email: randy@randykarels.com

About Me

Hi there, I'm Randy. Thanks for stopping by. I hope we have the chance to work together soon.

I started as an independent contractor in 2002 and have really enjoyed the ride. It feels good to push the plow and continue to learn new things. My focus these days is data analysis, vizualization, and web design. During the day, you can find me at SparkFun, the coolest electronics retailer on the planet.

I admire craftsmen, good parents, pastry chefs and those that can backup semi’s with long trailers. I like sharp knives, patches of sunlight on walls, worn stone steps, and my binder clip wallet.

I find cynicism boring and try to avoid business jargon, unnecessary stress and stepping in puddles when I’m wearing socks. Luckily, all three have never happened at the same time.

I take photos because I can't paint. The only downside of photography is much of it involves sitting at a computer. And I get enough of that during the day. If I had the space, I think I would make doors. Big, heavy wooden doors. Doors that have a presence closed, and look like they've been there forever. Built from the tree that your grandmother climbed at the edge of the meadow. You can see all the way to the river if the weather's good.

The calendar by my desk is from July 08 and shows five yellow breasted chats making a nest. They look very industrious and dedicated to the task. The parrots from the month before are just the opposite. So it goes.

I think life is good in the city and in the country and muddled everywhere else. Especially in Super Targets when i can’t find what i’m looking for.

Music and authenticity keep me going. The album you shouldn’t miss is Toumani Diabate’s New Ancient Strings. I just turned 36, and hope to get off my butt once in a while and walk up a steep hill. Maybe I'll see you up there.