No rest for the wicked, the traveling continues.... Am back in London for another project in the glittery world of entertainment. This time it's about theatrical film distribution. It is quite fun to see behind the curtains of this business and how Hollywood's magic makes it all the way into the living rooms and movie theaters of the world. Now all that is needed is some decent content ;-)
Consultant by day, I am writing the thesis for my Masters in Transformational Psychology at nights. Hotel rooms can be rather helpful for focusing (although it is tough to resist the enticing world of London's Soho right outside my window). My thesis will serve as the foundation for a book I am hoping to write next year, but no promises ;-) Am learning to not overcommit myself, which I think is a good lesson... If you are interested in what I am up to, you can read an abstract of the thesis if you read on...

I can't believe it has already been another year again... Last year at this time I had just dissolved my household here in LA, had packed up all my books in boxes in my friend's garage, and was getting ready to retreat to Switzerland to work on Six Sigma for Your Life. Then January came, and before I knew it, I found myself in LA again visiting from LA, then the two-month whirlwind tour through Europe in the summer, back to LA, then the Writers' conference, and right away a whole pile of new and exciting projects as I am heading into a new year:

Am preparing to write my thesis dealing with the megalomaniac idea of actually describing a morally and traditionally neutral concept of the meaning of life from a transformational perspective over the next two months, which should be fun - contact me if you are interested in a copy.

Also preparing to launch another iteration of Six Sigma for Your Life next year. The feedback I received on the first round was great, and I look forward to making the program even better. Initial prestudies my brother did for his PhD research showed that everyone who took the program this summer and filled out both pre- and post-test stress surveys, actually improved their stress coping behavior. Actually met one of the people who took the program for the first time last Saturday. She was thrilled to report the successes she had achieved: how she had given up coffee, how she felt more at peace, and how she had become much nicer to the people around her. It was thrilling to hear and I am grateful beyond belief that what I love to do actually had a positive effect on somebody else. Onward to the next round!

Then, of course, I am preparing for the next round with the Center for Conscious Creativity, with some exciting projects coming up there as well. Outside of that, I am working on the twenty or so other projects, took on a class in Hermetic studies, am meeting wonderful and interesting people with all kinds of potential, and trying to find time to enjoy the lovely garden I get to live and work in.

Finally, I am - as far as I know right now - also slated for another five week all-over-Europe-trip coming up in the next couple of weeks for another work project. We will see...

It will definitely be another interesting year. For now, I finished the last one quite delightfully, with a full on joymonkey weekend. Went party-hopping on Saturday with a few friends all decked out in a fez hat and jelaba (as you can see on the right). Then on Sunday, I went into the studio to record the second "Joymonkey Featuring the Participants" CD called "Who is creating Your Reality?" in preparation for my upcomning thesis/book of the same title with some amazing and lovely musicians, poets, artists. Already burning to listen to the outcome, and can't wait to post things for your listening pleasure ;-)

Overall, a delightful year, and all kinds of wonderful prospects for the next. Thank you for having been a part of my life this year!

Of course tons has happened since the last entry (including going to Germany for a weekend and celebrating my aunt's birthday there as a suprise guest and then going voting for the first time in 12 years - whole lot to say about that...). But one of the reasons I have not had time to update this site is that I am having the great pleasure to help organize the following conference. Just finished the program for it (learned a lot about graphic design that I never wanted to know). I also have the utter pleasure of sitting on the Consciousness panel, which I am really looking forward to. There will be some amazing people at this conference and I can't wait to connect and talk with some of them...

Storytelling and the Future of Content Oct. 7–9, 2005 ...Over 60 Authors, Agents, Editors and Authorities from the Transmedia & Consciousness worlds ...Over 40 Workshops, Panels & General Sessions ...Keynote Speakers Friday, Saturday & Sunday... ... and much more! THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. Or have we changed the world? As writers and content creators, change is the very fabric of our existence. As storytellers, our charge is to engage the audience with tales of characters overcoming obstacles that result in purposeful change. Regardless of genre, from international thrillers to intimate portraits of personal transformation, our stories offer visceral validation of who we are, or who we are not, or who we most aspire to be.   For those involved in writing, developing, or producing stories for the commercial marketplace, the trends of tomorrow are being shaped by four factors today: Science, Technology, Creativity and Consciousness. Whether it be for books, video games, film & TV or Podcasts, and regardless of genre, one irrefutable truth remains absolute: story must transcend technology if it’s to have any lasting value. Digitainment is extending the reach of storytellers. Coupled with a heightened mainstream interest in consciousness and spirituality, as evidenced by the popularity of The Da Vinci Code, or movies such as What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?, National Treasure and Pay It Forward, and the prospects for affecting inclusive, positive change through our fiction and nonfiction in this growing global market is like never before. The SCWC has empowered writers with the vital tools for getting to market for 19 years, having facilitated nearly $3 million in book and screen deals. This year in Los Angeles we explore the trends, technology and future of creative convergence. In Los Angeles, we explore the potential of possibility Taisen Deshimaru once said that "Time is not a line, but a series of now points." Well the time is now. Join us at the Fourth Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference *Los Angeles. Now is the time for you to write and create! SCWC*LA 4 LOCATION The conference will be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, which sits on some 26 acres of manicured majesty, a mere three miles away from LAX. Address: 1400 Parkview Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Phone: (800) 228-9290. Discounted lodging rates are available to SCWC*LA conferees. Conference dates are October 7-9, 2005. Here are some of the exciting sponsors who are supporting this event: Founded by professional authors devoted to addressing the needs of writers of every level, in its 19-year history nearly $3 million worth of book and screen deals have been signed as a result of material and contacts nurtured at the Southern California Writers' Conference. In 2004 alone, four past conferees' books were published as a direct result of our efforts.