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In Reno I worked with a jovial fellow named Scott Callahan, or "Coot". Coot and I were hired at around the same time, but that was where the similarities ended. I quickly recognized in Coot a fondness for almost anything antique -- that is, anything old that had a story to go with it -- and given the work environment, which was stuffed full of computers and web site projects and designers who blared Kid Rock at aircraft-like decibel levels, this struck me as a very rare thing. For more than twenty years, Coot has collected (and sometimes restored) classic bicycles. On a whim, about three or four years ago, he enlisted the help of two of his designer friends, and between them, they came up with a kickass logo for his personal project, Buzz Bomb Bicycles. With a new focus, he began to evolve his hobby into one he could share. This year, Coot's little bicycle collection has begun traipsing around the exhibit circuit, beginning with a show at the Nevada Museum of Art. People wanted more information, and he wanted to give it to them, and that's where I joined the fray. Coot wanted a web site for Buzz Bomb, one that captured the vision of his little obsession and made it accessible to those who might share it. He was very clear -- this wasn't a web site meant for mass public consumption, but for other classic bicycle enthusiasts, and if that meant alienating a few unsavvy folk by using Flash or other interesting techniques, so be it. (All Flash bravado courtesy of the talented Dan Fields.) We struck up an unusual arrangement, and based the experience on a barter system. One web site for Coot; a Buzz Bomb shirt and hat and calendar for me. The trade worked out well for us both, and the site was recognized with a 2005 Gold ADDY® Award in the District 14 Web Site Category, and won a 2005 Silver ADDY® at the regional level.
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