2019 Year in Review!!

Well Howdy There Partner! (sorry been playing Red Dead Redemption 2) It’s 2019 and its time yet again for another edition of the Year End review. I will take you through the events and the people that made my 2019 especially special or maybe even gut wrenching, you never know. So get comfy and relax and enjoy the newest installment of my year! Here we GO!

January- Year starts slow as I deal with day 1 of a breakup, on New Years Day. I pick up an extra shift at Kick Axe to keep myself occupied. I interview a new potential roommate, Joshua, as we spend a little over an hour chatting and getting to know each other. I pass him on to my landlord to become my newest roommate, only to have my landlord sabotage it. She told him in an email that she was un-impressed with him and that he needed to prove to her that he was responsible. He did not take being spoken to like this well and refused to live under her roof. I dont blame him, but I am super bummed. Jess comes over to hang and watch a movie and catch up, she is awesome! Paul and I sign up for Axe Throwing Leagues at Bury the Hatchet (WATL Affiliated) (Kick Axe is NOT affiliated with the leagues) and spend a day throwing there to get our practice in a new venue before league play starts on Tuesday nights. I interview a couple more roommate candidates. I meet up with Airon Armstrong in the city and a bunch of other stunt performers (Bobby, Califf, Sarah, Charley and Pat) to do some ADR (automated dialogue replacement) work for his short film “Orc Knight.” Fun was had yelling and screaming in the sound booth and we all went out for dinner afterward. The final episode of Gotham that I worked on airs, and my “scorpion” fall didn't make the final cut. The way it goes in this industry, sometimes you eat concrete over and over again, only to have it hit the cutting room floor. I am going to miss the show as I had a BLAST working on it every single time. I officially start throwing in WATL Leagues on Tuesday nights so we shall see how my first season goes, not entirely happy with my first week performance as I threw a 163 out of a possible 256. I officially find a new roommate in Nicole as she signs a year long lease so at least that is taken care of. Here’s to a new roomie! Week 2 of Axe throwing was a little less impressive as I threw a 143/256. Week 3 got even worse as I am falling apart haha I threw a 133/256. This truly is a mental thing. Afterwards I met up with Joe and Leanne for post axe throwing drinks.

February- This month starts with moving my new roommate Nicole in. I got a workout in thats for sure carrying things up stairs, but thankfully she didnt have too much stuff. We celebrated the new union with a pizza! The very next day I host the 20th Superbowl Party! Crazy to think that I have been doing a Superbowl Party for 20 Years!! Lauren joins in the morning bringing bagels as has become a tradition to help me prep and clean for the party. I made close to 200 Jello Shots!! I also made French Dip Sliders as this year I decided to make food, and Jared helped out by making baked clams!! We had about 20 or so show up for the festivities and a wonderful time was had by all!! Thanks so much to all who attended- Lauren, Jess, Alexa, Hannah, Jenna, Dan, Jared, Amber, Calvin, Ben, Elise, Benjamin, Paige, Natalie, Nancy, Liz and welcome to the apartment Nicole, If I forgot you Im sorry as we never took a picture . . . .damn it! Next up is a stunt meeting at SAG/AFTRA to talk about the new plan going in place to help with the qualifications of stunt coordinators in the future. For those who dont know, currently there is NO qualification to be a stunt coordinator, meaning you could just be in the Union and if someone likes you and wants you to be a stunt coordinator, they can hire you as such, with no experience, which obviously is a safety concern so we are working on having a system to help prevent that from happening. Next I get a call for a job on SNL doing a pre-recorded skit! Check working on SNL off of my bucket list, even though I still want to perform on the Live show but hey still booked it. The gag was to get inside a Giant dog an rock it as if 2 people are having sex inside, so of course my partner in crime JenHA was hired!! It was a fairly simple but easy gag, even though the PVC inside were starting to break towards the end and got very pokey and scratchy haha. If you missed it heres a link (https://youtu.be/Dn9no3ZzfFo) Back to axe throwing as I have an axe custom made for league play. I had BKNY Axes and my buddy Tom hook me up with a sweet Wisconsin Badger themed axe! I started using this bad boy and immediately my scores improved!! To close out the month Ben and I hit up the Disturbed concert in Madison Square Garden! Was pretty cool to finally get to see them but if I am being honest I was a little underwhelmed at their performance. Sound of Silence was incredible and gave me chills but the rest of the show was very up and down in terms of the energy. Oh well was still fun! Afterwards Ben and I went to K-Town and completely underestimated the spice level of Korean food!! Haha

March- The Championship has arrived as the tournament and the 8th and Final Week of WATL leagues arrives. We did a single game elimination bracket. I made it to the championship round to throw against Paul (figures) in a best of 3 championship match! I took the 1st game but then Paul found his groove and took the next 2 games. I finished our league play in 2nd place, oh well, always Spring Season! Next up is a night out with the Movie Night crew as we met up in K-Town for some Pool, Korean BBQ and of course Karaoke!! It was a wonderful fun filled night out with Aaron, Alex, Hannah, Alexa, Christine, and even the Immortal David (birthday boy) came to Karaoke!! Great fun with great people! Next up I get a call and get booked to work on The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, for a week, in Long Island! Woo hoo for having a car! I have a fitting at the studio and then have lunch with Aaron, Victor and Jake. St Paddys Day arrives and of course I meet up with Lauren early in the morning, at a bar, to have some Irish Breakfast and Coffee and hang out and watch hurling (its a sport, no not vomiting) I couldnt quite figure out all the rules, but that kind of made it more interesting. We stayed there for a bit and then wandered around, as you do. Always a good time spending the day with my buddy! I go on a couple dates, nice but same old dating story, eat/drink, talk and nothing after haha. Off to Long Island I go leaving my apartment at 3am to get to set. I got to spend a week dressed as a soldier in 1959 with 29 other stunt guys, it was easy and boring work, but work non the less! All we had to do was stand on the wings of a plane in a hangar, as its like 15 feet in the air and slanted so yeah. Way too many guys were there to name them all but I spent most of the time with Peter and even got to hang with Joseph!! That was until Thursday night . . when we went out for Aarons Birthday . . . and had one of the most epic nights that I can remember with Turner, Josiah, Peter, Vic, Salar, Lenny and Mohammed!! Amazing Night! Overall a really great week away! Back to Brooklyn I go and then more Birthday Celebrating as I go to Queens and meet up for Hannah and Allison’s Birthday! Anther great and very long night hanging, chatting, drinking and eating Key Lime Pie!

April- Another Birthday in the Books as I reach my 37th year on the Earth. How did I celebrate, I pretty much did nothing haha. Well Elizabeth offered to come to Brooklyn and take me out for trivia, so I did that. I also purchased myself a phone upgrade as I moved from the Galaxy 7 up to the Galaxy 10! Next up is a wire training session at Brooklyn Zoo with the crew, Ben, Ben, Alexa, Dan, Vic and Dejay, training wire wraps and other things. I get a new axe made for spring league axe throwing as that starts up. This time it was a custom Milwaukee Brewers Axe which turned out amazing as always! (Thanks Tommy) I meet up with Mecca in the city for the Anniversary party at The Mad River Bar (which is a Wisconsin Alumni Bar, which Mecca is friends with the GM, small world) We had a blast and I drank way too much on an empty stomach and wound up sleeping it off in my car haha. For my very late Birthday extravaganza I meetup with Hannah, Alexa, Jenna and Dan and they join me to take in a Brewers/Mets game at Citi Field. We sat way up in Nosebleed cheap seats and it was a sock give away day which most used as mittens as it was pretty chilly up there haha. The Brewers lost but it was still a good time hanging with my besties at a pro sporting event, which for some was their very first!! More training at Brooklyn Zoo, this time working on Unicycle Jousting with Aaron and Paige!

May- I meet up with Paige and Aaron for a little concept apartment fighting! Just working on your basic fight sequence and shooting, and also taking a sugar glass bottle to the head. Thats stuff goes everywhere!! I part ways with the “Bucky Bike” my 2003 Honda Rebel. It was cool to be a motorcycle owner for nearly 4 years and learn to ride, but since I bought my car I just didn't have much use for it. Not to mention it can get annoying alternate side parking 2 vehicles. My good friend since Kindergarten and Army big wig Nicholas McKearn comes to the city for the first time since High School with his troops. He was stationed at West Point for a bit for training. I spent the day with him and his guys, walking them through Times Square, then down to Madison Square Garden where we hung out at the Food Court/Beer Garden. Then we walked all the way down to the 9/11 Memorial. Nick and I chose not to do the museum, but we did stop at the pools, which was my first time seeing them. Then we hung at a local bar for a while and threw some back while we waited for his guys. It was so great to see him and catch up with him for the day as its very rare I get that chance. Had a stunt meeting at the SAG/AFTRA offices, which is always an interesting and educational experience. One of these days I will figure all this Union stuff out. I go to Astoria and hang with Liz as we get some bowling action in, followed by some food. I meet up with Drew and Ashley as we head to NJ to experience TopGolf. It has been quite a while since I swung a club, but this was a fun experience. Even though I was destroyed by both of them haha. Finally this month I head into the city and meet up with Mecca, Kenny, Roberto and Stephanie for some food and then ice cream before we go to the cast and crew screening of The Dead Dont Die! The movie turned out great and I was laughing my ass off pretty much the whole way through. Afterwards we all hung at the bar for a while and even got a group picture taken with the director Jim Jarmusch!!

June- I go in with Drew and purchase a TopGolf Summer membership so lots of that happening!! I hang out with Elizabeth for her birthday and we go to Coney Island, TopGolf and even a fancy dinner in my neighborhood. I decide to join forces with StuntListing and be their “event coordinator” which is an unofficial position. I come up with the idea to run a monthly meet up of stunt performers, similar to a “Happy Hour” type thing, but since we all dont have the “9-5” thing going on and can go months or even years without seeing a peer, I hope it will catch on. We have our first meetup at Radegast and about 40 stunt performers showed up, it was awesome!! I finally end the work dry spell and get a call to work on the new Sofia Coppola film entitled “On The Rocks” and get to work with Bill Murray (again) only this film he was actually working the same day as I. Was pretty surreal standing next to him going over the driving path that he will be doing, as he is quite the character as you might imagine haha. Lastly this month I jump in the car and go pickup Jamie and we drive up to Connecticut to meetup with Christopher Gombos for a little BMX biking. It was pretty hot out but that didnt stop us from getting a bunch of runs in on the track. We raced a few times, but I was more concerned with not falling over than my speed so Jamie beat me every time, except for the one where he wrecked haha. Such a great track and cool place to play! Thanks Chris!!!

July- Made it to July! Didn't do much at the beginning of this month, had a very low key/non-existent 4th of July. Just working at Kick Axe and getting very very frustrated with the place and the management and desperately trying to find something else. I partner up with Drew, David and Ashley as we head to Queens to play golf on an actual course. My TopGolf skills have not translated much as I cant use a driver consistently to save my life. Im getting ok with irons, and eventually just teed off with irons instead haha. I did have a long putt though on the 18th hole from just off the green that went in, so that was something. Next up I get a call for work to head up to Boston for work on a new Adam Sandler film. I threw my gear in the car and drove up as it was very last minute. Unfortunately at the same time my Mom (Judy Bauer Nowak) was scheduled to fly in and we were going to go on a rad trip to Ohio for a weekend of baseball, so because of work, she pushed her trip back to September, this is the way it goes in my line of work haha. I made it to Boston and met up with the team at the hotel bar. Devin, Alesha, Juliana, and Kara were all there. Tony Guida joined in on the fun the next day. I love working with all these people!!! We get to set and as we are walking to go rehearse Adam Sandler himself calls us all over to say hi and introduce us to his mom and just have some casual conversation. Such a good guy! Gig goes well and its back to NYC I go! Upon my return Joanne hits me up as she has 2 tickets to the Yankee game on the hottest day of the year. Of course I go haha, we sat out in the heat for most of the game. Joanne even caught a foul ball and we got put up on the big screen at Yankee Stadium, I of course played the role of “Yankee Fan.” Next up my brother Nick and his friend Steven head to NYC for a quick visit! I took them to a bunch of breweries including Flagship Brewery in Staten Island, Coney Island Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery and Five Boroughs Brewery. We even caught a Broadway show, Beetlejuice, as it was Stevens first ever trip to NYC. I enjoyed the show, lot of fun site gags and the sets were awesome. This month ends on a rough note as a former boss of mine and an overall good guy, Keith, passes away from his multiple battles with cancer.

August- This month starts with me paying my respects to Keith as I went to his visitation. It was tough and I felt terrible for the remaining team members that I also had the pleasure of working with, especially Mark. Next I get into my very first ever car accident. Thankfully I and no one else was hurt. Basically I came on to the interstate after work and as I signaled to change lanes, at the exact same time I was checking my blind spot, the car in front of me just decided to stop (for no apparent reason as there was no traffic in front of them) I clipped his back right bumper with my front left bumper resulting in lots of smashed plastic and some bent metal. I put on hazards and pulled over and the car I hit just drove away as if nothing had happened so yeah, I drove home haha. I’m not sitting on the BQE at night that doesn't have a shoulder, I’m not that crazy! The next night its off to Long Island for my first ever trip to Jones Beach to see Alice in Chains and Korn Rock my face off! Elizabeth comes with for her first ever Rock Concert. Great show by both bands!! More StuntListing fun as we gather at Barcade for some very epic showdowns of 4 Player PacMan. It was very loud haha but always a great time! More training over at Argus Filmworks with Aaron, Ben, Jason, Alexa, Ben, and Dan. Working more wire gags/rigs and this time Aaron brought his newly acquired motion capture sensors. I got to play with a little bit of character creation which was lots of fun! I drop off my car to get repaired and the cost of repair is over $4,000, thankfully my deductible is $1,000, but still, that sucks haha. Next up is a rehearsal and shoot for the show “Plot Against America.” Its a period piece which is always fun, especially costume wise. Also a crowd scene so a bunch of us were hired for this one and I got to work with some legends like Tim Gallin, Don Hewitt and Mick O’Rourke. Plus all the other hooligans, you know who you are because there are way to many to name. We basically did a big crowd riot scene, which was interesting when you are surrounded by hundreds of Background who dont know how to follow the direction of dont touch the stunt guys. I got picked out by the director to do a small feature on me as he said I looked like “a sweet little jew boy” uhhh thanks? Jake got the pleasure of sneaking up behind me and giving me the old forearm shiver to the back of my head sending me down to the ground so keep an eye out for that one.

September- This month starts with the first ever StuntListing and Stuntwomens United “Hustle Games.” We went out to a camp in Staten Island with around 100 stunt performers, and had some fun. I built an axe throwing target in the woods so people could do that, but we also had a lake/canoe races, I dominated Chelsea in one on one tug of war, we played a version of capture the flag, a big bonfire, and even a keg! Lots of fun was had by all who attended and even about 10 stunt coordinators showed up so all in all it was a very successful event. The gang and I head out to see Jenna finish up her NYC Firefighter Training at the Family Day. It was pretty cool to see all the different things they have to go through and see Jenna in all her Firefighter gear! So proud of my buddy for accomplishing what sounded like a crazy training existence!! Next I get a call for a job out in Montana, yup Montana. A low budget film starring Steve Zahn needs a double for a small child who get swept away in the rapids. I arrive in the airport and bump into Joanne, who is on her way back to NY as the airport in Kalispell MT is very tiny. I meet up with the rest of the stunt crew (Vince, Robbie, Bobby, Devin, Josiah and Arch) and we go take a look at the rapids and plan out how we are going to do this. We shot overnight and boy was it dark, they lit up the area of the level 2 rapids as best they could, but it was still very dark. I dressed in 3 wet suits, a life preserver and my costume/wig. Bobby and I are up and this was definitely one of those “Jesus take the wheel” kind of gags as if things go wrong there is really not much that I can do about it. I jump into the water and immediately get swept away down river, which even with all the gear is pulling me under in the swells and bouncing me off of the big rocks along the way. Not going to lie this was probably the most terrifying gag I have ever done, as I reached the end and the water calmed, I swam out to the shore then reset as Bobby and I went for another take. All in all it went well, it was freezing, but thankfully we had a hot tub standing by, but over all we went into the water about 8-10 times. Only rode the full rapids twice and then a bunch of smaller featured shots. Back to New York I go and right back to work as I get a call to double on the TV Show FBI. Wouldn't you know it, yet again my mom was scheduled to fly in to do our weekend road trip to Ohio, only this time I didn't need to travel for work as it was local, but I wouldn't be able to do the road trip. Mom decided to fly in anyways and spend the weekend with me in NYC. I went to work while my mom hung out as I didn't really do much for this gag, other then work out some options for the director on what the actors could do, then they took it from there as it was that difficult. Mom and I decided to take a road trip anyways but we went up to Mountain Creek for Oktoberfest. It was a good time, we had some beers, went up the mountain, ate some food and even tried out some goat yoga. Other than that Mom just hung out for the weekend and we had a great time. Next I get called to work on an episode of The Blacklist. I got to play a scientist in the aftermath of an explosion. It was a fun day being covered in filth and blood with some of my favorite people, including Grant, Dejay, Jodi and Tina. Finally this month I meet up with Kevin, a co owner of Five Boroughs Brewing Company about an employment opportunity. It goes well and its exactly the kind of work I am looking for in terms of flexibility to replace my mundane existence at Kick Axe.

October- This month starts off with a new side job as I begin work on the canning line for Five Boroughs Brewing Company. Basically I stand on the line and catch the cans and box them. I officially resign from my other job at Kick Axe, thank god! Next up I travel for work as I head down to Wilmington NC with Alexa to work on the next Halloween movie. Not only is it awesome to travel for work, but its even more awesome when you travel with one of your bestest friends. Upon arrival we get our own rental cars and check into our hotel. Then after a fitting we wander around the town of Wilmington, grab a bite to eat and some drinks after. Unfortunately late that night, production decided to completely redo the schedule and we were flown right back to NYC the next morning, but hey, still got paid for 2 days haha. Next up is the long awaited family trip overseas to Ireland!! My brother flys in to New York as we are going to fly together the following day out of JFK. We land in Dublin Ireland and await the rest of my family (Tia Nowak, Amira Hamadi, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve and of course my parents) Upon arrival we get herded into a pack of Wisconsonites who had flown in for this trip as well and we discover that on this trip myself, my brother, my sister and her friend would be the only people under the age of 50 on this trip, so we immediately get branded as “children” . . . . awesome. We board a coach bus and it takes up 3 hours to Ennis where we will be staying for the week. We went to the Celtic Crystal factory the first day and saw a demonstration of them hand crafting a crystal bowl, it was pretty impressive. Next we went to Galway and wandered and ate and drank as you do and did the same back in Ennis. I think Ennis had like 45 pubs and we probably hit up 25 ish of them in a week. Early morning us “children” decided to hop a bus and head into Dublin for the day. We did the Guinness Storehouse tour which was incredible, we spent over 2.5 hours in that place. Then went to the oldest pub in Ireland for lunch and then just wandered around the city. Unfortunately while in Dublin I get the news that my Aunt Joan back in WI had passed away from cancer. It wasnt a surprise as she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma last Christmas but still kind of put a damper on the trip. Back in Ennis we go on a tour of Bunratty Castle and do some shopping with the family. Then we took our own day to head to Limerick and go to King Johns Castle and see the city. The last big tour we took was to go see The Cliffs of Mohr which was pretty incredible to see. Absolutely beautiful and crazy windy up there, but simply incredible. It was kind of rainy as well so that sucked, but still awesome. As our Ireland adventure comes to an end, we were able to get our flights changed and get on my parents flight to go back to Wisconsin for my aunts funeral. It was kind of a blessing honestly as we were all together already so I’m glad we could all make it back for that. It was a tough one for the family, but also just part of life. I love you Aunt Joan. Back to New York I go and back on another episode of The Blacklist as this time I am playing a “hipster chef.” They needed 2 stunt performers basically to be glorified backgroud as they wanted Tim and I using a blow torch to cook with, so easy day. It was extra cool as we had a live owl on set that day which was super awesome! Plus always fun to watch James Spader work. Halloween was spent doing nothing, I worked at the brewery and that was about it. . . .sigh.

November- More fun StuntListing gathering this month as we hit up Barcade in Brooklyn this time. As per usual, lots of people in attendance and lots of fun had by all. I get a call for a doubling job to go work on the film “Bruised” which is being directed by and starring the amazing Halle Berry. It was a fun day doubling for a kid that gets thrown down by Halle and the kid was able to handle everything, which not going to lie, I would have minded getting thrown down by Halle haha. For Thanksgiving I was invited and went to Shawn’s place for dinner. It was a very small and fun gathering and Shawn did a great job with all the food. After Shawns, I headed to another Thanksgiving dinner at Mecca’s. Such an array of food but I was still stuffed and friends as Alexa and Christine were there and even Larry. We hung out and had a blast, even played some games including a round of dominoes, which I won :) Not much else to report this month other than working at Five Boroughs.

December- This month starts off right away as Mecca and I head to Metlife Stadium in NJ to watch the Green Bay Packers take on the New York Football Giants. We had amazing seats in the 2nd row, on the goal line! It was a very chilly and even snowy game! Unfortunately the snow turned to rain in the second half, but we still had a blast and The Packers won . . so GO PACK GO!! After the game we met up with Jason and Alice for a post game burger. I meet up for the holiday party with the staff of Five Boroughs for a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant in the city (which by the way Kick Axe would never do) Was fun to mingle with and get to know more of the staff, and as we were leaving we noticed Hank Azaria was also there enjoying dinner with a slew of friends. A sad day ensues as I help my friend Jess pack up her apartment as her health has reached the point of her being forced to move back home. I did get to meet her mom though as we were packing up who was a lovely and hilarious person. Cancer really sucks and I am am going to miss my movie buddy, hopefully she kicks some more cancer ass and can return to NYC soon!! I meet up with Lauren for a lunch and a couple beers, we have a hard time finding time to hang out, we should fix that haha. I throw a small holiday shindig at my apartment in which Aaron brings 10 hot sauces for us to indulge in the “Hot Ones” challenge. Both Aaron and I made it all the way through all 10, number 7 messed me up pretty good, to the point where 8-10 didnt seem that hot to me at all? It was tons of fun though. Unfortunately it poured rain all night so we were not able to go walk the Xmas lights of Dyker Heights, but instead stayed in to watch Home Alone and Uncle Buck! Haha. Aaron, Alex, Alexa, Jenna, Dan, Mecca, Shannon, and a friend of Meccas were all in attendance. I get one final call for stunt work to end the year but it cost me my hair. I got a doubling job for Tom Place in which the actor had a shaved head, so bye bye to my hair. I cant remember the last time I had a buzzed head but its a look I am very familiar with as growing up mom used to buzz mine and my brothers head so as to not spend money on haircuts haha. Well time to fly home for the Holidays. Back in Wisconsin I hang out with family, eat and drink my face off for the most part. Tia was able to come home and we just hung out, relaxed, watched movies and spent time with family. Even taught them all how to play dominoes and now they are hooked haha. Back in NYC to close out the year as I look forward to watching the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2020 Rose Bowl to start the new year!! Hopefully it starts out with a big WIN!! 

That concludes this 2019 edition of my year end review. As always if I missed anything that you and I did together or something that you want to add, please feel free to add it in the comments below as I do tend to forget some things.