coast to coast and back again

Hello, readers.

Wow. I guess, uh, it’s been a while, huh? What’ve you been up to?

Oh, that sounds nice, seems like you’re doing well.

Oh, me? Since the last time we spoke? It’s uh, yeah, I’m great.

I moved, again. Back to the west coast. Those LA dreams didn’t quite fizzle out, so I went ahead and threw my hat back into that cauldron of self doubt ring. I’ve landed back in the neighborhood I initially started in, Beachwood Canyon. Upon getting back, the first order of business was to reconnect with some friends.

At a birthday party, I had a conversation with my old downstairs neighbor. He welcomed me back and asked me what I was doing for work. At that particular time, the answer was ‘not a thing.’ He said he had a project coming up and if I was around and interested, he’d love an extra set of hands.

I was around. And interested.

The project was an independent feature film written and directed by a married French couple. Half of the crew was also French, including my friend. I took 3 years of French in high school, so I was practically part of the gang, AKA an easy target for teasing when I attempted to join in on conversation. Over the course of the next month of shooting, I was able to work myself up from ‘an extra pair of hands’ to a ‘co-producer.’ That in-and-of-itself was a pretty cool thing.

35 days of shooting a film with a mostly French crew was fun. Then, a few months later, we learned it was about to get even more fun. The movie was headed to France, as part of the Cannes Film Festival. That was certainly not the expected outcome when I had said, “sure, I’m not doing anything else”, six months prior. I, of course, had to go. I mean, there’s a better than decent chance this would be the only opportunity to go to Cannes as a participant, so I registered and booked all of the necessary logistics. Carpe Diem, etc. There were screenings, and dinners, and parties. I had bought a few white shirts for the tux that I was going to be wearing all the time, but ended up wearing once, and only because I had packed it and I damned well was going to wear it even if I didn’t absolutely have to. When I wasn’t with the group, I would wander the town by myself and then down to the Plage Croisette. It was a very fun experience that I can’t really believe happened.

During the shoot, I met the casting director for the film. She also taught classes, and I thought that maybe it would be a good idea for me to get involved with those in addition to knowing her on a professional level. I started classes with her and built a rapport. Not long after, she asked me to help with the production of a play. Which I did. Then she asked me to stage manage another play, which I did. Then did it again for another play. Now, I am the TA for her scene study classes. Which is nice, because that means I get to take them for free, which is pretty clutch. She keeps telling me how impressed she is with my growth which either means that I started off pretty terrible and am now not terrible, or, started off just okay and am now better than okay. Tough to tell really. In the most recent class, I did a scene and when we were getting feedback she said, “I never thought of you as a leading man, but after seeing you there, I said, ‘oh, Mack can play leading man.’” So, if you know me, you know which part of that statement I’ll be fixated on. I do think I am getting better, and I do feel like I’m making an impression on the guest directors our teacher brings in. Who knows if it ends up making any difference at all, but it doesn’t hurt.

Along the way, I decided I needed to brush up my comedy chops, so I got back into some improv classes. I had previously taken classes at UCB here in LA, and wanted to try something different. So, I found myself at The Second City Hollywood. The Second City is likely the most well-known theater and school when it comes to improv and sketch comedy. So many names have come out of their Chicago location, it’s insane. Once I began classes, I knew I wanted to see it all the way through to their graduation program, Grad Revue. It would take a long time, and a lot of money, so I decided to join their work study program where you trade hours of working at the theater for classes. I continued through the program, doing shows along the way, and began to make friends with the staff. Some part time, actually paid, jobs opened up, so I decided I was at the school so much, I might as well get paid for it. So I began working in the office. I’ve since been in two sketch shows, one of which I co-wrote, and a dozen or so improv shows. I’m nearing the end of the program, and my classmates and I are in the process of writing our final sketch show, which will run for 6 weeks this summer.

Since doing all of that isn’t scary enough, I have started to do some stand-up here and there. I don’t think I’m very good, but I do get the occasional laugh and as one of my friends says, ‘it’s shots on goal’. Gotta keep on putting shots on goal in order to score. So, that’s what I’m trying to do.

Being back in LA has been a good thing, overall. I certainly miss my family and friends back home, but it feels good to be trying to make stuff happen out here. I’ve managed to reconnect with friends here, and make a good amount of new friends. I don’t know that I’ve made too much measurable progress, but it feels like something might be around the corner. How far away that corner is, remains to be seen. I think that’s about it for now. If I think of anything else, I’ll edit the post.

Elliott Update Part 2

Lea's right -- this blog was meant to keep us all updated on each other but we've started using other means to stay in touch. Plus, I found that it was difficult to get enough time to sit in front of the computer uninterrupted for long enough. Excuses!

We are still enjoying our new life in Greenville and have some pretty major updates:

Samuel Taylor Elliott was born on September 18, 2018 at Patewood Hospital in Greenville. He is the happiest, sweetest baby. His smile lights up a room and we are loving loving on him. The transition to two kids has not been easy -- we are short on rest and patience but long on play and love! Sam is starting to sit with some assistance (at 6 months) and like Charles, loves grabbing faces to bring them to his mouth. He grins super big when Charles comes up to play with him; that usually ends in tears but it is nice for the 2 seconds of kindness.

Charles turned 2 on February 9, 2019! We had a small gathering thanks to Lea's tradition of inviting the number of friends as you are old. Charles has two friends, Jack and Leo, that have been coming over on most Fridays so that was an easy invite! I worried that his day wouldn't be special because I have very little time or energy to plan (Sam is a super sweet smiler but he did not sleep and did not like to be left alone) but that was wasted energy because he felt so adored he continues to sing happy birthday to himself. He is absolutely loving school, where he goes two days a week and would spend every moment of it outside if he could. He talks A LOT and Spencer and I brag (probably annoyingly) about how smart we think he is. Charles is a joy to have around, is developing his sense of humor, loves "big hugs", reading, his cousins, the playground, and kissing Sam.

Spencer and I bought a house in December of 2018 and so are now first time homeowners! We love the layout -- the open space loops through the rooms making it easier to transition from space to space. I'm grateful that we have room for a "play room" as well as a backyard with a patio. Now that spring has sort of sprung, we are out there every day. There is also a pretty awesome guest room and we are hoping that will encourage family and friends to come stay with us.

On the business front, we are still looking for a business to purchase and operate. In the meantime, we've become real estate developers and are working on a luxury townhome project in downtown Greenville called Westgate on Wardlaw. It was fun putting together the floor plan and designing the exterior of the buildings. Now we are waiting on permits issued from the city and hope to start construction in the next month or so. I've also started working a bit more with Lea and doTERRA which has been a nice outlet.




Lastly, we had to say goodbye to Pax a couple of Thanksgivings ago (which shows how little I've updated since). I know I mentioned that he was sick and things got progressively worse quickly. Having him put down was the hardest and yet one of the most loving decisions I have ever had to make. While I think every one should know the joy from having a dog like Pax, I do not wish any one that heartache but I know it is inevitable. 

Travel, Tragedy, and Neglect

I started the year in Japan, having traveled there by C-17 military transport from Africa with half of our detachment, two of our helicopters and support and maintenance equipment. We made stops in Diego Garcia and Thailand, but they were short with not much exploring possible. We did all enjoy some beverages beachside on the tiny Diego Garcia atoll and it was fun to have the detachment all celebrating a next step together. Unfortunately, once we arrived in Japan and ran our unload and launch drill I saw the beginnings of fatigue and training issues which would rear their head even more later in the year.

Looking rough in Diego Garcia

I arrived home in early April, secured a great apartment in Pacific Beach and promptly left town again to attend the wedding of my friends and former Harvard roommates Sean and Jess in Hawaii. I had a great time, though I was visibly exhausted. My wedding role was to be the reception dinner “MC” and I received pretty good reviews. Sean and Jess were pleased which is all that counts.

Sunrise at Haleakala

I made two trips in May, one to Orlando for Mary Michael’s wedding and one to see friends in Washington DC where I attended a Kygo concert at a new venue called the Anthem in southwest waterfront area. It was wild to see the changes in the city after only eight months away.

The crew at Mary Michael's wedding

June brought you and Dad to Southern California and I was able to show you around the “new” squadron for the first time. I saw Les Miserables for the millionth time at the San Diego Civic Center. I also embarked on one of the more fun trips of the last several years, a few days in wine country with Mack and some DC friends. We had great service thanks to a letter of introduction from ABC Fine Wines and Spirits and learned about lots of new wines – I even joined a wine club from Duckhorn that I’m actually satisfied with!

The parentals at HSC-85

With Mack at Duckhorn Vineyard

I spent July 4^th watching fireworks in Imperial Beach at a squadron get together and though summer was now in full swing, my post-deployment leave travel became less enjoyable as I became more stressed about the job I knew was in front of me, with very little support or even hearing of grievances from our chain of command.

The command tour honeymoon ended later in July with the death of Petty Officer John Clement (from Florida) due to maintenance malpractice. The next six months would include memorial service planning and execution, caring for the Clement family and enduring safety and liability investigations into the incident. I was able to come to Portofino shortly after the incident, but I’m not sure my presence did me or anyone else any good - always good to see everyone and the kids though!

Waffle House crew

Christian came and visited San Diego in August. He had never been so it was good for me to get out and show someone around. We did all the San Diego things, and additional mutual friend came down from LA and we went to a live 80’s band (the Molly Ringwalds) concert which was very fun and a welcome distraction.

In September I made a couple weekend trips to LA to see Mack’s show “A Box of Tissues” and go to the LA Film Festival Showing of “We The Coyotes” an independent movie that he was involved with that was also shown at the Cannes film festival in France.

I also had to “end” my year of mobilization by going to a third location decompression program in Germany since I was deployed to an austere location. At first I thought it was a real hassle, but once I accepted that it was mandatory I tried to make it work and enjoy myself. Nothing earth shattering happened here, but I did enjoy our two tourist days with German food and beer. I went from Germany to Norfolk for demobilization which is a very stressful process when trying to be XO at the same time, ensure your pay doesn’t get stopped and a number of other things that make you anxious because you are a “special case”. But everything worked out and I returned to San Diego expeditiously.

"Decompressing" in Germany

At the squadron we hosted the Seawolves, sort of a squadron alumni reunion, which was a huge hit with our sailors and our chain of command. It was a nice morale boost that would soon be forgotten as Joe and I were ordered to move up our change of command with four days notice. I will forever be mad at the process, because it robbed me of celebrating the day with you all, but Mack came down from LA and Chris Dalton was also there, which was very nice on both their parts. I become Commanding Officer on October 20, 2018.

Mack and classmate Matt Martin in the HSC-85 Wardroom

With Chris Lemon, my Executive Officer and USNA classmate

Just before the change of command I made it up to Massachusetts for a weekend for my friends Jon and Liz (Harvard and DC) wedding. The travel was tough – planes trains automobiles to a remote location – but the mini-Harvard and DC reunion was very fun and the wedding was really very nice.

Wedding venue glamour shot

The early change of command delayed us getting our detachment that was training up to deploy to Nellis AFB for their necessary training period. Against most people’s advice I decided we needed this detachment and we departed the day after the change of command, me flying the lead helicopter. I was vindicated in the decision because it was our first training detachment with the MH-60S helicopter and we were able to identify numerous weaknesses in the systems that we would need to find workarounds for before deploying. If it wasn’t completely evident that we were going to be in trouble to make deployment timeline previously, it was now. We did spend one leisure weekend in Las Vegas which helped out with some much needed team building.

The Nellis Detachment gunners

In November I made it to another of Mack’s shows and home in Orlando for Thanksgiving. Any renewal of “good vibes” was quickly dashed as the deployed detachment suffered a ground mishap, and I was ordered to deploy again to Japan to take care of things there. This was a ridiculous order – to take charge of two grounded helos, two broken ones, and 40 personnel in Japan, leaving my 8 helos, 350 personnel, and replacement detachment sorely in need of leadership at home – but it would become one of many.

Christmas in Japan

I returned to San Diego in January trying to get our MH-60S, which were the dregs of the fleet, reluctantly transferred to us, ready for deployment from the “preservation” status that they had previously been in. In February we made another training trip, this time to Fort Carson, CO, which was miserably cold flying. It was also evident that the detachment was not ready to deploy.

Former Redwolves pretending our current jobs are fun

After another short trip to Portofino I would enter the next Mom year in March having to make a decision with large ramifications on my career and the future of the Firehawks – whether or not to refuse to deploy due to lack of support and readiness. 

Life can't be all bad with these jokers in your corner!

Maybe I'll Get Better at Updating...

I'm tired.  I suppose we all are.  We dreamt up this blog before everyone was on Instagram catching glimpses of each other and videos of the shenanigans on there.  But I was going through a bunch of printed pictures yesterday and realized how much I enjoy going through old photo books remembering adventures and laughing about how many times the boat ran aground ;) . (I kid, Dad, I kid.)

These days, Brendan and I are headed to 12 years of marriage.  The usual update would be to include a new baby, but I'll let Taylor handle that part, as we are filled up with our four. 

Peter is in 3rd grade at Lake Silver and loves school as usual.  He plays soccer, baseball, is a part of the chess club and is looking forward to his 3rd summer at Rockmont.  He and John share a room and are in bunkbeds...though Peter has made John sleep in the top because he is too claustrophobic up there.  He is mostly a good big brother...his relationship with Lucy reminds me of Bale and Taylor EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I'm reminding him often that the way he treats his siblings will play a big part in whether or not they want to stay awake and play Ticket to Ride when they are 37.

Lucy is in 1st grade at Lake Silver and everyone there describes her as a friend to everyone.  Seriously, this girl has never met a stranger and I will never judge parents who keep their kids on a leash.  She listens to a lot of Disney star Jojo Sewa ( I'm sure I didn't spell that right, but in the interest of focusing on the task at hand I'm ignoring it), she's loving soccer, or at least the friend part of it, is still addicted to candy and starts planning her birthday party on Dec. 27th...right after we have celebrated Addy.





Addy girl is in pre-k at Saint Michaels.  She and Lucy will start gymnastics soon and Addy will playsoccer.  She's athletic and is always riding her bike doing crazy stunts, falling, and then she pops up and says "I'm ok!"  She still loves Paw Patrol, and being home with me.  She has a major pout face and might challenge Peter for the most stubborn in the family.  She has a great sense of humor though and her sayings are always making us laugh!  Her life dream is finally owning a dog of her own.

John goes to school 4 days a week, which I would've never considered with Peter...but he just doesn't want to be home without his siblings!  He is 3 now and the life of the party....he loves trains, airplanes, and wants to fly a helicopter like Uncle Bale when he grows up.  John talks always about the beach, how much Addy wants a dog, and asks if he can watch Wheels on the Bus.

I can't believe we've been in the Mercedes house for about 6 years now.  As I said, we've recently been watching old videos and looking at old pictures and it's so cliche to say how fast time flies, but it certainly does!