2024 Year in Review!!!

Hello once again and Welcome to the next installment of Noah's Year in Review!!!  Another year has passed and this is now the 17th Installment of this Review!!!  Hard to believe isn't it? Almost as hard to believe that it has been another full year!!  Ok enough with the introduction this Review is already long enough so LETS GO 2024!!!!

January- This year for me starts on a very heartbreaking event as I chose to end my relationship with my partner/GF Amanda.  I truly regret the way I handled it.  We shared such an amazing year together filled with tons of wonderful memories.  I learned and grew so much being with her and I cant thank her enough for that.  I got to go on so many adventures with her last year that I will treasure for the remainder of my life.  I will always love Amanda and the wonderful amazing things she brought into my life and for that I am eternally grateful.  From the bottom of my broken heart, Thank You Amanda.  Jared comes down to my apartment to catch up and try some of my home brew.  He also brings along a home made sour dough loaf of bread he baked with cheese, jalapenos and caramelized onion and it was delicious.  Such a great time hanging and catching up with a great man and friend (and father to be!!)  Aaron makes his way to my apartment to spend some time with me.  We get out of the apartment and grab some lunch at Wicked Monk.  I head out to Argus Filmworks and meet up with the Stunt Works team to test out some new climbing sutra harnesses.  Was so good to be back on a wire again and getting to train with Berto, Jared, Liu, Alejandra, Steph, Emily, Stephen B. and Elvis!  The next day I drive to Queens to pick up Lauren and then head to Brooklyn Zoo for a day of training with Aaron and Hannah!   Great session and work put in by everyone!!  Lots of kicking and stretching and trampoline!  I take a drive to Bitter and Esters to pick up ingredients for my next homebrew!!  Evan and Trevor make their way to my apartment as we brew a Superbowl Bock together, a recipe that Evan came up with.  Once we finished the brew we went to Lock Yard for a quick bite to eat before we came back to watch the Packer Game!  The Packers WIN and dismantle the Dallas Cowboys to advance in the Playoffs!!  What an Epic Game!!!  I decide to get back on a workout plan and so its back into Insanity, yes the one from 2009.  Next up I head to see a GI that I have had scheduled for months due to some blood work coming back with low iron counts.  In chatting with the Dr. she thinks its best to take a look and schedules me to get an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy, hooray I'm officially old haha.  Next I head up to Evelyn's Tap House and meet up with Jamie and Polly for dinner.  Was so good to see them and catch up.  Ben R. also joins us as we then head over to Littlefields to see "Punderdome."  Its a competition of people trying to out pun each other in the form of stand up as well as one on one Pun Offs!  It was pretty incredible to see and a very hilarious time!!  It was also very good to see and catch up with Ben R. as I haven't seen him in a long time. Next up I grab some dinner and drinks with Peter at Pippins Pub.  This is the first time I have been to Pippins since they moved locations and wow is it much nicer than their old location! Was so good to catch up with Peter.  I get rehired by Five Boroughs Brewery only this time around its as a bartender.  All production has moved to New Hampshire but the tap room is still operating.  I head out to work and get trained up by Trevor and Kevin and it was good to be back.  Going forward I will basically be a swing bartender to cover when called upon, kind of like a superhero for beer.  Next up Benjamin moves in to my guest room and brings his dog Marcus as they will be staying with me for a bit while he goes through PT.  Shortly after Chelsea comes by as well and the 3 of us order some German food and watch the Packer game.  Unfortunately my team falls to the 49ers but was still awesome to see them do so well when they were expected to go nowhere this year.  I head out to Queens to have a late lunch with Lauren to serve as one of my last meals before I need to prep for my procedure and catch up a bit.  The next day is all prep and cleaning out my insides!  Early the next morning Aaron picks me up and we make our way to NYU Langone Hospital for my procedure.  I get all nude, in my smock and hooked up to all the things while I wait my turn.  Once in the procedure room and connected I remember putting the mouthpiece in and then waking up in recovery.  Well that was easy!  Aaron and Chelsea come sit with me in recovery for a bit.  All of the results came back clean and clear so that's good news and we head back to my apartment for some lunch.  Chelsea stops by yet again to bring some lunch and we have a little family style lunch with Benjamin as well.  Later that night Jenna and Dan stop by as they were in the neighborhood and just wanted to say "hi."  It was such a treat to see them!!  Just hanging out at the apartment with Marcus and Benjamin, watching football and working out to round out the month.  

February-  Day one of the month starts out by heading to Argus to train with Frank and a bunch of other stunt performers/aspiring stunt performers.  Was a treat to be around so many hungry newbies.  I head back to Argus again and this time come up with a fun little walking gag which was very fun to figure out.  Also got to meet Casey from Atlanta!!  Trevor and Evan come to my apartment to bottle up the Superbowl Bock that we brewed!  We got 20 bottles out of it!!  After we finished and cleaned up we headed out to Strong Rope Brewery for a little Cask Fest!  Was pretty cool as we were VIP for the event!  Benjamin and Mark wound up joining us as well!!  Next up I have to drop off my car to get it serviced, seems likes every 6 months something is up with it haha.  I see my PCP doctor for a follow up on my procedure and now he wants to have my heart checked out, so I guess I'm in the same condition as my car haha.  I head over to Argus to see the team quick before I head over to Five Boroughs for my first solo night of bartending.  Went well and I got to meet the regulars and we had a good time together.  Vincent and Nicole stopped by after they finished training at Argus to hang for a bit.  Next up its Superbowl time!!  The day before I clean up the apartment a bit and even make Cinnamon Heart Fluff, something which was a staple back in the 90's and I haven't had since then, but just the scent of it brought me back!  Superbowl Sunday is here and Benjamin, Trevor, Evan, Marissa and Mark (and Marcus the Dog) all come hang to enjoy the game and our Superbowl Bock which turned out incredible!!  We drank 18 of the 20 bottles and almost didn't touch any of the other beers!  We all very much enjoyed the amazing game that saw the Chiefs win their 2nd in a Row in Overtime!!  Working out with the Insanity program at home continues.  I head to Argus to get in some training with Frank and the gang for a couple days.  Including putting together a gag I came up with and it took so many people to pull it off and it was incredible!!  If you were there to help thank you so much for making my goofy gag come to life!!  Special shout out to Frank, Nicole, Jared, Jared, Acei, Adam, Gil, Lena and everyone else who helped make this happen.  Next I head into the city and meet up with Paul for some lunch and some conversation at Zen.  Always a pleasure catching up with this good friend.  After lunch I wander around midtown until I head over to Lavan where Japan Fes is happening which Benjamin got us tickets to.  Benjamin meets me there and I get to try 5 different Japanese beverages which included beer, sake and soju.  I also got to try scallop sushi, wagyu beef skewers and fried chicken.  All very delicious.  I head into the city to Chelsea Piers and meetup with Lauren for a gymnastics class.  Its been a long time since I took one of these but was a good time overall and I still have issues doing backwards things haha.  After class we grabbed some lunch at Grey Dog.  I bar tend at Five Boroughs for a couple nights and then also for Opening Bash at Industry City representing them.  After the bash I meet up with Aaron and Alex in the city for some food and drinks at The District Tap House, always a good hang with these 2 wonderful humans.  Another trip to the Doctor this time to meet with a Cardiologist as I have been having some chest tightness and he sets me up for more tests so hooray. (sarcastic hooray) Next more training with Frank and the gang at Argus, and we put together another of these Silent Film'esque Stunts, this time its a fun balloon gag. Thus ends my leap year of February!

March- It begins with a bartending shift at Five Boroughs!!  Next I take a stroll on a beautiful Sunday and meet up with Peter for some hang time.  We wander to Salty Dog for some snacks and an adult beverage.  Afterward we head back to his place to continue chatting.  Always such a pleasure hanging with this human.  Once I get home its time for Benjamin and Marcus to move out.  I was sad to see them go as it was quite the godsend to have them around.  I head back to Five Boroughs to boot up and clean the canning line as we are going to can for a Kombucha company and needed to make sure everything was still in working order.  Did some laundry and got a haircut.  Next its back to the Hospital at NYU Langone for my blood tests, echocardiogram and stress test.  All went fine and in my stress test I was way above average so that felt cool as I far surpassed the average 30 year old haha. I head to Brooklyn Zoo for some training with Aaron, Lauren and Shannon.  Then off to Argus to train with Frank and team.  I head out to Pinstripes in New Jersey to celebrate Mecca's Birthday!!  Was so wonderful to catch up with so many friends (Jake, Hannah, Shannon, Salar, Shippey, Tony, Vic, just to name a few) and peers to celebrate this wonderful human being.  After that a few of us went to ReBar to continue the festivities where I learned a new drinking game from Lauren MK.  Id tell you but then you would be stuck like I am now haha.  Such a great night for a great man.  Love you Mecca!! Next its back to Five Boroughs to run the canning line to can a local Kombucha.  Over all was just like riding a bike running all the machinery again!  I meet up with Peter again as we stroll from his place to Greenwood Cemetery and all through it just chatting.  It was a lovely walk and a beautiful day to do it.  Chelsea comes down for another visit as we grab some food and drinks at Lock Yard and catch up.   Its St Paddy's Day and that means fun as I meet Lauren and Joanne at Frauches Tavern for lunch.  Aaron joins us a bit later.  After lunch we walk over to have a few drinks at The Dead Rabbit.  Then Aaron, Joanne and I grab another drink and some apps at The Old Town Bar before we meet Hannah and Allison at Society for a little pool to end the day.  It was yet another wonderful and hilarious day with great friends.  Into the city I go for another Gymnastics Class at Chelsea Piers only this time lots of peers and friends came to play, Joanne, Samantha, Kimmy, Lauren, Aaron and I were all there!  I decide to head over to Lock Yard for their trivia night and formed a solo team appropriately named "I Noah Little" however apparently I Noah nothing as I finished dead last, oh well it was still fun haha.  Another training day at Argus before I jump on a plane and fly to Dallas Texas to go witness the wedding of the amazing Jeremy and Kelsey!!  Upon my arrival I hop in a cab to Denton Texas and check into my hotel.  I take a stroll over to the local brewery Denton County Brewing Company for a few local beers before I meet up with the Welcome Party for the wedding at East Side!  I meet up with Jeremy and Kelsey and a ton of their friends and family as I hang and mingle and play some darts.  The next day I take a stroll to Stacks Pankcake House for some breakfast and then hang in the hotel until its time to depart for the wedding.  I don my suit and board one of the coach buses which take us to the venue Oak & Ivy.  What a beautiful venue for a most beautiful couple.  It was so incredible and lovely and I had a wonderful time being able to be a part of it.  Post wedding we head back to East Side for a little after party with friends and family and I finished out the night drinking whiskey with Doug (Jeremys Dad) at the hotel.  The next morning I get a ride with some friends as we make our way to Kelsey's Parents house for a lovely brunch and cornhole.  It was such a treat to be surrounded by so many wonderful people for the weekend and a HUGE congrats to the Newlyweds Jeremy and Kelsey!!!  I head back to the hotel before my very early flight back to New York the next morning. Back in New York and back to Argus to train.  Its finally baseball season so on a whim, Jake and I meet up at Citi Field to take in Opening Day where my Milwaukee Brewers beat the New York Mets 3-1!!  What a great last minute fun hang with an even better friend.  Next I pick up Lauren as we head up to Round1 in Middletown to Celebrate Jakes Birthday with some bowling!!  Was so fun to celebrate Jake with Lauren, Alex and Peter!  After bowling I drive up to Roscoe and go to Cabernet Franks with Jake and Alex to continue the fun and I crash at their humble abode.  Easter morning I bake my Moms infamous Sticky Buns for us as is tradition before we head out to Somewhere In Time Farm for a brunch with some of Jake and Alex's local friends.  It was quite the spread and quite the gathering.  Post brunch Jake, Alex and I grab a beer at Catskills Brewery before I hit the road and return back home, thus concluding March.                                  

April-  April is here and I guess I should celebrate my 42nd Year of Existence.  Aaron comes by to celebrate with me as we head over to Lock Yard on a very rainy day to play Trivia.  Despite us being in 2nd to last place with the first scoring update by the end Aaron and I reigned Victorious as we WON!!!  It was mostly Aarons knowledge of pop culture and music that saved us haha.  I go to exchange belongings with Amanda, it was good to see her but also very tough.  Next my Dad has a triple bypass heart surgery back home in Wisconsin that came with its own complications following it so that's been super fun to deal with but fingers crossed that everything goes well with that.  Next up I head to Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens to meet up with Lauren and her friend to witness the total eclipse of the sun.  Thanks to Lauren and her mom for making sure she was prepared with multiple pairs of eclipse glasses as I didn't have any of my own.  I head into the city to the Hard Rock Hotel for a "For Your Consideration" Event for The Righteous Gemstones, a show which I very much enjoy!  It was amazing as they screen an episode from Season 3, then had a panel with a bunch of the cast members followed by an open bar and food!! They really put on an event that's for sure!!  I even ran into Valisa at the event!!  Peter comes to pick me up as we hit the road and drive down to Baltimore to meet up with Jake for a little guys weekend.  We throw our stuff into our AirBnB and then walk over to Oriole Park to watch The Brewers and Orioles!  My Brewers were victorious 11-1 (Sorry Jake)  The next day we walk to Blue Moon Too for a very delicious breakfast and then wander around the Harbor.  A quick stop back at the house before we go to Pickett Brewing Company for some local beer which was delicious by the way.  After which we walk back to Oriole Park for game 2 of The Brewers and The Orioles!!!  My Brewers were victorious yet again 11-5 (Sorry again Jake haha) After the game we decided to check out Checkerspot Brewing Company to get some food, only to discover we got there right after their kitchen closed.  We had a quick beer, played some pinball and Golden Tee and walked to The Horseshoe Casino to get some food at Brew Brothers.  After, we went upstairs and played a little blackjack and it didn't take us long to all lose our money haha.  On the walk back we came across a train parked blocking our path.  After waiting for about 10 minutes and the train not moving we decided to just climb between the cars haha.  Such a great weekend with 2 great guys!! Back in New York and I meet Evan at Five Boroughs to pick up some equipment and then drive up to White Plains and his Brewery at Miles the Prince.  What a great spot he has for brewing beers and delicious beers at that!  Into the city I go to get fitted for work on Law & Order: SVU!!  Finally my first stunt job of 2024!!  I head to set the next day and I'm doubling a child actor who pulls a gun on Ice-T's character.  Was really fun to work with Ice and have him throw me to the ground as well as Decatur who is Ice's double.  Thanks for the opportunity Michael!  I jump in the car and drive up to Beacon New York to meet Jake and Alex and Keely and take in a Hudson Valley Renegades game only this game they are playing as their alter ego the Hudson Valley Cider Donuts!  Was a great game and Jakes team the Aberdeen Iron Birds pulled out the Victory!!  Finally Jake gets to see his team win haha.  A couple days of canning Kombucha for Good Mood at Five Boroughs keeps me busy before I have another stunt job this time on the show Evil.  I get to set and get my bald cap and wig all situated which took about 3-4 hours in total.  I am doubling the legendary actor Wallace Shawn! He was able to handle everything so I got all dressed up for nothing but was still a wonderful day on set with Alexa and Norm!!  That's a wrap on April!!

May- I decide to take a drive out to Edison NJ and meet Aaron for a little Top Golf action.  Its been a while and we had so much fun.  Afterwards we head to Brooklyn Zoo and meet up with Acei for a training session.  After training we grab a bite at The Anchored Inn.  What a wonderful day with wonderful people to start the month.  The next day Aaron comes by for a visit and a night out at The Lock Yard, always a good time! I head to the Alamo Drafthouse and meet up with Jamie, Polly, Ben, Natalie, Airon and Elaina to see The Fall Guy!!  Such a great movie and so fun to watch it with a group of my peers!  A quick dentist appointment before my next adventure which is to go west.  I pick up Acei early in the morning and drive to LaGuardia and leave my car with her for the week, thanks Acei!!  First flight is to Denver and then its off to Burbank in LA.  I pick up my Turo car and drive over to Chris and Bethany's place where I will stay for a couple days. Upon arrival Chris and I take his 9 month old daughter Evie who I'm meeting for the first time and hit up Pocock Brewery for some beers and a pizza.  The next day I grab some lunch at Blue Palms Brewhouse before I meet up with Dina for my first mushroom coffee and a catch up at her apartment.  Afterwards I hang with Chris and Bethany for the night for dinner and a movie.  The next day I pick up my Mom from the airport and then we go to Brewery Draconum for some lunch.  After lunch its back to Chris and Bethany's place to hang out and crash for the night.  The next morning Mom and I grab some breakfast at Egg Plantation who prides itself on having 100 + omelets.  Mom got one with crab and I got one with chicken livers haha, not bad.   After breakfast we say goodbye and thank you to Chris and Bethany (and Evie) as we drive to Santa Monica and go on the carousal and walk the pier. Was fun but a little windy and chilly.  Afterwards we drive to Fairmount Century Plaza to check into our room and where this years Taurus World Stunt Awards are being held.  Mom and I get all fancy, after I walked to a local mall to get some dress socks haha, and make our way down for the event.  It was so much fun, so great to see so many friends and peers and make new ones!!  After the awards ceremony we ate, drank, danced and mingled the night away.  It was such a blast and I was so happy to get to bring my Mom to such an event!  The next morning its up early and off to the airport to fly to Oakland.  Mom and I meet my brother Nick at the airport and then get picked up by my sister Tia and her roomie Jeff as we head to Roof 106 for Mothers Day Brunch!  Was so great to have us all together for Mothers Day!!  After Brunch we head to Tia and Jeff's place where we will stay for a couple nights and meet Tia's dog Nova!!  Afterward we head to Lo & Behold for dinner and drinks.  This is the spot that Tia is the bar manager for and she made me some killer cocktails!  I stayed until closing and got a ride home with Tia and Jeff, Nick and Mom left earlier.  The next morning we all go for a stroll through the vineyard that is in Tia's backyard.  Then we go grab some breakfast sandies at Plank Coffee.  Then we head to Badger Park for a little wandering and chilling next to Russian River.  Now that we have walked it all off its time to hit up some Breweries, the first stop is Russian River Brewing Company.  This place was HUGE and we sat outdoors with our aluminum pint glasses, that's a first.  After a few here its off to the next one Fogbelt Brewing Company.  This was pretty cool as it was on a railroad and had railroad cars with the taps on them. After this its time to get some food so we stop at Dry Creek General Store just down the road from Tia and Jeff's place and get some sandwiches before Jeff has to leave for work.  The rest of us jumped in the car and hit up the next spot, Crooked Goat Brewing!  Here we had a couple beers, split a fancy pizza and we played Bingo!!  Tia, Nick and I all Won, Mom didn't haha.  After this we walked to Rialto Cinemas where we went to go see The Fall Guy, because ya know, treat my family to a movie about the work I do.  Thus concludes our day, and what a day it was.  The next morning we say goodbye to Nova as we jump in the car and head to the airport.  Mom, Nick and I say our goodbyes to Tia and Jeff and head into the airport.  Mom, Nick and I grabbed some breakfast in the airport together before we had to fly.  I was the first to fly out even though my plane was broken and we got delayed as we had to get a new plane.  I spent the entire day traveling back, first a flight to Denver and then to LaGuardia.  Acei picked me up at the airport with my own car, which I rarely get to be a passenger in my own car so I suggested she just drive home and then Ill drive myself home after.  The very next day I meet up with Lauren and Acei to train at Brooklyn Zoo.  Afterward we grabbed some tea at Here BK and then some Tacos at Taco Edition before we all went our separate ways.  Back to work I go at Five Boroughs Brewery as I have now taken over bar tending at the taproom every Thursday as well as being a swing bar tender to cover other nights.  I get up and drive over to Aaron and Alex's to meet them there before we head out for a day at the beach!  Alex made sandwiches, I mixed some cocktails and we loaded up the car and were off.  We met up with Hannah at Sandy Hook Beach where we spent the majority of the day hanging out.  Afterward I rode back with Aaron and Alex, spent a little bit of time hanging in their back yard before I headed home, great day with great friends. Lastly this month I meet with a local NP concerning my mental health and go on some antidepressants to help with my emotional well being as of late.  It probably wont be forever but for now we shall see how it goes.  

June- Well this year is cruising by, my goodness.  It starts with hanging at Lock Yard and working at the Brewery.  I meet up with Peter as we go to Alpine Cinemas to see Furiosa.  Was pretty good but there was some CGI that was horrendous.  Next I drive out to NJ and go to Seventh Circle to train some wire stuff with my good friends Alexa and Mello as well as many other stunt peers for the day.  Paige drops by for a visit and of course we go to Lock Yard to catch up as it has been a while since we have hung out, so good to catch up with her.  Next its off to Trevor and Megan's place for a little rooftop gathering/house warming party thing.  Evan and Kevin were also there as well as many other friends of Trevor and Megan.  It was a beautiful day to spend on the roof.  Booked another gig as I head early morning to Lincoln Center to work on Etoile for Turner.  Easy and short day of driving with Aaron, Salar and Erin, thanks Turner!  A few days of bartending and I make a decision to get in my car early on a Monday morning and drive to Toronto for a baseball game.  I haven't been to see a game there yet so I figured I would just take a solo road trip and fix that.  The drive was about 8 hours and upon arrival I parked in a garage right next to the stadium and went on my own walking tour of Toronto!!  My first stop was to get some lunch and some Canadian beer at Steam Whistle Brewery.  Great Pilsner!  I chatted with the bartender about places I should check out and headed over to Amsterdam Brewhouse.  A great spot on the water!  Had a couple beers here and then it was off to The Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays game, my 25th MLB Ballpark visit.  The Jays lost to the Red Sox 7-3.  After the game I head to my AirBnB which is basically a very cheap hostel, single room with a bed, and a shared bathroom/kitchen.  Day 2 in Toronto I get up and head into the Downtown and start with breakfast at The Morning After, a fun spot with a nobody likes hangovers theme haha.  After breakfast I head over to CRAFT Beer Market as was recommended to me by the bartender to try some local Canadian Beers, the Kiwi Kolsch was surprisingly good.  After a couple here its off to Mascot Brewery to try some more local suds.  This place was very cool and had very good beer!!  I decide to take a very long walking tour on my own of Toronto just to see what I could see and it was a fairly hot day to do so.  I walked through the St Lawrence Market, saw a dog fountain, the home of the Toronto FC and a nice tiny little beach setup.  The city is pretty clean and very nice as its right on the water.  Once I got hungry I decided to get some food at La Carnita.  Food was good as was the cocktail.  I didn't really have anymore plans for the day so I decided to get a ticket to the Jays game, why not.  The Jays lost to the Red Sox again 4-3 oh well haha.  The next day it was up early for the 8 hour drive back home.  Back home and back to bartending.  I go for a run and meetup with Peter for a chat.  He takes me to Glory Martial Arts Center to just inquire about what they have to offer as I mentioned I was thinking about getting into Muay Thai to expand my stunt toolbox.  I booked a trial class for the next day, Thanks Peter!  I meetup with Lauren at Chelsea Piers for Gymnastics class and Paige was also there YAY!  Back in Brooklyn I go to my trial class which was actually for MMA and didn't like it at all, but I did sign up to take Muay Thai after the class regardless.  After class I met up with Peter for some food and beverages at Firefly.  I head to Greenwood Park for a little employee gathering and hang for Five Boroughs staff.  I go to Union Square to meet up with Amanda for one final chat and to try to end things the right way.  It was very hard at times but also good to remember the great times we did share.  We both did the best we could and I feel like this was a much more appropriate way to go our separate ways even though it was so hard to do so.  I will always love her but we just were not a right fit.  Thus the month concludes.

July-  It begins with Muay Thai and the a stroll with Peter after the fact for some chit chat.  The 4th of July its off to Casa De Mecca to celebrate the 4th with a pool party and BBQ!!  So many wonderful people were in attendance and Mecca always is a masterful host.  Aaron (x2) and Alex, Drew and Kara, Jason and Alexandra, Alex, Alexa and Christine, Mello and Alice, Hannah and Eric, Mam and I'm sure others that I am forgetting, sorry :(  The evening concluded with a big Fireworks show provided by the Marvelous Mecca!!  Great fun, food and friends!!!  I purchase a new computer as mine was old and slow.  Lots of Muay Thai, Bartending and Lock Yard visits the first half of this month!!  I meet up with Peter  in Coney Island for a stroll along the boardwalk and a good friendly chat.  I head over to Maimonides Park to meet up with Joanne for a Rooftop Brunch at the Brooklyn Cyclones game!!  Was a ton of fun and a very entertaining game.  Lots of Muay Thai training this month, 3-5 times per week.  I board a plane and fly to Milwaukee to meet my sister Tia for a fun little home venture.  We went from the airport to Blues Egg for some breakfast with the parents.  The next day we did a lunch fish fry at Sammy's Hilltop and played some cornhole, Mom and I dominated Tia and Blaine.  Afterwards we checked out Good Works Brewing as Tia has never been for a couple of beers and some board games.  The final stop of the day we go to Papa Docs Axe Throwing as Tia has never done it before and we had a wonderful time chucking sharp objects!  The next morning we have breakfast at Milton Family Restaurant, as we do.  After that I went over to my Dads house to pay him a visit since his heart surgery complications.  Was good to see that he is slowly recovering as the whole thing was a big scare.  Dad and I drove over to Home Depot to pick up some project needed supplies for the house.  Was good to spend time with him and Nancy.  Tia departs shortly after and I hang around for a bit, Blaine and I do a lunch at Drafthouse.  Thus concludes July.  

August- Welcome to August, and I'm still in Wisconsin.  I treat myself to see a matinee showing of Deadpool/Wolverine before dinner and trivia with the parents and Carl at Timber Hill Winery, which we won!  Afterwards Carl and I went to Good Works for some beers and some catch up time, I love this guy!  Next up the Parentals and I head to Milwaukee to meet up with the extended family for some Wisconsin State Fair fun!!!  I haven't been here in YEARS and it was a blast.  Eating food, hanging in the Craft Beer Tent, watching Dogs Dock Dive and then more food and beer haha.  The last night in Wisconsin I go to Dinner with my parents at Whisky Ranch.  Off to the airport I go only to see that my flight has been cancelled.  No worries Ill just rebook for the next one . . . . Uh oh that was also cancelled . . .Thankfully my cousins Dan and Amanda were around as there were no other options to fly out that day.  So back to the State Fair I go with Dan and Amanda and meeting up with their friends.  More Food and Beer fun was had and we ended the trip doing Pull Tabs, which on my very last one, I WON $100!!!  I spent $25 and won $100, hooray for the luck after flight cancellations.  Finally flying back to NY as Acei and Lauren pick me up from the airport with my own car yet again as we drive Lauren home, then Acei, then drive myself home, what fun haha. Back in NY and its right back to Bartending and Muay Thai.  I take a quick journey to Trevor's apartment to feed his cat Margo while he is out of town, then I head into the city to meet up with my old pal Shayna.  We met up in Central Park and spent the day catching up, spinning poi, and wandering around the city.  Finishing our hang at Lincoln Center.  Was such fun to catch up with her and I will give her props as the first person to introduce me to the song  "Pink Pony Club" haha.  I meet up with Peter, Steph and Benjamin for a fun day at Coney Island Aquarium!!  A good time was had by all!!  I head over to Aaron's place while him and Alex are Globe Traveling to check on his cats.  Apparently I'm the cat guy now haha.  They were all good, but left quite a mess of the litter box both in and out of it haha, so I cleaned that all up.  Afterward headed to Lock Yard for some lunch, which turned into dinner as I was chit chatting with a gal who recently moved to Staten Island to be a park ranger.  Was nice to be out in the world and randomly meet someone new and have a long conversation.  No I didn't get her number haha.  Oh well.  Next I head up to the Croton Falls area for some Stunt work on "And Just Like That."  Was nice to get out of the city and work a couple days and stay in a hotel.  While up there I stopped at Wolf and Warrior Brewery for some lunch and also paid a visit to Evan at his brewery Miles the Prince.  Was a nice time for sure and always love being on set, even though I didn't really do anything. Now its time for the LONG awaited Ohio Road trip, I get up bright and early and get on the road at 5am.  This has been talked about for YEARS as my parents drive from Wisconsin and I from NY to meet up in Columbus Ohio!!  About 8 hours later I arrive at Land Grant Brewing, grab a beer and wait for my parents to arrive.  They arrive as we toast and have a couple beers and eat some food from the local food truck.  Afterwards we head over to our VRBO, park, get the keys, go up to the room and the keys don't open the door.  Womp womp.  Back and forth on the app I go trying to resolve the situation as we stood/sat in the hallway trying to get in.  Finally I became fed up and went downstairs to find a manager, who took care of it by getting us a replacement key and let us in, no thanks to VRBO nonsense haha.  It was a great place though as it was a 2 level apartment.  After we chilled and settle in for a bit we head to dinner at Wolfs Ridge Brewery.  Very good food and beer here!!  The next morning we jump in the car and drive up to Cleveland and breakfast at Lucky's Cafe.  The food here was incredible!!  After breakfast we go visit and take a tour of The Christmas Story House!!  Pretty incredible story behind it as well so go check it out!! Next up is Great Lakes Brewing Company, we arrived and got our beers just before the sky opened and down poured!!  Afterwards we wander around downtown Cleveland through a Farmers Market and then stumble upon 16 Bit Bar and Arcade!  They have Duck Pin bowling so we played and was a TON of fun.  We also got access to play old arcade games for free!  This place was so fun!  I hope more Duck Pin places start popping up.  Finally we head over to Progressive Field to take in a Cleveland Guardians game and check another ball park off my list.  It was Dollar Dog night so YAY!!!  Guardians beat the Pirates 10-8!  Back in the car after the game and drive back to our place in Columbus to complete the day.  The next morning, Happy Birthday Blaine, we make our way to Cincinnati and head to Third Eye Brewing, which was ranked the Best Brewery in 2024 according to U.S. Open Beer Championship!!  The beer was good but I think I hyped it up too much knowing it was ranked the best.  After lunch and beer we head downtown and put the car in a lot and proceed to just wander around, mostly along the water.  We stop at The Holy Grail Tavern for some beers before we make our way into The Great American Ballpark to check another stadium off my list.  We get ballpark food as I try the Cincinnati Chili Dog, it was good but a little odd with the cinnamon and nutmeg but not bad.  The game was awesome as The Brewers were in town so we were cheering on our team as opposed to the Reds.  The Brewers beat the Reds 5-4!!! Back to Columbus after the game we go.  Thus ends August.

September- Our last day, and first day in September, we spend in Columbus as we have brunch at Ohio Brewing Company.  The food and beer was ok, but the space was INCREDIBLE!!  The size of it was nuts and they have a whole section you can rent out for weddings and other big events.  Next we go to the North Market Downtown and pick up some stuff for a charcuterie and head back to the VRBO and just veg out and relax for the rest of the day.  The next morning we grab a quick breakfast at Grand Day Cafe before we get on the road for the drive back.  Once back in NYC its back to the grind of Muay Thai and Beer work.  Trevor and I head over to Wild East Brewing to harvest some yeast for my first ever professional beer recipe that I wrote.  We will be brewing a Pretzel Marzen.  I walk over to Alpine Cinemas to check out Beetlejuice 2.  I enjoyed it, was a lot of fun, but do have a couple nit picky things about it.  Next its Brew Day as Trevor and I spend the day brewing the Pretzel Marzen.  I mostly watched and learned but helped out where I could thanks Trevor for teaching and helping with this brew.  I go on a date at Brooklyn Burgers and Beer and it went fine.  Well I thought it did, as I got ghosted the next morning so yeah.  I don't think I'm ready for any of this yet to be honest.  More trips to Lock Yard and time spent with Aaron on top of my normal routine.  I also get my car inspected for free by my friend and regular at the brewery Neil.  I guess I got a car guy now haha.  I did have to get 2 new tires though which sucks as I got new ones in the last couple years soo yeah.  I head into K-Town and meetup with Aaron, Bryce, Neimah, Warren and David for some private room Karaoke.  Was great fun with these amazing guys!  Loved seeing all of you!  Trevor and I go to Brooklyn Brewery to pour Beers for Five Boroughs at Blocktoberfest.  Afterwards I stop by Evan and Marissa's place to meet a cat they rescued from the street who needs a home.  He was a cutie for sure and a sweet heart.                

October- Well this month starts with me becoming a Dad, ahem a Cat Dad that is.  I adopt the kitty that Evan and Marissa found and bring him to his new home.  Welcome home Marzen as I decided to name him.   Next up its off to get a new suit to head to the Bogart House for the Wedding of Jenna and Dan!  It was an amazing fun small rooftop service followed by dancing the night away with amazing friends!!  Aaron, Alex, Hannah, Alexa, Christine, Kyro, Geronimo, Jared, Jamie, Warren and others I'm sure I'm forgetting were all in attendance   Congrats to these two amazing and wonderful people!!  I LAVA YOU JENHA!!!!!  Of course this is the same night that the Brewers get eliminated from the Playoffs by the Mets so I had to stop by Lock Yard to offer congrats to all the Mets fans post wedding.  No sleep for me as its off to the airport to fly out to LA.  I bump into Kyro at Midway Airport in Chicago as we are on the same flights to LA!!!  Crazy!! Once in LA Chris picks me up and of course we stop at Brewery Draconum for a quick drink and then Pocock Brewery for dinner.  The next day Kyro picks me up (thank you so much) and we head up to ISA's Burnouts and BBQ at MPDC for a little fun.  Was so good to see people I haven't seen in forever and watch people slide cars around all day.  Nancy was kind enough to give me a ride back (thank you so much) as this is the only time I have been to LA and didn't rent a car, of course.  Next up Chris and I head out to Sofi Stadium to watch the Green Bay Packers play the LA Rams, the whole reason I made the trip.  It was a BLAST and the Packers came away victorious with a 24-19 WIN!!  Thanks to Chris for getting these tickets!!!  After this its right back to NYC after my fun and quick weekend trip!!  Back home and time to spoil my cat as I drive out to buy him the automatic Litter Robot and an automatic feeder.  I want to make sure he is good to go if I have to travel.  I also get him some toys and fun stuff.  Next its time for some Badger Football at Rutgers.  Evan and Marissa ride with me out to NJ as we meetup with Jake, Mecca, Aaron and Alex, Ben and Drew.  We park and have a grand tailgate a few hours before the game with plenty of Spotted Cow.  The game was so much fun as the Badgers Win 42-7!!!!!!  Jake and I spend an afternoon out at the American Dream Mall in NJ.  We had some food and drinks, then played both Mini Golf courses they had.  We split as I won one and he won one.  Great hang with an even greater dude.  Next I head to LIC and meetup with Matthew at The Record Room.  That was interesting and loud.  So we bailed and met Ilyana on the way out and went to find another spot.  We landed on LIC Bar and Aaron met us there.  Was so fun to catch up with Ilyana and Matthew as it has been a while.  Benjamin, Peter and I make our way to Park Slope to Sip and Play for a night of board games.  We choose Pandemic and it took us 3 or 4 tries before we won.  So fun! My beer goes on tap at Five Boroughs and we call it "Twist of Fate."  After a training session at Argus, Acei and Dana go to the brewery with me to try my beer, thanks friends!!  I get a phone call for some work out in LA starting next month, so I start fasting for that gig.  Halloween I spent behind the bar and concluding my October.               

November- Holy hell its November!!  Well its off to LA to work on Fallout Season 2!!  Yup you heard it here, I am the stunt double for Moises Arias also known as "Norm" on the hit show and I couldn't be more excited!!!  Thanks to Ryan and Neil for this.  I stay yet again with Chris and Bethany and Evie while I'm in town, thank god they aren't sick of me yet haha. Upon arrival I head to LA North Studios for rehearsal and meet some new stunt friends and peers.  Sydney, Dan, Pierce, David, Casey, Jeremy and Jess were all there for rehearsal and all wonderful humans.  I have to go get fitted for my vault suit at the famous Melody Ranch as well which was cool!  After rehearsal its back to the house and Chris and I go out for some burgers at The Stand.  I take a drive down to Long Beach to go check out Little Monsters Burlesque at Harvelle's staring my good friend Matthew, who got me on the comp list.  It was a very impressive and entertaining show and Matthew's act had my rolling in laughter.  Amazing!!  Lots of just hanging at the house but I do go out to a Stunt Community Benefit for Veterans Day.  I meet up with Ilyana at the event and also meet a plethora of new stunt performers.  Ilyana and I teamed up for the charity cornhole tournament and were eliminated so fast that we only got to throw bags 3 times!  Yikes!!  In our defense we were only playing to 7.  I did win one of the raffles and took home a cocktail book.  That night Chris, Bethany, Evie and I go to Pocock Brewing Co.'s new location which is much closer.  We sit up on the roof and have pizza and beer, so good.  Next its time to work as I report to set and meet more awesome stunt people in Chris, Brooke and Chanel on top of all the others from rehearsal as we get set for the day.  We never got to our stuff, so I get asked to come back again tomorrow.  I was only supposed to get 2 days but of course Ill take another day.  The next day we finish and still don't get everything we need so I get another day on the schedule. Between shoot days I join Chris for some husbandly duties of going to Costco and Trader Joes, fun I know!  Back to work I go and we finally get all the things filmed that we needed to as I bid farewell to my new LA stunt fam.  Thanks team!  Back to NYC and I meet up with Jeremy and Kelsey who are in town and using my guest room.  Thankfully I have it set up that they could still use it while I was still in LA.  We head out to Canal Bar, a local Chicago Bears bar, to watch the Packers and Bears game.  Was good fun being in enemy territory wearing my Packers Jersey haha.  Trevor joined in the fun as the Packers took the victory in a most heartbreaking fashion for Bears Fans, BLOCKED field goal, GO PACK GO!!!  Afterwards we go have a beer at Wild East before we grab some food on our way back to my apartment.  After Jeremy and Kelsey depart, Acei comes down as we jump in the car and drive out to Greg's for some high fall training into his airbag.  Greg and Lisa were so awesome to have us all come and jump with them.  Charlie, Zoltan, Devin and Jamie all stopped by as well!!  We drive back home after a crazy fun day and Acei borrows my car after. Aaron has to pick me up for a fun outing at Top Golf with Drew, Tyler, James and Jamie.  Thanks Aaron! After Top Golf we walk over to Supercharged for some indoor go kart racing!!  Such a blast as Tyler basically owned us all haha, he's a professional driver.  Such an awesome and fun day with the guys!!  Thanks to Aaron for bringing me back home too.  I help out with a small project doing some stunt coordinating in the city.  Then its time to fly home to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving.  To make pick up easier on my parents I flew into O'Hare and took a bus from there so they didn't have to drive forever.  Pretty easy. We take a trip to Duesterbecks for some beers and growlers followed by Sorgs to pickup the turkey.  I went in and got some bison steaks, which I've never had, only ground bison, as well as some summer sausage which both were awesome!!  Thanksgiving Day with the family was a blast per usual.  Chatting, eating and drinking all so fun with these crazy people, Love Them!!!  The next day my parents and I head up to Madison for the Badgers vs Minnesota battle for the Axe!!  The game was the coldest Badger game in 60 years but we managed to tough out the weather as we watched the Badgers lose 24-7, so yeah that happened.  So long 22 year streak of going to a Bowl game.  After the game we went to The Old Fashioned for fish fry and cocktails to warm up.                                  

December- Back to NYC I go for the Final month of this year.  Its still crazy to me how fast this year went.  It really is true, the older you get the faster it goes.  The start of this month is back to my usual grind of Muay Thai and Bartending and spending time with my cat Marzen.  I head into the city to meet up with Josh at the MoMa while he is in town.  I have never been so it was fun to catch up with him and wander around the museum.  Chelsea and Victoria met up with us there like right as they closed.  We all then walked in the rain to see the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center.  Then walked down to the Holiday Market in Bryant Park.  After which we decided we should go somewhere inside to hang and chat and eat and drink haha.  We walked over to the Haufbrau Haus to warm up and be merry. We ordered a platter and apps to share amongst ourselves while enjoying ourselves.  We even did a shot-ski!!  Such a fun night with wonderful humans.  I head out to NJ and to Meccas for a small little holiday hang.  Mecca and Shannon hosted, Aaron and Alex, Hannah and Eric and my self were all in attendance for a wonderful holiday hang.  We ate, drank, were merry and played Heads Up haha. Thanks for hosting you wonderful amazing awesome humans!!!    I bartend on Sunday as Jared and Calvin stop by to try my beer and catch up.  Josh also stops by to say Hi.  I love when I get visitors at work.  Its time to head back to Wisconsin for the Holidays. I land in Chicago and meet up with my sister Tia and her new boyfriend Andre, the first time I'm meeting him.  We get into his rental car and make our way home but stop at Drafthouse for a quick bite and  drink. Next is the Nowak Family Christmas!!  Dan and Amanda, Lisa, Chris and Cameron, Justin, Ana, Josh and Mia (who are expecting soon by the way!!), Auntie Kim and Uncle Mark, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve all join us for fun, food and drinks!! Lisa came up with some awesome fun games for us all to play this year for prizes instead of our usual gag gifts which was so fun, good job Lisa!!  Nick and I go to visit my Dad and Nancy and went to get brunch at Cafe 26.  Was nice catching up.  Afterwards Tia, Andre, Nick and I grab some apps and some drinks at Whiskey Ranch.  The family heads out to Duesterbecks to play some trivia and defend our title from last Christmas.  Unfortunately we didn't do so hot this time and finished in 6th Place, oh well.  Christmas Eve and we spend time together doing a puzzle, playing games and then having a big dinner before we open our presents in our Ugly Sweaters.  Christmas Day spent in our Onesies with more puzzle and games and food and drink.  Even played some pool and watched A Christmas Story, of course.  Now its breakfast at Citrus Cafe followed by bowling at RiversEdge before we say goodbye to Tia and Andre.  Had so much fun meeting Andre and hanging with him as he fit right in.  We have breakfast at MFR and meet up with Carl briefly then some beers at Good Works Brewery.  We had dinner at Cozumel and then it was time to say goodbye to Nick who got of the road very early to drive back to Atlanta.  Last but not least its my time to head out as I have lunch and a couple beers with Blaine at Junction Pub before he drops me at the bus station to head to Chicago for my flight.  Special thanks to Evie and Trevor for spending time with Marzen while I was gone.  Back in NYC as I unpack and get all settled in with Marzen to ring in 2025!!              

Thank you for reading!!!  2024 was a very hard year for me emotionally and in many other ways.  I want to say thank you to all of you who were there for me to listen, talk, drink, train and just be with.  I know 2024 was hard for a lot of you all too and going into 2025 if you ever need anything from me just ask!!  I got you!!! (except for work because uh I don't have that kind of power haha)  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!