Friday, January 30, 2009

Work and Play

I think I can conclusively say that, while I still tend to enjoy AYS catering jobs, the novelty has pretty much worn off. This past week I served a small dinner at Buckingham Palace attended by Princess Margaret, and I felt no real need to clamour over myself and report every minute detail to our adoring blog-reading public. Truth be told it was a complete breeze of a job, with much waiting around whilst the 40 guests finished eating each course. I did have the "privilege" of standing the in the vicinity of Her Royal Highness with a tray of drinks exclusively for her convenience and consumption. I hovered around her for 45 minutes, and she never touched a drop. Oh, the mad-cap adventures of serving royalty. The dinner took place in the Queen's Gallery of Buckingham Palace. While it was decked out in luxurious art and architecture, another symptom of too many high-society service gigs is that these timeless and ageless and priceless halls all seem to blend together in my mind, none of them standing out as they once might have done.

One great diversion from the stream of office and service work has been the opportunity to volunteer with Brianne's group of youngsters at the U-Film sessions. Two nights this week I have joined in with the group in their improv exercises and film-making tutorials. It's been great fun to "play" again, and gives me a deeper appreciation for the good work that B is involved with. The kids, while being identified by the local council as "at risk," are bright and responsive and relatively well-behaved. I feel that B's group is having a very positive impact upon the children. The experience has also reaffirmed my admiration for teaching profession, which is a form of performance art all it's own.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

OMG! My Grandfather is really Spock!


While researching photographers for headshots (Andrew needs to have his re-done) we came across this picture of Leonard Nimoy. The likeness is uncany. He looks like my grandfather in this picture.

That's right ladies and gentlemen, my Grandfather is secretly Spock - all I have to do now is get him to teach me the Vulcan death grip and I will be set for life!

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Pranks Roll On...ladadadadee

Andrew and I have a great housemate in Matt, Not only does he share in our sense of humour, but he also is willing to join us in pranks – even if they are occasionally planned against each other. A few weeks after Andrew left to do a show before Christmas I started hearing a flute being played in the morning. Eventually I discovered that it was Matt who had previously studied the flute classically and had gotten his hands onto one. Earlier in the year I believe Andrew wrote about my loathing of most woodwind instruments. Please understand that this mostly stems from hearing either people playing them poorly or playing songs that should never be changed over to a classical instrument – such as Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name”. It just doesn’t work. Well – because of this loathing I offered to Matt that he should follow Andrew around the apartment playing the flute – preferably the theme from Peter and the Wolf. Unfortunately it did not come to fruition but it was still a great idea for a prank. However, recently things have been getting a little silly. For instance; Andrew and I brought back with us from Christmas seasons three and four of The Office, a show that we are all crazy about. What ensued was two weeks of all three of us gathering around the couch and watching at least two episodes to relax after work. Due to my new job there are some nights that I am not home until rather late – for these occasions Matt has made a sign to show how much he is in Office viewing withdrawal, it reads as such: Will Drop Pants for Episodes of The Office. It makes me giggle inside knowing about it.

Anywho….last night we were all hanging about watching a bit of The Office as well as some Fawlty Towers, chatting about the plans for the week ahead, etc. Matt goes into the kitchen for a bit to make up a snack or something and when he comes back Andrew and I are canoodling on the couch. He playfully made a big deal about it as if he had walked into an extremely uncomfortablesituation. We all had a little laugh at it. I then went into the washroom for a few minutes and when I emerged I found Andrew and Matt locked into a tight embrace. Their prank worked – I hit the floor laughing and proceeded to run around in a very Benny Hill fashion exclaiming about the place. The only question now is…what can I plan next to top it?

Ufilm

This past week has been some incredible work. Incredible as in how great I feel about it, but also as in how much hard work is going into it. During the day from Monday to Friday I am doing two shows a day of a healthy lifestyle children’s show called Golden Spoon. For this show I am tour manager, sound technician and I also have a small acting role as a Cooking Competition Judge. Then on Tuesday and Thursday nights I am part of a new program called Ufilm. We have 17 kids involved in it with ages ranging from 13 to 17. Most of them have either been referred to the program by teachers, guardians or care givers. Some of these kids are in foster care, most are not doing well in school and one girl is pregnant. What we are doing in the program is splitting into three groups and each group will write, produce and film a short 10 minute film. We’re trying to get these kids involved and if they do the work it will go towards their school credits.
Most of the kids are really into it, some are even coming up with some really original ideas – although a little dark in nature – but there is always one or two that are out there to stir up a bit of trouble. There are five facilitators always on hand just in case there is trouble (I am one of them) and we have our eyes on two boys in particular that we know if closely paired together will cause a distraction for others. If anyone receives two warnings they are kicked out of the program. It may sound tough but it is necessary.The evenings that I am working on this end late, and I am usually so zonked that I just have a light snack when I get home and then crawl into bed. Ufilm will be going on for twelve sessions. Come March it should wrap up, however In February during the school break I will be part of some High School Musical workshops and then starting up in late March will be another tour of a show about anti smoking. Lots of overlapping of work in other words. Next week we start writing the film scripts so I will be able to expand on that then. TTFN!

What Were They Thinking OR Wii Willy Winkie

It’s the little things that you weren’t expecting, that make your head turn round and go “Did I just hear/see that?” Well that was my Wednesday morning on a drive to Basildon with the tour I am now a part of. Along a stretch of otherwise indistinct countryside road was the most perfect sign I have ever seen. It read: SECRET NUCLEAR BASE – TURN LEFT

I can count the number of video games I have ever played/finished in my life on one hand. I don’t think I even have to use my thumb: The Original Mario that included Duck Hunt that my sister and I played frequently until the electronic gun stopped working, Doctor Mario – given to us by my Gram and Papa and was my favourite for the longest time as I could actually finish level 2 – something I had not been able to do with the original Mario. Fast forward to the Hugo games for computers. I know I watched my cousin Nathan play and win the first one “Hugo’s House of Horror”, I never saw the second one completed but I do now that once, ONCE I was able to finish the third one all on my own. And finally that brings us to Phantasmagoria – a game I obsessed over. The blinds would be pulled down and the lights turned off. Brittany, Tanya and I would huddle around the screen enthralled by the mystery before us and screaming our heads off when something unexpected happened. It felt like we played that game for months until we solved it. That was the year I painted my room purple. Approximately 10 years ago. Aside from solitaire I haven’t touched another game since Phantasmagoria. Until this Christmas season and I touched a Wii. I have my cousin Amanda to thank for this experience – no one else I know has one (artists…)
So here we are visiting my Aunt Linda and Amanda comes home with a new game for her Wii counsel – Rabbid Rabbits. For those of you not aware of this phenomenon, they are a bunch of silly cartoon rabbits most noted for their interpretations of famous movies in 30 seconds – look it up sometime – so funny. Within minutes I realised how much I suck at this style of gaming: I either move too much or don’t know how to stay within range. It must be very funny to those watching me, especially when the crowd of Rabbits start booing my attempts. It’s all in good fun.
Plus filming Linda and Andrew attempting these silly dance moves was just way too much fun to pass up.(Amanda if you watch this, please do not split your stitches…)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Uncorked

I split my day-job time between catering and office work. Yesterday, as a break from the regular office day, I took a day-long shift with At Your Service. 12 hours at a wine-tasting event. MISTAKE. For 9 out of the 12 hours, I did practically nothing except watch people SPIT! The tasting took up an entire art gallery, and I was stationed in a room that was set aside for higher-up purchasers from grocery chains, and there were very few of those. As a result, I pretty much stood around all day long, perhaps clearing away a wine glass once an hour on average. Fortunately, the uniform for that day was jeans, T-shirt, and running shoes, which at least made for comfortable standing around. The room I was in, however, was overly air-conditioned (in winter, no less) and so I was rather chilly all day, too. For the final 3 hours I was involved in tidying up the whole gallery, which involved lugging giant spitoons up and down about 12 flights of stairs! I've decided that if I need a break from the office, I'll take a nap under my desk rather than spend an entire day on a catering job.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Your Local High Street

One thing that Brianne and I have discovered that we miss about Canada is the ability to know exactly where to shop for most things. Consumer awareness, we are finding, has an element of cultural upbringing to it. Back home in Canada one can say to oneself "Oh, they probably have that at The Bay (or Zellers or Home Basics or Sears) . . ." and 95% of the time one would be right. Here in London we're a bit up creek in some shopping ventures. We just don't know, as locals might, where to get that elusive item. The department store is part of the culture here, to be sure, but the North American idea of the Big Box store hasn't really taken hold. Imagine: a world without Canadian Tire! AAAAGGGHH!!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

"Be Seeing You"

I just read the news today that Patrick McGoohan passed away. A wonderful actor whose work I quite enjoyed, he had a nice mix of whimsy and intensity. He is perhaps best known for his iconic counter-culture TV show The Prisoner, a very trippy experience to watch and one of my Dad's all-time favourites. He also was a recurring guest star on Columbo, winning two Emmies for different guest roles. I think his most prominent role in recent years was the villainous Edward the Longshanks in Braveheart. He was actually considered for the role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, but he declined due to age and health concerns. I don't care much for Michael Gambon, and I liked Richard Harris a lot, but I truly think that McGoohan as Dumbledore might have been the best of them all, with a look in his eye -- both ancient and at the same time impish -- that says "I know more than I'm telling."

The title of this entry is the signature farewell of the characters in The Prisoner.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Rinse and Spit

An odd story about mouthwash:

When thinking about any possible sundries to purchase before my return to England, I was sure I remembered having 2 opened bottles of Listerine at my flat in Finsbury Park. Why I had 2, I could not recall, but sure enough when I returned to London they were waiting for me in the bathroom.

I decided to consolidate the bottles, pouring the remains of one into the other.

The next day, my flatmate Matt wondered aloud to Brianne what could have happened to his bottle of moutwash.

That's right, I knicked his rinse believing it to be mine. We had a laugh on it, and I promised to replace his bottle.

The very next morning, the headline on the front page of the morning Metro paper read:

MOUTHWASH 'INCREASES RISK OF MOUTH CANCER'

Apparently, the alcohol content is carcinogenic. So I showed him the paper and told him "Seems I did you a favour, buddy!"

Monday, January 12, 2009

Never Left?

As I return to my office job in London, I'm struck by the feeling that I have not actually spent over two months away from it. Y'know that "feels like I never left" feeling? I noticed it the moment I sent a work-related email with a subject line I'd typed hundreds of times before leaving and hadn't used in two months; my fingers typed without even thinking, the muscle memory was so strong. And they say familiarity breeds contempt; go figure.

Men have a reputation for being gadget fiends, and I am no exception to this traditional stereotype. I have been thoroughly enjoying my latest toy, an iPod from my darling wifey. It's sleek and fun and cool and distracting and just what I wanted . . . now, if I could only refrain from forgetting it on the dresser before I head off to work, I'll really enjoy it!

My absentmindedness is not solely reserved for electronics, it's also culinary. Brianne had to remind me to put olives on our nacho plate 3 times last night! That's just ludicrous, olives should have to be mentioned only once in a food conversation to make them stick.

It's so nice to have a real friend for a house mate. Matt the Australian next door is a great guy. The three of us watched 7 episodes of The Office together last night. By the last two, when the theme song played, we all sang it in three-part harmony! You just can't beat the bond of the music geek.

This week looks to be be very dedicated to work, but as the social calendar fills, our loyal readers will be informed. Good night and good luck.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Quirks and Quarks

We arose at about 11 this morning, the final throes of jetlag behind us (we hope). Sunlight was streaming through our Finsbury window -- replaced an hour later by partly cloudy and a feeling it could drizzle any time. Ah, London.

Reflecting upon our whirlwind Christmas season this year, it was a great adventure that I'm very glad we experienced. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, and I met Brianne at the Ottawa airport more in love with her then ever. We both appreciated the chance to work on our vocation solo, and we know that we can manage these solitary sojourns well, so we can welcome them in the future.

I am grateful that I had to chance to spend time with Mom, Dad, and Kat. Family time is always quality time, especially at the holidays. And I was thrilled to criss-cross the Ottawa valley to catch up with all of my "capitol" relations. I thank Stephen and Wendy for their wondrous hospitality, and I thank Brittany for providing the new drool machine in all our lives, Buster!

I've lost count of the number of times that we pulled out our laptop to regale our loved ones with photos and stories of London, Ireland, The Tower, Warwick, and Hampton Court. All I can say is -- you ain't seen nothing yet! We have plenty more adventures to come, and I PROMISE Jean and Charlene that we will have more regular updates in the coming year. God forbid that with your spare time at work you'd actually have to, y'know, work. :)

Our Ottawa visits included the classic Tucker Christmas Day dinner; pea soup and Wii with David, Linda and Amanda (more on that hilarity later); Sarah's welcome home party; lasagna with Jean; tea with Charlene and Glenn (strength and blessings); and a truly frigid New Year's Eve braved by the seekers of the elusive Beaver Tail! Tanya and Dan were lovely hosts, and their wonderful friends split our sides with hilarious tales of Cornwall.

Our brief stop in Toronto brought us a great reunion with John and Maryse of Vintage Video, accompanied by a sensational dinner at the Oyster Boy restaurant. We also got to see Kat's new apartment, which is not only directly across the street from Brianne's first downtown apartment and down the block from where we first co-habited, but was formerly occupied by my Best (Wo)Man Melissa! The world is shrinking. Pizza and beer with our pal Eric capped the whirlwind visit.

Niagara Falls offered us the news that both Susan and Ruth Willick, as well as Janina Knight, are engaged! Ruth will be wed in July of this year, and Janina in August. Talk about incentive for a summer visit . . . we shall see.

The flight back on Air Canada was rather unpleasant. Not disastrous by any means, but chock full of minor delays and unhelpful staff who were clearly reaching the end of their tether. Brisk of tone and rather dismissive, and they knocked B's seat with the cart every single time they went past! Plus we were at the very back of the plane; not a huge thing, but it makes a difference when we really want to get up and leave quickly. Oh well, 'tis the life of the jet set, I suppose.

We've spent the last few days resetting our inner clocks and preparing to head back to work. Brianne is starting up an amazing job with HENS Theatre Company, and I will be returning to my office job and my catering gigs, with a keen eye to snagging as many auditions as possible. We hope for great things this year. We will conquer 2009, we will fight it on the beaches, we will fight it in the air, and they shall say of us "Never have so few owed so much to so many," . . . or something like that.