Spent the evening celebrating the birthday of my baby sister, Rosie, and niece and nephew, Kaden and Kennedy.  My little sister is such a warm and caring person. She carries her grandmother’s name as no one else could.  As for the twins, they certainly gave the impression that the terrible twos are behind them.  While Sean and Kim ate dinner as if their heads were on swivels, Kaden and Kennedy acted as though they were well aware of the boundaries.  Rosie is 15.  The twins are 3.  Time flies.  Overall, it was a wonderful night with family.

While I have yet to take the perfect picture (#73), I wanted to share my “perfect” picture of 2008.  It was taken in our hotel room in New Orleans before heading out to Burbon Street.  Rather than take an obvious photo of us in the mirror, I was able to use my iphone as a prop and take a more editorial type photograph.  It’s the perfect snapshot of a perfect New Orleans’ weekend.  Perfect pictures just sort of happen.  Hopefully it will happen again soon.

Happy Birthday to my Niece and Nephew!  You’ve come a long way in three years.

If I were to itemize my time spent, writing and family would compete for the number one and two spots.  As for number three… Marquette Basketball.  In between listening or watching every game of the season, I help run MUScoop.com, an “insiders” basketball message forum.  Although I die a small death with every loss, there are few pleasures outside of family that come close to my affiliation with the Marquette Warriors.  And while there is plenty of basketball yet to be played, Marquette is treating me to another fine season.  They are currently 17-2 overall, but more impressively, 7-0 in the toughest conference in college basketball. I already have goosebumps in anticipation of Friday’s game with Georgetown.

Practicing for #59. It’s not a seven course meal, but a good first step. Broiled garlic shrimp on a bed of Angel Hair Pasta with Asparagus. Despite my lack of cooking talent, it wasn’t half bad.

Brittany’s trip was a success.  Despite the challenging logistics, everything went as planned. Among the highlights, Brittany witnessed the 44th Presidential Inauguration in the bitter cold, visited the Smithsonian, The Air and Space Museum, Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Building, National Mall, Arlington Cemetery and Mount Vernon.  From there she traveled by bus to New York City where she toured Central Park, Time’s Square, The Metropolitan Museum, Ellis Island and saw the Broadway production, The Phantom of the Opera (her favorite).  Although she didn’t exactly fulfil my photography requests, she did manage to take a few which I have posted online.  Click the above photo to give them a look.

Well this is a blow.  How do we make lemonade from this rotten batch of lemons?  While I know that I’m not alone in wishing there was a way to take your place, I also know that none of us could fight this bitch of a disease as bravely and valiantly as you did and will do again.  Despite my own sadness and fear, I find comfort in knowing that you are at your finest when challenged, and unbeatable when that challenge threatens your family.  You will prevail.

#54 Complete.  Well, that was fun.  Because Brittany is in New York and Devin had the day off from school, we really didn’t need to get up today.  Not only that, it was raining.  So, after we loaded up on some pancakes, we returned home and spent the day in bed watching television and playing scrabble.   So much fun I think I’ll add it to next year’s list.

#20 in progress.  Two down, three to go.  Click the photo to read.

#5 in progress. Despite the fact that fewer and fewer movies are being made from original material, I continue to write original material.  I am currently one-third of the way through my latest “masterpiece”.

Still not taking #25 seriously.

We’re sending the liitle girl off to D.C for a week to witness history.  I have to admit that I’m proud of us for being able to make such a special trip possible. And for the record, Brittany will be accomplishing #32 (Phantom of the Opera) and #46 (Ellis Island) before I do.  Good for her.

Although winning our softball league is not on the list, it is definitely a goal of mine.  After finally winning the regular season in December (six years in the making), we entered the playoffs as major underdogs.  As the best team in the C league, we were “rewarded” by playing the second best team in the A league. On paper we should have lost, but as they day, games aren’t won on paper. Despite yours truly making two crucial errors in the sixth inning, we managed to hold onto a 37-30 win.  Hopefully we can keep it going next week.  Regardless, it’s been a blast playing with my brother and Devin.  And thanks to Dad for coming out and cheering us on.

#98 in progress.  Sundance Film Festival starts tomorrow and I will once again not be attending.  Despite always wanting to, I forgot to put it on this year’s list so excuses trump action.  However, I will make it the first addition to next year’s list.

Debt, n.  An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.  ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary, 1911

#7 in progress.  We currently hold seven rediculously taxing credit cards that even  a New Jersey Bookie would find unreasonable.  These cards are reminders of our past stupidity.  2008 actually marked the first year as a couple that we paid off more debt than we aquired.  Despite our addiction to Katsuya Sushi, we knocked out two small cards and a rather large tab at Wilshire Home Entertainment.  The goal this year is to eliminate at least one large card from our debt pool, and more importantly, acquire zero additional debt.

I did a little research today regarding #97.  This is probably the one goal on my list that I have the least control over.  Nevertheless, we’re going to give it the ol’ college try and start applying for some shows.  So far we have decided on Deal or No Deal, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, Wheel of Fortune, Trivial Pursuit; America Plays, The Amazing Race and Game Show In My Head.  However, seeing how these are mostly big network shows, we’ll have to be extremely lucky to get on.  Maybe there are some more obscure game shows on cable that we should be looking at.  Anyone know of any?

The best part about my 100 goal list are the things that are not on it.  Specifically, time with the kids.  And nothing takes up more of our free time than Brit’s soccer.  But, truth be told, there is nothing I’d rather be doing.

#71 COMPLETE.  We dined with a few friends at Koi in Hollywood last night.  Sonia and I have wanted to try it since moving to LA ten years ago.  The Zen/Hollywood design was impressive and made for a great ambiance.  The food is very similar to our favorite restaurant, Katsuya, only more expensive.  We had the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Baked Crab Handroll, Spicy Crunchy Yellowtail Tartare, Spicy Seared Albacore with Crispy Onions, Yellowtail Shashimi and Glazed Green Beans. Overall, big thumbs up.

Had a not so subtle reminder today why #15 is a priority.  Softball?  Felt pretty hard to me.

#22 (in progress).  These are the five “Top 100” classic novels of all time that I have chosen to read this year.  In case the covers are not clear, I will read; The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, The Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller, Money by Martin Amis, Slaughter-House-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and Rabbit, Run by John Updike.  There is no better way to become a better writer than to read better writers.  I have asked my dad to read along with me so that I can bounce my Gen X thoughts off of his baby boomer ones.  Despite the assumed lack of interest, I will offer my thoughts at the end of each reading.

Saw The Wrestler.  Very good movie.  May be too “indy” and raw for most, but the acting was phenomenal.  Three down, seven to go on #23 of my list.

#20: One down, four to go. Click pic to read.

For the record. #25 in progress.

Enjoyed breakfast at the Coral Tree Cafe.  Eggs Benedict on olive bread with turkey breast.  One down, eleven to go on #24 of my list.

Another good one.  Two dark for most of the people I know.  Spoke to me in many ways.  Leo and Kate were amazing.  Two down and eight to go to complete #23 on my list.

Good movie.  Not the best acting from his supporting cast, but Clint was at his vintage best.  One down, nine more to go to complete #23 on the list.