I spent NYE at work and with two minutes left in 2023 I broke 5 flutes of champagne all over myself.... 2023 brought it's best!

A lot can happen in a year. I think it's alright to consider the good and the bad. And, although the bad may appear to outweigh the good at times, and this year it may have, I am going to move forward with the intention to learn from the hardship (it's a process). I also fully intend on recognizing the wonderful opportunity, friendship, love and compassion this year lent. I'm glad that life has brought our journeys to cross paths. This year I am going to deepen my connections - My existing relationships, this means you.

*On Set of Dockweiler (L-R) Henrry Lacsko, Ebony Flowers, Sara Sahin, and (Me)*

I started off the year eager as ever to make movies. I lined up a small production (Dockweiler) to shoot on location in New York City, what a dream! I am so grateful for this experience, as it gave me an opportunity to try out producing and learn how hard that can be. We didn't end up getting all of what we needed from our days in NYC so we opted to pick up the remaining footage in the City of Angels... Boy that hurt the pocket book. There were and are many challenges that have come with getting this film to the finish line; more on that to come.

*On set of How I Met Your Father in Paramount's New York Street Backlot.*

Upon my return from NYC I was straight back to work. At one of my luckier jobs. I was the supervisor for the covid compliance department on the Television series How I Met Your Father. Truly lucky: I got to continue to work with a team of excellent people on a show with great cast and crew! Shout out to Endia, my boss, for making it a pleasant experience and allowing me to learn from some of the best in the bizz, both on HIMYF and This Is Us. It was on the set of Father where I met Jim Landis. (more on Jim Later)

*Wyatt's groomsmen L-R: Cody Pretzer, CJ Watson, (Me), Wyatt Gettler (groom), Drew Mechnig, Chris Salgato, and John Rickel*

My best good friend (read in Forrest Gump voice) got married and a few of us sent him off with a bang in San Diego. Wyatt Pimpin' Gettler, as he referred to himself as he entered his name into my first cell phone in the 7th grade, is my oldest friend and I got to throw him a party and stand by his side in March as he whisked away his bride! It's a wild thing watching old pal's grow up from afar. Lucky for us, we have the internet and cell phones to keep in touch.

While back in Kansas for Wyatt's wedding, I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker in an old friends entrepreneurship class at my alma mater, Kansas State University. Blair Kocher, now a dad of three boys, and an instructor at the university's college of business administration. This gave me an new experience, a chance to catch up with an old friend and see him do his thing that he is obviously very good at.

I love getting to go "home" to Kansas to see my family and friends. I don't get back enough. However, I do cherish those moments - seeing everyone participating in their lives - being a fly on the wall for their new adventures for even just an afternoon.

Somewhere around this time, because of some wonderful people (Rich Silva) I met on How I Met Your Father, I found myself on the set of the second coming of Frasier. I was playing in the background in some of the bar scenes in that show, in attempt to gain my union eligibility. - Thank you Rich!

*Actors Assemblage: (L-R) Me, Adrienne, Dino, Jasmine*

In April, with some friends I had met in an acting workshop, I started an acting group. The intention was to have a FREE space to work on our craft once a week. Although, we still remain active, our group utilized each other as support system throughout the HOT LABOR SUMMER - aka the SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike. Since organizing, I believe I have grown as an artist and human (not sure one goes without the other).

It was also around April when Jim Landis, one of the property department workers on How I Met Your Father, cast me in his upcoming play, Feast of Fools. Although, the play wouldn't go up until September, we got our first table read in in April.

*Benjamin Byron Davis picketing outside of Paramount Studios*

*Shakespeare Bridge (L-R) Drew Mechnig, Tyler San Miguel, Sean Taylor*

*Dungeons and Dragons set up *Patrick Schmaltz*

In May the strikes started to shape most of the rest of the year for most of my friends and colleagues in LA. A slew of layoffs pared with no active principle photography, made for a pretty bleak and hot summer. But despite this, I made the most of connecting with my community here. Together with my friends Sean, Tyler, and Drew, we endeavored in gritty filmmaking, learning best practices by trial and error. I learned how to play Dungeons and Dragons thanks to Patrick and Hannah Macpherson for lending there space and realms!

*Terrie Marroquin, Rachel Hroncich, and Kate Cook on the set of their short film, Beauty is Bliss*

In the spring I also added a manager to my team! To join my agent, Carrie Macy of Carrie Macy Talent Agency, Terrie Marroquin of TLynn Talent Management came on to represent me as a manager. Thanks to Rachel Hroncich for the introduction! I am excited for what is to come, as I have a wonderful team supporting me!

The summer brought some inevitable challenges. Death is never easy. My condolences to anyone dealing with loss. That said, I was able to reflect on the impact made on this world by a wonderful human I am lucky to call my Aunt Anne. I was also fortunate to be with family to celebrate her life. Her legacy will live on through her children, her family, and the thousands of people whose lives she changed for the better.

*FOF Rehearsal: (L-R) Katie Peabody, Me, JT Garcia, June Angela, and Catherine McAuley*

Into rehearsals we went come August. Feast of Fools was underway. The positive impact this play has had on my life will continue to feed me for the rest of my life. Jim Landis and the cast and crew of this production made a family so very quickly. The Anderson house hold was full of love and laughter. Rehearsing for this show was a wonderful process, from getting to know my character- the unlikeable, son-in-law, Chet - to getting to know and watching some of the best in the business do there thing!

Also, in August, I started working in the restaurant industry. I now am a waiter at Verse. Thanks to my manager, Terrie, whose family owns and operates Verse. Verse was opened by Terrie's husband, Manny, a 17 time Grammy winning mixer. I started just polishing dishes, but am now serving to provide. Verse is an awesome music experience restaurant in Toluca Lake. It's fine dining inside a sound studio with live music every night.

*This section added in after I let it slip to mom*

On August 26, 2024, around 5:40 p.m., upon leaving a rehearsal for Feast of Fools, I stopped to get gas before heading to work and was jumped. It was broad daylight, normal day, I was unassuming and it just happened. After I hung up the nozzle, I felt a presence, looked up and saw what I had assumed to be an unhoused individual, I backed up to give myself some space. As I backed up I ran into another man. Trapping me between my car and the pump, the two proceeded to take me to the ground and take what they could before they left. It was less than 30 seconds all together and honestly felt like a dream (or nightmare). I got up called 911 and waited for a little over an hour. This could happen anywhere to anyone. I AM OKAY! But I would be lying if I said it didn’t still haunt me a little. The most normal places scare me now if I know I am trapped by myself; elevators, for instance. For a while I entered a pretty dark spot, but I have a wonderful community who were there for me, and I cannot thank you enough.

*Outside the Hudson Theater after a show with flowers from "Fans"*

*Family Photo in front of the step and repeat after the show: (L-R) Don, Siobhan, (me), Kris, and Ellie*

September was gone in a flash. We had two weekends and 11 shows to put up and we had a nearly packed house every night. People flew in (mom, dad, Ellie & Kris), celebrities showed up... We were on cloud 9! This was the sauce. I'll be chasing that feeling the rest of my life. Thank you, Jim.

*Bachelor Party shenanigans : Joey Liew is the only one I can confidently make out... I think that is Patrick (the Bachelor) in back*

*Photo booth pic - Fred again.. concert - Drew, (me), Sean, Tyler*

*Antonio Marroquin with dancers on set of Alejandro Aranda's music video for* *Fragile*

*Adrian and Octavia's going away get together*

The rest of the fall seemed to go by even faster. Some highlights: camping bachelor party, friends getting married (Hannah & Patrick), Fred Again. concert, late night convos and hangs with Tim and Brian, music video shoot with Antonio Marroquin for Alejandro Aranda, finishing our bar in the apartment. Also, shipped off one of my best friends, Adrian and (now) fiancé Octavia, to Rochester, wishing them the best.

I had a wonderful holiday spent with some of my best friends this way. Spent Christmas morning the way everyone should... at Denny's! I spent NYE at work and with two minutes left in 2023 I broke 5 flutes of champagne all over myself.... 😆

I am thrilled for the year ahead of us. Looking back I have so much to be grateful for! Some big goals and small ones. But know that my biggest goal is to dig deeper in my relationships. So here is my first step at that.

Ahhh...

With so much gratitude,

AJW2

with love, i’m glad it’s a new year

butterscotch