Think of Me, Think of Me Fondly.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.


I KNOW.


I know I said the next post would be much sooner, and it is in fact MUCH, MUCH later...

Its not that I don't have alot to tell you, because believe me, I DO!!!

Its not that I don't want to tell you of what's going on in my life, because believe me, I DO!!!

Its just that I don't know where the time is going!!! I am soooo busy with everything... Essays, readings, papers, presentations.... I can't believe all of the work there is, but hey, as I've been told... that's just the way first year in Theatre School is.

And I love it, I honestly do.

But I really can't wait until Christmas where I can just take a break, and relax... with one semester under my belt!!! ahh thats so crazy!!

Ok, so....
Sorry I've been out of touch, and I'll go ahead and say sorry for continuing to be out of touch, but just know that things are great here, and i miss you all very much!

eric

There's only now, There's only here...

Hello all! I miss you all terribly just as I know you miss me.

So, what's life like down South in the lovely city of Windsor?

not gonna lie, its pretty ugly... BUT life on campus is be-aut-i-ful.

I'm sorry for being absent from the blogoshpere for so long, but man things get busy here!! haha, like i'm not used to that already, though... Anyways, I know alot of you are probably wondering how i'm doing and everything, so here i am... telling you how i am... and everything.


So then, from the beginning:

Welcome week... aka "frosh" week...
I arrived the sunday night around 6pm.... only 5 hours later than I planned for.. haha, but it was all good because there was that part of me that didn't want to leave home yet. Get to my residence which is apartment style, only to find that my roomate has moved into MY room... which is the better one because its the furthest away from the bathroom and has an extra window... grrrr... but whatever, I'm a passive guy, I just move all my stuff into the emty room and decide not to make a big deal about it. About my roomate: he's in political science.... ummm.... quiet...... but nice!!! really nice, so we get along.. we just don't talk really.... but i don't mind that... oh! except he's a polar bear!!! seriously. he always turns the heat down to like 10 degrees celcius!!! Like, room temperature is 20 degrees!!! And I don't like to be cold! So after a week of a silent war of me turning the temp up, only for it to be turned down again by him I finally gave in. Hey, like I said, I'm passive. Instead I stuffed a whole bunch of kleenexes in the air vent, and then taped 4 layers of paper towel to cover the vent completely... So like, I get an air flow, but it filters out the cold air so now i'm happy.... and proud of my inventiveness. But really, could he not just open up one of his TWO windows? sheesh.

Anyways, I really hope he doesn't find this because then I'll feel like a jerk. I'm going to assume that he wouldn't bother looking me up online (at least not until i become famous, and i don't see that happening quite yet in the next year), but just as a safety measure I'll call him FRANCE. Except his name actually begins with an 'L'... and no his name isn't LRANCE.... try again....

So anyways, I finally meet France later the first night and we talk for all of 1 minute (we just DON'T have anything in common... its not like i'm being mean or anything, thats just the facts.) and he's like "oh i think i moved into your room..." and i'm like "yea... did you wanna like switch back or?" and he says (with a little laugh) "no, i'm not moving all my stuff again." I force a smile. He continues: "But my keys don't work for my room... i think we need to switch them" and i'm like yea, that and phone extensions, mailing addresses, room information to our RA, and res services, and on the SIS account.... (i said that part in my head). So yea, we switched keys and all that junk..... a big hassle really.... and the whole time i'm like... how did he not know which room he was in? it said RIGHT on the acceptance letter... but he told me that he thought he got the room that was on the same side as his nametag was on the door.


Yea. Sure France, suuuuure.



Anyways, the days went on... slowly at first. I was missing everyone, missing home, missing having only one set of lights in my town.... not really sure what to do with myself. But then I slowly discovered other people from the BFA program in my res... and they were all so nice!!! Some of them recognized me from SEARS, and said i was really good and stuff, and so i felt like a mini-celebrity all over again! it was nice. Then one day I came back to my room and there was invite from the 3rd year BFAs waiting for me. It read:

Hey 1st year BFA!!
We're really excited to meet you, etc.!
And we have our own special way of doing it.
Come to our party! Tonight @ 9

If you don't know why this letter was sligtly frightening, let me spell it out for you:

And we have our own special way of doing it.

I was so worried that it would be some type of horrible initiation where we're forced to shave our heads and kiss a cow or something... i dunno... wouldn't you think the same thing!? No? Well... I did. BUT, i went regardless. It was either that or some lame Welcome Week activity that night.... Dirty Bingo? No thanks, I'm good without winning sex toys for prizes.... Thanks though. The other BFAs on my floor and myself all ventured over there, and I couldn't believe it. THEY WERE SOOO. NICE. Leave it to Windsor to surprise you by being even more welcoming. So I met them all, had some fun, it was a good night.... it was only like day 2 and i was already loving it here.

So then, stuff went on.. Classes started, and for the most part they were good! Movement wasn't as bad as i thought it would be... I actually even kinda like it!! I got to meet and learn more about everyone in my program... I love them all! I just know we're going to be so close, and we're even pretty close as it is! It's a pretty diverse group, which I like... its like, everyone fits into a different "role"... Like theres a musical theatre girl, a dance girl, the i-like-acting-and-sports guy.... I figured I would be the improv guy, but there was already one of those... its ok though, i'm pretty versatile... as you all know... so i gladly took the shakespeare guy.

haha, ok so it wasn't quite that obvious but it just made me happy that we were all bringing such different talents to the table, all for the love of acting. its awesome.

So weeks have passed, and i love everyone even more.... apparently i look like Christian Bale? or was it Eric Bana.... no wait... it was a combination of the two.... top half of my face Christian Bale, bottom half Eric Bana... and i've gotten that i look like a young James Dean... and then theres always the occasional "sorry, its just.... you remind me of my friend back home".... hmm... and i always thought i was one of a kind....

oh well, i guess.

Moving onto the professors, they're all very nice... except all really strict on some unfortunate policies:

• if i miss more than two classes then my grade goes down a level (A+ to A, A- to B+)
• in my lecture classes it is "University policy" that only have of the class can receive a grade higher then a C+... so basically its grading on a curve... which is stupid, and i thought only existed in the states... but i guess it seeped through the border.

on top of all that i have to maintain a cumulative average of B- to stay in my program. I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem, but i always have that little bit of me thats worried... oh well, gives me motivation i guess....

Last night i went to see the first UP (University Players) production of the year: That Summer by David French. Originally performed in Blyth, too! I thought that was pretty cool...

It was really good, excellent acting for the most part, and got me really excited for the next 4 years. Then we went to the after party, and when the first years arrived everyone got so excited! I still can't believe how welcome I feel, I love it. And I'll be sure to treat the first years the same next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

That's really what I love about it here. Its been so welcoming since day 1, and i couldn't have it any other way. I know Ryerson is an awesome school too, and Ellen its so awesome that you go there, but I am so glad that I ended up here instead. Had I gotten in to Ryerson and went there I wouldn't have been able to survive. I may be in a shock for when I get into the real world, but thats why I'm at University... because i'm still preparing for the real world. And I need to do that in an atmosphere where I feel welcome, important, and loved. Windsor is perfect for me.

About a year ago I had this plan that all the Playmakers kids would end up at Ryerson, but now I see that wouldn't have been right. Its important to go to the place thats best for you, and that place for me is Windsor.

Plus, I think its awesome how all of us Playmakerians end up in different areas... like we're spreading our talents all over the country, and eventually all over the world.

That said, I still do miss you all!

So, Liam and Ellen... Hows University treating you the second time around?

Kiersten, Amanda hows your post-sec life going?

Andrew and Nora: Have a blast in Playmakers this year... you have no idea how much i miss the studio, and being onstage with all you guys!! Aggh, now i'm getting sad again.... we HAVE to do an Alumni show one day. And sadly, I don't know if i'll be able to make it see the winter show this year.... ahh... first time in four years!!... I have an exam the Saturday at noon..... but you know, if i can get hooked up with a train ride that works, i might just be able to make it for the Friday show... I hope!!! Otherwise, put me on the list with Jenn for those who want a webcam broadcast!!

Ok, well... this blog entry has gotten wayyyy to long.... but there was just so much to tell! To those of you who managed to stick it out and read the whole thing, Kudos to you... and I promise my next entry will be much sooner!!!

Let it shine,
eric

back from the dead..... with a vengeance!!! dun dun DAHHH!

ok so i wasn't dead... and i don't have a vengeance... just play along, ok?

I, for one, am astonished at how fast this summer is going.

It feels like yesterday I was struggling to balance Playmakers and Kiwanis and school and SEARS and Student Cabinet and Prom Committee and a Valedictorian Speech and a billion other extracurriculars and oh yeah... work. Family fit in there somewhere too.

Nowadays its all work. But get this folks, not just at the Pizza Train.... nooooope. i still only work there like once every month. i have a job in Bayfield now too! i serve breakfasts at the Ritz since i'm not old enough to get my smartserve yet... grrr... and the occasional shift i'll work as a dishwasher.... NEVER. BE A DISHWASHER. EVER.

So yeah, summer has been going unbelievably fast and usually that'd be a completely good thing. Because that would usually mean going back for another exciting and eventful year of highschool (yes i'm a dork who likes school, i KNOW that thank you) and going back to Playmakers and getting to see most of you again after a summer's hiatus. But not this september. This september i'm going to Windsor. EXCITING! but also a little scary.... like 95% exciting, 5% scary...

Exciting because:

1. Its a new chapter in a kickass book of my life
2. I'm going to school for ACTING! my education from this point on is going to be focussed on dramatic arts!
3. I'll finally be able to LEARN and IMPROVE my acting in a scholarly setting. Playmakers aside, Drama classes thus far in my life have been either an opportunity to just goof around and be funny or sitting at a desk in disbelief of the fact that I know MORE about what my teacher is teaching than they do. Sure its been ALOT of fun and there will be some fun in University classes, but moreso I'll get to learn and grow... which i enjoy!
4. I'm going to be part of this elite, small class of aspiring actors... i'm going to make new friends and be able to discuss theatrics with classmates; something that at St. Anne's there was not alot of... Apart from you guys, people would usually just stare at me with a blank face whenever i started on about shakespeare or other plays.
5. I'm going to come out of this 4 year program a so much better actor (hopefully.. heh) if i can only dedicate and commit to learning.

Scary because:

1. Frosh week. Ugh. I am not good at these stupid orientation things. Yes I want to meet new people, No I don't want to be forced into meeting them.
2. Going to Windsor ALONE. I don't know ANYBODY thats going to Windsor. I know that Alex J. from Central is going, and I'm really excited to meet her because she was really good when I saw her at SEARS. But other than that... NO ONE. Nobody from St. Anne's, nobody. And Windsors pretty far from where all my other friends are going... I know I'll meet new people but it has always taken me longer than most to make friends. So the first couple of weeks are going to be tough.

So there you go. That's how I'm feeling.... really though, I'm too excited to care. ITs going to be great, but its coming up so soon!

Can't wait for Take it Outside, folks! I have it booked off work (and the next day too, just in case haha) so I hope to see all of you there too!

eric

S met ing is Mis in .

Something is not right.


Nora's right... there is SO much to talk about. Where do I start?

Well, I'm just gonna put it right out there. I know you all know this already, and I know everyone (probably... hopefully...) feels the same way.

I MISS HAMLET.

I MISS PLAYMAKERS.

That's what's missing. That's what I'm missing.

I just... I knew it was going to happen... it was inevitable.... and I have knack for realizing when I'm going to miss something before its over... but that doesn't make it any less heartwrenching. That's the perfect word for it by the way. I actually can feel my heart get sad when I think about Hamlet. It just doesn't feel right being done and over with. And to top it off, I'm done Playmakers... so not only am I going through Hamlet withdrawal, but I'm also going through Playmakers withdrawal... But, on the bright side, what a way to end, eh? There's no better play to end with: Hamlet is the shit.

alright, well... that's really all i've been thinking lately... Hamlet... but before I end this post I just wanna say to the Playmakerians, the inaugural Muse of Fire class: that I am so glad I got to meet all of you. It was such a pleasure to work with you all, and I hope that we will be able to act together again one day soon. I will honestly miss you guys as much, if not more, than most of my highschool friends. Playmakers has been such a huge chapter of my life and I can't believe its coming to an end for me.

But do not fear, with one end, another journey will begin. And I promise you all, the one man show will return!

Be sure to let me know when you crazy kids plan on having another get-together.... whether it be at Carl's, or some random 35 year old married couple's house... you can count me in! We will stay in touch! whetheryoulikeitornot....muahahaha!

eric

Another crazy dream...

Wow, another dream worth posting about...

Let me give a quick little introduction first... When we moved on to SEARS in Cambridge a month ago we saw a whole bunch of plays, including... The Cagebirds!!

If you're wondering why I'm so excited about that--no its not really an amazing play or anything--its because a couple of years ago in Playmakers we divided into two groups and acted out a short scene from it... Remember, the one with the Woman and her 6 birds... she called them 'Sweeties', and there was a Gossip bird, and a Bird who liked to eat, a bird who was all about make-up and beauty... and each of the birds had a different characteristic like that. It was really neat to see the play in full... I found out that each of the birds represented a portrayal of women in the media, and how they are all being trapped in the cage represents their being restricted in real life. Then the Woman introduces a new bird to the others, a 'Wild' one, who desperately wants to be free again, and tries to get the others to help, but discovers that they pay no attention to anyone but themselves. I won't ruin it, in case you ever see it... (its a little slow at the beginning, but towards the end its really good)

Anyways, I had a dream last night. I drove to school, but apparently I was going to take the bus home anyways... I know... weird. Anyways I'm on the bus and I realize that I forgot something in my locker. So I get off the bus, head inside to the school and go to the drama room (my locker is nowhere near there). I get there, and Mrs VanBakel is putting on this play, and they're rehearsing... I had no idea this play was going on and so I was a little shocked that I was not invited to join or at the very least help with it (i'm not full of myself, our school just has a very, very small drama community these days.) Anyways, apparently it was Les Miserables to begin with, because this girl was singing a song from it, but then it slowly morphed into a play resembling Cagebirds.... except there was a whole lot more freaking birds... like 15 or something... anyways, one of the Gr 9 guys didn't know his lines (typical) and he was cut on the spot, so I was asked to stand in for him. I remember saying I was really excited because "i always wanted to act like a bird"..... yeah.... i know.... ...... . . .. .

Anyways! I turn around and who else do I see but.... Andrew!! And I'm happy to report he was fully clothed! I then look further around me and realize that mixed in amongst the uncultured boars that make up the drama students at St. Anne's is my favourite group of Thespians.... The Playmakers kids! It was like a dream come true!.... in a dream!!! Might I just point out right now that Kiersten and Amanda do a really funny bird... Ellen looked like she was high... and Carl was able to pull off his bird perfectly; I'm sure that if it had been real life I would have heard his little "mmmps!" and "huuhms!" sounds that he made in his Mercutio monologue too! So here I was, acting like a bird, and kind of just trying to go along with the flow of things seeing as I had no idea what was going on. Everyone seemed pretty clear on what they were supposed to do, and what their specific character trait was (gossip, greedy, vain, etc.) except of course me. I asked almost everyone what bird I was, and no one was quite sure... they kept just saying that I should sing alot, my bird would do that... But they couldn't tell me what my bird was. Needless to say it was very frusterating.

Eventually I found myself just slouching in a defeated mood by the stairs to the stage. It was then that my Drama teacher crawled up the stairs towards me and held her finger out and whimpered. This was really weird. Turns out she had a needle and thread through the outer layer of her skin of her finger.... no big deal right? People pierce the outer layer of their finger skin all the time with needles, safety pins, staples, you name it! Wrong. Apparently this was almost killing my Drama teacher. She was overacting about the whole thing like she was going to die. I was not impressed and was even a little annoyed. I rolled my eyes and helped her pull the needle and thread out. Apparently it was quite painful for her. She then left, and then came back with a past principal of my elementary school complaining that we can't just pull the thread out, because that would leave two holes in her skin. We have to make it one complete cut... for God knows what reason. So I spent the rest of my dream sawing her finger against the metal edge of the drama room door, and the chipped tooth of a skull that we used for my play Trotsky... thats my dreams for you.

If you want to try and find some kind of symbolism in there, good luck, by all means be my guest. hah.

Good luck with finishing school older kids, and younger kids, good luck with starting back up with school again... bleh!
eric

things are crazy... not crazy good, not crazy bad, just... crazy.

Well, Liam, here is my big long post.... having something to do with Windsor.

The reason why I didn't really post about it is because when I got the letter I had lost the surprise... i'm not saying that i'm amazing and knew i was going to get in.... here... i best explain:

So I arrive at the good old University of Windsor for my audition: Good University, UGLY city... its gross... but anyways... And the first thing I notice is how welcoming they are... they really want to get to know you that day. And I like that... I don't think I would survive at Ryerson just because I'd rather be somewhere where I feel wanted. Anyways, at the audition there were about 15 girls... and all but like 3 of them were not very good at all... and there was only 5 guys.... which put me at ease.... but like 4 of the 5 guys were really good... which took that ease away from me. We started with the physical warm up.... i did pretty good with that, but it was hard... and i felt sore after... i'm going to have to start training... or something....

then they demonstrated the movement piece for us and we had ten minutes to learn this very abstract little dance i guess.. i struggled with it at first, but my attention to detail and my mad dancing skills (yea right) put me at the top of guys... I would say so at least, anyways.... which is weird, because I am really not that good with moving my body... at all.

then we did our monologues, holy mother of mom was i nervous!! i'm always nervous... i've managed to learn to contain it for being on stage... but for doing monologues and auditions its horrible... i shake sweat and quiver sooo much. anyways, other than that I did pretty good. The girls were all pretty bad except for those 3, and the guys were all ok except for 2 others who were really good.... except, I felt like was one of the only people with a real understanding of Shakespeare, so I have Susan to thank for that....

Then we did the cold reading of the Sonnets... I did ok... nothing special really....

Then we did improv and i absolutely sucked.. ok no, but i thought i would do so well because... well... its improv!! but we could only speak in numbers... and we were only up for like 5 seconds... soooo no big.

Then we all sat in a circle and they went on about how they try to be welcoming and supportive, and that only 26 people get in each year... and i'm sitting there like: "this sucks." and they go on about how they're sending out the letters that week and you'll either get acceptance, waiting list, or nothing... and if you don't get in to come talk to him (lionel) in october and he'll tell you how to improve for next time. "aww how nice" i thought to myself... Then he was like ok theres sandwiches upstairs so lets stack these chairs and then have some lunch!! and i was like wow... they're so nice! Sandwiches! My impression of Windsor definately boosted that day... they're nice and welcoming... its almost as if they actually want you to come to their school... hmmm... imagine that!!

Anyways I'm stacking some chairs and Lionel walks over to me and starts: "I just wanted to let you know..." and i'm thinking, great! i didn't get in and he's going to tell me how to improve for next time.. Another year of HELL! "....that we're going to take you." I was like... What.? And I honestly asked if he was kidding. "No I'm not kidding!" and then I asked if it was a test. "No its not a test" (Yes I'm a dork.) And I still didn't believe him... they still had two auditions to do in Halifax and Vancouver, and why wouldn't he just make me wait a week for the letter?... I gushed on about how wonderful and welcoming the school was compared to other audition processes i had experienced and blah blah blah. and then i had a sandwich. and went home. still not believing it. i thought they would find someone who would replace me in vancouver or something... and then a week later i got the letter and the suprise wasn't there... so it wasn't as fun... but hey, i am so glad i got in... So maybe I can't get into Ryerson, but I really think Windsor is better for me. I'm not used to acting in a competitive sense... I'd rather be more supportive. Yes I'm a sap.

So I'm going to Windsor! Well, I should wait until hearing from Ryerson for sure... but the winds are set for Windsor... that could all change if I get acceptance at Ryerson but I doubt that will happen anyways.

In other news... I. AM. SO. SICK.

I just want to die for two weeks... and then wake up refreshed... *sigh*


Enjoy life, folks.
eric

'Wow'

In keeping with the theme of my first post, I do what I'm told... when I want to, here's the latest update in blog form as per requested by one Nora Smith.

Wow.

That pretty much sums up my life lately. Everything has happened so fast that I've hardly had time to react, and thus all I can say is 'Wow.' No exclamation mark or extreme enthusiasm or anything... just 'Wow.'

The biggest 'Wow' in my life recently? My Ryerson audition... as in 'Wow what happened?' I was ridiculously nervous, you would've thought I've never performed in front of people before in my life. I bet the auditioners thought I was just some kid who thought 'Heyyyy sure! I'll try acting!! It's not like its hard or anything, anyone can do it!' In my defense though, I was a little a lot out of my league. There were alot of good actors there, alot more guys then I thought there would be.... Long story short, No callback for me. Won't find out if I'm in until May. I haven't really have that much experience with focusing on just a monologue (I officially hate monologues), let alone auditioning, but I was just so sure that the nervousness would pass as it does when I usually act. I'm always nervous like crazy backstage, but then once I step onstage I'm fine... but with my audition I was nervous before, during, and after... I couldn't spit out my words... I was sweating like crazy... it was disgusting, and I didn't even realize it until I looked at my armpits... haha.... ewwww.

That being said, I don't want you to think that I'm unconfident and think I did horrible, but I am confident that it wasn't the best I could do. And I'm surprisingly ok with that. If I don't get into Ryerson, hey, so what... I know what its like now and I'll be prepared for it next year. It's better than me thinking I did AMAZING and then not getting in... at least I know that I'm capable of doing better and therefore I actually might have a chance at getting it next time. Life, especially the one I'm planning, is going to be filled with disappointments and bad auditions... this is just one of the very first of them, I need to get used to it.

Hopefully, things will go well with my Windsor audition--I'd definately rather go to Ryerson, but Windsor's good too--and maybe I can get in there if not at Ryerson. Then I can try to transfer the next year... if thats possible. Worst come to worst, I won't get in at either university and I'll have to stick around here for a year... hey, I can save up some cash, keep Nora and Andrew company in Playmakers... it won't be that bad... right? Ok yes it will, because I will probably subconsciously just kill myself if I have to stay in this house for another year... I've got 17 years worth of pet peeves on my family... we need some time apart. Also, everybody will be gone to university... except me... and thats not fun... or cool.

In other news, and to keep this post from becoming a 'pity-eric-party' I had a craaaaazy dream the other night... My drama class wanted to do Hamlet for our next project, but I voted against it. No, Nora and Ellen, thats not Blasphemy... I had two reasons: 1) My drama class would've BUTCHERED it... you have no idea, ok? 2) It would've been a bit of Hamlet overload... Hamlet in Playmakers, English, annnnd Drama? Mmmmmm...no.

I on the other hand wanted to do another Shakespeare play... one that doesn't exist, I made it up in my dream... I can't remember the name of it... it was long and very Shakespearey... but I do remember it eventually incorporated Playmakers people into the cast! And we practised in my Attic! And the lead male role was naked the entire play... which was weird. Thankfully, I did not receive that part.... Since Andrew has left the blogging world I guess its semi-safe to reveal that he was the lead... and he insisted on being naked all the time to 'get into character'... it was very.... weird.... and a little bit disturbing... and unneccessary.... and.... yeah..... ...... ... ..

Anyways, needless to say by the end of the dream the play had transformed into a Cirque de Soleil performance, just as the Bard would've intended it!

Crazy Dream.

To conclude: Tonight's Grey's Anatomy...
Good episode. I felt so bad for the lightning tree stalker girl..... I wanted her to live... and she died thinking that guy was in love with him! Meredith LIED to her! Yeah... ok, I get a bit too attatched to the side-plots.... But oh! You know the girl that is currently pursuing George? Dr. Torres? I saw her on Broadway when I went to New York! She's an amazing singer... Anyways, so yeah I'm rooting for her to push her way into the cast.... And it looks like she is!

Wow, so that was a long post...