Vacation Please!

Vacations can be tricky,
On the one hand, the whole point of a vacation is to escape the day to day life-
To relax, unwind and turn your brain off.
Then there are those vacations where you travel to lush destinations, take in the sights, eat fabulous food and spend too much money shopping galore.
But the most challenging vacations for me are the trips home to be with family.
Of course I'm so happy to see my loved ones.
Still, there are layered emotions and constantly changing dynamics that turn my universe into a whirlwind.
I exhaust the majority of my time stressing out about spending the same amount of quality time with each of my relatives. The remaining time is focused on helping out with little projects.
Any down time is filled with me on my iPhone trying to stay connected to my life back in Los Angeles.
No matter how hard I try to relax and let go of the voice in my head telling me to do more,
I'm left feeling overwhelmed and longing for a vacation from my vacation...
Alas- the minute my trip is over and I return home, I find myself missing my family.

Number One Reason To Come Home

When I first moved away from home, I struggled from major withdrawal.
I was so attached to my family, and though I had my mind set on building my career, I just hated being so far away from them.
I couldn't wait for a holiday, graduation or wedding to have an excuse to return home.
As the years passed the trips home got more complicated- Naturally, I evolved into an independent individual. The family dynamic changes.
It's painful to see grandparents grow older.
Cousins begin having kids of their own.
Parents get remarried...
And everyone wants their way, but no one wants to compromise. It becomes a battle not to fight.
Then the moment comes-
You get a phone call from your sister, and you find out that you're going to be an Uncle!
Then the joyous day comes... I'm officially an uncle.
Not to mention, I was asked to be my beautiful niece's godfather!
Coming home becomes magically again!
Yes, it's still a challenge battling the urge not to argue with family, or the heartache of watching loved ones get older, but my little niece has become my number one reason to come home more often!
I'm mean how can I resist this:

Life Lessons 101

Nothing can live up to the memory you have from the original experience;
So rather than holding on to the past, I have to force myself to be present in this moment!

I Finally Get It...

I always thought I knew exactly what my purpose was on this earth.

I have faith in God that I was put here for a reason.  

I have faith in myself that I could take the passion, determination and talent I posses and

use it to impact the lives of others.

My mistake was in believing that the only way I could make a difference was once I had achieved my

highest goal.

What finally clicked today, (and I admit it was entirely because of Oprah's last show) was that I have had an impression on every person that I have ever interacted with- and they on me.

Until today, I believed that I was living a full life-

I gave myself permission to shine a long time ago and I honestly thought I had been doing just that ever since.  

But I have not.

There was still a piece of me holding back. 

I was waiting to be validated.  

But I was seeking it from the wrong places.

Fame, money and recognition is not validation.

It is fame, money and recognition.

Today it became clear.  My life has been filled with validation.

In every job I've been blessed with, every bond that I've made, every smile I've shared, every journey and wild adventure has been a validation of my life.

Today I will stop waiting for the perfect opportunity to make a difference, and I will work to make a difference in every opportunity.

A Weekend Induldged!

Woke up after a wild Friday night out-
Enjoyed a glass full of the hair of the dog...
Off to brunch!
Stuffed my face with delicious food prepared by amazing friends.
Four bottles of champagne, because one is not enough!
The rapture, the rapture... Nope, not yet.
Time for celebration!
The drinking continued until mid-day Sunday.
I guess that's why my pants won't button up.
Totally worth it!
The world didn't end, but my indulgence has to!

Gossip Girl Parody...

 A Group Production, just wrapped on our latest parody.

This time we decided to get wild and crazy like only New York's hottest, most outrageous and scandalicious socialites can get in our Gossip Girl Parody!

Coming very soon...

But for now, I'll leave you with a few steamy photos of the outlandish sexcapades that only Gossip Girl had the inside scoop on! 

Dan and Serena In Central Park

Chuck and Little Jenny Humphrey

Looks like the gang is back up to their dirty little tricks...

xoxo

On My Career...

I've finally wrapped my mind around the idea that this career that chose me,

this passion that I have- may take another ten years to fully blossom.

And I'm okay with that.

It's no longer about the fame, attention or the money-

I've dedicated most of my life to a dream that I've had since I was eight years old.

To pretend that I would be happy doing anything else is wasted energy.

I'm proud of the journey I've had so far.

So bring it on!

Bring on more auditions that don't lead to anything.

Bring on more opportunities that fall through.

Bring on that bank account that hovers around one hundred dollars.

I'm not afraid of the life I lead anymore-

I've embraced the amazing adventures I've had.

More important, I've learned how to maintain a balanced life when the ride comes to an end.

Plus, I'm really great at seeking out a new expedition.

I've invested a lifetime of hard work, passion and sacrifice-

The reward is that my childhood dream is blooming into a reality.

Life: Up and Down

Life really is like a roller coaster. One minute you're on the top of the world, and in less than thirty seconds your back on the ground, sitting with your heart in your throat.

It's amazing how fast your perception of life can change-

I've been in pure bliss for the past two weeks;

From the wonderful adventures with my friends who were in town from New York, and the quality time I've had with my friends in Los Angeles-

To the amazing opportunities I've had to choreograph and create on television. In addition to the success that our parodies are achieving on-line...

I've been riding a ten foot wave.

And in one phone call my body comes crashing down with the surf.

Without going into great detail, I received a troubling phone call yesterday regarding my sisters health.

My sister, Shiree was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago, and after several rounds of treatment, we were all so elated that she beat it! Having been healthy and cancer free for over two years, the next miracle came when we found out Shiree was pregnant.

On December 15, 2010 my sister gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl!

So when I found out that my sisters health took a turn for the worse, I instantly went to a dark place.

It's such a challenge to stay focused on positive energy and not give into the fear and doubt. Especially when it's my sisters life I'm talking about.

I want my sister to be well. Shiree has waited her whole life to be a mother- and from the second that baby entered our lives, my sister has focused on giving her unconditional love.

The thought of losing my sister or imaging life without her, kills me.

Yet I know that it is in this moment when my faith should be stronger than ever.

It's easy to be grateful and keep the faith when everything is magical and effortless.

The fear, doubt and negativity is much easier to give into. But that darkness will only lead to more destruction.

Thankfully, I was able to talk to my Grandma Shaffer (who celebrates her 75th birthday today) and I was reminded that energy is better spent focusing on what we can do, not what we can't.

Of course there is a large piece of me that feels selfish for living so far away from my family. For being unable to share in more of their day to day lives.

I would love to laugh with my sister, hold my niece on a daily basis, have coffee with my mom, go on a bike ride with my dad or just show up to Sunday dinner with my whole family.

However, I also believe that each of us has a path. A purpose on this earth. And I trust that we are lead on a journey that was designed specifically for us. If we can fulfill our lives on the deepest level, then we are more effective at helping others on their path.

Often I wonder if I'm too carefree with my approach to life.

Then I remember how long I struggled when I allowed fear and doubt to dictate how I lived from day to day-

The second I released all of those destructive thoughts, I was ready to see all of the amazing things that surround me.

I can be upset about things that happen in life, but that isn't going to change the outcome. The only way to truly change any outcome is to change the way you approach it.

The day before my Grandpa Shaffer passed away, he was laying in his hospital bed.

He knew he was dying, and yet he kept his sense of humor and wit.

He didn't cry. He didn't fight it. He had already spent five years battling cancer. He just enjoy his final days with his family surrounding him. He was a brilliant man.

I stood there crying over him. I was not ready to lose him.

He looked up, smiled and said,

"Don't be sad, Matt. I am so proud of you. I've had a good life."

That's when I decided to change my outlook.

On the phone this morning with my grandma, she said something to me that she would say all of the time while I was growing up,

"Nothing is in our control."

For a long time I would disagree with her when she said that. I believed we could change or control our lives-

But now I realize, the only thing we can control is our ability to make a choice.

The choice to seek out the positive energy, love and faith.

Or

The choice to give into fear and doubt.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today my birthday celebration continues! ...and why not?

It's Cinco de Mayo! Which is basically a holiday created in honor of the fact that the Mexicans unexpectedly conquered the French at the Battle of Puebla.

I'm almost positive that no one in Mexico celebrates it, but in the grand tradition of the United States of America- we look to this day as a chance to raise a margarita and celebrate with our amigos south of the boarder!

So grab a poncho, break out the Latin music and line up the tequila shots... it's time for a fiesta!

Seriously though, I'm having such a wonderful week.

As I've mentioned many times in past entries, I never imagined what my life would be like past thirty.

I'm officially thirty-three years old and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I know how cliche it sounds, but my faith has never been stronger. Honestly, I'm in total ecstasy with the friends, family, adventures and opportunities that I have been blessed with in my life.

If my life ended tomorrow- I would go as a happy man who was fortunate enough to live a life beyond my wildest expectations.

But as long as my journey continues- I plan on blazing forward into the dark unknown with the same fearless attitude that has served me so well up to this point in my life!

On that note... I think it's time for another margarita!

Overwhelmed With Love On My Birthday!

I love a celebration.

It doesn't really matter what the occasion, I am always ready to party like a rock star.

So you can imagine how I feel today-

Today is my 33rd Birthday.

I never thought I'd be so excited about getting another year older once I turned thirty.

But recently it occurred to me:

Birthdays are like a smelly cheese or a delicious bottle of wine...

With age comes a rich flavor, bold confidence and refined restraint.

Plus, you're worth more!

This year, my birthday month (Yes, birthday month) started off on a high note!

The month began with a pre-birthday visit from two of my closest friends from New York City.

While they were here, we went to a Dodgers game, hung out at the beach and ate at every amazing restaurant under the sun!

Also during their stay, I found out that The Real Housewives of New York Season 4 Parody made the Boston Herald as the number 1 video to watch! Above the boys from the Jackass movies!

Then, I was asked to choreograph a video for The Cartoon Network featuring Lil P-Nut and Haunted by Heroes. Which was a total blast. Aside from the fact that we were shooting a throw back version of Steven Tyler and Run-D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way" circa 1986...

I was thrilled that I was able to bring my New York friends to the sound stage and share with them a slice of my life while they were in Los Angeles.

But today was the icing on my birthday cake-

I woke up this morning to an overwhelming chain of birthday wishes on Facebook.

Honestly, I couldn't believe how moved I was to wake up and see so many beautiful messages for my birthday from all of my friends old and new!

It's like my Grandma Shaffer always reminds me;

"Make new friends,

But keep the old,

New ones are silver.

Old ones are gold."

Today I feel like the most blessed man alive. I have the career I've always dreamed of.

A family who gives me unconditional love and support...

and there is no greater gift in the world, than the friendships I've made throughout my life.

To all of my friends, old and new- thank you for sharing your love and energy with me!

The Real Housewives of New York City Parody Season 4

This is our eighth parody from A Group Production, LLC.
I think by far our best to date.
I'm proud of this parody for several reasons; we wrote, produced and shot this parody in exactly one week, the entire cast was only available to shoot together for two hours because of scheduling conflicts and in our first day up on YouTube, we had over 1,500 views!
Not too bad- thanks to help from our Real Housewife and fan Jill Zarin, who shared our parody on her Facebook and Twitter account!
In fact, even Sonja Morgan shared this parody with her fans!
It's such a cool feeling to create something fun with a group of our talented actor friends and release it and have it be so well received. Granted we don't have our own television show yet... but believe me, it's not from not trying!