Positive Social Media

Social Media has an incredible impact;
Yesterday I received an outpouring of positive energy and birthday wishes–proof that technology can deliver more than just another Tweet about Kim Kardashian.
The inspiration and love was overwhelming.
Today, I’m another day older and twice as grateful for the friendships I’ve nurtured during my thirty-ahem years on this earth.

It's My Party...

And I’ll enjoy a full day of nonstop eating and drinking (in-between riding the rides at Disneyland) and NOT feel bad about skipping yoga... If I want to!
#BirthdayGuiltFree

Shiree

Strong

Helpful

Intelligent 

Resilient 

Energetic 

Exceptional 

#HappyBirthday

Birthday Thoughts

Getting older, yes.

Celebrating each day!

Fabulous and wise.

The Art of Balance in Hollywood

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the LA scene-
Hustling for meetings, pitching your fabulous projects, relentless SELF-promotion;
You start to buy into the idea that you're only a success if you have two TV pilots in production, a movie deal with NBCUniversal, your own reality TV show and 10 BILLION followers on Instagram!
It's exhausting, but you're trapped into this belief that if you take a break you'll lose EVERYTHING!
When my mom comes to visit, I'm forced to STOP.  Family reminds you that there are far more important things in life than how you look on camera.  My loved ones knew me when I was just a little kid with a huge imagination and an enormous dream.
They continue to support my adventure, offering their love and encouragement.
I strive to live with balance in my life-  Naturally, I'm not perfect.  I do, however, fight to be a better person every day.
Therefore, in honor of my thirty-SOMETHING birthday, and my family in town I'm going to give myself the week off.
There will be plenty of time to conquer Hollywood next week, and if "Hollywood" forget who I am in a week, I'll just stage a "comeback" by checking myself into trendy rehab facility- I may have to do that anyway after this week!

Birthday Aftermath

Wide awake.
Ready to work,
35 years old and I finally figured out how to party like an "aging" ROCKSTAR!
Drink less alcohol and more water.
Stay hydrated!

Last Day Of Jesus' Age...

Well I didn't lead a nation, save a prostitute from being stoned to death or die for anyone else's sins...

But I did produce a TV pilot, save a friend from making a huge mistake and died laughing at least once a week~

So I think my thirty-third year was a huge success! 

I strived to work hard, play hard and live in the moment this year, and I'm proud at the things I've achieved.

I'm not sure what's next in my life, but I imagine things are right on track!

Here's to turning another year older and hopefully another year wiser!

Birthday Week Festivities...

Birthday Week long celebration;
Each night a dinner date-
Making sure that each night has a specific theme.
Chinese on Monday,
Thai on Tuesday,
Tonight... a little pre-Cinco de Mayo Mexican food!
I'm fairly positive that come this weekend we're going to need a major detox!
But will have fun working our way into a fattening food frenzy in the mean time...

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!

Selfish.

Today is my sisters thirtieth birthday;
I'm sad I couldn't be with her-
When I turned thirteen she spent all of her allowance on me;
Balloons and banners, she hooked up our house.
She was only eleven at the time,
She was so excited to throw a huge party to celebrate my becoming a teenager-
I didn't even send her a card for her big 3- O...
To be fair... We both stopped exchanging birthday cards and gifts several years back.
Still- Turning thirty is a milestone.
My only excuse: selfishness
I promise I'll make it up to her.
Who doesn't like a surprise?!?

Thirty-Two!

Can it really be?

My birthday has come and gone-

In the blink of an eye I'm a year older!

Thirty-two!

I don't feel any different. Yet the calendar says I am...

It's just a number.

But why do the numbers change faster as we get older?

It's just like Grandpa said; "It goes by too fast Mattski. Enjoy every minute- because one day you'll wake up seventy and stare at an old man in the mirror!"

I missed him yesterday!

He was right. It seems impossible that I'm a thirty-two year old man!

I knew this day would come, and somehow I feel completely unprepared!

...so basically I feel exactly like I did when I turned twenty-two!

I made it then, so I'm sure I'll make it now too!

Yesterday was a good day.

I'm alive and that's the beauty of celebrating a birthday-

The gift of life for another day on this planet!

Question?

Should I be worried that I spent the entire day yesterday, with a drink in my hand? Or should I be more upset about the fact that I don't even have a hangover...

Don't get me wrong- I'm not complaining. I'm just not very proud that I have mastered the art of drinking all day long on a Sunday, and can still wake up Monday morning bright eyed and bushy tailed!

In all fairness to myself: I don't party like that every weekend... (It is my birthday week!) Plus, for every glass of alcohol, I drank a glass of water- so I'm only like 50% drunk...

Oh well, it is what it is! ...and I have at least another week of celebration! Don't even get me started on Cinco de Mayo! I'm just going to have to chalk May up as "The Party Month" and plan on getting things done in June!

Birthday Brunch!

What's not to love about brunch?

It's the best of both worlds... You get all of the satisfying breakfast food, topped with a layer of lunchtime favorites, splashed off with mimosa's galore!!!

There's something so wonderful about meeting up with friends on a Sunday around 11:30 and sharing in juicy conversation while stuffing your face and getting drunk in broad daylight!

When done well- brunch should stretch through the early evening and right into at least another three or four bottles of wine!

Today, I'm having a birthday brunch- there's no telling what crazy adventures are in store!

I just hope one case of champagne is enough!

May Day! ...and my Birthday Month!

May 1st! May Day! Or as I like to call it, the first day of my Birthday Month!

Yes, that is correct...

I'm a May baby. May fourth to be exact.

However, I'm the type of person who thinks birthdays should be celebrate all month long...

Is that too much to ask?

I guess I have my family to blame-

They always threw a huge parade in my home town every year on my birthday...

It was a weekend long celebration that rivaled something Disneyland would produce!

Marching bands from across the state, a city block's worth of culinary delights, banners and streamers hung across Main Street, a petting zoo, baton girls, clowns, a face painting booth, arcade games and carnival rides galore!

The fact that the parade was actually a "Blossom Day Parade" and not my "Birthday Parade" was something everyone in my family kept a secret from me until I could read, and finally asked how come all the signs didn't have my name on them?...

You can imagine the shock when I realized that this parade which had marked the kick-off of my birthday for so many years, was not for me, but for some stupid "blossoms" on trees that the entire city felt needed more attention than my birth!

I guess I really never had a chance at a "normal" life after that...

I mean really-- Once you've been lead to believe a three day festival of decadent food, brass bands and lavish floats is all in honor of your birth... an ice cream cake from Baskin Robins and a small gathering in Grandma's back yard is just not the same!