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.

Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. Sherlock Holmes

#44 in progress.  I, Kenwood Youmans, of sound and occasionally productive mind, do hereby declare this instrument to be my last will and testament. That’s how it begins anyway.  The rest is pretty boring.  Nevertheless, I would like to share a couple of the main ideas in case the writing of my Will suffers the same fate as so many of my scripts – Unfinished….

#12 in progress. We are happy to report that Brittany was accepted into Montclair Prep.  Now if we can figure out how to pay for two tuitions all will be good in the world.

http://www.viddler.com/player/b7ef1ced/ #63 Done. Spent Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego’s Gaslamp District. And after some good food and drink we managed to knock out #41 as well. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#2 Done.  Sort of anyway.  Vinny from The Wine Bank in San Diego helped me find this can’t miss hundred pointer from the Quilceda Creek winery in the Columbia Valley.  The 2006 Cab promises to be the fourth one hundred point cabernet from Quilceda since 2002.  But, here’s the rub…  I was told I can’t drink it for at least five years as it…

And that’s where Marquette’s season ends.

http://www.viddler.com/player/b40e3b83/ A quick time lapse of our rooftop Happy Hour at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#23 in progress.  Saw, I Love You, Man.  A pretty funny romantic comedy about platonic male friendship. Seven down, three to go.

Even MSNBC thinks what I watch at 9:30am in the morning is front page news.

March Madness is here.  I wont be able to sleep as Marquette plays tomorrow morning at 9:30 am.  I feel like throwing up.  In other news, Devin leads the Seyfarth Shaw office pool.

The Boob Tube

After a burger and a beer, Sonia and I called it a night to catch up on some Tivo. Despite the influx of reality dating shows, there are still plenty of shows that continue to surprise, stimulate and entertain me.  Here are my top ten Tivo’ed shows in no particular order. Big Love (HBO) Californication (Showtime) Flight of the Concords (HBO) The Brotherhood (Showtime)…

Happy Birthday to my big sister!  Luck of the Irish my ass.  Nevertheless, your strength continues to inspire me.  Get healthy! Be happy!

#7 In Ashes.  The battle has been won, but the war rages on.  We are no longer Household Bank’s bitch. You’re next Bank of America. Update: Another one bites the dust. (Source: https://player.vimeo.com/)

Despite losing 4 of their final 5 games, Marquette was awarded a 6 seed in the NCAA tournament.  We’ve been a bit screwed with seeding the last few years, so this was a pleasant surprise.  MU plays #25 Utah State in Boise, Idaho on Friday.  Although the airlines continue to slash prices, flights to Idaho with zero notice are too expensive.  I will be…

http://www.viddler.com/player/eb215e1c/ Soccer Weekend. Nothing to see here. (Source: http://www.viddler.com/)

#24 In Progress. Tried STK in West Hollywood.  Pretty much excellent.  The truffle fries complemented the bone in rib eye as well as could be expected.

Yes, We Are Sushi Addicts (Source: https://player.vimeo.com/)

#16 Done.  After a busy week walking the fashion district, Sonia was in need of a foot massage.  Sure, I could’ve given her one, but why pass up an opportunity to scratch something off my list?  So, we both got foot massages.  Actually it was a full massage with an emphasis on the feet.  Eastern medicine subscribes to the theory that the entire body…