Joshua Tree

Thanks Danny for an awesome video.

Free video hosting, video codes at www.vidiLife.com

Joshua tree (pronounce it in Hebrew: "Yeshua") trip was awesome. We left SLO and headed South but didn't make it far as Chris' rock crawler truck broke--the drive train fell off. So we left it in Santa Barbara and continued on. Stick to the code!

But our pace was hindered by the influx of Southern Californian's who decide to all drive their own car at the same time, roughly between the hours of 2PM and 7PM. Traffic. Chris headed towards his house and I, Erik, towards mine a little further South. A quick stop for each and then off again to meet Keith. We sped towards the desert to stay at Chris' grandparent's condo. We woke up early after a late night of photography..

We shopped for food and then we left towards our destination. Into the wilderness. We had met Chris' bother and his friends and took an old mining road up to Joshua tree which required off-road vehicles--totally hard core to the max! I think someone even had a locker. It was incredible!
Bobby DeNiro--we're on a first name basis.

Jen Vangirlfriend waving to her fans.

The crew taking a break while off-roading.

Hmmm . . . which way to danger?

Dirk Diggler came on the trip too.

Rock climbing is abundant in this high desert which is filled with piles of rocks spanning across the landscape. From bouldering to trad climbing it has it all.

Kyle rappeling off of one of our first climbs which ended up being more trouble than it was worth. Kyle and I climbed it as much as we could, or as much as we wanted too. It was sharp and crumbly. Not a good combo. My skin likes it not. We set up another route on a more enjoyable rock which offered a greater variety of climbs and range of difficulties.

Janai working her way up a fun climb with many variations. Towards the top it becomes a 5.10d. Only the brave fly so high.

Towards dusk we would view the sunset hiking to various ridge lines to watch the blue sky fade into an orange-amber with whisps of purple following the clouds. We usually trail-blazed which is easy and exciting in Joshua tree. What's over that?

We left on Sunday and stopped to eat at Fat Burger where they didn't want to feed Rich and I, maybe because we didn't have receipts, maybe because we didn't pay. I don't really remember, but we got our burger, fries, and drink eventually. . . And then the goodbye we all knew was approaching . . .


The goodbye photo. What a great trip! We miss you all already.

Camping Out at Tassajara

A little rough housing and see what happens. Some people know the real story...

Another Central California Sunset

Laura Thompson (LT to some) had moved into a new home in Shell Beach, so evening we walked to the local beach and read, played frisbee, and watched another beautiful, central California sunset.

Shell Beach, CA

The three brothers--Andrew, Erik, and Steven Homestead


SLO friends--Rich, LT, and Erik

Off-Road Mayhem

One morning we awoke to the smell of pancakes and bacon at Kyle's parents' house near Lake Lopez. We had a slumber party stuffing 8 into the living room. Anyways, the smell of the bacon inspired us to go destroy some nature with some 4x4 trucks with extra large tires--off roading. Our goal was to follow High Mountain Road to Pozo Saloon for some burgers.

Shorty--Chris' extra sick, hard core rock crawler--was hungery for some river boulders.

It's appetite was satisfied here. Moments before the front differential (this thing that does something important in making the tires turn . . . I think) slammed into a rock and dented the casing. But there was no serious damage done. Chris had to navigate out of the river and up the poison oak infested river bank. Erik had to place a boulder under one of Chris' tires, which, I might add, made the difference between failure and success.

We finished playing in the river, . . . well Chris did, and we headed into the foothills.

Look at the flex in that front suspension! . . . You should see the hips sway!

Chris peeks out to make sure he is picking the gnarliest path.

After all that off-roading we made it to Pozo Saloon and ordered someone delicious burgers. The off-roading was so henious Jen couldn't handle it and was still trippin' at Pozo.

SLO Town and the T Boyz

The Editor "found" these pictures of some "unknown skaters" who were ripping it up in an "unknown stucture" in an "unknown town."

An unknown skater shreds around a corner . . . while playing his harmonica.

Four unknown skaters crouch low, arms out as they race down an unknown structure.

Two unknown skaters chat at the top of the unknown structure before they bomb down at wicked speeds.

An unknown skater keeping his lead trailed by another unknown skater.

Hook It Up Breakfast (2 for 1 Special)

Aw, yes . . . Valentine's Day. A day rooted in a story that almost nobody knows about. It all started with a Saint Valentine, who, back in the day, married people when it was illegal because the king (or whatever he was) wanted the men to stop marrying and start fighting. Mr. Valentine was imprisoned and sentenced to death because of his secret union making. During his imprisonment he met a certain someone--the hot daughter of the jail keeper. Yes, they fell in love and he wrote her a letter the night before he was executed. It was signed "Love your Valentine." Yes it is sad, but yes it is romantic. Kinda like Romeo and Juliet.

So one day Kyle and Erik thought it would be fun to eat cheap burrito's at the Breakfast Buzz; they have a 2 for 1 Special on Tuesdays. The next Tuesday happened to be Valentine's Day and so history was made. Let the HOOKING UP comence!

Steve and Julie HOOKING IT UP!*

Kyle, Erik, and Kristie HOOKING IT UP!*

Stephanie, Lori, and Charity all smiles before breakfast and HOOKING IT UP!*

Christian and Janai HOOKING IT UP!*

Kristie excited about HOOKING IT UP!* with Erik.


*(Note from the Editor: All "HOOKING IT UP!" comments were added by the editor and have no substantial evidence whatsoever. The implied relationship of "HOOKING IT UP" may or may not exist between any persons mentioned above. The implication of future "HOOKING IT UP" between the individuals pictured together cannot be assumed based on the information given. The statement "HOOKING IT UP!" was added for emphasis and its purpose merely for humerous intensions. The only real couple present was Kyle and Jen who were never pictured together.)

Throughout the day many Valentine's Day gifts were given and received.

Kyle proud of his Valentine card to be given to Jen (his Valentine) during their Valentine dinner on Valentine's Day.

Erik holding up an anonymous gift given to the Tassajara House Boys--a SpongeBobSquarePants box of chocolates was just one of many items.

4th Annual Christmas Tree Burning Festival

Just over a month after Christmas a tradition was continued in which all who gather for Christmas around their Christmas tree were asked to come and gather around their Christmas tree but on fire. Save those Christmas trees! Let them age to a fine golden brown and then burn them in a blaze of beautiful glory. Preferably in numbers. I think we had 25 plus trees?

This is just one tree . . . imagine 10 (or was it 12) doused in desiel fuel and lit by tossing a flaming tennis ball into the awaiting inferno. There is a video of it so maybe when I figure that out you will see it.

The glowing Ember Forest after the big blaze.

Tim Romano flaming hot with his just torched Christmas tree, still hot.

Chris, Erik, and Kyle posing in front of the Ember Forest.

From the Westside to the Eastside

Ni hao! I'm back and ready to go back already. China was spectacular. A land of chaos and people and food and buildings and buildings being built and friends and new friends and new places a new language and a new future. I spent two weeks there, the first week with my dad tagging along on a business trip living a 5 star/5 diamond rockstar life. Oh the executive business suites, the multi-course meals, the foot massages, the private car with our private body guard driver, . . . yes, international business has its benefits. I was with my dad in Qingdao and got to hangout with a good buddy of mine, Anthony. My dad, Fred (another furniture designer), and I had the privlege of attending one of the factory's year end banquet. Lots or food and lots of drink if you know what I mean. Gan bei! They asked me to karokee and I did and ended up singing 4 songs (in a sort of sing-off against the other Chinese men), getting a bouquet of flowers, a flower from a girl, two other girls sang with me, the mayor of the city sang with me as well as the factory owner . . . it was crazy. They asked me to come back next year. Note to others: if you are western and can sing you will make it in China. I told my dad afterward that I get 25% of any increase of business due to my performance.





I traveled to Hangzhou with the business men to see more factories and see the beautiful west lake. It is quit famous in China. There seemed to be more historical relics and buildings and temples and museums to see there which was great. The company we were visiting even provided an English speaking guide, Mary, who I believe worked for sales in the company. The west lake was very high class with Ferrari, Rollex, Versace, etc. stores along the streets. However the lake itself was surrounded by a splendidly landscaped walkway. The older folks come out in the morning to ballroom dance, sing in choirs, and peform caligrophy and taichi; the younger people come out in the afternoon, usually paired up. It is a romantic place. I joined the business men at nights for delicious dinners and an occasional foot massage.

I left the rockstar life and headed to Shanghai to see a friend, Deb, who teaches a 3rd grade English tract at a private elementary school. Shanghai is racing towards the future and not looking back. Things to do in Shanghai: eat a lot and shop a lot. We also went to a German pub and went karokeeing. You could actually forget you are in China sometimes with all the English speaking forgein teachers. I met so many and they were all super fun. I met all the kindergarten teachers, one guy, Chris, was in his best friends wedding who went to Cal Poly . . . he was in my freshmen dorm study, Ben Nelson. What a small world. And another couple were good friends with someone in SLO. I interviewed with the director of the lower elementary school and am 99.9% sure I will be an English tract kindergarten teacher next year. I sat in on some classes, oh they are so cute and it will be so fun. Chris, you know, the tall one, will most likely be teaching kindergarten too. We will split an apartment which will actually be an upgrade in living conditions for a lot cheaper per month rent. Don't cry Tassajara . . . I still love you. Wu ie ni . . . I don't know how to spell it but I can say it; it's "I love you" in Chinese.





After Shanghai I flew back to Qingdao and watched like 173 movies at Anthony's. They have accumilated hundreds of DVD's since they are under a dollar their. We also bought a 35 lb firework for Chinese new year and fired it off in the middle of the street. Only in China.