Keep on Keeping' On

There's a part of me that's been debating about posting for the last month. But I have found something worth addressing.

After my last entry, I felt conflicted as to whether it was necessary for me to keep writing about every audition I went on. Not only would it be tedious, predictable and rather redundant, but at this point I've found my groove and am essentially going through the same process each time:
1. Get sides from agent (Hooray!)
2. Memorize/work on sides (adorn Clark Kent glasses)
3. Print off resume/head shots (NEVER FORGET THESE!)
4. Sleep (only once lines are down)
5. Run lines successfully in shower (steam helps me remember)
6. Commute to audition (they are never in convenient locations)
7. Arrive and assess competition (give the occasional stink eye when they're not looking)
8. Have a mini panic attack (everyone is so attractive!!!)
9. Find a space to warm up (usually a closet or alcove)
10. Warm up, get my breath under me (calm the heck down)
11. Audition as rehearsed (ideally)
12. Walk out with a sense of completion (or having learned something)
13. Move onto the next one (like a BAUS)

Honestly, that's it. If something crazy happens, I can assure you I will write about it.

Post done.

But for real, I've rediscovered my confidence and am riding it like a wave with my foot strapped to the board of humility.

Now, the reason I'm continuing to write is because I want focus on a part of an actors life that deserves more attention than I think it's given.

Since my last entry, I've been feeling rather drab because my personal life as been...uneventful, I find myself trying to connect with people online, or what have you, as a way to exert energy without really committing to anything. I make going to the gym my BIG event for the day then come home, take my pants off and play Batman/Pokemon till the wee hours of the morning. I've been spending way too much money on eating out because it's easier than cooking, which ironically I love doing, and although I have had some great conversations with people over the last few weeks they all end up turning into the same thing, "Yes, I was in British Columbia for 4 months...I don't know if there is gonna be a season 2...I'm just bopping around doing auditions...No, this is my first Christmas not going home...etc" I'm honored that people want to talk to me, but the reason I'm bored of those conversations is because I actually have nothing else to talk about, because I have been doing nothing else.

Some of those delightful friends have been levelling with me and telling me that, "its okay to be lazy and enjoy your free time...its okay to have dominos three times in one week...I would love to play Batman with you... drink more whiskey..." and this is all true, to a point. I'm rolling into my 5th week since finishing Olympus and it's high time I started to get my life back together. To be honest, I function so much better in chaos than idleness. I thrive in calamity. So, I must create this for myself, or at least schedule it. I have to start creating positive rituals and scheduling even the mundane, like getting a head start on my taxes (yes, that time is nearing), if I want to be successful.

I was speaking to my mother, the incredible woman that she is*, and she broke something down for me which I had yet to realize. She said, "Wayne, your life is the opposite of everyone else's, we all schedule our lives around work, our freedom comes with an annual vacation, if we're so lucky. You have to learn how to schedule your life, because your work is your vacation."

Bam.

Momma just laid it out.

Enjoy free time, be in post show slump, play video games without pants, drink pumpkin spice whiskey, but eventually one is gonna have to get one's personal life in order, because it's that preparation of the mundane that creates an opportunity for incredible work.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in the times of challenge." - Martin Luther King Jr.

The only way I will truly rise above is by having my artistic and personal life on point, running alongside each other, in harmony.

As the New Riders of the Purple Age said, I gotta "keep on keepin' on."

W.

P.S. I recently wrapped an episode on Remedy, Season 2 which will be premiering on Global in the New Year.

Please check out my fan page and/or website for more info on how to watch for me.

*Mother endorsement

Toronto: New Beginnings

Hey Abyss,

The moment I have been waiting for the last few months has finally arrived; I am a graduate of The National Theatre School of Canada and the world is my oyster! I feel like anything and everything is possible. I am over the moon with the education I received, which is represented by a little piece of paper, and I am ready to put it into action.

I graduated on Sunday afternoon and left for Toronto early Monday morning. When I arrived in Toronto around 5pm my good friend Lisa helped me unload my rental car and run some errands before going out and having my first official meal as a Toronto resident. On Tuesday morning I had to drop off the car and make it downtown before 11am for an audition. My audition was for the role of Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family Musical, which will be playing at Neptune Theatre in Halifax next year. The night before I had made sure I was prepared for anything they might throw at me.

I walked in knowing all the sides, the whole song and another song in case they asked for something more in my range. I had monologues in my back pocket, had warmed up immensely all morning and my teeth were brushed to perfection. I get in the room and all they wanted to hear was the first half of the song 3 different ways. I nailed them all and was in and out in 7 minutes.

First Toronto audition completed.  

That night I started babysitting for a good friend of mine. Her daughter is a typical 7-year-old who asks questions constantly and can divert a conversation like its an Olympic sport, especially when it has to do with homework or going to bed.

Wednesday, I spent the day with a new friend talking about acting, intermittent fasting and manly things while I ate my first sundae from Baskin Robbins. 

Thursday, I spent most of the day procrastinating by scouting out jobs in my area. 

Yesterday I woke up early and dressed to the nines for my interview at Bell Mobility which cost me $65 to cab to because I missed the bus to take me to East Jesus nowhere. It was only after the interview that I realized I could have saved that money by taking the subway to the end of the north line…

It wasn’t until this morning that I actually cleaned some things up and started to actually unpack some boxes. The issue is that I have essentially no storage for all of my things, oh and I don’t have a mattress yet.

It’s not coming until Tuesday.

So I am currently sleeping between my bathtub and a hole in my bed frame. I am not getting much sleep.

Also, I’m dehydrated like a no ones business.

Rereading what I just wrote I understand why I am so exhausted. There is a part of me that wants to do nothing but sleep for the next 3 days.

Oh wait.

I don’t have a mattress (sorry Mom, I know it’s coming).

The other part of me is still in productivity mode and is relentless in hunting for a job. It wouldn’t be so much of an issue if I didn’t have two rents to pay for next month, as my Montreal lease ends on July 1^st and the sub-letter that I have been in contact with is still waiting to be contacted about his credit check. Once the company has the time to get that processed he can move in, which we both desperately need to happen.  

Last night and today has been my only, sort of, breaks. I basically come home and stalk Facebook, Tumblr and Pinterest while reading about the November launch of the new Pokemon games. 

Exciting, I know. 

I have been eating like crap, so I finally went out and bought some groceries today. 

With my change of scenery, I want to make some new recipes. I feel like I have been making the same meals for the last 3 months and my palate is getting bored.

I am taking a moment to laugh at how much I hate being in transitions and am currently sputtering to get out of this one.

My end of month goal is to have a job, that way I can at least start paying off the debt I have accumulated while moving, also I'll be able to breathe a little more. I can start to budget and organize myself and I can drink my skulls weight in whiskey and smoke those cigars that I have been carrying around since my last birthday.

Graduation was wonderful and I was so happy to have my Mom, my Aunt and my Grandmother come to see me walk across that stage in that Loro Piana suit and my Little Mermaid lapel pin. There has never been a moment that was more mine. Those three women are my biggest supporters and I felt so blessed to be able to hug the three of them in my moment of glory. All my hard work had led up to that moment and Prince sang those gates open.

Despite this stressful blip, I am over the moon to be here. Next week is going to be a great one, I am sure of it. I simply need to get myself realigned and refocused on my health. I have another interview on Monday and am meeting with my agent, which is very exciting. I am anxious to figure out what our trajectory is for the year. On Friday, I have a friend from Halifax coming to visit me and we are going to have a blast. I am excited to share the little bit I have seen of this city with her.

I have big plans for this year; once I’m rooted I will dominate. The ball is in my court, finally, and I am going to fight to get to the top, while making great friends and mentorships along the way. There are a few leadership programs I am waiting to hear back from, as well as some auditions that I have had over the last month. I am trying to send out positive vibes and have the brightest outlook, as this is the start. If I can get a solid footing, the rest will be cheesecake.

Okay, I need some water.

Night Abyss.