eightsixty9 design studio

It’s been a rough week. Not to dwell but just to get it out there and off my worrisome mind.

The Fabulous lil Lisa Nguyen

I found out my dear friend, Lisa Nguyen, was murdered last Sunday. Seems her delusional monster of a father decided to kill both our dear Lisa and her mother, and then cowardly throw himself off an 11 story building, thus killing himself and never facing the music. The design community which we both lived in for the past 6 years at college is in shock. We are angry and we are so deeply saddened that we will never see our little Lisa ever again. She was one of the brightest lights in the universe. I for one will never forget. Goodnight sweet Lisa. RIP.

So needless to say, the week was rather challenging. Monday was a blur pit of sadness, Tuesday was better as I finally got injections into my back and feel human again. Wednesday was a mad rush as we had a big Open House event at my company. Thursday was recoup day and filming day. Got some great clips, might have to do a few pickups. Friday drug its feet but ended extremely well with great news.

So that brings me to Saturday. Today is a day for getting things done. I have been cleaning all morning, doing laundry, am about to go out for a powerwalk and later this evening, I get to have dinner with my friend of 33 years and play catch up.

What I have to remember is that life is good, despite our sorrows and pains. I want to celebrate what I have, what I have worked so hard for. My family and friends. My loved ones. Those long gone, and those that remain. Everything is precious. I cherish it all. Thank you for this gift of life.

So today has been amazing so far. First off I had a list of things to do before my plans later on. I’ve been trying to get them done for the past week, but, it’s been so hectic in my life, today was the first day I could focus and get it done!

So I head out about 9:45 this morning and head straight to the car wash. While I’m there I meet this jolly fellow and his white lab, Bella. Bella is trained to work with kids, so she is very tolerant. Bella was unique though. She has this curiosity like a cat. Has to jump up on things as to see the world, has to sniff out smells so she knows whats goin on. He told me he got her specially when his dog of many years lost her life to Cancer. “I got her just after I saw “Molly and Me,” he told me. I don’t know about you, but when I meet a doggie with a kind soul, I see it and it warms me like nothing else. She was an angel, so friendly, gave me kisses. He said “that’s how I knew to pick her, I chose her from a litter of 5 pups, she was just a few weeks old.” Not world changing but this tiny moment kinda made my day. I am cherishing it.

Next on my list was going to the office supply store. On my drive over I pass a bus stop and catch this elderly gentle man just about to make a jump over a section of sidewalk. If I only had my camera, and wasn’t driving. He made the jump and then did a little cheer/victory dance. I was thinking man that just made him so happy, it probably brought him back to when he was a child, jumping puddles or somethin. Just a touching moment.

I get to OfficeMax and with my $25 off gift card, 20% off coupon, my close to $200 bill dropped to $125 That was fantastic, it’s always a great thing when I can save some dough.

Now, I get to go to my favorite professor’s wedding celebration. He had lost his wife or 45 years about 2 years ago. He just recently remarried and today is their big celebratory party! I wish him all the happiness is the world. This dude is just amazing and has been an inspiration to me for the past 8 years. I am so lucky to know him. *Update: here is a photo from the big shindig!

So off I go, onto more journeys…how many wonders will amaze me the 2nd half of my day? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out!

How’s your weekend?

Well the 8 months I spent as Art Director for Garage Magazine were some of the greatest moments of my life. Wow what a rush and what an amazing life moment for me. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, the sights I saw. Just wow. I’ve learned so much along my journey with Garage. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world.

But, like all good things that come to an end, my journey with Garage is now complete.  Garage is no stranger to the situation we all face in this economy.  They too know the struggle of the $. Tough economic times have won out and I have been set free along my path in life to discover the unknown.

So now, I begin my new journey. Onwards and upwards they say. I will take this down time to enhance my portfolio with all the new wonders I have been so lucky to create over the past 8 months. I will take the time and do it right and above all else, I can’t wait to see what is out there!

The Force is with me so I know I’m in good hands.