You're a grand ol' flag as interpreted by Georgia.

Three on a Match at The Deer Lodge 7-5-14

Here's a couple of videos from last night. Thanks for all who came to upper Ojai for a gig that started at 11 pm at night!

Best Father's Day present...so far.

I received this book mark from Georgia for Father's Day this year. 

The front was cute but the back... 

was memorable.

That's some really good advice! For the record, I do not say that although I've heard Laura tell this to the kids occasionally. I'm sure her teacher (who wrote was Georgia recited) got a kick out of writing this little tidbit on a Father's Day present. I have it hanging in my office...I love it.

Mother's Day 2014

Georgia is funny, even when she isn't trying to be. Below is Georgia's Mother's Day book she gave to Laura yesterday. She didn't waste any time innocently calling out her mother's love of wine. Also, Georgia has a little bit of work to do on her understanding of height and weight in terms of numbers, but a 40 ft tall Laura is a good guess!!

There's just no room in bed for me nor the cat.

Anatomy of a Christmas Card

One of the best things about Christmas is making a Christmas card; at least it used to be. This last year we jumped the shark. We went overboard. We doubled-down on levity. Why is the chicken shooting a laser at our cat? I guess the cat was too far away for the chicken to peck it to death. 

We had a couple of ideas but nothing really stuck. From there I just decided that it would be best to include some content that revealed the additions we made to our household in 2013. That being...chickens. So originally they were just going to grow in size and chase us down the street. The laser coming out of the chicken eye was a last minute addition. 

It was the first year that Photoshop was introduced into the mix. As a traditionalist, that concerns me. Nevertheless, it's a fun challenge. For 2014 we're going to have to scale back some...go old school with it. No Photoshop. 

Markswomanship 101

Parker is a terrible shot. Actually let me restate that. Parker is a terrible shot unless she's shooting at asian woman who's pictures are in the newspaper. She couldn't hit a target but once she cut out a picture of an asian woman from the Ventura County Star she couldn't miss.

A Chip Off the Ol' Block

December 6 was Uncle Geoff's 45th birthday. Parker made a very telling birthday card for her uncle. Included in this card was a picture of her and Geoff running beneath a rainbow. Also, she shared some thoughts with her uncle that just leaves me brimming with pride.

Yes, dad is proud.

Daughter #1 is officially a chip off the ol' block! Now it's time to focus on Georgia.

All my years of sarcasm and satire with the kids are finally paying off!

The Best Halloween Yet

Yep, that's what the girls were saying.....It was the best Halloween ever.

Vampire Ella, Taylor Swift, Super G-Girl, Black Swan Ali

We set up a scare station including reach-in-and-feel boxes that contained brains, eyeballs, and intestines. We had scary glow eyes in the bushes, a fog machine and spooky music. All the cousins were excited about this, especially the boys, Caleb, Ephraim and Tobias who wore very scary costumes and enjoyed scaring all the trick or treaters who came our way.

Ava, Daphne, Sylvia, Bubbers, Peyton, Parker, Lexi, Raquel, Ella Georgia, Ali, Tobias, Ethan, Ephtaim, Caleb

The kids sprinted from house to house.  Halfway around the block Parker was begging for water.

Beck-a-boo and Bubbs

Walter White manning the scare station

G Money Turns Five!

Our little girl is turning into a big girl...boo hoo hoo!  

Bloody nose birthday

 Georgia had her first big dance performance this week.  She's been dancing with her two pals, Maddie and Makayla at Billy Clower this year.  They all love it and got their moment on the big stage.

Maddie and Georgia putting on makeup before their number

Sassy and photogenic

 Georgia had the most fantastic dance teacher, Ellie.  She was Billy Clower's protege starting at age 23.  She was a gifted teacher and developed a wonderful relationship with the girls.

Laura, Georgia and Teacher Ellie

The Class:  Georgia, Darby, Madeliene, Makayla, Irie, & Amy

Birthday dinner in our backyard

It's Over Johnny

Blog Post #400 brings some saddening news to local music fans.

The full text of the article is below.

Vincent Valcone

Associated Press

The Ventura music scene is reeling after news from The Magnificent Fantastic’s management that the band is no more.  Citing interpersonal differences and work/family challenges, Scott Powers, one of its founding members has decided to call it quits. “I’ve come to a point where it’s time for this rock and roll Samurai to re-sheath his blade and walk away” he exclaimed yesterday afternoon at his local bar “Gigi’s”. Powers confirmed the news and made it clear that the band name was protected under copyright. “I’m not going to let happen to me like what happened to Roger Waters and Pink Floyd in the early 80’s. If Jeff thinks he’s going to reform the band, use our band name and rake in tons of money on a nation-wide stadium tour, he’s got another thing coming! I’ll get one of those Jew lawyers and sue his Portuguese ass!” He later rescinded this remark and stated his lawyer probably wouldn’t be Jewish because they charge more for their services. 

Speculation had been rife that the band was no more. As each musical project ensued, the drama would as well. Powers expounded further his dissatisfaction, The duo of Barroca-Powers had been playing music in different incarnations for the past 28 years starting with Page 3, Aspiring Skies, Inclitorotti, Ultra Penguin 3000 (UP3K) and finally with The Magnificent Fantastic. He later exclaimed in the interview, “I have always enjoyed creating and playing music with Jeff and if only that that could occur in a vacuum, but in reality it can’t.” Towards the end of the impromptu interview Powers, visibly emotional cried out “take me out of the oven and let me sit on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 10 minutes before eating cuz this piece of meat is done.” He then collapsed to the floor holding his daughter's favorite blanket quietly singing "her name is Seasquirt and her's my best friend" while in the fetal position.  

MagFan’s last performance was in March of 2012 at the Hollings Street Leap Year Birthday Bash. Powers briefly discussed the stress and external drama that came with each musical project. “I felt like I was in Game of Thrones playing the part of Robb Stark at a wedding hosted by Walder Frey, it was terrible”.  When asked about the commitment he made to his wife to get the band together for her 40^th birthday party in 2016, Powers exclaimed “I’ve already booked young Katie Wicks and her electric ukulele. We’ll serve cake, play games, it’ll be a blast”. 

 "I'm done with it, it's time for me to go 

solo cuz let's be honest 

I was Hall and he's Oates."

Mr. Barroca was contacted by phone for a response to the news. When told of the news the introverted collaborator in MagFan muttered “oh.” After a minute of uncomfortable silence Mr. Barroca mumbled some indiscernible syllables then eventually hung up the phone.

When asked about his future in music, Powers opined “my wife has always thought I should be a singing coach for the vocally impaired, I intend to follow that dream and have chosen her to be my first student. I know she’ll be excited to hear this”.