America’s Beach Bum

Over the weekend I was given two computers by a photographer friend of mine.  He had been using one to host a handfull of websites.  The other one I’m not sure how it was used.  They are both HP WK 4200 Workstations.  They have a lot more power than my current PC so I am very happy with the gifts. 

Now I must begin the process of reinstalling the operating system and configuring the hardware.  Once the OS is up and running I will begin installing the software that I want to use on it.  Then I will take the old computer out of service and begin moving the Firewire and TV cards into the new machine.  Once that is complete I will format the hard drive with in the old computer and gift that to someone else.  Such is the circle of life freecycling. 

After I have both computers up and running I will have a terabyte of storage between the two computers. I’m trying to figure out how a humble beach bum such as myself will utilize that amount of storage.

I received and invitation from my former apprentice to visit him for two weeks.  In return for his hospitality I agreed to help him paint his house.  Just a couple of days work and we will spend the rest of the time bumming around the west coast of Michigan.

I’ve enjoyed spending time in South Haven and Holland on prior trips to Michigan.  They both have great beaches with lots of activity.  I can usually find a volleyball game to crash or make friends with a boat owner who might take me out on the lake.

I’m pretty sure that I won’t have to spend more than $100 once I arrive in Michigan.  Just a little sweat helping Beach_Guy with his painting project.  I’ll be leaving in a couple of weeks.  I’m really looking forward to it.

I have recently decided to extend the beach bum brand to merchandise.  The first step is to have an image created that would look good on t-shirts, mugs, board shorts, etc.  I’ve talked with an artist who has taken the project on but I’m curious what the beach bum community could come up with. 

So if you are artistically gifted and feel the urge to submit a beach bum related digital image to me you will be entered into the 2009 Beach Bum Image Contest. I’m looking for a beachy graphic that might include a surf board, palm trees, hammock or beach chair, volleyball, frisbee….you get the idea.

To win your image must be more appealing to me than all other submitted images including the image prepared by the professional artist.  It also must be your own work. The winning image will become the primary image of America’s Beach Bum.

The winner would receive a t-shirt along with several other pieces of beach bum swag and $100.00.  The $100.00 is payable upon the sale of the first 100 items of beach bum merchandise.

All submitted images become the property of America’s Beach Bum.  If America’s Beach Bum uses a non winning image the creator of the image will be compensated $25.00 upon the the sale of the first 25 items of beach bum merchandise.

Heading to the beach. Then watching fireworks.  Going to be chilling most of the day

 I’ve been using SwagBucks for several months now and have earned 255 Swag Bucks from search and 2 Swag Bucks (SB) from friends. 

The way that it works is you use the SwagBucks site for searches and occasionally they reward you with Swag Bucks.  The most Swag Bucks that I won was 10 on a single search.  I was pretty excited.

You can redeem your Swag Bucks for merchandise or gift certificates.  Right now I’m saving my Swag Bucks for a big prize…a PS3.  It’ll be a while before I reach the 4500 SB needed to “buy” the PS3.

When you join as my friend [by clicking the image above] I earn a SB when you earn a SB.  I could use some new friends, so if SwagBucks sounds like your cup of tea click the SwagBucks image and become a friend.  Thanks!