mind explosion - 2009style

so this is 2009, huh?
well this is kinda anticlimactic...

or is it?

even in this time of economic hardship, i refuse to walk with my head down. an economic downturn should be the best time to be an entrepreneur! after all, if I can find a way to be successful while the economy is struggling, I am sure to grow within a thriving economy.

I refrained from making new years resolutions this year.

last year, for the first time in my life, I was able to follow through on my resolutions for 2008.

with that said, I don't want to have my goals artificially set by the calendar year. the fact is, innovation and inspiration don't always follow a calendar. (good point Apple. if y'all don't have to be ready with upgrades for MacWorld, why should I?) if I feel inspired to do something, I will do it - as fast and efficiently as I know how. instead of setting broad goals for the year, I set down ground rules by which I live. some of these rules are taken from my childhood and upbringing. other rules are created as I mature and learn new things. nothing is set in stone and if there's reason to change, I am open to that. for now though, these are some of my thoughts going into the new year, as well as some of my short-term goals, and things I look forward to...

- i'd like to use this winter break to create a stronger web presence for West Egg Productions. right now, WEP is taking time to further strengthen our team. in doing so, we're printing business cards (that are in the design phase now). we're also creating a comprehensive website showcasing the various members of our team, our respective skillsets/backgrounds, and examples of our work - both collaborative and independent projects, alike.

-school is extremely important to me. I expect to graduate in june. holding off on business school for now. i've recently had a voracious appetite for articles about business, entrepreneurship, finance, and management. I may enroll in a part-time MBA program in the future if I feel it's a step in the right direction. right now, i'm not ready to commit myself to more years of full-time education.

-some online services that will be very clutch in the new year for both me and my start-up:
+www.mozy.com - unlimited online file backup at a low cost. looking into this one...
+www.lynda.com - great site for detailed video tutorials on various pro apps.
+www.efactor.com - great networking tool for entrepreneurs.

-one of my guiding principles: if someone on the street looks interesting, do not hesitate. there are too many opportunities missed in that moment of hesitation. if someone on the train next to me is reading a screenplay, I will make my best effort to meet them. that also applies to any other industry-relevent prop.
+i make an active effort to get a business card from someone interesting each day.
+i try to e-mail or call anyone I meet and constantly think of ways we can help each other.
+i want to be surrounded by people that challenge me -
people that will inspire me to show the absolute best version of my self at all times

-i've had the habit of taking everything personally in the past. i'm done with that.
anyone who questions me is only extending an invite to be proven wrong.
simple as that - more fuel for the fire.

-my brother will probably be off to business school by September. i'm considering a place in brooklyn with some friends. after getting inspired by the artist collectives who's parties I frequently attend, I've started to consider the possibility of one amongst my own friends. house of yes and the danger house are my inspirations thus far.
potential housemates include, but are not limited to:
+painter/illustrator/musician Maurice Blanco (www.mauriceblanco.blogspot.com)
+DJ/MC/web designer Rome - a friend from Hunter College
+filmmaker/apple genius/West Egg partner Danny Reynolds
it'd be nice to have space that can double as both a performance space and living quarters.
i was thinking everything from live painting events to screenings to parties with musical guests.

anyway, i've got a lot to say - not even close to done yet BUT, as I begin to really focus on my professional life outside of school, i'll be sharing more thoughts on the interweb for all to see.

keep your eyes open.

-e

P.S: just got an internship at CBS for my last undergrad semester. pretty excited.

P.P.S: I think i'm going to try and post a "looking back at '08" blog at some point soon. we'll see. it's not very high up on my to-do list (which are the best organizational tool ever, btw).