spaceboy_2006

Went to the dentist today.
I was having my permanent crown put on. I had gotten a temporary one a couple weeks ago. Basically, one of my back teeth had broken completely in half and there was practically nothing left. The new one looks and feels like a real tooth, only a bit smoother (it's made of porceline). Unfortunately, the color doesn't exactly match with the rest of my teeth but that will be corrected (chemically) soon.
I work these next two days and then I have the weekend off which will be nice.
It's looking like I'm going to be one of the first bands to perform at The Space Station which is a new space-age bar/lounge/club here on Merritt Island. The management had a meeting with my producer the other day about us performing, perhaps, once or twice a month. If all works out, it will be a nice paying gig for us.
We may end up doing some covers as well, because the new album is only fifty-five minutes.
The new CD, by the way, can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com/archanonspaceboy

Write again soon.

- Shawn

Jackie is sick...again!
It seems like the exact same thing she had a month ago that she gave to me. I feel fine right now - knock on wood. She started to come down with it around 4:00 Monday afternoon. I've just been giving her Tylenol as she's had a bit of a fever. She's going back to work tomorrow. Hopefully she'll be able to function.
I've had these past two days off - I go back to work on Friday.
I've been working for Ohio Retail Security. We supply the security for all of the malls in the area. My post is, obviously, Merritt Square mall. I've been working days - 9 to 5 and 8 to 4 though next week, I hope to get some evening hours as well. 4 to Midnight and 5 to 1AM. So far I fucking love this job.
I hadn't been working security for over a year and I..kinda missed it. I'm still working with Tempest Entertainment, but we are only in production on the weekends at the moment.
I went in a couple weekends ago and recorded some ADR (additional dialogue replacement) for a couple scenes in Phantoms. The screening for that film is coming up in less than a month. Then I'll go in and record all my stuff for American South probably in one day.
I believe they have started princible photography on that film. I received an e-mail today stating that they have been having trouble casting one of the roles. The character's name is Agnes and she is a heavy set woman in her 60's. If anyone is interested in auditioning, let me know so I can pass it on.
Went to Screamfest a few weeks ago which was a blast, as always.
Then, this past Sunday, Jackie, me, Jennifer, Kelly and Mark went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. That was fun too. But it's always so crowded that you only have time to do maybe three things and then it's closing time! There were a few things I really wanted to do but didn't get a chance too. That sucks..but that's always the way it is at HHN.

Been up since 4 again this morning. My stomach woke me up.
I had some of those White Castle cheeseburgers for dinner...and...well...they didn't agree with me obviously.
I'm sitting in my spot on the floor next to the bed so as not to wake Jackie up.
What a fucking week we've had.
We took Buffy to the vet last week because I noticed that she was peeing a ton of blood. For those of you who haven't met Buffy, she is prone to bladder problems and has had two surgeries in the past five years to remove bladder stones. What confused me about this time was that she had just been to the vet two days before for a shot, the vet checked her abdomen just as a precaution like she does every time and I was told that her bladder was fine and there were no signs of stones etc.
So, we get her to the vet and I put her up on the table and it's then that I realize that her entire abdomen is bruised....completely black and blue and spreading! The vet becomes extremely concerned so she rushes her in the back for some bloodwork. Results...she had no platelets. For some reason, her body was destroying it's own red blood cells and she was bleeding internally with no way to clot.
The only thing we could do at that point was put her on MASSIVE doses of steroids. Before we took her home, the vet told us that she needed to be either in a crate or on our laps at ALL times, as any bruising at this point could potentially kill her.

Here we are a week later and Buffy is doing MUCH better.
The steroids have obviously been working and the last bloodtest showed that she is developing new platelets. The vet said that a blood transfusion at this point would be ideal, but if we were to forego it...it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
And...the cause of all of this? Well, at first we thought that Buffy had some kind of auto immune disease...kind of like a dog version of Anemia. We are now almost certain that this was caused by her shot that she had gotten two days before all of this started - her Parvo vaccine. I find out later, after doing some research, that dangerous anemia and the body attacking it's own red blood cells is a very rare side effect of the Parvo vaccine. There is no way of telling if it's going to happen or not...but the chances increase with every shot the dog gets.
The vet got in touch with the company that manufactures that vaccine and they are sending us a refund check for all of our trouble.
As for Buffy...she's sleeping in her crate next to our TV. She's a trooper. We've been through a lot together these past eight years and it's hard to imagine this house without her. Healthwise she seems to be doing fine. We are still being extra careful with her so she doesn't get any bruises...but we're very optimistic that she's gonna pull through this and be no worse for the ware! She has to be on the steroids for two weeks.

In other news....my new CD - Archanon Spaceboys "The Alien of Today" is now available. The CD store recently switched to a new system and they are way backed up so I don't know when it's going to be available online. So, I'm selling some myself. Anybody who wants a copy, please let me know. E-mail me or whatever. They are $15 plus $3 for shipping.
Again - this is NOT a classical album. It's all original rock/pop.

I'm gonna lay down and try to sleep a little before the sun comes up.

- SHAWN

Sick.
Jackie gave me this head cold that has been going around. I've been up since 4AM and can't fall back to sleep. Throat hurts and nose is stuffy.
Probably just the Swine Flu.

Haven't updated the journal in a couple months which is pretty normal for me.

Not much happening really.
"Lightening Walkers", which was going to be the next film with Tempest, was put on hold due to financial reasons from what I understand. There will be another film entitled "American South", I'm just not exactly sure when. Things got a little behind due to all the attention being paid to "Phantoms". The trailer is up on YouTube and has gotten well over 800 hits which is awesome. And the response is really good. We should be having a screening in a few weeks hopefully. Ah, the moment we've been waiting for...
Other than that, I've just been enjoying what's left of the summer.
I did send some audition materials for an indie film being shot in Orlando next month, so we'll see.
Just taking things as they come.

Just a few more weeks until Screamfest too...

- SHAWN

Waiting for Jeremy to get home from work. We are going to hit the gym at 6 and then the three of us are ordering Chinese for dinner.
I haven't done much today. Jackie had her dad over here for a few hours because Spencer was having a pool party at Ashley's house. It was an end-of-the-year labschool party from what I understand.
I have not eaten fast food for several weeks now and I feel pretty good. I have two new favorite restaurants. Punjab is excellent. It's an Indian restaurant in Cocoa Beach. For some reason, Indian food had never appealed to me so I just never tried it. One meal at Punjab and I was hooked. The food is absolutely fantastic. Probably some of the spiciest stuff I've had too.
The other place that has become one of my favorites is Tropical Smoothie here on Merritt Island. I got Jackie really liking it too. I'm trying to get her to eat healthier stuff rather than McDonalds and that kind of stuff all the time.

Principle Photography has wrapped on "Night Fall". We finished the shoot on Saturday afternoon. As soon as we wrapped I rushed out and got all my hair chopped off. It feels sooo much better now. It was down to my fucking shoulders and was starting to drive me crazy. I hadn't cut it since back before "Phantoms".
"Night Fall" was another great movie to work on. The shoot was much shorter than "Phantoms". So now, it will go into post-production and, from what I understand, we will probably be viewing "Night Fall" before "Phantoms". The reason being that it has less technical aspects than "Phantoms" and will go through post-production a little quicker.
We are holding auditions next month for our next feature which is going into pre-production. A film titled "Lightning Walkers".
I'm looking forward to it, but I'm really enjoying the time off.
I'm anxious to see what the companies think of the two films we've completed and if, perhaps, money is in the distance. Everyone seems to be very positive about these projects and the response we've been getting so far as been good.
I'll keep you updated as to when and where the screenings will be.
There is also a good chance that a part-time security job may be opening in Titusville. That would be about twenty hours a week and I would still have the weekends free to work with Tempest.
In the long-run, film is where the majority of the money is going to be coming from. And I can honestly say I am very happy to not be flitting around trying to get theater work right now.
You take what comes your way. And, at the moment, it's film.

- SHAWN

I think I'll try to actually keep up this journal now.

Jackie and I celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary in St. Augustine last weekend. Had a blast. We stayed at the Old City House which was voted "Best Inn in St. Augustine" in 2005. The room was great with a little private balcony across from the Lightner Museum. Hence the name of our room - "The Lightner". There was also a veranda overlooking the courtyard which served complimentary wine and cheese every evening.
I finally worked up enough courage this time to go parasailing. It was awesome. We went 1,000 feet above the Atlantic. That high up in the air, it's actually very calm and very quiet. The experience reminded me of sitting on a swing in the sky. Sometimes you forget that you are hooked onto a boat 1,000 feet below. It was definitely an experience I want to have again.
We obviously did a lot of walking and visited a bunch of shops, including three cigar shops all within walking distance :) Every time we are in St. Augustine, we discover new things we never noticed before. We are trying to make it a point to not stay away for another four years. It is, after all, our place.

I went to Karate this morning. My attendance has not been the greatest lately - starting with a week of 1776 I had to perform two weeks ago. That was another good experience, but, all the same, I'm glad it's over. Until next year anyway. We'll see.
I'm working on my 2nd feature with Tempest Entertainment called "Night Fall" which I've really been enjoying. "Phantoms" is almost done in post-production so we should be able to have a screening next month or July. We are still talking about whether or not we are going to take it to Screamfest in October.
Anyway - I'm glad I went to Karate this morning. Getting there is always the hardest part. I now have the whole package needed for Black Belt so it looks like I'm just going to be polishing for the next few months. I don't test until December or January.

Jeremy and I joined Planet Fitness in Rockledge and went for our first work-out tonight. I have to say, it was a lot of fun. We are jumping into a three-day-a-week workout routine. I'm focusing on cardio and weights and he's focusing on bulking up. I won't work out at the gym on the two days I do Karate. Karate is mainly cardio anyway - one of the best cardio workouts you can get, in fact. But, three days a week will be both cardio and weight training.

I think I'm going to Pennsylvania at some point next month with my mom and my sister to visit my grandparents. I haven't been up there since my Nanny's funeral in 2002. The plan is to stay with Aunt Mary-Ann. We'll see how it pans out. I doubt very much that Jackie will be able to go with me. Luckily, it will only be for four days or so. I really need to see my grandparents. They are up there in years and...you never know.

- Shawn

"Phantoms" wrapped on Saturday night/Sunday morning. It was a very long final shoot. 4PM Saturday until 2:30 Sunday morning. And it was freezing. Naturally, all the final scenes had to be shot outdoors. We would shoot for maybe an hour and a half and then take a ten minute break. We broke for dinner at about 9PM and ordered three pizzas. There were probably about eight of us on this final shoot. Many other characters had already been wrapped out and it was just down to the three final leads.
My role wrapped around 12:30AM so I went inside and sat by the fire. I didn't want to leave until everyone was done.
When we wrapped around 2:30, we popped open a bottle of champagne and toasted to the future of Tempest Entertainment. All in all, a great experience.
I have to go back in this next weekend to film an interview and then back in sometime in the next couple months to record some voice-overs.
The next film starts shooting in March.

So, it turns out the NY project wasn't a total wash after all. Richard, the producer asked me to record one of the songs, "Endless Appetite", as a demo. I did it and sent it to him.
Long story short, he liked the demo so much that he sent it directly to Jim Steinman. So mine will be the first he hears.
It was a very dry mix, but apparently, it was good enough. I'm glad to have it done and am keeping my fingers crossed that Steinman likes it.
I'm very fortunate to have been contacted by Richard in the first place and I'm grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way.

Taking Buffy to the vet this afternoon and then...probably taking a nap. I've been up since 5:30 because for some reason, I just can't sleep.
I think I won't smoke a cigar today. I've become something of an aficionado lately and I think the sudden nicotine may be fucking with my sleeping patterns or something.
But..oh I do love the taste of a good Torano.

- Shawn

Wow...I haven't written here since August.
I'll cut to the chase : I'm currently performing a starring role in the horror film "Phantoms" from Tempest Entertainment. Shooting wraps on January 31st. It's been a great project to work on and it's getting quite a bit of attention from various trade magazines and production companies. Really shaping up well.
After this film wraps, it will go into post-production for probably about four months. We begin production on the next Tempest project in March and then I have "1776" for a week in April. Still have no plans to audition at CVP again because, honestly, I'm not doing community theatre at all right now. I'm only doing projects that I'm getting paid for. No ego involved...that's just the way it is. I'm marketing myself as a professional actor at this point and don't have time for amateur productions though I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it from time to time. But I feel a lot more laid back now.
I was involved in a project that, sadly, fell through.
Dance of the Vampires was being brought to Off-Broadway with the title "Vampire Killers" which is the title of the original movie by Roman Polanski - "The Fearless Vampire Killers".
Anyway, I was approached by the producer of this would-be project in New York. He sent me the script, the new English lyrics, and the backing tracks for two of the songs and asked me to sing the role of Krolock on the demo that would then be given to Jim Steinman for review.
There was also talk about a sing-through and a possible read-through of the new script in New York, though I doubt I would have been chosen for that. It would have probably been a bigger name starring in the off-Broadway production and then me starring in the previews in Miami.
In any case - I was informed this morning that there were "major rights conflicts" and that the project had been indefinitely suspended. So I won't be recording those demos, at least not right now. Luckily, this union producer has other projects that he is keeping me in mind for.
Such is life. At least my name is out there now.

- Shawn

Reading my last entry, it's amazing how things did change.
Here is what happened :
At the season announcement party for Cocoa Village Playhouse, Staci announced "Jekyll and Hyde" as the first show. This was surprising to me because I told myself, before I auditioned for "He's Dead the Movie" that if she were going to do Jekyll and Hyde, it would be the February show. Not the first one as the first one is unable to hold over.
So what did I do? The very next day I stupidly dropped out of my contract for the movie to audition for the show. Here is where the problem lies - Jackie and I have had plans for six months to go away to Screamfest in Orlando October 17th through the 19th. It's an annual thing for us.
Needless to say, it was a conflict the director did not want to work around. Even though the show was double cast. And the reason for that is that she does not have enough faith in performers to think they might be able to pull off that role for a weekend by themselves. She asked me how I would be if I did not the get the role and I told her "very bitter and pissed off for a very long time" which is exactly how things are.
I do want to take a moment to say that the two men who were cast in the role of Jekyll and Hyde, alternating performances, are friends of mine and I have absolutely nothing against them whatsoever.
As for "1776" gentlemen, at this point I don't know. What I can tell you is that I have no intention at this point in my life, of auditioning for another CVP show. Period. I feel like I was slapped in the face and, yes, I took this very personal for several different reasons I will not get into right now.
When you have wanted a particular role for so long and have worked your way up to it, when it finally arrives and you get screwed out of it...you might get a little fucking pissed. Especially when it probably won't come around again for another 10 years.

In other news, I was promoted to Brown Belt this week. It's been a strenuous road, but I have made it this far. Sensei wants me to start teaching soon which will be my next big challenge. I'm up for it.

My business has been officially launched and we would love to supply you with all of your Halloween and haunting needs. Check us out at www.frighttimeproductions.com
We are a Halloween/Haunt company which sells high quality masks, props and Halloween merchandise. Operating exclusively via the web.

- Shawn

I'm starring in a new independent mystery film called "He's Dead!".
I play a character called Will Bonney who is one of four business associates of a "dead millionaire". This is your classic mystery movie filmed on a micro-budget. Shooting over a period of 7 weekends beginning August 9th. I'm looking forward to it.
Yesterday was actually the last day of auditions so I went down to Palm Bay and auditioned for the director and producer, Ray and Migdalia Etheridge of Golden West Films. I had sent them my resume and headshot the day before and they called me in for an audition/screen test.
Later that day, they called and offered me the leading role.
It will be a fun and interesting few weeks.
At this point, I really don't plan on going back to the theatre until February. That could, of course, change.

- Shawn

I couldn't sleep so I just wandered in here.
I was sick last week with a head/chest cold and I'm still waking up some mornings with a sore throat. I have a dentist appointment at 10:30, but I'm thinking of re-scheduling. My dentist is in West Melbourne and I really don't feel like driving down there.
Nothing serious - I had a medicated filling put in a couple months ago and now I just need to go and have the permanent one put in. The medicated one can last up to a year. So I'm not under the gun or anything.

I worked security last week for Phantom Fireworks in Cocoa. 12-hour days were not fun and my feet were screaming. I bought a pair of steel-tipped swat boots. They felt ok for about four hours and then my feet would start killing me.
Glad it's over.
We bought $160 worth of fireworks and then I got $120 free for working security. Needless to say, we had the best fireworks in the neighborhood.

Music news : The Alien of Today is in post-production. I ended up having to go through everything and write it down on music paper with all the measures etc. to make it easier for the other musicians to follow. That way they can play it easier if they can see exactly what it is they are playing. It's looking like August for production to be complete and then January for release. My classical album, Eclipse, is completely on the back burner. I've reached a point where...I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing with that album. The whole direction of it has changed. It opens with Die unstillbare Gier, but I think I'm going to re-record that song as well.
My own material has just taken the front seat.

The new season at CVP is starting soon. I'm peforming at the announcement party next Saturday, the 19th. I'm not sure what show/s I'll be doing this next season.

Anyway, I've just been sitting here lately thinking of people and wondering what they are doing. I exchanged a few e-mails with a very old friend from my childhood. Was hoping to get together eventually, but I haven't heard from him and my last couple e-mails have gone unanswered.
It's all the same really. I have just gotten so used to "friends" either disappearing or just not wanting to have anything to do with me. I guess I just kind of gave up.

Tired.
I worked out today and pushed myself too hard. I was dizzy and couldn't quite catch my breath.
I'm ok now but my chest still feels a little funny.
I spent an hour watering the yard with a hose. The sprinkler system doesn't work and hasn't for ever since I can remember. Everyone else on this street has nice green grass. Except us. Our grass is brown as can be. Dead dead dead.
I go into the studio on Tuesday to finish recording the new album. Doing guitar and vocals for the remaining four songs. Then the album will go into post-production until October. Lots to do in the area of synth, drums, bass etc.
"The Gig" will be early 2009. The gig will basically be "The Alien of Today" live in it's entirety and maybe some other stuff thrown in. I am always intensely nervous when I present my own music. Especially if they are songs I have emotional attachments too.
In any case...come.

I haven't written for almost four months.
All I'll say is that "1776" at the King Center went very well but I don't feel like getting into detail.
That's the thing when you haven't written in a journal for a while. You feel like you need to go back over the past months updating whoever is reading on what has happened since they last read your journal. I don't feel like doing that. It's not like anyone really reads this journal anyway.

I'm still a security officer but I'm not working. Why? Because the economy is so fucking bad that my company doesn't have any contracts available. I have plans along with Staci to talk to the person in charge of the King Center about a security job there. However, the King Center just fired a bunch of people because the economy is bad. So it might be a long shot trying to get a job there. I do plan on going into the Merritt Island mall tomorrow to talk to someone. Apparently, they have in-house security. I recognized one of the officers - I worked with him at the Space Center.

I'm in the middle of "The Alien of Today" which, of course, is my new album. Or..Archanon Spaceboy's new album. I can't really tell the difference between us these days. Probably because I'm not performing in theatre. I'm done writing the album and I'm 3 songs into it recording-wise.
It will be done by October as we are working weekly now.

Jackie and I got a new kitten yesterday. It's pure black. We haven't named it yet...mainly because we aren't entirely sure if it's a boy or a girl. It's so young I can't tell if I see balls or lady-hole.
Will certainly keep this journal updated.
I've also quadrupled by tarantula count. I currently have 13 in my collection - five of which are the same species. More to come.

I decided on a whim a couple weeks ago to start a vegetable garden.
So I'm ripping out a big portion of grass in a section of the back yard. So far I have a lovely tomato plant and some basil. Neatly planted in the ground. The tomato plant is doing very well and has little yellow flowers sprouting from it.

Anyway...that's all for now.

- Shawn

Getting ready for the final weekend of "Carousel". We have a show on Friday night and then two shows on Sunday. That will make it about 21 performances. It's been a good run. I'm ready to close and get back to work in the mundane world.
After one matinee performance, I was approached by the producer of the Seaside Music Theater up in Daytona and was asked to send her my resume and headshot as they are producing "Les Miserables" this summer and need men. So I sent the stuff and am just waiting to hear back. The show runs through June.
Getting ready for 1776 at the King Center - we are running for about five days with only one performance open to the public - Tuesday night, April 22nd. The rest of the shows will be for 8,000 11th graders.
In any case, I'm really looking forward to getting back to work so I can make some money. "Carousel" really put us in the hole. I'm trying to get back onto the 2nd shift with Ivan, but I'm not sure what is available right now. I've been not working for over a month due to him not having any contracts. I went down to Melbourne this afternoon and filled out an application with Admiral Security. At least they have it on file.
I will be working on Monday night from 8pm until 1am at the Space Center for the launch. At least it's some hours.

In other news, I'm testing tomorrow for my San-Kyu (Brown Tips) in Karate. I had been away for quite a while due to life getting in the way and me just not being able to be at the dojo for class. Luckily, I've met all the requirements and know what I need to know for the test tomorrow. I'll sit at Brown Tip level for six months before testing for Brown Belt.
I really wore myself out during the class yesterday morning since I had been away for a while. Had to get used to the workout all over again. I pushed myself too hard and had to excuse myself in the middle of class to step outside for water. I felt very dizzy and thought I was going to puke. I walked around the entire building and had to sit down on the ground for a few minutes while I drank an entire bottle of water. Then the nausia passed. I fucking hate that experience...but it happens from time to time if you don't hydrate properly.

- Shawn

Next week is the start of tech week for "Carousel". We open on February 8th.
I've been working my ass off preparing for this role. I've lost seven pounds. I wanted more gone but I'm not forcing it. The director thought my arms and legs were too muscular for Billy...which I don't understand. For a guy who beats his wife and is an all-around asshole, you would think he would be a little on the burly side.
In any case, Billy I am and I am emotionally charged to play this role.
We have a photo shoot tonight for Florida Today. I fucking hate photo shoots because I have to squeeze my ass into a costume. And...I don't know if I have any makeup left over from the last show.

My friend Bill passed away last week. After a three year battle with cancer.
I think we all knew it was just a matter of time.
I hadn't seen Bill since we did 1776 together back in April. His passing took a while to really sink in. I am very happy to have known him and to have shared a friendship with him for as long as I did. What I remember most about Bill was that he never complained. Even when he was in so much pain and even when he was knocked flat on his back and couldn't perform because of the chemo...he never once complained. I think I learned a lot about life from Bill. And I know he would have loved "Carousel" and will be watching.

Come see it. I could use the support.

- Shawn

My voice is finally starting to come back after a week long absence. I was really sick for a few days with a bad head/chest cold - my throat felt like I had swallowed broken glass and my voice was no more than a whisper on one of those days. I went to my voice lesson on Thursday and my teacher would not let me sing because my vocal chords were so swollen. I have NEVER lost my voice like this before and it scared the shit out of me. I'm worried because I am auditioning for Carousel next Sunday evening and I NEED to have a voice. I am all chest-voice right now and have absolutely no head voice or falsetto.
Anyway, I'm not sick anymore...just...don't have a fucking voice because my chords are swollen.

In other news, I'm working 6 go midnight this next week with the exception of Thursday when I will be needed up at the Space Center for the launch from 8 to 2. Starting on Monday, the 10th, I'm going to be, I believe, posted at a gated community down in Palm Bay Monday through Friday from 7 to 3. Good shift. Still a shitty drive, but...I really like the money.

Oh yeah, and Christmas is here again. Can you fucking believe it?

- SHAWN

Rough night.
I was sick all day yesterday and had a very rough night. A fever and a really bad sore throat. I felt like a pre-heated oven. I've been sucking on Halls with vapor action like they're candy and taking enough Tylenol to kill a large farm animal. My fever broke in the middle of the night...I don't remember if I slept at all. But, tonight I have to work from 11PM to 7AM.
Luckily, this is my FINAL graveyard shift. Next week I start working 6PM to Midnight and then 7AM to 3PM. So I'll finally be able to get back into a normal schedule. I really needed these past few days off.
Had a really good Thanksgiving - though, I have been having a really hard time eating anything for the past week because I have a wisdom tooth coming in and it's compacted. The tissue surrounding it is very inflamed and when I bite down, I end up biting my cheek. So...right now eating is something that really requires a lot of concentration for me.

- Shawn

Have to be at my voice lesson at 2:15 and then I have to be at Trinity Towers in Melbourne at 3:30! This is going to be interesting.
I'm performing there this afternoon with my piano player, Ryan. We played there last year and we've been invited back. Just going to do an hour long set of a bunch of the stuff we've done for a long time. Easy $100.
But, he wants me to get there at 3:30 so we can go over some of the stuff since we haven't played together for seven months.

Was finally able to go to Karate again this morning. I hadn't been to class for two weeks. I worked on Pinan Nidan today, which is coming along very nicely. Sensei is happy with it - which makes me happy...because I was worried about it.
Have another night off (YAY)!
Hopefully Jackie won't have to work too late tonight...I need to go to wal-mart and get some stuff and then the Democrat debate live from Las Vegas will be on at 8 :)
Then I'm off tomorrow night, work Saturday night and then I'm off on Sunday night - TORI AMOS CONCERT!

- SHAWN

I'm finally off for a few days.
Last night I worked at the F.I.T. construction site until 6AM.
Jackie and I are finally getting to have dinner together tonight. We haven't really gotten to see much of each other lately.
I told Ivan that I REALLY don't want to work the graveyard shift anymore. It's starting to take it's toll on me. It's...a strange feeling if you aren't used to it.
Basically, your nights become your days and your days become your nights. And I, for one, have a hell of a time sleeping during the day. Plus, even if you sleep for 8 hours...your quality of sleep is less during the day than it is at night. Unrested, you just get sick.
And that's what I want to avoid.
So I told Ivan to please find me some work during the day, or even second shift. Just no more of this overnight bullshit.

I took the math portion of my GED over again last week. I will get the results in 3 to 6 weeks. All I can say is I feel a lot more confident this time than I did the first time. When I get my GED, I still plan on going to work for Allied Barton so I can work here on Merritt Island.

- SHAWN

Was able to catch up one some much needed sleep yesterday and last night.
I got off work at 9 yesterday morning. I had worked for 28 hours at the Melbourne Auditorium on VERY little sleep.
I went in at 8PM on Friday night. That building is BIG. It's not a bad part of town, there is just a large population of homeless people. Basically, I positioned myself at the main entrance (there are three doors at the front - the main entrance, a door on the east corridor and a door on the west corridor). I would switch back and forth between the three doors at the front. And then every half-hour or so, I would walk through the entire building, checking to make sure all the doors were locked and that there was no one hiding. The creepiest part of this building was the backstage area - because it's pitch black. I have been using a Brinkmann professional flashlight - it's 30 times brighter than a standard flashlight. So I was able to light the area up pretty good. The Melbourne Auditorium is just one of those buildings where...there are a ton of doors that all lead to different places...
A lot of the doors were locked. Which was good. Though, I did have keys to every door in the building. The only locked place I explored were the dressing rooms. But I mainly kept toward the front of the building. I tried to avoid the full "walk-throughs" if I could...because it was pretty fucking creepy. Almost like you expect someone to leap out of the shadows with a machete. I think I watched too many Friday the 13th movies last week..
When I got off on Saturday morning, I came home and tried to sleep - but...because of the all the coffee I had drunk and all the brownies I had eaten all through the night to keep myself awake...I was wired. Then I crashed into hypoglycemic shock. I was really out of it...confused...disoriented. Finally, I was able to fall asleep for two hours. Then I had Jackie drive me back to the Auditorium for my shift which started at 5. I had her drive me because I was too tired and knew that sixteen hours later, I would probably be REALLY tired.
During my shift, I discovered that a woman had stolen $33 worth of merchandise. Only thing was..I couldn't prove it. I didn't actually see her take it. Just saw it on her. It didn't even dawn on me until after she left that it had been stolen. I'm not sure who let her in, all I know is that she was still there a half-hour after the place had closed down and the vendors had left. I practically had to walk her to the door just to get her out of there because she didn't want to leave!
The items that were stolen were an $18 ceramic doll, and a $15 bracelet. The woman told me they were "given" to her little girl by one of the vendors. I doubt it. But...there was nothing I could do because it wasn't caught on camera and she wasn't caught in the act.
After she left and I realized what had happened, I called the Melbourne Police Department and gave my story along with her description and vehicle description.
Not my problem now.
Anyway - It was a rough night. And I think I may have dozed off a few times. It was one of those situations where you don't remember falling asleep, but you remember waking up!
Couldn't help it. 16 hours is a long shift to work on 2 hours of sleep.
Glad it's over.
Tonight I'm posted at F.I.T. in Melbourne. There is a new construction site there that keeps getting robbed in the middle of the night. I'm there from Midnight to 6AM all week (I'm off Wednesday night).

- SHAWN