Off topic: Pay it Forward

No, not that.

This blog post is about real life. This afternoon I was on my way to school and I made a quick stop at the Tim Hortons on Henderson Highway. I ordered my usual, large double-double and got my toonie ready to pay. When I got to the window and offered my toonie to the cashier she shook her head and waved her hand in front of her chest.

"No, no - it's ok", she said.

I looked at her, thoroughly confused.

"No, I ordered a large double-double", I said.

She smiled.

"That woman pay for you", she replied, as she pointed at a blue SUV that was just pulling away from the drive-thru.

Needless to say, I couldn't help but smile. What a nice thing to do. CBC Radio had a feature story a few months ago about people in Winnipeg 'Paying it Forward'. I hadn't really given it a second thought - until now.

I fully intend to 'Pay it Forward' the very next opportunity I get. I challenge you to do the same.

Individual Professional Project: Bannerman

In the second year of Creative Communications, each student is required to complete a huge project of their choosing. Projects can be a variety of different things: writing a book, fundraising for a company, shooting a documentary, or re-branding an organization. I chose to write, film, direct, and edit my own web based comedy series entitled Bannerman.

Bannerman follows Eric, a naive young man who causes tension between himself and his parents. Eric eventually gets kicked out of his house and is quickly thrust into a world where he is forced to grow up. He moves in with CJ, a socially awkward narcissist.

At the end of second semester, last year, I posted audition notices around the city. Auditions were held in June of this year. I found some great local talent to be a part of my creation. Scripts were finished in August, and we are scheduled to shoot our first episode this weekend.

Cast list:

Don (Eric's father): Rick Genisorek
Laura (Eric's mother): Cheryl Genisorek
Eric: Nick Petuhoff
Jane (Eric's friend): Jessica Cuddy
CJ: Lucas Brazeau
Earl (an interesting homeless man): Ward Massner
Extra: Bridget Young

Also, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Owen Swinn and Matthew TenBruggencate for helping me out with auditions. I look forward to working with all of you.

Off topic: Call for universal urinals.

Ninety per cent of the time I'm walking anywhere, I have a coffee in my hand. The other ten per cent- it's beer. When I have a coffee or beer in my hand, at some point, I'm going to have to pee. When I have to pee, the last thing I want to see is this:

Where am I supposed to put my drink? On the floor? The risk of accidental splash increases exponentially. That's a risk no man should have to take. What ever happened to the classic, practical beauty of the traditional urinal?

Wow! Gorgeous, and useful! I can walk right up, rest my drink on that thoughtfully constructed horizontal ledge, do my business and be on my way. In this modern era, we become obsessed with making everything visually appealing. We have to stop somewhere, and that somewhere is urinals.

Off topic: Matt Williams, you were right.

I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong.

Last night Matt and I were having a civilized discussion about who knew John C. Reilly better. I casually threw it in Matt's face that he hadn't seen Step Brothers and he politely mentioned that if I hadn't seen Dr. Steve Brule, I shouldn't be speaking.

After more beer and delightful, quiet discussion, my gorgeous girlfriend and I departed from Carlos and Murphy's.

We arrived at home and enjoyed some comedy from Steve Carell and the gang from The Office.

I awoke to find a text from Matthew on my phone (or in it, if you think about it).

"Dr. Steve Brule.. youtube"

Short, to the point. I looked it up. Hilarious. Don't believe me? When have I lied to you? Shut up.






You were right Matt, cheers buddy.