The Day Eric Stopped Driving A Ticking Time Bomb And Bought A Car

Today my father and I went to a carlot and actually left with a new car. Well not totally new...but pretty darn new. It is a 2002 Hunday...i don't know how to spell that....Elantra. Only 10011 miles on it and I got an excellent deal. It's black, fully loaded with nice interior and keyless entry. It's really nice. So I REALLY won't have any spare money for a while...but not having to worry about my car exploding on my way to work will be worth it. Then on my way home Blot got car sick and illustrated why you should feed a dog chicken skins before you let them ride in a BRAND NEW CAR! Then I get home, clean out my car and Nathan decides to tango with demon squirrel as some macho power display for Amber...don't ask..I don't get it either. Nathan ended up with cuts on his fingers and one pissed off squirrel. Then we went to Steak N' Shake with Nathan and Amber and drank a half Vanilla, half chocolate shake with hot fudge. AWESOME! SO...I have a new car, a roommate who feels he should duel with demon squirrels, and a stomach full of happiness...It's a good time...a real good time.

Good Music, Great Friends, And Deadish Cannibal People

Today I went to work at 11...but I didn't want to go and Billy came and took my place about half-way through my shift cause had he not..I would have hurt someone. I came home, bathed the Blot, hung out with the brother, ate some food stuff, went to the bank, ate some more food stuff, had a conversation with Amber, Nathan's girlfriend/not girlfriend/date/more than friends Friend, went and saw Dawn of the Dead (GREAT MOVIE! SEE IT NOW), and found a great song. It is kinda depressing but a wonderful song. It's called "Away From The Sun" and it's by 3 Doors Down. Great song...I have listened to it about a billion times tonight alone..and still love it. I can really relate to it at the moment...financially and emotionally at times this week. I found out that I may be working to much to do Annie, gotta talk to the director people and see if they have anyone in mind to take my parts. If not then I am going to try my best to make some rehearsals but I was talking to my boss today and she said that I will be going full time on April 9th...the day Annie opens...and that I will be getting 20 hours plus of overtime a week. That's a lotta dough..and even more candy bars. Eric's finances are looking up...but I won't count my chickens before they hatch..just keep tabs on the eggs. I'll post soon.

And The Work Goes On

NO MORE GREETER!!!! I have been stuck outside at greeter for days...it pains me. It's not a hard job at all...It is just annoying because of the people. If one more person walks by the giant shark hanging by it's tail, survey's the attraction sign that says the name of my attraction, looks at their map, and then asks me with an absent-minded face, "Is this Jaws?" I swear I will lose it. I mean it's really not that difficult. Then there are just the really annoying impatient people who just can't wait 2 seconds while I help someone else with their problem that was equally as important as everyone elses...or then there are the people who readjust the queue cause they decide that they can do it better than the people who were trained to do it. Or the ones who use the EMERGENCY EXITS as extentions of the queue...LOVE THOSE. It's been a long and trying day....and it is over. Came home, cooked dinner, found out Billy is going Vegetarian for a little while, ate some pig, hung out with my brother, watched some TV, talked to Jen, typed in my blog..that's about it. And that is my day. I did however find out that I will be getting Signed off to run tours by myself soon. But I won't actually be able to run boats until April 9th at the earliest cause they still haven't given me my water-safety class. Time will pass slowly...but it will supply me with money..so whatever. I work all week..most likely ay greeter...unless I lose it and they are forced to send me to preboard or something like that. Post soon.

And Now An Update

My show went quite well...The best show ever at Moonlight in many people's opinions. On the final day I put the kid who played Jay in a trashcan full of used Coffee Grounds cause the litte guy told me I wouldn't...and after annoying me for 2 months...without fail everyday...He had it coming. Then I put some chocolate cake in his face..and now my brother is staying with me for his Spring Break. I work 40 hours again this week...YAY MONEY. I am not making any Annie Rehearsals...I am a bad actor...BAD ACTOR. And that's all. That's life. Try to post again soon..but with work I forget.

Meltdown Day

Well...today was the day of Eric's meltdown. Sorry I haven't posted for a while all you devoted readers...Namely..Jen and Lu Lu...and maybe Billy. Here is the brunt of it...all posted to Billy in an IM...poor guy..he's a great friend.

ThePoetremage: I will get over it...either that...or I will work more and talk less. Either way...life goes on.

BluesBrother42: don't say that

The PoetreMage: Don't say what? That I will work more and talk less? Or that life goes on?

BluesBrother42: the work more talk less part

The PoetreMage: Oh ok.

The PoetreMage: I don't think I will live with Nathan after our next lease period. Like me, you, and Nathan will live together this time next lease period...and then I will prolly get my own place...or maybe a place with just you...or a place with someone else...But I think living with Nathan is hurting our friendship.

BluesBrother42: that can happen

The PoetreMage: We just come from completely different worlds. I come from having to watch my money, and having to grow up early, and knowing that I will work all my life....Nathan comes from money...and bragging...and...Nathan... I am the most mature of the three of us living here right now...I wanna be the kid dammit. I wanna be irresponsible and spend lots of money on things I want...and all that crap..but I can't...I watch Nathan do it and then listen to him complain cause he spent 4 thousand dollars in 2 weeks... And Matts no better..he is making ridiculous amounts of money and he is constantly complaining about how he has none. And then him constantly getting huge roles...That is just annoying....And people comparing me to him onstage...

BluesBrother42: I'm sorry buddy

The PoetreMage: Sorry...I can take a lot...but eventually I melt down.

BluesBrother42: with good reason

BluesBrother42: any other person would melt down under the circumstances

The PoetreMage: Sometimes more articulately than others....this time being one of them....

The PoetreMage: And the worst part is..I don't know how to make it better...

BluesBrother42: I wish I knew how to make it better

The PoetreMage: It's ok.

The PoetreMage: Matt moving out will help some.

The PoetreMage: You moving in will help some.

The PoetreMage: Me making money will help some.

The PoetreMage: Eventually getting a role onstage will help some.

BluesBrother42: all very true

BluesBrother42: when I move in you won't be alone, we can be broke together

The PoetreMage: Getting put on equal playing ground with Nathan would help some...whenever that happens.

BluesBrother42: you don't have to be on equal playing grounds with Nathan

BluesBrother42: what the hell is equal playing grounds with nathan anyway

The PoetreMage: Getting cast in a role of similar size in the same show.

The PoetreMage: A singing role.

The PoetreMage: Sorry...I'm done..This is my occasional melt down...wondering what I am doing with my life...if it's worth it...why I try so hard....everything...

That's that...That is my meltdown. It's here for all to see. Good thing Nathan and Matt don't read my journal...might open a few eyes...when you put it in writing it brings it into reality.

Anger Relayed Through Calmness

Well I did auditions again last night. Then I came home and ate a huge bowl of ice cream. It wasn't that it went poorly...it was just that I got a real strong feeling about halfway through that I wasn't going to get cast in this show. I was awarded a rapper name though. Jodie, great woman who played the narrator in Moonlight Players' Christmas Carol when I was Bob Cratchit, said that I was so white that my rapper name is Freska..with a Capital K. I am pretty white..... Oh well. Then after the rehearsals everyone kept telling me that that was the best audition any of them has ever seen me do. Then Jen came up to me and said, "You were REALLY good the last couple of nights at auditions." only further pushing me into the thoughts that I won't get cast...cause of how it was said...in that way that easily translates into "If you don't get cast it's not cause you aren't a good actor..and if I were casting the show by myself I would cast you in the show." Then I came home and waited for Billy to sign on cause I really needed to vent. He didn't sign on and Jen got worried so I promised to call her when I heard from him...then I passed out at about 11:30...woke up at around 2:30 and went to change out my laundry...only to find out I forgot to turn on the dryer...so I turned it on went back to bed and woke up at 8ish. I continued my laundry, then just as I was getting in the shower work called and told me not to bother coming in cause it was raining and I would be stuck at greeter all day...I have been feeling like I might be coming down with something....so I called in rather than stand in the rain all day. I did laundry all day and cleaned my room. Met up with a friend from work but had to call it short cause he had to go unexpectedly.....causing me to pick him up and drop him off in all of 45 minutes...and he lives 10 minutes away. Cooked my lunch, ate it, cleaned up a little, watched some T.V. talked to Billy...found out he knows the cast...asked Jen if he could tell me...she said no...continued to worry about casting....talked to Billy...got addicted to a game but forgot to save a link to it so I lost it...Got stood up by Billy for a movie about a Giant Shark....cooked dinner...ate it...cleaned up while trying to watch Dracula 2:The Ressurection...talked to Lu Lu...and now...on with the sleep. OH! And here's a brief description why I need more money.

Eric: What's up?
Lu Lu: nothing much... just planned a random trip to NYC
Eric: Fun...still need to go there.
Lu Lu: you HAVE to.. maybe you can tax deduct it
Eric: How? For what?
Lu Lu: um... if you go see shows, if you're an actor? maybe? maybe you could call your universal job an actor job?
Eric: Not gonna happen...First...you gotta have the money to put up front...and I don't...second...no.


Anybody wanna donate to the "Eric Needs To Be A More Well-Rounded Actor" fund?

CURSE THE DRAW OF THE HERRERA PUNCH!!!

Today I have a stomach ache. But it was worth it. I went to Lu Lu's party last night...great party....even if it did make me feel severly inadequate as a singer. All those talented encore people...and then the other ones who are currently on their way or have been or currently are on Broadway. It was a fun time though. Did my show all weekend. It was good times. Sunday Lu Lu, Erika, and Cindy came to see it and they seemed to like it. I got the water works going pretty convincingly during my big scene...so that's good. Then I went to auditions for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged", I think they went very well..but I really don't think Tim will cast me...he tends to decide his casts before auditions..and I don't think he likes me as an actor..which is fine. Not to fond of him as a director..just really wanna do THAT show. Billy, Andrew, and myself showed up in suits to draw attention to ourselves...well...more attention to ourselves. I was in a 70's leisure suit that belonged to my father but somehow ended up in my closet after the move, Andrew was in a very Mr Howell suit (Rich guy from Gilligan's Island), and Billy wins with his BRIGHT ORANGE SUIT...it was great. We left auditions and went to Herrera House..walked in and clawed our way up the piano after a brief stint of laughter cause a girl that I was mortal enemies with in High School was there...and she doesn't even know Lu Lu. We got hugs from Lu Lu and then Billy and I went to McDonald's cause all the real food had already been picked over several times. Came back, talked with Erika, Nathan, Cindy, and Amber. Billy left, argued with Cindy and Erika cause they were worried I wouldn't be ok to drive and that I should leave my car there and let Erika drive me home. I won...Erika left, I stayed. I sang "Feed Me, Git It" with Nathan...felt inadequate...then I sang "Close Every Door"....felt inadequate....then I sang a bunch of stuff from "Into The Woods" as the Baker...felt inadaquate....seeing a trend here. Nathan and Amber left...after a whole night of oogling her..Nathan was pretty tired. I stuck around for a little longer and then I drove home and crashed HARD. Woke up today and regretted not drinking water when I got home. Good times at Herrera House.

Updates.....Updates....Updates....

OK..not much has happened since my last update..but I am bored...so. I went to my friend Erika's suprise party that her boyfriend Rob threw for her...it was less of a suprise party and more of a suprise gathering. Me, Lu Lu, Erika, and Rob. It was good times. We went to Cafe Tu Tu Tango, ate some food, came back to Erika's place, played Trival Pursuit DVD Pop Culture Edition...it was fun...I almost won. We started at 11ish and continued until 3 or so. Rob won...good game...good game. I went to my bank...and long story short...I am pulling my money out and getting a new account at a different bank really soon. Then I went to my Creative Techniques class...which was cancelled..So I got paid for an hour of work and a Mummy T-shirt. Then I ended up going to rehearsal after about an hour of harrassment from Jen. Went to Clermont...did my 2 lines 3 times or so...came home. Then today I cooked Chili for me, Jen, Billy, and nathan and watched some movies. It was a bum day to end all bum days. And that is all...I am bored now. That's it. I'll update when something interesting happens.

GREAT SHOW!

It was a great night! The show went beautifully. I didn't skip anything...and during my big monologue when I tell mamma off....I actually cried. Like in character crying....You know those strong manly tears that roll down your cheek but you don't show that you care...or wipe them away...where you only slightly show it in your voice. It was awesome. The reviewer liked us. During intermission he told one of the house workers that "There were some very talented people on our stage." I just hope I was one of the ones he was reffering to. I'll see in a week or so I guess. Billy helped at the theater tonight. Talked to him a little about not worrying about Jen's mom...she'll get used to it. That's how life works. She has very little to do with the relationship...she may not be happy now...but Jen is..and so is Billy. She will embrace it...or she will just get used to it. Jen's a big girl...who likes Billy...who just happens to be a big boy. So after the show and the fun conversation with Billy....we went to McDonald's where we witnessed Schadenfreude first hand tonight. If you have no idea what I am talking about check out a little musical called AVENUE Q. It's number 16 on the soundtrack. If you don't wanna go through all that to find out what it means I'll tell you now...Schadenfreude is a German word meaning "Happiness at the misfortune of others." and it's not as mean as it sounds...well it is..but it's true...so get over it. So we came home..watched the Chapelle show, the new Harry Potter 3 Trailer on the net, and a trailer from a new movie coming out called Shaun of the Dead. Fun, Fun, Fun....that was my day.

I Made It To The Ruby Tuesdays On Time

Yesterday I spent the morning in the park with Billy celebrating his newly earned UNIVERSAL ID....then I ran boats a couple more times with some of the other trainee's...NO WONDER Mike wasn't worried about me and my show...These people were bad..Like really bad..like...pay them to STOP spieling bad. So last night I didn't want to go to my show but I did. I think I may have subconsciously shortened the show on purpose. I skipped 6 or so pages and 15 minutes of the show. I came on stage and said the wrong line...and in my head I was like "That is not the right line...I just skipped like half the scene. Can I fix it?....Nope...Moving on." Then for the rest of my monologue I was like "How can I fix this...any way..nope...I hope they can cover this ok backstage...I hope Ellie comes on in the right place...WHAT DID I DO!?!?!?!?" But in the end it was fine...covered brilliantly. The audience never knew the difference. Then Ellie fell backstage and made a loud crash. It was a good night..But we made it to the kitchen at Ruby Tuesdays before they closed. Went to Ruby Tuesdays...came home...crashed. Today I met up with my friend Anya and my little sister Chrissy...Both from High School. We went to Olive Garden and spent money we don't have on food we didn't really need. It was good. Then I introduced them to "AVENUE Q". Also good. And then I introduced them to Billy. Still with the good. And now I am getting ready to go to my show. The reviewer is supposed to come tonight..so no skipping full scenes for me.

Boat Driving And Bruises

Today I got to drive boats at Jaws. It was LOTS of fun. I started the day at around 10...went to work and met up with Mike, my trainer. We got a boat soon after I got there and started running shows. I did that spiel like 50 times today. I would forget the a part of the spiel and Mike would tell me what I would forget..then I would get that part and forget the part just before it. After doing the show that many times I think I got it...pretty much anyway. Gonna run it a few more times tomorrow. I talked to Mary (Lead supervisor person at Universal) and she thinks I will be able to go full time soon. We took some time out for lunch and to watch the really cheesy queue line video at the attraction. Then we got back on the boat and ran some more trial runs...I am getting there. So we went over the test that I have to take tomorrow and called it a day. Took Mike home and then came home myself. Went grocery shopping...had some Chili Cheese dip for dinner...the worst dinner ever..and now I am going to bed pretty soon. Tomorrow will be fun...Work followed closely by a show and then home.

And Now For The Eric Update

So the last couple of days has all been kind of a garble. I will update as best I can remember. I started work at Jaws yesterday. IT WAS AWESOME! I walk in and find out that my trainer is a guy I have known for pretty much the whole year and a half I have worked for the company. Mike and I train....I am supposed to work from 9:30 to 7:30....yeah...we clock out at like 2:30...At this point we have finished 2 days worth of training. I give Mike a ride home (more proof of how laid back my job is...I drove my trainer home.) and called Billy to tell him I got out early. Billy comes over and we head to Gainsville to see the girls. We drive halfway there..stop at a Steak and Shake and eat...We discuss things you shouldn't eat when going to see your girlfriend...I.E. Things that will melt your girlfriend's head. Then Billy orders everything that we discuss in the previous conversation and had to chew a whole pack of gum to get rid of the nasty. We call Jen and tell her we are on our way but not when we will get there. We call her from right outside her door. She answers. And the happiness pours over the apartment complex like a plague...anyway. We go in and shortly after that Billy and Jen disappear and I don't see them for an hour. (Hello's take a while) I juggle, talk on the phone, learn my Jaw's script, juggle, play Snake II on my phone..call Jen and tell her and Billy that I am a good friend...But I am not a Saint. They come out and we talk until Tiff gets there...like an hour...then they disappear back into the confines of Jen's room and aren't heard from until just before we leave. Tiff and I watch "Mating Habits of the Earthbound Humans" and talk...missing the majority of the movie and finding out a lot about eachother in the process. at 12:30 I call Jen's cell and tell them that they have 15 minutes to say goodbye and then we are leaving. (Goodbyes take a while too) I call back at 12:45 and get some Spanish woman on Jen's cell phone in her bedroom...I don't even want to know why Jen, Billy, and a spanish woman were in Jen's room. (Don't take this to seriously....if you think about it...I AM me...and I am probably not serious) Then Billy and I make the long drive home getting a SOBE energy drink each on the way home. They are AWFUL. And apparently cause the same feeling on the next day as a hang over. I have felt hung over all day...stomach ache...awful. We stop at McDonalds and get some food. Then we come home and crash at about 4 a.m. I went to work today, got in at 9:30 a.m. Went through some stuff...but spent most of the day just wasting time. We spent the whole last two hours just sitting around talking with my Super...about life...in general...Not work related. We clock out at 3:10...again...4 hours early. Decide we don't want to get up tomorrow and that we should come in at noon instead of 9:30...just cause it's...better. I come home, talk to Jen on the phone, crash for 3 hours, cook some food, eat and now I am getting ready to watch some Family Guy and go to sleep. Tomorrow I am on boats...so...UPDATES WILL COME TOMORROW NIGHT!

Why You Shouldn't Drink And Run A Light Board AND An Oscar Party

So my day started at 10 this morning when I got up and went to Moonlight for my Matinee show. The show didn't go very well. We think the lighting board operator had been drinking or something...he missed several light cues and turned off the lights early a couple of times. It was bad...Then Jay started missing lines...that didn't help. Good thing I can cover like nobody's business. Tim was there (A Director that nobody likes..including me)...he gave me the "I"m going to shake your hand and tell you did good cause there are other people watching handshake but I'm not going to make it convincing at all" handshake. After the show we cleaned the theater a little..cause that is the joy of community theater. Then we went to Walmart and bought the stuff to take to Billy's party. I almost didn't go cause I was really tired and bummed about today's show. I got everything and made a vat of Hormel Chili, Velveeta Cheese Chili Cheese Dip...it was a hit..and I have enough for 3 more parties. Things I learned tonight about that dip. 1. Tortilla Chip, Dip, and a Cinnamon Jelly Belly...GOOD, 2. Celery, Dip...GOOD 3. Chocolate Chip Cookie, Dip...GOOD. 4. Orange, Dip...NOT SO GOOD. 5. Spicy Dorito, Dip...GOOD. I thinks that's it on the dip are. It was a great party..enjoyed every minute of it..even the getting pelted with Dry Splash Bombs, Confetti, and Silly String...It was just fun. Nathan hit on Billy's little sister..but I guess we should have expected that...it was a female...who spoke to him...and showed some sort of interest...which means..she said hi. That guy needs to show a little restraint..I mean common curtosy says..DON'T HIT ON YOUR FRIENDS 17 YEAR OLD SISTER...EVEN IF SHE IS GOING TO BE 18 IN A FEW MONTHS....EXSPECIALLY IF YOU ARE 24 SOON TO BE 25. Nuff Said. It was a great party. I got a Harvey for Best Male Animal Sounds....I beat out Hugh Jackman for his work in X2...that says a lot. I mean even if I hadn't won....I would have been happy just getting recognized in the same category as such a great animal sounder. And now I crash. BAM!