Los Angeles & Liz Oakes

Celebrating 10 Years Together

So, last night it occurred to me that this month is my 10-year anniversary in Los Angeles! Then, that got me thinking about what all has gone on in the last 10-years... This kept me up for awhile since there is so much to remember! Yet, I should add, the time has simply FLOWN-BY... (I think time speeds up as you get older...)

Here are some stats and interesting past-adventures that came to mind:

Where have I lived?
+Just shy of 5-years in Santa Monica at 220 Bay Street with Matt Cooper, a buddy I graduated from Baylor U with. Matt's married now!
+Two years in Marina del Rey (Mariners Village), solo, where I met Amy Gonzales Lombardi, who was my neighbor there and became a long-lasting-dear friend.
+and, the last 3-yrs in Playa del Rey (Kings Beach!)

I've traveled a bit... places including all over Texas & California... Virginia, Louisiana, Connecticut, New York, Arizona, New Hampshire, Colorado, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Mexico, Greece & Thailand.

I've got more family!! My father re-married a woman named Chris and they moved from Colorado to Texas. My bro, Matt, married Stina the first year I lived here in LA, and now they have two munchkins -- Merete & Finn! One of the highlights of my time here was having Matt & Stina live in Marina del Rey when I was there, at the same time they were pregnant and finally delivered baby #1 in Santa Monica, Miss Merete! I was even there, delivering Merete in the hospital room! And, I don't remember the year exactly, maybe in about 2003, my youngest bro, Jesse, moved out here to CA too. He now lives only about an hour from me. It's really great having family nearby.

Rock-climbing, surfing... new sports I've attempted (but could never say I've mastered). I've done some modeling here & there (years ago now), but highlights include two visits to the Playboy mansion to model leather wears (fully covered, of course, see: snap-at-top), and an appearance on Entertainment Tonight modeling Grammy wears.

Dating shows... yep, done that. Change of Heart & Blind Date... I think, circa 1999 & 2000. Other entertainment stuff that went nowhere include being in the last 50 girls to be interviewed for "The Bachelor: Paris" edition (thanking my lucky stars on not getting that gig). And, an Ironman documentary that never was picked up called, "Pushing the Limits".

I published a magazine called "U Know Magazine" for several years with my good buddy Gina Nemo. She was married at the time, and now has two munchkins herself. She is moving to England this month for about a year...

After a hiatus from multisport since '95-'96, and several marathons that trounced my knees, I found & joined the LA Tri Club in 2003. The club, and the wonderful new friends I made there, changed my life significantly in this city. Now, I occupy a good chunk of my time focusing on my health and fitness and encouraging others to do the same. (Not to mention the trips & parties and adventures I have with this extended family)....

Made many, many friends, dated many fellas... lost friends, lost fellas... Been to many weddings, been introduced to many new babies and seen two close girlfriends through breast cancer. But, all-in-all, LA has been very good to me. I love it here. Nothing like living in such an expanse of a city, next to the beautiful ocean, flanked by majestic mountains. Nothing like living around people who are open to many ideas and ways of life and living. Living in LA, to me, is living a life full of adventure.

Marina del Rey to Malibuuuuu: a Sunday Cruise

On Sunday I had the pleasure to join new friend and surf-camp buddy, Billy Jo, on her boat in Marina del Rey for a day-long cruise up north. About 15+ guests embarked the 76 foot boat. Billy Jo and Captain Judd live between this beauty and their home in Phoenix. The eclectic group of guests lived all over LA, or were visiting from AZ. Pictured below are the sailboats coming in/going out around Sunset:

The beauty of a boat featured 4-bedrooms (this is Billy Jo and I in one of the Guest rooms), 5-bathrooms and 4-stories (I think)... it was off-the-hook!

Frank and Susan soaking up the rays... we pretty much all caught naps at some point during the day, it was so beautiful!

I know Jeanette will just kill me for posting this... but, she looks smokin! Here she is, capturing the rays to be had, on the top-most deck.

Lifestyles of the rich-and-famous...

Captain Judd at the helm of his baby:

A few of the gals, hamming it up for the cameras. Billy Jo dressed us in jewelry she designed and bright lipstick, reminiscent of her style and flare. We had a lot of fun playing dress-up.

Hams:

Ashlee Barnes: The Birthday Girl

Cheers to Ashlee on her Birthday. We celebrated in the infamous Foundation Room at the House of Blues, surrounded by the fans of Mr. "2 Short" who performed in the main rooms that night. Here sits the woman-of-the-night, in our private quarters, the Ganesh Room.
Check the look on Tom's face. Check the legs on our birthday girl! Yowzers!!

Damian and Jon, hangin'-loose for the camera.

Jon performed private dance numbers all night. Here is a classic snap for the memory books. What flare! What style!

Dennis and I getting cozy on the couch:

Tom, Ash, Jessi Jane and her hubby:

Danelle and Matt:

Da boys... fooling around: Tim, Jon, Jesse & Damian:

Engagement Celebration for SUZY & JEFF

On Saturday night, friends & family came together to celebrate the pending nuptuals of Ms. Suzy O'Donnel and Mr. Jeff Zaeske. Pictured below are Brian, Suzy, Summer and Danielle.

The Zaeske brothers flank a fellow party guest.

Rachelle poses with Suzy's best-woman... best-buddy from college (old roomies):

Michael & Julie -- co-hosts for the evening's festivities.

Here I am, sitting by the outdoor fire, flanked by Don and Frankie.

Early congratualtions guys -- I look forward to many months of celebration yet to come!

Introducing LONESTAR!

For Chris's birthday, my Dad picked her up another puppy to add to their growing packo-o'-dogs. He is a Youkiedoodle - half yorkie and half miniature poodle and should end up being 6 or 7 pounds. Here is Chris with little Lonestar:
Below, Dad with Cowboy, Lonestar in the middle, and Biscotti on the right. Cowboy and Biscotti are both Labridoddles. I'm not sure why Fred, the 150 pound Great Pyrenees (and, original Daddy-doggie), was not included here.

In response to the news that there has been an addition to the Oakes family down-south, my brother Matt, from D.C., wrote:

"Q: What does your dad do for a living?

A: My dad is a puppy rancher in Texas - mostly focusing on doodles. Doodle ranchers are related to the historic Texas cowboy, but they drive convertibles and grow flowers instead of breaking broncos and getting into pistol fights."

VFMX: Venice Film & Music Expo

Damon Howard of elix-R Entertainment put together a great showcase of some awesome talent in Venice at Electric Lodge. Look for more of these VFMX's this summer! Below, Spindrift regales the audience with their musical fare.

Damon, flanked by YASies Katie & Rachael.

Christine (thank you for helping promote!!) & Wilson

The Beautiful Bartenders staffed the event.

V and Jonas Making Moves Morales:

Damon, dj iPizzle, and I:

Stay tuned for info on the next event!

Playa del Run SUNSET SERIES presented by LA Tri Club

This is a 1000 meter ocean swim combined with a 5k run... or, you can do one and not the other (run or swim instead of both). Race-pace workout for some... series competitive event for others. Either way, it's TONS OF FUN!

Sunset-series >> Swim Start:

The RUN-ONLY Start (5k = two laps):

This event also offers chances to hang out with fit, handsome fellas:

Not to mention the COOL CHICKS....

And, even WIN STUFF in the post-event raffle (tip: don't leave early)!
Don't miss the 2007 Playa del Run series. All the info you need is online at http://www.playadelrun.com >> and, the SUNSET SERIES is one of the coolest athletic events in Los Angeles... of course, hosted by come of the coolest cats around: GENERIC EVENTS!

Fotos, always, on Flickr.com....

LITTER BUGS SUCK!

This A-Hole threw his cigarette butt onto to the road this morning. I see this about once a week (but this week I've caught TWO). I always honk make disapproving faces. I think littering is ABSURD. It makes me NUTS!! Just DON'T DO IT.

Happy Birthday JD Downs!! Pictured Sean & JD:

HGTV makes-over Ashlee's Backyard!

Right on the heels of my last post... another perk of living in LA is you're living in the home-base for many makeover shows, like HGTV's yet to be premiered HAMMERHEADS. One day, reading my latest email, I came across this from Tommy Mullen:

"Your presence is humbly requested this Friday night at the wrap party for Ashlee Barnes’ backyard makeover, which comes courtesy of HGTV’s concrete-pounding HAMMERHEADS crew. After toiling all this week to make her backyard the envy of the block, they will leave the work to us on Friday night as we HEAD to her new back patio bar and HAMMER down drinks while HGTV cameras capture the fruits of our handiwork in all their sensory-slowing glory. Due to production enigmas, the exact time of the party is TBD but be warned it could be on the earlier side (anyone else here like to start drinking at 5? Yes? Cool.) Seriously, I’ll let you know the exact time as soon as I hear. If you can’t make it, then I understand. But I certainly hope you’ll be able to join us, eagerly sign a release form like the cable-loving fame whore we all know you are, and make these HGTV bums sorry they ever met one Ashlee Barnes. Love, Tom"

And, of course, me being a fame-loving whore, I eagerly replied "Count me in!"... below, are snaps from the event-to-remember, starting with -- Tom with Ashlee before & after shots (before the reveal & after the reveal):

Buddies came out in force for this back-yard makeover reveal... Jon and Rowena:

Kevin, Timmy & Damian, trying to contain their excitement while we wait to be allowed into the backyard:

Jeanette and I, lounging after the initial reveal. The makeover featured an outdoor fireplace, bar, and water fountain feature in the center of the backyard area.

Here are Ashlee and Daniella doing the final takes with the HAMMERHEADS hosts. Hamming it up for the cameras here:

Heather Ankeny, just off a movie set & ready for some BBQ:

Here I am, flanked by the hosts of HAMMERHEADS.

For more pics of the party, click on my flickr badge, or click this line!

Congratulations on the back-yard makeover Ashlee! Looking forward to some summer bbq's outside next to your fireplace. xox

Perk of living in LA...

One of my favorite perks of living here in LA is having the excitement of seeing your buddies on television. Actually, not only that... but, also enjoying what your buddies do for a living by seeing it on tv, at the movies or in print. Not only actors, but models, editors/writers, etc., get to share their "work" with virtually everyone/anyone. Very cool.

Since May, I've turned the tv on several times and here is some of what I caught... LA Tri Club's Wed. morning speed circuit workout being covered from the KTLA Telecoper (hovering over Santa Monica), where the weekly training workout led by Konrad Ribeiro, takes place. The clips were featured on the local morning news.

Below are screen shots of Damian Cecere, a feature in a Wendy's Frosty Float commercial. Not sure how long it will be online, but you can see it now at http://www.wendys.com/ads/ Just this weekend, I was watching TV and caught it live.

Screen shoot #2 of Damian's Wendy's commercial -- the premise is, he's actually virtual there at the table, not really there, and his buddy/girlfriend there is trying to offer him some of her Float, but he can't really try it... (you can see the commercial if you click thru the link above).

In addition to LA Tri Club on KTLA and Damian's Wendy's commercial, another buddy, Mr. Brian Morri, recently had a lot of success with two projects... He was in a Heinz catsup national commercial eating a juicy burger... but, I have no screen-shot of that (so sad) and Heinz does not post their commercials online (that I've found). Brian was also "Dad " in a HEROES episode this season, Five Years Gone. Very awesome! (I love that show). Brian is an actor, photographer and Ironman Triatlete!

Lastly, in my little re-cap, Rusty Joiner has had a lot of success this year with his commercial work. He was in a very hot Subaru commercial -and- most recently is featured in an even hotter ad campaign, running shirtless through a forest and lake for Excedrin. I have to include this screen shot, here:

There is so much more to list, but I was just so excited to see all these great jobs and tv time buddies are earning! It was so exciting to see LA Tri Club on the morning news... and, I even get excited to see a familiar face as an extra in a movie... or, even my local coffee shop as the backdrop in any tv or film... so, easily impressed over here -- but, point is, WAY TO GO guys!! I'm always happy to see buddies in print and on film! (Heather, can't wait to catch your movie this Sept... and, maybe even see you hosting on ESPN!).