Michael J. Helgerson

Upon moving to Creston my first priority (after housing) has been the process of procuring an internet connection.  To be really honest, it is the only amenity that truly defines the quality of my life.

Yes, I am addicted.  No, I am not ashamed.  I’m Gen Y, baby!

Anyway, I have not been happy with the offers made to my by the only (two) available internet providers in my new community.  I don’t want to pay for cable TV or a landline phone.  That makes internet access a bit pricey, I must say.  However, I have access to an impressively good wireless network from below, so I have paused my search for another ISP for now.

So, because I lack any television service, I have decided to make a “Media Center” of sorts that will access the internet and generate content that, well, I care about.  Thanks to programs like Hulu Desktop and other open source alternatives, this process has been surprisingly simple thus far.  That being said, I’m not very far along yet.

To create this media center I am using the Mac that previously was my main computer: my unbound iBook.
“What on Earth is an “unbound iBook?” you ask.  The story of this computer is interesting, unique, and most endearing when told using an Animal Rescue metaphor.

When certain well-armed family members of mine lived in Florida, they awoke one morning to find that someone had abandoned a poor little iBook on their front yard.  Yes, an Apple laptop was lying next to a tree in their yard.  It appeared from initial observations that the laptop was thrown from a moving vehicle and had impacted the tree.  The computer’s screen was damaged – trauma suffered through the reckless actions of its previous owner.

Obviously distressed from the experience (and likely the mainspring by which the computer was jettisoned from the vehicle), the computer had issues booting and continually “locked-up”.  [I should note at this point that the computer was being operated via an external monitor – the mode by which I still use it today]  However, with a bit of TLC (fresh install of the operating system) the computer was up and running like new…less a notebook screen.

Hence it had been “unbound”.  It is a bit of a stretch, I know.

But the rest is history.  I, with my big heart for Macs, brought the little iBook into my home.  Since then, it has been an unequivocally solid computing platform.  I am working with Sarah McLachlan to do a commercial raising awareness for half-tops like mine.  Support your local Laptop Rescue!

But I digress.

My main point is that I have a lot of time to kill here in C-Town and have been slaying that time with senseless little techno-projects that do very little other than prove to myself that, well, I could do them in the first place.  That being said, this won’t be the last of these projects

Turn on.  Tune in.  And don’t forget to drop me a line in the comments section.

After a long hiatus, I am back.

Since my last post a few things have changed…

• New job.
• New town.
• New apartment.

It has been an interesting few months.  More information on the job and my vintage 1970 apartment coming soon. With photos.

Welcome back!

Tonight I decided to become a Gawker exhibitor.

Gawker Artists is an online community in which artists of all types can post their work. After creating a profile on the Gawker website, select work is displayed in ad space on exhibitor websites. I am now one of those websites. I think it a great way to provide some free exposure to artists who choose to use the service. Plus, it is a wonderful addition to my site’s design

Above is one such example, and at the bottom of every page on my site you will see a Gawker banner. Click any banner to be taken to the artist’s profile page.  Peruse often to see different examples. I hope you enjoy!

Although I have no real concerns about maintaining my personal anonymity on this blog, I will use a series of monikers to represent those close to me who obviously want no part in this venture.

• Wo-Beau Editor’s Note: In lieu of using the female equivalent of “beau” in French (i.e. “belle”), I decided to make it rhyme.  It should be clear to whom I am referring.
• SirTopham
• TheGovernor

To those implicated in this post, when you comment your name will be reflected like it listed above.  Additions will be made to this post as I come up with more people who may have an interest in reading this.

Oh, and if you take issue with the name listed above or have a suggestion for a name of your own, leave a comment on this post and we will work something out.

A recent college graduate searching for his next step.  >> [SUGGESTION BOX]

Where better to document my journey than on the interweb?

The unspecifics of what will follow can be found on the “About” page to the left.

Welcome!