Considering Brittany loved it, I’ll refrain from giving my thoughts. The sushi beforehand was great.

My last Alaska post. Focus must return to the grind.

Whenever I visit Gustavus, driving my grandfather’s truck is always a highlight. Nothing like the rumble of a big Dodge Ram, manual transmission diesel.

Gustavus is home. It took 15 years to show Sonia and the kids, but it was well worth the wait for all of us. My Aunt Aimee was the hostess with the mostest. The Washington side trip to see my Aunt Ona, sister Michelle and her family was icing on the cake.

With views like this, TV was hardly missed.

Aunt Ona’s house.

Great Grandparents

Bubble gum alley

A rite of passage. Devin’s first beer at a ballpark.

Drove to Kirkland, WA to visit my sister in her home for a change. Cousins, both human and canine, enjoyed a great day together.

My grandfather passed away six years ago today. He was buried the cowboy way in the garden next to my grandmother on an unusally warm and sunny day by Gustavus standards. After the memorial, my cousin and I took turns shoveling dirt onto his casket until the large hole was filled. Flowers soon grew in the dirt, but the final resting place of my grandparents was not quite complete… Until today. On a warm and sunny day nearly identical to that day six years ago, my Aunt Aimee hung the wooden plaque memorializing my grandfather’s life.

Remembering our kayak trip in Glacier Bay. Have a great 36th.

We ventured off to Glacier Bay National Park to hike the Bartlett River hike, however Hemingway didn’t tell us he wasn’t allowed to go. Despite being just a few yards from completing the hike, one of the park rangers nabbed us. The ranger recognized my name as my grandfather’s and began reminiscing about his meetings with him and his contributions to the park. He even told us he was living in my grandfather’s former house….. He still gave us a ticket.

Couldn’t find a better hammock if I tried.

I’ve been scratching my name into this downed plane for over thirty years. And now the kids finally made their mark. If you want to know more about the crash, click here.

Humpback Whales in the Icy Straights. We also caught a glimpse of a Killer Whale.

First couple of hours in Gustavus, Alaska.

Over Crater Lake, CA.

Happy birthday to you too, buddy.

This list came across my desk and got me thinking about some of the answers. I’ll answer some over the next few weeks when my day involves nothing but work.

A movie you’ve seen most times in cinema:
Your most rewatched movie:
A movie you quote on a daily basis.
Favorite movie soundtrack.
Top 5 films of your favorite actor and actress.
Top 5 performances of your favorite actor and actress.
A movie storyline you wish you had actually lived.
A movie that reminds you of your mom.
A movie that reminds you of your dad.
Favorite movies from your childhood. Favorite quote(s).
Top 5 favorite female performances.
Top 5 favorite male performances.
Favorite year for movies.
Your favorite movies from [insert year].
Favorite [insert actor/actress/director] movies?
List all you’ve seen from [insert actor/actress/director].
An underrated actor.
An underrated actress.
An underrated director.
An overrated actor.
An overrated actress.
An overrated director.
A film you wish you had seen on the big screen.
A movie you’ve seen that you think no one else’s here will have heard of?
Favorite movie characters.
A film that was better than the book.
Best remake.
Your first favorite actor.
Your first favorite actress.
Favorite animated film.
Your most anticipated films.
Last movie you were disappointed with.
Last movie that surpassed your expectations.
Actor in need of new agent.
Actress in need of new agent.
Share an unpopular film opinion you have.
Favorite Oscar win/speech.
Biggest Oscar snub(s).
Who do you think is overdue for another nomination/win?
How many movies have you seen (rough estimation, of course)?
A movie that made you go ‘wtf was that’.
A film that scarred you.
Most movies watched in a single day. Four
A film that always makes you cry.
A film that always makes you laugh.
Movies that you think everyone should watch (not necessarily your favorites).
A movie that took you a couple of viewings to appreciate.
A book you want to see adapted to the big screen.
A book you really, really, really don’t want to see made into a film.
Favorite child performance.
Favorite pre-code.
Favorite silent film.
Favorite coming of age film.
Favorite superhero film.
Best cinematography.
Movies you know you should watch but you can’t bring yourself to do it?
Favorite genres. Drama
Least favorite genres. Musicals
Biggest movie pet peeve.

In anticipation of season five’s opener, Sonia and I netflixed our way through four seasons in less than two weeks. Regardless of how it all ends, Breaking Bad is in my top five series of all time.

The next question is: What are your top five one hour series (not a sitcom) ? Unfortunately, I have no idea how to quantify my favorites. Length? Impact? Etc…. I will, however, give you my top ten in no particular order.

1. Breaking Bad
2. Deadwood
3. Northern Exposure
4. Dexter
5. The Shield
6. The Sapranos
7. Walking Dead
8. Battlestar Galatica
9. Rescue Me
10. Justified

With that said, there are a few shows on now that could make there way on my list. Cable TV is pretty good.

Enjoyed watching the Padres’ Cabrera steal home in the ninth that ultimately led to the Dodgers blowing the game.

Go Giants.

I’m not sure how this happened, but you’re 17 years old today. Do me a favor and slow down a bit.

A post for my Mom. We’ve completed about half of our landscaping plans. Sticking with the Palm Springs-esque look, we upgraded here and there in both the front and back yard. The next step will be to add some subtle color.

Before

After

Split the palms and moved them to the right. Added the agave, mexican grass, porch vines and a few other plants. Also added Malibu lights.

Before

After

We added various trees and plants to fill up the holes. We also removed the ferns and added various plants and mexican grass. My favorite addition is the Palm tree.

Stone pathway.

Added in ground lights like these throughout the backyard.

Enjoyed a sunset walk along the marina in Newport Beach.

Brit’s team failed to make the finals in San Juan Capistrano, but good soccer nonetheless.

Working that Facebook marketing angle.

BBQ? Get together? I don’t know, but I’m calling it a party.

Enjoyed watching the Euros Championship game with Brittany and Devin at our local pub.

Before

After

177.2lbs. It took a couple of months, but finally dropped the first eight pounds.

More photo shoots, more often.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of my favorite uncle’s death. He was a good uncle who I still think of often. He managed to do more in his forty two years than most do in eighty, so his was hardly a life cut short.

This ran in today’s Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

MICHAEL MCDONALD
Today, on the 20th anniversary of his passing, we fondly remember our brother, uncle and friend, Michael John McDonald. Although Michael began life as the baby of the family, he quickly grew up to become an accomplished man to whom others lucky enough to know him looked up to with great admiration and pride. Michael was an entrepreneur whose spirit now inspires the work of his nephews and nieces, and, we are sure, countless friends. As his legacy has and continues to pass from generation to generation, so does his name – from his nephew Sean Michael, to his great-nephews Dylan Michael and Kaden Michael. But what we truly remember about the man was his generosity of spirit, his humor and his zest for life. We wish we had more than just 42 years with him, but what Michael taught us all in how he lived is that, indeed, it’s not the years in the life that count, it’s the life in the years. Today, as each of you take time to reflect on Michael and what he meant to you, smile. For, somewhere high above the Redwood trees planted in his name at Kenwood Plaza Park, Michael is soaking in the view and smiling at you. We love you, Michael.

Here is a look back at one of his protest accomplishments.

Schedule a colonoscopy if you’re due. If it weren’t for my Uncle Michael, I would have probably put it off until it was too late.

Hemingway has made it clear that he needs more ball time.