Ok so first off it's taken me FOREVER to find the link to the log in for this blog thing. And right now I'm in class trying to at least get this log in thing on my room mates new lap top. Well I have to go right now but I have SO MUCH to write on this thing. Life after the show Major Barbara has been something else. Money problems, friendships getting stronger, thanksgiving at my apartment, possible withdrawal from the school, etc. etc. More to come on the life after Barb. But class is over and my room mate wants his lap top back. ((sigh)) Peace Power Passion Love ASHE'

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All work and no play
October 23, 2009
William
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All work and no play makes Will a bitter black man... lol. Ok no seriously I have been working at an unhealthy rate. Between homework, classes, two jobs, Major Barbara and Alpha Psi Omega I have no time for a personal life. I try my best to find time to relax but there just is none. Let me give you a glimpse of what my week is like. Monday- Classes from 10 am to 5:20 pm. Then rehearsal from 7-11 or if not rehearsal I have homework. Tuesday- Work from 7 am to 9 am, classes from 11:30 am til 5:20 pm and again rehearsal from 7-11. Wednesday I have a class at 8:30 am, then a beautiful break til 2:30 which I usually use to catch up on homework then I'm not done with classes until 6pm. Thursday I have work again from 7 am to 9 am, class from 10 am to 5:20 pm and then rehearsal again from 7-11. Friday is my nice day but by then I'm so tired I don't want to do anything. On Friday I have only one class at 10 am. Then I have work study (this journal project) from 1-3. Which luckily I can do at home because right after that I have work at the YMCA across the street from my house. After that I come home and go STRAIT TO SLEEP! I mean dang I am so tired it's retarded. Then comes the weekend where Alpha Psi usually takes over or 10 out of 12 rehearsals. For those reading this who don't know what that is, that basically means I am at rehearsal for 12 hours but I rehearse only ten of those hours. Still a long time though huh. Yeah well I have a ten out of twelve for Major Barbara on Halloween day. Talk about crushing my hopes and dreams huh. But I am going to be the Joker for this black light party tomorrow that our pledge master is throwing. And then for Halloween day I'll simply be a werewolf. No one will see me until after 10 pm so... Yeah. Wont really matter. In any case all of my hard work will eventually pay off. See I applied to the YMCA to be a lifeguard originally. So me and this lady named Jennifer who is over that department have been working out a deal. Now the first agreement was that I would do the lifeguard classes at the Y I work at. But those were cancelled because not enough people signed up. So now I'm going to do classes at the Y in West Philly. And the classes start this weekend and continue on until next Saturday. Problem is Major Barbara goes up the second Weekend of November. So next weeks rehearsals are very important. So I'm pretty sure I'll be late to like every rehearsal next week. Charles (my director and stage combat teacher) is gonna be pissed. But if all goes according to plan I'll be making at least 1200 dollars a month. I'm praying on it. Because right now I have no way of paying rent. And rent is due at the beginning of November and I don't have it. All I have is two hundred. So how I will make it... Don't know. Let's just hope I'll be ok. In the meantime all I can do is keep on pushing and live each moment as if it were my last. Well I'm off to work now. Wish I had pics to put up but I gotta buy some batteries for this camera. Peace and Passion yall.

Ashe'
William Lawrence Toussaint

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So I've been waiting for the sun in my life to rise for a minute. When I was in Atlanta I was without a home for seven months. And my family was in no credit position for me to be applicable for any big loans. My money was dry. Things were looking dark. But from the help of family and great friends I was able to make it up to Philadelphia and attend the University of the Arts. Life is not easy but with peace, patience, hard work, perseverance, dreams, and love I made it through. (As you can probably tell by now this blog will be a little bit more deep than my previous ones) In any case, I went to my job at the YMCA yesterday and officially got my schedule. I got my first paycheck from work study as well. So money is coming together. But I am not getting paid NEARLY enough to pay for 600 a month rent, food, clothes, gas and electric bill, etc. So... I figure I'm going to have to take the money I make and invest it wisely in throwing awesome parties. And the parties here are ok... some are pretty good. So far the best have been the Madi gra party and the Alpha Psi Omega party. Well next weekend (hopefully... but more than likely the weekend after next weekend) I will throw an awesome party that will top all others. Only thing is... I have to do the calculations to find out how many people I can fit in this place and how many have to come for me to make bookou money. Ok so here is my other issue... I have been on this computer for quite a few hours now wondering what exactly to say. Not much has happened in the past week. I've been so sleepy I've missed a class. Rehearsals are possibly the biggest drag in life. The Alpha Psi Omega frat threw an awesome party last saturday. Umm.... Oh here is the biggest thing (although it's kind of dumb). I made a vow before I came to college to not have a girlfriend at all. Simply because I knew how busy I would be (and I am quite often busy). Along with the fact that I didn't want the troubles, work, and drama that comes with a relationship along with everything else I have to deal with. But recently I'm becoming lonely. And there have been a few women I've come across. The first was a girl I had been talking to all summer. We clicked quick and I was happy with her. Things were going pretty good. But after I lost my phone and we didn't talk for a while some things came up. One of them being her issue with dating actors. The last one she dated turned out to be gay. And she also said that actors have the tendency to not be able to make time for relationships. I will admit that I am busy but as I told her people will make time for what they really want... or what they need. But she wouldn't hear it. Then I did something to piss her off. One down. But it didn't matter. I kept moving on. Alot has happened in such a short time looking back on all of this. There was another woman who I was talking to over the summer but we only spoke as friends. Things didn't work out... Turns out dancers don't really like nice guys. And apparently I'm too nice. Not that she said that but she dated an ass and turned me down so.... Anywho!!!! The most recent one and the one that plagues my dreams, drowns my thoughts with her image, and blankets hopes with the idea of me and her.... Ok whoa that was a bit much. lol. Anyways... I really like her and I want to be with her but I don't know... Made a vow man. And after two women I'm kind of hesitant. Eh... It doesn't matter. I'll be cool. I'm a passionate man at heart so this is why I'm like this. I'll get over it. I'll get over her. I hope. But in the mean time I will watch the sun rise here in the city of Philadelphia.

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Pushing through
October 2, 2009
William
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Well every week seems to literally FLY by now. Like, it's almost ridiculous how the week leaves so fast. It's already October! It feels like I just started classes two weeks ago. OK so first things first I am so BROKE! But I'm sure you see that in all of the blogs. No this is for real broke! To me broke means not only do you not have money but you are low or out of ALL supplies in your house. When all of your time is spent wondering... "how can I make some money?" THEN you're po! I say po because 'm too broke to pay for the extra O R on the end.... Little joke. bad joke but a joke none the less. Anyways. And rent is coming up. My landlord will be here on the 5th to collect 1250 bucks. 600 from me and 650 from my room mate whose refund check was so big he can pay the rent no problem for the next 3 months. Where as I'm still trying to get better hours at the YMCA. Which is hard because those hours conflict with my classes. Ugh. Well hopefully I'll become a lifeguard soon so I can work from 6 am to 9 am. Then from 6 pm to 9 pm everyday during the week. And work all day on the weekends. As a basketball coach and lifeguard. Because right now they're trying to make me an after school teacher. Which is fine. I like kids. But the after-school program runs from 3pm to 6pm. Mind you I don't usually get out of class until 5 something. Lots of numbers right? Welcome to my life. College is not easy. But it's worth it. So actually today at 3 I'm going to the YMCA to do some after school program work and see how my lifeguard job is looking. Then again... There is a flu going around and I have a pretty bad cough. I don't know if I should go. Don't want to get the kids sick. Oh and I finally got to do my monologue in Acting Studio! I was so happy and excited. She made me do it like a snake and it was so much fun. It wasn't what I thought she would give me but it was REALLY cool. I've been in rehearsals for Major Barbara which is going good. But i'm so hungry to act that I'm close to loosing my mind. My text signature (yeah I got my phone last Sat) is starving wolf. Because I feel like a wolf waiting on the full moon so that he can howl again. And once he is done he will stand with sweaty matted fur, breathing heavily, with eyes that burn with passion and he will know he did a great job and gave it his all. I miss REALLY acting. Like doing heavy stuff like I used to. In any case I'm cool. My room mate who I went to high school with is leaving for home today. I would go with him but I have work and an Alpha Psi Omega formal dance to go to this Sat. Oh and this past monday were inductions so... I got in!!! Wooo!!! (NASTY COUGH) Sorry I actually did just cough and it really made my chest hurt. =( I hope I'm not sick. I just got finished taking care of Chris, my room mate, because he was sick. Ugh I can't take it. Anyways. So I've blabbered aimlessly for two hours now. Or at least tried to.
Ashe'

P.S. I'm going to upload photos later.

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A hard week
September 25, 2009
William
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Whew so I love my school but man it's HARD being up here when your phone gets stolen and you have no way to stay in contact with anyone. I'm of course talking about how my phone was stolen and I have been a bit distraught about my life. I went to my job at the YMCA for the first time last Saturday. It was... quite interesting. In addition to the children being bad (simply because they were excited about playing basketball) there was this crazy old Russian man who came in and started randomly playing soccer in the middle of the court while we were practicing. As Coach Paul tried to escort this guy out (who then began to curse me and coach Paul out in a Russian language) I kept helping the kids. Needless to say I was already in a bad mood because that morning was when my phone was stolen from the steps of Hamilton Hall. And that's an even longer and more sad story. But in any case my mom is SUPPOSED to be sending me another phone that she has but doesn't use. Should be here tomorrow... It's better be. Oh and I got cast in a main stage show. It's called Major Barbara. I'm playing the servant. It's a small role but everyone is telling me to just be happy I got cast. I'm supposed to be a Moor. Was Indian, then South African, then Indian again, and now we have settled for me being a Moor. I honestly have no idea what that is but they say my costume will be the most beautiful one on stage so I'm excited about that. The rehearsals are so long though. I mean I'm a short part is two scenes of a show with three very long acts. But I am enjoying watching some of the older actors do their work. The woman playing Lady Brit is simply amazing. Her name is Blake. My friend Mateo (character's name is Snubby) and Chris's (my roommate) friend Jeff (character name Stephen) is doing pretty good too. Oh but by far the man who steals the show is the man in Act II whose character is called Bill. He is on a whole new level and is great. Lady Brit, Snubby, Stephen, and Bill are possibly the most believable and honest characters in the whole show. Other than rehearsal my theatrical life has still been great. In my Acting Studio we wrote monologues for each other and have been performing them. Drucie McDaniel is my acting studio teacher and when we do the monologues in her class she pushes us to new limits. I mean these monologues have really helped us to grow as actors. Oh and pledging is going fairly well. Wait... did I mention I was pledging Alpha Psi Omega. It's the Theatre fraternity/ honor society. Yeah I even saw three of our big brothers perform in a show last night. It was called Iphegenallia... Pretty sure that's not spelled right. In any case they were great. But pledge week is over and as soon as I get my phone back I should know if I made the cut. Hopefully I did. But it's like four o clock now and I've been wondering exactly what to say on this thing for too long now. Let's see... What have I missed?.... Man the week went by so fast I don't even remember what all I've done. OH THAT'S RIGHT!!! The most exciting thing was today when most of the students, quite a few teachers, and some artists of the community all marched to city hall and protested the new arts tax that Pennsylvania is trying to pass. Late one night during last weekend our state legislature decided they needed more money from the common people. More taxes. So an idea arose to tax cigars. The government said that's not an option. Another idea came up to tax the sports games. But again that idea that abolished. Then the horrid idea to tax tickets to NON-PROFIT ART ORGANIZATIONS came up and was approved. This is not just performing arts. It's ALL art in the state of Pennsylvania. So we heard about it very late and decided to take signs and protest outside of the governors office. We met at 200 South Broad at 12 noon. I was late because I have no phone to wake me up. Ugh. But I got there just in time to march and chant with them to the Arts Bank from Hamilton Hall. Then we went all the way back up Broad, past Terra, and into the city hall where we finished up (kind of awkwardly) and went home. It was quite amazing. Between the helpful people of the city and the police we made quite a statement. When the police are really there to help us artists keep our craft alive... That really made me feel safe and happy. I love Philadelphia. I love my school. My craft and my new life. Ashe' (which is an African Yoruba term meaning "and so it is") Expect it as my new signature to all of my blogs.

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I am so happy I finally have a chance to sit down and blog about my freshman year in college. Let me tell ya it's been a trip and a half. I come from Atlanta where I was bouncing around from house to house and doing my best to support myself. When I got here things were kind of sad. Mainly because I broke my phone. But good news is that I'm an off campus student. And I LOVE my apartment. It's about a 15 minute walk to the Terra building, which is where most of my classes are. But that's not too bad. I have a huge place too and only one room mate who I knew from high school. His name is Chris. He's a junior in Musical Theatre now. In any case... Well I've had some adventures since I've been here. My most recent which is the one I will choose to blog about (because it was the most I have ever used any camera and I was quite proud). I have a best friend named Robin and he's an acting major too. We both have ALL the same classes. So for our writing class we had to go to the Philadelphia Art Museum and sit in front of a work of art for an hour and take notes on it. Then we ha . d to write a two page paper on that work of art. But that's not the adventure. The adventure is the walk to the museum. Which was SO fun and entertaining. We started by walking through the very center of center city. That rather large building with William Penn (I think that's him) at the top. Once inside the center of this thing (I have no idea what it's called) we saw some art work. Two obnoxiously large heads that were colored differently. It was quite... interesting. Well after that we walked up Market street until we started to make it to North Philly... Which is MUCH nicer than center city. I mean it's NICE up there. Just check out the pictures. So me and Robin are also pledging for Alpha Psi Omega which is the theatre honor society/frat. And we had to do a lot of crazy things that we can't talk about. But I can talk about some things that our pledging inspired. So it was really hot that day so we jumped in the pond on our way to the Art Museum. (Pics below) Then when we finally reached the Art museum there was a fringe festival dance going on outside where these interpretive dancers were dancing all over what I knew as the Rocky steps. We went inside the museum only to find that UArts students get in free EVERYDAY. Boy were we excited. So we went and found our art pieces. You can see mine below. And his is there too. Mine is the one shaped in a circle. After we left the museum we went outside and took a picture with the Rocky statue. (Can you believe Robin has NEVER seen the Rocky movies... NONE OF THEM) As the excitement built we ran over to LOVE PARK before running way to South Philly to get Pat's Cheese Steaks... Let me tell ANYONE thinking of coming here. Pat's King of Steaks has the best Philly Cheese Steaks in Philly. Hands down. Then we went home. Our day was done. But in addition to pledging Alpha Psi Omega I have two jobs (I also work at the YMCA as a basketball coach and lifeguard), I am an acting major, I just got cast in Major Barbara (the mainstage show for the fall. I'm VERY excited), and I have no family in Philly. This is going to be a VERY interesting four years. =)

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