So I have been in Park City, UT for one full day and what a crazy day it has been thus far. This trip has been something else, let me tell you. I am having a great time but the drive was quite the adventure. If there has ever been that burning in your heart to see what Wyoming has to offer as far as fun, or wondered just how great a trip across the great open plains of the Midwest… well, let me tell you something. I could die a happy man now that I have been there and done it… Oh, I’m sorry, you cannot really see my hand raised when I am writing, can you? Well, let me just say, fly, you aren’t missing anything… no really, there is NOTHING there… hills and emptiness as far as your eye can see! Anyhow, onto the rundown…
Jan 12th: This was the day that I left for my trip. My plan was to get up at be on the road @ 7am… which I am glad that I did not do – 1.) because that is just really early in the morning to start a 20+ hour drive 2.) I wanted to sleep-in with Bree as much as I could and 3.) did I mention that is super early!? Either way, I didn’t get on the road till almost 8:30… Bree and I slept in a little, which was nice. We had a few of our close friends over for my last night. First, we went to my parents house and had dinner and then we went back to our place to have a couple of drinks and say goodbye. The goodbye with my mom and dad was super hard, and one of the most painful things that I have ever really done in my life. I have never been so far away from them that I couldn’t come home when ever I wanted, and for the first time in my life I felt like I was really leaving them, and that hurt – a lot. I love you guys so much and I miss you. But at the same time I know that you want me to be going out and following my dreams, which I am doing. I will never forget where my home is and I cannot wait until the day that you guys can come out to see LA and we can go around and have a good time!
Later that night, saying goodbye to Scott, Kelly and Nick was very hard.. I had no words for it then and have none now. I love you guys… and I miss you more than I can put into words. As you know, me and “no words” do not go hand in hand… so needless to say, it too was very difficult for me as well. Saying goodbye to Corey and Beth was not easy either… nor was saying goodbye to Jenn and Steve. They have newly become my friends and you guys are the world to me…
Yet nothing to get me ready for saying goodbye, for a time, to Bree. I have never loved someone like her at all and saying goodbye to her just broke my heart. I love you and miss you more than anything… you are everything to me sweetheart, you make me smile and shine inside and there is a large part of me that is just not the same without you, it just cannot get lit without you near me. I cannot wait until you are in my arms again, love. For what is Frodo without his Sam? He is nothing but lost… GCC W/PF.
So I left in the morning and began my trip… I got onto Interstate 80 and drove for what seemed like DAYS! And it was only one day…well @ first. I got to talk to a few people on the phone – Paul, my mom and dad, Bree, and Wollner… and Mr. Neil (I am sorry that I forgot to mention you buddy!) =) He (Wollner) had some great new news to share with me, and I don’t know if it is public or not yet, but needless to say wonderful for he and his wife! Congrats again guys! I also txt with tons of people – Steve, Kelly, Scott, Nick, Katie and Bree – thank you for making the drive do-able! I got as far as Sydney, Nebraska and I had to stop for the night – I was going to sleep in my car, but Samwise convinced me to go into the hotel that I was park’d in front of – which was a good choice. I slept well that night and awoke to start anew the next day – to take on Wyoming!
Jan 13th: The trip through “White Hell”
Wyoming at this time of the year, well I can only think of one word – sucks. While it looks really beautiful if you are standing still, the rolling hills, the snow covered mountains… but driving through it was so crappy. The snow was blowing with wind speeds of 20 miles and hour and higher and with that you couldn’t see 10 inches in front of your face and driving was a nightmare! Plus I was going through the mountains and that meant that I was getting crappy gas mileage and I couldn’t go faster then 60 at any time, even if I wanted to… But after many long hours, I got into Park City and moved into my place.
And the place that I am staying in is a wonderful condo – there are 7 guys here (me included) in that, and they are from all over the country….
It is getting late though, and tomorrow I might have a short day, so I will fill you in on today and tomorrow… So tune in tomorrow! Good night from Park City ~ Much Love!
J.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
As the page turns
It has been a few days since last I was here to tell you about the adventures of my life... and let me tell you the past few days have been the CRAZIEST...
Saturday Jan 8th:
A bit earlier in the week I got the word that I was needed to work a "Black-tie" dinner or something like that at Haystack's on this night. Now for anyone who doesn't know about Haystack's, the place is closed during this time and I know that he doesn't really do parties or anything while the place is closed... so I thought that this was a bit strange and I wondered if maybe a few of my friends were getting me to come for a little going away thing... well, it was a going away party... but it sure was not little!
I got there and 80+ of my friends and family were there - My parents, Colleen and baby Maygen, Nick in his best chef gear, Bree in the most amazing gown I have ever seen her in, Scott and Kel all dressed to the 'nines... Steve and Jen, who I was so happy to see, Stacie and her new boe, The Wollner's and The Lansu's, Becky and Greg via Becky's phone, my hometown pals, Chris, Paul, Kimmy, Danelle, and Kerri... Bob Riner and Elaine, Lou and Janie, Dave and his whole family, my Stritch Family - Neil (and his lady Julie), Noelle, Brad, Karen, David, Tina, Mark, and Angella... Lisa was at her work's opening year event (which she won an award for!), Kari was in Texas and Phil was in school on the other side of the country, with Koehler still in Cally... though he tried to get out here (but I will see you soon buddy - no worries!) ... And speaking of LA guest, my buddy Bryan Irzyk came into town for my joining away party! ALL THE WAY FROM LA! I was shocked to see him and SO happy... talk about a long trip! There were so many great people that were there and I know that I am missing some of them ~ John Rupp too! Oh God, how could I forget him!
Well, the whole event was suprise/formal.. some people were dressed up and others were not... I remember Ms. Dunn came a bit later, and even tried to steal Baby Maygen a few times =) There was som much great stuff there and I can hardly even still believe it all. Bree had the really cool comic-art poster of me as Superman, Nick made a great cake and a Superman ice-carving, Kel put this wonderful scrap book together for me (and it is SO great) Scott created a Superman Oscar, a slideshow with these great pics for family and friends, mixed in with Superhero pics and Red Carpet Events. Plus he made a me a wonderful video that was lock'd away from me seeing... and there were so many more wonderful gifts - a Shakespeare bust from Dave and Fam, gift cards and wonderful messages, Mighty Joe was there to DJ for the night, and Jim made this wondeful banner with Resurrection Mary Photos on it, Lansu made a "Super J" video with clips of all my shows from a little kid to a sneak peak of "Resurrection Mary"... it was all so wonderful and so much more that I feel like I ever deserved. It was simply the most wonderful moment of my life thus far... I was all shock and smiles all night...
Sunday the 9th:
We spent most of the day cleaning Haystacks, Bree, Nick and myself... there were dishes to be done... all of my posters and photos and so much of my stuff was up every where and all of it had to be taken down and boxed up... So we did that for a great deal of time and then in the afternoon, Bree and I went to have dinner with my grandpa and grandma in Chicago - it was so funny to me, because we went to dinner at "The Great Escape" which is one of the places that we filmed Resurrection Mary... and it was also across the street from one of the places I worked with John the year before, hanging up Christmas lights on all the trees in the park... so funny how life does that to you...
When we left my grandparents, it was very sad, because I never recall my grandma ever crying, but she was really broken up by my leaving. I love them both very much and it was great to get to see them, even though it was for a short time. Grandpa told Bree a ton of funny stories and she even got a tour of their place - he is so super cool and he doesn't even know it.
We made our way back to house to watch the video that Scott made. The plan, as I was told, was that I wouldn't get the key till I was in LA... or till Bree got to LA... and then he wanted to watch it with me... some because he wanted to see first hand what I thought and also because he knew that watching it the first time would be so hard. Needless to say, he was right, the video was wonderful - the things that my friends and family did and said where so moving and so funny... I love Kimmy's Mike... he was SO funny! The Pulp Fiction Scene was the best and some of the stories were so moving. My parents, Bree, Scott, Kel, Dunn... so many people made me cry... I was so happy to see my sis and the kids, and Stacie was very moving... it was such a wonderful gift and there were all of these great film clips in the video too - Scott worked so hard on it and it looked wonderful. My movie pals had some great things to say too, and Bree and Scott told me all about the "Making of" stories... so wonderful.
Monday the 10th
This was one of the hardest days yet... I drove to Milwaukee to see the kid's show, which was Beauty and the Beast - it was fun. The hard part was driving into a place that called home for so many years, and while I could make every turn and curve in my sleep, I almost felt unwelcome back in Milwaukee... not that anyone did anything to make me feel that way, so don't think that for a moment... but I just felt like it was no longer home, and that empty feeling when I pulled into town hurt in a way that I have never felt before.
I got to have lunch with David, Mark, Brad, Sarah, Katie, Angella and Liz... she is heading out for Boston on the same day that I am heading out to LA/Park City... very fun, we siad we have travel buddies, even though we are going in different directions. David told me all about his pride in not getting lost and other fun stories. It was a great time I thought. Nice way to say goodbye... after that I did a little shopping with Katie and got to hang out with Brad and Shawn some more before I went to dinner with Lisa.
This was shorter than I would have liked, but there was nothing I could really do about that. Snow had kept me from Milwaukee on the day that I was going to come and see her, and now I still had ten million things left to do in two days, which I have to get to here in a minute. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. We talked about our lives, the move, my party and everything in between. Seeing Lisa, really for the first time since this summer... because other times we had all kinds of people that we knew with us, to hide behind, at least that is what I did. Being exposed to her again, was painful. But at the same time I felt great that I got to see her and that we got to talk and I could see how happy she was now, with her life and work and her new guy (who has a beautiful little girl, I was told =D)... She glowed in a way that I had not seen in many years, and I was very happy to leave her like that knowing that everything was cool with us and she was finding what she wanted. Starting the GRE and looking at schools, family stuff going good, it was just Grandma's Birthday... lots of wonderful gifts in her life. I always, only wanted her to be a happy as could be, and now she is. She is blessed and that is wonderful and wish that it will continue for her in all her days to come.
I left and came home to Bree and we had our first real alone time in almost a month (save going to Chicago)...
Today I awake in the last full day I have in McHenry, wondering if I have done all that I need to get done, seen all the people that wanted to see and spent as much time with them all as I would have liked... I am not sure that anyone ever gets that. But I am happy with the time that I have had, the treasures that I have been given and the time that I was given to use them in. I love you guys and I will miss you so much when I am gone. I have desided to go and buy a video camera to film my trip and send back little home movies of my adventures in LA... if you want to see them, drop me an email so I can make a list of people who would like to check them out as I finish them.
Thank you again for everything you have done for me. Come to LA as soon as you can and I will come home to see you all very soon.
Best Fishes,
Jason Ryan Lovett... but you can call me Skippy
NEXT ISSUE: Coming to you LIVE from PARK CITY and The Sundance Film Fest!
Saturday Jan 8th:
A bit earlier in the week I got the word that I was needed to work a "Black-tie" dinner or something like that at Haystack's on this night. Now for anyone who doesn't know about Haystack's, the place is closed during this time and I know that he doesn't really do parties or anything while the place is closed... so I thought that this was a bit strange and I wondered if maybe a few of my friends were getting me to come for a little going away thing... well, it was a going away party... but it sure was not little!
I got there and 80+ of my friends and family were there - My parents, Colleen and baby Maygen, Nick in his best chef gear, Bree in the most amazing gown I have ever seen her in, Scott and Kel all dressed to the 'nines... Steve and Jen, who I was so happy to see, Stacie and her new boe, The Wollner's and The Lansu's, Becky and Greg via Becky's phone, my hometown pals, Chris, Paul, Kimmy, Danelle, and Kerri... Bob Riner and Elaine, Lou and Janie, Dave and his whole family, my Stritch Family - Neil (and his lady Julie), Noelle, Brad, Karen, David, Tina, Mark, and Angella... Lisa was at her work's opening year event (which she won an award for!), Kari was in Texas and Phil was in school on the other side of the country, with Koehler still in Cally... though he tried to get out here (but I will see you soon buddy - no worries!) ... And speaking of LA guest, my buddy Bryan Irzyk came into town for my joining away party! ALL THE WAY FROM LA! I was shocked to see him and SO happy... talk about a long trip! There were so many great people that were there and I know that I am missing some of them ~ John Rupp too! Oh God, how could I forget him!
Well, the whole event was suprise/formal.. some people were dressed up and others were not... I remember Ms. Dunn came a bit later, and even tried to steal Baby Maygen a few times =) There was som much great stuff there and I can hardly even still believe it all. Bree had the really cool comic-art poster of me as Superman, Nick made a great cake and a Superman ice-carving, Kel put this wonderful scrap book together for me (and it is SO great) Scott created a Superman Oscar, a slideshow with these great pics for family and friends, mixed in with Superhero pics and Red Carpet Events. Plus he made a me a wonderful video that was lock'd away from me seeing... and there were so many more wonderful gifts - a Shakespeare bust from Dave and Fam, gift cards and wonderful messages, Mighty Joe was there to DJ for the night, and Jim made this wondeful banner with Resurrection Mary Photos on it, Lansu made a "Super J" video with clips of all my shows from a little kid to a sneak peak of "Resurrection Mary"... it was all so wonderful and so much more that I feel like I ever deserved. It was simply the most wonderful moment of my life thus far... I was all shock and smiles all night...
Sunday the 9th:
We spent most of the day cleaning Haystacks, Bree, Nick and myself... there were dishes to be done... all of my posters and photos and so much of my stuff was up every where and all of it had to be taken down and boxed up... So we did that for a great deal of time and then in the afternoon, Bree and I went to have dinner with my grandpa and grandma in Chicago - it was so funny to me, because we went to dinner at "The Great Escape" which is one of the places that we filmed Resurrection Mary... and it was also across the street from one of the places I worked with John the year before, hanging up Christmas lights on all the trees in the park... so funny how life does that to you...
When we left my grandparents, it was very sad, because I never recall my grandma ever crying, but she was really broken up by my leaving. I love them both very much and it was great to get to see them, even though it was for a short time. Grandpa told Bree a ton of funny stories and she even got a tour of their place - he is so super cool and he doesn't even know it.
We made our way back to house to watch the video that Scott made. The plan, as I was told, was that I wouldn't get the key till I was in LA... or till Bree got to LA... and then he wanted to watch it with me... some because he wanted to see first hand what I thought and also because he knew that watching it the first time would be so hard. Needless to say, he was right, the video was wonderful - the things that my friends and family did and said where so moving and so funny... I love Kimmy's Mike... he was SO funny! The Pulp Fiction Scene was the best and some of the stories were so moving. My parents, Bree, Scott, Kel, Dunn... so many people made me cry... I was so happy to see my sis and the kids, and Stacie was very moving... it was such a wonderful gift and there were all of these great film clips in the video too - Scott worked so hard on it and it looked wonderful. My movie pals had some great things to say too, and Bree and Scott told me all about the "Making of" stories... so wonderful.
Monday the 10th
This was one of the hardest days yet... I drove to Milwaukee to see the kid's show, which was Beauty and the Beast - it was fun. The hard part was driving into a place that called home for so many years, and while I could make every turn and curve in my sleep, I almost felt unwelcome back in Milwaukee... not that anyone did anything to make me feel that way, so don't think that for a moment... but I just felt like it was no longer home, and that empty feeling when I pulled into town hurt in a way that I have never felt before.
I got to have lunch with David, Mark, Brad, Sarah, Katie, Angella and Liz... she is heading out for Boston on the same day that I am heading out to LA/Park City... very fun, we siad we have travel buddies, even though we are going in different directions. David told me all about his pride in not getting lost and other fun stories. It was a great time I thought. Nice way to say goodbye... after that I did a little shopping with Katie and got to hang out with Brad and Shawn some more before I went to dinner with Lisa.
This was shorter than I would have liked, but there was nothing I could really do about that. Snow had kept me from Milwaukee on the day that I was going to come and see her, and now I still had ten million things left to do in two days, which I have to get to here in a minute. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. We talked about our lives, the move, my party and everything in between. Seeing Lisa, really for the first time since this summer... because other times we had all kinds of people that we knew with us, to hide behind, at least that is what I did. Being exposed to her again, was painful. But at the same time I felt great that I got to see her and that we got to talk and I could see how happy she was now, with her life and work and her new guy (who has a beautiful little girl, I was told =D)... She glowed in a way that I had not seen in many years, and I was very happy to leave her like that knowing that everything was cool with us and she was finding what she wanted. Starting the GRE and looking at schools, family stuff going good, it was just Grandma's Birthday... lots of wonderful gifts in her life. I always, only wanted her to be a happy as could be, and now she is. She is blessed and that is wonderful and wish that it will continue for her in all her days to come.
I left and came home to Bree and we had our first real alone time in almost a month (save going to Chicago)...
Today I awake in the last full day I have in McHenry, wondering if I have done all that I need to get done, seen all the people that wanted to see and spent as much time with them all as I would have liked... I am not sure that anyone ever gets that. But I am happy with the time that I have had, the treasures that I have been given and the time that I was given to use them in. I love you guys and I will miss you so much when I am gone. I have desided to go and buy a video camera to film my trip and send back little home movies of my adventures in LA... if you want to see them, drop me an email so I can make a list of people who would like to check them out as I finish them.
Thank you again for everything you have done for me. Come to LA as soon as you can and I will come home to see you all very soon.
Best Fishes,
Jason Ryan Lovett... but you can call me Skippy
NEXT ISSUE: Coming to you LIVE from PARK CITY and The Sundance Film Fest!
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