Now Before You Call Child Services...

That was just for Swank. Anyway...life is good. Spending a lot of time helping out my family at the moment, and job hunting, and with Swank. I'm finding happies incredibly easy to come up with lately. I am going to interview for a job at Florida Hospital as a Bill collector. Not my ideal job..but it will pay the bills and provide me with time to do theater and hang out with whoever I so choose. :) Mom's here to go with me to buy ribs and stuff for the BBQ tomorrow. I'll blog later.

Conflicted

So today I am profoundly conflicted. My day started wonderfully in a bed snuggled up with Swank. Got up, kissed goodbye out in the driveway and went our seperate ways to work. Then there was no work for me at Universal so I came home, still reeling from the conversation and the nights events. Get home and call my mother to say hi. Then she tells me that she let Sam out..on purpose because he was annoying her. Now I don't know how much blog time I have dedicated to Samarai...but he's my cat. I've had him since shortly after Figaro died. My mother just let him out...they are in the worst possible place to do that. High traffic on one side and woods on the other...filled with foxes and other male cats. He's gotten out a couple of times before...for a few days at a time..and when he's come back he's been all cut up from fighting. All I could think is..don't you think I've got enough on my plate right now without this? I mean you know I am strugling with my financial standing right now. Anyway...enough about that....I'm working on it and it will get better. I'll blog later.

Oh What A Night

So I went to John's pool party. It was a lot of fun. Stayed longer than expected, drank more than I should...but I did meet some amazing people...one in particular. It was a strange experience. It was pretty much the first time I have ever gone to a party pretty much knowing no one. But it was fun. Found out that I don't like Tequilla....at all. I only had one shot but that was enough to decide that it will probably be my last. It was also the only pool party I have ever been to where I was wearing a swimsuit but never got in the pool. Then I saw "Over The River And Through The Woods" at Moonlight yesterday. That was an awesome show. Now you may or may not remember that I played the lead role of Nick in that a year ago....it was an awesome role...a horrible experience..but an awesome role. Go back to last May and you'll see what I'm talking about. So I am sitting at the show, sobbing..it was horrible. I was sympathizing with Nick(the actor playing the role), Nick the character, and the Nick that's left inside me from playing the role...it was like he was losing his grandparents all over again. Crying and crying..the lady beside me turned to me just before the end and said "Are you alright?" I just sarted laughing. It was really good though. Sharon N did an amazing job...best I've ever seen her..and Nick and Tonya were amazing as well. The show is just so superbly written...really a breathtaking piece of theater. I have the script if anyone ever wants to read it. Annyway..I have Encore rehearsal tonight....YAY! I'll blog later.

A friend showed this to me and I just had to post it....SO true. Later Guys.

"Costumed Character Etiquette

There is a somewhat unsavoury phenomenon occurring regularly at theme parks and other establishments or venues where costumed characters can be found which many people find bemusing. Upon coming face-to-face with a sports mascot or cartoon character, normally sane human beings suffer some sort of breakdown in their moral and ethical behaviour. They feel the need to poke and touch while spouting demeaning inanities.

This is not to imply empathy for the character's situation is completely lost - studies show three out of five people will immediately find it necessary, upon encountering one of these characters to comment on how hot said costume wearer must be. It can be something as simple as 'It must be hot in there'. It could also be something more complicated such as 'I hope you have air conditioning in there... I had to wear a mascots outfit... The Fighting Doberman back in high school and it was so hot my eyebrows fused together' You get the idea.

As much as the costume wearer may appreciate the empathy, hearing this repetitive garbage every five minutes is, at best, annoying. Don't think you are original or novel, it's all been said before. The performer will feel more appreciated if you smile, offer good wishes, join in the fun, whatever, as long as your behaviour is unthreatening.

Staying in Character

For most performers staying in character is uppermost in his/her mind. They are bemused when someone treats them otherwise. It is also rude. You do not go to a theatrical production of Hamlet to shout at the main character, 'Hey, Hamlet! Isn't your real name Bill?' or 'So, Hammie, do you get paid enough for this?' The costumed character or mascot is there to entertain you just the same as any other performer or entertainer is. And yes, while they are often paid, the reimbursement is always paltry.

Look, Don't Touch

Never, ever, assault a person in costume. Don't even do so playfully. How many strangers do you go up to on the street and punch in the belly? How many celebrities do you walk up to and give a big bear hug then try and knock down? Do you pinch people as you walk around in a mall? Do you allow your children to approach a stranger and start kicking and jabbing at them, or grab at their face, or hang on their arms and legs? Of course you don't. You are all civilised people. For some reason, though, people think they can get away with this sort of behaviour when it comes to a costumed character. It's ridiculous. There is a person inside that costume, the costume is probably not entirely comfortable to begin with and a physical assault can sometimes be amplified, pain-wise, by the costume itself. It's not nice.

The Ground Rules

Be happy and entertained. Don't sympathise - they know their situation.

Treat them as the character they portray. They take the time to portray it for you, respect that.

Do not attack them or be rough with them. That's a real person inside there.

Also, you should remember this important fact. Fully enclosed costumes conceal the wearer. What does this mean? This means that while you have no idea who's in the costume, they know exactly what you look like. They will remember you.

Oh yes, they will remember..."

The Things I CAN Say...

So I think I am going to move when my lease is up here...like...to another state. Get away from everything I know. I mean I love you guys...well most of you...most of the time...but I think I need to get away. That was what Bonnaroo would have been for...a temporary vacation from reality..but that just wasn't in the cards. I frequently find myself under a hypocrytical disapproving gaze....and I don't know how long I can handle it. I hang out with some of you occasionally and cherish every minute of it..wish I could hang out more. I had a great time with Ty, Ryan, Erik, and Amanda yesterday at Universal before rehearsal. Encore rehearsals start tonight...that will be a blast. Meet other people who love music and can sing and have an excuse to hang out with them and not feel bad about using the gas to get there. I know this blog seems wierd..but I am just feeling like a lot of the things that are bothering me could be not bothering me if some people didn't think I was a complete moron. Anyway..I'm hoping my parent's land sells before April of next year cause they said they would fund my move if I wanted. A move to Chicago, New York, or California to see what I have to offer the artistic community. Orlando is great, my family is here, my friends are here, my past is here...I think it's time I try to find myself...and my future. Either way..I think some of you are going to start to see a new Eric...and a confrontation is building. I'll blog later.

Somone To Fall Back On

You know how sometimes you run across something and it just kinda...fits. Well this song has been right under my nose for months...and today...it fit. Can't sleep so much...or really sing it very well at the moment...but I'm happy and content with who and where I am. Regardless of what anyone else might say or do.

By:Jason Robert Brown

I'll never be,
a knight in armor,
with sword in hand,
or a kamakazi fighter.
Don't count on me,
to storm the baracades,
and take a stand,
or hold my ground.
You'll never see any scars or wounds,
I don't walk on coals,
I won't walk on water
I am no Prince,
I am no saint,
I am not anyone's wildest dream.
But I can stand behind
and be someone to fall back on.

Some comedy
Your bruised and beaten down
and I'm the one
whose looking for a favor
still honestly
you don't believe me
but the things I have
are the things you need
You look at me
like I don't make sense
like a waste of time
like it serves no purpose
I am no prince
I am no saint
and if that's what you believe you need
You're wrong
you don't need much
you need someone to fall back on.

And I'll be that
I'll take your side
If I'm the only one
I'm used to that
I've been alone
I'd rather be
the half of us
the least of you
the best of me
and I'll be your prince
I'll be your saint
I will go crashing through fences
in your name
I will I swear
I'll be someone to fall back on
I'll be the one who waits
and for as long as you let me
I will be the one you need
I'll be someone to fall back on
Your prince,
Your saint
The one you believe you need
I'll be
I'll be someone to fall back on
someone to fall back on.

Jaws Living

So I'm back at Jaws for a while..and I missed it..but I will be glad to get my voice completely back when it's over. I have reconnected with some old friends, made a couple new ones, and met one person that I don't quite understand but frequently find myself intrigued. Life is progressing, my voice is suffering but coming back slowly. I can sing again...not as well as I could before...but pretty close. Encore! rehearsals start Wednesday..I AM SO FRIKKIN EXCITED! I'm going to find the schedule that works for my voice...tomorrow I am working from 8:30 to 9:15. That will be interesting to say the least...I am excited about opening on boat...I can't wait to sing around the island for the first time in a year or so. That was my favorite thing to do at Jaws when I worked there before. Something amazing about singing around your the island of Amity. I went out with some friends tonight..that was fun. Don't know what to think about some situations...but I'm sure the fog will clear quickly. Money situations should clear next week. Can't wait for that...my acne will go away again. Damn stress acne. The apartment is pretty quiet most of the time...can't wait to have some people over. I will also be going out more as soon as I have a little dough. That will be fun. Haven't really been out since the whole Kermit fiasco....and I am due for a stress free night where people openly are interested in me. I just find myself frequently blinded by blasts of bitter confusion...and when the smoke clears I don't know which way is up. I'll blog later.

How's The Water? Kinda Cold...and Bitter

So I went to the audition...I was there for 3 and a half hours... Did the movement combination pretty well, did my animation very well, then got called back in for a Puppeteer audition. Then I came out and waited..and I was LITTERALLY the LAST person called at the end. What do I get? "Congratulations, you passed your audition. Good Job. Unfortunately we have nothing to offer you at this time. So we are going to put you in our Character Pool and if something opens up in the next 6 months we'll give you a call. Would you be interested in something other than Full time Characters? Maybe Attractions?" So they are going to call me next week...AFTER the job fair and see if there is something available for me. Good luck Eric. So..the upside is I am a competent actor and passed he audition...the downside..I still have no money. We'll see where this goes. I'm working a 6 hour shift at Jaws tomorrow, took Beth's shift cause she can't work it. So...there's something. I'll blog later.

Here Goes, Here Goes

So here I am....11 minutes before I need to leave for my Characters audition and I am still nervous as hell. This audition has a lot of weight on it. I need the job, and it's a job that I have been wanting to do for a long time, and it partially is dependent on being a positive person...which according to some people I am not. But I guess life doesn't have the best timing sometimes...but that's ok. Anyway...I'm nervous, but lots of people seem to have a lot of confidence in me..so I guess I'm alright. We'll see what happens...according to Lori I have nothing to worry about and either way I'll get a job at Disney again cause there are casting people at the audition to offer jobs to people who don't make characters...kind of a coselation(sp?) prize. So anyway...I should be employeed very soon....with a company I still love...so good. I'll blog later. To those of you who called or texted or whatever today to wish me luck...thank you so much. I'll blog later.

50/50

So the results of my Negativity poll were pretty much split down the middle. Oddly enough most of the people who answered on here said I was atleast somewhat negative whereas the people who answered on Myspace mostly said I was just honest and the people who answered to my face were devided fiarly evenly as well. So that's that. Now onto what's going on now. I had this dream I thought I would post on here. It freaked me out. Woke up breathing heavy and all twisted up in my covers. Not sure if I was screaming out or not..no one here to notice. So here it is.

I was sitting in the light booth watching "You Can't Take It With You" at Icehouse Theater (the show I just finished at the place I just finished it). I couldn't figure out why the actors were freaking out and covering so much..and then realized just as the last act was starting that I was the one that kept missing his cues..cause I had been watching the show. Then i got up to try to make it to the stage and got tangled in the cords and fell out of the booth. Then I ran backstage and tried to get my costume on to get out there. I didn't make it cause I got lost in a huge curtain. I got all tangeled in it and couldn't breath...and I kept hearing people tell me good job Eric...and then I woke up.

Really freaked me out. What does it mean? Who knows. I am pretty sure it's something to do with me not meeting the expectations of those around me. That's kinda how I been feeling lately. Anyway...Disney auditions are Thursday at 4. I'll blog later.

Negative, Honest, Too Honest?

I want to ask all of you something. I mean this seriously. Do you find me to be an exceptionally negative person? Do I express more bad days than good? Do I never have a good day? I am not angry or upset...I am curious what you all think. I can't have an unbiased opinion...so I come to you...the people I love. I am just curious. I don't know if knowing this will cause me to change the way I am or the way I interact with the world...but if I do frequently burden those around me with negativity I am sorry. Could you just comment and tell me what you think. Thank you guys. And if it would help you can post it anonymously, Just click the comment button and choose to comment anonymously.

Eric

A Time For Celebration

So I know my blogs been a lot on the...negative side. I have lots of good news for this one. First of all on the work front. I auditions for Disney characters on Thursday June 8th. Excitemed, nervous, jittery, confident, thrilled...just the tip of the iceburg of how I am feeling about those auditions. NOW...onto something even more exciting...even though it's finacialy not going to be helpful. I got cast in Encore: A Spark of Creation. I'm going to be in the chorus as a tenor II and might have a solo...won't know for a while...but I am still very excited. The show is in the first couple of weeks of August..and it's amazing...it always is. A cast member has made me cry at 2 of the 3 shows I've seen. So amazing. I'll blog later.