Who Is Scott Austin?

So after much contemplation and soul searching, I’ve decided to bring back the WISA blog! After taking a much needed break from, well, myself, I’ve decided that it’s time to jump back into the blogosphere and journal some of the more exciting things going on around me.  I know that millions of fans have missed my musings, so I am happy to oblige those that just haven’t been able to see the sky the same way since my regular ramblings ceased!

If you know me, you know I’m not a “Facebooker” or “Tweeter” and since I have decided that most people’s status updates are nothing more than meaningless banter about almost entirely self-important issues, I promise to keep things as interesting as possible without appearing to “gloat” that special sheen.

So on that note, smASH and I are off to catch a sweet turn o’ the decade hang with Octavio, Jess, Scotty P, Janice, K. Lee, Bobby and whoever else we run into at the swanky new Palihouse Hotel in West Hollywood so stop in for a drink if you’re around!

Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone!

So the Holidays ended up being some of the the most amazingly relaxing times I can remember in recent history… This despite the fact that they took smASH and I on adventures that began at the Annual Holiday Party in LA and continued through New York City, Vermont, Newport Beach, Las Vegas, Big Bear and back!

Special thanks to all of our friends and family who provided new memories and good times abound.

In photos:

Scott Austin and Kevin “Better Than Ezra” Griffin

Scott Austin and Mike “Einzett” Mankarious

Scott Austin and Bob “o” Bradley

Steve Stephens, smASH, Scott Austin and Kevin Griffin

Lindsay Gores, Brandon Rogers and Scott Austin

Scott Austin, smASH and The Brightman Family

Scott Austin, David Post and Dave Woeckner

Scott Austin and Octavio “Rok” Gallardo

JFK Terminal 5

The Younger Set making fun of the Older Set

Santa on CNN.COM

smASH and Beastly

Scott Austin and smASH

Fashion Island Tree, in all its glory 2008

Martini overlooking the Las Vegas Strip

Mom Austin, Sis Alex, smASH and Scott Austin in Vegas Baby Tram!

and finally…

Time for the (?!)th annual Holiday Party hosted this year by Scott Austin, Authentik Artists, Ashley Ihasz, Octavio Gallardo and Jessica Reynolds. If you know the location of Authentik HQ, then make your way there for what is sure to be the biggest and best Holiday Party we’ve ever thrown…

As always, this is sure to be THE most talked about event of the century, and it wouldn’t be the same without you so make sure to make an appearance and toast another amazing year with some good friends…

Cheers!

So on what would be a tropical day anywhere but here (it was high 60’s), we got to celebrate Thanksgiving the way it was meant to be celebrated… Under sunny California skies.

Rok was largely responsible for the cooking of the feast (including the tastiest, BBQ-roasted turkey I’ve ever had), with only a small gathering to celebrate the holiday in style.

Photo credit: Scott Austin

Scott with Turkey on BBQ (WTF???!!!)

Scott with Sis

The Crew (L to R: Sis, Janice, Scotty P., Mom(s), Jess, Roktavio)

Gobble Gobble!

From Jonathan and Me.

How cool. Last night after a delicious Italian meal in old town Pasadena, one of my favorite towns in L.A., smASH and I had the distinct pleasure of happening upon a place she has been trying to get me to check out for a few weeks now.

Wish Tree for Pasadena was setup by Yoko Ono and it’s literally a collection of trees surrounded with tables with boxes full of tags and little pencils where anyone can scribe their thoughts, wishes or otherwise and hang them on tree branches for the whole world to see. We spent a good 20 minutes wandering around and reading the thoughts and hopes of those who had already contributed.

If you’re looking for one small reminder of why we’re all here, grab a coffee and wander around the thousands of wishes and hopes, but try to do it at night!

It’s funny, I was just thinking the other day how we must be due for a lil shaker sometime soon.. And voila! It happened.

Since you can’t quite write what it’s like to be in the moment, here’s a lil video clip of me and Bob temporarily vacating Authentik HQ to feel the second wave pass beneath our feet. And if you’re wondering why I thought to grab a camera in such short notice, a) it was sitting right next to me and b) I for some reason have become immune to the fear of earthquakes… I’ve been through a few of the big ones, this was a walk in the park!

Another year is upon us, which means we’re all a year older… And thankfully so. Bar 21 was the spot to be at. Slopez was the DJ DeJour and the sounds were familia-rly perfect.

Happy New Year Everyone… And here’s to an AMAZING ‘08!!!

New Year’s Wishes.

According to my watch there are exactly 82 minutes left in Christmas ‘07… and I have to say I’m already a bit sad that it’s coming to a close.  The bottom of the tree is now empty of the wrapped presents that were there just this morning, the family gathering and conversation has come and gone and the streets are remarkably (and peacefully) quiet.

For me, Christmas isn’t about religion, gifts or parties, but rather the feeling in the air that for just a few moments we are all the very best versions of ourselves.  Life has a way of throwing the “reality” switch back on rather abruptly as the Holiday Season fades but every year I like to think that I’ve learned to carry that spirit just a little bit further into the future.

In thinking of the best way to close out the season, I’ve decided to put the holiday playlist on shuffle on the iPod and take a stroll around Toluca Lake… After all it is my last season in this terrific city and I will be leaving behind many unforgettable memories.  Besides, what’s better than hearing Otis belt out “White Christmas” just one last time?

Until Next Year, Old Friend.