There are very few people who were sad to see 2020 go. If 2020 was a villain, many are hoping 2021 to be a hero. As if the Calendar is a sentient being that knows when years begin and end and assigns some level of order or chaos to whatever Year of Our Lord we are in. I get why people do that. Unfortunately 2021 isn’t shaping up to be any better as far the national and international narratives go. Still, there’s something that provides a sense of healing and mental recovery in reaching the end of a year and beginning anew—even if not much has really changed. We made it through 2020. We lost so many fellow humans. We lost jobs, livelihoods, and comfortable ways or life. We lost quite a bit, and that should never be forgotten. But while 2020 was one of the worst years for so many, I can’t help but reflect on the year and count my blessings. I’m truly fortunate and grateful and want to share as well as issue a challenge for this new year.

2020 IN A NUTSHELL

My 2020 began with wedding planning and fitness goals to get into shape for the ‘big day’. Too much Pokemon Go. And a road trip to Colorado for some skiing with my fiancé and our dog. While in Vale one evening, we watched as the President spoke about the severity of the virus and the incoming shutdown to keep the healthcare system from being overwhelmed. Thousands of miles from home, we drove back to the East Coast as hotels, restaurants, and stores slowly closed down around us. In retrospect, it was kind of surreal to observe something so drastic happening across the entire country so rapidly and in unison.

We made it back. I had been working remotely for the past several months already and was joined by the rest of the folks in my firm as they made the same transition. For the most part, the entire country made this same change as able. I felt ahead of the curve. With the virus not slowing down, our big wedding became a beautiful private ceremony followed by a ‘honey-move’ to Birmingham, AL so my new bride could begin her 3 years of medical residency. I continued to work from home, and while I was working remotely for a fantastic firm with great people and projects, I was yearning to do my own gig in my new city.

So I quit and started my own LLC. Looking back, I am kind of surprised I actually did it. Support from my wife certainly helped. As well as wisdom and advice from a few influential voices that I have listened to for years. Voices that became especially potent during the Covid Year where everything we knew as a society was being challenged. Where one works. How one works. Who is essential. Time with family. Big topics.

A few of these voices include: Gary Vaynerchuk, Akira The Don, and the Inside The Firm Podcast. I highly recommend them for an “iron sharpens iron” kind of effect.

• Gary’s ‘Tea With Vee’ quarantine series was a constant reminder that doing what you love is of utmost importance. His expertise on entrepreneurship combined with my entrepreneurial spirit enlarged a flame.

• Akira’s Meaningwave music continued to release and provide wisdom and encouragement to make stuff. Lyrics from influential thought-leaders and idea-makers set to electronic beats allowed meaning to really sink in and lead to action.

• Inside The Firm became an architecture podcast that connected in a way that architecture podcasts hadn’t really before. This podcast feels more like I am talking to friends from back in the studio days rather than corporate water cooler talk. All while still being grounded in reality.

So far I’ve been blessed with enough work to keep more-than-busy. In South Carolina, I took on the task of designing a home for my sister and brother-in-law. It is currently under construction. I also worked with a contractor back in my hometown for a food truck park that opened before Christmas. I kept expecting the design to change radically from what I drew to what would be built; but much to my (pleasant) surprise, it was pretty much built as drawn! Such a fulfilling thing to see in person when home for the holidays.

In Alabama, I joined the AIA for the first time ever and began commuting a few days a week to a coffee shop that is frequented by other work-from-home types. I live within walking distance to 4 architecture firms and that has provided some fun opportunities to mingle and chat.

The bulk of my last 4 months has gone to working for Damien Blumetti in Sarasota, Florida build his practice. With a focus on modern residential design in one of architecture’s most significant cities, I have been doing everything from website creation to renderings to construction documents. We actually wrapped up my first official residential construction documents set a few days before 2020 came to an end. It should be pretty exciting to see the construction begin this year and hopefully get down to the area for a mini-site-visit-vacation of sorts. 2021 is shaping up to be full of other exciting projects with Damien too…

2021 THE BEST YEAR YET

2021 still has a lot of problems to be dealt with in our communities; but setting those aside, it’s looking to be something special. I’m looking to capitalize on the momentum from the previous 4 months and go the distance for a full year. Damien’s office is looking healthy with several projects on the boards—even a lead for one in Birmingham, AL. What are the odds.

Outside of my Sarasota work, I am looking to get more involved with the Alabama AIA. Perhaps most-importantly, I’m also looking to finish my ARE exams and complete my licensure. I’m down to 2 remaining and have already begun preparing to take them in the coming month or so. Getting that monkey off my back—finally—would alone make this the most important year in my career as I would no longer have to give a complicated answer to why I can’t call myself an ‘architect’ or not to my wife’s doctor friends (we’ve all been there).

Then of course, there are my other special hobby projects that fall under the muchcattle umbrella. Those include the Architetcure Podcast, videos, blogs, merch, the return of an old fictional friand, guitar, street hockey, and overall fitness in general. It’s going to be a full year, so I’m going to give it my all. I look forward to the journey and hope you’ll join me in me taking an optimistic approach.