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It has been a quite unexpected and exciting summer so far. Along with a great deal of traveling, much has been happening on the acting front. As I mentioned earlier I signed with agent Shirley Faison of the Carson-Adler agency earlier in the summer. Just prior to that I was cast as Isaac Adams, the lead, in Jr Lab Ratz, a new science-based tv pilot geared for kids in middle and high school. WCNY, a local PBS affiliate based in Syracuse commissioned the show and produced it. It is being billed as a cross between Saved By the Bell and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Because it has PBS backing, the pilot will air on all PBS affiliates across New York State on November 11th at 8pm. In the mean time, I and the rest of the cast will be appearing at the NY State fair this coming Thursday to participate in some science demonstrations and sign autographs. After that, the writers will come up with 4 or 5 more treatments and combined with the pilot will shop it out and try to get it picked up by a studio.

The week of filming in Syracuse was a pretty amazing experience. The cast is terrific and amazingly fun and the crew was really capable and professional. Having 2 cameras on the shoot was new for me and it made us able to film, on average, close to 5 pages a day for only 6 days. This made for long shoots and tense moments but we all made it through unscathed. I hesitate to see myself in HD though, that is scary no matter how you look at it.

In other news, I won 1st in my age group for the third time in a row in 2 years at the Mini-Mighty Man triathlon out in Long Island. This time I came in 3rd for all males overall as well. The Providence Half-Ironman was quite an experience as well. I had a PR in both the swim and bike legs but crashed hard on the run, bringing in my worst time ever. A learning experience I suppose.

Kristin and I took many trips both triathlon and wedding related this summer. Nate Goodrich got hitched to his beautiful fiance Carly in Erie and my cousin Courtney tied the knot in Williamsburg, VA. We were able to stop at Virgina Beach for a couple hours too which was a welcome surprise. A handful of trips were made upstate as well to see the folks and relax in Binghamton.

Looking forward to the State Fair this coming Thursday. If you are in the area, stop at the WCNY tent and say hi.

With spring in full effect the and the Triathlon season underway my time outside has increased and I couldn’t be more pleased. I am riding to work as much as possible and running outdoors almost exclusively. Last Saturday was spent in Long Island with the grands and at the Mini Mighty Man tri where I won my age group (25-29) for the second year in a row. I stayed for the awards this time, now that I had a clue I had a chance.

On the acting front, a couple of encouraging developments. One being the recent audition I had for this years Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet with the Public Theater. I broke out my violin for it and had to practice all this past weekend. Still working the actors connection and scanning the auditions.

In other news I’m pretty happy about Apple’s earnings today.

Its good to be finally leaving winter behind with all of its attendant mess (cold, snow, writers strike) I am celebrating with a slew of outdoor and indoor activities.

Indoor-wise, the acting front has been picking up with a callback for the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival’s upcoming Romeo and Juliet. In addition I’ve been hitting the AC circuit, aiming for agency’s I have some connection too. Good responses so far. Almost all the agents have been close to my age and very down to earth. Encouraging.

On the outdoor front, tri season had officially begun with my first one down in Galveston, TX while visiting my sister. Some of the pics came out pretty well. While there we visited NASA 

So, nearly a week later I have finally found the time to post about the tri. Luckily it also gave me ample time to analyize the whole expierence and determine why I (or really anyone else) do these types of things. They are painful, long and nerve-wracking events that really test your physical and mental limits. Cliche I know. But after finishing I began to think about those competing with me (passing me and ocassionally being passed by me) and the different motivations any of us have going into it. (That and constantly being asked by friends why the hell would I want to do this)

For the easist and probably least specific answer, we can easily look to Mallory’s famous quote describing a challange far tougher and more dangerous than an Olympic distance triathlon: that of climbing Everest. “Because its there”

That is never really the truest reason, but it alludes to a simplicity that rationalizes the complicated drives within in us and allows us to engage in an activity that is against our bodies better judgement. Seeking the rush of exertion, the focus that comes with complete exhaustion, and the joy of seeing the end of months, sometimes years of work, is enough to justify the effort that got you there. It is also encouraging to know you are not alone. That all around you (and, during the swim, on top of you) are a diverse, motley set of people all striving towards that same line which lies 1 mile of swimming, 24 miles of biking, and 6 miles of running ahead of you. You know its there, you visualize the steps needed to deliver you there but you don’t feel anything else, panting and sweating in the middle of the race. Tree by tree, street lamp by streetlamp the race lurches past you in short segments which are all you allow yourself to see. Gradually, you begin to appreciate what you put behind you knowing you are now futher in that you were out and that you might as well keep going.

So you do.

Thursday:
B-27miles
(with transition!)
R-3 miles

Friday:
B-45min

So, its been a bit busy at Hamlet opens tomorrow along with the fesitivites of the 4th of July. But all went smoothly and we are ready to open tonight. We had a dress on Thursday night and a cleanup rehearsal last night followed by drinks (which were not on the rehearsal schedual)

July 4th was teriffic and everything that was promised. We arrived at the boat at 5:30 which was parked behind the Forbes boat A crew of 6 greeted us with wine and water and we disembarked at 6pm for a tour up the Hudson to the GW Bridge. The weather held out the entire time (despite forcasts) and the sunset provided some great light for pictures. We parked down by the Statue of Liberty and watched the fireworks. The back to dock around 11pm. Open bar…all you can eat…it was awsome. Thanks to Nate and Vicky for a great time.

So, if you are inclined to see HAMLET (at least come for the sweet fight scenes) here is the schedual:
Stella Adler Studio 2-B31 W. 27th Street, 2nd Floor
July 8th-8pm
July 9th-3pm
July 13th 14th 8pm
July 15th -3pm
July 18th-20th and 22nd -8pm
July 23rd-3pm
July 27th-29th 8pm

My new baby. Triathlon here I come