177.2lbs. It took a couple of months, but finally dropped the first eight pounds.

More photo shoots, more often.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of my favorite uncle’s death. He was a good uncle who I still think of often. He managed to do more in his forty two years than most do in eighty, so his was hardly a life cut short.

This ran in today’s Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

MICHAEL MCDONALD
Today, on the 20th anniversary of his passing, we fondly remember our brother, uncle and friend, Michael John McDonald. Although Michael began life as the baby of the family, he quickly grew up to become an accomplished man to whom others lucky enough to know him looked up to with great admiration and pride. Michael was an entrepreneur whose spirit now inspires the work of his nephews and nieces, and, we are sure, countless friends. As his legacy has and continues to pass from generation to generation, so does his name – from his nephew Sean Michael, to his great-nephews Dylan Michael and Kaden Michael. But what we truly remember about the man was his generosity of spirit, his humor and his zest for life. We wish we had more than just 42 years with him, but what Michael taught us all in how he lived is that, indeed, it’s not the years in the life that count, it’s the life in the years. Today, as each of you take time to reflect on Michael and what he meant to you, smile. For, somewhere high above the Redwood trees planted in his name at Kenwood Plaza Park, Michael is soaking in the view and smiling at you. We love you, Michael.

Here is a look back at one of his protest accomplishments.

Schedule a colonoscopy if you’re due. If it weren’t for my Uncle Michael, I would have probably put it off until it was too late.

Hemingway has made it clear that he needs more ball time.

Shook off the Vegas hangover to see the Broadway hit, Million Dollar Quartet, at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Million Dollar Quartet recounts a legendary night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash participated in a star-studded jam session at Sun Records in Memphis.

Loved it.

I wish all flights were this short.

New day, new pool.

Celebrating the first day of summer in Vegas.

Better the second time around having been to Spain.

Our top on the cover of a Magazine.

Even though it was spent in Temecula, watching Brit play is my favorite thing to do. Brittany was able to get back onto the field and played great. I asked for four goals and she gave me five. Even better, her team won the tournament, despite being a big underdog. The tournament favorite probably beats us seven out of ten times, but our girls had more heart today and won in the final two minutes of the second overtime.

This girl was on Brit most of the game. Brittany said she lost her breath every time the girl would bump into her. She was one of about five beasts the other team had.

Three generations of Kenwoods. We smile more than our pictures suggest.

Now that’s a chopper.

My God, I actually went to a doggy birthday party.

Remember that time in Alaska when you let me throw gasoline in the dump and light it, but then yelled at me when I jumped in because I could’ve died? That was still fun.

Three weeks ago, a producer entered into negotiating with my “managers” for the option rights to Cheeseheads. Once it became clear that the production budget would be something I could one day put together I decided to reject the latest offer. Felt great saying no.

Making friends at the dog park.

We lost a client and friend over the weekend. He was 64 with no real heath issues. On Thursday, he and his wife, a couple attached at the hip, drove down from Charleston, South Carolina to Atlanta because Sonia and I had flown in for the fashion show. We enjoyed happy hour at the hotel and talked about a November trip to Charleston so that I could see Marquette play Ohio State on a Navel ship. He returned home in the morning and suffered a major heart attack later that day that ultimately killed him on Saturday. I haven’t lost many people in my life. I haven’t lost anyone close to me since crossing that threshold a few years ago that separates one’s perceived invincibility and thoughts of mortality. This death certainly magnified the latter. As much as I sometimes want to shut this blog/list down, moments like this remind me that I need that extra push to do something outside of the box.

I guess it’s fitting that the first picture of us seeing someone randomly wearing our clothing (2nd from right) resembles a Big Foot sighting.

Trying out a new booth location in Atlanta.

Working in Atlanta.

Congrats to my buddy Matt and his wife Beth on the birth of their son, Matthew.

Despite having our worst show since our first one (the idiots at the Dallas Market scheduled the show during high school and college graduation), Basically Me has already shipped over 20,000 pieces.

P.S. What the hell is wrong with West Virgina?

#22 will fall on Friday.

Goliath won 3-2, but our sub-less team gave them a big scare. Brit pulled her Quad in the first ten minutes and missed the rest of the game. She may be out awhile.

This has been the most brutal tournament Brit’s team has ever played. Only thirteen girls were able to come, but I’m not sure eighteen would’ve made things easier. The altitude was a killer. Brit endured several asthma attacks. With that said, this team gave it its all and won both games today, the second in the final minute, to secure the wild card spot in the semis. They will now take on the team that beat them 4-1 for a chance to move on to the finals.

Update: We will play the #1 team in Utah. They are also ranked 34th in the country. Brit’s team is ranked 740 in the country.

Lost 3-1. Although it seemed like they were playing with more players than us, the altitude was clearly a factor as most girls were running at 50%.

In Park City, Utah to enjoy a weekend of watching Brit play soccer.