married.. with kittens

The wedding was last week. It's hard to believe. It's over. The planning (on janice's part), the stress, etc. I can tell you that the days leading up to the wedding, I didn't feel too well. Nerves and anxiety started to creep up on me. My back started to show signs of tense back pain.

Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't thinking along the lines of "What am I doing!?!?" or "RUN" but more so, "how am I going to do this" "how am I going to be a 'provider'" "how can I have a family" especially in this day and age of not having work since Aug. 20th and a paycheck of any kind. I'm starting to see money leech from savings, I got two new Supplemental tax bills on top of the Property Tax bill. It would lead a lot of folks to sleepless nights. It did for me... waking up at 3 a.m. staring at the ceiling.

But then I woke up and caught myself in all of this. I said, "hold back... there's a lot going on in your life right now... you need to hold back and trust God. Trust the universe... there is a plan" When I did that, I took a deep breathe and started to focus on the 'now' and not the 'future.' I suggest it, it requires a lot of trust, a lot of faith. But it can alleviate a lot of tension on you.

The wedding day came and it was the most wonderful day in my life! I couldn't believe it. The weather was perfect, the site was amazing and janice was radiant!




The ceremony was wonderful and we danced our first dance to Ben Folds, "The Luckiest."

never before did a song mean so much to me. With everything that has gone on in our lives for the past couple of years, I could only think, we were 'The Luckiest.' I held her tight and said, "I never want this moment to end."



The reception was wonderful, the food and cake (from what I tried, was good). As we walked back to the table with our dinner we were whisked out for sunset pictures. All in all, the day was perfect.... and emotionally draining. I was for days after. I still think of moments from the wedding and shed a tear or start giggling.

We came home on Monday with Janice's family all here. I tried to impress with my special burgers (I hope I did well, no reports of food poisoning). And on Monday morning, Janice found a posting for a ragdoll kitten online. A little boy who was adorable and well... missing Ollie, how could I say 'no.' He was up in Crestline (near Arrowhead about 90 mins from Glendale) so on Tuesday morning I drove up to the mountains to pick up the newest addition of our family, RILEY FINNIGAN McCool Ryan.



He's taken to the house well. He's nothing but a ball of fur. I've woken every night to him laying next to me, so I think we've bonded. Our home feels complete. And now that the wedding is over, life is coming back around. I got a call for work, so did Janice. In a matter of weeks we will be back in employment, and earning our keep. All the things we needed to focus on are done and over with.. so now we focus on what matters now. Making a living. I'm excited... I'm looking forward to working and in a couple of weeks we go on our honeymoon to Kaua'i

looking forward to this trip.. will be well deserved for us.

5 days.. or wait 4.....ugh. I don't know...

the day is almost upon us. in the past month, I've worked very little, had about twenty days of work in august, didn't work in september and now it's october and I'm getting married on saturday. you think I would be able to keep up with a blog.

but no... in the last month, we've (and by we've I mean janice) has gotten everything together for the wedding. I tried to help ... I've been at home more or less going insane with boredom. I would like to do house chores, but really can't cause I don't have the patients to be out in the heat to work in the yard. The weather cooled off this weekend and I managed to plant some impatience out front. I need to do some more planting in the yard, but today has taken the dive back into the 90s. So I will wait.

Things to do this week, clean the house, fix up the yard more, lord knows... a lot. right now I have a kitty cat rest. it's nice to have.


alright.. off to take care of my dumb cat bender, whose not feeling well and apparently spraying in the house.

so is my life....

Back to work

okay.. so I think the evening of my last blog, I got a call. WORK. I'm back working on the project I was helping on from May/June. Really.. I was on it for two months? Seems longer.. oh well. I get to work till Aug. 15 (the day before my bday) and then I'm hoping for the next big thing to come around.

I have an interview next week for a TV show that I would like to do. I think it's until the new year, so that will give me some good room to breathe if I get it. I don't want to get my hopes up too much, but I would like to do this and not have to worry about working through the wedding. it would be a lot off my head to have union hours and a pay check. Hopefully it will all work out.

Yesterday was a busy day back.... too much going on. Today is spent digitizing and doing some morning cutting... tonight we feast!

Today E-Pics

Today, approximately 76 days prior to our wedding, we take our Engagement pictures. Janice is checking wardrobe right now, every few minutes, what about this, what about that. All I can say is, "sure, that looks nice" (and they all do). I'm trained well.

I'm starting to feel the pressure of wedding jitters, I would imagine I could compare it to tremors before a big quake. I have a lot on my mind, dealing with fixing things around the house (roof, kitchen, remodel the bathroom), finding work, paying for Gas, keeping up with the Jones.

The biggest cloud over my head right now is work. I'm getting bored at home and creatively stifled. I need to be working on something with someone. The last job was fun, but isolation can be pretty taxing on you. I like the interaction of a crew. This week is promising as I have an interview I think is going to be set up for a job. While far, I could hope that there is something closer to home so I can continue to work out and go to the gym and get in physical shape for the wedding.

Speaking of physical shape, you will be happy to know that I have managed to keep my weight down for 5 months. And after being in Pennsylvania for the last couple of weeks, I wasn't sure that was going to happen.

Well nothing else to report other than, I can never remember my login for this damn thing nor password. Guess I should write it down somewhere.

later

Max Powers strikes again

... okay the title is because I'm watching the 'Simpson' episode where Homer changes his name to 'Max Power.'

Nobody snuggles with Max Power, you strap yourself in and feel the 'g's'

got that out of my system. Alright, tomorrow is my last day of working. It's been an incredible experience. Doing a Documentary film is an experience as you don't tell the story, but rather, the story tells itself to you. I've had fun going down memory lane for feature animation and I look forward to seeing this project finished in the future. It will be something else.

On a side note, I heard that my former company screwed the pooch again and a load of folks are being unloaded. I'm really sorry to hear that, but not surprised at all. I sort of saw the writing on the wall six months ago. As of now, I don't know what will happen next. But keep good thoughts out for all those being let go. It's going to be tough especially with another strike looming over our heads.

I know I will keep my eyes peeled for them.

forward thinking

ok.. so I'm at the store the other day and they are trying to get us from using plastic bags to canvas or paper. There's all this stuff printed about how bad the plastic bags are, what they do to the environment, etc.

pardon me, but wasn't the plastic bag the 1980s answer to environmental concerns from paper bags and trees? seriously, someone should have done some forward thinking back in the 80s. The damage of these bags that they would cause. Now we are moving towards a bagless society. Now that's not a bad thing, but what are 'bagladies' going to do. They will lose the term all together as they have no bags, and can not afford those cloth bags that Vons and Ralphs are selling for $1 each. I mean, seriously if they could afford that... well I just don't know.

I'm working right now at the moment, updating shots, thinking of new fun things to cut in this show. I'm wondering on how things are going at my old show (hmmmmmmmmm.... dreaming of things I can laugh about). Any how... I'm doing this for probably a couple of more weeks and then I don't know what I will be doing. the Strike in hollywood is a scary thing. We don't need another one and this will take out ALL PRODUCTION. Not like the WGA strike that kept animation safe. This will take out every form of film making and will be devastating to SoCal.

Pray that SAG comes to its senses and not do like WGA and put the town in a strike that will do more harm than good. in the end, the barely got what they were asking for in the beginning. They really made no dent, other than in pocketbooks of honest folks.

alright.. now I'm off for my massage and get this knot out of my back. Happy Thursday.

Getting rid of the masses

Today was yard sale day.

got rid of a lot things. it was nice. it's funny, you put stuff out early in the morning and you don't want to pass up not selling stuff so you tend to just throw the lowest price out at the first person who comes around. cause no matter what, come 1 pm and no one is there, you know you don't want to be looking at stuff thinking, "I have to take that to Goodwill now."

Money made, good job. next .... well afterwords janice and I ran out to get the tux for the wedding. in two weeks we'll meet up and look at what we are thinking of for the wedding. yeah.. stuff looked good. really exciting. now its my turn to start getting anxiety about the wedding (believe you me, it's coming).

I've been fighting a really sore back and shoulder the past few days. I'm working again at a desk sitting down and running an avid. When I was doing the 'Gatchaman" movie, I had a wonderful desk that was on hydraulics. It rose so I could stand and edit, or went down so I could sit. It helped with my back and my shoulder. Now I'm sitting at an avid and my back is catching up to this. The position of my arm on the mouse is causing PAIN like non other. The next film I do, I am DEMANDING a standing avid. I can't take four days of pain (and five more days till i have the masseuse). no news yet on the future. still waiting to see. I have some work to do here at home ... hoping for something in the future.

finally a few blurbs;

• Indy - saw it, loved it. I felt like a kid again and want to see it again.
• garden - still love doing it, but I need a little help and thus a gardener
• p.s. I love you - saw it tonight, cute film, sad, but it made me want to be back in Ireland and more importantly take janice there.
• sport players hosting SNL - NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO... who say's these people can act or have any right to be a 'comedic' person. Dear Lord, have we seen the pain that is, "Kazam"

ok. I want to go to bed. been a long day

night

been a long time.. to rock and roll.

well a lot has happened in the past few months since I've written.

I'm working. Thank goodness. I needed to so something and project that I think is interesting. It's short term (till next month), but as the saying goes, "it's a check." and experience.

The house is coming along. We had a great house party last weekend and no cops, no home owners association complaining.

check our pics at http://gallery.mac.com/damien_ryan

we're enjoying the neighborhood. It's incredible. Janice and I bought bikes and we're riding them into Brand Blvd and hitting up places for dinner. it's great.

Last wednesday Oscar got locked in a neighbors yard. At 10 pm I'm looking for him and hear a scream from across the street. He somehow got into the yard and couldn't get out and was making a racket. The owner is an older woman, who I haven't met. The only time I see her is when she's out with her walker getting into a car.

So at 10 pm I don't know what to do. Fortunately her neighbor saw us and came out to help. She had me climbing the fence in her yard to get in and get oscar. I had visions of scaring the be-jesus out of this old woman and giving her a heart attack, or having her call the cops on me as an intruder.

well now it's friday. I'm going to kick back and relax.

st. pat's

okay.. so st. pats is coming up and I am reminded of how things use to be. when I was a kid and I use to dance. i miss it. it was fun, great exercise, but how in the hell at the age of 35 am I so messed up and sore.  I really screwed my hand up painting last week and have to take it easy for awhile ... so back down on the video games... no wii.

a year ago I proposed to janice.  it's hard to believe that it was that long ago. but the time has gone by really fast. a year later, we're in a house! and getting ready for our wedding. it's hard to see other people I know get married before us though.  I know one person that got engaged in sept and will be married in june. insane. 

it's saturday. this week came and went. was nothing fantastic. felt like I didn't get much done around here.  but I did. the folks come next week so I have to step things up a bit and do the guest room.  I think we found a color that will look nice.  I hope we're right. ;-)

anyhow... to wish you all a st. pats, cause I know no one reads this... ha ha ha.. here's a clip from christmas past.  1987.

and more recently;

Don't send a lame St. Patrick's Day eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

settling in....

okay..

so I just got through painting the bedroom and I'm tired. I've done the hall, I've hired a guy for the living room and dining room (I don't have the strength).  It's all coming together, very slowly.  I'm at the point that I need to find something to do, as all this craziness is coming to over and past.  

I'm not the greatest to blog. I will admit.  but when I do, i will. what's next on the agenda? I am going to buy a lawnmower tomorrow, do the lawns and then relax until next week when I am ready to do my last room, the guest room.  I think the best coarse of action for that room is do a relaxation room.  the same colors that we had at riverside for that room.

now it's friday night. I got nothing to do, I'm tired .. and have Top Gun on TV.  I'm ready to wind down for the weekend.

settled in... not really

well the past few days have been good in the new house. I love it. I love the light, but I haven't had time to walk around the neighborhood or anything.  today janice went back to work and I was left alone.  so how did I spend it.....

well first off bender and oscar decided to take off this morning on a magical mystery journey under the house while the alarm is being installed. I think it went down like this. bender is a genius at opening doors, he opened and the two went under the house. Walking around the place, I realized it was a little too quiet, then discovered the back door open. I freaked.  So I spent two hours trying to call them out, coax them out... then I finally got them to come out and go into the house.... 

after that.. it was off to get lunch and see a movie. the 'spiderwick chronicles' my review... 'meh' it was okay.  the Indy trailer was AWESOME though. 

then home and unbox more.  there is still a ton to do here. but for now, I'm going to crash on the couch with my sick lola....  so is the life.

Stolen? Maybe....

Well any doubt that TMNT made an impact on films.. The trailer for Dreamworks "Kung Fu Panda" came out over a week ago.  I downloaded it and take a look at the stills I took offline.  Compare and contrast to yourself.  Word is from 'friends' is that when Jeffrey Katz saw TMNT trailer he reportedly said that "Kung Fu" should look like what we did on TMNT.    Looks like he gets what he wants.....

The full effect of the first two images have to be downloaded.. as all characters drop into frame and pose;

The last two really no explanation.

Tomorrow starts the 'real' new week for everything. Will see how things go....

worse week ever

I'm not going overtly into details about what transpired this week other than the fact that it was horrible.. horrible... horrible.  I wouldn't wish it on any one.  I am grateful for the wonderful woman at my side.  Dear Lord, Thank you.

I want to just say this.  If you know what 'Mercury in Retrograde" is, then this past few weeks have been hell.. and you know why.  It's suppose to end on tuesday I think.  But this has been a few weeks of miscommunications, errors, psycho.. psycho.. psycho... 

A very emotional time for me and when you sleep only cause you're exhausted, that's not good. You wake up at 3 am in the morning, somewhat refreshed, but the hamsters start rolling again and you stare at the ceiling for the remainder of the day.  

But God has a plan.. never forget that and that's something I think I honestly lost sight in this week.  You never know why... but I'm sure of it and I'm sure, always, of my faith.  I really lost sight this week in a shit storm and still coming out of it, I think I'm starting to see why and I love him so much for it.  I love janice so much for it cause she's been such an anchor for me in this storm. 

In the end, we're looking to close escrow on friday, we're definitely moving on saturday and I am free and clear of 984 come a week from today.  I am going to miss this place so much. it's been a great home and fun place to have friends and family over to. When I got in here, I had steve and chris.  So much happened here, so many wonderful memories.  But the boys grew and moved on, Jonathan came and went as well... then finally janice arrived with a new future for the both of us together.  So with that, we need to move on and leave this place behind.  

The new house, in glendale, is wonderful and we're really excited. I am grateful for the current owner of it as he's been a remarkably nice person.  I know he's moving on as his family has outgrown the house... but has taken good care of it as I promise to and continue adding on and making it a more loving place.

Well that's all for now. I haven't blogged all week as well.... you know.  This week is a new week of opportunity and adventure. I hope for the best now that we are coming to the line. Say a prayer and remember, when in doubt remember this saying, 

"If you want to make God laugh.. tell him your plans"

WORLDS WORST PARENTS

My vote is for The Hiltons.  With products like Paris and now Barron (seriously, what type of name is that?!?!?).  Goes to show you.. money will get you everything but respectful children.  They should have spent their well earned cash on a mary poppins type nanny who would raise them properly seeing they were vacant.

For those of you missing the news, Barron was arrested w/a .14 BAL.  The legal limit is .08.  He drove his car into a Union76 station and hit a worker there (not killing them thank God).  But that lucky worker, he just won the biggest cash prize in history.  A lawsuit against a drunk raving mad Hilton.  You can only be so lucky (as long as you live).  

I can say this, if it went to trial, I would more than willingly award the Union76 station employee as much as possible.  God Bless America.

meanwhile, back at the ranch.  We are still waiting word on approval of loan shit.  I'm sick of the drama.  It's lesbian drama,  without the flannel.  (re: what does a lesbian bring on a first date, flannel and a u-haul).

hopefully tomorrow it will be resolved and we can move on in our lives.......

pray for us.

anonymous

so don't know if you've seen on the tv. we haven't really cause our tv is knocked out.  but this group called 'anonymous' organized a protest on the church of scientology.  

the genius part of this, that I saw online, was the fact that the protester's hid their identity by wearing Guy Fawkes masks.  Genius

  

the adventure continues

I have no witty title for today.  Janice and i went fabric shopping.. then ate at this nice little corner restaurant in west hollywood/beverly hills border called 'Kings Cafe'.... it was a nice day, beautiful weather.  the place was good, but made me realize why I don't like living on that side of the hill.  there was enough pretentious ego in that place that it couldn't fit more than a few folks.  

I love over hearing other peoples conversations, but when they are seriously about acting experience.. etc.  

holy crap, janice has 'mystic pizza' on right now and there is a really young Matt Damon on it. He looks freakishly young...

any how... Im hoping the house stuff will get rectified by tomorrow. i started out on this blog wanting to say something, but I forgot what it was. confused from the TV and a annoying cat.

I'm going to break his neck now.  

i need something better to do

Okay.. so  I wrote the emails, got the responses, and the last email I get they give me 5 classes on my account.  

Not while it was my intention to 'bitch', if you will.  It was not my intention to get free stuff. At most, a cut of the discount.  Oh well.  so is life.  

Speaking of which... it's monday. So far today, I've quit the gym, worked out upstairs on the elliptical, played Wii sports for 1/2 hours. Guitar Hero 3 for another 1/2 hour, return escrow papers I got over the weekend and made a less than sensational lunch with a rubber chicken and soup.. soup I like.

now I'm sitting around reading TMZ, and writing to you guys. I guess I should try to call disney again.

addendum :

Tomorrow is super tuesday. Today is 'harassment monday' apparently.  I've gotten so many dang political phone calls I've decided on this position;

IF YOU DO NOT CALL ME.. I WILL VOTE FOR YOU.

I don't care if you're Hillary Duff, Obama Bin Ladin, or Cult favorite Mitch Romney.  

IF YOU DO NOT CALL ME... I WILL VOTE FOR YOU

Vigilantly for the schmuck

Okay.. so my venture for fighting for those of us in the Entertainment industry who are not getting discount during the strike has gotten some response... here is the latest;

Hello JD,

Thanks for your email.  I truly appreciate your input.

I was specifically asked by several WGA members if I would consider a

discount for the duration of the strike.  My husband, co-owner of Yoga Blend

and actor of 20 years, who has also been affected by the strike thought it

was an excellent idea.  Until now, no one else has approached me requesting

a discount.  I am not exactly sure who all I would extend it to? SAG?

AFTRA? Is there a certain group that could be identified by a membership

card so that I would know? I am happy to help, but unfortunately, I don't

know every single person that has been affected by the strike and have no

way of knowing if they are in the industry unless there is some way to

identify that.

Any input you have for would be greatly appreciated.  I am always willing to

work with anyone in need.  

Thanks again!

_________________________________

My response to this;

Hi there, thanks for your reply.

You probably haven't heard anyone else ask about this as most of us in the industry wouldn't dream of asking for discounts or sympathy.  The writers on the other hand have taken this strike to be a crutch in getting deals all over town.  A bad move especially since some of them get residual pay based on work done in the past, unlike your everyday crew member.

 It's all sad seeing their union was approached over a year ago to begin talks and they turned down the offer.  The executive director of WGA has been quoted in the LA Times  as saying, 'I just lay back and look at the havoc I've wreaked.. I'm not apologizing for that".  That's not the way a union should be operating and it's guild members should not be supporting that.

The good news is that the strike is nearing an end at this point (Thank be to God).  But in the future, in fairness to all, we should get the full picture of whose affected by these situations (hopefully SAG will come to an agreement and we won't be faced with this again in the summer).  Should this situation arise again and you're approached by members of the certain union, it's best not to make a one sided favor and instead say, "we support you and will think of you in this time of need, but in the sense of fairness to others in various departments of entertainment that are forced out of work, we can't do this."   

___________________________

My journey continues... but as I said, the strike is almost over... keep your fingers crossed.

got to start something new

Okay.. so I have to do something now that i got nothing to do. please don't correct me on typo's i'm not going to worry about capitalizing things.  i'm going to be lazy. like every kid out there is when they text... sorry... meant to say 'txt.'

I started this for a reason, but I forgot now.  oh well.  i'm spending my free time now just sitting around the house looking at TMZ.com (i'm sorry.. I don't know what's wrong with me) and occasionally yelling at a passing cloud.  I pass the afternoons yelling at clouds.  if there is nothing lazier than I .. it's a cloud.  

I want this strike to end with the WGA. I've posted a message or two on Facebook and MySpace. They were commentaries, but I should include it here.  I wrote it after getting a note from my Yoga studio saying that they would give you discounts if you were an out of work Writer.  SCREW THE WRITERS... what about the rest!?!?!?!?

Okay.. so I'm going to blog during unemployment time. While we are in the middle of escrow on a new house, a lot of stuff has gone 'down.'  But I'm going to remain optimistic that it's all for the best.  Keep the faith, keep prayer, keep good things going.. until then. I got janice, four kitties, and a Wii...

now read my open note on myspace and facebook;

while it's wonderful that businesses and celebrities support the writers by giving them discounts for meals and services, they should not forget those in the entertainment industry who have been forced out of work by the writers strike.

It is upsetting to see writers get preferential treatment during this time, especially when they still have an income from residuals at this time. The fact of the matter is that there are several others of us in the entertainment industry who have been left unemployed by this strike, without ANY income since November.

In the interests of fairness, if you notice a company giving preferential treatment to writers, ask that they extend their discounts to all of those in the industry that have been left in the dust and forgotten about.  The strike doesn't affect just one group, but us all.