If this blog were a car, I’d be about 10,000 kilometers overdue for an oil change: it’s been a long time.
For repeat visitors to this blog of mine, you’ll notice that the old homepage, with its magazine-like template, has been replaced with a new look, one which scrolls endlessly like a conventional blog.
Why? Lately I’ve been focusing more on optimizing user experience by analyzing web statistics. I took a close look at this past year’s usage patterns, and discovered visitors weren’t exploring the original homepage links as I had intended. This redux aims to provide readable full-text content quicker, which will hopefully lead to more engagement with the site’s content.
Here’s a look at what’s been happening since I last published actual words on the Internet:
1. Introducing Aaron Fedora
Friend and local entrepreneur Aaron Fedora recently ran for School Board Trustee in Langley, BC. His presence made a splash at town-hall meetings and debates, but unfortunately as a rookie, didn’t quite get the votes needed to land a seat on council. During the campaign, I had the privilege of helping Aaron out with some campaign advice over the past month, on copy-editing, consulting, and design. I definitely can see that Fedora’s role on council could help the city out — be sure to remember the name the next time a civic election comes around.
2. Google Adsense: My first cheque!
This month, I received my very first payment ever from Google. After a year and a half of running Google AdSense on this site, I finally made enough to receive a deposit of $100! Actually, thanks to the lousy Canadian dollar, the total come to $119. I took my wife to Chambar to celebrate. While it’s probably Vancouver most delicious restaurant, it unfortunately means I now only have about 5% left from the original deposit.
3. Twitter: It’s what’s for breakfast
The Internet’s silliest-sounding service keeps getting more legitimate. Like many of you, I’ve been hearing about Twitter for over a year, but have been steadfastly ignoring it because of how trivial it seemed. However, as of a couple weeks ago, I now consider myself on-board.
So, an explanation: Twitter is a way to transmit tiny, 140-character blog posts to a network of friends, ideal for posting news updates and on-the-go commentary. Twitter played a big role in both the Canadian and American elections, with all major new outlets referring to Twitter users’ commentary to instantly gauge public opinion. Companies and non-profits are finding Twitter to be a great communication tool, too. If you’re a user of Twitter, be sure to follow Union Gospel Mission’s Twitter updates to see what I mean. And while you’re at it, add kevangilbert to your “following” list and say hello.
4. Elbowruminations: Graphic design for everyone
Elbowruminations, your source for Canadian graphic design insight, just got more awesome. My brother Neil and I recently re-launched the site with an all-new design, courtesy of Lethbridge designer and developer Chris Morris. This is a reliable blog is geared to designers and small-business owners, and will supply you with graphic design tips, trends and reviews.
MORE POSTS FROM KEVAN GILBERT
- Harrison Mooney blackens up the blogosphere
- Redoing your WordPress site in 2009
- The Best Things I Know About Right Now (on Friday, March 23)
- Life of Pi movie in the works
- Problems in paradise: an update
Kevan Gilbert is a life-size replica of a 5'8" tall human being, and comes with several interchangeable outfits and a realistic haircut. In the daytime hours, Kevan works as Project Coordinator of Creative Technologies at Vancouver’s Union Gospel Mission, overseeing an online strategy that raises over $700,000 a year. When he’s not spending time with his beautiful wife Kendra in their hometown of Burnaby, BC, Kevan is available to meet, chat and collaborate.
That’s great news. Google Adsense = Chambar. I was always too poor a man in Vancouver to go there (I managed to squeak a couple morning meetings at neighbouring Medina - owned by the same people - but not exactly Chambar). How’d you like it? What’d you have?
James, Chambar was amazing. I had: Grilled lamb with honey, figs and cous cous and flatbread. Kendra had: Arctic char (salmon) with lentils. Next time you’re back in the city and have saved up an okay supply of cash, you should definitely dine there with your bride.
Soon, when I’m filthy rich, I’ll go to Chambar for lunch all the time. Chambar will be my Wendy’s.
Welcome back to blogging, Kevan. Also, I resent being called a stork when I’m clearly a heron.
I would rather be a Raven. If you don’t mind just quickly revising the graphic that would be great. Thanks.
Ah. That all sounds way too delicious - we’ll start saving today. And Harrison, forget Chambar, how was Arby’s?
The answer, James, is two-fold.
1. Arby’s was delicious. When we walked in, everything was as incredible as we expected. It was a wonder, a marvel, a revelation.
2. Arby’s was disgusting. The trick with Arby’s is that it only ever seems delicious until about halfway through the sandwich, when you realize the meat is somehow melted.