What's New - Jon Bolden’s Journal

Posing for photos

I recently returned from a trip to Ohio to see my good friends Ken & Allyson get married! It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time and totally relaxed the hell out of me. I was pretty on edge and stressed before I left Austin due to work and other things. But the weekend was absolutely perfect. They were married at the Columbus Athenaeum, a stunningly beautiful old theater located in the heart of downtown. Our hotels were just a few blocks away. Hilariously, there were two conventions staying the hotel. One was a gay bowling league and the other a women’s roller derby conference. There were tatoos and bowling laminates every where and made for a comical juxtaposition with the wedding crowd. You should’ve seen the pool!

Ken designed and ordered a custom gobo to shine upon the reception floor. Very neat!

Ken also gave me this lovely humidor as a wedding present. I will have to fight the urge to smoke cigars more often.

Mouth cancer, here we come!

Family time in Ohio was great too. I had to work on my laptop a lot of the time, but most people were occupied during the day anyway. I spent lots of time with cute babies and catching up. Overall, a  lovely time. Back to the grind in Austin. It’s hot, I’m tired, and desperately in need of some  alone time. Cheers to Ken & Allyson, old friends & family!

I’ve been thinking about why web design delights me. I realized that it is satisfying to give a professional (and appropriate) face to a business or organization that might otherwise not be noticed. I feel the quality and usability that I provide in my designs optimizes a user’s experience and legitimizes a business. This is especially gratifying for the non-profit and small businesses that I work for. I’m allowing people just like me (small business owners) an opportunity to do what they want, work out of their homes, and essentially spread the same beliefs about working that I possess. We’re all in this “anti-corporate” sentiment together. Sometimes I feel like I’m working for “the man”, but I don’t think that’s true at all. I hope and pray I never see the day I have to work on something I don’t believe in.