A lot has happened over the last month; I was promoted at work to Director and have about half of DIRECTV’s CRM systems (and now that I’ve counted a heck of a lot of folks). My son came to visit on my birthday – we spent two days at Anime Expo, it was amazing – we spent 1.5 hours in line to get badges Wednesday night, and I figure that was an endurance test to make sure you could survive the conference. It was amazing – first for all the people (including my son) who dressed up in costumes (cosplay), and second for all the people my son knows in the steampunk and anime scenes. On Friday night we had dinner with our friends Jimi and Mitch (Mitch made dinner, it was amazing) – they had folks over and we played Cards Against Humanity – if you haven’t checked this game out, you should, it was fantastic (granted partly thanks to the fabulous people sitting around playing). We had dinner in Little Tokyo on Sunday. And this weekend Aviva and I went to the Getty to check out the Gardens of the Renaissance show – a nice collection of illuminations and a couple paintings, and a photography exhibit of Hamaya and Yamamoto – two Japanese photographers that epitomize the dichotomy of traditional and experimental Japanese photography from World War II through the 70s.

And here are the obligatory photos; enjoy!

A gift of orchids one of my directs gave me after my promotion

Nathan outside Clockword Couture

A view of part of the line to get badges from above at Anime Expo

Part of the line we waited in for badges at Anime Expo

Vivka at Anime Expo – Nathan knew her a bit ago, she was cute and funny

Robot costume at Anime Expo

Steampunk was represented well at Anime Expo

More cool costumes at Anime Expo

Some cosplay at Anime Expo

Cosplay at Anime Expo

Atlas at Anime Expo – I feel like this at work sometimes

Pastry with red bean filling

The famous bacon donut – yes it was delish

Prosciuto and figs

Gnocchi in a red brisket meat sauce – yummy!

Bathsheba Bathing, Jean Bourdichon, c. 1498-99

Adam and Eve Eating the Forbidden Fruit, Master of the Oxford Hours, c. 1440-50