The Writes of Passage

It’s been a while since I last wrote on here – six months to be nearly exact. And a lot has changed in that time. I left my job at Google, basked briefly in the joy of fun-employment, and then, just as quickly and unexpectedly, I discovered the light. That’s right, I found my calling. I know, I can hardly believe my luck either.

In my diligent quest to identify the best next occupational adventure, I discovered a friend had connections to Bay Area stunt team The Stunt People through the team’s strapping founder & leader Eric Jacobus. And I can’t explain how, but at that moment something in me just knew – knew this was the right path for me!

So I began attending their weekly stunt practices, eager for my chance to jump in head first. And as the next few months passed, Eric and I became good friends. He told me about a script he was developing, the film itself nearly ready for pre-production. Of course, I had no idea what “pre-production” was at that time, but I could make a pretty good guess given my background in theatre and event production. I loved the story and the characters, not to mention the prospect of my first project, so that I practically begged him to let me be involved in any way possible. I never dreamed he would come to offer me the female lead role, or better yet, to recognize my real passion and expertise on the production side, and ask me to produce the film with him!

It’s been a wild ride since those first initial months, as we began the journey of producing our beloved Death Grip, through pre-production & the wonderfully stressful period of filming, into post-production where we are today. There is still much to do before you’ll be able to see this baby out in stores on DVD and on video-on-demand on your TV, but we’ll get there — because we are a team, Eric and I, and we believe in this with all our hearts. This is a dream come true for both of us really, though his journey has been longer and more arduous (he’s been doing this for 10 years).

We have already come so far – and I’ve already come so far! I still can’t believe my luck that I’m actually doing this. It’s all still a bit surreal. And it’s all because I risked everything, left a life of comfort and security and decided I wasn’t going to stop and rest until I found a pursuit that could light me up everyday and express the passion within me. And I found it – so much faster than I dreamed I would, I found it! And I can’t tell you how amazing it feels.

So if you are wondering if such a risk is worth taking, if you feel the urge to stand up and take charge of your own life, I say go for it! The road to your destination may be long and bumpy, but it will be worth it in the end. And besides, it’s not even a destination at all, but really just another light-post on the journey of your life. Life is a journey, so you might as well choose a path with scenery you’ll enjoy the most.

Happy Trails!