Dear Friends:

Despite Disney's share of public struggles resulting from COVID-19, the Disney+ streaming platform has emerged as a viable way to continue to engage audiences worldwide.  Producing content for streaming emphasizes my recent efforts with Technology optimizing production practices and innovating studio planning techniques at the Animation Studio, although no one anticipated this to accelerate so quickly.

California's lock down encouraged all types of ambitious home projects - constructing a wet bar on the outdoor patio, migrating the home server to the cloud, and installing photovoltaic solar panels on the roof.  Travel was still limited to Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and San Diego with family and close friends in isolated bubbles, but what a shot of dopamine to pack a toothbrush again.  I earned my first pit-master achievement smoking a 18-lb packer brisket low and slow this summer, preparation for the moment there is a large gathering of people to share it with.

Needless to say the global pandemic, racially driven violence, and extreme weather events have been a lethal cocktail to ingest this year, and as painful as it has been on our health, culture, economy - I've tried my best to welcome this break in routine to evaluate my environment, partnerships, and career.  While I don't know where this contemplation will steer me just yet, I feel this period of time will allow for it to develop.  

However, it has become very apparent our country's polarization of beliefs are continually compounded by the necessity to seek affirmation and spread opinion through the ease of technology.  I'm disappointed how these networks have only made it harder to overcome social distance, exercise empathy, and demonstrate a unified effort to support equality and protect human decency.  I hope these posts can serve the opposite.

Vote,

-Mike