Dropping the Hammer
One of my favorite movie scenes comes from Days of Thunder - rebel race car driver Cole Trickle (played by Tom Cruise) shows up to test drive a car, and while he’s driving, he tells his crew chief that he’s “dropping the hammer.”
What he meant was that he getting ready to slam on the gas and hit top speed. Now that I’m back from my cruise, I’m in that same spot, and ready to drop the hammer on the open source Revolution project.
While I was gone, I received a ton of comments, and as much as I’d like to address them individually, I cannot. If you posted a comment that required a response, please do me a favor and contact me with your question.
As for the vacation, it was really good and well-needed. The weather was great, mainly sunny and in the upper 80’s - perfect cruise weather, and being able to spend an entire week with Cory Miller and his wife was very cool. Before I get on with business, here’s some fun pics from the trip:
- Cory and I atop the pool deck minutes before setting sail
- Catching a wave on the “Flow Rider” which is on the top deck of the boat
- One of the reasons they suggest not trying to stand while riding a wave
- Me, my wife Shelly and son Zach at the dinner table on Formal Night
- The world’s largest cruise boat, Liberty of the Seas
- Zach and I killing time with an iguana and parrot before we swam with a dolphin
- Zach and a couple of mates during the Pirate Parade
- Cory and I getting ready to dig in and eat some dinner
Back to business… well I just got off the phone with Jason, and we’re still on track for the unveiling of the new site. As of right now, it looks as though we’ll be launching with a number of various themes to offer - including blog themes, magazine themes, media themes, photo themes, video themes. We’re both very excited about the coming week, and look forward to seeing how all of you use the themes.
I’ll probably be posting on Monday with more on the Revolution open source project…
Brian, good to hear you had a refreshing cruise. I hope that I will feel as though I am ready to drop the hammer next week. Yes, I have this 44th week of the year off … for some much needed R and R. If it worked for you … maybe it will work for me.
I am so very excited about the new theme releases … might even give my revolution an oil change … yes … I am that excited about what genius you are going to deliver.
I cannot believe how much you have developed in your WordPress Theme development over the past few years. I know … I always manage to squeeze that into every comment I leave for you, but it really is true! You have helped changed the way WordPress looks and how we look at WordPress … now that is VERY KEWL!
Mark, thanks a lot - continued support, through ups and downs, good decisions and bad ones, is always appreciated by me. I hope you enjoy what’s to come!
Brian,
I’ve been doing a lot of research on WP themes and developers, during your absense and in anticipation of your new themes. I’ve even uploaded a couple themes for temporary use at my two major sites. Here’s what I’ve learned: your themes clearly are setting the pace as the premiere ones out there. Several so-called developers are following your cutting-edge themes with knock-off, while hoping to capitalize on the growing blogging industry. I enterred into this discovery process to validate what I’ve known for a long time: that you are clearly on a path to become the premiere theme developer in the WP culture. You’ll be glad to know that I now know how to upload themes to my server. I’m excited to be among the first to purchase your new themes.
Regards,
Howie Hanson
Editor & Publisher
Glad you had a good time - can’t wait to see what comes in less than a week now!
Glad you and your family (and Cory) and a wonderful time!! Thanks for sharing your photo’s with us… That is one big ship but again looks like you all had fun!! Perfect temps and beautiful sunshines.. Now I know who was hogging it while were were all chilly back here!! Looking forward to the new site….
Howie, you know how much I value you and the way you encourage me. Thanks for sticking with me, even when I get bust at times and take more than 2 minutes to get back to you!
Brandon, thanks - should be coming soon!
Susan, thanks as well. Yes, we hogged the weather and we loved every bit of it!
I can’t wait for the new themes, Brian! I’ve been a huge fan and user of your themes and I’m itching to use one of the new ones for my newest project!
Glad to see you had a wonderful vacation =)
I’m pleased to hear you’re embarking on this new project, Brian. You are an inspiration to so many and you’re clearly not sitting on your laurels. That’s the sign of a leader and an innovator. I look forward to watching your progress.
Brian,
Ahh Cruising, haven’t done it since I was a teenager, unless you call a Navy Ship a Cruise.. (Not the same..!)
Gotta take my wife on one of these.. They are a blast.
Anyways, Thanks for being so honest about this whole new direction your going in. I have not worked with a developer who has been so darn honest before, I have spent plenty of $$$ before on programs that I thought were good or could be good, but would disappear or be all over the map. I can say that for the last year I have been using your products I have never been disappointed, nor have I ran into “ANY” Bugs..
We were going to switch to to a new version for a update on our site.. but now are waiting to see what you are going to put out!!
Can’t wait!
Darrell
Brian,
Awesome to hear that you had a great time!! The pictures look great and you have a beautiful family. I look forward to hearing info on the new launch!
It is exciting!
Serena Carcasole
http://www.vbsondemand.com
Your 1STOP Business Service Shop
Outsource your way to success!
Looks like you guys had fun. Funny to see your shirt - on the formal night - matches your website. Coincidence? I think not!
Welcome Back! Glad you guys had a good time while *some* of us were getting snow!
Maybe Next is a trip to Japan.??
I want to thank you for making Revolution Theme
as it has been good for what I am doing for a Living
if you come to Tokyo, I would buy you beers!
PS: your son is adorable!
Hey Brian, just wondering if you’re able to reveal whether your new project will have any room for affiliate sales (of support or similar) or whether you’re moving away from that model entirely…
Matt, yes, there will still be an affiliate program!
Impressive.
Great pictures - looks like a fun time had by all, and much needed (and deserved), I imagine.
Can’t wait to see what comes next. Over the past few weeks I’ve been debating the developer license and I’ve decided I’m in. I appreciate what you’ve done. I love working with Wordpress, and you have given me more to work with and more to look forward to!
Cheers,
Brian