by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Eric Canciani

Age: 35

Occupation: Videographer

Bio: This felicitous Boisbriand stud and profoundly gifted photographer began his professional career in the service of a Laval community newspaper. But after his wife, later diagnosed as schizophrenic, decided to murder their four-month-old son one day, he determined that a change of scenery might be in order. Heading first to Djibouti and later to Somalia to fulfill his military obligations to his native France, Eric was given the opportunity to clear his head of ugliness by documenting the savagery of the Somalian civil war in all its brutal detail. Returning to Montreal a few years later, no doubt feeling much more positive about humanity, he landed the gig of his dreams repairing cell phone towers way up in the sky. "I accepted all the assignments no one else would do, I wasn't scared of anything. I loved that job." Temporarily as happy as a Lynndie England in a cell full of well-hung Iraqis, Eric was once again forced to change careers after being run over by a truck while riding his motorcycle, resulting in his hip being broken in six places, his right ankle rendered useless, and a relaxing six months in the hospital wondering if he would ever walk again. After a truly miraculous recovery - albeit he'll forever walk with a limp - he now owns his own videography company, Recs Productions (www.recs.biz) and believes his life experience is well reflected in the inexpensive yet first-rate wedding and corporate videos his company produces. He drives a 1999 Chevy Montana, has a lovely new life partner and is the proud father of a two-year-old boy and one spankin' new two-week-old baby girl.

Something that made him feel "lucky": Seeing other motorcycle accident casualties even more fucked up than him.

Does he still ride? "Not for now."

How much time his ex-wife served: "I'm not sure. Three years, maybe?"

Does he hate her? "I used to, a lot, but not anymore. I have my family now and… yeah, well, maybe I do still hate her sometimes."

Does he ever hold his fist up to the sky and curse God for sending so much excitement his way? "After I lost my son I knew there was no God. Anyway, if I have to blame somebody I blame me, not God. Nobody is perfect and you know, my son's death was a bit my fault as well. If I had been strong enough to know my wife was fucked up and take my child out of there and…. You know, sometimes you make bad choices and you have to accept responsibility for them."

His greatest passion: "My children."

Does he ever get high? "Of course."

Musical preferences: Gustav Holst, AC/DC

Last book read: Painting With Light, by John Alton

Words of wisdom: "We are on the Earth only to have children. When you taste the happiness that they bring you, you realize life is not so complicated after all. We're always running after something but never know what. The meaning of life is children."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca