The Loss of a Great Man

Mr. Rix had a reputation. Long before anyone ever stepped foot into one of his English classes, you knew all about it in very specific, very colourful detail. Once you entered his classroom, you waited, eager, on tenterhooks for the moment, but too nervous to ask when it might happen. Then somewhere around mid-term, there it was.






Gasps
Dramatic pauses
Chest clenching
Flailing arms
Screeching
And then one... final... spin!

CAESAR
Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

With a dramatic fall to the linoleum, the infamous performance of the Julius Caesar death scene had been completed. To this day I am sadly disappointed with the stage version of that death scene. Bob can never be topped.

In high school, no one likes or wants to understand Shakespeare, we are content with Lord of the Flies, The Chrysalids and Animal Farm. Mr. Rix, through his dramatics and humour had the students of Wiarton District High School smitten with Sir William and his tales.

But somehow, it was more than that. He actually gave a damn about his students. Bob Rix loved being a teacher, he was passionate about the English language and made his students passionate as well. If it wasn’t for him our school wouldn’t have had a theatre program and I wouldn’t have had the experience of playing Abby Brewster.

Even after he retired he would stop his former students on the street to chat, genuinely wanting to know how they were, always ready to dole out advice. Bob taught hundreds of students, but always remembered everyone’s names and had very specific and special memories for every one of us.

Every graduation speech had a special thank you to him. Every student talked about him, even 20 years after graduation. I can guarantee that each one of those students can give you at least three funny stories and many reasons why they will miss him. My love of theatre and literature and my dream to become a writer are all thanks to Bob. He stuck in our minds and our hearts. He made a difference in every student who was lucky enough to know him and will be greatly missed.

A safe journey into the night my friend. There will never be another like you.

http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=424588

Theatre Reviews

I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of July. It's been a crazy busy summer!!!

I will start posting more soon, but in the meantime, here are my latest theatre reviews @ torontostage.com.

What the Butler Saw http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/whatTheButlerSaw.html

Doc http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/doc.html

Datesaster

My latest article at www.single-woman.tv

http://single-woman.tv/2010/07/datesaster/

Not only has Romy Shiller's book Who Knew? arrived, my review of 'You Never Know' is on the jacket. Love love!!!

Honesty and other stuff

I had an insane week. A lot of stuff happened that made me realize how my world was evolving or rather not evolving. I'm stuck, in a holding pattern and unhappy due to it. The events of this week made me take a step back from myself and re-evaluate the way things are. Below is what happened this week, some observations about both silly things and my own existence.

~Was offered a job in Vancouver and turned it down for all the right reasons. It was a finance position, for a LOT of money and I would have been working with some I really truly like and respect, but... it was in a city I hate and I promised myself never to work in finance again. I hated myself when I did and had no life.

~This is going to be a crazy fun summer!

~I no longer want to be alone and have finally admitted to myself that I want someone special in my life. I do want to wake up on Sunday mornings and make waffles
and drink coffee with them on the balcony.

~Peonies last a really long time!!!

~My balcony is my oasis. I could spend all my time out there. It's peaceful and I need peace in my life right now.

~I can no longer have passive people in my life. I'm not sure why I started letting them in, but they need to go!!!

~If you can't spend time with me or talk to me during World Cup. Don't bother trying to do either once the World Cup is done. I go out of my way to spend time with others and many can't be bothered to reciprocate, so tough titties for you!

~I love that I am getting older, with it comes wisdom and the knowledge that I will never have work done to make myself look younger. I've earned my wrinkles and love them. On July 31st I turn 44 and I don't care who knows!!!

~My dogs are aging and I can't visualize them not being around. The way they greet me when I wake up or come in the door can never be replaced by a human.

~I have 11 weeks to decide what to do with my life. Right now I want to bolt. But running away isn't going to change the reasons I am unhappy.

~I am frustrated that I am not writing enough or making more of an effort. Someone who has been in the publishing industry for over 30 years read some of my stuff and told me I'm not full of shit and I need to put a fire under my ass.

~I didn't go to my high school re-union because of the way I was treated. High school was miserable for me. The only thing I regret is not seeing Mr. Rix. He was the only person who kept me from quitting.

~I miss thunderstorms

~I truly am thankful for the friends I currently have in my life. They are all creeptacular and ghoulish and get me.

~The people who live below me must be away, there was no BBQing this weekend....

~If I choose to stay in Toronto, I need to find and buy my dream home. It might be the stability I need in my life.

~I have been bolting awake every morning at 5 am on the dot... and I don't know why...

~I will no longer be invisible. Lina has returned and those who know me well know EXACTLY what that means!

Lipstik Indie

The new issue is ALIVE! www.lipstikindie.com.

If you want to be reviewed message me.

Carolina

My girls

In about a month one of my dearest friends will be back in Toronto and all my girls will be back together. I know I did a list of 100 things I wanted to do in 2010, but I think doing a list of all the things I want to do with my girls is more important.

These aren't in any specific order. I just want to do them before the end of the year with them and all my other girls.

Spend a day on Centre Island - DONE
Ride the Ferris Wheel with Anna - DONE
Road trip to Salem
Go on a picnic in High Park (Cindy has a basket)
Hit as many haunts as we can in the month of October.
Eat in a Moroccan restaurant, complete with Belly Dancers.
Go Salsa dancing
Spend a spa day together
Cemetery Crawl
Go to a Baseball game and drink warm beer
Dress to the Nines for no reason at all and go to a Martini Bar - DONE but doesn't mean we won't do it again

I think this list... might be growing!