you and i are going to change the world

 AND NOW, TEN YEARS LATER...

Working on both music and shows was demanding and although he loved spending time at home with his wife, his kids and his animals, Ben had to go sometimes. Therefore, it was almost 1am when he came home the night before after promoting a new project of his for a couple of days in New York. Ava and Hugo were 7 and 5 and yet, kissing them goodnight through Facetime in an airport was still a strange feeling. However, he didn’t have to worry about this anymore because for now, the fifty-year-old actor was at home, he was sleeping deeply in his own bedroom and for the first time in what seemed to be forever, he was even sleeping in.

Or at least, that’s what he expected to do. Too asleep to hear the small rushing steps in the stairs, Ben realized that the morning was about to be more animated that he thought it would be only when he got woken up by two kids jumping on the bed -- and on him. He could have groaned and complained, arguing that he needed more sleeping hours but hearing Zoey’s laugh from the corridor and the high-pitched voices of Ava and Hugo chased every bad feeling away. He was home.

Smiling against the pillow, the actor rolled over just enough to wrap both of his arms around the kids. “Who are the two monsters who dared attacking me?!” he joked before he tickled them. “Mom says you have to come with us at the rodeo!” Hugo managed to reply between two laughters.

Freeing the girl and the boy, Ben lift himself up on his elbows, just enough to glance at the woman he’s been in love with for more than a decade.

“Tell Mom that I’ll leave the bed only if she lets me skip Sunday’s hike.”, Ben replied to his son although his eyes were locked on Zoey. “Never.”

Ben laughed as he shook his head and then, laid down on the pillow again. Of course she wouldn’t let him avoid it. She never has, and she would never. He could complain about it again and again but here’s the truth: he has always enjoyed those moments outdoors.

Most of those animals don’t have a mean bone in their body, there’s no way that they would purposely do something to hurt someone, right? But yeah, there are a lot of people out there who just don’t have the patience that they should with animals who don’t deserve their anger. Absolutely, and there are good drinks and tasty food and all sorts of good things to find at the Getaway. Without me having to cook it! You’re very welcome! Did you get lots of cake?

Absolutely, especially small pets, if they ever hurt you that’s mostly because they’re being clumsy. It’s too bad honestly but I feel like that’s a case in pretty much every situation that requires some patience. I guess that’s why they say that patience is a virtue. See, that’s another reason why you should be enjoying this weekend at The Getaway! No cooking and yet you’re still getting some great snacks and drinks. I did! I had a few things to celebrate, after all. It was a great day.

Definitely not! But somehow when it’s an animal, they get a free pass. Which I guess is just because how do you actually be angry at an animal for any longer than a few moments, anyway, right? It was perfect, that shower to wash off all of the itchiness from being out in the wilderness. Although now I’m going to need to spend this weekend showering off sand and chlorine from the pool, but that’s okay. Happy birthday, by the way!

That’s because we know they aren’t doing it on a mean purpose, they’re just being themselves and being cute is part of it. A person who would always be mad at animals is insane, let’s be real. At least the pool is easier to handle than a couple of nights in the middle of the woods, right? I’d rather shower for that reason than because I have been missing running water for three days. Thank you very much!

@bbcrnes: They say life begins at 40… well, not mine. I am 14,609 days old today and I am celebrating every one of them. I have spent most of them pursuing dreams, surrounding myself with people I love and supported by all of you… and I know just how incredibly lucky that makes me.

One of my biggest unfulfilled dreams has been to release my own music. Music has been my passion my whole life and after a few false starts 20 years ago, I decided not to pursue it as a career. But today, I am realizing that ambition and announcing the release of my own songs. 

I have wanted to create something more personal and intimate, to offer up something joyful, honest, soulful and passionate; I hope that you find some of this on my EP. 

‘Songs For You’ will be released on October 15th and the first single, ‘11:11’ is available for pre-order now!

As you can probably tell, I’m beyond excited to share all this with you. This is a special moment for me. The experience of the past year and a half has offered a fresh perspective to us all and has certainly helped me understand what kind of man I want to be for the next 40 years… and it’s not one who is prepared to let his dreams just be dreams. 

‘Your heart knows the way, run in that direction’ - Rumi 

I don’t think we have anything to worry about there.  I’m glad that you’re on board. I’m completely always in on these requests.  You know we can make time for you guys.  I think that it’s not their fault we just have decades of friendship and knowing each other under our belt and we use that to our advantage. We’re at least nice winners when we defeat them.  They would definitely never hear the end of it if they beat us.  I think that people don’t care how you do it as long as you’re sharing in some way. I think that is probably true. Though, did you hear about these new jelly thing that you can shoot people with? They’re supposed to be like paintballs but like without the massive bruises when all is said and done. 

Yes! Then, games night it is. Exactly. There is nothing we can do about it, we know each other by heart, that’s how it goes. Plus I lowkey love the idea of using all those years of friendship to beat them both. The win is ours and we’ll make sure to remind them of this day whenever we feel like they’re forgetting. You may be right, although they seem to be happy when I’m sharing stuff on Instagram. Which is something that I’ll keep doing, but I’ll stick to, you know, posts and stories. I’ve never heard of it before but it sounds like something we should try someday!

I think that in a world where so many people are focused on what is wrong with us, it’s nice to have at least one person who thinks that we have something going for us that isn’t negative.  I think that when we hear it from others it isn’t always easy to accept but it is nice to hear.  I would agree with you there. It’s good knowing their motivations and what they’re like underneath all the obvious and figuring out how ot translate to the audience.  I’m sure that you guys will definitely be busy with all of that. You definitely deserve to enjoy some music and a break.  I’m certainly not complaining about my free time. It just means more time for friends.

It’s quite sad, when you think about it. In a perfect world we would be surrounded by kind people, not by so much negativity. You’re right though, sometimes it is difficult to accept what other people are saying. It is, it’s really special to think about it this way because that’s how we give depth to the characters we are playing then. It is going to be a busy time indeed but at the same time, it’s always funny to hang out with my castmates so I am looking forward to it. That’s always good! Do you plan on going to the party at the Getaway this weekend?

They take advantage of our kindness and love! Which, you know, if they were people… that would be really bad. Luckily for them, they’re animals, so I guess we don’t have to worry too much about them being pure evil. It’s true! And sometimes that’s what we need in our lives, is a little bit of love and support, right? Oh, totally. What was the first thing that you did when you got back to your house – run and jump on the bed, or hurry off to get into the shower?

You’re right, it would probably be a bit of an issue if they were humans, we don’t like when someone is taking advantage of our kindness, right? Good for them, they’re just cute animals we can’t help loving no matter what. That’s absolutely true. We don’t need anything else. Hurry off to the shower and, then go to bed for a good nap! And I enjoyed some very lazy time, too.

It was so nice, though, just getting to be out there with everyone and experience it. Even though we mostly stayed for the good company, I think Finley enjoyed the snacks the best, especially those s’mores. That’s true! But learning and playing an instrument is also such a good skill to have. Maybe! I’d have to really sit down and study it again.

That’s true, it was a good time nonetheless. Aw, it does sound like Finley had a good time! I mean, what could go wrong when you have s’mores with you?! Yeah, it’s nice. I find it quite... liberating, too. Well if you ever try it and need some help, you know you can call me!

I would think so too? Or maybe that’s just from me living with him. Most people do call me D, or Dare, some people say DC. I’ve gotten Daisy, it’s fun. It’ll be so cute I think, getting to really get this place out there and tell people how awesome it is to live here. I loved Montana. How’d you like the camping? 

It could be, you’ve always been used to saying his name after all! For real? Is Daisy the way we should call you now or you’re good with D and Dare? I think it would be a very good way to convince people that Bayview is a great town to live it. So I’d just say: go for it! It was... fun. Unusual to me but it was nice to get out of my comfort zone for once. Did you have a good time?

It always could be worse but we’re hoping that it doesn’t go and end up worse in life. I think that in general game nights and trivia nights are a good idea. I mean, imagine the fun we could have at a trivia night if me and you teamed up against Bradley and Zoey. We could honestly destroy them.  I don’t think anyone really understand how any of it works but they make the most of it.  I’m grateful you can at least take pictures and videos. Sharing the old fashioned way isn’t broken in the least.  I am very rusty.  I think that both could get your hurt if you do it wrong. I at least am passable on both though still.

That’s true, so fingers crossed it won’t happen anytime soon. Yeah? Let’s do it, then. Tomorrow night, maybe? Look, it’s not a “we could” kind of situation. It is a “we will destroy them” kind of thing. We can’t lose against them, they’d brag forever. I mean, at least Zoey would. You think so? I don’t know, I just feel like Instagram is too complicated for me so I’m sticking to taking pictures in the old fashioned way, as you say. Fair enough, there’s a chance we end up being hurt if you start shooting at the wrong target. But I have faith in you!