Tuesday, February 27, 2007

another good one i just found in my email

from the kuslers....

viva las vegas!

i was searching my email for "dimmer"

looking for the model number of this dimmer i'd found a few months ago for our kitchen and this popped up:

From: "Hawk, Kelly"
Date: October 10, 2000 1:02:54 AM PDT
To: "'Jim Looker '"
Cc: "'bk1@crowdburst.com'"
Subject: RE: thanks

I have spent the last several days trying to think of the words I could use to reply to this email. Unfortunately I haven't had much luck coming up with them. 'touched' is just the tip of the iceburg. 'flattered' isn't in the right playing field. 'overwhelmed' well, not quite. Forgetful certainly fits, as you remember more details about my life than i do. I suppose if anyone ever does a 'and this is your life' show about me, I'll be in for some real shockers!

I remember you as a cheerful influence in a very dark time of my life. Gawd, I was a mess in '93. Who wouldn't be in my shoes. And you were you - I had enough therapy and counselors, I needed someone who could pretend it all wasn't happening and just show me a good time. You did that for me, and I will never forget that.

I will always remember your contribution to the Brantleyisms - for without your catfights with Brian, I'm not sure we would have heard them all. Now he's just a millionare in the evil empire, and us three continue the journey, perhaps we'll see a little of fame and fortune ourselves soon.

I will also never forget the afternoon that you met Denis, and the frantic phone calls back and forth between you, me, Denis and Brian. As I recall at one point, I had Denis on one line, and Brian had you on the other, and you both simultaniously asking the same question: "how come you've been hiding this man from me, and how can I get in bed with him this afternoon?" It was at that moment I really felt I was living a sitcom. You're my Genie... not my Wilma :)

While it has been a long time since I've seen you, these few memories have not gotten any dimmer. I owe you a great deal, more than you probably know.

Thank you, and I hope to see you soon.
Smooch,
-- Kelly --

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Looker
To: 'Randy Earwood'; bk1@crowdburst.com; khawk@etranslate.com
Cc: Jim Looker; cam@ilm.com; mattm@crowdburst.com; ehunt@crowdburst.com;
Ninar@crowdburst.com; ffarm@pobox.com
Sent: 10/5/00 1:22 PM
Subject: RE: thanks

I couldn't resist throwing together my own little reply.

Brian and Kelly are without a doubt, two of my most favorite people in the world. In a market-segment dedicated almost exclusively to throw-away friendships and emotional walls, they have been two consistent safe-harbors for me. And Yahweh knows, I've needed them!

Consider again:

I met Kelly through the irrepressible 28 Barbary Lane BBS circle of
folks in Seattle circa 1993. Ironically enough, I was working in the Customer Service division of Aldus while Kel was a floor below me in Technical Support. After a LOT of flirting on my part, I finally was invited to Kelly's place for dinner. Spaghetti and some chicken dish. Fabulous food!

Little did I know that Kel was recently single, and for not the happiest reasons in the world. Although, I'm not sure if I had known-- that I would have behaved differently... cause he's a hottie! Lucky for me I didn't push him too far, and I managed to snag a casual sexual relationship with Kel and the Log. Kel even helped me finance a blind-date trip to Phoenix for the weekend.

Eventually I ended up in Technical Support myself. Because the intrepid Peggy Larkin (now Sturman) was absent (or out for coffee... I don't remember) on the day he started in Adobe Technical Support.... I had the incredible fortune to become the replacement mentor for Brian. I remember the first thing I actually helped him accomplish; configuring his Navigator proxy settings to see oranda.adobe.com. Brian will tell you that he thought I was an absolute prick after this little interaction. Little did he know, he was right. I think that's why we became friends.

Kelly, Brian, and I (Randy, later on as well as Victor, Nick, and Meg) landed on the PageMill/SiteMill support team. Kel and Brian started a relationship. I was lucky enough to be one of BK's chick friends by this time, so I got to hear all of Brian's insecurities, concerns, and worries about the fledgling relationship. It's only fair, as he got to deal with all of mine. The ratio's off a bit, though, where I heard about Kelly, and BK had to listen to me whine about Stephen, numerous tricks, Mitch, Denis (remember the web-cam we set up just so he could watch me?), and numerous tricks. Brian and I made several trips to Adobe HQ just so I could see Denis. He was my little affair co-conspirator. I'll always have a special love
for him for that.

When Denis went to his folks' place without me, Kelly and Brian hosted me at their place for Christmas. We played many video games, and despite the horrific gray skies-- I laughed the most I'd laughed in months. "Gumball, sugar-rush!"

With the lure of a great apartment (which I had to wiggle my ass and suck a few dicks for) (oops, sorry Nina!) and a new job for Brian, the two lovebirds finally moved down to SF. A mere block from my place on Castro. Brian and I commuted together for a while, but the Wilma-quotient in the car was just too high. Besides, he had that hot little Jetta to drive down 280!

Be careful, hot pepper-- my friend. 2 AM, you no be happy!

We spent a lot of time being bad little boys together. One of my favorite things in the world! BK is also responsible for *my* "Well, Volunteer Park was many moons ago, so it's cool to have another Park/Public phase" phase. We appeared at the Rest-Stops of 280 as the Sisters of Badu many times. Ask him about the construction worker who told us "I have a beeg one."

So-- I guess that needless to say... these two gals have been a central, important, and exciting part of my life. Both here in SF and in Seattle. I've been fortunate enough to be a little part of their history as well.

Coming soon, the biopic on Randy Earwood and I.....

/j

-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Earwood [mailto:rrocketsf@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 3:38 PM
To: bk1@crowdburst.com; khawk@etranslate.com
Subject: Re: thanks

Brian & Kelly
Happy 2 years in SF!!!

Besides the awesome friendship and support you both have shown, you and Kelly have been THE major catylyst in many areas of my life. Just little things, like my career, most of my friends, much of the reason I moved to California, and a few proclivities I won't discuss in this forum...

Consider:

I met Kelly when he was a (very cute and barely legal) student in the first class I taught at Evergreen. 6 years later, I ran into him on the street in Seattle. When I told him I was looking for a summer job, he said "You should go apply at Adobe. They're hiring anything that breathes" (or something like that).

I applied at Adobe, and got a temp job doing phone support for PageMaker. Thus began my illustrious career in the software industry.

At Adobe, I soon met you, Brian - and through you a bunch of other people on this list - formost, my evil twin cousin Jimmy - who taught me all sorts of interesting things, and was the brave first one of us all to move here from Seattle. Also Cam, and Nina, and of course Frank - the most recent (but not the last, I'm sure) person you have lured out of the northwest.

(And Jane, and Kevin, and Paul, and Vanessa, and Cheryl and Kelly Hawkins and Corey - who introduced me to Sammy - and Melissa, and about a 100 other awesome people... )

Jump forward 3 years. Jimmy brought me down here and 'exposed' me to Sundance in 1998. I returned to Seattle after that awesome weekend to find out that my product had been cancelled and most of my friends were layed off. It was this "re-organization" that gave you and Kelly the impetus to move down here.

The next time I visited, Jimmy took me to Metropolis and fed me alphabet soup, and you and Kelly took me to Folsom Street. We all four basked in the sun together on your porch. The combined energy was too much to fight. There was nothing left for me to do but sell my house, break up with my boyfriend, quit my job, build a gym body, and move.

Then, on my last visit before moving here, you introduced me to Buena Vista.

Once I was here, you introduced me to Eric - who introduced me to Matt, and Trevor, and Ross, and Jon Crow, and of course Drew...who introduced me to most of the rest of the people I hang out with these days.

In fact, there are only about 2 people in my life who I can't trace through you - John Dupre (who I met at Adobe, but through Jerry Garcia), and Michael (the messenger from God, who I got picked up by at Dolores Park).

Anyway, thanks! I'm really glad you guys are in my life, and really glad

we're all here together in this amazing place.

xoxoxo
r

Sunday, February 25, 2007

mrmtastic party!

thanks to everyone who came -- it rocked! ceviche, hand-made lumpia, bacon and bleu cheese dates, "noah's ark" meatloaf, crab and avocado salad, hand-made corn tortillas, hand fried tortilla chips, tres leches cake, fruit and cheese plate, chocolate jalapeno sorbet, don julio, corralejo, azules, hendricks, tanqueray ten, 4 kinds of champagne, margaritas with agave nectar, makers mark, adzuki bean kit-kats, strawberry kit-kats, melon and banana chocolates, and a 1-meter box of cookies, and of course the le creueset filled with mac and cheese lovin!


eek!! look what jenn brought with her:


what's crazy i just how messy that room was prior to the party... (we own a carsharing technology company called opencar networks and had just finished up a huge order prior to the party.)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

it doesn't seem like that long ago!



[ meeting nico; meeting pavicich ]


[ cutest nina smile ever... ]


[ eric was a clubkid when i met him ]


[ why do i look like the king of tragicistan in my hi-skool pictures while sara looks like a beautiful silent movie star?! and kel looks like a soap actor! ]


[ here's another one -- kelly standing on the corner in front of our current house in 1987 -- paint store is still there and "happy boy" is now a thai place... ]


[ ok fine, just because i'm vain -- here's one from when koko and i were like 21... ]


[ and who's that babyface?! i've actually known clint since he was about 15... ]

i've earned another 10000 scratchies

for not posting king shit sooner...

[ eeeeewwww!!!! ]

and you can't have booze without tamales



the pantheon of mother food goddesses isn't complete without the tamale lady! or Saint Boozemop as we like to call her :)

you'd know where to find the boys AND the booze!


or our babies :)

or the family...

this book wouldn't be complete without giving kelly props for the amazing amount of support he gave me thru this 7 year bio-family saga. he was there for me in the worst of times like no one else and in the best of times like, well, most everyone else :) above all else, he is my family.



can't 4get the foooood






running out of time....

i need to print this tomorrow and looking it over it feels like there's a couple things missing...

[ mmm fruit belly... ]


Wednesday, February 21, 2007

from monte & lee

From: bk
Date: February 21, 2007 2:51:08 PM PST
To: hmontehart
Subject: Re: saturday + thank you!!

:(

get well! everyone will miss you both! i've been asked about 10 times already if "my cool in laws from the east bay are coming" :)

you know this just means we'll have to commandier your kitchen and cook for you at casa hartmann, right?? give us a shout when you're healed up enough for that (i'm serious!) -- we'll even do the dishes, i promise!

much love to both of you >>
: b

ps. feel free to open a bottle on saturday and toast us from across the bay --> not that you need an excuse, but hey, why not??

----
On Feb 21, 2007, at 2:34 PM, hmontehart@aol.com wrote:
Brian,

To make a long story short, we must reluctntly cancel our trip to the city for your party. Bummer! We had a reservations at the Willows and were all set. As things worked out, Lee finally made the decision to have her back surgery, and is going in for this serios operation on March 7th at Kaiser Oakland. As you can imagine, she's not feeling too well and begs off on the grounds that her pain is always most severe at the end of the day, and she wouldn't be any fun anyway........boy, after you hints at the menu, I'm doubly sad about missing the action!!!!! Our love and congratulations to you both, and our wishes for many more happy years togerher....Monte

from amy...

From: "Amy Clark"
Date: February 21, 2007 1:37:05 PM PST
To: bk
Subject: Re: saturday + thank you!!

Dude, those photos were awesome! Wish I had my computer with me to add to them, and I wish I could be there for the festivities on Saturday! I'm in Tolaga Bay, on my way to Gisborne today, and the weather/scenery/hills have been breathtaking (literally with the
hills). I think the mentality here is that it's too beautiful to sit inside in front of a computer, so this is the first internet place I've seen in 5 days. Spent my birthday in a hotel in Hicks Bay, drinking bubbly and wishing I could teleport all of my friends here to share the experience.

Have a margarita for me (or 3) on Saturday!

<3
-Amy

from bill and jan

From: "Janet Hawk"
Date: February 21, 2007 12:02:53 PM PST
To: bk
Subject: Re: your e-mail, photos and invitiation

Dear Brian,
We would LOVE to be there on Saturday night to help you celebrate your anniversary..sounds as much fun as the Thanksgiving dinner and time we were there. Unfortunately, since we don't own a corporate jet, we'll be in Montana helping you celebrate from a distance.
I'll be going back over to Sammamish when JJ has either more chemo or radiation next week, she's been to Hell and back and remains hopefuly and optimistic..so we support her and remain hopeful as well.
Have a kick ass party..we'll drink a Scotch in honor of you and Kelly on Saturday night..
be sure to send pixs....
Love you both, Jan

from brenda

From: Brenda Gilliland
Date: February 21, 2007 12:04:24 PM PST
To: bk
Subject: Re: hi cuz!

your party sounds so awesome. i will be missing not being there! well...soon, we'll have another. love you much. have to go un-stick a patient. xoxoxoB

from c



Tuesday, February 20, 2007

from eric...

From: Eric Hunt
Date: February 20, 2007 6:13:27 PM PST
To: Brian Kusler
Subject: Photos

A few from Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/57551682/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/168467938/

I know I have more at home. I know, I suck, but the damn orchid show is over and I can do something else now - hopefully not too late for Saturday!

-Eric


@dosa

From: Adrian.Cotter
Date: February 20, 2007 4:50:05 PM PST
To: bk
Subject: Re: saturday + thank you!!

I kind of like this one, but its kind of dark:
http://flickr.com/photos/stuffandnonsense/89152432/in/set-72057594051498881/

I'll keep my eye out for more.

would love to come saturday (donuts!) but I've been shanghaid to work for
liz at one of her trainings all weekend.

adrian

[ deep's birthday at dosa 06 ]

be careful hot pepper my friend!



From: bk
Date: January 25, 2007 10:24:17 PM PST
To: "Frank Farm"
Subject: Re: ..ten..

i got it.

frank. there are tears streaming down my face. the china court chopsticks did it. you fucking rule.

: b

[ Wai Sim "my friend" Chu was our stand-in mother for the first 6 years we were here... her potstickers are the gold standard... i wish she'd come back!! ]

tuk tuk

don't ask me how but i stumbled across easytuk.com today... i swear if we had a parking space i would SO totally get one of these for kelly. he was obsessed with this old, broken down one over by scuderia -- he didn't know where he was going to go with it, but an outfit with a goofy hat would definitely be in order :)



on our mexico trip, i told him that i wasn't sure what to get him -- i mean, he'd gotten me this amazing computer and gigantor montior... i'd gotten him some boyfriend-y gifts but nothing big... i told him i should probably just do a Price Is Right "door number one or door number two" sort of thing and then let him pick...

so if the tuktuk is door number one, i think door number 2 is:


and door number 3 is:


door number 4:
[ some kind of crazy LED setup for fun and coolness]


door number 5:
[ scuba lessons ]


door number 6:
[ flying lessons ]


door number 7:
[ new, hand-made-just-por-you, mega-tits bike ]