I was planning on writing out some long post about what has had me so busy this past month, but then I realized something...I don't have to explain shit. It's my blog! Take that, Text Link Ads and your paltry $2.00 ad payment.

But I am going to get back in the swing of regular posting, I promise. I need to prioritize some things, and I might have a big announcement coming. I just wanted to let y'all know I am alive, things are going well, and I need to jet to a meeting in like 10 minutes.

See...busy!

P.S.: Let's just not mention that whole "31 Days of Design". I'll try for that again another month when I'm not so crazy busy.

Star Wars Real Trooper Hoodie by Marc Ecko | Stars Wars Collection | Storm Trooper hoodie

OK, so technically, this one was late too. I was too busy on the phone chatting it up with boys to get this going. My bad. (That reminds me, I have a quasi-review of Compatible Partners coming up soon. No, it's not the new Pedro Almodóvar movie.)

I seem to be on a bit of a wallpaper kick, so this one kinda came out of nowhere once I got into Photoshop. I was going for this hippie, retro, 60's kinda feel with the cutouts and such. I think I need some better design inspiration than two Moscow Mules and not-so-scintillating conversation.

Tch...boys. Download and enjoy.

Download "When Doves Cry" (227 KB)

via KicksOnFire.com

Valet. > The Handbook > 31 Days - Day 2: Tip Well - How Much to Tip.

You don't have to tip if there's a delivery charge? I'm gonna start using that little tip today.

I know, I know...I'm already starting late out of the gate. But to my credit, I actually did design this yesterday, but didn't get around posting it until today. It's 2010, and I'm as happy as a pig in shit about it. Big things are a-coming. So I decided to kick the 31 Days of Design off with a widescreen wallpaper dedicated to 2010. (That's twenty ten for those of you who were wondering about how to say this year without saying a whole sentence.) Download and enjoy.

Download "Twenty Ten", 1280x800 (226 KB)

...umm, I got nothing else.

I spent most of the morning archiving e-mail, drinking ginger beer, and watching a Looney Tunes marathon on Cartoon Network. It's not exactly what the old Masters would have done on the first day of a new year, but hey, this is the future. After getting spurred into action by Brandon and J., now I'm here at Inman Perk Coffee listening to Ghostly Swim and trying to get the ball rolling on a few new things.

Like this website, for starters.

I'm tired of looking at this safety orange background. I'm tired of the boxy sections. I mean, this theme is done in tables for Christ's sake (go ahead and look at the source, I won't mind). No slight to the theme author, of course, but it's time for me to change this shit up. I've got a folder of themes to dig through, and one of them will be the new BGB theme. Then again, I have some other properties that need a similar theme facelift. There's always something, it seems.

Also, just so I can show these bitches *high kick* I still got it, I'm bringing back the 31 Days of Design I started back in 2006. I've seen a few design blogs do something similar with WordPress themes and such, so I thought I'd give it another go. I might as well do something to get me back on the design track since I've slacked off so this past year.

Other than that, I'm ready to take 2010 by the balls. Now if only I could pick a decent theme for this site....

(via TMI Tuesday)

Yeah, I know that's terribly vague, but when have you known me to give all the answers? I'm not even using my real name here.

Let's not call these goals resolutions. They're just a list of things I'd like to achieve in 2010 (since 2009 threw all these areas off-track). (Lord knows I already tried the laundry list of things and it didn't work out so hot -- 101 in 1001, anyone?)

PROFESSIONAL

Truth be told, my professional life has grown by leaps and bounds since last year. I quit Big Company, Inc., started my own design studio so I could freelance full-time, got into business with two individuals for a while, did a little new media business with some local politicians, and now here I am. One year later and back in the fray of searching for work.

Now when I say work, I don't mean a job per se. I really have no desire to go back into the corporate world, and after the year I had and the shit I learned, I'd only be up for a corporate gig if they came looking for me (and not the other way around). Luckily, that has been happening, including a recent interview in NYC and a few interviews with agencies here in Atlanta. It's good to see that two degrees plus ten years of experience means I actually start getting callbacks. *eye roll*

But aside from that, my design biz needs a serious B₁₂ shot. I've gotta build up my client base, and communicate with them more often post-project. I want to put out a monthly newsletter. I want to start a professional blog about design and technology (if only to whittle through all these press releases I've been getting lately). I want to get involved in more conferences and workshops and stuff locally to get my business' name out there. And of course, I want to get some very dormant side projects off the ground (like the comic book), and I need to get a bunch of things in order for SXSW 2010 this year (like funds to make it there, for example).

Speaking of which, I'M SPEAKING AT SXSW 2010!

Ironically enough, it looks like I'll actually make it there because I don't have a punk ass boss to shoot down the idea. Hooray entrepreneurship!

FINANCIAL

So I started off this year in a pretty decent spot. I had a nice amount saved up from Big Company, Inc., and with regular clients, everything was being taken care of well. Then I got into business with some other folks and shit just started going south. Money started getting split three ways, I'm nickeling and diming to get bills paid, selling my stuff so I can make ends meet, and now I'm down two bank accounts and all my savings.

Lesson learned? Be very, very, VERY careful about who you get into business with, especially if you're the smartest one in the group, doing the lion's share of the tasks, and have the strongest work ethic.

Luckily, my hard work has been starting to pay off. I'm picking up work here and there, and I'm ready to turn this financial setback around. Recession be damned! Although I have to admit, paying for things in cash has been surprisingly hassle-free and easy. I can see now how easy it is to not know where your money goes using plastic, especially with how debit and credit transactions are held. When you pay in cash, your money is gone immediately, so you don't end up spending cash you don't have.

That Teresa from Real Housewives of New Jersey might've had something there.

PERSONAL

Real talk: the highest personal point for me this year was becoming friends with Gaara again. It's one of those things I didn't really think would happen given the things I've said about him on this blog (as well as the things that happened that I didn't talk about on this blog). But you know, I find having him around to talk to has been extremely gratifying, not to mention a lot of fun. I didn't really think becoming friends with an ex was a viable option after The Ex, The Why, and Opportunity. Lord knows what those Negroes are doing right now -- probably off terrorizing some else's emotions for all I know.

But even with all the good things with Gaara, it would still be nice to find a boyfriend. Despite what might come forth on this blog (and from my ex's testimonials), I'm a catch. Highly educated, cute in the face, full of ambition and creativity, and you can take me home to the parents (if they're accepting, that is). But I sat on the sideline for most of 2009 for professional reasons. I'm ready to get out there and find The Future Mr. Karsh, but I know I have to get my finances back to a stable position and get a good stable of work before I feel comfortable with the whole relationship thing. I know that's weird, but that's how I am.

Also, next year I'll be turning 29. One step closer to 30, but I'm not scurred. (You know why.) I would love to have a big birthday bash celebrating my 30th, so I'm going to start planning it next year, and I'd love for as many of my friends to be there as possible. I don't know if it will be in Atlanta or not, but right now, I'm leaning towards having it out West somewhere (like San Fran or Vegas). Time will tell.

What's on your agenda for 2010?

No?

Well I missed y'all. It's been a rough year. I've been worked out, cursed out, overworked, underpaid, slapped, trapped, frustrated, sick, late, behind the eight ball, up shit creek without a paddle, and way down in the jungle deep. And right now, I'm typing this from Hudson Grill on Peachtree Street in Midtown on Christmas Eve politely not giving a fuck about a lot of things. (I'll elaborate in my next post, which, I promise will not come in a month's time.)

Besides, I've got plans for 2010 to turn my life around. It's been stuck in neutral for a minute, and this year, it actually started going in reverse. I've gotta put this bitch into overdrive and make things happen.

So to you and yours, Merry Christmas and all that rot.