The aftermath

The canyon is black with burned trees, the air smells of ash, but not a single life was lost. Only one home in the neighborhood was destroyed. It's a sad sight, but with the destruction comes a new beginning and new life. I can't wait to see the little green sprouts begin to pop back up after the first rain.

Big Horn Mine

Angel and I decided to go on another adventure and ended up finding the most awesome abandoned mine! It was so rickety and rundown that we thought it would fall apart if we touched it. but nonetheless we climbed all over it and even went into the cold, dark mine for a bit... spoooooky! Pretty much the coolest surprise at the end of a trail i've seen...

Real live Shipwreck!

right here in Playa del Rey.. It's actually a very sad story. The owner lives and dies by this sailboat. He was preparing to sail it around the world until it was ripped away from the Marina last week and beached a mile down. :( Now it's stuck and the poor guy can't do anything about it.

My dad's home

Thank you to all of the Southern California Firefighters. You are amazing. My dad has a home to return to.

One hell of a weekend..

Found out that I was getting laid off... went drinking at a friend's house... went to Knott's hungover breathing in ashes and smoke... watched firefighters try to defend dad's home on TV... couldn't sleep... prayed... didn't eat... saw on the news that dad's house made it... actually got laid off... starting over...

Feeling liberated. I went from my absolute lowest on Saturday night to this amazing clarity that I feel right now. I have this fantastic chance to start fresh again. It's odd to say it, but I crave change. I am so unsatisfied with the regularity of life that I constantly have to do something new. This time it was not by choice, but I can handle it and I will make the best of it. I have a lot of amazing people supporting, encouraging and offering help. Thanks to everyone for your kind words.

oh, did you notice that I prayed? yea, that caught me off guard too, but it felt right. I can't tell you who or what exactly I was praying to, but damnit, it seemed to work. Dad's home was saved.

Knotts Beary Farm

The Savages!!!!

Bearpie

Shirt Diving!

Snoopy tried to steal bear after this picture and stuff him down his vest!

Bearapist

Rock star

Bearriff

Hot Bear Balloon

Bear went on his first adventure!! He met a lot of new animals and had a lot of fun. Thanks Henry for the awesome pics!

#69 please

Bear got broken in big time

yep

uncle ernie, me & vas rockbandin' it up. (it's a word, i swear)

vas, eatmike and uncle mike

me, bear, some guy i swear i know and Ed

Henry, Liza and Shannon

Liza, me and Henry having a dance party.

at the end of the night..

ooohhh boy, what a night. Parties at Liza's are awesome! Bear and I met a lot of new friends and from what i remember had a great time. I realllllllly needed this for reasons i cannot tell you or i will have to kill you.

Lytle Creek

We took a drive up to Lytle Creek for an adventure today. Once we got to the ranger station i realized that i've been here before. ha! just like most movies i watch :) We saw a beautiful waterfall, followed a stream up the canyon, marvelled at the wildlife, got shot at by gangsters... yep. Definitely an adventure! We're gonna make this a regular thing. And i'll wear my hiking boots next time so i don't fall on my face.

Same Sex Marriage

Keith says it so well... and I totally agree.

Rash & the gang

I love photoshop.

deja vu

went to the hard rock cafe at Citywalk with Angel yesterday.. strange... i feel like we've been here before ;) Once we got back to Playa, the scene at the beach was too beautiful not to stop and check out. Simply a great day

Movie Night

Henry and i went to see some movie called "the haunting.. something..". IT WAS TERRIBLE. Plus side - they play cheesy 70's dance music before the feature presentation.

walk to lunch

i stopped to take this picture and when i went to catch up with the guys... this happened.

Election Night!

Yea, I like maps. so what? Bear does too. and Mingo does too. and the hamster too....

Vote today!!

sure did!

Bear is representin'!

Bearack the Vote!!

This is Becky the dork. I have my map that i'm coloring in, plus we put out a box of styrofoam popcorn with a note on it saying "Thanks for Voting. Please take one." and watching people rifle through the box looking for something good. in the end, all they get is one of the styrofoam peanuts. i'm not sure why people look disappointed when they figure it out....

Gayle's Brunch

Everyone from Lifetouch got together today at Castaway in Burbank for a "We Love You" lunch for Gayle. I have to admit that she looks awesome, and she's not letting anything get her down. Gayle was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer a few weeks back and has already completed her first round of chemo. Loving the wig too! In all, the wreath contains about $1000 to help her out during this rough time. Thanks Mandy, Melony, LeeAnn and everyone else who put this together!