AndrePope.com

After two long nights of set-up I finally have my computer set-up as a localhost. It now has PHP 5, Apache, and MySQL database set up on it. I am not even going to pretend I know half of what that means but it is all set-up. Paul walked me through a little rough bit with the set-up of the MySQL database. I have no clue how people know where to look to begin setting it up properly. So thanks Paul.

WHY? D you ask. Well I need to get a feel for how WordPress runs and how to set it up. In the next few months you may see 803 Labs transform over from MovableType to WordPress. It is really my call and I have to have some inkling of how to set it all up, not to mention how to port all of the old entries over to WordPress.

I am also looking into Joomla! Joomla! is a powerful content management system (CMS) that is OpenSource and promising. It seems pretty cool so far, but I am not sold on it yet. I will keep you posted.

But don't fear I am not getting into that whole side of everything. This is something that I wanted to learn more about so I can contribute a little more to the upcoming CREATE Conference. It is more for a learning experience than anything else.

Posted by Andre at 11:46 PM | Permalink

Yesterday SC Voted! It was a good showing for a "red" state. I was happy to see everybody who turned out to cast their vote. While I casted my vote for the underdog, I see it was well worth while. People see a change on the horizon and showed they are ready for it yesterday.

The primaries in SC gave an economic boost to Horry County. With all the media and press in town I was glad to see restaurants full and happenings all around town. With the debates last Tuesday I was glad to have participated and was able to see first hand how a production of this nature gets put together. It was great to be apart of the excitement and highly recommend to anybody out there to become involved in some form or fashion. It is going to be an eventful year.

Posted by Andre at 10:53 AM | Permalink

Last weekended was great. It all started off with dinner over with our friends, Talwin, Karla and Kari. We haven't hung out since before the holidays so it was a good time to catch up. They have a 6 month old and Heidi and I were trying to get a few pointers for the little bun in our oven! (Thats right folks we are pregnant and due at the end of July!)

On Saturday, the first one that Heidi and I both had off in a long time, we got up a five in the mourning and took off to Orangeburg, SC for the first BBQ cook-off of the year. It rained all the way there and back but that didn't dampen our spirits. The BBQ was great. I judged 6 out of 28 in pull pork, chicken and ribs categories. I think the quality of BBQ cookers has steadily risen over the past year since I have became a judge. Heidi even got to help out being a runner as well as getting to par take in the grazing of all the meats.

On the return trip Heidi and I geocached in the rain. It was extreamly fun. The coolest one we found was a virtual cache in Bowman, SC of a UFO Spaceship house. It was ran down with duct tape on the roof. I do believe that someone actually lives in there! The fence plainly stated, "Official UFO Welcome Center."

Upon making our way back to Myrtle Beach it was straight to the Grand Strand Geocachers meeting. It was a fun time at the bowling alley meeting new friends and hanging out with old ones. I unveiled the logo proposal and it was a hit. We will make a final decision next month. By that time I would like to have have the Grand Stand Geocachers website up and running.

It was good that Heidi and I could spend some time together. We had a blast and look forward to the next time that we can hang out for a few days.

Posted by Andre at 11:38 PM | Permalink

I am getting ready to go the presidental debates so I thought I would get in the mood by watching the following trailer. Man I am excited about this. Cheesy action flick all the way baby!

Posted by Andre at 06:23 PM | Permalink

Today was one of the most productive days in a while. However it didn't start till around 3:30 this afternoon. I strapped down and knocked out some work that had been hanging over my head for a little while. It was nice when everybody left the office and it was just me there.

Upon wrapping everything up at the office I went home and went back to work. Knocking out another proposal I worked till midnight. It was/is a great production day for me.

However, I know this will come at a price. I have been on these weird sleep shifts lately. I just tried to go to bed but tossed and turned for over 45 mins. This is not like me at all. Normally once my head hits the pillow I am out in a matter of seconds. Well as you can tell tonight is not one of those nights - instead I am up at 1 in the mourning making a blog post.

Earlier this week I had a similar night. The problem was at work the next day. Full of energy in the mourning I knocked out some pretty cool Variable Data printing on the sticker machine. But once I achieved that my body shut down. I couldn't function after lunch at all. It felt like I was in a haze and getting sick. I hope tomorrow will not be like that. If so I know I achieved enough today to get me into the weekend where I can catch back up for next week.

The work I have been doing has been pretty good as of late as well. A lot of positive feedback from clients and friends alike. People have been supportive over the small things that I am doing for brand awareness. And to top it off Keith has been doing a great job of hustling. I think his work and my work combined are paying off in new clients as well as recognition!

Is it bed time yet?

Posted by Andre at 12:32 AM | Permalink

Congratulations are in order for my sister-in-law Mrs. Heather Waldo Benton. She officially tied the knot to Timothy Benton. I wish them all the luck in the world. I am glad to have them both in my family. :)

Posted by Andre at 12:27 AM | Permalink

I have really enjoyed geocaching as of late. I have started taking out friends and family with me to see if they would gain interest in my little past time. I have started to set up my own mini-rules within the geocaching world to help me see and explore more. I have even started to place my very own caches!

Last month I attended my very first Grand Strand Geocachers Meeting. I discovered that I already knew a few people who were into it and meet a few new ones as well. During that meeting there was a discussion of coming up with a logo for the geocachers group. Somehow I have carved out a little time to throw something together. I have also made a sticker for the back of my car. I think it really bridges the official geocaching logo with the feel of the Grand Strand. Noting to exotic or cheesy.

I have also bought the domain name www.grandstrandgeocaching.com in order to possibly set up a group blog. There was mention of a possible newsletter at the last meeting and I thought that this could serve either in conjunction with a printed newsletter or in lieu of.

The next Grand Strand Geocachers meeting is this Sat at the Little River Bowling Alley. I plan on throwing all of this up for discussion there. However I will have to hustle back from Orangeberg, SC, where I will be attending the first BBQ competition of the year, in order to make it in time. If any of you would like to join in on the get together I would love to have you as my personal guest!

PS I don't think I linked to my profile last time so here it is.

Posted by Andre at 11:15 PM | Permalink

803 Labs Letterhead

Aquascapes Logo

Demarco's Bars Website

A rejected ad campaign for a flooring company

Posted by Andre at 03:09 PM | Permalink