In 1992 I left my comfy managerial job with Marriott Corporation's, Courtyard by Marriott in Dallas, Texas, to move to Hollywood. I thought, had I chose to remain in Texas I would end up in a great job, but always wonder what my life "could have been." A few months after I was named Housekeeping's manager of the year, I felt the tug of an old heart string. I remembered a boyhood dream. I approached the hotel's General Manager, and resigned my position. I sold most of what I owned, packed my Plymouth Acclaim, and drove to California with my college buddy, Danny. He leaped at the chance to see the Golden State by way of interstate 10.

I set up camp in my grand uncle and aunt's guesthouse in South Central LA. I lived there for a year, bonding with the relatives who had lived and survived in LA for more than 30 years. My aunt Rozell was a hat designer, and action oriented person. She became my greatest supporter, friend, and confidant. Rozell was a great lady, believed wholeheartedly in what I was doing, and I learned many valuable lessons from her. One of my many favorites is the sage advice she gave on the pursuit of Hollywood. "Don't chase Hollywood, let it come to you." I understood what she was saying, but it took a few eye opening experiences to sink in.

I moved from South Central, and went to Burbank, home to The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Studios, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, and a bevy of famous TV and film icons, moving in and out of fame. I lived in the heart of the industry for nearly 4 years. My home was simple, on a corner lot, and was the social headquarters for friends, many of whom were young actors and entertainers starting out in show business. We had a house and backyard, while most lived in apartments. Burbank was home to many friends, awesome sword and salmon barbeques, Karaoke garage sales, with yours truly dressed in a tux, covering the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Johnny Hartman. On the garage sale signs around town was my black and white headshot with a microphone in hand. My classic number was, "I Gotta Be Me."

My roommate, Liza, became engaged to her long time, former, British boyfriend. I moved on. I was still pursuing acting credits at that time, and came up with an idea to produce a "how-to" video called, "How To Live and Survive in Hollywood." The concept was based on the ins and outs of Hollywood, from acting coaches, to the casting process. I volunteered for agents, managers, casting directors, and learned all I could about a TV and film career path. I studied the trajectory of the most successful actors, and even those who failed, and why. Little did I know that experience would be the beginning of a life cycle that would become the basis for my career. I bought a new VHS camcorder, and made my way around Hollywoodland, filming everything I could. One of my most memorable shots is when I stood on the rooftop of a Bally's garage and shot the Hollywood sign, Hollywood Tower apartment building, and the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.

I was reading a book called, "Bring Out the Magic in Your Mind," and putting into practice the basic principle from the book on manifesting through visualization and belief. I saw myself living as a rent free caretaker in a guesthouse while the owners vacationed in Europe. A week after I finished the book a friend called and asked if I would be willing to house sit while her parents vacationed in Idlewyld. "I accept," I boldly replied before she could formulate a complete sentence. You don't know what I am going to ask, she muttered, thinking I wouldn't dare accept because no money was attached. I moved into that guesthouse, and remained there as a caretaker for one year, rent free. It wasn't Europe, but far enough away where I got to have some kick ass pool parties.

The husband was the original Camel cigarette model, and his wife taught Daryl Hanna to scuba dive for the film, "Splash," starring Tom Hanks. They were a great couple, and became good friends. My friends and I got our first "Hollywood" press from a series of plays we produced. We were the buzz for a hot minute. It was "Three Short Plays," and we were the Wildebeest Theater Company.

Even my father whom I had not seen for 15 years made a surprised visit, sitting in the audience, unbeknownst to me until after the show. I do recall experiencing the strangest vibe throughout the day. A kind of nervous energy a child might experience at their first school play when they know their parents are coming to see their first performance. I had never had that experience as a child, and therefore couldn't relate the strange feeling to anything familiar. Later that evening my "old man" and I went to Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City, where everybody knew my name. I had been a waiter at Jerry's, and only gone a couple of months to do the show. Yet it appeared to my dad that I was a well known, successful actor, who'd just played to a standing room only audience. I loved it. And so did he. I think we both walked a little taller that evening. It was the first time we smoked a joint together. Sure, it was a moment.

The house was sold to some new, up and coming Hollywood actress. I moved and only saw my former landlords during Holidays or special occasions. Years later after my first client, Leah Pipes landed a new ABC TV series, starring the late, Gregory Hines, I took a trip abroad. I stayed with my former landlord's daughter, her husband, and their brand new baby girl. They had a cozy place outside Paris, near the Palace of Versailles.

A bit tired of the slower place in the Valley of LA, I opted for a more up town way of living, and moved to Rexford drive and Olympic blvd., in Beverly Hills. I had dreamed of living on Olympic when I first moved to LA, and there I was, for nearly 7 years.

Beverly Hills was luxury on steroids, exciting, and always bustling with activity. I spent many evenings jogging down Rodeo drive, cigars and cocktails at Chasens, spotting Frank Sinatra at the Peninsula, and News Year's eve parties at the Regent at Beverly Hills, where "Pretty Woman" was filmed. There were a great many first for me there. In fact that's where my role as personal manager began.

It's where OJ Simpson's daughter, Arnelle, crashed her black Saab into my living room window. That was my first brush with fame gone amuck. There were few ares around the city I could go without hearing people whisper, "there he is right there!" I felt like a low rent, Kato Kaelin, and went underground for a year. I got my first pilot series, "Crash." I liked that it was the backdrop to Arnelle Simpson's crash into my apartment. Talk Show personality, Leesa Gibbons' office called and requested an interview on Leesa's Show. The angle, 'People who become famous overnight.' "We'll send a limo...." Great.

I flew to Maryland while it was snowing, took a train to DC for 3 days of benging with an old friend from LA, living there. I rode off my hangover with the most scenic view up to Philadelphia into Penn Station, New York. Having traveled to many major city airports around the World, I find that there is no energy, like NY energy anywhere else.

It was a life dream to spend Christmas in NY. A Hologram exhibit, and Robert Mapplethorpe's nude photography exhibit at the Guggenheim, still rank as a monumental experience. Two of my friends who happen to be married to each other, just happened to be in NY that Christmas, and the three of us managed to spend the evening dashing from the Plaza, to the Palace, to the Waldorf, having the time of our lives. We closed the night at Johnny Depp's place, Man Ray, in Chelsea. I went to Amsterdam, smoked at a Coffee shop, and argued the merits of America's position after the ill fated, September 11th World Trade Center bombings.

I counted every step up and down the Tower of Triumph, having to walk since the elevator lift was broken. I road the rivers Sein and Thymes. I was transformed by the photographer, Yann Arthus Bertrand's moving images in an "Earth From Above," worldwide, traveling exhibition, then visiting London's Natural History Museum.

London was not exactly what I had envision for most of my life. I love the British. I had to adjust to seeing what happens to a city when it has been bombed, and war has been waged against it. Hundreds of years are but a blink.

Beverly Hills is where I became friends with music legend, Little Richard, hung out with Barbara Sinatra at the Bel Air hotel, and had frequent dinners at Spago. Wolfgang is one cool cat. I opened Studio 1. I discovered a group of talented actors whose careers I managed, while establishing a reputation as one of Hollywood's top child manager, coaches. One of the most recognized discoveries from Studio 1 is "Lovely Bones," co-star, Nikki SooHoo. I jumped started Nikki' career when she was 14 years old. Our relationship lasted for 10 years. Sweet and sour. Beverly Hills was also a place where, when broke, you still feel like a millionaire.

Where Beverly Hills was up town, downtown LA was a boom town. The city of LA had long lost the identity of its center, if it has ever really had one. There was however a real life verge a happening. Downtown La now ranks among the top cities in America as a world class, sports and entertainment mecca. The Staples Center, hosting the LA Lakers, Sparks, Hockey teams. There is the Nokia center boasting some of the biggest concerts. Iconic star Michael Jackson's body was flown by helicopter to the coroner, located downtown, a path directly over my apartment balcony. Even through my tears I felt the urge to throw a rock from the balcony, hitting the helicopter, proving to everyone that I really was just a stones throw away. But I knew better. Jamming the propeller would have led to all kinds of trouble I was not prepared to deal with. Michael Jackson was eulogized at the Staples, and Nokia Centers, while telecast around the world. Later that afternoon, Barnum and Baily Circus moved into the Staples Center for their LA stint. I thought it was a great way to celebrate the gone-to-soon, star.

I lived next door to the epic, Disney Hall, and loved time with friends at the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson theaters. The Dorothy Chandler is former home to the Oscars, and showcases Pavarotti whom I've seen numerous times at LA Opera. Its LA's version of New York's Broadway, and Kennedy Center rolled into one. City Hall was the lit building off my bedroom, and the Financial District was my backyard. Bunker Hill.

Downtown is where I was challenged by two of my studio students, who asked if I had ever been an actor. Taking their challenge, I went to work in an Long Beach, ICT, Operetta, "Once on This Island." I was a song and dance man all over again. And that was something I had not done in nearly 20 years. It was a joy, but I did feel like a David Hasslehoff making his Broadway debut. You have the right to be there, but you have to work three times as hard as everybody else. I followed up with a series of commercials, a reality series called "Off The Leash," on Lifetime TV, and started the part of my career where I got to reconnect with dogs. I helped start the first international canine agency, LePaws, owned and operated by my friends, Michelle and Stuart. I went from a mere manager who discovers talented people, to a manager, producer, and TV personality, and pet whisperer. Downtown was headquarters for my Company where I made the decision to accept the offer from "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" for Sierra McCormick against her agents advice. The decision launched her into a consistent, working actress.

I became a personal manager of RJ Mitte, landing critically acclaimed, "Breaking Bad," when he was only 13 years old. Now known for his advocacy work with disability groups, and Civil Rights organizations around the Country, RJ, myself, and friend, Teri, created the RJ Mitte Diversity award, given to an outstanding young person who exemplifies the ideals we hold strongly to.

For eight years, I called downtown LA, and its swanky artistic neighborhoods home, living both on the 5th and 15th floors over the course of those years. I closed out my time there by attending the Oprah Winfrey show with my then client, Desreta Jackson of "The Color Purple," fame. The Oprah Show celebrated the 25th anniversary of "The Color Purple" with cast members, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Rae Dawn Chung, Margaret Avery, Willard Pugh, and African princess, Akosua Busia, all in attendance.

Being on the 15th floor had its advantages, to be sure. Great city views, quiet at night, and incredible winds whipping through my apartment as a welcomed and familiar character. But after a while I sorely missed the ground. I thought the answer was a more suburban life, and I went back to the Valley. This time I went to Sherman Oaks. It was a little too, suburban. While bemoaning how much I missed the pace and rhythm of downtown, a friend suggested that what I really missed were my creature comforts. Eureka! That was it. The very next morning I drove my rental car to Beverly Hills, thinking it was time to go back to where it all began. But there was a problem I had not anticipated. I had gone to my home in Texas during December and spent 3 months there before returning to LA. Two weeks before I left, I met the loves of my life, two long haired Chihuahua's I call Sam and Sadie. They are my traveling companions, more accurately, my children. Ugh. Beverly Hills isn't as dog friendly as one would hope.

West Hollywood wasn't much better, and I could see that finding the right place in that oh so, chic neighborhood would take more time than I had on my rental. The idea to try Hollywood flashed through my mind. I was truly surprised by this thought, never imagining I would live in Hollywood at this point in my life. A friend I visit often lives on Gramery. I thought I would check out his street. After all, Gramercy, on the other end of town was the same street I lived on when I first moved to LA with my uncle and aunt, nearly 20 years ago. The Gramercy place apartment building was perfect. It had a secure lobby, parking (huge in LA), and I was on the top floor. Fortunately they don't accept dogs, and that sent me on my way. Since I was in a rental, I thought it was a good idea to look, for kicks and giggles at the new building on the corner of Franklin and the 101, LaBelle. I have always had an aversion for living in a building built next to a major freeway, and didn't think seriously about being a resident there. But it was a cool looking structure, next to the historic Hollywood Tower, and across the street from the famed 101 Cafe. I met a hip leasing manager who happened to share my last name. The irony, I thought. He was great, explained that the Company owned both buildings, and the Hollywood Tower had recently been renovated. I couldn't believe what I saw. Talk about tailor made for me, the bold, rich colors, authentic decor, period restoration, and classic jazz playing in the lobby. The clincher is the rooftop terrace, offering a panoramic view of the city. Most importantly, a view of downtown LA to the left, Beverly Hills to the right, and downtown Hollywood directly across the freeway in front of me. Oh and the Hollywood sign sits high up in the hills behind. Can this really be real I wondered. Right now, at this time in my life? 20 years ago I left my Texas home for Hollywood. And in those two decades, I lived everywhere except Hollywood. And now, I'm here.

It was a week after moving into the Hollywood Tower that it all begin to sink in. I was on the rooftop terrace with a couple of friends. While looking across the city in the dark night, one friend calls out to me, causing me to look in his direction, and immediately see a light flash before my eyes. Wow! I exclaimed. That was cool. What? he asked, excited to share with me something he too had seen in a flash. 20 years ago I stood on that rooftop across the freeway filming a "How to Live and Survive in Hollywood," video. I shot footage of the Hollywood sign, this building where we now stand, and that Presbyterian Church just in the distance. In this beautiful moment, I just saw that I am standing on the other side of the lens.

Welcome to Hollywood, where I Live and Thrive.

The idea to travel with dogs began with my Lifetime series, "Off The Leash." I first flew to Chicago for an entertainment conference. I was already shooting Off The Leash, and considered bringing cameras to Chicago because it was a known fact that Chicago was a dog friendly, kind of town.

The next trip I took was a month later, Vancouver, Canada, and this time, cameras were there to film my scene with TV co-stars, Ranji, and her great dane, Yampa. I loved that dog. I called Yampa the George Clooney of canine actors.

My next trip is to Johnson City, Tennessee. RJ Mitte, from Breaking Bad on AMC, and I are taking a trip to East Tennessee State University as guest speakers. More specifically, RJ is the guest speaker, invited to address a group of students.