New Logo!

So I finally get to present my new LuvLi logo! The logo itself is actually my signature. The idea began with current Nikki Beach graphic designer, Ann Marie Rapach, who took the signature and added some flair. Jeffrey Rodriguez of Integral Creations then took the foundation and built a beautiful finished product!

I would highly recommend them both for any freelance graphic design needs! Only serious inquiries please, as they are both very busy with very big projects in their hands.

Contact information is as follows:

Ann Marie Rapach - amcreatives@gmail.com
(she also does freelance photography)

Jeffrey Rodriguez, Integral Creations - integral.creator@gmail.com
View work samples via Facebook and follow on Twitter, @IntegralCreator

Much more to come!

Luv,

Li

The Miami Heat Welcome Party - Pictures and Videos

Last Friday, July 9th, 2010, the American Airlines Arena was turned in an enormous, "sold out" Welcome Party for Miami's Dream Team. I came prepared to work with jersey and camera in tote, just in case the party became official while I was there. As fate would have the party became official late afternoon; fate would also have my camera die right before D.Wade, Lebron, and Chris Bosh made their over-the-top entrance. Though I got some great seats in the lower level, it took forever for the trio to finally come out (they were at a press conference and headed over after). The crowd was kept waiting for over an hour. The Golden Oldies made us laugh, the Heat Dancers made drool, DJ Irie got us hype...and then Heat TV came back on. Up & down & up & down we went until finally, "The Three Kings" came out (btw, love the super-Puerto Rican reference). Unfortunately the latter video of the main event was taken on my Blackberry. I can't complain too much though, I at least get to say I was there!

The media frenzy.


Burnie's sad little home.


The crowd fills the arena.




DJ Irie got his fist pump and his Diddy-dance on.



And finally...Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh took the stage. (Photo via @funkcrusader, who sat with me.)


Video of the entrance. Sorry for the quality. It really was that loud though.


Luv,

(A very happy Heat fan)

Li

What the Heat Hoopla Means to Me & Miami

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I'm taking this opportunity to utilize my excitement and blog for the first time in awhile. As a Heat fan since I was kid (since the Miami Arena days, since the ankle-biting Knicks rivalry days), what happened last night was repayment for the years of high and lows. I remember when Heat tickets were $10 because no one went. My friends and I used to sneak down to the lower level in high school because no one was there. Then Wade came and changed everything. I still have my tee from the first black out playoff game and when we won the National Championship, I flew down from college to go to the parade.

A lot of people backlashed this whole situation; how it was done, how small it is compared to other issues America has, etc, and everyone has valid points. But the hoopla was hoopla because the media and fans created it. They built up this free agency situation all last season, day in and day out, asking questions just to ask. So please spare me. We created the monster, so live with it. At least the press conference raised money for the Boys & Girls Club, hence the delays and commercial plugs.

Anyway… to all those who don't "get" what the big deal is and snark that the trio won't bring world peace, think of what it will do for our city. It will breath new, much needed life into Miami and it's surrounding counties. More prime time coverage of games means more people visiting the city, more people eating in our restaurants, more free publicity, more attention to our issues. It will help everyone. Yes, ticket prices will sky rocket. Yes, traffic will suck. Yes to all that. But this city will be a part of something huge. Miami will become a national sports landmark, a reference point. Hate it or love it Miamians, you're a part of history now.