What up Chicagooooooo?

That’s actually how I opened up a talk I had a last week in at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago. They were doing some kind of technology conference and I was asked to speak about Internet security. It was the last presentation of the conference and a little after lunch, so I had to wake them up somehow. I am pleased to say that the talk went extremely well.

Chicago, was, of course, amazing. What a great city (some shots here)! I hadn’t been for a few years, so it was nice to see all the changes (and there were a lot--so much construction!) and just enjoy being in a city again. Chicago architecture is just really unbelievable...

I don’t have a lot to report. It’s been really slow, mostly because I was out most of last week in Chicago (I assume), and this week...I had one voiceover audition and nothing else. It’s cool, it’s given me time to focus on my work and life.

And, well, politics. I tried to be on top of things the past few elections, I think it is fair to say that I have been following the election, especially the past few months, like a rabid dog after a postal carrier who is delivering steaks. Because he can smell the steaks and the dog, he is hungry. You go to plenty of other sites for the play by play, so I am not sure how much I am going to providing any real information--or even opinion, to be honest--but if anything interesting does float to the surface, I’ll mention it. But if you haven’t seen Palin’s recent interviews with Couric (one, two and three) yet--go and do so, please. Prepare to cringe. Mightily.

Random:

1 - Reading Anathem by Neal Stephenson. So far, it’s good, and I hear it gets better. I’ve been struggling with reading “real” books lately, hence my latest iFanboy column.

2 - Going to some kind of star party on Saturday. No, no celebrities, but actual stars. We’re going to Joshua Tree to look through telescopes and the like. Our camera died while I was filming those spots, but if we get any shots, I’ll post ‘em.

3 - My old, old friend Joel’s got some music to share! I’ve known Joel since I was in grammar school; we’ve reconnected via Facebook and it’s been fun to get back in touch.

4 - No videos to post yet. They are done, but they need tweaking and I am not sure when I will be able to release them to the general public. The response has been fantastic, though and I can’t wait to post them.


It has been a crazy summer, really. So far, this year has been very good, but also very confounding. I really haven’t booked anything significant this year but I have been acting more than ever (and there’s more work to come; I am doing a short film next month). I’ve been more successful at work (whatever that means), which is great, but there’s a whole world of challenges that sometimes makes it a drag to wake up and go to five days a week.

Of course, I am in no position to complain (and I don’t mean to be)--my friends have been looking for jobs (one’s been looking all year) and people are hurting out there. I’ve been trying to get my head around the financial situation and I think I’ve got a handle on it--I explained it to Tobie and Whit last night and they seemed to understand the basics (which is all I can talk about). It is really strange, though, when the President talks to the country and uses the craziest negative words possible and everyone just looks at him and wonders if we should really believe him or not--it’s the Bush who cried wolf, you know?

But on the flipside, I was in yoga class the other day and the teacher asked me to demo a headstand. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would be demoing a headstand, folks. I’ve been good about the yoga (took a class in Chicago, which was fun)--at least twice a week almost every week this year, just like last year and I am convinced that I am healthier, stronger and more relaxed than ever. Even when I am spinning and working really hard, I am still mindful of my breath. You keep the breath even, you keep the brain even. You keep the brain even, you keep the body in control.

I’ve also been getting ready to go snowboarding more often this winter. I admit it, I know--I’m that guy who goes snowboarding once this past year who goes and gets all the gear with grand plans of snowboarding all the time. I’m that guy! But I figure since I know I am that guy, I have to follow through, if only for my own self-worth. I can’t wait, really. I figure if I have the opportunity to be really into a sport, I might as well go for it. And if you are gonna do it...

(I miss my friends in New York and I am trying to get a trip out there. Soon, I hope.)

Let’s post it!