#98 Done

#98: Eat at Providence Truffle season.

#6 Done

#6:Eat at Hakkasan Took clients to Hakkasan in Beverly Hills. Enjoyed.

#96 in Progress

#96 Maximize Credit Card Rewards Replaced three horrible Visa’s with their Black Card that will provide some better rewards.

The Highlights of 2013

Business may have been down a bit in 2013, but we did our best not to let it slow us down. Here’s a quick look back. We started the year off with a bang in Rome, Italy. We went to Vegas a lot. And ended the year at the craps table in the black. We toured a few out of state colleges, but Brittany…

Normally I’d complain about the traffic into Hollywood, but it’s 82 degrees.

One more good meal for Brittany at Cecconi’s before heading back to UC Riverside.

#57 in Progress

#57: See 10 Movies in the Theater. Fell one movie short in 2013. Started 2014 early with American Hustle. It won’t be a classic, but it was better than most over the last year.

#1 Done

#1: Ring in the New Year. Always the easiest one.

The List of 2014

Ring in the New Year Grow LA Fashion Insider Charleston, S.C. Drive a Formula 1 Car Prepare 12 Meals at home Eat at Hakkasan Weigh 175 See a Performance at Disney Hall Off Roading Go to New York without any luggage Take the top off the Bronco Fish Full work up with a cardiologist Start a multiple line retail site Stay at Chateau Marmont…

The List of 2013

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Vintage Truck Learn to Fly Visit SFU Visit Seattle U Drop Brit off at College Marquette Game Bears Game Wrigley Game Baseball game at a stadium I’ve never been to Record one second each day Out of State Concert Small Town Festival Turn 40 Visit the grave of a relative I didn’t know Show up at the airport without a…

Happy New Year

#80 DONE

#80: Family Vacation We loved Puerto Rico. The hotel was great. Everyone but Brittany won at the casino. The beaches were beautiful. The food was comforting. And the people were extremely friendly. Lots of reasons to return.

They slept in until 1:30pm so we sent this clown over to embarrass them,

#82 Done

#82: Set My Watch to Six Time Zones 1. Pacific Coast Time: Seattle, WA – Las Vegas, NV 2. Central: Chicago, IL – Dallas, TX – Nashville, TN 3. Eastern: Atlanta, GA. – Key West, Florida – Seaside, FL – Montreal, BC 4. Central European Time: Rome, Italy 5. East Africa Time Zone: Tanzania 6. Atlantic Time Zone: Puerto Rico

#52 Done

#52: Read 10 new books An excellent and horrifying family memoir from a great writer.

We took a trip to the country to visit Sonia’s Dad and extended family. Devin and Brittany got to meet several aunts, uncles and cousins for the very first time.

We fought the kids a very valuable lesson tonight. And that is, it’s virtually impossible to win money by gambling.

Authentico

Headed to a locals only joint and we were not dissappointed.

Cousins

Pre Jet Skis

I let Brittany drive and she reciprocated by tossing me off into the ocean.

A great dinner at Marmalade in San Juan with Sonia’s cousin and husband who are visiting from Chicago.

Before we left Chicago for Los Angeles, the kid’s daycare consisted of grandparents and aunts. It was during this time that their pallets fell in love with Puerto Rican food. Because of this, we sought out the busiest diner in old San Juan and ordered some traditional fare. Sonia and the kids were in heaven.

Exploring Old San Juan

#68 Done

#68 Enjoy 3 New Beaches Dipped my toes into the warm Puerto Rican waters.

Christmas

Christmas Eve

Even though the kids have grown, this Youmans Family X-Mas tradition continues.

#59 Done

59. Make Christmas great for someone I don’t know. Brittany and I returned to K-Mart and took care of a half of a dozen layaway accounts set to expire tomorrow. Hopefully it makes for a great Christmas for at least one of them.

#100 Done

We actually completed this goal awhile ago, but tonight’s chili makes it official.

#52 in Progress

Writers waxing poetic about doing what I would like to wax poetic about.

Despite a pathetic Marquette loss, Vegas was very good to us.

Can I get a win?

At the MGM in Vegas. More MU people that I’ve seen in a long time. Hoping for a win.

Starting things off right at Jose Andres’ Jaleo. The only paella pit in the US. Eating at his secret 22 course Vegas restaurant will be a goal in 2014.

Yep, we’re in Vegas.

#66 Eludes Us

We had an end of year company lunch for some of the sewers and cutters that we contract with. Although production has increased, revenue is down nearly 30% for LA Fashion Insider, Inc. So, for the first time since starting this blog, the goal of growing our business will not be met in 2013. The good news is that we changed course in July…

Squeezing some warmth out of winter.

#65 Done

Golfed Sherwood on a beautiful December day. It’s only been a few days since Tiger’s tournament, the the pin placements guaranteed a three put average. Dad, here are some iPhone slo-mo videos to study.

#92 Done

1. 2009 This was the seminal post of the blog, perhaps my life. I wanted to inform, surprise and entertain my family, so I decided not to reveal my future plans. Instead, this blog became my primary means of communication. Five years later, I still think about this post because it represents a dream come true. I dreamt about Paris as a kid, but…

#91 Done

Seeing these creatures up close in their natural habitat was definitely one of the highlights of our safari. On average, poachers kill 96 elephants a day. 75% of the Chinese and Vietnamese who purchase ivory, don’t even know where ivory comes from. The Wildlife Conservation Society is the leading organization protecting elephants throughout the world and has an A+ rating from charity watch.org.

#52 in Progress

Never would I have read a Toni Morrison novel if I wasn’t on the college freshman curriculum, but after reading, Beloved, I have changed my mind…. Just kidding.

Sonia and I took in Peter and the Starcatcher with my dad and Georgeanne. It’s the prequel to Peter Pan and proof that the second act can save a bad start.

The Hart and the Hunter

Another diet killer night.

#70 Done

Our annual Christmas party. And Sonia cooked, so closing in on completing #100.