Monday, January 24, 2005
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1:27 p.m.
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It's been a while since I updated this blog with anything extremely relevant, and for the three of you out there who read it I'm sure you're curious about how my project turned out.
Quite well, I must say.
There were a few bumps in the road, but the final product was worth every effort. The video is fun and interesting, and the brochure looks amazing. One page will be put up on this blog a day for the next three days so you can see the finished product.
I dropped off the final results at City last Thursday, and the ache in my stomach and in my head seemed to go away the second it was out of my hands. I had lunch with Toronto 1 anchor Ben Chin today, who suggested I call them later this week to make sure they had received the package and then bug them incessantly after the deadline.
The most surprising after-effect of my work has been the reaction to the brochure/resume. My mother is convinced that I've stumpled across a revolutionary way to self-promote and has even suggested it as a potential business. Given the reaction that it's gotten from a lot of people I can't say that she's wrong. I'm certainly going to start emailing THAT out as my new resume to companies as Quark will allow you to convert your documents to jpgs.
Let me know what you think about the resume. It will be easy to update text and graphics, and really could be the edge that I've been looking for.
Other than that, things are fine and dandy. I'm afloat financially, Catherine's doing great, Truffle is chewing away, and I'm knee deep in Resident Evil 4 and Supreme Power.
Now I just need a job.
It's been a day and a half. Why hasn't SPACE called yet? Then again, I haven't checked my phone messages yet...
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
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11:12 a.m.
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Option #2... 
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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3:44 p.m.
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This is one of the headshots I'm including. I'll post another one later tonight, and for those of you viewing the blog, keep checking back and then vote on your favorite in the chatterbox. The one with the most votes will grace the front page of my pitch.
That's what Bono tends to sign about, anyway. My ambition this week has been to do something unheard of in my circle of friends, and that is to break into the on-air television journalism field.
Sure, Jer and Aaron are doing the Humber thing as we speak, and Catherine is a fellow alumnus, but at the moment I'm the only one not doing anything of particular interest or value. I happen to think I stand a decent chance of getting this job (or else I wouldn't be going to all the effort) so I'm putting my best foot forward.
The brochure/resume is nearly done. A few small edits and a couple more pics and I'll be there. I'm taking the final version to Humber tomorrow to get thumbs up or down from the teachers.
Today I shot video of Erik Ko (Street Fighter), and Chris, who is the comic book manager at the Beguiling. Tomorrow morning it's off to Humber to shoot the stand up and edit the video. As long as all goes well, I'll probably be dropping off the entire package at CityTV tomorrow afternoon.
That's kind of crazy, if you think about it.
Still, I'm thrilled to be doing something with myself and my time that isn't related to depression or watching TV. Creating, writing, and editing again has fuelled a flame that I thought was long extinguished. Hopefully I can get this enthusiasm across on tape, as this literally has to be the best thing I've ever done.
You see how I'm not pressuring myself at all?
Friday, January 14, 2005
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3:17 p.m.
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For those of you who don't know, I'm attempting to land an on-air gig at SPACE here in Toronto. It's a sci-fi specialty channel that has been airing the precious seasons of Buffy and Angel that I've been going on about here since, well, forever.
To this end, I have to put together a video demo of myself. I have a couple of field reports from Humber that I did and I'm trying to put together another brief video spot in the early days of next week (help for which I've been begging people, but only Jer seems able or interested in helping me with). I need assistance to shoot something in Humber's basement and some advice on the script and delivery. The whole video will be no more than a minute in length.
I've also been pumping my sources for reviews about my reviews. I'm a fairly well respected reviewer in the comic book field and I know just about everyone as a result, so I hit up big names for some quotes and so far I've heard back from Mark Millar (The Ultimates, Wanted) who was generous enough to say this:
"Brian Wilkinson has one of the best reps in the online community. He's one of a handful of journalists respected by the pros and the fans alike. So much so, in fact, that when I sold my last property to Universal Pictures I had Brian's quote about the comic-book at the top of the intro-sheet.
He's a very personable guy and liked by all the people who read his site. The entertainment industry is full of crazy people, but Brian is thankfully one of the sane ones.
PS I don't mean any of this ;)"
That really made my day. Now I just need to wait for Bendis, Chris Claremont and Frank Tieri to respond. My intention is to put together a flashy brochure-style resume featuring a story sample, cover letter, resume, and quotes/pics from enough people in the biz to get me noticed. I may not look like a Much Music VJ, but I can rock them with a great presentation.
I'm going to include an article I wrote dealing with Buffy and Angel stars I met this summer, as well as quotes from comic pros and a few pics of myself and other facets. This isn't what they asked for, but presentation and creativity are two core aspects required for this job.
I'm also dumping in a normal resume and a copy of Convergence. I figure I likely don't have a shot at getting this job, but wouldn't it be great if I did? At the very least I hope to have fun trying.
The whole video (shooting and editing) should only take a day. Preparation of the other materials should take me another. I hope to have everything done and handed in by next Wednesday.
If you can help with script advice or by being a sounding board (or filming at Humber next week) that'd be great.
If not, well, you're terrible people.
On a completely unrelated note: I bought Resident Evil 4. It rocks so damn hardcore it's almost indecent.
Another unrelated note: Catherine is still amazing. She just had a performance review that she rocked... so much so they gave her a raise. I'm hoping this means I'll finally be getting an allowance from her.
Not likely, though.
Monday, January 10, 2005
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1:29 p.m.
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I'm done. I just can't take this anymore. What more do I have to do to prove myself before I finally get a chance to start my career?
It's been five and a half months and still nothing of worth.
The only thing I can figure is that it must be as my uncle said: "There must be something wrong with you."
It's times like this I wish I was an alcoholic.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
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10:39 a.m.
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Want to know what your name looks like in chinese? Copy and paste the link... http://www.easternheritage.com/freechinesenames/protect/mainpage.htm#
I toyed quite a bit with putting up a letter of reference that my friend, the psychiatrist, accidently left in an envelope of work I have to do today. I'm fairly sure this letter was intended to be mailed or faxed over to an organization which enables me to work for the psychiatrist legally but it wound up in my hands and I, well, read it.
What would you have done?
There's nothing negative in it at all. In many ways, it's quite flattering to have, in print, a list of your virtues (though thankfully none of my many faults). By the end of the letter, I wound up feeling better about myself and my ongoing search than I have in quite some time.
It's amazing what a few kind words can do. It wasn't about "getting the job I was meant for" or even "finding the good in what I have" it was just about the fact that he thinks I'm a good person.
I won't quote the whole thing, but I will include one small part:
"Brian is kind and caring and has a great capacity for emapthy. He relates very well to adults and children and is compassionate to those in distress. He can set limits when needed. He is advanced in his years in terms of maturity but youthful in enthusiasm."
That quote makes me feel like a better person. I hope all of it is true, but the only way I can prove it is to try every day to be the man that he's talking about.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
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11:07 p.m.
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Why is it that every time I blink, several days have gone by? I come to this blog daily to search (fruitlessly) for comments from visitors and yet it never seems to strike me that it's been a long time since I last posted.
I remember when I first started this thing I had the rather lofty goal of writing at least an entry a day. I think I told Catherine it would "keep my writing sharp" or some other such nonsense.
It is a good outlet, but not quite good enough. To that end, I've decided to add a half hour "workout" every day where I do nothing but creative writing. Today I'm three pages into a potential novel, and tomorrow I'll continue working on a back-up story for X-Men Unlimited featuring the Beast. Whether any of these projects are worth a damn is up in the air, but Catherine seems to like them.
Just because she's dating me, doesn't mean she's going to be too nice, does it?
To ensure full feedback potential, I'll offer to head up a pseudo-reading/writing group. All you have to do is contribute five pages minimum a month to be able to read any and all pieces of writing that are created. We'll bounce them back and forth... whether they're ideas, concepts, or full stories. And I figure we'll come up with a list of publishers and contacts to try and get the ball rolling.
So far I've only vaguely discussed this as a possibility with Aaron, but I have a feeling that others like Jer and Josh will get on board this idea quickly. If you're interested, drop me a line either through email or as a comment at the end of this post or in the chatterbox.
On an unrelated note, I watched the first episode of Medium tonight. I had my doubts about a show starring Patricia Arquette, but I have to say that the first episode has enough meat on the bone to keep me interested. I'll come back next week to see how it progresses.
Otherwise, I'll have to content myself with Lost, which starts up again with a new episode tomorrow night.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
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1:09 a.m.
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It's just a few minutes after twelve... and Catherine, Truffle and I have had another brilliant year together. Well, there may have been a few pitfalls along the way, but we're happy, healthy, and together. And that has to count for something.
A few people I have to thank for last year being so great:
Catherine, the love of my life. Without her, all struggles are meaningless.
My mom... who puts up with me, loves me, and is always proud of me.
My dad... for being a lovable grump. Without his support, I'd be in a world of hurt.
My brother... for being a dork. Seriously. Well, maybe I love him, too.
And all my friends and family. Aaron, Jer, Paul, Brody (and his lovely new daughter, Rory Marie), Chris, Pushee, Nick, Ron, Eric, Victoria, Jamie, Julian, Al, Eric, Patti, David, Peter, Rhonda, Jake, Frank, Lindsey, Dzuiba, Josh, Jamie and Nic...
The list goes on and on, doesn't it?
Most of all, this past year will always remind me the most of Rooter, the little degu that was taken from us far too soon. Those of you who have had pets know how attached you can get and the line that separates pet and familiy member becomes non-existent. That was one of the hardest times I've had yto go through in recent memory, but I do my best each and every day to honour her memory... sometimes by talking to her, but mostly through doing everything I can to make sure her sister, Truffle, enjoys her life to the absolute fullest.
Nobody ever said life was easy and there's a reason: it is the hardest thing any of us have to survive. It is also one of the most rewarding. Every day there are checks and balances to what is good and what is bad, but it all adds up. It all has meaning.
This was the year of the Buffy and Angel (which I now own all four seasons of), of Firefly, Astonishing X-Men, the final Lord of the Rings dvd, of school ending, of Catherine getting her job, of my endless frustrations in finding work. Of my publishing Convergence, a magazine I helped to create from scratch, and of Aaron and Jer, moving to Toronto to follow a similar path that I firmly believe will lead to greater heights. Of the trip to New York City which Catherine and I absolutely loved.
It was the year of Survivor: All Stars, 24, Felicity, Shaun of the Dead, Spider-Man 2, nearly a dozen trips to the zoo, of new friends Victoria and Jamie, and the beginning of the loan payments. It was also the year of change for Catherine's family... for my mom to have little Jake come into her life. For my 16-year-old niece to finally get a chance to live with my brother, for my dad to keep on being one of the best people I know.
This was a year of change, and while much more, and arguably greater, changes are to come, I know I'll never forget what I learned this year. This year, more than any other, I think I grew up.
For most of that, I have Catherine, Rooter, and Truffle to thank. They are my world, and have been for years. Though it's not always easy, we work hard to make things work well, to love each other more each day, and to do our best to make our future always brighter than our past.
I'm so grateful to have them in my life.
I wish all of you the same kind of success.
Before I get too sentimental, and before I head to bed to snuggle with my lovely girlfriend, I'll part as I'm likely to do... with a few lyrics from U2.
"I've conquered my past...
The future is here at last...
I stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see."
Hugs and kisses, 2004. Let's see if 2005 can raise the bar.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
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11:52 p.m.
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Catherine (whom I'm sure is loving that her picture is on my blog), my mom's dog, Jake, and me after decorating my mom's tree a few weeks ago. Happy Holidays!
To one and all. I hope everyone has the Christmas holidays that they deserve.
I got to spend some time with Aaron tonight, which was sorely needed after my weak of bachelorhood. Let me tell you, Catherine is in for lots of hugs when I see her on Saturday. The little one, too.
I'm off first thing tomorrow to my mom's in Bolton, and then Saturday I'll be in Brantford with Catherine and her family. Sunday, I'm off to my Dad's to see him, my brother, the nieces and nephew, as well as my Uncle Brian. Monday I'll be back in Brantford, and likely heading back to Toronto.
I do this every year.
At least my mom helps out with the use of her car. That in itself is a great gift, otherwise I'd have to pick and choose which family to spend time with, and I don't want to do that.
I'm looking forward to the break. Despite the fact that I don't have a job, I could really use some down time.
At any rate, I hope to see Chris and perhaps Brody on my return to Guelph... as for the rest of you, I hope you have a brilliant Christmas.
Does anyone have any plans at all for New Year's? Somehow, I always seem to forget this occurs a week afterwards.
Must be all the eggnog.
Mmmmmm.... eggnog. Send some if you can.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
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11:10 a.m.
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Above: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire comes out in 2005... right in time for the release of book six on July 16: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (see below).
Gets its official release date: July 16, 2005! For those of you who have never bothered to read this series, you're really missing out. Despite being labelled as a children's book, it's some of the most clever and imaginative work I've ever read.
Other that that, there isn't much news to report. I picked up series 8 of those Marvel Legend figures I'm obsessed with collecting. I've now added Doc Ock, modern armour Iron Man, Iceman and Storm to my figure collection. I've got to get ahold of myself.
Catherine left me. And she took Truffle. That's new.
Before you panic and start in surprise, she's just gone home for the holidays. She'll be back soon enough. In fact, when I see her on Saturday for Christmas, I may just scoop her up and carry her back home. Her and the little one.
It's a terrible thing, to live alone. Coming back to the apartment without the love of my life and my little degu was horrible. Not that I can't be alone for a little while, but I keep trying to talk to Truffle, only she isn't there. I keep waiting for Catherine to come home from some imagined trip to the store, but she isn't coming back.
Keep that bed warm without her isn't the same. It's funny when you realize how much simple joy you take out of another persons love and company, and how hard it is to go without it for even a day.
It may not sound like it, but I love it when she goes away for a short time. Nothing gets my heart going more than missing her and nothing feels so good as holding her in my arms again after a long time apart.
Of course, five minutes later I'll ignore her and play video games.
Well, maybe not.
Monday, December 20, 2004
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1:34 p.m.
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Maybe it's just me, but I happen to love the idiotic double-meanings that some signs can take. What I love even more is that someone approved the signs in the first place. Maybe it's sort of an evil pride that I take in loving the dumb things people do and say.
• No children allowed
—Florida maternity ward
• Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices and workmanship
—Maine shop
• Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves
—Pennsylvania cemetery
• Ask about our plans for owning your home
—loan company office
• Best place to take a leak
—radiator-repair garage
Thursday, December 16, 2004
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1:30 p.m.
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Though my job has its interesting points, it is by and large a study of the bizarre, unusual, and the people that come to identifiy with these two words.
Most of my work involves answering the phone and doing summaries for my friend who has kindly provided me with work during the holiday season, but I must admit that it can be quite boring as well. Some of the jargon I encounter is simply stunning:
"Psychiatric and Neuropsychological Findings After Stereotactic Hypothalamotomy, in Cases of Extreme Sexual Aggressivity" is the title of just one of the articles I'm researching. If you can understand half of it, you're on the same page as I am and it reads like this: HUH?
It's all good, though.
Jeromy has requested that I speak my mind on the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King extended edition DVD which I picked up on Tuesday. This I will say: it looks brilliant next to the first two parts on the shelf.
As for the film, I haven't managed to get through the four and a half hours and change that the movie is made up of. I'm just shy of the 2 hour mark and I must say, that like the first two parts, it's brilliant.
I will mention, however, that while I'm thrilled for any and all extra parts thrown into the package, so far I haven't encountered many new scenes that completely redefined the viewing experience the way it worked with the first two films. Perhaps it's because this movie was already incredibly long. The Voice of Saruman scene at the beginning, however, is priceless and I can't understand why this was left out. It's creepy and shocking and just darn cool.
In a short time, Catherine is heading out to pick up a portable DVD player for me. She's not buying it herself, per se, but rather my Dad has given me a lovley cash Christmas gift and this is the item I've chosen to pick up. Some would pick a PS2 or Xbox, but I don't play enough games to justify that. What I do in spades, however, is watch movies, and I would love something to enjoy during commutes and other long trips. Heck, I have a couple of hour long train rides coming up this weekend as well as a boatload of travelling next week. I'm looking forward to this little item, to be sure.
Now I actually want a decent commute so I can watch movies and tv episodes. How sad.
I'm almost done my shopping for this year and it's cost me, on average, about what it normally does. In the $350 range. Thank god I had enough work from various sources to offset this cost, not to mention allow me to pay rent, so I can't complain. I may even head out to buy some new Marvel Legends figures this afternoon.
And then... nothing for a good long time. Between my birthday, Christmas, and my own pocket change I think I've been more than spoiled enough this month. Shockingly so, I think. This kind of makes up for the past four months where I had to scrimp, save, and count pennies before buying a donut. Crazy.
I really should be working.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
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9:19 p.m.
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The Myth: A penny is made of copper.
The Fact: Pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
The Myth: Dogs sweat through their panting tongues.
The Fact: Panting may help them cool off, but they sweat through their feet.
The Myth: Your nails continue to grow after you die.
The Fact: They don’t. Your tissue recedes from your nails, making them appear longer.
MORE DINOSAUR BONES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN CANADA THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY ON EARTH.
I just have to say that useless trivia is quite entertaining when you get right now to it but it is a pleasant diversion. That, and neither Jer nor Aaron post this sort of thing. They seem to be on the same page much of the time, so just going to one blog usually catches me up on the kinds of rants they're experiencing at home.
Just kidding. I might go over to see Aaron shortly. Apparently he's recovering from last night and awaiting Jer's return from a Christmas party.
I smell fun!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
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2:07 p.m.
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Here are some real (no kidding) albums:
• Music to Light Your Pilot By, from the Heil-Quaker Corporation (a heater and air-conditioner manufacturer)
• Where Are the Dead?
• The Addicts Sing
• Music to Be Murdered By (from Alfred Hitchcock)
• Songs for Gay Dogs
• Christmas with Colonel Sanders
It's times like this that it occurs to me that I was lied to by the admissions packages that Humber College sent out on a regular basis. They didn't straight out lie by claiming that each and every one of us would be safe and secure with a job before we even graduated, but it was strongly implied.
I can't deny that many people did "job out" and more have since found their jobs. It doesn't keep me from becoming increasingly frustrated that with my skill, experience and desire to get going that it doesn't seem to amount to much of anything at the moment.
That said, at least I have three jobs to keep me afloat. It ticks me off to do it, but I could be in much worse straights given that I know several people with nothing at all. Right now I have contract work with my friend Julian in his office until the 23rd. That means lots of money that I need. More importantly, it means I can pay rent.
And that's a good thing. I'm sure Catherine would agree.
But she's just happy with Mario Party 6 right now. We picked it up last night and have been having a blast. Too bad I have to split it between Metroid Prime 2 right now, which I still haven't finished.
Not enough hours in the day.
So things are okay. Not brilliant, but okay. At least Christmas is going to go smoothly and really, what more do you need at this time of year?
Maybe a trip to Spain or something.
Friday, December 03, 2004
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4:29 p.m.
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My brother, Graydon, is celebrating his 37th (in a row?) birthday today. He's got three kids, a live-in girlfriend and a mortgage. I'd snicker but I'm sure my time is just around the corner. Then again, he does have a 16-year-old daughter and that DOES make me laugh.
In other related news, I was just rejected for job #6 or #7. I'm consistent at least.
All that stuff I wrote about last week about being happy no matter what gets just a little bit tougher on days like today, and it doesn't help that we have an unwanted guest in our apartment.
Last night for more than 2 hours, a psychotic evil mouse was heard chewing and scampering around the apartment. You wouldn't think it'd make much noise much less arouse any suspicion, but damn if it didn't keep Catherine and I awake all night. Then I got a call at 6:53am asking me to come in to teach. I've been a zombie all day.
I'll still go to karate tonight (though I won't enjoy it being so tired) and then hopefully Catherine and I will find something interesting to do. Season 5 of Angel just started on Space last night and we haven't seen it, so we eagerly await the next days' taped episode. I'd watch it when it came on, but Space, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to air the show at 1am every night.
Oh yeah, and I've bought 1 out of about 6 or 7 presents for people last night. Catherine's parents and her brother's present are out of the way. I have no clue what to get Catherine, an inkling for my mom, and clear ideas for my brother and a young man named Chris Vettoretto.
My brain is oozing out my ear.
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