Now who’s paranoid?  The Swine Flu has struck at Devin’s school and class has been canceled for at least a week. Fear the swine.

Speaking of Swine (from Pulp Fiction)

Vincent: Want some bacon? Jules: No man, I don’t eat pork. Vincent: Are you Jewish? Jules: Nah, I ain’t Jewish, I just don’t dig on swine, that’s all. Vincent: Why not? Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don’t eat filthy animals. Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood. Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I’d never know ’cause I…

Netflixed “The Happening” last night.  This movie has a good shot of gaining cult status for being so god awful it has to be seen over and over just to reaffirm that it was actually made.  The Crappening is proof that once you produce a hit you can work in Hollywood forever.  Ever since The Sixth Sense, M. Night Shamalamalawhateverhisnameis has been getting paid…

APRIL RECAP.  If I had only waited for the Kentucky Derby to bet my long shot, the race in which long shot Mine that Bird (60-1) won, my $50 dollar bet would have netted me $50,000 dollars.  Damn.  Nevertheless, April was a good month.  I turned 36, our business grew up a bit, hung out with my sister Michelle briefly, haven’t contracted Swine Flu…

# 8 in progress. April was an interesting month for LA Fashion Insider.  We suffered a minor setback when a vendor launched an attack on us after learning one of his employees wanted to join us.  Nevertheless, the vendor was easily replaced and damage appears to be minimal.  As a company our April revenue was up 63% from April 2008 and up just over…

Insomnia

So, I often have trouble sleeping at night.  Every so often I take an Ambien to catch up on my Zzz’s.  This morning I swallowed what I thought was my thyroid meds, but instead took 12.5 mgs of Ambien.  Needless to say I slept through my morning, including running into not one, but two poles with the truck.  Sleep driving.  Could have been the…

The Youmans brothers locked down the left side of the infield and Devin was a thief in the outfield as the Wilshire Bombers took control of first place with just one game to go.

Tickets have been bought.  We’re NYC bound July 9th thru the 12th.  Numbers 9, 35, 46, 78, 92 and 93 will fall. I can already taste that New Yawk Dawg.

#24 in progress.  Anyone who knows us knows our obsession with Katsu-ya sushi.  Well tonight that obsession grew with the discovery of Chef Katsu-ya’s new restaurant Kiwami (Japanese for The Ultimate). Kimawi is the seventh restaurant under the Katsu-ya umbrella, but unique in that Katsu-ya himself is actually behind the counter.  Sonia called tonight’s meal her best ever.  High praise.

#83 Done. Brittany completed the first step in what will ultimately “perfect” her smile and facial features.  I remember from the time I was about ten years old being told by every dentist I saw that braces were necessary.  My parents always seemed to disagree.  After being presented with Brittany’s bill I guess I understand why.

#44 in progress.  The next item to discuss in my bequeathment series is this framed Avalanche Super Bar photograph. Not only is this masterpiece the centerpiece of our home, it is also a daily reminder of some of my fondest memories at Marquette.  I may have spent more time in the Lanche than the classroom, but the friendships and alcohol tolerance gained made the loss of…

The future ain’t what it used to be. Yogi Berra

http://www.viddler.com/player/4441f05b/ #39 Done.  We spent the day at the Long Beach Aquarium and made the mistake of going on a whale watching tour.  Forget that we didn’t see a whale, it was the Deadliest Catchesque waves that were the real killer.  Although the above video doesn’t convey the horror, 90% of the poor souls on the boat were either vomiting or holding it in….

Exit Only

Yes, I understand we have a family history.  And yes, I may even one day submit to my family’s wishes and get a colonoscopy.  But that day will not come until I long forget this is even possible.

#24 in progress.  Tried 8oz burger bar on Melrose in West Hollywood.  Love my burger and this place had a good one.  Laurel Tavern is still in first place.

http://www.viddler.com/player/b7382046/ #7 is done, but we’re not. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#22 Done. While I’ll probably see at least a dozen more, Earth was the tenth and final movie I needed to see in a theatre to complete this goal.   Like the Discovery Channel series, Earth is a fantastic documentary. Movies seen at the theatre in 2009 are: Gran Torino Revolutionary Road The Wrestler Taken Confessions of a Shopaholic The International I Love You,…

Netflixed Body of Lies.  A good modern day spy flick.

LAFashionInsider is officially an employer.  Good-bye frequent Katsuya dinners, hello operating costs.

#13 Done.  While we’re not in the position to be sponsoring others, our list has pushed us both to do so.  Two players on Brit’s team are unable to come up with their dues, so Sonia and I have pledged a couple of bar nights a week to the cause.

90+ degrees today.  This is why we live here.

That’s more like it.

#18 Finito.  Finally have a passport.  Now I just need somewhere to go.

#24 in progress.  Enjoyed lunch at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.  Sat in the courtyard with Victoria Beckham, Rob Reiner and a ton of big shots.  But I was the one eating lunch with the prettiest girl.

Growing Pains

We learned that we are swimming with sharks in downtown Los Angeles.  Lots of paranoid people in the fashion industry.  We were set to hire our first employee, but then the current employer blew a gasket and decided to defame us in an email campaign to our clients.  It took a bit of damage control, but so far so good.

http://www.viddler.com/player/ae77b5f7/ This is the first inning of the season for us recorded via the iphone sticking out of my jacket pocket.  Baseball is back. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

It’s April in L.A. for Godsakes. I wish global warming meant it was warm.

A quick way to start a conversation is to say something like “What’s your favorite color?” A quick way to end a conversation is to say something like “What’s your favorite color… person?” Demetri Martin

Netflixed this one.  Our friend had a small part in it, but overall this one was blah.  Looking forward to a comedy that makes me laugh out loud.  Perhaps “Bruno” this summer.

What no wife of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he’s staring out of the window. Burton Rascoe

#23 in Progress.  Saw Observe and Report today. 90% crappy, 10% funny – 100% wait for cable.  Nine down, one to go.

http://www.viddler.com/player/c8696af4/ #50 Done. This was a cool surprise trip we took on my birthday.  Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, CA is the largest Buddhist Temple in the United States.  Felt as if we were in China.  Very tranquil and spiritual place. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#24 in progress.  Sonia took me to XIV by Michael Mina for my birthday dinner.  It’s high end Hollywood hip American tapas.  Basically you order eleven tastes off of the menu. We ordered tastes of six appetizers and five entrees. We were full after nine and gave the last two plates to the Columbian tourists next to us.  Feeling a little bloated, but good stuff.

#60 Done. Sonia’s Birthday present to me was this awesome Burberry watch.  She also surprised me with a trip to #50.  Yes, there may be something a bit ironic about buying a watch and visiting a buddhist temple on the same day, but balance is actually an important buddhist teaching.  Anyway, I’ll tell you more about the temple tomorrow as I am off to…

“’Tis healthy to be sick sometimes.” Henry David Thoreau “Bullshit” Me

I haven’t been sick for years.  A week into getting health insurance and bam, just in time for the birthday.

Opening Day = Happiness

We’re back home after a windy weekend in Bakersfield and good food is on my mind.  As my body continues its attempt to process the McDonald’s we picked up for the drive home, I thought about my all time favorite meals.  Here is my updated food Hall of Fame in no particular order. Mom’s Yorkshire Pudding, Swedish Pancakes & Klatskies Sonia’s Tacos (pictured) Georgeanne’s…

http://www.viddler.com/player/d4fe6d17/ If I could add a 101st goal it would be for Brit to advance to the second round of the California State Cup.  They won 3-0 today.  Two more on Sunday and we move on.  Hope, hope. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#28 in Progress. Marital bliss. Not.

#15 Finally.  We are officially insured.  Hopefully we won’t need it.

If only I were a musician…

Due in large part to Sonia’s efforts, March picked up where February left off.  Compared to March of ‘08 (our worst month, so grain of salt), LA Fashion Insider grew approximately 557%.  Better yet, we are up 18% from last month.  In exciting and scary news, we have also begun discussions to expand and hire our first employee within a month or two and hopefully a…

March Recap

The month began with the blast of the starting pistol at Santa Anita Race Track where my long shot, Craig’s Storm (#69) galloped valiantly for three quarters of the race only to flame out and finish last down the stretch.  My dream to get rich quick continues to allude me.  Nevertheless, March was a productive month in both business and pleasure. Marquette and March…

#44. The first piece in my sentimental bequeathment series is this framed Wrigley Field novelty photograph that claims I have signed with the Cubs.  It was a high school graduation gift from my sister and has been hung prominently in every dorm room and apartment since.  I think I may have even told a few girls back in the day that I had indeed signed with the…

#51 Wish list.  The Canon rebel T1i should be available sometime this summer.  It’s the DLSR camera I hope to learn photography with.  Then there’s the point and shoot Casio Exilim EX-FC100.  With these tools I should be able to really irritate Sonia and document every moment of our life.

http://www.viddler.com/player/1c58fad6/ When there is no baseball or soccer to be played, Sunday is our fun day.  Today we made like tourists and played around in front of the place I will one day accept my oscar.  Hardy Har Har. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#18 in progress.  With passport regulations scheduled to change in June, we took the first step to completing the process before then.

#23 in progress.  Saw Sunshine Clearing.  A small, but good movie.  Eight down, two to go.