Greetings!  Just thought I would update my availability quickly.  I am busily working on several projects that are near completion and just launched a new redesign for the law firm Dykas, Shaver & Nipper LLP.  I am pleased with the redesign and the team at the firm are thrilled with their new site as well.  I am scurrying about this week to get as many things tied up as I possibly can, as I will be away from the office on Friday, August 12th - Tuesday, August 16th.  Mandatory “visit my parents so they can see my pregnant gut” weekend plans have me away from my desk for those 3 work days.  I will be checking email periodically in case the Internet blows up.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

As designers we like to make a habit out of appreciating the fancy handiwork of others.  It helps us stay current with trends or reminds us to keep our skills polished.  Joelle was telling me about Chipotle earlier this week and we ventured over to their website for a quick peek.  We ended up poking around while laughing and admiring it’s features and cute quirks.  The Flash work is impeccable as well as fun — two things we strive to be ourselves.  They pack a lot into the site without it feeling overdone and heavy.  It’s no wonder the concept won a Webby.

I am not fortunate enough to have this yummy establishment here in Palm Beach, but Joelle says “Their burritos are tasty!” I’ll have to drag her there next time I fly out to San Diego for a business trip (also known as: an excuse to happy hour — Joelle).

Today we thought we’d talk a little bit about charity.  Rock the Walk is a non-profit organization started by Allison Gill and myself in 2004. I was raising money for AIDS Walk San Diego and I’d hit my $2000 goal, but wanted to raise more.  So, I turned to Allison, who is an up-and-coming local musician, both with her solo career and with her band, Velvet Tongue (Ali plays bass).  We decided to throw a multi-act concert at a hot venue to help raise more money for the cause and Rock the Walk was born.  In 2004, we raised over $4,100.

This year, Rock the Walk became an offical NPO, with Allison heading up the Board of Directors as the CEO.  We have several board members, including myself (Webmaster & Co-Founder) and we’re holding several events around San Diego solely for the benefit of AIDS Walk San Diego. After two smaller events in May and July, we’re holding a larger multi-act event in August, as well as potentially two larger-name acts in September before the Walk itself on October 2nd in Balboa Park.

Every event helps raise more money and awareness and every dollar donated goes to the cause (minus our very minimal overhead).  If your business would like to support Rock the Walk by becoming a Spotlight Sponsor, please contact Allison. Or, if you’d like to donate a few dollars, we’d definitely welcome your contribution.

HIV/AIDS awareness is an important issue and Moxie is proud to support Rock the Walk. We hope you will, too!

Getting motivated in the morning has it’s challenges, no?  Sometimes, that coffee just isn’t doing the trick or you start the day dreaming about taking a nap in the backseat of your car or under your desk.  You need some extra oomph to get your creative juices flowing, so to speak.  Joelle and I have been abusing the new album Monkey Business by the Black Eyed Peas to get us going in the afternoon when you’d rather be napping then working.  Instead of feeling the blah, I end up doing the jig in my chair.  Check it out.

Aside from getting comfortable with the idea of taking on “Mom” as another job description this coming winter, I have been busily working away on some fabulous redesigns, coming soon.  I am continuing to take clients for the time being but will not be able to start anything new until end of September.

I am working on nailing down a cut off date for accepting new work so I can catch up and get everyone squared away before the holidays hit.  Then it will be maternity leave city for me. But until then, I will be slaving away here at my desk.  I will take a short break from August 12th - 16th to visit family while I can still fly on a plane without taking up a whole row.  I’ll have some other intermittent weekend breaks here and there but nothing to shake a stick at so if you need to speak with me, I’ll be here!

Hope everyone isn’t roasting their buns off up north, stay cool!