I found out earlier today that the teacher that inspired me the most died. Christopher Markle was the guy that made me want to do theatre the way he did theatre. His drive and passion and creativity and intelligence are things I try to give my kids. This really hit me hard. He's the first person, other than my grandparents, to die that I've been close to. He was only 53. I'll miss him greatly, and my heart goes out to Sophia and Zoe.

For those of you who don't live in Texas, be happy. It's fucking HOT! Now, I'm not talking an Arizona dry heat. We're lucky enough to have just enough humidity to make have very few trees (at least where I live) completely oppressive. I think we've had at least a week's worth of 100+ days, and it's going to be that way for a while. Honestly, I wish I lived somewhere where it gets cold. But, that's not going to happen. So, I take this opportunity to bitch and moan because I can't better my situation. On the bright side (no pun intended), school starts soon. So, I'll get to sponge up other people's a/c!

Hope all of you are well.

Okay, so, you know what made this a pretty good day? Not only did I get rid of a bunch of seniors in my 3B hell class. But, I get online and see Saint has a new set, and it is honestly one of the best I've seen. Go check it out.

Two more half days of school, one work day, and my advanced acting class screens their movies this weekend. Should be fun!

Okay, so, here's the pics (hopefully) from Wizard Texas. I would like to thank the ladies of SG for being incredibly cool with me. Saint, you're a badass in every possible way. I was really, really happy to meet Vanessa and Illyria. GORGEOUS! Anyway, here ya go.



Oh, and going to have to call a parent tomorrow to tell them they and their child need to make a decision on being in our musical or doing something else. Apparently, it's become an accepted thing to think you can skip out on whatever you want to just because it's not as important to you as other things. Fuck you! Make a decision and live with it. Wishy washy pieces of shit!

Heh!

Alright, so...what to say, what to say....

I guess saying anything's better than saying nothing since August, right? Okay, well, let's see, I kinda feel like I'm in a Sophomore slump this year at school. I figured with how well last year went with the students I had, that this year was bound to be a little bit of a let down. That combined with a change in our class scheduling has really made things kinda choppy for me. I still love my kids and am having fun in some of my classes, but goddamn if a couple classes are kicking my ass!

We got through our first show of the year. It went well. My buddy, masterjester, directed it. He had to recast one role FOUR times! But, the kids pulled it off. We decided our musical finally. We're going to be doing The Goodbye Girl, which is based on the Neil Simon, Richard Dreyfuss movie. It should be pretty good. So, if anyone's in the area at the end of January, please feel free to come see it.

Other than that, not much happening. So, I guess I'll talk to you guys and girls later.

WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! My friend Will Bigham won On The Lot!!! He gets to direct big time movies!! Of the people I knew at Texas Tech, Will being on of my friends, and knowing his wife also, I can honestly say he deserves this! He's class all the way, funny, and original. He'll do an incredible job in Hollywood. I'm so excited for him. When I find them, I'll post the pics I have of us and a few other guys doing our version of the Full Monty.

On an opposite note, I was going to have one of my other Tech friends over to watch and cook tonight. Well, I get home and my TV only has half a fucking picture. So, I just spent nearly $1700 on a new one that won't be here until MONDAY!! Oh, well, at least I get a new, big ass TV!!!

I know it's really late in the competition to do this, but here goes.

My friend from college is one of the contestants on Fox's "On The Lot". He really is an awesome guy with an awesome family. We were in shows together at Texas Tech. I was even present at both his proposal to his wife and the batchelor party (but not the wedding cause it was in Virginia.) So, what I'm trying to get at is a plea to you people out there. Please, vote for Will Bigham as many times as you can. Go back if you'd like and watch his previous movies because they're good. I'd probably vote for him even if his stuff sucked, but I'm happy to say his films have had a lot of heart and are well worth watching. So, there ya go.

Vote for Will Bigham. You can watch his stuff at www.thelot.com and on Tuesday nights at 7pm Central on Fox.

Thanks!Fox's "On The Lot"

I was REALLY looking forward to doing "Lone Star" this summer. Then my friend that's supposed to be getting everything together fucking flaked on us. I'm really not surprised. More and more, I'm feeling like the friend of convenience. Like, if there's absolutely no one else to call or if you just need to through someone a bone, I'm the guy. It fucking sucks! I'm a guy, and I'm married. I want to do something's apart from my wife! I want to hang out and watch a hockey game or whatever. But, I don't guess I'm good enough for that. I will say I absolutely love my friend Becca. I've known her since undergrad, and she's still one of my best friend. But, fucking hell! She's another chick! Ugh, what the hell.

But, on the up side, it's summer vacation and I ain't got shit to do! I love being a teacher!!!