Welcome to My World

FULL NAME: Robert Brian DeSalvo

EDUCATION: B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh (1992); M.A. Journalism/Communications, Point Park University (1994)

EMPLOYMENT: I worked as the associate editor of Movieline magazine from 1995-'99. I am now an associate editor at Playboy magazine, where I continue to focus my energies on all things movie, music and entertainment related. Oh yeah...I'm also the self-proclaimed Don of Girl Copy, meaning that I interview all of the Playmates and some of the celebrities that pose for us.

LIFE IN A MINUTE: I grew up in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a small city about 30 miles from Pittsburgh. I went to Catholic schools for 12 years, not because my parents were particularly "religious," but because they thought it would provide a disciplined education. I didn't really find my niche in high school and couldn't wait to graduate. I don't consider myself Catholic -- or even Christian-- any longer. I read about other religions along the way, but I would never choose to follow another one. I believe spirituality is a personal matter, not something to be found in dusty books scribbled down by other people ages ago.

College life at the University of Pittsburgh was where I came into my own. I was a shy bookworm in high school -- I listened to music no one else cared about, I didn't like sports (vicarious achievement) and hung around with the metal gals because I thought they were the most fun. I embraced the gothic subculture and people used to call me "Echo Bob" or "Bobby Xymox."
 
I remained a psychology major throughout my four years at Pitt, even though I changed career plans a few dozen times. I tossed around everything from psychologist to lawyer to even dentist (What was I thinking?). The idea was to be a psychologist (even though I knew I loved to write) because of my fascination about how the mind works and what motivates people. After a harsh self evaluation my senior year, I wisely graduated and moved on to get my graduate degree in journalism/communications. My thesis was about "Sensationalism and the Modern Media." Watching media broadcasts today, I know it has come to pass.
 
But there is no pot o' gold waiting for you just because you get a graduate degree. I sent out hundreds of résumés all over this country and nothing much happened. Pittsburgh can be quaint or crude, depending on your perspective, but it isn't anyplace for a journalist. I decided to put it all on the line and left everything familiar to drive to Los Angeles.

I recommend that everyone drive across this country once -- I have never felt so free. Seeing the painted deserts of Arizona and New Mexico that stretch out forever was a spiritual high in my life. I knew I made the right decision. Within days of being in the City of Lost Angels, I landed an editorial position at Movieline. After several years there, I moved on to even greener pastures at Playboy. It's easy to bag on Los Angeles-- everyone does, especially those from the East Coast. You've heard it all: the smog, the self-absorbed people, the frightening landscape of plastic surgery victims, and banal talk of carbs and body-fat ratios. Sure, a lot of that is true, but I never much relied on others for a sense of wholeness. I love the ocean, the smell of eucalyptus on the hot Santa Ana winds and the real sense that anything you are looking for could be right around the corner if you take the time to scratch beneath this city's glossy surface. I've learned, if nothing else in life, that if you follow your heart you'll be happy. And remember. . . viva vanity.

  Clueless in Los Angeles



My sis and I search for whales (and a clue) in Long Beach

Me, Luke and Gavin take in the wonders at the Museum of Jurassic Technology (May 2005).

Gateway to hell? Not exactly...but a doorway in the TJ Wax Museum (May 2005)

Me at the folks' place. (July 2005)

Me in February 2006 in front of my prized HR Giger lithograph of Deborah Harry's Koo Koo album cover.

Ange and I graduate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1992