I'm an interesting paradox of a person. I like to be spontaneous and am certainly not an introvert. However, I can be pretty uptight at times. I like things a certain way and have a certain rhythm in which I live my life. When this rhythm is thrown off due to lack of planning...you get it.
So, my manager at Blockbuster is out on maternity leave and has been for two weeks. That's TWO weeks to figure out how to get our checks to us on time. On time is 10AM Wednesday (every other Wednesday). So, no checks at 10AM today. I promised Thomas and my nephew, Kyle, that we could go out and do something, including buying Thomas a new winter jacket which he so desperately needs. I call the store at 10, and like I said, no checks. I stop by at 11:45...no checks. This really aggravates the ever loving crap out of me. I have bills to pay, a check to the drawer that went to the bank this morning and I don't have a freaking check to put in the bank yet! Guess what...banks are closed tomorrow!
Then to make my life's rhythm even more off-beat...the new movies at work (which we normally get between Wednesday and Friday the week before they are released) came in on Tuesday. Hooray, I'll have a whole week to watch them, right? NOPE! In an attempt to make more money over the holiday weekend the owner put them all out. A WEEK EARLY! Prince Caspian and Wanted are the ones that I wanted to watch particularly. I'm pissed about this for two primary reasons. One, I don't make a lot of money so my free rentals and the ability to watch the new movies before they are released are perks that make it worth while. Two, companies have a release date on their films for a reason. It is technically a violation and subject to huge fines to rent or sell them earlier than the release date. The owner does this on a regular basis with smaller title releases which is also annoying since there are some that I actually want to see. But with a Disney release? As an independent franchise owner, would you like to get fined by a company that large? It would totally sink you! No one else is able to generate extra income on next week's releases over the Thanksgiving weekend. Why should Versailles Blockbuster?
I honestly have half a mind to turn his release-date-violating-butt in.
I feel better now that I've vented.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What's in a name?
Several years ago when I started writing I thought it would be neat to use a variation of my name that stood out. E. Russell Henninger. I still like the way it sounds. However, I've tried to carry that over into my acting, directing, and producing of short films. It has been confusing on a few occasions, even for me. In my auditions class the other day the gentleman conducting out "mock" auditions looks at my resume (which reads E. Russell Henninger) and says "What Russell did here..." And I'm standing on the stage looking around for this guy named Russell. Oh right, that's me! Everyone knows me by Eric. So even when I audition with E. Russell Henninger on my resume, these people get to know me and then bill me as Eric Henninger...posters, IMDB, credits, etc. The only time I've been billed in a short film as E. Russell is when I've produced and edited the film. Aside from my own projects, all the films and theatre productions that I've done have me billed as Eric. So, I thought, what about using E. Russell as my writing name and Eric for my acting and everything else name? Then I figured that could get confusing on a project where I wear more than one hat. For example the last film that Bald Brother's Studio Productions (that's my production company) completed I co-wrote, produced, executive produced, and acted in. This would be very confusing in the credits when they read "Written by: E. Russell Henninger...starring Eric Henninger." See what I mean? I consulted a couple of my most trusted friends on the subject. I honestly felt like a diva for even having to think about what name to use. They confirmed what I was leaning towards anyway...Eric. Worst case scenario...when I am able to become a member of SAG, if there is already an "Eric Henninger" then I can fall back onto E. Russell or maybe just Russell.
Anyway, now that you all know more than you needed to or wanted to know...I bid you adieu.
Anyway, now that you all know more than you needed to or wanted to know...I bid you adieu.
Monday, November 3, 2008
I hate politics!
I just have to say that I sincerely hate politics in America. Granted, our system seems to be better than any other system out there and I certainly wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
But it seems to me that each party is more interested in being in control than they are in the actual well-being of the American people. Also it seems kind of childish to me the arguments that people are throwing out in opposition to each candidate..."Obama has no experience." Honestly? Is that the best we can come up with? How does one gain experience as a president if not by actually being president? Shy of someone running for their second term, has anyone had the proper experience?
"McCain is too old." What the heck? Really? Is that the best we can do? Most people, I think, would agree that Reagan was one of the finest presidents we've had in the last half a century or so and he was rather old when he took office. And he was a fan of the Rambo movies! No more evidence needed for me that he was a good president!
I'm convinced that if we had a Democrat in office as president and he were to have a ridiculously high approval rating, the Republicans would find something to complain about. And, if we had a Republican president in office with a high approval rating the Democrats would still find something to complain about. Get over yourselves!
Another thing that royally irritates the crap out of me is the "non-biased" press intentionally slanting things to one side. Point and case (regardless of which side of the fence you ride): New York Times front page a few days ago had two pictures. One of a "McCain/Palin" sign in the yard of home that looked decidedly upper middle class. Another photo showed an "Obama/Biden" sign in the yard of of someone clearly less fortunate. No bias there. As it turns out, there's no one in my neighborhood that is wealthy and there are a healthy smattering of signs for both sides. There are as many better-off people voting for Obama tomorrow as there are for McCain. There are also those who are struggling to make ends meet that will vote for McCain, just as there are those who will vote for Obama.
And yet another burr in my saddle is the whole race/sex thing. My daughter (who is 13 and not even able to vote)was asked by another student who she would vote for if she could. We don't typically talk politics in our house unless one of the kids asks our opinions, so I'm proud of my daughter for answering from her own personal conclusions. She told the student that she would probably vote for McCain. The student asking her for her opinion then flat-out called her a racist. What the frak, people? Seriously? Is this what it's going to be about? Vote for Obama/Biden or you're a racist. Vote for McCain/Palin or you're a sexist. The race/sex card should not even be an issue, nor should it be a rebuttle from either side as an excuse for not addressing real issues. I heard someone ask once if "Obama is elected, will the American people be able to be as openly critical and cynical of his administration without being called a racist?" Would they? I don't know. One shouldn't vote for Obama based solely on the basis that he is black. Nor should one vote for McCain based solely on the basis that his running-mate is a woman.
It really shouldn't matter whether someone is black or white/male or female if they are the best qualified to take the helm of our great nation.
I also hate campaign adds of all kinds: federal and local. Why don't we just take the last step down and put our mud-slinging in terms that everyone understands? "Don't vote for so-and-so because he's a moron." "Vote for me because I'm not as big of a poo-poo head as the other person." Can we all grow up and act like we have some degree of pride in ourselves as people and as a country?
So, you ask, which side of the fence to I fall on? Personally, I think that Spongebob and Patrick or even Palpatine and Vader would be better choices. My campaign slogan is "We're Screwed '08."
Seriously, I didn't do this blog to try to convince anyone of my personal political views. You need to vote for who you honestly feel is the best person to lead our country into the future. I motives in this blog have been simply this: to vent my aggravations with politics, regardless of which side I may or may not support. Elections, of any kind, have become a circus and it nauseates me.
No matter what the outcome ends up being, this will be a historic election.
VOTE!
But it seems to me that each party is more interested in being in control than they are in the actual well-being of the American people. Also it seems kind of childish to me the arguments that people are throwing out in opposition to each candidate..."Obama has no experience." Honestly? Is that the best we can come up with? How does one gain experience as a president if not by actually being president? Shy of someone running for their second term, has anyone had the proper experience?
"McCain is too old." What the heck? Really? Is that the best we can do? Most people, I think, would agree that Reagan was one of the finest presidents we've had in the last half a century or so and he was rather old when he took office. And he was a fan of the Rambo movies! No more evidence needed for me that he was a good president!
I'm convinced that if we had a Democrat in office as president and he were to have a ridiculously high approval rating, the Republicans would find something to complain about. And, if we had a Republican president in office with a high approval rating the Democrats would still find something to complain about. Get over yourselves!
Another thing that royally irritates the crap out of me is the "non-biased" press intentionally slanting things to one side. Point and case (regardless of which side of the fence you ride): New York Times front page a few days ago had two pictures. One of a "McCain/Palin" sign in the yard of home that looked decidedly upper middle class. Another photo showed an "Obama/Biden" sign in the yard of of someone clearly less fortunate. No bias there. As it turns out, there's no one in my neighborhood that is wealthy and there are a healthy smattering of signs for both sides. There are as many better-off people voting for Obama tomorrow as there are for McCain. There are also those who are struggling to make ends meet that will vote for McCain, just as there are those who will vote for Obama.
And yet another burr in my saddle is the whole race/sex thing. My daughter (who is 13 and not even able to vote)was asked by another student who she would vote for if she could. We don't typically talk politics in our house unless one of the kids asks our opinions, so I'm proud of my daughter for answering from her own personal conclusions. She told the student that she would probably vote for McCain. The student asking her for her opinion then flat-out called her a racist. What the frak, people? Seriously? Is this what it's going to be about? Vote for Obama/Biden or you're a racist. Vote for McCain/Palin or you're a sexist. The race/sex card should not even be an issue, nor should it be a rebuttle from either side as an excuse for not addressing real issues. I heard someone ask once if "Obama is elected, will the American people be able to be as openly critical and cynical of his administration without being called a racist?" Would they? I don't know. One shouldn't vote for Obama based solely on the basis that he is black. Nor should one vote for McCain based solely on the basis that his running-mate is a woman.
It really shouldn't matter whether someone is black or white/male or female if they are the best qualified to take the helm of our great nation.
I also hate campaign adds of all kinds: federal and local. Why don't we just take the last step down and put our mud-slinging in terms that everyone understands? "Don't vote for so-and-so because he's a moron." "Vote for me because I'm not as big of a poo-poo head as the other person." Can we all grow up and act like we have some degree of pride in ourselves as people and as a country?
So, you ask, which side of the fence to I fall on? Personally, I think that Spongebob and Patrick or even Palpatine and Vader would be better choices. My campaign slogan is "We're Screwed '08."
Seriously, I didn't do this blog to try to convince anyone of my personal political views. You need to vote for who you honestly feel is the best person to lead our country into the future. I motives in this blog have been simply this: to vent my aggravations with politics, regardless of which side I may or may not support. Elections, of any kind, have become a circus and it nauseates me.
No matter what the outcome ends up being, this will be a historic election.
VOTE!
Monday, October 20, 2008
How not to make friends
So I am walking into Corbitt (the main Media-Comm building for you non-asburians) and was signing up for my advising appointment before heading to class. This guy is standing there - I have no idea who he is or was, since I've never seen him before - and he looks at my shirt (emblazoned with a Patriots logo for tonight's game) and says, "Are you really a Patriots fan?" I answer, "Heck, yeah!" "Really?" He asks. "Even with their coach being a cheater?" Now the thing is that there wasn't a hint of playfulness or jest in his voice at all. He was dead serious and his tone indicated that I probably shouldn't call myself a Christian and a Patriots fan - like it was some kind of paradox. Needless to say, it pissed me off. In my most seriously irritated tone I said, "Don't even start with me, buddy." I walked away.
The moral of this story is: if you want to make friends, insulting people is probably not the best way to do it.
The moral of this story is: if you want to make friends, insulting people is probably not the best way to do it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friends and the Spitfire Grill
As most of you know I've had the privilege of being involved with Asbury's fall theatre production entitled, "The Spitfire Grill." It was a good laugh all summer for me that I auditioned for a musical and got cast as the one character with no lines or songs. It's okay to laugh...the irony is very amusing. It's still funny to me. It sounded rather easy since I had no lines to memorize or songs to learn, but I took the role seriously. I read the script, pestered the director to make sure I was giving him what he wanted, and even created an inner monologue for my character. Because my character only made one short appearance in the first act and only a couple in the second act, I tried something different...different for me at least...I tucked myself in a corner and shut myself off from the rest of the cast during each act. It was kind of a method approach. My thinking was that I didn't have much stage time to convey what my character need to convey, so I had to be in character even when I wasn't on stage. It seemed to work out pretty well, although it was emotionally draining. For two shows I tried doing the role without the whole "method" approach. I don't know if the audience could tell a difference, but I certainly did. For the last show I reverted back to the "method" concept. Last night, after our final show, one of the cast member's mother and I were talking. She had seen the show more than once and told me that she felt like there was more intensity to my role when I did the method thing. That's cool, since you hope that what's going on in your head as an actor is being conveyed in your body language and facial expressions. While it was a small role, it was very challenging and fulfilling for me as an actor.
Here's the coolest thing...the cast. What a group of super talented people. Not only are they talented, but they're great people and I have had such a great time getting to know each of them better and am glad to be able to call each of them a friend. In spite of the age difference that exists, they embraced me and accepted me as one of their own. This is cool for me because I don't usually feel as old as I am anyway, and most of my friends are a bit younger than myself. It was my honor to get to be a part of such a great cast of people and I'm a bit sad that it's over-the show's over anyway.
While I love making new friends and getting to know people, I highly value those friends of mine that have been known me for a while and are super supportive, caring, and loving. They took time out of their busy schedules to come see the show and support what I was doing. That means the world to me! First of all, my wife, Lori, is amazing to allow me to pursue this crazy acting thing and she came to three of the six shows. Krysta and Sean, Zack, Katie, Kevin,Tim, and Ryan all made it out to see the show. I felt like that kindergarten student who is so exited that his parents are in the audience that he waves at them during the performance. I didn't wave of course, but I had to fight the urge:-)
So, to all my friends, new and seasoned alike...thanks for who you are and all that you do. I love each one of you!
Here's the coolest thing...the cast. What a group of super talented people. Not only are they talented, but they're great people and I have had such a great time getting to know each of them better and am glad to be able to call each of them a friend. In spite of the age difference that exists, they embraced me and accepted me as one of their own. This is cool for me because I don't usually feel as old as I am anyway, and most of my friends are a bit younger than myself. It was my honor to get to be a part of such a great cast of people and I'm a bit sad that it's over-the show's over anyway.
While I love making new friends and getting to know people, I highly value those friends of mine that have been known me for a while and are super supportive, caring, and loving. They took time out of their busy schedules to come see the show and support what I was doing. That means the world to me! First of all, my wife, Lori, is amazing to allow me to pursue this crazy acting thing and she came to three of the six shows. Krysta and Sean, Zack, Katie, Kevin,Tim, and Ryan all made it out to see the show. I felt like that kindergarten student who is so exited that his parents are in the audience that he waves at them during the performance. I didn't wave of course, but I had to fight the urge:-)
So, to all my friends, new and seasoned alike...thanks for who you are and all that you do. I love each one of you!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Kelsey's last day
Well, as I'm writing this I have to confess that I've been something of an emotional wreck the last couple of days. Today is the day when my parents take Kelsey to the vet for her to be put to sleep. My son, Thomas, woke me up this morning with a stuffed animal tucked under his arm: a dalmatian, that he's had for several years now, he named Kelsey so that when he wasn't in North Carolina with her he'd have her close by. It was no accident that he had that stuffed animal under his arm this morning. I saw that and I just held him for a while. He even made my dad put the phone up to Kelsey's ear last night so he could say good-bye. I couldn't keep it together.
I read two things this morning that touched me deeply as it relates to Kelsey and my last blog. The first was an email that my mom had sent me in regards to my regret mentioned in my previous blog. She said that God doesn't hold our regrets against us and neither should we. That's easier said than done. The second was in a bulletin my brother, Gregg, posted on My Space. He said that we go through life and too often take for granted the people and the things (pets, etc) that are in our lives and even take for granted the love that we are shown. It's true, we do that. Our lives get so busy that we miss the little acts of love that we are shown everyday by those around us. How sad is that? I think that these little acts of love that come from our friends, loved ones, and yes, even our pets, are one of the many ways that God says "I love you" to us.
The last thought that I had on this topic blew my mind...I was putting together pictures for a project in a class and one of those pictures was of the earth, taken from a shuttle mission. Breath taking. Then I heard a song as I was driving: "God of wonders beyond our galaxy...the universe declares your majesty..." These two things reminded me of my astronomy class a couple years back and it seems amazing to me that as insignificant as we, as people, are in the grand scheme and scope of the universe, that the maker of it all is intimately interested in the details of our lives. Even down to Kelsey. It's incredible to think that this morning, with everything else going on in the world, that God feels the sorrow of my family at the loss of Kelsey. I guess it blows me away because nothing comes in and out of our lives that God doesn't notice or care about. I'll take comfort in that.
I read two things this morning that touched me deeply as it relates to Kelsey and my last blog. The first was an email that my mom had sent me in regards to my regret mentioned in my previous blog. She said that God doesn't hold our regrets against us and neither should we. That's easier said than done. The second was in a bulletin my brother, Gregg, posted on My Space. He said that we go through life and too often take for granted the people and the things (pets, etc) that are in our lives and even take for granted the love that we are shown. It's true, we do that. Our lives get so busy that we miss the little acts of love that we are shown everyday by those around us. How sad is that? I think that these little acts of love that come from our friends, loved ones, and yes, even our pets, are one of the many ways that God says "I love you" to us.
The last thought that I had on this topic blew my mind...I was putting together pictures for a project in a class and one of those pictures was of the earth, taken from a shuttle mission. Breath taking. Then I heard a song as I was driving: "God of wonders beyond our galaxy...the universe declares your majesty..." These two things reminded me of my astronomy class a couple years back and it seems amazing to me that as insignificant as we, as people, are in the grand scheme and scope of the universe, that the maker of it all is intimately interested in the details of our lives. Even down to Kelsey. It's incredible to think that this morning, with everything else going on in the world, that God feels the sorrow of my family at the loss of Kelsey. I guess it blows me away because nothing comes in and out of our lives that God doesn't notice or care about. I'll take comfort in that.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Kelsey
The beginning of a new week has brought with it some sad news for my family. A little back story is in order before I get to the sad news. During the summer of 1995 I was doing an internship at Trinity Assembly of God in Derry, NH. I purchased a Dalmatian puppy from a breeder in a nearby town. There were several puppies there, half with black spots and half with brown (liver spotted is what they call it). I sat there on the grass and watched as the puppies romped and played with each other. All but one. This one particular puppy had the brown spots, one blue eye, and one brown eye. The eye color thing meant that she could never be a show dog because it is looked at as a defect, but I thought it added character and besides, I had no intention of entering her in any shows. Anyway, I took her home. She threw-up in my car on the way home...funny that I think that's funny looking back. I got her home and brought her in the house and she just stood there, not sure what to think of her new surroundings. Everybody fell in love with her. Not only was she laid back and calm (not a trait usually found in Datamations), but she was very affectionate and sweet. That summer, Kelsey went every where with me. She ran errands with me, sat in the church office with me, and even slept in my bed...even though she was a bit big for that.
At the end of the summer, Kelsey and I headed out to Minnesota for what should have been my fourth year of college. The difference this year was that, Lori was waiting for me when I arrived. I was young and in love and applied all my time and effort to that relationship and, as a result, Kelsey didn't get the attention and love she needed or deserved from me. That is something that is still something of a regret for me. I was, however, conscious of my lop-sided priorities and brought her back to NH for my brother's wedding in October of 1995. My parents, who loved Kelsey, took her as their own dog and she's been with them ever since. Although, I've always still thought of her as mine I know that she was perfect for mom and dad and they were perfect for her. On our visits to my parents I always looked forward to seeing Kelsey. She smiles when she's excited...it's quite funny actually.
I didn't know it at the time, but I saw my Kelsey for the last time this past July. She is thirteen years old, which is old for a larger dog. Typically they only live 10-11 years. I received an email from my mother yesterday saying that Kelsey was not doing well and that her heart was having some trouble and that she had spent the last two days with the vet. We knew over the summer that she was having some trouble, but I didn't realize how quickly the condition would go down hill. Last night I received another email from my mother saying that, after much prayer, thought, and consulting with the vet, the decision was made to have her put to sleep since her heart condition had gotten the the point where she was in pain and the possibility of coming home and finding her dead was very real. So, mom and dad had to make that difficult and painful decision. I can't even drive down to see Kelsey one last time because my damn schedule just won't allow it. I'm so grateful that she has had a great life with my parents...they've been so good to her. But, I've always carried and will always carry that regret that I wasn't able to be a bigger part of her life. The cynics would laugh and say, "it's just a dog," but our pets really do become a part of our family and such a big part of our lives.
At the end of the summer, Kelsey and I headed out to Minnesota for what should have been my fourth year of college. The difference this year was that, Lori was waiting for me when I arrived. I was young and in love and applied all my time and effort to that relationship and, as a result, Kelsey didn't get the attention and love she needed or deserved from me. That is something that is still something of a regret for me. I was, however, conscious of my lop-sided priorities and brought her back to NH for my brother's wedding in October of 1995. My parents, who loved Kelsey, took her as their own dog and she's been with them ever since. Although, I've always still thought of her as mine I know that she was perfect for mom and dad and they were perfect for her. On our visits to my parents I always looked forward to seeing Kelsey. She smiles when she's excited...it's quite funny actually.
I didn't know it at the time, but I saw my Kelsey for the last time this past July. She is thirteen years old, which is old for a larger dog. Typically they only live 10-11 years. I received an email from my mother yesterday saying that Kelsey was not doing well and that her heart was having some trouble and that she had spent the last two days with the vet. We knew over the summer that she was having some trouble, but I didn't realize how quickly the condition would go down hill. Last night I received another email from my mother saying that, after much prayer, thought, and consulting with the vet, the decision was made to have her put to sleep since her heart condition had gotten the the point where she was in pain and the possibility of coming home and finding her dead was very real. So, mom and dad had to make that difficult and painful decision. I can't even drive down to see Kelsey one last time because my damn schedule just won't allow it. I'm so grateful that she has had a great life with my parents...they've been so good to her. But, I've always carried and will always carry that regret that I wasn't able to be a bigger part of her life. The cynics would laugh and say, "it's just a dog," but our pets really do become a part of our family and such a big part of our lives.
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