Olympic Fever!

We have a friend -

Peter Marshall

- Hopefully You'll be hearing a lot about him -
Because He'll be swimming in the Olympic Trials in the next two Days -

This brings to attention - Julz and I have Olympic Fever!

This may explain the skin outbreak we're having.... well, actually, that is from mosquito bites (straight craziness, as we've never - yes, never - had mosquito in LA) - We had a really wet rainy season this year - and it's been crazy hot and humid... atypical...


Back to our Fever!

If you have USA Network, he swims the backstroke.

Monday and Tuesday Evenings

Last but not least, Julie has been working on a number of projects during her off time.

She is really proud of our "cork wall" that is going in our kitchen. She has been saving Wine and Beer (when possible, i.e. Chimay) Corks for the past 3 years. Pictures will follow.

Another project is this little Cactus garden (did I say it was humid here?... a'typical, though)

So she loves this - below a prepotted picture - also, the table cloth comes from Kitsch Kitchen in Amsterdam - very mod and summer-y!

(It should be stated that a few folks shared with Julie that she is displaying "Nesting" behavior - not surprising since this has been her first real School Break in 3 years - it could be noted, for clarity, that we don't have any little chics for all this nesting... we'll let you know if and when :)

Exploring LA's Lourve

Julie and I went to the new BCAM, at LACMA yesterday. Our friend Brian Powers worked on the project. It is a Renzo Piano. The Modern/Contemporay art was interesting - Koons especially. Although, the building, the excalator, the elevator - all over-sized and fun to explore - really stole the show for me.
After exploring BCAM, we went into the "Phantom Sightings" exhibition. This was a highlight for me, as it illuminated a lot of my own experiences and aethetics with Los Angeles. I appreciate how this show was very collaborative - all the artists worked together on it, created music playlists (something that I love!). There was everything from paintings on plywood, to oversized "quincejare and wedding buckets", to paintings done with glittery car paint - all overwhelmingly said LA to me.
Julie and I had never been there. LACMA is a huge complex. We really only had the energy for BCAM, the Phantom Sightings Show, and the Philip-Lorca photographs (also an LA artist - who captures people and place really well), but there is photography, classic paintings, and Japaness art that we hope to see in the future.
We did wonder around the grounds and see the Tar Pits - saw the whooly mammaths and sabor toothed tigers! Imagining a "wild" LA never seemed so real :)

This week we're taking some time with our friends the Powers. They are just starting the support raising process - as new staff with Kairos - this is very exciting! They will be serving with us at USC.

Yesterday we spent the day at Huntington Gardens - which is a spectacular place. I was reminded how many truly interesting gems are in the LA area!

We are taking today to go to the beach together... and make a fire, and spent some time in prayer...Should be nice. Surfing is one of Brian and I's favorite things to do... I'm sure I'll have some pics... I"m really enjoying spending time with them - the whole family is a delight :)

huntington continued

We went to the Gardens with our friends, Brian and Sara Powers. None the least, Liam. Of whom Julie Loves Entertaining!















Here is the little man himself, Liam - Straight chillin.

Huntington Gardens and Library

We went to Huntington Gardens and library yesterday.

They have some amazing books! From Medieval (First ed. Chaucer), to Romantic, to Early American (First Ed. Waldon, Congressional Notes, ...).

I was amazed by how ornate these early writtings are. It really seems like a lost art.

It was interesting to me to see this 1840's drawing of the US Army in Monterrey MX - as I was just there! A pastor and friend took me up on a hill were we looked down, and he explained how the American army passed right through - this is the picture!



There is a new area that opened this year in the Gardens. It is a Chinese Gardens which was all made in China! All the tile... architecture, sculpture... and this beautiful wood carving.

Julie and I went to See Wicked last night with our Friends brian and Sara!

I don't tend to be a "musicals" type of guy - but I am a "Live" performance type of guy - and I thought it was good show! It has some really great themes; looking beyond the outside, seeing life from a new perspective, not letting circumstance get you down... and it's quite funny!

We were given the tickets - and sat at 4th row - what a blessing!

Star-sighting/Fun Reality of Living in LA - At intermission, I stood up and turned, two rows back was Carri Ann with her man - I, ever so subtly, leaned into Julz and shared - and What does she do? She stares... wondering, perplexing, maybe even disbelieving, and then turns to me and goes - she's from Dancing with the Stars!?! (Yes, Julz has a hidden interest in Ball Room dancing - you should see her practice in the apartment! Maybe some pictures will be in order :) I did restrain myself from the ever so tempting "dance off" in the lobby, but Brian and I couldn't resist saying in a british accent, "Carri Ann Inaba".

Crazy Pedastals at the new Starck Restuarant. This is at the new hot corner at Vine and Hollywood.

We didn't eat - $100 p/p - but I wanted to go in because I've had an interest in the designer.

It had a classic hollywood posh... err... irony to it all.







The Deco ceiling at the Pantages...
Sandy would love these...