Fridays at the LACMA

I have a new favorite thing to do on Fridays.

It involves wine, picnic blankets, live music, and art.

Does it get any better?

I'd heard about Fridays at the LACMA before,

but due to my AWOL ("always west of Lincoln") inertia,

I had never gone until last Friday.

And it was wonderful.

Brian and I headed out after work,

picked up some wine at Ray's & Stark,

pulled up a seat on the grass,

and hung out and listened to an awesome jazz concert.

I know nothing about jazz,

but I loved listening, and watching all the other people get really into it.

There was even a group of people behind the stage

doing what I can only describe as "interpretive dance."

It was awesome.

I wanted to join in (I'm embarrassing like that),

but Brian was having none of it.

We even got to see the sold-out James Turrell exhibit

(thanks to a friend who got us tickets),

which I can only describe as trippy and completely mind-blowing.

What a genius that guy is.

We followed it up with a dinner at Angelini,

which I have already proclaimed to be 

the best Italian restaurant I've been to stateside.

Brian agreed, so now it's super official.

All around, last Friday was one of those days 

that the effort of planning and going really paid off.

I was just so happy I went and saw and experienced.

There really is a lot out there,

east of Lincoln.

Terranea (in film)

{such an unfortunate hair situation}

Happy Weekend

After the week I've had,

I just can't wait for a little down time.

Hope you all get some R&R in this weekend!

3 Years

Here's to us!

Here's to all we've accomplished in Year 3,

apart and together,

and to all the promise that Year 4 brings.

I'm so happy I get to spend it with you,

my love, my partner, and my dearest friend.

2 years.

1 year.

Terranea

Last weekend, we went on our first staycation at Terranea in Palos Verdes for our 3rd anniversary.  I was totally blown away by the resort -- it feels like Hawaii, but it's only a 30 min drive from our apartment!

Terranea is a big hotel, but it feels intimate somehow, like you're staying in a really nice house.  A villa perhaps.  There are a bunch of restaurants to choose from, all with different vibes (we had a brunch at Nelson's, happy hour at Bashi, and a fancy dinner at mar'sel), the adult pool has a dj and fruity cocktails, and the views are unbelievable.  We even saw a pod of dolphins swim by from our pool lounge chairs!

I took some film photos of our trip, but while those are getting developed, here are some iPhone photos of our weekend.

{view from our balcony}

{our room!  and they give you champagne when you check in!}

{the adult pool}

{view from our lounge chairs, just before the fog lifted}

{nice shades bro}

{bloodies at Nelson's, again, just before the fog lifted!}

Happy Friday!

{refreshing farmer's market punch at Coqueta in SF}

What are you up to this weekend?

Brian and I have a mini-getaway planned

to celebrate our 3rd anniversary!

Can you believe it's been 3 years?

I'm excited to hang out together

and maybe go hiking

or just drink margs by the pool :)

Cheers!

On the Lake

Funny story.

Just after these were taken,

we realized that we couldn't see our houseboat anymore,

and were essentially lost on the lake,

with no phones,

no money,

hardly any gas,

and only one beer with which to barter.

And it was getting dark.

After a couple of laps around the lake,

a few rounds of spirited debate over just how fast a houseboat could possibly go,

and a half-hour stop-over at a random houseboat

wherein Brian consumed numerous fireball shots with our new-found friends

while the rest of us frantically dialed any phone number we could remember
on a borrowed cellphone

("taking one for the team," he claims),

we found our way home.

And promptly consumed approx. 20 lbs of ribs smothered in BBQ sauce

as consolation for the hour we spent thinking we might have to
sleep on a motor boat with no dinner,

and god forbid,

no beer.

Real Life:  Lake Shasta.

One for Wednesday

Well hello there.

Life got a little away from me.

But I'm back, 

and I have some photos to share 

from a weekend houseboating on Lake Shasta!

Here's just one

that makes me wish I were still there,

floating in the sunshine...