Hello! Happy Fall 2012! Its been like an action movie plot twist around here, lately, so I thought I would update you via my blog this time. I think it is becoming necessary to do this more often, but I will do everything in my power to keep a personal tab on things and check in more than I have been.
Update #1 – We are 70 days or so until we see our baby face to face. Yes, in case it somehow slipped by you; Faith and I are pregnant with a boy! We are naming him Ethan Alexander Hays. Ethan means “strong and constant” to reflect the environment we are committed to giving him but also the mindset we wish to bestow on him through our love and affection, teaching and help through difficult times. Alexander means “defender of humanity” to remind him that he has been given the strength and consistency in his life for a purpose; to help others weaker than himself and to provide constant strength to those who need it. So far, he is very active in the womb and we have fun saying “YEP! That’s Shaun’s boy!” haha Faith is tired, but she is healthy and excited. We entertain ourselves watching him kick and move around in there! It’s a bit weird, but amazingly cool. He is due around New Years.
Update #2 – I achieved a dream in October. I was the first “Madonnari” Pavement Artist to be allowed to work inside the facilities of McCormick Place, Chicago. Now known as the Chicago Chalk Champ, many doors are opening for me. I have had inquiries from Navy Pier exhibitors and more. When I began doing 3D chalk art around Chicago, I set my goals to draw at McCormick Place, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and …well, to to anything for Donald Trump eventually. Well, I’m getting invites back to McCormick Place and since I have great possibilities of Navy Pier… I’m going to see if I can get hired by Shedd Aquarium before they get rid of their “Jellies” promos. I think Jellies that glow under blacklight might be the trick to make that happen! ;) Yea I can do that!
Update #3 – I also achieved a WORLD’s First for 3D chalk art (which is difficult to do): I am the first person to achieve a 3D QR code made entirely by drawing it in chalk on a flat floor. Yes, it actually worked! (To be fair, I used the AT&T QR code scanner to check my work and make sure it was functional. As it turns out not all scanners are equal. The AT&T scanner worked flawlessly, but others had difficulties or failed altogether to pickup the illusion. I will correct this in the future when I do QR codes in my art. (Now the daunting task of figuring out who makes the WORST QR code reader so I know my art will function for new clients!)
Update #4 – A representative from Disney International dropped off her card and took my info at my booth. Since then, we have talked by phone about the possibility of future collaborations. I’m not sure what that could mean but suddenly I am studying Disney artwork a whole lot closer.
Update #5 – I had to put 2 dogs down this last month (no, not Dugan fyi). Allie and Buddy both were getting very old and unfortunately going downhill quickly. With a move (#6) and baby on the way, we consulted 2 Dr.’s about Allie’s condition before agreeing it was best for her if we made this decision. Buddy, my mom and dad’s dog, was also living with us for the last 3 years and he was having hip problems and persistent breathing problems. We will miss them both very much but are glad they had so much time with us.
Update #6 – We moved! We planned on staying where we were for a while longer but the house sold (unexpectedly) and we needed to find a new place. We wanted to renovate a home near the Aurora Airport in Sugar Grove, IL but didn’t want to rush into anything yet. We have found a place to live until summer which will allow us to slow down, have the baby, be near the desired hospital and family, etc. We will begin looking into a more permanent housing solution soon.
So, now you are pretty well caught up with (some of) our life here. Please check out some of the older blog posts here and help me start some interesting conversations on those pages. They are missing that. I suppose I need to learn how to engage my blog readers better. Perhaps I need a different layout that will facilitate that better? Let me know your thoughts…that is, if you have kept reading this far.
-Shaun