What are your favorite things on your site?
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/schwinn/tbg.htm is the closest thing to an autobiography on my web site.
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/pandora/pandy3.htm tells the story of the sneaking straw stealing kitty cat, with photographs to prove it.
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/studies/trailoftears.htm is an essay I wrote in my first year at the university.
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/studies/eagles.htm is a cultural analysis of a novel about World War One aviation. The HTML code for this page includes language tags for the French and German names, hoping that user agents can read them aloud with the proper pronunciation.
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/studies/geog_glossary.htm is my most massive yet least original work. It is the glossary of a textbook transcribed verbatim, but then with hyperlinks added between related terms.
http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/songs/prayer.htm is a prayer in the form of a song I wrote some years ago (No sound recording of it yet though). The first six songs of R Blonde Story (http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/songs/rblonde.htm) describe what I witnessed of the disintegration of a couple, and how I tried to help them.
When looking at other people's Web sites what do you look for as a viewer?
Fast loading, good content, good layout, valid code and attention to accessibility issues.
What is "one word" that would describe your site?
authentic
Because of your site do you consider yourself a Web celebrity, an exhibitionist, a public figure, a writer, an innovator, or something different?
All of the above to some extent. I am a web celebrity because I am now listed in About.com (shameless plug). I am an exhibitionist because I have posted personal information and photographs about my interests. I am a public figure because I am there expressing my opinions on various subjects for anyone to see. I am a writer because of the songs and essays I have posted. I am an innovator because my web pages are valid strict XHTML code (this may have been a mistake). I am definitely something different, a (The) Bicycling Guitarist.
How do you tackle the mechanics of Web design and how do you deal with your frustrations when you can't do what you envision.
I use CSS style sheets now as much as I know how. When I hit a snag I ask questions at various webmaster web sites and newsgroups.
Why do you think people are interested in your interest or hobby and what you have to say about it?
Many people like beagles, cats, Ford Falcons, Native Americans, the Red Baron, etc. Usually when they write me about these subjects, they express surprise that I ride my bicycle while simultaneously playing guitar. I ask, why doesn't everybody do it?
What compels you to design beautiful pages and to write from the heart (beyond just the usual question of "why do you write a Web site?")
I respect the people who need other than mainstream user agents to access my material. My songs and essays are always about subjects that are important to me, about which I feel I may be able to contribute something to the store of mankind's culture. I have brought smiles to people who see me as I ride and play. If my web site helps someone in any way, I am pleased.
