Flipstock

August 28-30 - Now a yearly festival at Flipside, Flipstock is where the artists do their stuff. On Friday night there were hours of drama. On Saturday it was a full day with five bands playing songs primarily from the 80's era. On Sunday there was "Creativity" through the gatherings. Here is Deron practicing some of his bass riffs beforehand. And though Purlie couldn't actually come on the day to Flipstock she encouraged Deron to practice away. Shellie and Jasen waiting for the music to begin. Deron in Miami Vice genre. Chris, Deron and Travis (gotta love the wig!)- some of the guys from the Black Lavender Band.
Curtis and Deron.
Deron, Prestin and Eric - before the music began
Travis and Deron
Sh'Neil Diamond singing Sweet Caroline (not really an 80's song but somehow it snuck in there)... love the side-burns! By the way, it is Alisha underneath that funky wig!
T & D

Some audience participation with Michael Jackson's "Beat It"
D & T doing Men at Work's - "Land Down Under"Just D
Cambria & Alisha
Black Lavender Band
Just D again Shellie & her sweet friend Sarah

Eric, Jorge (wig & hat), Prestin, Denny (wig) and Deron
Sara, Danisha, Abbey, Brittany and Sue
Shellie, D and Steve
Jasen waiting for another set to begin
Dan (with his photo display) and Deron By the way, this is Deron's group of friends creatively portrayed here in the betrayal scene, taken by Dan.Shellie with our "adopted" daughter Danisha Shellie and Sue (Jenny's mom) Prestin, Denny (in wig), Eric and Jackson
Eric, Jackson, Prestin, Danisha, Kristen... Abbey and Bryn (Abbey's dad) doing it together!!!
Eric, Jackson, Prestin, Kristen...The Joey Special Jasen had a fantastic day. Here he is wholeheartedly singing along with The Joey Special as they played "Life is a Highway" from the Cars movie.
Deron's full head of hair. He did not need a wig!

Cool Breeze Century Ride

August 15 - After months of training and prep, Steve's first 100 mile bike ride finally arrived. Though it has been a hot summer, this actual day was probably the coolest in months. It was perfect for a long ride, though it was quite chilly for the first hour or so! After only a few hours of sleep the night before and then a couple hour drive, we arrived at Ventura High School a bit after 6am. We were on our bikes and spinning by 7am.

Here is Steve at the starting line, literally seconds before we embarked on this Cool Breeze Century ride!Brent & Kristi Clair - partners in this conspiracy of riding long distances! Steve really enjoyed the support and encouragement from these veterans. Thanks guys! You are awesome!!! Here's Chris (Kristi's dad) - who like Steve was embarking on his first century ride!
About 15 miles down the road, a quick stop for a GU (energy gel) and a drink. We decided to miss the first rest stop. The official rest stops were roughly 15 to 20 miles apart.
This was a quick but nice break before we hit the hills! Steve & Brent after a nice lunch in Goleta at just past the half way mark!
These rest stops catered quite well for the 1500 participants, though the parking of bikes was quite crowded. Here you can see bikes parking in a no bike parking area! Oh, by the way, our bikes were not in that group!
Steve stopping just long enough for a photo session in Santa Barbara.Did I mention that Steve was riding a full suspension mountain bike with street tires?! It was the only mountain bike Steve saw on the century ride. Most riders had pretty sweet road bikes!
At the 85 mile mark we stopped at the last rest point for a "Big Stick" (popcycle). And let me say it was way good!!!
Celebrating the distance already covered with the Big Stick.
Big refreshment on a stick overlooking the ocean at Rincon State Beach.
Back on our final leg we had to ride on the 101 freeway southbound for a bit over 4 miles. Quite a hair raising experience with cars and trucks whisking by just feet away. The consolation, the ocean was off to the right. Here is Kristi and Brent.Eight and a half hours after starting the ride we crossed the finish line. The actual "on the bike" time was six hours and thirty minutes. Here Steve & Brent celebrate with their FRS (an energy drink developed by Lance Armstrong). Please note that they were quite alive and happy after the 100+ mile ride!Our Cool Breeze riding team just after the finish - minus our sweaty jerseys!Everybody was given a free dinner and it was quite decent - grilled chicken, tri-tip steak, pasta, salad and bread rolls! The only thing missing was chili sauce! We were quite stuffed after this feed! One last photo of Steve & Brent! Will there be another century?

House - going, going gone!

August 5 - Ken & Pam's home went on the market. By the weekend perhaps a dozen people had been through checking it out!!! And offers started soon afterwards!By August 12 their house was sold and they actually received more than they were asking! This is definitely a God thing happening!