The Incredible Phone Call

I was racking my brain on what to get my dad for his birthday on March 10th. As many of you know my dad has been battling 4th stage inoperable lung cancer. I wanted to do something special...something he would remember...after about a week & several prayers, the idea finally came to me.

I will contact the owners/manager/coach of the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Team.

My dad was asked to be in their farm program when he was younger as a goalie. He ended up going into the Marine Corp. then after returning played semi pro for the Reno Aces until the team was disbanded.

But his favorite team has always been the Red Wings.

Once I had the idea, I put my super detective ability into full action. I hunted, dug up, re-searched, and finally found an email address to the owners of the team. I wrote a heartfelt email about how amazing my dad is and sent it off. Hoping & praying that out of the hundreds of thousands of emails they receive, they might read & respond to mine.

It was kicked back undeliverable.

Not to be deterred...I went back, messed with the address a little bit...sent it off again & WALLA...it went through!

I attached a link to my blog post with pictures of us at the Red Wings Game, along with my dad's Kodak Father of the Year link to assure them that it wasn't just a hoax...or someone trying to trick them to get something for free based on a fake story.

Next thing I know, they contacted my dad's secretary at work & got some info & then told her that he would receive a phone call in the morning.

THIS MORNING THE CALL CAME!

My dad didn't believe it and almost hung up on him. He thought his friends were playing a trick on him. But finally he realized who it was....

The coach of The Detroit Red Wings, Mike Babcock...also the coach of the Olympic Canadian team that beat the U.S.

RED WINGS STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

My dad was shocked! He couldn't believe it. The call came just before he left for his chemo treatment. While going through treatment, he sent me several text messages that I wanted to share (I'm sure he wouldn't mind):

"Currently getting my chemo. I am still on a high. I gathered the staff here at the treatment center and told them the story. I sailed right through chemo. I talked to all the family & told several people in the city. I'll be riding this for weeks!

When he got back to work, I received another text, "It's snowing like crazy but I can't sit in the office. I had to go out for a walk...this was incredible."

As I write this post, another text just came in, "Wow! I'm still flying. What a great day. I have told the story to so many people. Wow!"

What an amazing organization the Red Wings have! I want to send a special thank you to Mr. Ilitch, Mr. Babcock & the PR dept.

They are truly caring people & have made such a difference...THANK YOU!!

**Mr. Babcock told my dad that the next time he is at the Red Wings game, he can come down & meet all the players also!

Who Goes Home On American Idol

Now that American Idols back on, I'll be doing my weekly, "Who Goes Home" post. I admit, I've been hooked since the beginning. But this season has been a little rough for me.

With Paula gone the show seems to be missing something...kookiness, goofiness, unpredictability...something to lighten up the extra negative judging that's been going on this season. I love Ellen DeGeneres' humor...but it seems to be missing on the show. She has turned into a music critic instead of a comedian. It gets a little monotonous.

They also all seem to give contradictory advice, "Change it up, make it your own", "You changed it up too much", confusing comments and feedback, constantly. It's like an entire panel of Simon's. They've lost the fun they used to have when Paula was there.

Wooo, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here's who I liked & who I think is going home this week:

BOYS
Liked:
Michael Lynch
Lee Dewyze
Alex Lambert

Going Home:
Jermaine Sellers
Tim Urban

GIRLS
Liked:
Crystal Bowersox
Lilly Scott
Katelyn Epperly

Going Home:
Katie Stevens
Didi Benami

One more thing...I have a song that I think Crystal Bowersox should sing~4 Non Blondes Song: What's Up. Remember that old song? It's perfect for her & I'd love to hear her version of it.

So there you have it...we'll see how I do with my predictions.

Jullien Herrera/Luke Simon Viral Video

A while back Jullien auditioned for a Viral Video for "Luke Simon Menswear". He was hoping to at least get a small role in it, but to his surprise, he booked the lead.

It was shot by Mark Humphrey/Mark Humphrey Creative, who is a well known photographer/videographer/director/producer (Budweiser Commercials, Guess Jeans -w/Charlize Theron, American Apparel, Snoop Dog, Leonardo DiCaprio)

It was just released so I wanted to share it with you:



He also shot this Lookbook over the Holidays:

Time For Creativity

I love taking pictures almost as much as I love to write. I usually find inspiration at the beach, it just takes you to a different place.

The moment I get there, I find myself letting out a huge sigh. Just releasing all the cares & worries that have filled my day.

What is it about the beach?

I live literally 5 minutes away & I never seem to get down there as much as I'd like to.

Take a stroll with me along the beaches of Southern California (Double Click to Enlarge):

HUNTINGTON BEACH (aka- SURF CITY USA), CA
All Photos By: Lisa Petrarca

Sunset Stroll

Under the Pier

Lone Surfer at Sunset

Picture Perfect Moment...

Snapping a Wave

Local Surfer

Palm Tree Tips

Freedom



Volleyball at Sunset


NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Tube at the Jetty's

Hiding Crab

Empty Lifeguard Tower


BALBOA ISLAND, CA
Strolling Birds

Private Dock


BALBOA ART WALK

Bird of Paradise

Preparing For Flight


Washed Ashore

I wanted to submit some pictures to sell on a Photo site, but then I would have to Photoshop them to death.

It seems as though all pictures nowadays are fixed, enhanced, and changed to portray some kind of perfection.

I like my raw, un-retouched photos. It's what I saw at that moment. It's what I was hoping to share with others...bringing them to that exact time that took my breath away.

~Finding time to create~

~Finding me~

~Freedom~

~The ability to be who I really am~

I Got Ripped Off!

It was one of those typical Sunday mornings...rushing around, trying to clean the house before church so it would be ready for the Open House and then I literally got ripped off!

Here's how the day stacked up:

1. Clean the house~
2. Go to church~
3. Hurry home to grab the dog~
4. Go to dog beach/downtown for 4 hours during the Open House~
5. Come home, drop the dog off and head to the kids basketball game~
6. After the game, run to the store for drinks & then over to my hubby's ex-wifes house for Dillons 18th birthday dinner~

It was just a typical day for us...RUN, RUN, RUN.

Now in between dropping the dog off at home and heading to the basketball game, I noticed something was missing.

I ran upstairs to take my vitamins & prescription meds.

I had an emergency hysterectomy when I was in my 30's due to endometriosis...I almost died (CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY). So I've been taking hormones daily ever since. I also had some pills for a cough that's been lingering from the flu/cold.

I usually put my basket of vitamins/meds away before the Open House, but I was running late so I left it on my dresser. I went to dig down to the bottom of the basket & the Premarin & cough medicine was gone. I looked around, thinking, "Where could they be...they're always here? No, someone couldn't have stolen them?"

That's when I noticed that the bathroom cabinet was open & my husband said the downstairs cabinet was also open with stuff out.

Someone totally had stolen my meds!!!

How creepy is that? Someone was rummaging through our things!

Our Realtor felt so bad. She held the Open House alone and we have three stories. She said it was packed the entire day, she couldn't walk through the house with everyone because then no one would be downstairs when people got there. She said that nothing like that has ever happened at any of her Open Houses before.

I guess I should feel lucky that's the only thing they took...but I still feel violated!

Guess there's a lot of desperate pill freaks out there who need female hormones!

Hisham Oumlil Fashion Show-Jullien Herrera

I've added several videos of the Fashion Shows that Jullien was in...be sure to scroll down through all previous posts...


HISHAM OUMLIL FASHION SHOW



He actually had two separate suits in this show, but they only showed the final suit (he is the last one-closed out the show...woo hoo!)

Finally-Justin Timberlake-William Rast Fashion Show!

I FINALLY get to see the Justin Timberlake/William Rast Show with my son in it! My computer glitched during the live show! I found two different video views...check it out...

Live Mechanics Fashion Show

This was one of the first shows that Jullien did during New York Fashion Week, Live Mechanics Charity Fashion Show.