I thought it would be a good idea with this year coming to and end to take some time and reflect back on '07. This has been a BIG year for me, and has been SUPER busy, so having a place I can look back upon later on will serve me well.

I have decided to split this up into two sections, the first is traveling (places I went either for business or for pleasure) and the second is Events. This is only a high level list, as I didn't want to list every little thing that happened and spend the remainder of the year writing this :)

Travel (listed in chronological order)

Washington, DC - This was a short trip (client meeting) so didn't see anything, just a fly in / fly out

Aliso Viejo, CA - Went out for a few days to visit some friends at 2Advanced Studios

Kansas City, MO - Went up for a few days for a client meeting, Was in meetings most of the day's, but did get to enjoy a great KC steak.

San Diego, CA - This was the first vacation of the year. Erica and I had some plan tickets from a trip that got canceled in 2006, so we used to to take a little trip out to SD. We had an amazing time, got to do a lot of sight seeing in the city, went to the San Diego Zoo, took a day trip up to La Jolla and went to Torrey Pines National Park. San Diego is a great city, and will definitely be someplace that I will visit again. Good times, good memories!

New York, NY - My friend Garrett had never been to NYC, so for his 29th birthday we went up for the weekend. NY is a city that I have been to a lot and try to visit at least once a year, so it was great to show someone around that had never been. This was a great trip, and according to him is a new tradition we have to take up each year for his birthday... as long as your paying man I'll go, HAHA! (we are currently looking at Vegas for the BIG 30).

San Jose, CA - I was invited out to the Adobe Community Summit in June, and since this was my first year as a UG Manager, I decided to see what it was all about. It was great being able to hang out with all the Adobe folks and Community Leaders at a much smaller venue then your typical conference. This is definitely an event that I am going to try and make it out to each year.

Destin, FL - It has been years since my family had all gone on a vacation together, so we decided to plan an end of the summer beach trip we could all go on. We had a blast, it was great being together with everyone and being on vacation. I am not sure when the next time we will get to do this is, but I hope that it isn't as long as the last one.

Chicago, IL - MAX 2007, that is all that really needs to be said :) I went up with my good friend John Bland and we had a great time. MAX is one of the yearly conferences that I wouldn't miss if at all possible!!! It's already on my calendar for '08.

Montgomery, AL - My parents retired the year before last and decided to get out of Atlanta, and head to a small / less traffic heavy city. So I have made my share of trips to go and visit them this year. Its always great to see you Mom / Dad!

Events (listed in chronological order)

Atlanta Adobe XD User Group - This has been something I have wanted to do for a little while now, so in January I decided to start the group up and become the manager. It is certainly a lot more work then I originally expected, but by friend Lief (who runs 2 other groups in Atlanta) has been there to help me out all year! So thanks to Leif, and the Atlanta community for making my first year as a UG Manager an enjoyable one. I am looking forward to the great things that lie ahead in 2008.

Quit Teaching - After 2 years of teaching at the Creative Circus, I had to take a break because of starting up Maybe.For.You. It has been a much longer break then I originally planned, and something that I really miss, so I hope to make time to get back to it soon.

Maybe.For.You - I finally took the big step of opening up my own agency this year. It has been something I have been working towards and planning for for many years now, and I finally decided to take the plunge. We incorporated on January 1st 2007, and I quit my job to pursue it full time in April. This has been very rewarding, and I only wish that I had made the trasition earlier. We have had steady growth throughout the year, and I brought on my first employee in Nov. We are currently looking for new office space, and I am very excited to see what 2008 has in store for us.

Cameron Alexander Silva - My best friend Erica, gave birth to her first son on June 12th, 2007. I can't even describe what a bundle of joy he is, and how much I love spending time with him. I am looking forward to watching him grow up and seeing him change from a baby, to a little boy, to a young man! Ahh great times ahead I tell you...

Todd Deardorff - With all the great things this year had to offer, there was one incrediable tragedy in 2007, the world lost a GREAT person and I lost a GREAT friend. Todd C. Deardorff, you were a great man, were a blast to be around, inspired so many people, and you touched more lives then you will ever realize. There is honestly not a day that goes by that I don't think about you at some point, and I can truly say that you will always be missed!!! Till we meet again buddy...

Saige Kathryn Hines - 2007 also brought me the joys of becoming an Uncle. My sister had her first little girl on November 21st, 2007. It was a very exciting time for both me and my family and I am loving all the great things being an uncle has to offer.

So with another year under my belt I definitely am beginning to feel the effects of growing older. For one time really does fly by, it seems that only yesterday it was this time last year and I was planning on looking forward to everything 2007 had to offer. As I continue to learn more and more about myself and continue my quest for knowledge, I grow more thankful for the great friends and people I have in my life. I truly am blessed and only grow more excited as I think of all the things that still lay ahead. With that being said I am looking forward to what 2008 has lined up!

I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!