Interview: Joey Brooks: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
I was able to sit down and do an exclusive interview with Joey Brooks, the man, the myth, the legend. While not doing freelance work, he can be found listening to metalcore, blogging at Milk Carton Designs, or loving his newly-found hobby of basket weaving.
How did you get involved in web development, and eventually into RandomShapes?
I first got involved in web development when I was 12-13 years old, first learning HTML, then eventually graduating to (X)HTML + CSS, and now employing the arsenal of XHTML, CSS, and PHP. Wordpress has played a huge role in my maturation as a web developer, with my first forays into PHP rooting in hacking at Wordpress and creating plugins. Wordpress also introduced me to several members of Random Shapes (via #wordpress on Freenode), and I eventually joined #randomshapes. After getting to know the members and the community, I eventually applied and came to be a member.
So Joey, where did your infamous nick “tunicwriter” come from?
It came about the same time I started into web development, actually. I had a desire for something new and unique. At the time, I wrote heavily, starting several small novels with medieval references, so “tunicwriter” was born, and it has stuck as my nickname ever since.
For those of us who don’t live in the south, what’s it like?
Hah. Unique. I’m not in the deep south. I’m barely in what most people would call the South, being in Virginia. We’ve got a nice little uprising of technology startups and the such. I enjoy it. The “small” towns suit me enough. They’re urban, but quiet. So it’s rather enjoyable. But I really don’t know anything else, born and raised in the same town.
What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in about 6 or 7 years?
One of three things. I’ll either be in a corporate office or startup doing web design/development, doing freelance full-time, or have launched my own startup.
So what about RandomShapes? It’s a known fact that you turn 20 in a few months, are you at will to say who’s going to take over? What is the next version of RS going to be like?
I love Random Shapes. Yes, I turn 20 in a few months, but I plan to leave my mark before I go. I’ll be around as day-to-day admin. for a little bit past my 20th, but not long. As far as who’s taking over and what the next version is going to be like, no comment; it’s going to be awesome, though.
Who has inspired you, both on and offline?
Hm. Deep question. I’d have to say my mom, however cheesy that sounds. She’s sacrificed a lot for me and has always encouraged my endeavors. She’s, in fact, the proud wearer of a Milk Carton Designs shirt. She helped me along with computers at first, but even though I’m the guru now, she’s been a huge, huge inspiration and influence, and I can think of no one else who has had such an impact on my life.
Thanks, Joey. And if you want to read more about Joey, be sure to check out his blog at http://milkcartondesigns.com/
Comments
Joey Brooks had a thought ¬
I do not basket weave!
⇒ May 29, 2007, 6:51 pm