I have never been so grateful to exist.  The decision to move back here after 10 long years away was an easy one. It was made in about half a second. It just FELT RIGHT and now I know why: because it is right.  It's the smartest move I have ever made.  I've had some personal heartbreaks this year.  My uncle committing suicide and the relationship with the man I was about to marry falling completely apart are the two biggest knock-downs.  I didn't think I'd get up from either. But, I did. Something always kept me going.

New Orleans.

I mean, I have an ok job and I'm doing alright at Tulane, but what keeps me motivated and active and energetic is this city and its people.  All of you. You guys keep me going every day. You all inspire me to be a better person than I've ever been.  To work harder, get smarter, live like a warrior. You and this city both inspire me to "be awesome or leave" (to borrow a quote from @sheri_nola's rad kids). 

I work hard, I play hard, and I dedicate everything I do to sustaining the things in this city: technology, art, culture, education, music, history, legacy, love.   These things that I immerse myself in. These things that I desire, yearn to be a part of...and sometimes need.  None of these things would exist without the people I know.  Sure, tech, art, culture...all that would still be around, but my urge to actively help sustain it wouldn't be.  You people that I know, you people that I call friends...if you think I'm talking to you right now, I am...you're the ones who move me.  These words are for you.

In almost everything that we do, every event we attend, sponsor, promote, donate to, whatever, there is a valuable return.  We see our progress in action, we make change, we influence.  I think that's brilliant.  I love being a part of it. But, I also think that having fun and letting ourselves relax without an agenda is valuable, too.  What better way to do that than with a party? With that said, I invite/remind you about the Merry Mayhem party tomorrow night at the Foundation Room.  I invite you all, friends.  Friends I know well, friends I hope to know better, and friends I haven't even met yet.  I invite you with no agenda and no responsibilities but to show up and have fun with me and my two best friends, Sheri Nola and Liz Money.

We've put this event together as a fun party at the Foundation Room, but more and more I feel like I want to bring everyone together and thank you all individually for continuing to inspire and challenge me.

I hope hope hope to see you there.  Every year, from now on.

Thanks for everything.  You will never, ever know how much you've done for me.

With all the love and respect in my heart,

Champ

Details are here:

And here:

Sponsored by the extremely generous and always MINDBLOWINGLY AWESOME Will Scott of Search Influence (@w2scott and SearchInfluence.org) and Robby Moss of Hartwig Moss Insurance (@hartwigmossins and hmia.com).  You guys are the best.