Back To Set, Back To Reality

May 18, 2006
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

At this point, there are a few things I can't believe. I can't believe I've been home for almost a month already. It still feels like just last week that I was in Costa Rica soaking up the sunshine and partying my nights away by moonlight in Montezuma. Sadly, however, it was nearly a month ago and as the time has passed since my return I am adjusting back to my "normal" life. I had a few days off before I got back into my work life, but those days were filled with reunions and farewells and they just flew by.

Before I knew it I was back on set. Thankfully, my first job back was with all the guys who I looked forward to seeing upon my return, a great crew no question. It was a massive job, seven days that turned into eight, and so the production crew was a big one. Thankfully I was surrounded by good friends and looking forward to some good times. There were an insane number of locations on this job and the first three days in particular kept us all busy. Happily it all went quite smoothly. Despite the number of unit moves, we didn't even lose a walkie!







After day four of seven, on Thursday, we all felt it was neccesary to go for a beer. It had been four hectic days and we were starting late the next morning, so, the only decision to make was where. Well, that one beer turned into a few more and then a location move of our own from Sweaty Betty's up to my old stomping grounds on Bayview Avenue, McSorely's to be exact.

Of course, things just escalated from there and continued to do so all evening until the sun rose and I found myself crashing at Ted's for a mere 3 hours or so before heading back to set the next day. Our later start had prompted some long hours of partying from most people in production and so the Friday seemed to move at a bit of a slower pace, but we managed. Luckily we were in only one location that day and didn't have a whole lot on our plates to deal with.


The PA Lounge



So, what else should 8 PAs with little to do on a shoot day be doing? Making a sweet ass PA lounge of course! Obviously we were all interested in resting our aching heads and tired bodies, so an area in which to do just that frankly seemed neccesary.
Enter the support cube, complete with two crash mats, six boxed tents, a wack of location mats and even a baby blanket. With those few ingredients and some clever rearranging we soon found ourselves with a dual level sleeping area for four, though most of us (save for Alastair) didn't actually fall asleep.

The only thing missing then was Marco's infamous hammock. At one mention of it there he was, hammock in hand. Suddenly we were looking at sleeping areas for 5, a snack bar, a patio and many extra seats for visitors, not to mention the tunes from my ipod. Sweet set up indeed. A little electriciy to watch some hockey games and we would have been totally pimped out, but alas that was too much to ask so we had to settle for the radio version. It was a long night but it was made all that more bearable thanks to our lounge.


Taking it easy after setting up lunch









Barrett wants a 20 on Jenny Martin, Ted doesn't want to talk about it



It was a long shoot and we all figured things would start getting bitchy on set by days seven and eight, but surprisingly the good vibes conintued throughout and we capped it all off with a hell of a wrap party. Started at the Drake and finished at Manny's place, sometime in the wee hours of the next morning. Thank god he lives five stumbling minutes from me, and that Jonny walked me home.


Manny at the Drake wrapping the job up proper

I've had one other job since, a quick 2 day gig with Warren. Things actually got a lot bitchier on that set. Not sure exactly why that was although I have my suspicions. Let's just say a crew is only as good as it's director...and leave it at that. It was very nice to be back at work with Warren and Sandy though and thank god Ted rolled onto that job with me too, or I probably would have lost my mind. Thanks for the never ending comedy and good times boys. It's good to be back on the job with all you crazy kids! Here's to the great summer that lies ahead.

Hangin with the boys on set

So, it's now the long weekend, and while I'd love to take my days off and head out of town, that was not an option for me this year as I must spend the time preparing my new apartment for habitation. My room is painted a beautiful "toast brown" and the kitchen is an awesome "asparagus green", and more importantly, almost finished. Just a couple more rooms to paint and a bed to set up and I'll be nice and comfy at my new pad. Can't wait for that! Thankfully I also start the next job on Monday. Two more weeks banked, let's hope the jobs keep rolling in cause I'm looking forward to paying off some debts and going on a shopping trip!

What can I say? Back to set, back to life, back to reality. So far, so good, but the plans for the next excursion are never far from my mind.

Here We Go!

Chu


May 1, 2006
Toronto, Ontario, Canada


So, it has begun. The time in my life where I start to attend many a wedding, and not just attend but maybe even participate. I have a little practice standing up for someone on their special day, but seeing as both those occasions were at the weddings of my parents this is very different.

With about a week left in my trip, I sat in the Eco Tours office in Montezuma checking my email when I got a cheeky, teasing email from my very very good friend Chu (Julie). At that time she was touring around many parts of Asia with her wonderful boyfriend Ken. Obviously we all know where this is going. Point is that day that we all knew was coming sometime, probably sooner than later, had arrived. Ken and Julie got engaged. I'm so happy for her, mostly just because I know she's happy and also because she deserves every minute of this joy. Personally, I'm still getting used to the idea that my friends are starting to go there. I knew this time was coming soon but I guess I just always looked at it as something that was going to happen, not something that is happening. I can't believe my friends are getting married. I, on the other hand, could not be farther from the alter. It doesn't bother me now but I must admit it may start bothering me when the others start getting hitched if I'm still this far away from such a scenario.

The issue of marriage, for me, has always seemed to highlight my Gemini nature. I very much want to find someone I'm willing and happy to spend the rest of my life with, but I have hard time grasping just how that's going to work. Let the dualities begin. I guess it just comes down to finding someone who is truly interested in many of the same things as you (travel is huge for me) and willing to live a similar lifestyle as well. It's an often exhausting search and so it's something I've stopped being so worried about. My life is good and I'm happy. I have so much love around me. Of course I'd love to have one special man in my life but I'm also not willing to settle and so I must just be happy with what I do have, and that's a plethora of amazing people all around. People I care very much about and people who I can honestly say I KNOW care very much about me. That's the essence of life and love as far as I'm concerned.


me and chu a couple years ago at school

Julie is one of those very people to whom I feel deeply connected and who I love very much. I can't wait to be there to witness her enormous step into the next stage of her life, supporting her in any way I can. Chu, my deepest and warmest congratulations. I love you very much and am so excited for you. A little shocked that we've reached that stage (let's face it I still feel like a kid) but ecstatic none-the-less. All my love and all the best. Just call me with any help you may need!

Mols