The Quest

Hello All,


Well, this probably is my final blog from AZ. So I figured I would take sometime to say some good-byes, and outline some goals for the impending move to CA.

Today's song is brought to you by Bryn Christopher. I heard this song watching Grey's Anatomy during season 4 and it instantly became a favorite. Ironically, I also thought it was sung by a woman. Boy was I wrong. Way wrong. Like off by a full gender.

It's seriously an awesome song though.

So with that, here is today's blog. It's my final farewell to AZ.

Ten Things I'm pretty sure I think: A Comparison of July 1, 1998 and July 1, 2011  

1. Ironically the same day I moved to AZ 13 years ago (July 1st) is the exact day I'm moving this year.
2. This is the longest I've lived in one spot. Growing up in witness protection was hard.
3. I moved here with two friends by my side (Wagg and Nags) and leaving with about 1,000+ new ones.
4. I moved here a single man, and pretty much leaving the same way.
5. I moved here with no child, and leaving with one freaking awesome son, who's mother is probably one of my bestest friends in the world, and I love them to death.
6. I moved to AZ with $713.00, leaving with 13.00. Thanks AZ.
7. Contrary to what everyone believes, 13 is lucky for me (13 is my son's bday, I've been attacked by 13 ninjas...and lived, I've survived Jason's sexual advances on Friday the 13th, and I've lived in AZ for 13 years.)
8. I came to AZ an immature 18 year old, and leaving AZ just as immature but 31.
9. I leave terrible memories behind here, some would say I'm running from them, and they are absolutely right, one in particular. But there also are tons and tons of great ones, of which I'll cherish forever.
10. What's really funny...is that 4.5 hours away, isn't that far from AZ, but CA is an entirely different world...wrapped in bacon.

The Quest, and what I'm seeking -

People often talk about "taking the shot." You know taking the shot at what they really want. Well, I think I've waited long enough to take mine. So I'm going for it. Hitting LA hard. I've always wanted to be a TV writer, which leads to movies and other stuff, so I'm going after it.

It's a scary proposition. Leaving a job I've gotten used to, comfortable with. But I guess about 2 years ago I reached the point where I wasn't happy with my job and it made me more stressful/irritable and at times unbearable to be around. Life is short, and it should be lived in a way that makes you happy. So I'm pulling a Wile E. Coyote, going to step off the cliff and if I fail, at least I tried.

I guess anyone that knows me, knows I'm a resiliently persistent person. I see the silver lining in everything, even when the outcome looks glum. I guess having to overcome a pretty big health problem a few years back, it's easy to see that nothing is impossible if you try hard enough, and you believe. You can't get far in life if you don't believe in yourself, because until you do, no one else will.

Leaving "Me" behind -

Someone I greatly admire and respect told me to leave all the negativity behind upon my pending move. And I'm going to take her advice wholeheartedly. Much like everyone, I too can be an ass (actual photo to the left, I remember that grass fondly).

I have negative views about things at times, and sometimes it does get in the way of living my life. So I've tried to bury that and remove that part of me. It's not productive, matter of fact, it can be very counter productive. She was right, truthfully speaking, it made me look at myself. By no means do I believe I'm perfect, but I do agree with her assessment. I suppose if I am making this bold move in my life at this point, I need to be receptive to change, and that doesn't just mean the scenery. Change comes from within and I don't want to project something I'm not, so since I received that advice back in May, I've changed my perspective and approach. It's not easy hearing bad things about yourself, but we all have to be receptive to criticism and know that the other person is coming to you because they care.

Ten Goals -

I have pretty specific goals. I want to focus and create a better life for my son, that's pretty much the only goal, and by doing that, I have to be happy with my path in life. So, my goals are as follows:

1. Continue to be the best dad I can be.
2. Regardless, I will devote 3-4 hours per day to writing.
3. I'm not moving to LA for "fun." I have this inner need to work hard and get into the TV writing world.
4. Rewriting my first movie I tried to make on my own, and reshooting it.
5. Rewriting my tv pilot from last year, and writing 2 new ones, and shooting all 3 starting in January.
6. Finishing the tons of scripts I have started and never finished (currently...6)
7. Finishing my Fiction book, and my Non-Fiction book.
8. Getting into either WB, Disney, or NBC's Diversity TV writing program. 1 would be excellent. I'd be happy for the opportunity
9. Living life, and sprinkling in fun with old friends (doors always open for an LA visit ya'll) and new friends.
10. Come up with a 10th goal.

Lately - 

I've had second thoughts. You know how doubt creeps into your mind when you overthink things sometimes. Well I've been there. And thankfully I feel I am doing the right thing. So I guess this is it. 

So I'll insert a few cliches here:

• No guts no glory
• You can't win if you don't play
• You can't score if you don't shoot
• Go Big or Go Home
• Quit actin' like a baby

I'll miss my AZ friends a lot, but you all know where you can find me. Most likely tethered to my desk, in Burbank. I seriously am going at this as hard as possible. Always welcome to hit me up if you want to crash for a night or two (payment to include laughter, and possibly a meal of sorts.)

Thanks for reading, take care, God Bless.