Plausible Impossible

2011 was an interesting year for me. If I had to pick a word to describe it, it would be transitional. I have moved on from the “website business” our app company has been moving slowly. I was knee deep in school work and grabbed a 9-5 job… something I have avoided my whole life. I was humbled a lot this year, frustrated and in the end I am leaving the year feeling the happiest I have in a very long time and excited about the future. I was lucky enough to find an incredible girlfriend who is my partner in crime. I wake up wanting to push myself like never before because of her and I plan to make 2012 a year where I say less and do more. So what is the plan for this upcoming year?

 

2012 resolutions:

 

Apply to Pixar/Disney/Dreamworks/Lucas for an Art job- Something I am ashamed to admit… I have never applied for an art job at Pixar. I love drawing and have dreamed of making it my career, been lucky enough to make a living at it… yet I have always balked at applying to the places I most want to be a part of. I have set a date that my application and portfolio will be arriving at their doors and I need to get over this wall I have placed in front of myself. 

 

Money- We all need it and while I have always looked at it as just something I need to go have fun with I am at a point now where I am thinking about home ownership, a new car, paying loans and making sure my credit is tip top. I need to eat out less and cook more… need to put money away each paycheck and make sure I pick up as much side work as I can to set myself up for the future. It is easy to loose sight of the long term if you are out having fun every week but I know those changes will be well worth it.

 

Midpoint/ School- This last semester, while very good grade wise (all A’s … never thought I would see that happen on a report card with my name on it) was not very artistically fulfilling. I have a lot coming up at school… I have my midpoint review( where the heads of the school tell you if you are horrible or not, only 15% of students pass it) and that will be taking over my life. I also need to make sure I remind myself the reason I took a 9-5 job is stability to help me focus on school and that school, not the job needs to be where my head is.

 

Swing Dancing- This awkward goofball is going to learn how to swing dance if it kills him. My girlfriend is an incredible dancer and seeing the smile on her face when I stumble my way onto the dance floor and do something half right is a big reason on why I want to not only learn it but become really good at it. Also I love the music, the people are great and its a good way to break up the stress of my week.

 

Move- I love my little apartment and it has treated me very well but I get the feeling by this time next year I will be in a new place. I would like to find something larger so I can not be in the living room, art studio, tv room, office and bedroom all at once… Needs to be dog friendly and still in a nice neighborhood (Marina haters say what you will but it is a incredible place to live).

 

Apps/Web- I want to get back on track with the Apps business. I have the best business partner in the world and can’t wait to release our first interactive children’s book. I want to get back in board rooms and pitch companies exciting and unique ideas. I also would like to publish our first game. On the web end of things I have had, what I feel is a killer website idea. I want to get a working model of it and see if there is a business opportunity behind it. While I want to make art my career I miss being an “entrepreneur” and would like to refocus on that. 

Turn 30… and not become depressed by that fact- Yep… I am an old man! I will be turning 30 on August 7th and I am both looking forward to it and hating it. So I want to have an epic party and just enjoy growing old… need to get me a walker!

 

So there you have it… lots of things to focus on. This years list is much more “grown up”. I want this year to be about pay off… paying off for all my hard work, ideas, struggles. I want to grow closer to Kellie and see where that takes us, I am crazy about this girl and look back at 2011 as the year I reconnected with my dream girl (awwww.. yeah I know… cheesy, but I mean it, she is!) So I wish you the best these last few days of 2011 and I hope all your 2012 dreams come true.

 

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney