We wish you a MERRY ...... What ever you believe

Family Christmas Shotski!

Hello to my two readers of my blog. I am writing this blog on my four hour flight from Dallas, to Calgary, AB, as the trailer park looking couple has decided it was a good idea to open a bag of salt and vinegar chips. Yes, that is right Austin is going international! To that mysterious land rarely ventured to by modern man. The Great Canada, the land of the rising moose.
It has been two week since you last heard from me. In that break, I spent the first week in what has come to be in my heart, a home away from home, Chicago. Then for the second week I jumped over to my Real home, good old GR.believe

After I left boson, A city that I will truly miss and hope to return soon too, I landed at Chicago Midway, for a lovely adventure staying with my dear friend Jessi. Chicago was bitter cold while I was there, but that didn't stop me from walking 2 miles in the wind and snow to a special knitting store to buy yarn. Yes, folk, I am a man with priorities, Fuck the cold!!!! I need Yarn!!!!! Since Jessi had to teach during the day, I was left alone to my own devices. I know what you're thinking, I did NOT burn down her apartment!!......much;). Instead I spent most of my day cuddling with my favorite love muffin, Bella. No, she is not a smoldering Italian goddess. She is a wonderful toy poodle puppy just a little bigger than my hand. I absolutely Love this dog!!!. In addition to puppy cuddling I spent some quality time with Jessi who i love, just not as much as Bella ;). We had a really relaxing time together just eating, drinking and talking just what I needed. I also had the chance to go into work with Jessi to her Pre-K class. I was a lot of fun playing with the kids and just seeing Jessi work. I have never met such well mannered 4 year old. It made me want to be a teacher, but then I remember my Love of the word Fuck and the that thought was blown to bits. Over all Chicago was magical and I can't wait to go back with the show at the end of February.

After my time in that toddling town Jessi and I headed back to Grand Rapids. The ride was fun and snow free. Jessi dropped me off in Holland and Steph (the former roommate) head to Karaoke at the club. Before arriving at the Club we made a quick stop at 80's Night were we met up with two of the most badass women in GR if not the World, Kp & Stef ( to clear up any confusion - Ste(f) = one that used to live upstairs from me and is a sexy badass / Ste(ph) = is one of my best friend and former roommate, also a badass) At 80's night we danced our faces off to awesome songs that can be rocked out best by people who were 4 years old when those songs came out.
After I reattached my face StePH and I went to the Club for some cheap strong drinks and much needed time with old friends like one of my closes friends Catie. I sang all my favorite swinging tunes and I also a rocking rendition of Proud Mary. Durning the song the lovely David Fletcher was providing some nice back up dancing and as we entered the "rough" part of the song who came through the door and helped bring back up dancing to a new level It was badass Kp! After that, the evening was spent singing talking and drinking. Much fun was had by all.
My Xmas was wonderful. There was lots of fun family and friend time. I got some great gifts from the people that I love. I received an external hard-drive and many other gifts from my loving mother. I awesome knitting stuff and an Irish Car Bomb kit from my sis, Jess and her girlfriend Stacy which on Xmas Day Stacy did five car bombs. I got amazing hand made scarf by SteF which I adore and never take off. She also gave me the gift that keeps on giving , The Gift Of Neal (Neal Diamond mix Cd) The man is a musical god. StePH probably gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. She Made a book that each page was devoted to a different city on my tour. On these pages she put photos and wrote facts about each city. Then in the center is a mix cd so then I have a sound track to my tour!!!!!!! I am listening to the Calgary cd right now it is Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue album which is just perfect to write this blog too. I will keep you informed about each CD as the cities roll along. BEST GIFT EVER!!!!!
Also this Xmas my sis and I shared something really special. My gift to her was a tattoo and we decided to get matching ones. So Aaron at Mos Eisley Artfully inked on to both of our left forearms my mom's first purse design of 35 years ago and her logo, kind of like our version of a mom tattoo but better. It was this purse that had provide for my sister and I all our lives. I love my mom with all my heart she is the greatest, strongest woman in the world to me and I'm proud to have this tattoo for her. I'm especially proud to share this same design with my sister. We are not the type of siblings who call each other every day and I know I don't say it enough but I truly I love her so much. Because you can't mess with family!
As I wipe the tear from my cheek I think all and all It was a delightful two weeks. I gathered so many amazing memories and became a little closer to the people I love. Just as cheesy as the movie I truly have a Wonderful Life. Now as the plane descend into the magical land of Canada I am rested and prepared for what the rest of the Chicago tour has in store for me. I hope all is well with the both of you and Happy Holidays.
P.S the couple in front of me have decided to move on to pork rinds.......... God Bless America!

the Tattoo

Pain can equal beauty

So I'm sitting in my show in the second act right now writing to you now.  First off Boston is Amazing!!!!  But before I arrived here I was in Raleigh NC it was a little boring but i had a lovely head of props named BJ (yes I know the joke) she rocked my world not only did she know her job, she makes make some damn amazing Mexican food and chocolate pie. The city was beautiful and I did a lot of good drinking.  I recommend Tir Na nOg great Irish pub with Whisky Wednesday i had a delightful whisky by the name of Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish Single Malt IT WAS AAAAAAMAZING!   kind of like a good woman smooth and delicate  but more the one in a night it can hurt the next day :) 

Boston has been a great city  it has a really good vibe the train is clean and easy to ride and there are so many great places to go. Load in was freezing and we had to load in through a roll up door and a lift which sucked but we got through it. The space is gorgeous decorated in opulent golds and reds in the ladies lounge there is a beautiful hand carved, marble topped table on which Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote Oklahoma on and Bob Fosse made two chips in by tap dancing on it. through all that time it has never moved. My local Props Mike Connonors Is wonderful he used to be the fly man on the first national tour of Chicago and he also owns the intermission tavern (IT) across the street. The IT was my favorite place to drink while i was here it is very comfortable and homey. The food is awesome and the kitchen is open til 2 am which in my business is helpful. If you are ever in Boston Make sure you go to the IT and get a drink from Tess the women I'm going to marry one day. On Thursday Roz Ryan who plays our momma in the show took a little trip to a tattoo shop and  we both got tattoos and piercing. I got my lip piercing back and a tattoo of my three fav beers logos on my calf. Roz got a nickname and symbol for love on her arm. I swear Roz Ryan Feels no pain she sit through the whole thing and didn't even flinch. She is my hero!! Then the next day a bunch of us went to the art museum and the science museum. we had a blast check out my facebook for the photos. All and all it has been a great stop So to recap I LOVE BOSTON but now i must load out.  I hope you are all well and give me a call sometime :)

I'm Living the Dream

Bridgette the A2 and Alan the E1 at the lay over

So first off  Welcome! to my new blog. This is were you'll be able to check up on me and my life on the road. I will try to update you three people reading at least once a week . If you are a stranger or don't remember I am the head of properties on the national tour of Chicago the Musical

Today I am on the second stop of the tour in Appleton , WI, I know show biz is glamorous.  I just came from Charlotte NC where I teched and ran the show for the first time. Earlier in the week it was rough because I was given  three sets of different run sheets and presets. So to say the least the first couple rehearsals were interesting. After we sifted through the paper work we created the final run sheet and the show is now running smoothly. I really have very few cues for the show so I think I'm going to have to find a new hobby and I think cat juggling might be a little too loud backstage.

 The cast is amazing and crew are more amazing, everyone is very easy to get along with. I can't wait to get to know all of them better. I am absolutely in LOVE with Roz Ryan who plays Momma Morton. She is one of the sweetest most loving human beings I have ever met.

 The load out went very smooth in my department I felt my truck pack went really well and i was out of there by 2 am. The only issue i had was the 7:15 flight in the morning  ya it was a blast and to make matters worse the first plane we were on was SO HOT and for a fire eater to say that you know it is the truth. Lets just say the crew was very chipper at that time in the morning. 

 Well kid I'm off to do my second load in of the tour! Wish me Luck!