Thursday, January 1, 2009

Crazy Past Month

After returning to Miami Beach from Hawaii and basically had to turn around and fly to Oregon for Thanksgiving. After spending a few calm cold days in Oregon with my dad and step mom, I headed down to spend a few days with my mom in the San Francisco area. After a few uneventful days with mom I was on my way back home to Miami Beach.


The new Qantas A380 at LAX

Yes, I travel coach sometimes. On an Alaska Airlines flight to Portland from LAX

After returning home to Miami Beach I totally crashed....or at least tried to. I actually never made it to the beach to relax, but rather spent most of the time cleaning my place and preparing it for the arrival of my dad and step-mother. Then I got a phone call from my good friend Thara (or maybe it was her alter ego Shakti) and she let me know she was in the area. I convinced Thara to stay over Monday night so I could take her to Chat Noir. We had a great time there and she was amazed at the entertainment the Penny Back Boys help organize for that evening. Half way through the evening a fire dancer dressed in a Ganesh outfit appeared on stage. My friend Thara, being and Indian, was so excited to see this very unique act. But then half way through the act Ganesh let go of one of the fire ropes and it flew into the audience....youch! Luckily, no one was hurt, even mildly, and Ganesh finished the show.


Thara (Shakti) with me at Chat Noir


Ganesh fire dancing!




It all started very innocent (ish) enough



And then it turned into a potential disaster!

A few days later my dad and step-mom arrived and we all hit the ground running since they had never been to Miami and had a list of things they wanted to see in 6 days. I took them to the Everglades then to Naples and then back to Miami Beach in the same day. They were really excited to see all the wildlife in the Miami area and I really think they just didn't expect to see so much nature. The following day I took them to Key West, which is an amazing drive. We spent the night and then headed back stopping by Coral Castle along the way. The next day I took my step-mom to Fairchild Trpoical Botanic Garden and then to the farmers market on Lincoln Road. The final day we went to Vizcaya which happened to be such a surprise to all of us. I have lived in Miami for 13 years and have never been, but I also never knew Vizcaya is filled with original art dating back hundreds of years.

The beauty of nature in Naples, Florida

The next day Rich, my step mother, my dad, and I all boarded an American Airlines flight to LA taking four seats in their flat bed first class cabin right behind a woman with 3 wild children that caused a ruckus making first class a down right romper room! Rich and I left my dad and step mom at LAX for their continuation flight to San Diego and then went to work. After 3 days in LA we then flew up to San Francisco to work on our documentary we filmed in the Dominican Republic (a preview will soon be posted) for 5 days and then X-mas with mom and then back to LA where I have been since. New Year's was good at Here Lounge, but nothing like last years' (see last years post).

A very mellow New Year's Eve at Here Lounge with my friend Sam