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IMG_6254 from henry james on Vimeo.

Supporting the rebirth of downtown LA. It’s still pre-Brooklyn, but gentrification is happening at a rapid pace.

#3 Done

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#3: Do something I would never do

Sonia and i intentionally stripped down and stepped into this cryo chamber and endured two minutes of -240 degrees in the name of pain relief. My back did immediately feel better. So, between electrocuting and freezing myself, #3 goes down.

#13 in Progress

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#13: Try 10 New Los Angeles Restaurants

Escargot at the Little Next Door for lunch.

#41 Done

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#41: Plant a Lime Tree

Look, Ma, I planted it with my own two hands.

#47 in Progress

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Can’t wait to vote. If I could write in a candidate for president, I’d write in anybody else.

#49 in Progress

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#49: New Workout

We added this electro workout to our rotation and holy hell. It’s the only machine like it in the US and lucky for us it’s in Beverly Hills. Basically you go twenty minutes straight of squats, push ups, planks, curls, etc. while being electrocuted.

Happy 10th Birthday, Kaden & Kennedy

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Sonia bought a new toy to steal oranges from our neighbor. She’ll do anything for fresh mimosas.

Saturday Night Special

  

#23 Done

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#23: Hike to the Wisdom Tree

Figured we switch it up and take advantage of the gorgeous day. Sorry East Coast friends.

 

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It was brutally steep hike.

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I was KO’d a quarter of the way up. I Needed several breaks before reaching the peak.

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Left a note of wisdom on the tree as is the custom.

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Trying to find our home.

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#19 in Progress

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#19 Read 10 Books

The extraordinary tale of two bicycle building brothers who changed the world with an impossible dream. Great book.

#64 Done

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#64: Visit a Museum

Enjoyed a two hour lunch break at the newly opened, Broad Museum of Contemporary Art. Warhols, Lichtensteins, Koons and a very large table.

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#13 in Progress

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#13: Try 10 New Los Angeles Restaurants

Lunch at the new downtown restaurant, Otium. Two thumbs up.

Take it Easy, Glenn

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Saw the Eagles at the Forum a year and half ago and they were fantastic as usual. Tough start of the year for musicians.

Dinner in Hollywood

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Chase Rice at the Wiltern

IMG_6014 from henry james on Vimeo.

A little country in LA. Loved the Garth Brooks’ cover.

Styx at the Saban

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Another band with an entire set of top 10 hits. Hopefully my ears recover from standing in front of the speakers.

If you drive one mile to the convenience store to buy a Powerball ticket, you are eight times more likely to die than win the jackpot

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

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Spent our Golden Globes night at the theater with my Dad and Georgeanne. I’m not a Woody Allen fan, but Bullets Over Broadway had some great set pieces. Still not sending him a Christmas card.

Peter Cetera at the Saban

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IMG_5924 from henry james on Vimeo.

On a last minute whim, we went to see solo artist, and former frontman of the group Chicago, Peter Cetera. It was awesome. Every song was an 80’s hit. It was like being in a Karate Kid movie.

#47 in Progress

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A heavy subject, but it made for a great movie.

#47 in Progress

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My expectations were high, but I’m pretty lukewarm on this one. The cinemotography was top notch. Leo was great. But the story and payoff… Meh.

Italiano Style

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Switched to straight expresso in 2016. I’m hooked.

It’s Crazy Out Here I Tell Ya

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#24: Lose 25lbs

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The official 2016 weigh in. The magic number is 157.4 lbs. Brutal.

#4 in Progress

  
|| Cobblestone Streets ||

#4

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Good advice to kickstart writing again.

#86 in Progress

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#86: Five Rooftop Toasts

We bid San Miguel De Allende farewell.  It is a gem of a city.  Incredibly picturesque,  friendly people and the cheapest of eats. I’d love to return.

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Couldn’t help but leave this for housekeeping.

#42 Progress

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#42: Lounge by 5 hotel pools

The perfect spot to start the new year. 2016 will be the year of the reboot. Three things come to mind. First and foremost, we’ll get LA Fashion Insider back on track. Secondly, we will finally focus on health and fitness.   And last, but not least, I will begin to write again.

 

#2 Done: Happy New Year

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New Years from henry james on Vimeo.

The 2016 List

  1. Grow LA Fashion Insider
  2. Ring in the New Year
  3. Do something I would never do
  4. “Write one true sentence” Each Month
  5. Go to a Marquette game
  6. Travel w/an empty suitcase
  7. See a Waterfall
  8. Off roading
  9. Go Snorkeling
  10. Try all of LA’s Most Iconic Burgers
  11. Camp with Mom
  12. Visit an American City we’ve never been to
  13. Try 10 New LA Restaurants
  14. Pearl Jam
  15. Try 6 downtown coffee houses
  16. Open up the kitchen
  17. Remodel Master Bathroom
  18. Wipe out 2015 Business Debt
  19. Read 10 New Books
  20. Return to Salsa Lessons
  21. Celebrate my Dad’s 70th
  22. Paddle Board
  23. Hike to the wishing tree
  24. lose 25 pounds
  25. Perfect my Signature
  26. Eat a fish I’ve caught
  27. Rent five classic movies I’ve never seen
  28. Design a sport coat
  29. Spend a day at a lake
  30. Go to a baseball stadium I’ve never been to
  31. Sleep in a tent
  32. Draft our wills
  33. Go the road to sell Basically Me
  34. A Better Shoe Closet
  35. Small town festival
  36. Better Insurance
  37. Watch a sunrise
  38. Watch a sunset
  39. Star Gaze
  40. Nap in a hammock
  41. Plant a Lime Tree
  42. Lounge by 5 hotel pools
  43. Attend a music festival
  44. Three Beaches
  45. Walk across a bridge
  46. Celebrate Brittany’s 21st
  47. See 10 New Movies in the Theater
  48. Visit something ancient
  49. New workout
  50. Train Ride
  51. Kayak
  52. Five hometown photo diaries
  53. Have a picnic
  54. Out of State Concert
  55. Stay at Chateau Marmont
  56. Don’t eat out for two straight weeks
  57. Take Devin to a Giants game
  58. Have a drink in a bar over 200 years old
  59. Commission a Pear Jam/MU Concert poster from 92’
  60. Eat at a top 100 restaurant
  61. Complete 2015 Italy album
  62. Visit a National Park
  63. Go to a game at the Big House with Dad
  64. Visit a Museum
  65. Migrate year one of the blog to this site’s archives
  66. Bike ride in another city
  67. Jet Ski
  68. Explore a winery
  69. Aurora Borealis
  70. Set my watch to 6 different time zones
  71. Make the most of a layover
  72. Go to a drive-in movie
  73. No read meat for a month
  74. See a Broadway Show
  75. Buy a new suit
  76. Write one leaf
  77. Explore a new N’awlins neighborhood
  78. Have a Catch
  79. Do not buy a watch
  80. Go to a professional sport match I’ve never been to
  81. “Publish” a mezcal cocktail book
  82. Launch new LA Fashion Insider, Inc. website
  83. Get a tattoo
  84. Go to at least three work shows
  85. Eat a NY Hot Dog
  86. Five rooftop toasts
  87. Restructure/negotiate all monthly bills
  88. Garage Sale
  89. Landscape the curbside
  90. Host a pool party
  91. See five local bands
  92. Take a picture with my family at the highest point of that location
  93. Watch Brittany play a game out of state
  94. Art for the dining room wall
  95. Rain 2
  96. Turn my office back into a guest room
  97. Remove a tattoo
  98. Get my teeth whitened
  99. No beer or hard liquor for two months
  100. Remove the fire place in the den

A Look Back at 2015

We began the year by ringing in the New Year in the Bahamas.

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Went to Vegas. A lot. Rewarded with Platinum Status at the Cosmo.

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Saw a few concerts. Eric Church, Bob Seger, Rascal Flatts, Fleetwood Mac, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, ZZ Top, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, Imagine Dragons (twice), Snoop Dog, Capital Cities, Gypsy Kings (twice), Awolnation, The Avett Brothers, Major Lazer, Duran Duran, Hozier, Brantley Gilbert, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band and Sam Hunt.

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Celebrated Rosie’s 21st.

Relaxed poolside.

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Spring Break in Palm Springs.

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Easter with lots of family.

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Celebrated my 42nd in the grandest of canyons.

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Sunset and Sunrise. The best goals are always free.

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Remodeled the office. Saw profits soar…. Or not.

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Disneyland!

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Learned to salsa with my wife.

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Got our wardrobe situation under control.

Napa is the perfect spot for a music festival.

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Saw my sister, Michelle, kick cancer’s ass for a third time.

Experienced another epic trip to Italy. 10 Days in Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Lucca and Cinque Terre.

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Celebrated Georgeanne’s 60th.

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Began the year at 185lbs, but got down to 174.2lb. Unfortunately I will begin 2016 at 185lb.


Enjoyed Brittany’s breakout season at UCR.

Finished tied for third on the team in goals, assists and points … Scored a pair of game-winning goals on the year—at Cal Poly on October 25 and vs. CSUN on October 29 … One of seven players to see action in all 20 matches. Started 19.

Enjoyed some amazing meals, but none better than Saison in San Francisco.

Was 3 outs of away from seeing Bumgarner thrown a perfect game.

Life is Beautiful Festival.

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Upgraded the backyard.

IMG_3951 from henry james on Vimeo.

Watched the Cubs win an epic playoff game.

Celebrated our wedding anniversary in N’awlins.

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Made a dumb beautiful purchase.

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Blew an artery.

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Celebrated Devin’s 25th.

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Our clothing line turned six years old.

Thanksgiving at Dad’s.

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Oysters and Lechon with Mom and Jim.

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The annual LAFI Xmas Party

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Ended 2015 enthralled and enriched, ready to tackle the new year.