My Life on the Net

Dear HM Immigration – HULK SMASH!

Craig — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:44:16 +0000

I started this morning off with a smile in my step. My long-distance girlfriend in which I haven’t seen in over a year would soon be entering the UK in the hopes of moving over and starting anew. Sounds good, right?

Hello, I’m trying to reach Mr Craig McCreeeeeeeeeeeth…

I got a call from the Immigration department at Heathrow. They’ve detained Corinne. Well, I half expected as much. When she was here last year a similar thing happened, due to the fact she didn’t purchase a return ticket.

She didn’t this time either.

The lady at the other end of the phone seemed nice, and asked some simple questions regarding who she was to me, where she’ll be staying and how she’ll be supporting herself. I answered everything as truthfully as I could… including the fact that she had applied for a work visa but I wasn’t sure if she’d recieved it yet (there was talk about going to a British consulate in Chicago where she filed the papers, but I didn’t hear anything about it before she left).

I told her to call back if she had any more questions or concerns.

She never did. So, in my mind… everything went fine.

Then all hell went loose and decided to pay us a visit

I rushed off to Edinburgh Airport on the fastest bus I could and managed to get to UK arrivals as her connecting flight was on approach.

I stood in anticipation as I had heard nothing. I saw other couples meeting and embracing and as the clock struck 12.40pm the flight was
completely empty, and all the bags had been picked up. Fuck.

A quick google got me the HM Immigration Switchboard. (02087456800) I phoned this line 12 times, but unfortunately every time I pressed an option I was disconnected.

Another google and I found a direct number. I called it and actually got a human, but despite all the information I gave her she had no idea
if they had her or not. My information was forwarded to an Immigration Officer who would call me back ‘as soon as possible’.

Half an hour later, at 1.25, I still hadn’t received a call. Another flight from Heathrow had arrived. Still nothing. I called back, and got the
same monotomous response.

I got something to eat, something to drink. Then I checked my emails an hour later… as another Heathrow flight was incoming.

I setup a Google Voice number for easy dialing in the US and I had received this little voicemail:

I called it and got weird tones and a voice I could barely hear. The person on the other side seemed to have no idea who Corinne was, so
I hung up.

So, where do we go from here?

Well, I guess it starts with some action. I’m going to complain to the HM Immigration department for their poor service and misconduct
of my girlfriend’s reasons… as I was nothing but truthful.

Then I’m going to try to speed up my trip to the States. Mid June sounds alright…

But seriously, I’m in awe as how badly HM Immigration has performed.

It’s been 5 hours since I’ve called. I still haven’t heard it directly from
them. Idiots.

Distance is an Object

Craig — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:46:15 +0000

Hi, I’m Craig and I’m in a long distance relationship.

If the last year has taught me anything, it’s that the way a long distance relationship grows is somewhat like the Kübler-Ross grief cycle. Let me explain.

Shock

Wait a minute. Someone that far away likes you? Awesomesauce. You start to feel a little paralysed knowing that you feel the same way.

Denial

You’re in love, there’s nothing to deny about that. But you keep telling yourself that it’s not an issue that you live so far apart. You may even go as far as starting a podcast with your other half to convince yourselves.

You tell each other that you can work through the distance. You think it works.

Anger

Then things get a little out of hand. There’s a few arguments, then a big massive one breaches out. Both are hurt, and neither wanted it to get to this. Both are annoyed as they’ve noticed it’s the distance that is causing the fights.

Bargaining

Seeking in vein to find a way out of this mess. You might get a book to increase your productivity, you might buy a laptop in the hope that seeing your partner on video will take the longing pain away.

Depression

Is all this really worth it? You two haven’t been on the best of terms recently, but you’re trying to get through it.

Testing

One of you decides to get on a plane and decides to live locally to the other. The other plans a trip to see their family later. You’re both sure that getting rid of the distance will help.

Acceptance

They live happily ever after? I don’t know.

My dearest Corinne is flying over tonight. Let’s just hope everything goes to plan.

The feature photo of this post, is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution by Ed Siasoco

Article: Variation Within Constraints

Craig — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:18:00 +0000

Magazines engage their readers with excellent and varied design. It’s hard work to do this for the web, but who says it can’t be worth it?

I didn’t see the need to redesign until very recently. This site, in the past few years, has changed distinctly as my skills changed but the content hasn’t. Well, maybe I should reiterate that. As I have grown as a designer, the design for my websites has changed–but the content for those times hasn’t. It shows no visible progress in my skills.

There is another issue. Each time we change a website design it’s almost as if we’re burning books and erasing part of our history as well as the story it may tell. I am done burning books and ready to preserve what I create for the web from now on.

That’s why I needed something else. I call it Article.

The Experiment

Now I have a very simple setup for fast design and art direction around content much like Jason Santa Maria, Dustin Curtis & Gregory Wood. The content will obviously be different for this medium–but the design will be even more unique, giving me the control to alter page design for each post. Only some visual elements will remain similar on each. Typeface, colour, images, background, you name it–they can all be easily manipulated to whatever the art direction calls for. Feel free to call it a blogazine if the fancy takes you.

The Living Portfolio

If you’ve seen my work portfolio you will notice that despite my years on the web it’s fairly sparce. That’s because most of what I do personally I don’t add to that site; my brain just doesn’t think it fits.

By having a library of not only evolving content, but also design, these issues change. Now my blog is my portfolio, albeit not including all of my client-specific content.

Supporting the Masses

I am told as a web designer to think of those less fortunate than myself; Internet Explorer users. My tether for this browser is getting short, so I will only be supporting Internet Explorer 8 from now on.

Truth is, if you’re following the blog of a web worker–you should be working with something a lot better than Internet Explorer. 30% of my visitors come using IE; 20% using 8, 10.2% using 7 and a tiny 3.4% using 6.

I am aware that some people are stuck using Internet Explorer. Most of those people are visiting from libraries, their workplace or other facilities where they cannot choose their browser. I suggest you try using Google Chrome Frame if at all possible, or grab yourself a copy of Mozilla Firefox – Portable Edition. You’ll thank me, I’m sure.

Sharing is Nice

For quite a long time I have wished to release WordPress themes & plugins but I just haven’t made my way to it yet. However, with the fact that this theme is so customisable, I see no reason why others wanting to do similarly can’t have access to what I have.

I don’t think it’s ready for others yet though, but will soon have this theme available in approximately a month’s time for anybody who wants it.

A little housekeeping

Over the next few days & weeks I’m sure I’ll get around to a little bit of tweaking here and there. Things like search, sorting out some new categories and a few other things.

Most of all I’d love to hear what you think of this change. Anything seemingly broken or something you’d alter? Feel free to share. I’m interested.

A Brief History of my Web Endavours

2001

Started the long journey into building webpages with a book given by my aunt & uncle introducing me to Microsoft Frontpage for my birthday.

2002

Purchased my first domain, mccreath.info, building a website for my father’s business on top of it.

2005

I build my high school’s website and in turn design and build one for the City of Edinburgh Music School. These were my first third-party projects, and are still in use today.

2007

In April, I started this blog as a way to practice writing and share my photographs with the world.

In September, I began attending Abertay University to study BSc. (Hons) Web Design & Development.

2009

Attended both Future of Web Apps Edinburgh & Future of Web Design Glasgow–my first web conferences.

In June, I became self-employed, launching Fused Reality Studios as my business.

2010

The world is my oyster…

Distance No Object #003 – Loneliness

Craig — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:17:54 +0000

This week we’re chatting a little about the world of loneliness, and how me & Corinne deal with it. Well, that’s what it was supposed to be! Take a listen!

Download mp3.

Living off less

Craig — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:03:13 +0000

I’ve started something new recently… mainly due to necessity. Sure, I’d love to drop off and get a cappuccino at Starbucks and then get something tasty out but I have wasted too much money on these things. Instead, I’m living off of less these couple of months and seeing how much I can save.

I wish it was due to better circumstances, but alas not. The holiday season brought forward much thoughtful gift giving and despite the fact I was living with my father for near-enough a month, I dinged my overdraft one unfortunate Thursday. With tickets bought already to return to Dundee, and about £10 in change I hope that money owed to me would arrive quickly–but instead these things have been dragging more than I expected.

It’s been almost two weeks and somehow I still have over £4 of that budget left. I have a reserve of tinned goods in the cupboard that should last me in excess of a week, with money only spent on this highest of necessities.

I am a proud person, but in the past my money management skills have been nothing but terrible. If I wanted something, I bought it. If I was in the mood to eat out all the time or take those nights out partying, I would. I was lazy, and too used to convience.

By limiting what I do and what I have it has helped me understand what is truly special to me, and what matters. By having this experience, I have the drive to do things to make my life easier–not getting things to make my life easier.

What do you think you really need to live?

Distance No Object #002 – Blogging

Craig — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:00:17 +0000

TMI? Me & Corinne talk about the pros and cons of blogging in a long distance relationship.

Download the mp3.

New Leaf

Craig — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:50:38 +0000

I took some time off to think. I haven’t been able to do that for a long while. I think I lost something.

Let me explain. A long time ago you may remember I decided to change this blog into a more “let’s make it more about me” sorta thing. Well, that worked and seemed to be a good thing for a time… but when July came round, and the hell that started from it, I lost track of my interests and have been wallowing since.

I want to change that.

If it means that I don’t talk about myself that much, then so be it. If it means that I try new things, so be it. If it means that I can reconnect with you guys and feel better being able to comment and talk to you lot again… then I can’t wait.

What I didn’t do at the start of the year was discuss how things are going to change in the next little while. Not with life, and not with this blog. Changes are afoot–most of which I love.

What I hate showing.

Before we can ascertain the issues that… ahem… sorry, I’ve been writing a load of essays all day. Basically, to find what is good–we have to find what is bad.

There’s been a lot of talk about the bad things that occur in my life. So, who cares? Nobody wants to read that stuff. I should be sharing what awesome things have happened to me recently… like getting a big 3mm hole in my ear! Or how it looks like Corinne is moving over here in May…. but I haven’t.

Instead of writing about how unproductive I’ve been, why don’t I get off my backside and do some awesome things? I’ve been wanting to release wordpress themes and addons for a while, or even design some nice cool things for others. Why haven’t I? Because I’m lazy!

What I should show!

I should talk about all the cool things that are happening. How I want to bring back the Distance No Object podcast (two are waiting to be released) and I want to talk about all the good movies I’ve seen recently, the games I’ve played… the work I’m doing. All the fun of the fair, as you may say.

The people who read this mean a lot for me, and I don’t do enough to make you happy. Is there anything I can do for you?

Time to turn a new leaf and make things awesome again! WOOOOO!!!

2009 in review & goals for 2010

Craig — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:01:24 +0000

I think we agree that this year has been a terrible shambles. With that in mind… it’s time to look over the year that was and look ahead to the year that will be.

The Good

I started freelancing. While it’s not been the best year to start a business, I can now say I’m doing something.
I attended web-related events that allowed me to learn great people and learn a lot. I can’t wait to get to another (that I can afford!)
I watched less tv than last year, partly due to the fact I was living somewhere without one.

I found it really hard to think of some good points. It’s been a hard year and maybe I’m not thinking the best tonight…

The Bad

Corinne had to go back to the States and I haven’t seen her since.
I lost my mother in July. A piece of me was ripped out that day.
Money was tight and I almost didn’t have enough for presents at the end.
When I got back to university I caught a month long cold that caused me to almost loose track of my studies.
I didn’t fulfil last year’s resolution to read a book a month–but I did renew my library membership and purchased a few new books.

Goals for 2010

Live frugally. Which also means that there will be a little less Starbucks in my future, and a lot more homemade espresso.
Lose weight and go to the gym more. The month long cold took any of my exercising ability out of me, but I’ll find time to go.
Grow the Business. It’s a long-term goal, but something I think I need to achieve… and should be able to do.
See Corinne again as I don’t think I can’t last much longer without seeing her again.
Start podcasting again on both Distance No Object and the Kilted Cast.
Work on my personal projects and get them off the ground. Too often I get half way to completing it and loose interest.
Eat less junk food and eat more vegetables.

Think I’ll manage that? Let’s hope so… Any resolutions you’re keeping yourself?

Back from the dead.

Craig — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:21:52 +0000

Hello. Since most of you have probably forgotten about me, I’m Craig. I’m twenty and, just like many others, I have issues.

My latest started recently with a cold. A month-long cold.

I couldn’t go to the gym because I was coughing so much. So I gained a little weight. Then I still couldn’t go to the gym because I got myself some bronchitis. Then, in front of that… two nice little doses of emotional turmoil.

In all, it means that when I was last at the shop buying myself some jeans… I gained a size.

You could say my self-esteem is a little bit low right now, and you’d be right.

Image by Sara Björk and licensed under CC: Attribution.

At odds-end.

Craig — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:56:30 +0000

Somehow I’ve managed to give myself jetlag. Late nights up and even later mornings have caused a few days of oddness.

I am still trying to get back onto my feet after the cold of the decade in my opinion… and since I haven’t gotten to the gym in over a month I’ve been feeling a little more than podgy. The adrenaline rush you get from exercise… I miss it, but when you’re coughing up almost every day it’s not exactly the motivator you want to get out.

But with the issues almost gone, it’s about time to get life back on track–don’t you think?

I just can’t believe it’s taken this long…