#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 4: Colt Cabana

Today is the first person spotlighted that I don't actually know, but that I'm a fan of, has positively affected my life, and who I think is pretty awesome - Professional Wrestler Colt Cabana!

He's so happy! This must have been pre-WWE...

I've been a wrestling fan since 8th grade, and despite the grime, muck, and sleeze caked into every layer of it's mainstream presentation - despite the steroids and many deaths that make me question and ashamed of my fandom - I think the actual art of wrestling is one of the truly unexplored art forms in our culture, with an entire vocabulary of storytelling all it's own. A mixture of acting, contact fight choreography, gymnastics, psychology, clown, and its own art of selling, a truly great wrestler is an artist. You just don't get to see that a lot if you're not actively looking, or to learn about these artists and their craft. And especially to see them as people and not sad stories.

And that is where Colt Cabana comes in. An independent wrestler who works all over the country, he's primarily known for his work in Ring of Honor, North America's premiere indie federation. But I have to be honest - I don't think I've ever seen a full CC match, something I intend to rectify as I get more into Indie wrestling. How I became a fan of Colt is through his tremendous podcast The Art of Wrestling where each week he hangs out and has a chat with a different wrestler, manager, referee or other man or woman plying their trade in this ultimate journeyman field. The conversations are fun, insightful, and provide a glimpse into the the parts of this business that are not the seedy underbelly we always hear about. Colt is smart, incredibly positive, and so passionate about his craft that it catches.

He updates every week, totally free of charge. I've never had the money to buy a T-shirt or make a donation, so I'm writing this instead. He has provided me hours of entertainment, something to do in lonely times, and I'm going to lend my support by hoping you go check out this link to The Art of Wrestling and get a new sense about something you may have written off.

And when I move to Chicago, I hope to buy him a beer.

#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 3: Steve Bragale

Given today's cultural significance I thought it would be appropriate to highlight a member of our Armed Forces - my friend Steve Bragale.

The Steve Bragale action figure comes replete with little daughter Sophie accessory!

I have known and been friends with Steve since our senior year of high school, which is close to a decade now. In that time we've been roommates, co-hosts, and adventurers together. We've had a number of fantastic memories that I cherish, and difficult times that we've weathered. We have both seen each at our best and worst and in our highest and lowest moments. And while we are not as immediately close as we used to be, it is my belief and hope that we will always be friends.

When you get to know someone over a period of 9 years, from high school through college and into the 'real' world after, you have an opportunity to truly watch someone develop through a deeply formative time. In the case of Steve Bragale it's been a tremendously rewarding experience to watch him find true love with his best friend, overcome personal obstacles for the sake of self betterment, and to see him now as a devoted husband and father - where he shines. He has found a place to use his natural drive, intelligence, and fierce competitive nature for the betterment of his family and his country by joining the US Army, where he was at the top of his class and became a sharpshooter. And while I am personally terrified for the day he may see combat, I'm also very proud of him.

It's difficult to judge the strength of a friendship until it's been tested, and there was a an unfortunate period of time where it felt like our relationship was strained. In some cases friendships of mine have fallen when put to that test. But, and I think this is true for us both, at no time did I ever think this one would be worth losing - because it wasn't. And the fact that we are still great friends to this day is a testament to the strength and worth of that bond. Steve is a great guy - funny, loyal, and possessing a deep strength of character. So many of my definitive college memories involve the two of us together - from singalongs in the Bunker, to rap battles at WMUC, and having my first alcoholic drink EVER in his basement. I can't wait to see what Sophie is like in the future, with he and Jackie guiding her way.

And honestly, I don't think I realized how much I missed him until I wrote this.

May the Bat-Team Assemble again soon.

#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 2: Colin Grube

Today we take a look at my partner in crime, Mr. Colin Grube.

Who may or may not be The Joker.

Many of you are probably at least familiar with Flying V, my theater company dedicated to Awesomeness as a Theatrical Concept. And you may well know that Colin is an important part of the V as Associate Producer and Board Chair.

But what you may NOT know is that without Colin there would be no Flying V at all.

It was Colin who took Become What You Are (our first show) and pushed to create something longer and more lasting than a single show. And it was very much Colin's faith, belief, and support in me as a person and an artist that gave me the courage to actually put a flag in the sand and do this. We've been fighting on the front lines ever since - having pulled a company of tremendous artists that is in the process of producing it's third show in seven months basically out of our asses.

I don't honestly know what I did to deserve the kind of tremendous loyalty and support - emotionally, artistically, financially - that Colin has given and continues to give me. He already has his hands full being an extraordinarally hard working artist in his own right, a tremendous friend to so many others, and most importantly a father and husband one should aspire to be (and I can't stress that enough). But whatever it is, my goal is to never let him down. He is a very good man and someone I tremendously respect. His friendship, and his belief in me, drives me to make Flying V something worthy of both our legacies.

I don't have any pictures of us together. That should probably change.

#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 1: Michael Saltzman

Lindsay Denmark gave me this one -

365 day challenge: do something every day for a year. Some ideas: take a photograph of yourself in the same position (looks really cool in the end!), write in a journal, learn a new vocab word, save a dollar each day, etc.

So I've decided to take a moment every day for the next 365 to showcase and celebrate a different person who I think is pretty awesome, right here.

And leading us off, my dear friend and collaborator - Michael Saltzman.

The beard goes "Roar!"

We could start with the fact that Michael is one of the most talented actors and performers I know - with impeccable comedic timing, emotional depth, commitment, facial control, and a diverse depth of character range that allows me to say without reservation that while some parts may at first seem to suit him better, there is not a role out there Michael Saltzman would not excel at playing and make his own.

Or we could start with the fact that Michael is an amazing collaborator - incredibly smart, with tremendous instincts, kind, and the easiest person to work with I've ever met. We've done six shows together in the last calendar year alone - in every combination from actor/director, to director/producer, actor/producer, to sharing a scene onstage. I think he reigns supreme as my most frequent artistic collaborator and it's because every project with him is made fresh, exciting, and better for it.

But starting there is to ignore the most important component of Michael Saltzman - what a tremendously kind and caring man he is. Mikey is a good human being - loyal, considerate, and friendly. He is the kind of person to put the needs of others ahead of his own. And while he carries those qualities in his art, he even moreso does in his friendships. To know Michael Saltzman is to love him, because he engenders those kind of feelings simply by being who he is. It's been a privilege to watch him grow over the last several years - take more responsibility and ownership over habits standing in his way and accomplish a number of very personally challenging tasks - not always gracefully, but always with charm. And that struggle and success is an inspiration.

I'm beyond excited to have someone of his talent as a Flying V company member.

But most importantly, it's been an honor to have him as a friend.

See you tomorrow.