Tis' the Season

Last weekend I drove down to Oceanside for this client and they really were four of the nicest, easiest animals I have worked with to date. And look how cute!

I still love *NSYNC

Ok, it's true. I'm almost 40 and still hoping for an *NSYNC reunion! Maybe someday it will happen, but in the meantime I'll take what I can get. Joey and Lance down... JT, JC and Chris to go.

California is on Fire

I hate the Santa Anas. Always have. They killed my favorite tree a few years ago, they dry out your skin and are just hot, dry and unpleasant. Occasionally they are really bad and start the wildfires. It was Sunday night, I was in San Clemente with Leah and Ryan having dinner with the extended clan on the pier when I got a call from Bill that our neighborhood was on fire and he couldn't see across the street from all the smoke. The fire itself was about a mile away, they had closed Jeffrey at Irvine Blvd. I can't tell you how freaky it is to think your house might burn down. Thankfully that fire has moved south. Good for us, but so many others suffering. Last report 1900 homes lost. Imagine that...material things yes, but it's your life, your safe zone. What now? Whatever asshole set this fires should be shot.

Stewart Copeland Signing

On Wednesday night, we went up to the Guitar Center on Sunset so Bill could meet Stewart Copeland (drummer for the Police) and get a few things signed. We had to wait in line melting in the hot sun for several hours before we got the relief of shade. Talkative and nice guy Ludwig on one side, and Johnnie a very nice ex-drummer with alot of cool tattoos on the other. When we got to go in, the line moved quickly and when I asked Steward to sign my photo he said exactly what I fantasized he would! (how often does THAT happen?!) He said it was a great photo and asked where I got it. When I told him I took it, he was really impressed and his manager gave me her card to see about using the photo for some Tama drum promotions. Pretty sweet eh? Anyway, Bill got to shake his hand and had him sign the big Andy Summers book, so the evening was a success. Topped off by the world's greatest cream puffs at Beard Papa at Hollywood & Highland.

This is Stubby

He is one of the lone males that comes through. This poor guy has seen some bad days. His tail fur is all gone, and some of his body hair is missing too. We figure either a coyote tried to get him or a trap may have gotten him. He's still a friendly little fellow and we're happy to provide a snack on his journeys.

Hilton Licks a Spoon with Cuteness and Flair

OC Fair 2007 Results

Only 45% all entries are accepted for display - all six made it in, and here are the results....

Second Place - Red Ribbon


Honorable Mention - light blue ribbon


Honorable Mention - light blue ribbon


Staff Award - Purple Ribbon


Accepted for display - no ribbon


Accepted for display - no ribbon

You knew it was coming....

Ok, I may need professional help

But I don't think so really. Just because I'm up at 2:54AM waiting and watching on the "coon-cam" for the raccoons to come - that's not weird is it?! My friend Kelly brought them a little wading pool today, and I don't want to miss seeing them discover it. They are just fun and cute, those six little babies. So open and friendly. Not jaded and guarded like the adults. I worry about them out in the city. I just want to give them a little peace and place to feel safe - our yard. They could move in if they wanted to, I would love it. No worries of cars, traps, mean people or coyotes. Anyway, they did come last night for a party, they really wanted to come in. I really want to let them. Sigh. Here are some pictures.







This last guy reminds me of Templeton the rat from Charlottes' Web. All fat and full and rolling around the fair.

Comic-Con 2007

Bill (aka the Digital Bits) hosted another panel at the ever expanding Comic-Con in San Diego this year. The main sneak peek was at the upcoming Bladerunner special edition DVD. Standing room only this year, the panel was a great success. We made up some special shirts and sold them at the panel "My Other Shirt Has a Stormtropper On It" - the slogan Todd thought of. They sold pretty well, and the ones we didn't sell sold online in a few days. I kind of like doing the T-shirt thing. I couldn't handle the crowds of the "the Con" for too long so I took off and went to Coronado Island to have a Big Moo at the Moo-Time Creamery. Yummm....

Happy Anniversary Party!

10 years of doing The Digital Bits, and while at EMA this year the Blu-Ray group had us a little par-tay. Above, Bill Hunt and Ron Epstein of Home Theatre Forum. Eating a piece of cake (german chocolate - yuck. But the frosting was FABULOUS) I got a frosting buzz.

Raccoon Party

Ok, so now we have a pretty serious relationship with the raccoons in our neighborhood. We have a raccoon cam so when we are upstairs we will know when they are there. The families consist of a mom with six babies, the mom with three babies and several loner males. One I call Stubby because he has a short tail. So last night two the babies (of the six pack) came and had a party in the yard. They aren't scared of me at all, in fact, they come right up to me. They played in the grass, looked in the planters, ate some food and had a bath.

Giggle

Harry Potter Premiere

I got press credentials to the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premiere last weekend, so I couldn't pass that up. The three stars of the movie plus many other celebs were in attendance. It was quite the zoo. Above: Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe. There was quite a crowd waiting to see them! I got a sunburn and a back ache, but it was worth it.

Six Babies and a Mom

Great news. (Well, Bill and I were pretty excited anyway) The family of six babies we were worried had dwindled down to three....is a different family! Last night we heard something, went down and there was the family of six babies! They are still very small, the other group are more "tweens". They had quite a time. Knocking pots over, playing with the door mat, and having a bath in the water bowl. This group was very curious and ready to come right in the house and check things out. Of course we're not that crazy. They are so cute and I think I got one of the best pics yet. :o)

On the Road to see The Police

Just got back from a quick trip to Minnesota. Most of this I will write for my own memory, which seems to need reinforcements these days. If anyone is reading this (hi Rob!) you might find it boring, so read on at your peril.

So what happened was this...I was looking on Ticketmaster and a 5th row seat for the Police at Excel Energy Center happened to pop up. My heart starting racing, it's so rare for such a good seat to come up at face value on Ticketmaster! So I thought about it for a few minutes, let the ticket go and searched again. It came up again! It must have been meant to be. Maybe I could sell it and make back some of the money we spent on the Anaheim show. So I bought it. Turns out the secondary ticket market was flooded with brokers tickets who expected to make a killing on the show and are having to dump tickets below face value. So what to do? Do I risk not selling the ticket and eating the $250? Or do I send Bill to the show? I send us both! It will be a perfect little getaway, just the two of us. I find a great air/hotel/car package and off we go!

We arrive July 2nd at 8:30pm. We rent our car, a sweet little red PT Cruiser Touring Edition. Love it. Our hotel (the Crowne Plaza Riverfront on Kellogg Blvd) is perfectly located. I couldn't have planned it better if I had done it on purpose. After we check in we are starving. The enterance to Taste of Minnesota (which has moved to Harriet Island) is right across the street, so we change our clothes are go. First stop - deep fried cheese curds. If you haven't tried these, you must. They are devilishly good and will kill you in a heartbeat. We continued down the bridge onto the grounds and it's turned into a redneck midway lovin' shit hole. It was humid as hell, we were sweating like mad, fighting off mesquitos, and desperately trying to find something good to eat before it all closed up. We watched the fireworks - sort of - then everything was closed. No funnel cake for you lady. Whatever. Still somewhat hungry, we went up to the room, sqee-ged off and headed for the only late night dining destination we knew of in St. Paul - Perkins.

The neighborhood at University and Snelling has gone down a bit since we lived there, some colorful characters were outside the door. Our waiter was very funny, and the salad hit the spot. I ordered a Chocolate Chipper Sundae for dessert - it's an old favorite. Pleasantly surprised, it did not dissapoint, good as it always was. I gave the cherry to the girls at the next table who fought over the cherry on their shake, we talked to them through the meal. That is the main thing I miss about MN living. The people are so friendly and nice.

Tuesday. The day of the concert. We sleep in a little, we are two hours behind you know. Our first stop, Zimmerman's dry goods on Grand Ave. Bill buys 6 pigment dyed T-shirts. Next stop Woullets Bakery! I would be lying if I said the decision to make this trip wasn't partially based on getting to have a piece or two of the Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake (bottom of the page in the middle) with Hot Fudge Frosting. It's amazing. As I ate my cake and Bill ate a whole rubarb tart we were relaxed and happy. It started raining outside. Eating cake in the rain, I feel a song coming on. My best friend Mia was off work now and ready to meet us, so we had her head to our next location, the Hands Gallery at Grand and Dale. A little art shop where I bought a very cute pair of mismatched knit socks.



She left her car parked there and we went back to the hotel. Looking for a cup of coffee, we ended up a few blocks away at Dunn Brothers coffee / optometrist. Very strange combination don't you think? We did. We sat for a few hours talking and laughing. I wish afternoons like this came around more often. Then it was time to head back to the hotel, pick up ticketfast papers and head to the show. The Excel Energy Center was only a few blocks from our hotel. It had stopped raining and we walked over, saving endless traffic hassle and huge parking fees. We walked around the perimeter, scoping the swag. Mia got a $40 tank top, Bill was eyeing the army jacket, but I told him not to press his luck. A small fortune had already been spent on Sting and the Police. He went to his fifth row seat, and Mia and I went up to our nosebleed, below face value bargain seats - which were actually quite good. High up, but right by the stage on Stings side. She really enjoyed Fictionplane too, and wanted a shirt. Plus it was FREEZING up there, and I'm not exaggerating, the AC was blowing right on us. So at the intermission, first we ran down to Section 119 to see Fictionplane in person, went to pee, then hit the swag stand where she bought another two shirts and I bought the army jacket for Bill. I'm a sucker I know, but I knew he would love it. And I was freezing.

Of course after we ran back to our seats missing half of the first song, the AC was off and it was perfectly warm. Figures. That's ok - it's not really why I bought the jacket anyway. The concert was great, a very different experience than the 2nd row was. We had empty seats on either side of us once we moved down to the second row of our section. After the show we found Bill at one of the swag stands buying a trucker hat. He saw me in the jacket and was floored. He was so happy after the show, great seats, great crowd, and the jacket... I don't get to see him this happy as often as I would like. Finally hungry for dinner we headed back to Perkins and had a good fried meal.

Wednesday - the 4th. Meeting Andrew and Amy at Ruby Tuesdays at the MOA. We had a wonderful 3 hour lunch with them, Amy is 7 months pregnant and looking wonderful. I love my family, I wish we all lived in the same state.





We walked around the mall for awhile after they had to go, I wasn't particularly in a shopping mood, so we drove around a bit, went to Mpls to see the Cherry on a Spoon. I never actually saw it all the times I lived there.



Had a roast beef hoagie at Davanni's on Cleveland and Grand - my old high school hangout. (Dave Scamp where are you?) Then hit the airport. Smooth flights both ways, watched the fireworks from 35,000 feet. Back to LAX around 11:30 and home by 1am.

A good time was had by all.

Our Raccoons

Kirby

Despite his failing kidneys, he keeps going and going - living well and feeling healthy and happy! That's what it's all about. He turned 15 in May with his sister Lucy.



And Kirby's latest blood results are actually improved!! Yeah!!

The Police in Anheim 6/21/07

The night my husband has waited for for over 25 years is finally here. Last night in Anaheim CA a dream was realized (and I got to go too). I was able to bring in my little point and shoot camera and despite the hardships and drawbacks of the camera, I got a few great shots. Of course being in the second row didn't hurt. Not surprisingly though, the tallest guy in row one was right in front of ME. And a drunk guy spilled a beer down my whole leg and into my shoe, it still smells like beer today. I just can't win. But in case you're slow, or have been under a rock forever, we saw The Police. You know, the old 80's band with Sting. They were pretty fantastic. There might have been tears of joy, but I've been sworn to secrecy.

The Chicago Cats

Sam, Isabelle, George and Parker. Almost the Magnificent Seven (they just need three more!)

The Chicago Bean

Just back from our trip to Chicago, visiting Bill's family, and a good time was had by all. They have this neat new statue (well sort of) in Millenium Park called "the bean". It was really fun to photograph, it had so many possibilites! Here are a few shots. More to come. Great food at Bar Louie, I think that was my favorite meal of the trip. The cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather were out of this world. Yep, food and photos - that's what life is all about.

Sidney

A Day About Googles and Glasses

It was a day full of fun and experiments. Can you really get 7 cats to wear glasses? And get them all in the same photo at the same time? Well, the answer is yes and no. If you are very patient and skilled in the art of digital illusion, then yes you can! See the header of this page for proof. Here is one of the individual outtakes. My sweet Jojo. That girl can rock any style don't you think?!

CHOMP!

This is Chloe (below) and Jo (above). These girls love their grass!

Kitten Season Continues

It's kitten season and I just wanted to share some of the cute kids that are available for adoption, if you are in the southern california area, be sure to check out happycats.org if you are in the market to open your home to a sweet kitten or two!

Second Try

Attempt #2. I have the overwhelming desire to see if I can get them all to wear glasses...stay tuned!

Togetherness

Ok, I really felt the need to have a good picture of all my cats together. This is attempt #1. Over the next couple of days or weeks, more attempts will follow!

Donald Trump

Ok, totally off topic, but can anyone tell me why he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?? I mean, The Apprentice? Seriously people. This is a blatant example that money can buy anything. It's been several months since this happened and I'm still disgusted. However, when he said Elizabeth Hasselbeck was the dumbest person on television it was hilarious. And why does Larry King always ask Trump what he thinks about Hollywood noise? Just the other day "Donald, what do you think about Lindsay Lohan's DUI?" Come on. This Hollywood crap is just too much sometimes. There are sooo many things that could end our exsistance tomorrow (and I know this because my husband is obsessed with the Discovery channel diaster shows that tell you all the ways the earth could implode or cease to exsist) and THIS is what we spend our time worrying about. Brangelina and little starlets with drinking problems. There is something very, very wrong with that. Except I have to say Britney's complete meltdown WAS riveting.... sigh.

Successful Beach Shoot

Today I had a beach shoot with a great family. All so photogenic and very nice, what more can you ask for! It was fun, except I dropped my brand new flash in the sand. DOH! But we got lots of fun shots, and I got all the sand out, so it's all good. Isn't she a cutie?

Mr. Personality

This is Hilton. My friend Elaine named him "Mr. Personality". Yep, that's about right.