On a rare sunny and warm day in Vancouver, I'm happy to post that I've launched my new business - Managing Mindspaces (www.ManagingMindspaces.com). I provide executive coaching services (1:1 and group or team) and help professionals align their mental energy into top performance.

This page contains financial information as I encounter it within the trade or popular press.

According to The New York Times, 2010 movie Despicable Me cost $70M to produce by Illumination Entertainment. Despicable Me was released by Universal. It was actually created by Mac Guff Ligne.

The same article said that efforts such as Toy Story 3 and Shrek 4 cost twice as much to create.

My how time flies since I wrote the last post. Well, I have taken my own advice to heart and actually listened to my heart. I'm now living in Vancouver starting a new chapter with Mark and Milo. We arrived yesterday, and it is just perfect to be here.

Manca Family - Christmas 2010
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family! We want to share with you all some of our experiences from the past year. We hope you enjoy our Christmas letter. Stay tuned to mancascafe.com for updates throughout the year. We promise to update it more frequently in 2011!

What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
Jessica: Somehow, I've managed to continue to be a top performer at work since being back in July. After having a year off, going back was a difficult transition for me. My identity, the way I work, my expectations all had to be reset. I still work hard and long hours but it's all worth it to support my family while Mark takes on new challenges and his life-long dreams.

Mark: Being a father and helping Milo grow through his first full year. It is an amazing experience to see him change. Each day with him is a special treat. Every day he does new things! He is learning how to talk. One of his latest words is "play." He says it when it is time for us to have fun together.
 
Tell us the best moment of 2010 so far.
Jessica: Milo's first steps during his uncle's wedding rehearsal on the 14th hole in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. I was absolutely speechless.

I admit it. I'm a Michael Jackson fan! And I have Jessica to thank! I don't know what it is, but over the years, and especially since he passed on, I've become a big Michael Jackson fan. I don't know why. But I love it! I'm a manly man, so I can admit the next part -- once in a while I'll tear up during some of his slow songs.

If you have any history of growing up in the 80's -- the white glove, the red leather jacket, moonwalking, and all the rest, you most likely have a place in your heart for Michael too.

Today is the first day of a new adventure!! Yesterday was my last day as a full-time employee of Adobe. I am now part-time so I can spend time pursuing an entrepreneurial opportunity.

I started at Adobe on October 15, 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I've worked in multiple locations on multiple products. Lately, I've been a Senior Product Manager for LiveCycle. Life at Adobe isn't all about the product -- I've worked with some great people! It is the people that make the experience. Even though I'm going part-time, I continue to bleed Adobe red.

Milo and I are very excited to be joining Mark for a work trip to San Jose. We are leaving in less than two weeks! We're going to do a big loop from San Jose to Portland to Seattle to visit all our friends and family. So many still have yet to meet little Milo.

Jessica, Milo and Mark

Happy Holidays from Mark, Jessica and Milo!

This year, we wanted to send each of you an extra special greeting! To give you insight into our thoughts and feelings as we finish a spectacular 2009, we hope this letter sums it all up nicely.

Written on December 12, 2009.