The Official Anti-Blame Thread ... aka The 2011 End-of-Year Personal Reality Check

**DaveR** · 12-19-2011, 01:02 PM

^ responsibility ^

**DaveR** · 12-19-2011, 01:11 PM

(add)

Parliament Lights - Fail ... cut down to 1/2 the frequency in years past, but didn't stop as planned for 2011

**Paula** · 12-19-2011, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by kara

Dude! Marcel might be getting his own show

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...49178#45649178

Marcel!!!

It was such a moment, me on the hot tub, two sheets to the wind, my girl is playing YouTube of Marcel and I'm cackling like a hyena, my friends were trying to squash me because apparently in the mountains in the middle of the nIght I echo

That shit was so funny

hey Kara! sounds like fun! i'm enjoying everyone's 2011 recap!

**DaveR** · 12-19-2011, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

... i'm enjoying everyone's 2011 recap!

**Clay_Bonifield** · 12-19-2011, 10:47 PM

ahh.2011.i.have.yet.to.replace.this.keyboard.

volunteer/work:
still.volunteer.on.a.weekly.bases.at.the.boys.and. girls.club.this.past.summer.they.hired,me.as.a.tea cher.for.the.summers.when.i.am.not.in.school.

djing/music:
i.am.a.mix.show.dj.for.a.top40/commercial.station.and.was.hoping.to.add.more.stat ions,but.did.not.

school
i.will.be.out.may.2013.and.in.grad.school.may.2013 .if.all.goes.well.
studying.for.the.gre.over.my.winter.break.and.taki ng.the.test.next.month.and.applying.to.grad.school .soon.after.
i.finished,this.year.better.off.than.last.year.but .not.as.strong.as.i.wanted.to,but.i.did.survive.gr oss.anatomy!
i.was.completely.terrified.of.working.with.cadaver s,in.a.previously.class.i.had.to.leave.lab,but.i.c onquered.my.fears.and.actually.ran.a.few.labs.

health:
lost,a.bunch.of.weight.and.got.cut.and.then.gain.s ome.back.and.got.round.my.muscle.mass.and.stamina. still.remain.as.i.have.been.in.the.gym.getting.my. sexy.back.for.summer.

social:
i.had.a.lot.of.fun.and.met.many.new.people.

goals.for.2012.
really.more.than.anything.getting.into.grad.school .will.make.me.happy.i.am.competitive.gpa.wise.just .need.to.do.good.on.my.gre.and.complete.all.of.my. shadowing

**MarkK** · 12-20-2011, 10:35 AM

2011 was a year of great changes, growth, challenges and (ultimately) lots of very positive activities.

Professionally: Was getting a bit tired of consulting, felt that I had seen it all. So when my company eliminated its entire consulting group in Europe, it ended up being a blessing for me. Finding a new job in the current European economy was not easy, but after 4 months I found what could turn out to be a real dream job as I am in charge of marketing and product management for the Cloud and Data Center product line of an enormous global technology company who is just entering the European enterprise market. This has already reduced my Facebook and DHP time considerably (-:

Personally, I finally ended a long-term relationship which was extremely painful for all involved. Some of you knew her, she is an amazing person but our lives had just gone too far in different directions. On the upside, I have a fantastic new gf (who even more of you have met over here) and she really treats me in ways I find breathtaking.

Music-wise: I finally was able to realize my dream of helping throw a few parties. One of my goals in that endeavor was to meet girls

which I did in spades by third one. I also realized that I neither had the time nor the interest to make throwing parties part of my life. With only a limited amount of free time, I prefer to concentrate on partying rather than enabling the partying of others.

Saw some AMAZING talent this year, and was thrilled to me many house legends in the process. Was able to catch Spen, Barbara Tucker, Tom Trago, VirgoFour, Traxx, Jamie 3:26, Black Coffee, Dennis Ferrer, Tyree Cooper, Peven Everret, Rahaan, Zernell, just about every single artist on the Rush Hour label. In the process welcomed a few folks to party with us in Amsterdam including Chris Wood, Roy Davis, Jr and Jamie.

Made great strides in my health, physical and otherwise. Realized that there are real friends, associates, and so-called friends who were nothing but a drag on me emotionally. Jettisoned the latter.

Negatively, 2011 was the 3rd straight year I failed to learn Dutch. Fuck it!

**Myron** · 12-20-2011, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by MarkK

Music-wise: I finally was able to realize my dream of helping throw a few parties. One of my goals in that endeavor was to meet girls

which I did in spades by third one. I also realized that I neither had the time nor the interest to make throwing parties part of my life. With only a limited amount of free time, I prefer to concentrate on partying rather than enabling the partying of others.

Sometimes you have to scratch that itch in order to realize that it is something is not for you.

**DeesKo** · 12-20-2011, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by MarkK

2011 was a year of great changes, growth, challenges and (ultimately) lots of very positive activities.

Professionally: Was getting a bit tired of consulting, felt that I had seen it all. So when my company eliminated its entire consulting group in Europe, it ended up being a blessing for me. Finding a new job in the current European economy was not easy, but after 4 months I found what could turn out to be a real dream job as I am in charge of marketing and product management for the Cloud and Data Center product line of an enormous global technology company who is just entering the European enterprise market. This has already reduced my Facebook and DHP time considerably (-:

Personally, I finally ended a long-term relationship which was extremely painful for all involved. Some of you knew her, she is an amazing person but our lives had just gone too far in different directions. On the upside, I have a fantastic new gf (who even more of you have met over here) and she really treats me in ways I find breathtaking.

Music-wise: I finally was able to realize my dream of helping throw a few parties. One of my goals in that endeavor was to meet girls

which I did in spades by third one. I also realized that I neither had the time nor the interest to make throwing parties part of my life. With only a limited amount of free time, I prefer to concentrate on partying rather than enabling the partying of others.

Saw some AMAZING talent this year, and was thrilled to me many house legends in the process. Was able to catch Spen, Barbara Tucker, Tom Trago, VirgoFour, Traxx, Jamie 3:26, Black Coffee, Dennis Ferrer, Tyree Cooper, Peven Everret, Rahaan, Zernell, just about every single artist on the Rush Hour label. In the process welcomed a few folks to party with us in Amsterdam including Chris Wood, Roy Davis, Jr and Jamie.

Made great strides in my health, physical and otherwise. Realized that there are real friends, associates, and so-called friends who were nothing but a drag on me emotionally. Jettisoned the latter.

Negatively, 2011 was the 3rd straight year I failed to learn Dutch. Fuck it!

**MarkK** · 12-21-2011, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by Myron

Sometimes you have to scratch that itch in order to realize that it is something is not for you.

True dat! It requires an investment in time and money (your own).

**the crackhouse** · 12-21-2011, 04:59 AM

2011 - A great year.

Professionally/Money: Nothing new under the sun, still unemployed but I never had the time to work this year and has to close my shop. I'll never open one again in Belgium!
I have 2 buildings that I need to rent, one is ready and I have plenty of work in the other. I need and will close this case by the end of January, gotta have an eye on my investments.
Took back my old graphic designer job and did a book with a new friend, good sales at this moment.
I'm preparing another book for which the subject has never been treated, will propose it to Taschen at the end of the year.

Personnal :
Found myself (again) in very violent and dangerous situations this past year. Fleeing from bailiffs, fighting with junkies and thugs.
Also I had a lot of pressure as I had to take care of my whole family of 3, as my wife was ill all year long and spent 2 months in the hospital lately.
Tough year which drew new traits of my personality and brought me to deep questions about my lifestyle and brain design.
I've never felt so confident with myself and that well balanced (at the end of the year). I can finally totally count on me and I focus on my choices and projects.
Been so busy with others problems that I concentrated on my relationship with my real friends instead of suffering the many and various interference of lost and negative people.
I can now count my friends on one hand, one finger by true friend, there's plenty of space left!
Started Taekwondo 3 weeks ago and love it! Tseeeba!

Music:
I'm back to my roots, hypnotic and mind-blowing music of all kinds, dance music only.
Been tracking so many new joints that I may buy back some gear to mix again.
One night out this year with MarkK, a great one!

DHP:
I still love these forums, and am happy to get fresh air (Lady Accacia, Sue T), evolving old goats (Martin Red, Buddy Love), discover mature Djs I've let on the side during this years (Karizma, holy shit fuck fuck!), and my pleasure is to see people standing up on their motivation and get paid for it (Jamiiiiiie!).
I hope to meet more of you in the future, and am unhappy that my personnal problems kept me from meeting guys who visited Brussels, live by or went close (Chris wood, Jamie, DodgeDanger, Klas and djfunq).

The USA:
Yeah, San Francisco was one great introduction, my sister-in-law is going to live in NYC for the next 5 months, I may visit her and bring gitanes and a bottle of french wine to Lennox.
Was my first holidays in 12 years...

Idance

**the crackhouse** · 12-21-2011, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by Clay_Bonifield

ahh.2011.i.have.yet.to.replace.this.keyboard.

volunteer/work:
still.volunteer.on.a.weekly.bases.at.the.boys.and. girls.club.this.past.summer.they.hired,me.as.a.tea cher.for.the.summers.when.i.am.not.in.school.

djing/music:
i.am.a.mix.show.dj.for.a.top40/commercial.station.and.was.hoping.to.add.more.stat ions,but.did.not.

school
i.will.be.out.may.2013.and.in.grad.school.may.2013 .if.all.goes.well.
studying.for.the.gre.over.my.winter.break.and.taki ng.the.test.next.month.and.applying.to.grad.school .soon.after.
i.finished,this.year.better.off.than.last.year.but .not.as.strong.as.i.wanted.to,but.i.did.survive.gr oss.anatomy!
i.was.completely.terrified.of.working.with.cadaver s,in.a.previously.class.i.had.to.leave.lab,but.i.c onquered.my.fears.and.actually.ran.a.few.labs.

health:
lost,a.bunch.of.weight.and.got.cut.and.then.gain.s ome.back.and.got.round.my.muscle.mass.and.stamina. still.remain.as.i.have.been.in.the.gym.getting.my. sexy.back.for.summer.

social:
i.had.a.lot.of.fun.and.met.many.new.people.

goals.for.2012.
really.more.than.anything.getting.into.grad.school .will.make.me.happy.i.am.competitive.gpa.wise.just .need.to.do.good.on.my.gre.and.complete.all.of.my. shadowing

G.r.e.a.t.R.e.s.u.m.e.C.l.a.y!

Idance

**MarkK** · 12-21-2011, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by the crackhouse

One night out this year with MarkK, a great one!

Unless I lost more of my mind, that night out was in 2010, no????

We will fix that in 2012 for sure! (0-:

**the crackhouse** · 12-21-2011, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by MarkK

Unless I lost more of my mind, that night out was in 2010, no????

We will fix that in 2012 for sure! (0-:

Ok. I was talking about the party of this 31th december!

Idance

**DaveR** · 12-26-2011, 12:38 PM

^ This Week = Last Call ^

**dag** · 12-27-2011, 10:15 AM

what a whirlwind year!

broke up with my babymama in january. work had been light, so i was over 5 days a week helping take care of the little one, who is now huge, walking, talking (sorta), and taking care of her stuffed animals. My ex has been supporting me on many differnt levels, which is weird, but temporary. I sorta have a new gf now, and ive never been more relaxed than with her.

Professionally, things are on the up. Some of you might have read my thread asking for advice regarding a new venue. I gave the first presentation which went well, but timing has been bad to go up the next level. However, the previous club technician gave up his position to focus his time somewhere else, so I'm basically the 13th man on a 13 person team. I will be initially handling the technical aspects of the club, but there is a giant hole in the booking dept which needs to be filled, and it looks like there might be proper investment money towards teh end of the first half of this year.

DJs, artists (producers and graphic), label people, etc, if you are interested in getting something booked at arena club or glashaus in berlin, feel free to contact me.

For the party people, If you'd like to visit, feel free to contact me. The next events are this friday with CLR (techno night), and saturday/sunday/monday? New years party (house and techno). I will be around during the nights and monday morning finally partying a bit. I have no idea how january looks.

My roommate wants me to move out, which is kind of a bummer, but with the new/old job, I'll be able to afford my own place again.

On a musical level, I was hoping to build a electronic drum kit using paint buckets and piezos under the lids. A friend has an acoustic kit ive been able to play a bit on, and im constantly moving my arms while out with my daughter (playground installations often have some great resonances). Nothing in my room yet, but building a set for arena which the audience jams on (away from teh dancefloor, lol) could be feasible.

on a technical level, i am switching from win xp to ubuntu linux. To say the last month has been tricky is an understatement. I knew a few things about computers already, but im now in a world where nobody i know can help me with the problems i need to solve. My xp partition is moved and safe, but does not complete its login sequence, and that is a step forward for me, lol. I havent yet moved all the software I used to linux, but the main thing i miss is access to my website paswords. Sue had to help me out again in order to post this, lol. The switch has many reasons, whether im simply tired of windows and will not shell out the money for overprived apple hardware (ubuntu 11.10 with cairo launcher looks and feels like mac osx to me), increased customization, and the option to build systems using open source software which i can easily install. There is no commercial lighting software which does what i want, so I will be learning PureData. When I am finished, the project will be available for anyone to download free. The goal is to create a flexible interface between the music and the lights. more detail in a few weeks...

Healthwise, I will attempt to run the berlin marathon this year, with a goal of finishing within 4 hours. I havent run in a couple months, but still bike daily. The biggest obstacle will be that I desperately need to stretch more. yoga helped, so i need to get into that again.

guten rütsch!

**kara** · 12-27-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by kara

Professionally - I'm rocking, government cuts and a hiring freeze has made my office extremely trying. Others are crumbling under the extreme workload, I'm volunteering for every new project. Up for promotion after the New Year! Fingers crossed.

Financially - just paid off my credit card, the bane of my existence the last 6 months.

Personally - I finally have gone on a few successful dates with a guy who makes me laugh.

Friends - locked it down with 2 groups of amazing women, worked really hard at being a good friend - finally have more female friends than guy friends. Been hard since I turned 30 to find females I relate to. Best accomplishment of 2011!

My 2012 goals- dont fuck up on date #4 (actually that's my goal for this Saturday - watching Casablanca! Guess my 2012 goal is to make it to date #whatever for after the new year) and stop shopping!!

Lol

so didn't fuck up date #4, made it to date #5, and realize the guy irritates me. so NEW goal. meet someone who doesn't irritate me for at least 6 dates.

baby steps...

LOL

happy hanukah! or as my buddy keeps saying, happy jewkwanza!

**House** · 01-01-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by The Buddy Love Show

Do more volunteer work with my school and mentor young students.

I love this annual thread. What we do matters and goals aren't just about self. A letter that I received today:

Date: 1/01/2012
Subject: Happy New Year
Good afternoon Mark. I would like to extend warm wishes to you for the holiday season. May this new year be filled with all of God's blessings for you and your loved ones! When the world expects low standards from us, it is a marvelous sight to see black men doing great things in society. Continue to be a model for others like us to follow.

Best,

XXXX

Bachelors in Business Administration (Finance)
Frank G. Zarb School of Business
Hofstra University

**kara** · 02-24-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by kara

Professionally - I'm rocking, government cuts and a hiring freeze has made my office extremely trying. Others are crumbling under the extreme workload, I'm volunteering for every new project. Up for promotion after the New Year! Fingers crossed.

Financially - just paid off my credit card, the bane of my existence the last 6 months.

Personally - I finally have gone on a few successful dates with a guy who makes me laugh.

Friends - locked it down with 2 groups of amazing women, worked really hard at being a good friend - finally have more female friends than guy friends. Been hard since I turned 30 to find females I relate to. Best accomplishment of 2011!

My 2012 goals- dont fuck up on date #4 (actually that's my goal for this Saturday - watching Casablanca! Guess my 2012 goal is to make it to date #whatever for after the new year) and stop shopping!!

Lol

Just got told I'm being recommended for that promotion!!!! FINALLY! MOVING UP ANOTHER GRADE/GS LEVEL!

2012 rocks!

**Myron** · 02-24-2012, 10:41 AM

Time to change my job search strategy because what I am doing is not working.

**dag** · 02-24-2012, 02:20 PM

so after waiting a couple months for coworkers to introduce me to the new ownership partners, i took matters into my own hands and just had my second meeting with the old boss, this time with powerpoint and sketchup models. next meeting is next friday. looks like it could turn into a very busy year

**TAB.** · 02-24-2012, 05:47 PM

Nothing like getting a standing ovation at my last staff meeting in regard to completing and exceeding technology goals for the previous year. Shit with my former boss, they couldn't wait to put a boot to my ass on the way out. Not worried about pay, anymore. It's all gonna Gel, this year.

**kara** · 02-26-2012, 12:16 PM

Celebrating our accomplishments! Xoxo

I love how each shows how much they want to be the best person

**Martin Red** · 02-26-2012, 12:23 PM

it's coming upto SPRING 2012

OK, carry on stroking

"People suck, and that's my contention. I can prove it on a scratch paper and pen. Give me a fucking Etch-a-sketch, I'll do it in three minutes. The proof, the fact, the factorum. I'll show my work, case closed. I'm tired of this back-slapping "Aren't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are."

Bill Hicks