All the Small Things

50 Things that make me smile

01. Friends
02. Family
03. My Career
04. Kissing
05. Mister Surly
06. Music
07. Art
08. Laughing
09. Eating
10. Making others Smile
11. The way other people smell (in a good way)
12. Honesty
13. Flirting
14. Hugs
15. Accomplishing Goals
16. Photography
17. A Stiff Drink
18. Great Company
19. YOU
20. Listening to Rain
21. Sex
22. Christmas
23. Sleep
24. Inside Jokes
25. Compliments
26. Travel
27. Talking
28. Hearing a Tree Fall in the Woods
29. Being in the Sun
30. Writing
31. Going to Music Shows
32. Cuddling
33. A Clean House
34. Great Books
35. Confidence
36. Morning Texts
37. Football
38. Hot Showers
39. Appreciative People
40. Holding Hands
41. Handwritten Notes
42. A Clean Car
43. The way she smells
44. Museums
44. Movie Quotes
45. Smart People
46. Looking into your eyes
47. Waking up from a Nap
48. Knowing someone cares
49. Knowing I am loved by my Family
50. Knowing my Friends are Happy

Have yourself a... Umm... Happy Holiday Party?

Thursday night was my work Holiday Party. My Third one and might have been my favorite, even tho there were
great aspects of my rookie year. We had it at the usual place - Old Venice. It was a blast with great food, open bar
and fun times with my work friends. I had more to drink at the pjavascript:void(0)arty than I usually do at work
functions, breaking a Cheese Rule - (Work RULE #3 - Never get drunk at a work party).

I have really had a hard time with the whole political correctness this year, more so than other years.
I like Christmas... wait, I LOVE Christmas. It is awesome!!! I don't want to stop being able to celebrate it.
I can appreciate other people religious views and they can celebrate their holidays too.. I know I have been
somewhat brainwashed too - when someone says "Merry Christmas" to me and I question "What if I was Jewish?"
instead of returning the greeting. I'm going to really try to walk the thin political line, while giving
people my Xmas Cheer!

I am really looking forward to the next couple of weeks - many holiday festivities, Christmas parties,
and Christmas with the family.

Pictures from the party HERE.

Misty Mountain Hop

Tasia and myself went up to Julian for the day. We did all the touristy stuff - A gorgeous Fall Drive up
the mountain, Shopping, and yummy Apple Pie!!! We stopped at Dudley's Bakery for some bread and snacks.
The fall weather was awesome. Very cold and crisp. The only thing that would have been better, would have
been a nice dusting of snow.

I am able to really enjoy my life again, with great company and someone that's truly is special in my life.
I feel extremely lucky!

The Story So Far

A couple months ago Warner Bros. announced that DC Comics held WildStorm Comics will be closing their
doors in San Diego and being absorbed into the WB fold in either LA or NY.

WildStorm was my first real Design job out of school. Comics had always been in my heart since I had been
collecting since I was 12 (and just sold off the collection this year). I was sooooooo F@#KING stoked
to get a job being around the thing I LOVED. I probably would have worked for FREE even. I was honored
and excited to be part of it. Now looking back at the legacy and the great memories (PLENTY of
great stories came from it) and awesome friends I still have some 16 years later, I share with you some
hidden treasures that I recently scanned for posterity.

The pictures were taken of new employees (which later went on the back of the Production door
when they left) and the drawing started because of this guy Merv and how he flipped everyone off
all the time. The drawing were posted on the wall next to my desk.

So as they prepare to close up shop, I tip my cap and say it's really still only the story so far.

PIXS Here

Deadbeat Holiday

As December cranks up the Holiday Festivities, along comes Anger, Frustration, Short-Tempers,
Rushing Around, and the occasional "Finger". I try to remind myself of all of this because, YES,
even the "Master of Cool" sometimes loses his head.

Be it the Mall (which is HORRIBLE this time of year), the gym or just driving around town,
there always seems to be more assholes out there than usual.

As far as Holiday Shopping, IF I need to go to the mall, I only go at lunch or later in the evening
(after 7pm). NEVER on weekends. Hell, getting into Target / Walmart are hard enough, let alone
during the Holiday Madness!

But there are great things to do during this time of year that don't cost a ton of money:

Julian for Apple Pie and Fall in a Quaint Mountain Berg

Driving around San Diego looking at Lights

December Nights in Balboa Park

Ice Skating in Downtown (Horton Plaza) or the Beach (Hotel Del Coronado)

Holiday Boat Parade in the Bay (December 12 & 19th)

See Santa in Fashion Valley Mall

Just remember what is important during this time of year. Family. Friends. Good times.
And be sure to keep your cool!

Design as Art - OR - Why do all Designers dress the same?

As an effort to do more with the community I am part of (the Design community, you dolt!), I attended
an event called Design as Art. It was small but fun. It was held at BASIC in downtown, which seems to
hold a lot of art-based events. I talked to a couple of artists and purveyors of cool,artsy stuff.
Overall a great time that shows that San Diego isn't as stuffy as some people think we are.

The people watching tho was... CLASSIC. There is definitely a "LOOK" for said Designer. Part Hipster.
Part Musician. Part Euro-Art Trash. It's true they LOVE to wear black. Throw in Chucks on half of the guys.
Sure there are exceptions, but I know I can pick the Designer out of the group... Always!

Seeing the cool art / design though makes me angry at myself for not completing one of my goals
for 2010 - to start painting! I have my space set-up and built in my garage. I have some supplies.
I am ready... Except I haven't done it or set aside time to experiment. I do know that it will make
my list again next year and will become part of what I am calling my "Year of Expression" in 2011.

Look for GREAT things my friends.... GREAT things!!!