Thanksgiving

Boy, has this been a rich, complex year of change. More than anytime in my past, I've been learning to accept collaboration and support as a part in my life, and it's the people who have made that possible that I'm most thankful for this holiday season.

On the one hand, by taking on the social media challenges Unified Pictures is faced with as an independent film company in the new Hollywood, I've opened myself up to a better life and more resources to bring to my own projects. In particular, I'm grateful to Kurt Rauer and Keith Kjarval for giving me that chance. In addition, I'm deeply thankful for the help Tim Montijo has shown me in finally moving my short film into post-production. Gentlemen, I am deeply, profoundly grateful for your help in taking the next step in my career.

On the other hand, the ensemble we've built at 8 Sided Films and on the 8 Sided Forum has been incredibly supportive, and as I write these words, I'm watching the most tremendous group of artists I've ever seen band together to bring Heartsgaard and Sam Bailey into reality, and help build a future for all of us in the media. For Aaron Lyons, Christie Insley, Dave McCallum, Johnny Derango, Narmar Hannah, Samantha Streets, Danielle K. Jones, Shawn MacAulay, Sheila Daley, Chris DeChristopher and Elizabeth Southard, I am supremely grateful. You are my family, and I love you.

For the first time since I was a student at Andover, two people have come into my life who are willing to challenge me to my limits, while at the same time supporting and helping me learn to overcome the obstacles I face along the way. This year I've grown closer to myself than I've ever been, largely because of their guidance and patience. Those people are martial and living arts instructor Sifu Marcus Lovemore and hypnotherapist Cymry Mongan. Thank you dearly, both of you.

Lastly, I need to mention my friend and partner-in-crime Gerard Marzilli, who this year has helped me relearn what friendship can mean to my life. Even apart from his unwavering loyalty, support, and enthusiasm, for which he is well known and for which I am endlessly grateful, his profound openness and willingness to grow has challenged me to become a better man. Then, his equally expansive forgiveness has granted me the space to meet that challenge. Gerard keeps life interesting and fun by meeting new frontiers gamely, and by playing with each and every discovery we make on our professional and personal journey towards fulfillment. This year has presented Gerard with some huge challenges (some of which came from me), and by meeting them with the spirit of exploration and a dogged determination to triumph, he's woken me up to the possibility that being an interdependent person might be stronger and more fulfilling than merely being an independent one.

Thank you, Gerard. You've become the very best of friends to me, my true brother, and when I try to express the love and gratitude I feel, I can't seem to find the words. I love you, and thank you.

To everyone who has helped me become a more complete, connected person, thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!