Tight jeans bro.

A new hot dog joint opened by the house. That puts a nail in the coffin of #7, #91, #92 & #93. Will end the year at my heaviest.

#57 See 10 new movies in the theater

Brittany and I took in the stellar, Interstellar.

#9: Off Roading

Turns out we only needed one horse under the hood to traverse the back roads of the Hollywood Hills. Thanks to our dedicated brethren at LAFI for making it happen.

Seeing a classic movie in Burbank is literally like stepping into a time machine. Nevertheless, It’s a Wonderful Life was the perfect movie to see to get into the holiday spirit. Thank you, Tomiko, for the tickets.

#43 Complete Safari Album

” I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Caught a Clipper win with my Dad. Not as rare as it used to be.

Dinner at the newly opened BBQ joint, Barrel & Ashes. One of the best dishes was the chili served in a bag of Fritos.

#78: No Shave November. Most of my sweaters match my beard.

Lunch and X-mas shopping in the Hills of Beverly.

Enjoyed this beef tongue and the 10 meat dishes that followed at Totoraku.

Love is way more complicated than quantum physics. Excellent movie.

Asenabo. Best sushi we’ve had in LA. And we’ve known that for years. It’s a shame we’ve only been here a few times.

Landon Donovan’s last professional game was a good one. LA Galaxy win the MLS Cup final 2-1 in double overtime.

The whole band was back together again. They killed it.

Hate to judge a book by its cover, but I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed hanging out with my great, great, great grandmother, Letitia Youmans.  She’s the one on the right on the cover of her autobiography, Campaign Echoes. I actually toasted her last night, rather her husband Arthur, my great, great, great grandfather for having the good sense not to have any children with her. You see, Letitia was also known as the Apostle of Temperance and one of the leading players in prohibition.   Here are a few words from the Canadian encyclopedia.

Letitia Creighton (Youmans) was born in a log cabin in Hamilton Township, Upper Canada. Raised in the Methodist Church, she became a school teacher and married widower Arthur Youmans. Her concerns about the evils of alcohol led to her involvement in the temperance movement, and Letitia Youmans became a prominent speaker and campaigner. She was the first president of the Dominion Women’s Christian Temperance Union

Youmans believed in temperance and prohibition. She called for individual discipline to fight the evils of alcohol and legislation to prohibit its sale. Visiting prison inmates, she declared them privileged to be in an environment free from accursed beverages.

Youmans excelled on the platform, where her long, turgid, but emotionally inspired speeches based on biblical themes were enthusiastically received.

When Arthur’s first wife, Sophia “the baby maker” Youmans passed away, he needed someone to help raise his eight children while he tended to the farm.  Letitia got the call and was quick to accept Arthur’s proposal ensuring that there would be an ironic branch on the Youmans family tree. So, in honor of repeal day, I say nice try grandma. Cheers.

An after work bite in the concrete treetops of LA.

One last good meal for Brit before heading back to school.

#57: See 10 Movies on the Big Screen

It was like looking in the mirror.

Went to see a family friend perform. This is the only pic I have from the night. Sonia and my brother, George.

#96: Maximize Credit Card Rewards

I added the final credit card to my now very small collection. This American Airlines friendly card should help with all of the Dallas travel.

#94: Read 10 New Books

With business puttering along, learning how to travel on the cheap.

Our second trip to the North Shore in Hanalei Bay cemented our connection to the island. It’s the tropical version of Gustavus, Alaska for me and one that I want to revisit over and over again.

#44: Star gaze.

Few places reveal the night sky quite like the South Pacific.

We took a helicopter tour of the island. These pictures and video couldn’t do it justice. I’ve never been so blown away by an area/location/territory.

#52: Enjoy Three New Beaches

The Beach on Hanalei Bay.

Kayaked on Hanalei Bay in Kauai.

A room with a view.

Arrived in Princeville just in time for happy hour.

It’s that time of year to start throwing in the towel on some goals. Let’s start with these five:

11. Take the top off of the Bronco. (Maybe next year)
25. Baseball game at a stadium I’ve never been to. (Why I didn’t spring for a game in Kansas City I’ll never know)
28. Reroof the garage. (There are much bigger fish to fry.)
29. New closet doors. (Same as above)
88. Certified wine professional. (The introductory class we took convinced me that this would take years)

Made it back to LA in time to have dinner and see Kinky Boots at the Pantages with my Dad and Georgeanne. I’m not afraid to say that Kinky Boots is the best transexual themed play I’ve ever seen.

This is why we need to get prechecked.

Scene of the crime.

Fresh Kusshi Oysters in the middle of the Nevada dessert. We’re living in the Golden Age.