Happy New Year!

A new year,
A fresh start-
Ordinarily around this time of year I spend time reflecting on the past twelve months;
My accomplishments, adventures and personal growth.
More so when I was younger, New Years Eve left me with a sense of sadness. Most likely because I spent a lot of time concentrating on the things I didn't achieve, or the time I didn't get to spend with the people I love most.
Thankfully, as I got older, I began to understand what it truly means to live in the moment.
There are always improvements that I strive to work towards in my life, both personally and professionally. Nevertheless, I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunities I had in 2011.
I trust that as long as I focus on the positive evolution of my life, I will continue to enjoy an amazing journey!

Six Word Essay- Year End Review

All of my goals were accomplished!

Workout at 7,200 FT

It's not that I'm against working out on vacation-
I'm just not sure how I feel about an hour of Zumba class at 7,200 FT high.
Shockingly, I found myself actually enjoying the sassy cha cha cha combinations!
Despite the lack of oxygen-
I knew class had to be near the end when I found myself double over gasping for air!
To my surprise, we were only twenty minutes in!
Luckily, I made it through the class, and thoroughly enjoyed walking out into the mountain air!
It was invigorating.
However, I don't know if I'll go back on Saturday...

Vacation Binge!

No pressure-
Hiding from all forms of contact and communication,
No obligation or stress;
Lazy mornings.
Trips into town for coffee and local papers.
Movies and food!
Entirely too much food!
Guilt free indulgence in everything sinful.
Vacation binge. Pure bliss-

Six Word Essay on Colorado Winter Wonderland

Sparkling powdery snow in every direction!

A Day With Dad

As a kid, I took for granted spending time with him;
Backpacking, bike rides, soccer games-
Then of course the heated debates, we both love to win!
Obviously I get that from him.
As an adult, I value every second I get with him. Even when we don't see eye to eye-
I appreciate the unconditional love he shows me. He is wise, passionate and supportive. I grow ever minute I get to spend with him. The older I get, the more I value the time I get with him. Any day with my dad, is a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas!

The best Christmas present I could wish for! My adorable niece spent the entire day in my arms!

A PEACE of Strength...

After enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by my moms husband Steve, my grandma and I were getting in the car to go home. Grandma struggled with zipping up her purse- and after several failed attempts because her hand was shaking (from the Parkinson's) she gave up and started giggling.
I saw the struggle, the effort, the frustration, the release and then the beauty of her willingness to accept where she is at and make peace with it...
It was at first sad, and then incredible to me. My Grandma Shaffer is the strongest person I know.
Life is short. Her faith is strong, and she's not going to waste a second of it worrying about a zipper!

My Little Italian Grandma's

The only thing better than an Italian grandma...
Is two!
Short and sassy,
Full of love!
They make delicious meatballs too.

Colorado Adventure

After twenty two hours, three major snowstorms, an overheated radiator
and no sleep...
I still managed to find the time to pose for a black and white photo!
...priorities!

Making It Happen!

Just had an amazing meeting with our new friends at Shed Media!

Taco Tuesday!

Mexican food is my favorite!

I know that's a bold statement from someone who is Italian.

Trust me, I love my macaroni and meatballs too!

Thai food is also high on the list...

But there is nothing greater than the crisp salty crunch into a succulent hand crafted carne asada taco piled high with; sour cream, cheese, lettuce, tomato and guacamole!

TGIT!

Tuesday's are all you can eat tacos at one of my favorite spots in LA: Marix!

I'm so glad it's almost happy hour!

I'm raging for a lard fix! 

Mondays

Mondays are the perfect opportunity to deal with everything you didn't get done Friday!
...and that's about all.

Holiday Party in Malibu

Super sized mansion with a flawless view of the ocean,
Man-made snow piled sky high- Perfect for sledding!
Celebrities shoving their mouths with gourmet catered food,
Alcohol flowing from every direction.
Reindeer pissing in the snow;
Money is no object.
This is how the other half live.

Six Word Essay on Friends.

They know when to pour wine.

Addicted to Words...

I'm not a huge gamer. I grew up during the original Nintendo generation. I played on the original Game Boy device with the black and grey graphics and have a vague recollection of Atari...
It's not that I didn't have fun playing hours of Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros. or Contra, but I just didn't seem to excel at it like many of my friends.
I was far more preoccupied with acting out skits, watching too much TV and (poorly) rollerblading around my cul-de-sac.
Plus, I'm a very competitive person by nature. I hate losing! I'm not a poor loser, I just hate that I can't be brilliant at everything!
So as I grew up, I focused on the things that I was good at which also happened to be the things I enjoy the most.
Now, in the generation of the iPhone, social networking and gamers collide.
One of the easiest was to stay connected to a long lost friend is to engage them in a friendly competition...
Enter- Words With Friends. The fun online game of Scrabble.
I never thought I'd allow myself to play something I'm terrible at (I'm currently losing six of the eleven games I'm playing) nevertheless, I find it incredibly addictive.
The strategy. The satisfaction of using a "Q," "W," and an "X" at the same time! Learning new words... and yes, even the competition is fun for me.
I guess I've grown up a lot since Third Grade, when I threw the Monopoly board across the living room after my dad swooped in and stole Park Place right out from under my nose!
Yep! It was like that...

Another Day At The Apple Store...

I love technology when it works the way it's supposed to!

And I rage when it doesn't!

The iPhone is hands down the coolest gadget of the Twenty First century...

But when it freezes, I feel like I'm trapped in the Dark Ages!

When I go for help at Apple Store, I feel like I'm talking to the cast of Star Trek!

Please don't give me your advice...

Just fix the phone!

Thanks.

Productive Production!

I love when production meetings are productive!

Looks like January 2012 is going to be full of new adventures.

There may be a few old ones too!

Exciting!

You've Gotta Do, What You've Gotta Do!

Sometimes I get to do things I love...
Other times I get to perform for a bunch of drunk police officers for their annual Christmas party!
Life is full of compromises.
If I want to pay my bills, wear nice clothes and eat...
I have to accept that I can't be selective in the job opportunities.
It's not the first time I've danced as a back up dancer for a bunch of drunk men...
Sadly, I'm sure it won't be the last!
But nothing has been as awful as the time I catered for a billionaire~
It wasn't so much the general disappointment that I was serving (instead of attending as a guest) at the most amazing party I've ever seen...
It was that the chef thought that it was okay to call me: "Tray Boy!"
Oh well...
That's life.  I take the good with the bad.
Face it, you've gotta do, what you've gotta do!

The End Is Near...

Funny, the year always ends faster than it starts...

I remember sitting on a boat in Lake Tahoe this summer thinking about all the things I still wanted to accomplish before the end of the year.  In August it felt like I had so much time.  

Of course reality sets in.  Unexpected jobs, projects and deadlines make the days bleed together and the weeks fly by.

Next thing you know the door bell rings and family is in town for Thanksgiving. 

Despite the poor economy and the sneak attack of the holiday season, I'm really excited for Christmas.  

I'm looking forward to taking two weeks off, and focusing on nothing but spending time with my family and friends.  

It's been another amazing year both personally and professionally.  I'm grateful for the goals I've achieved and the growth I've made.  

I still have one more week of intense work.  I have to stay focused and driven!  After that, I'm turning my computer off, hiding from Facebook and taking a Twitter hiatus!

Another Sunday... Another Gig...

I need a vacation!

Kourtney & Kim "Fake" New York!

Here's our latest parody from A Group Production!

Look out Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries... The truth is OUT!

Lazy Day Off

I did absolutely nothing today...
And ate Taco Bell for dinner!
I feel like a lazy slob.
Thank God for the day off...
Next week is going to be crazy.

Long Day...

It's been a long day.
I'm tired and cranky.
The one highlight;
I was able to help some people sleep easier tonight...
So that's going to be my silver lining before I go to bed.
Goodnight.

You've Gotta Do, What You've Gotta Do!

Crisp white button down- check.
Geeky khaki pants- check.
Polished black shoes- check.
Big fake smile- check.
Tough times call for drastic measures...
I'm ready to Party Down!

Six Word Essay on Traffic in Los Angele

People don't know how to merge!

Great Day!

When the faith is there,

The passion remains,

The work is focused,

The energy is invested,

and the opportunity arises-

The dream comes true.

Lights. Camera. Kardashian!

She has more followers on Twitter than the President;
And more junk in her trunk than J-Lo...
Today our company shot a parody of the talent free, sex tape superstar celebrity- Kim Kardashian.
It was a long day!
Becoming a Kardashian takes a shit ton of make-up, false eyelashes and hot air...
Luckily I was prepared for the challenge!
I'll share it as soon as we get it edited.
Now, I've got to shower this hideous raccoon mask off my face!

Procrastination...

I'll do it tomorrow!
Maybe...

Shitty Days Suck.

Sometimes you're up.
Sometimes you're down.
Life is funny like this...
Release.
Deep breath.
Trust.
Focus on living in the moment.
Even if living in the moment means accepting the fact that you're having a shitty day.
Shitty days suck.
But I guess they're necessary.
At least that's what I'm told.

Use Your Pretty!

Working with kids is always an interesting experience.
They surprise you in every way possible-
Just when you think you've made a breakthrough, they remind you you haven't...
They're unpredictable and completely entertaining all at the same time!
Today during a dress rehearsal of the show I'm choreographing, I over heard this backstage...

Nine year old, "Don't just use your brain for pretty... Use it for fun too!"

2nd nine year olds response, "What?"

It made my day! ...And believe me, it was an incredibly long day!

Six Word Essay on Christmas:

I'm not ready to celebrate yet!

Twitter Me This...

Twitter is the High School of the Internet.
The funny thing is, the people you'd expect to be the popular "kids" are not necessarily the ones with the most "followers."
I'm still in disbelief that someone like Kim Kardashian has over eleven million followers!
Clearly the world is more influenced by fame, status and money than anything else.
We grew up being taught to "be a leader, not a follower."
Yet I wake up everyday and "follow" people on Twitter and ask them to "follow" me...
I guess I'm a victim of social media peer pressure! Now if you'll excuse me
I've got to go reply to @KimKardashian's last Tweet!

Mondays Are Brutal!

Working hard to stay focused,
Trying not to give into the stress.
Hours on the computer,
My eyes can still see the spinning rainbow wheel!
If just one email pays off I'll be grateful!

Back To The Grind!

After spending a wonderful week with family giving thanks, it's time to get back to the grind!
It's easy to get caught up in the fun.
It's much more difficult to get focused and back to work...
Nevertheless, tomorrow it's business as usual!
I have to admit, I'm excited to get back to work. We've got a lot of cool projects in the works- but they're not going to finish by themselves!

Game Day!

The perfect ending to a wonderful week of giving thanks with family...
A USC game with an amazing friend...
P.S. USC kicked UCLA's ass!
50 - 0

Safari Thanksgiving Day 6

Today was our last day at Disneyland.
Which means our family adventure has come to an end...
Make no mistake, we enjoyed every second of the expedition!
We studied animals in their natural habitats:
The lions and tigers and bears at the San Diego Wild Life Park-
The killer whales in their impressive water shows at Sea World-
And of course the thousands of wild, screaming amusement park creature in their lines at Disneyland-
Today we finished with a delicious dinner at the Blue Bayou in honor of the women who made this all possible.
Happy 70th Birthday Grandma Chris, I think the picture below sums up the rest! It was a wonderful trip!

Safari Thanksgiving Day 5

It's been a long day!
The safari is nearing the end...
So we thought we should Treet ourselves to a little holiday magic!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful day!

Safari Thanksgiving Day 4

Today was a long day!
My feet are tired and my legs are sore...
But I had a wonderful day with my niece and nephews!
Disneyland day one is officially complete!
Now if I could just figure out how to get out of this box!

Safari Thanksgiving Day 3

Slight break in the safari expedition...
The family has been keeping me busy!
I had to take a break from vacation to get a little work done.
After a day at the zoo and a trip to Sea World, I found myself in rehearsal with an entirely different type of animal today...
Children!
Never fear, I made it through another choreography rehearsal of Snow White and The Huntsman!
Too bad I feel like this now...  Don't worry, the safari continues bright and early tomorrow morning!

Safari Thanksgiving Day 2

Another day. Another adventure!
From our vantage point today we could sea the world! Any guess where we were?
We weren't at a the zoo... But there sure were a lot of animals! Oh there were a few fins as well!

Safari Thanksgiving Day 1

The weeklong family safari Thanksgiving began today!
Naturally we kicked it off at the San Diego Zoo- Safari Park...
Lions, and tigers and children... Oh my!

Life Lesson Number 2,976???.... I Lost Count!

I believe that people come into our lives for a reason. Honestly, I believe everything happens for a reason...
Occasionally it's tough for me to accept this thought-
Nevertheless, I've learned that every situation in life helps shape who we are as individuals.
I have friends that I've known my entire life, who continue to encourage me to shine.
I have friends that I've known for shorter periods of time that inspire me to grow.
I have friends who come in and out of my life, but we always pick up right where we left off.
And I have friends that were never really friends, but I didn't realize it, until it was too late.
The important thing for me to remember is that all of my friends, even the enemies disguised as friends, have taught me something valuable.

I can sum it all up with the lyrics from the beautiful song For Good from the amazing musical Wicked-
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Anonymous...

Dear Anonymous,
Some people say things to your face... others only have the strength to say things behind your back. Either is fine with me.
What I'm confused by, is the type of person who lacks the character to put a name on their opinion, information or accusations.
I share my thoughts, opinions, observations, short stories, personal challenges and much more on an open blog.  I've been doing so for over two years.
If you look back through past entries, you will see that I'm very open about my proudest achievements and most venerable moments alike.
It's safe to say that I've never written anything "anonymously."  My feeling is, if you can't stand behind the words you are saying, maybe you shouldn't be saying them...
Clearly not everyone feels the same way...
I suppose in certain instances; domestic abuse, child safety and witnessing a mob crime you might not want your name attached to the police report for personal safety.
Otherwise, I think it's just lame to attack someone namelessly~
I wrote a post a few days ago about an old friend who is no longer my friend.  I didn't mention their name because, just like posting anonymously, I think publicly bashing is unnecessary. (Until now.)
The point of my blog entry: Enjoy Your Facebook Friends was not to "get back" at an old friend.  It was to release my feelings and move on.  Which is why I started blogging in the first place.
So when I received an "anonymous" reply to my post from the "friend" in question, it only solidified my original feelings:
Some people have the balls to say one thing to your face...
...and another "anonymously."
Here is a post on my public "Wall" of Facebook from the former friend written one year earlier...



























And here is the "anonymous" downfall of our friendship just over a year later...

I will go on the record to say that I am so THANKFUL to have this delusional, self-centered, split personality, raging lunatic out of my life.  You want to act like the hero publicly and bash me "anonymously?" Too funny!
Yours Truly,
Matthew Shaffer

Disneyland Holiday Kickoff party!

Ringing in the holiday cheer!
It was a magical night at the magic kingdom...

Guilty...

It seems like the holiday kickoff comes early every year!
I swear I saw at least five people dressed up like Santa Clause for Halloween!
But I have to admit... This year I'm guilty too!
Hey, don't judge me! It's an inexpensive way to lift my spirits...

Still Dancing!

My body aches from head to toe;
I danced all weekend and feel old.
Class tonight was really rough-
Those teenage kids have way too much energy!
(I can't even think of a better rhyme.)
The end.

Lily!

My little dog Lily;

I love her so much.

Even though she can't help herself when it comes to eating things she's not supposed to.

Rocks, sheets, coffee tables...

And now Christmas ornament hangers?!?

Oh Lily!

You're going to give me a heart attack!

Remember When?

Remember when airlines used to show a movie on a cross country flight?
Now they charge you for a snack!
I guess that's progress-
Or capitalism at its finest...

Back In The Studio

I spent the day teaching and choreographing a group of talented dancers in Hartford, CT.
I'm always inspired when I have the opportunity to work with an eager new group of young artists.
It instantly reminds me of my journey as an aspiring entertainer.
It's rewarding to witness a new generation of dancers discovering their abilities, building their foundation and exploring their creative path.
The day went fast and furious. Acting, dancing, improvisation and technique over ten hours.
Though it felt wonderful in the moment, I know my body is going to be in total pain tomorrow!
Though my heart and soul still feels thirteen- my aches and pains remind me otherwise!

Living the Dream!

Slowly and surely the dream is coming to life...
It's so rewarding to see a lifetime of passion, determination and hard work come together in a way far more inspiring than I ever imagined!
Today, I feel proud.

Happy Hour!

When the day is long 

and the stress is high

I'm thankful for friends,

and a happy vibe!

Buckle Up!

If you want to get anywhere in life, you can't always take the safe route! 
You have to go off-roading! 
It can be bumpy~ but detours are necessary. 
Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Enjoy Your Facebook Friends.

As suspected, my instinct was correct.

Despite all of my better judgment and intuition, I met up with an estranged friend in need last night.

The evening started off with his passive-aggressive behavior directed at me.
As the night continued, so did his nasty remarks and false accusations.
The evening ended with him inches away from my face, screaming
at the top of his lungs in a crowded bar in Los Angeles.

This should come as no surprise to me-

The majority of our nine year friendship revolved around his need to lash out
at the people he considered his "closest" friends.

The sad fact is, he has completely alienated everyone who actually cared about him.  

I've never met a person who could brag about having over two thousand "friends" on Facebook, while standing alone in a bar after attacking the only person who actually showed up to support him.

As I walked away, I laughed. 

I no longer care what happens to him.
Besides, he doesn't need me...
He has plenty of friends on Facebook!

The Funny Thing About Friends...

They're always there for you when you need them...

But remember... you have to be there when they need you too!

(Just a little reminder to myself.)

So I'm going to man up, be the "bigger" person and go help a friend in need!

A Catholic Make-Over?!?

I guess it's inevitable...
In a society driven by social media, celebrity, youth, yoga, pilates, rebranding and enlightenment- it seems everyone is focused on appealing to the masses...
So natural the Catholic Mass gets a facelift!
I guess it's progress? The last time the Catholic Church modified their services was in 1965.
I was baptized Catholic and grew up in the Catholic Church. I want to be very clear, my family gave both me and my sister the choice in the matter.
 I was never forced to attend mass, catechism or confession.
I did so on my own accord for several reasons;
1. I LOVED the theatrics of mass.
2. I felt safe with my thoughts and sharing them with someone who would listen, but never verbally answer.
3. I thoroughly enjoyed the smell of the incense.
There are other more important reasons, all of which are personal and therefore I will not share those thoughts.
The point is- I find comfort in the hour a week I spend in meditation.
Apparently a large population of practicing Catholics do as well...
Today, it was announced that over the next several weeks the Catholic mass will be getting a world wide overhaul!
As a combined effort of the Popes' in more recent years responding to the dwindling number of Catholics attending weekly services- The Vatican has decided to step into the light. They want the Catholic Church to be more user friendly. More in line with a spiritual enlightenment...
Did I even hear our priest mention meditation?
(A word that most Catholics associate with New Age thinking.)
I guess some people aren't familiar with the monistaries and convents where speaking is prohibit.
Anyway, I couldn't help but get a little chuckle in church this morning when the priest talked about the new phrases being added and the new moments of silence and mediation.
On the one hand I'm proud that the Catholic Church is trying to rebrand their faith for a new generation and perhaps even shed the nasty scandals that have stained the sacred robes.
Still, another part of me can't help but question how changing a few silly words is going to draw in new audience? In the meantime, it will no doubtedly piss off a large part of the older audience that still remain covered in a black veil each week...
If the Catholic Church was really interested in repopulating the pews they should draw on Hollywood, and take a note from movies like Sister Act and the celebrity TV evangelists who manage to pack in thousands of people a week in their enormous arenas.
People do want change- they're craving it from everywhere!
But they want it to appeal to them. They want to be inspired. They want to be entertained. They want to sing like a contestant on The Voice. They want to stand up dance down the aisles...
They don't want another opportunity to kneel!

Game Day!

I admit, I'm not a huge football fan.

But when you're the son of the worlds biggest Denver Bronco's fan (my mom, not my dad!) then you learn how to enjoy a weekend of football.

Today was no exception...

In honor of my favorite USC loving friends I hosted a college game day party!

Complete with homemade chili and all the fixin's.

It was the perfect feast of food, booze and friends!

So even though the game of the century turned out to be a fumble...

The party did not!

Networking...

Necessary to
Engage.
Take action!
Work
On
Reaching out.
Keep
Industry professionals
Needing your
Gift!

Snow White Rehearsal

Snot covered clothes,

Dirty sticky hands,

Cuts and bruises crusted with blood,

Stinky farts and laughter-

Working with children is always an adventure!

Working 9 to 5... Is No Way To Make a Living!

I spent the entire day working on the computer.

God, I'm so thankful I don't have a 9 to 5 office job-

If I had to stare at a monitor five days a week, all day long you would NEVER see me on Facebook or any other social website!

Don't even get me started on the stupid rainbow spinning track wheel!!!

Now, it's time to release the day;

I'm really looking forward to a lovely dinner party with friends tonight.

As for tomorrow...

Well, that will come soon enough.

Four Days of Halloween

Recovering from a four day weekend extravaganza;

I danced with the famous spirits at the Hollywood Forever cemetery-

I rocked the night away at a birthday party in Hollywood,

I toasted the nuptials of Ric and Jane at their wedding in Palm Springs,

I partied with friends at the Halloween Parade in West Hollywood,

Now it's time to sleep!

Six Word Essay on Four Days of Halloween Partying...

I need a barf bag, now!

Wedding In Palm Springs!

Wedding In Palm Springs-

Pool,

Cocktails,

Ceremony,

More cocktails,

Delicious appetizers,

Find your table,

Introductions to friends of friends,

Dinner is served,

More cocktails,

Speeches,

The first dance,

More cocktails,

Wild crazy dancing,

Late night pool party,

midnight snack,

Crashed!

It was a beautiful wedding!

Congratulations Ric & Jane Barbera!

I love you both!

Halloween Day 2...

Last night I partied at a cemetery...

Tonight I partied at an old skool Hollywood house that's been turned into a night club...

The four day Halloween-fest continues!

Who's the leader of the pack?

Halloween In A Cemetery...

Only in Hollywood...

Would you find a bunch of hot, half naked men in

themed (stripper) Halloween costumes;

Drinking, dancing and doing devilish things-

At a famous Hollywood cemetery.

I must admit it was a fun night!

Albeit, very strange to be dancing around famous dead peoples graves!

Oh well, I'm sure they knew what they were getting into

when they decided to be buried in Hollywood!

Hollywood Forever!

Remembering Grandpa

Today I remember the man who taught me how to make the most delicious scrambled eggs, how to shave in five minutes and how to make an entire room laugh without saying a word!

It's hard to believe my grandpa has been gone for two years. No matter how long it's been, his energy and spirit live on in me and my family.

He was a great man. Stylish, intelligent, funny, calm, brave and full of life.

He encouraged me to follow my dreams. To live everyday to the fullest. To "stop worrying so much."

And most important, how to put your family first.

Growing up he would always remind me, "Life's short Matski, enjoy every second!" Then he'd follow with, "Carpe diem, Seize the day Mattski!"

Of course at the time I couldn't really understand what he meant. But as I got older, I started to see the years pass. Just before he died we had a wonderful conversation- It was all I needed to hear to refocus my life, take bigger risks and enjoy each day for what it brings. Today, brings wonderful memories of a man I loved with all my heart and soul.

Life Lesson Re-Learned In A Labyrinth

I walked through a labyrinth today-
It felt like a metaphor for my life.
Like the maze, when I first began my journey I really had know idea of the direction I was headed.
There are many twists and unexpected turns along the way.
At a certain point the path becomes clear and I begin to discover a great sense of self.
I start to realize that I've overcome so many dead ends and obstacles.
I was even able to stop, take a deep breath and reflect on a few of the amazing adventures I've had so far.
At that moment it dawns on me that I'm only halfway along the trail and I've already walked right passed my goal-
Separated only by the rules of the labyrinth.
It was frustrating and promising all at once...
On the one hand, I was annoyed that I was so close to the target, but had to continue along the maze until it was time to reach the end.
On the other, I was incredibly excited to remember that the goal is only a few steps away.

Standardized "Life" Test Failure!

I don't believe in tests...

But if I did-

I might wonder if I'm being put through the ultimate standardized "Life" test.

Over the past month it feels like anything that could go wrong... Has!

Nothing serious like; illness, death or destruction.

(Thank God!)

But every single piece of electronic equipment has failed.

Plans with friends have backfired.

Simple daily tasks have lead to rage.

Rehearsals and classes have been muddy...

I'm suffering a communication meltdown!

If I am being "tested" I guess I have no choice but to push through the shit I hate, and make up for it in the essay portion.

Just like I did in High School!

I'm off to write in my journal, and hopefully work through some

issues!

Technology... It's all the RAGE!

Another long day;

I sang show tunes on my way home from teaching,

It put a smile on my face.

Then I got home and attempted to sync my iPhone;

The rage of the day came flooding back!

I really hate when technology gets the best of me...

The only way I'm going to release the anger is to sing a song about it!

You Win Some, You Lose Some...

Some days you win-

Some days you lose.

That's life.

I fight like hell to stay focused, calm and positive.

Usually it works,

Today it didn't.

So now, I'm going to dig into a dark chocolate bar,

and pass out on my couch watching trashy TV~

Cheers to tomorrow!

Rigatoni Dinner!

Wine,

Good Friends,

and delicious homemade rigatoni~

Proof that no matter what a friendship endures,

everyone can come together in honor of family!

It was a very good night!

People Watching At Starbucks

A man in his sixties wearing booty shorts with his sagging butt hanging out-
A beautiful woman with a shaved head eating pasta salad with her fingers-
The cackle of a strange man with a bright pink mohawk about two feet high-
The employees talking shit about the customers while not working behind the counter-
The phony Hollywood meetings where each person continues to talk about their amazing project loud enough for everyone to overhear-
The tourists that eat their pastry wishing that it tasted half as good as the ones they eat back home-
The cute little girl that demands her fathers full attention, while her mother finishes her cold cup of coffee-
And all of these people staring back at me like I'm judging them-
I am. And it's amazing!
I love to people watch at Starbucks!

Behind The Curtain!

Today I went on a wild adventure.

I saw behind the velvet curtain and it wasn't pretty;

You always want what you don't have-

Until you get a glimpse of it...

And realize they can keep it!

I have my path,

They have theirs.

It may seem like they've conquered the world,

But I see the rat in a cage.

Conflicted

Do I rise above the bitterness?

Is it worth sitting down to rehash the past?

I'm optimistic and hopeful that people can change-

However it's been my experience that they usually don't,

At least not for very long.

How will this time be different?

Nobody wants to have an eight year friendship end like this...

On the other hand, I don't have the energy to respond after being attacked.

I'm extremely conflicted!

Dear iPhone Software Update,

Thanks for F_cK!nG up my phone, my computer and six hours of my day!

Technology has bitched slapped me into loving the torture.

I feel like I'm one of those people they make "Law & Order" episodes about!

RAGEAGERAGERAGEEEEGARAGEEEEEEEEEEEEERAGERRRRAAAAGGGGEEE!

How It Started...

This is what happens if you leave a bunch of kids with

huge personalities and wild imaginations home alone

with a camcorder...

Here is a clip from the very first parody / variety show

that I made with my cousins back in 1992 when they

came to visit us in Los Angeles.

We all loved shows like In Living Color and Saturday

Night Live, so naturally we decided that we should have

our own show too.

We turned my parents garage into a studio!

Complete with lights, camera and a lot of action!

This is what ignited the flame for me!

I made the executive choice to remove our dialogue...

I think the visual is enough!

Cleaning House...

Over time one can amass a huge amount of clutter in all manners of life;
Like an overgrown garden, career paths and relationships are often neglected-
Days, months, sometimes even years pass before we realize that weeds have surpassed the beautiful flowers, and insects we didn't even know were there, are destroying the entire greenhouse.
This year it occurred to me that the metaphorical "house" that is my life had become a version of Grey Gardens...
I forced myself to pull back the drapes and face the ugly truth now exposed in the harsh light of day-
Friendships turned upside-down, business associates that have rotted to the core, even family matters that have been shoved into a closet.
It was time for me to clean house.
At first the process felt impossible. I finally got a glimpse at what a hoarder must feel when the camera crews come blazing through their home...
But as I began slowly removing the toxic clutter, I was once again able to see the beauty that still surrounded me.
Cleaning "house" I rediscovered the things in my life that are most important.
I filed the moments I treasure, arranged the objects I love to display and deleted the energy that had become a waste of space.
Hopefully in the future I will remember to spend more time on the maintenance and up keep of my life!

Sundays

Chillin' on the sofa,

I've got a puppy on either side of me.

Switching back and forth between Discovery documentaries

and Family Guy on Netflix.

The cool ocean breeze is blowing in through the living room window.

Taking a little catnap before a dinner with friends...

I LOVE Sundays!

Setback. Step Forward.

Life is full of setbacks;

One day you're up,

The next you're down.

Often I feel like I'm making such great strides in my life and career...

Then I take a blow. My ego gets bruised and so does my bank account-

Once I get my mind wrapped around the upsetting setback, I refocus and develop a new battle plan.

But what I remembered today-

What feels like a shitty set of circumstances is likely a blessing in disguise.

The universe has an amazing way of guiding us where we need to be, precisely when we need to be there.

If I wasn't forced to take a gig that I had no interest in working (other than making money) I would never have met a contact that has a shared interest in my passion and the means to help me get my project off the ground.

Proving yet again, EVERYTHING happens for a reason. No matter how hard I fight the obvious, I've learned that life is in motion and there are some things that I cannot control, I just have to trust that the universe will lead me to my next lesson. If only I could remember that in the thick of the setback!

Waking Up Is Hard...

Standing all day with a smile on my face-

Needed to blow off steam last night when I got home...

Showered and feeling fresh,

Walked down with friends for a Happy Hour!

Happy Hour turned into hour(S)!

Partied like a maniac and still in bed by 10-

Waking up this morning...

Not as fun as last night.

My Ideal Nightmare

Working an outdoor gig wearing a black suit in record breaking heat with a forced smile on my face...
It's gonna be a long day!
Ah- the glamorous life!

Enjoy The View While You Have It

Enjoying the view-

I never know when it will change...

Working hard to appreciate where I am.

Soaking in every minute. Even the frustrating moments.

...and there have been a lot of those recently.

Nevertheless- the view from where I stand is every bit as breathtaking.

Thrilled!

I'm still exhilarated from last night!

We had an informal cast and crew screening of our pilot episode of "The Outrageously Fabulous Weekly Parody Talk Show!" To my delight, it was a huge success!

I can honestly say that working on this project with Jeff Payton, Ellen Buckley and Amy Claire has been a rewarding experience. The result is by far my proudest accomplishment in my career!

I have no doubt that an idea that started out over a year ago, sparked by a lifelong dream of mine to have my own variety show will result in a wildly popular TV show!

No matter what, I can die a happy man knowing that I followed my passion and it lead me on such an adventure with my talented, witty and ambitious friends! I can't wait to see what the future holds for our new show!

A New Chapter: ParodyChat

It was a sad day for us at A Group Produciton when we found out that Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon were among the four housewives to be released from the popular Real Housewives of New York franchise on Bravo!
After all, Jill and Kelly were the divas that put our parodies on the map!
I'm so grateful to Jill for reaching out to us and sharing our work with all of her fans! Not to mention that she appears with us in our own parodies!
She's one cool lady and I know she'll have another fabulous project for us to enjoy soon!
In the meantime, we've decided to start a new segment on our YouTube channel called ParodyChat! In ParodyChat we will spoof the homemade videos of celebrities and Reality TV stars...
It makes sense that for our first ParodyChat, we'd spoof the ladies that helped us get the ball rolling.
Here is Jill Zarin's Message Parody Ustream With Kelly Bensimon!

The Cutest Pumkin!

I know it's slightly bias-
But the fact remains...
My niece is the most beautiful baby in the pumpkin patch!

Saturday

Really looking forward to a day off!

Today, is not the day.

Aren't Saturdays supposed to be relaxing?

Not when you're producing a pilot.

I know it will pay off!

Basket Case

Crying watching The X Factor.
Crying watching Dance Moms.
Crying because I can't stop crying...
I'm a total basket case today~
I need a spiritual vacation ASAP!

Face Off.

Tonight I came face to face with a former friend.
I'm disappointed that the encounter was strained, to say the least.
When did our love turn to hate?
How does it happen?
It breaks my heart-
Friends should inspire one another not tear them down.
I've always been told that time heals all wounds...
I hope that's true.

LA- Expect the Unexpected!

The rain in LA comes sporadically-

It's usually unexpected.

Which makes sense if you think about it...

Hollywood is the land of wonder.

How come it rains for one day in October and then not again until February?

How does Keanu Reeves continue to get work?

Why do they green light shows like 2 Broke Girls and cancel shows like Arrested Development?

The answers to these mystery's and many more may never get solved...

But one thing's for sure, LA looks sparkling clean after a nice bath~

Maybe Colin Farrell should take note!

A Big Campy Opening Number for our New Variety Show!

Today, I'm thrilled to share the opening credits to our new Variety Talk show that we've been working on for the past year! I believe in this show whole heartedly! I hope you enjoy:

Follow your passion and success will come chasing after you!

That's Life

Today I had a list of shit on my desk a mile long of all the things that I needed to get accomplished...

Guess what?

I got to cross two things off that list!

What a sad day.

It hurts my head and my heart when I don't get to slash a bold line across some silly task that should only take five minutes to finish!

UHG.

Like my Gram always says, "That's life Mattsky! You've got to take the good with the bad."

I'm ready for the good to keep back in!

Six Word Essay On Dinner With Friends...

Booze, food and laughter- perfect night!

Fall

Crisp air.

The smell of a fireplace.

Craft fairs and pumpkin patches.

Layered clothing.

The sound of football pouring out of the neighborhood bar.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks!

The build up to the holidays...

I LOVE the Fall!

Dinner At The Palm

The aroma as you walk through the door is intoxicating.

Start off with a signature cocktail~

Dive into the bread and butter.

Slice into the wedge salad... It's off the charts!

But for me, it's all about the melt in your mouth, full body orgasm I experience from the Filet Mignon.

Heaven on a plate.

Finish with a cappuccino and one of their delicious desserts.

I love The Palm-

You always get what you pay for!

Expanding My Empire...

I'm always looking for exciting new ways to branch out and challenge myself. As far as I know, you only get one shot on this planet, so I want to live it to the maximum. That means constantly pushing myself past the comfort zone and into scary uncharted territory...

Call me an overachiever. Call me a hustler. Call me a man who wants to build an empire...

Just don't call me lazy.

For my latest adventure- I've decided to combine my love of dance and music and incorporate it into a fun, inspiring dance class that mothers and their daughters can take together!

What better way to bond with your daughter than with fun pop music and sassy choreography?

Laugh, exercise and develop the skills to be a dancer!

It's fun. It's fabulous. It's bring moms and daughters closer together.

Best of all...

It's the perfect opportunity for moms and daughters to discover their inner Pop Star!

Fried Pickles and Family!

I love my family and I'm obsessed with fried pickles...
Today I got both!
Honestly, there is nothing better than spending the day with my grandparents eating delicious comfort food.
It was a wonderful day!

When You're In A Valley... Climb Out!

At the top of every mountain I rediscover how beautiful the view is.

Exhilarating and totally worth the climb!

Then I remember that I have to make the exhausting and emotional

trek back down into the valley to search for a new peak.

There- in the darkness of the valley, I discover what I'm truly made of.

Do I have the strength, faith and passion to climb again?

Or will I give into the fear and doubt?

Then I stumble upon a beautiful lake where I least expected it refreshes my soul.

Suddenly the peak ahead doesn't look as overwhelming as it did the day before.

I'm ready for another climb!

Each expedition has me soaring to new heights.

A Visit From Grandma and Grandpa!

My grandparents are in town...

We took a trip to the neighborhood where I grew up.

Memory Lane-

It's good to have my family here with me right now.

One hug and I was instantly at ease.

I've had a rough month.

Stress, doubt, anxiety.

You know? All of those things I'm supposed to release!

My family always reminds me to smile.

I'm grateful they made the trip to LA to see me!

...and the movie stars!

Food Coma

Woke up in a food coma...

I love Saturday night's out with friends!

A feast of pasta, wine and gossip.

For dessert?

A stop off at Yogurt Stop.

Now, off to the gym!

Mangia! Mangia!

Everyone was correct.

Osteria Mozza is wonderful. (Even though the service was not.)

I'm so grateful for my amazing friends and delicious dinners...

Social Media Meltdown

Having a social media meltdown...

I need to take a break from Facebook and Twitter.

Google+ is going to take some time to figure out...

I think it's gonna be worth it.

It's Complicated...

Rage...

Angry that Photoshop keep shutting down-

The easiest tasks take the most time.

I really need a vacation!

A Trip To Pasadena...

I took the night off for a fun trip to Pasadena...

Then I remembered there really isn't anything fun about Pasadena.

No offense- It's all white. I mean right...

But getting there is fun.

Driving through Hollywood, pass downtown, around Dodgers Stadium...

Los Angeles is beautiful.

Sucked In...

The Rachel Zoe Project is hideous.

The over-the-top drama over clothing and fashion is ludicrous...

It's not like she's saving a life-

She's just styling Jennifer Garner to look like a woman.

Granted, that is a miraculous act!

Still her theatrics are outrageous...

I cannot get enough of it!

Delusional and Happy About It...

Often times I feel like I live in a forced delusional state of mind-

Then I remember that in order to make a dream come to life, I have to believe it will.

My delusion has worked so far in my life. Still, I never stop wondering if one day it's all just going to come crashing down around me?

I guess it really doesn't matter if it does. I mean the worst that can happen is that I have to pick up the pieces and start something new...

But it's not like I don't do that every time a project ends, a curtain falls or I don't get a part that I've auditioned for.

I think it's important that I check in on myself from time to time just to make sure I'm still happily doing what I love-

I'll admit, I wish I was making more money.

(At least enough that I wouldn't be so stressed at the end of every month...)

But at the end of the day I get to do what I love. I'm still madly passionate about performing and creating. I'm thrilled when something that I poured my heart and soul into is enjoyed by others.

Until that exhilaration ends... I'm forced to live a delusional life!

Faith in the Dark...

It is in the darkness that it is most important for me to keep the faith that there will be light again.

No matter how many times I've experienced getting trapped in the thickest woods of the unknown, I'm reminded that the only way out is to move forward without fear- and trust that I will find my way along the path.

I look back on the journey I have traveled so far, and it's clear that some of the best adventures and fondest memories came during the roughest of terrain.

So today, despite my greatest efforts to self sabotage and give into my fear...

I'm going to take a deep breath, smile and let it go!

The Emmy's are on, I have friends coming over to enjoy some homemade spaghetti and we're going to have an amazing party.

Nothing good comes of doubt, and nothing bad has ever come from a positive thought.

Over Thinking... Seriously! Over it.

I woke up feeling pressure today.

The stress of over thinking everything.

I know how this scenario ends... I spend too much time worrying about something, and then it all pans out.

I just don't understand my need to obsess. Especially after experiencing time and again the effects of positive action.

Obviously we are conditioned to think, feel and act based on instinct. My instinct has never lead me astray, yet I continue to doubt it.

Still, there are days when no amount of coaching, meditation, reason or thought will change my point of view.

So I guess it's up to me to let go- and let God.

TGIF Poem

The time has come-

The end of the week.

I worked my ass off...

Now I'll drink!

Wine and Opera!

Today was one of those days...

No matter how much work I did, it feels like nothing got accomplished.

So now I'm going to release the frustration and meet up with a good friend for a few glasses of wine and enjoy the evening while watching one of our closest friends perform in Eugene Onegin at the LA Opera!

It's not about giving up, it's about surrendering to the energy of the day!

What better way to unwind than with bottles of wine and opera?!?

Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to sneak in a little nap...

at intermission (of course!)

Wake Up!

It's hard to leave the comfort of my cozy bed- especially when I'm snuggled up with my puppies and morning cartoons are on!

Thankfully I have a project worth waking up for!

I love getting my day started early while I'm working on a new creative opportunity.

I'm a creature of habit-

I start the coffee,

take the puppies down,

feed the puppies,

pour my coffee,

feed myself,

check in on my emails, Facebook and Twitter,

Finally, I sit down at my desk and review the To-Do list that I made the night before...

It gives me the structure that my life as an artist needs.

I also enjoy writing this blog each day...

This gives me a jump start on forcing my mind to just write!

So thank you to everyone who wakes up with me in the morning and reads it!

You are a part of my morning (and sometimes evening) routine.

Have a beautiful day!

Six Word Essay On Dancing in my Thirties...

It hurts to battement my leg!

The Artists' Way...

The driving passion,

The burning desire no matter how many time you've been rejected.

The thrill once you finally get a chance to shine-

The disappointment when that goes away and you're back in the same darkness.

The hope of a new opportunity in the distance.

The faith that you're meant to do "this" and nothing else.

The frustration of a disastrous day.

The exhilaration of a day that feels like heaven on earth.

The insane highs and low.

The realization that no matter how accomplished, you will always have to fight.

The discovery of learning how to survive as an artist and still eat or pay rent.

The acceptance that the artist is in me, and will never go away.

Remembering

Ten years ago today, my roommate woke me up in a panic. We sat in our mid-town Manhattan apartment crying as we watched the events unfold on television.

I'll never forget the smell in the air that night, or how it lingered as a reminder weeks after the tragic day.

My heart will never understand such an evil act. My mind will never be able to release the images, smells and sights that I witnessed...

But today, I want to send love, energy and prayers to the victims and survivors of 9/11.

To all of our uniformed heroes- I give you my undying gratitude. Thank you to all the men and women who dedicated their lives to serving the United States of America.

More Proof that God is Great!

The past two years of my life have been among the most rewarding I've experienced...
I don't pretend to have it all figured out- and I imagine I never will. But I am so proud of the growth I've made in both my personal life and on my career path.

That being said, there are still those times when the struggle of following your passion takes it's toll! (Please see yesterday's entry...)
In the past two years I've been blessed with great jobs, fun adventures and success in creating my own opportunities.
After my company finished the year long process of developing, producing and shooting a new television pilot, I realized that I had no other jobs lined up in the immediate future.
To a "normal" person with a Nine to Five job, that probably sound outrageous. But for an actor, it's very normal. Still, it's never easy! As I get older the presences of the "unknown" gets tougher to stomach. It's natural to fall into panic mode.
Then I remember... NOTHING positive results from fear and doubt.
So I began focusing on creating opportunities. As soon as I shifted my outlook the path was clear.
Then the unexpected...
I go to my mailbox today and to my surprise I received a residual check for an episode of Cold Case I was on four years ago!
The best part is that it was exactly enough to pay my rent for another month!
God is great! I give it up to God because these residual checks only seems to come when I'm on the verge of a total meltdown.
So yet again I realize that the stress and self-doubt are worthless!
At least this time I arrived at my faith a lot sooner and the heavenly check from a random TV rerun came a lot faster!

Six Word Essay on Catering...

I hate serving nasty ungrateful people.

Just Get It Done!

You know those people that start a really cool project, creation or adventure and then abandon it half way through because they're worried that it's not perfect?
Yeah- I am not one of them!
I get shit done...
So it's frustrating to work with people who don't.
I've never understood how someone could be so smart, talented or ambitious, and yet so unmotivated to follow through.
I'm sure several factors including; insecurity, fear of failure and perfectionism are all in part to blame. Still, I can only imagine that it must suck to have dozens of unfinished dreams.
I vowed a long time ago, after watching several of my more talented friends give up on their dreams, that I would stay focused on a project until it is finished. Of course things don't always go the way we hope. Nor do they always turn out the way we expected. Nevertheless, I believe if an idea was promising enough to start, it should be worthy enough to finish.
Forget perfection. As a self-diagnosed Type A personality with a need for perfection, I've accepted that the people who succeed in life are the ones who show up!

Strictly Ballroom...

I forgot how much I love the movie Strictly Ballroom-
It's everything that Dirty Dancing wanted to be but didn't accomplish.
The "dance training" montage is amazing.
I love that a movie can make me happy and sad all at the same time. But more importantly, I'm grateful that a film can inspire me, distract me, transport me and remind me of my passion...
Especially after a day like yesterday.

Six Word Essay On My Career...

I'm so ready to make it.

It's Got To Get Easier... Right?

It never fails-
Just when you think you've got it all figured out... Bam!
An unexpected punch where it counts.
Life is full of ups and downs. I remind myself of this on a daily basis. (Often multiple times a day!)
The fact remains, it's never easy to accept a defeat.
After such a creative month, I find myself scrambling.
The opportunities for creativity still exist. Sadly, the time and resources have disappeared.
I'm doing my best to stay focused and positive- After all, that was the key to my growth and success in 2010 and for the majority of 2011 so far.
So my current situation is a setback.
All I can do is brush off the negative experience and move forward.
I want to complain about all of the "little" things that contribute to a much greater problem-
But I know from history, that positive action has a greater impact than focusing on the things I cannot "fix."
Which is why I'm writing this blog. This is my opportunity to take a deep breath, release the anxiety and doubt and start looking for new possibilities.
I guess deep down I realize: "It" never gets easier.
I've just got to remember that "it" is only as difficult as I allow it to be.

Labored Day

Late breakfast.
Completely ignoring all of my emails.
Walk to a friends house-
Crash poolside with an eclectic playlist gently pounding.
Sun beating down while I read a delicious novel. (Freedom by Jonathan Franzen)
Fire up the BBQ.
Carne asada cooked to perfection by the master griller J.P.
Later- snuggling on the sofa with my besties and my puppies for a movie night!
What a wonderful Labor(less) Day!

Indulged

I may have eaten too much.
I know I drank too much.
I'm certain I partied too hard...
I indulged for one day, and I'm sure it's going to cost me five days of hard work.
...It was worth it!

Fall Is In The Air...

The sweet crisp smell in the air.
Twilight comes sooner than you expect-
It reminds me of the start of a new school year,
Those days are long gone.
But the magic remains-
Every sports bar on every corner is jam packed with cheering football fans.
It's hard to resist the roar of the crowd!
Or the taste of a fresh draft beer.
Fall is in the air!

A Friendly Reminder...

My grandma is always reminding me how important it is to take care of your friends.
There will be moments in your friendships where you will be faced with tough decisions. Do you remain silent while watching a person you love self-destruct or do you express your concern in the most honest and sincere way possible?
Either way, you risk losing a friend.
Tonight was a friendly reminder that love and concern is always appreciated. Not every friend in my life would have been so open, unguarded and responsive to hearing my fears... Which was a wake up call to me. A true friend will always be open to accepting help- in whatever form it comes, they're usually the first to offer it as well.

Where'd This Week Go?

Is it Thursday already?
Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for Friday to come?
Of course I still LOVE weekends! However, I'd just like to get more accomplished in between the days off! Otherwise I end up working when I'm supposed to be playing!
I've finally accepted that no matter how much time you have... It's never going to be enough!
So I'm ending my workday now. I'm going to meet up with some friends at a bar in West Hollywood to celebrate the birth of another friend.
I feel a little guilty not getting everything checked off my list today-
But as I say repeatedly on this blog... LIFE IS SHORT!
...Let's not forget, I did produce a TV pilot last week. So I think I'm entitled to a little down time! (Even though I should probably be working double time to get this thing on the air!)
Guess what?t
That will be on the top of my list for tomorrow!

Just Let It Go...

Releasing the stress of the day,
Sometimes things just don't go the way you want them to!
The harder you fight to make it work,
The more it blows up in your face!
Frustrated by uncontrollable circumstances that block the task-
The rage builds from the lack of control.
Then it occurs to me,
I have the power to just let go!
Tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start.

Random BBQ

Summer is coming to an end.

So is the propane in our tank...

We might be running low on heat, but thank God we've got a lot to drink!

There's nothing like a random Tuesday night BBQ with friends.

Life is good.

Over Budget...

It's a wonderful thing we had a great shoot...

Because we came in over budget.

Not by much, but enough to hurt where it counts.

I guess I'll be eating Ramen Noodles for the next month-

It's good to know that I'm still creating fun projects...

and eating like I did when I was eighteen because of it!

Such An Amazing Shoot!

Today was an amazing day. Making a dream come true!

That's A Wrap!

That's a wrap on the first day of shooting!
It was a full day- Very successful... I had a lot of fun too!
Tomorrow is the long day!
Off to get my beauty sleep. I'm so blessed that I have the opportunity to follow my heart... I know this work is going to pay off.

Are Those Cher's Rhinstones?

The pre-production work continues on our delicious new television pilot...

Today we stopped by The Costume House to pick up the fabulous costumes for our opening credits!

It would be a gross understatement to say that I'm elated with the magnificent detailing on these costumes... Thanks to our a brilliant costume designer Will Brattin and our wonderful production designer George Skinner for the recommendation, our opening credits are going to hit the high note!

Oh, and if the delectable gold rhinestones on our bowler hats and bow ties look familiar, then you have a great eye... Will added a few of the very rhinestones once worn by Cher!

Honestly, what outrageously fabulous musical opening theme song would be complete without a touch of Cher?!?

Production Continues...

We're nearing the end of our pre-production work on our new television pilot. In just a few short hours our cameras are going to roll on our outrageous new set...

Unfortunately we still have a ton of work left to do.

I'm convinced that no matter how much prep work I do or how early I begin the planning process, I'm always going to feel the panic when show time rolls around.

It doesn't help that I'm a control freak. It's painful for me to ask someone else for help...

It's nothing personal, I just know they won't complete the task the way I prefer it.

So that leaves me with twenty four hours in the day and forty hours worth of work!

Thankfully this project brings pure joy to my life.

I have faith that the signs will be picked up, the contracts will get signed, the costumes will be finalized and everything will fall into place!

If not, I guess the show will go on!

The show ALWAYS goes on! I'm pretty sure that's my number one reason to keep moving forward! That and I really want to see this show picked up on TV!

Technologically F'd Up!

Nothing makes me rage more than when something doesn't work properly!

The more expensive the item, the more pissed I get...

Take my Mac laptop for example. Here is a two thousand dollar piece of machinery that I've taken excellent care of. I don't over use it. I only save essential items on the hard drive, everything else is stored on external hard drives. I don't accept cookies or go to questionable websites that may cause damage. I DON'T store internet porn on it...

...and still the damn thing just decides to shut off on me!

I can be in the middle of writing and email or even this blog, and the screen will go black for no reason. Of course when I take it to the Apple store, they can find nothing wrong.

But it doesn't stop there-

Today, I signed on to post this blog, and noticed that my layout is jacked up! Why? No reason.

Everything is set up correctly. The html code looks good and I've reset all of the sidebar activity, and still my blog layout is wrong!

Then there's Facebook- OH GOD! Don't even get me started... Every day there's a new issue with Facebook. Friends disappearing. Post not posting. Pictures that just tag themselves randomly...

It seems like the more time, energy and money you spend on technology, the less you get in return. Case in point:

My laptop has shut down three times during the composition of this blog entry! I'm in full rage mode! It's all I can do not to take this piece of shit computer and throw it from my fourth floor office window!

I can tell today is going to be a challenge! But I'm going to fight like hell not to let a stupid little machine get the best of me!

Production Week Begins

The sets have been built and painted. The script has been finalized. The cast rehearsed. The contracts... well we're still waiting on a few of those to come back signed... But you know what the say... The show WILL go on!
Today we had our wardrobe fittings for the big musical theme song that will open every show! I still don't want to give too much away about the specific details of our outrageously fabulous new television show, but here's a sneak peak of our opening costumes!

...Okay, now back to work! We've still got a lot to do this week. Of course I will continue to share my adventures throughout the week.

Shameless Self-Promotion... (For My Production Company)

Occasionally in the entertainment industry it becomes necessary to do a little self promoting...
Okay, who am I kidding? We all know this industry is ALL about self worship! Why else would people subject themselves to the daily, hourly even minutely abuse that we encounter if it didn't result in seeing our face on a gigantic screen, billboard or poster somewhere...
I'm completely aware of how needy this plea sounds, however, I'm not above dropping to my hands and knees in the name of promoting something I believe in! So here goes...
If you've had a chance to see any of the parodies that I've created with my producing partner and our company A Group Production, then you know we love to have fun! We're currently working on a hilarious (if I do say so myself) new television pilot that is going to take our parodies to new heights.
We're so grateful for the fans that are already following us on Twitter and Facebook- but we're hoping that if you love our parodies and are excited for our new TV series, that you'll become a fan of our production company on Facebook!
It's simple and free to do!
Just click this link to our A Group Production Facebook page, and click the "Like" button! If you're really adventurous, you can follow us on Twitter too!
Every new fan we gain, is a step toward getting our show off the ground and onto a screen in your living room!
Thanks for the love!

Sunday Nights with HBO!

I love Sunday nights and HBO.
True Blood.
Entourage.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I'm turned on, grossed out and doubled over in pain from laugh so hard.
In that order!

Rocking On The Sunset Strip!

The Sunset Strip in Los Angeles IS rock music. Legends of the music industry have all paid their dues along the half mile strip of West Hollywood along Sunset Boulevard. Clubs like the Whiskey, The Viper Room and The Roxy are rock musics playground...

But today was third annual Sunset Strip Music Festival. I was lucky enough to land a job working in the production department, and even luckier to finish my job just in time to catch Bush, Matt and Kim, Public Enemy and Motely Crue!

Plus, I got to chill in the VIP lounge where I had the pleasure of running into Gene Simmons.

It was a long day of rock! I worked hard all morning into the afternoon, and played hard in the evening.

I'd love to write a detailed play by play of the cool events that happened today...

However, I think pictures speak louder than words... And I need to crash!

So here are some pictures that I took throughout the day!

A Cool Night Out With Brookie!

I had the coolest adventure with my amazing friend Brookie last night...
Brooke is that friend that EVERYONE wants to know- She is a beautiful woman on the inside and out. Witty, intelligent and creative all wrapped up in a cool, chill, bohemian vibe. Her energy is magnetic. Her knowledge of music and art is eclectic and extensive. She can hang with an A-List celebrity or kick it with someone she's just met, and either person feels special.
I love having her in my life!
Last night Brooke invited me to join her at an art opening for an artist named Juan Carlos Munoz. He is known for his brass sculpture work, however I'm not sure if it was because I was with Brookie, or feeling the cool beach breeze in Venice, or just because it's been a while since I've been so inspired visually but I wanted to dive into this magnificent floor to ceiling painting that was a whirling sea of bright fiery colors.

(The untitled painting above is the one I reference by Juan Carlos Munoz.)

The night was perfect. Brooke has a brilliant eye for all things stunning. Which is why I'm pleased to share a link to a benefit that is very near to Brooke's heart-

Art Mere / Art Pere.

She works year round to collect the best art from the most innovative artists for a silent auction and live performance benefiting LiveStrong.

Please check it out!

Let The Production Begin!

Production on our new pilot is gaining speed! We spent the day painting sets, hanging curtains and finalizing the graphic on our logos!

I'm so excited to shoot this project! I can't wait until it's wrapped and we begin the editing process.

It's been tough not sharing the exact details of what we're up to, but it's a necessary precaution...

Production week starts Monday with; costume fittings, voice over recordings, rehearsals for the opening theme, finalizing the signs for our set, lighting tests, green screen test... The list goes on and on!
But in just one short week- a years worth of writing sessions, rehearsals, meetings, preproduction and financial investments will culminate when we shoot our very own pilot, on our brand new, outrageously fabulous, custom set!

CRAZYNUTBALLSCUCKOO!

Isn't it strange when you have a relationship with a person who is impossible to like?

It seems no matter how hard you try to connect with them or understand their point of view, you just feel like shaking them from side to side while screaming at the top of your lungs:

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DO YOU MAKE EVERYTHING SO COMPLICATED FOR EVERYONE! NO ONE EVEN LIKES YOU, BUT WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET ALONG WITH YOU BECAUSE WE KNOW DEEP DOWN YOU CANNOT BE THIS IMPOSSIBLE!"

Until you realize that there are just some people who don't "get it" ...Life. What's worse is that they probably never will! No matter how hard you try to engage, disengage, react or not react, kill them with kindness or smother them with tough love, they remain utterly COMPLICATED.

There are very few people on this planet that I've interacted with that cause this reaction in me.

Obviously the easy choice is to break all ties- however it becomes harder to do so if you didn't realize the person was CRAZYNUTBALLSCUCKOO until you were already invested in the project or relationship...

I'm not a difficult person. I enjoy everyday of my life. I smile. I have a kick ass time. I work hard to make solid connections with people. I do my best to be a good person on a daily basis...

So it pisses me off when I'm forced to deal with someone who hasn't figured out their issues in life- and make their problems my problems!

I've decided that when dealing with these people from this point forward, whenever the conversation starts to go south (with the most serious face I can muster up) I'm going to start speaking to them in tongues!

Like my grandma always says, "The best way to communicate with people is in the language they understand."

I'm fighting crazy with crazy!

Walk This Way...

Occasionally an opportunity comes along when I get to take a break from the hustle of developing and producing new projects with my company so that I can work on a cool project for someone else...

A few months back I was asked to choreograph a music video for the Cartoon Network. The video is a remake of the amazing Steven Tyler and Run DMC video "Walk This Way."

The new video features the break out star Lil P-Nut and an amazing group of 10 year old musicians Haunted by Hereos!

The video is now playing on the Cartoon Network, and I'm excited to share it here too!

Here is Walk This Way!

Plugged In!

Wow. I give those high school cheerleaders a lot more credit...

Being popular and connected takes a lot of work!
I just spent the past week making sure that I was signed up, cross-linked and ready to go on every social media platform out there.
You want to tag me on Facebook? No problem!
Care to know the latest and greatest place's I'm eating... Yelp is going to tell you.

Want to hear the most random funny thoughts- Twitter's where I'm at.
Interested in cool artistic photo's of my friends and pets doing hilarious things?

Instagram is the place.
Want to see more pictures? ...check out Flicker for my favorite moments past and present captured on film!
Need to contact me about your next great project and want to keep it professional?

Never fear! I'm Linkedin too!
You're in my neighborhood and want to join me for a drink- check out my Foursquare.
If you can't get enough of my daily rants, thoughts, essay's and writings here on Blogger, I've started sharing with the edgier crowed on Tumblr. too...
If all this is great but you're dying to see a parody of me in drag as a reality TV star... then YouTube is the place to be.
With all this connectivity I'm curious to see if I've gained any Klout?
I might not be as hot as Ashton Kutcher... But at least I can be as "plugged in" as him!