Face To Face 2 Face too Face

It has been many moons now since I took up the joy and entertainment of Musical Theater. And over the years I have been in more then my fair share of Musicals/performances. This isn't due to an automatic talent I was born with (I wish). I've been working really hard at crafting what I feel to be a fulfilling talent to the art. I was QUITE the lucky little honky with this adventure because of High School. I went to an Art's school which had an amazing Musical Theater program in it. (hence this story). At first I was just a child auditioning for my life to just get somewhere that I thought would be REALLY cool. And sure enough Cool wanted me too.

(excluding the variety shows I have been apart of)

As a grade 9 student I was fortunate, (and when I say fortunate I mean it was happening to all the Grade 9 musical theater students) to be in the Chorus of our schools production of "Godspell". This being my first take at theater acting, the thought never crossed my mind that when someone on stage improv's a line into the show and is really funny, YOU DO NOT LAUGH WITH THE AUDIENCE! But there I was enjoying myself as if I were some sort of idiot who just walked off the street and said "oOoOH look at the pretty lights!"
(just two kittens having a night on the town)

Now time flew by. Hair grew longer, girls seemed to be the only thing I thought worth wild to get up in the morning for, and of course the ever hating pubescent years of my life were beginning to REALLY kick my ass.
But this year in our production - the faculty decided to do something to really show off our vocal ranges. To really push into becoming performers. To really do a show to which the writers have been dead for soooo many decades that no one can claim royalties over. This year was "The Pirates of Penzance". Now this year was a test. It was all about focus. When that dashing Pirate King stood up and sang - if our eyes were not locked solid on to him then it was off the plank with us in that scene. I do admit we began to see the wrath of the teachers due to stress levels and all the leads losing their voices, I think I was scared sober. Scared sober due to the vodka hidden within my flask while we "pretended" to drink during the song "Pour oh Pour". Although it was not quite Pirate Sherry I was indulging in on stage, I would still consider myself trying out the method acting tactic.

(There is no picture here - this being because I was going through a "hair" stage. During the show my hair was bleached bright blonde (yechh) and befor the performance I had long brown dreadlocks.)
Now grade 11 hit me as hard as my girlfriend(s) could. They were tough dolls those ones. But luckily by this year I had begun to better understand this whole "acting" thing. Responsibility and professionalism was something I was all too familiar with in this years production. "Urinetown". It in my mind was and is a classic. The show is soo funny if you can get anyone that can hold themselves on stage and deliver a line to the fullest - then you have yourself this show. Our production was unique in the sense we took non singers and made them singers. In some of the cases we made them fake it. God did they fake it well. (I did not yet have my next girlfriend by the beginning of this production so don't get smart with me pervert!)


Alright now. I'm starting to get a little serious.... Enough joking.......... believe me? HA!...... Good acting right? pshh Yah I know!

Any way. It was time for me to start acting grown up. It's my last year of highschool and I really do enjoy this thing called Muse-ee-cull thhee-a-tor. So before I could even think of the next production I had two people giving me ideas left, right and center. The center was because this one guy (Mike) kneed me in the crotch once and stuffed snow down the back of my shirt..... A little over reaction for a small silent but deadly left behind in his car as he dropped me off at a friends house.... But he did however get me my first outside gig to which I will never forget about......

The night was HOT and I was out on the town with the idea of making it big. It's Tony night people - the biggest night for musical theater performers everywhere!....... no.... no I wasn't at the Tony's. Or even in the same country. BUT! I was invited to perform at a Tony party in Toronto during commercial times of the Tony's.
I was to perform "Purpose" the uplifting and cleanest song written within the musical Avenue Q. Of course as I went to perform this I must have forgotten to tell my brain not to be a complete ass and forget all the lyrics as I am standing up in front of dozens of people, some of which thought I was the cutest thing alive, and all of the ladies thinking I'm total crap.
This was my first bomb shell when it came to performing. Good thing I didn't invite any of my friends to come watch.... Oh wait.... I did. Good 'ol Matt and Kaleb... They didn't mind too much seeing how Kaleb was trying to flirt with the ladies behind us, and Matt completely ruining it by turning around to them constantly just to tell them to Shut many many things up with themselves.

But mind off of this night I had some more productions to think about. My right hand man-J-ordan D. Pipher got me an audition for a production of Seussical the Musical. (get it - seussical rymes with musical.... like how Dr.Seuss made up words to rhyme with real words too..... get it?...... Nothing? no? Okay.)

Soon would I find out that this is a production run by the camp to which I work at every summer. So meeting new people and seeing familiar faces made the audition process a lot more easier to go through..... And sure enough.... I did alright... I made some jokes, took some names. Left a song. I auditioned with "Any Dream Will Do" from the Musical- Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat... I got the role of the Mayor of Whoville.. His name being...... Mr.Mayor.. (Jordan being the Cat in the Hat hahaha)

Myself and Jordan were serious this year with singing so we took up a Vocal coach named Carol Hasek. Genius woman! I have never been more comfortable singing around someone than her. Even when I first met her. Something about her house I think?.....Or maybe that soup she gave me before I sang....hmm...what was in that?..... Any way. It was a great time.

As I worked hard on Seussical the next school production came up. It was Grease.... Who'd have thought that a high school would ever put that show on? Original right?... wop wop.....'

But it turned out really great. Jordan got to understudy Danny Zuko - he even got to perform him- and although I didn't get an initial part myself, I did get a solo in the show and be one of the initial/main T-birds. I sang "Those Magic Changes."
I learned two things with this show. One was that no part is really ever a small part. Although I was only able to have the spotlight for all of 3 minutes, I got to contribute to probably one of the funniest scenes in the show. And the second thing is how to save yourself vocally. Not going to lie - but at the time I could NOT hit one of those high notes. Trust me it was more than a stretch. And my good 'ol director really knew how to scare a person into performing their all. And all she had to do was to say 8 simple words as she crossed your path in the hall. "If you can't hit the note, you're out!"
...........................................................I hit the note :)..................................kinda......

Now it was Seussical. One genius of a musical. I did so well it's true-sicle. And not a person around did boo-sicle.

Mr.Mayor was a very fun role to play. I got to be funny and sing and be on stage with a hilarious cast. Even a couple of my musical theater teachers drove out to see it. Pretty sweet-icle... okay I'll stop... cough.........icle.....
The summer past and I was now on my own in the world. Working the odd City job as a film/photography teacher, and eventually becoming a Waiter at Jackastors........yippiiiee..:(....

But then GOOD 'ol Jordan gave me a ring a ling ling - and poof auditions for another musical came ABRUPT!........ (don't know why I used that word..... thought it would be funny :) )

This year we would audition for "Oliver! the musical". Now although there was nothing more I wanted then to perform in this show - stupid work was what needed to take priority. And as the pain swelled up my eyes to the point where I could see through time. I auditioned any way.... Now there are not many parts for a 19 year old who looks like a 17 year old in Oliver. It's either a little orphan boy or an old fat man...... I was niether... So luckily they found me a small speaking role of DR.Grimwig, the doctor who inspects oliver after he has been taken to the old rich mans house. I changed this prim and proper dumb doctor to drunken pirate. (easily compared to Capt.Jack Sparrow). Finally by the time this show started I had freed myself of all obligations. Work and ladies. One freed me without my consent hahaa but thats another blog story. I gave it my all and enjoyed every minute of it........


And thus brings me to my story..... HA!

Here you are wasting your night away reading and thinking this is the story! FOOOOLED YOU.... Man is that ever a smack in the face!........... WAIT!!!! don't turn off my blog... Keep reading!!! I'll keep the next part short I swear....... hehe suckerr...

It's like the book "PI"... You read half the book and its about sloths and religion... no story. Then FINALLY half way through the book you get into the story. And I have only ever heard good things about the 2nd half of that book. So you're in luck....... hehe suckkerrrr......

It's been another year - and thus begins another round of........dum Dum DUMMM!!!! Auditions.

Now I'm in a pickle.... Do I audition for the musical that has the killer lead part that I love (Bobby Strong - urinetown... Although I have already done the show)
Or do I audition for the show that has several realyl good parts and is being done with my Camp friends in it again. (Guys and Dolls.)

Now I would choose both if I could but Auditions were the same weekend and the shows are 2 weeks a part... So I need to choose...... What to choose what to choooooooossseeeee......

-Mission 3- Luck be a Lady


So here I go. Off to another whirl wind adventure with Jordan. This show should be a goood'n seeing how we are both aiming for 2 opposite roles from each other. I want Nathan Detroit or one of Benny and Nicely Nicely. And he wants Sky Masteson or one of Benny or Nicely Nicely.... Either way we kinda have a small hope we can team up in this production and play opposite to each other.....

So the auditions are nearing and I figure, hey it's classically done by such great club singers like Sinatra... So why not bust out a song like he would sing. So I search through what I think to be good music and find the song "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" sung by Bobby Darin. PERFECT!

One day I was listening to Jason Mraz.... hahaha one day?!........ Anyway... One day I was stalking the guy and he sang a SICK version of "At Last" by Norah Jones, and I think - Oh man! This song is soo sweet I could totally flaunt my vocals with this one! Screw Beyond the pee, I want "At Last"! PERFECT.....

Now myself and Jordan get lost in Youtube boredom. This is where you watch thousands of Youtube videos in one night because you get stuck watching something amazing when you don't want to do work.... And POOF - I stumble on footage from this past years Tony's....tony's grrrr..... And while I watch imagining I'm that singer on the stage crying because they just one for best leading lady - I stumble upon the production of "Xanadu" the musical. Not that old 80's crap with Olivia Newton John, but rather the new remake on Broadway Tony nominated production... and DAMN can that man SING! "Don't Walk Away"....... It's sooo amazing.... why are his shorts soo high?..... Why are his legs soo shiny? Why aren't mine?!!! wait back to the voice..... I must do this song!...... And lucky for me with only a week left before auditions I have no more time to flip flop back and forth through songs..... So I have chosen.... "Don't Walk Away" from the Musical production of "Xanadu".

Auditions come and I meet up with Jordan and our great friend Chaplin (charlie) - and we get to the audition. Seeing how the previous year for Oliver there was no dance segment to the auditions I decided it clearly must be the same.... So I wear dress pants and converse with holes all through them...... There was dancing.... But sure enough other than one note I rocked the song as much as I could have hoped for and got me a call back!

The call back comes and I am there to try for Nathan Detroit and Benny Southstreet. I get called in after a while and read lines and sing a duet with the really funny director Kate. I'm feeling comfortable at this point because I know everyone in the room. Even the nonstopping little girl in the seat watching me. (annie - she was jojo in Seussical the music...cough... And also Oliver Twist in Oliver!)

I did alright I think. I had trouble reading the liens on the paper but I think I did swell... Not too too long later I get called back in with Jordan. hehehehe.... He is to sing Nicely Nicely's part and I, Benny Southstreet.... We read lines.... We make up lines... he reads lines... I make up lines... Director wants the REAL lines............ We both read lines.....

Next week is our first rehearsal.
Tag team action with Jordan (Nicely Nicely Johnson) and I (Benny Southstreet).

-this is going to be a fun show hahaha

No you're a tart !!

It's about that time of year again. Where I can take you off into the wilderness, whisper sweet nothings mainly to do with dvd special features and the occasional smoothy mix. And as we whisper together and indulge on such sweets as strawberry poptarts, I think to myself, what more do I need? I have a world of incredible beauty surrounding me, conversation to entertain me as I watch your face go from interested to bored, strawberry poptarts (which is a must) and you, my eccentric little stuffed dinosaur with a red and white scarf wrapped around your long neck........ Gosh I need to find myself a girl..................

But this new season change does bring up a few things to mind. Why on earth is the weather showing signs of snow when it isn't quite yet November? Why do I need to be wearing my winter jacket? And why are my legs shaved?!

................Oh right. Hallow's Eve.

-Mission Halloween -

Halloween is almost upon us people. What do youuuuu do for this such occasion? Now I'm not saying that I shave my legs at this time each year, it's all for my costume. Yeah thats right, I still wear a costume on Halloween. But honestly who doesn't? You can be any age and still bust out some sort of scary slutty bizarre or just plain crappy costume. This year I, not being any certain character, have decided to be an athlete.

Now this athlete I have decided to name Jack, just because. Now Jack competes in Triathlons. He is a very muscular built man who can outrun outswim outwitt and outplay any competitor anywhere. He also has the sexiest legs for a male in Canada. Honestly, I think in years to come all men will be shaving their legs. But until then..... YOU TELL NO ONE WHAT I'VE DONE!!! cough anyway.....
I think that for the actual Halloween night I may switch it up a little. Put on a Superman shirt and a suit over top of that muscle. Not origional, but I don't think I care too much when the weather is going to be undoubtedly FREEZING!

But things to look forword to other than a Halloween night of Dancing it up crispy is "The Office". Saw a short clip of it and am REALLY excited for their episode. It's entitled "Employee Transfer". Air's October 30th - so watch it.

Now (and how)

I have already posted today. But I have just come across something soo inspiring to me. I find my life in such a rutt with things I have yet to do with myself. Like actually FEEL and look healthy. I find myself being too afraid to try and learn languages and the guitar. After all I'm a drummer and I dropped French in highschool, so whats the point?

"I don't bother with "it's too late to learn that, i'll look silly." Be here now. What better time to give yourself a positive affirmation and start having fun. "

That quote was done in a blog post by Jason Mraz on September 11th 2007. The time is always now. And as much as I find myself living the moment. WHAT THE CRAP!! Add to your lives people. I know I am.

-pJ

-Mission life- Live.

Mraz-mania

Sometimes I have to dress my best. Most times I HAVE to dress my best. The time of simple house parties are over. "fancier bar's " and clubs seem to be the best places to go to. Seeeeems to be. Sure, fun fun and happieness all around. But where have all the cheap basement get togethers where there is god awful music and potato chips and soda. C'mon people. Where is the Smartfood!? No lie though, I get soo comfortable in my vest that I try to wear it on most of my outings. If there was an award for fanciest movie attender, I would think it would be called the pJ's.......

Where to draw the line I wouldn't really care to know. To be honest, in my mind putting on a vest is a kind gesture to show people that you care to look your best for their time spent with you. Show up in sweats and I'm in a vest. Smack in the face and one of those three stooges pokes in the eye....... Are you a stooge? STOOGE!?

Last time I wore my vest was the last concert I attended. The Jason Mraz concert @ Massey Hall, Toronto. (I know, nice segue right? - cheap way to show that wicked pic of me too :) )

What a freakin genius that man is with music. His lyrics are backed up with a brilliant band who he leads so hilariously.

He is the artist that I could see myself trying endlessly to meet. I see it, because I've done it.

:3 days ago:

-Mission 2- Meet Mraz

So its October, and I have long given up on my mission to travel to Montreal over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and check out the french country side filled with cigarettes and bagettes. Not so much the wine. I've tried it. Needs more umph.... any way...

I get a call from my favorite frenchy "diddy" and she is in a theatre leaving the Mraz concert..... Mraz, Montreal, BattlestarGallactica....... I had to go to his concert!

In a fight with myself all day about how to get this money or who would go with me. It was too intense. The intensity was soo intense that anything more intense would be tent of pain. I couldn't even listen to his music. Knowing that at that very moment he was chilling out in Toronto awaiting to put on one hell of a show the night after. --- 8 pm came quickly, I gave up. There's no money anywhere that I could use for this show. For all I knew I had 5 dollars in my bank account and no outlook of anything to do for a while... So I call my bank. ummmmm $100.34?? Where.... did this come from? - seconds later I am awaiting what would be (in my opinion) one of the greatest shows EVER, just me, mraz, and seat 23 in the floor center section of row K.

I had to go pick up my ticket. So I went at noon..... I went downtown, to get my ticket...... At noon.............. For a 7:30 show.... Hmmm, what to do. What to do. WHAT...... 2..... DOOOO. I am just going to stand around. Yep. Stand around, behind the theare..... Beside Jason Mraz' tour bus....... Not creepy, no no no no no no. I just didn't have anything else to do. Oh look, there he is! Look at that. Jason Mraz, right there. Who would have thought he'd be there? What a coincidence!

Not going to lie. I froze faster than a fish swimming in water during December. He was there just as much as he was then gone doing soundcheck not to come back out........ Damnit.

No worries no worries no worries. Im not a creeper. I don't care. I didn't need a picture to say that I saw that guy right up close..... Nope..... I don't..... sighhh.

Alrght, Concert begins and I have an AMAZING spot. No tall people in front of me. Sneaky jerks stood in front of me during the Mraz concert in April.... oh.. what? Did I not mention I have seen him in concert befor? Any way. Concert was amazing. The only draw back was I was sitting beside probably the two oldest people in the building. Didn't get me from jiving to the beats and singing along as if I were a preteen girl. Brilliant night.

Oh wait. I forgot, I stayed after the show and ended up meeting Jason Mraz. Got me a picture with his percussionist/backup singer/right hand man "Toca". What a saint that guy is. He's sooo funny. So although the entire day consisted of standing around waiting for Jason Mraz to come around, I feel like I have learned something about myself. Something that I feel will undoubtedly follow me in my mind and my heart for the rest of my life. Something that I know and feel will help my future self and perhaps even children in my future..\\\\

Wear a coat when you are being creepy waiting for a singer for hours in the pouring rain.

-pJ

ps... Saaaweeet huh ----->

numero Me.

8:14 Friday night. Bottle of water/scotch and The Office.

Hysterically enough I am going out.

Not fully sure how its funny. Can't fully understand the joke there. But the alone on a friday night is just the whipped cream flowing up towards the cherrie. The cherrie of course is just me getting out on the town.

This is more a place for me to laugh at myself with all the weired adventures I go on, sometimes with other people, and even on my own.

:two and half weeks ago:

-Mission 1- The Golden Sale.

Sitting at home is a daily ritual for me. Not much to do other than jive away on my drumkit. The car is hardly parked for more than an hour with my house so the chances of me getting out quickly for a timmies coffee is not going to happen. Strange enough by noon the car had returned as if never to have left. Strange? Yes. Yes it was, thats why I said it. My mom unceremoniously walks through the door with her hand over by her cheek. Assuming she was talking on the phone I went on to grab myself a soooda. With a small twinkle in her eye which I would later realise to be a tear from all the pain, she stopped and stared at me. She throws me a very small container. Says the simple words "here's a present". Initially I think this is the best moment of my life. Honestly, it's September. Christmas is still months away, my birthday even further. WHATS THE DEAL?! Alright now I'm suspicious. What is in this thing. She has already given me a ring with my initials carved into it.

YOU KNOW WHAT?! I don't want it.

"It's my tooth. The dentist just pulled it out."

Oh good god.
No sooner was that tooth hurling through the air as she said the word "pulled".

What sick humour.... I love it!

"No no, it's a gold tooth. Dentist said you could get 30-40 bucks for it.
I was in my car moments later driving up to a jeweler 7 minutes up the road to see how much I could get for this honkin tooth. Of course I didn't open it to see that there was still tooth connected to it and blood causing what could only be described as a smell that comes straight from a dead pimp who had the unfortunate last moment on landing on a skunk.
The man to which I presented this tooth to could not speak english. Interesting man really. I said I was selling gold, he responded with - "yes yah mmhmm, silver yes yes"..... Nice guy really. He didn't turn out to be that nice when he asked me to please leave. He must have memorised that phrase or something.

Wait.... WHAT AM I THINKING?! Russel Oliver.... You know "I give you cold hard cash for gold gold gold!!" I drove quickly to his location on the very fine Toronto corner of Avenue rd and Eglington.

The door in its own was something of great majesty. Big old swinging door by a portrait of himself. I walk in and there was a two step distance befor I hit another door. Yet on this door I hear a voice. "Are you selling something?" umm yep. "Is it Gold?" Oh ho yah it is! *beep*...

I'm in. The room is COMPLETELY empty. There are glass display cases lineing the sides of the room. There's nothing in them. Not long befor a very tall man walks out. Its the Oliver! sniff what a star! He looks at me. "You 18?" Nope. Older!. "Alright lets see whatcha got." "well ummm ahem, your goldness, I heard that you are lookin in the market for any sort of gold. how-ahem-how much you give for teeth? "Ten bucks"...................................

Damn dentist........

-pJ

(I of course took the money. Not like I was going to use the thing anymore.)