Tom Nobili - Excited for the Future

Americans move – a lot. I’m a perfect example of this transient pattern of life; born in Pittsburgh, moved to Los Angeles, back to Pittsburgh, then to Palm Springs, and currently in Port Angeles, northwest of Seattle. In spite of all the packing and unpacking and enjoying each new environment, Pittsburgh is, and always will be, “home.”

So, I understand Tom’s affection for the one time steel city, draped in Black & Gold.

One of the joys of this time of life – Internet/Facebook/Skype – is that no matter how far away we are from one another in miles, we can keep in touch and re-kindle old friendships and initiate new ones.

Tom worked for me at WRS Motion Picture Laboratory in Pittsburgh a long time ago. I remember him as a fresh out of college student who had a strong work ethic and bright mind. As I read his responses to Taking the Plunge, I know he still maintains those qualities and is so much more. Meet Tom Nobili.

Thomas Nobili

          I was born in Donora, PA, a very small town in Southwestern PA. (population: 3000) 25 miles south of Pittsburgh. I am the oldest of three children, with a younger brother and sister.  Several famous people are from Donora, including baseball greats Ken Griffey and Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial.  I am very proud of my roots there, and residing in such a humble town for the first 29 years of my life helped shape my personality and character into the person that I am today. I currently reside in Castaic, CA. with my wife, five year old son and 90 lb. “lap dog.”  I hope to teach many of the small town values to my son like my father did with me. 

          I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the early 90’s, majoring in Music and Video Business.  Soon after graduating, I accepted a position at WRS Motion Picture Lab in Pittsburgh, starting out doing film prep, advancing to film color timing, and eventually being promoted to senior color timer. In 1999, I accepted a position at Cinetech Lab in California, where I became a lead timer, restoring many A-title films from major studios with several legendary cinematographers and directors.

          A couple of years ago, Cinetech was bought by Deluxe. In October 2012, Deluxe consolidated our lab with their Hollywood lab. I was one of three Cinetech production employees chosen to relocate to Hollywood, where I set up their restoration department (it has pretty much shut down already since I left).  My color timing career ended in February, just short of twenty years in the business.  Because technology has changed so much going from film to digital, my expertise is rarely needed. The entire film business is now doing more with less people, so instead of finding another job in the industry that would most likely be temporary, I decided to go back to college, brush up on my skills, and reinvent myself.

I will complete my courses by the end of the spring, majoring in Graphic Design, Web Design, and E-Commerce. I am excited about what opportunities my new career will offer me, and I hope to freelance or start my own business so I can work from anywhere. Despite my recent setbacks, I am very excited about what the future holds for me and my family.

                                  

 

Q&A

         

1. Who are you? List 5 nouns that define you!

Father – Husband – Friend – Student – Steeler Fan

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

Even though I have accomplished many things professionally, I have never felt as proud as I did when I became a father. My son means everything to me and he makes me proud every day.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

This is a difficult question. I always look at everything that has happened in my life (good and bad) as a learning experience and try not to have any regrets – except one thing. Six and a half years ago, my wife and I gave birth to a baby girl that died two hours after being born. She was very premature and she didn’t make it. (My wife had complications and they had to deliver quickly). Obviously, if I could change the past, it would be for that not to have happened. Other than this one tragedy, I wouldn’t change a thing.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Intolerant people drive me crazy! We are all human beings who are all unique and special in some way. Those who don’t respect or accept that have no place in my life. Also Cleveland Brown fans drive me crazy! 

My family and friends give me joy.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

I would love to travel the world in as much time as needed to see it all. I would also like to visit every NFL stadium for a game (except Cleveland).

Happy Family

 

Michael and "lap dog"

Tough year to be a Steeler fan - except for the faithful.

Luke Yankee: Multi-Talented Man

        My best memory of Luke was working with him shortly after we were introduced by cinematographer Brianne Murphy. She had read my novella/play, “Dear Jennifer”, and thought he would he the perfect director for a reading in Los Angeles.

          Luke assembled a brilliant cast and we had a run through on Sunday afternoon for a Monday evening performance. The realization that cuts were needed because it was too long and too wordy became apparent that afternoon, but the reading was Monday evening and we were attending the ASC dinner at the Beverly Hills that night.

          Well, after the awards ceremony, we went back to my hotel, kicked off our shoes, and went through the script slashing and cutting into the wee hours. Luke dropped the changes off at Kinko’s for the casts’ revised scripts and I picked them up after my business meeting Monday afternoon.   

          With Luke’s calm, brilliant approach to direction and my best instinct as the author to trust my director, the performance was marvelous and we got a standing ovation from the invited audience.

          We’ve been through a lot over the years, but I’ll always remember the fun of working together that night.

Luke Yankee

I have worked in many different aspects of the entertainment industry. I’ve run two regional theatres, assistant directed six Broadway shows, toured internationally with my one-man show, written a memoir about growing up as a showbiz kid (my mother was the Oscar/Emmy/Tony winning actress, Eileen Heckart)…lots of other stuff.

Currently, I am focusing my energies on television writing and I am determined to become a staff writer on a hit TV show. I am also in negotiations with PBS for an interview show called CONVERSATIONS ON CRAFT, where I chat with actors, writers, directors and producers about how they got where they are today.

My new play, THE LAST LIFEBOAT, is about to be published b Dramatists Play Service. It’s the untold story of the owner of the White Star Line at the time of the sinking The Titanic and the subsequent hearings and aftermath of the disaster. It’s a big, epic tale told on a bare stage with an ensemble cast and I am beyond thrilled it is getting published. 

    

 

1. Who are you? List five nouns that define you.

Caring – Flamboyant – Funny – Passionate – Great Storyteller!

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

There are lots of things that I am proud of, but the top two (okay, I cheated) would have to be my marriage to my amazing husband of 18 years, Don Hill, and writing my book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT.  I’d talked about writing a book about my mom since I was 14 and when I finally held it in my hands, it was – and remains - an incredible feeling. It has great stories about Ethel Merman teaching me how to make a martini at age 10, Paul Newman giving me acting lessons in the living room, and Marilyn Monroe babysitting my brothers.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I wish I had been kinder and gentler with my father. He was an extraordinary man and I never realized just HOW incredible he was until I lost him. He had a quiet, gentle strength and because he wasn’t boisterous and noisy like the rest of the family, I didn’t appreciate him on his own terms. He’s been gone nearly 14 years and I regret this every day.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

What drives me crazy is not feeling like I am being treated with respect.

What gives me joy is entertaining people – especially making them laugh.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?    

So many things! I love traveling with my husband. I’d love to rent a villa in Tuscany for awhile, then move on to a pied-a-terre in Nice, then a flat in one of the posh, London suburbs like Richmond and keep going all over the world.

Mom Eileen and Luke

Polishing Mom's star!

 For more about Luke go to:  http://www.lukeyankee.com/

                                          

 

Elaine Gardner-Morales = Music? Oh, Yeah!

          Ever hear a melody on the radio and instantly be transported to a special moment when you first heard it? Lullaby? Special dance? First kiss? Hymn? 

          Music, more than any other form of communication, is not only universal, but magical. So when you meet someone that literally plays to a different drummer or sings a different tune and you immediately “get them”, you know it’s all about the music.

          Elaine Gardner-Morales is funny and witty and knowledgeable, but seems to transform when she has a guitar in her hand or is coaching her vocal ensemble.

          Her answer to question #4 below comes as no surprise. Hearing, listening, and feeling the music is what her life is all about. If we all took the time to open our hearts (the original rhythm machine) to music like Elaine does, maybe peace would be a possibility.

 

 Elaine Gardner-Morales

I was born and raised in Denton, Texas to a University of North Texas music professor and a high school foreign language instructor from Esmaraca, Bolivia. I had three sibs, all musically talented, and from the time I can remember, the “Gardner Band” was always making music from blues to classical and voice to cello.

After receiving my degrees in music composition and theory, I spent 25 years as a professor and Chair of Music at Brookhaven College School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas. I retired in 2009 after building a successful department and moved to Port Angeles, Washington with Helen Carrick to a beautiful, mountain view home with lots of critters.

Although I am “rich” with the many experiences of my musical career, I am most proud of the vocal jazz ensemble I built at the Brookhaven College. After twenty years, I looked back at fifteen national and international tours, multiple awards at Vocal Jazz festivals through out the United States, a ton of fabulous performances and lots of wonderful people and musicians that I have known.

So naturally when I moved to Port Angeles and I had the opportunity to repeat this experience and teach music part time, at Peninsula College, I jumped at it! Currently, I am teaching a vocal jazz ensemble and I’ll probably be 75 when I get tired of it!

I also have to give a nod of pride to my children Charles and Mary whom have seen me through thick and thin. Although they still live in Dallas, both have gone through life changes with me, and I with them. We still find the time to talk and say “I love you” on a regular basis.

That bring me to the present: playing jazz guitar in the Olympic Express Big Band, teaching Vocal Jazz Ensemble and guitar at Peninsula College, doing a little music composition on the side, taking care of four cats and one loud sheepdog, mowing a seven acre yard, taking care of the yard and house with Helen and doing my best to love those that come my way.

1. Who are you? List 5 nouns that best describe you.

      Educator – Musician – Composer – Lover – Humorist

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

I am proud of a lot of things and after thinking about it, I can’t site one particular thing that I am most proud of. I am proud of: my career, my kids, my accomplishments as a musician, my house, my friends and loved ones, my love for diversity, my professionalism, my generosity, my pen collection and my guitar collection. …I think that is enough pride for one paragraph.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

Of course, there are a couple of people I would like to have erased from my experience and a couple of major decisions that I made that were stupid, but I have changed my answer several times since I began thinking about this question…. One thing?! 

Since I only get one thing, I think it needs to be something we can all enjoy, even those that I do not know. The one thing I would change is that every human being on this earth could experience and live in peace. …I would really like that. 

     4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Crazy Question? Lots of times when people are being overlooked or I am overlooked - it does drive me crazy.

Joy Question? Music, people, animals, smiles and laughter - oh yeah! (I couldn’t choose just one.)

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

I would like to be in two places at once so I could travel the world and climb Mt. Everest. 

Six year old cowgirl!

Helen cooking up something delicious.

Elaine

Texas Family: :Scott - Mary - Elaine - Charlie

Port Angeles Family

Taking the Plunge: Bunny Cornwall - Just Getting Started

Taking the Plunge: Bunny Cornwall - Just Getting Started:   I first met Bunny Cornwall years ago when I entered Zenzizi, her retail store filled with wonderful items from her travels to India ...

Bunny Cornwall - Just Getting Started

 I first met Bunny Cornwall years ago when I entered Zenzizi, her retail store filled with wonderful items from her travels to India and Thailand. Amidst all these exotic items was a stunning, tall blond who quickly erased any preconceived notion of physical beauty in lieu of intelligence. Bunny encompassed, and encompasses, both.

She told me how she traveled solo to Indian towns (which is no easy feat) demanding the products she purchased for the states be manufactured in safe working conditions with fair wages (a concept that should be emulated and adopted by other businesses).

The pictures Bunny sent for “Taking the Plunge” illustrate her flair for style and a bit of her sense of humor. However, the camera can’t capture her sensitivity to others, her search for knowledge, or her connection with the human spirit.

Bunny Cornwall

I was talking with a cousin the other day. I haven’t seen her for thirty- something years. After reintroducing ourselves and catching up, her comment to me was “You do so many things. You’ve just done it all, Bunny.”  

Here are some of the things I have done and places I have been and I am by no means done yet!

I was born in Connecticut, the middle child with an older brother and a younger sister. After leaving home at an early age, I started collecting and selling antiques and having fun decorating my own space and I modeled where I styled my own sets. I worked for Bittersweet Herb Farm doing R&D and became National Sales Manager traveling around the country.

After spending two winters in the Florida Keys, I moved to St Croix USVI for twelve years. I continued to model, acted in television commercials, and worked on sailboats and occasional restaurant work. I met my sweet husband in St Croix and decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. We moved back to the States.

I graduated from massage therapy school in Gainesville, Florida and after settling in Port Angeles, WA with my husband, opened my own business, Olympic Day Spa.  I expanded my one person practice to include skin care. I started a clothing line that I had manufactured in India. I traveled to India and Thailand for several years growing the business to include jewelry and furniture and works of art.

I have always had an active lifestyle and feel it is important to take care of the mind, body, and spirit, so I also teach fitness classes at our local YMCA.

I take great pleasure in helping friends and acquaintances when they ask me to help them style and decorate their homes or style themselves for a particular occasion or trip.  It’s fun to see people get excited and open up to the beauty that’s in and around them.

                                               

1. Who are you? List 5 nouns that best describe you.

Healer – Optimist – Entrepreneur – Traveler – Lover

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

Professionally, I am most proud of being able to help empower people in

a variety of ways, through exercise and healing, or helping people to

“style” themselves or decorate their homes and to realize their visions.

Personally, I am most proud of my happy marriage.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

One thing I would change about my past is that I would have liked to continue pursuing music. 

Oh, and then there is the 80’s… 

     4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Procrastination drives me crazy.

Things that give my joy are singing, hearing purring cats, laughing

with my sister, watching people realize that they can do that, wear that,

say that, be that, and realize the potential in their lives. A good night’s

sleep in soft sheets.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

Have the ability to be in two places at once so I can do all of the things

I want to do, be in all of the places I want to be, which is everywhere! 

Travel without having to spend time in a car, train or plane.