking for a school and a job. Pray he finds something soon. He hasn't had anything to do now for about 7 months. If he doesn't find something before we move he may find himself homeless.
Blog Date:12.25.08
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Sitting here this Christmas day reflecting on how blessed I am, I finally have a minute to blog... so here goes.
The past few weeks have gone by in a blur. I'm loving my new job. I've been back and forth to Orlando twice this month. The weather there is so nice this time of the year. I took Pam with me this last trip so that we could look for a new home. The housing market is down everywhere, but the homes in central florida are still very expensive. Homes that are comparable to what we have here in Atlanta cost $350K+ in Orlando. I believe we're going to rent out our home here with a lease to buy option, rather than try to sell in this down market. So, if you or someone you know is looking for a spacious 5 bedroom, 3 full bath in Atlanta, please let them know.
I know the Lord will provide the right house at the right time. So, I'm done worrying about how, when, where, and why. He's got it all under control.. and He doesn't need my help. ;)
I'm just thankful for my beautiful wife, kids and great friends. And most of all, I'm thankful that God sent His son 2000 years ago. So, with this in mind, I'd like to wish all of you the best Christmas ever.
Shane
Blog Date:12.05.08
So, much has happened in the past 2 weeks I don't even know where to begin... First of all, my holiday back home was fantastic. It was great seeing everyone again. I really did miss everyone.
Surprise Birthday Party: I'd like to thank all my friends and family that came out Saturday night to wish my brother Sean, and I, a happy birthday. And yes, I was completely surprised. With everything going on in my life recently, the last thing I expected was a surpise birthday party!
Annon, & Wendy, thanks so much for being such gracious hosts! Without your generosity it wouldn't have been nearly as nice.
Hand update: It's only been 3 weeks now since my operation. I had the stitches removed Monday and having been playing guitar every day since :)
I call it rehab! It's amazing how quickly it healed up. I'm very happy!
Big Big News: We are moving again... this time to Orlando, FL.
Ever since I was a wee lad, I had the dream of some day living in FL, where's it's warm all year-round and the beach is within easy driving distance... It's surreal yet, but I'm sure it'll sink in once we're there day in and day out.
What? How? Why? you may be wondering...
I was offered an incredible job opportunity(interactive graphic/web design) in Orlando, and have accepted it. My first day with them was December 1st. My last day with MediaWhiz was November 30th. How cool is that?
God is Great! I'm working from home this week, but need to be there next week. So, pray the Lord helps us to sell our house here in Atlanta quickly and provides a place for us in Orlando. Another thing that is really cool about this is that the church my family and I attend/serve at here in Atlanta(
Westridge) is starting a church plant in Orlando over the next few months. How cool is that?!?
To all of our friends here in Atlanta: You have all been a blessing to my family and I over the past 3 years. We will miss you dearly. I'd like to extend and invitation to all to come visit... bring the family to Disney, or the beach.
We're moving to the vacation capital of the U.S., so, no excuses. You are all welcome! And we're counting on you taking us up on the offer.
Well, that's about it for now... phew... that was a long one!
God Bless us all!
Shane
Blog Date:11.19.08
I'm starting to really get excited... only one more day until we leave for holiday vacation! We're going home to PA to visit family and friends. I can't wait!!!
Hand update: It's been about a week since my hand surgery and I'm healing nicely. Last time I had this done it took about 2 months to get back up to speed. The hardest part is going the first few weeks without playing. So, I'm thinking by Christmas I'll be playing again. It's not that far away.... and I've been taking advantage of my time down to delve deeper into design work. I'm even building my wife a site for her tables. Anyhow,
It's funny how things work out...
Job update: I'm in transition between jobs and have recently accepted a contract offer, when out of nowhere my current employer offers me a 4 month extension. A week ago I would have accepted... you talk about being "a day late and a dollar short"
. In this case, it's more like a week late and $10/hour short :)
Oh well... Actually, it a "good thing". I can still work with them as a consultant/freelancer in the evenings and the new job 9-5. Who knows, I may even find myself busy enough to freelance full-time.... That's my goal.
It's been my experience that no one pays you better than you pay yourself. And with that challenge brings a much more fulfilling and rewarding career. And if I want to take some time to tour with a band, teach guitar, or do whatever... I can.
That's it
for now... Have a great turkey day!
Shane
P.S. My design site is up and running and you can find it
here.
Blog Date:11.14.08
Great news: I found a job. I had an interview with the 2nd largest company here in Atlanta and was offered a 3+ month contract job. Yeah! At the very least, it will get me through the holidays and has the potential to last longer... maybe even permanent. Thank God! The designers there seem to be very cool too. It should be fun working with a new group of people... as the past few months I've been working solo from home.
Anyhow, since people are asking: How'd your surgery go? It went fine. I'm recovering. It'll be a few weeks until I can play guitar again, but I'll survive. The break will hopefully give me the chance to get caught up on some other, non-music related, stuff.
I've been working on a design site to launch my freelance design business. I wanted a simple informational mini-site. I need to add content, but you can check it out (still under construction)
here.
Other great news is that my family and I will be visiting our friends and family for the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll be coming home next weekend, the 21st, and staying for a week. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone. I can't wait! ... only bummer is I won't be able to play guitar with anyone... sorry guys.
I promise I'll come back when I can play again. And maybe I'll come back for some snowboarding this winter. Living here in Atlanta, it's been a few years since I've done that. IMHO, snowboarding is the only thing winter/snow is good for! I sure don't miss shoveling it!
Well, that's it for now. Hopefully, I'll see you all soon.
Shane
Blog Date: 11.10.08
My current job is up at the end of the month. So, I'm currently seeking new employment as a Senior Graphics/Web Designer. I've been interviewing, but it's been a challenge trying to find the "right" job.
Ultimately, I'd prefer to work for myself. So, I'm taking any freelance jobs, either web, or print. I know, with the economy down, it's a bit risky. But, in the end it's that much more rewarding. Currently, I'm working on a design site. Hopefully, that will be done soon so I can start picking up clients via the web. Links coming shortly. For anyone that is interested you can view my resume and portfolio
here.
I've also recently started teaching guitar again. A big part of me wishes I would have never stopped... I love it. It was a priviledge and an honor to share my passion with others. And it's a ton of fun. Also, I've uploaded a cool little mp3 player to the site. You can check out some of my music >>>
In related news, I have surgery again this Thursday on my hand. A few years back I pinched my left hand index finger between some dumbells at the gym.
A cyst formed around some foreign matter that made it's way into my hand. I had it cut out about 9 months ago. Unfortunately, another small cyst has come back. So, I won't be playing for a few weeks... at least not using my index finger to play ;)
When it rains, it pours, but the Lord is still good.
He will provide! Be blessed.
Shane
Old News:
As many of you already know, my family and I relocated to Atlanta, GA about 3 years ago. The first couple of months were rough. The band, "Viktor", didn't exactly take off the way we were hoping it would. And I took a job as a graphic designer for an internet marketing co.(
I'm currently looking for new employment. The co. I was working for was bought out by a larger firm and closed our office.)
Actually, things turned out way better
than I could have anticipated. We have a very nice home here on the out-scurts of Atlanta. My family and I are very blessed. My wife, Pam, and I are celebrating 19yrs. of marriage. WOW, what a blessing she has been! She makes my life soooooo easy!
The kids are doing well also. Shane M. graduated with honors, this past spring, and is looking at schools.... still trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. And Lexis just started jr. high and is thriving. I can't believe she came from Pam and I. She's a beauty! She's only 11yrs old and is already about 5'10". Boy, am I gonna have my hands full with her!
I'm still playing guitar... albeit, not as much as I used to. I'm not playing in a band any longer, but I do play at my church on a regular basis. We have a super talented band
there.
And I've recently started teaching again... mostly because I enjoy it.
If you want to stay in touch you can reach me via:
myspace or
email
I plan on finishing my site and putting some more stuff up here in the future... so check back often and stay in touch!
Shane