BRI HEART NY (Part 1)

Here it is folks!!! (finally?)

This is Part One of a three part series called "BRI HEART NY" about mine and Allison's adventures in New York City. Part One is about our hellish trip to New Jersey and our experiences driving through the ghettos of Newark. Enjoy!

Remember that time when I said that I was making a Christmas blog? Well, that didn't end up happening. I suppose it could have happened, but it would have been a video of me running around American Eagle with arms full of denim and hoodies. Yep, merry Christmas Brian. I still might make a Christmas-ish blog. My family doesn't usually get around to taking the tree down 'till like March, so I have plenty of time. I also really need to post "brI HEART NY," its getting a little ridic if you ask me. It'll take me like twenty minutes to finish it, seriously.

Anyway, I probs wont be posting anything before the new year, so HAPS N'YEAR everyone!! Make it last a lifetime!!

So last week there was a freak snow storm that forced me and my friends Claire, Courtney, Courtney and Allison to take emergency refuge in a luxury hotel room (seriously, it was the most supa-swanks hotel room I have ever stayed it - it had a friggin' kitchenette!)

In an attempt to amuse ourselves we played a game I created and didn't at all copy called "Limericks." Basically you each write a line in the poem with only the line before it to guide you. Here are some of my personal favs.

There was a foul stink in the kitchen
It was caused by all of Kay's bitchin'
She whined and complained
All her drinks she then drained
And danced on the stairs till it rained.

There once was a giant named Harold
Who had trouble staying warm in the cold
He put on warm socks
And screamed "Thanks a lot!"
Because he forgot his own birthday.

There was a great Queen of the Isle
Who never owned a nail file
So she used a knife
And cut through the ice
And they partied until it was morning.

There once was a creature named Swampster
Who wanted to eat at Red Lobster
Too bad it was closed
He didn't want to impose
So he went home and sat on his porch.

And the two winners of best limerick:

There once was a man named Stew
Who always had so much to do
She threw in the towel
With movement in her bowel
She knew it would be a long night

There once was a man in a shoe
Who never knew what to do
They climbed up a flagpole
And scored a great big goal
So his dad took the team to McDonalds.

Now enjoy a little vid of the evening.

YO! I haven't died...yet...but I have been really busy. Too busy, actually! It's December and I work in retail = I want to die.

Anyway, I am probably going to be making some pretty amazing updates to the ol' B-log in the coming weeks. First, I haven't forgotten about the blog about my days in NYC but I HAVE forgotten about my blog about my days in NYC - so that's most def on its way.

Also, December is a wonderful month for me. Not only is it both Hanukkah and Christmas (yay presents!), but it's also my birthday (yay, presents!). I love my birthday. Not because it a whole day dedicated to me (unlike every other day which is only kinda dedicated to me) but because it's a whole day dedicated to me! (See what I did there?!)

This year I made the mistake of making one of those facebook event page things. What I didn't realize is that you don't have to invite everyone on your friends list - something I did. I definitely invited 300+ people to a party and I only really talk to/like/know about 100 of these people (luckily most people have common sense or are going back to wherever they're from for the holidays.) What's most embarrassing is that I have a penchant for adding pseudo-celebrities to facebook, all of which were invited to my birthday...along with ex-girlfriends and people I went to elementary school/church with...I'm a winner!

In any case, I'm excited because my birthday just so happens to land on one of HSM's themed rehearsals - PIRATE DAY! Could my birthday get any AWESOMER!? Pirate's are both wicked-awesome and most-sexy. I can relate.

So stay tuned to the blog for some Birthday and Christmas blogs which I will think of names for right...........now. "B-Wat's B-irthday B-log" and "Blogmas: A Christmas Blog - featuring Mary Martin and Bing Crosby*."

See ya!


This is me...in a pirate costume meant for a six-year-old. Just one more reason why I should never gain weight!

*Disclaimer: This blog may not actually feature Mary Martin and/or Bing Crosby.

MARAT/BLOG

Hey everyone! So, as some of you know, I was recently in a production of "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade" or "Marat/Sade" which closed on November 16th. Here are two blogs of the backstage hyjinks from a dress rehearsal and of course, closing night. There are a couple of swears in these that I miss whilst editing these videos, so I apologize. Just pretend they said something else...it's what I do all the time!



CLOSING NIGHT
(Notice the fancy titles and credits! - I'm learning!)


Now enjoy some frightening pictures from the show!

Here's a shot from "Corday's Arrival in Paris" (Def my fav scene).


"Faces of Marat"




And...who is this scary fella with the chiseled arm muscles? And look at all that copulating behind him!!

Here is is folkers!! Part DEUX of my first B-logging adventure. It features our visit to Value Village and the musical stylings of Doktor Kosmos (his song "Holiday" is featured during the fashion show segment). Please enjoy!!



Stay tuned for my Marat/Sade blog entitled "Marat/Blog" and of course "brI Heart NY."

TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Tuesday folks will be a great day for us all. PART TWO of my first Blog AAAAAAND my Marat/Sade blog!!! YAY.

So, check back on Tuesday for adventure and excitement!!

Hey folks! This video was sent to me by one of my BFFs Tory. This video is an honest-to-god workout video from the '80's, starring Greer Chalders. This is called "Body Flex" and it is really intense and apparently helps prevent wrinkles. Screw roll-downs, I'm trying this before my next show.



I HEART YOU GREER CHALDERS. Who does your hair?

So I'm really sorry that I haven't been updating my blog very regularly and there's only been one actual B-log from B-wats, but I have been doing some pretty vigorous rehearsing for Marat/Sade because we open in SEVEN DAYS!! I only have one day off this week (Tuesday) and I'll probably just use that to sleep and hydrate my vocal cords. Anyway, I promise that as soon as the show closes I'll post Part 2 of my first blog, my "brI Heart NY" blog and my Marat/Sade blog. In the meantime, please enjoy a video I promised myself I would never post. Allow me to set it up for you. I had just seen "High School Musical" for the first time. I drank a little too much and decided to re-enact the final number in the lobby of a Royal Bank. Some things to note: #1. I don't know the dance at all, #2. My friend Salena killing herself laughing behind me, and #3. Where the hell does that hotdog come from? Who would have thought a year later I would be directing and choreographing this same show...Enjoy!

PLANET UNICORN!

Okay, so we all know that I find unicorns HILARIOUS, well I have no idea how I never saw this video on youtube before. Anyway, this show is called "Planet Unicorn" and it is the funniest thing I have ever seen. There are more episodes on youtube and I encourage all of you to take a gander. Here is my favourite episode:



P.S. If you come to my show (Marat/Sade, opening Nov. 15) you may or may not see me as a unicorn at the end of Act One. I call it my "unicameo" (I also wear bucket-shoes).

So I've been told to update my blog. This won't be a video but I hope you enjoyed the last one! Part Two is coming soon, I promise, but I am really busy right now, rehearsing for a production of Peter Weiss' "Marat/Sade" which opens in TEN DAYS!!!!!! I have rehearsal every day. Luckily the cast is awesome and are very sweet people that I love being around. If you're in Southern Ontario the weekend of Nov 15-17, you can come to our great big play opening! WOOT! I play a crazy person who sings.

In other news, I was in New York last weekend and had an amazing time. I saw more Broadway shows in two days than most people see in their lives. Friday night I saw Grease which was awesome, until I saw SPRING AWAKENING which totally melted my face and messed me up good. Amazingshow (one word. that's how awesome). The cast is incredible and very nice (you KNOW I waited for them at the stage door and got them to sign my program). Then we saw Hairspray which was very good. It was, like, understudy day or something but they were still awesome. Broadway knows how to make it happen.

Here are some sweet pics of me in my totes fav city:


Me and the Stat o' Lib.


I just like this picture.


How much does Allison love Hairspray...This much aparantly!


I def love it too.


Best show of life? Yes.

Here it is!! This is Part ONE of my first video blogging adventure. It's not much...but it's home. I mean...a blog. Stay tuned in the future for better quality videos and perhaps an awesome intro!! YAY!

Luckiest Person EVER?!

So...I'm beginning to think I'm the luckiest person ever. This is why:

#1. The other day I was late for a meeting (what else is new) and in my haste I quickly shoved my iPod in my bag and ran from my car to Brock. During my brief run, my iPod fell out of my bag and was missing for 4 hours. I realized it was missing at about 10:00 at night and started panicking. Just as I was about to give up, I ran into Denise who just so happened to be doing her laundry on campus and she agreed to help me look again. So the two of us were looking around in a dark field for quite some time and just as we were about to give up, I randomly looked down and saw my iPod, sitting about three inches away from a busy sidewalk.

My iPod had just been lying there for 4 hours while people, some honest, some not-so-honest, passed by not noticing it. Then, about a minute and a half after finding it, it started pouring.

#2. I drive a crap car that breaks down FOREVER! (I do realize that that sentence makes no sense, but if you've ever driven in my car... you get me). Anyway, it just so happens that my car broke for good on Tuesday, the same day my mother's will money came due from the bank and the very day my Line of Credit became available. Guess who got a new car?! That's right!

#3. THIS IS A BIGGY.
So...my friend Allison and I are always planning random trips to random places to see theatre. We recently decided to actually go on a for-real trip to New York. She just so happened to have a long weekend Oct 25-28. Looking at my schedule, I realize that I haven't been scheduled to work anywhere but the only problem is I have an unmissable class all day Friday. Well...it just so happens that this same weekend the Drama in Ed students were taking a trip as well, forcing my teacher to cancel class that day! I WIN!

However...things can't be easy for B-Wats. It soon comes to my attention that I have no idea where my birth certificate or any of my ID is and, ever since 9-11, its impossible to cross the border without it! So for over a week I've been looking for my ID, ripping my house apart trying to find it. I'm supposed to leave for NY tomorrow and I still hadn't found it. I decided to look one more time in my room. Three hours later...still no ID. I figure I might as well take a break and read from a High School Musical themed magazine...guess whats inside? YOU GUESSED IT, MY FRIGGIN' ID!!!!!! All of it!

B-WATS IS GOING TO B-WAY!!

My new girlfriend.

Isn't. She. Wonderful.

AWKWARD!

So everyone knows I am the King of Awkwardom (and musicals!) but I thought I would post something that gives even me a run for my money.



The fun part is deciding whether the dancing girl or the horny dog is the best part of this.

I Am a Terrible Person

Okay...so this is a clip from the play "The Miracle Worker" about Hellen Keller. I feel horrible about posting this but I think it is important to watch for educational purposes, specifically for Stage Managers...and its effing hilarious in a very messed-up, slightly Patrick Bateman-ish way. Enjoy...

COMING OUT DAY

HAPPY COMING OUT DAY!! LET'S ALL COME OUT!!

A FUN VIDEO

STILL NO VIDEO BLOG FROM B-WATS! But here is something that is almost as entertaining as me! Frankly this made my day.



A series of things that amuse me about this video:
#1. Why in hell was Mr. T chosen to be the narrator? I love the opening line, "Everybody gotta wear clothes." Duh, Mr. T...duh.
#2. He is clearly reading his lines off of a card. I'm impressed that he can read that coherently.
#3. I am amused that the personal labels are duct-tape with the person's name printed on it with marker. I think I'm going to start doing that!
#4. What kind of sadistic parents name their twin girls Xena and Zena!?
#5. Did he REALLY just call that girl a "hot-dog?!"
#6. Did anyone else catch the "pervert point" Mr. T gives Manny? Poor, poor Manny.
#7. I NEVER thought I would hear Mr.T say the series of words "Here's Janine, cool as a peppermint ice cream in her pink ensemble and frosty white pumps." I'm horrified.
#8. Why do a group of children scream "Baseball party" at us at the end of this? I'm thinking this little league team probably sponsored this video.

Thanks Mr. T! I owe you one for my epic style!!

So...I don't know why that last video showed up twice. You don't have to watch it twice. Once is probably enough.

This video was sent to me by Denise. I think that ALL of us should use this as a monologue at some point. My Sheridan audition monologue? I think so! Denise's NTS audition - very yes! If I turned it into a ballad, I could use this for my Sound of Music audition. Maybe....?

Also, I LOVE the Outsiders bit. This is one of my favourite movies ever and it is now even more my favourite! How in hell did this man get into Julliard?

Okay peeps, there are still NO videos posted on the blog. Let me tell you about what's going down with the situation (which I will now be calling the sit [pronounced "sich"]. It has been QUITE an ordeal.

Firstly, I hate how every single piece of equipment needs a special cord. Your printer needs a different cord from the internet, which is different from the cord on your straightener, which wont work on your synth, which, in turn, will not work for your cell phone, which you can't charge your iPod with. What the HAY-LOSS is with THAT!? So anyway, I'm having trouble uploading the vids because I don't have the right, you guessed it, cord! It has to be this specially ordered JVC super-cord that I had to specially order, specially.

I went to Circuit City (which we are now boycotting due to their lies!) and they told me this specially ordered super-cord would cost me $149.95!! I was like WTF, its an effing cord! So I went on ebay, which always saves the day for me (Cast Recordings for only $4.00? Sign me up!) and found one for 6.49 (taxes and shipping incl.). Stupid Circuit City.

So, the specially ordered super-cord is in the mail. As soon as it gets here, the adventure begins!

This is B-Wats - out!

P.S. Go see Across the Universe. Julie Taymor makes my face melt. The guy who played Troy in the National Tour of HSM was in it for 7 seconds. That was exciting!

B-WATS FIRST EVER BLOG!!

So here it is folks, Brian's blog...(which will soon include amazing videos of my adventures but because of Wal Mart's insolence, you'll have to wait until tomorrow for them to happen). Sit tight because this promises to be probably the best video blog ever. It will definitely include a crazy deaf man in a Wendy's, a gold Elvis impersonator and a WILD Value Village adventure (where we buy awesome Fish-Bowl Friday shirts/knitted ponchos). How do I know?? Because all of these things are already on tape and ready for blogging!!!!! (Blame Wal Mart for not being able to watch it right now).

Anyway...thanks for coming. Tell your friends!

Hearts! B-Wats