BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Fourteen - The Fortnight Concludeth

Thanks to any and all that took the time to read my ramblings. I hope some of it was entertaining. If you enjoyed it, please post a comment. It will certainly help me decide if I wish to continue.

Thanks to Mike Garvey for creating this event and his hard work keeping it going.
Congratulations to all the participants, particularly those that blogged every day

Go see the Eclectic Improv Company at Shea's Smith Theatre, March 28th and the last Saturday of every month.

Support local theatre!!!

Don't let Jump The Shark die. Come out and see us some time. And if you're in a bar that regularly books bands, please tell them that they NEED to get JTS in there.

Peace Out,
-jk

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Thirteen - The Penultimate Post

I haven't really blogged consistantly until I signed up to participate in BufBloPoFo '09. Therefore, I have no old posting that I can update. As such, I shall write about a few things going on in the Life of Johnny. Next year, we can look back at how silly my life seemed "way back then".

There are some things in my life that I take for granted will not change in a year. I expect that my family life will be unchanged, and that I will still be employed at Safetec. Eclectic Improv is going extremely well, and I imagine that will continue for some time. But how about my other performing ventures?

JUMP THE SHARK

We've been going for 8 years now, and will continue to play together as long as possible. We all love the music and thoroughly enjoy each other's company. However, booking has become extremely difficult. I handle the booking myself, which is time consuming and very frustrating. Thanks to the lagging economy, bar owners are cutting back on booking or discontinuing live music altogether. It's nearly impossible to speak to a bar owner and if they do, they want you to play for peanuts and bring 200 of your friends to drink at their club.

Future Johnny, are you still rocking with Jump The Shark?

THEATRE

Due to family, work and other performing commitments, I have been largely absent from live theatre. That has recently changed, as I have appeared in "God's Favorite" at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre and "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" at New Phoenix. So the theatre juices are flowing freely again. I really want to get back on the boards on a regular basis. I'm planning on hitting many of the upcoming auditions, and I've already been offered a part in a production in the fall.

Johnny 2010, how's the acting thing going?

STATUE GUY

An interesting new opportunity fell in my lap recently. My good friend, the incredibly lovely and talented actress Tracey B. Wilson, asked if I would be interested in a job as a "living statue". She was approached, but was unable to accept. She thought I would be a suitable replacement and suggested me to the client. I took the job because it seemed like getting paid to stand still and do nothing was an answer to a prayer. I got a toga, painted myself white, and "became" a statue. The first job was a success and it led to a second offer from someone who saw me there. It seems like this could be a nice side business, so I'm working on a business plan. I've even got business cards!

So, future me, has the Statue Guy taken off?

Bloggers, I invite you to journey back to this post during BufBloPoFo 2010. Am I still overwhelmingly active, or am I just sitting around at home, watching old episodes of Quantum Leap with Jeremy?

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Twelve - Hello, Children!

I have dispensed some sage parental advice in my Day Nine and Day Seven blogs.

And honestly, I'm too friggin' tired to offer any more. I spent most of my evening trying (unsuccessfully) to get my mother's computer to work properly. Just about the last thing I wanted to do upon my return home was sit down at MY computer and blogetty-blog.

This is all I can say about parenting:

Be understanding. Whatever age the child is now, you were that age too, and probably just as annoying (if not more so).

Be patient. When they're driving you up a wall, cut 'em some slack.

Be loving. Look, these young persons are, quite literally, a part of you. How can you not love that? Embrace them for all of the similarities and differences. Show them that you appreciate them for who they are.

Be the parent you would want (and maybe had). Make time for them. Play, talk, share. It's all good.

Be supportive. Even if you don't understand.

OK, I'm tired. Gotta get to sleep. I'll be refreshed and ready for Day 13!!!

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Eleven - Photograph

Ugh...camera phones do me no justice at all!

This was taken in my office at Safetec of America, Inc.
Safetec is a manufacturer of infection control and first aid products.
I am the Quality Manager.
My walls are mostly bare.
I usually do not wear a tie.
I don't know why I'm smiling.

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Ten - There Goes My Hero...

Heroes.

The people you look up to, not the sandwich.

Unless you look to a turkey sub for guidance and life lessons.

When I was a kid, my hero was Gilbert Perreault, flying down the ice, a blur of blue and gold, long hair blown back. He was awesome.

I think it is natural for a kid growing up to have these heroic images of people, be it an athlete, fireman, teacher, whatever.

Now that I am an adult, I can look back on my life (thus far) and see only one person that I would view as heroic. That would be my father.

Big Joe Kreuzer passed away six years ago of complications from Alzheimer's. He was just shy of his 61st birthday.He was diagnosed at 55 with what they called "early onset" Alzheimer's. Not a day goes by that I don't miss being able to ask him about life, about being a husband and father. I miss going golfing or to the movies, or just watching a game together on TV. I miss being able to gloat proudly to him about his grandchildren.

He was heroic to me because he showed me so much about life without doing any more than just being himself. He worked at Bethlehem Steel for 18 years and was wise enough to see that things were going downhill in the industry, and returned to college at night to earn his Masters degree. When the plant shut down and he got laid off, he used that education to take on a job in Financial services. After a few years building a reputation and clientele, he went into business for himself, opening Kreuzer Financial Planning. He was a hard working man.

But anyone that knew him would tell you that he was one of the funniest, friendliest people around. He was a large man, 6'6" and pushing 3 bills. He could be intimidating, but his big smile and easy-going manner would quickly put anyone at ease. By watching him, I learned how to open up to people and show them the positive aspects of myself.

He was married to my mother for 37 years, and was a loving husband. He was a great father and an adoptive dad to my and my sister's friends. All the neighborhood kids would come over and play catch or shoot hoops and dad would be right in the thick of it. He was a big kid. A VERY BIG kid. Looking back on his example reminds me to be an attentive and participatory father. Sure, I have a lot of activities in my life. But I always make time to share with my family.

This is not to say that he was a saint. Like any man, he had his faults. I know from where I get my temper, and my penchant for profanity. And my love of fast food.
But I can look back on his minor failings, learn from them, and attempt to be a better man. I have had my successes and my failures, but he taught me to keep pressing on.

So I press on, try to be the best husband, father and man that I can, and hope that someday my kids see something heroic about me.

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Nine - The Kids Are Alright

Lisa Garvey asks, "Have your kids ever seen you on stage (improv or band) and if so, what do they think?!"

First of all, Lisa, let me thank you for the many kind words about me in your blog. I don't get many goatee compliments, but I likes 'em!

I can answer your question with a resounding YES! All of the Kreuzer clan have seen me perform. Most recently, the entire fam saw me in "God's Favorite" at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre. They enjoyed the show and marveled at seeing me "act". They know I'm goofy, but that was the first time they all saw me doing regular theater.

Although, I was fortunate to share the stage with my son Jeremy in a Daemen College Theatre production of "A Doll's House".

It was an unforgettable experience.

They have all seen the Eclectic Company perform, and LOVE it. Of course, I give most of the credit to Peter, Don, Todd and Mike. On the rare occasions when Jump The Shark is playing a festival or lawn fete, Melissa will take the kids to see me rock. It's awesome to see them dancing, jumping around and air-guitaring in front of the stage.

My youngest, Jack, took this picture at the Taste of Niagara. It's one of my favorite band photos.

I've been teaching a musical theatre class at my daughter Cassidy's dance studio and have been able to perform with her at her recitals, too. She does it all. Dances, sings, acts. I'm gonna ride her coat-tails right to the top!

I love when the kids can see me perform. If anything, it shows them that they can do whatever they want in their own lives. You don't have to move to NYC or LA if you like to act or sing. Be a doctor, lawyer, teacher or ditch digger, but save some room for the other things you love. Those things don't have to be stage-related, BTW. It can be sports or crafts, reading or writing, helping your fellow man or making the world a better place. Just find out what you love, and do it.

BufBloPoFo '09 - Day Eight - Who are you? (who who who who)

I don't know jen14221. At least I don't think so. The face in the photo doesn't look familiar.

Unfortunately, I don't trust my memory concerning such things. Unlike Peter Cumbo, I am terrible with names. I'm much better with faces, but only to the extent that, "YES, I have met this person before."

So, jen14221, if we have met, I apologize. Don't take it personally. It's not that I don't care about you, I just don't care to train my memory.

Annnnywhoooooo...

I very much enjoyed jen14221's response to who would play her in a movie:
Who would play me in a movie? Well - not Natasha Richardson. Not anymore, at least. Yes, I'm terrible. Sorry.

I loved this response because it was honest, funny and shocking. The only other person I know that would respond in this manner is Dave Hoffmann, and I loves me some Dave Hoffmann.

So my question to you, jen14221, is:
Now that Natasha is out of the picture, who WOULD play you?
(I'm going with Katey Segal)