ClixBagOfTricks

2007 is over and 2008 has begun. Last year was amazing, here’s hoping this year is even better. 2007 saw the throwing of my first several events as well as a great deal of personal evolution. These events and my personal growth were possibly largely in thanks to external influences, and it would be impolite for me not to acknowledge them. This list is in no particular order and is probably not going to be exhaustive on first revision, so it will probably be added to with time… so here we go:

• 

  Jordan aka MrLegdrop aka My brother:This guy has been by myside through the roughest and the smoothest parts of my life. 2007 was filled with more inside jokes created by his wit and continuing amusement at his doing. It was through our mutual adoration of kindergarten cop that the concept for my first event was spawned. He has since moved away to ohio, but hopefully he’ll be back.

• 

  Matt Dunn aka Doctor MDMatt was my inspiration to begin throwing my own events. He has thrown some of the most amazing events I’ve had the opportunity to attend, and the care and enthusiasm he puts into them is beyond evident. He throws events with themes that go beyond just the name and the attendance that can be generated by an event just by having his name as the promoter shows the he has earned the reputation he carries. While occasionally a contraversial figure in the arizona scene, like him or not, there’s no denying his influence and when it comes right down to it, I’d pretty much bank the reputation I’ve built in our scene to defend him.

• 

  DJ Cik aka Hardcore DaveDave was responsible for throwing the first rave I attended in Arizona called “Recycle” back in 1996. On top of DJing at most of my events, and helping me book the venue for my first event, he has served as inspiration for the level I strive to take my events to, both in talent booked and level of production. He’s also been a great guy to hang out with, eat dinner with and be friends with in a non-rave context.

• 

  AaronAaron, one of my closest friends, and one of the people to whom I owe the lion’s share of my personal evolution over the past few years, is deserving of thanks for more than I could possibly list. He influenced a great deal of my business sense, provided gateways for me to expand creatively while profiting financially, and gave guidance when times were rough. The life he lives serves as something of an objective for me, and while I don’t wish to directly emulate him, the lifestyle he has carved for himself is definately one that carries my envy.

• 

  John SmithJohn Smith… really… what more needs to be said? He was a great roomate for the first half of the year, and Im sure he would have continued to be a great roomate if we still lived together. He’s bailed my heinie out of hot water a time or two, and is always a great guy to sit down for some coffee with. Whatever you do, don’t approach him with an OEM issue.

• 

  RhinoxRhinox, or BDR whichever you prefer, is another inspiration to the way I throw parties. He, along with Dave, has taught me the importance of nailing down every last detail. Rhinox has also showed me that, other people be damned, your event should go the way YOU think it should go. He gave me the opportunity to invest in and have a hand in the bookings for EarthDance 2007, perhaps the biggest event of the year, and I look forward to working with him again.

• 

  Coley
  Coley has since my first time at one of her legendary 4th of july bbqs, become a better and better friend. She is the kind of raver ALL ravers should aspire to be, full of energy and love for the scene and more than willing to do her part to improve it. Despite her years in the scene she has yet to fall victim to jaded junglist syndrome, and still does her best to make sure that no matter how long somebody’s been raving (especially paying attention to the newbie ravers) that they’re able to enjoy the party to the max. She also happens to be really hot and enjoy my cake

• 

  Matthew HarrisSo far having the distinction of playing at EVERY party I’ve thrown, Matthew Harris has gotten me rehooked on the speed garage sound, and is part of the glue (along with Syd) that has held my events together. He has helped with decorations, making badges, and just generally keeping the night flowing smoothly. Another great guy to sit and have coffee with, dont send him too many picture messages or he will gripe a LOT.

• 

  Syd
  Syd is the other part of the glue that has held my events together. An amazing door girl, you do NOT want to get on her bad side and keep the line from flowing smoothly. She’s been there to listen when I have something to gripe about and has kept my tattoos showing in their full glory with her mastery of the clippers and gilette fusion razor. She also happens to sport what is the most bodacious bootie in all of rave.

• 

  Big Mike
  Big Mike was my partner in my second two raves (my friend jason’s house, and raveos rancheros.) A totally stand up guy, he’s another who believes in throwing a party the way HE feels it should be thrown regardless of what others think. Totally a serious business man, I respect the fact that even if a party he’s throwing is in danger of losing money, everybody gets paid.

• 

  Kyle aka Harriet TubmanKyle gets big BIG BIG thanks… this guy has helped me keep the vending business afloat both by helping make sure all the stuff gets to all the events but also by running the table while I go pee or whatever else happens to be going on. There are VERY few people I trust with the amount of money I’ve left up to him to handle. I even loaded him up with gear and a cash box and had him run the show while I was at defcon. I owe a large portion of my rave lifestyle to him and I really hope at some point I can find a way to show him just how much I really do appreciate his help.

• 

  Mike SagaMike Saga is to be thanked for much in the year of 2007. He designed each of the flyers for my events, DJ’d at 2 of them, and introduced me to Mindbender, High IQ, and Step Kinetic. His flyers are the first part of my events that people get to see and I feel that has a GREAT deal to do with the attendance that turns out to them. Therefor he is directly responsible for a portion of my being a successful promoter.

• 

  BooBoo, despite all the weirdness and contraversy that unfortunate New Times article dredged up, for a very long time provided our scene with an amazing place to rave. That he gave us an amazing place to rave which kept that underground feel is something that nobody should overlook.

• 

  BrooklynThis lady has been one of my closest friends for a VERY long time. Our year together through 2007 was filled with something of a reunion as her now-ex-husband disappeared from the picture and we were “allowed” to be friends again. We’ve both done eachother plenty of favors over the course of the year and the best part is how neither of us expects anything from the other, it just happens that whenever either of us needs anything the other is willing to go to the extent of their ability to handle it. She’s a way rad chick and I dont know if she’ll ever know just how special she is to me.

• 

  Mindbender aka Bender aka Ted’s understudyAnother of the Philly cats who has made my rave life more interesting, he helped me hook up Earthdance with Phil York, and also helped us have all kinds of fun hanging out at rawhide etc. If it wasnt for his rambling in the back of the Nissan I rented about Ted being a part of United, we wouldnt have the mighty running joke we do now. And that brings me to

• Ted… What a motherfucker… we’re talking of proportions that Creepy Bagel would be jealous of. We’ve got his gun… and he’s pissed…
• 

  Noelle
  Noelle has been a total sweetheart to me pretty much as long as Ive known her. She’s helped me out with a project or two and is pretty much just awesome. Im not allowed to thank her for everything though so I’ll just not my head and smile.

• 

  Sesso has been a good buddy of mine for quite a few years and is actually probably the friend I spend the most time with.  In 2007 he helped out with security at several of my raves and he also was pretty swell about lettin me ride with him when he was headed somewhere that wouldn’t be 100% convenient to ride the bike to.   We’ve done a lot of photo work together too and if it wasn’t for him, the thumbs up wouldnt be NEARLY as funny.

Most of the writing I’ve done on this entry has been late at night at work while half coherent. I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten a person or two and so I’ll add them to the list as they come to mind… last year seems like so long ago already… man… I’m old…

Technorati Tags: acknowledgement, new year, props, thanks