Dear Friends:

"Bolt" was a success, grossing $290 million worldwide and an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. It is now available on DVD and includes my second screen credit - the new animated short "Super Rhino". To top it off, I met Miley Cyrus shopping in Burbank.

I caught the Phillies marching through Los Angeles, and practically broke into tears when they won the World Series. On downtime over the winter holiday - I had my wisdom teeth extracted, took my PSU alum brother to the Rose Bowl vs USC, and hosted my dad's first visit to Burbank.

At Disney, I have the unique experience to now be working on "Princess and the Frog", a traditional hand drawn 2D animated feature film positioned to be an instant classic (with the directors of "Aladdin" and "The Little Mermaid"). It is scheduled to release holiday 2009, so look for our trailer on Pixar's "Up" (May 29) and "Toy Story 3D" (October 2).

I have committed to my first Triathlon on September 13 in Malibu, which begins with frequent exercise and a daily ride on my bike to work. You can even watch a brief clip of me running in the background on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno from April 21. I am the guy with the gold top and black shorts in the park that appears at 13:53.

Should you find the generosity to support my race, Team Disney and I have challenged ourselves to raise over $250,000 this year for the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Anything you may have to offer [HERE] is certainly appreciated, now more than ever in a very tough economic climate.

Any capacity that I have for additional mental or physical ambitions, I direct towards my classes at UCLA extension and home projects. The condo is coming together quite well and welcome you to visit anytime. I promise I won't make you lift anything... too heavy.

Finally, I hope to do some vacationing later this year - so let me know if you'll be up and about.

Best,
-Mike

Dear Friends: It's been a busy summer. On October 13, we officially locked the final reel on "Bolt". Scheduled to release nationwide on November 21, this will be my first theatrical screen credit as well as a brief (illustrated) cameo on screen. Still part of the magic at Walt Disney Animation Studios, I have been re-cast to a short animated film starring the Bolt character "Rhino" (the hamster) due at the end of the year that will be put on the film's DVD. After 10 months of 6 day, 70+ hour weeks - switching to normal work hours has taken some adjustment. I have utilized the "free" time by participating in organized recreational activities, becoming reacquainted with people like you, and enrolling in a project management class at UCLA Extension (boooo). In August, I officially closed escrow on a new one-bedroom condominium unit at the Burbank Collection in downtown Burbank (check my new contact information). Given the timing and location, the opportunity was perfect. I have (still) only begun to settle in. It has been very exciting, and somewhat overwhelming, to be a southern California homeowner but something I am so fortunate to experience - especially in this current economy. And yes, housewarming party plans are in the works. As for yourself, how is life? Regards, -Mike

Dear Friends:

Since I last wrote, I am pleased to say as a result of this email, I was able to catch up with many old friends while discovering new neighbors and co-workers. Thank you all who have taken the time to reply.

In December, I officially completed my full degree at USC (after 139 units). It was sort of uneventful since one class wasn't nearly enough to make me feel like a student, but to think that I have been out of college for almost a year, is still "mind-bottling".

Life at Walt Disney Animations Studios is magical. We are in full gear as production demands are high on the animated feature film "Bolt" which is scheduled to release nation-wide this thanksgiving 2008. With a deadline only 20 weeks away, simply put, it's busy. Look for our trailer in front of "WALL-E", "Hancock", and "The Dark Knight".

In the time I do spend in my studio in downtown Los Angeles, watching LA Live develop around the Nokia Theater is quite amazing and I hope to catch some of the X-Games in a few months. However, I anticipate moving to the Burbank area at the end of summer.

Hope all is well. I wouldn't have sent you this mail if I didn't wish to hear from you.

All my best,
-Mike

Dear Friends: As life moves forward for us all, I figure it only gets harder for everyone to stay in touch. In a serious effort to hold ties (you'd be surprised how difficult it is just to send an email like this), I was hoping to get a quick update of how things were going or any future plans - whether it's a new job, new travels, more school, same old, or just some good time off. Any new contact info would be appreciated as well. As for me, life is pleasantly busy - living in downtown LA, finishing one class at USC, and working full time with Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank. Cheers, -Mike