Kids Night at the Bowl

Last night kicked off the first of the summers series of bowl events we're attending this year. The theme was Bugs Bunny and I have to say it was really a fun night. The estimated attendance was 17,000, but by the end of night it felt like all 17,000 in attendance were kids. Watching those old Bugs Bunny cartoons, brought out the kid in all of us, if even for a couple of hours. For me it took me back to when I used to run home from school or get up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons. Now as an adult, hearing the the L.A. Phil play live the same music that accompanied the original cartoons, gave me a new sense of appreciation for those old classics. The best part was going with our friends, a great couple who managed to know all the cartoons. We all laughed and had a great time. It was fun to not only hang out.... but hang out and feel like kids again.

Sneakers

Well the color's changed, and the size has too, but I guess my style has not. In case you haven't figured it out.. the little red shoe on the right is from my first pair of sneakers (5 months). Ever since my good ole mom found them and gave them to me a few months back, I have been keeping them on my dresser. I have to say... mom was pretty cool even way back when, cause classic baby shoes weren't on her mind, instead she opted to go for the classic sneaker. You can see she has always known me well, cause even as an adult, they're still my favorite option. I think it's cool and hilarious at the same time. It's weird to look at them and think that that was my foot. I'm just glad they've managed to survive all these years. (click on image to see larger)

My Goal.... is to someday see green

Today was another Live Surgery for us at work and another big step in the development of our goals for our website. The image above represents a graphical view of our viewers and where they watched today's event from throughout the world. I am very proud of this as it visually represents another step closer towards reaching those in less fortunate places that need help. My hope is that someday this entire map will be green, not because we will have reached a goal , but because we will have made a difference.

Put that remote down

I wanted to take a minute to say thanks to everyone that followed my blog during my most recent travels. I also wanted to say don't change that channel just yet, I plan to keep this blog going. I really enjoyed posting and I hope you enjoyed it too. If you did, check back every now and then to see what's new.

Trains .. Planes and Automobiles

After eight flights, countless trains, buses, cars, scooters and even bicycles, this trip to Europe is over. To sum it all up .. it kind of felt like the amazing race Bojorquez edition. It was a lot of fun, not only being able to visit some incredible places, but to be able to experience them with my family. I will never forget it. It's that can do attitude that made this trip possible, as was the case with my nephew Ricardo. The photo above is an example of that.... It's me explaining to him how to ride a scooter, after I had already rented one for him in Croatia. Problem was he had never even been on one, and I was asking him to do so in a foreign country that was unfamiliar to either of us. After a few minutes he was on his way, and we were off exploring and riding all over to places we probably would not have ever visited. He was a real trooper on this trip, never saying no and always game for anything that came our way. We did a lot but the best part was not what we did, but what we learned about each other along the way.

Brussels in a minute

Flew through Brussels on my way back to the states. With about 2 1/2 hour layover I thought... what can I do for a couple of hours? I decided to take a chance and ride a train into the main part of the city for a quick look. what should have been a 15 minute ride turned into 30 minute ride and after walking to and from the main square in town, going through customs and security, I almost did not make it back in time. In the end I just made it back to my flight and I'm glad I went. I got a chance to see Brussels, if even for just a few minutes. The buildings in the grand square were really old and cool. I'll have to put this place on the list of places to visit. Click on the images for larger detail.

Reichstag building

Natural History Museum

With so much to see and so little time, we had to cut stuff out. One of the casualties was this museum, the Natural History museum. The place is huge and takes up multiple buildings on what is known as museum row. Still I managed to take a couple pics. I hope someday to have the opportunity to visit again and spend some time at this museum.

Berliner Dom and the Tower

Picture above is Berliner Dom with the Fernsehturm. The church itself is so big it looks fake. It's actually the third church to be built on this location. The first church was actually built on this spot in 1465. The church pictured above was built between 1898-1904. The Fernsehturm (pictured to the right of the church) is the tallest structure in Germany and is a TV tower.

Ich bin ein Berliner

After staying in what was once East Berlin and spending days in what was considered West Berlin, you can easily see how much America has played a part in the recent history of Berlin. It makes you proud of the part we have played here, and to now be here as an American. No visit to Berlin is complete without a visit to Brandenburg Gate. Bud and I managed to make it to this monument twice, the first during the day with huge crowds, which did not really do it.. or us justice. On the second trip we decided to wait until late at night, after the crowds had left. We hoped on our bicycles, rode down to the monument and because the crowds were long gone, we were able to stroll through the gates on our bikes. It was a great moment to be able to do that. I wont soon forget it... I am a Berliner!

Went to the museum of modern art today. The building has over two hundred pieces on display. One of my favorite pieces was the one above although I don't know anything about it. I did not write the artist name down. the best part was... Bud wanted to come here and I think he saw some pieces he's been wanting to see for a while.