Lasorda Friday’s: Tommy Lasorda Destroys the Phillie Phanatic in 1988

We haven’t honored fun Tommy Lasorda on Friday’s enough through the years. It was done at least once, and abandoned.

But the gem that is this man will not be ignored on this Friday. Here we have a clip we had not seen in full prior to today. It’s late August 1988, and that rascal Phillies Phanatic is getting under Tommy Lasorda’s skin.

The best part of this clip is not when Lasorda starts to take off with the Phanatic’s ATV. It’s not when the Phanatic razzes the angry man who is mad at a mascot that is making fun of his belly by sticking his mascot tongue out at him. The best part of the video isn’t even when Lasorda chases him down in anger (look at how fast Tommy moves in those turf shoes, he looks like sprinting Super Mario).

The best part of this video is around the 1:13 mark when Lasorda pulverizes the Phanatic with that stuffed Lasorda and the mascot plays dead, on cue. Like he’s really hurt. I’ve watched this no less than 15 times today, and it gets me every time. I love this.

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Why I Love My Pint-Sized Home

Growing up in a cramped, one-bedroom apartment, I never guessed that as an adult - and especially as a parent - I would come to appreciate the value of a small living space.

Although I loved living in Manhattan's Greenwich Village as a kid, our housing situation became more complicated the older I got. As a teenager, it felt claustrophobic not to have my own door to slam.

Four people vied for the single bathroom, and when I snuck in late I passed right by my parents, who pretended to be asleep on the air bed they inflated on the living room floor each evening.

Growing up in apartments

With the exception of my senior year of college, I have only lived in apartments, and only with other people. It’s what I know. And now that I’m a parent to a rambunctious toddler, I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of modest apartment living more than ever.

When my son was one month old, we moved to the suburbs just outside New York, but remained in an apartment. It was large by Manhattan standards - a two-bedroom - but humble by suburban norms.

"Oh, it's so…cozy…so urban…" guests said as we crammed them in for my son's first birthday party.

But as my son grew more and more active, I became increasingly thankful for the natural restraints of our home. We had no stairs to gate - although we do have to climb a set to get to our second-floor apartment, so my son still gets plenty of practice.

Early on, we had a baby monitor, but when it broke we realized we didn’t need to replace it - we can hear my son in his room, even with the door closed, from every room in the apartment.

Built-in safety features

Once my son gained some independence and was moving around the world comfortably, I felt good knowing that we could safely be in different rooms for short periods. In a small space, nearly every inch needs to be kid-friendly and safe.

There's not much that's off-limits, and I love that I can be washing dishes in the kitchen and still keep an eye on him in the living room. He is, at least for now, oblivious to the fact that our home might be considered small. It's his kingdom, and he is quite happy there.

Recently a friend came over for a play date and she started to follow our sons around as they played. "Have a seat on the couch," I said. "You can see right into his bedroom from here."

Her face lit up at the thought of not chasing them around a house, and - for perhaps the first play date ever - she relaxed a little. She commented on how nice it was to live in a manageable apartment with a kid, and I realized just how lucky I am.

Bigger isn’t always better

Last year, we had the opportunity to move into a house, and my husband and I considered it carefully. Who wouldn't want more space? But at the end of the day, we decided that it just wasn't worth it.

Moving is a pain, and expensive. We envisioned buying more furniture and stuff to fill up the extra space, so it would cost us more money that we didn't have.

And, most of all, it would mean chasing a toddler around a bigger, probably more dangerous, space. Staying in our apartment meant less hassle and less expense on a number of levels.

Of course, it's easy to say this when there are only three of us, one of whom is a mere three feet tall. With baby number two on the way, we may reassess down the line. Or perhaps when my sweet little toddler boy turns into a man-sized teenager, we’ll all feel like things are a little tight.

But for now, it’s just right.

Related:

• How to Baby-Proof Your Apartment
• Renters: Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
• Two Ways to Compare Renting vs. Owning a Home

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The Grey by Westland – Ultra Luxury West Point Grey Pre-Construction Residences

Epitome of Modern Elegance
The Grey is situated at the north end of Dunbar Village on West 16th Avenue, The homes in the neighbourhood are predominantly  single­-family. With this in mind, homes are designed to appeal to the luxuries and comforts of single­-family living. Designed by acclaimed IBI, the four­-storey building complements the historic neighbourhood with a composite of natural stone, metal panel, glass and concrete. The Grey is a timeless illustration of contemporary elegance.

The Grey will have a selection of two­-bedroom to three-­bedroom plus den homes, also included in the plans are penthouse ­level homes, and ground-level commercial space. Penthouses will have their own private rooftop balconies and many homes will benefit from large outdoor terraces.The Grey is located on the crest of Dunbar, north-facing homes will have amazing views of the water, North Shore mountains and Downtown Vancouver. All large homes will carry the Westland pedigree that can only be offered from an ultra ­luxury single­-family builder.

Pricing for The Grey
Details have not yet been released

Floor Plans for The Grey
All residences will consist of two or more bedrooms, including two 1,087 sq ft 2-bedroom suites, 18 2-bedroom + den homes from 1,132-1,353 sq ft, two 1,400 sq ft 3-bedroom condos, and seven penthouses from 911-3,500 sq ft.

Superior Interiors

• Two finely-crafted, custom colour palettes by Guo Interiors coordinate with your personal style
• 9’ ceilings in living and bedroom areas visually expand the scope of each room
• Wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring flows throughout the living and bedroom areas
• Side-by-side washer and dryer laundry closets
• Solid core doors in each room create additional privacy and security
• Custom-designed built-in closets allow for plenty of room for organization of your possessions
• Automated smart-home technology by Creston controls temperature and lighting through a sleek wall-mount keypad
• Additional smart-home technology available through the Westland Design Centre
• Tailor your home with our pre-selected options for customization and personalization at the Westland Design Centre

 

Connoisseur Kitchens

• Italian-imported, custom-stained oak veneer cabinets designed for the needs of the at-home chef
• Oversized kitchens with islands
• Renowned, state-of-the-art Gaggeneau appliances:
• Multi-language options
  • 36” 5-burner gas cooktop with stainless steel high CFM hood fan
  • Stand-alone 24” integrated refrigerator column
  • Stand-alone 18” integrated freezer column
  • Built-in microwave
  • Built-in, ultra-quiet speed dishwasher
  • 24” handleless, automatic door-opening wall oven
• Each home includes the option for a one-of-a kind culinary entertainment centre with an integrated pantry that features:
  • Gaggeneau coffee maker
  • Gaggeneau refrigerated wine column
  • Pull-out storage
  • Custom bar with mirrored wall and lit display shelving for your finest cognac
• Custom-designed drawer and door organizers keep kitchen essentials in their place
• Integrated soft-touch, self-close doors and drawers maintain a visually clean kitchen and minimize noise
• Kitchens offer convenient under-cabinet task LED lighting for precision work
• Easy-to-maintain solid quartz countertops with full-height quartz backsplash and marble-top island make a statement
• European-designed, arched chrome Hans Grohe faucet

Show-Stopper Bathrooms

• Italian-imported, wood veneer cabinets hover over exquisite tile floor
• Master bathroom features:
  • Opulent free-standing tub enclosed within a stunning frameless glass bathing room
  • Flush-mount, custom-stained oak, mirrored medicine cabinets with built-in lighting and electrical outlets
  • Nu-heat flooring for year-round comfort
  • Pristine white countertops are paired with Hans Grohe wall-mount or free-standing faucets and fixtures
  • Oversized 5’-wide porcelain marble slab creates a spectacular bathing experience
• Powder room features:
  • Exceptional oversized, three-sided vessel sink
  • Duravit wall-mounted lavatory
  • Sparking chrome Hans Grohe faucet

Developer Team for The Grey
Westland, a family company, was established in 2008. Since then, Westland has designed and built over 40 ultra-luxury custom homes in some of Vancouver’s most prestige neighbourhoods – Shaughnessy and Kerrisdale. Completely original, each of these custom homes have been meticulously designed to express the unique personality of the homeowner.

Expected Completion for The Grey
Sales start Fall/Winter 2016. Completion date is yet to be determined.

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Boredom

“Doing anything when you’re bored is very very boring. Anyway, doing nothing is the point of being bored. The pleasure of being bored is mooning about and doing nothing. ” ? Aidan Chambers “I think that the word bored does not get the attention it deserves. We speak of all sorts of terrible things that […]

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'Tiny House Nation' Host Talks About Being Happy With Less

In FYI’s popular series “Tiny House Nation,” Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth travel the country visiting the ingenious micro spaces that make up the tiny home movement and helping more people create small dwellings.

Giffin knows a thing or two about tiny living. When he’s not working, he lives in a 112-square-foot “ski chalet” on wheels in Washington state.

Zillow: Where is your tiny house right now?

Giffin: My house has been parked on a friend's property in Leavenworth, WA for much of the past year.

Zillow: What is it like to have just 112 square feet to call your own?

Giffin: To me, it is a great comfort knowing that I have a special place that is my own.  It allows me to go on adventures, try new jobs and take financial risks, because I know that whatever happens, there is a safe place I can go back to.

I haven't always had that security and understand how stressful it is to feel ungrounded. To me, it doesn't matter how large the space, as long as it's mine and I'm proud of and comfortable in it.

Zillow: Where's your favorite place to park it?

Giffin: The places that come to my mind are Rogers Pass, in British Columbia, and my home ski area, Mt. Baker, WA. My house is in its element when I am parked in remote locations where luxuries are only what you bring with you. 

It's kind of like backpacking, where the farther you are from supplies, the more you appreciate the small treats you’ve brought.  When I get back from a long, cold day in the mountains, I'm tired and hungry and really appreciate having everything I need waiting for me in the parking lot. 

Taking out the commute gives me more time to relax, my chores are minimal and my evenings are spent reading, listening to music, playing guitar, talking or dancing with my lover.

Zillow: How do you haul it?

Giffin: I've been through a number of trucks and, for now, I'm just renting a vehicle when I need to move it.  It is much more economical than owning a truck and rarely using it.

Zillow: How many nights a year do you stay there?

Giffin: Even before working with “Tiny House Nation,” my life involved a lot of travel and work out of state. But now, my schedule is completely consumed.  I've been back probably five or six times in the past 12 months.

I miss the simple life dearly but do recognize that I have been given a unique platform to endorse values I believe the world needs to embrace.  By building tiny yet beautiful homes, we inherently start conversations that question excessive living standards, highlight efficient uses of our resources and provide some plausible solutions for change.

As a concerned world citizen, I feel a responsibility to honor the opportunity I have been provided, by giving 100 percent of my effort.  My aim is to showcase less consumptive living and building practices in the best light possible. Unfortunately, it has meant I don't get to enjoy my own home as much as I wish I could.

Zillow: Do you miss anything about large-home living?

Giffin: This question would assume I grew up in a large home? Large and tiny are words that, without the perspective of comparison, mean nothing.

I'm actually an advocate of appropriate-size living.  Quality over quantity, to me, means valuing not only the type of materials used but the love, energy and artistry of the craftsmanship. Surrounding yourself in a home that makes you happy and will last a lifetime is my goal.

When I start a family, I will certainly expand my living space to an appropriate size, but I won't lose sight of my priorities that are really all about enjoying this life to the fullest. When the kids grow up and leave the house, maybe I'll feel like turning over the house to a younger family that needs more space and take time to enjoy the later years of my life.  It's not about big or small; it's about freedom.

Photos by Michael Dyrland

Originally published March 27, 2015.

Related:

• Urban to Beachy: 10 Amazing Tiny Homes
• House of the Week: Big Dream Born in Tiny House
• A Home With Character: Location Scouting for ‘Transparent’

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Tiny Home Traits: 5 Features Every Small Space Needs

Tiny homes appeal to many people, whether as a solution to surging rents or because of the freedom they can lend your lifestyle. But if you decide living in 400 square feet (or less) is for you, how do you actually make it work?

Here are five features that help make tiny homes functional - and even comfortable.

1. A bed on the main level

Although most tiny homes have lofted beds for obvious space-saving reasons, it's a good idea to also have somewhere to sleep on the main level for guests, or if you can't make it up the stairs due to an injury, notes Dee Williams, author of “The Big Tiny” and founder of Portland Alternative Dwellings.

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to put a bed in the main living area is to purchase a couch that converts to a bed.

2. A ton of natural light

Many tiny homes are restricted to an 8.5-foot width and 13.5-foot height due to federal and state highway rules on transporting structures. (Although you can build a tiny home on a foundation, many tiny home owners choose to place theirs in backyards or even in RV parks, which means the home will need to be moved once it has been built.)

Because of this limited amount of space, the more natural light, the better. "Using windows or different wall finishes can make a space feel a lot bigger," explains Derin Williams, builder and designer for Shelter Wise, a design-build firm based in Portland, OR.

3. Creative storage solutions

If you are living (or planning to live) tiny, then a large majority of your items will most likely need to be recycled, given away or tossed. However, the items you still have will need a space, which can be a challenge in less than 400 square feet.

Simple solutions like hanging up your pots and pans instead of storing them in drawers, or keeping extra blankets and pillows in an ottoman or trunk, are good space savers.

When building your tiny home, consult with your builder, as there are tons of creative ways to make space for your items. "Many people have collapsible or hidden drawers in their tiny homes,” notes Dee. “A lot of builders are now also putting drawers in the toe-kick area, which is an awesome additional use of space."

4. Multipurpose areas

In a tiny home, every area has to be flexible in how it is used. A kitchen will not be your kitchen all the time in your tiny home, because it could be your office, dining room and maybe even your closet at any point in the day.

Because each room has to be multipurpose, it's important to have furniture that reflects these uses. "If you have a table for eating, make that space multifunctional,” says Derin. “Remove the table, and then you'll have a lounge area. Drop down the table and make it a bed.”

5. Multi-use appliances

Many of us are familiar with the stackable washer and dryer, and maybe some even have experience with combination washer/dryers, but the popularity of tiny homes has given rise to appliance innovation.

"GE and other manufacturers are leaning toward developing smaller appliances for tiny homes, studios and mother-in-law suites,” says Dee. “The idea is that you could have a whole kitchen setup - kitchen sink, range, dishwasher - all built into one set."

Although these products may not be widely available at every major appliance store, it could be something to look into if you are serious about moving into a tiny home.

All photos courtesy of PAD Tiny Houses. The home shown is the Hikari Box Tiny House, designed by Shelter Wise. Plans for this home are available from PAD Tiny Houses.

Originally published April 1, 2016.

Related:

• Secrets of a Tiny Home Kitchen
• Could You Live 'Tiny'? See How a Seattle Couple Found Room for Their Dreams
• Meet Dee Williams: She Lives in 84 Square Feet

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House of the Week: A 400-Square-Foot Sanctuary by the Beach

Here’s a tiny home in beach heaven. Technically, it’s in Beach Haven, NJ, but to hear the owner tell it, the 400-square-foot charmer is also a slice of heaven.

“It’s very open, very airy and very much a sanctuary,” Holly Trump said. “You can live there year-round and feel like you’re cuddled in the space.”

Trump likes not having everything she needs close at hand. “Everything is right at your fingertips, and there’s a sense of peace to having something nice around you all the time.” The 1-bedroom, 1-bath home is on the market for $359,000 with listing agent Edward Freeman of RE/MAX at Barnegat Bay.

With vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors, the home offers a spacious living room that flows past an eat-in bar to the kitchen, all with stylishly exposed beams and large skylights. The bedroom offers a double closet, a ceiling fan for staying cool in the summer and a door to the backyard.

The front deck is large enough for relaxing in lounge-style Adirondack chairs beside a white-picket fence.

“We have a tiny backyard and a front deck, and everything you could possibly need for daily living — but also a great feeling of comfort and peace,” Trump said. “It’s very grounding.”

Photos by Stephanie Butchin of Broken Glass Images Real Estate Photography.

Related:

• Here’s the Wackiest Tiny Home You’ve Ever Seen
• Meet Dee Williams: She Lives in 84 Square Feet
• What It Really Costs to Live ‘Tiny’

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Oração a São Miguel Arcanjo

Príncipe Guardião e Guerreiro defendei-me e protegei-me com Vossa Espada. Não permita que nenhum mal me atinja. Protegei-me contra assaltos, roubos, acidentes e contra quaisquer atos de violência. Livrai-me de pessoas negativas e espalhai vosso manto e vosso escudo de proteção em meu lar, meus filhos e familiares. Guardai meu trabalho, meus negócios e meus […]

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Wild Ride: Turning School Buses Into Homes on Wheels

Have you ever asked yourself: “How much living space do I really need?”

"A lot of people now, I think, are realizing that what it takes to live is different than what we've been told we need to live. And that's an amazing epiphany," says Charlie Kern, a Denver-based builder who designs homes made of old buses.

Kern, who has been working with old buses for 10 years, was able to solve a personal financial problem with his knowledge about these automobiles.

"I needed a place to live,” Kern recalls. “I wasn't going to have the money to buy a house in the foreseeable future. I knew buses. This is a lot of space. I knew I could live in one."

Kern spent around $27,000 remodeling an old bus into a home, complete with full kitchen, bathroom, and Murphy bed. The bus operates and functions fully as a home, with gas, water, and electric.

Thinking about his own carbon footprint, Kern decided while building the bus that he would cut off the roof and put solar panels in its place.

As for his water supply, the bus has a 46-gallon tank, which can last him about a week with showers, washing dishes, and cooking.

Sharing the bus life

Now that his home is complete, Kern spends a lot of time building house buses for other people.

"We definitely build for people that are unique. They're creative. They think outside the bus, and fundamentally they're adventurers," Kern says.

Currently, four people live in Kern's custom bus homes. Kern speaks with excitement as he talks about people living their small moments - cooking meals, reading a book, or even having a fight - in a home that he built.

In addition to being an inexpensive and green way to live, Kern says the biggest thing about living in a house bus is the freedom that comes along with it.

"I love knowing that from where I am I could walk five or six feet, sit down in the driver's seat, start the bus up and start driving," Kern says.

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Related:

• RV Living in the City: Dodging the Rent Crisis
• Could You Live ‘Tiny’? See How a Seattle Couple Found Room for Their Dreams
• What It Really Costs to Live ‘Tiny’

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Avenue One by Concord Pacific – 247 Opulent Southeast False Creek Pre-Construction Condos

 

Concord Pacific, have come together with GBL Architects, They have designed a stunning 17-storey residential building in booming Southeast False Creek. This very attractive location is overlooking Hinge Park, Habitat Island, and the waters of False Creek. Avenue One highlights the enjoyment of the outdoors with open north-facing balconies, water features and green roofs. If you enjoy an active lifestyle, Avenue One is the one.

 

 

Becoming a home owner at Avenue One, you join a master-planned community designed to conveniently meet your everyday needs. Located close-by are various professional services and shops such as Urban Fare, London Drugs pharmacy and Terra Breads bakery cafe. For an evening out there is a selection of breweries, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and taphouses all within walking distance of you own neighbourhood. This area also offers the stunning seawall for jogging, cycling, False Creek for watersports and the facilities at the Creekside Community Recreation Centre. Follow the avenue to livability at Avenue One.

 

 

 

Developer Team for Avenue One
Concord Pacific is a residential and commercial real estate investment and development firm formed in 1987 to develop Concord Pacific Place on the former Expo Lands in downtown Vancouver. Since then, Concord has completed over 100 residential and mixed use buildings with more than 50 in various stages of planning and development. Over the past 25 years, the Concord Group of companies has also grown into other industry sectors, including software and information technology, telecommunications, as well as green energy projects in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generation.

Pricing for Avenue One

Contact for Details

Expected Completion for Avenue One
2019.

The post Avenue One by Concord Pacific – 247 Opulent Southeast False Creek Pre-Construction Condos appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Fare Thee Well, Tal’s Hill

With all that has gone on in the last few days in baseball, I had no idea that one of baseball’s most unique ballpark physical features was making it’s final appearance today.

The Astros closed out their park today in a 12-4 loss to the Mariners. None of us will ever see the weird slope with the flag pole in play known as Tal’s Hill ever again. And that’s a damn shame. Too many parks are too normal and symmetrical. Tal’s Hill had character that only a baseball stadium can offer. It had personality!

The Houston Chronicle had an article of the most memorable moments of Tal’s Hill. Check it out.

I can’t think of another ballpark landmark in play that is as unique.

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Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell List Their Longtime LA Mansion

Fresh from filming new movies, Hollywood super-couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are letting go of the Los Angeles mansion they’ve owned for the past 12 years. For $7.25 million, the buyer will come home to colorful, comfortable surroundings in the celeb-rich Palisades Riviera neighborhood.

Filled with light from French doors and oversized skylights, the home features a living room with built-in bookcases and an eat-in country kitchen - in red, cream and blue - with a farmhouse sink and a giant center island. Both rooms open onto the lushly landscaped backyard.

The 6,400-square-foot home boasts three first-floor bedrooms, including a romantic master suite with a fireplace, spa tub, dry sauna and dual closets. A guest suite offers vaulted ceilings and a large loft.

Exercise in the home gym like Hawn, whose first movie in 15 years is due out next year: a mother-daughter flick with comedian Amy Schumer. This upstairs room is where she does Pilates, jumps on a trampoline while recording for Instagram, and takes in the fruits of her efforts in full-wall mirrors.

There’s also an upstairs media room that overlooks the large pool, spa and entertaining area.

The couple sold their Malibu beach house a few years ago and continue to own a ranch in Colorado and a vineyard in southern California, both of which Russell discusses in GQ’s latest cover story. He’s currently doing promotions for three new movies, “Deepwater Horizon,” “Fast 8” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

The listing agent is Kimberley Pfeiffer of Coldwell Banker.

Check out the neighborhood:

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Related:

• Leonardo DiCaprio Lists Second Home in a Month
• Johnny Depp Selling 5-Unit Compound in the Sky
• Tom Hanks Reportedly Lists Side-by-Side Mansions in Pacific Palisades

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