SURVIVOR: Blood vs Water Finale

You know you are important when you have a seat with your name on it!  :)

Letters to Ashleigh - Milwaukee Magazine Follow Up

Hi, Friends!

I'm thrilled that a follow-up story about my upcoming documentary was featured in Milwaukee Magazine.  Check out the story and the EXCLUSIVE trailer by clicking on the link below.  And PLEASE help spread the word!  This is a story that NEEDS to be told!

Special Thanks to Mr. Mack Bates for supporting this project since it's inception and for helping to give our movie a special voice within the community.  Check out the link below!

http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/1172013-ACalltoActionLetterstoAshleigh

Walt Disney Family Barn

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting the Walt Disney Family Barn in the heart of Griffith Park.  The park is just a short drive from me, and it was such a beautiful day today that it was a great opportunity to get out!  When I first arrived, I received an exclusive collectible sticker.  The sticker is your 'ticket' on the train that takes you to and from the barn.

The barn is actually a museum that was built in the backyard of Disney's house as a place where Walt could get away and play with his toy trains.  It's no secret that Walt Disney loved playing with trains -- so much so that he built an entire barn for them!

They say that the barn was the birthplace of Walt Disney Imagineering because it was here that Walt stirred up his original concept designs for the Disneyland park.  How inspiring!  Being inside the historic building, you can really 'feel' Walt's vibe.  EVERYTHING in the barn was touched and created by Walt and his closest friends.  The desks, the tables, the stationary, and all the train tracks.  It was so cool to see.

There's a few other things that make this location special.  For starters, it's the only Disney 'park' that offers free admission.  All other parks like Disneyland, Disney World, etc... and even his family and hometown museums require a fee to enter.  Secondly, it's the only place where you can collect an exclusive Disney pin that you can't find anywhere else.  For those who are die-hard pin collectors, a gift shop visit is a must.  Lastly, it's the only place where you can see an original train from Disneyland when the park first opened!  How COOL is that?!  

Overall, good times were had at the Disney Family Barn!  It's small and can easily be seen in about an hour, but it's worth the visit if you have the time!

RIP Richard LeParmentier

Richard LeParmentier passed away today.  He memorably 'felt the force' of Darth Vader's wrath as Admiral Motti in STAR WARS.  I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago, when he gave me his version of the 'force choke'.  Cheers to a cool guy who will be missed!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Lately, it seems like life has been in "fast forward" mode.  I haven't had much time to stop and take everything in since I've been so busy working.

Yesterday was my last day on Top Model for the season.  The time flew by SO quickly, and I'm really sad to see it all come to an end.  The crew on the show has become like family to me, and it makes coming into work every day just a little more special.  Once the cycle hits the airwaves this summer, we'll find out if we are back for another season.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that we do!

Today, I am back on set of Dancing with the Stars.  No down time.  No break in the middle.  I'm just hopping from one gig to the next.  I'm excited to be back with some familiar faces I haven't seen in a while, and I'm looking forward to meeting some of the new stars for this season.

Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find a day off in the near future.  Until then, it's time to put the petal to the metal!

A Fond Farewell

Today, I had a lovely opportunity to guest star on a radio / blog show hosted by Betty Jo Tucker.  Betty Jo hosts the hit-show "Movie Addict Headquarters" where she chats about all things entertainment.  I was honored to be invited on her show to discuss the Milwaukee Summer Entertainment Camp.

During the program, I think I took quite a few people by surprise when I formally announced that I would be ending my camp after a fantastic four year run.  It was hard to say goodbye, but I know it's time for me to move on to the next great adventure.  In case you missed it, here was the bulk of my farewell announcement:

"For the last four years, our camp has done some truly incredible things.  We constantly raised the bar and achieved big goals.  This camp has been my life and I know when it's time to say goodbye and move onto new projects and even greater adventures.  Thank You to everyone who has supported us along the way.  Your trust in me; your sharing of your time every summer has brought me and our kids the greatest joy."

Before the show, I was pondering if making the announcement on Betty Jo's show was the right call.  After our hour long program, I had no doubts in my mind.  It was so nice to hear from all the wonderful people that called in and shared their positive thoughts and memories about the camp with me.  I felt like I have made a difference over the past four summers.

It's always tough to walk away from something.  Especially when you put so much heart and soul into it.  But I know my job here is done, and I know greater things await on the horizon.  Thanks to everyone for coming along with me on this camp journey, and I hope you stay with me for the next great adventure.

In case you are curious in listening to the entire hour-long show, you can have a listen by clicking here.

Christmas Eve in California

Well, this is weird.  For the first time EVER -- it's Christmas Eve and I'm not heading home to Milwaukee to be with my family.  While I am a little sad and lonesome, I've been able to find some Hollywood Christmas cheer that has definitely lifted my spirits.

For starters, I was caught in the middle of a Christmas Gangnam Style Flashmob on the way home from the mall today.  That was odd, but also kind of cool at the same time.



Then, I passed by a house that appeared to be owned by Clark Griswold.  The decorations outside were truly OUT OF THIS WORLD!  I don't think I've ever seen Christmas decorations that were quite this extravagant   Come to find out, the man who owns the house has done work with Disney animatronics before....Go figure!



Lastly, and perhaps MOST exciting, the Hollywood Christmas Caroling Truck passed by my house tonight! I had NO idea what this was until it came strolling down the block, but as the video will show, it was a magical site for people of all ages to watch.  I've never witnessed such a joyful holiday celebration where people were crazy with excitement and so much Christmas cheer.  I might have to stick around next year to see this pass by again...



My thoughts tonight are with my family and friends in Wisconsin.  I miss everyone like crazy, and I promise I'll be heading home again soon.  Until then, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Clay Aiken Concert

Tonight I went to see Clay Aiken in concert!  And it was AWESOME!  Back in 2001, Clay Aiken was runner up on American Idol.  In my opinion (and in the opinion of many people), he should have won.  He went on to have the highest-grossing album of the year.  Since then, he's lost a lot of fans and become a pun of a lot of jokes, but I still think his voice is incredible!

I've never been in the front row for a concert before, but there's always a first time for everything!  Clay and his crew put on an awe-inspiring concert that put everyone in the Christmas spirit.  I even managed to get a few great pictures on my cell phone!  Perhaps the most un-expected highlight of the evening was sitting next to Arsenio Hall, who was there to support his former competitor from "The Celebrity Apprentice".  Check out the pictures of my awesome night and be sure to listen to Clay's Christmas album to get in the holiday spirit!

DWTS - That's A Wrap!

It's hard to believe, but this season of Dancing with the Stars has already come to an end. Where HAS the time gone?! I've been lucky enough to receive some great exposure this season - working with some truly awesome 'All Stars' both in front of and behind the camera. Here's a few shout outs:

Gilles Marini

Gilles is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He is humble, caring, and often times, extremely funny. I've enjoyed the time we spent at the dance studio getting to know each other during production. I learned a lot from him about how people 'in front of the camera' live their lives. I will carry the lessons he taught me onto my future production jobs.

Apolo Ohno

Apolo was another great guy I was honored to have met. It's not every day you have a chance to work closely with an Olympic gold medalist. (Much less the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time!) For a man who has won more medals than he can count, he is extremely down to earth and giving. (Lord knows if I won than many medals, it would go to my head!) I loved the fact that Apolo would constantly be pushing me to be the best I could be.

Dave Williams

Dave Williams is part of the Security Team for DWTS. He reminds me a lot of my dad because of his experience with the police, etc... We spent a lot of time together laughing on set about the funniest things. Throughout the season, we also had a special chance to witness history together - by watching the Space Shuttle Endeavour flyover Southern California. He's a great guy who's makes every day a little brighter!

Kathleen Smyth

I don't think I would have been able to do this cycle without Kathleen! We spent countless hours on set together making the best of the craziest situations. Even when things got stressful, we were able to push each other through and make magic happen. After the finale, we were the the two 'lucky ones' who had to stay and wrap the stage while everyone else went to the Wrap Party. Even though we missed out, we found a way to have just as much fun. It's always nice to create great new friendships in the most unexpected places while on the job. :)


There were countless other people that made this experience an enjoyable one. If I listed them all, you'd be reading for a while! This season was a crazy one, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to be a part of such a big show. It's a crazy feeling to be driving to work every morning while you hear everyone on the radio gossiping about the show YOU are working on. Plus, the chance to make new friendships is always a plus in my book! Now....onto the next adventure! Disney, here I come!

Just Another Day

Today at work, I was shot in the face will silly string.  The entire episode was recorded with a special slow-motion camera.  In case you are curious, it was done because we were testing the effects of silly string in slow motion on a person's face.  The video is below.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tonight, in the midst of all the crazy things happening at work, I was able to take a night off to enjoy, relax, and celebrate my birthday!  I joined a few friends and colleagues of mine for a few rounds of bowling and it was a lovely time.  Check out some pictures of my friends who came out to celebrate with me!

Aaron is a good friend of mine.  We met during a summer film camp the year before I moved to LA.

Jermaine and I work at the Red Cross together and have also been able to share adventures in the entertainment industry with one another, as well.

Here's another friend who's name is Aaron.  This funny guy works with me on DWTS!

When it rains, it pours...

There's a saying that goes, "When it rains, it pours".  I feel like that phrase sums up this industry pretty well.

Over the past two weeks, I've been offered a chance to work on four different shows.  Sadly, I've had to decline all of them because I'm already working on a show.  Most of the gigs I have had to pass up have been jobs that would only last a week or so (new pilots that are filming, etc...).  While they would have been fun to work on and cool experiences for the resume, it is what it is.  But there's was one offer that came across the table that was a little tough to pass up.

Alas, I like to think that everything happens for a reason.  I will continue to remain committed to the show I'm on now.  I don't want to be one of "those guys" who jumps around from show to show and is never loyal.  From what I've heard, that's NOT the way to get ahead in this industry!

Here's hoping I keep getting those calls after my current gig ends!

I'm going to Disney World!

This week, my parents, a ton of family and friends, and my roommate are all at Disney World.  I haven't been to the resort since 2005, and it's totally time to go back.

This December, I am FINALLY taking a vacation!  It's going to be a trip on a small budget, but words cannot describe how excited I am to go back and experience all the magic that makes Disney World feel like a second home.  I am also extremley anxious to meet up with some long lost friends that I haven't seen in over seven years!

Is it December yet?!?!  :)

Here's a quick blast from the past - a picture of me at Disney in 2005.

The World's Largest Potato!

Today, I pulled into the parking lot at work to find The World's Largest Potato!  Is that crazy or what?!

California NEVER ceases to amaze me!

ANTM is Coming Back!

I have GREAT news today!  I just learned that America's Next Top Model has been renewed for a 20th Season!  This is a huge accomplishment for the hard working cast and crew that have been making magic on this show for years.  A big congrats to all my friends and colleagues who work the show.  I am looking forward to coming back for another great season early next year! :)

Happy Mid-Season!

It's hard to believe, but we have already reached the half way point of our season.  This show seems like a blur because it's going so fast!

Last night, the cast and crew had a chance to celebrate during Tom Bergeron's annual mid-season party.  It was a wonderful party held at a super hip and trendy restaurant in Hollywood.

Highlight of the Evening:  Getting a picture with 'Uncle Tom'.  It was a great night that will not soon be forgotten!  Here's hoping the second half of the season goes just as great as the first!

2nd On-Air Credit

A few months ago, I was proud to show everyone my first official on-screen TV credit on "The Bachelorette".  Sadly, they mis-spelled my last name, but it was still pretty cool.

Now, I am thrilled to show off my SECOND official on-screen credit from my new show, "Dancing with the Stars".  Best of all -- they spelled my name right this time!  :)

Check it out!

Dancing with the Stars: All Stars

Well, folks! It's official!  I am pleased to announce today that I am the newest member of the "Dancing with the Stars" family!  I'll be working with their production team this cycle on what is bound to be their biggest season yet!  Check out the teaser trailer for the upcoming season, and be sure to set your DVR!!

A New Car

About a week ago (practically 5 years to the date that I moved out to LA), my old mini van broke down.  The 'man van', as many called it, gave me five really great years out here.  I wasn't really planning on getting a new car JUST yet, but in LA, if you don't have a car, you are practically a second class citizen.

I am happy to announce today that I have found a new car!  It's a Saturn Vue, and so far, I love it!  I must give a special shout out to everyone who helped me through this unique experience which I hope I will not be going through again ANY time soon.  My parents are the best, and they helped support me so I could make this move :)  John Boswell is also a fantastic friend who's opinion on these things I value greatly.  It's nice to have support when you are making major life decisions!  Here's hoping this car lasts at least another 5 years!

Check it out :)

Happy 5 Year Anniversary!

Hello, everybody!! Boy, it's been a while since I posted a blog! I'm sorry to all of you that check often hoping for a new update. Part of the reason I have not been blogging lately is because this has been one of my busiest years ever! I am thankful and very blessed to have had some great gigs come my way since the start of 2012. 

Today, I celebrate my 5 Year Anniversary in Los Angeles. It's hard to believe that it's already been 5 years since I moved away from Milwaukee to this crazy city we call Los Angeles. When I first moved out here, I knew nobody. I quickly found ways to get my 'foot in the door', and I remember meeting a friend who worked with one of the studios in town. He told me, "If you can make it past your first year, you are in good shape. If you can make it five years, you can be here for a lifetime". The phrase really stuck with me, and I often share it with my friends that move to LA. In my five years here, I have seen so many of my friends come and go. Many leave because LA is so different and they are not used to the big change. Others leave because they think it's too hard. And sometimes, people leave in search of other opportunities. 

That being said, one thing remains the same. I am still here and still moving strong. I wasn't sure if I would make it 5 years in this city. I wasn't sure of anything, really. I've had so many wonderful opportunities and experiences, and I have received an overwhelming amount of exposure in this industry. I am not a household name, nor am I making big paychecks, but I feel like I am well on my way. I love this industry. I have seen every side of this city, worked for a variety of television shows, appeared on numerous shows, met countless celebrities, produced and directed my own projects, traveled with work, and even started my own camp. I am thankful every day. I know that not everyone gets the type of opportunities that I have had. I know this could all be taken away in an instant. 

LA has taught me a lot. LA has taught me to appreciate small moments and love big moments like they may never happen again.  Have friends, but make sure they are friends.  Always be willing.  I am not like everyone else and I will never be like everyone else.  I am special and have a lot of talents to be thankful for.  People love my energy and find it irreplaceable.  I can do whatever I want to do.  I can make great decisions.  I am a good teacher.  I am a great friend. I have great friends.  I hate traffic. The list can go on and on! 

I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones I have are amazing. My friends back in Milwaukee that still stick by my side mean the world to me. They know who they are. I am also blessed to have some fantastic friends here in California, too. It's really nice to have people you can trust in an industry where trusting people is often difficult. As always, my family has always been there to support everything, and it, too, means the world to me. 

In a nutshell, hopefully you've had a chance to see what LA has been like for me over the past five years. It has been a wild ride, and I know that I am just getting started. I am thankful every day for the opportunities, and I cannot wait to see what's in store for the future. 

Inhale big, EXHALE BIG! I made it!!!

Happy 5 Year ANNIVERSARY!!!