Hi everyone.

So, I've been doing a bunch of interviews over the past couple of months, and I realized something yesterday. I'm running out of things to say about myself because honestly, there isn't a whole lot to say. I'm simple folk, folks. I don't have a million stories, I don't get involved in drama, or Hollywood, or glamour. I'm really just some guy. If I hadn't grown up in LA, I probably would have ended up doing community theater somewhere in between my part time job, filling the Hawaiian Punch machine at the chuckle cheese factory. So, to talk about myself in great detail is just inherently strange for me and I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

There's no need to look up every interview I've done in the past 6 months. You're gonna start to see the same answers over and over again. Here's really all you need to know…

-I had fun working on Twilight, Joan of Arcadia, and Stargate.
-My favorite color is blue.
-I'm a drummer.
-I like movies and music.
-Acting is my life.
-I only watch sports during playoffs.
-I used to play poker.

Other than that, there's not a heck of a lot to say about myself. I have tons of things to say on other topics (just ask my girlfriend), like politics, but why would anyone want to hear me talk about that? To quote Jason Bateman, “I'm just a dumb actor who didn't go to college.” So where does this leave me? I'm lost here kids. I just want to act, hang out, and check in with you guys every now and then. Simplicity is the key to happiness. I don't need anything else.

And now, with your indulgence, a rant…

Celebrity culture has gotten so vapid and arbitrary. It seems that Hollywood has forgotten its role in the world. The priorities have shifted so far into a corporate system of meaningless “fame,” things like quality and substance aren't even in the vernacular of today Hollywood executive. And by the way, there should be a reason for being famous. Good marketing and white teeth don't qualify as talent (sorry LC).

Our JOB is to bring you stories that stimulate your emotional sensors in order to keep you thinking, feeling, and dreaming. Art is an important tool in keeping us alive, connected, and always searching for truth… Within that, our role as actors basically consists of dancing like monkeys for your viewing pleasure. This is why I don't approve of actor arrogance and a demeanor of self-importance. You're a monkey! Shut up and dance monkey!! You're not more valuable than anyone else. You should be grateful just to BE a monkey. It's a blessing…

Anyway, my point is this, and then we'll move on. There is a place in the world for The Hills, Tila Tequila, TMZ, and all the other forms of empty, escape entertainment. But there HAS to be balance. Emotionally and intellectually, that stuff is the equivalent of fruit roll ups, and who can sustain a long-term diet of fruit roll ups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? It doesn't work. Somewhere along the line, Hollywood has a responsibility to stimulate brain activity and put something out into the public that isn't just a generic, moneymaking machine (i.e. Disaster Movie). It's not just about money Hollywood! We have a monopoly over public entertainment, and with great power comes… well you know.

Alright, enough of that…

Rehearsals for Speech and Debate are going extremely well. Tickets are on sale now at theblank.com. September 13- October 26. Four shows a week, Thursday- Sunday. Thursday and Sunday: $22. Friday and Saturday: $28. If you call before September 5th, $3.00 off if you use the code “postcard”. I'd love to see some of you there. You can meet the cast and crew after every show. It's going to be a blast, I promise you.

A very happy birthday to my brilliant webmaster Holly. And a good day to all of you. TWI-HARDS rule!!

-Michael

Hello cyber compadres,

First of all, did you see Michael Phelps and the rest of the Men's US Olympic Swim Team beat the trash-talking French in one of the greatest moments in sports history?! It was unbelievable. Now I love my Frenchies out there. When it comes to art, culture, food, healthcare, and clean energy, we all have a lot to learn from the French. But come on, even YOU have to give it up for my boys! Jason Lezak was almost a full body length behind Alain Bernard (the one who DID all the trash-talking) going into the last 50 meters. He pushed himself about as hard as a human being is capable of pushing, and just wouldn't let his team lose. Congratulations fellas! Only two more gold medals and our little 23-year old nice boy from Baltimore becomes the greatest Olympian of all time. I LOVE that stuff!

I just finished my first week of rehearsals on the play. It's going to be so freaking amazing, I really hope some of you get to see it. Check out the home page at michaelwelchonline.com for details. It's been very intense and quite an adjustment. I've gotten so used to working a certain way for film, television, and auditions, I forgot the process for theatre. We have a full six weeks of rehearsals to develop our characters and craft a show. It's a better way of working and I'm having a lot of fun.

I want to introduce all of you to my old friend Ryanne from Holland. She started my very first fan site. Now she's created a killer new site, michaelwelchmedia.com. She's got all kinds of crazy goodness over there. Check it out - it's one of a kind.

I also want to give a well-deserved shout out to Vee, Shadow, Izzie, and Anna or all that they're doing over at michael-welch.com, Shirley at the message board dazzlingstarz.com/michaelwforum, Holly, our webmaster at michaelwelchonline.com, and Larry Richman for his friendship and the help he does behind the scenes. Sheesh. I feel a bit spoiled. Thank you all.

That's it for now. I'll check in again when I can. Love to your mothers! Shalom.

-Me

Hi friends,

It's taken a while, but I've finally reached the pinnacle age in America. Since 1933, we have tied our most celebrated and sacred year, naturally to a person's ability to legally acquire and drink alcohol. Now, why a 19-year old soldier can't enjoy a bruski after a 14-hour battle in Fallujah, while I have the right to drink myself into oblivion seems a bit strange to me, but nonetheless, here I am. Gambling is now acceptable in several states as well. Other than those two dangerous and glorious vices, gift-wrapped to us from Uncle Sam, there are really no particular advantages. But I don't care. I'm still excited as heck! Heck yeah mother pigeons!! I'm 21! I'm happier than a dog in a snausage factory.

My mom went all out and got me a trendy pair of Dolce, aviator sunglasses. They're very cool and growing on me by the day, but they're a little more "LA" than I'm used to. They're the kind of glasses you'd see on a billionaire mogul's son, hanging out on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, shopping for a new diamond encrusted air freshener for his Bentley. You can't really smile in them or they cut right into your cheeks. You just have to make that model, nothing expression, and frankly, I like the option to smile. But like I said, they're growing on me. As long as Hollywood doesn't get its' dirty, corrupting claws in me, I can be trendy every now and then. I won't let these glasses steal my soul. Don't worry.

I'm going to do a play! I'm so excited. I've only been in two plays and the last one was about eight years ago. It's going to be at the fabtabulous Blank Theatre in Los Angeles starting in September. I'm not gonna give out too much information now. But the most exciting part to me is the cast, which has JUST been confirmed. Aaron Himelstein and Mae Whitman are my co-stars. It's going to be so sick, I can't even tell you (sick means cool/good for all yall squares). This will be the 5th project Aaron and I will have collaborated on together. I just can't get rid of that kid. And Mae, simply put, is one of the best young actors in the world. The last time we worked together was 11 years ago on "Chicago Hope." I'll bring you more information when the time comes. But trust me, if you're gonna be in the LA area around Septemberish- Novemberish, you don't want to miss this.

Thank you all so very much for your birthday wishes and continued support. My sister is taking me to Palm Springs, CA for my b-day weekend because she wants me to burn alive. Have a great day. Treat yourself to some candy! You've earned it!

-Michael/Mike

Michael is committed to doing this great play in West Hollywood. He is going to be rehearsing the month of August and the play will run for at least 6 weeks in September and October.

He is going to update "The Latest" in the next couple of weeks.

As soon as we know the specifics, we will get it out to you. If you don't live too far from LA it would be worth coming and seeing him live on stage.

Please let me know if you are making a special trip and I will make sure you get to meet him.

Jill Donna

Hey friends and allies, mike/mike here. I hope you're having a wonderful day and eating nutritiously…

I've been trying to work out more, lately. It's hard! I don't like it at all. I love sports and general activity, and I feel great when I start to get some definition going on, but it's incredibly difficult to maintain any kind of consistency in routine. And if I skip a day, I'm back to my standard 12-year old body. Plus, without a decent protein intake for the day, fagetaboutit! All that painful unpleasantness leaves me with very little reward, and I get discouraged dag-nabbit!

Twilight nation, you came through for me for when I was low on socks as if I were an inescapable, obligatory burden to you and your family. So I've decided that you're going to be my new life advisors and maybe even therapists in addition to your current role as friendly acquaintances and loyal compadres. So I ask you… Does anyone have any "getting in shape" advice for someone who immensely dislikes the process of getting in shape?

But enough about me. How are you?! Hey, Twilight's coming out pretty soon! How bout that? That's exciting eh? I'm sure these next seven months will just FLY by!... I'm going to be featured on an upcoming MTV Twilight Tuesday. A fella named Larry Carroll did the interview and he was cooler than Billy Dee Williams (let's see if anyone connects the dots on THAT reference). Go easy on me, it was my first interview in a while. I haven't done THAT many interviews in my life. Mainly because no large group of people has ever been interested in what I have to say until recently. It's a little intimidating, I'll be honest. There are a lot of elements of today's "celebrity" culture that make me cringe. It has nothing to do with you guys. But I have to say, being in what appears to be a potentially huge film franchise, hence, putting me in a position to be in the beginning stages of entering this "celebrity" world is scary. I'm grateful for the opportunity and I'm having a blast, but it's scary. Well, I guess I'm not that worried. After all, it's just Mike Newton! J But whatever happens, I think I'll be up for it. I guess we'll see…

NOW it's time to do some pushups. I'm not gonna lie, this blog was a procrastination. Checking in with my Twi-hards is a perfectly reasonable excuse for not working out. I'm a really good procrastinator. Probably the best in my family! In fact, the only two things I KNOW I'm good at are acting, and putting off tomorrow what could and should be done today. I'm gonna make a great father. "Don't worry little Johnny, you can do your homework tomorrow! Now play. Be free! Rules are for squares!"

That's all for now my fellow humans. Shalom.

-Me

Mike asked me to fill you in on 'The Adventures of Mike/Mike'.

When he returned back to LA, you would think 'THEY' found a missing person.

Thanks to the twi-hards. twilighters and all other Twilight fans and (may I add) the great reputation he has as an actor and collaborator on sets, he had 6 auditions waiting for him.

Actually, I quess in retrospect, breaking down in the middle of nowhere, during his trip home, in the late evening turned out to be a good thing. At the time no one thought so. But he got a day off even if it was a little unnerving,. CELLS PHONES CAN BE USED FOR SAFETY AFTER ALL....

He got towed to a hotel, and in the morning (more like afternoon) he was towed to a mechanic. They told him it could be his transmission and it would take days before they would receive a new one, OR, a computer cliche. So off he went to watch movies and left the results to the experts.

Good News, just the computer. He got back to LA late that evening. The dayoff did him good. What else could he do but relax.

Please don't send any cars.

He will update his site as soon as he can catch his breath.

He had the opportunity to meet Cocoa and other Twilight Lexicon staff onthe set his last day. Mike said they were great, very sweet and theyinterviewed him in person. You can check out his Q&A on Twilight Lexicon.Just click on their web-site and click actors interviews.

Someone told us that MTV was going to interview him. But he never heardfrom them. Oh the wows of just being A Human.

You will be hearing from Mike soon. Until then he didn't want to leave youguessing on "The Adventures of Mike/MIke the Human" that has the crush on the girl who has the crush on the vampire.

I love you guys. "Ha ha ha!" Did you really send me socks? That's incredible. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, let me briefly explain. A little while ago, before I began my road trip up to Portland, I mentioned that I was low on socks. I picked up a 12 pack in Berkeley and figured that that would be the end of it. Then Twilight Lexicon tells it's readers: “Hey! Let's send Mike socks! It'll be funny!” And they did!!! Not only did the twi-hards dig the idea, they followed through with it. One complete joke from idea to conception, THAT'S fan commitment. I have so many socks now it's ridiculous. You guys are beautiful. I appreciate the gesture very much.

I also have to mention an adorable little lady that goes by the name of NoMoreMarbles over there on the You Tubes. She's a twi-hard, she's funny, and she's put together a couple of videos about the cast of Twilight. She's dedicated about 4 minutes to me, (Official Twilight Cast Part 2 ) showing pictures that have been on my website over the years, and making fun of me for various reasons. It's very sweet and hilarious. Well-done NoMoreMarbles! You have the official Michael Welch seal of approval. Only Sean Penn and Jeremy Irons have received this honor, you should feel very proud.

The shoot's going great! Everyone's great! Kristen and Rob are great! Great great great great!! Hurray..

I'm going to Seattle pretty soon. There are two places in time I've always wanted to visit- Italy in the 15th century (The Renaissance), and Seattle in the early 1990s. You could see Alice in Chains on a Wed night, Soundgarden on Thurs, Pearl Jam on Friday, and Nirvana on Saturday. And it probably cost 15 bucks a pop in venues that had a maximum capacity of 300. How crazy is that? That was a mini-renaissance and I JUST missed it! Oh well, at least I was right on time for the Seacrest train!! Oh I kid the Seacrest, he knows I love him.

All done bye! Thanks again for the socks you crazy beautiful people!

-Mike/Mike