Happy Birthday & Father's Day, Daddio!

This past weekend was spent camping at Refugio State Beach which is just north of Santa Barbara. Our campsite was literally steps from the ocean...so close that we could hear the waves crashing all night. Charlie and I went camping with my dad and Lisa plus Tony, Roxanne, Jacob, and Abby Diaz. For those of you who don't know, the Diaz's are my dad & Lisa's neighbors and have become very close family friends.

Saturday morning we got up and hit the road sometime before 530AM. Once we hit the coast, the drive was gorgeous. We had the surf on our left and the mountains on our right. After a few stops (and getting lost trying to find a nonexistent gas station), we got there in a little under three hours. Our first order of business was breakfast. Roxanne was prepping everything while Tony started to get to work on his master chef skills. We had an incredible breakfast cooked over the open fire which consisted of potatoes with onions and peppers, sausage, bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Talk about filling! Next we opened presents and cards (it was my dad's birthday!). I got him a wok to grill vegetables (the zucchinis always fall through the grates when he tries to cook them), a nice set of metal tiki-type lights for their backyard, a bag of Doritos (of course), and Seinfeld Seasons 1&2. After presents, we all got ready to hit the beach.

Happy birthday, Dad!

Beach days are great, but when you have multiple people and activities going on, beach days are the absolute best. We had a frisbee, Smashball (two wooden paddles and a little golf ball sized ball), boogie boards, kayaks, magazines, snacks, and buckets and shovels. We used everything we took with us too.

I am deathly afraid of the ocean, so I just wasn't ready for kayaking ...yet! However, my dad took Charlie out for the first time, and he loved it. It was also Char's first time ocean boogie boarding. There were some great waves for it. I haven't boogie boarded in YEARS (I used to be really good as a kid) because of my developed fear of the ocean, but I even got into the water mid-thigh and caught a few waves. Although I was scared shitless and there was a lot of kelp, it felt so good to be back in the water.

After spending quite a few hours on the sand and in the water, Charlie and I were the first to pack up and head back to the campsite. After a quick change of clothes, we decided to go on a hike. It's a short trail but one of the most gorgeous views you could imagine. We walked through tons of wildlife and ended up at the edge of a cliff with an ocean view. It is so peaceful, relaxing, and even romantic to be standing at the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean with the one you love.

After drinking a few beers and seeing the sites, we hiked to the end of the trail which ends up at a railroad track. We played on the tracks and even put pennies on them to be flattened (more on that later).

                                              

We ended up walking back to play with the kids and get ready for dinner. Before dinner, I had brought marinated mozzarella balls to roast over the open fire....smashed between crackers, this was a delicious snack. Along with the mozzarella balls, we had chips with fresh guacamole (made by Rox!), and zucchini sticks. Next up, dinner consisted of carne asada, brats, and "re-fried" rice...all grilled over the open fire, of course! About four beers and an enormous meal later, I was completely stuffed.

The next few hours were spent sitting by the campfire... talking, laughing, joking around with the kiddos, and enjoying family time. While Lisa ate about 20 perfectly roasted marshmallows, I was too full to even eat a smore! Charlie fell asleep sitting by the fire, and we decided to hit the tent super early (so early that we were the first to go to bed ...even before the kids!).

The next morning, we woke up, played in the tent with Jacob and Abby, packed up, had breakfast, and celebrated Father's Day. Breakfast consisted of leftover rice, chorizo & eggs, and potatoes. SO good. After breakfast, Charlie and I went to hike again. Unfortunately, we couldn't find our flattened pennies on the railroad track, however we did get to see a sea lion and dolphins out for their morning swim.

After our hike, we headed back to the campsite to finish packing up the cars, then we all went to take group pictures.

 Although we only spent one night camping, we had an incredible time. Thank you guys (again) SO much for inviting us, for all of the food, and for all of the laughs and good times. Refugio is definitely a campground that we will be visiting again ...hopefully in the near future.


**A blog post by Charlie & more pictures from the trip coming soon!!**

"If it Don't Matter to You, It Don't Matter to Me"

So, Charlie and I have attended many shows at Saint Rocke. It's our favorite little venue (and that's not just us being biased since he's been doing work for them). Before he started working for them, we won tickets to shows at the venue six weeks in a row. After he started working for them, he is now on every guest list with a +1. I've had the privilege of being his +1 every time, with Wednesday being no exception. We've been excited for MONTHS about Donavon Frankenreiter coming to Saint Rocke. We first saw Donavon at Doheny Days Music Festival in Dana Point last summer. He was great!

Anyway, Wednesday was FINALLY the day! Charlie actually won tickets to a very exclusive sound check (with free food & beer) from 4-6PM. Unfortunately, I couldn't get off work in time to join him. After he spent the evening with 'Donny', I was totally jealous and looking forward to the show even more.

Char & I enjoying the music

Another shot of us

We got to Saint Rocke and had a few beers while listening to the opening act, the Wheeland Brothers. Usually openers are okay, and very rarely do they catch my attention. These guys were awesome though! They had a totally chill vibe ...I feel like they were a mix between Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter, and G.Love (some of my personal favs!).

Donny doin' his thang

Donny came on and started with probably his most popular song 'Free'. With a sold out crowd, everyone was dancing and singing along. Sometimes it's hard for me to get into shows when I don't know a lot of the songs, but this was not the case at all. I only know a handful of Donny's songs, but I thoroughly enjoyed every single song he performed. I danced so much that my feet were killing me when I woke up Thursday morning. He played a handful of his mellow songs, some stuff from his new album (which I highly recommend), and even some funk. The funk was amazing, and it's not what I was expecting from him at all.

Rockin the Donovan Frankenreiter mustaches

Probably the most enjoyable part of the entire show was the encore. First he performed a rendition of Tom Petty's 'American Girl' ...with everyone in the crowd singing along. The second and final encore song, which is my favorite Donny song, was 'It Don't Matter'. Towards the end of the song, he hand picked two girls out of the crowd to come sing with him. The first girl was a bust, a typical fan who was timid with a not-so-great voice. The second girl stole the ENTIRE show. All she kept singing was 'if it don't matter to you, it don't matter to me'...but every time she would switch it up (like 'no no no, it don't matter to meeee), and the band even played along with what she was singing. Everyone in the whole place (including Donny & the band) were feeling it. It was completely unexpected, yet incredible. She had an amazing voice. After the show, I told her she should be singing professionally.

 "She was an American Girl..."

This was definitely, by far, not only my favorite show at Saint Rocke that I've been to, but it was also one of my favorite shows of all time. That's saying a lot, because I've been to A LOT of shows ...especially in the past year and a half. It was an amaaazing night. Thanks for the hospitality, Saint Rocke. Thanks for brining me as your +1, Charlie. And thanks for rocking out Donny ...keep doing what you're doing, because you sure do have talent! :)

The Second Weekend in June

Our first weekend in June was spent doing nothing too exciting. We went to Charlie's last Little League game, searched for apartments the entire weekend, grilled out all three nights, and went to bed early.

The second weekend in June was definitely relaxing but a little more fun-filled. Friday night we got off work, got ready, and headed to Hollywood. Our new friend Julian had us added to the guest list for the Live @ Sunset Marquis Acoustic Sessions. Upon arrival, we got Livestrong-type wristbands. They were purple and personalized with the event name & date...definitely the coolest wristbands I've ever gotten. We also got personalized guitar picks. Obviously, I had to ask for two to make them into earrings.


Unfortunately we had just missed the band Allegra, however, we got to enjoy the sounds of Of Verona followed by Voxhaul Broadcast. Two bands that we were told love to rock out, but it was definitely cool getting to see some acoustic sets. It was a quaint little setting upstairs, next to the pool, with cabanas and tall tables with white linens set up. Although the drinks were over-priced ($10) and very weak, we had a good time. As we were making our exit, we walked by the one and only VINCE VAUGHN. Way cool! It was Charlie's first celeb-citing since moving to LA. Unfortunately we didn't get to see them, but we were also told that Aerosmith was staying at the hotel. It's a great spot for celebrities, because it's still very 'Hollywood', but not located on the Sunset Strip. It seemed like an awesome location to dine (at the hotel restaurant), drink (at Bar 1200 located in the lobby), and stay. We will definitely be back for a brunch, dinner, and some more acoustic sessions.

Live @ Sunset Marquis Acoustic Sessions

Another shot of us enjoying the music

Saturday we woke up early (why do we always wake up early on weekends again?!) to start packing up our place. We don't move for two weeks, but we thought we'd get a head start. After making breakfast and packing for a few hours, we headed to Manhattan Beach to do street team work (and stop at Manhattan Beach Creamery for a double scoop!) for Saint Rocke (the 290 capacity music venue that Charlie has started doing some work for). That was short lived, because we had to make our way to Torrance for the Little League closing ceremony.

Me & my fro-yo

Charlie & his double scoop

My dad and Charlie headed to the ceremony while Lisa and I did some shopping (thanks again for the shoes!). We did a little more street team work on the way back to El Segundo (where we still live for the next two weeks) and then went home to grill out. We made mediterranean marinated tri-tip shish kabobs, olive oil & parsley couscous, and grilled bread topped with olive oil, tomatoes, feta, and goat cheese. SO delicious. We were too full and tired from a long day, so we ended up playing Scattergories (my favorite) and heading to bed at a decent hour.

Dinner! Sluuurp!

Sunday we woke up, and I decided it was time to go Mac shopping! So here I am typing this from my new Mac :) I've finally entered the 'Apple World'. So far, so good.

Hii from my new Mac :)

After purchasing this new computer, we packed up and headed to Dockweiler Beach. Dockweiler is about a mile from our house, and it's the only beach around us that allows bonfires. We staked out the fire pit we wanted and headed towards it. Charlie dug sand out and made homemade beach chairs for us to lounge in. We spent all afternoon laying around, munching on sandwiches, cheese & crackers, and fruit, and chatting. After a while, he left to get us drinks, and I took a little nap...which is why my face is now beet red. Anyway, dusk came, Julian and his friends came down, and we had ourselves a little bonfire. We made smores, had a few drinks, and hung out til about 930. At that point, I was done for.

Relaxing beachside

Cheese, crackers, & vodka

 Us ♥

 Our roaring fire + the sunset

We are constantly on the go, and this weekend was no different, but we still managed to relax & have a great time!

'There's Liquor in this Popsicle?'

Charlie and I attended our first South Bay function last Thursday night. My boss is the co-founder of Moon Tide Media in Hermosa Beach. They publish the South Bay monthly magazine. Thursday was the launch party for their new South Bay Home magazine, and we were fortunate enough to be added to the guest list (thanks Jen & Todd!). It was in a brand new home in Manhattan Beach. So new, infact, that it was finalized and all of the paperwork was turned in just an hour before the party started. It was a gorgeous three level home with a bathroom attached to every bedroom. There were open veranda balconies off of the top two floors, the highest one having an ocean view.

 View towards the kitchen from the middle floor's veranda

Upon arrival, we were treated to a Patron sponsored open bar hosted by Palmilla Cocina Y Tequila, a Mexican restaurant located in Hermosa. Although we didn't have the opportunity to eat many of the free appetizers, the churros with chocolate sauce and the vegetarian salsa on plantain chips were delicious. The staff of bartenders and waiters were great too.

Our new friend Steve out on the very top balcony

After saying hello to and mingling with the few people we knew there, we went outside to the front yard to enjoy Patron creamy coconut popsicles. We were told there was a shot and a half in each one. With one of those in Charlie's left hand and a cocktail in his right, I told him that he was double fisting ;)  While chatting and enjoying the scenery from this amazing house, we were entertained by a guy who had a great voice and sure could play the acoustic guitar. For being a one-man band, he sure did sound great.

View of the home from the front yard

After a few hours of enjoying cocktails, catching up, and wandering, we decided to make our exit through the garage....only to find a table full of cold Heinekens and and invite to sit down and drink one with the builders of this custom home. Bernie and O'Dell were great. They gave us the back story on the house, introduced us to the designer of the house, and even invited us back to another party being hosted in the same home the following night.

All in all, it was a beautiful night, and we had a great time at our first South Bay event!

The Method Behind the Madness

Since moving away from home in 2007, I've had a lot of crazy ups and downs. I frequently write in a journal when I am upset or frustrated, as it helps to vent and get all of my feelings out there. Although there have been a lot of very good times, I seldom seem to write about them. However, I do love to take pictures to document happy moments.

Michael Franti & I after his Summer Camp set

After attending a Michael Franti set at Summer Camp Music Festival during Memorial Day weekend, I had a great idea. Franti, one of my favorite performers on and off the stage, is such an upbeat, happy, positive vibes type of person. He threw a challenge out to the crowd, and I really took it personally. He told us to have the best summer of our lives.

Charlie & I during Franti's set

Now, I've had some extremely good summers, last summer being one of them, with some extremely good memories and stories to tell. I have decided to take Franti's challenge one step furthur. I'd like to remember my 'best summer ever' in detail, which is why I've decided to create this blog. Along side the usual pictures I take, I will have this 'journal', if you will, to help me remember this incredible summer that lies ahead of me.