Tuesday October 3, 2006
So, I am not sure what is up with me, but all the signs are pointing to me becoming a stand-up member of society. “What gives, Wes?” do you say? Well, Katie and I decided to expand our family and get a puppy. We did, she is a mini-schnauzer, and her name is Ruby. She is so darn cute it hurts. We got her on her 8th week anniversary. As we try not to let her become boss, we are immersed in a potty-training, manner-enforcing, clutter-cleaning, this-is-not-let’s-go-for-a-SIT-it’s-let’s-go-for-a-WALK endeavor. Please bear with us if our social schedule suffers a bit. Having a well-trained dog is a priority for us.
Anyhoo, I also joined my first legit union, the Director’s Guild of America. (Makes you wonder what un-official union I belong to, doesn’t it?) The GUILD as they call it, is a career step for me, but if you ask me, the word ‘guild’ sounds a bit uppity, or at least makes me think that I should be playing D&D. I never played that, by the way…or that weird MAGIC card game. Do you remember that game? I will update you on the exciting details (sarcasm alert)
We also moved into our first home, a condo in Chicago, and are still busy trying to give the place a little of our personality. Unfortunately for me, this no longer means Pearl Jam or any other band’s posters.
Adios muchachos, I will see you soon, I hope.
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You are free to move about the cabin...
Monday July 3, 2006
So, there is so much happening lately, that I should have been giving daily updates! I will go in order:
First, Katie and I traveled to San Francisco to meet Dan and Kara. We were celebrating their pregnancy with Baby Girl Gaston! We are so anxious to meet her! Admittedly, we are nervous about Dan being a father, but we think, if we team up, train him, and keep on him, that he will be fine. Our trip to San Francisco was fun, we ate like Kings, and saw most of the sights, like some of the least inventive vandalism I have ever seen, and PCH.
Second, although Katie was there to work, we were able to experience the Hawaiian island of Maui! The big O took most of her employees to the island as a thank you for working so hard on her 20th season. Since some crewmembers did not meet the strict freelancer qualifications, three crewmembers decided to bring us as their guests, rather than take a family member or loved one. We owe them a debt of gratitude, so from myself, Jimmy, and Dave, a big Thank You to Katie T., Larry, and Bob for giving us a well deserved vacation! There was a really unfortunate trip to the Emerald Golf Course, where Larry and Wade narrowly escaped tragedy when they tipped their golf cart over, unfortunately the local authorities confiscated all photographic proof. I could usually be found lounging by the pool with a margarita, but I did get to ride a horse for the first time., and after using the light blue column on my abacus, I figure that my horse was at least 124 years old. Katie and I did get out to dinner a few times, a sunset cruise, and a fun trip into the ocean. Since this was not at all a vacation for Katie, I owe her one later in the year. She really deserves it after tackling her promotion to Marketing Director.
Third, Katie and I have jumped into the condo markjet hip-deep, and will be closing on a place at the end of August! I can’t quite believe it myself, it all seems to have happened so quickly. We will (keep your fingers crossed!) moving out of our comfortable apartment in Lincoln Park, and moving to East Ukrainian Village in the West Side of Chicago. We are so excited that we are even looking forward to packing!
Other than that, I have been taking private voiceover coaching from Glenn Haines, and will be taking Intermediate Voiceover at the Acting Studio in a few weeks.
Also, listen, listen, listen! Another baby note…Megan and Steve Bach are expecting later this year. Congratulations to all!
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Gametime
Sunday April 9, 2006
Well, not only did I finally book my first gig as a voiceover artist, but the 2006 Cubs season has begun. The gig was small, but something that will hopefully get the ball rolling. The skills don’t pay many of the bills yet but…slow and steady, right?
The 2006 Cubs took the field with a different approach this year, and the early didvidends look promising. In what has become an opening day tradition, my buddy Lyle and I went to Wrigley to root on our boys. The temperature was low and the wind was howling, but we were giddy after the Cubs beat their rival Cardinals. Sorry George and Kurt!
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California Dreamin'
Saturday February 25, 2006
So it seems that my link to California just keeps getting stronger. This past week, Katie and I got a chance to take a little 4 day vacation to Palm Springs. The setting was beautiful, the house unbelievable, and the weather…was in the 40’s. Go figure. We had some nice dinners and were able to relax a bit. The highlight of the trip was seeing Joshua Tree National Park.
I wanted to be able to find the tree that U2 used on the cover of their album, so that I could take some cheesy picture in front of it. Not a chance. So, we climbed some rocks, observed some pretty fantastic scenery, and enjoyed being outdoors.
Speaking of California, next week I get a chance to go to Los Angeles to help Oprah stage her After-Oscars Show. I feel honored to go, and hope this affords me the opportunity to see people that I miss so much.
This event coupled with the eternal hope that Spring Training brings, makes this an exciting time for me. Go Cubs!
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Best of 2005
Friday December 2, 2005
Been awhile, I hope everyone has had a fun and educational year. Since there is too much on which to catch up quickly, here are my votes for “Best of Wes 2005”
Best Album I bought: A tie between Mike Doughty’s, “Haughty Melodic” and Madonna’s, “Confessions On A Dancefloor”. A great acoustically charged transition for the former, and hypnotizing beats for the latter.
Best Song: The White Stripes, “Black Jack Davey”. Jack White can really hit some rhythmic chords can’t he? Just plain infectious.
Best Show: No doubt about it. “Lost” has me in a constant state of anticipation, but “Six Feet Under” takes it. I say that there will never be another show made quite like this one, incredible writing and career-making, breakthrough acting. Katie and I will miss it. A shout-out to Stewie Griffin here, for the effort.
Best Film: “Closer” and “Crash”. I would not want to watch Closer again soon, but what fascinating performaces. Crash is also not one that will remain in my DVD Shuffle, but again…writing and acting, and everything else involved, stunning.
Best Movie: “Garden State” and the “Girl Next Door”. Zach Braff takes a page out of Cameron Crowe’s book and does a really great job. It still has the familiar ring of a coming of age story, but dangit, he’s quirky! The girl is Elisha Cuthbert, and this is basically a retelling of Risky Business, but it isn’t bad. Both have excellent soundtracks.
Worst Movie: “House of Wax” Its only redeeming quality is seeing someone put a spike through Paris Hilton’s head. If you are into that sort of thing, then by all means, enjoy.
Best Book: A tie between, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”, and my friend Erin Shea’s “Tales From the Scale”. It’s amazing how Rowling’s characters and plotlines get even more interesting with every book, and what an ending! Erin has accomplished so many things that she dreamt she would, and I am so proud.
Happy Holidays to everyone!
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Gone til' November
Saturday August 27, 2005
Where did August go? I can’t believe it has been that long since my last post. My freelance schedule is becoming more like a full-time gig lately, we have been that busy. With the big O’s 20th season beginning taping next week, my days have been filled with helping to light her new set. Nothing about which to write home, but it has kept me very busy… Will it last through the holidays?
Interestingly enough, however, I have had time to go on more than a few auditions for a variety of commercials in Chicago. Nothing yet, but as I get the hang of this voice acting thing, I look more and more forward to actually making a name for myself. It will be the first time that I have ever made any money doing something that I love, and I can’t wait. I have never been this excited before, about a job, I mean. Pretty soon, I hope to be that voice you hear played by XRT on your office radio. Won’t that be annoying? Again, can’t wait.
My niece Olivia is starting her college career this month. It is funny, I try to impart some knowledge to her on occasion, without sounding like an “adult”, but I always think that I come off that way. I told her to just keep herself organized, which makes everything much easier, because I remember how I was at 18. Sloppy doesn’t even really do my description justice at that point. She is quite better off in that category, I would say. Good luck and a Happy Birthday to you Olivia! (You too, Em)
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In the "wake" of the news
Friday July 29, 2005
My lucky two-dollar bill may reside in my wallet for the forseeable future, as I have had another stroke of luck. Well, I did put a lot of work into it, so I guess I shouldn’t chalk it up to just luck….I’ll get to the point. I have made another relationship with a qualified agent. Stewart Talent has offered me a chance to prove myself in the voiceover arena. Who knew that this could be so fun?
Anyway, my parents are completing a three week tour of the Southwest, as they yet again flirt with moving to New Mexico. (They really like Albequerque, believe it or not!) My father, in his infinite knowledge, had the itinerary planned nearly to the minute. He even sent me a Microsoft Excel file copy. I guess enjoys doing it, so what the hell, right? Katie and I will welcome them back to town tomorrow or Sunday.
As promised, here is a link to photographic proof that I can handle a wakeboard.
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Wanna get reel?
Wednesday July 20, 2005
OK, OK, so it took me longer than it should have. Let me just say this: Thank you to everyone that helped me get this finished. Whether your support was hands-on or listening to me go on and on about the process, thank you. Also, know that this production already has helped me begin a relationship with Naked Voices Talent Agency, and I am looking forward to getting the ball rolling.
Also, the trip to California was nothing short of stellar. It was the most relaxing trip. It was one of those you-don’t-know-how-happy-you-are-until-it’s-the-night-before-you-leave kind of things. I was sitting outside after enjoying a fantastic team-effort of a barbecue when it hit me. Total relaxation…so I got that going for me…which is nice.
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Going back to Cali?
Wednesday June 8, 2005
To reward ourselves for having worked so hard this year, Katie and I are taking a week to go to Santa Barbara, California. Kate has been working overtime almost all year, and since I have some dead time at Harpo, we are going to visit with Katie’s cousin, and best friend Kara, and her husband Dan. We cannot wait. At many points that week, I will be doing a faceplant off of a wakeboard into the waters of Lake Nacimiento.
After first learning how to waterski, which took me forever to even grasp, I jumped at the chance to try wakeboarding. Kara’s brother Brian, always an athlete, makes it look so easy, and will attempt flips, and twists, and turns, etc.
I “got-up” after only three tries, which means to accomplish the initial stage of success in the sport, to raise up out of the water while balanced on your ski/board. Now, for those of you who know me, I was never a skateboarder, but boy did I want to be. I was badass at Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3. I had never had to control anything shaped like that. You can tell where this story is going? Hmmmm…
After hitting the water approximately 50 times in a weekend, I called it quits, sore, sunburned, and satisfied. I had never felt a rush like that before, and I can’t wait to feel it again. We leave on the 25th of June and will return to Chicago for the king of all barbecue days, July 4th.
My demos will be up next week at the latest, I promise….I mean, I, uh, yeah I promise!
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I've been biked!
Thursday June 2, 2005
So, I just got off of the phone with the conversationally delightful Christopher Gans. Our discussion was bicycles. He has asked the Graduation fairy to bring him a new bike. So, we discussed the pluses and minuses of Kozy’s and Village Cycle Center. I told him that I really love my bike, and we ended up getting Katie one as well, but from the Village. Interesting differences. Kozy’s was more personable, but Village had quite the selection, and a package deal with water bottle, helmet, pump, and seat storage bag. The conversation ended with us both laughing as we hung up, which is how all conversations should end.
Anyway, thanks to all that have graced this page with their presence, especially right off the bat! Good, also to hear from some that I haven’t spoken with in quite a while. Mr. Troha, glad to hear that you still have the Cubs disease, as I do. We must discuss… Has anyone ever seen a streak like D-Lee is on? Man! He is carrying us.
Dr. Gans is graduating this weekend, from medical school, and a healthy round of drinking should follow. Congrats bro!
Not a very interesting post, but… I am still new at this, I promise I will start embellishing and flat-out lying in later posts.
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