Dear Friends:

"Wreck-It Ralph" claimed best animated feature at the Annie Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Producers Guild Awards, as well as a nearly $500 million world wide box office.  "Paperman", the theatrical CG-handrawn hybrid that played in front of "Ralph", took home the Academy Award for best animated short (our studio's first win in that category in 40+ years).

In the fall, the Angeles National Forest's Wildlife Waystation and California's Death Valley National Park were refreshing expeditions, while celebrating with the LA Galaxy hours after winning their second consecutive MLS championship (hello Mrs. Beckham) kept the city spectacular.

This winter, I embarked on 19 days and 21,957 miles through South America.  Argentina offered a trek through Patagonia's beautiful Los Glaciares National Park, a short day trip to Chile's Torres Del Paine, a lively San Telmo street fair in Buenos Aires, and perhaps the best filet mingnon I've ever eaten.  Brazil unveiled caiman hunting along the Amazon River, a 2,300ft climb through Corcovado to Cristo Redentor, the hydraulic beauty of Iguazu Falls and Paraguay's Itaipu Dam, and endless beach bodies at Rio's Ipanema beach.

The new year kept busy with rare visits from my father and sister to Southern California escaping the winter weather, and a Vegas bachelor party reunion over Easter weekend that unfolded in all too many familiar stereotypes (hangover included).

I felt fortunate to have my high school alumni magazine "The Lawrentian" publish a nice article on my job, speak to students at my alma mater as part of a Disney USC career panel, while some of my photography was put on display at the Burbank Public Library amateur photography contest.  When not geeking out over my new 16.1 MP mirrorless camera, dual 24" IPS display panels, and custom hack-intosh pro, I find myself managing a new basketball team with the Disney Studio League (simultaneously with the Burbank City League).

This summer, our next Disney project  "Frozen" (November 2013) will have a teaser in front of Pixar's "Monsters University" (June 2013).  In addition, I look forward to a quick weekend in NYC, Lawrenceville, and Philly - as well as standing next to my brother, Peter, as he ties the knot on the North Shore in Oahu.

Aloha,
-Mike