Pedal Power

I miss Japan! Thanks to my family in Japan I brought back the bestsouvenir ever! My Kalavinka professional Keirin track frame reminds me of all the fun time I had traveling around Japan looking for it. It took months to build it up but I am finally riding it around the street of Los Angeles.

I also built up an italian single speed "Bare Knuckle" bike for Rieko this past months and we've enjoyed the last days of summer here in Los Angeles riding to Downtown at night to eat Japanese food.

We also road from Seal Beach to the Huntington Beach Pier as Riekos first "big" ride.

Mothers Day 07

We celebrated Mother's Day at "Pink Pepper" in Hollywood for a wonderful Thai Dinner. The food was great, "angel wings" stuffed chicken, Fried Tofu, Crispy Duck, CRAB fried rice (the best), and spicy noodles filled our stomachs. We enjoyed a rare dinner together as a family and had some good laughs. We got my mom a colorful plastic bag she for some strange reason loves (this is her second), and a nice summer purse. Eton suprised us all and got her a pair of CHOCOLATE SHOES!!!

Looks like Linda?

Chocolate Shoes!!!??!?!

US Barista Championships 2007

My "little" brother is the "Chief Espresso Officer" for Groundwork Coffee, the famed Fair Trade LA coffee roaster. Eton trains all baristas for Groundwork to make sure they are top notch. Eton is competing in his first US Barista Championships this year at the Long Beach Convention Center. Here he is in action in the first round.... He has advanced to the Semi-Finals today with his "Miso Umami Espresso"! Sounds wierd, but it tastes amazing...so i hear. Update on Semi-Finals result soon!

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO

April in Mammoth

Luckily Rieko and I both had Spring Break at the sametime so we were able to make a final trip to Mammoth before all the snow melted.... Despite one of Mammoth's worst snowfall seasons in many years we still managed to have alot of fun in what snow was left and even got in a day of fishing in Bishop.
理恵子•デビン•ベンはラッキーにも同じ予定で春休み。マンモスに来ないてはありません。っということで今回は３人でマンモスにやってきました。今シーズンは雪に恵まれずコンディションは近年で最低でしたが、それでも結構、楽しめましたよ。

Rieko had the hot rod at Pleasant Valley, she out fished Ben and I and filled her stringer with some nice rainbow trout for dinner.
最初の日はマンモスから４０分くらいの町ビショップという所の近く、プレザントバレーという所で釣りをしました。ポカポカをとおりこして、あっついぐらいの陽気でテンションアップ。理恵子が２匹デビンとベンは一匹ずつ魚をつりましたよ。もちろん夕食でいただきました。

Rieko said she wanted to go to the "TOP" of the mountain so we headed up to the EXPERT RUNS. Scared? No way!
久々に頂上までやってきました。上級者用コースですよ。私はずーと中級どまりですが……ここから見る景色は最高です。

My new VW

After someone STOLE my VW bug last year, its been a sad sad hole to fill in my many many interests. But I think I've managed to find something that I can wrench on, spend less money on, and get some exercise.

It is a KHS Track bike, with a fixed gear drive, single speed. It is the purest way to cycle & has made me interested in Japanese Keirin racing. I've upgraded my bike with NJS certified Keirin racing gold drop bars & Japanese "Champ" grips and also picked up a set of used vintage 1980's Campanolgo cranks for a deal. It is a piece of art in progress. It is simple, light and a great way to get around town.

I'M ONE LUCKY GUY

So.......our car luck just continues to get better and better. Two weeks ago Rie and I were enjoying a much needed Saturday afternoon nap when we wake up to a loud SHUUUUUUUU ....BAMMMMMMMM sound followed by my car alarm. Needless to say I new something wasn't right. I ran outside to see a truck SMASHED into my Jeep and another lucky neighbors SUV which was parked in front of our house.

My rack and spare tired saved my jeep from being totally smashed, but the rear end had plenty of damage and my rear wheel snapped off the axle. The driver has insurance so my Jeep should be fixed in a few weeks. I can't wait to drive my own car again, its already been two weeks in a rental car.

Winter in LA

One of the coldest winters I can remeber in Los Angeles is over! I like the cold but Rie and Myu Myu don't... Good thing someone has a lot of body fat, and it isn't me or Rie. Myu Myu needs to go on a diet again...

Devon's Solo Show @ University of La Verne

My first official solo exhibition post grad school was a great success. What excited me most was the students at the University of La Verne's genuine interest in my paintings. It is exciting to meet young students who have such a strong response to art.

Here is a picture of gallery director and friend Dion Johnson standing above the 30' wall that my paintings are displayed on in the main art building. BIG thanks to Dion for all the hardwork and help hanging the show!

http://www.ulv.edu/ur/press/show.phtml?id=352

TOP CHEF???

Rieko and I are a fan of Bravo TV's cooking competition, "TOP CHEF". I've come along way from frozen "Marie Calanders Frozen TV Dinners". I made this King Crab, olive oil, garlic, green onions, shrimp & fresh basil pasta for dinner. I was proud to say the least! YUM! No wonder I've gained alittle weight since getting married!

SUPRISE!!!

Devon's New Teaching Toy! Dad, Mom & Ben suprised me with the new Macbook Intel Duo Core notebook for my birthday & Christmas. I was suprised to say the least!

This little computer is AWESOME! It is lightning fast, has a remote control, webcam, and is very light. It has already been a great help in my classroom giving powerpoint lectures and being more organized in the classroom. Rieko and I don't have to fight over who gets to use the computer, just who gets to use the laptop!

Rieko's ?? B-Day

Riekos ??? B-Day was a night of fine dinning at LA's premier cheese, wine and tapas spot, "AOC". The meal was great, we had 3 cheese sampler, chorizo slices, fried oysters (the best I've ever had), seabass and poached red wine pear w/marscapone cheese tart.......WOW, what a meal.