Palomarace

Zane, my five year old, read his first sentences EVER tonight. He read three whole pages!

The words that launched him into the brand new world of reading were:

“Three little bears.”

“One with a light.”
“One with a stick.”
“One with a rope.”

“A spooky old tree.”

So there you have it… my son can read!!! I am so PROUD of him!!!

I’ve never been much of a comic book reader growing up, but that is all about to change. Scott wrote a three book comic series to be released during the next three months. It comes out in comic stores either June 1 or June 7th. U.T.F. (Undead Task Force) follows a secret government military team whose sole purpose is to wipe out vampiric or zombie outbreaks wherever they may occur and create a cover up story to make sure that the general public knows nothing of what went on. The first three issues are about a low end vampire (think Jack Black) who decides that it stinks to always have to hide away, so he goes to where he can build an instant army of vampires: LA County Jail. He turns about 200 hardened criminals, but before he can break out, the UTF is sent in.
Scott’s particularly proud of one of the UTF - Ignacio (Nacho), who, in the comic, is a Christian (he attends Mosaic whenever he’s in town) and has real honest struggles with his belief and sharing his faith in the workplace. It’s just that his workplace involves slaughtering the undead. Hehe.

If you’re interested in a copy, you can buy it here for 50% off. Just enter UTF in the search window on the home page.

So you know you’re living in the weird cyber world when you say:

“Hi my *friend* it’s so great to finally *meet you*”

Those words came pouring out of my mouth Friday when I finally got to meet my friend Deana whom I have gotten to know through blogging this past year. It’s wild when you know so much about someone and can truly call them a friend, yet you meet them in person for the very first time.

Scott the kids and I met Deana, Steve and Max at the Farmer’s Market/Grove along with Lilia and her kids for lunch. We strolled by various food counters and fruit stands, making it quite difficult for me to choose between The Gumbo Pot and some good ole’ fashion New York style deli. Being quite warm that day, I went with the deli and was more than satisfied with my choice. After lunch we decided to meander through the Grove to the dancing fountain in hopes to see the spectacular display of lights and water moving to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. We were disappointed to find the fountain not performing to it’s highest potential that day. It merely spewed a few measly streams of water into the air only to the sounds of the crowd murmuring around it’s perimeter waiting for the big water show.

Later that evening Scott the kids and I went over to Melvin and Lilia’s house for some grilling and gaming. Steve, Deana and Max met us there and that’s when the competitions began. We played Settler’s of Catan late into the evening, which was lots and lot’s o’ fun (even though I lost)

The next morning I was up bright and early sucking down the coffee and cooking up a couple of quiches for my dear friend Noemi’s baby shower to be held at Niza and Alex’s house. The shower was beautiful as we talked about new life and new adventures into motherhood. Deana joined us there at the shower sharing in the celebration.

After the the shower, I went to help build sets with my friend Joby for Origins conference. I ended up building sets for the rest of the day into the night. I came home completely exhausted, but completely fulfilled having stirred up those semi stagnant creative juices again.

The weekend was full of activity to say the least.
It was so wonderful getting know Steve and Deana and that lovable little Max even more so in person. It was so great to work with other artists, designing and collaborating together. Quite frankly It was just so awesome to spend the entire weekend surrounded by such great friends!

I had so much fun celebrating my friend Rebecca’s birthday Saturday night at a Latin-Caribbean pop culture-packed tiki hut called cha cha cha, not to be confused with la la’s where the last girl’s night out took place. I can’t escape it, even the restaurants I go to now sound like baby talk.

Our conversations, however were far from baby talk as conversations swung from global issues and how we personally can make a difference in the world to the various adventures we all could relate to from working in the Hollywood film/tv biz which of course was interrupted randomly by a few funny kid stories.

I came home that night and woke Scott from a dead sleep to clamor about the amazing evening I had just experienced. Not only did I get to celebrate one of my dearest friends, but I also came away from that night inspired and empowered to do the things that have been residing deep within my heart.

NBC just announced their fall schedule this morning. E-Ring, the show Scott was writing for is officially cancelled.

We’re all having a bit of a tough day today.

We ate dinner outside last night for the first time this year. Ahhh summer is upon us!

portabella mushrooms
zucchini
sweet onions
red peppers
baby spinach
whole wheat pita bread
humus

marinate zucchini & onions in balsamic vinager, olive oil, fresh pressed garlic & just a bit of salt n’ pepper for a few hours

grill zucchini, onions and portabella mushrooms.

roast red peppers by broiling them until skin is charred on all sides, put in a plastic zip lock to cool, then peel off skin

cut veggies into 1/2 inch pieces and toss together

cut pita bread in half, spread humus inside the pita bread, stuff full of spinach leaves, and grilled veggies.

Bon Appetite!

Monday night Scott scooped me up for a night out on the town. We met our friends at Largo, a teeny club in LA right across from the famous historic Canters Deli on Fairfax. That’s where we saw Dragon Boy Suede ( a Jewish stand up comedian/rapper) followed by Zach Galifianakis, a funny funny FUNNY man. They both had us all but rolling on the dark grimy Largo floor. Scott had tears running down his face as his high pitch hyena laugh echoed high above the rest of the audience. His distinctive roar must have impressed Zach as he meandered through the crowd right towards the source. If anyone can handle being hassled that would be uh… Scott. He’s been known to hassle a few in his lifetime. It really was so much fun to be out together, and not only that, but we were out together and with friends. Something that NEVER seems to happen these days in our two-kid/ lack of babysitting world. Definitely good times!

My five-year-old son danced about in his green dinosaur rain boots splashing in the soapy puddles while wielding a garden hose as yet another car slowly inched up to him. His dance was not that of a gleeful child working a car wash, no, it was that of a child who had just downed two mango juices and whose bladder must have been bloated to its limit. I’m sure the constant sound of water did not help the situation either.

On his tiptoes in desperation to reach his dad’s ear, he whispered insistently “I have to go to the bathroom, I have to go to the bathroom NOW!�

Scott put down his sudsy cloth and inquired of Ahmed where the closest restroom was.

He was directed to the Islamic Center.

Inside the rest room my son innocently and unknowingly asked his dad if the long trough like sink was where he should go to the bathroom. Scott, completely alarmed exclaimed “NO! NO! NO! Then a very kind, kind young man began to explain to my son that they wash before they pray and that this is the sink that they wash in. He went through the whole process of how he washes before prayer. My son was intrigued and listened intently.

Upon hearing this, back out in the parking lot, I was aghast that my son almost urinated in the prayer washbasin. I guess this is the type of stuff that only happens when different cultures come colliding together to work side by side for the good of others on Big Sunday.

Big Sunday is a day where people from all different neighborhoods across L.A., all different ages and all different faiths, come together and join forces for a day of service throughout the City of Angels.

At our site, outside the Islamic Center, we all worked together and washed cars throughout the afternoon for the I Have A Dream Foundation I felt so good to raise money for children in need and it felt so good to meet new people and experience just a small part of a culture that I am not that familiar with. It also felt good to help my children see the value in working hard to help others. My 22-month-old little girl was even in on the car wash. She was so focused as she stationed herself in one spot with a big soapy mitt up to her armpit washing the lower portions of each car. The day as a whole made me smile. It is amazing that serving on Big Sunday not only helped other people out but, helped me out too. It made my heart glad.

Ahhh…. the pressure of my first post.
I will start it off on the right foot with non other than Sgt. “B.A.” Baracus from the A-Team. Here it goes…

Scott and I were in Hollywood where we saw Mr. T coming out of the 7 Eleven… mohawk and all.

To quote Mr. T himself….

I pity the fool that don’t respect that.

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