Slowing it down for Labor Day weekend.

Re-shooting some older styles to include on our new website that will hopefully launch within a week or two.

A perfect day at the park with my Dad. We escaped our 95 degree seats in sun for the shade of the stadium club.

Baseball game on a diet. May have cheated a bit with the horseradish sauce.

Ten years ago I hit 195 pounds and decided enough was enough. I ended up losing 60 pounds (way too much) and vowed I would never be that heavy again. Well, I’m just a few burritos away. Hopefully this is rock bottom and I can start moving in the opposite direction. Although my medium shirts look ridiculous on me, I will not buy a large, so cheeseburgers need to take a vacation for awhile. Also of note, I have a blood pocket on my second toe. This happened when I stubbed my toe in the bathroom of the first tented camp in Africa. Even a toe stubbing has become a good memory, so I will be sad to see it go. It used to be at the bottom of my nail, so it’s probably a month away from disappearing.

Malibu last Sunday. Downtown LA today. Two places we never hang out.

Enjoyed dinner at Scarpetta at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. The food and ambiance was top notch. The service was not so great.

The banana tree that was 80% destroyed by the wind over a year ago has made a comeback.

Dog days of summer.

Brittany has been at UCR for over two weeks now. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with an IT-Band injury on day one and has been kept out of day to day practice. Her first game is this Friday. Her coach told her that she will probably be on the DL for the first four games. Considering she is one of 32, I figured she be held out for her freshman year, but her coaches seem keen on getting her back.

Back home trying to figure out how to live in an empty nest. Less meat for one.

Over the hills and headed home.

We extended our stay in Vegas when we found out Chef Pierre Gagnaire would be at his restaurant, Twist, on Monday night. We enjoyed a great three course meal and, of course, Sonia was bold enough to ask for a picture.

Our boxes didn’t show up until late last night which meant we’d have to set up early this morning before the show opened. But I went on an epic roll last night on the craps table and rolled for over 45 minutes. I made a thousandaire out of every person at the table. When Sonia tried to wake me up in the morning to set up, I declined because i’m a jerk. But sometimes the jerk sleeps well.

Brittany has been at UCR for soccer for the last two weeks. Today was her last two-a-day practice. This is a picture taken at the Chula Vista Olympic training center where they have been training the last four days. Brit is second row, three from the right. Unfortunately, the trainers identified her as injured on day one so she hasn’t really been able to practice as she would’ve liked. Apparently she has a weak T-band, so she has mostly been in rehab. I never really anticipated that she would play her freshman year, but her assistant coach has already intimated otherwise. We’ll see.

A very manageable 100 degree morning at the Cosmopolitan pool.

New Ferris wheel is coming along. Last I see of the outside for awhile. 106 degrees.

It took well over thirty years to overcome the childhood culinary wounds inflicted on me by my loving mother. Sorry mom, but the way you prepared brussels sprouts was downright cruel. Boiled whole to stinking imperfection. Even the smallest of bites drowned in milk couldn’t prevent the gaging. You were not a particularly strict mother, but for some godforsaken reason you chose to put your foot down when it came to consuming your brussels sprouts. It was torture to eat those things. Not even the dogs would do their canine duty and help me dispose of the rancid little cabbages. Fast forward to 2013. Brussels sprouts are good. I’ve ordered them a half dozen times. Crispy. Cheese. Butter. Bacon. Sugar. And always peeled!

Drove the PCH to Mailbu. A perfect day for a long drive in the Bronco.

Certainly not a classic, but surprisingly entertaining.

Long overdue haircut.

Riverside—UC Riverside’s Women’s Soccer Team reports for preseason training this week, and the Highlanders welcome 15 newcomers to the squad for 2013—12 freshman and three transfers.

“I am extremely excited for the group of players that will be joining our program this fall,” Gonzalez said. “As I have begun to put my footprint on the program, the staff has methodically carved out a vision of what we want our program to look like both on and off the field.

“This class gives us a bit of diversity in regards to a combination of athleticism and technical ability, and they join a veteran group that worked hard this past spring season. We’re looking forward to coaching a group of young ladies that are quality people and will represent UC Riverside at a high level through their class and work ethic.”

Brittany Mata – Midfielder – John Burroughs HS
Mata was a three-time All-League selection while earning Co-MVP honors in the Pacific League as a senior. She was twice named team MVP and earned offensive player of the year honors as a junior. In 2010, Mata become the team’s record holder for most goals scored in a season.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Brittany will bring an attacking mentality to our team. She comes in with some good speed and has an eagerness to learn. I believe she can develop into a player the opposition will worry about.”

Breanna Avila – Midfielder/Forward – Elk Grove HS
Avila played varsity soccer as a freshman, and was named All-League in 2012 and 2013. She received the Certificate of Excellence in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and was involved in student government.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Breanna will come in and compete to give good minutes in the attack. She is versatile and technical enough to play in multiple positions. Her ability to dribble into open spaces and combine with others to get in behind will be an asset for our offense.”

Jessica Cadreau – Defender – Canyon HS
Cadreau earned three letters in soccer and three in track at Canyon High School. She was named First-Team All-Century League Defense in 2013 while also earning Defensive MVP honors.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Jessica will come in and help shore up our back line. She is a physical and vocal player that will give some confidence to our back line with her ability to organize and lead.”

Danielle Lopez – Forward – Rancho Cucamonga HS
Danielle scored 17 goals and dished out 10 assists as a senior leading Rancho Cucamonga to a 21-6 overall record. That gave her 48 goals for her career. The Cougars were ranked 65th in the nation last year according to MaxPreps.com.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Danielle has come into good form lately as she has developed over the past year. She is a true athlete with speed and quickness. She has the ability to create goals for others as well as for herself. We are excited to have someone with her qualities that will boost our offensive production.”

Brienna Diaz – Midfielder/Defender – Great Oak HS
Diaz earned three letters in soccer guiding the Wolfpack to two Southwestern League Championships and two CIF semifinals. She was named All-League Second Team in 2011, Defensive League MVP in 2012, and was 2012 Athlete of the Year.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Brie is a solid midfielder that brings a possession style game. Though naturally quiet, she will surprise teams with her defensive tenacity. We are excited to see how she develops over the coming year. She is versatile enough to play in the backline as well.”

Alanna Guzman – Goalkeeper – Centennial HS
Alanna is a four-year letter-winner, two-time CIF-SS qualifier, two-time team MVP and two-time First-Team All-League selection. She allowed just five goals during Big VIII League play during her senior campaign.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Alanna is a very technical goalkeeper. She has the ability to make big saves and has good distribution with both her hands and feet.”

Amanda Hawkins – Defender – Palm Springs HS
Amanda earned three letters while leading the Indians to two Desert Valley League Championships. In addition, she won a pair of championships in track and field as a senior—the 400m and the 4x100m relay.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Amanda brings pace as a multi-sport athlete in high school. She has great potential to be a top Big West defender. Her speed will complement those around her to keep goals to a minimum.”

Kelly Velasquez – Defender – Bishop Amat HS
Velasquez was a four-year letter winner in soccer helping her team to the 2013 CIF Championship and Del Rey League Championship. She was named First-Team All-CIF, First-Team All-League, and San Gabriel Valley First-Team All-Area in 2013.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Kelly most likely will play as an outside back. She is a solid athlete that will give us options going forward. Her ability to get forward on the attack and give us good service is something we are looking forward to adding to our team’s arsenal.”

Danielle Giltner – Midfielder/Defender – Ruben Ayala HS
Giltner was a four-year letterwinner and helped guide the Bulldogs to a 61-26 record over the past four seasons. Her team won the league championship in 2010 and 2011, reaching the CIF quarterfinals on two occasions and the finals once. Giltner was a four-time All-League selection in soccer, and three-time all-conference performer in volleyball.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Danielle is a tall, strong player that will snuff out any aerial attack a team may try. She is very good in the air and is steady with her feet in order to give our team good possession. We see her anchoring the midfield or backline in the very near future.”

Tatum Lockett – Midfielder/Forward – Diamond Bar HS
Lockett played forward and midfielder for her Diamond Bar High School Team that won the 2012 and 2013 Hacienda League Championship. She was named the league’s MVP and to the All-CIF first team her senior season, while being selected the first varsity captain to wear retired Olympic Gold Medalist Alex Morgan’s uniform number.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Tatum has good speed that will create problems for the opposition. She will give us good service from wide areas and has the ability to combine well to get through defenses.”

Jade Vehawn – Defender – Northview HS – Citrus College
Vehawn helped the Fighting Owls of Citrus College to a combined 24-11-6 record the past two years, and a first round playoff appearance in 2012. In high school, her team won the league championship in 2011 and reached the second round of the playoffs. Vehawn was a four-time all-league performer and earned All-CIF honors in 2011.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Jade comes to us from Citrus Community College where she brings college level experience to what could be a young backline. She has good speed and brings tenacity in the defensive position.”

Sammy Arellano – Midfielder – San Ysidro HS
Arellano played midfield for Coaches Kristina Hernadez and Julio Diaz at San Ysidro High School. She helped guide the Cougars to two South Bay League Championships while being named to the Principal’s Honor Roll. Arellano also played on the U17 Mexican National Team that competed in Azerbaijan for the Youth World Cup in September of 2012.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Sammy has had international playing experience that will help her adapt to the college game quickly. She is a crafty, creative midfielder that will make good use of the athleticism we have on this team. I have no doubt she will help put people in good spots to score goals.”

Amanda Apelian – Midfielder/Forward – Westlake HS
Apelian’s Westlake High School squad won the Marmante League Championship in each of her four years while particpating in CIF. She was named All-League and earned a spot on the CIF dream team while receiving the team’s most inspirational award.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Amanda plays hard and fast. She will be relentless on the flanks getting behind backlines with and without the ball. Her enthusiasm for the game will be contagious to the team.”

Alina Cheatham – Defender – Arizona State – Mater Dei HS
Alina played club soccer for Legends FC where she helped her squad to three consecutive state titles. She was a two-time Trinity League All-League performer, and a member of the National Honors Society. She redshirted the season last year at Arizona State.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Alina joined us this past spring from Arizona State. She has a very high “soccer IQ” and will play in the backline, but her biggest strength is her ability to distribute and start our attack effectively. She will be a good complement to our midfield and our incoming class that is full of speed.”

Elizabeth Silas – Goalkeeper – Lamar – Upland HS
Elizabeth saw action in six games in goal for Lamar last year, making three starts. Prior to college, she played for the Claremont Stars, leading the team to the 2011 Coast Soccer League premier championship, and for Upland High School, where she was named First-Team All-Conference as a senior and Second-Team All-Conference as a junior.

Coach Gonzalez says:
“Elizabeth also joined us this past spring. She is a good athlete that is fearless when she plays, and she will compete right away for our #1 spot in goal. She is a very good shot-stopper and we are excited to continue to develop the rest of her game.”

Montreal. Osheaga 2013.

Montreal is a great city with horrible weather, although we enjoyed some great days. It was nice getting in touch with my French Canadian and Canadian roots. My grandfather’s mother and father both hailed from Canada, eh.

Mumford & Sons.

Lumineers. Awesome.

Love a city with efficient public transportation.

Did I mention it’s Fashion Week here in Montreal. So, yeah a little work. We recently picked up a Canadian client for the buying side of the company, so we wanted to check out the market. Despite the weather, Montreal is quite fashion forward.

Saw this band, Imagine Dragons, last year in a small LA theater. They’ve grown a bit more popular since then.

Had to try Montreal’s signature dish, Poutine. French Fries, gravy and cheese curds, Amazing.

Times like this remind me why I am thankful there are no casinos in LA.

Just an iPhone today. The camera will come out before we leave. A great little city.

Found the place with the longest line since 1928. Schwartz.

Montreal.

On a red eye, eh.