Why not, you ask?
Well...I've been doing work. Very important work. For example, just yesterday I was trying to think of my favorite disease-themed songs from the eighties. I came up with "Spreading the Disease" by Queensryche, "Leper Messiah" by Metallica, and my favorite, the nearly-forgotten " Malaria" by LA Guns. Then I got distracted trying to remember if Infectious Grooves was late-80s or early nineties and wondering if mental disorders no longer recognized as disorders qualified as diseases so I could include Def Leppard's "Hysteria."
And that led me to wondering about a "Bad Boys in the title" themed playlist ("Bad Boys" by Great White, "Bad Boy" by Lita Ford (technically this came out in 1990), "Bad Boys" by Whitesnake, "#1 Bad Boy" by Poison, and "Bad Boys Running Wild" by the Scorpions topped the list--with "Good Girl" by the Bullet Boys tacked on for contrasts sake) which led me to wondering if Wham! had a song called "Bad Boys" or if I was confusing it with Duran Duran's "Wild Boys". As it turns out they (Wham!) do.
Also have been having dreams lately. First there was the one about living in the remains of a flooded city and trying to piece the history together. Then there was the one about the retired senior citizen hitman tracking down a woman who got away to apologize.
And just last night I had a dream about doing a comedy show in which the headliner made a joke about how mad carpenters got when people mis-used hammers as toy guns. And during my set I used the tag line "In space, no one can hear your blue balls."
Which I kind of think is a funny collection of words and I'd like to use it. It's not often in comedy you start with the punchline and then try and write a joke to fit it, but I don't have to explain my creativity to you, man.
Oh. And I have yet to find a Christmas present for my mom.
So as you can see, I am extremely busy man and have no time to blog.
None at all.
Not even a minute.
See you at the show December 20 (The Comic Strip). Next Heart Way meeting is January 11.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, December 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
December of the Year Of Our Lord 2010
Can't believe it's December already.
Seems like just a moment it was January and I was riding in a van through a snowstorm at 3am with AJ and JJ Sanchez, and Cliff Corleone.
And 2010.Weird.
I thought we'd have a Mars colony by now.
Maybe next year.
Seems like just a moment it was January and I was riding in a van through a snowstorm at 3am with AJ and JJ Sanchez, and Cliff Corleone.
And 2010.Weird.
I thought we'd have a Mars colony by now.
Maybe next year.
Monday, November 22, 2010
An Open Letter to CFL Announcers
We've noticed one of you has fallen in love with the term "YAC Yards" and is using it profusely throughout your broadcast, pronouncing it Yak-Yards.
There are two reasons you sound stupid doing this.
1 -YAC stands for "Yards After Catch." So what you are saying is Yards After Catch Yards." Which is redundant.
2 - You are a grown man.
Please stop embarassing yourself.
Sincerely,
The Brodribb Males
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, December 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
There are two reasons you sound stupid doing this.
1 -YAC stands for "Yards After Catch." So what you are saying is Yards After Catch Yards." Which is redundant.
2 - You are a grown man.
Please stop embarassing yourself.
Sincerely,
The Brodribb Males
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, December 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Made The Paper.
An article about love and self-deprecating humour. And there's a picture of me in my sweet, sweet, Transformers t-shirt.
"For Love and Self-Deprecating Humour" should be on my family coat-of-arms.
Article is here.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, December 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
"For Love and Self-Deprecating Humour" should be on my family coat-of-arms.
Article is here.
UPCOMING COMEDY
Monday, December 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Reading Abstience
I'm on the fourth day of my book absitinence experiment.
In that time, I've bought three pairs of jeans, a tshirt, several dozen songs on itunes, and barely resisted the urge to pick up a PS3 and several games.
Maybe it's time to go back to the library...before I go broke.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
In that time, I've bought three pairs of jeans, a tshirt, several dozen songs on itunes, and barely resisted the urge to pick up a PS3 and several games.
Maybe it's time to go back to the library...before I go broke.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
First Heart Way meeting of 2011 is January 11 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Dan vs. The Future
Vasalissa got me an ipod for my birthday.
I spent the next hour digging through CDs stressing myself out trying to decide which songs needed to go on it IMMEDIATELY. I ended up with piles of "Yes", "Nos", and "Unsures" blocking the entire apartment.
It was strange. One moment I was indifferent to the fact such technology existed, the next I was tying myself into knots deciding which songs had to go on it RIGHT NOW!!!!
I'm already thinking of getting a machine that will transfer music from casettes to some kind of electronic form.
Because music isn't just music. It's pieces of memory. Each CD I picked up, I wasn't holding a piece of plastic, it was the soundtrack to part of my life--here an all night drive to Manitoba with a couple of pro wrestlers; there's my student teaching experience; hey, look, this is the novel I wrote fifteen years ago or my taekwon-do workout music; the night shift at a video store or the hospital or the Support Network; the first girl I kissed; the first girl I WANTED to kiss and so much more.
It's more than music. It's my life.
Meanwhile, I've decided my addiction to the printed word has become unmanageable. As a small experiment, I've decided to go a week or so without reading.
I'm already experiencing pangs of withdrawal.
I spent the next hour digging through CDs stressing myself out trying to decide which songs needed to go on it IMMEDIATELY. I ended up with piles of "Yes", "Nos", and "Unsures" blocking the entire apartment.
It was strange. One moment I was indifferent to the fact such technology existed, the next I was tying myself into knots deciding which songs had to go on it RIGHT NOW!!!!
I'm already thinking of getting a machine that will transfer music from casettes to some kind of electronic form.
Because music isn't just music. It's pieces of memory. Each CD I picked up, I wasn't holding a piece of plastic, it was the soundtrack to part of my life--here an all night drive to Manitoba with a couple of pro wrestlers; there's my student teaching experience; hey, look, this is the novel I wrote fifteen years ago or my taekwon-do workout music; the night shift at a video store or the hospital or the Support Network; the first girl I kissed; the first girl I WANTED to kiss and so much more.
It's more than music. It's my life.
Meanwhile, I've decided my addiction to the printed word has become unmanageable. As a small experiment, I've decided to go a week or so without reading.
I'm already experiencing pangs of withdrawal.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Bungee Jumping, Elk Calls, and the Last Few Days
Today: Found a hole in the butt of my jeans.
Saturday: Bungee jumped for the first time.
Last Thursday: Dawn demonstrated her elk call in a loud bar which caused the bouncer and waitress to run over an look at me suspiciously.
Tonight: Heart Way Meeting.
Bungee jumping was fun. As a meditator, it's always interesting to watch you mind and see when you felt fear and how bad it was.
For me it wasn't bad. I had a moment of second thoughts waiting for the appointed time but it wasn't too bad. I was calm, cool and collected.
Vasalissa, on the other hand, was excited enough for both of us, bouncing up and down and barely able to contain herself.
We went to the top, got our instructions. I remained calm, even as they were strapping me in.
Even as the jumpmaster told me to go...
...even as I ran for the jump-off point.
..until the moment I reached the very edge, at which point I had an "EEK!" moment, curling backwards, pulling one foot in the air and going up on my tippy-toes like an elephant confronted by a very ferocious mouse.
Physics, however, would not be denied. I was carried forward off the edge by momentum, but that split-second hesitation meant I took to the air in a most dignified pose.
The fall was a rush. Terrifying, but cool.
As I bounced upward at the end of the rope, I thought, "That was pretty cool. I thought I'd be more scared."
Then I WAS scared as I reached the top of the bounce and fell again.
Nobody told me about the bouncing.
Once I got used to it, it was fun. Elevator drop in the stomach, the stop and bounce upwards, the feeling of weightlessness at the top of the bounce (WHEE!) before you fell again.
When I was finished, I watched Vasalissa jump. Her take off was much more graceful than I.
Afterwards, walking through the mall (We bungee-jumped in a Mall! We're Xtreme Mall Rats!) she looked around at the shuffling, shopping masses and said, "Don't they know what we did? I just want to grab them and shake them."
I remember that kind of excitement from mountain climbing. The first time I went with my sister-in-law, I remember walking back into the tourist center, looking at everyone else and thinking "these people have no idea of how it feels to be alive."
For the record, it feels awesome.
Last Heart Way meeting of 2010 is November 9 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
Saturday: Bungee jumped for the first time.
Last Thursday: Dawn demonstrated her elk call in a loud bar which caused the bouncer and waitress to run over an look at me suspiciously.
Tonight: Heart Way Meeting.
Bungee jumping was fun. As a meditator, it's always interesting to watch you mind and see when you felt fear and how bad it was.
For me it wasn't bad. I had a moment of second thoughts waiting for the appointed time but it wasn't too bad. I was calm, cool and collected.
Vasalissa, on the other hand, was excited enough for both of us, bouncing up and down and barely able to contain herself.
We went to the top, got our instructions. I remained calm, even as they were strapping me in.
Even as the jumpmaster told me to go...
...even as I ran for the jump-off point.
..until the moment I reached the very edge, at which point I had an "EEK!" moment, curling backwards, pulling one foot in the air and going up on my tippy-toes like an elephant confronted by a very ferocious mouse.
Physics, however, would not be denied. I was carried forward off the edge by momentum, but that split-second hesitation meant I took to the air in a most dignified pose.
The fall was a rush. Terrifying, but cool.
As I bounced upward at the end of the rope, I thought, "That was pretty cool. I thought I'd be more scared."
Then I WAS scared as I reached the top of the bounce and fell again.
Nobody told me about the bouncing.
Once I got used to it, it was fun. Elevator drop in the stomach, the stop and bounce upwards, the feeling of weightlessness at the top of the bounce (WHEE!) before you fell again.
When I was finished, I watched Vasalissa jump. Her take off was much more graceful than I.
Afterwards, walking through the mall (We bungee-jumped in a Mall! We're Xtreme Mall Rats!) she looked around at the shuffling, shopping masses and said, "Don't they know what we did? I just want to grab them and shake them."
I remember that kind of excitement from mountain climbing. The first time I went with my sister-in-law, I remember walking back into the tourist center, looking at everyone else and thinking "these people have no idea of how it feels to be alive."
For the record, it feels awesome.
Last Heart Way meeting of 2010 is November 9 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Time Share Babies, Flirt Rust & The Heart Way
My girlfriend and I have come up with the idea for Time Share babies. Twenty-six couples. One baby. Two weeks out of the year.
It's parenting for commitment-phobes. And if you start to miss the collective baby, you can always check the little bundle's progress on the communal Facebook group.
I think it's a great idea. It takes a village after all.
*********
Dawn's back in town and we went out to the bar a couple nights ago. I've had a girlfriend for six months and I can no longer flirt. This really bothered me.
DAN: I can't flirt anymore. See that girl over there. I couldn't hit on her if my life depends on it.
DAWN: Why would you want to? Your girlfriend is way prettier than she is.
DAN: (mournfully) Doesn't matter.
DAWN: And here I was starting to believe there were still good guys out there.
DAN: I'm romantically unarmed. I've lost it, Dawn. But you know what? You're right. I have a great girlfriend. What does it matter that I've lost the ability to walk up to a strange woman and tell her she has pretty eyes. My seductive abilities have atrophied, and I DON'T CARE!!!
(A Hot Brunette at the bar next to DAN looks over at this)
DAN: (touching Hot Brunette's shoulder) I do care, baby. I just tell people I don't because I get scared inside.
Hot Brunette gives a tight smile and hurries away with her drinks.
DAN: She deserved better than that. That was a poor effort.
Dawn and I have also came up with a sketch about a woman getting drunk and picking up a guy at the bar when she's still hooked on someone else.
DRUNK GIRL: You're cute. What's your name?
GUY: Derek.
DRUNK GIRL: No it's not. You're Steve.
GUY: But...
DRUNK GIRL: Your name is Steve...you work at my office....and you DON'T have a girlfriend...and you love me and think I'm pretty and want to have my babies.
GUY: I...
DRUNK GIRL: Make out with me now, Steve.
Dawn and I really should have our own show.
Last Heart Way meeting of 2010 is November 9 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
It's parenting for commitment-phobes. And if you start to miss the collective baby, you can always check the little bundle's progress on the communal Facebook group.
I think it's a great idea. It takes a village after all.
*********
Dawn's back in town and we went out to the bar a couple nights ago. I've had a girlfriend for six months and I can no longer flirt. This really bothered me.
DAN: I can't flirt anymore. See that girl over there. I couldn't hit on her if my life depends on it.
DAWN: Why would you want to? Your girlfriend is way prettier than she is.
DAN: (mournfully) Doesn't matter.
DAWN: And here I was starting to believe there were still good guys out there.
DAN: I'm romantically unarmed. I've lost it, Dawn. But you know what? You're right. I have a great girlfriend. What does it matter that I've lost the ability to walk up to a strange woman and tell her she has pretty eyes. My seductive abilities have atrophied, and I DON'T CARE!!!
(A Hot Brunette at the bar next to DAN looks over at this)
DAN: (touching Hot Brunette's shoulder) I do care, baby. I just tell people I don't because I get scared inside.
Hot Brunette gives a tight smile and hurries away with her drinks.
DAN: She deserved better than that. That was a poor effort.
Dawn and I have also came up with a sketch about a woman getting drunk and picking up a guy at the bar when she's still hooked on someone else.
DRUNK GIRL: You're cute. What's your name?
GUY: Derek.
DRUNK GIRL: No it's not. You're Steve.
GUY: But...
DRUNK GIRL: Your name is Steve...you work at my office....and you DON'T have a girlfriend...and you love me and think I'm pretty and want to have my babies.
GUY: I...
DRUNK GIRL: Make out with me now, Steve.
Dawn and I really should have our own show.
Last Heart Way meeting of 2010 is November 9 at Woodcroft Library. Email thegatewayboyfriend@gmail for registration.
Check out Dan's writing on relationships at thegatewayboyfriend.blogspot.com and learn how to get Dan's DATING FOR SHY GUYS book.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Halloween Odds and Ends
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.
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.
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.
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