Big Nick. Nicholas. Nico. Pio. Pickles.

2008-08-26T10:21:00.001-07:00

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2008-07-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

My first 5K from June 21st.

2008-07-16T09:42:00.001-07:00

2008-05-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

Reading about the whole Rachel Ray is a terrorist sympathizer nonsense put me in the photoshop mood. Time to make the IEDs!

2008-04-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

I've had the great honor of working on Nickelodeon's The Mighty B! for the last two years (starting with the pilot!). Last night I got to celebrate the fruits of our labor with the Premiere party at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio courtyard. Along with the amazing crew and two of the three co-creators, my friends Cynthia True and Erik Wiese, we celebrated as any young scout would, over fire pits and melting s'mores.

As always, Nickelodeon knows how to throw a fun bash. In the corner, a "Bee Bash" bar--with honey liqueur!

All the campers gathered around to watch "Bee my Baby" and "Bee Afraid."
Watch the show. You'll love it!

2008-04-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

I went "Mt. Biking" with a couple buddies from work this weekend.
It really should've been called "Taking my P.O.S. bike for a walk." An eight mile walk. Up a Mountain, and then on the way back the bike fell apart so-to-say. I landed on my my leg. Behold its stinging and gooey glory.

On an unrelated note, while hanging out at Em's studio I found this plaque on Sound Stage 8. Anybody? Anybody?

2008-03-31T12:17:00.001-07:00

Mr. Snuggles gets a bath. More at mrsnugglesthedog.blogspot.com

2008-03-27T15:30:00.001-07:00

2008-03-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

This will brighten your day.

Watch this first.

Now watch this.

2008-03-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Elbows up, side to side.

2008-03-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

More at mrsnugglesthedog.blogspot.com

2008-03-05T20:48:00.001-08:00

So as many of you know, I've been on a diet. In case you were wondering how my progress has been... check it. Woot. Man I could go for a beer though.

2008-03-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

So I've made a blog entirely for pictures of our new puppy child, Mr. Snuggles. Check it. I have a feeling that site will be updated a helluvahlot more than this one. I think in the future, when I have real kids, that I'm going to be that dad with hundred and thousands of photos...but first, Mr. Snuggles.

2008-02-29T13:52:00.001-08:00

World, meet the newest member of our family. Mr. Snuggles.

2008-02-28T11:17:00.001-08:00

Cute Asian thing.

Dragons.

More dragons.

Must be a parade.
I took a bunch of photos from the Chinese New Year parade, but I seemed to have misplaced them. Em and I walked to the subway and then visited downtown. It was a fun getaway trip. 新年快乐!

2008-02-28T10:27:00.001-08:00

Ahh, beautiful Lake Mead. I seem to visit this place every time a friend is in Vegas, and this trip was no exception. However this excursion to the desert was an extra special one (even more so then when I stripped down to my underwear and blinded the world and K with my white, white body and swam in the muck) because I actually took the Dam tour. The god dam tour. Inside. !! But first:

I always feel like I'm in an Ayn Rand novel when I cross the bridge. As it has been said a million times, brilliant Art Deco architecture.

And brilliant hair. I took a lot of pictures of this woman. However, I'm sparring you all-- but nothing is more hypnotic than a blond (and what I'll call) basket weave. Click to enlarge.

I think the video during the tour gave the impression that there was plenty of water to be had, and that it was just the 'off season'...but I don't believe it. The fish were practically sunbathing.

To prevent traffic hiccups and allow big rigs to travel again across in to Arizona, they're building what has to be one of the largest arched bridges.

Ever.

You gotta love that water though. And the little secret tunnels. It's my childhood dreams carved into the mountain. I once tried to dig up the back yard, so I could have toboggan tubes like they had in Gummi Bears.

Now you can't really tell what's going on in this pic-- but this man, standing in the queue, was wearing overalls. You don't find too many people in Los Angeles sporting this garb unless they're on a construction site. Call me petty, but I thought it was a hoot. We all loaded into a massive elevator (120 people!) and descended. One woman had terrible claustrophobia and ran out even before the doors closed, but then was coaxed back in by her husband. I leaned over to Dante and said, "I hope she looses it!" We giggled. Now I never get motion sickness, but this ride for some reason pushed me to the edge. Maybe instant karma revenge?

Staaaaar Treeeeek.

But in actuality it's the diversion tube, some 500ft below the dam. This old 49'er told us the history of the dam, and he was great. I love old tour guides. And I told everyone around me how much I thought he was great.

This is the Nevada Power Plant, at the bottom of the Dam. Massive! And of course with the great Art Deco touches. To my VT homies, the floor was the same as Park Street! (and of course no one will remember this, but I always pay attention to terrazzo when I see it.)

The viewing deck.

And the giant insert magnet thingy for the generator. That's the scientific term of course. But more importantly, look at the scale! Massive!

And this is from above, looking down at where we just were. (Right hand side, of the picture is the plant.) Amazing non!?

2008-02-27T17:52:00.001-08:00

On my little trip this past weekend, I was able to hang out with one of my favorite fams, The Russos. You'll be hard pressed to find a more generous and hilarious lot. Here, Mr. Russo poses for the camera.

And here, I think I'll get in trouble for posting this. But she knows I love her.

The Russo brothers at the Dam.

The Russo bros looking at the new highway.

The Russo trio, remember kids-- heat kills.

Dante at the mountain.

And Dante at the lake. There's actually a lot more pictures of Dante-- he loves to be photographed. But he's great to photograph, so it's a win win.

2008-02-27T17:14:00.001-08:00

Any good tourist attraction should have an equally kitschy gift shop. The Hoover Dam is not without exception. This wasn't my first trip to the Dam, or its gift shop, but actually the first time I brought along a camera. I documented some of the best finds. Above, the classic bling bling (cliche town) tank top, a perfect polyester blend to capture and reflect that desert light, and all the Dam's glory.

And while basking in the Dam's glory, why not America's too? Fuck ya! Freedom!

The perfect trifecta. The spirit of America represented by its spirit animals. The only thing that could beat this box would be a t shirt with lightening bolts, and of course an American flag. I'll be on the look out.
.

The spirit of the local Native Americans is of course represented in their native colors. Tie Dye. Cue that funky saxaphone StarWars bar music.

Now this is when things get fun. I suppose the Dam has had many a guardian angel with down syndrome looking after the many workers and tourists-- because let's face it--it's a dangerous place. Steep drops, scorching rays and..

...The Evil Penguin Pony! Beware it's icy glare.

To finish off, a wonderful gift not from the Dam, but L.A.'s own 99¢ Store. It's like the sculptor released the optometrist from the plaster block, much like Michelangelo and his marble. Comes with or without foam.

2008-02-27T16:46:00.001-08:00

In my continuing series of friend's album covers, here's a sneak peek of Dante Russo's new CD. The cover art was shot exclusively on location at the Hoover Dam on ramp, and the "Dam Good Gift Shop." The album includes the hot new single, "Janice, you bitch." and everyone's favorite-- "Boulder City Blues (remix)." It drops next Tuesday at all major outlets.

Front Cover Art.

Back Cover.

2008-02-27T13:19:00.001-08:00

I Heart Photoshop pano-stiching thingy. What an amazing fun tool. So above we have some shots of the Hoover Dam, and below my room/view at Planet Hollywood. The files were huge, so I had to scale them down, but I think if you click on them, they'll get better. More to come.

2008-02-26T21:41:00.001-08:00

Please watch, because this pretty much sums up my life right now. Pics will be posted tomorrow.

2008-02-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

'Nuff Said.

2008-01-22T18:17:00.001-08:00

Into the heart of Long Beach. One sentence Tour.

The theme song to "Enterprise" plays on loop..."it's been a long time..."

Giant Replicas of the TNG and TOS. Yeah that's right, I'm going to nerd out with acronyms.

So at this point Jay, Dave and myself were beyond words, mostly giggles. Behold the collections of heads. Assimilate.

Andorian.

K'ploch.Time cop.

This... I'm not sure who this dude is.

Oh Data.

Gold plated latnium.

They were selling these in the ghetto-gift shoppe. Along with bears in tshirts and water bottles. Lame.

Exhibition Floor.

So here's a two part pic: Above is the 'green-screen yourself into an original episode' and below is the fellow nerd who is actually doing it.

The shuttle pod ride. The ten year olds sitting in front of us were not as amused. Still giggling.

Notice the 'wedding' picture in the back ground.

Dr. Crusher's sexy robe.

Captain's palace.

Corridor. Still giggling.

Low lit engineering.

Rufio!

Oh DS9, my first trek crush.

Are you tired of this yet?

I did have a before and after pic taken on the pad, but it's beyond dorkdom.

Khaannnnn!

You gotta love the 90's color scheme.

Sexy mood lighting.

And then the end of the tour. Click to enlarge.

And then to top it off, a trip to the Queen Mary, and a go with the antiaircraft guns.

And that in a nutshell was it.

2008-01-19T17:06:00.001-08:00

I got a new camera. I got a new camera. I got a new camera.
Behold the stick:

Behold Emily:

These files have yet to meet Photoshop yet, since I'm still setting up my new (and wonderfully used, thanks Liz!) PowerBook.

2007-12-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

All Dressed Up: Saw Mr. Russo in High School Musical the other night at the Kodak. 4 Amarettos later, we went to the:

HA! We were sitting very close to a Mr. Collin Ferrell.
The End.

2007-10-15T16:44:00.001-07:00

There are a lot of pictures for me to show off....I think the easiest way would be for you to click on this.
I had on Friday gone through many of the pictures and made em' pretty, but my computer is acting too pokey for that post. Enjoy.

2007-08-20T17:05:00.001-07:00

Em's sister and finance came for a visit the other week. To end the journey we had amazing seats on the first base line at a Dodger's game. We sat next to Arizona fans, drank beer and ate Nachos. Glorious.

2007-08-20T17:03:00.001-07:00

Ahh, almost caught up. Our Mighty B! panel at ComicCon. Wonderful camera phone action again, this was early on, as the room had many more people in it during the screening. Lots of laughs. An encouraging sign!

2007-08-20T17:02:00.001-07:00

Ivan the Terrible. A cube of fur and love.

2007-08-20T16:51:00.001-07:00

On the road to Vegas to see K. On the phone with D, as he got dressed for High School Musical.D. as the nerd guy who worms across the stage, as he's on the phone with me.

K.'s coworker's wedding in Vegas, a new Vegas first for me. Notice the Black square in the center of the image. That's the two way mirror video hole. Missing from image: Casio Keyboard, "love lift us up where we belong."

The new bridge at the hoover damn. Missing picture. Me in my undies swimming in lake Mead. Stunning.

2007-08-20T16:49:00.001-07:00

At the Dan Flavin exhibit on Mother's Day Weekend at LACMA. We're not pretentious Hollywood hipsters that have to wear sunglasses indside, just because. We're Valley kids who couldn't bare the insane amount of light coming from the installations.

2007-08-20T16:48:00.002-07:00

The Good Year Blimp, as scene from the parking garage roof at Nickelodeon.

2007-08-20T16:43:00.001-07:00

At the MoMa on a rainy April afternoon with the Sab and D.

Water Lilies.

My old digs in the hill. Notice the fancy new T-Stop. Also, my sister sporting her rain jacket, before the marathon in April. Of course the cell phone couldn't capture her blazing fast running, so don't bother asking for pics of the actual event.

2007-08-20T16:42:00.001-07:00

On the ferry to Alcatraz. Some time in...April? May? Who knows.

2007-08-20T16:40:00.003-07:00

Continuing the adventures of Terrible Cell Phone Pictures- here we are at the Nickelodeon Kid Choice awards. JTimberlake is hanging from the orange blimp in front of us.

2007-08-20T16:40:00.001-07:00

Hi.

2007-08-20T16:26:00.001-07:00

Pops came to visit at some point during my non posting period... maybe it was march? I dunno, I can't keep any of these dates straight. Just be happy I posted something ok? Well, here he is relaxing in the ultra posh lounger found at the Burbank Holiday Inn Tower.

Went to the Getty, where we saw this little munchkin in her ruby reds.

Also toured LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pitts. Here are the remains of some of the locals from the Hollywood agencies found around the Miracle Mile stretch.

2007-08-20T16:25:00.003-07:00

Em and I hiked up the Verdugo mountains behind the Fairmount house in...march? Maybe April. 'Tis the val, and a landfill.

2007-08-20T16:25:00.001-07:00

Valentine's Day Cookie.

2007-08-20T16:24:00.001-07:00

I have two piggy banks. Only one is a pig.

2007-08-20T16:22:00.001-07:00

Johanna Sorrentino's roommate collects Bob Ross-esque paintings and then modifies them. Can you spot the difference?

2007-08-20T16:20:00.001-07:00

Christmas Trek across New England with Mom and Angus.

A gentle pug...

who loves his cowboy pup chow.

Until it gives him puppy gas, and stinks up the CRV.

2007-08-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Alfredo's Mexican Cantina. Nicotine stained walls and waiters in tuxedos. Salted Margs and combo plates.

2006-12-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

What's quintessentially LA besides waiting in traffic? How about waiting in traffic to see Christmas lights!!

Every year the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power put on a light show near the zoo in Griffith Park. The road leading to the entrance is a couple miles long, and placards remind you (a la theme park queues) that only a brief 9o minute ride stand between you and this incandescent wonderland. As one drives through the parkway, various LA hotspots are illuminated. The effect is amplified through deep breaths of exhaust from the cars in front of you. Above, the merry workers of the DWP (represented of course in cyclops elf form) hang their wares from a cherry picker.

The newly opened observatory also has a spot on the drive, and as we can see above another possibly satanic elfish worker- I'm assuming one who's about to play with Tesla coils?
At this point I believe the song "Mamacita Donde Esta Santa Claus" was skipping on CD in the background- It seems every area has their own regional Christmas song, like the north east: "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey" and the southern, "Here comes fatty with his sack of shit." (Which I recently heard on the brilliant John Waters Xmas compilation.)

This was fun actually. It wasn't long but the reflection of the lights on the cars made for a cool effect. My camera phone however can not capture that.

An appropriate LA nativity scene. Camels. Check. Lion. Check. Alligator. Check. Snowboarder. Check.

And appropriately, after thirty minutes of crawling along, a most patriotic ending. Nothing will say Christmas more to me now then power and fuel consumption over the tracks of "A Very Merry Kenny G Christmas."

2006-12-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

CAPTION CONTEST!!

2006-11-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving á la Mondrian.
T'was a busy day, so there are few pictures.

Leigh shows off 'Buck Angel' to some of our guests. Mary and Alexis look disgusted (left), Sunny is amused(right foreground) and Johanna adverts her eyes (right background). Nothing really says Thanksgiving like "Buck Angel" so I dare you to look it up. But please, not at work.

M.B. rocks out to some Guitar Hero.

Nick was sick, and wrapped up most of the weekend.

The next day. French toast made from Em's brioche á tete. With pumpkin créme filling.

A post turkey day hike in the hills.

It smelled like horse poop, but that didn't stop JoHanna from posing for this classic local...

Skee Boo.

2006-11-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

Em and I originally sat in the main cabin of the ferry, but after a small Korean girl threw up her potato soup, it was time to head to the top deck. Approaching the island was magical in a Jurassic Park kinda way, but apparently lil'psyclops hasn't seen that yet. The island is incredible-quiet and romantic, clean and serene...since most of the island has been protected as a nature conservancy, you really have to plan out your trip-hiking, biking, etc. We did not do that.

Catalina's Main Street. How ironic that my mother's name, her husband and my sister's nick-name are all in the same block. We got lunch, walked around a bit and then...

...consumed many salty rimmed drinks. Next time we'll make sure to explore more of the island, not the bars. We did see the fish however.

They're everywhere- and I felt like that justified our five hours of not exploring the island properly.

2006-11-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

We recently spent the night on the Queen Mary for our anniversary. I'm now totally hooked on the history of these old steamers, the design and going on a cruise in the near future. But a proper cruise, one that's not too 'vegas-ey'.

(View from the ferry the following day. Note the oh-so-not-impressive carnival cruise ship.)

Foggy morning exploration on the sun deck.

Note the sweeping bridge in the top left.

Captain's Quarters from the bridge.

Int. Bridge Look-Out

Port.

Bow. Oh yes, we did the 'Titanic' thing...

2006-11-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

Tim and I tried to see the world premiere of the D's new movie, having seen the rough cut a year and a half ago. However, because Hollywood traffic and the 'first come first served' nature of our tickets, we were unable to see it. Although this picture is not mine, I was right next to them on the red carpet.

Getting back to the garage I had found a very large SUV parked in a compact spot. I had to shimmy my big nick bod in through the passenger door. It was the icing really.

To make up for our poor luck at the premiere, I scored 25 buck tickets to the D at the Gibson. An incredible show and incredible seats. We might not have the best of luck when we see movies together, but we've got it when it comes to concerts. Above the 'trip' - Jack Black ingests a bag of shrooms, thus commencing the black light dancing fungi.

2006-11-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

The newly ren. Griffith Observatory.
The grounds are well polished, but the exhibits lack. We know the moon goes around the earth and the earth goes around the sun...

However, it's hard to pass up the photo op with Albert.

Click to enlarge.