LA Tri Club presents FLOYD LANDIS
102407. Last night the club set-up for a big meeting, the last of the year. Guest speaker: Floyd Landis, the '06 Tour de France winner, stripped of his title due to doping allegations, which were challenged by Floyd, then the WADA decision found him guilty, and now he's appealing.
Controversial and changing times in the world of cycling right now, and LA Tri Club had a front seat!
Pictured here is the mini-EXPO that takes part before all of our meetings.
Warren and Brooklin showing off their new MyBands.

The brat pack... team GymSkinz, in the house...

No matter where you fall in regard to Floyd's doping scandal issue... there is not doubt that he's an amazingly-talented cyclist and super nice guy. Here I am bothering him while he tries to consumer his dinner before heading to the stage.

Konrad took the honors to introduce Floyd to our packed room of over 300 multisport athletes and roadies.

Ian Murray placed moderator, plying Floyd with the questions we'd collected from the QuestionBox at the Expo. Floyd answered every question in the box. Using Ian's words, "In the end the room was very supportive of Floyd and Floyd was open, charming, and funny. When we sat down before he went on to look over the written questions he didn't hesitate on any of them and was open to everything. He was self deprecating and supremely respectful to multisport athletes. The questions ranged from..."how many grams of protein do you eat in a day of typical training?" (his answer was "huh"? - taken to mean - I don't pay attention to those details) and the follow up that I pulled from the pile "what's your favorite type of Jack Daniels?" (his answer was - "my favorite drink is the one that is free") .....to....."was the lab test about synthetic testosterone or a ratio of epitestosterone to testosterone?" (his answer was....too long to recount here)......to...."could you explain how you got to your preying mantis TT position and do you think you'd remain there if you were to ride a 112mi TT?" (his answer was something to the effect of "my longest TT is 40mi and there's no way I'd ride a 112mi TT and I got there because it was a more comfortable spot based on the UCI saddle limitations, if I could have gone forward more with the seat I'd likely have flatter bars")."

After the presentation, Floyd happily met fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

All these photos are by me or Paul Hekimian. I thought this one was kinda cool.

Floyd --- Good luck with the next appeal... and, in whatever you do next.

For more about Floyd, visit: http://www.floydfairnessfund.org/ and

http://www.floydlandis.com/

Update on the D.C. Oakes...
Obviously, Finn here knows what top-club to endorce when he's working up a sweat >> LA Tri Club of course!! Way to go, little FINN.
Sweet Merete with her buddy Lila in tow. These girls sure love to dress up and play Princess. Since Merete IS a perfect princess, it makes total sense to this Auntie!

My handsome brother, Matt with baby Finn, relaxing at home... having some guy-talk...

Sweet Baby FINN!! I can't wait to see him at the TURKEY holiday! Just around the corner!

Merete, choosing her special Halloween pumpkin & giving us a pose to show it off. Good girl!

I love you guys!!! Can't wait to see you for Turkey.

California Fires :: One Angeleno's Viewpoint
These images I took from the web in order to share some of my thoughts and feelings about our fires -- I've given credit where due. Everyone in LA is affected by what's going on... it would be impossible to not be. The smoke is everywhere and is trapped against the mountains. At night, I think I've seen fires burning... So, even from afar, you get this creepy feeling when you see the flames at night, or the smoke during the day.

The beautiful home along PCH have always been landmarks of sorts... people from all over the world visit California to drive PCH and see the amazing ocean & mountain views... so, to see images of these homes (and the castle) going up in smoke is really just horrifying.

Last night I was listening to reports on npr, and they made a comment about making sure you bring your animals inside because so much wildlife has been displaced by the fires that all types of creatures are taking refuge in neighborhoods and away from the fires. That just makes you sick to think about, right? So, basically, every time I view these stories online or listen to the reports on the radio, it brings fresh tears... It's just horrible. Many buddies and co-workers have been asked to evacuate... as a precaution in some cases, but in others because the fire is about to lick their front doors-steps. It's insane.

This image, and write up are from NASA: "Several massive wildfires were raging across southern California over the weekend of October 25, 2003. Whipped by the hot, dry Santa Ana winds that blow toward the coast from interior deserts, at least one fire grew 10,000 acres in just 6 hours. (Compare this scene with one captured by Aqua MODIS just one day before.) The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite captured this image of the fires and clouds of smoke spread over the region on October 26, 2003.

Moving northwest to southeast along the coast, the first cluster of red dots is a combination of the Piru, Verdale, and Simi Incident Fires; the next cluster—to the east of Los Angeles—is the Grand Prix (west) and Old (east) Fires; to their south is the Roblar 2 Fire; next is the Paradise Fire; then the massive Cedar Fire, whose thick smoke is completely overshadowing the coastal city of San Diego; finally, at the California-Mexico border is the Otay Fire. At least 13 people have lost their lives because of these fires, which officials are reporting were caused by carelessness and arson. Thousands have been evacuated across the region and hundreds of homes have been lost."
Below is a shot of Pepperdine, a beautiful place me & everyone locally has driven by more times than we could count... "Students at Malibu, California's Pepperdine University are awakened by an evacuation alter on 10.21, after a wall of fire approached the campus. (Photo and caption submitted by Jared Crisafi) "

This is an amazing shot, and creepy. "High winds drive hot embers smoldering in the Malibu Hills, Monday, 10.22.07, in Malibu, Calif. A wildfire driven by powerful Santa Ana winds forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the Malibu Hills and briefly threatened a university Sunday. Flames destroyed a church and several homes, one of them a landmark castle. Streaks at bottom center are embers blown in the wind during a long exposure. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)" "A huge plume of smoke billows over the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, CA on 10.21 as fires raged through the region. (Photo and caption submitted by Jared Crisafi)"

"A sunny, warm California afternoon turned into a dark, "snowy" night after thick smoke and ash from the fires burning miles away in Malibu dropped over the suburb of Ventura on 10.21.(Photo and caption submitted by Sam Galvez)"

What is this was over your house? "Smoke billows to the sky above where fires are spreading near houses in Stevenson Ranch, California. Half a million Californians have been ordered to evacuate their homes and flee the spreading wildfires blazing across southern California, US media reported. (AFP/Getty Images)"

I guess... all we can hope for is RAIN and this to be contained and over soon. You can taste the DRY in the air here, even if you're "far" from the fire. The sky is painted with smoke -- the sunset last night was out of this world amazing... with a RED HUGE sun going down & smoke surrounding it. Pray for NO WIND, cool temps, RAIN, and containment... and, all the families who've been displaced and all the animals who've lost their lives and homes. Ugh.

The AMERICAN RED CROSS is helping. If you want to donate, click this line.

St. John's Santa Monica 5000 2007
102107. A few thousand people took part in Sunday's 2nd annual Santa Monica 5000. For the 2nd year running I acted as VIP Director. This year, we hosted about 150 sponsors and Elite Runners, as well as celebrities. See here are some of the early-morning pit crew:
Jeanette, ready to offer Mimosa's to our guests:

Walking around the Expo, I checked in before mayhem hit, with the first shift of pancake makers:

Here I am, flanked by two of our special guests: Josie Maran and Rainbeau Mars.

A view of the EXPO in full-swing:

Back in the VIP tent, our guests pose in front of the LEXUS banner: Yennifer Behrens, Gillian White, Cristina Nardozzi, Rainbeau Mars & Josie Maran.

LATCers in the house! Chris & Kennedy Minton (soon to be first-time parents), Marrielle & I.

Rainbeau & Josie on stage with Emcee, Alex Bell, to present the plaques to our winning runners.

The Santa Monica 5000, 2007 top overall finishers with their plaques:

Emcee, Alex Bell with Michelle Lindner.

Post-Event... Generic Events team, Michelle Lindner, me, Beth Kallok and Marrielle Canales.

Kurt Kiel :: EvenKiel Photography
I'm such a big fan of Kurt's work. I know you'd enjoy it too! I just got one of Kurt's latest share's, saying, "1900 mile Parks Road Trip thru CA, NV, UT & AZ. Seven National Parks, Monuments & State Parks in only eleven days.... Lots of great scenery = Lots of images. What a trip… Enjoy !!"

Please see down for a few of my favorite images he captured on this trip:

Zion National Park

Coral Dunes State Park, Utah:

"Arrival at Bryce for awesome lightning storm":

Capital Reef National Park

Devil's Garden: Within Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

All Images captured and OWNED / Rights reserved >> Kurt R. Kiel EvenKiel Photography www.evenKielprod.com Phone: 858.401.9769

Introducing Dodger, the Dog.
Pictured: Tom, Jesse holding Dodger & Tim:
In Tom's words... Hey all- To finally put an end to rumors that we are really just gay men living a domestic lie, we have invested in a dog that will no doubt affirm our manliness once and for all. His name is Dodger and if there was any doubt to his toughness, know this: he's a former street-walking rescue who was attacked by a coyote four months ago and lived to tell about it (you should see the coyote). After enduring a punctured lung and various and sundry operations, he is now ready to take on his biggest challenge yet: football Sundays! Sick 'em, Dodger!

Suzy O'Donnell's Bachelorette Getaway :: Palm Springs

101207. Nine gals ventured east of Los Angeles for a little fun in the sun and bachelorette mayhem to mark Suzy's final weeks as an un-wed woman. Pictured here are Suzy, Sylvia and Marrielle having a little girl-talk by the pool.
Sylvia & the beautiful sky and palm tress of Palm Springs.

We headed to The Parker for a late lunch, before Suzy's massage appointment. Here we are, sharing a glass of Vino on a remarkably perfect Oct. afternoon. Sylvia, Marrielle, Liz & Suzy.

All nine girls came together by dinnertime on Saturday nite. It was fun cooking together and sharing a few laughs. Back row: me, Sylvia, Suzy & Marrielle. Front row: Kouy, Trish, Marcia & Danielle. Not pictured: Kelli.

After eats, we all gathered in the living room to watch Suzy open her sexy gifts. Everyone had great taste! And, she got some awesome and fun toys and wearables. Trish got her a 7-year old girls BRIDE Halloween Costume, which FIT HER... so, of course we made her wear that out. Here she is modeling many of her gifts for the group:

We had a false-start at the Viceroy, and then headed to a really fun bar with a rockin' band in the main downtown area. They brought Suzy on stage and played "Like a Virgin", and out girl put on an awesome show for the crowd.

When we were all nice and sweaty and had danced our way to sobriety, we headed out back for a seat and a drink. Many of the patrons of the bar bought Suz shots of this & that.

Congratulations Suzy!! I'm looking forward to the BIG DAY in Dec.

Christine Kwok is getting Married!
So, we celebrated her pending nuptials at Casa del Mar with some lovely ladies. The wedding is next week, in Napa. She and Wilson are running away and doing it quietly up North in a vineyard. Congratulations guys!! ... fotos from the Girlz gathering: