#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,

#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.

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

Cousins

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.

#68 Enjoy 3 New Beaches

Dipped my toes into the warm Puerto Rican waters.

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

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.

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

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.

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 and managed to right the ship, bettering our 2012 numbers in the third quarter, so things are looking up.

Squeezing some warmth out of winter.

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.

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 never thought it would be possible to go there. I believed this until I was 34 years old. At 35, I was there. And once there, I knew it was the first stop of a world wide tour. I was finally my own captain.

2. 2009

“#20 Done. It may take another few months to settle in, but we’ve finally made the move, albeit down the block.”

We moved to LA in 1998. Sonia, Devin, Brittany and I spent our first three weeks in a cheap Woodland Hills motel. It was a little scary, but we had high hopes. Sonia began looking for a job while I commuted to film school on my motorcycle. We eventually moved into an apartment in Sherman Oaks. We would live there for eleven years. I would have loved to have moved sooner, but I’m proud of the stability we provided the kids. I switched schools 10 different times between 1st grade and High School, so I was particularly sensitive to this. We only moved down the block, but it was a house. Unfortunately, Devin was already in college, so he didn’t get to experience it.

3. 2010

“In addition to producing our clients’ clothing lines, Sonia and I have decided to design and produce a few pieces to test the waters. This Missoni print dress and skirt is Sonia’s first design.”

This was the beginning of Basically Me. We had such low expectations. The line took off, and with it, our expectations. Now, it’s hard not to think we’re constantly underachieving. We have a great product and a medicore COO (me). I need to be better and help/force people to discover Basically Me.

4. 2010

“I recently read a quote by some dude smarter than me who said, “We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” Moved, I decided to share this sentiment with Sonia while here in London since I like to pretend I’m a character in a Hemingway novel. We took the Tube outside of the city to a place called Hampstead Heath. I made Sonia hike two miles through a park to the top of a lush green hill that overlooked the entire city. Interestingly enough, we sat to rest on a bench in front of a place called Kenwood House. Unable to ignore the signs, I bowed down on bended knee and asked Sonia to be my wife. Now, I know what you all are thinking, “slow down, cowboy, what’s the rush, you barely know the girl.” Perhaps, but the heart knows no time table. Sonia agreed.”

Looking back, I wish we didn’t rush into it.

5. Gustavus, Alaska

This is one of my favorite photographs. My summers spent in Alaska has informed much of the person that I am today. This picture of Devin, Brittany and Hemingway making their way down a dirt road in Gustavus, Alaska that I spent my childhood roaming makes me smile every time.

Wow, I’m already at five, but I haven’t mentioned Brittany signing her scholarship or sleeping beneath the stars in the Serengeti. More than one of you ask about the cocaine trade when we talk. I know I live life like a drug kingpin. And I know it’s irresponsible. But, banking experiences while I can walk feels A Ok. If worse comes worse, I know that one of you have a guest room that you’ll be kind enough to offer. If not, there’s always a cheap Woodland Hills hotel available.

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.

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.

Another diet killer night.

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