Nikki Moore's Animated "Relationship Rehab"

So much fun directing this video.  Nikki is multi-voiced talented and her singing is angelic.  Take a few minutes to watch this video.  (Thanks to Gene Hamm for the animation, Kevin Cleland for recording and edit and Daniel Benshimon for his sound design.  It takes a village!)

SMOKIE the cat

 August 13, 2023 we adopted Smokie.  He's three years old and very handsome and super affectionate.  This is him when he first got here.  He's confused and shy but it didn't take long to warm him up.

Day Two and he's already decided he's happy in his new home.  He sat next to me for hours while I worked.  What a great little companion:

Matthew Grillo in Los Angeles

My cousin Matt came to town from New Jersey for a few days.  We never stopped!  First things first - fueling up with lunch at Alcove with Matt's 1/2 sister Laura.

I had to take this photo of Matt and I in front of Farfalla to send to our cousin Thomas.  Thomas LOVES Farfalla and I wanted to tempt him to come for a visit.  It worked - he'll be here in October.

After lunch we took a walk in Griffith Park then chilled until evening.  Then on to Dance L.A.

I couldn't wait to take Matt to Dance DTLA at the Music Center.  It's magic dancing on a warm summer night under the city lights with hundreds of locals.  It was disco night so of course Mark came with us.  Wouldn't consider going without him.

We worked up an appetite so on our way home we stopped at Playarita and had some tacos then on to Mark's house to sit on the patio and look at the beautiful view and chill out from our dance high.

Early morning - Vince and Matt chugged up the trails to The Griffith Park Observatory before breakfast.  

Then we met Mark and Rick for breakfast at Supurba to fuel up for the days activities .  Delish as usual.  

On our way to the Broad Museum

Downtown L.A. twice in 24 hours.  That doesn't happen...ever.

These pieces are made from an artist from Ghana who uses all recycled materials.  LOVE this stuff.

After the Broad we headed to Hermosa Beach to Randy's (Laura's boyfriend) house for a beach hang.  We went to a local bar before we headed home.  Our visit with Matt was definitely whirlwind but a lot of fun and I was so happy to spend some quality time with him.  Come back soon Matt!

Japan House

 L.A. Japan House day tripping...

Mom, Uncle Bob and Vince in Santa Barbara

We did a quick trip to SB to meet my mom for lunch and celebrate Uncle Bob's birthday.  It was a lovely day to zip up the coast for a few hours.  The weather was perfect and the traffic very light - miracle!