About Robert Freeman Website Design

About Me

This is an overall view of the non-trivial choices I have made and the important events that have shaped my life, my view of the world and my approach to everything I set my hands to do.

If you are considering hiring me for a website or web application project and require detailed professional information you may request my Resume by emailing me.

In my beginning

I spent a good deal of my life in Tulsa Oklahoma. My first substantial decision (in my young mind) was to take up drumming in the 6th grade. Unfortunately the school didn't need percussionists, they needed someone to play violin. My first substantial mistake may have been turning my nose up at the violin but drumming was in my heart so I passed on the opportunity. I did become a drummer and music has shaped much of my life ever since.

I was not very involved in school activities and my view of the institution was jaded by my distaste for the chaos that young people create trying to find their place in society. Since I have had a life long passion for learning I also have to assume I wasn't challenged enough and was quite bored with school so I sought excitement elsewhere. Girls were cool though, I was just too shy to develop many friendships.
By high school I had fallen hard for one in particular. My desire to be the best mate I could be, and to fix some other things in my life, led me on a search that culminated in my acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life. Through this relationship God taught me love, pain, forgiveness, acceptance, the benefits of making wise decisions, we reap not only what we sow but what others close to us sow, and many other significant lessons that affected who I am today. Subsequent relationships, with the exception of my children, have reinforced or expanded on lessons learned in my youth. I have found that children teach a multitude of lessons that could not be taught through any other means... wonderful and invaluable lessons that I cherish.

After high school I took a job selling vinyl siding... a summer time reality check. I soon decided that I better enroll in college. This is when I developed a love for school which continues to this day. I took up computer programming because the money looked good and it seemed like a smart backup plan until the music gig panned out. I turned out to be successful in computer science and it stimulated the other side of my brain so I focused efforts in the area. I sought and obtained a job at one of the largest IBM clients in the country. These decisions and events have led to a long career in computing while pursuing an education and substantial involvement in music. My college based education is mostly in programming and music but also includes a small amount of construction technology and electrical engineering. My certification education is concentrated in web technologies. My personal studies and interests include biblical knowledge, architecture, programming, design, alternative energy, extreme sports, health and exercise, and pretty much anything else that catches my attention.
Favorite quote: "What one man can do, any man can do." - Sir Anthony Hopkins in The Edge

In my personal life I continue to be involved in the art of music and am beginning to express myself through painting. While I no longer seek stardom I do enjoy being involved in music and am always open to music projects that come my way or involvement in my church's music department.
Influential music: Yes, Kansas, Dream Theater, Dave Matthews, Bela Fleck, Peter Gabriel, Pat Metheny, Jean Luc Ponty... the list is actually quite large. How about anyone with a great drummer or avoids 4/4 time or has a unique sound or has a great stage show or moves me... ha... summarizing is tough too! My CD/DVD collection includes everything from classical to jazz to alternative to rock to world. :-) I just don't care for anything with a negative message because I simply don't see the world that way.
Influential art: Hmmm... so much wonderful art! I lean towards abstract (which is probably why I express myself in abstract painting) but just about anything can affect me emotionally. Sculpture will always grab my attention and glass is my favorite. I consider great architecture an art form and it has a big place in my heart too.

I think the multitude of float trips with my father must have given me my love for the environment and a need for the occasional thrill. These are recurring themes in my life that drive me to be efficient in everything, to be a good caretaker of the planet and encourage the idea that it's ok to take risks... just prepare carefully first... especially when skydiving.
Being raised primarily by my mother gave me a innate concern for the well being of women and a desire to understand their view of the world. I think that other X chromosome is required to truly get it... heh. But a genuine interest counts for something... right?

I have always been amazed by the accomplishments of single minded programmers and artists. My strength is that I lay somewhere in the middle. I lean toward creative solutions to programming problems and my performance abilities have always relied on technology. The popularity of the web provided me with the perfect opportunity to use the creative and logical skills that I have cultivated over the years. As a webmaster I get to express myself artistically, solve complex problems, help people and share in their success. I am grateful to have a career that satisfies so many of my interests, beliefs and goals.