Heavy week last week

Coming out of a funk.

Last week was a tough one starting Tuesday and ending Friday. Had some follow through over the weekend.

First, the Telling Project. One of our cast members is telling her story and word got out among some outside group of "concerned people", that I found out to just be a bunch of Army groupies, and some Hell has broken loose. An ex-cast member leaked our private e-mails and private promotional pictures of us (and I am assuming our script) and we got harassed and spammed by the Army groupies. It got ugly. I am only involved via being another person telling their story of military service on stage. I have not met most of these other people in my entire life.

I was hurt myself. There is a reason I don't do a lot of organized Veteran stuff ; because of bullshit like this. I mean, really, how dare someone involve me in something that I have nothing to do with especially while I am in the middle of a project where I am opening myself up emotionally and quite publicly. On top of that, this person gave out my e-mail address, pictures of me, and a script containing information about myself. Some pretty deep shit too.

Then, there are the women who e-mailed ME with convictions so strong they felt they were justified in using my private information to involve me in something that amounts to a fucking love-triangle and pretty-princess syndrome.

To add salt to the wound these people are all involved in Veteran's health non-profits. Un-kickable like a box of kittens. Good job.

Anyways, the show goes on.

Then, I got news of 2 campers lost in the Tillamook forest. Sadly, quite common here. Found out later one of them is an old buddy of mine, Justin Norton. Justin hired me at Dantes when I needed some work after getting fired at The Crystal Ballroom. I was still kind of wound up from that... my thing, not anyone elses... and Justin gave me a good talking to and a chance to redeem myself. He was a good man that way. I felt I did right by him and moved on to the law-firm job i have now. We talked about going into business with each other but I chose the relative safety of a 9-5er.

I'd see Justin about once a year after 2003 and he'd always recognize me. I felt respected by him and thus I respected him.

Justin and his friend were found Friday night. Both were deceased. They had crashed their truck down a 200' cliff and were killed.

Then, I got news of Pink Martini percussionist Derek Rieth passing away. I went to school with him and, though not best friends, we were friends. His younger sister was in a German class with me and I considered her my own sister.

Again, while working at the Crystal Ballroom in 2003, Pink Martini was doing a show there. I had no idea Derek was in Pink Martini... Hell, he was a founding member. They were loading in and I was at the door when Derek walks up and recognizes me. We talked for about 30 minutes catching up since high school in 1989. Still, he did not mention he was in Pink Martini the whole time. He then said, "Well, I better go. Let's hook up and hang out man." and he walked in the door I was watching. I stopped him and that is how I found out he was in Pink Martini. I felt dumb and he apologized for assuming I knew.

I saw him next at our 20 year high school reunion.

Me, Stephanie Vlachos, Derek Rieth, Ryan Kruse - Fort Vancouver class of '89

After that, I was able to go to a Pink Martini show and got good seats up front and close. I took a plutonic lady friend with me but did not mention I knew Derek. Right after the last song he recognized me and said hello. My lady friend had been crushing on him all night and was impressed that I knew him. For what it's worth it made me feel good.

Derek is a good man.

Then, I learned that someone that is a part of my early life, high school, was just picked up by the feds for child porn. He was a friend, and I am sure his life is Hell right now but I can't say I have his back. Out of respect I will not name him. I'll let the Feds and media take care of that business as it 'aint mine. It pains me people were hurt in such a way.

Now, I understand that none of these things fit directly into my life. Bad news is just that, bad news. Still, things can get painful though.

In light of all that I had a good weekend. My wife made breakfast Saturday morning and I got some sleep. My rehearsals were decent and I got an offer for some mentoring from a writer and stage director. We got in a good War of the Dead game with Brandon, Jason, and Karen. Me, Wife, and kid went to the Jade District Night Market Saturday night and we got good bahn mi and the kid got her face painted. After that we went to our friend Andrice's b-day party and saw a lot of friends. My friend Emily bequeathed to me her Husband Dylan's heavy metal CD collection of over 200 CDs and I was honored to take it.

I promise my next blog post will be less emo.