October 6, 2026
New York City
Dear Gary,
Yesterday I worked in New York City. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day, so I opted out of the subway and walked from my hotel on 29th up to the office on 47th. Along the way, dodging people and traffic and bikes and smells, I was reminded that I love the energy of the city but also remembered that I could not live here. I’ve tried a number of times, but it swallows me up. The city is like candy, a little bit for me, goes a long way. I often refer to the time I lived here in the late 80s as the “dark night of my soul.” Too much candy, it turns out, can almost kill you.
That’s why Comfort is a good place for me. It’s quiet and easy. The water calms me when I dive into it. I feel more centered there, less likely to eat the metaphorical candy.
Last night I went to dinner with my friend Eddy and then we went to see “The Odyssey.” It’s the loudest movie I’ve ever experienced, but it’s good. And if you are inclined, see it in a theater. It’s epically scaled.
Lately, I’ve been mentoring and counseling young people as they make their way into the entertainment business. I’ve fallen into the trope of asking them for their five or ten year plans.
It does make them think for a minute…but no one, so far, has been able to really articulate where they want to be.
At 27, I decided I wanted to be a writer and filmmaker….and went to the land of the Lotus Eaters to make that happen. Despite my intentions, life had other plans…and I ended up in television, but never with any master plan. I bumped along, lifted by some, moved by others and ultimately had a successful career.
Things worked out, even as I encountered sirens and Cyclops and lost mates along the way. Odysseus tried to control fate, and ultimately couldn’t. Every time I made plans, God, or the Gods, laughed. But I ultimately ended up in a good place, where I was supposed to be.
I asked Conor the other day, what’s your five year plan…and he bristled and said he didn’t have or want one. And it made me think. He’ll be fine. He’ll make his way.
I’m going to stop asking people about their life plans.
Heck, I don’t even know where I’ll be in five years. I’ve got things mapped out until the end of March. That’s it. And right now, that’s fine.
I miss you…but am so glad I’m going to see you this weekend.
Stephen