Blog of the Little Bonsai

Personal Blog of Steve Baumber

Between the play and work it's been pretty busy! Two weeks at work, and things are going well. I've been developing the text for new promotional brochures marketing the degree programs at the Faculty, and trying to absorb the endless bits of information from Sandy, my co-recruiter. She has a lot of information developed for the Woods program she was originally working for. Now we're faculty-wide, so we have to develop five times the amount of material! I'm also developing a marketing plan, a strategy, and trying to pick up the issuing of information packages to give Sandy a bit of a break. So much for the seven hour day they indicate in the management and professional staff manual! Ah well, I'm really enjoying it. My first presentation is Sept. 6 for the new students. Should be fun... The play is coming together well, and opening night is coming up. Tried out my costume yesterday for the first time. It's better than I expected, and we're finally able to use the set, which is also looking nice. I'm still thrilled with Don's direction, and feel that he is making a classic accessible to contemporary audiences. I continue to find new levels to my character, and new evolutions in how the scenes play out. One of our cast members has been filming on the east coast, and is now back, so we have very little time to bring her up to speed on all the changes of the past two weeks, and to find the "truth" of our final scene together, where my character's evolution is completed. Weeeeeee... Rosemary's birthday is tomorrow, but I could only get Wednesday off work (I have that much banked time already). I have planned a day together for us as I was away last year for her birthday cheering Kate in the Ironman. Speaking of which, congrats to Kirsten for her successful finish of the Apple Classic Triathalon! Dad and Pete are soon traveling, and my travel-itchy feet are longing to go with them. Damn job. posted by Steve @ 10:18 PM	8.26.2002
Oh ya, one last shameless name drop and a big thank you to IAN and TAMARA for the beer and Yorkshire puddings. I swear they weren't wasted in the reverse peristolsis episode later that evening, which incidentally had both father and son wondering (in separate rooms mind you) "How old is he?" Old enough to know better, still too young to care. Sort of. Oi vay. posted by Steve @ 10:26 PM	8.12.2002
First day on the job was okay, but I thought I was going to fall asleep. Imagine concentrating for eight hours at a time! I don't know how you people do it. I have an office with no computer, no telephone, and no pictures on the wall. It's primitive as can beeeeee. Soon to be rectified, at which point the inevitable "new address and phone number" emailing will commence. A big shout out to my sister KIRSTEN, who will be in the Apple Classic Triathalon in Kelowna this weekend - good luck!! And of course a shout out to my lovely girlfriend ROSEMARY to get better soon! Anyone else need mentioning? I gotta stop namin' names... posted by Steve @ 10:12 PM
I'm baaack. Weather here has been great, better than four freezing days in Grand Cache. I'm sure it's much nicer in the summer. The Death Run was a success for our team; we finished in 16 hours and 41 minutes. I had a very good run up and over Mount Hammel, despite drifts of snow up to three feet on the top. It was a great experience, prompting talk around the campfire that night regarding "soloing" the event as a group. We'll see... Check out http://www.canadiandeathrace.com/other%20pages/relayrun2002.htm to see how Team D.O.A. fared against the other mixed-realy teams. Thanks to Jamie, Marc, Jeff, Betty, Kate and Julie for an awesome time despite the rain and snow! A quick trip to Calgary and Bragg Creek followed, and a surprise to find Kate and Julie at Dad's place. We had a great visit - a little of the old days getting out in the evening in Bragg Creek. Then I was met with open arms and glasses of beer by old friends. One too many glasses unfortunately on Wedensday night, making me a very hung-over climbing partner on Thursday. Luckily Jeff (chicken legs on an exposed screamer) and Tania (you rock harder than Metallica) belayed me back to happy health, and thanks for dinner Pete - may you feed the horse on a regular basis! But all good times must come to an end, and so it was with regret that I flew home to Vancouver. And my return meant leaving behind a dear friend, one whose name shall live on in my website and Blog. A mere vehicle, yes, but one that helped me find myself again in a period of loss and lost direction. Rust gently, Little Bonsai, may your end be new beginning. Tomorrow is the first day of work at UBC. Can I really be an 8 to 5er again? posted by Steve @ 6:16 PM	8.11.2002