mcville: Meryl K. Evans Interview

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Meryl K. Evans Interview

Nov 1, 10:53 PM by Marko

Interivew with Meryl K. Evans at meryl.net

Marko:Hello, Meryl !

Meryl: Hey, Marko! Thanks for having me. Great coffee, by the way. Keeps me fresh-eyed and curly-tailed.

Marko:For our reader’s could you tell something about yourself? (year old and other stuff)
Meryl: Hmm, where to begin. I met the Internet in 1993 or so and loved it from the get go. Before that, I was involved with BBSes (bulletin board systems)—the archaic version of the Internet. In the ‘90s, I thought I wanted to be a Web designer, but soon found out it wasn’t for me and that I prefer to write about it. As I say, “Those who can’t… teach.”
So, I’m a full-time content maven, working on anything and almost everything content. You can find me in Plano, Texas—a heartbeat north of Dallas—with my hubby and three kids who keep me on my toes. You won’t find any 10-gallon hats or boots in this here parts. I’m a child of the ‘80s, so that makes me 35.

Marko:How are you doing these days?

Meryl: Hopping! Ever since I left corporate America, I’ve been busier than ever playing volunteer, content maven, Mom and wife.

Marko:When did you first encounter a keyboard or computer?

Meryl: I remember that day very well. It was 1980—the day I came home from over three weeks of sleep-away camp. I walked into the home office to meet a new family member, Apple ][+ without lower case letters.

Marko:What is your favorite art work / website!?

Meryl: I get asked this a lot and I never have an answer. This time I’ll say CSS Zen Garden as there are many awe-inspiring designs to admire. As for art, I like Fanch Ledan, Thomas McKnight, Robert Hoppe and Roy Lichtenstein. In general, I like contemporary art and architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright).

Marko:when you launched meryl.net are you happy with the result of the site?

Meryl: To be honest, I never like my own design work. It got the job done, for the most part. Right now, I’ve got a design team helping me redesign it and I hope to have it up soon.

Marko:What do you do in your spare time (I do realize that spare time, in this context, is pretty relative)?

Meryl: Reading, volunteering, writing, and useless online surfing.

Marko:Do you have a favorite drink? How much of it do you drink?

Meryl: Coca-cola with crushed ice especially from Sonic. #2 is coffee. I usually drink Coke when I don’t feel well. One cup of java every morning. The rest of the time it’s water from the mug I always have with me.

Marko:Would you care to give us a brief overview of what a typical day is like for Meryl K. Evans?

Meryl: Read the paper with my coffee—I can’t start my day any other way. Get the rugrats—ahem, children—ready for school. Then I walk a few feet to my office where pajamas are allowed and start working on articles, blog entries, and content based on priorities and deadlines. I take my mid-day break (for my eyes’ sake) by doing stuff around the house or pretending to be the greatest runner on Earth while walking 4 to 5 miles an hour on the treadmill.

Marko:I am always wondering how people such as yourself go about getting work? How do you do it?

Meryl: Networking, referrals, and word of mouth. Cold calls scare me—besides people don’t adapt to the relay very well.

Marko:Who are some of your biggest influences?

Meryl: Jenna Glatzer for writing as I love her accessible style and that’s the way I always try to write when there are no guidelines. I don’t have a design influence as I don’t have a style of any kind unless you count bland. I admire the works of many especially those who design with standards. The design world is blessed with many talented folks.

Marko:Is your background in design? What was the progression into web development and design like? How did that take place and why?

Meryl: My degree is in education. I couldn’t change my major again if I wanted to graduate within four years. In 1999, after my second child was born, I began taking online classes at New York University and earned my certificate in Internet Technologies. I started doing some design work and it didn’t take long for me to realize design didn’t like me. I wrote and submitted an article for an online magazine and a Web design writing career was born.

Marko:If you were not a designer/programmer what would you be?

Meryl: Content maven, which I am. :) Otherwise, I like the idea of being a chef as I enjoy watching the Food Network, can you tell?

Marko:How do you like our site mcville.net?

Meryl: It’s a clean design and a great start. I’d suggest using black as I think it uses gray for the text and some people have trouble reading that. Perhaps, have some lines to create boundaries.

Marko:What kind of music do you fancy?

Meryl: Classic rock and soundtracks from movies and musicals. Weird, I know. I wouldn’t tell my friends this when I was a kid and classic rock wasn’t classic at the time.

Marko:What’s your favorite food?

Meryl: No matter how old I get, I have a weakness for good pizza. I love good food and going to a four or five start restaurant once in a blue moon (almost literally).

Marko:Where do you get out on Saturdays?

Meryl: Usually go to my kids’ sports games. When we’re in the mood, we go shopping. Oh, you mean as in “go out?” Excuse me a minute, I’ve got water up my nose from laughing.

some relaxing question to follow

Marko:Chinese or Thai (food)?

Meryl: Chinese. Thai wins the battle against reflux.

Marko:Coke or Pepsi?

Meryl: Coke! I can tell the difference. Really!

Marko:html or asp?

Meryl: HTML

Marko:Do you watch television? If so, do you have a favorite show?

Meryl: We record everything and watch it when we’re too tired to much else. I most look forward to Charmed, Commander-in-Chief, and Desperate Housewives. Sounds like a pattern of shows where women are in the main role, but really—they’re funny and interesting.

Marko:What would we find in your favorites bookmarks-bar?

Meryl: 2,000+ entries. Sad, isn’t it?
Marko: heh yeah !

Marko:What inspires you? This doesn’t have to be design related.

Meryl: A good book that leaves me with a “Wow” feeling or applying its concepts. Intelligent discussions about various topics and books.

Marko:Thank again for having this interview, cheers m8!

Meryl: Thank you and l’chaim (to life)! (lifts coffee cup to Marko) Mmm, thanks for the good coffee.

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Meryl K. Evans Interview

Nov 1, 10:53 PM by Marko