BenSpark Family Adventures

Photo-A-Day #02632 Allison and I took a walk around the neighborhood after dinner tonight. I snapped this photo of the stump from the tree that we had taken down this Fall. Not sure what I'm going to do in that space but we shall see.

Photo-A-Day #02631 The Spring is coming and the first flowers have arrived. I always enjoy seeing these little guys pop up each season. I can't help but photograph them too. I think I have crocus photos from every year and they pretty much are all the same as these guys pop up in the same place each year.

Photo-A-Day #02630 This afternoon we had lunch with Tar and Erik at Morins. We went for the meal and the advice on college funding. We're working on how to fund Eva's first year of college. We're in that "No need" level of college funding and that means taking out plenty of loans. So we are working on how to best do that. So I've got a lot of research to do to get the best rates I can for loans and we are also looking at scholarships. while we were there Erik told us about how much he has fond memories of the Charlie Burger and how he and his grandparents used to split them whenever they went there. They liked the renovations that were made to the place. I told them that they had to see the sign on the side of the building, it really gives the place a great look. Before we went to lunch Mem and Grandfather stopped over to congratulate Eva on her award at the METG Festival.

Photo-A-Day #02629 Tonight we celebrated my sister Tara for her 50th birthday. Erik hosted the event at The Blackinton Inn's carriage house. We had an excellent meal, appetizers and good conversations. Many of Tara's friends came for the party. A few I have not seen in years and it was so nice to see them.  We sat with Mem and Grandfather as well as their friends Heather and Brian Johnson. I spent time chatting with my cousin Matt, Brian, Tim and a few other people. It was full of Tara's good friends that have been friends of hers for so many years. Great to see most of them had come to see and celebrate her. And speaking of Celebrating, we are celebrating a big win for Eva. She won an award for Technical Excellence in Costume Design from the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild tonight. We were watching along with the livestream but couldn't really see much of anything. We did see Eva go up to present an award for Weymouth High School. Later in the video she receive...

Photo-A-Day #02628 Of course, these projects are not actually work related but I am doing them at work. Building a few little LEGO sets, trying to fix the stick drift on a couple of my backup controllers and catching up on my solo D&D game. Between these little projects and watching old episodes of The Greatest American Hero I have things to occupy my time until the Downtime project tonight, you know, actual work.

Photo-A-Day #02627 Eva was up bright and early today for the METG High School Drama Festival. Her theater group from Feehan performed their one act play, "Around the World in 80 Days" tonight. Allison went in to Boston to see the play. She caught up with Tara and Erik as well because they flew in for the weekend. This was the first time that Erik was able to see one of the performances that Eva was involved in. The festival is 3 days in Boston and the kids go back and forth on a bus over the days. Eva is very excited for this experience and we are hoping to hear good things from the group when awards are presented. They have a fantastic show. Tonight I went to see Andy's last band concert for Brennan. Mem and Grandfather came up from the Cape and went with us. They also took us to dinner at House of Fortune where they could congratulate Jason and Stephanie on their upcoming retirement. The meal, as always was delicious. Andy and I had plenty to take home and enjoy tomorro...

Photo-A-Day #02626 I have been enjoying the warmer weather lately. Today I went and picked up my comic books from The Laughing Shield Comic Book Store. Today I picked up the latest Thundercats book and also Void Rivals. Thundercats has been really fun to read and the next couple months will be even better since they will be crossing over with the Silverhawks, another 80's cartoon. It makes a lot of sense because these two cartoon series featured many of the same voice actors. Void Rivals is part of the Energon universe and so there is crossover between the characters in this and those in Transformers and G.I. JOE. Soon we will be getting M.A.S.K. added to the mix so that is exciting for me. Another cartoon and toy brand that I really enjoyed as a kid.

Photo-A-Day #02625 One of the best things about Paramount + is that they have several great Star Trek shows ont he platform. I love Star Trek Discover, Strange New Worlds and now Starfleet Academy. Through Tik Tok I discovered a cosplayer named Seraphima and her service dog, Riker (Named for Johnathan Frake's character Commander Riker from Star Trek The Next Generation). Around Christmas Seraphima ran a campaign to get Riker (her dog) to meet Riker (Johnathan Frakes) at Wondercon. Meeting a celeb at these events can be costly so Seraphima sold photos of Riker that were "signed" by Riker. She put paw print signatures on the photos. When I got mine I also got this sweet christmas card of Seraphima and Riker along with some Star Trek themed stickers and the signed photo of Riker. It was a very nice package and she was able to raise enough to meet Johnathan Frakes recently. And some additional money to help pay for Riker's extensive vet bills. I think about that today not...

Photo-A-Day #02624 I've been very lax for a couple months now on my eating habits. I had been so good and had gotten down to nearly 190lbs. My blood sugar was under control and it was good. Then, I slowly re-introduced things at a moderate rate that quickly turned into eating more like I used to, not as bad but not as good as I had been. So, I decided that once the play was over I would get back to Virta. For dinner tonight this plate is mostly Virta approved, the baked potato is not. I did give myself the smallest possible one in the bag and loaded it up with cheese, butter and sour cream for the fat content. I also prepared the baked potato alton Brown's way which made it really really tasty. Eva was so excited for a baked potato. The meat, however was perfect. This is a roast that I cut into quarters, browned, and then pressure cooked with beef broth, onion soup mix and onions for 1 hour. What came out was a very very tender and flavorful meat. Then there's the broccoli ...

Photo-A-Day #02623 Today was supposed to be the final performance of The Winter Wolf. Sadly, that did not happen. Our star, Emma, is in the hospital and the performance was cancelled. I'm trying to process what that means. My first thought is that I am a curse for performances. Every performance that I have been in for ACT has had an illness that would have cancelled the show. In the past two shows I stepped in to take on the role and the show went on. This time there is no way I could pass for a 13 year old girl. That was my dark humor trying to process this.  It is a loss. While being part of this show has been a major win for me. Finally getting a role in a performance that was not a one line walk on, walk off. Finally I had a very good role that I loved doing (even the dancing). My partner, Stephanie, was amazing. We had some great chemistry in our roles as Father and Mother. I had finally gotten a chance to shine on stage and it was fun. After 33 years away from the theater I ...

Photo-A-Day #02622 This is a photo of Eva and her friend Aviva. The two of them have decided a while back that they'd be attending prom together, however, Eva learned that Avivia was going to hit her with a promposal and so Eva had to do it first. Eva had me take her to Michael's to get a posterboard on Wednesday in anticipation of today. Today Avivia was coming over to go with Allison, Andy and Eva to Case high school to see the play the Woodsman. Eva got to hit Avivia with her promposal as she walked intot he backyard. It was very cute and Avivia promised retribution even though she said yes, of course, she would go with Eva.  The two are such good friends. Avivia has such great energy about her. I got to visit with them before I headed to The Winter Wolf's 8th performance. I also visited with my Mom and Dad briefly as they have just returned from their trip to Florida. Allison picked them up at the airport while I ran and got pizza for dinner for everyone. Tonight's ...

Photo-A-Day #02621 On Wednesday I went and checked out the Philly Pretzel Factory that just opened. While I was there they gave me a free pretzel as well as a coupon for a free ice cream with purchase of 5 pretzels. I had Eva with me today because she had no school. so we went out to find some nice dress pants for her for the Theater Fest next weekend and also for the Prom. Eva is making much of her outfit for the Prom but not the pants.  When I went to the Pretzel Factory on Wednesday I asked the owner if they were hiring. He seemed excited when he took my info. I do hope he calls soon. I'm not sure if I can trust myself to stick back to my eating plan if I do get hired, though. I do love pretzels and even enjoyed them as part of a sundae. The thing I went there for, though, was a pretzel cone for ice cream. They don't make them in house so that was disappointing. They are premade. I would have liked having a fresh one like a waffle cone. But I still have not tried one, so the...

Photo-A-Day #02620 Tonight Andy made a batch of Ninja Bread Men Sugar Cookies. We discovered that this would be a fun cookie for Cora to eat in the play. It is funny because she takes the cookie and rips off the head immediately which causes me to search for a perfect animal to describe her eating. This weekend will be the final weekend of the play. It has been a lot of fun to be a part of this production.  Andy is going to come and volunteer tomorrow night at the concession stand for the play. Andy has to do 10 service hours as part of National Junior Honor Society. I keep waiting to hear about an induction ceremony for this but I don't think they are doing one.

Photo-A-Day #02619 Tonight Eva was inducted into the National Theater Honor Society. She is now part of English, Science, Art and the all encompassing National Honor Societies. We are very proud of all the hard work that she has done in her High School career.

Photo-A-Day #02618 Today was Saint Patrick's Day and I put 3 corn beef briskets in the crock pot and Instant pot. They were made using a Killian's Red as the liquid in the crock pots. The one in the Instant Pot also had a Dragon Fire Oatmeal Cookie Stout that Allison noticed had a sort of Caramel taste to us. We did Points and a flat and once again weren't sure which type it is that we like more. I used the package of spices with crock pot and not the one in the Instant Pot. However, when I was taking it all out after 8 hours I found the little plastic package did in fact make it into the Instant Pot. It did not open, though, so that is good. We basically ate everything so quickly that I never got a photo of the meal before we devoured it. We had plenty left over for a few more days of Corned Beef Hash.

Photo-A-Day #02617 Tonight Allison and I prepared the gifts that the cast is giving to the people who worked on the Winter Wolf. the four adults on the cast are pitching in about $30 each for some gift cards but that didn't seem like enough. I remembered that I had collected some specialty Wolf themed ornaments well over 25 years ago. They haven't see the light of day in about that time. So I figured, why not make these gifts for the people who helped with the show. A fingle Wolf themed ornament on the tree isn't overkill. It is nice and a great remembrance of this show since the show takes place at Christmas. I even put a few of these ornaments on the tree that is on the set. I also put a few more of my wolf touches around the set and the theater. I had also ordered some little stone wolf figurines to give to everyone involved int eh production and decided to add them to the gift bags as well. Andy made special wax seals for the gift bags and they are of a wolf. I did go a...

Photo-A-Day #02616 Today was the sixth performance of The Winter Wolf and I have to say it was probably my best one so far. I didn't mess up a single line (too badly). I did not freeze and forget a line either. Before each show I listen and speak my lines based on the read through that we did. I took the read through and cut it down to just my lines and the lines before mine so that I could practice. I listen to and use that almost every day. Before each performance I put my headphones in and go off somewhere (usually behind the stage) and practice them to make sure that they are fresh in my head before each show.  Today my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Wayne came to see the show. Allison came again to see it and so did my sister Shelby and my niece Kylie. Emma who plays Cora is near Kylie's aga, a little older but she teases me very much like my own niece. I tell her that.  After the performance we went to House of Fortune for an early dinner. Thank you to my Aunt and Uncle for a grea...

Photo-A-Day #02615 Tonight was the 5th night of The Winter Wolf. For the most part the show went off without a hitch. that is until my last two lines. I completely blanked out even though I've had those two lines down pat for a very long time. They are two rather important lines and I simply blanked. Luckily my partner on stage, Stephanie covered for that flub and got us through it. I am really kicking myself because we had a near perfect show. My good friend, Frank, came to see the show. Frank and I went to college together and each time we reconnect, which has been around these plays for a while now, we have great conversations. It is really good to be able to talk with someone who really gets where you are at. After the show we went over to Morin's for a late dinner. I still had to work that night so I needed to eat something. When I got home Eva came and found me. Her theater group has made it to the next stage of the competition and they are going to Boston for the finals....

Photo-A-Day #02614 I've been playing the game Styx: Master of Shadows. It is the second game in a series around the goblin named Styx. You basically sneak around giant areas and steal stuff, avoid or eliminate guards. There are four games in the series and I have 3 out of the four to play. I'm getting close to the end of this first game and I've played the second game before but didn't get far enough through it. So this time I'm doing going to try it again.

Photo-A-Day #02613 Tonight I went to see the Bishop Feehan High School performance of the one act play Around The World in 80 Days. Eva worked on the costumes for this play and she even won in the preliminary round of the competition. She and the cast head to Semi-Finals on Saturday and I sure hope that they win. The show was excellent. Really well done. Very enjoyable and the costumes were excellent. I ran into a former classmate who is now a teacher at the school and his son is in the cast. Keeping the Feehan traditions alive.

Photo-A-Day #02612 The snow has been melting off pretty good lately. Allison and I have been taking a walk around the block after dinner each night. We're noticing the snow melting. In our yard there is a bit of a snow tunnel happening. It melted almost immediately after reaching this state but it looked cool while it was like this.

Photo-A-Day #02611 The family is excited because we can use the grill again. It is finally clear of all the snow in the backyard. Makes things easier for preparing dinners.

Photo-A-Day #02610 With the snow finally starting to melt the yard is covered with small branches from the tree being trimmed in the Fall. I've picked up a bunch so far and am using them int he raised beed to build up the base again. It is almost time to go and get some more soil and compost.

Photo-A-Day #02609 Today was the last performance of The Winter Wolf for the first weekend. What a fun weekend. This has been a very enjoyable show and I'm having fun. There have been a couple of hiccups including today. There was a moment when my onstage wife repeated a line. I got a bit flustered and we recovered but we'll avoid that in the future.

Photo-A-Day #02608 After last night's play I had to work. That is usually how I do things when I have a play, I will take 4 hours off on Fridays and Saturdays and all of Sunday off. We had a Windows PAtching Event this morning and there was something that my cousin, shaun said or tried to do and it did not work out. I had said how to do it and I just keep this photo for when someone does not do the thing I suggested the first time.

Photo-A-Day #02607 Tonight was opening night of The Winter Wolf. It went very well. The wolf head here is named Leiko and he is Doug's. Doug wanted to put it in the play at some point but it didn't work out. so Leiko is in the green room on top of an LED light so that he shines his bright eyes.  Allison and the kids came to see the show. They had a good time.

Photo-A-Day #02606 A while back I found some cute little stone wolves on Tik Tok. I picked up two sets of them to give as gifts to my fellow cast members and people who worked with the show The Winter Wolf. I can't decide if I give them to people tonight or at the end of the show's run. Mine has been sitting on my desk since close to when I got the script. We had a day off from the show today.

Photo-A-Day #02605 When Allison and Eva returned from London Eva had brought back some itty Pops of Transformers for me. However the mystery figure in this set was a Lite Brite and not Soundwave of The Transformers. There were other Mystery sets and I found a low priced G.I.JOE set. I figured that I would give it a shot and maybe get Soundwave. No, I actually got the real G.I.JOE mystery figure, Dr. Mindbender. So now I have a whole set of G.I.JOE but I am still missing the bitty Soundwave figure. I have a feeling that this is going to rabbit hole very soon. In other news tonight we had our first dress rehearsal in front of people. A handful of The Masons came down and watched the show. This is our last rehearsal before opening night on Friday. I had most of my lines down so I'm feeling pretty good on it.

Photo-A-Day #02604 The professional headshots are in and the board is up for the lobby of the Attleboro Community Theater. I've got a rather shiny head because I had just shaved it and also my smile is looking a little psycho because I can't hold a real smile for that long and then it starts to look too intense. One extreme or another I guess.  Tonight we had another run through but not in full costume. We did well tonight. Our director was very pleased. Our main actor, Emma, did so well. She's only 13 and she is carrying the show. A lot of pressure for a young kid. I asked Andy to make me some Christmas cookies for one of my scenes. They did a great job on them and even made Ninja Bread Men, which I think Emma will love because she takes karate at ABD. I learned that my former Sensei is coming to see a show.  Emma, who is a little smart-ass, said, "He's not coming to see you, you quit." I'm actually glad that she is feeling comfortable enough to tease me,...

Photo-A-Day #02603 I don't know why I look so annoyed or mad in this photo. I shouldn't be, things with the play are going well. We had our first full on run through yesterday and tonight we had a full dress of the show. It went very well. I mixed up a couple of things but overall it was good. I'm at 98% of having all of my lines ready to go. There area  couple that I either am not getting the exact wording for or I am mixing up when I say them. Just a couple but I keep working on it. We also had professional photos taken tonight. So that was a little nerve wracking since the photographer was taking photos all throughout the play. It sort of threw me off in one bit of it but wasn't too terrible. His photos are always great.

Photo-A-Day #02602 Andy has been getting into making Wax seals. They have learned how to use multiple colors to make very special seals. So I picked up a wax seal of a wolf and I asked Andy to make them with a metallic blue and white. They are for the people who are part of The Winter Wolf. Andy did an excellent job on them. Today we had the start of Tech Week for The Winter Wolf. We started with doing the technical queue run and at the intermission point lunch arrived so we ate lunch and then did the tech and queue run of the second act. Overall things went well. Once our tech runthrough was done we did it again with all the tech queues. We made some mistakes but overall I think it was going well. Tomorrow night we do the run through in full costume with a photographer. Then we do two more days of run throughs with Wednesday the performance for The Masons.