The Internet Project 34: Elizabeth Budd

“Elizabeth Budd is a green thumbed, red headed, arts presenter from Edmonton. She has a voracious appetite for great art. Her babies bark for a living, but she lovingly borrows other people’s kids as often as possible. She plays a cutthroat game of “duck, duck, goose” and rarely cheats at “go fish” anymore.”

I met Elizabeth doing an interview for Theatre Alberta about theatres outside of Edmonton and Calgary. It was supposed to just be a quick interview over the phone but we hit it off pretty rediculously. I had no idea who she was but for some reason, I felt like I knew her for a very long time. So much so that I described her as “someone who I went to school with if that school was on the moon”. Later, when we started dating, I finally realized what I meant by that. I want her in my life forever. I want her to be my universal constant. Anyway, I digress.

Elizabeth Budd is Shell Théâtre Supervisor and is employed by the City of Fort Saskatchewan. Her theatre is in the Dow Centennial Center. She is one of the most ‘matter of factual’ people I’ve ever met. I’m sure that inside her head she speaks in factoids. Like: It is time to eat. It is time to sleep. I think my dog needs a knitted sweater. This sweater I knitted for my dog makes him look too slutty. I should make my own butter. You know, things like that.

She recently taught me that I am very ignorant when it comes to the word ‘artist’. She was doing lights for Stephen Page in Spruce Grove and I got to see that first hand. She put so much care into things…things that I would have just taken for granted. She methodically worked through every detail. She focused so hard to get everything the way she wanted…not just satisfactory, but the way she envisioned it. She took great pride and satisfaction in it all. It was beautiful; she is beautiful.

I’m lucky to know her. I’m lucky to have her in my life. For more explanation, please see the video below.

ELIZABETHEANANSWERS:

If you would give yourself a nickname what would it be?

When it comes to the world of nicknames, all I know is I am rarely receptive to the suggestions of others. I prefer Riz to Liz. My five week stint as a Roller Derby chick resulted in “Strawberry Heart Break”. I’m named after both of my grandmothers; Gertrude ELIZABETH and Lilian ADELA. These extraordinary women are still in my life, and I am honoured, always, to bare their names. I get that nicknames are often a way to eliminate extra syllables, make things easier; but nothing is ever, truly, easy.

If you could switch one body part with anyone else in the world living or dead, who and what would it be?

One of the coolest things I’ve experienced in the last year is falling in love with myself. Being loved, and being in love, makes me feel radiant. I’ve also started seeing more and more of my mom in my reflection. She’s always been the most beautiful women I know, so this is amazing. But, if a body part was forced upon me, I guess I wouldn’t mind Bette Davis’ eyes. They’d have to do.

In five words, describe your most uncomfortable dream.

Snakes Crawling In Everything Everywhere

What is your favourite word?

Over the last few days when talking to my arts presenting peers about love, career, my mom’s improved health, and life I’ve repeatedly referred to myself as the “Luckiest” So, I guess for this moment in time… “Luckiest”

What does that word smell like?

It smells like falling stars and northern lights, with a slight hint of the fresh baked brownies I crave.
What is your spirit animal?

What’s the most spastic unpredictable animal? Probably a puppy. Yes a puppy. My spirit animal is definitely a puppy. I’m a puppy. But, I won’t pee on your shoes. I mean, I most likely will never pee on your shoes, but if I’m in the woods, and squatting in the bushes, I can almost guarantee you that I’ve already peed on my shoes.

If ghosts existed, would you want to meet one? If so, what would you ask it?

Yes, and do you hang out in my bedroom or shower? Ever? Can you stop that?

If you could share a bottle of alcohol with anyone who has ever existed, who would it be and what would you drink?

Torn between two of my favorite word weavers… Maxine Tynes or e. e. Cummings. Probably I should stick to an alcohol I don’t like, so I am not tempted to guzzle it amidst nervousness and anticipation.

What would you rather have as a pet: A dragon, a unicorn Pegasus or Ezra Levant?

A Unicorn Pegasus for sure. Wiki answers tells me that the beautiful Unicorn Pegasus can also be referred to as a Unisus or a Pegacorn. It has a single beautiful horn and large majestic wings. It is most often found in artist renderings on black velvet, but most importantly its magical. I like magic. My life is more and more magical each day, so my new pet is a perfect pick. However, when it comes to “picking” up after it, I’m going to call “not me!”

Finally, if you could live your life over again with guaranteed success, what would you do?

My only goal has ever been to be better tomorrow, than I was today. I’d want to love and live the heck out of every day. I’d want to find the passion and wonder in the little things, always.