POSTPONAVIRUS

09/03/2020 - 16/03/2020

I was hesitant to continue Blood any further than the first two initial shows.

It's a taxing piece and I was fully prepared to put it behind me.

A personal and professional success!

Lance Byrd, a hilarious comedian I know, told me that if the piece helped people, then I had an obligation to the theatre to continue it.  

He asked me:

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!"

He said:

"You don't get to just walk away! 

If your work helps people then you get up there and you do it!"

He was right.

(He usually is)

With Lance's words burned into my mind, I let Chris (Ragonetti) talk me into putting the show back up and began digging back into the work.

This time around I was working with my younger Sister Maggie as Director.

We were into a deep dive and it wasn't long before I found myself in a dangerous potential relapse situation.

All of a sudden, after years of sobriety, I was in serious trouble.

Trouble with the law, trouble for my Family, trouble for my work and trouble for my life.

I sought help immediately.

I sat in an hour long group information session where they told us our rehabilitation assessment dates were randomly being assigned in another room.  

The night before, I went to The Staircase Theatre in Hamilton with Chris to have a look around and speak to the booker about dates for the show.  When we were offered April 24th & 25th, I insisted we book the dates immediately.

These were the days between when my Brother died and when he was discovered.

It was meant to be.

The next day I left the medical centre contemplating an addiction and grieving counselling course.

Our group was met by a nurse in the hallway, we'd tell them our name and he'd give us our paperwork with our assessment dates out of his pile and tell us to have a nice day.  I took mine, folded it into my inside pocket and quickly found the appropriate room to piss.

Outside, I was waiting for the streetcar, when an eerie feeling came over me.

I looked around to see who was setting off my spidey-senses, but I was alone.

Or so I thought.

The sky took to a strange movement in all of its' thick greyness, and clear as day. I could hear my Brother's voice.

"Don't throw your life away over my death."

Of course, these were my own thoughts, but they were his words in his voice.

It shook me to my core.

I instantly took out my paperwork and right at the top of the first page, written in red sharpie was my random assessment date:

April 24th

The grey sky lightened, the sun came out, I got on my streetcar and went down the road.

We're all affected by this virus.

ALL the shows are cancelled now.

We don't know when or if things go back to normal.

A lot of people are losing a lot of money and the future is uncertain 

(even more than usual).

My show is very important to me and a lot of people, just like yours.

Everything happens for a reason and magic is all around us.

I believe this is a warning from the Creator.

We need to take heed.

Next time we won't get off so easy.

Please be careful and be kind to each other.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

On Monday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 / Wuhan Coronavirus cases 110,288
• Deaths from  COVID-19 / Wuhan Coronavirus 3,831
• Top 5 countries confirmed reports – China (80,738); South Korea (7,478); Italy (7,375); Iran (6,566); France (1,209)
• Top 5 countries deaths – China (3,120); Italy (366); Iran (194); South Korea (53); USA (22)
• Stock markets around the world tumbled as Saudi Arabia cut oil prices to Asia. Dow posts the biggest single-day loss since 2008.
• Israel says anyone entering the country must self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Confirmed cases now in 95 countries

On Tuesday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 / Wuhan Coronavirus cases 114,809
• Deaths from  COVID-19 / Wuhan Coronavirus 4,031
• Total confirmed cases worldwide, excluding China, is now 34,048
• The whole nation of Italy is put under lockdown and quarantined. Schools are shut nationwide, Italians have been told not to travel, all public events are stopped, restaurants must close by 6pm.
• United Arab Emirates closes ports to cruise ships.
• Top 5 nations for death totals: China 3,136; Italy 463; Iran 237; South Korea 54; Spain 31

On Wednesday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 125,633
• Deaths from  COVID-19 Coronavirus 4,607
• W.H.O. declared a global pandemic.
• India closed its borders. All existing visas will be suspended until April 15 according to the country’s leadership.
• There are confirmed cases in 121 countries.
• Angela Merkel of Germany warned that up to 70% of her country could become infected.
• Top ten nations by death count from COVID-19: China 3,158; Italy 631; Iran 354; South Korea 61; Spain 47; France 33; USA 31; Japan 12; Iraq 7; Netherlands 5.
• Global markets tanked again on fears of the pandemic.

On Thursday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 127,810 around the world. Global cases minus China – 47,014
• Deaths from  COVID-19 Coronavirus 4,716.
• Top five nations confirmed reports: China 80,796; Italy 12,462; Iran 10,075; South Korea 7,869; France 2,281
• Top five nations death totals from COVID-19 Coronavirus: China 3,169; Italy 827; Iran429; South Korea 66; Spain 55
• Saudi Arabia joins the US in announcing a ban on travel to Europe.
• China says they are past the peak of the outbreak. Chinese experts predict the worst of the pandemic will be over by June.
• Austria and Greece report their first deaths.
• Spain’s Minister of Equality tested positive for the virus.
• The Blood team met at Chris's place and decided to pull the plug.

On Friday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 138,608 around the world. Global cases minus China – 57,793 (10,000 more than yesterday.)
• Deaths from  COVID-19 Coronavirus 5,083.
• Top 5 nations confirmed reports: China 80,815; Italy 15,113; Iran 11,364; South Korea 7,979; Spain 4,073
• Top 5 nations death totals: China 3,177; Italy 1,016; Iran 514; Spain 92; South Korea 71
• The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed she tested positive for the coronavirus.
• W.H.O. says Europe is the new epicenter of the pandemic.
• Church of Latter-Day Saints suspended all gatherings at their religious meetings worldwide.
• Poland and Denmark are closed to foreigners.
• U.K delays elections for a year.
• Spain declared a national emergency.
• Venezuela confirms its first two cases of the virus.
• Ethiopia, Kenya, Guinea, and Sudan each confirm their first infections.
• I announced the cancelation of the show.

On Saturday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 150,649 around the world. Global cases minus China – 69,825(12,000 more than yesterday.)
• Deaths from COVID-19 Coronavirus 5,619.
• Top 5 nations confirmed reports: China 80,824; Italy 17,660; Iran 12,729; South Korea 8,086; Spain 6,043
• Top 5 nations death totals: China 3,189; Italy 1,266; Iran 611; Spain 191; France 79
• Everyone entering New Zealand must now self-isolate.
• Italy’s Deputy Health Minister tested positive for the coronavirus.
• I refunded all the ticket sales.

On Sunday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 162,959 around the world. Global cases minus China – 82,110 (The number will be updated later today when Italy’s numbers are added. We will also soon have a post here at the web site explaining why passing 80,000 minus China worldwide by March 15, is very concerning.)
• Deaths from COVID-19 Coronavirus 6,085. This number rose by almost 10% from yesterday and will grow a lot in the next few weeks as the length of time people have been sick in Spain and Italy begins converting from active cases to death totals.
• Massive crowds fill US airports as US travelers from Europe return to the US. This contradicts the strong encouragement for “social distancing.”
• The Vatican closed Holy Week to the public.
• Spain is moving toward lockdown. Thousands of businesses shut down in France as the government announced non-essential businesses should close.
• Britain is asking older citizens to self-isolate.
• South Korea’s president declared the southeastern part of South Korea as a “special disaster zone.”
• Kuwait launched drones among its population to encourage people to disperse for social distancing.
• Israel closed cafes, restaurants, shops, and theaters.
• Top 5 nations confirmed reports: China 80,849; Italy 21,157; Iran 13,998; South Korea 8,162; Spain 7,753
• Top 5 nations death totals: China 3,199; Italy 1,441; Iran 724; Spain 291; France 91

On Monday...

• Confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases 182,368 around the world. Global cases minus China – 101,488. (The total confirmed reported case count increase over yesterday +11.9%.)
• Deaths from COVID-19 Coronavirus 7,143. The increase over yesterday +17.3%.
• France and Spain have sounded the alarm that their own health systems may soon be overwhelmed.
• More people have now died from the virus outside of China than died within China.
• The European Union is proposing that nonessential travel to most of the continent be restricted for 30 days.
• Scientists who have studied the data coming out of China now believe that for every 1 case reporter, there are another 5 to 10 cases undetected. 
• The EU plans to seal itself off from all international travel.
• France ordered a nationwide lockdown.
• Top 5 nations confirmed reports: China 80,880; Italy 27,980; Iran 14,991; Spain 9,942; South Korea 8,236
• Top 5 nations death totals: China 3,213; Italy 2,158; Iran 853; Spain 342; France 148
• The Canadian Prime Minister urges Canadians to stay home from the front lawn of his house where he is in self-isolation. 
• I stayed home from work.

...

HUGS

HUGS

25/11/2019 - 08/03/2020

When they died I wore their jackets like a warm hug.

My Brother Harold was a man of many coats, he had one for every mood and style he may be feeling at the moment.  In the short time I was aloud into his house (with his psycho girlfriend) after his death, I managed to grab only one.  I got his old green camouflage army surplus issue.  It was obviously too big for me and not my style at all, but I wore it everywhere.  

People would comment: 

"When are you shipping out?"

"Oh, I almost didn't see you there!"

"Hi GI Joe"

Countless 'hilarious' quips and 'witty' observations.

I didn't care.

I had him close to me;

I could smell him and feel his warmth and essence.

It's good, sound advice to not judge people because you never know what they may be going through.

That's why I never let my objectivity get out of reach to where I would forget that peoples' problems were not about me.

My Papa left behind a practically brand new Dakota brand black work jacket that my Cousin Jessica and her boyfriend Mike gave him.  I was over at the house with my Mom after he passed away and she offered it to me as a keepsake.  I grabbed it, put it on and have worn it every day since.  It too was not my style and made me stick out like a sore thumb at my new job in a high profile government building amongst the suits in their lower level designer clothes.

I don't care.

I had him close to me;

I could take solace in its' comfort and relief in its' rugged practicality.

In their clothes, I brought them forward with me, and I wasn't alone in the crowds of smirking, awkward strangers and seas of prying, judgemental eyes.

We're all guilty of preconception.

I know, after my crazy life, with all my scars and tattoos, I look like a maniac to some people.

I'm not.

Get to know people.

I have found that they will undoubtably, without fail, surprise you 100% of the time.

Throw away your safety net, get outside of your vacuum and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

If you don't, you're denying yourself the countless possibilities of real true friendship staring at you right in the face.

I'm the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

Deal with it.

In November we did Blood.

We had two sold out shows at The Bad Dog Theatre with an incredible response.

(I got to experience what a standing ovation feels like, TWICE!)

I started a new job and have been underwhelmed by it ever since.

In December we had a wonderful Christmas at home with Family.

Kids LOVE Christmas and remind you how special and magic the whole thing is.

(So special, in fact, it's worth lying to your own Children about a strange man in another part of the world who can see them sleeping and wont break into their home to bring them presents if they misbehave?)

Right before the holiday, my friend Chris Ragonetti talked me into letting him produce Blood in the New Year.

In January we talked Blood and began to put the pieces in place.

We booked The Staircase Theatre in Hamilton for two shows:

Friday April 24th

&

Saturday April 25th

both at 8PM 

& 

both new and improved!

(We also booked The Alumnae Theatre for 7 shows:

July 20th-26th!)

In February we hired the guns and pulled the trigger.

I'm honoured to have my Sister Maggie directing this round!

In March...

(March hasn't happened yet, but the beat goes on!)

I hope to see you at one of the shows, I'll save you a hug!

(I'll be the one in the new jacket.)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

BLOOD

18/11/2019 - 24/11/2019

First of all. and most importantly, let me say
thank you.
Thank you all forever.

I'm not exactly sure how i feel about it all.
I think I'll be digesting and processing this experience for a long time.
I know I feel good.  We worked hard, sold out both of our shows and the response has been absolutely incredible.  I believe I could be talked into doing a short run at another theatre.
I believe Blood is good for people, it has a healing power built into it.
I'm proud of myself for creating and performing Blood.
Steve Martin said:

“Be so good they can't ignore you.”

I don't think this show can be ignored.

I remember when Hobo Banditos were planning our first album release party.  I booked Sneaky Dees, which was primarily a spot for punk bands, which worked out fine for us because I got our friends bands who were the biggest names in punk and metal around to open up for us.  The line up was so crazy that people had to come.  

We sold out quick!

*People started talking about how they'd just watch the other bands and leave when we played.

(*people who weren't fans of rap, our group or us)

Then we combatted those rumours by letting it be known that we were gonna play at a surprise time in the order so *people had to stay for the whole show and would inevitably have to watch our set to get to the other bands.

The next murmers that came our way were that there was a fairly large group of older local 'punks' that were planning on jumping us at our show and kicking the shit out of us.

We had so much back up that night, we weren't scared, besides, we always loved a good fight.

Show time came and we could feel the tension in the air.

The place was packed and security sucked.

We waited until halfway through the night and then jumped up to do our set.

All these morons came up to the front of the stage and started mad doggin' us.

We did our thing.

Hobos message was always righteous and true.  We were more DIY and anarchistic than any of the shitty Toronto punk bands, hands down.

We could see the crowd being won over as we moved through our set.

They began to unfold their arms and nod their heads.

By the time we were finished, a whole gang of full grown (mentally and emotionally challenged) men

who came to our show with the clear and premeditated intention of beating us to a pulp, were won over by the undeniable power of the truth.

They were all rocking out with us by our last song and joining in with the crowd chanting

HOBOS!

HOBOS!

HOBOS!

pffft.

punks.

I'd like to Blood out of town at a nice theatre where nobody knows me.

I'd like to do a run of Blood at a nice theatre in Toronto and hear what the critics have to say.

I believe in its' truth and it speaks for itself.

I'd like to do other original shows and be in other people's shows.

I'd like to make some films and write some books.

I'd like to get some sleep.

No dreams to speak of, just deep, black sleep;

for a thousand years.

On Monday I spent my last day in training for my new job.

Kate and I played a competition show at The Social Capital Theatre with our improv duo Mom & Dad.
(We won first place!)

On Tuesday I started my new job.

On Wednesday we celebrated Violet's 2nd birthday!

On Thursday we did Blood!

On Friday I went to work and thought about how great I'd be at being independently wealthy.
I took a nap at Maggies and then joined up with Pepperoni Pizza Cats to play a show at Comedy Bar.
(palette cleanser)

On Saturday I took everybody out fora big brunch!

On Sunday we put up the Christmas tree, had some hot cocoa and watched
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

PLEASE
if you have any thoughts on Blood, share them on my FaceBook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AmeroBlood/
Be as honest as you can, I'm not afraid of the truth.
Leave the show a review and/or just tell me what you think.

Who knows what happens next?
...

BLOOD

SOLD OUT!

11/11/2019 - 11/17/2019

Blood was spilled.
We were ready.
Kate and Dana and I worked on this for a good long while.
They gave it the same respect and attention I did.
We crafted this into a piece of art and we we were ready to share it.
We were completely sold out online long before opening night and I even had to scalp a few tickets to my own show as a broker between those who couldn't make it last minute and those still hoping for tickets.  I still haven't fully processed the show.
I don't think I'm allowing myself to digest it until we're through the 2nd one.
I was in a strange and brand new state before, during, after and even now.
I distracted myself away from my feelings after the show by putting the focus on the old friends, new friends and family who were all there.  I just wanted to make sure everyone knew how much I appreciated them being there; it really did mean a lot to me.
The response was incredible!
Many wonderful people have told me many wonderful things about the show.
It moved people;
it worked.
 I shared my fears and nervousness around the show with Maggie in the weeks leading up to it.
She told me that nobody could deny you as long as you were telling the truth.
She said your show could be boring or brash but as long as you were being truthful and honest you would gain people's respect at the very least.
This put me at ease because I couldn't get more honest than Blood.
Kate directed me to bring Harold forward and focus on him.
Incantation.
My people come from the Black Irish Gypsy stock and I've learned a few tricks along the way.
This show is very special to me and my Brother.
Tomorrow is sold out again in online sales before the day.
The only spot we didn't give out is Harold's.
...

On Monday we had a rehearsal for Blood.

On Tuesday I was in training for work.

On Wednesday we had our last rehearsal for Blood.

On Thursday we did Blood!

On Friday I was in training for work.

On Saturday I was home with my girls.

On Sunday I was home with my girls.

SOLD OUT!

ONE LOVE

11/04/2019 - 11/10/2019

This will be my last entry for Blood before opening night.
We sold out in online pre-sales!
(we hope to do the same for the 2nd show)
I've received some very touching messages through the course of building this show.
People sending support, commenting on the blog, sending regrets for distance preventing them from making it out and people surprising me by rallying the troops and ultimately selling out the first show.  This show is for you.


This process has been an experience like no other. 
The writing and editing was painful, infuriating, deeply satisfying and cathartic.
I've found some much needed closure and managed a lot of my grief through the creation of this story (the 2nd time around).
Moving into preparation for the performance of the show allowed me to put down the hurtful truth and begin to look at it as material to perform.  I've been able to separate myself from the subject matter enough to focus on the script as an actor.
It's been extremely convenient that I lived the subject matter and the material is all from my real life, so I can own it, but be removed from it somehow. 

Dana (lost at sea) Puddicombe
worked very hard digging into my story with me to draw out the narrative for the show.
She's going to miss the performances but I know she's rooting for us.  I'm so lucky to have her in my corner, in a word; she's the best.

Kate Fenton picked up where Dana left off and went through the script with a fine tooth comb
(many times).
Kate is just as awesome as Dana!
She taught me to focus on intention and coached me with the acting and staging and mood of the whole show.  I truly believe we have something very special here. 
I'll never be able to thank these two beautiful woman enough for all they've done for me. 

When I started this journey, Onan said he'd do anything he could to help out along the way.
He is a man of his word, always has been, one of the best friends Me and my Brother ever knew.
Onan helped design posters and video projections and is filming the show both nights.
(etc, etc, etc...)
I wanted his style on the look of the show and he gave it. 

Kayla Dobilas and Danielle Blancher are busy-ass professionals!
They're also my friends who took the time to give me professional make-up prosthetics and photography.  Without them I never would've been able to make the show look so great.

My Mom and Sisters and my Wife are my guests of honour for Blood.
I hope they can find an ounce of the healing from watching the show that I've discovered in its' creation.

My Brother left this mortal coil over 2 years ago.
Losing him changed a lot of lives forever.
He lives in our hearts and minds where we keep him close.
Now he'll live in this show, my homage, testimony and tribute to him,
forever.
(He was always so extra)

This has not been easy, but all of you have made it worth it.
So many of you who mean so much to me have told me how proud you are of me and I just wanted to let you know that I'm proud of myself too.

ONE LOVE

On Monday I had an office visit as a part of my training for my new job.
It was weird.
(new?)

On Tuesday I was in training.
(To say I was in training is purely a filler entry;
I've been in training every day from 8:30 - 4:30 from Monday to Friday going cross-eyed staring at a computer screen for the past 3 weeks!)

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to be invited to guest on my friends' show Max Justice!
It was great to get out of my head and escape for a bit.

On Thursday I had a rehearsal with Kate.
Kate is a fantastic director and I'm proud to be able to call her my friend.

On Friday I drove to Montreal with Brad and met up with Mig & Amelia and we played a Pepperoni Pizza Cats set in the Montreal Improv Festival.  After that I met up with a bunch of The Bad Dog Featured Players and we played a set too!
My dear old friend Star came to both shows, let us crash at her place and made us an amazing breakfast before we hit the road for home.

On Saturday I took Adeline to her friend's birthday party.

On Sunday I tied up any and all loose ends for Blood.

ONE LOVE

MYTHICAL CREATURES

10/28/2019 - 11/03/2019

When we were kids, Harold and I spent a very rare occasion on vacation with our Dad.
We were driving through the Rocky Mountains on our way to Jasper Park Alberta for I guess camping?  Our Dad had a Jeep and he had the roof and door off, we thought that was cool.
Harold shit his pants in the back seat. 
He was like 2!
Our Dad sent me to clean him up.
I was like 6!
I brought him to the washroom at a rest stop and cleaned him up.
When we walked out of the washroom we saw Bigfoot!
I shit you not.
Nobody ever believes this story but it's true!
I don't lie, I speak the truth.
We could smell the funky stank first and when we looked up, he was standing just inside the tree line.
He was just looking at us looking at him.
That's it.
That's the whole story.
We saw Bigfoot.
What kind of Dad sends his 6 year old to clean up his 2 year old?
What a prick.

On Monday I was back in training LATE 10 minutes!

On Tuesday I was back in training LATE 20 minutes!
After training I rehearsed Blood with Kate. 
I had a Pizza Cats gig but had to cancel last minute.

On Wednesday we celebrated Adeline's actual birthday;
6 years old!

On Thursday it was Halloween!
We were The League of Mythical Creatures.
The League of Mythical Creatures
-Adeline = a Magical Fire Breathing Dagon
-Violet = A Mysterious Liger
-Kenny = The Elusive Jackalope
-Joe = The Alpha & Omega Notorious G.O.D.
The weather was crap but we made it around the block and 'the kids' got a lot of candy!
A LOT of people gave out plain chips this year?!
Later, we left the kids with Kenny's Dad (Ken) and went to see Joker again!
We enjoyed the film, uninterrupted and would see it again.  
Jaoquin Phoenix for the Oscar!

On Friday it was my birthday!
After training I had steak dinner and cheesecake at home with my girls!
I got my traditional hand made cards and had a lovely time with my family.
I'm very lucky.

On Saturday we ran our tech rehearsal for Blood at the theatre.
It was exciting and kind of emotional to realize how close the show is now.

On Sunday I cleaned my office and drank some wine.

MYTHICAL CREATURES

BUDDIES

10/21/2019 - 10/27/2019

“The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t”

On Monday it was my good buddy's birthday!  I invited him out for a drink but he was 4 days on the wagon.  I haven't seen him a long time and I miss him.  Kate and I rehearsed Blood in the amenities room at her condo.  After that Pepperoni Pizza Cats rehearsed for the first time in a long time (every time we rehearse it's the first time in a long time) at Laura's condo.  I know a lot of people who live in condos.  That's Toronto for ya!

On Tuesday Kate and I rehearsed Blood again.  Kate's only living in her condo temporarily until her condo is ready.

On Wednesday it was another good buddy's birthday!  I texted him. 
I started 3.5 weeks of training for my new job!

On Thursday I trained.

On Friday I trained.

On Saturday we had Adeline's birthday party at the house!  Crafts, games, pizza and cake; good times!  Maggie was over for the party and staying the night.  She was kind enough to sit with kids while Kenny and I snuck out to see JOKER!
The guy sitting beside me answered SIX different phone calls, threw popcorn at my shoe and heckled the screen the entire movie.
I wanted to kill him.

On Sunday I filmed a sketch about cannibals with another buddy!

It looks like I have a lot of buddies!
(I do not.)

BUDDIES

EXPOSURE

10/14/2019 - 10/20/2019

One time I watched Harold main-line a hundred lot of liquid LSD-25!
Before the needle came out of his arm he said two words:
"The snakes".
He then hopped on top of of my wall unit in one movement and perched up there cooing and periodically nuzzling his beak into his wing like a pigeon for a full hour.
We were unable to solicit a human response from him and all we could do was look on in complete horror. 
After his hour long roost, he "flew" out the window!
I ran outside to catch him but he was gone without a trace like he disappeared into thin air. 
Nobody seen him for days; we looked everywhere.
3 days later, a friend of mine came over and told me he'd seen my Brother up at the Dominion centre and I had better get over there immediately.
I ran all the way there!
I found him standing outside the grocery store hunched over in a hand knitted shall.  His face was contorted into a strange mask.  He didn't seem to recognize me as I approached him.
I grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to look into my eyes and he finally acknowledged me.
Only he spoke to me in a strange voice; it was that of an elderly Italian woman!
"Joey!  You need a coat, you gonna getta cold, you gonna die of exposure"!
I was stunned, I didn't know what to do.
I tried to entertain his new persona and spoke softly and respectfully.
I tried to convince 'her' to come home with me.
'She' ran away through the parking lot and disappeared again!
3 more days later Harold shows up at my door eating a soft serve vanilla ice cream cone.
It was like he didn't miss a beat.
I asked him if he was ok and if he remembered any of it.
He smiled and said
"Snakes, man".

On Monday I had my first official rehearsal with Blood Director Kate Fenton and it was awesome!  She is SO great, it really got me excited about the performance part of the show.

Then I went to Dynamo's place and he designed the Blood show poster with me from Kayla & Danielle's make-up and photography the day before and it was awesome!  

I'm very happy with how it turned out.

On Tuesday I brought the Jeep to the mechanic and got a bunch of nece$$ary work done on it.

Then I released the Blood poster, it got a great response!

On Wednesday I played with Pepperoni Pizza Cats in our monthly show at The Social Capital Theatre.
Then I crashed at Maggie's so I could be in to work on time on Thursday. 

On Thursday I was in to work on time.

On Friday I took the day off work to take Kenny to the doctor.
Then we drank a bottle of red wine and watched Peaky Fucking Blinders!

On Saturday I did my very last shift at work! 

On Sunday I spent the whole day with my girls.
(and rehearsed BLOOD like crazy!)

EXPOSURE

Blood
Written & performed by
Joe Amero
Directed by Kate Fenton
Dramaturgy by
Dana Puddicombe
November 14th & 21st -8pm
at
Bad Dog Theatre Company
(Photography by
Danielle Blancher
Make-up by Kayla Dobilas
Poster by DYNAMO)

"FRIENDS"

10/07/2019 - 10/13/2019

One beautiful summer day I was cleaning up panhandling at Queen & John!  We called that spot 'the pillars' becase, well, there were pillars there.  I was in a great mood, with my pocket full of cash and a small fortune in change.  Hal and I were going to see a huge punk show later that night at the Big Bop and D.R.I. was supposed to be there!  All of a sudden there's some street kid standing in front of me (blocking my customers) telling me I was in his spot and I had to leave.  This was ridiculous to me because there was not one person in the entire city that had the seniority to bounce me from this spot, or any other.  It really took a turn for the hilarious when the kid told me if I didn't leave, he was going to go get his "friends" Hal & Twitch, and they would kick the shit out of me!
Something told me it was a fair bet to call his bluff.
I told him I wasn't afraid of Hal & Twitch and that he could go get them if he wanted to.
He stormed off up the street headed west towards Spadina, where I knew Hal was panning up his share of capital for the evenings' upcoming festivities.
Soon enough, the kid was back with Hal (my Brother) in tow. 
Hal was already laughing about how all of this was about to go down. 
We let the kid explain to me (Twitch) how this was Hal (my Brother) and he was gonna kick the shit out of me for not giving him the spot.
I can still see the look on his face when Hal turned to him and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
Hal told the kid to go to Yonge Street and not come back.  Hal also noted that the kid should not go aroundd telling people Hal & Twitch were gonna beat the shit out of them because we were nice guys.  Then he threw the kid half way down the sidewalk and we laughed at him until long after he was out of sight.
Then we ate some acid!
We were just starting to trip when, none other than David Schwimmer, Ross from t.v's FRIENDS comes walking by.  Hal asked him for some change and he politely said sorry.  Hal jumps up and reminds Mr. Schwimmer that we're supposed to be "friends" and insists that Ross kick him down a couple of bucks.  Good old Dave is shitting his pants now with this crazy street kid following him down the street and he starts to hurry up.  Hal kept pace and the next thing I knew, Hal is chasing behind David Schwimmer at full speed screaming about how friends are supposed to help each other out as the horrified actor runs for his life!

I was dying!

I laughed for a long time until I realized a long time had passed.
I hoped David Schwimmer was ok.
Then I hear a faint scream in the distance getting louder as it quickly approached.
It was Hal (of course) and he was riding a Dickie-Dee ice cream cart at full speed down the sidewalk!
He was screaming his head off like an insane siren as he barreled down the sidewalk sending pedestrians flying out of the way in fear for their lives.
For a split second I noticed that he was holding a paper cup filled with dry ice from the ice cream and it was cart smoking like a mad scientists' potion.
 Then he slammed the cart straight into the pillar.
Hal flew through the explosion of popsicles and drumsticks and crashed hard against the pillar and then into a screaming pile of pain on the ground.
I put him in a Beck Taxi, tipped the driver well to make sure he got to Toronto Western Hospital, and I went to the show.

He fractured his arm in 4 places and had to wear a traction cast for 3 months.
D.R.I. didn't make it across the boarder.


   On Monday Dana headed out to tour the world doing improv on a cruise ship!

I had the day off and spent it recovering from the 24 Hour Improv Marathon at Bad Dog 

and making adjustments to the Blood script from her final notes.

I made plans with Danielle Blancher & Kayla Dobilas for our Blood promo photo shoot!

On Tuesday I went back to work.

On Wednesday I met with Kate to schedule our remaining time into rehearsals!

On Thursday I played my last show (Triptych) with The Featured Players at
Bad Dog Theatre Company.
(it was anti-climactic) 

On Friday I worked on Blood tech scripts and some promo.

On Saturday I went to work.

On Sunday I met with Kayla Dobilas and Danielle Blanchard and did a photo shoot for Blood!

"FRIENDS"

SUCK IT!

09/30/2019 - 10/06/2019

I moved to Hamilton from Toronto 5 years ago.
I've continued to work in Toronto that entire time.
The two cities are 68.7 kms apart.
That's:
687 km per week
2,748 km per month
32,976 km per year
for a grand total of 164,880 km in 5 years
for my commute.
For the last 2 years, I've been driving an average of 30 km per day AT work on top of my commute.
That's another:
150 km per week
600 km per month
7,200 km per year
(x2 = 14,400km)
for a whopping 179,280 km driven!
(almost half way to the fucking MOON!)
11 hours per day on average.

I've driven a Volkswagen Golf into the ground and I'm currently doing the same to a Jeep Patriot.
A couple weeks ago, I accepted a new job offer for more money that requires ZERO driving.
The same day I accepted the offer GO announced 4 new morning and evening schedules of express trains to Union Station (right by my new office!).
I have 10 more shifts left in my current position and then I'll never have to drive to work
(or at work) again.

SUCK IT!

On Monday I went to work

On Tuesday I went to work

On Wednesday I went to the airport before work to get Kenny's phone back from the woman who found it right before we went on our trip to New Orleans!  I tried to buy her lunch but she insisted I "spend the money on the two beautiful little girls in the photo" on Kenny's screensaver!  "

On Thursday I played in Triptych at Bad Dog with the Featured Players.
(we had a really great time!)

On Friday I went to a Doctor's appointment with Kenny while Adeline was in school.
(Violet freaked out ALL the parents in the waiting room with how "smart and vocal" she is.)

On Saturday we celebrated Kenny's birthday and then later I went to Bad Bod to take part in the
24 HOUR IMPROV MARATHON!

On Sunday I was still in the marathon until 7pm. 
When it was finally over, I had chicken fingers and a beer and slept over at Maggies's place.

SUCK IT!

Gris-Gris

09/16/2019 - 09/29/2019

The last time I went to New Orleans was 5 years ago, with my Wife on our Honeymoon.

When we were there we discovered that Nicholas Cage had bought the famous Lalaurie Mansion, once owned by the notorious socialite Delphine Lalaurie who also happened to be a serial killer who tortured slaves in her attic while entertaining guests downstairs.  We thought that was a strange choice in real estate to invest in.  

Later, we went on a tour of the infamous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to visit the grave of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. 

While we were there we came across an enormous bright white pyramid that took up more space than 10 other families tombs.  I asked the tour guide what the deal was and he told me that Nicholas Cage had purchased it and put it there for himself.  Then the guide laughed about how it was the last piece of property Cage owned after going bankrupt.

I thought it was disgusting, so I took a photo of myself giving it the finger and posted on Face Book about what a tool Nick Cage was.

A moment later, my friend Claire, who was at work on at a toy store on the Danforth back in Toronto, sent me a photo of her, in that very same moment, standing with none other than

 Nicolas Fucking Cage!

We just got back from our 2nd honeymoon in New Orleans celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary.

While we were there this time we went into a bar called The Abbey.  

We were in the Abbey 5 years ago and took a polaroid selfie, signed it and stuck it up on the wall. 

We looked around (this time) and sure enough, there in the corner of a picture frame was our own, newly married faces smiling back at us!

The world is a small place.

Be cool & be careful what you do here;

good or bad, it will come back to you.

On Monday I had the day off work and went to Bad Dog Theatre to meet with Dana Puddicombe and Kate Fenton for the first 'Blood' rehearsal!

On Tuesday I went to work and walked 25,619 steps (16.5 kms).  Then My Sister Maggie met me after work and we drove to my house, where she would be watching my kids while I went on vacation.

On Wednesday my Wife Kenny and I flew to New Orleans for our 5th Wedding Anniversary & second honeymoon!  We had a stop over at the Atlanta airport and they had a bar that you could smoke in!  We went to Port of Call on the Esplande as soon as we got there and got Monsoons to go that we got drunk off of TWICE!  We booked our tattoo appointments with Cameron T Sweet, the same artist that did our honeymoon tattoos 5 YEARS ago!  Then we had NOLA Poboys for dinner!

Kenny lost her phone in Toronto.

On Thursday we had chicory Cafe Au Laits & Beignets at Cafe Du Monde!  We walked along the Mississippi River and all through the French Quarter.

A woman contacted me to tell me she found Kenny's phone & we made plans to pick it up when we got back!

On Friday we went on a street car ride through the Garden District and walked down Magazine Street.  We went to an Absinthe Bar and later we ate the biggest pizza I've ever seen in my life! 

(we gave a couple slices away to some bums and some hotel staff)

On Saturday we smoked some cigars and went to the Contemporary Arts Center and had lunch at Auction House Market.  We had dinner at Cafe Amelie, it was Bill Murray's birthday, we were hoping to run into him somewhere, we did not.

I went swimming for the first time in years!

On Sunday we went to the Music Box Village and had our Anniversary dinner at an amazing restaurant called Gris-Gris!  

It was PERFECT! 

On Monday we had Muffuletta sandwiches from Central Grocery (where they were invented)!  

We saw a dead body on Canal street.

At night we went to a club on Frenchman street called Maison to see The Society of Sin do a burlesque show!

On Tuesday I had corned beef hash for breakfast and Bloody Mary(s).

I got to announce online that I'll be performing in Bad Dog's 24 Hour Improv Marathon, and to my Wife that it will be on her birthday.

We got our 2nd honeymoon tattoos!  I got a mosquito & Kenny got a shrimp. 

 I had an alligator hot dog for dinner!

We went back to Music Box Village and watched Dario Argento's Suspiria as Goblin performed the original soundtrack LIVE!

On Wednesday we had to come home.

We LOVED Hotel St. Pierre.

3pm-5pm is fresh baked cookies and cold milk;

EVERYDAY!

Kenny's Dad picked us up at the airport, we got to see the girls before bedtime and then we hung out with Maggie!

On Thursday we hung out with our girls and went for lunch at our friends Erica & Jamie's new restaurant Electric Diner, then I went to Bad Dog and played in Triptych with The Featured Players.

On Friday I watched the girls while Kenny worked at Octoberfest.  

When they went to bed I finished the FINAL draft for 'Blood'!

On Saturday I watched the girls while Kenny worked at Octoberfest.

On Sunday I went to work...

(*I'm not exactly sure these things happened in this exact order, but they all happened and then some!  Including several things I can't mention here except for 100 Miller High Life's and about 10 bags of  Zapp's VOODOO chips!)

Gris-Gris

COME AS YOU ARE

09/09/2019 - 09/15/2019

People like to make fun of people with neck tattoos.  Mostly it’s just dorky, straight white, middle to upper-middle class white people that fire the shots.  What do they know?  They think they’re right; they’re wrong. 

I like cashing big fat checks and depositing thick rolls of cash money at the bank with tattoos on my face and on my everything else.  I enjoy driving vehicles off of lots and closing on properties with ‘PUNX’ tattooed on my knuckles.  I get a great charge out of enjoying every last bit of my comprehensive benefits package at Osteopaths and acupuncture sessions and I always have a relaxed chuckle to myself after a nice long professional massage.  The reason I get such a kick out of it is because people take 1 look at me and assume that I’m a “scumbag” or a “piece of shit”.  

I am not.  

NOTHING I’ve ever done in my life would warrant those titles, least of all my tattoos. 

I’m guilty by preconception. 

I’m used to it because I’ve dealt with it my whole life.  Self inflicted? Maybe, but no more than I’m a product of my environment as much as every single other person in the world. The SAME.  I made my choices in life but they were, exactly that, MY choices.  I don’t judge the dorky whites for CHOOSING to live their buttoned down, vanilla sex (or lack there of) self righteous lives because ITS NONE OF MY BUSINESS.  

I teach my kids that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth because we’re supposed to listen twice as much we speak.  Most times, if you’re listening closely, you’ll find there’s no need to speak at all and that’s why we’re able to keep our mouths shut while our ears stay open.  That’s why our heads turn to look away and we have 2 feet to leave.  

I don’t entertain these people and they sure don’t entertain me. 

I know where I came from and what I did to get where I am today.  

(Good luck coming through that without a mark on ya!)

My text tattoo (if I can find the space) May be of a guy robbing a liquor store (a la Colin Quin’s Lenny the Lion -SNL circa 1997) because fuck you. 

I gave myself my first tattoo when I was 13.  I straightened the pin on the back of a Sex Pistols badge, dipped it in india ink, sat on my bed and went to town.  I cleaned the blood and ink with my 'The Simpsons' T-shirt and wore it to school the next day.  A friend of mine asked me what the mess on my shirt was and I pulled up my sleeve to reveal my brand new anarchy circle A!  (Long since regrettably covered up with more tattoos) 

She asked if I did this to myself and when I told her I did she said I was insane. 

My brother Harold got Hot Wheels’ Fire strips tattooed up both sides of his penis.  You might think that’s insane too, but he got more action because of those tattoos than I can tell you about here.  Maybe that’s not your thing either; to each their own.  After Harold died, our best friend Paul and I got matching tribute tattoos in memoriam. We mixed some of his cremated ashes in with the ink. 

People will always think they’re better than you in life; they are not. 

You’re only competition is yourself. 

Never give up until your good is better and your better is best. My Papa used to tell me that.  He also used to tell me to go to the store and get him a box of biscuits, a box of mixed biscuits and a biscuit mixer. Now THAT is insane. 

Subvert normality and fuck the system.
(they'll do the same to you)

On Monday I got my FINAL show dates:

BLOOD

Thursday November 14th 8PM

& Thursday November 21st 8PM

Bad Dog Theatre Company

Tickets available 

HERE!

Then I went and did an ADR session for a short film we did last November called 

Daffodils

(COMING SOON!)

On Tuesday I met with Onan & discussed some work for BLOOD as well as plans for a new 

twitchy tantrum album!

On Wednesday my apple music expired and I had to listen to the radio on the drive to AND from work.  I opted for classical, it always helps me relax and feel completely psychotic at the same time.
Daniel Johnston died.

On Thursday I switched shifts for my 3pm-11pm with my buddy John at work so I could do 7am-3pm and play in Triptych at Bad Dog at 8;
whatta guy!

On Friday I went back to the Osteopath and it was GREAT!
(She even cupped my legs this time!)

On Saturday I finally got to spend some time with my girls in the morning before work while my Wife got her nails did!

On Sunday I stayed home...

COME AS YOU ARE

DR. PEPPER

09/02/2019 - 09/08/2019

I travelled all over the U.S. when I was young.  When I say “travelled” what I mean is I hitchhiked and hopped freight trains and “travelled” from town to town and state to state.  That’s not to say I never found myself in fancy hotels with thick grips of cash, it just means I did it “on the bum”. 

After parting ways with my trusty travelling companion (Starly The Periodically Righteous) I found myself alone in Tucson Arizona.  I made a bunch of money panhandling downtown and hooked up with a group of fellow “travellers” on the way to the liquor store.  I was drinking quite heavily at the time so I desperately needed to fill my prescription and ensure I had medicine enough for the following morning.  After some conversation, these kids were kind enough to invite me to stay at their bridge where there was room enough to have their own apartment between pillars.  They seemed friendly enough and I figured I could use the company, so I hopped in their pick-up truck and off we went.  The evening started out with one of them spilling my whiskey on accident.  No harm, no foul - we just strained the gravel out of that discount American whiskey through the top of a dirty sock.  As the hour grew late I remember thinking about how I didn’t like these people.  I quietly chose the moment to make my exit and retire to my apartment.  I had planned to get up early and make tracks, these were not my people (racist, sexist, homophobic etc.).

I woke up before the sun, got right up, had a big stretch, went for my water bottle to wash the taste of poverty out of my mouth and discovered I had been robbed!  My duffle bag had been rifled through and I had been, as they say, 

“ripped -the fuck- off”!

All I had was dirty clothes and some bread and peanut butter but the bastards stole my harmonica. (As well as a sizeable purse of earnings)

I was pissed!

I packed up my things and slid down the concrete hill to the landing to get some answers. 

When I got to the bottom I discovered police arresting one of these douche bags, who had apparently knocked his girlfriend’s teeth out.  There were police and paramedics and lights and bullshit. 

I just walked across the field to the highway to hitchhike the hell away from there as quickly as possible. 

As soon as I climbed out of the ditch and hit the shoulder of the highway, I stuck out my thumb and the first car that passed me screamed something at me and threw garbage at me out of their window as they passed. 

People kept honking and screaming and, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. 

A state trooper pulled over on his motor cycle and lit me up.  He got off of his bike and immediately unlatched his side arm as he began to slowly walk towards me. 

As he approached he yelled 

“Why are you so green?!”

I didn’t understand the question. 

He got even closer and demanded an answer:

“Why in the hell are you so green boy?!”

I told him I was Canadian but I knew my way around and I’d hitchhiked plenty and would be just fine. 

He grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and dragged me back to his bike.  He stuffed my face up close to his rear view mirror and again asked:

“Why are you so green?!”

I looked at my reflection and seen that I had been painted green!

My whole face and beard were spray painted green with rust paint. 

I told him about the whiskey and the douche bags and explained how I must’ve been spray painted before, during or after the robbery. 

He just looked at me and shook his head.  Then he grabbed me again by the scruff of the neck and drag-walked me to other side of the overpass I was standing under. 

Just on the other side was a giant billboard that read:

STATE PRISON WITHIN 3 MILES. 

DO NOT PICK UP HITCHHIKERS. 

This explained what all the passers by were yelling about and why I couldn’t get a lift.  The trooper began to write me a citation and strongly recommended that I get off the highway and get myself back to a residential area. 

I asked him if I ripped up the ticket, would he take me to jail and give me food and medical attention?

(My feet needed some tending to)

He just looked at me and shook his head.  He strongly repeated his suggestion to return to a residential area.  I looked around and there was only one nearby housing development but it was behind a giant fence topped with razor wire. 

He just nodded his head and then motioned to the fence, this guy said a lot with no words and only his head.  I grabbed my bag and headed for the fence as he returned to his bike.  I got to the top and threw my bag over.  My pants got caught on the wire as I carefully tried to maneuver the razor wire  and I cut my wrist and fell all the way down the other side.  I knocked the wind out of myself and could feel it in my internal organs when he fired up his bike.  

I’ll never forget the look on the two little boys playing at the end of their culdasac when they looked up and seen the green man emerge from the tall grass.  I asked them if there was a store nearby and they just pointed down the street in unison with gaping jaws and wide open eyes.  

I bought a Dr. Pepper and waited for a bus back downtown. 

(My feet were burning bad)

I went from shelter to shelter asking about Operation Go Home (an agency that will give you a bus ticket home to be cared for if you are homeless) and each place would send me on a wild goose chase to the next until I finally found the spot (the absolute last shelter). 

I walked in, or rather dragged my throbbing feet up to the counter. I asked the worker if they handled Operation Go Home to which he quickly replied;

“Yes we do, we have a deal with Greyhound, I can print your ticket right here and you can catch a bus right out front!  Where are you going?”

I said 

“Thank God!  Toronto Ontario Canada!”

He said 

“Ooooh, I’m sorry.  We only handle America.”

I said 

“I meant Detroit Michigan (a short ride into Windsor and back into Canada)

He said

“Do you have any ID that says you’re from Detroit?”

“I don’t have any ID at all”

“I’m really sorry then, here’s a city bus ticket and a bagged lunch, have a nice day.”

Have a nice day?

He gave me a bologna sandwich and told me to have a nice day. 

I shuffled out of there, completely defeated. 

I made my way back to one of the shelters I had visited earlier looking for my golden ticket.  They had mentioned they would be having a turkey dinner that evening and that sounded pretty good right about now.  I panhandled on my way there to replenish my medicine cabinet, by the time I hit the line I was back in business.  I quietly sat and ate my meal and was greatful for it and savoured every bite.  When I was done and clearing my place a couple old home bums approached me and mentioned how they couldn’t help but notice I had the blues.  I told them that he blues ain’t nothin’ but a good man feel in’ down. They invited me back to their camp for a fire.  I figured, what do I have to lose?  I bought us all a flat of beer and we made our way down the tracks into the hobo jungle.  These guys were great!

Funny jokes, interesting stories, warm and kind.  I fell asleep under the stars with my faith in humanity restored. 

Nope, not my people either. 

I woke up with a boot on my throat and another crazy old man kneeing me in the ribs until I could feel and hear them break.  As I laid there I could see two of the other old farts rifling through my duffle bag to find my change.  They found it and then they all ran away in slow motion like you would imagine 4 old homeless men would running through tall grass to make their escape.  

I couldn’t move, I couldn’t believe it, all I could do was laugh, but it hurt too much.  I lay there a good long while looking up at the clouds making animals and objects like when we were kids.  The worst part was, if they had of asked me, I would’ve given them the money, gladly.

I liked them. 

Douche bags. 

I had to get out of this place, but how?  I went to the library and found the maps of the highways.  It’s a complicated system of overpasses as every friggin road in America goes through there spilling into California like a spider web. 

I ran across multi-laned highways, hopped over on ramps, climbed up off ramps, until I eventually found my path.  When I finally got to the road I needed there was a major traffic jam.  I thought this was a miracle because I could just talk to people and easily catch a ride.  

I was wrong. 

I walked all day through the desert. 

My feet were so bad they started to bleed.  They bled so bad that the blood was leaking out and over the tops of my boots. 

The traffic jam let up  and cars started moving but this didn’t change anything for me.  I walked all evening until the sun started to set in the distant west.  I couldn’t go any further, I had to rest.  It gets cold in the desert at night so the only warmth was on the other side of the guard rail on the foot if ash flat  before it’s just bare desert. 

All these bums rob me but none of them wanted my bread and peanut butter?!  I tried to eat some but was so thirsty that I couldn’t swallow it, I would’ve laughed but...

I woke up and started walking again through the dusk.  

I was not in good shape and I was not getting any better.  

I just kept telling myself that I got myself into this situation and I would get myself out of it. 

Over the ridge ahead I could see a glowing light.  I didn’t care if it was THE almighty pure white light at the end of my life, I was going to get to that light. I walked forever until I finally reached the top of that ridge and the source of the mysterious light revealed itself.  I could hear the choirs of angels singing as the lights slowly revealed themselves to be artificial behind the glowing plastic letters that read 

“WAFFLE HOUSE”

It was a truck stop!

I was saved!

I rushed in there like all my prayers had been answered, the security guard took one look at me painted green, with my broken ribs, cut wrist and bleeding rotten feet and he shook his head.  He rushed right over to me and pushed me back out the door. He said

“If you so much as say 1 word to 1 trucker I will personally kick your ass until the cops come!”

I didn’t understand. 

I begged him to please give me a marker and cardboard to at least make a sign to silently solicit a ride form one of his fine patrons. He reluctantly ripped open an empty pack of Marlboro Reds and slapped a thin pink highlighter in my hand. 

I made my sign and he agreed to let  me sit out front if I “kept my fucking mouth shut.”  When he wasn’t looking I “stole”a half eaten bag of Fire Ball Doritos out of the garbage, they were surprisingly easier to swallow than bread and peanut butter without water. 

I sat there for 2 days, under his insanely unreasonable watchful eye pointing to my tiny white cigarette package sign that read in dying pink highlighter ink, two letters;

“L.A.”

If you’re ever lucky enough to find your people, hold on to them, TIGHT. 

(After ALL of that I went to Vegas and ended up winning $5,800!

But that’s ANOTHER story😉)

On Monday
 (it was Labor Day)
I met with Dana and we worked like crazy on the final Blood script!
(we're now 2/3 complete!)

On Tuesday we saw Adeline off to her first day in GRADE 1!!!
Then I played in the Semi-Finals of the Fever Pitch competition with Pepperoni Pizza Cats!
(We entered the Semi-Finals tied for 2nd with Lavender Boy)
The winner of Fever Pitch gets their own show at Bad Dog Theatre!
(we lost)

On Wednesday I found out that the theatre booked another show in my time slot. 

On Thursday I had lasagna with Mom & Mags!
I told them at work that I would NOT be driving any more.

On Friday they tried to make me drive.
(I did NOT)

On Saturday I worked, my boss/friend gave me her free parking spot while she goes on a cruise to Ala$ka!
(I didn't drive and I never will again, my end date is Oct. 23rd!)

On Sunday I stayed home...
(They changed my Regular Days Off (RDO's) from Friday & Saturday to Sunday & Monday)

DR. PEPPER