By far one of the best projects I’ve worked on to-date at Levy has been for the food experience at the new Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. Had the opportunity to storyboard, cast, and direct the photoshoot for these kids shots, and just had a blast doing it…In the gallery are some coaster column banners done by our group implementing some of the photos from the shoot. Just went up this week – so pretty excited about them!

Had the pleasure of playing tour-guide on Tuesday to My Sister Heather, her Husband Rob, his Mother Melanie, and my little niece and Nephew Matthew and Rachel. Despite battling what seemed to be the stomach-flu all day, still had a great time celebrating both their birthday’s (Matthew just turned 3, Rachel will be 1 in a few weeks) by taking them around Chicago and to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Hopefully more pictures to-come from the Zoo, as I didn’t have my camera for that part of the day…The funniest part of the day may have been seeing Matthew chase Piper around the Condo saying “Cow!” – apparently because of her likeness to the spotted creatures…

Everyone has their life lists – or at least ideas of those “must-do” things during your time here on earth…Well, one of the items on my dads list was the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway – widely regarded at the hardest ticket in Nascar. So with his retirement this year, I worked hard and pulled a few strings through my Levy connections, and surprised him with this trip on his very last day at work.

It’s not easy getting to Bristol, Tennessee from Chicago, but dad was able to jump in the car (err, I mean Truck), I jumped on a plane, and we met up in Charleston, West Virginia and drove the rest of the way together. What an experience to roll into Bristol race morning and see the die-hards primed and ready to go for a race that was still another 10 hours away…And then just had so much fun spending some time bumming around and mingling with some of the good ole’ boys. By the end of the day, I found myself in not one, but 2 separate betting pools with folks I just met Saturday…Say what you will about Nascar, but their some of the friendliest, most hospitable fans you’ll ever meet…

But also a huge Thank You to some of the awesome Levy team there at BMS for helping not only me score the tickets, but for giving us access to the suites up in the pressbox as well…I am so grateful to work for such a great company where, even through the hectic-ness of trying to feed 185,000 people, our management team found the time to make this happen, and create a memory for both Dad and I that will last a lifetime!

The second part of the nightline segment on the life of Randy Pausch…really great inspiration…

Had a great time taking in the Chicago Air and water show today with Mandy, Bobby, and Shellie – Picture perfect day along the lakefront!

The additional segments to come in subsequent days. You guys really owe it to take a few minutes and check this story out…

 I’m not sure I’ve ever smiled quite as wide as when my Mom sent across this picture of them with their new 5th wheel camper. It’s been something that my parents have been working for and talking about since I can remember, and after 35+ years apiece of working, they deserve it – as well as the freedom that retirement brings. So to all my friends who know my mom and dad – don’t be surprised someday when you hear your doorbell ring and there’s Morgan & Joyce are parked out-front of your places looking to invite you in for dinner!

• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are of your own. 
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To share the greater achievements of the future
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others
• To be too large for worry, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

So for the first time in a while, I feel like I really let myself get back to the process that allows me to produce my best work…So on Friday, I first spent a half hour sketching, popped my headphones on, turned off my email, and just spend the next 10 straight hours just cranking through the identity design for this Pizza Market restaurant project that were working on…Felt really good! Going to be locations rolling out nationwide, but the first one opens up in Kansas City this November. Still waiting to get thoughts from the client, but I’m pretty happy with it

Pizza Market logo concept