Chapter 37 - Building to a future (2013-2014)

We last left Eric, and his father David, visiting Eric’s aunt Judy and uncle Jonathan in Winnipeg. Enjoying the beautiful end of August (2013) that Winnipeg had to offer. The road trip with his father harkened back to the days as a child when Eric went on road trips with his father and sister. It was a also a great opportunity for Eric and David to spend time together; father and son.

When Eric got back to Edmonton, his house was transformed. Instead of a muddy front lawn he had a lush green lawn over most of the yard, a tall sapling of an apple tree, and a rock garden with flowers under the one old spruce tree. Where the dirt still faced the sun, more work was yet to come: a small garden, future front porch, flower bed with lamppost, summer patio/winter parking pad and the main sidewalk to the back of the house. Eric found it pleasantly uplifting to see progress towards the end of the home renovations.

Inside the house, electrical work was progressing, and throughout the rest of September the remaining wood paneling was removed and Ben continued with the electrical work.

As the 2013-2014 school year started, so did Eric’s work; starting his first full year substitute teaching with Elk Island Public Schools. It was slow at first. Eric filled his non-subbing days with house renovation work, volunteering for the Telus World of Science (occasionally, and most often Sunday mornings), volunteering with the Walterdale Theatre (where he was asked to be props master for their production of Proof), as well as looking for more permanent teaching positions. His late afternoons and evenings also started to fill up with tutoring through LightsOn Mediated Learning Centre.

On the social side, Eric enjoyed spending time with family and friends in such activities as attending Christa Coutour’s performance at the Blue Chair cafe in Edmonton, with Meghan Van der Giessen also performing; both elementary school friends. As well as games nights at JD’s, and other cultural events.

Eric also bought passes for the entire weekend of the Edmonton Expo (comic convention), where he enjoyed the Q& A sessions of Garret Wang’s (Ensign Kim on Star Trek: Voyager), and John Barrowman’s (Captain Jack Harkness on Torchwood) as well as other sessions on video design and writing. Eric got photos autographed by John Barrowman, Kris Holden-Ried (Dyson on Lost Girl), and Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown on Back to the Future and Reverend Jim on Taxi). Both photos Christopher Lloyd and John Barrowman autographed were ones Eric had taken with them: Christopher Lloyd, Eric and the Back to the Future Delorean as one photo, and one with John Barrowman and Eric. Eric’s highlight of the convention was the photo op with John Barrowman and him autographing the photo (for the details of what made it Eric’s highlight see “Side Story: Adventure with John Barrowman at the 2013 Edmonton Expo”  http://autobiostory.blogspot.ca/2015/02/up-yer-kilt-adventure-with-john.html).

As October came, there was more work on the house: After the electrical inspection he got the sound insulation into the basement walls and ceiling. With the help of Josh he got the drywall up. Outside there were good and bad things; Darcy managed to hire someone to pour the concrete for the sidewalk and patio, a red colour was chosen.

The misadventure happened when Eric finally got around to having an access panel opening cut from the outside into the kitchen extension foundation (to replace the one over the toilet in the basement), with the intent to then have better insulation under the kitchen floor, and seal any access for little furry, unwanted guests. Eric had done a reasonably good job of marking where the cut should be. On the day the cut was made Eric had hoped to be home to show the guys what the inside looked like, to ensure the cut was properly made, however Eric had to be away for tutoring work at the time the guys came to make the cut.

While Eric was tutoring he got some text messages from his housemate Zack who was concerned about the smell of gas around the house. By the time Eric go home the street was blocked off by 3 fire trucks, and his gas had been turned off, because the concrete cutters had nicked an elbow joint on the gas line. Luckily nothing major had happened. This meant Eric had to find a plumber to fix the joint, and an inspector come and check the fix. This took 2 - 3 days. However, it was another week before the gas could be turned back on. When it was turned off, Eric asked ATCO about how it would be turned back on, they said soon after the inspector came to check. When Eric asked the inspector to contact ATCO, he said he would, but when Eric called ATCO several hours later (almost half a day), they had no record of the inspector contacting them. So Eric had to book an appointment for several days later.

During this time, Zack stayed elsewhere, while Cesar and Eric remained in the cooling house, with no hot water or heat. Eric survived and learned, realized he should have been there, as he wanted to.

After the access panel was cut Eric got someone to insulation under the kitchen, which went smoothly.

On the career side some of his work began to pick up, not much as he was dealing with the house, but he continued to substitute teach for Elk Island Public Schools as well as tutor for LightsOn Mediated Learning Centre. He also continued to volunteer for Telus World of Science during the Harry Potter Experience exhibit, as well as continuing as props master for Proof for the Walterdale Theatre. Eric also picked up one day working for the City Election and continued to get information up on LinkedIn (http://ca.linkedin.com/in/mathesonjones/) as more of a professional presence on the internet.

Inside renovations progressed: drywall was finished, new electrical panel installed, walls taped and mudded. Eric then primed and painted the walls a warming white, followed by Josh helping to install the drop ceiling in the bedroom. Eric also installed the insulating sub floor, and had the final electrical inspection done, and passed all before Christmas.

Between Christmas and New Years, while the house was just about empty - Eric being the only one home - Eric varathaned the subfloor, making it look well suited for the basement.

Meanwhile, he continued with his normal work and volunteer activities. December brought in the production of Proof. Soon after, he began the process as props master for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Forum), even though that production was not going to be until April. Eric also picked up a new volunteer position on the board of altView, a queer (LGBTQ) organization based in Sherwood Park.

Over Christmas, Eric's sister, Samara, and family (Geert, Sebastian and Klara) came over from Brussels, as well as his aunt Judy and uncle Jonathan from Winnipeg. It was an enjoyable Christmas time. New years was spent with his good friends Joel and Rene, and their friends at Rene's place. A fairly low key event.

In the new year the interior renovations continued with the installation of the basement closet shelves, and help from Josh and Terry with the installation of the doors (closet and bedroom) and window framing. Eric also painted the baseboards and door trim a forest green, then installed them. As January began to come to a close, the basement was finally together; back to a livable state.

Outside of the reno work, Eric continued to get more sub jobs. His second semester tutoring became a heavy load. He continued to volunteer at the Walterdale Theatre as props master for Forum, and other smaller jobs on other productions, as well as at the Telus World of Science with the Harry Potter Exhibit, and a second year as a FIRST Lego League competition judge of the Core Values.

His social activities continued spending time with his father David, friends, and games nights with JD and friends.

As the shortest and coldest month rolled in, Eric had another short term work opportunity. At first he was happy to have more work and money, not inquiring on the reasons why his old engineering company, HFP Acoustical Consulting, asked him to go do some noise monitoring in Fort Saskatchewan. Little did he know that the days he was going to do the fieldwork were the coldest days of the month, and included a day of subbing. Yet Eric was able to get it all in - checking on equipment, subbing work, checking equipment, tutoring, and then dismantling the equipment. Later Eric learned the reason he was asked to do the work was because the entire HFP company was in Houston for training; as HFP was sold to SLR Global Environmental Solutions.

Not only did Eric have to brave the cold weather of February (2014), but he also got cold news from Edmonton Public Schools that, as he was not called in for an interview within 3 years, his application was destroyed. What irked him most was this news came when he called them a week or so after dropping off an updated resume, and had heard nothing from them at that time, nor in response to his new resume. Ultimately this meant he had to completely re-apply.

Eric still had his work with EIPS, and was able to go to the North Central Teachers’ Convention, which he enjoyed.

Outside of work, he continued to some minor other renovations at the house, which included a new front door so a keyless entry system could be added to the security system. His volunteer activities changed as the season changed: He was elected Treasurer of the altView board, and stepped up as chair of altView pride week event planning committee; Learning much from his second time as props master at the Walterdale Theatre, with the production of Forum; Added extra volunteer days at the Telus World of Science on special school activity days.

He also attended plays and Art Gallery of Alberta opening with his father, socializing and watching shows with friends, especially Joel, and games nights with JD and co.
It was around this time, during the Heart Bleed bug, that Eric lost his quafaie@gmail.com  email account. He has since switched to quafaie@hughkemeny.ca, a domain I own.

After a few months of no renos, he began to feel a reno itch, and one weekend, when no one else was around, he stripped the old, dusty, bamboo wallpaper off a small section of main floor wall. This caused the dust and paper to fall into the carpet. Eric then stripped the entire main floor bare of the wall to wall carpet, exposing the reasonably nice hardwood floor in the living room and dining room, old, yet good condition, and tiles in the hall and front entrance. Eric washed the newly exposed floor, and painted where the old wallpaper was white and the trim around the doors the same green of the basement. He did this all in 3 day, while thinking of the projects his mother, Chris, use to do in similar time scales.

It was also near this time when the city of Edmonton bylaw came by to say they were closing old permits, and that the back deck was not fully compliant. One railing was too short, and the bottom step was too high. Eric put a paving stone under the bottom step and got Terry to fix the railing overlooking the yard.

Eric experienced a couple firsts in May, that included: Having a CT scan, which Eric had never had before, to confirm he had Gilbert's syndrome - results confirmed that assessment. And arriving extremely early for an event (about 5:30 am): Rona's summer sale where he got a new push mower, the main reason for his early appearance, and an EPCOR rain barrel to replace his old rain barrel that was deformed in the winter.

This was also the time of full time teaching job postings. Eric applied to many, and got an interview at one school he had subbed at. In fact it was on one of the subbing days at that school he was asked about an interview for the following day. Unfortunately he did not get the job.  

As May turned into June, Eric's subbing days became sparse. This gave Eric some time to get the front lawn prepared for the summer, and the last work Darcy would need to do; a more permanent walk to the front of the house as the concrete pour was only along the side of the house and the front patio. Eric was thinking of a brick walk that would wind its way to the front, and around a flower bed with lamppost at the end of the patio. Luckily Mike and Oriana, neighbours of his father David, had a pallet of bricks they were wanting to get rid of. So Eric got them and carted them to his house with the use of a pickup, which was also used to cart away odds and ends in both his and his father's yards.

As summer came, his volunteer duties shifted. With the Harry Potter exhibit gone from Edmonton, Eric's volunteer hours at the Telus World of Science where cut back. After the Walterdale Theatre's production of Forum in April, and the winding down of the theatre for the summer, Eric had less to do there. This gave more time for the last minute planning and preparation of altView's pride week event in June, as well as more time to apply for other job postings; including one to teach upgrading courses at Medicine Hat College in Brooks.

On June 20th Eric got a skype interview for the position at Medicine Hat College Brooks Campus, he'd had phone interviews before, but this was his first skype interview. 4 days later he was given a preliminary offer. 3 days after that he went to visit the college, to get an idea of what he might be getting himself into. 3 more days later he accepted the offer; on June 30th, 10 days after the interview.

As the summer floated by Eric spent his time teaching the Lego Robotics summer course for the 4th time, volunteering occasionally for the Telus World of Science, repainting the back deck and one side of the back fence, and socializing with friends. This included being asked to do a reading at his friend Alanna’s wedding to Christian two days before the wedding in July, and attending PanFest at the start of August, along with other summer activities with family and friends like BBQs.

August brought in a busy time for Eric. He found a tenant to rent out the newly renovated room in the basement, who in the end didn’t work out. The incident that perpetuated the short lived occupancy happened while Eric was in Medicine Hat on a 5 day training for his new job, and a day before the Fringe Theatre Festival started. Eric survived the stresses, and took a little time to rest while doing his annual volunteering at the Fringe, before moving to Brooks to work for 4 months teaching math and science high school equivalent upgrading courses. Brooks was where he quietly celebrated the end of his 37th year of life, looking forward to his 38th.

Side Story: Up Yer Kilt: Adventure with John Barrowman at the 2013 Edmonton Expo

Author’s note: Some of this material is of a mature nature. Readers should be aware that there is mildly explicit material (like that expressed in Chapter 30)

It was the weekend of the 28th and 29th of September 2013. Eric was excited to be attending the entire weekend of the Edmonton Expo (Comic Convention).

On the Saturday he attended a variety of sessions, including Star Trek: Voyager’s Ensign Kim, Garret Wang’s Q&A spotlight. He wandered around the exhibit hall with friends, and bought a sexy drawing of Lost Girls’ Dyson, Kris Holden-Ried, and a green waistcoat vest. Overall a relaxing day. He also decided that day to pay for the photo ops with Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown on Back to the Future and Reverend Jim on Taxi) and a Back to the Future Delorean replica, which was taken at the end of the day, and a photo op with Torchwood’s John Barrowman, to be on the Sunday.

Over the Saturday night Eric debated what he should wear to John Barrowman’s photo op. In the end he decided to wear a khaki utilikilt (one he bought in Seattle a couple years before), and the green waistcoat vest he had bought the day before with a white short sleeve dress shirt.

Sunday started with Christopher Lloyd signing the photo of them. Then Eric had some time and noticed the line for Kris Holden-Ried’s autograph session was short, and he was due to arrive in half an hour. Thanks to the wintery weather the half hour turned into at least an hour wait. But there was some good chat with the others in line and those around. Including comments on the drawing of Kris. When Kris finally arrived, and Eric got up to have the image signed, Kris commented on how he had seen the drawing before and approved of it.

Eric then wandered a little before going to John Barrowman’s Q&A Spotlight, which was amazingly funny. Eric tried to leave as soon as he could as the spotlight session wrapped up in order to get a good spot in line for John Barrowman’s photo op.

While in line, waiting with the throngs of others, Eric still hadn’t thought of what sort of pose to go for. There were a few he was debating: having John’s husband Scott Gill in the photo with them; a standard pose or one hugging John; or having John look up his kilt. Eric knew that John had Scottish roots, hence choosing the kilt. The moved at a steady pace, and soon Eric was at the front. He was nervous and still a little undecided. Then it was his time….

Eric stepped into the booth, and gave John a hug. That was the confirmed moment he decided on the photo. John asked what pose, and Eric said: “If you don’t mind, I think one of you looking up my kilt would be good.”

John nodded and the camera man prepared to take the photo. In that instant, Eric realised he hadn’t thought about his actual pose… How he should stand and act. As John leaned over to ‘look’ under Eric’s kilt, Eric’s thought went to posing as a shocked reaction.

*flash*

The photo was taken.

Then John actually looked.

John stepped away, red faced, shocked, and embarrassed.  The better photo, missed.

He apologized to Eric, to which Eric was smiling and assuring him it was alright, as he was hinted by the staff to leave the photo booth, as there were many more people still in line.

Eric continued down the exit towards the photo pick up, and waited for the photo to be printed. He had also paid to to have it emailed. As the photo was given to him, he started to receive positive comments on the uniqueness of the photo.

Eric wandered around for a bit before getting in another long line for John Barrowman; this time his autograph session. Once again he got positive comments on the photo as he stood in line and waited. The line was long, and Eric realized he would miss Christopher Lloyd’s Q&A Spotlight. but he didn’t mind. Getting John Barrowman’s autograph seemed more important, especially, in light of John’s reaction to Eric wearing his kilt authentically.

It was worth it. When Eric got up to have John sign the photo, there was no need to remind John who he was. John once again apologized for looking. Eric replied that if it would have bothered him he would not have suggested it as a photo; he was quite comfortable with what had transpired. John then turned to his husband Scott, and tried to explain what he saw. Indicating he was quite impressed.

John signed the photo.

“Eric, love always and WOW! John Barrowman”

Eric thanked him and moved off, for the next person.

In the short time remaining of the Edmonton Expo, Eric met up with a couple friends briefly to show them the photo, then to a session on getting published.

Was the photo shoot also John Barrowman’s highlight of the 2013 Edmonton Expo? Would John incorporate the story in other Q&A Spotlights? Would Eric have a future story to rival or beat this one?

Only the future will tell.

Chapter 36: A Learning Moment (2012-2013)

Eric started his 36th year of life in the thick of things. Having just returned from a short trip (with his friend Zack) to Saskatoon for the September long weekend, Eric was eager, and nervous, to be teaching technical mathematics at NAIT for the first time. He had taught before, a few summers of Lego Robotics to students from grades 4-9, but this was his first full-time teaching job where assessment was important.

Eric worked hard, with many long days and late nights. Several weeks in, his supervisors addressed him about how he was coping. Eric admitted it was overwhelming, and if he could drop teaching the one calculus course, which had the least hours of teaching time, things would improve (his other courses were pre-calculus). His supervisors agreed, and admitted that the work load he was given was that of a seasoned mathematics instructor. Other colleagues echoed the same sentiment, that it was a heavy load for a first time instructor.

The semester continued and Eric slogged on with the teaching, perhaps learning more than his students.

Teaching was not all that Eric was doing during this time, he continued tutoring a couple of students through Lights On Mediated Learning Center. He began to learn about Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment tools through a series of Saturday workshops, at the Lights On Mediated Learning Centre, about once a month.

Eric continued his volunteering with Walterdale Theatre, though declined from taking a more active volunteer role. He also continued volunteering with the Telus World of Science Edmonton (TWoSE), shifting from school programs first to Saturday Lego Robotics Lab volunteer, then to Friday evening host while the Star Wars Identities Exhibition was at the centre. He even was a chauffeur during the Star Wars Identities Exhibit VIP opening; driving guests in a golf cart from their car to the front doors - nature reminded all the chauffeurs about dressing appropriately for the cold autumn weather in Edmonton. Eric’s volunteer work at TWoSE allowed for a fortuitous opportunity to help a colleague at NAIT find a new home for a pet she did not want any more. “Mr. Cuddles Gets A New Home”, sounds like a good title to a children’s book I may write in the future, expanding on Eric’s story of taking Mr. Cuddles, the King Scorpion to its new home at the Telus World of Science, with new neighbours like Shelob the tarantula.

In addition to his full time teaching, part-time tutoring, and volunteer activities, Eric had a couple small renovation projects done in the latter part of 2012: Removal of several trees (a couple spruce and a lilac tree) that were taking up most of his yards, work he had asked to be done over the summer but did not occur until October. As well as new basement windows installed, thanks to his Father’s account with Direct Buy, and handyman Terry who installed the windows.

As winter weather came blowing in, Eric began to wonder about the longer term work at NAIT. Especially in light of being asked to adjust his work schedule; lightening of his teaching load, yet given some other teaching preparation work. Word eventually came that there would be no extension of teaching for Eric and another colleague who started at the same time; both teaching primarily in the technical mathematics.

Eric followed up on a couple leads for other work at NAIT, but they did not pan out. Thus his time at NAIT ended as 2012 came to a close.

Christmas and New Years provided a nice break for Eric. He enjoyed it with family, especially with his sister, Samara, brother-in-law, Geert, nephew, Sebastian, and niece, Klara, who were visiting from Brussels, Belgium.

With the start of 2013, Eric had a number of changes, and learning moments, occur. After living in his house for 4.5 years he was feeling the drive to modernize the late ‘70’s wood panelling basement; a project that lasted past this chapter. Eric did have to ask a tenant, Sheldon, to move out to do the renovations. However, Sheldon had mentioned nearly a year previous that the company he worked for was bought out and was probably moving his work to the west end, which would mean he would also probably be moving to the west end. Because of that announcement, thoughts had already been percolating in Eric’s mind about doing the renovations once Sheldon were to move out. Eric gave Sheldon several months notice to find a new place, with some flexibility of a week or two extra if needed.

The renovations started in January with removing the stapled on ceiling panels, and learning a little about mice skeletons. The renovations were then on hold until Sheldon moved out in April.

During that demolition interlude, Eric learned a few random things:

• After a few years of not being involved in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League (last time as a team mentor), Eric learned about judging the competition through the act of being a judge for Core Values (thanks to Kerry-Lyn, NAIT co-worker, for making the connection).
• Getting a partial gold crown he learned that gold is better lasting as a crown and thus in the long run can be a cheaper alternative, plus he now has a gold (back) tooth.
• After attending the education career fair at the University of Alberta and getting an interview with the Calgary Board of Education, Eric learned that one cannot re-apply to the Calgary Board of Education for at least 2 years after getting a rejection.
• Upon learning there was a new family doctor’s office in the old Roger’s Video store that was near his place, Eric finally got an Edmonton family doctor. After going through a couple specialists, Eric learned he has a benign syndrome called Gilbert’s Syndrome (when he found out, he commented Facebook: “Sure hope I don't also get Sullivan syndrome otherwise I'll be breaking out in operatic song”).
• With his father, David, Eric learned about the new Edmonton remand center while attending one of the free opening tours in March 2013.

The two biggest things Eric learned during that time were: life in a relationship, meeting Joel in February; and the start of life as a substitute teacher, with Elk Island Public Schools (East of Edmonton).

Of course during this time Eric also continued to volunteer for the Walterdale Theatre and the TWoSE, shifting again back into the school programs. His involvement with the Walterdale Theatre was now including set building, set painting, as well as coffee bar. Eric also spent time with Joel, hung out with friends, attending games nights with JD and his friends, and attending plays and other events with his father, David.

Once Sheldon moved out Eric started to gear up for the major renovations. Around this time Eric took on a couple other activities besides the substitute teaching. He once again taught the after school Lego Robotics spring course (March through June), for the third year, and started to watch the Classic Doctor Who, from the very beginning, in preparation for the 50th Anniversary in November.

As the weather warmed up, the renovations expanded to include some landscaping. Eric learned how to build a fire pit in his backyard (now twice as big thanks to removing trees), and hired Darcy of Urban Meadows Landscaping to landscape the front; including regrading and replacing the front walk to the house.

Inside Eric had a demolition party to take down the wood panelling in the basement bedroom. With the help of Josh (the brother-in-law of Eric’s boyfriend Joel), Eric learned how to frame new, replacement, walls. Eric also hired Ben, an electrical journeyman and the son of a colleague at Lights On Mediated Learning Centre, to check over the electrical and install ethernet and coax cable in the new bedroom.

With Dacry looking into landscaping the front, and Ben working on the electrical on his free time, Eric took another break; this time to learn more of the world, through travel: First, a 4 day houseboating trip in the Shuswap lakes with some friends; Second, 3 weeks in Europe; Third, Camping with Joel and his friends.

Eric’s Europe trip, in the summer of 2013, consisted mostly of visiting family and old friends. Starting with 3 days in Brussels, his home base in Europe, spending time with Samara, Geert, Sebastian and Klara.

Next was 4 nights in the UK: Dinner with Mark and 2 nights and a day with Matt in Kidderminster; One night with Ann and her friends in Bridgwater; The final night alone in London, where Eric was wicked went to Wicked (the musical). Eric Enjoyed his time with his UK friends, unfortunately it was barely long enough to catch up with friends he had not seen in nearly a decade.

UK was followed by another 3 days in Brussels with family, then off to learn about France’s second largest city and the Mediterranean. Eric spent 4 nights in Marseille taking in the sun on the beaches, some of the street music festival, and cultural hotspots; Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe & de la Mediterranée, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and Parc Borély. By the end of his time in Marseille, Eric had distinct tan lines, most noticeably sandal tan.

Eric spent his final 4 days in Europe in Brussels having a great time with family, whom he misses.

After Eric’s travels, he encountered some disappointing moments in life.

First was a mutual breakup with Joel (after the camping trip); both Eric and Joel recognized their relationship was just a great friendship.

Second, the axle on Eric’s car unexpectedly broke. Luckily, while his car was in the shop, Eric was able to borrow his father’s car to get to work. He was teaching Lego Robotics Summer Camp, through Metro Continuing Education, for the third year in a row.

Third, Eric learned that for the electrical permit he needed all of the electrical to be done. So he continued with ripping the wood paneling off the rest of the basement walls he was planning to renovate.

Finally, because of a wet spring and early summer, very little was done on the front landscaping. But that was soon to change, for over August Eric saw his walk to the house, grass and weeds removed and dirt appear to regrade the front lawn.

As Eric’s 36th year of life approached an end, there were a few things he learned, and knew he had much more to learn. A second time to PanFest taught him more about some pagan rituals and history. The 32nd Edmonton Fringe taught him that if you persist long enough, &/or the right people are listening, you can be heard and accomplish change; for it was the best experience as an Information Team Leader Eric, and his fellow co-team leaders, had in a long time, if not ever. Many of the requests asked previously were addressed, making the Fringe feel like things actually ran smoothly.

Eric also learned more about Winnipeg, and how enjoyable it can be on road trips with his father, David, even at this stage of life.

Winnipeg is where we leave Eric at the end of this chapter: On his annual birthday trip. In warm Winnipeg. Visiting his Aunt Judy and Uncle Jonathan. At their gorgeous house on the Red River. Near the University of Manitoba campus (where Jonathan works). Sipping wine on the back patio with family.

Chapter 35 – The Question (2011-2012)

                The last chapter ended with Eric and his father, David, in Ottawa for Eric’s mother’s (Chris’) Celebration of Life with extended family.

                Upon returning to Edmonton, Eric continued down the road of his new career of teaching; by applying to various education boards and schools. September (2011) was still a difficult time as Eric was continuing to cope with the loss of his mother. Slowly he got his focus back, through activities such as meeting up with friends, and taking a First Aid course.

                Eric got out of the house more in October thanks to volunteering with a couple great organizations: The Walterdale Playhouse, community theatre, reflecting Eric’s love of theatre; and the Telus World of Science, in the school programs, allowing Eric to enjoy the teaching environment. The question remained, when he would be getting a full time paid teaching position.

                Around this time Eric also received a decent inheritance from a good friend of his grandparents, Charles Beer, who passed away June 15, 2010. Eric used some of this inheritance to do some shopping therapy, buying such things as a new laptop, a guitar (to learn to play), as well as hire a trainer at a gym to get in better shape and get out of the house. He invested the rest in both RSPs and his house (paying a lump sum towards the mortgage).

                Throughout the autumn, Eric took time to try and catch up with friends both in Edmonton and in Calgary. He even managed to re-connect with his best friend in Junior High, Jason, thanks to a whim to look him up on Facebook. Newer friends, JD, Josh, Steve and Jen invited him to join their board games nights. Eric also spent good time with his father, David, out at various social events; a few plays, exhibit openings at the Art Gallery of Alberta, and other events.

                With a little spending money (inheritance), and a feeling of needing a purpose through the endless days of job searching, Eric entered the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival lottery. In November, Eric found out that he was 14^th on the waiting list… inciting questions: Was that high enough on the waiting list to actually be in the Festival in August 2012? Would the play he had in mind be ready for Fringe?

                It was also in November that Eric learned about Stage Struck 2012 one-act festival happening in February 2012. Eric entered, and was accepted; seeing Stage Struck as a good chance to workshop the play.

                November and December were busy months for Eric as he worked on ensuring the play, titled “The Question” was ready for Stage Struck. He also worked as Santa’s Helper, for the third year, taking photos of kids with Santa at St. Albert Mall. This was on top of his continued volunteering for the Telus World of Science and Walterdale Playhouse, seeing a trainer at the gym regularly, and socializing with friends (in Edmonton and Calgary) and events with his father. Of course, as Murphy would have it, Eric got a job interview for a teaching position in Bon Accord, during all this activity. Although the interview went well, and Eric got praise from the principal, he lost out to a candidate with more experience.

                Christmas was a short relaxing, low-key, event. Eric’s sister Samara, her husband Geert and kids Sebastian and Klara, came for a visit from Brussels. It was also a difficult Christmas as it was the first without Eric’s mother Chris. The somewhat sombre, low-key, atmosphere spilled into Eric’s New Years celebrations. Samara and family were off with friends to ring in 2012, where as Eric spent the evening with his father, David, and family friend Robin, going to a movie downtown. 2012 came as they were on the bus home.

                January presented the ongoing question on the probability of having The Question happen at Stage Struck. Although Eric had a stage manager, Heidi, prior to Christmas, he still didn’t have actors, nor a complete script. As January rolled on, Eric managed to get a finished draft of the script and a couple actors, yet time was pressing. Because of all these late happening factors (along with Eric trying to juggle job search, volunteering, gym and socializing), a couple of the actors felt that things were too rushed and politely resigned. This made Eric question the viability of producing the play at Stage Struck, as well as the quality of the script. In the end he withdrew from Stage Struck 2012, and signed up for Alberta Playwrights’ Network’s (APN) Playwriting Circle.

                February brought a new focus to Eric, even after a re-occurrence of losing out on another teaching job to someone else with more experience (again with praise from the principal), this time in Ardrossan. Eric started a weekly yoga class to work on core strength and relaxation, as well as the start of the APN Playwriting Circle.  He continued to socialize with friends at games nights, and volunteer at the Telus World of Science and the Walterdale Playhouse. He even went to see all the plays at Stage Struck 2012 – where his friend and housemate Zack won best new work for his play “Death Comes to Aunty Norma.” [Note: as of sending this out, Zack’s play is 2^nd on the waiting list for the Edmonton Fringe 2013]

                The Playwriting Circle helped refine the script for The Question; over the eight weeks the script was re-written twice. Hugh Kemeny, the credited author, really appreciated the critiques and comments on the script. Thanks to the great group for ensuring there was a good script ready for the Fringe.

                Spring (March through June) came in with a surge of part time jobs, leaving Eric questioning if he could handle the time management of: starting to tutor math and science at Lights on Mediated Learning Centre in Sherwood Park; as an employee of the City of Edmonton (in April only), by helping to officiate the city census in his neighbourhood; substituting for one day for the St. Albert Protestant School Board; teaching Lego Robotics in an after school group, once a week at two different schools (John A Macdougall and Athelone – both were groups of students from grade 4 to 6. This was his second year in a row of teaching the Lego Robotic course, which he developed last year); and supervising make up exams for high school evening courses at Metro Continuing Education (the same school that hired him to teach the robotics at other Edmonton Public Schools). Luckily, as these paid activities came into Eric’s life, some of his paying activities ended: yoga and time with trainer at the gym. Eric still maintained some volunteering at the Telus World of Science and Walterdale Playhouse as well as social activities.

                Once Eric had got use to balancing the timing of the various jobs (paid and volunteer), and especially once the City Census was over, he managed to get the word out for new actors for The Question. Throughout May and June, Eric not only found great actors for The Question, but word that if the play was 45 minutes it could be in the Fringe. Since the play’s most recent, and best draft to date, was not quite done and well under 45 minutes, this was an easy Yes – spawning more questions: What would the set look like? How could it be built for quick set up and take down? Would the script be finalized in time? Would the actors be ready for opening night? Where to rehearse? What props, costumes, and sounds were needed and where to get them? Many of these questions were answered as the next few months unfolded.

June also brought a range of other activities and news, which included: Eric shooting a gun for the first time at a gun range, as part of his friend Marc-Julien’s bachelor party (with attendance of Marc-Julien’s wedding in July); an interview to teach technical mathematics at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology); and a visit to the optometrist resulting in unexpected minor laser corrective surgery – Eric’s optometrist, Dr. Brisbin, having new equipment, saw something he figured needed a closer look by a specialist; an ophthalmologist. Eric went in to the ophthalmologist’s office, not expecting much more than typical eye exam. However the exam showed an old torn retina, which Dr. Baker wanted to fix right away… so under the laser Eric went (it was painful! – However, that has not deterred Eric from corrective laser eye surgery in the future).

                An incident with Eric’s stage manager for The Question in mid June left the cast and small crew (Adrian, Angela, Greg, Laena, Orion, and of course Eric) questioning if there would be a replacement stage manager in time for the first performance. Luckily spreading the word quickly brought Chris to the team for July.

                With school out, and most tutoring also on holiday, Laura and Carol kindly offered the Lights on Mediated Learning Centre (where Eric tutored) as a rehearsal space. The set design and build came soon after, and slowly answers came to many of the questions that had come up with confirmation of performing at the Fringe.

July unfolded mostly as the month of answers, and lots of fun work. Preparation for the play went into full swing with great rehearsals and promotional materials being developed: connecting with other like minded plays for cross-promotion, photos, a website (http://hughkemeny.ca/thequestion2012.html) and twitter accounts. Additional work included teaching LEGO Robotics through Metro Continuing Education’s Cool School’s Summer Camp, for the second year, as well as an offer letter for the teaching position at NAIT.

As July was fun in the activities Eric was involved in, August was down right super busy. Once August was over Eric questioned how he managed to: produce The Question at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, volunteer as an information Team Leader at the Fringe Theatre Festival, taking NAIT’s Becoming a Master Instructor course as part of his training (a two week course that overlapped the Fringe), as well as begin the preparation for teaching four technical mathematics courses at NAIT (three pre-calculus and one calculus). Eric didn’t even get a break between the end of the Edmonton Fringe (August 26) and working at NAIT, for his first day teaching was the next day (August 27).

Eric managed to take a couple short, relaxing, breaks at both the beginning of August and September. In August he went to PanFest; a weekend of joyous learning that reminded him a little of his Waldorf days. In September, a week into work, he took his annual birthday trip; this year was a road trip to Saskatoon with his friend and housemate Zack. Although Saskatoon was a break and an attempt to get away from the busyness of August, Eric spent some of the time preparing for his first full time teaching job, the rest of the time was enjoying the beauty of Saskatoon.

We will leave things there, but before we do, a few answers: The Question had small to medium houses, with mediocre reviews. Eric lost money, but doesn’t regret producing the play. Especially thanks to the amazing cast (Adrian, Greg, Angela, and Laena) and crew (Chris and Orion); He continued on with his volunteering at the Walterdale Playhouse and Telus World of Science as September started; Spends time with his father David going to plays, AGA (Art Gallery of Alberta) openings, and other events around town, as well as with other family when possible; And also makes time for friends.

Chapter 34 – Lonely Reflections and Loss (2010-2011)

                Eric sat looking into the flames of his campfire. He was camping near Banff, alone; which gave him a chance to just think. The flames danced over the logs he had put on the fire, and as Eric watched them a sense of loneliness came over him. It was a loneliness that reflected more a state of being rather than sadness. He felt that this was also a sense of what was to come, perhaps a flicker of the year ahead.

                Eric decided to cut his 2010 birthday camping trip short; after only one night camping by himself. He had gone on a hike the day he arrived in Banff, up most of Level C Cirque, with a lookout over part of Lake Miniwanka. The following day his friend Brent, from Calgary, joined him for a hike up Tunnel Mountain. Eric’s decision to pack up camp was a good one, for as he drove away from the camp grounds rain started to fall; Eric drove through a storm heading back to Calgary.

                Over the next several weeks Eric worked at his summer job with HFP Acoustical Consultants, in Calgary. As October started Eric returned home, to Edmonton, to prepare for his second attempt at his teaching practicum. Preparing was not easy as there was a delay in learning where and what grades he was going to teach. The delay was due to computer issues at the University of Alberta.

                Louis St. Laurant (LSL) Catholic School was where Eric was placed. He was to teach junior high science, and he eagerly started with the grade 7s and soon the grade 8s. His mentor teacher, Ms. Schatz, was excellent, and quite helpful in making sure Eric was getting the most out of his practicum. Eric also enjoyed hanging out with the other student teachers.

                Heat and Temperature was the unit Eric taught the grade 7 students; the grade 8 students had Optics. Eric had 2 sections of both grade 7 and 8, there was also 2 sections of grade 9s that he eventually taught part of the unit on Electricity.  Eric enjoyed teaching the students, and many of the students seemed, to him, to enjoy him as a teacher. Eric did make some mistakes, but what is learning without a few stumbles; “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” -Oscar Wilde.

                Teaching was not the only thing Eric did at LSL, he also volunteered for a number of activities: yearbook (briefly as it conflicted with robotics), robotics club, supervision for the junior-junior volleyball tournament, and back stage supervision for the junior high Christmas band concert. The volleyball tournament and Christmas concert were both one time events. Robotics on the other hand was something Eric was quite interested in being involved with, and continued to volunteer beyond the end of his teaching practicum.

Eric’s volunteering with the group extended to the competition day in January 2011, which was held at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). At the end of the day awards were handed out, and the LSL Barons (the team name) won third place in the category of teamwork.

On the family front, there was a big celebration for David’s (Eric’s father) 65^th Birthday in November. Christmas was fairly uneventful with the typical family celebrations, though with a new member of the family joining in; Klara, Eric’s 5 month old niece. Eric worked as Santa’s helper for a second year in a row; taking photos of kids on Santa’s knee. This gave him some income which helped in the buying of Christmas presents. The major excitement in Eric’s personal life around this time was with one of his tenants. Adiona moved in to the vacant room in October, only to be a little wishy-washy about staying every month after that. In late December she actually moved out, and to ensure she didn’t suddenly change her mind, Eric started minor renovations on that room (ripping up the carpet to expose the hardwood underneath). Eric managed to rent the room out to Cesar, an immigrant from Mexico (fluent in English, and with a professional background), in March.

New Year’s Eve reflected Eric’s feelings from the start of his 34^th year. Having not been invited to an event, and the weather fairly mild, Eric decided around 11:30 pm to go for a walk. He wandered through the nearby ravine, and guessed as to the start of the new year with the distant jubilation he heard. The walk alone was in part what he needed; time to think and lightly reflect. In both his birthday fire and New Year’s ice reflecting Eric contemplated in part on where is life might be going, in particular regarding relationships and settling down (staying in Edmonton vs. moving elsewhere - eventually). Eric returned home a little chilled, his walk was around 1.5 hours, yet he returned the year after he left; leaving in 2010, returning in 2011.

As 2011 started, Eric started to look for teaching work. Knowing that he was lacking a little in experience with students, he contacted Ottewell Junior High, in his neighbourhood, about volunteering as a Study Buddy (working either one on one or with a small group of students during the school day) again. He was accepted and volunteered for his second time at Ottewell, his first in the fall of 2009. This was in addition to his continued volunteering with LSL Robotics Club.

While gathering all his documents for the school board applications, Eric also attended the University of Alberta’s Education Career Fair. What ended up for him to be “in the right place at the right time.” Stopping to talk to a representative at Metro Continuing Education, he happened to mention having done a course in Lego Robotics, and involvement with the LSL Robotics Club. Immediately he was directed to talk to Gerald, an assistant principal, who informed Eric that Metro was looking to implement a Lego Robotics after school course almost immediately, and was looking for someone to not only teach it but create the course. Within a couple weeks Eric had a job with Metro, and a couple weeks later he was in the classroom learning probably more than the students he was teaching.

The robotics course Eric taught was funded by a group that promotes technology skills for students in inner city / low income schools, and geared to upper elementary students (grades 4-6). The course was at four different schools, and consisted of 24 teaching hours. Eric was to be teaching the Lego Robotics for only 12 of the teaching hours at each school. Each school had a teacher that then taught the other 12 hours in other robot or technology related content, the teacher of those 12 hours also assisted in the classroom when Eric was present with the Lego robots.

The four different schools (Riverdale, Abbott, Delton, and John A. MacDougal) presented Eric with many different opportunities to learn. Not only was he learning how to create a course and the course content, but he was also learning the difference between teaching junior high and upper elementary. He took a couple opportunities to also showcase the robots through Riverdale’s open house, and an assembly at Delton. Despite the learning curve, Eric enjoyed his time teaching the students, and watching them demonstrate their final robotic program.

Metro was not finished with Eric with the completion of the after school program. He was hired on briefly to oversee the writing of diploma exams. However, his bigger opportunity came with the running of a robotics summer camp during Metro’s Cool Schools Summer Camps in July. This time he had 15 hours with the students working with the robots. The summer camp consisted of a one week course; three hours in the morning with upper elementary students (grades 4-6), and three hours in the afternoon with junior high students (grades 7-9). This was then repeated for at total of three weeks. Eric continued to learn through most of his time teaching the summer camp. He especially noticed the vast differences between the grade 4 and 6 students, which encouraged him to differentiate his teaching and expectations for the different ages.

During this time a few family matters were occurring: In June Geert, Eric’s brother-in-law, successfully defended his PhD thesis on the same day that Eric crossed the stage at the Jubilee Auditorium; receiving his diploma for completing his B.Ed. Eric was honoured to have his parents (father David and mother Chris) finally attend one of his university convocations, and family friend Robin attend both of his convocations; the previous convocation in 2001 for a B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering.

July had more family excitement, starting off with Chris’ 65^th birthday, where family and friends from across Canada came to celebrate. Next, Samara (Eric’s sister) and family (husband Geert, son Sebastian, daughter Klara) moved to Belgium. There were many activities around this, including family photo session in June by professional photographers, farewell parties, packing and clearing out of their condo (which David owns) into August, and the bitter-sweet passing on of their car to Eric; sad in that they were leaving, happy to get a car running on all cylinders (see ’34.5 Side Story Conclusion’ for more on the fate of his old car).

July was by far the most life changing month. Aside from Eric’s first full time teaching, and Samara and family moving away (Eric enjoyed the time he spent with his niece Klara, and nephew Sebastian), the loneliness feelings Eric had at his birthday fire and New Years ice walk bore their foreshadowing. . .

Wednesday 13 July: David drove Samara, Geert, Sebastian and Klara to the airport. Upon returning home, Chris, who had been experiencing more difficulties due to her health conditions, requested to be taken to the hospital for observation and hopefully a readjustment of her medications.

Monday 18 July: Eric started his last week teaching the robotics summer camp. That afternoon, when Eric went to visit his mother, he could see she was not in the best condition. His heart sank at seeing her in a foggy condition from the medication, which was not just her normal meds, but others to help her fight off an infection she had contracted.

Tuesday 19 July: In the middle of the day Eric got a call from his father that Chris had got worse. David had to make a few tough decisions, which Eric agreed appeared to be the best under the circumstances. Fear started to grip Eric; fear that Chris would not pull though. Before bed Eric said a variety of prayers for his mother’s health, lighting a candle as part of the ritual. As sleep took hold of Eric, he blew out the nearly gone candle, with a tear in his eye and an unsettled heart. In the middle of the night Eric was awoken to the phone ringing, it was David calling to say that Chris had had a heart attack. Eric, unable to sleep, but too tired to drive to the hospital right away, spent about half an hour going through all his digitized photos, pulling out all the ones of his mother. Emotions racing through him as the thoughts of what this meant churned in his head. After finding the photos of his mother, Eric settled in for a few more hours of sleep.

Wednesday 20 July: Eric got up early and quickly showered before heading to the hospital, where he met up with his father at his mother’s side. Moments later the doctor came to talk to them about Chris’ condition, which was that any moment she could slip away; something not surprising after the events of the past couple days. Upon returning to Chris’s side, David and Eric found Robin, a good family friend, had also come in. The next moments were filled with silent respect as each one reflected on Chris’ life and the suddenness of her now passing. After the moment came, everyone said their final goodbye. Eric decided he would continue on to the school and work, partly because he knew it would be something his mother would want him to do; to get on to the important work, and mourn when the time is right. Also because Eric felt he had made a promise to the students to help guide them in discovering what they can make their robots do, and, as he found out during the day, the act of teaching kept his mind occupied long enough to get through the day.

As everyone deals with loss in their own time and manner, Eric is slowly dealing with it. At both the suggestion of his father, and the knowledge that his mother would say the same, Eric continued on with some of his plans for the rest of July and August. However he also spent time helping out and supporting his father through the funeral and Celebration of Life preparations.

Earlier in the summer Eric has entered a contest and won half off an all inclusive back country camping trip in Olympic National Park, Washington. This trip was the first weekend of August. Eric decided to visit Seattle before the trip, as he had other commitments afterwards back in Edmonton. It was Eric’s first time to Seattle but was grateful to be able to stay with friends of his sister and family; David Unger and family. While in Seattle he did the tourist things, like going up the Space Needle, visiting the EMP (Experience Music Project) science fiction and music museum, taking the Underground Tour, and walking around downtown. He also bought an utilikilt, and met some of his fellow campers before the hike.

The back country camping trip was part of the launch of a new wilderness guide company called Scenic Boy Adventures and was for four days: 2 days into the Enchanted Valley of Olympic National Park and another 2 days out. Eric enjoyed the scenery, the company (the great guides Dusty and Garet, and the other participants Jon, Brad, Guthrie, Scott and Jamie), and the chance to get away. 

                Back in Edmonton, Eric continued on with his plans: volunteering for the 30^th Edmonton Fringe Festival, and making a quilt out of the t-shirts from his 20 years of volunteering (including this year’s shirt). As well as assisting in the preparation for the Celebration of Life for Chris at the end of the Fringe week. Because of this commitment Eric saw only three plays over the 10 days (all in one evening).

                Chris’ Celebration of Life in Edmonton was a touching event, with many of her friends and colleagues showing up to pay their respects. Family members at this event were primarily Edmonton family (husband David, son Eric, niece Katrina & her husband Kris), with Samara and Klara returning for the occasion, and David’s brother Kem and his wife Sheila coming from Ontario. A second Celebration of Life, with more of Chris’ family, was held in Ottawa the following week. It too was a touching event, and Eric found it also a great opportunity to catch up with and meet many of his Ontarian relatives. (If you would like to read more about Chris, or leave a comment, feel free to check out the memorial blog in her name: http://chrisjonesmemorial.blogspot.com/ )

                We end this chapter with Eric having spent a few days in Ottawa, after his mother’s Celebration of Life. He spent that time sightseeing during the day while his father, David, attended a conference. Eric’s friend and housemate Zack also joined David and Eric for those couple days, having a Liberal Party debrief after running as a candidate in the Federal election in May.