My "Standard" Birthday Party

Making dinner reservations

I promised more pictures! So here they are!
Thanks for the fun birthday party to all that came. Shout out to all of you:

Audrey,Ira,Adam,Christy,Ceasar,Ann,Brittany,Coleman,Ralph,Jasmine,Michael,Leol,
Eddie,Karen,Libby,Amanda,Megan,John,Boz and Monique!
I'm sooo glad you all came! Also, thanks to all my friends that wished me well on Myspace,Facebook and texts! Thanks for the love!

BONUS' for the NITE:
Getting Audrey in.
Free ($12) shots
Ceasar's Grey Goose 750ml bottle
My newly found love of St. Germain Gin
Dancing under the bright stars
Mega rooms
Great friends
Sexy Breakfast the next morning.


Here are a few more pictures from my party at "The Standard Hotel, downtown LA."

Our arrival
The rooms made us excited... but we didn't want to anger our neighbors...so we kept it quite.

My girl.
Lounging by the pool.

Sometimes I stare at her. Can't you see why?

Ira knows composition.

Thanks Mom,Dad,Glory,Josiah and Ira.

Lippke Brothers Standard Part Dos!?

Audrey,Me, Brittney and Coleman

Britt and Cole brought me this shirt!

MY CREW! (L-R) Coleman and Britt, Audrey and I,Jasmine and Ralph,Ann and Ceasar.

Coleman

Elevator ride

Rooftop dancefloor
tongue and Hammer Lines
Another picture!??
More to come when I'm less busy.


[After party not posted for legal purposes]


EXTRA EXTRA THANKS TOO: Audrey,Ira, Ralph, Jasmine and Ceasar for all your work and contributions.
Photo Credits: Ira Lippke, Cole Thomas, me, Ralph and Jasmine.

I'm 23!

I had an amazing time celebrating my 23rd birthday at the standard last friday Day/night/morning. So much fun relaxing by the pool, ordering cocktails while doing an impromptu shoot. Dancing all night and then sleeping good in the Standard's deluxe rooms.

Heres a teaser shot. the rest will be up tonight... or at least some of the rest.

Cheers!

-S

Photos: Ira Lippke

Grand Prix (My favorite images)

I already wrote on the Grand Prix and I don't have time to write more...but here are some images for some modern day enjoyment.


My write up is located below and on my www.lbpost.com

Cheers to you Southern California heat wavers!

Feel the Fever!

The Long Beach Grand Prix was this past weekend! Did you feel the race fever? You know? The fever: The roar of race cars, the leather racing jackets, the 30 year old hair cuts and the checkered flag bikinis, the beer in hand fanatics of the sport, the warm breeze and more loud sports cars whizzing by a cluster of race fans. That's the FEVER!

Being at the Toyota Grand prix isn't something you should read about, its something you should experience with your own hands (banners/beer/hotdogs) and ears (music/screeching tires/loud speakers announcing), and eyes! (you can only imagine what you can see...if you have no imagination...scroll down for my photos).

Heres my first hand experience:

I slipped 90 cents into the bus payment slot and was on my way. (community transit bus' allow you to avoid $25 parking fees and miles of traffic.) I walked right into the gates and began enjoying the race spirit (or fever as I call it) Loud engines, beer booths, free promo gear everywhere! The warm southern california air in your face, camera in hand and people all around, it feels like a festival of car enthusiasts. Look around for a racing buffet for the eyes, chances are, you won't look for long. Yes, this year's Grand prix is over, but get ready for next year, it'll be on us in an
instant (Along with back to school and christmas) So next year, grab some tickets, your favorite energetic friends, a bus pass and I'll see you at the next Long Beach Grand Prix!

Don't forget to take a break from the sun and go into the performing arts center to see some amazing cars on display, chances to win big prizes and get your photo taken with real race cars.

Below are images I took to give my readers a view from "The outside looking in" I didn't have a press pass, I didn't have credentials (like I should have) I had my own camera, friends in tow and the fever to experience Southern California racing!

Enjoy.

BEFORE(yes, empty bleachers...craziness on the way)


AFTER (Like I said, craziness!!!)









Cole was my press pass, he can take credit for getting me the good views for good images.






Can someone please explain this style to me? Who out there is into this wretched look?






Pull-Up contest at the Marine booth. I got 19.


Ralph recorded the Marine Booth record of Pull-ups for the day with 24.


Brittany and her Strawberry Margarita.


We were trying to look "ripped" Pull-ups will do that to you.


This should be called the sound tunnel due to the extremely loud race cars driving below.




Things to differently NEXT YEAR:

1. PRESS PASS ( I need to secure one of these...maybe with a magazine?)
2. Secure ALL day, not just half day.
3. More sunblock.
4. Racing jacket and mullet just to fit in.
5. More friends!!!

Cuba:Journal Entry #1 (29.1.2008)

I’m in Cuba.
Its weird to say that.
I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long long time! But now I’m thinking I may be staying to long. I already felt ready for home before I came to Mexico City, now I have a week on my own to explore, to see a country shunned by the US. A beautiful people and culture (the women here are stunning!)
I’m tired, I haven’t eaten much and I'm lonely.
The people here are not used to seeing people from the US, I get only gasps and then smiles when I inform of my citezenship. It is illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba. But there are a few loop holes with the system and I've found one. The Cuban people are a welcoming one and have nothing against the people of the united states. They only think our politics are bad.
I’ve rented a small room from a local. Its nice, there is a small courtyard, windows that open up to the street and a nice bed.
This town is pretty, but in a weird way. Its not painted well, the homes aren’t nice and the streets are run down. But the people here are so happy with what they have. All the children are playing baseball,basketball and soccer everywhere you look.
I walked through much of the lower east side of this beach town. Not many shops. Not many stores, just homes and 1950’s vehicles everywhere! Its an odd expierence and I’m lucky to be experiencing it… I just need to get used to the loneliness…its pathetic I guess…I’m really starting to feel just how great friendships are… Audrey,Ceasar,Ann,Cole,Brittany,Ralph,Ira, Justin,Courtney ,Josiah,Heather all of my best friends are sooo key in my life. I’m just realizing this now that I can’t speak to anyone without getting weird looks and I’m way out of my comfort zone.

Here goes nothing!
I hope to get great pictures these next 5 days… Also to get closer to Jesus.
I haven’t been gone even a week yet and I’m already ready to come home…I must be one heck of a home body… or just sick of the 3 flights I’ve taken this far, plus the hassel of getting to this destination...there is nothing like being questioned 4 times in a different language once you set foot on a new terrain.

Thank God for the US and English speaking friends.
I’m going to sleep in hopes of dreaming of a bi-lingual eperience.


(They call this transporter bus "The Camel" notice the 2 humps)


(A run down stadium)


(The local gym. Working out at night is the only option to avoid the heat))


(Sunset from my window)

Matte Black Clothing

I worked most of my Sunday with my closest friends at a fashion show. I layed the camera down for the day and picked up some Matte Black Clothing for their Aids Benefit Fashion Show.

Heres a few pictures.

Checkout MatteBlackClothing.com
Matt and Paul Wignall have done some sweet stuff with their Clothing Company, I'm looking forward to the release of the lines next season.

I picked up my Leica for a few minutes...