Big Bear says: "I'M REAL."

Yes, everyone, Big Bear is REAL and less than a month away.  I've discussed these plans with many of you, but for those of you who are not caught up, here's what we've planned:

1) Three nights stay at the Lakeview Mansion in the heart of Big Bear - 1 mile from the slopes and a couple hundred yards off the main road through town.  We have the nights of the 29th, 30th, and 31st booked, with a morning/afternoon departure on the 1st of 2008.  This is the mansion:

2) The Mansion is strong.  It sleeps 16, but has room to sleep many more - the representative said upwards of 26 comfortably.  It is three stories high, with wrap around balconies overlooking the lake and the surrounding nature jam:

The interior features a jacuzzi, a pool table, a Pac Man arcade, an Asteroids arcade, a pinball machine, a big screen, a bar, a couple of fire places, a massive kitchen and a golden eagle:

3) Great location.  We'll be a quick drive or tram ride to the mountain, so picture drunken skiing or, if you want to get SICK, drunken snowboarding (540 McTwist Bra!!  Scratchin'!!!).   Also, we'll be walking distance from town, so a night or two at the local bars will be easy to swing.  There's also plenty of restaurants in town, a couple of which I know are strong from experience (one is a badass haunted prime rib joint).

4) The money.  It is $100 total for the three night stay.  All expenses beyond that are up to you - but figure transportation, food, booze, and rentals, if you are skiing, or snowboarding (Jason!  Sick!!!). 

5) Who's going?  Here's who:

Also, we have 11 more of Team IFS scheduled to go - with a few maybes.  So, this should be very strong - and I'm sure they serve flapjacks somewhere in Big Bear.

With all of that said, the money is due Monday.  So far, MOM, Competition, Interior Design, M+T, Letters, and myself have paid (I'll also be covering Revelry & Spirits).  Also, there are about five of you who have said that you were in, but have not yet paid the $100.  We need to work this out ASAP, otherwise, Amanda will be covering for you, which would be the opposite of strong.  If you haven't yet paid, call me, and we'll figure something out.  If you'd like to mail a check to Amanda, here's the address:

Amanda Farrell
3424 Lambeth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

For everyone else who hasn't yet joined in on these plans, call me and let me know if you're interested.  This will make for a very strong New Year's Eve celebration...Spray Jam in the snow.

- Rousing
(805) 453 - 1103   

The State of the Many Roles of Kurt Russell Address

In just two days, we will be uniting to form the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL.  For those of you who missed the first post, we will be uniting to form the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL at Amanda's house in Los Feliz this Saturday night.  Here's her address:

3424 Lambeth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Here's a "Breakdown" of who's coming and which Kurt Russell they will be portraying:

- Minister of Media and Technology will be Jack Burton from "Big Trouble in Little China." 
- Minister of MOM will be Snake Plissken from "Escape from L.A."
- Minister of Competition will be solar explorer, Col. Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neil from "Stargate."
- Minister of Rousing will be Dean Proffitt from "Overboard."
- Minister of Interior Design will be Coach Herb Brooks from "Miracle."
- Minister of Letters will be Michael Zane from "3,000 Miles to Graceland."
- Minister of Defense will be McCabe from "Vanilla Sky."
- Future Minister and IFS blood relative Ryan Maughan will be Stephen 'Bull' McCaffrey from "Backdraft."
- Longtime Friend of IFS and forever welcome Guest Member Ben Persons will be Captain Ron from "Captain Ron."

That's nine Kurt Russells by my count, just shy of double digit Kurt Russells.  Now, I know that Health/Trade will be attending the party - so if he dresses up as a Kurt Russell, then we'll have ten Kurt Russells total.  Also, Philanthropy is attempting to shift his work schedule around so he can make it as well.  International Affairs, Maritime, Athletics and Shwayne, we haven't heard anything from you four so please comment on this post with your status.  Younger/Taller/Athleticer and Letters will be coming down from SB, and Media will be coming up from the OC, so finding a ride should not be a problem.  Also, here's some last minute costume suggestions that should be easy to throw together:

- As Jeff Taylor in "Breakdown," Kurt wears a Ralph Lauren polo tucked in to khakis, and cool sunglasses:

- Kurt wears a tux in "Executive Decision" and a black suit in Poseidon (granted, you'd have to jump in a shower for this one).
- Wyatt Earp - we still  need one.  Calls for a taller man with a strong mustache and a cowboy outfit, so I'm thinking Esteban.  Whoever takes this role, the all black getup would be the right way to do it.
- "Dark Blue" would be easy.  Black collared shirt, leather jacket, light blue jeans and black sneakers:

Anyways, just some ideas.  Like Competition commented earlier, this seems destined as Kurt Russell made a strong appearance on South Park last night.  I hope everyone can make it.  The more Russells the better. 

- Rousing

A Russell for Every Season

Ministers, it's time.  It's time to transform an exciting idea into a harrowing reality.  On October 27th, we will unite to become the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL.  Most of you know about this concept, and hopefully you are excited to be a part of it.  For those of you who are out of the Russell-loop (Shwayne), here's a few reasons why we will soon be uniting to become the MANY ROLES OF KURT RUSSELL:

1) Kurt is HANDSOME

2) Kurt is STRONG:

3) Kurt is NICE:

So, now that you know the WHO (KURT RUSSELL) and the WHY (ABOVE), here's the WHEN, the WHAT/WHERE and the HOW:

WHEN: October 27, 2007.  The Saturday evening before Halloween.
WHAT/WHERE: Halloween Party at Amanda's home in Los Feliz.  Call me for directions.
HOW:
1) Choose one of Kurt Russell's roles (some costume suggestions included as well): Stargate (buzz cut, army fatigues), Tombstone (strong mustache), Backdraft, Escape from New York (eye patch), Escape from LA (eye patch, surf board), Soldier, Captain Ron (hawaiin shirt, speedo), Breakdown, Poseidon (tuxedo, step in the shower), Big Trouble in Little China, 3,000 Miles to Graceland (Elvis costume and machine gun), Miracle, Death Proof, and many more - full listing and pictures here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000621/. 
2) This has to be an organized process, otherwise, we'd have 8 Captain Rons showing up to the party.  So, when you have selected your Kurt Russell role, please comment on this post with your name and your desired role.  This will be a first come, first serve basis; if someone has picked Captain Ron, then you CANNOT be Captain Ron.  Maybe you can be Stargate or Vanilla Sky instead.
3) Create your costume and wear it to the party.   All costumes will require strong hair (some of you have this, some of us will need wigs - modified mullet wigs should work).
4) Take pictures with the other Kurt Russells at the party.  These pictures will be very strong.

The more Kurt Russells, the better, so I hope that all of you can make it.  Please comment with your picks, and with any questions that you may have.  Hope to see you all there.

- Rousing

Photo Essay

As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the oath of citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long.
                                                                                                        -Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Outdoor Adventure Squad Update

Outdoor Adventure Squad Update
It’s been a little while since the last OAS update, but I’ve been planning our next mission for a little while now. This afternoon four brave adventurers will travel southward to begin filming on my new project, “The Tacumentary”. The Tacumentary will be a bilingual exploration of Mexican cuisine and a sampling of Mexican waves. This surf/taco film will be sure to impress. We will be armed with surfboards, language skills, and stomachs hungry for a variety of Tacos. Stay tuned.

Viva Flapjacks! Viva OAS!

The Clock is Ticking...

Just a reminder to all ministers...  "Chico the River Wild" is just a month away.  We are still planning on taking our next meeting on the road for Memorial Day weekend. Reservations have been made at the finest hotel Chico has to offer and reservations have been made at the world famous Sierra Nevada Brewery.  Be sure to pack a swimsuit, a bowling shirt, a healthy appetite, and a thirst for microbrew because you'll use them all. 

The exact dates are May 25th-May 28th.  A large passenger van will be rented and depart Los Angeles Friday night to return Monday evening for all Southern California ministers.  I'm posting this a month in advance to remind all ministers to get off work, turn in your homework early or pacify your girlfriend.  Mark your calendars!  This will be a great journey and I expect all ministers within a thousand miles to be there.  Mahalo.

Twenty things to do today while high...

1. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are busy working on a remake of "3:10 to Yuma", no trailer yet, but a couple of stills to get you pumped.
2. If long haired cowboys isn't your thing, the new Bourne Ultimatum trailer is out on the interwebs.
3. There was no new Office this week, but there is a preview of next week's episode, and it is highlarious.
4. Southpark was really good this week, re-watch it or download it, or if you're really high you can check out Soutpark in French.
5. If you like to read while you're high, here's a look at what people at the turn of the 20th century thought our lives would be like.
6. In sports news, the Ducks won, and Ricky Williams wants to get high with the Rams.
7. Go see Hot Fuzz today, good reviews, and plenty of action / comedy.  Or if you're too lazy, I'm sure one of these movies is playing on some channel somewhere in the world.
8. Be sure to get up early tomorrow for Arcade Fire tickets.
9. If you're getting hungry, there are good fish and chips in Van Nuys.
10. Listen to Bill Bradley talk, yeah that's what I want to do when I'm high.
11. Is this what we'd look like if we were chicks?
12. Human Giant is out, and it's pretty funny, read about it, or watch it, I don't care.
13. This is what happens when you don't smoke weed, or smoke too much.  No this is what happens when you smoke too much.
14. Why don't you use your newfound creative juices to give me comments on the new site look?
15. There's a Gears of War tournament starting today, does anyone play that anymore?
16. Man, this movie looks like crap, except for the Jessica Biel in panties thing.
17. Is smoking weed good for you? Possibly  Do 14-year olds already know this?
18. Why is Howard Stern one of the only logical persons in the media?
19. Damn, twenty things is tough, and I'm getting the munchies.
20. Next meeting, we are all eating these...

Bring the Feast! (or) Break-Feast!

Curtis, as usual, wanted to get some KFC.  My sister had just given me $15 in KFC bucks.  What a wonderful coincidence!  Mashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw, mac and cheese, biscuits, one of every available type of 'snacker,' and of course, 15 pieces of chicken.  The onion, tomato, artichoke and eggplant were added for the sole purpose of this photoshoot.

   

 

500!  Horray!  My cup runneth over with free ale!

oh.. fame jam

Dear I.F.S. brothers. As many of you probably already know I, along with Estebrand, participated of the show Top Chef on Bravo. The episode that I was envolved aired last wed at ten and it'll be on again tonight at 9pm for those who missed out the great opportunity of seeing a fellow minister on national television.. fame jam.. Also, Christie and I are most probably going to get married on the may 6th. And it'll most probably be at butterfly beach. We're doing it!! Wedding jam..

Cheers

New Years Resolutions for I.F.S.

What is New Years without some resolutions?  But self-improvement resolutions are a sham, as most people break their resolutions due to a lack of will-power.  I know this self-effacing feeling all too well, so this year I will be making resolutions I can keep.  Here are the ones I am mulling over before the holiday deadline:

1. Drink more beer -  All too often I fall-in to calls for Jager shots / bombs and mixed drinks.  While I'll continue to drink these concoctions, beer will be my first choice at all times, which brings me two number two...
2. Drink better beer - I've already begun this one, but I still order too many low brow beers than is necessary at bars, Adolphus or better, except no substitutes.  If someone orders me a lesser beer I will promptly hand it off to the next sap sitting next to me.
3. Eat more flapjacks - This goes without saying, every member should consume at least a short stack a week.
4. Make my own flapjacks - This will save me money on #3, and make me a shoe-in for 1st place in the "Annual I.F.S. Flapjack Cook-Off", watch out Rabbi, Panamanian crepes don't count.
5. Spend more time at my local IHOP - Nothing shows greater character than knowing the help at your local eateries, well there are probably other things, but I want to know the local San Clemente IHOP staff on a first name basis.  This is going to take some work.  Maybe just hang out on a Saturday, and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there.  Tip well.