Browse Category: outings

Lots of Ladies

The Bridesmaids and I threw Patty her Bridal Shower yesterday. It started out at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel where three of us got spa treatments. Patty and Alice got massages while I got a much-needed pedicure. I felt so bad for my manicurist. After a week of walking around in slippas in Hawaii, my feet were looking prettty gnarly. I actually apologized to the girl ahead of time.

Later, we went back to my house where nine of Patty’s friends were waiting for us to arrive. It was so nice to see so many of Patty’s friends together in one place. There was food, games, and of course, gifts. I think she had a really good time.

For dinner we went to The Melting Pot for fondue. It’s a really interactive place where we all ate cheese, meats, and chocolate together. The challenge for the evening was to dip your meat in without losing it. Easier said than done.

Meanwhile, Jesse was upstairs all day playing on his computer. He would dart down and back up the stairs to avoid all the extra estrogen in the house. Koa enjoyed the company of the ladies, however, and mingled amongst the food and doting girls all afternoon.

X Gizames

On Thursday afternoon, I went to Staples Center with the brother to watch the XGames. Johnny designed their media guide this year so he had some free passes to use. Gotta love free stuff.
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The XGames weren’t exactly the way I remembered it to be. A few years ago, I went to XGames in SF. I took BART over to the city and walked right in. It was more like a festival by the water just next to PacBell Park. There was shwag and No Doubt was playing on stage. This time, it was indoors in the Staples Center with not very many spectators and really limited viewing areas. It felt more like a TV production with camera guys everywhere and commercial breaks. I took about 250 shots and ended up uploading only a handful. I suppose that’s how you learn. Sports photography is tough when you’re stuck in the stands with poles and TV cameras in your way. The Flying Tomato, Bob Burnquist, Andy Macdonald, and a bunch others were competing and it was cool to watch them skate. At the end we even saw the legendary Tony Hawk in the media booth doing the play-by-play. It was weird since he was sitting only 10 feet away from us and it took at least 15 minutes for us to notice that he was there. Here are the photos I uploaded.

So many Islanders

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On Friday, we grubbed on Korean BBQ with Yong, Helen, Eric, and Annie. There was so much meat that we all rolled out of there stuffed and happy. We later met up with the Tranandos who were celebrating Thilan’s birthday at Mai Tai Bar. Victor, Susie, and Dayantha pretty much came by as soon as they got off their planes and Huy arrived on Thursday night. The best part of weddings is having your friends back in town. The bar/restaurant was surprisingly crowded and bumpin’. I’ve only gone on a Tuesday evening before going to the aquarium and I’m used to having the whole place to myself. Well, on this evening it was packed with lots of large islanders…Samoans, Hawaiians, Filipinos, you name it. It was as if the restaurant really wanted to stick with the theme and imported a bunch of “locals” to give it an authentic feel.  Here are photos from that evening.

Brazilian Par-tay

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We went to see Sergio Mendes and his friends perform at Hollywood Bowl last night. It was a pleasant balmy evening with the feeling of excitement and happiness all around. The house was packed and there were so many Brazilians eating, drinking, “smoking”, and having a good time. The performance was so much fun and I have to say that Sergio is the coolest old guy around. At one point, they performed “Never Gonna Let You Go” and it sounded like karaoke night with everyone in the audience singing along and waving around their lit cell phones. I know it sounds corny but it was a cool sight to see. By the end of the evening, I felt like I was in a big Brazilian Party with everyone standing, singing, and dancing. They even had some Carnival dancer up on stage shakin’ their bums like there was no tomorrow. Oh how Johnny and Jesse wished we had box seats. Here are some more photos of the evening.

Fun with the Girls

On Saturday afternoon, the other bridesmaids and I threw Holly a lovely bridal shower at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. We rented a semi-private cabana with wine, cheese, and other appetizers. We had a good turn out with lots of Holly’s friends who flew in from all over the place. Later in the evening, we got a little more dressed up and had dinner at Orso, an Italian restaurant near the Beverly Center. Afterwards we headed out to LAX, a bar in Hollywood, to do some celebrating. Holly had a great time and didn’t have to do anything too embarrassing. Overall, it was a fun night out with the girls.

Didneelan!

IMG_3405.jpgOn Sunday, I went to Disneyland with my mom, dad, and brother. I actually can’t remember the last time all four of us went together as a family. All I know if that many things have changed and yet somethings have remained the same. For example, my dad went home after lunch…that’s the same. My mom actually rode and survived Space Mountain…that’s different. We bought churros…same. Johnny and I have to look out for our parents now…different.
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The brother and I spent much of our day taking random photos throughout the park. I’m sure we looked like silly Japanese tourists but that’s how you improve your photog skillz, right? I played with the exposure compensation button, my aperture priority, and even dabbled in some long exposure shots. It was extemely overcast that day so lighting was really tricky.
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Oh yeah, Disneyland gipped us royally by cancelling the fireworks show that we waited around for. It was due to high wind conditions. Oh Pahleez! With the ridiculous ticket prices, they should have developed technology that would turn off the wind by now. Heck, Disneyland should be placed in a little bubble with a switch to turn the sunshine on during the day and turn it off at night for the stinkin’ fireworks. I just wanted to see the 50th anniversary fireworks show…*sniff*
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Here are the photos.