Best sushi in LA.

#91: See 5 local bands

IMG_6391 from henry james on Vimeo.

Enjoyed the Fleetwood Mac Fest at the tiny Fonda theater. Lots of great local legends and artists singing Fleetwood songs, including Mark Ronson, Courtney Love, Alison Mosshart, Perry & Etty Farrell, Joanna Newsom, Cold War Kids, KT Tunstall, Dhani Harrison, PHASES, Will Forte, Ruby Amanfu, Sarah Silverman, Karen Elson, Butch Walker, Doyle Bramhall II, Jess Wolfe & Holly Laessig (of Lucius), Jessie Baylin, The Pierces, Jamestown Revival, Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips, Elvis Perkins, Emily Armstrong, Adam Busch, Jack Dishel, Mereki.

Forced myself to watch this. I met Jim my freshman year at Marquette and was an acquaintance. I always had classes with him and enjoyed our conversations. Selfishly, I’m glad he was never a close friend. The documentary did him justice.

#34: A better shoe closet.

This is how you make history interesting.

Two years ago Atlanta had an ice storm that shut down the city and we were certain that no one would come. It turned out to be our best market ever. This year it’s 58 and sunny and it’s a ghost town. This is no surprise however, in fact it’s been this way since that ice storm two years ago. Buyers just don’t go to trade shows anymore, and after this weekend, we won’t either. In Dallas, we have moved into a permanent showroom where reps will sell the line for a commission. We’re currently looking for a similar arrangement in Atlanta. In addition, we’ll sell the old fashion way. We’ll hit the phones and hit the road.  The future is uncertain, but it feels good to finally let go and make a proactive move.

IMG_0069 from henry james on Vimeo.

#13: Try 10 new Los Angeles restaurants

Loved the meal at Forma to celebrate my little sister’s 22nd birthday.

jump from henry james on Vimeo.

3 weeks and counting of consistent exercise, but the results have been unnoticable. Nevertheless, today’s activities were comedic. Devin managed to get his jump on, but Sonia blames her short legs for not quite becoming one with the trampoline. I on the other hand, racked my back.

IMG_6254 from henry james on Vimeo.

Supporting the rebirth of downtown LA. It’s still pre-Brooklyn, but gentrification is happening at a rapid pace.

#3: Do something I would never do

Sonia and i intentionally stripped down and stepped into this cryo chamber and endured two minutes of -240 degrees in the name of pain relief. My back did immediately feel better. So, between electrocuting and freezing myself, #3 goes down.

#13: Try 10 New Los Angeles Restaurants

Escargot at the Little Next Door for lunch.

#41: Plant a Lime Tree

Look, Ma, I planted it with my own two hands.

Can’t wait to vote. If I could write in a candidate for president, I’d write in anybody else.

#49: New Workout

We added this electro workout to our rotation and holy hell. It’s the only machine like it in the US and lucky for us it’s in Beverly Hills. Basically you go twenty minutes straight of squats, push ups, planks, curls, etc. while being electrocuted.

Sonia bought a new toy to steal oranges from our neighbor. She’ll do anything for fresh mimosas.

#23: Hike to the Wisdom Tree

Figured we switch it up and take advantage of the gorgeous day. Sorry East Coast friends.

It was brutally steep hike.

I was KO’d a quarter of the way up. I Needed several breaks before reaching the peak.

Left a note of wisdom on the tree as is the custom.

Trying to find our home.

#19 Read 10 Books

The extraordinary tale of two bicycle building brothers who changed the world with an impossible dream. Great book.

#64: Visit a Museum

Enjoyed a two hour lunch break at the newly opened, Broad Museum of Contemporary Art. Warhols, Lichtensteins, Koons and a very large table.

#13: Try 10 New Los Angeles Restaurants

Lunch at the new downtown restaurant, Otium. Two thumbs up.

Saw the Eagles at the Forum a year and half ago and they were fantastic as usual. Tough start of the year for musicians.

IMG_6014 from henry james on Vimeo.

A little country in LA. Loved the Garth Brooks’ cover.

IMG_5995 from henry james on Vimeo.

Another band with an entire set of top 10 hits. Hopefully my ears recover from standing in front of the speakers.

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

Spent our Golden Globes night at the theater with my Dad and Georgeanne. I’m not a Woody Allen fan, but Bullets Over Broadway had some great set pieces. Still not sending him a Christmas card.

IMG_5924 from henry james on Vimeo.

On a last minute whim, we went to see solo artist, and former frontman of the group Chicago, Peter Cetera. It was awesome. Every song was an 80’s hit. It was like being in a Karate Kid movie.

A heavy subject, but it made for a great movie.

My expectations were high, but I’m pretty lukewarm on this one. The cinemotography was top notch. Leo was great. But the story and payoff… Meh.

Switched to straight expresso in 2016. I’m hooked.

The official 2016 weigh in. The magic number is 157.4 lbs. Brutal.

  
|| Cobblestone Streets ||

Good advice to kickstart writing again.

#86: Five Rooftop Toasts

We bid San Miguel De Allende farewell.  It is a gem of a city.  Incredibly picturesque,  friendly people and the cheapest of eats. I’d love to return.

Couldn’t help but leave this for housekeeping.

#42: Lounge by 5 hotel pools

The perfect spot to start the new year. 2016 will be the year of the reboot. Three things come to mind. First and foremost, we’ll get LA Fashion Insider back on track. Secondly, we will finally focus on health and fitness.   And last, but not least, I will begin to write again.

New Years from henry james on Vimeo.

1. Grow LA Fashion Insider
2. Ring in the New Year
3. Do something I would never do
4. “Write one true sentence” Each Month
5. Go to a Marquette game
6. Travel w/an empty suitcase
7. See a Waterfall
8. Off roading
9. Go Snorkeling
10. Try all of LA’s Most Iconic Burgers
11. Camp with Mom
12. Visit an American City we’ve never been to
13. Try 10 New LA Restaurants
14. Pearl Jam
15. Try 6 downtown coffee houses
16. Open up the kitchen
17. Remodel Master Bathroom
18. Wipe out 2015 Business Debt
19. Read 10 New Books
20. Return to Salsa Lessons
21. Celebrate my Dad’s 70th
22. Paddle Board
23. Hike to the wishing tree
24. lose 25 pounds
25. Perfect my Signature
26. Eat a fish I’ve caught
27. Rent five classic movies I’ve never seen
28. Design a sport coat
29. Spend a day at a lake
30. Go to a baseball stadium I’ve never been to
31. Sleep in a tent
32. Draft our wills
33. Go the road to sell Basically Me
34. A Better Shoe Closet
35. Small town festival
36. Better Insurance
37. Watch a sunrise
38. Watch a sunset
39. Star Gaze
40. Nap in a hammock
41. Plant a Lime Tree
42. Lounge by 5 hotel pools
43. Attend a music festival
44. Three Beaches
45. Walk across a bridge
46. Celebrate Brittany’s 21st
47. See 10 New Movies in the Theater
48. Visit something ancient
49. New workout
50. Train Ride
51. Kayak
52. Five hometown photo diaries
53. Have a picnic
54. Out of State Concert
55. Stay at Chateau Marmont
56. Don’t eat out for two straight weeks
57. Take Devin to a Giants game
58. Have a drink in a bar over 200 years old
59. Commission a Pear Jam/MU Concert poster from 92’
60. Eat at a top 100 restaurant
61. Complete 2015 Italy album
62. Visit a National Park
63. Go to a game at the Big House with Dad
64. Visit a Museum
65. Migrate year one of the blog to this site’s archives
66. Bike ride in another city
67. Jet Ski
68. Explore a winery
69. Aurora Borealis
70. Set my watch to 6 different time zones
71. Make the most of a layover
72. Go to a drive-in movie
73. No read meat for a month
74. See a Broadway Show
75. Buy a new suit
76. Write one leaf
77. Explore a new N’awlins neighborhood
78. Have a Catch
79. Do not buy a watch
80. Go to a professional sport match I’ve never been to
81. “Publish” a mezcal cocktail book
82. Launch new LA Fashion Insider, Inc. website
83. Get a tattoo
84. Go to at least three work shows
85. Eat a NY Hot Dog
86. Five rooftop toasts
87. Restructure/negotiate all monthly bills
88. Garage Sale
89. Landscape the curbside
90. Host a pool party
91. See five local bands
92. Take a picture with my family at the highest point of that location
93. Watch Brittany play a game out of state
94. Art for the dining room wall
95. Rain 2
96. Turn my office back into a guest room
97. Remove a tattoo
98. Get my teeth whitened
99. No beer or hard liquor for two months
100. Remove the fire place in the den

We began the year by ringing in the New Year in the Bahamas.

Went to Vegas. A lot. Rewarded with Platinum Status at the Cosmo.

Saw a few concerts. Eric Church, Bob Seger, Rascal Flatts, Fleetwood Mac, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, ZZ Top, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, Imagine Dragons (twice), Snoop Dog, Capital Cities, Gypsy Kings (twice), Awolnation, The Avett Brothers, Major Lazer, Duran Duran, Hozier, Brantley Gilbert, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band and Sam Hunt.

Celebrated Rosie’s 21st.

Relaxed poolside.

Spring Break in Palm Springs.

Easter with lots of family.

Celebrated my 42nd in the grandest of canyons.

Sunset and Sunrise. The best goals are always free.

Remodeled the office. Saw profits soar…. Or not.

Disneyland!

Learned to salsa with my wife.

Got our wardrobe situation under control.

Napa is the perfect spot for a music festival.

Saw my sister, Michelle, kick cancer’s ass for a third time.

Experienced another epic trip to Italy. 10 Days in Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Lucca and Cinque Terre.

Celebrated Georgeanne’s 60th.

Began the year at 185lbs, but got down to 174.2lb. Unfortunately I will begin 2016 at 185lb.

Enjoyed Brittany’s breakout season at UCR.

Finished tied for third on the team in goals, assists and points … Scored a pair of game-winning goals on the year—at Cal Poly on October 25 and vs. CSUN on October 29 … One of seven players to see action in all 20 matches. Started 19.

Enjoyed some amazing meals, but none better than Saison in San Francisco.

Was 3 outs of away from seeing Bumgarner thrown a perfect game.

Life is Beautiful Festival.

Upgraded the backyard.

IMG_3951 from henry james on Vimeo.

Watched the Cubs win an epic playoff game.

Celebrated our wedding anniversary in N’awlins.

Made a dumb beautiful purchase.

Blew an artery.

Celebrated Devin’s 25th.

Our clothing line turned six years old.

Thanksgiving at Dad’s.

Oysters and Lechon with Mom and Jim.

The annual LAFI Xmas Party

The Perfect X-Mas as Usual

Ended 2015 enthralled and enriched, ready to tackle the new year.

1. Ring in the New Year
2. Compete in a Spartan Race
3. New York Fashion Week
4. Camper with Mom
5. N’awlins
6. Try 10 New LA Restaurants
7. Have a Catch
8. Pearl Jam
9. Smart Fit my Home
10. Reduce our energy bills by 30%
11. A better closet
12. Start the morning reading a physical paper
13. Do not buy a Patek Phillipe watch
14. Weigh 175
15. Weigh 170
16. Weigh 165
17. Grow LA Fashion Insider
18. Off Roading
19. Take the top off of the Bronco
20. Fish a river
21. Design a sport coat
22. Spend a day at the lake
23. Go to a baseball stadium I’ve never been to
24. Get a physical
25. Company Retreat
26. Have Lunch Cliffside
27. Sleep in a tent
28. Draft our wills
29. Watch a sunrise
30. Watch a sunset
31. Star Gaze
32. Nap in a hammock
33. Lounge by 5 hotel pools
34. Attend a Music Festival
35. Three Beaches
36. Walk across a bridge
37. Host a Party
38. See 10 new movies in the theater
39. Visit something ancient
40. Take a Class
41. A New Workout
42. Train Ride
43. Kayak
44. Boat Ride
45. Have a Picnic
46. Enjoy a waterfall
47. Stay at Chateau Marmont
48. Fashion Show
49. Don’t Eat Out for Two Straight Weeks
50. Go to a Giants game
51. Have a drink in a bar over 200 years old
52. Commission a 92′ Pearl Jam/MU Concert Poster
53. Read 10 Books
54. Become TSA and Global entry approved
55. Learn how to disassemble and clean my gun
56. Eat at a top 100 Restaurant
57. Take the dogs to the beach
58. Become Platinum at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
59. Complete Budapest,Vienna & Prague album
60. See a game at Wrigley Field
61. Visit a National Park
62. See Basically Me in a magazine
63. Golf with my Dad and brothers
64. Go South of the Border
65. Visit a museum
66. Stay in a cabin
67. Go to a Marquette Game
68. Bike ride in another city
69. Get my teeth whitened
70. Go to a comedy club
71. Walk a path of a enlightenment
72. Jet Ski
73. Aurora Borealis
74. Set my watch to 6 different time zones
75. Make the most of a layover
76. Go to Disneyland
77. Visit a state I’ve never been to
78. Have a drink in a bar it was created
79. Five new hikes
80. Garage Sale
81. Go to a drive-in movie
82. Go on a road trip
83. Celebrate Octoberfest
84. See a Broadway Show
85. Start drinking green tea on a regular basis
86. Wake up at 5am for two weeks straight
87. Have dinner on a rooftop
88. Buy a new suit
89. A New Mattress
90. Relax in hot springs
91. Visit an LA tourist attraction I’ve never been to
92. Small Town festival
93. Grow a cocktail garden
94. Publish a mezcal cocktail book
95. Ride on a rickshaw
96. Personal Stationary
97. Visit a Hemingway Haunt
98. Rain 2
99. Add a few pictures to each city n the travels menu
100. Watch the Full Series of The Wire

So there it is, 53 out 100. Less than last year, more than the year before that. The goal has always been to hit 50%, so I’m more or less satisfied with the achievement. I’m quite certain I would have hit less than 20 if it weren’t for the list. I’m now entering the eight year of this experiment. Perhaps this is a ten year venture and we are now chugging toward the finish line.  Regardless, I will contemplate the future in front of my Mexican reflecting pool and present you with the 2016 list by year’s end.

  
My kind of breakfast buffet.