Many revered analogies have a flavorful component. We strive for the taste of success. We eat up a good movie or book. A terrific new band sounds tasty. And a good comedian has his audience eating out of his hand.
So my name is Scott Schalin, and I’d like to swallow as much of this planet as I can before it escapes me.
Background nonsense…I began my communications career working for Stephen J. Cannell Productions as a Production Coordinator for such TV shows as 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy and The Commish.
At the same time, I also worked as a freelance writer and editor for such publications as SPIN, Billboard, RIP, BAM, Request and Music Connection. I wrote hundreds of features on sports stars and some of the most popular bands of this era, including Metallica, Van Halen, AC/DC, the Ramones, Stone Temple Pilots, Motley Crue and Tool.
While working on some of Larry Flynt’s music magazines, I was offered an Editorship at Hustler (yes, they really do have articles) and worked my way up Flynt’s Fortress of Fantasy in Beverly Hills. I helped launch several new, successful magazine titles and was soon promoted to Executive Editor of Chic and Pure.
I migrated to a fledgling online entertainment company in 1996, where I became the Creative Director of a newly formed online corporation called, Interactive Gallery Inc. (IGI). IGI created a slew of sports, info and entertainment websites, and I was proud to eventually become the President of the company overseeing more than 100 employees. As sales grew, IGI was courted and eventually purchased by the publically traded media giant New Frontier Media.
After the purchase, all operations were moved to Boulder, Colorado, and I remained near my family in Los Angeles. I partnered with a former business ally to become the President and partner of Herbal Groups Inc., a marketing company specializing in selling a variety of all-natural health and fitness products. I worked with the company for 16 years before recently deciding to move to Seattle and pursue my first passions of writing and photography.
Throughout my marketing career, my writing continued as I embraced my love of travel, food and football. I was a restaurant critic for Examiner.com. I also was named the first Executive Editor for the Green Bay Packers website (www.packers.com).
When I’m not tapping at the keys, I’m sipping martinis while creating new culinary concoctions in the Seattle kitchen I share with my best friend and beautiful wife, Leslie, the kindest nurse on the planet. There’s usually a gaggle of rescue cats milling around the cutting board searching for scraps.
But then, in a way, we’re all searching for scraps. But I digest…