A Trip Down Memory Lane

When I attended the retirement celebration of Doc Shelton, it also turned into a college reunion of sorts. Most of our friends from the theater department in the mid to late 80s returned, as well as some staff.

Graduation Class of '88
Dave, Pete, Chris, Stephanie, Jay and Becky

Some of the returnees
Dave, Sunday, Leslie, Pete and Jay

What was perhaps the strangest part of it all is that none of us had been together as a group for 19 years. And most of us had never been back to the theater department in all of that time. So, when we found ourselves back in our old haunts as a group, it felt as if no time had passed. It was truly a weird experience.

I also had a wonderful time reminiscing with some old teachers. Gwen West, who was our costume and makeup teacher told me she got in trouble for commenting on my butt in class. That's funny! And Lisa Martin, who designed a great outfit for me in The Tempest told me that she still has the pattern for the jacket and it's officially called The Pete Bauer Jacket.

The "Pete Bauer" Jacket.

I also got to share memories with one of my teachers and eventual acting partner, Jim Wren, with whom we performed Broadway Bound at the Hippodrome directed by Carlos Assissi.

Dawn, Pete and Jim Wren.

Carlos gave me one of the best directions in history. When commenting on one of my many monologues he said "Pete, you know that monologue... well, it sucked." And that was it. No further info. I had to figure out what sucked about it and move on.

Mike McLane and Carlos.

There were also actors who worked with me on my short film Homesick, including Jay, Leslie, Sunday, Mike McLane and Ellen Lau. I also acted with Ellen in A Loss of Roses at the Gainesville Community Playhouse.

Pete and Ellen Lau.

I was also fortunate enough to work with Malcolm Gets in the play Tribute. Malcolm went on to win Tonys on Broadway and landed the role of Richard in Carolyn in the City. Malcolm also performed a song for Doc Shelton during his retirement party.

Pete, Missy and Malcolm.

Malcolm performing for Doc.

And there were many other friends, like Missy Weinstein and Jennifer Ray Miles, Joelle and Kirsten, Glenn Krasny, Matthew Marco, Carl McNulty, Stu Horowitz and Cady West. Mark Sexton, with whom I performed in The Dining Room was there and Kevin Rainsberger, who worked at the Hippodrome during my time there. There were old Winnjammer friends, like Mike Gioia and Manny Suarez.

Jen, Pete and Joelle

Kristen, Pete and Mark

Pete and Kevin.

Mike Gioia and Pete

Pete and Cady.

Also in attendance was Pete Bailoff, who was the screenwriter and producer I met in L.A. during my trip to California. He was excited to see me and we caught up on where things have gone since then.

Pete B, the writer/producer I met in LA
in Goin' Out to Cally.

Overall it was a tremendous time. I could not have asked for a more wonderful trip down memory lane. I'm still having flashbacks.

Doc Shelton

David "Doc" Shelton is one of those once in a lifetime teachers. His honesty is brutal, but accurate. His praise rare and therefore cherished. His expectations are high, yet achievable if you're willing to put in the work. He is unrelenting and wise and talented and funny.

This past week Doc officially retired as an acting teacher at the University of Florida after 30 years and many of us who were changed by this man came back to honor his influence in the theater and in our lives.

For me, Shelton provided an honest and encouraging influence. He was one of those really tough guys to please and, for whatever reason, you wanted to work hard enough to please him. To hear him say "Good job" was like winning an Oscar. Shelton was especially important to me because I was the first in my family to pursue acting so no one knew or understood the craft well enough to help me along, to push me. Shelton became that figure for me.

David "Doc" Shelton and Pete

Over my years at UF we spent hundreds and hundreds of hours at the Winnjammer bar where I learned more about life and theater than any class I ever took at UF. Even though he was my teacher and I was his student, I also felt as if he was my friend, my mentor and my greatest supporter. I was very fortunate to have been cast in two of his plays (Scenes and Revelation at UF and Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Hippodrome). And I was lucky enough to see him put his words into practice in a wonderful performance at UF in Curse of the Starving Class.

One of the enduring elements of a great teacher, of a powerful influence in your life is that their words have resonance, that they carry even more weight as time goes by. I cannot tell you how many times his words, his explanations, his expectations carried me over the past two decades. Now that my daughter is pursuing acting I find myself teaching her with the same words he taught me... and through teaching I have found myself finally understanding what Shelton was trying to teach me 20 years ago. I imagine how much better I would have been back then if I would have grasped the depth of his teachings as I do now. His words have resonated in me and now they resonate in my daughter.

Doc Sharing His Memories

After graduation, I was unsure of how much my friendship with Doc meant to him. After all, every four years he'd get a new bunch of students and I would just be someone in that class of '88. But, during his speech I knew I had at least a small piece in his heart as he quoted something I had said to him almost 20 years earlier. It meant a lot to me.

As was stated during his roast/awards ceremony, Doc Shelton was selfless. He gave his time, his concern, his influence and his friendship with no regard for what he got in return. And he did it for 30 years.

The University of Florida lost a rare jewel when "Doc" decided to retire. I am fortunate and blessed to have called him teacher, mentor and friend. His influence on me and my family will outlive both us.

And that's the sign of someone truly special.

Blessed at this Moment

This past Saturday I returned to my college to share in the retirement of a wonderful acting teacher. While there I got to see so many of my old college friends, most of whom I had not seen since college (I'll have more on that in a later post). I felt so lucky to have retained these friendships over the last two decades.

Then this Sunday I went to mass and, as I scanned the pews of the church, realized just how blessed we were. My wife and I started getting more involved in our church a few years ago and, because of this, we now have a large group of truly wonderful people that we can call friends... a faith community.

I looked from my pew to see my wife, singing in the Lifeteen band among her generous band mates, including the band leader, Cathy with her daughter Tiffany. Cathy's husband Greg in the pew in front of me, running the sound board. Their son Matt on the altar as one of the altar servers. My wife also sings in the band with Alexa and Terry who, along with the rest of their family, prayed for vocations with the Elijah Cup for a month straight.

I continued my watch, past my mother and father-in-laws sitting next to me and across the church where I could see most of the families involved in our Renew bible group that meets once a month... Nick and his family, Sara and Ted and their sons and Hugh's family. Nick I also see at the little league field with his family and I recently went to a DRays game with Sara and Ted.

I continue my gaze to spot all of the fellow homeschooling families and teens (over forty people in all) who have become a special part of our lives and who offer us genuine affectionate hugs after every mass. And then there are the Millers and Kelleys with whom we spend every Sunday night in an additional bible study and with whom we spend Tuesday mornings at mass with a priest, Father Mike, who has become very dear to us.

And I realized just how blessed we are... just how special this time in our lives really is... and how I shouldn't take it for granted. Things will change. People will move. Bible studies will end. Children will grow and bonds will dissipate. But right now, this moment, I looked across that church and felt like an integral part of this faith community. I felt blessed beyond my worth.

For however brief this lasts, I will cherish it and recognize it for what it is... something very rare and very special.

Paid to Shoot Video

At work, in my new position one of my responsibilities is to help promote our department to other areas in our large company. One key area my boss wants me to explore is video interviews talking of our successes.

So, this week I got paid to shoot video interviews. It was so cool. It allowed me to continue to practice with my HVX200 as part of my job.

The interviews

The cameraman

At my nine years at the company I never thought one of my primary jobs would be to shoot video.

We got some really good stuff and I'll be spending the next couple of weeks editing it together.

Confirmation

We were very blessed to have DC confirmed last night. It was a wonderful night, even though both DC and I were under the weather. Uncle Tim was her sponsor and the Bishop gave a moving homily, reading a letter from a woman soldier in Iraq who was confirmed four years prior.

Charles, Chaz and Elizabeth, along with Nonny and Poppy came for the event. It was a very nice and blessed evening.

DC and Father Mike

Tim and DC

Lifeteen Mass

Sunday we relaxed around the hotel, catching up on sleep and having the pool and sauna to ourselves. That night we went back to St. Timothy's to experience the original Lifeteen Mass. It was very interesting. To start, the church itself is not designed in a traditional Catholic church. There are no pews, really, but chairs. The church has two levels and is setup more like an amphitheater. Part of the design I like, the amphitheater style, but I missed the pews.

We settled into chairs and the mass began. The pastor started by asking for visitors and welcomed us kindly. The parents and kids were dressed in jeans and t-shirts, which I do not prefer, but this is also a college town, so it had that vibe going for it as well. I was a little concerned until the mass actually started. It was so reverent and loving and the homily was tremendous. By the end of the mass I felt the Holy Spirit was truly moving through this community. The mass was packed, the kids stood arm and arm and treated the Eucharist with great reverence.

It was a wonderful way to end our trip.

Tomorrow we're waking up early and traveling all day.

DBacks

After our excursion to the wild west at Rawhide we headed downtown to catch an Arizona Diamondbacks game at the impressive Chase Stadium. The stadium makes Tropicana Field, home of the Devil Rays, look like an archaic mess. Chase Stadium was very well designed with a retractable roof that opened the game to the dry, cool Arizona air. When things get too hot, they close it up and turn on the air conditioner.

I had always felt that St. Pete would be better served by buildling a similar stadium in place of the current Al Lang field, overlooking the bay. Close it during the summer heat, open it on cool nights.

We asked the ticket agent where to get the best seats and he picked some on the third level overlooking the field. They were great. You could see the entire game clearly and the tickets were only $15 each. Before heading to our seats, Gabe and I stood in the outfield during batting practice hoping to catch a homerun, but none came our way.

We made our way back to our seats when my cellphone rang. It was Gabe's little league coach. During this vacation, Gabe was missing a Mid-Season tournament. The coach called to say that the team had made it to the championship game and were hoping he would be back in time to help them pitch.

I told them, unfortunately, that we were not coming home until Monday. Gabe's team ended up losing 1-0 to East Lake in the Championship Game. I don't know the details, other than that our manager got kicked out of the game. Sounds interesting.

The Diamondback game was very exciting. The DBacks were playing the Colorado Rockies. The DBacks scored first, then the Rockies came back before the DBacks scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and won the game 5-4.

It was a great way to end the day. Arizona is now Gabe's (and DC's) favorite National League team.

Gabe and I watching batting practice from this vantage point.

The stadium rocks.

Dad and Gabe.

Mom and DC.

Final score... DBacks 5, Rockies 4

Near Death and Rawhide

Our trip to Arizona was originally meant to include a jaunt to Los Angeles, but that got scrapped. In the end, it turned out to be a good thing as, after the Canyon and Sedona, we were pretty tired of driving long distances. We spent Saturday morning heading to a place called Rawhide, which is a recreation of a Western town.

On the way there we almost got into a very serious accident. We were heading down the interstate and were starting down a one laned exit ramp when another car cut in front of us. At first, I noticed the car, but did not realize how slow they were going. Dea gasped and only then did I see that we were a second away from plowing into this car in front of us with 70 miles per hour impact.

I slammed on the brakes, the tires screeched and rubber smoked.

Funny what goes through your mind in a millisecond. I remember thinking, "Wow, we're going to really plow into this car!" and I could see the damage we were about to inflict. Dea said the thought that crossed her mind was "I should have gotten that rental car insurance." Funny, huh?

Anyway, as the tires screeched and smoked, the car in front of us moved to the right slightly and our car veered ever so slightly left toward the cement wall of the exit ramp. When the car stopped skidding we found ourselves with literally less than an inch on either side between the wall on the left and the opposing car on the right. The car in front of us continued down the road, apparently oblivious to the event and I sat, my heart racing and my legs feeling like rubber.

I continued down the road and the tires had a minor, rythmic thump in it from the flattened surface that was left in our skid marks on the ramp. When we got to the western town I got out of the car and confirmed my suspicion that, other than the burned rubber, the car was unscathed... nary a scratch. We all grabbed hands and thank God and our guardian angels for their divine protection.

With that we headed into the western town. It was a very cool place. We saw a quick draw show, had our picture taken in western gear and ate at an old fashioned saloon.

After the excitement from the drive to the town, the slowed pace of the western town made for a very relaxing morning.

The quiet western store.

Some scary cowpokes.

Gabe and DC take a ride.

Trick shooting behind him using a mirror.

Bang.

Dem der varmits are busted.

Gabe as a prospector.

Bang... again.

The Reception

The reception was held at a place called The Wright House, which has a large, elaborate courtyard that resembles an Italian courtyard. There were numerous levels, with tables spread about. We were greeted by four musicians playing classical music.

The reception was also the first time I had actually met Candyce in person. She seems to be such a loving and genuine person. Matt is a very lucky man. Both the families are very faithful and honest people. One could rarely see a better fit between man and wife as well as between in-laws.

Peter Smith gave a wonderful, heartfelt toast and we all enjoyed the celebration, food and family. Still suffering from east coast time, we were all pretty punchy and laughing quite a bit. By the end of the night, we were downright goofy.

We had a great time.

Greeted by music.

Sarah and Luke.

KT and Father Tim.

The happy couple.

The cake.

We're full of hot air.

The goof balls.

The Wedding

Matt and Candyce's wedding was held at St. Timothy's church, where the Lifeteen Mass originated. Behind the altar at this influential church is a large mural that represents the mass itself, where all of the Saints and Angels join us during the celebration of Jesus in the Eucharist. It was awe-inspiring artwork that really brought home what we take for granted every Sunday.

The ceremony itself was truly blessed. There were five priests in attendance (two for Candyce, two for Matt and the pastor of St. Timothy's)... I have never seen so many priests at a wedding before :) Emotions ran high during the wedding and we felt so honored to have been there. Matt Maher lead the touching music and the various other Lifeteen personalities, including Mark Hart who leads a teen bible study through Lifeteen called T3, was one of the readers as well.

We had such a wonderful time and, after the celebration, DC and Gabe were finally able to meet Matt M in person. We listen to his music everyday and they know most of his songs by heart. It was a big thrill to get to finally see him in person. He is truly a gift and a humble, warm gentleman.

After the wedding we hung around while the pictures were taken, joking and laughing with the family and then headed over to the reception...

The stunning, immense mural behind the altar.

We clean up real gooood.

Matt Maher leads the music during the wedding.

Matt and Candyce become one.

Gabe and DC get a picture taken
with Matt Maher, our favorite musician.

Matt's Bachelor Party

Matt asked me to join him at his bachelor party, for which I was honored. The plan was to go to this place called The Monastery, where we were to enjoy outdoor fun, such as volleyball, horse shoes, billiards, etc, but, as fate would have it, a cold front came through the desert and stuck us with an intense rain.

We huddled inside the small, smoke filled bar, which happened to be open mic night. So, Matt Maher, a roommate of Matt S., decided to celebrate the bachelor party by singing a few cover songs as well as a wonderful song he had written less that two days earlier.

In a previous post I had mentioned how much I had loved Matt Maher's music. It inspires me and lifts me up. I came across his music from my brother Charles. When I found out that Matt M and Matt S were roomies, I told Charles that I would pay Matt M. for his music if I ever got to see him in person. When I was introduced to him at the bachelor party, I pulled out the $50 I had specifically been saving for him and gladly handed it over, complimenting him on his wonderful musical gifts.

Despite everyone's exhaustion from the long day, we all had a wonderful time. Matt S has a great group of friends that were all impressive in their own ways. I was very happy to have been able to participate in the evening.

Hanging at the Smiths

We drove down from Sedona Thursday morning and went straight to the house the Smith family was renting. Staying at the house were Mary and Steve, Brian and KT and fam, Robbie and Kristi and fam, Peter, Paul, Andrew and Laura. Father Tim, from Atlanta, also came in for the wedding and was staying at the same Hampton Inn as us.

One of the greatest blessings we have is that our extended family loves being together. We spent all of Thursday morning over at the house, eating, laughing, joking, enjoying each others company. What a great trip this is turning out to be.

DC and Laura

Andrew and Paul on the couch, surfing the net.

Brian and Father Tim.

Dea and Kristi

Matt, DC and Dea.

Pete and Laura.