FORGIVE ME

This is complete abuse of this BLOG for personal reasons - yet I could not take praise for crap when I have done much better work.

The photo of my "stripper pole alter ego" was quick and dirty. I didn't even try to make my face the same skin tone. But I truly have enjoyed a new found talent for manipulating photos and some of my work has boggled the minds of many.

This, while not exactly mind boggling, is my favorite of all I have done. It is my son, at around 3 years old, playing in a hole I filled with water (very white trash). Even those with photo knowledge cannot see where I "did what i did". As pleased as I was originally, it messed with my sons mind for about a week after he saw it. He kept looking and asking me what happened to the "other little boy". I told him it was his twin that I sold to Chinese white slavers for not eating his vegetables (just kidding, I swear).

Thank you for this indulgence.

Anthony "reality altering" Butler

Did you send in your check?

Hey Eagles. The countdown is on. If you have been waiting until the last moment to send in your check, the time is now. Please have all checks in the mail by tomorrow, Tuesday, October 9th. After that, you can pay with an e-check through Paypal.

Should you find Saturday night that you are able to attend, but never paid, please come! Show up at the Chatsworth White House. If you pay at the door, the price will be $110.00. So save yourself a few bucks, and mail your check now.

For those of you planning to come Saturday night, we are going to have a great turnout. Seeing the names on the response forms has brought back so many incredible memories. I am genuinely looking forward to seeing every one of you!

anthony butler does AWESOME digital efx

anthony - love love love the innocent, who-me? doe eyed look of your headshot (or should i say body shot?). you are in fantastic shape - i am turning the class over to you & going out for a night of sushi, movies & popcorn with the hubman.

btw, you got the mad digital efx skillz - much better than some of the digital stuff i did on little nicky. and bedazzled. and battlefield earth.

see you soon!
shellaine "anthony butler puts my digital efx skillz to shame" corwel

Need a taxi cab?

Dave Donell suggested we post some local taxi information. Should you need a cab, you can reserve one at www.unitedtaxi.com. You can find rates on their website, and reserve a cab online or by phone.

If you are staying at the Staybridge Suites, the hotel offers its own shuttle you can take to the reunion, and we will arrange a ride home. If you are staying at the Marriott, we will email you with shuttle info soon. If you are staying at the Hilton, they also offer a shuttle you can take to the reunion, and we will arrange a ride home.

Questions? LISIEFLAV@sbcglobal.net, or phalenmolnar@sbcglobal.net. We hope to see you Friday night at Sagebrush to kick off the weekend!

SHELLY - ASSUME NOTHING!

It would be unwise to underestimate me. My powers of deception are keen and sharp. I may very likely be at your stripper pole class.

As you can see from this photo, you can never tell where I will be or who I will be. I may be that short Asian women next to you at the produce mart. Is it possible I am that tall African-American with the slight limp? Maybe I'm the midget in a trenchcoat giving you the "wanna get freaky with a dwarf" look. You just never know.

I'm admitting to nothing - but I do have an appointment for a bikini wax on the 19th just in case.

Anthony "Quick change" Butler

Hello from Tony Weber

Hello classmates. I enjoy reading your stories. Thank you for making me laugh. I won't be at the reunion on Saturday, but I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at the picnic.

After Chaminade, I wrapped myself up in my lonely studies at UCLA. I met a girl, mistook lust for love, and moved in with her. The eventual breakup left me devastated. I had alienated my friends and family. I had lost my faith in God. And my dream of a career in computer science had turned bitter.

During an Apologetics class, I was struck by Jesus' words, "love God with your mind". Could it be that my intelligence and scientific reasoning were not opposed to God, but rather could be used to search for Him and to know Him?

I began to read more. Saint Teresa of Avila's writings showed me a new world of healthy relationships. The more I read about the Catholic Church, the more profound the truths became. On every point where I opposed the Church's teaching, the Church turned out to be right.

God slowly brought light to my depression, faith to my doubts, and hope to my cynicism.

My family welcomed me back. A counselor taught me to understand my feelings. I spent a year serving the poor in Alabama with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I was deeply touched and healed during several week-long silent retreats. I planned to go to Chile as a missionary, but came back because I was lonely and missed Southern California. I discovered that I still enjoy computer programming, and someone is willing to pay me to do it. I've been working with a small firm in Irvine ever since.

I learned about true love during a long courtship with a beautiful woman. We have been married six years, and have three children -- twin boys age 5 and a baby girl nearly 1. My wife and children are an immeasurable source of blessings for me. They teach me how to be human. I cannot be a couch potato when the baby is crying for her bottle. I cannot remain upset after work when my sons crack me up with their latest story. I cannot give in to my xenophobic tendencies when my wife wants to travel the world.

In loving God, my family, and all people, I found the meaning of life, "the pearl of great price". I have consecrated my life to Jesus, and He has given me everything in return. Of course suffering comes with it, but as He says, "my yoke is easy; my burden is light". I thank God, our Heavenly Father, for His great mercy to me, and His infinite blessings. May He bless you in every way and bring you to our final reunion in heaven.

S Factor class for the gals of '87

so we are booked & ready to have our class at the S Factor - saturday, october 20th at 6:30pm. i only wish anthony butler was able to attend class as i'm sure he'd have everyone in stitches.

we've got a nice little group of girls going & maybe this invite will entice a few more of you to join us!

so here's the particulars: the class is about 1.5 hrs in length: we'll do a 45-55 min warmup, learn the S walk, learn a pole trick (the firefly) & a demo of the S, so we should finish up around 8pm.

wear comfortable workout gear (tanks, tees, yoga pants, shorts, etc). no special shoes needed. also don't apply any lotion to legs or hands the morning before class - we'll need all the "stick" we can get!

the S Factor studios are located at 5225 wilshire blvd, in the "samsung" building (formerly the asahi building) at the intersection of la brea & wilshire blvds. check-in is at the front desk of the main studio, which is located on the mezzanine level. to access the mezzanine level, you will need to go around to the back of the building; luna park's valet is located here as well, so if you see the valet, you are headed in the right direction. our door is purple & located smack dab next to the loading dock. follow the signs leading upstairs & i'll meet you there!

parking: metered spaces along la brea, north of wilshire. there is also a lot located at detroit & wilshire (detroit is west of la brea) & spots are $.25/hr. the luna park valets will sometimes allow S Factor patrons to use their valet service - it just depends how busy a night it is for them.

if you need more info, the studio number is 323-965-9685. the website is www.sfactor.com, which also has bios & pics of all the teachers (yes, including mine. and yes, i know, i look like a dweeb.)

occasionally, students find this class to be a little intimidating (it's totally not. there are NO mirrors in each studio & the lighting is nice & dim creating a very intimate atmosphere) which i completely understand, so to that end, i am opening up our class & you are welcome to bring a friend, sister or even your mom - just let me know!

i can't wait to see everyone. i am still undecided as to whether i'll attend the saturday reunion (finding childcare for 2 is daunting!) but the hubman, twins & myself are definitely on board for the picnic the following day.

i am putting together a totally 80's playlist for our class but if you have any requests let me know & i'll try to work them into the mix.

please email me if you have any questions, concerns or want to RSVP:shellainey@aol.com. we are going to have a blast!
shellaine :)