Our first overcast day in awhile came at the perfect time. It allowed for a breakfast burrito, football, work, football, sloppy joes, and finally, The Golden Globes.

We had a photoshoot yesterday, so my weekend is pretty much booked with editing.

We made the above piece. It cost us about $6.00 to make. We charged our client $12.30. Our client sold it for about $40 wholesale. We walked into Free People (a very popular “higher end” boutique) and found it on display for $148.

My first attempt at creating a cinemagraph.

Almost done with wall number one.

Employee #10 starts on Monday.

Enjoyed lunch at Mario Batali’s, Pizzeria Mozza. Perfecto.

The Hollywood Sign hike. Five miles round trip. 70 degrees and Hazy.

Burbank from the top of the Hollywood Hills.

For the healthiest lifestyle, they say to eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a peasant for dinner. The last part is the hard part.

So, my memory was a little hazy, but there was definitely a letter taped to the door (thanks Mom!). This is said letter my Dad taped to the door on that big day.

First of the new year.

A new record! 185lbs. Pfff.

My Dad officially stepped down today as Managing Partner of Seyfarth Shaw. As he says, it is the first step of a four or five year retirement plan. Whether or not retirement actually happens in that timeframe remains to be seen, but today was probably the most significant day of his career since making partner. I still remember the latter some thirty years ago despite the unremarkable celebration. Along with my mother, we met him in the garage as he arrived home. I think there was a “welcome home, partner” sign taped to the door. A hug or two. And that’s about it. But what he did after that day, for the firm, for the people who worked there, and most importantly for his family, has been nothing short of extraordinary. I won’t embarrass him with a list of his professional accomplishments, but thankfully he was kind enough to dissuade all of his children from following in his footsteps because the failure of measuring up would have been inevitable. Instead, every so often, we got to bask in his glow, me especially. I remember from a relatively early age just how revered and respected my Dad was amongst his clients and colleagues. I would always walk taller when I stepped out of that elevator to visit him at his Century City office. I was proud to approach the receptionist and formally announce that I was there to see Kenwood Youmans. “And you are?” she would say. “His son, Kenwood Youmans.” I would reply. The reaction often provided a hint of what it was like to be admired. I wasn’t beyond this practice well into adulthood. Whether I was picking up baseball tickets at the San Francisco office, or meeting with a partner at the Chicago office for career advice, I relished the moment that I announced that Kenwood Youmans was here for whomever it was I was meeting with. I’m sure my Dad was never as self aware as I was in those moments. And I’m sure he doesn’t realize just how admired and respected he is within his firm and the profession as a whole. But, it’s quite easy to see from the outside. And it’s not just because he rose to the top, but rather it’s how he did it and how he presided while there. He was the smartest guy in the room, but always deferred the credit. As most successful leaders, he recognized the potential in others and shepherded them to their highest peaks. He was never loud or disrespectful when pushed, but instead called on the power and complexity of his immense vocabulary to confuse and disarm even the most worthy of foes. And his work ethic was unmatched. But the most likely reason his colleagues kept him at his perch longer than anyone expected was for three simple, yet elusive traits for a man in his position. His fairness, his generosity, and most importantly, his kindness. I know little about what my Dad does, but I know much about how he goes about it. And that’s what makes all of us so proud.

Nothing like spending New Year’s Day at Santa Anita. Bet $20 on the longshot in the first race and won. The windfall paid for the rest of the day’s loses.

Rent, not own or lease.

It’s going to be tough adjusting to this weather after Hawaii.