My boy, Brando

My agent and buddy, Brando Olech, committed suicide this past week. He was found dead the morning of August 26th. Brando was super cool to me. When he and I had our first meeting I had already had offers from other agencies but after a conversation and a read-through, I signed with Brando on the spot. I will miss him.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday

My kind of mag!


Robyn and Brett after their first surf lesson!! The word is Robyn did great!


Jeff and Jeannie.


My Kauai.


Sorry, Hello Kitty, my girlfriend gave you to me to eat!!


Speaking of eating, the entire cast went to a ramen restaurant in Waikiki that our friend, Jason Chin, recommended. It was great!


Thanks, dad! (New G-Shock bought with the rest of my bday money from pops.)

Tuesday and Wednesday

I cut my own hair again. This time I went super short on the sides.


I went for a run in Hilo last Tuesday. My run came to a stop when I had to cross over this shaky little log.


Another view.


And a third view for my pops, he loves nature.


Every Wednesday in Kona this older gentleman does aerobics in the ocean.He does his aerobics in ALL OF HIS CLOTHES. I'm talking hat to shoes and socks.


Post-tennis meal. I'm crazy about these bloody marys.

I'm 30!

From Lauren. This is my favorite movie of all time! (Stand By Me)


Look at this package!! I have the best girlfriend!



Thanks, dad! (New NIKE Lunarlites that I bought with some of the birthday cash I got from pops)

The shoes were great on the court!


Here I am wearing the Chicago Bears shirt that I got from Brett Lyons. I love this shirt!!
There's a side story to the racquet I am holding. You can read all about it here: http://jeffgriggs.blogspot.com/


Let's just say that one man's trash (Jeff's) is another man's treasure (mine).

So I turned 30 years old in Maui. You know what? It was great fun. At first I thought I might be a little depressed not being home on my birthday but that wasn't the case at all. First of all, I have such wonderful family and friends who sent me well wishes the entire day. Second of all, I have an extremely thoughtful and awesome girlfriend who made it a point to make sure I felt special on my special day. And lastly, my cast here on the ship. They were all so great to me and even joined me for a birthday lunch where they gave me some great gifts! I am very thankful and very blessed to have so many people who care for me in my life.
Yikes, I'm 30.

I wish I could come up with better titles for my random blog posts

This cast has tried to go for sushi on the ship twice in two months. We were unable to get a table both times. Here Jeff and I wait patiently outside of the sushi restaurant.


Every month or so the Crew Activities department throws a crew-only bowling party. Brett and Robyn had gone before and I joined them this past week. It was a surprisingly good time!


Trying on possible show shirts at Macy's.


This was a great movie! I'd like to add that this is one of my better in theatre pictures of the title screen.

Some things

Kauai usually has some of the clearest blue water. Here the water is mud brown after a storm.


Awesome.


Saw District 9, really liked it.


He wins. The end.

Nate and Matt are here!

Hanging with Nate and Matt on their first night aboard.


Here the "cool guys" in the convertible Jeep get rained on on our way to Twin Falls.



Robyn's Jump


My Jump
We went to Twin Falls in Maui (a favorite place of mine) and we found a new waterfall! Robyn, Brett, and I decided to jump off of it.


After Twin Falls we had some great pizza at this place in Pa'ia.

Waiting patiently for the pizza. Also, Jeannie is eating an organic salad, she said she could taste a difference.


Woohoo!!


Later that night we rushed to the top of Haleakala to watch the sun set. (Notice Jeannie in the back)


Brett and Jeff in some good "sun setting light".




Mr. Haleakala
This is a short video of Robyn and I describing the race to the top of the crater, Haleakala.

We spent our time in Kona at Turtle Beach. Needless to say, there were turtles at this beach.

It has been a great week with our director Matt and our producer Nate on board! We jumped off waterfalls, swam with turtles, and even watched the sun set from the top of a volcanic crater!! Above are some pictures and videos that I stole from Jeff Grigg's blog (http://jeffgriggs.blogspot.com/)

Some stuff

I've started cutting my own hair. I used to cut my hair in Chicago.


Saw this, liked it.


Graffiti with a message I can relate to. (Taken by the tennis courts in Maui)

Dead Guy's visit

Dead Guy headed to his cabin.


He loved the outdoor track on Deck 6.


Dead Guy dancing with the ladies in the crew bar.


Taking it all in.


Dead Guy was a little nervous to take this jump.


He did it!


After the cliff jumping at Boiling Pots, Dead Guy got a pint at a cool little pub in Hilo.


Dead Guy doing what he does best.


Dead Guy appreciating the beauty of the waterfalls.


Going for a night swim.


Partying in the hot tub.


Got to wash off the chlorine.


Dead Guy did a 3 min set opening for RCA recording artists Toby Beau.


Always a gentleman, Dead Guy holds the elevator.


Going down?


Dead Guy does some snorkeling at Turtle Bay in Kona.


Always with the shopping.


Dead Guy got in close with the crew of the ship. Here he is getting some sun in Kauai.


Side out!


Dead Guy was cool enough to host a BBQ for some of his pals.


Hanging out with some girls at a tavern in Kauai. He loves the ladies.


Dead Guy body surfing.


He caught some killer waves.

Ironic.


A little series we like to call "Dead Guy".