Howell Creative

I started writing HTML in 1997. Most of my recent work has been developing WordPress powered sites. I’ve done some of those HTML email messages too. I do some original graphics. I can do some CSS but I mostly hack others code. I run my own web server. I did this site and these: The Howell Report, Patricia Dominowski, Grant Professionals Network, Center for Independent Living.

From 1977 to 1985 I worked for a company called Hammond Electronics in Columbus, Ohio. I installed car stereos, speakers, amplifiers, cruise control, power antennas, and much more. When I started we were about a year into the CB Radio craze. I certainly installed my share of CB Radios and 8-track tape players. By the time I retired we were beginning to install cell phones and under-dash CD players. That was probably the best job for a single guy in his twenties. I had a wonderful time, I drove a lot of great cars and have many great memories. The most valuable thing I learned during those years was: If something is already broken don’t be afraid to try to fix it. You’ve got nothing to lose.

In high school I got a part-time job working for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Our store won a regional award for cleanliness. Colonel Sanders was still alive then. I had a chance to go to work for a former KFC manager who was starting his own restaurant. This guy was poaching all the good KFC people in the area. I turned down the opportunity. That guy was Dave Thomas and his restaurant was the first Wendy’s. I prepared salads and grilled steaks part time in a “fine dining” Italian restaurant called Del Mattos during college. I also worked in a grocery store deli for a while. Restaurant people are some of the most fun people to be around.

My older brother helped me get my first job as a construction laborer on an apartment complex job when I was 15. I was there through all phases from site development to final site cleanup. I learned how each construction trade follows the other. I worked with a company that did utility installation for commercial construction. When I first came to Florida I worked on a framing crew building custom homes and I worked as an electrician’s apprentice for a while.

As I mentioned above, when I first came to Florida I worked in construction. Well, I was so desperate to get out of the sun that I took a job running a high-speed copier in a law firm for the Xerox Corporation. I made 30,000 copies a month. I ended up doing that from 1989 to about 1994. I also did it for another company in 2004-2005.

From 1999 to 2000 I worked for a company called Convergys as a technical support representative for Dell Computer. I solved people’s computer problems over the phone and later via email. I was trained to support both desktop and laptop computers. This was a few years before they took all that tech support to India. I was at work at midnight on December 31, 1999. Y2K was supposed to cause all kinds of havoc with computer systems and didn’t.

I’ve never had a job repairing cars but I’ve done most all the work you can do to autos short of engine overhaul. Yes, I do all my own oil changes. Every able-bodied man should change their own oil.

I’ve never been a professional handyman but after being a homeowner for 16 years I’ve done a lot of miscellaneous repair. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and more. In 2004 we were hit by hurricanes Francis and Jeanne which destroyed much of our shingled roof and some interior damage. I installed a steel roof.

I started riding motorcycles in 1978 and still do today. I believe the experience has made me a much better driver. Never rode a motorcycle for a job but would try it if given the chance!