The L.A. Dime

We live in a society that thrives on bite-sized information packaged for quick consumption, allowing us to bypass the work of reading, interpreting, understanding and criticizing. I’m likely going to offend someone who reads this blog by merely suggesting that America is imperfect (God forbid), but I think one of our biggest problems today is that no one is thinking for him or herself. We rely on Fox and CNN. We care more about celebrities and sports than we do politics. We don’t read the newspapers. We listen to sound bites and endless analysis and let others decide for us.

If ever there were a time to actually spend some time reading and thinking, it is now. Let me suggest you start with Senator Obama’s speech on race. You can watch it on video using the same link, but I urge you take the time to read it. And think about it. And decide for yourself what the real issues of this election are. Decide for yourself what matters. Do you remember writing research papers in high school and college, when you had to cite multiple sources on an issue to prove your point, and then fully address the counter argument to your thesis? There’s a reason they taught us to do that.

Sophie’s first Easter included brunch with the Dempseys, and efforts at a photo shoot around Hamlin St. in her pretty spring dress. It was close to 90 degrees by the time we got to shooting, and soon learned that our little girl does not like grass. At all. She’d stand with one foot on her blanket and keep the other one raised to avoid the lawn. Weird. Anyway, we got a few shots worth sharing.

Each year the Dime’s family and friends fill out their brackets and compete to have their name engraved on the Erlanger Banger, a $100 trophy cup stuffed with a squeaky basketball dog toy.

Sophie, featured here in her Xavier polo (which is sure to elicit several “He’s cute, what’s his name?” comments at Target today), is proud of her daddy for winning the trophy in convincing fashion last year, and wants to keep it in our possession.

So I found myself in a bit of jam recently, but the good kind, at least for a screenwriter — too much work.  The first draft of Road Trip II was to be delivered ASAP in hopes of getting it together for production this summer, and I had two pitches to develop — one for Universal and one for MTV. Three days of daddy day care would have made all of that tough to pull off this past week, if my Mom hadn’t come to the rescue to care for Sophia. They had a great time, we had a fun visit, and so far, I’ve hit all my deadlines.

We took time out on Sunday to visit the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys and take a few photos. The Jeep Liberty All-Terrain Stroller was provided courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Taco Salad.

Evidence of Chompers can be seen in the second-to-last photo.

Baby sitting Sophia while I was at a meeting yesterday, Kelly took this picture of our little March Madness princess.

Here are some random, fun shots from before and during the Riddell visit for the LA Bike Tour. Bloody Marys courtesy of Taco Salad.

Sophia is six months old, today!

Announcing a new presence in the Blogosphere:  Taco Salad, Brian Riddell’s zesty mix of happenings, musings, life, and interesting tidbits.  Zoom over and take a bite.

This time last year I was enduring my epic L.A. Marathon run in sweltering heat. My dad came out to support me then, a life-long coach, providing massages, encouragement and a calming influence. Before we even made it home from the race, we had decided that next year (this year), he would come out again and we would ride the course in the Acura L.A. Bike Tour. This morning we accomplished our mission, alongside my brother, Brian (now an excellent cyclist himself), who made the trip as well. The temperature was much cooler, and the course far more fun on wheels instead of feet. Amidst 15,000 other riders, we finished in a little under 90 minutes (the Marathon took me over 5 hours).

When we lost my grandmother, dad’s mother, Libby — known to family as “Me-Me” — last year, Brian had the idea that we memorialize her, and the chain of markets she owned with her late husband, Lewis, in the 40’s and 50s. Thus, Team Riddell’s Markets was born, with jerseys designed by Mark Dempsey. Joining us today were Jan, Mark, and Atila — worthy teammates, and now welcome members of our family. Here are some shots from the ride: