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.

Here are a few goals that will not happen. No regrets considering the things we did do.

3. Learn to fly

Flew a lot, but let the pilots do the work.

8. Bears Game

This has been on the list for three years, but it’s still not going to happen.

18. Dance Lessons

Maybe next year.

21. Visit Five City Libraries

Visited lots of bars, but no libraries.

26 & 27. Weigh 165lbs & 160lbs.

Currently at 177, down from a year high of 191. It’s possible to lose another 5 before year’s end, but the Holiday meals will likely push further weight lose to the new year.

28. Reroof the garage.

Next year.

37. Launch Basically Me

Postponed.

39. Finish writing project

I think this is going to take me a few years.

53. Visit a Civil War Battleground

Was so close in Nashville, but just couldn’t make it happen

63. Basically Me Pop Up Store

This will be quite the undertaking.

75. Annual Fashion Show

90. See an SEC football game

Next year’s write off.
Maine
96. Colorado
97. RhodeIsland
98. South Carolina

99. Pro Soccer Game

First time we didn’t see a game in three years

And by paint the gutters, I meant have someone else paint the gutters.

Animals with the kind of medical issues that Delilah had are often discarded or, at best, neglected. Fortunately for Delilah, she found a family whose love and attention knew no bounds and helped her live a long and happy life. RIP pup.

I awoke from a nap to this. I would’ve only gotten in the way, so I feel no guilt.

Celebrated Devin’s B-Day at Mr. Chow and the SLS Hotel with a couple of Devin’s friends and Sonia’s cousin.

Highway 1 in Big Sur

I don’t always take baths, but when I do…

Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, CA

I want him dead! I want his family dead! I want his house burned to the ground! I wanna go there in the middle of the night and I wanna piss on his ashes!

And scene. That was my Robert De Niro as Al Capone ordering a hit from a cliff side resort pool phone.

Around the Post Ranch Inn.

Executive retreat bonding exercise.

Oysters in the room. Executive meetings postponed until the evening.

A great view from cliff side room. Executive retreat meetings postponed until the afternoon.

Heading up Highway 1 along the angry coast for an executive retreat in Big Sur.

A look into how Italy works.

Sonia, Devin and I joined our friends Tomiko, Pierre and Mei for dinner at our friend’s new Italian gastro pub, Scopa. The service has some kinks to work out, but the food was excellent.

A little decadence for lunch at The Ivy.

Not the longest of visits, but I got to see George and Rosie on their home turf. Picked a great game to go to as USC knocked off the favored Stanford.

High blood pressure season returns. Marquette loses to OSU at home in pathetic fashion.

No cold front here.

Blame it on Rio.

One dog wasn’t challenging enough to our travel schedule, so this was the solution. Meet Rio. She is a three month old terrier mix. And yes, she is a rescue.

A rare dinner at home. More on why later.

Picked to finish last, the Highlanders played to a tie for 120 minutes before finally succumbing to Cal State Fullerton in penalty kicks in the 2013 Big West Championship game. What made getting up at three a.m. this morning to fly across the country and race to Brit’s game was the surprise that she started her first game.

New day, new beach.

Sea Side is a very Truman Show type town. In fact, this is where they filmed the Truman Show.

Visited the Judith March/Deja Vu offices today. We met our biggest client about five years ago. We were buying for a couple of her stores when she told us she wanted to produce her own line. We responded, “we can do that”. We then dove into the world of production and helped her launch her line, Judith March.