Reverse Hiatus: Back to Los Angeles for Work

Brenna at the fountain in Saint Quentin la Poterie, FranceI feel like I've just started getting the lay of the land around here in the south of France, and now I'm heading back to Los Angeles for almost a month. I'm going home to work Pilot Season - that crazy time of year when all the hopeful TV shows for the next season come tumbling into post-production within a few days of each other, each one hoping to be among the lucky few picked to be added to the network schedule. All of us in Post work very long days, 7 days a week, for a few weeks, and then it's over. It's intense, but the money is good.

By the time I get back to Saint Quentin la Poterie again, Spring will be in full bloom, Ella will finally have a missing tooth grown in, and Owen will probably be two inches taller -- God only knows what color Brenna's hair will be!

I'm watching my kids run out our door and down our little street to go to the market by themselves, or to meet new friends at the library. I'm looking back through the hundreds of photos we've taken in the last nine months, and reliving truly magical moments. I'm seeing the changes in my family, and I feel them in myself. I'm a lucky man!

Getting ready to go back to Los Angeles and plunge into the fray has been equal parts denial, steeling myself for the work, and Market day in the neighboring village of Uzésexcitement about seeing old friends. I'm writing this blog post now instead of packing -- I leave in about twelve hours.

Of all the goodbyes that I've talked about being so difficult -- well, this one takes the cake. I've never been away from Brenna and the kids for this long at one time before. But it's all good. Scary, a little surreal, but good. Returning to LA to make a some money allows this ride to last a little longer and 'leaving them behind' in the south of France -- there are worse places for them to be, right?

I told Ella she could come with me if she could fit in my suitcaseUp to this point Brenna and I have planned every turn and every stop of the journey together (even if the 'planning' was waking up and saying, "Let's stay in Scotland six months instead of four." We've talked broad strokes (as in what continent will be next), about what's going to happen in June after we leave Europe, but Brenna's pretty much going to plan it, and let me know when I return. I can't wait to find out where I'll be this summer!

Comments

[Lise]

Its like choose your own adventure with someone else turning the pages, exciting and scary, but fun.

[Dorothy Balisok]

These pictures of Saint Quentin la Poterie, France are magical. What a wonderful odyssey you've all shared! You'll be back in France (or where-ever else Brenna picks) before you know it. I am in awe of these wonderful experiences you've shared and the memories that you have created for the entire family. You and Brenna should write a book -- wait, is that brilliant or what? Put together all your blogs and pictures and show everyone else how to make this dream experience a reality. -- Oh, you've already thought of that, done that -- is there a movie in here, a sitcom to develop from this experience?

[Nicole]

Personally, I think you should develop this into a formula for a reality show. Take a family and throw them out on their heels and see what they do...

Wish we could see you when you're in town, Bob; I know you'll be crazy busy. I'm trying not to take it personally, but...
Aloha,
Nicole.

[David Mancini]

Bob,

I hope to see you on the lot!