miketartagliadesigns
ª About
Hello! I am Mikey Tarts, and here are my designs on life.
This website started as a resume depicting the life of a multimedia creative. Since the late 1990's, I hand-coded websites for small non-profits, friends' businesses, and personal experimentations. More than 20 years on, the creative focus has changed.
The creative outlets became bigger. More diversified. More intense. Here lies a living CV of milestones, bests, and goals in my worlds of fiber arts, music, culinary arts, running, and data processing – yes, spreadsheet love is a quirk of mine!
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Fiber Arts
I have been knitting since 2009, with several years experience streaming doing so on Twitch. Several patterns are also featured over on my Ravelry profile. My masterpieces are scarves knit reflecting all 162 games of the New York Mets 2019 & 2021 seasons. Currently knitting for fun, I have a slight addiction towards making hats, scarves and pumpkins... always with the pumpkins...
Milestones
- 2009: Started knitting
- 2018: Livestreamed knitting to public audience on Twitch
- 2020: Self-taught sewing, starting with shoulder bags
Bests
- Constructed 22-foot scarf documenting runs scored during the NY Mets 2019 season
- Reached affiliate status on Twitch by live-streaming knitting
- Created and published knitting patterns on Ravelry.com
Goals
- Market and sell small knit goods, such as pouches or decor
- Partake in interstate or international sheep and wool festivals
- Start up a local knitting circle in my hometown
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Music
Guitar playing has been a hobby since high school. First public performances occurred in 1999. Self-produced albums and open-mic solo work followed over the years. In the early 2010's, vocal training and coaching strengthened a bass-baritone pop voice.
Listen on:
Apple Music,
Spotify,
Amazon Music
Milestones
- 1999: Debut performance, Fordham Preparatory.
- 2014: Open-mic debut at Wicked Wolf, White Plains, NY. ►
- 2020: Released guitar-driven ambient album "Les Couleurs" on streaming services.
- 2023: Returned to open-mic performances.
Bests
Goals
- Further live performances of original work
- Collaborating with artists towards production of new material
- Strengthen understanding of music theory
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Culinary
Cookies, desserts, vegetarian cooking, hot peppers, appetizers, snacks... The menu in the household changes rapidly. In 2011, a childhood dream was achieved after graduating from culinary school. The meals continue on Instagram!
Milestones
- Since 1990: Offering to cook full dinners for my family
- 2011: Graduating from French Culinary Institute (now part of Institute of Culinary Education)
- 2013: Developed and tested flavors for Seth Greenberg's Authentic New York Brownie Crunch
- 2019: Crafted hot sauce concept "Mikey Tarts Thot Sauce," with initial flavors "Poblan'ho Thotté" (poblano, coffee, clove), "Jalapeño Business" (red jalapeño, garlic), and "Thot'banero XO" (habanero, orange, cognac).
Bests
- Graduated Top of the Class from FCI
- Compiled "Green Cloth Foods" concept on Instagram of homemade and styled foods ►
- Livestreamed the creative process of the iconic "dessert burger" ►
- Baked and tested flavors for nationwide product, Seth Greenberg's Authentic New York Brownie Crunch
- Grown and harvested habanero, jalapeño, cayenne, Carolina Reaper, and bhut jolokia peppers on apartment balcony
Goals
- Contribute dessert recipes to local coffeehouse for baking and sale
- Apply experience with French cooking techniques in medium-sized (80-100 head) kitchen
- Work alongside local distilleries and breweries to create food highlighting their products
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Running
In the 90s and early 00s, skateboarding and walking miles every night assured a healthy heart. "Running" was something that sprinters and marathoners done. Fast forward to my forth decade on this planet, and a world of 5Ks, 10Ks, run groups, and training apps put fitness on an entirely different track. Currently a brand ambassador for Athletic Brewing, at least 30 miles of pavement pounding runs its course every week.
Milestones
- 2016: Started competitive running with NYC's Cupcake Run
- 2017: First 5K race completed, in Brooklyn, NY.
- 2017: First 10K race completed, in Prospect Park, NYC.
- 2018: First Half Marathon race, in Central Park, NYC.
- 2018: First Full Marathon, in Corning, NY.
- 2019: Joined Taconic Road Runners Club
- 2020: Completed an excess of 1,415 miles of running
- 2021: Became brand ambassador for Athletic Brewing Company
- 2021: Completed an excess of 1,650 miles of running
- 2022: Joined Run PB (Peekskill Brewery) ►
- 2022: Completed an excess of 1,750 miles of running
- 2023: Completed an excess of 2,230 miles of running
- [Ongoing since 14-May-2020] Run streak of at least one mile every day.
Bests
| 1 Mile: | 5m 41s | NYRR New Balance 5th Avenue Mile | 10-Sep-23 | ► |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K*: | 20m 12s | NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K | 05-Mar-23 | ► |
| 10K: | 43m 37s | 43rd Annual Joseph McDonald Memorial 10K | 04-Jun-22 | ► |
| 10 Mile: | 1h 07m 27s | 2023 New Balance Bronx 10 Mile | 17-Sept-23 | ► |
| Half Marathon: | 1h 30m 31s | 2023 RBC Brooklyn Half | 20-May-23 | ► |
| Full Marathon: | 3h 25m 00s | The Louisiana Marathon | 01-Jan-24 | ► |
Goals
- Finish 5K in under 20 minutes
- Finish Half Marathon in under 1h 30m
- Complete Abbott Major Marathons: NYC, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London, Tokyo.
- Complete half-marathon distance in each of 62 New York State counties.
- Complete an ultra-marathon (usually over 30 miles)
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Data & Media
Spreadsheets, blogging, databases... sounds... fun? As it turns out, all of these can be quite fun when approached and presented in the right way!
Download "Hot Sauce": PDF,
Numbers,
Excel
Milestones
- 1998: Commissioned to create site for Friends of Irish Freedom organization.
- 2003: Graduated Fordham University with a BS in Computer Science.
- 2010's: Certified in Final Cut Pro X, Motion
- 2020: Edited and rendered commercial spots for Queery Mergeco Queer Zen Meditation.
Bests
- Compiled digest of hot sauces using Numbers, with reviews for over 80 unique brands
- Connected Strava run data output to Google Sheets for deeper analytics of 2+ years of daily runs
- Maintained miketdesigns.info for nearly 20 years
- Published video detailing vacations and travel exploits:
Corning 2021, Brooklyn 2022, Governor's Island 2019 - Livestreamed creation of "dessert burger" via Twitch ►
Goals
- Improve upon knowledge of Microsoft Excel in practical environments
- Complete journal of travelogs for publication
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Contact
Email: webmaster@miketdesigns.info
