This past month I have been extremely busy planning for my big CI 2012 party weekend. This is my third consecutive year participating in the tournament weekend of events and each year I’ve progressively increased my presence:

• 2010 – Saturday Dayparty at Black Finn
• 2011 – Friday Dayparty at The Epicentre Rooftop + Saturday Day Party at Black Finn
• 2012 – Friday Dayparty at The Epicentre Rooftop + Friday Night at Wild Wing Cafe at The Epicentre + Saturday Dayparty at Vida at the Epicentre + Saturday Night at Wild Wing Cafe at The Epicentre

Planning four events is exactly what you’d think it would be: exciting, stressful, rewarding, and consuming. From 3am creative sessions to spending 3 days attempting to render a demanding motion graphic for the event video trailer. This is what I do. I eventually got the video rendered and every other task checked off. Purchase your tickets here.

2012 Dayparty event trailer

Party Flyers

And like that… 2011 is gone. Every year as the upcoming new year looms just weeks ahead, we ask ourselves “Where has my year gone?” It seems as if time has gotten hold of a Red Bull and begun rushing ahead to the next year at an alarming rate. I have seen people account for the previous year by putting together “Year in Review” posts each year, but I had never done it, so  I decided to give it a try this year. Admittedly, I would have looked at 2011 a lot differently had I decided against it. I spent a few days looking back and everything that was experienced in 2011, much of which I had forgotten. Ride with me…

Valentine’s Day – Spirit of Norfolk

Valentines day 2011 me and the misses took a ride on the Spirit of Norfolk, which was a first for me. Mimosa’s, great scenery, good food, and better company. Oh, and some dancing. It was an ill experience.

CIAA 2011 – Prayer, Planning, Parties & Paper

I planned and promoted my biggest party weekend during CIAA 2011. Two day parties (Friday: The Pavilion, Saturday: Black Finn). The largest stage, win, win-win. Some of the things that made this weekend memorable: having my mom in the section with virtually a bottomless rose supply having a ball at The Pavilion and when the DJ put on Drake’s “UP ALL NIGHT” at Black Finn and the crew went BANANAS. Memorable.

Relocation to Charlotte

After CIAA (one week later to be exact) we: Myself, Morgan, and Jayda my Chocolate Lab packed up and relocated to Charlotte. This was something we had wanted to do for well over 5 years. Since turning 21, we had visited Charlotte on numerous occasions and decided this was a place that we would like to call home. I loved the ambitious feel of the city. It is this same ambitious feeling I get when I visit DC or Philly. Relocating is unlike any other goal I have. It involves so many layers so this was a huge accomplishment for me.

Charlotte: First Le Diner Dinner Party + First Club Party

The first Le Diner event took place at The Bluprint Restaurant and I had a good turn out. The food was great and a few friends were in town, which made it that much more rewarding.

The first club event went down at Toxic. The turnout was  solid, my friends came in town to support again and we had a great time.

First NBA Experience

This past year I finally made it to a Bobcats game after trying to do so unsuccessfully for years. The Bobcats vs Wizards. The experience was ill. I plan to attend many more games this season.

Baby Brooklyn’s 1st Birthday

Look at di’ Brooklyn! My niece turned ONE this year and I had a great time at her birthday party. I’m not someone who has been around babies all of my life, but she has grown and matured like crazy in just one short year. Her birthday was full of food, love, cake, and a classic moment where she returned back to the party after being put to bed, ha. I love my niece.

New Years Eve

The last moments of 2011 were great. Family and friends were in town, the pre game was great and we had a memorable night at the Urban Garden Uptown where we brought in the new year.

Somewhere between these moments I:

Forged a connection with a 5 legged lamb, had my first outsourcing experience, spent Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach, had an amazing time with family and watched my first sunrise over the ocean, watched my grand father bop his head to music after trying a Shock Treatment at Wet Willies, converted to an iPhone, drove my first uHaul.. you get my point.

2011 didn’t fly at all. 2011 was full of experiences. Some good, some bad, and some totally new to me. I really cannot wait to see what 2012 brings.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS WAS HERE! It took a while for me to get into the spirit. I was probably in need of a bit of involvement, but I had to finish a few projects prior to. Some of my notable gifts:

Beats by Dre headphones

I had been wanting the Beats for a while now so I was crazy surprised and appreciative once I unwrapped my gift. Thanks Morgan.

Desk and Chair

I have to imagine my Mother was tired of me using Starbucks as an office and purchased this pair of items for me. I’ve been sitting here ever since. No, really though…  All of my instagram photos from now on will be from this chair’s POV, ha.

I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t talk about how this all improved my workflow. The Beats are a bit of a luxury, but I’m an extreme music dude. Extreme, like 8 hours easily each day. So, not really that much of a luxury. The desk and chair combo means I don’t have to hunch over the cocktail table from the couch when I’m giving Starbucks a break from seeing my face. I thank you, and the people scrambling for open power sources thanks you.

I recently(i.e. this morning) completed a logo and light identity project for Attentis.

The company offers coaching and support regarding behavioral patterns. The logo concepts provided were based on the human touch, which offers reassurance, intimacy, comfort, which were all brand properties. In the selected logo, the T’s both represent individuals joined by touch.

After a few clients asked about my design style and more specifically my process, I decided to spend some time creating a graphic that detailed the process from concept-to-creation.