(DA) Bye bye work buddy

I've been at the restaurant for about 9 months now and I'm constantly surprised at the high turnover rate for the serving staff.

I have lots of superficial friendships; everyone is super nice but we don't have much time to really get to know each other, so I don't have many close friends there. And any time I do make a new friend they seem to stick around for a little bit, then leave. But I do have some really great friends in the kitchen and now one of them is leaving too.

I must admit, work is going to be a lot more like 'work' without him there. But I hear he is off to bigger and better things so I can't help but be happy for him.

-Brandolyn

(DA) SILVER

After flying to California, Jason's Paintball Team 'Soldiers of Fortune' placed Second in the 5 man Division.

I am so proud!

And cannot wait for him to come home!
I've been letting the dog snuggle at the end of the bed with me, and believe it or not, he's not as nice to cuddle up to. (I keep waking up with paws in my face).

-Brandolyn

(DA) Robin Hood Again

The Heart of Robin Hood was just as incredible as the second time around as it was the first.

I was afraid that I might have built it up in my mind after the first viewing and that it might not shine as bright the second time around; and seeing as I had recommended it to friends and convinced them to tag along, I REALLY wanted to enjoy it.

Thankfully; and unsurprisingly, I loved it. And so did my friends.

Since I already knew the story I was able to focus on more of the choreography, set details, acrobatics etc. I watched the band as they participated in the show, and looked for operation details with the set as the scenes changed. INCREDIBLE. 

The story was still as enchanting and entertaining. I cannot get over this show. It's not really a 'musical' as much as it is a play with a band providing the music. So it's not a sing a long. but it does have incredible music played by the American band Parsonsfield.

Honestly, I could go back and watch it over and over. 

-Brandolyn

(DA) Boxes

It is infuriating to pack up your home. To collect boxes and play Tetris with your household items until you're living out of boxes.

I could build a castle with all of the boxes that are covering our apartment at the moment.

And as frustrating and inconvenient as it is for myself and Jason, it's even worse for the dog. I feel like he's living in a permanent state of panic. His routine has changed, his surroundings are different. He knows we're packing but doesn't know why or when, and is constantly worried that we're leaving.

I can't wait to find somewhere to live so that he can relax and settle down.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Robin Hood

I still can't get over 'The Heart of Robin Hood'. That was the most fun I have ever had at the theatre.

I've been talking about the show and have some friends who really want to see it, so maybe I'll be able to snag some cheap tickets for a show this weekend!

I can't wait to share it with more people!

(Also, I just realized I went to school with the Assistant Lighting Designer, and one of the Actresses!)

-Brandolyn

(DA) Robin Hood

Today my sister and I went out to a play called 'The Heart of Robin Hood'.

The tickets were a Christmas gift from our grandmother and seeing as we have always love the story of Robin Hood, we were both very excited to watch it.

Little did we know we were going to LOVE it.

This play was enchanting, hilarious, dynamic, captivating, entertaining and visually mind blowing.

Everything from the surprising Set Design, and incredible use of space, to the stunts and acrobatics that add a little bit of cirque to Sherwood Forrest. The story is new and clever; I've never heard Robin Hood's tale told this way- and it's by far my favourite rendition of the tale, and the script is written with charming characters who will have you falling in love with the whole of Robin Hood's entourage.

The Costume Designs weren't overly lavish and yet were brilliant, and had to be durable and allow for lots of movement which must have been quite a challenge.

The Lighting changed the forest completely, and was able to transform Sherwood Forest into a castle easily. It was quite the feat.

I would have loved to work on this show. It was a brilliant comedy that had tipped its' long feathered hat at Monty Python on several occasions.

AND the show instead of being a typical musical where the cast sings songs throughout the performance, this show has a band; called PARSONSFIELD that plays all of the music that accompanies the show, and you kind of feel like you're watching a folk concert in the middle of a forest! The band was so talented and got involved in the show too!

If you can, take the time to go to Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre, I suggest you go.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Productive Cleaning

I forgot how productive I can be when I have a good show or soundtrack  playing in the background while I work.

But apparently I am like SUPERMAN and the ENERGISER BUNNY on STEROIDS when I have The Mindy Project on in the background.

I'm unstoppable now and I will use this new found trick every time I do house work.

-Brandolyn

(DA) My Novel

I have a goal to finish my book by the end of February. It would have been super easy, except that my mind can't focus because of all of my friends in the hospital and the move.

I feel like my brain is all over the place and I just can't stay in my world long enough to get much story down on paper.

That being said, I am on page 68 and over 40,000 words in. Which feels like an incredible accomplishment.

It's coming together folks!

-Brandolyn

(DA) More Boxes

I cannot believe I need more boxes.

MORE BOXES.

Our apartment is full of boxes and somehow I STILL have books to pack away. How is this possible?

I'm going to have to go snag more boxes from the grocery store.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Washburn Update

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO COME HOME TO THIS FACE!?!

Wash is now 2 years and 3 months old.

He is an absolute doll!

He's fun loving and patient and puts up with all of our shenanigans.

Dressed up for Canada Day

Safety First

My Hat!

Bowtie shag dog

Bear 

Babooshka dog

He's a real sweetheart and I love having him around. 

-Brandolyn

(DA) My new Obsession

THE MINDY PROJECT is a Comedy Television Show that I've just discovered and cannot get enough of.

I'm just eating it up. Or, rather, devouring it.

I love the characters; especially the main character Mindy. I really relate to her. Almost everything she says I have thought. I just GET it. She even struggles through issues the same way as I do; by eating junk food and lying on the ground.

I could watch this show all day long.

-Brandolyn

(DA) W.A.C Challenge 'Dots'

I am the administrator of a group on Facebook dedicated to challenging artistic souls that are struggling to find time for visual arts in their lives.

I set challenges every other week on the Weekly Art Club (W.A.C) and recently I got quite a surprise. One of the members; a girl I went to University with, challenged the rest of the group before I could. She challenged us to create a drawing only using dots.

It was one of the toughest things I have ever done. I spent over 5 hours working on my piece, and was thrilled with it when it was complete.

You can see a slight pencil outline sketch

about 3 hours in

At this point all I saw were dots when I closed my eyes

Highlights and shadows! All done with dots, 5.5 hours of work. It's Kili, one of the Dwarves from The Hobbit. 

-Brandolyn

(DA) I want to do EVERYTHING

I've always been a bit of a 'dabbler'. I played a lot of sports, but never committed to just one; swim team, ski team, archery team, track, ultimate frisbee (which I was legitimately bad at), table tennis team, squash, water skiing, gymnastics, horse back riding... Same thing with the arts, and even with my jobs, I've always had more than 1.

Therefore, I consider myself a bit of a 'Jill-of-all-Trades'.

But now that I'm older and I have bigger (more expensive) interests.

-Circus Training (Silks and rope specifically)
-On Camera classes
-Stage Combat Classes

-Yoga
-Ballet

All while finishing my book.

*Sigh*

-Brandolyn

(DA) More Stories

Check out my FANFICTION page for more stories I've written and updated.

I have a few in the Hobbit universe: 'In the Light of a Fire Moon' and 'Bathed in Starlight'
A few in the Sherlock universe (with an original character): 'The Pieces of Sherlock's Heart', 'The Undesirable Case', 'Buttons and Ice Cream', 'The Woman Returns', 'The Life and Times of 221B', and coming soon 'Knitwear and Kevlar'.
And one from the Doctor Who universe: 'One Heart Becomes Two'

Check them out, let me know what you think on my pages! Favourite, review, comment!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Been out for a bit

Life came out of nowhere earlier this month and threw my plans and routines out the window.

With family and friends in the Hospital, a move, apartment hunting and the rest of life, writing this blog has seemed like an overwhelming task.

I'm still writing everyday because I am determined to finished my manuscript by the end of February.

So, writing and worrying (I guess I'm in a good head space for this next part of my book 'facing fears')

-Brandolyn

(DA) It's been a tough day

Opa is back in the hospital.

A co-worker is in the hospital.

A dear friend from University has died.

I started my day with tears, and it will end with tears. There isn't much else to be done but pray for a better day tomorrow.

-Brandolyn

(DA) My Writer's Crisis Moment

I've been sitting in the same spot all day writing; only taking breaks to go to work, cook and clean (ha ha). And now, at 2:24 AM I look at my story; not just what I've written today, but the book as a whole, and ask myself "What is it all for?!"

When I start to judge all the research, time and energy I've put into this book; like a defeated character yelling at the Gods for clarification, then I know it's time to put the pen down and go to sleep. 

-Brandolyn

One good thing I did in my sleep deprived state was to rename a town I was unsatisfied with!

It is (for the time being) called "Talonheight".

(DA) I may have missed my calling...

I've always been interested in working in film or theatre, which works out nicely that I work in a theatre and work costuming for large productions. But my sister in law keeps telling me to watch the behind the scenes footage from The Hobbit Trilogy, so I finally did.

I cannot use enough descriptive words to explain how mesmerising it was. It really made me want to take some prosthetic classes, to learn more about the art.

But deep down I know that as cool as it would be to make the prosthetics, I really want to be the one to wear them. Watching these videos, I realized how badly I'd love to have been dressed up as one of those Dwarves. (It's silly, but I don't even want to be an Elf, Elves are cool, but the Dwarves have prosthetics that make their hands bigger- they're like 'hand gloves'. Yeah. I want that.)

And now I have some really cool ideas for next year's Halloween costume :)

-Brandolyn

(DA) Locked-Out

Somehow, by a miraculous set of circumstances I was locked out of my apartment a few days ago.

I wasn't locked out of the house; that would have been incredibly uncomfortable in just my pajama shorts and one of Jason's T-Shirts. But I was locked out of the apartment and couldn't get to my phone or get in to let the dog out.

I was trapped in the laundry room, waiting for Jason to come home.

Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience. I was warm, and had shoes (fortunately I had a blanket in the laundry which I wrapped around myself when I had to walk to the neighbours, and ask to use their phone). And I have lovely neighbours who let me use their phone and let me sit in their living room while I waited- wrapped in my blanket and the worst PJ combination I own.

Moral of the story,

Always be polite with your neighbours, you never know when you'll need a hand.
Memorize your emergency contact numbers.
Wear full PJs in the winter.
And bring your keys when you go to do laundry.

Who knew!?!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Accomplishments

I struggle to stick to my "New Year Resolutions" because I never remember what it is I've resolved to do.

So, instead (even though I know I posted a few resolutions on the 31st), I've decided to look at what I'm most proud of from 2014; what I accomplished last year. 

I am proud of; 

-the adventures Jason and I have shared; skiing, camping, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, paint balling among others (and even the quiet days)

-the races I ran and completed

-the short stories and fictions I have written 

-the reviews I write for ALTSCRN

-my dedication and perseverance with Duelling Amateurs (even though I've posted late a few times)

-the work put into completing 2 on-screen acting classes
-my participation in the KALEFORCEWINDS GISHWHES team

-working for Debbie Boone, for Colin Mochrie, for a Jim Henson puppet show, and working on my first commercial

The things I WISH I had done: 

-complete my novel

-submit my short stories to Readers Digest

-taken a stage combat class

-got an agent

-run a mini triathlon

-taken a yoga class

And now my list of items "I WISH I had done" will become the focus for my 2015.

-Brandolyn

(DA) 2014 year end review- LOTS of pictures

2014 Year in Review (in Photos) [winter stuff somehow out of order]

Ice Storm Dog Walking Fun

Whistler Hot Tub Time!

Got to ski Whistler/ Blackcomb with an amazing group of family and friends!

Apres-ski selfie with my hubs

Apres-ski selfie with the sistorial

Follow spot operator for a Ballet

"You can lead a horse to water..." [Getting ready to take the stage for L'Oreal]

(out of order) Got to work with and dress Debbie Boone [got to meet and work with Colin Mochrie three weeks later.]

A lovely group of models (me on the Left) working for L'Oreal

M'a new heeeer

One of two irresistible faces I wake up to every morning

Fast and the Furriest race with Washburn! (somehow this is the only picture I have from Race Day)

A jousting tournament with my man!

Back stage for another L'Oreal show

PINK!

Another L'Oreal Show

More PINK!

Saying Good Bye to the TARDIS

This muppet makes me so happy!

Racing through the mud in the Spartan Sprint!

Completed the Spartan Race!

We completed the Spartan race!

Working as a dresser on my first commercial

ROAD TRIP!

Birthday on a boat

Happy Canada Day

Hiking with my high school girl friends at the cottage -AMD, MN & DWA

Sister and I dressed up to go see FROZEN (and did a silly photoshoot)

Pack Walk with the Bestie!

Bestie Selfie!

My buds at the MS Walk

(Out of Order cause I cannot remember when this was) Bad photo, Great People

Aquarium exploration

MS Walk Bestie Selfie

Pet First Aid Course with my Bestie!

Cottaging with the Work Crowd

Contessa PhotoShoot- Entry & Finalist

Contessa Photoshoot

Cheerleaders at one of Jason's Paintball tournaments 

"Build a Throne of Kale" GISHWHES

Team Ontario- GISHWHES 2014

"Play Bingo dressed as a Super Hero" DONE.

Family Segway Tour!

ROM with my Bestie (not pictured above)

those eyes

2000 person Paintball Tournament with Jason, Dale and SB!

Pre Zoo-Race pic with fellow racer SB!

Photo-bombing WD & ML's wedding pictures!

Took the dog on a friends and family bike ride on the island

even though there are no bikes in the picture, we really are going biking with family & friends

1 year anniversary selfie "1 year in, how does it feel?" 

A pair of goofs out for a walk at the pond

getting goof-ier

Anniversary dinner/ TARDIS reunion with the fam, DK!

'Archer' Halloween, Pam Poovey and Mr. Krieger

Dog walking with ma seeester

Santa Claus Parade with family and SB!

Decorating for the Holidays at work- with my sis

THE HOBBIT

Christmas morning selfie and the hubs decides to hide (you'd be in more pictures with me if you co-operated)

Sister Christmas hats

Board games to suit any mood

New Years Eve!

And there's a lot missing.

But I can happily look back on these photos and say that I had a WONDERFUL year, filled with great challenges, rich with new experiences and the best people I could hope to surround myself with.

Thank you to everyone who shared it with me.

-Brandolyn

***

P.S I'm a little worried that this post might come off Narcissistic, and that's not my intention. I have a terrible memory that remembers best with photos, so I take snapshots.

My intent with these photos was to remind myself of how many things I can accomplish in 12 months and how much I have to be proud of and thankful for.

And- to share snapshots from my year with anyone who's interested.