"Return of the Raspberry" video

You may remember past "Raspberries", but see what happens when Sam encounters the power of the raspberry in Los Angeles during our visit in February.

At the VES Awards in all its Fanciness

Since Todd wasn't bragging properly about his own fanciness, his wife (aka Kearsley) is posting this on his behalf.

February 10th was a big night for visual effects wizards (aka dorks and nerds) as it was the night of the 6th Annual VES Awards. The Visual Effects Society (VES) is an honorary society that celebrates and supports visual effects and visual effects artists. Its members comprise visual effects artists, pioneers, and leaders from around the world.

Todd and I arrived at the Kodak Theatre Ballroom and discovered that many of Todd's friends and my Pixarian cohorts had taken showers and put on their fancypants for the big event. After a cocktail in the lobby, we made our way into the ballroom and sat down for dinner with 1100 of our closest friends. Unfortunately, we couldn't all sit at one table.

The awards show started and the presenters ranged from really entertaining (John Knoll and Patton Oswalt) to kinda weird (think UFOs and flux capacitors). Steven Spielberg was presented with a lifetime achievement award and gave a very nice acceptance speech and Michael Bay (director of "Transformers" and guy who likes to explode things) was pointing his finger effectively.

I think I've heard of this dude.

Michael Bay has one thing to say to you, "Get Verizon FiOS...it's awesome."

But, I was holding my breath for the big moment when they announced who would win for Outstanding Compositing in a Motion Picture. "Transformers" was nominated and Todd and 3 of his colleagues, Pat Tubach, Beth D’Amato, and Mike Conte were named as the recipients. I was holding my breath as Joe Flanigan (dude from the sci-fi show "Stargate Atlantis") announced the winner...

Todd, accepting the award, nearly losing his voice.

Beth D'Amato, Pat Tubach, Todd and Mike Conte.

The four winners make it back to the ballroom.

It's heavy...and it lights up...cool. The award is modeled after and image from Georges Méliès' 1902 film, "A Trip to the Moon," which is considered to be one of the first films to use visual effects.

Todd and his beautiful, lovely, and supporting wife, Kearsley. (Todd wrote this caption)

Another ILMer, Marshall and his wife, Katrina, with us.

Jaime, an animator from Pixar, and Todd with their awards.

Todd with another Pixar winner, Jon Reisch.

As so many of you already know, Todd has been passionate about visual effects since he first saw "Empire Strikes Back" on his seventh birthday. It has been so exciting to watch him progress in his career and as an artist in the world of visual effects. It was a wonderful moment to see him honored by his peers on this special night. I'm very proud of him.

To see many more photos from the event on Todd's FX blog, click here.

7 Months, In Los Angeles

Over the weekend of February 9th and 10th, we headed down to Los Angeles to visit Sam and Jess for the last time before they have their first baby. And, we also went because Todd was nominated for a VES (Visual Effects Society) award for his compositing work in the film Transformers. Sam and Jess offered to babysit so we could get all fancy to go to the black tie award show.

Lucky for us, Sam and Jess have Maya's favorite contraption, the exersaucer.

The weather was beautiful in LA, so Maya got to enjoy some porch exersaucering.

Sam is lookin good...this Dad thing might just work out.


More baby practice with Jess (34 weeks pregnant), Sam, and the guinea pig, Maya.

Sam proves he can feed small infants...phew.

Maya likes her fake Uncle Sam...

...and her fake Auntie Jess.

"Mom and Dad, you're really leaving me with these guys?"

"Yes, Maya, we are. At least every 7 months, your parents try to reconnect with the adult world."



All dressed up for the VES awards.

"I wonder if Daddy will win?"