Saw a 4 year old dressed as a firefighter this halloween. Which was appropriate because his mom was SMOKIN'
Lines like these are why I'm the Gateway Boyfriend, folks. Do not try this kind of awesomeness at home.
In other news, my girlfriend has decided next year she wants a dog costume with black robes, a powdered wig and a gavel so she can go as a "judgmental bitch."
She's pretty awesome.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Why Did I Create The Heart Way Support Group?
The final Heart Way meeting of 2010 is Tuesday, November 9.
A few people have asked me why I started the group.
Good question. The answer is stunningly unsurprising.
It started because of a girl.
In December of 09, I had a hard break-up. I’ll spare the details. They aren‘t all that exciting or dramatic. It was a break-up--no worse (and in some ways a lot better) than any other, but for whatever reason it hit me harder than most.
I don’t know why I had such a hard time after the break-up, and maybe I never will. Grief is funny like that, I‘ve learned. It never quite hits you the way you expect at the time you expect.
This one was a bad one. I was prepared for the emotions, but not the intensity of them or the way they would come out of nowhere like a storm out of clear blue sky, swamping me just when I thought I had made it to still waters.
It was the most excruciating few months of my life.
Yet in another way, it was also one of the best.
Because in that time, a time in which I felt unable to help myself, people were there for me. Friends and family. Co-workers. Lovers past and present. Even complete strangers.
It was humbling. I had nothing to offer them in return…and still they were there.
The Heart Way is my opportunity to give something back, to be there for others the way others were there for me.
It’s a chance to be in the room with other folks, men and women, young and old. Single, married, divorced, widowed, or anything in between. It’s a chance to look into another person’s eyes, to hear their voice, maybe feel their hand on your shoulder and realize that we have more in common that we might at first think.
I don’t care if one person shows up. I don’t care if twenty people show up.
If nobody shows up...that’s fine too.
For me, in some ways, who comes isn’t the point. The point is being there.
I believe everybody deserves a happy romantic life. And I will do my part to help.
Next meeting is November 9 at Woodcroft library.
My email is thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com
If you need somebody, that’s where I will be.
A few people have asked me why I started the group.
Good question. The answer is stunningly unsurprising.
It started because of a girl.
In December of 09, I had a hard break-up. I’ll spare the details. They aren‘t all that exciting or dramatic. It was a break-up--no worse (and in some ways a lot better) than any other, but for whatever reason it hit me harder than most.
I don’t know why I had such a hard time after the break-up, and maybe I never will. Grief is funny like that, I‘ve learned. It never quite hits you the way you expect at the time you expect.
This one was a bad one. I was prepared for the emotions, but not the intensity of them or the way they would come out of nowhere like a storm out of clear blue sky, swamping me just when I thought I had made it to still waters.
It was the most excruciating few months of my life.
Yet in another way, it was also one of the best.
Because in that time, a time in which I felt unable to help myself, people were there for me. Friends and family. Co-workers. Lovers past and present. Even complete strangers.
It was humbling. I had nothing to offer them in return…and still they were there.
The Heart Way is my opportunity to give something back, to be there for others the way others were there for me.
It’s a chance to be in the room with other folks, men and women, young and old. Single, married, divorced, widowed, or anything in between. It’s a chance to look into another person’s eyes, to hear their voice, maybe feel their hand on your shoulder and realize that we have more in common that we might at first think.
I don’t care if one person shows up. I don’t care if twenty people show up.
If nobody shows up...that’s fine too.
For me, in some ways, who comes isn’t the point. The point is being there.
I believe everybody deserves a happy romantic life. And I will do my part to help.
Next meeting is November 9 at Woodcroft library.
My email is thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com
If you need somebody, that’s where I will be.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Inspiring
Bobcat Goldthwait is playing this weekend at The Comic Strip. I suggest you check them out. Local Jordan Chyzowski is middling, and if last night was any indication, he's looking sharp also.
Bobcat was scheduled to perform this Thursday through Saturday.
He showed up every night this week to work on material. He also watched all the other comics and paid attention to what they were doing.
That's inspiring. Here's one of the most talented guys I've ever seen and out of dedication or love he's still out there perfecting his craft.
If you haven't seen Bobcat lately or only know him from the Police Academy movies, you owe it do yourself to check out his stand-up.
There are recent clips here and here.
In other news, finished editing a short story. One more go-over and it goes off to market.
Preparations for the Pure Speculation festival on the 22-24 continue. Hope to see you there.
DAN'S SCHEDULE
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
Bobcat was scheduled to perform this Thursday through Saturday.
He showed up every night this week to work on material. He also watched all the other comics and paid attention to what they were doing.
That's inspiring. Here's one of the most talented guys I've ever seen and out of dedication or love he's still out there perfecting his craft.
If you haven't seen Bobcat lately or only know him from the Police Academy movies, you owe it do yourself to check out his stand-up.
There are recent clips here and here.
In other news, finished editing a short story. One more go-over and it goes off to market.
Preparations for the Pure Speculation festival on the 22-24 continue. Hope to see you there.
DAN'S SCHEDULE
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Heart Way Group Update
I announced this at the meeting tonight, but for those of you weren't there...
November 9 will be the last Heart Way meeting of the year.
You can still reach me by email at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com should anything come up for you.
Blog postings shall continue on the regular schedule at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
See you in the New Year
November 9 will be the last Heart Way meeting of the year.
You can still reach me by email at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com should anything come up for you.
Blog postings shall continue on the regular schedule at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
See you in the New Year
Friday, October 01, 2010
Five Days Left...
until the next Heart Way Meeting.
Tuesday, October 5 at 7:30pm at the Woodcroft Library Program Room.
Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for details.
Tuesday, October 5 at 7:30pm at the Woodcroft Library Program Room.
Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for details.
Friday, September 24, 2010
The Academy
This morning at the library I opened the entertainment section of the Journal and got a surprise.
Right there on D3 was a promo picture from 'The Academy.' Ryan Burke's blood-streaked face stared menacingly out at me. And there, out of focus in the background, trussed up and hanging from the ceiling.
"HEY!" I chirped in delight. "That's ME!"
To which I was reminded. "Shhh, you're in a library."
How dare they shush me. Don't these people know who I am?
I remember shooting that scene well, mostly because the ropes tightened over the course of the day to the point it cut off the circulation. It took several weeks for the feeling to come back into my right thumb.
But it was fun. When I think of the Academy I remember goofing around with Vic Hoon in the auto yard where I shot my first scene and talking about mutual acquaintances from taekwon-do with Christian Garon.
It wasn't the first time I worked with Kenneth Barr. I appeared in another movie he did called 'Reroute.' He was also involved in the MPW Madness television show which was my first job in the wrestling business.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Madness show. The shows themselves, but also watching the show at one in the morning at the Locker Room sports bar with the rest of the wrestlers. Times have changed and it's been a long time since I've seen all of those guys in the same room, but back then were some of the most exciting and fune times of my life and I smile when I think of them.
And of course there was working with my broadcast partner, the late "Ripper" Trevor Grimolfson. The two of us had a great time shooting the intros and outros, although if I ever run for public office, I'm definitely going to be paying Ken through the nose to make sure the blooper reals never surface.
Good times. Great memories.
'The Academy' will be playing at the Edmonton International Film Festival this weekend. The festival goes from today to October 2.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, September 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, October 5 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
OTHER APPERANCES
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Right there on D3 was a promo picture from 'The Academy.' Ryan Burke's blood-streaked face stared menacingly out at me. And there, out of focus in the background, trussed up and hanging from the ceiling.
"HEY!" I chirped in delight. "That's ME!"
To which I was reminded. "Shhh, you're in a library."
How dare they shush me. Don't these people know who I am?
I remember shooting that scene well, mostly because the ropes tightened over the course of the day to the point it cut off the circulation. It took several weeks for the feeling to come back into my right thumb.
But it was fun. When I think of the Academy I remember goofing around with Vic Hoon in the auto yard where I shot my first scene and talking about mutual acquaintances from taekwon-do with Christian Garon.
It wasn't the first time I worked with Kenneth Barr. I appeared in another movie he did called 'Reroute.' He was also involved in the MPW Madness television show which was my first job in the wrestling business.
I have a lot of fond memories of the Madness show. The shows themselves, but also watching the show at one in the morning at the Locker Room sports bar with the rest of the wrestlers. Times have changed and it's been a long time since I've seen all of those guys in the same room, but back then were some of the most exciting and fune times of my life and I smile when I think of them.
And of course there was working with my broadcast partner, the late "Ripper" Trevor Grimolfson. The two of us had a great time shooting the intros and outros, although if I ever run for public office, I'm definitely going to be paying Ken through the nose to make sure the blooper reals never surface.
Good times. Great memories.
'The Academy' will be playing at the Edmonton International Film Festival this weekend. The festival goes from today to October 2.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, September 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, October 5 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
OTHER APPERANCES
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Heart Way Meeting Support Group
The Heart Way is a support group for anyone looking to improve their love life. Whether you're single or attached, hooking up, breaking up, or ready to give up, The Heart Way is here to offer support as we work on becoming accountable for our own romantic happiness without guilt or blame.
There is no charge but donations are gratefully accepted.
WHEN: 7PM, Tuesday, October 5
WHERE: Woodcroft Library Program Room - Edmonton
Space is limited. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com to register.
There is no charge but donations are gratefully accepted.
WHEN: 7PM, Tuesday, October 5
WHERE: Woodcroft Library Program Room - Edmonton
Space is limited. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com to register.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Seattle and Updates.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, September 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, October 5 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
OTHER APPERANCES
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Went to Seattle last week.
Let us not talk about the awesomeness of the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum.
Let us not talk about how I am awesome, navigating the city on foot, on streetcar, bus, monorail, and train. Let us also not talk about me disco dancing in the streets to amuse a boatload of tourists.
Let us not talk about the hotel buffet breakfast in which I ate a shocking amount of candied bacon.
Let us not talk about my two sets at the Comedy Underground, a comedy club which is most appropriately named--sort of a medieval dungeon meets Blair Witch House...if the Blair Witch owned a Mitch Hedberg poster.
It was a great atmosphere and the shows were a lot of fun.
Let us not talk about Vasalissa and her funny, sexy self. I am lucky to have such a girlfriend. Singing Wild World and roaming the streets of Seattle. It is great to have someone I can share all the parts of my life with--even the weird stuff.
Instead, let's talk about what is important--that we were not murdered.
Not by the freestyle rapper. Not by the street poet. The closest we came to death was when in trying to avoid a shockingly aggressive fundraiser for Amnesty International or something, we nearly fled into oncoming traffic.
In other news, an editor for a new fiction magazine contacted me about a short story, so I'm working on that as well as preparing for the 2010 Pure Speculation Festival. I'll be hosting the Friday night jam session and participating in a book round table discussion.
Very Exciting.
Monday, September 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, October 5 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
OTHER APPERANCES
The next Heart Way Support Group Meeting is October 5. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for registration or details.
I will be appearing at the 2010 Pure Speculation festival at the Radisson Hotel in Edmonton, Oct 22-24.
WRITING
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Went to Seattle last week.
Let us not talk about the awesomeness of the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum.
Let us not talk about how I am awesome, navigating the city on foot, on streetcar, bus, monorail, and train. Let us also not talk about me disco dancing in the streets to amuse a boatload of tourists.
Let us not talk about the hotel buffet breakfast in which I ate a shocking amount of candied bacon.
Let us not talk about my two sets at the Comedy Underground, a comedy club which is most appropriately named--sort of a medieval dungeon meets Blair Witch House...if the Blair Witch owned a Mitch Hedberg poster.
It was a great atmosphere and the shows were a lot of fun.
Let us not talk about Vasalissa and her funny, sexy self. I am lucky to have such a girlfriend. Singing Wild World and roaming the streets of Seattle. It is great to have someone I can share all the parts of my life with--even the weird stuff.
Instead, let's talk about what is important--that we were not murdered.
Not by the freestyle rapper. Not by the street poet. The closest we came to death was when in trying to avoid a shockingly aggressive fundraiser for Amnesty International or something, we nearly fled into oncoming traffic.
In other news, an editor for a new fiction magazine contacted me about a short story, so I'm working on that as well as preparing for the 2010 Pure Speculation Festival. I'll be hosting the Friday night jam session and participating in a book round table discussion.
Very Exciting.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Favre The 13th
Yesterday Brett Favre was reported retired.
I posted "I'll believe it when training camp ends" on my friend's facebook.
Sure enough, today he will play if he's healthy.
The last few years Brett Favre was playing with Green Bay, I used to think of my relationship with Brett like a woman dating a jerk (*). He hurts you, promises never to do it again, builds your hopes, then lets you down at the most crucial moment. The NFC championship overtime game against the Giants (2:40 tells the story) was the end for us.
I had a whole future for us...defeating the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl and cementing our legacy forever. Instaed he did the equivalent of proposing, being a saint all the way up to the wedding, and ditching me at the altar in front of my friends and family. Only I had already booked the honeymoon trip so I gave the tickets to a bridesmaid I didn't really like anymore but only invited because...well, I just HAD to, okay...and then she went on the trip and had a fabulous time and now I have to hear about it and see pictures and it's gone down in history as the GREATEST MOMENT OF ALL TIME IN HONEYMOON--ER, SPORTS--HISTORY!!!!
When it comes to football, Brett Favre is to his fans what Lucy is to Charlie Brown.
Screw you, Brett Favre. Screw you, New York Giants,David Tyree, and refs that couldn't tell holding when they saw it, and screw you, New England Patriots (**).
Okay, I'm over it.
Now, the annual Brett Favre saga (He's retiring, no he's not, he's retiring, no he's not, and--oh--did I miss training camp again this year? What an uncanny coincidence!) has become the NFL version of the Friday the 13th franchise: always the same, and each installment shittier than the last, yet strangely comforting.
I never thought I'd say this about Brett Favre, but it's nice to know there's someone you can always count on.
(*)I am the woman in this analogy. I don't know what this says about me.
(**) Amazing how sports trumps my Buddhist practice. One bad throw into coverage > years of carefully crafted equanimity.
I posted "I'll believe it when training camp ends" on my friend's facebook.
Sure enough, today he will play if he's healthy.
The last few years Brett Favre was playing with Green Bay, I used to think of my relationship with Brett like a woman dating a jerk (*). He hurts you, promises never to do it again, builds your hopes, then lets you down at the most crucial moment. The NFC championship overtime game against the Giants (2:40 tells the story) was the end for us.
I had a whole future for us...defeating the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl and cementing our legacy forever. Instaed he did the equivalent of proposing, being a saint all the way up to the wedding, and ditching me at the altar in front of my friends and family. Only I had already booked the honeymoon trip so I gave the tickets to a bridesmaid I didn't really like anymore but only invited because...well, I just HAD to, okay...and then she went on the trip and had a fabulous time and now I have to hear about it and see pictures and it's gone down in history as the GREATEST MOMENT OF ALL TIME IN HONEYMOON--ER, SPORTS--HISTORY!!!!
When it comes to football, Brett Favre is to his fans what Lucy is to Charlie Brown.
Screw you, Brett Favre. Screw you, New York Giants,David Tyree, and refs that couldn't tell holding when they saw it, and screw you, New England Patriots (**).
Okay, I'm over it.
Now, the annual Brett Favre saga (He's retiring, no he's not, he's retiring, no he's not, and--oh--did I miss training camp again this year? What an uncanny coincidence!) has become the NFL version of the Friday the 13th franchise: always the same, and each installment shittier than the last, yet strangely comforting.
I never thought I'd say this about Brett Favre, but it's nice to know there's someone you can always count on.
(*)I am the woman in this analogy. I don't know what this says about me.
(**) Amazing how sports trumps my Buddhist practice. One bad throw into coverage > years of carefully crafted equanimity.
Heart Way Update
The first Heart Way meeting was last night. Thanks to all who came out.
It was kind of like being on a first date with a whole bunch of people instead of one. There are things I loved and things I wished I'd done differently.
The thing I was most happy with was the people who came. The group will live and die on people's ability to be genuine and to listen to others and the people who were there last night showed a lot of both. I was inspired by their willingness to put themselves out there.
Next meeting is September 7. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for details or answers to your questions
In other news, The Gateway Boyfriend is now on twitter. Follow me at http://twitter.com/gatewayboyfrnd
It was kind of like being on a first date with a whole bunch of people instead of one. There are things I loved and things I wished I'd done differently.
The thing I was most happy with was the people who came. The group will live and die on people's ability to be genuine and to listen to others and the people who were there last night showed a lot of both. I was inspired by their willingness to put themselves out there.
Next meeting is September 7. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com for details or answers to your questions
In other news, The Gateway Boyfriend is now on twitter. Follow me at http://twitter.com/gatewayboyfrnd
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Giant Robot Dinosaurs
It's strange how seeing the words 'Giant Robot Dinosaurs' on the front page of the newspaper headlines can brighten my whole day.
My favorite part of the article is this:
A group of investors, who Suess says prefer to remain out of the spotlight for now, spent millions of dollars on the park. Suess won't reveal their identities, but said there are "common elements" with the ownership of Goose Hummock Golf Resort.
"The gentleman, in particular, that is kind of the primary owner -- this is his vision and his dream."
Mysterious owner...an isolated park celebrating its grand opening...Giant Robot Dinosaurs...
What's not to love?
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to round up my best friends: a sexy reporter, her ex-husband--a disgraced former hotshot paleontolgist, a wisecracking visible minority, a smarmy laywer, and a plucky twelve-year old girl and her computer genius kid brother.
I hope we can get there before the park closes for the night.
This will be the best long weekend ever. I can't imagine how anything could possibly go wrong.
My favorite part of the article is this:
A group of investors, who Suess says prefer to remain out of the spotlight for now, spent millions of dollars on the park. Suess won't reveal their identities, but said there are "common elements" with the ownership of Goose Hummock Golf Resort.
"The gentleman, in particular, that is kind of the primary owner -- this is his vision and his dream."
Mysterious owner...an isolated park celebrating its grand opening...Giant Robot Dinosaurs...
What's not to love?
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to round up my best friends: a sexy reporter, her ex-husband--a disgraced former hotshot paleontolgist, a wisecracking visible minority, a smarmy laywer, and a plucky twelve-year old girl and her computer genius kid brother.
I hope we can get there before the park closes for the night.
This will be the best long weekend ever. I can't imagine how anything could possibly go wrong.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Computer Hobos
Upcoming Wrestling
OSCW - Saturday, September 4, Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton (7pm) (contact me for ticket information)
Upcoming Meditation Instruction
(Contact info@serenereflections.ca for more information)
Saturday July 31, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street
Saturday September 11, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street Contact info@serenereflections.ca for more information.
Dating Stuff
Dan Brodribb's Writing on Dating and Relationships appears at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
The Heart Way Support Group's next meeting is 7:30pm, Tuesday, August 3 (Register at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com
This afternoon found me pushing my computer down the street in a rusty, found shopping cart (*). I looked like the World's Most Technological Street Person. Only with nicer shoes. And hands unblemished by years of hard living.
Perhaps I just looked like what I was. A man too cheap to spring for a taxi for a two block trip.
All the files I needed were saved. Hooray!
I find it funny that just the other week I was worrying about the death of CDs and cassettes (long time readers won't be surprised). Should I update all my music to electronic format before they became unplayable? Cassettes are moving parts. Cassette players are moving parts. Surely they can't last that much longer.
Turns out my goddamn cassette player outlasted my computer. Two computers, if I'm not mistaken, and since the last computer I bought was nearly a decade ago, that's saying something.
OSCW - Saturday, September 4, Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton (7pm) (contact me for ticket information)
Upcoming Meditation Instruction
(Contact info@serenereflections.ca for more information)
Saturday July 31, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street
Saturday September 11, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street Contact info@serenereflections.ca for more information.
Dating Stuff
Dan Brodribb's Writing on Dating and Relationships appears at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
The Heart Way Support Group's next meeting is 7:30pm, Tuesday, August 3 (Register at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com
This afternoon found me pushing my computer down the street in a rusty, found shopping cart (*). I looked like the World's Most Technological Street Person. Only with nicer shoes. And hands unblemished by years of hard living.
Perhaps I just looked like what I was. A man too cheap to spring for a taxi for a two block trip.
All the files I needed were saved. Hooray!
I find it funny that just the other week I was worrying about the death of CDs and cassettes (long time readers won't be surprised). Should I update all my music to electronic format before they became unplayable? Cassettes are moving parts. Cassette players are moving parts. Surely they can't last that much longer.
Turns out my goddamn cassette player outlasted my computer. Two computers, if I'm not mistaken, and since the last computer I bought was nearly a decade ago, that's saying something.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Life Lessons from the Digital World
Yesterday I got back from a wonderful weekend refereeing the entire OSCW show (next show September 4) with the New Girlfriend (Oh, I didn't mention her? I'll come back to that as soon as I come up with an appropriate pseudonym for her) to discover my computer had crashed, taking with it my pictures, my music, some stand-up comedy stuff and some writing for this blog.
I'm most distraught about the pictures and the music. The comedy and writing stuff sucks, but I have faith in my ability to produce more.
But it was not the timing I wanted.
I'm grateful for a couple things though. That my sister and mother had bought me a laptop recently. Except for the brand-new stuff, most is backed-up on there.
I'm also grateful because it's a reminder of how quickly things can change. It's a reminder to try and appreciate things.
It's also a reminder to back stuff up.
Oh and I have stories for you. Many many stories.
Hopefully some of them make it up here. Sometimes I'm so busy living I don't have time to write things down.
Which is disappointing as a writer, but all in all it's not the worst problem in the world to have.
I'm most distraught about the pictures and the music. The comedy and writing stuff sucks, but I have faith in my ability to produce more.
But it was not the timing I wanted.
I'm grateful for a couple things though. That my sister and mother had bought me a laptop recently. Except for the brand-new stuff, most is backed-up on there.
I'm also grateful because it's a reminder of how quickly things can change. It's a reminder to try and appreciate things.
It's also a reminder to back stuff up.
Oh and I have stories for you. Many many stories.
Hopefully some of them make it up here. Sometimes I'm so busy living I don't have time to write things down.
Which is disappointing as a writer, but all in all it's not the worst problem in the world to have.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Time for a Change of Heart?
(pulling away curtain)
Here's what I've been putting together for the last little while. First meeting is August 3.
I am both excited and nervous. What if nobody comes? What if TOO MANY people come?
I'll deal with that when I get there, I guess.
If you know someone who might be interested, I'd love it if you'd pass this information on to them. Email for the group will be at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com.
The Heart Way
The Heart Way is a support group for anyone looking to improve their love life. Whether you're single or attached, hooking up or breaking up, The Heart Way is where we work on becoming accountable for our own romantic happiness without guilt or blame.
There is no charge but donations are gratefully accepted.
WHEN: 7PM, Tuesday, August 3 & Tuesday, September 10
WHERE: Woodcroft Library Program Room
Space is limited. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com to register.
Here's what I've been putting together for the last little while. First meeting is August 3.
I am both excited and nervous. What if nobody comes? What if TOO MANY people come?
I'll deal with that when I get there, I guess.
If you know someone who might be interested, I'd love it if you'd pass this information on to them. Email for the group will be at thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com.
The Heart Way
The Heart Way is a support group for anyone looking to improve their love life. Whether you're single or attached, hooking up or breaking up, The Heart Way is where we work on becoming accountable for our own romantic happiness without guilt or blame.
There is no charge but donations are gratefully accepted.
WHEN: 7PM, Tuesday, August 3 & Tuesday, September 10
WHERE: Woodcroft Library Program Room
Space is limited. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail.com to register.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Well...It's Been Awhile.
Upcoming Wrestling
OSCW Summertime Slobberknocker - Saturday, July 17, Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton (7pm)
Upcoming Meditation Instruction
Saturday, July 17 - Strathcona Public Library (10 AM)
Dan Brodribb's Writing on Dating and Relationships appears at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Well. It's been awhile. And now I have that Staind song stuck in my head.
Lots has happened in my personal life and we'll go into that another day.
As far as other stuff, you haven't missed much. The most excting moment was crashing the after-party of an aboriginal film festival with Dawn Dumont.
Dawn bonded with one of the actors from Twilight over excercise regimens. I ate cake and danced holding hands in a circle while wondering if singing the words to "NDN Car" out loud made me a racist. In fairness, I was the only white person there AND the only one who knew all the words. I don't know if that makes it better or worse.
Afterwards we danced at a gay bar, which was fun. Gay bouncers are so polite.
Most of my energy has been spent on the Gateway Boyfriend blog these days. Check it out if you haven't already. I'll have an announcement up there shortly about something cool I'm doing.
OSCW Summertime Slobberknocker - Saturday, July 17, Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton (7pm)
Upcoming Meditation Instruction
Saturday, July 17 - Strathcona Public Library (10 AM)
Dan Brodribb's Writing on Dating and Relationships appears at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com
Well. It's been awhile. And now I have that Staind song stuck in my head.
Lots has happened in my personal life and we'll go into that another day.
As far as other stuff, you haven't missed much. The most excting moment was crashing the after-party of an aboriginal film festival with Dawn Dumont.
Dawn bonded with one of the actors from Twilight over excercise regimens. I ate cake and danced holding hands in a circle while wondering if singing the words to "NDN Car" out loud made me a racist. In fairness, I was the only white person there AND the only one who knew all the words. I don't know if that makes it better or worse.
Afterwards we danced at a gay bar, which was fun. Gay bouncers are so polite.
Most of my energy has been spent on the Gateway Boyfriend blog these days. Check it out if you haven't already. I'll have an announcement up there shortly about something cool I'm doing.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Why Trying To Convert People Is Stupid
The other day I met a dogmatic, close-minded individual who wouldn't shut up about his belief system and how the world would be better if everyone believed what he believed.
The weird part as, he was an atheist.
There are plenty of religious assholes out there, but when you're talking about 'religious assholes' I don't think the 'religious' part is the problem.
I've never understood why religious people OR atheists would feel the need to convert anybody. If what you're saying is true, what difference does it make whether or not other people believe you? I believe in gravity, but I don't feel the need to prove it's real to anybody. I figure gravity speaks pretty clearly for itself.
The other reason I don't like people trying to push their spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) on other is...well, most of our beliefs sound kind of stupid when you say them out loud.
I know mine do.
Whenever anyone asks me to explain Buddhism to them I always front-load it with the rational stuff, but the weirdness still sneaks out.
PERSON: So what is Buddhism?
DAN: Well, you know it's a way of looking at the world and trying to reduce the suffering you cause for yourself and others through meditation, compassion, and a moral life.
PERSON: Okay, so how do you do that?
DAN: Well...we meditate. And we try to live a good life. And, you know, be compassionate.
PERSON: Why?
DAN: Well, because in doing so we reduce the amount of suffering for ourselves and others and free ourselves from the negative karmic consequences that we *cough*accumulatedinpastlivesaswetravelthroughthesixrealmsincludingtheHelloftheHungryGhosts*cough*
PERSON: What was that last part again?
DAN: Well, you know, consequences...freedom from suffering....
PERSON: No, explain the part about the six realms again. And I believe I distinctly heard the words 'Hell of the Hungry Ghosts.'
DAN: Well, it's kind of-sort of metaphorical. And...look the Tibetans came up with that part, okay? They're not even real Buddhists. It's more like Himalayan Voodoo Buddhism.
PERSON: So what IS real Buddhism?
DAN: Can we go back to calling atheists stupid? That was way more fun.
I would make a terrible evangelist.
The weird part as, he was an atheist.
There are plenty of religious assholes out there, but when you're talking about 'religious assholes' I don't think the 'religious' part is the problem.
I've never understood why religious people OR atheists would feel the need to convert anybody. If what you're saying is true, what difference does it make whether or not other people believe you? I believe in gravity, but I don't feel the need to prove it's real to anybody. I figure gravity speaks pretty clearly for itself.
The other reason I don't like people trying to push their spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) on other is...well, most of our beliefs sound kind of stupid when you say them out loud.
I know mine do.
Whenever anyone asks me to explain Buddhism to them I always front-load it with the rational stuff, but the weirdness still sneaks out.
PERSON: So what is Buddhism?
DAN: Well, you know it's a way of looking at the world and trying to reduce the suffering you cause for yourself and others through meditation, compassion, and a moral life.
PERSON: Okay, so how do you do that?
DAN: Well...we meditate. And we try to live a good life. And, you know, be compassionate.
PERSON: Why?
DAN: Well, because in doing so we reduce the amount of suffering for ourselves and others and free ourselves from the negative karmic consequences that we *cough*accumulatedinpastlivesaswetravelthroughthesixrealmsincludingtheHelloftheHungryGhosts*cough*
PERSON: What was that last part again?
DAN: Well, you know, consequences...freedom from suffering....
PERSON: No, explain the part about the six realms again. And I believe I distinctly heard the words 'Hell of the Hungry Ghosts.'
DAN: Well, it's kind of-sort of metaphorical. And...look the Tibetans came up with that part, okay? They're not even real Buddhists. It's more like Himalayan Voodoo Buddhism.
PERSON: So what IS real Buddhism?
DAN: Can we go back to calling atheists stupid? That was way more fun.
I would make a terrible evangelist.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Review of My Short Story
Well, kind of.
Interestingly, the scene the reviewer refers to is my favorite scene in the whole story even though it has nothing to do with the plot.
Interestingly, the scene the reviewer refers to is my favorite scene in the whole story even though it has nothing to do with the plot.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Dan vs. Dan's Brain
The last time I hooked up with a woman something interesting happened. The moment she made it clear she liked me, Dan’s Brain piped up.
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She’s just lonely. This will never work out.
Now that isn’t so interesting by itself. Except that I remembered something. The last time I found myself hooking up with a woman, the moment she proved beyond a doubt she liked me, I had this thought:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She‘s just looking for a reason to justify breaking up with her long-distance boyfriend. This will never work out.
And the woman before that, after she had made an impressive sacrifice on my behalf:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She just doesn’t want to hurt you. This will never work out.
And the woman before that:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She’s looking for someone to rescue her. This will never work out.
Which brought us to this conversation between me and my Brain.
DAN: So just to recap: I have never hooked up with a woman who actually liked me. They all just THOUGHT they did. And every time they did something to show they liked me, that proved the DIDN’T like me.
DAN‘S BRAIN: Exactly. Aren‘t you glad I was there for you?
(DAN stares daggers at DAN’S BRAIN)
DAN’S BRAIN : Would you believe I did it because I love you?
(DAN’S BRAIN edges for the door)
DAN’S BRAIN: Come on, man. We still got each other, right? Lobes before hoes.
DAN (chasing his brain around the apartment with a rolling pin): Lying, conspiracy-theory motherfucker, I‘ll kill you! I could have been MAWWIED!!!!
EVERYONE READING: Does Dan even OWN a rolling pin?
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She’s just lonely. This will never work out.
Now that isn’t so interesting by itself. Except that I remembered something. The last time I found myself hooking up with a woman, the moment she proved beyond a doubt she liked me, I had this thought:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She‘s just looking for a reason to justify breaking up with her long-distance boyfriend. This will never work out.
And the woman before that, after she had made an impressive sacrifice on my behalf:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She just doesn’t want to hurt you. This will never work out.
And the woman before that:
DAN‘S BRAIN: She thinks she likes you but really she doesn‘t. She’s looking for someone to rescue her. This will never work out.
Which brought us to this conversation between me and my Brain.
DAN: So just to recap: I have never hooked up with a woman who actually liked me. They all just THOUGHT they did. And every time they did something to show they liked me, that proved the DIDN’T like me.
DAN‘S BRAIN: Exactly. Aren‘t you glad I was there for you?
(DAN stares daggers at DAN’S BRAIN)
DAN’S BRAIN : Would you believe I did it because I love you?
(DAN’S BRAIN edges for the door)
DAN’S BRAIN: Come on, man. We still got each other, right? Lobes before hoes.
DAN (chasing his brain around the apartment with a rolling pin): Lying, conspiracy-theory motherfucker, I‘ll kill you! I could have been MAWWIED!!!!
EVERYONE READING: Does Dan even OWN a rolling pin?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Solution
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, May 4 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
Wednesday, May 12 - The Laugh Shop, Edmonton
Other Appearances
Wrestling
Saturday, May 29- OSCW - Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton
Meditation Instruction (all at at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street Edmonton)
Saturday, April 24
Saturday, May 8
Monday I volunteered for a research study at the University. I consider it a non-scientist's contribution to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
The technician swabbed my chest with alcohol and went to apply the sensors to my chest, but to no avail.
DAN: Everything okay?
TECHNICIAN: It will be fine. The solution is to apply more alcohol.
DAN: I've tried that one a few times. I've had mixed results, myself.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Updates and Referee Pics
Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, May 12 - The Laugh Shop, Edmonton
Tuesday, May 4 - The Hydeaway, Edmonton
Other Appearances
Wrestling
Saturday, May 29- OSCW - Hazeldean Community Hall, Edmonton
Meditation Instruction (all at at 10:00 am at the Strathcona Public Library 8331 - 104 Street Edmonton)
Saturday, April 24
Saturday, May 8
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