I agree with most reviewers of the Oscars that described the telecast as blase.  The hosts failed to make the event “younger” or “hipper”, in fact, they just failed. I think the awards went to the right people for the most part, but there was hardly a stand out moment.  

On a personal front, it was the first time that I watched the red carpet pre-show and didn’t envision walking down it. That’s not to say my movie making career is finished, it just means that I am uninterested in “The Life”.  My goal to make “Cheeseheads” is as strong as ever. I think my biggest problem the last eight or so years was that I was an “insider”. I had managers and an agent from a major agency that represented hundred million dollar actors and directors. I spent my days driving around town meeting with well connected development executives who had no intention of making a small quirky dramedy. Hollywood doesn’t make the kind of movies I write, they buy them from outsiders after they are already made and well received at the festivals. So, that is what I will do. I fired my representation the Hollywood way, we just stopped taking each other’s calls. So, now I’m officially an “outsider”. I will make the movie that I want to make with no expectations or desires of it leading to fame, glitz, glamour or ridiculous profits.  Well, maybe the profits. After all, I am a corporate CFO now.

#89 done.  Visited Christian Louboutin near the HIlls of Beverly and made good on that Valentine’s Day present for Sonia. 

#97 done. Lucques is one of my favorite L.A. restaurants, so it was a no brainer that we had to try its sister restaurant, A.O.C. The concept is small plates and paired wine. Everything was very good. The clams in a sherry wine sauce was the winner. 

#2 in progress. Added Louisiana to the list.  We’re still in soft launch mode, so we’re only selling to our buying agency clients. We hope to officially launch the line at the end of March.

#98 in progress. 4th restaurant with a kumamoto starter.

Finally, a quality road win. We may just make the tourney after all.

#77 Done. Although it was great filling three garbage bags worth of clothes, I still don’t have the room I want for my wardrobe. Sonia will have no problem convincing me that we need a walk in closet in the next house.

#77 in progress.  Found a solution to my shoe mess.

If I haven’t jumped out of a building come March 15th, I will celebrate by stepping down as CFO from LA Fashion Insider, Inc and accept my new position as Vice President of Fun.

#2 in progress. Added stores in Texas and Mississippi.

My Valentine’s Gift. A Hermes Belt. I’ll have to rethink my card to Sonia.

As if we needed a reason to dress up and go to dinner. Knocked off #72 with a V-Day dinner.  Oh yeah, had some oysters, too.

Brittany’s best friend celebrated her sweet 16 last night. Yet another reminder that we’ll be tested in the near future.

#98 in progress. Oysters at Spago. Two down, eight to go.

Saturday lunch at Spago in Beverly Hills. So, basically we’re going out as much as possible before our accountant finishes our tax return and informs us we can never eat out again. 

Brittany

Even for Rodeo Drive, this is a bit much to park curbside.

#11 in progress. Finally saw A King’s Speech. Eh..eh..eh..Excellent.

Happy Birthday to my oldest nephew, Dylan!

January Recap

Another year, another list.  Despite only knocking off three goals in the month of January, I’m feeling optimistic about this year’s success rate.  As storms ravaged the South, East Coast and Midwest, we basked in the sunshine.  Too bad I was sick seventy percent of the month. But, when I wasn’t sick, I was enjoying lounging poolside in Hollywood, witnessing a perfect Vegas wedding with friends, meeting Dwyane Wade, eating plenty of good sushi, catching up on a few movies, and making sure our company can continue to support us.

Here’s what’s done:

#1 Rang in the New Year with bow tie style.

#48 Ate near perfect sushi at Sugar Fish

#50 Caught a winter sun tan at the Roosevelt Pool in Hollywood.

In Progress:

#2 With a soft launch, our line, Basically Me, is currently sold in seven states.  

#7 Gained a couple of lbs since the first. 

#11 Saw the Fighter. One down, nine to go.

#14 Have done absolutely nothing to make this happen

#16 Finished The Girl Who Played With Fire. Four to go.

#27 The Roosevelt. Four to go.

Go Pack, go.

#98 in progress. First oysters of the year at Mastros in Thousand Oaks with Sonia, Brit and my sister, Michelle. Michelle refused to partake.

#30 done. The Mac daddy of twin turbo cooling. Brit wants to know if we’ll ever put food in it.

A little slow tonight, eh Lloyd?

Fought traffic downtown to see the Clips play the Bulls, only it was the Lakers vs. the Rockets because our game is actually tomorrow. Nevertheless, we made the most of it and ate a boatload of amazing sushi. Once finished, I began to tally up the large bill when the busboy proceeded to spill a bowl of soy sauce on my pants. Since I was going home I really didn’t care, but the busboy ran to his manager who promptly covered the bill and dry cleaning. Despite it all, I’d score the night as a win.

Happy 17th Sis!