Holiday Speedo Run
121507. 30+ friends and strangers came together, clad in speedo's and holiday garb, to serinade shoppers on the 3rd Street Promenade. It's a donation entry of a suggested $25.00 which goes to a wonderful program called Exceeding Expectations. We meet at Ye Olde Kings Head, and have a few snakebites (cider and beer), and head out singing carols at the top of our lungs as we jog along.
Here is Jen Kramer with the creator and Race Director of the Holiday Speedo Run, Santa Monica - Babak Azad.

Jen, Anna and Heather, our cute Christmas Elves:

Ian McQueen Gonzales and and, with his Yule Log.

Lawrence and Beth - this shot will be part of their wedding showcase I'm sure:

The fastest reindeer I know, Kathryn Donovan:

Hunk-o burning man -- Peter Brantley gearing up in his pink Thumbs Up speedo and Afro:

Lucas and Sylvia hold the fort down as we speed off to do our thang:

Annnnd, this is what it comes down to.... a mob of butts and legs and chests, making their way around the shoppers, spreading holiday cheer -- all for the kids!

Beautiful Butts >>

When we finally made it back to Ye Olde Kings Head, it was time for a round of beer shots for all.

Another successful Holiday Speedo Run, under our belts. Looking forward to 2008, and even more people, crazier holiday outfits...

Merry/Merry to all >> Holiday Ho Ho Ho.

Firm Holiday Party 2007
121307. I don't talk a lot here about my job... it's with international investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey. I've been at Houlihan just shy of 10 years, (only a year less than the time I've been in LA). I really love my job (although never the office politics). I run the corporate creative team for the firm, overseeing the branding for our various products, services and regional needs.

I thought I'd make an entry for our annual holiday party which was last week. The committee did a great job putting together a winter white theme for the over 250 LA personnel. Here are two of our hosts, Annie and Kim at the check in.
We even had a an ice sculpture martini luge at the bar:

Two close buddies, both in & out of the office: Lisa Garcia & Ali Shoemaker with me in front of our ice bar.

A crew of financial staffers, happy to be spending a few hours away from their desks:

The party consisted of tasty eats, drinks, gambling and raffles (I didn't win though)...

All-in-all, a great little holiday party, and 2007!

Arizona & the Lombardi's
120707. I just returned from a visit with Amy & James in Phoenix. Baby M is due on Jan. 4th, just a day after Dad's birthday (but, I think M will hold out even past Jan 4th)...

The visit was drenched in rains, and cool weather, but we managed to fit in a hike on the first day, before it got too wet. It did start raining as we hiked, but James mushed us onward till the turnaround, and we ducked into the car just as the drops grew to the size of my thumbnail.

Below are snaps from probably the last couples-baby-shower for Baby M (if it's a girl, or a boy, they have selected names that begin with "M", that's how this nickname came about)...
Let me tell you -- their friends and family have been so generous! They are just decked out in the sweetest and coolest baby-stuff! You name it, they've got it! I think they have varriations of the various baby-calming devices! That means, the baby will never cry... right?

Rainy day hike... Parents-to-be, bundled up:

Me with Amy and Phoenix (or was that Scottsdale?) in the background.

We hiked, movied, massaged & partied... I'm looking forward to the next visit, when I meet little baby M and we probably won't be able to do any of the things I just listed! Ha. -- Parenthood, here you come!! xoxx