Birthdays, acting and other stuff…

It’s been an insane week, but I’m not really ready to talk about it just yet. I might post something a little more sincere tomorrow. Yesterday was my son’s birthday. He turned nine yesterday. First time ever that I never got to see him on his big day and wish him well in person. I had to settle for a phone call. Nothing lasts forever, all streaks come to an end. I’ll try to start a new one. Part of me feels bad for not making more of an effort, but at the same time I’m not exactly welcome over there right about now.

Leah and I haven’t talked all week. We had a few harsh arguments last week about the kids and I stepped up and told her the things that everyone thinks but never has the balls to say to her face. They needed to be said but at the same time I will be the first to admit that delivery wasn’t handled very well. There were some moments when I lost my cool and gave her a good telling off. As much as she deserved to get told off, I realize it’s no longer my job to be her reality check. She doesn’t understand that I don’t have to bad mouth her to Ethan, she’s doing a good job all on her own. There are times when I have to defend her so that Ethan doesn’t think bad of her.

I was aware of my pending absence on the big day in advance so I gave Ethan his birthday gifts last weekend when he was with me. When I took him to see the ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ show in August, after I got him his dragon toy I bought another and hid it in my bag and saved it for his birthday. Seemed like the best thing to do, especially considering how much he loved the show and all. He really liked it and I also got him a password to a really awesome dinosaur website he likes going to. It’s a very educational site, but now he has access to the entire database instead of just samples. It’s like an online encyclopedia of dinosaurs. The perfect gift for the kid who is in that kind of phase. The best part is he can use the site at both my place and his mother’s so it’s something he can use anywhere.

I told Ethan about the movie and tiff, and I think he’s really proud of what I managed to accomplish. He wanted to come to the premiere as well, which made me happy. He wanted to go just because I was in the movie, not because it was one of the biggest film festivals in the world. I wish I could have taken him with me, but the movie isn’t for kids and I did my best to explain that to him. He seemed to understand and now I know why many big actors like to do kids films every now and then: so they don’t have to tell their kids no everytime they ask to see their work.

Speaking of work, I have three auditions in the next two weeks. Apparently people take notice when you attend film festivals. Next week (Wednesday) I am auditioning for a television show. If I get the gig, it will actually pay (yes, as in money) $300 a day. I could really use the money so I’m hoping things go well on Wednesday. I have a audition for two short films that are likely going to pay jack and shit, but I’ll take whatever credits I can get.

Back when I used to speak with my parents, my Dad would always ask me if I bothered to apply for any ‘real’ jobs that day. That was his way of asking if I had applied for anything that was not related to writing or acting cause in his books, it’s not actual work. No need to explain why I haven’t talked to either of my parents in months, is there? People might say I am the problem or that I’m not making an effort, but that’s not it. I just woke up one day and realized that if they’re not going to take my bullshit, why I am going to put up with theirs?

Right now after having people around me 24/7 for the entire summer, it’s nice to have a little bit of solitude to sit back and reflect. I’ve got books that need to be finished, auditions to be nailed so it might be for the best I’m here on my own for now. At least I can do whatever I want with minimal nagging. Not sure if I want it that way, but for now it will have to do.

I’m off for bed. Everyone have a killer weekend and I’ll be back later tomorrow or the day after to post a new Monday School. Until then, take care…

Peter