Amazing LA Race & Imogen Heap

As big fans of the TV show Amazing Race, and since our audition tapes were rejected 3 years ago, our family did the next best thing.  We signed up for the Amazing LA Race!!  Two guys in LA put this race/sight-seeing tour on where teams from 2-8 people use clues to get around the city of Los Angeles.  If you are ever in LA on a weekend and have 3-5 hours to spend, sign up for this fun and exhausting adventure.

As you can see from our matching attire, we were very into the 'team' concept and we were out to kill it.  Believe me, my family can be very competitive.

Sarah (brother's girlfriend), Brian (brother), Richie (brother-in-law), Erin (sister), Joan (mom), Mark (dad), Cheryl, Kyle (husband)

This is our team trying to figure out our first clue

I won't give away too many details in case any of you end up doing this event and it would ruin it, but a few tips:

1. 
   
   wear running shoes
2. 
   
   wear comfortable clothing
3. 
   
   have coins ready for the Metro and buy return tickets if possible
4. 
   
   have everyone carry a cellphone to prevent people from taking off and not being able to contact them
5. 
   
   don't take off too far from the group
6. 
   
   remember that you have more puzzles to do
7. 
   
   bring snacks and water and eat on the Metro (even though you are not supposed to, this is the only down time you have to do so)
8. 
   
   have FUN!!!

Well, our outcome was......2nd place out of 9 teams.  Now, some of you might think that is pretty respectable, but not for TEAM NINJA.  We analyzed and analyzed some more the mistakes we made, where we could have done something faster, smarter, better.  Especially since our time was 3:01 and the first place team was only 2:57, a mere 4 minutes ahead of us.  They are planning on starting a race down in Santa Monica next month, so we have firm goals to redeem ourselves and get 1st.

After the race we all headed over stinky and sweaty to CPK for dinner.  After that Kyle and I  went to the 24 Hour Fitness on Sunset and Vine where we showered and cleaned up before heading to the Greek Theatre for our Imogen Heap concert.  It was a great show and she really is very talented.