The time has arrived for Ike to step out and create. This is a time of new challenges, new frustrations, learning, relearning, successes, and failures. It is also time to stop speaking in the third person and embrace the fact that I am indeed the Ike about whom I have been speaking. I have gone without a computer for most of my years since high school, and I find myself having to relearn many things I should know. Now that I am approaching 30 I find myself wanting to pursue a career in computers and/or information technology. With that in mind I have decided to attempt to teach myself, with the help of God and many smart friends, everything I do not know about computers. This may take a while.
1. ebay: This past year I had my first encounter with the online giant while purchasing some audio equipment for Camp Lurecrest; a summer camp I have had the privilege to be involved with for many years located in the mountains of North Carolina. I was hooked from the first 80% discounted item that I bought. I soon discovered there are many joys to be found in online shopping. It wasn't until a few months ago that I found out how much fun selling on ebay could be. I trade under the name ikelmartin and plan to someday be a "power seller" with stars by my name. As of right now I only have a feedback score of 15 but it is 100% positive feedback which I am very proud of.
2. myspace: If someone were to tell me a year ago that I would be using an online "personal connection" site to keep up with friends, track down old friends, and make new friends, I would have simply laughed and commented on their sanity. Now I am not only a daily myspace and facebook user, but I am also a booster. It may have a lot to do with the fact that I am living at home with my parents again, not driving, and stone cold sober, but it is true all the same. The thrill that comes from finding someone with whom I had lost all contact, and had seemingly no way to track, is quite a reward. I have also discovered an abundance of good music from bands I may never have heard anywhere else. Find me at myspace.com/ikelmartin
3. youtube: As much as I love this free service, it really serves to discourage me. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to type in a word or two and view hundreds of videos on any topic under the sun, or on the other side of it for that matter. The thing that gets me is that anything I can do, someone (many) out there can do better, and youtube is out there to prove it. The only original video I have of me on my profile is of me jumping from a roof, which I had just shingled that day, into a pool. Not a very exciting video, but I was the only one there that would try it so I am proud of it all the same. I also have on my page a video I found, while searching youtube, of a stunning rendition of Flight of the Bumblebee that makes me sick. I downloaded the sheet music after viewing the video the first time and then quickly gave up on that one. Check it out at youtube.com/ikelmartin
These are just a few examples of the awesome power I have been missing out on for so many years. Now there is blogspot, my own web page where I can be as selfish as I want to be and it is OK because this site really is all about me. Of coarse, without the help of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is no me except for the shell of a fallen creature doomed to suffer under the weight of my human nature. Fortunately for me God's grace is sufficient to cover over all of my selfishness.
This will serve as a journal of my personal journey through the world of computers and their role in my future. Hopefully, as I learn how this whole thing works, my blog will become more professional and useful, but for now it is here to help me learn. If you are actually still reading this than you must be as bored as I was when I wrote it. Maybe you should check out some of my links if you are that bored, hm?
(t-town what?)
Knowledge Puffs Up
16 years ago