Here lie the annals of history of oldish blogs (early-mid 2008).

To view 2007 blogs (Sept - Dec) please click here.
To view 2008 blogs (Aug - Dec) please click here.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

This is a video from the fireworks last night. 11 seconds, less than 300kb.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

It being freshly August, I have taken sudden notice of how easy it is to forget to flip the calendar to the next month. It becomes especially difficult when you have a proficiency of calendars in your house and your workplace. It is hard to remember which of the seventeen calendars you have flipped this month, and which you have not. Even more trying to the hippocampus is trying to remember last month's picture once you have glimpsed this month's new picture. You may have stared at that picture 31 times last month and you still can't remember what it was! So then curiosity invariably overtakes you and you break down and flip back, and you say, ah, that's right, now I remember the green river valley or the palm tree or the mountain range behind the hayfield. The one calendar nobody at work seems to forget for long is the Kokanee one. You know, the one with the sasquatch, and the beautiful nature scenes, and...uh...anyways...

Yes, anyways, notice my new baby poll graphic. The poll programming has a few non-fool-proof bugs in it but hopefully not too many 'fools' will abuse the polls (this is not quite as serious as a political party election, etc).

Michelle's friend Beth is staying over for the weekend from Alberta, and Michelle has been hoping to see the fireworks in English Bay again this year. I would be content to stay at home, but fireworks and crowds and ethnic foods and traffic snarls are fun too. It's not supposed to rain but you never know, it is a long weekend after all!

Andrew

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Andrew Potts, tennis star

I feel fortunate to have had a good amount of exercise this past week. On Tuesday there was ultimate frisbee at McMillan Park. Seven people came out so we had a good game of 3 on 3 with the teams switching up every few minutes to allow for one person to rest. Yesterday Mike invited me to play tennis as well, and we had a good match despite not having played for a long time. Also I rode my bike to work 4 days for a total of 32 kilometres. I am thankful for the nice summer sunshine (which was not uber hot) that allowed all of this!

But my body is tired. It will be good to rest this weekend.

Andrew

Sunday, July 20, 2008

I have made a 'Baby Potts' page online which you can get to by clicking on the Babypotts icon above. It'll be a handy way to post baby pictures, movies etc. right after delivery and on. I have also removed my 3rd blog comment form and used it for Baby's page so people can leave messages for Baby (or Baby can leave messages for everyone else).

I led worship at ACC today; it had been awhile but went okay. I had sweet band backup (keyboard, vocals, drums) so it was a lot of fun to play! I even put on fresh guitar strings for the event...We get a quiet Sunday afternoon now.

Andrew

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Michelle stirs the pot

We went camping in Hope this past weekend but it only lasted one night with a pregnant wife. We went to Harrison and peeked at the sand sculptures on the way home. The weather has been super. I read a John Grisham book.

Andrew

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

The Mighty Lion patiently waits to pounce

I'b tick tobayb; I buz esterdabe dube. Nob as bab tobayb. Ib fact by nobe iz clearig ub a bit and I can almost talk normally now. I haven't taken a sick day since January and it is kind of a novelty.

I say, It is amazing the freedom this day brings! Have you ever thought about that? How there are millions of options for you to take when you wake up. Sure, if you are responsible then you will probably go to school or work or whatever you normally do. But--what if you went for a walk--and never stopped? You might end up in Alaska! (Or would you ever end up anywhere?) Or you could rob a bank (I don't recommend it though). Or paint a picture of something outlandish. The possibilities are more endless than the possible moves in a chess game! Of course you might not feel like doing anything. You might sit in a corner and feel sorry for yourself, that you don't have any impetus or any friends to tell you what to do. That is part of freedom too! Long live the Queen!

Andrew

Friday, June 27, 2008

Another week has zoomed by; I think that's because it's summer. Beware of a lack of blogging in the near future due to aforementioned item. Can anyone tell me which local park one might find a notice like in the aforedisplayed picture?

We had a 3D ultrasound on Thursday, that was pretty cool. I think it's just a rendered picture of several 2D cross sections, but it looks pretty real. Baby moved a bit but we mosty just saw his/her face because we didn't want to find out gender. Our baby has Michelle's cheeks (facial ones that is) and Michelle thinks maybe my nose? If you're friends with Michelle on Facebook you can see some of the pictures.

Michelle is done her school year! Today was her last day so she finished packing up her Kindergarten classroom and I helped her bring it home. We're storing some stuff in my parents' garage. I think we were Blessed to have the first year teaching that Michelle was able to have, with half days and being able to finish despite the bad batch of morning sickness. Even better is the upcoming break! :)

Bring on the long weekend! 4 days off, then 4 days on, then 1 day off, then 5 days on.

Andrew

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

This last week just flew by; I'm not sure how or why, but it did! Michelle's friend Rachel visited us for a few days last week; we had payday, weekend with visiting Dad on Father's Day, saw Cotton Patch Gospel on the weekend, and now here we are already done Tuesday! I also made an Ebay sale, some old sports pennants I've had since grade 6 and on. I sold 'em for a buck six, tagged on five bucks for shipping and what with Paypal charges, ebay fees and a bad postage calculation, I am in the hole about six bucks. Oh well. Maybe one day I'll figure out this 'head for beeznis.'

Andrew

Monday, June 9, 2008

There's something about running in the rain
That's good for you
Soaking wet but
I don't care.
Until, that is, I run down the dirt path in green Gardner Park
and stop abruptly. The river overflowed
I don't really want to get my feet that wet.
I backtrack to higher ground and find another bridge.
The bright red, hairy, salmon berries (which really don't taste that much like salmon) are out
I am hungry for a water-soaked one.
Luckily there are plenty. I scare a robin who had the same idea for her snack.
As I run up the hill near the stoplight I am surprised by a car turning right suddenly
Right into my path that is.
Three of my fingers brush the glossy black hood and I wonder if it will stop
It does
I mouth 'sorry' (for scaring them?) and continue running
Running
Walking
Soaked
Home: Triumphant
Get out of my wet clothes and
eat an ice cream sandwich.

by Andrew

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Above is one of the end tables I am working on. This one just needs a couple of coats of varnish and it is good to go. The other one is still encased in various scrap boards and needs to be cut out and put together, sanded, and stained. It is quite a process but the goal is to get rid of the current set of glass tables, so it will all be worth it!

On Friday we traveled to Burnaby for my little cousin's graduation party. He is not so little anymore! I talked to one of his friends who is 19 and done 2 years at U of T. When he asked how old I was, I astounded both of us with my answer: "28." Wow! How did that happen!? Besides visiting with lots of family, a highlight was playing soccer with my cousin Angus (who is a grade 6 soccer star) and my brother, as well as listening to my Grandpa tell a story about the toy train set he got from Santa during the depression era.

Michelle has been busy writing report cards and is almost finished now. We had Karl over for lunch after church and then a close game of Cities and Knights which Michelle managed to win at the last minute. Now Michelle is wondering what I am typing so much of.

Andrew

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Thanks to any and all who took the time to lift up in their prayers...our hamster. He is doing well and scurrying around like nothing happened. Our fish, our snail, and our wife are doing well too.

My latest project is to make some new end tables out of some old pine boards I salvaged from a closet I ripped apart last summer. These are to match our 'new' wood $20 Ikea coffee table (we replaced our glass one. Both were from MCC. This new one was cheaper but did not come with end tables, plus I had to refinish the top. This included the purchase of a random orbital sander, which I am quite happy about). The reason we replaced it was to make more room for baby stuff in our living area. One thing sure leads to another!

Andrew

Sunday, May 25, 2008

It's been a beautiful weekend, marred only by Michelle feeling sick again and me stepping on Hammy yesterday. Poor little fellow. I was cleaning his cage outside and I like to let him run around the patio while I do so--he never goes too far and he runs in seemingly random patterns, never trying to run away or hide. Anyway, I decided to build a new shelf in his cage for him to climb on, and while I was getting the piece of wood I stepped backwards and suddenly realized I had stepped on Hammy. He lay there, not moving, half-squished. I felt so bad! I scooped him up and noticed he was still breathing, and brought him inside to Michelle, who held him in her hands. She prayed for him and soon he was moving a little bit. I finished cleaning his cage and we put him in it, and he crawled into his house and stayed there for a long time. A bit later he tried to move some kleenex into his house but it was too much for him so we took it away so he wouldn't be tempted. Later still he came out and had a drink and ate some food, so that was good. We could tell that his right rear leg was broken, and maybe some other parts too. But that evening he started climbing his screen again (and falling off of it of course) so we blocked as many climbing things as we could and let him be. Today I'm taking him to the vet to see if there's anything they can do for his leg. Poor guy. I told him I was so sorry and he licked my finger so I hope that means he forgives me (I'm not even sure he knows what happened to him). Or maybe my finger was just salty or something.

Andrew

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Scott and I had a successful trip to Mayne Island last week, installing the little kitchen in the little seaside cottage. We stayed and dined at the oldest continually-operating lodge in BC, had fun trying to find breakfast and/or cash before 9am in the morning, and finished the job with some time to spare. We toured a Japanese garden (see picture above) and waited for the ferry in the nice sunny weather.

Hurray for the long weekend!

Andrew

Friday, May 9, 2008

Capture the Light - This morning at 6:20am from the backyard

Into our lives slimed the water snail Herbert, last Sunday inbetween IGA and Starbucks. He travelled approximately 32.6 inches during the week, and here are some of my random thoughts/activities during this time, during which approximately 32.6 billion neurons fired:

'It's not going in my house' (unofficial shop motto)
The chapel at Ford Correctional Center moved, maybe just temporarily.
Fixing cassette tapes can be tricky (anyone remember those things?) but it's satisfying what scotch tape can do.
Albert knows Herbert is alive and is not happy about it.
Albert seems to have calmed down, at least when we're watching.
God, help us to be listeners and doers of the Word. (James 1)
Are the apartments I helped build in Langley 9 summers ago paid for yet by the tenants?
I never expected to meet Dave McFee at the DQ near previous thought.
I would have loved a walking dinosaur skeleton when I was 8 years old, but now I just can't spend the money.
Thanks God that Tim asks me to shoot hoops even though I usually turn him down.
Maybe our baby will be a musical prodigy. Or, maybe not.
Our call to the mission field is not very loud. Other parts of life just happened. But someday, something.
The weather has been pretty nice at going-home time.
I should play my flute.

Andrew

Saturday, May 3, 2008

I am enjoying a quiet Saturday. Ahh... I worked this morning for five hours, took a nap, and then cleaned Hammy's cage, did the dishes, and cleaned the bathroom. In between I played some Settlers online too. Michelle has not done much either--eat and shower and take a few naps. All in a day's work. :) Oh, I think she read her book too!

On Tuesday the doctor said Michelle's ultrasound looked good and confirmed Baby Potts' due date of September 15 (technically the ultrasound put it at the 18th or so).

I think it was Wednesday when I had a bit of foreboding about work--and for good reason, I had to fix a countertop install that I had done a little while ago--I guess the cabinet box that I installed was not quite level and when they tiled they found that out! But I managed to get it up there again and went to start the van when I was done and found that I had left the lights on. So I locked up the van and went to find a phone (the one day I decided I didn't need to bring a cell phone). Of course then I realized I had locked my keys in the van as well. Fortunately there was a towing place across the street so eventually a guy helped me get in the van and gave me a jump. I kept wondering what else might go wrong that day but as it was, the day passed without any further occurences of that nature.

Andrew

Friday, April 25, 2008

First of all, I would like to note that it is the twenty-fifth of the month and therefore signatory of only 8 months till Christmas. Thought everyone would like to be reminded of that.

My week hath plodded along fairly expectedly; working 9 hour days except today when I didn't feel like it so only worked 8, and Tuesday when I had to leave early for Michelle's ultrasound and only worked 7. I am working tomorrow though, for a bit, so there will be lots of time and a half on my next cheque! Maybe I will buy myself a Merry-only-eight-months-away-Christmas present. Or, more likely, contribute to Michelle's student loans...

I also managed to get to our church's monthly prayer meeting last night and was quite blessed by that...seems like one of the non-negotiables in order of importance, yet it's one of those things often treated as an add-on...I've also been feeling (in a way that's difficult for me to describe) that I'm at a sort of crossroads in my young adult faith, maybe the part that goes on to the not-so-young-anymore-adult faith; I'm not sure. So anything that reminds me how to connect with God instead of constantly thinking from a 'world perspective' is helpful. Prayer with other Christians is one of those helpful things.

Andrew

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Check out my design for a Scotties box! You can vote for it after August 1 and I could win a $25,000 home makeover! Or you can enter the contest yourself at scotties.ca.

A song I wrote this morning as I was preparing to go to church for worship practice:

We could use your love
We could use your peace
We could use your joy
We could use your truth

We could use your patience
We could use your wisdom
We could use your vision
We could use your love!

So we come bowing down with our hearts to the ground
You love us too much to leave us where we are
We are prideful, and humble, and hardened, and broken
We remember there's true hope in you
We could use your love

We could use your newness
We could use your passion
We could use your forgiveness
We could use your love

We could use your attitude
We could use your kindness
We could use your power
We could use your love!

So we come bowing down with our hearts on the ground
Knowing we're full of sin but you'll raise us up again
We are desperate, and hopeful, and joyous, and pleading
We remember our first love, it's you
We could use your love

Andrew

Friday, April 10, 2008

I watched someone take a bath today without any shame. Then I noticed they had some poo on their head. I just had to take a picture. Poor Hammy. He eventually got it after he ate the piece of orange that Michelle gave him for supper.

I'm sore in the legs from a game of Ultimate Frisbee yesterday. My coworker Kevin invited me (he is a hardcore player) and I invited some guys last minute and Dan came all the way from Surrey to play! It was perfect weather and lots of fun but it sure was a lot of running all of a sudden. If anyone wants to come it's every Thursday at 6pm in Abbotsford. http://abbotsfordfrisbee.com

Andrew

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

I had a day trip to Mayne Island today for work...it's one of those gulf islands by Galiano and Salt Spring. It took 3 hours to template a big job in a nice house, and then I had a few minutes to kill before I caught my ferry home.

I kind of like Island life. The small-town feel, the trees, the rocks, the water...wildlife...but I was reminded by my customer that it's not always so fun for the kids/teens...they have to go to school by boat and I guess there's not much to do if you don't like the outdoors a lot.

Michelle doesn't want to move elsewhere in Canada because it would be too cold but maybe we can move further west one day! If we ever move. The thing is, what do you do to keep yourself alive on an island? You could write books, I guess...but there's not many solid surface jobs there...

Friday, March 28, 2008

I had a quick trip to Williams Lake, BC yesterday/today. It's a 5 or 6 hour drive and I was fortunate to have bare roads and nice weather for most of it. I stayed in the Sandman Inn last night, and installed a solid surface top this morning in a rustic log cabin. A highlight of the trip was the scenery. Red and Grey sharp-peaked mountains, snow-covered frozen lakes (I saw one guy ice fishing), Rolling hills of brown grass, chocolate brown cows (are those the ones that make chocolate milk?). The only part I didn't like was getting a sore foot from holding the gas pedal down the whole time. It was a good way to end a short work week.

Andrew

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!

Heidi Gauer, Chilliwack BC (Grand Prize winner)

Michelle Potts, Abbotsford BC (2nd place winner)

Michelle Potts, Abbotsford BC (3rd place winner)

To see all entries, click here. I liked Heidi's picture because of the unique perspective and colour, although it's too bad you can see the flash on the driftwood. The mysterious woman (Christina) reminds me of Mary Magdalene at Jesus' tomb on easter morning. Michelle's picture of the bud is very well composed and I like the contrast with the focus. Technically, it's the most excellent. I also like the colours and the symbolism of new life, especially at this time of year when it seems that winter is still upon us. I also enjoyed Michelle's picture of the ducks at Fishtrap creek in the sunset. It is a very beautiful and calming scene.

Albert's picture was good too although i am not sure that he took it himself. Ryan's picture was original but kind of blackish. It was symbolic due to the removal of all light but I think it was more appropriate for a Good friday photo contest. It was admirable that he was able to get it down to 66 or 67 bytes so he gets runner up for that.

Thanks to all who entered, and most of all--may the reality of Jesus be with you this Easter.

Andrew

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Dead Mouse Photo Contest

So, here is a picture sent by Mom F. Apparently my dead mouse was not the only one in the world last week.

We are getting ready to go on our spring break trip to Chicago. Today my parents came over for supper and left with Hammy. :) I miss Hammy already. When I was petting him goodbye I came on a bit too suddenly and he gave me a bit of a nip. (Not a good way to say goodbye!) Tomorrow (Monday) after work we will drive to Seattle and spend the night at a place where we can leave our car. Then off to the Windy City, and to the great metropolis of Westville, and Grand Rapids too. We are seeing Michelle's friend Jen for a few days, and my cousin Dan and his family, and Michael and Mom and Dad From too! Hmm, sounds a bit like the From Family Vacation Part 2! ;)

I have gotten a couple of entries for the Easter photo contest (see link to the left) so there is still a chance for all you shutterbug hopefuls (although the photos I've received so far are excellent).

Andrew

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Hammy did not get a pet mouse after all

Here is the story of the mouse. A few weeks ago, a cold dark Monday morning it was, I opened the lid of my outdoor garbage can to take it to the street, and lo and behold a small black mouse jumped out! (I don't think it was the same one that was nibbling your toe, Michael.) I don't know who was more surprised or scared but I jumped back when he jumped out and he ran away. I plugged the hole in my garbage can lid and went along my merry way.

Today I decided to tie up the garbage a little early in anticipation of Monday garbage day. I noticed the bag had a few tears in it but thought nothing of it. When I pulled out the whole bag I discovered there were more tears in the bottom. Lo and behold once again, the black mouse. Only this time he was squashed at the bottom of the garbage can and was not about to jump out. It was, in fact, his place of departure from this sad little world.

I managed to dump him out and bury him in the garden--where we won't be growing anything anyway because our landlords plan to pave it over--and I say, poor little mousie, rest in peace.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

I am needed

During my youth group days it was impressed on me that I was called to be a servant. Of whom? Of God, of others. I still feel this tug, although sometimes I check myself that I am not just being used, but am exercising proper boundaries.

I was scheduled to go to prison tonight. I decided not to go, so I gave my wardens the shake (just kidding). I did decide not to go, though, because my wife did need me. It is nice to be needed. My duties tonight included watching a movie together, going shopping for ice cream and sushi because we ran out, and bringing food when needed. I am glad I made the choice I did. It is good to be needed. Especially by my wife. :)

Prison has been a bit up in the air as well. The heart of our team, Esther, is in Australia for a year, so that leaves Mike and Victor and I; Mike often works Sunday evenings so it's me and Vic. I have not been a very good recruiter although I did manage a possible yes today from someone in church. The whole thing shall take some prayer I suspect. I have not been full of passion for this ministry and when I bring a devotional I often struggle with something to say. Is this an indication of my own heart lacking God's vision? Yet--I can't let go. I am needed.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Something Sweet and Flowery

Due to popular demand by hundreds of unidentified raving fans, condensed into one comment on the previous post by the mysterious 'a girly,' I will now attempt to write something sweEt and flowery.

Hmm.

Soft delicate flower petals
Pink in the afternoon sun
But shred so easily when touched with force

Peppermint candy
Melting in your mouth
You're five years old and the candy shoppe is still in black and white
The only colour the red peppermint

Tender

The Feminine Mystique

Saturday, February 23, 2008

On Being Foolish

Fools come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes when you realize you are one you open your mouth in surprises. Like today for example when I filed through steel: It was five-eighths thick but no big deal. It would take too long to get a hacksaw so, I worked that thing with elbow grease till my sweat started to show. I soon felt like a beaver whittling away a tree, except I had a file instead of teeth and was buzzing like a bee. When the going was too tough I drilled a hole through and then, it snapped in two like a twig and I felt prouder than a mother hen. If I'd have taken the time to do it right, what about my poor pride? Instead I made some muscles, got some sun and ignored my bride.

In case you are wondering, I was cutting off the excess length of a threaded rod that I was using for an axle for a wagon for work. It needs big wheels because we're transporting heavy countertops down a pier at Deep Cove in North Van. I snagged the wheels from my dad as they were throwing them away. I really need to invest in a hacksaw. And I won't get into how to make an imperial threaded rod fit a metric bearing. No no no no. (hint: file to the rescue, lots of grease)

Andrew

Friday, February 15, 2008

Today is my last day of being twenty-seven. Tomorrow I will officially have zoomed around the sun a puny 28 times--although I might add: were I living in my native country of origin at this time, I would already have completed said journey as PNG is on the other side of the dateline. Any big memories, or regrets, you ask? Not too huge...a few that come to mind: The UpBand (which is now sadly in need of practice) and The Boys Next Door, and coming to terms with the possibility of being a parent and following through on said decision. ;)

It's been a bit of a long week due to the constant errands and housework to be done, but okay. Nice to have evenings free right now to stay home with the wife. Right now I am reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, out loud to her. I notice that she is finished her phone conversation so I will go back to where I left off, when Reepicheep the Valiant Mouse was saying that he wondered if his invisible foes would become visible when run through with a sword. On that note...

Andrew

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Confessions of a Pregnant Husband

It's been a busy couple of weeks since I last posted. We finished the play nicely. The last 3 performances were difficult for Michelle as she was feeling really sick. In fact, our lovely director Shelley played Mrs. Fremus, which requires a lot of make up and Michelle wasn't feeling up for the quick costume changes between her other characters (which she played really well, btw). Otherwise it went well, and we have a cast party tomorrow that we might go to.

Everyone thought Michelle had a bad case of the stomach flu--well, not everyone. A few people knew due to some leaked news that Michelle was actually experiencing a bad case of morning sickness (all day sickness). Yes, it's true. We're expecting a baby at the end of September!

As the pregnant husband, my duties are few. Watch. Pray. Go to IGA and bring whatever food Michelle needs at the moment (today it was sourdough bread and spinach dip). Clean out the barf bucket occasionally. Cook for myself (luckily there have been lots of leftovers). Go to work to make some money to support our baby habit. Stay home as much as possible. Take Michelle to the doctor. Remind her to take a sip of water once in awhile. Worry.

Somewhere in there I've found some time for anticipation and excitement, but not a lot...I'm happy just to take care of my wife. Pregnancy, I've found, is not a state attached exclusively to the wife.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

This is a neat photo by DLT Photographic that I snagged from the Gallery 7 website. (There are a few of me there too if you want to check them out.) We have now done 5 of our 10 performances. Last nights' was a lot of fun because we had a large audience and some loud laugh-ers. Of course it gets annoying when you're trying to get your line out and you can't because no one can hear you over the laughter, but that's alright, I forgive easily.

My mother in law, Bev, flew out from Calgary to see our play! She is staying with us for the weekend. She even cooked us a yummy chicken dinner the day she arrived!

Andrew

Sunday, January 20, 2008

We are now done 1 weekend of performances of The Boys Next Door. All 3 went quite well. Have heard only positive feedback so far. One lady said I fit her grandson's mannerisms to a 'T'. While that was a compliment to me, I'm not sure about her grandson...? Someone else commented that we played our [mentally challenged] characters with integrity and respect, something we had definitely been trying to do. It is great to have a break now till Thursday after such an intense week!

Our pastor gave a very good and practical sermon today on discerning God's voice (whether it is God speaking to you or the taco you ate last night). He mentioned six tests that can help you discern God's direction. One of them that I had not thought of before much is the area of guilt. If what God is telling you brings condemnation, check again. However, if it brings conviction (there is a difference!) then it will lead to freedom instead of bondage. As I listened to the sermon I was trying to apply it to a present situation. Only 3 of the 6 tests passed; the other 3 were sort of sitting on the fence between pass and fail. Not as clear cut as I'd like, I guess!

Andrew

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Can you guess where this photo was taken (or what it is of)? Michelle took it but I edited the snot out of it.

I woke up this morning with a slight tickle in my throat. I gargled some salt water but tonight I can definitely feel it: a cold of some sort is coming on again. It's not a great week for it either--we have 3 rehearsals and 3 performances of our play this week.

I definitely wouldn't call myself a seasoned actor by any stretch, but I have had a little bit of experience (mostly with Gallery 7). It is an interesting process. To begin with there is the unexpected thrill of getting a part. Then there is the first reading as a cast; you meet the other people you are going to be spending a lot of time with in the next weeks. Next the director determines blocking (what your character does; where you go and when) and you start trying to memorize your lines and blocking, associating them together as you go. Then there are several weeks of run-thrus, just getting a feel for everything, until you are 'off book' and have to call 'line' when you can't remember your lines. Finally the finishing touches go on, and you add a set, some props, lights, sound, and you're ready for make up, costumes, and dress rehearsal before the play opens to the public. For me the hardest part is 'getting into character.' It is different every time. To be an actor you must actually put yourself in the shoes of the person you are trying to portray, and since you can't always understand their motivations, there is some work involved. Arnold is a simple guy but he has some characteristics that have been taking some getting used to. It's easy to go too far or to hold back too much. All in all it is coming together and I look forward to performing for an audience...and letting the message of the play come through for itself.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Honest Andrew's Special Swamp Beer Recipe

You will need:
- 1 litre expired eggnog (available for free in most grocery stores)
- 2 litres root beer, room temperature
- 1 ice cube

Mix contents about 50/50 and add ice cube. Drink. Have empty bucket handy. Good with pizza.

Friday, January 4, 2008

I only worked 3 days this week but it was enough. The dark dark dark is getting me down. I'm okay but some sun would be nice.

A guy at work asked me to pray for him as he was doing ministry on Hastings St. tonight. I told him I'd try to remember (and I did). What got me was that I had been judging him a bit in my heart, his methods, motivation, or whatever...and then when he asked me to pray for him, he was sharing how more suicides happen between Christmas and New Years, and how he wanted to encourage the people in downtown Vancouver...godly compassion was written all over his face...as I watched him leave and get into his car, I decided that he was truly a Tiny Angel.

Thanks to those of you who tried out the Potts Quiz. My scoring system is kinda weird so it's likely you'll be Andrew or Albert. But hey! That's alright! I challenge you to answer in such a way as to be Michelle or Hammy! (if you need something to do that is)

Andrew