4am at the Donut Shop. Preparing for the drive to San Francisco.

The time has come to shove one of the birdies from the nest. Fly, boy.

#51 complete.  Bought the first of two cameras I’ve had my eye on.  I didn’t have the settings right, but it takes up to 1000 frames per second making for some good slow mo shots.  The one above wasn’t lit right, but it is only 420 FPS.  If only I played golf I could analyze my swing. I guess I’ll just have to overly…

Stupid.

Won 3 of 4 to take 2nd place. Brit played great and scored 7 of the 15 goals. Unfortunately we probably lost one of girls to a torn ACL.

Pre game nap.

#24 in progress. Made yet another downtown L.A. restaurant discovery last night.  This time we joined friends at O bar for a tapas style dinner.  Loved it.

Back to soccer weekends. We win 7-0 in game one. Brit scored 4.

I finally saw a real doctor for the first time in ten years.  Nothing has changed since the last time I saw one.  You still have to wait forever to see the guy.  However, when I finally got in I was told that my blood pressure was absolutely normal which was a huge relief as I could not have given up food and cheer…

#24 in Progress. After living in the Valley for eleven years (not to mention the same apartment) we finally ate at Pinot Bistro. The food and wine was excellent.

#98 in progress. Kiss Sonia at Midnight on January 1st Attend Sundance Film Festival Grow our Business Visit Gustavus, Alaska Write at Least Five Entries on My Grandfather’s Office

I like it.  My managers rep the writer which proves that they can shepherd a small, character driven movie to the big screen.  So maybe I’m the problem.

Thinking about #3.  Mexico and Canada are too easy. Only a few months left.

#24 in progress. Takimi is an impressive place on the 21st floor of a downtown L.A. skyscraper.  Although nothing can touch our Kiwami sushi,  the food at Takimi was very good.

#28 Done.  Rented a sea kayak in Malibu today and paddled along Carbon Beach.  I was roughed up a bit by the waves at first, but my pain seemed to entertain Sonia and Brittany so no big deal.  Once I got the kayak past the wave break it was a relaxing cruise. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

#24 in progress. Had dinner at Chateau Marmont on Sunset. Most famous for being the place John Belushi overdosed and died, the place oozes with Hollywood history. Saw a couple of celebs, had horrible service, above average food and a great date with Sonia.

24 in progress. Tried Le Petite Four on Sunset. Not Great.

Askum was his name. The Youmans’ wit at play. Sadly, the dog that (literally) smiled passed away after being kicked by a moose. Only in Alaska. Askum was a loyal friend to my Aunt Aimee for fifteen years. As seen in the attached video, he would accompany her everywhere. Although I only visited Gustavus three summers during Askum’s life, I feel as though he…

#24 in progress. Ate at The Lobster in Santa Monica.  Sonia brought me there to see the sun set in the west, but a hill got in the way. Nevertheless, the food was excellent.

Here’s the second half.

So, I found this site http://www.yearbookyourself.com where you can superimpose your picture to the hottest look throughout the years.  I got a bit carried away, but I’m here to entertain.

July recap. The list finally took a beating in July when Sonia and I managed to knock eleven goals (#4, #9, #17, #32, #35, #45, #68, #78, #81, #87, #92, #93) off of the list.  After excellent trips to Vegas, New York, San Diego and Chicago, we’re staying put for the next couple of weeks until we take Devin to school in San Francisco….

Sunday at Dads

#48 Done. Sonia, Brittany and I enjoyed a bike ride along the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

We had our first employer/employee evaluation today.  If us being gone half of the month wasn’t an indication to her that we were pleased with her work, our lunch confirmed it.  Still, it’s a bit strange to be on the employer side of the ball, especially since I’m still learning how to properly take Ambien.  Sonia and I have both questioned whether we have…

Operation Brewster’s Millions officially comes to an end tonight when the kids return from their one month Chicago vacation.  Now it’s time to focus on #11 and #12.

Great movie.  Definitely not for everyone though.  It’s a realistic, character driven war movie with little plot.  Lives up to the tag line, “War is a Drug”.

The aftermath.  It’s been a great month, but my body has paid for it.  When I started this list in January, I needed to lose about ten pounds to accomplish goal #28.  Now it’s twenty five pounds.  I am however a couple of weeks into an exercise program, so keep in mind muscle weighs more than fat. Yeah, that’s it.

http://www.viddler.com/player/3391c156/ Despite putting on some extra pounds, our Chicago trip was a success.  Although the weather jockeys called for lot of rain, we saw little.  In fact, it only rained one night while we were safe and sound in one of Lincoln Park’s fine watering holes.  Highlights included lots of good eats, a Cubs win and a night out with a half a dozen…

One more Chicago meal for the road.

Happy Birthday to my brother, Sean. Dance the night away.

On the rooftops in Chicago,

#81 Done. It was a perfect day at Wrigley Field. A full house.  No rain. Plenty of Old Styles. And the Cubs won.  Baseball is alive and well on the North side of Chicago.

Al Fresco in Chicago with Sean & Kim

#25 on hold.  Exercise and Weight Loss will have to wait until Monday as we are off to Chicago in the morning to drink beer and eat hot dogs, burritos, burgers and pizza.

Finally Netflixed Frost/Nixon. Well done.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to you too, Matt. Yours truly, Afterthought

Happy Birthday to my Sonia.  Although it seems we’ve been celebrating all month, today is the day.  Amazing what a difference a year can make, huh?

#24 in Progress. Ate at the Quarter Kitchen at the Ivy hotel in San Diego. It bills itself as a five star experience. Out of how many stars I’m not sure. I’m guessing ten.  Great physical space. Ok food. Priced as if there were no equals.

At Pacific Beach in San Diego in search of a good burrito.

More pool time at the Ivy roof deck in San Diego. Sun detox starting tomorrow.

http://www.viddler.com/player/81ac2874/ #4 Complete. Headed to San Diego for the weekend on the Surfliner. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

Having a mini vacation in Hollywood.

#24 in progress. Tried Dakota Chop House in Hollywood. Good steak.  Mastros is still the best so far.

#68 Done. Spending a couple of days poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Call it a pre birthday celebration.

http://www.viddler.com/player/70edb227/ New York City Trip recap.  Another perfect NYC trip for us.  For the most part it was 75 and sunny. Shopped, ate a ton and walked off the calories a couple of times over. We also visited Matt and Beth in Greenwich, CT and met their baby girl, Addie.  Not to mention we managed to knock numbers 9, 17, 35, 78, 92 &…

So uncomfortable, but funny.

http://www.viddler.com/player/b273afb/ A quick time lapse video of the view from our midtown hotel room.  Best viewed in full screen. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

http://www.viddler.com/player/a9010c5c/ #9 Complete. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

Happy 14th Birthday to my beautiful little girl. You are always the best part of my day.