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

Einstein's opinion

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Selling Leather Pants in the Ozarks

Wow, only a couple more weeks to IFS : Chico the River Wild, and the site is a bit of a ghost town, with the exception of a Booman bashing Phantom, and an Olbermann fan or two.  I like details, so here are my questions for the planning ministers, MOM, MOCS.

1. Has the decision between Van and Winnebago been decided?  How many people can the van / winnie fit?  Are SB people being picked up on the way or meeting in LA as well?  How many people are not coming in the van / winnie?  If we are doing the cheaper option - van at $45, that includes gas?  How will driving legs be decided?  Technological skills?
2. We are staying at Ministers homes, correct?  All this talk of hotels has left me confused.  Do we need to bring sleeping bags or pillows?  Are they smoking rooms?
3. The brewery tour is $10?  How much is the tubing?  Besides the transport, these are our only mandated costs correct?
4. Where are we having our Sat. morning meeting?
5. Is there free play time, or are we on a tight schedule of boozing and toobing?  Anything else planned?  Dinners? Bowling?

I need to know these things now, so that when I'm drunk in Chico I still know the score.  I appreciate all the hard work that is going into this trip, as I know it will be amazing.

Wow Dad, We Do It Big!

So this was initially going to be a marathon info update, but as I was perusing through some new photos I dug a little deeper and found some jems that represent some major events that have occurred up until the upcoming 500th post (crossing my fingers). When I look at some of the photos that have been taken, it wets my appetite for the next party, the next meeting, the next trip, the next visit, the next buffet after a party, the first wedding...holy shit, the first wedding.

But first, a little marathon info update:

Most importantly, the date of the marathon is April 29th, from Big Sur to Carmel, 26.2 miles. If you are planning on attending, which I know some of you are, give me a call so that we can talk about the housing situation. About my training: after drinking myself into the flu and tearing a silver dollar sized blister on one foot and a quarter sized blister on the other during the Super Bowl weekend, training was postponed for a week. But I am proud to mention that since then, training has commenced, and is going strong, real strong. My weekdays consist of going to work around 8:30, running an average of 8-10 miles during lunch, back to work till around 6, then to the gym for weights and more cardio on the bike or elliptical. On the weekends I tend to drink too much to run the next day. On Tuesday I ran the farthest I have ever run, 16.7 miles at an average 8:30 minute mile pace. Although I did not adequately prepare for running this great of a distance (it was kind of a spur of moment thing for that days run, thus I did not load up on carbs or liquids the day before or even that morning) I rose above the cramps due to the 80 degree heat and poor preparation, and the muscle and joint aches to finish at a good average mile time, knowing that with better preparation I can shave some time. I leave this update feeling very confident in the way my training is going.

Before the photo collage, Old Kings Road tomorrow night with Jordan if any of you are up for it (note: no harsh words in this post, just a simple invitation, didn't want to hurt any of our sensitive members).

2007 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade I attended, where were you Curtis? I thought I saw you a couple of times but it wasn't you. All the same. These guys in the yellow body suits where my favorite.

 

Curtis and I with seasonal facial hair at Forbe's Island and Pier 39 during Christmas. Amanda was present, but I felt more like Curtis' date except for when they started hooking up while I was in the bed. Amanda insisted I sleep on the bed and not on the floor.

Thanksgiving 2006 at the Mesa House, my stuffed 24 lb. beauties. Josh would have been proud. Just like the pilgrims.

IFS Grapes of Wrath. Just the beginning. They didn't know what they were getting.

      

Through Curtis' and my eyes.

Nova and I at the Chargers game. Sorry about your face Rams. Thanks Morgan.

Halloween 2006.  

Allergies and the resulting patch test.

IFS the Exodus.

Baez and I's stunning win at the inaugural S.L.O.W. boccee ball tournament, with thanks to Simone in the first game.

2006 Solstice Day Parade. This man is getting married in a couple months?

 

Me at the grassy knoll. X marks the spot...oh god I'm going to hell.

IFS Vegas. Chuy (damn picture won't load but try this link Download CIMG0272.JPG).

Halloween 2005. The greatest Halloween ever.

Two times. Minister of Athletics, I had to remind you all why.