For someone who used to be a photographer, I sure didn’t do a good job documenting the events of my life as they unfolded in 2008. Flipping through the digital albums on my desktop, I managed to find only a handful of photographic memories — and most of them are the tight shots created when I was holding the camera with the lens pointed at my face.
Margaret and I at the Krewe of Apollo ball.I rang in the New Year with the first of many days of Mardi Gras celebrations, the annual Krewe of Apollo ball. Even though Mardi Gras isn’t until February, celebrations in South Louisiana begin much earlier. There are parties, celebrations, parades and formal balls that round out the season.
This year I was able to share a little slice of the season with my college friend Brandi and her husband, Bjorn, who were in the states from Germany. We, of course, used the “They’re from Germany!” tactic to try and increase our bead count (no flashing allowed in Lafayette).
After having experienced two seasons of Mardi Gras, I decided to join the Krewe of Rio this year. I’ve already attended a few social events, and I’m looking forward to the unlike-anything-you’ve-ever-seen parades and events coming up in the next several weeks.
The first issue of FACE Magazine.This year also marked the year I made one of my biggest career dreams come true. In April, I started a regional women’s fashion, health and beauty magazine —
FACE — targeted for the everyday women in Lafayette. Our first issue hit the streets in June, and I look forward to getting each issue in the hands of readers at the beginning of each month.
The biggest challenge of magazine publishing has been balancing my FACE workload with my other full-time job as creative director at
Bizzuka, a Web development and design company based in Lafayette.
Greg and I in Times Square. I'm pretty sure I was still in my 20s when we took this picture.In April, I also celebrated another significant moment in life — turning the big 3-0. I celebrated with a trip to the Big Apple, where I met up with my friend Greg. He flew in from Michigan, and we spent a handful of days exploring the city, shopping and eating and drinking our faces off. I also met up with friends Brad (another Michigan native) and my K-State buddy Kellee, who I hadn’t seen in about a decade.
New York was filled with memorable moments — not many were caught on camera — including meeting Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf (Aunt Jackie from
Roseanne). I also saw a few Broadway shows, and Greg and I lucked into seeing Mariah Carey perform as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. Needless to say, I kind of lost my mind. It was pretty much a dream come true for a celebrity lover such as myself.
Aside from meeting up with pals from the past during Mardi Gras and in New York, I took a few other trips and visited friends from around the country.
— There were several trips to Houston, a less-than 4-hour drive from Lafayette, to spend time with one of my best buddies from K-State, Jenn. There were plenty of trips to eat sushi and many, many hours spent trying to revive our college behavior.
— One of the many trips to New Orleans this year was to meet up with part of my Iowa gang — Emily, Brian and Mike — for the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The weather was dreadfully hot, but the good times certainly rolled.
With Mike, Heather and Erika during our day of wine tasting.— What was meant to be an extended weekend trip to Seattle ended up being an almost 10-day adventure (thanks to Hurricane Gustav), but I didn’t mind. The highlights included a limousine tour with friends to visit a handful of wineries in the area and performing at one of Seattle’s comedy clubs.
With Danedri and Amy at a K-State game.— A trip back to Manhattan, Kan., allowed me a chance to return to K-State for a football game and catch up with several old friends. After a couple of nights in Aggieville, I think we all were longing for the years we spent together in the Little Apple. (Danedri, Amy, would you agree?)
— In October, I flew to Nebraska to officiate my cousin’s wedding. It was the first time I had seen many of my family members and, sadly, it turned out to be the last time I would see my mom outside of a hospital bed. After several months living with a severe case of pulmonary hypertension, among other things, my mom died in early November at a hospital in Aurora, Colo.
During this difficult time, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by the most incredibly loving and caring group of family and friends on the planet.
As I look forward to 2009, I am taking a note from the way my mom lived her life. She never took anything for granted, she was appreciative of everything she had and, most importantly, she gave back in ways much greater than I ever could hope.
Here’s wishing you a joyful holiday season and the happiest 2009 possible.
