#92 Done

1. 2009

This was the seminal post of the blog, perhaps my life. I wanted to inform, surprise and entertain my family, so I decided not to reveal my future plans. Instead, this blog became my primary means of communication. Five years later, I still think about this post because it represents a dream come true. I dreamt about Paris as a kid, but never thought it would be possible to go there. I believed this until I was 34 years old. At 35, I was there. And once there, I knew it was the first stop of a world wide tour. I was finally my own captain.

2. 2009

“#20 Done. It may take another few months to settle in, but we’ve finally made the move, albeit down the block.”

We moved to LA in 1998. Sonia, Devin, Brittany and I spent our first three weeks in a cheap Woodland Hills motel. It was a little scary, but we had high hopes. Sonia began looking for a job while I commuted to film school on my motorcycle. We eventually moved into an apartment in Sherman Oaks. We would live there for eleven years. I would have loved to have moved sooner, but I’m proud of the stability we provided the kids. I switched schools 10 different times between 1st grade and High School, so I was particularly sensitive to this. We only moved down the block, but it was a house. Unfortunately, Devin was already in college, so he didn’t get to experience it.

3. 2010

“In addition to producing our clients’ clothing lines, Sonia and I have decided to design and produce a few pieces to test the waters. This Missoni print dress and skirt is Sonia’s first design.”

This was the beginning of Basically Me. We had such low expectations. The line took off, and with it, our expectations. Now, it’s hard not to think we’re constantly underachieving. We have a great product and a medicore COO (me). I need to be better and help/force people to discover Basically Me.

4. 2010

“I recently read a quote by some dude smarter than me who said, “We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” Moved, I decided to share this sentiment with Sonia while here in London since I like to pretend I’m a character in a Hemingway novel. We took the Tube outside of the city to a place called Hampstead Heath. I made Sonia hike two miles through a park to the top of a lush green hill that overlooked the entire city. Interestingly enough, we sat to rest on a bench in front of a place called Kenwood House. Unable to ignore the signs, I bowed down on bended knee and asked Sonia to be my wife. Now, I know what you all are thinking, “slow down, cowboy, what’s the rush, you barely know the girl.” Perhaps, but the heart knows no time table. Sonia agreed.”

Looking back, I wish we didn’t rush into it.

5. Gustavus, Alaska

This is one of my favorite photographs. My summers spent in Alaska has informed much of the person that I am today. This picture of Devin, Brittany and Hemingway making their way down a dirt road in Gustavus, Alaska that I spent my childhood roaming makes me smile every time.

Wow, I’m already at five, but I haven’t mentioned Brittany signing her scholarship or sleeping beneath the stars in the Serengeti. More than one of you ask about the cocaine trade when we talk. I know I live life like a drug kingpin. And I know it’s irresponsible. But, banking experiences while I can walk feels A Ok. If worse comes worse, I know that one of you have a guest room that you’ll be kind enough to offer. If not, there’s always a cheap Woodland Hills hotel available.