The L.A. Dime » 2008

Nov 30 2008

We are pleased to welcome….

…our newest member to the family! Sara Elizabeth was born to Ryan and Shelly Walters on November 24, 2008, weighing in at 7lbs 4oz and 19.5 inches long. All are doing well and we can’t wait to meet her!! Congrats to all! We had a chance to speak with Sara’s parents yesterday and they all seem to be settling in well. Big Brother Nolan is already a big help and very proud. Here she is…

3 responses so far

Nov 29 2008

Turkey Day 2008

Published by Tina under The People

Our LA Family came out in full force on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving at Hamlin House. Everyone contributed with yummy food, delicious drink and wonderful conversations. Our 22.6lb turkey turned out ok and Sophie had her first helping with some green beans, sweet potatoes and mashed taters. We are thankful for our family & friends, our health, our little Sophie, our jobs and our home.

Faleena and I headed out at 5:15am on Friday morning to get some deals and we were both able to cross a few people off our lists. I’ll be wrapping them today and we’ll all be putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations tonight!!

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Nov 24 2008

Slap Shot: The Junior League Hits the Ice

Published by Brad under The Industry

My movie, Slap Shot: The Junior League, hits all known video outlets tomorrow, November 25, 2008. You can watch the trailer here.

Due to studio mandate, it is not the bawdy, raucous, wonderfully lovely rated-R romp of the original. It is, however, a cute, satisfying, PG-13 family movie in the vein of The Mighty Ducks, providing a fun and unique reunion with The Hanson Brothers. There are many tributes to the original movie and my friends and family sprinkled throughout the story, so pay close attention. Hope you like it.

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Nov 23 2008

Sophia gets a puppy!

Published by Tina under Sophia

Thank you Nana for sending Sophia her first pet – Clifford the red dog is already getting lots of love! She hasn’t figured out how to pull him yet but likes to carry him from one side of the room to the other. While our little one continues to understand more and more each day, is super-active, gets into everything and has even started to snuggle a little, she also has quite a temper when things don’t go her way. She gets very frustrated, throws her head back, cries and is just a tad bit unpleasant to be around. Luckily it never lasts very long though and we too are learning to deal with it. We look forward to this year’s holiday season where she’s a little more aware of what’s happening around her. We are hosting turkey day in a few days so look forward to having our LA family (aka: closets friends) here to celebrate with us.

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Nov 23 2008

Baby Jack

Published by Brad under The Family

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting my nephew, Jack, at the Brown Hotel in Louisville. The same place, coincidentally, where I met my eldest nephew, Sawyer. They’re both classy, five-star guys.

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Nov 22 2008

Road Trip

Published by Brad under The Industry

Thursday, I returned from a road trip that took me to Louisville, where I briefly visited the Spalding Fall Residency, saw my family, and met my baby nephew Jack for the first time. Then I went on to Atlanta, where I hung out on the set of Road Trip II for a few days.

The cast and crew were fantastic, director Steve Rash was amazing as always, and if the laughs on set are any indication (which they’re aren’t always), we should have a pretty funny movie on our hands.

Here are shots with some of the principle cast: Nestor Absera, Danny Pudi, Michael Trotter, Preston Jones, and Julianna Guill.

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Nov 22 2008

Sophie’s first Haircut

Published by Brad under Sophia

A week ago, our little Sophie went to get her first haircut, in Beverly Hills no less. Atila Vass, friend of the family, founding member of Riddell’s Market Racing Team, and my, um, hair cut guy….(tough for me to say stylist, which is what he is), gave Sophie a snip on a Thursday night because her bangs were so long she could barely see. Atila, and everyone in the salon, were amazed at how well she behaved.

She had a bit of a fit walking to the salon, and then one in the restaurant afterward, but while she was in the chair, she was a little angel. Thanks for leaving her ears attached, Atila!

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Nov 11 2008

A Message of Love

Published by Brad under The People

Those who read this blog know that my political leanings are left of center, and therefore, are not in line with many of yours. And yet, from what I can tell, you continue to stop by to read it, and occasionally voice your opinions, and for that, I am extremely grateful. So please take the following not as a judgment or condemnation, but more of a plea to think deeply with your mind, and feel deeply with your heart.

A week ago today, the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency was a thrilling, hopeful event for me. As our tiny little family sat together in a friend’s living room watching the President-Elect speak, I felt renewed and inspired. In this country, truly, all things are possible.

And then, I got in the car.

Driving home in a fog of happiness, I learned that Prop. 8, designed to overturn a California Supreme Court decision that denying gays and lesbians the right to marry is unconstitutional, was on its way to passing. And then, that historic night suddenly became bittersweet for me. You see, Sophie has been to three weddings here in CA. They were all beautiful ceremonies for dear friends whom we spend a lot of time with, who babysit our daughter, who watch football and basketball games with us, who play fantasy football, who grill out with us, who love each other every bit as much as we do — and now, two of those marriages have been legally voided. Why? Because the couples are lesbians, and as such, are denied the same rights Tina and I take for granted every day.

Here’s the thing. I’ve argued, FOREVER, that this is a church and state issue. I can’t be convinced otherwise, so don’t bother. This issue has everything to do with religion. And the founding fathers, religious as most of them definitely were, expressly forbid the intermingling of church and state. So, on two fronts, in my view, the denial of gays and lesbians the right to marry is completely unconstitutional. Believe what you wish, teach your children what you wish, worship with whom and how you wish, but do not impose your beliefs on others to deny them their constitutionally guaranteed human rights.

I know he is considered a wacko amidst conservatives, much like Rush and O’Reilly are among liberals, but Keith Olberman makes a wonderful, clear, emotional, yet logically reasoned argument why Prop. 8 is wrong. Did you know that in 1967, in sixteen states, blacks could not marry whites, and in any one of those states, Obama’s parents — married at that time — could not have been wed? What are we doing saying whom can marry whom in a country that promises religious freedom and the pursuit of happiness for all, so long as we do no harm to others?

So please, take a few minutes to watch this clip, as I can’t make the case any clearer than Olberman does. And as you watch, consider this: have you met a gay or lesbian couple? Spent time with one? Been to the marriage of one? Seen their love for each other first hand? If not, then who are you to judge? Let God judge, if those are your beliefs. But in this country, it is not acceptable to deny basic human rights to a group of people due to your religious ideals. Far beyond law and faith, though, this is an issue of the heart, of love, and of happiness. How could so many Californians have been so cold? And as for me, I took Prop.8’s failure for granted. How could I have been so naive?

19 responses so far

Nov 08 2008

Yes we can.

Published by Brad under The Politics

I’ve waited a while to make this post. And for me, it’s not about gloating, or “told-ya-soing.” I’ve believed Obama was the right man for this job, at this time, since the beginning of the election cycle. But now, I have some thoughts on what should be done on both sides of the aisle.

The Democrats have been given an enormous responsibility by the American people. While the majority in the Senate is not fillibuster-proof, still, it is significant. With the House and the Presidency also shaded deep blue, it is time to get things done. The Democrats must stand together and unify with their President, and get the work done that they’ve promised. To accomplish this, they must work with their Republican counterparts despite the majority. Mandate or no, now is not the time to be divisive. (Incidentally, it’s ridiculous that 7% in the popular vote equals an electoral college slaughter. We need to do away with that system altogether.) It is the time to be decisive, yet inclusive. The politics of the past cannot solve our problems. All sides must come together to work as one.

To that end, I hope Republicans can do what Senator McCain asked, and work with Democrats to find common ground and compromise to benefit the American people. I hope they give this man a chance. It is important that all points of view are heard, and in reaching out to Republicans during his acceptance speach, Obama said as much. He wants to listen. He needs to hear all sides. I’m encouraged that, like Lincoln did with Democrats, he is considering placing Republicans on his cabinet. I do not ask that people blindly follow without criticism — there has been to much of that already these past eight years. I hope, though, that the President-elect is given a fair shot. That everyone will listen, will hear, will think, and will deeply consider what is presented to them, and not rule out ideas simply because they come from the other side of the aisle, or the other candidate. There can be no doubt that there is a great burden upon Obama’s shoulders, and it is in everyone’s best interest to support him as best they can — while remembering that he said himself, “I will not be a perfect President.”

One thing I’d like to see happen, that likely won’t, is for President Bush and Obama to get togther now, work together now, and start rebuilding the economy in the 70+ days before the inauguration. What would it say to the nation and to the world if these two men could put aside their differences and work for the common good, without wasting still more precious time at a critical juncture in our nation’s history?

The long wait until January aside, I am excited. I’m hopeful. But I’m not overconfident, and I certainly don’t believe electing this man will solve all our problems. We must act individually — to save money, to reduce debt, to live responsibly in terms of our finances and the environment, and to be active in the political process to hold our leaders accountable. Together, as one nation, with individuals doing their part and our leaders working together for the people and not special interests — I still believe in “Yes we can.”

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Nov 04 2008

Inspiring

Published by Brad under Sophia

At Jake and Aiyana’s Election Vigil, Sophie witnesses history.

Archive for November, 2008