Updated 8/25/08
This was me, July 31st 2005. I weighed over 314 pounds.
You read that right. As part of my Comedy class, I wrote a stand up routine about my weight loss. Not only did I do that as a final for final exams, but I was also asked to reprise it for a showcase at Towson. It was a thrill to be infront of many Towson theatre staff and students. The routine went VERY well and got a lot of laughs. Now I really want to persue comedy further... not necessarily as a stand up comedian, as I also discovered I loved doing clowning in comedy class. (No, I didn't put on a red nose and whiteface, this is clowning based on character, not a run of the mill circus clown)
On November 8, 2006, at 3am, my brother Brian and his wife JeNae welcomed AUTUMN RUTH KAISER. She weighed 8lbs. 14 oz, was 21 1/2 inches long, and has brown hair.
Here she is about to take her first car ride!
The tired and proud parents!
I spoke to Richard on his radio show, and I was pleasantly surprised to see me mentioned on his site. Here is what he said...
Richard's Daily Message Saturday October 28, 2006 OH, WHAT A FEELING! You can think about it, you can dream about it, but once you do it, it`s better than any thought or any dream that you ever had! I think these 2 people that I will tell you about today will agree with me. You can think about losing weight, you can dream about losing weight, but when you lose a lot of weight, oh, what a feeling! I`ve had the pleasure of speaking with Matt from Maryland on my radio show. His highest weight was 314 pounds. He had lost some weight, but was at a standstill last October when we spoke the first time. I explained my program to him, and Matt took it seriously. The second time we talked, which was in May, he was down 88 pounds! Over these months, Matt has continued to shed the pounds with another 43 pounds gone. Matt has now lost a total of 131 pounds! "I switched from diet sodas to flavored waters and cut down significantly on snacking. I now weigh 183 pounds! My goal is to get down to 174 pounds by my 33rd birthday on November 19." And I know you will, Matt! You have worked very hard this past year and a month, and I know you will continue on your road to health! Do you think about losing weight? How often? Do you dream about getting the pounds off? Do what Matt did! Put your thoughts and dreams into action! Have a fun day! Love, Richard
The Adding Machine was a great experience! It was fun, but also a LOT of hard work. Here is a promotional picture that was used. You can see me with the overalls to the right of Mr. Zero, the bald man in the center.
After 15 good years, my Toyota Corolla engine went kaput. My mom and stepfather bought me that car when I was 18 years old, and on that same day, I had gotten my driver's license. That car has been through all 3 phases of my college life at CCC, UMBC, and Towson University. Well, recently I have ventured into the world of owning my OWN car. Grandma Kaiser had left behind some money for myself and my brother, and I knew that nothing would thrill my Grandma more than to use it to buy a brand new car. In her honor, I am naming my car "Ruthie".
More miscellaneous info about me
Born in: Severn Md. on November 19th, 1973
Current residence: Catonsville, MD.
Favorite game shows: Match Game, The Price is Right, Treasure Hunt, Whew!
Game shows I dislike: Anything Stone/Stanley (except Fun House), and Three's A Crowd.
Education history: Graduated from Catonsville High School in 1991, graduated from Community College of Baltimore County with an A.A. in general studies in 1994, transfered to U.M.B.C one semester later, left U.M.B.C in 1996. Currently going after B.A. in theatre at Towson University
Theatrical experiences: Minor roles in two plays in middle school, Juan's Story and Death Valley Days. Two years of acting courses at CHS, Minor roles in Lil Abner, Pajama Game, Mame. Participated in Kids on the Block, a puppetry group that goes to elementary schools teaching kids about drugs, alcohol, and other issues in life. Also 2 years of acting courses at CCC, minor roles in The Actor's Nightmare and Grease, Play Production and one year of acting at U.M.B.C., Cameo in Bikini Academy, as a telegram deliveryperson. Cameo in Honky the Movie, Father in Bringing it All Back Home, and executioner and Joe in The Adding Machine.
Currently work at: Seven-Eleven in Catonsville, since 1993.
Other places I've worked: Banneker Community Center- summer camp (Summer of 1989), Mc.Donalds (1991, for six months) and Docktor Pet Center (1991-1993)
Pets: Tiger, an orange tabby.
I am a 34 year old single student. There's so much going on at Towson University. You can read about it below!
Brian, JeNae, me, and the star of The Price is Right's star!
I got my start in acting at Catonsville High School. Mrs. Bannister's class had a very unique style to it. We never sat at desks writing notes. We actually PERFORMED, and did many different kinds of things. I did monologues, scenes, improvisations, a little pantomime, various theatre games and exercises, and countless fun activities. This class was very fulfilling and fun. In the two years I took theatre at CHS, I've had the pleasure of working with 40+ people who were the best. We were definitely a family. It's also the only class where I've recieved over 40 greeting cards for the holidays, and believe it or not, I still have them. Sadly Mrs. Bannister is no longer teaching, as she left the teaching profession in '96.
The "family" element that was there in high school has been hit and miss as my education continued. The classes I took at Catonsville Community College (CCC) were fun, but not as good as CHS. UMBC was a very unfortunate experience where every opportunity I might have had was never offered to me, and doors were slammed in my face. They didn't care about me nor my interests in acting. They tried to force me to go in a direction I didn't want to go, and I had to leave.
I thought for the longest time that I could never have an experience that topped my previous efforts in acting, but Towson University, so far, has been very fulfilling. I am having the time of my life, and I am hopeful my acting experiences won't end anytime too soon. Towson is much like a Renaissance for me, and I am just loving it. Mime class, Acting classes, movement, vocal training, Acting II, Comedy class, and more! My Acting I class presented me with several new challenges, and also helped me to get more opportunities, including two roles in The Adding Machine. Acting II was a challenge as well, but my true love is comedy, so I was grateful to have opportunities to make people laugh in Comedy class. Making people laugh is the greatest thing in the world to me.
Working on The Adding Machine reminded me of how much hard work is put into a show. We had fun doing movement and vocal warmups to prepare for the show, and the makeup proved to be a challenge and/or a burden for everyone involved. Most of the cast kept up a positive attitude. In the end, everyone was running on fumes, but we put on 7 great shows. We also had a great cast party!
As mentioned above, I had taken a voice class and a movement class at Towson recently. UMBC offers similar classes, but you must pass an audition to get in. Of course I never passed their auditions, but thankfully I was given a chance at Towson! In my entire academic career, I have never taken two classes that were more difficult and challenging. Vocal training was physical, and involved a lot of stretching. I've always been told that my speech does have some problems, but somehow, I made it through and passed. Movement training was equally difficult, trying to master all the movement routines. I passed my movement class too! UMBC's theatre department simply failed to see any potential in me. With the success I've gotten at Towson, I often wonder what might've been if I never went to UMBC and just went to Towson instead.
Towson University recently changed their policy where they now screen potential acting students in order to get into the acting track. In other words, just the same as UMBC is doing. However, I know that their screening process is different. Instead of throwing you with a group of people that you've never worked with and looking at everyone for an hour, they have students do monologues and then talk to the students about the goals they want. In other words, it's a more fair process. Still, I wonder if I would've been given a chance at all if I had entered Towson now instead of 3 years ago. I am thankful I entered the theatre dept. when I did.
I have been on the internet for about many years now. I've loved every minute of it, and hope to keep contact with all these new people I've met!
I have always loved game shows. I remember watching "Password Plus", "Match Game", "The Price is Right" and "Whew!" way back in the kindergarten days!
When I discovered Netscape and Game Show Pages, I thought I must be in heaven!
Match Game is my all time fave, but other real faves are Password Plus and Super Password, TPIR, Whew!, The Challengers, Play the Percentages, The $20k Pyramid, Treasure Hunt, The Joker's Wild, Double Dare (Trebek) and The Better Sex.
My other interests include theatre, Radio shows, and comedy classic films. When I graduate, I'd like to somehow persue comedy by creating characters and performing, or perhaps do more stand up. Basically, almost any opportunity where I feel my talents are best suited, I'll do. I am a big fan of Jack Benny, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, Burns and Allen, and even Abbott and Costello. I also like musicals, and when I get a chance, I love to be acting in college productions.
Here are some people whom I wish to acknowledge
Vinnie Simonton- A posthumous thanks to the late Vinnie. Vinnie was the manager of 7-11 for 25 years until brain cancer sidelined him in 2004. He died on January 1, 2005. Vinnie was very much like Sesame Street's Mr. Hooper, cranky at times, but also nice other times. He really gave me a very firm grasp on how to run a convienience store. 7-11 hasn't been at all the same since his death and he is still missed till this day
Peter Wray- Acting II teacher. He was very thorough in his techniques, and gave me a lot to think about in my acting. If you happen to come across the movie Blades, look for Peter in a small role
Anna Brockmeyer- Anna is a regular 7-11 customer whom is very free spirited and never fails to make my working at that store a more pleasurable experience. A true friend and inspiration.
Chris Moore- Chris is a very talented friend whom I met doing The Adding Machine, and we worked together in comedy class. He's given me great support and feedback on my work and I hope will continue to do so.
Crystal Simoneau- Crystal is a very talented and funny person, and I had the greatest pleasure working with her in comedy and directing. Here's hoping somehow we'll work together again.
Steve Satta- My vocal teacher, for his mix of encouragement and constructive criticism. He can be a tough teacher, but thankfully I am going in the right direction and I wanted to acknowledge him for that
Tomi Casciero- My movement teacher and mime teacher, and now a mentor as I explore comedy. Movement class has proven to be a major challenge for me, and his zany humor mixed in with genuine compassion for students is to be admired. Tomi has performed as a mime, and I recently found out that I saw one of his mime acts when my brother and I were kids!
Michelle Ginsberg- After about a decade, I recently got an opportunity to reunite with this wonderful CCC alum. that I was in the play Grease with. I will be working with her on various theatre related things. We had some wonderful times with Grease, and I am hopeful that we can continue to work together.
Danielle Cintron- I am so grateful to Danielle for giving me such a wonderful role in Bringing it All Back Home. I never had a role like this, especially one so large. It was great fun, and a great challenge for me. I had an opportunity to work with her again in Adding Machine.
Diane Smith-Sadak- Another acting teacher, and director of The Adding Machine, for allowing me an opportunity to do a major stage production!
Gabrielle Grande- Gabrielle was my partner for my final scene project in my Acting for Non Majors class at Towson, and she reminded me how much fun acting can be, and she brought me so much joy and fun into my life during the semester she was at Towson. Gabrielle has moved to New York, and unfortunately, we are no longer in touch with each other. I still feel I need to acknowledge her, however.
Peggy Penniman- My first acting teacher at Towson University. She has helped me with my scene and monologue work beyond Acting I and I am thankful for that. Thank you, Peggy, for giving me my first opportunity at Towson to sharpen my acting skills and for giving me a chance to make people laugh.
Megan Nelson- From my high school days, I will never forget her influence or her talents. Great memories and great times. Megan now resides in England.
Mrs. "Kitty" Bannister- The high school teacher that got me interested in theatre. Kitty, I hope you'll come across this page someday. I'd also like to thank Mrs. Bannister for inspiring me to do more with theatre. She was once a very unique teacher, and pretty much let me do ANYTHING. She actually gave me PLENTY of opporunities to challenge myself performance wise. I wish I knew what she was doing these days, and hope she's well.
Marla Wickless- Marla is everything you could ask for in a true friend. Supportive, truly kind, caring person. I had the pleasure of doing many theatre activities with Marla as well.
Brenda Maloney- Brenda is another gem of a friend. She is another member of my second family, my high school theatre class.
Kim Liptrap- Yet another member of my second family. She designed my "Flying Ace Dedication" award, which I still treasure, Kim is another example of true kindness.
This page is dedicated to these wonderful people, who are living legends in my mind. I admire their spirit, kindness and dedication, and thank them endlessly for their inspiration. I'll never forget them!
Special thanks also go to...
All the people I work with at Seven Eleven- Some I've known FOREVER!
Ed "South" Boligny- For giving me many chances to do what I love to do. I thank him for allowing me the opportunity to do his film, and hope to participate in his future projects. Ed is also a model game show contestant and a Daddy!
My internet buddies- who have provided me with some terrific game show trades. Some of them I've talked to live, some I've seen live on videotape, some I've met in person! IM is the greatest!
Justin Dyer, Imad Khuri, Steven Bentley, John Ricci, Jamie Lockin, Jason Stone, JW Justice, Marc Green, Beatmaster, Jamie Locklin, Eric Paddon, Kris Lane, Chuck Donegan, Jaimal Ware, Linda Johnson, Matt Sittel, Chris Jaunsen, Rick Ambrozic, Lee Hubbard, Jake Tanner, Michael Klauss, Mike Dudas, Tim Connolly, Mike Shannon, Jason Hancock, Jay Silverman, David Livingston, Jeff Jones, Lntenn, Nicholas J. Mooneyhan, Jason Bereza, Paul "The Flea", Tammy Warner, Noiel Spearman, Brad Francini, Jon Hobden, Tony Harrison, Ian Wallis,Joey Wehmann, Nick Johnson, Stephan Mynarkiewicz, Mark Sinsabaugh, Jason(J-Man)Coleflesh, "Trader Rob" Homa, Rocco Thibodeau, Jon Wood, James Fabiano, Charles Hodges, Howard Wilson, Matt Scott, Chris Lambert, Brian "Sonicwhammy" Sapinski, Adam Nedeff, Marshall Akers, Jerry Adkins, Jason Antoniewicz, Robert "Robair" Mackey, Jared Rainer, Brian Schwartz, Justin Lollie Thad Dixon, Mitch Groff, Brad Jaufmann, Paolo Burgos, Greg Duncan, Philip Cousin Mike Montgomery, Bob Staub, Brent Frank, Joe Raygor, Chris Nendel, Ray Dinally, Ryan Gagne, Robert Seidelman and Russ Scottfield
Special thanks also to Mike Dudas and Brian Straley for the use of their scanner to scan these photos. Another thanks to Brian Straley for doing repairs on videotapes and my VCR in order to keep my collecting hobby going.
Grandma Kaiser and me, November 2004. This is one of her final pictures with me
On May 21, 2005 we lost our Grandma Kaiser. I will never forget her eternal optimism, easygoing personality, and her love for people in general. She loved puzzles, word games, playing cards and drinking coffee. So, join me please in raising our coffee mugs to Grandma.
Wanna know more?
The Match Game production I did in 98- NOW WITH PICTURESYou can read about my most recent Match Game, at Port Discovery. Click HERE to read more about it!