Assorted Holiday Gatherings
enjoy & Merry Christmas!

Summer, Michelle, me & Sylvia
Emmerson & Brennan Lindner
K-rad & Gary
Sarah's tamale making holiday party, the girls had a special cheers.



Michelle & Syl getting out on the town...
Alma & Summer
Michelle & I

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS

images by Kurt Kiel of Even Kiel Photography

I thought I'd give you the gift of these images by the very talented photographer Kurt Kiel, he recently returned from a trip to Panama - Costa Rica and sent me some of his shots. He's amazing. You can order his prints through his website at EvenKielProd.com.
Above: Kurt's fav beach, Wizard Beach, Isla Bastimentos. Above, Volcan Arenal.

Above: Punta Carocol Lodge and below is a hummingbird image shot near Lake Arenal.

Below, Kurt at "work". Great stuff!! I want to hop on the next plane to see these places for myself.

Holiday Speedo Run, Santa Monica

The 4th Annual Holiday Speedo Run, organized by Babak Azad, went off on Saturday beautifully... It was about 55-60 degrees, and looked like it might rain at any-time, but it held off for the event. While the runners were worried it might be a little chilly, they came back all excited and sweaty from their 2-mile jog while singing through the crowded 3rd street promenade.

Here is a promo write up by Konrad Ribeiro with photos I took at the event -- below, a photo of the Group before they head out to frighten the holiday shoppers:

By Konrad Ribeiro:

The Boston Marathon.
The Olympic Mile.
The Marathon du Sable.
Badwater.
Western States 100.
There are many great running events in the world. Be a part of an event sure to join this exclusive pantheon, an event fit for the running gods. I'm talking, of course, about the 4th Annual Holiday Speedo Run.

(Above: the group runs into the Santa Monica promenade, below: Evan Hyde & I pose for the camera).

It is really quite simple:
* Show up at Ye Olde Kings Head Bar in Santa Monica
* Wear a Speedo
* Jog at a 14 minute mile pace up and down 3rd Street Promenade for 15 minutes while singing Christmas carols and Hannukah songs.
* Donate triathlon gear or money to the Exceeding Expectations charity.
* Drink a beer
Again. This is bigger than you or me. It is well beyond huge. For details go to HolidaySpeedoRun.com
Dozens will run, thousands will say they did. Don't force yourself to lie to your grandkids. Show up, sport the speedo, and enter tha annals of history. Hehehe. Annals.

(Above: Gary, Alma & Deb with Brendon looking over them, below: Stella & Cody)

Big Payday!!
And, there you have it... The actual PROOF... they are actually being PAID to write... Tom and Tim, below, with real, cash-able checks. A happy moment indeed -- does this mean they'll be buying a round next time we're out? Hummmm, I'll have to report back on that...
Their proud parents had to get in on the celebration as well:

Holiday Tree Trimmings Gatherings Galore!!
It's that time of year... time to celebrate decorating the tree and enjoying your buddies while having a few cocktails and buttery treats and eats! Above: Cherice Calhoun and I getting cozy while visiting.
Thank you for the hospitality...
Michael Towler and I catching up at Cherice's. And, below, Travis and Cathy welcomed a crew to their home Sat. night.

Brian, Deb & Brendon indulge me for a photo op.

Here I am with Coach Gareth... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

More on the Tim & Tom news from Variety:

Bullock to star in 'One of the Guys'
Actress is producing via her Fortis Films shingle
By NICOLE LAPORTE.

Sandra Bullock is attached to star in the comedy "One of the Guys," which she's producing with Todd Garner for 20th Century Fox.

Pic is based on a pitch by the writing team of brothers Tom and Tim Mullen.

"One of the Guys" is the story of a true guy's gal (Bullock), who throws her all-male circle of friends into chaos when she embraces her feminine side.

Bullock is producing via her Fortis Films shingle. Garner will produce via his Broken Road Productions shingle.

Bullock most recently starred as Harper Lee in Warner Independent's Truman Capote pic "Infamous."

Garner is producing the upcoming Sony pics "Are We Done Yet?" with Ice Cube, and "Next," starring Julianne Moore and Nicolas Cage.

The Mullen brothers wrote "Deers and Beers," which is set up at Montecito, and Paramount Vantage's "Strike," which Mark Waters is attached to direct.

ONE MILLION DOLLARS
Yes -- They've arrived. Tim & Tom's screenplay treatment sold yesterday for the not-too-shabby price of ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Good day at the office boys. Knew you'd get there!! **Here's a CHEERS to taking risks and doing what you love!**

Damian IS a B-I-G Hollywood Starrrrr!
Check him out, doing his thing on-screen:

Damian Cecere, Altitude Entertainment and 4 Moon Entertainment presented the short film Top of the 1st last night at Ivar. Of course, with these fellas working so hard behind the scene you won’t be surprised to learn the film included sports commentary with a baseball theme, and they didn’t forget to include some girl-on-girl action. (see, I actually DO know him!) ; )
Our own hometown favorites, Tim and Tom Mullen even graced the BIG screen with rolls as -ACTORS- in this masterpiece. Below, is Tim in his on-screen Debut (I'm not counting his experience on the small screen in his home-made creations, of course):
When Mr. Cecere puts this piece online, I’ll be sure to link to it for your viewing pleasure. Pictured below are Tom "The Catcher" Mullen (how do you like that nickname Tommy?), Jeanette Dvorak & Jon Grogan.
Congratulations Damian & the whole cast, crew, editors and everyone that made it happen! Below, Dirt Rider's Jesse Ziegler even joined our happy crew for the big night.

Nate & Stacy are gonna get Maui'd!
Yep, they did it.... they got engaged... in Maui!! Congratulations!!!

Iowa Thanksgiving

Okay, so, this Thanksgiving I didn't see any family. But, seeing these photos from the amazing trip Matt & Stina had with Merete and Finn in Iowa almost makes up for that... above are the "D.C. Oakes"... my YOUNGER brother, Matt with his lovely wife Stina and their munchkins & my wonderful most treasured niece and nephew, Merete & Finn. Below, here, Merete trys her hand at taking care of the fields on a tractor. I love this photo in particular because at her age I recall sitting on my Dad's tractor in Texas (yes, small town girls....)....
According to reports, Merete was able to ride a horse, in a tractor, collect chicken eggs and milk a cow over the holiday while Finn was simply passed between one loving family member to the other. Matt shot skeet and the family took lots of walk and had lots of talks. Below is Merete with her second-cousin on the Kasik side, Morgan. Love the helmet!!
And, you've gotta always have the photo in the cowgirl hat!!
The funniest thing Matt told me was, Merete thought that the baby chicks were inside the eggs just sitting there, ready to hatch... so, when they went to crack the eggs for breakfast the morning after collecting them, she was SHAKING with excitement anticipating the baby chick to pop out and peep at her! I wish I'd been there to see that... so funny!!
The photo above is Stina's Mom, Dot, with her grandkids... Little Finn looks like he wants to terrorize his sister in this photo. I wonder what's going on in his little head...
The photo of the fam, above, cracks me up because little FINN looks so uncomfortable in his carrier. So sorry I missed the farm hi-jinx!! Gobble, gobble.

Andy Baldwin ... ABCs Bachelor!
Taking the lead from Mr. Mitch Thrower >> I'm sending out Congratulations to Andy Baldwin who will be taking on the enormous task of getting to know 25 lovely ladies and looking for a Love Connection with one of them on ABCs The Bachelor in the next season installment.

Andy is a top-notch guy, hard worker, honest and loyal friend, easy going and fun to be around. I highly recommend him to any ladies interested in applying to the show.

I've included some snaps from Andy's adventures here... he's done a good job of keeping in touch when he travels and capturing his trips. There is more on Andy and his volunteer work as a doctor on Mitch Throwers online journal and at Project Active. (above, Andy & his class during pool week at diving training. Below, Andy at '04's Tour de France).

I can't wait to check Andy out on The Show!! Good Luck Andy!!

Mission Certification = Complete.

It's hard to believe... but, as of Sunday night, I'm now officially a certified Yoga and Spinning instructor, per Kimberly Fowler's program at YAS : Yoga And Spinning. Pictured above: Aexis, Vicki, Tom, Stacy, Chaya and Claire. Below: V, Jill, Stacy and Sherri.

What an amazing experience I've gone through with my 20+ classmates. I had many miss perceptions about what teaching would be like going into the course... and Kimberly and Sherri with all their experience, knowledge and stories, guided us to a new understanding and appreciation for the skillet. (pictured below: Tri Clubber LORI and I)
Personally, after trying my hand at both the spin and yoga instruction, I found the spin instruction came easier. Probably because I'm a bit of a loud-mouth, so the brute force energy that it takes to muscle through spin is more natural than the quite sophistication of guiding someone through yoga poses. At least, that's how I see it more now. Even though I'd completed the course, I'm humbled by how much more there is to learn, both by watching as well as by doing.
Above, Sarah, Jill, Claire and Anna show off their official certification slips signed by Kimberly. My classmates came from all-walks. And, even flew in from out of state for the course. An amazing group of people who I look forward to supporting and staying in touch with. Below, Kimberly celebrating with Sarah.
Yes.... there was an after-party.... and, we got a little nutty. It felt really great after the 2+ weeks of intensive classes and lectures.
Below, ski instructor Cathleen with Robin, Anna and I.
Below, the boys... Tom, Tony, Robin & Ben.
Cheers, Team! xoxo