#8 in progress. Our first month as an employer was a good one.  Although expenses climbed considerably, we feel the addition of our employee will allow us to focus more on growth.  Revenues are up 373% from May of 2008 and maybe a fraction of a percent from last month.  We picked up our first international client, a six store operation from Mexico which…

#25 continues to play hard to get. In fact, I’m going the wrong way.  But some how, despite accompanying me to all of my meals, Sonia reached her goal of 105 lbs.  I’m going to have to get hard core.

May Recap. We came very close to accomplishing goal #21, but in the end the landlord/owner didn’t inspire confidence.  We’re loving our decision to rescind the offer. In fact, just yesterday we had an awkward run in with the owner after she told us two weeks prior that she was leaving for Thailand. Anyway, the search continues.  While May was a productive month in regards to some of the…

$910.  Not bad for five hours.  Even better, we got rid of a lot of junk we didn’t want.

Threw my back out just in time for the garage sale.

Saw Angels and Demons. I’d rather have my teeth pulled than watch this one again.  Which by the way is what Brit had done this morning.  I thought a movie would talk her mind off the pain once the Novocain wore off.  Not sure this Hank’s “masterpiece” helped much.

#57 Done. I was lecturing Brittany on the way to school today when she said, “jeez, your teeth are white.”  A couple of months worth of Crest White Strips has done a bang up job.

Began a course taught through Stanford devoted to developing applications for the iPhone.

It may have been the most uninteresting Memorial Day in a long time, but a major home cleaning was necessary.  We continue to prepare for a major garage sale that we will have next weekend. $1500 is the lofty goal.  Stay tuned.

Spent our weekend at UC Irvine watching Brittany and her team just miss the finals by a couple of points.  Her play continues to impress me.

Saw The Brother’s Bloom last night.  It was a creatively ambitious con man flick.  Liked not loved.

#24 in progress.  Lunched at the newly opened The Counter today.  My fourth burger in four days.  If you’re into opening a franchise (Sean), this one is a good one.

After moving up a division, the Wilshire Bombers are champions once again.

#21 STILL in progress.  95% sure this deal is falling through.  Despite the house needing little things here and there, we asked the sketchy caretaker, a diminutive Thai woman who turned out to be the owner, nothing except for a $300 safety repair job on the balcony’s railings in order to prevent any unnecessary deaths.  The owner refused and said that the railings were fine as long as…

#21 in progress.  The new abode. Moving in June.

Watched the Lakers barely win with my Dad, Sean and Sonia.  Won’t be a cake walk.

Add Star Trek to #23.  I was never a Trekkie, but this was watchable. Live long and prosper.

#21 in progress. Starting to look.  Fell in love with a place with a view that will ultimately break my heart.

http://www.viddler.com/player/854ba03/ In the ridiculously exclusive hills of Brentwood, across the street from the Governator’s abode, Devin and his classmates, dressed in their old Hollywood best, enjoyed a “little” pre prom get together. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

Prom 2009.  More to come tomorrow.

Finished off the regular season with a 9-8 loss to a sub-par team.  Could’ve won the league, but we end up sharing the title with another team.  A truly pathetic finish.

#25 not really in progress. After demolishing a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans and a few brews I got to thinking, am I losing weight?  Well, turns out that I am not.  In fact, I may have added a few lbs.  How could this happen? Looking back on the week that was it is easy to see why the pounds aren’t flying off.  Over…

#81 in progress. My dad let his Chicago office know that he would appreciate it if a few tickets to the Cubs vs. Reds game on July 24th were made available for our trip to the city.  A few hours later we had six seats locked and loaded. Few things are more enjoyable than a Friday day game at Wrigley. Thanks, Dad.

Back to the grind.  Burritos and Margaritas to cap off the work day.

Happy Mother’s Day from Lake Sherwood Country Club where we ate, drank and were more or less merry.  For some more pics from the day click here.

#24 in progress. Finally tried Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock, a down home Italian joint famous for its pizza.  We waited 45 minutes to be seated, another 45 minutes to be served, but in the end it was well worth it.  Great Za.

Dry Heat

#24 in progress. Took Sonia and Brittany to Morton’s for a steak dinner.  Despite spending eight or so years in the midwest I had never eaten at this Chicago staple.  I have to say, from apps to entree it was excellent.

#53 Done. Escaped to Palm Springs for a couple of days for a pre Mother’s Day celebration.  We scored the best poolside bed with amble shade for the 95+ temps.  Kindle + Food + Drinks + Pool is just what the doctor ordered.

Happy Odd Day.  Today’s date, 05/07/09, is a rare occurrence in that it consists of three consecutive odd numbers.  It is an event that happens only six times a century.  The first Odd Day of this century occurred on 01/03/05.  So if you’re feeling odd today now you know why.

All my life I’ve had one dream, to achieve my many goals. Homer Simpson

Happy 5th of May.

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.