Holy Halloweeny ....I'm Getting Old

A friend was having a costume themed birthday party, just in time to give the ol' Halloween costume a trial run.

A bunch of years ago I went as Vincent Van Gogh for Halloween. A bandage over my ear, some semi-appropriate duds and voila, that was that. My reddish hair and reddish beard and broken nose was enough to pull off the mad painter.

But this year when I went to repeat the number, I realized my red highlights had been replaced by gray and silver. And my face was a little rounder.

So, as I have in past years I went to pull together some kind of clown outfit. Except the "fat" pants, pretty much fit. They weren't snug but they sure weren't funny ha ha big either. So I hoped in the car at the last minute throw something together for Kip's costume party.





I thought beat up and tired lookin' rodeo clown was fitting for the evening.



Cindy on the other hand still can play off the Cruella look.



Cruella and the Clown out to scare friends and family

Finally Catching Up....For a moment

I was just checking my old cell phone messages that I hadn't deleted yet and it really helped me remember why I had been so busy and what I've been up to. I know I sound like a broken record and for those who are too young to get the reference, it means I keep repeating myself. Anyway I was very very busy coordinating and setting up seminars/workshops for the Set Decorator Marketplace 2008. I had arranged two tents and eight seminars, figuring that people would drop out and I'd end up with maybe 6. I also started this project months ago with a co-chair, who had actually done this the year before and kind of knew what to expect. Unfortunately he had to drop out and I was set to learn by trial and error.

In the end it went off very well. I was thrilled with the actual seminars and learned a lot. Thanks to all involved. Way too many to get into here, but you can check it out at the SDSA website.

I was also working as a buyer on a television pilot. For me it was like a vacation. I did my job but didn't have the overwhelming responsibility that the decorator or lead do. So given the success of that venture, I am even more resolute on reclaiming my Property card and giving up my Set Decorator card. It's been a fun ride but in the end I don't have the flexibility or the time, money(or lack thereof) and effort to keep to that course.


I've been trying to get in shape, but again have had no real consistancy. But for those who missed it, I did finish my first triathlon. Hurray for me!



Cindy has started working again so I have jumped back in the home school world.

With a little push from home school mom and fellow runner, Theresa Haynes I started a little running club with the home school kids to participate in this really cool project called Marathon Kids set up to get kids involved in running.



Some of the crew who made it to the kickoff event at UCLA.




Skye helped me set up the Pumpkin Patch at the SDSA Marketplace. She was a real trooper that day as it was in the 90's hitting 100 F in the valley even though it was the middle of October.

I've hit the ground running with the home schooling this year, bridging what Cindy had been doing. Helped Skye put do a project on the Black Death in Europe for the Time Traveler's History Club. Been shuttling her between her flute lessons, Tae Kwon Do, libraries and of course park days.



Me and the home school moms witnessed this police disturbance at the park the other day. The officer has the suspect detained while the owner went to retrieve a bag to, well collect evidence, I suppose.




Also running all over town to help to put together the White Witch of Narnia costume and requisite Turkish Delights for the Super Duper Show and Tell. Which again the weather did little to inspire feelings of a shift of seasons. Where is Autumn?




Skye as the Winter Witch, burning up waiting for winter in her fur(fake for PETA).




She was out of her outfit withing minutes because of the lack of fall or winternessness.

My First Triathlon

I can't believe I've never done a triathlon before. I like swimming and biking and running. Hmm wonder why I never did one before. Well I like swimming in warm water, the Caribbean, further south like off of Mexico or Nicaragua, the Mediterranean, but not the cold waters off of our coast. (I did happen to get a wetsuit yesterday, at a huge discount. It was worth every penny of it, believe me) I like biking, as in mountain biking. I bought my first road bike, used from Craig's List a few weeks ago, but it needs to go to the shop for a few adjustments, very neccessary adjustments. So I really don't have a clue when it comes to road bike racing, even though I do like the Tour de France, if I have a DVR that is, I couldn't watch it otherwise .And running, I mostly run to stay in shape, in fact besides the various races I've been doing I haven't run for weeks. I enjoy it to a point but I certainly don't see myself as a runner.

Oh, so that's why I've never done a triathlon before This one, The 2008 Arrowhead Day at the Beach Triathlon, was a pretty short and easy one, ideal for one's first Tri. And weighing in at 207lbs, and being over 40 and riding on a mountain bike put me in a comfortable start wave.

The swim was only a quarter mile but the 60 degree water made it seem much longer. The bike portion consisted of three laps to equal 10 miles and this is where I got passed like I was sitting still. My mountain bike with dual suspension and fat nobby tires was really slowing me down.
My feet were numb for the first 2 miles out of the 3 miles we had to run. And my time showed it. But all in all, it was a great experience. I came in with a respectable 1:21:57. Not bad for an over the hill Clydesdale. Big thanks to friends Melisa and Tyler Patton for getting me to do this race and hurray and congrats to them running it as well.



This shirt does make me look fat. But it is time to slim down and all before the holiday season rolls in.




Tyler Patton, fellow racer, at times co-woker, and friend all the way back to highschool.




Yes, I love you too, Ty.

What, where, when, how did life get so confusing?

Of my life, I truly don't know if the parts are better than the sum or vice-versa. I wouldn't by any stretch say "don't know, don't care", no I just don't know, but my earliest memory of import, (yes I have blocked out much of my childhood, as far as I can remember, it sucked, sorry mom) but Eric Franklin and I were misfits and best friends from 9th grade through High School. So it was pretty amazing to be at his wedding in Santa Barbara Sept 27, 2008. I did a shitty, bad friend job of photos but... I wish them the best




Eric is Pimp Daddy in white, and yes there was a theme to the wedding that is not his usual attire, as far as I know



Skye entertained herself with lairs and hammocks for her stuffed animals and dolls. Yes life is strange, yeah?

Our Miracle Mile Run

Last weekend was another busy weekend. On Saturday Cindy and I attended a very interesting all day conference, 5D: The Future of Immersive Design presented by the Art Director's Guild. We arrived at 7:30 in the morning and didn't get out until around 8:30 in the evening. A lot of interesting ideas thrown around, mixed together with perhaps more than healthy amount of ego and bluster, but all in all a very informative day. Way too much to get into in this highlight reel of a blog. One of these days I'll add a little depth, but right now I'm lucky to just keep up.

Then on Sunday we all got up and at 'em for the Miracle Mile Run, down by the La Brea Tar Pits. It was Cindy's first race ever. Hurrah for Cinders. Skye's first run with a timing chip. And my shortest race to date. I had no idea about pacing so I took it easy cause I was just tired, from working and the conferance the day before and I haven't been training at all. 3/4 way through I realized I had a lot left so I turned it up. I came in at 7:01, almost broke 7 minutes.



Pic by Skye.




Skye bringing it home in the last quarter mile.




Family, chillin' by LACMA.



We treated ourself to a little take-away brunch at Campanile. Some celeb must have been at the restaurant for the paparazzi to be lurking about like this.




Yes we have video. Cindy heading out on her first race.



Skye's race 18 and under was filled primarily by the Fairfax Track team, a bit crazier than Cindy's start.