Friday, July 21, 2006

Venice Beach

Venice Beach

Playing house, before the grown ups get home

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After living with each other for a week now, I am more in love with her than ever. It just seems to get better each and every day. I feel my self returning to my old self, happy, confidant, excited and full of dreams and ideas.

She does so many things for me, she jokes that not only do I get a girlfriend, but a personal assistant as well. She is so efficient and smart it boggles my mind. She set me up an appointment today to get my car registered and my California drivers license. I did very well only missing two questions, one of which I forgot to answer.

My new license will come soon and all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to align with the stars. Far out dude.

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You know the best thing is, that when I'm done on the computer; I get to curl up next to her, put my arm around her, fall asleep with her and then in the morning I get to wake up with her kissing me on my lips. Now how's that I ask you? FUCKING FANTASTIC THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!

If I ever wondered. . . .

If I ever wondered if my life's dream was a waste of time, I need only to re-read the letter that Heather/23 wrote me and that I posted a few days ago. When I got the e-mail and skimmed it, it sounded like a letter from a gushy fan. I do remember her and her enthusiasm and big smile during my show. I also remember her kissing my cheek.

She writes beautifully and really captured the essence of my mission. If I ever wondered. . . . if my desire to create childlike wonder was not a noble cause, I can thank this stranger for reminding me that magic is around every corner AND at the end of my fingertips.

To Read The Letter • Click Here

Cups and Doll

Cups and Doll

The doll belonged to Polly's Grandmother and was given to her in 1907 or something like that. Everyone's getting settled in our new home. . . even the doll.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

House warming gift from my father!

Thanks Dad, you take good care of me. Can't wait to see you when you ride your motorcycle out here from Atlanta. You ROCK! The smokes were perfectly timed as I had just run out. My quality of life continues to get better and better. My head is going to explode.

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"There are men here and there to whom the whole of life is like an after-dinner hour with a cigar; easy, pleasant, empty, perhaps enlivened by some fable of strife to be forgotten before the end is told - even if there happens to be any end to it."

-- Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, 1900

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"Do not ask me to describe the charms of reverie, or the contemplative ecstasy into which the smoke of our cigar plunges us."

-- Jules Sandea, French novelist

Welcome to California!!

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I'm a pot head. After denying myself of a pleasure I enjoy for so long, during the cold war years, (stupid head. . . you remember her from the last book, don't you?), anyways with Buster out of town for the summer, baby I'm gonna dig my new scene and get my freak on.

I'm tired of not saying what I think. I'm really very Pro Pot. There I said it.

Sylvester The Jester visits!

Sylvester the Jester

Danny came over last night as my first guest in our new home! Kirsten and Ace were over as well. We all enjoyed a wonderful Pasta Carbonara prepared lovingly by my sweetie. Delicious meal served with a charming red wine. Well that part I'm assuming, as I'm not much of a wine drinker. . . . but no one spit it out on the floor so, I'm guessing that it was palatable.

It was great seeing Danny again. We hadn't seen each other since we worked the PCAM together in Seattle a couple of years ago. In fact, Danny was the only reason I was hired to work that convention. Brian Cook was looking to book him, and Danny says to him, "I'll only do it if you hire Tom as well". Shit, I take the gigs any way they come to me.

For those of you that may not know, it was 20 years ago that Danny & I were roommates here in LA for a couple of years. A great era for magic in LA.

Danny is a genius, pure and simple. He is passionate about magic, art, poetry and life. After dinner we retired to the living room where we had a nice discussion about prosthetic make up, hair and the process of wig making. Polly never ceases to amaze me with here encyclopedic knowledge of so many different topics. (Can you tell I dig her?).

After that Dan and I took a bit of a cigar walk admiring my new neighborhood. Great way to end the evening. I asked Danny if he had any interest in weekly rendezvous at the Magic Castle. He said that sounded fun. Back in the day we were at the Castle every Friday night before heading to a trendy dance club that we worked called Vertigo. We partied, performed and pretty much acted like goof balls. I can't wait to plug back into the scene. Dan told me that the scene had changed greatly and that it was nothing like what I remembered it to be in 1986. I told him it was up to us to make it that way again. Fuckers, better get ready for us, cause the shit is about to hit the fan!

David Blaine Drowned Alive Interview

Bill Maher parodies David Blaine

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Lance Burton

More Lance Burton

Video du Jour • Channing Pollock

Video du Jour • Shuffle

Nite time in the city of lights

Hollywood

The intersection is Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave. One of the attractions in Hollywood is the Ripley's Believe It or Not at the corner with the dinosaur on top. Also near by is the famed Magic Castle.

The tall building on left is the Hollywood First National Bank Building, one of the most beautiful and detailed buildings on Hollywood Boulevard. It was designed by Meyer and Holler who also did the Egyptian and Chinese theaters. This building was constructed for the princely sum of $750,000 in 1927. Both Gothic and Art Deco in design, this was the tallest building in Los Angeles up until 1932.

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"Hollywood" neon; red & gr, originally uploaded by KJ@ARKO.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

This doesn't happen every day. . .

This doesn't happen every day. . that you get invited to dinner by two film and television stars. Polly describes this couple as her adopted Hollywood parents. We enjoyed filet mignon and good conversation. Ken and Polly worked together on Scrubs for the last 5 years. Ken and Katharine are a great couple. We talked about the theater, Katharine has written a musical and is now scouting for a Broadway theater to present the show.

It was a colorful discussion that bounced from fairies to ectoplasm, from magic to the magic of film and TV. At times I felt like I was in a Woody Allen movie with these great show-biz characters. I could tell how fond they were of Polly and was happy to just be along for the ride. It's been fun getting to know her friends. Kirsten also worked on Scrubs with them as a film mag loader.

I've been here less than a week and I can already feel my creative juices starting to flow again. This is so cool! Polly and I are goofy in love (disgusting really, but were loving every minute of it).

As we were leaving Ken saw someone he knew at another table, he went to shake hands and say hi to Matthew Perry (one of the stars of the hit TV show Friends). Well there you have it my first official celebrity sighting.

Ken Jenkins .... Dr. Bob Kelso



Welcome to Paradise (2006) .... Reverend McNamara
"Scrubs" .... Dr. Bob Kelso
- My Transition (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Bob Kelso
- My Urologist (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Bob Kelso
- My Déjà Vu, My Déjà Vu (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Bob Kelso
- My Fallen Idol (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Bob Kelso
- My Lunch (2006) TV Episode .... Dr. Bob Kelso
(112 more)
The Sum of All Fears (2002) .... Admiral Pollack
... aka Anschlag, Der (Germany)
Home Room (2002) .... Police Captain
Clockstoppers (2002) .... NSA Agent Moore
Fidel (2002) (TV) .... Herbert Matthews
I Am Sam (2001) .... Judge Philip McNeily
"All Souls"
- Running Scared (2001) TV Episode .... Dr. Lohman
"The X Files"
... aka The X-Files (USA)
- Medusa (2001) TV Episode .... Deputy Chief Karras
The Tailor of Panama (2001) .... Morecombe
"Family Law"
- Generations (2000) TV Episode .... Judge William Jankowski
- Love and Money (2000) TV Episode .... Judge William Jankowski
Lucky Numbers (2000) .... Dan Schuff
... aka Bon numéro, Le (France)
Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) (uncredited) .... Televangelist
"Brutally Normal"
- Barricade (2000) TV Episode .... Mr. Kirschner/Thomas Jefferson
"Sliders"
- Dust (2000) TV Episode .... Professor Jack Bigelow
- Revelations (1999) TV Episode .... Robert Clark
"Chicago Hope"
- Letting Go (2000) TV Episode .... Jim Carroll
- The Virus (1995) TV Episode .... Health Marshal Stanley McGee
"Beverly Hills, 90210"
- Tainted Love (2000) TV Episode .... Pastor Neal
- Baby, You Can Drive My Car (1999) TV Episode .... Pastor Neal
- Laying Pipe (1999) TV Episode .... Pastor Neal

"Pensacola: Wings of Gold"
- Burke's Breach (1999) TV Episode .... General Mitchell Burke
The Last Marshal (1999) .... Judge Wooley
Balloon Farm (1999) (TV)
"Vengeance Unlimited"
... aka Mr. Chapel
- Legalese (1999) TV Episode .... Jack Humphrey
Psycho (1998) .... District Attorney
"Early Edition"
- Deadline (1998) TV Episode .... Winston Thorpe
Thirst (1998) (TV) .... Lou Wolford
Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story (1998) (TV)
... aka Life of the Party: Pamela Harriman
Where's Marlowe? (1998) .... Linguist
"The Magnificent Seven"
- Witness (1998) TV Episode
"Murphy Brown"
- Tempus Fugit (1997) TV Episode .... Paul Cookson
"Babylon 5"
... aka B5 (USA: promotional abbreviation)
- No Surrender, No Retreat (1997) TV Episode .... Captain Trevor Hall
"NYPD Blue"
- I Love Lucy (1997) TV Episode .... Marshall Hastings
Last Man Standing (1996/I) .... Capt. Tom Pickett
Fled (1996) .... Warden Nichols
Courage Under Fire (1996) .... Joel Walden
Last Dance (1996) .... Warden Laverty
Executive Decision (1996) .... General Wood
Hiroshima (1995) (TV) .... Secretary of State James F. Byrnes
Past the Bleachers (1995) (TV) .... Hilton Burberry
"Legend"
- Legend on His President's Secret Service (1995) TV Episode .... Ethan Catridge Steele
"Cybill"
- As the World Turns to Crap (1995) TV Episode .... Ed
White Mile (1994) (TV) .... Jerry Taggart
"The Stand" (1994) (mini) TV Series .... Peter Goldsmith
... aka Stephen King's The Stand
"Hearts Afire"
- The Big Yes (1994) TV Episode .... Mr. Conway
A Time to Heal (1994) (TV) .... Don Peterson
... aka Jenny's Story
In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness (1994) (TV) .... Bob Newsom
"Mad About You"
- Married to the Job (1993) TV Episode .... Jack Farrer
"Sisters"
- Back on Track (1993) TV Episode .... Judge Guisewite
And the Band Played On (1993) (TV) .... Dr. Dennis Donohue
"Homefront" .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
- All Good Things (1993) TV Episode .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
- Shabbat Shalom (1993) TV Episode .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
- The Lacemakers (1993) TV Episode .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
- By Word or Act (1993) TV Episode .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
- Garfield Slept Here (1993) TV Episode .... Mike Sloan, Sr.
(23 more)
A House of Secrets and Lies (1992) (TV) .... Ed Norwood
Crossing the Bridge (1992) .... Lou Morgan
A Private Matter (1992) (TV) .... Frank Kearns
... aka Miss Sherri (USA)
"thirtysomething"
- A Stop at Willoughby (1991) TV Episode .... Durstin
Edge of Honor (1991) .... Bo Dubs
Love, Lies and Murder (1991) (TV) .... Rubright
In Broad Daylight (1991) (TV) .... Bob Webb
Descending Angel (1990) (TV) .... Sam Murray
"Gabriel's Fire"
- I'm Nobody (1990) TV Episode .... Potter
Dark Avenger (1990) (TV)
Air America (1990) .... Major Donald Lemond
By Dawn's Early Light (1990) (TV) .... Looking Glass Colonel - 'Sam'
Shattered Dreams (1990) (TV) .... Hal Witt
"Mancuso, FBI"
- Night of the Living Shred (1990) TV Episode
- Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die: Part 1 (1990) TV Episode
- Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die: Part 2 (1990) TV Episode
"Wiseguy" .... Paul Beckstead (1988-1990)
- Meltdown (1990) TV Episode .... Paul Beckstead
- And It Comes Out Here (1989) TV Episode .... Paul Beckstead
- Dead Dog Lives (1989) TV Episode .... Paul Beckstead
- Where's the Money? (1989) TV Episode .... Paul Beckstead
- All or Nothing (1989) TV Episode .... Paul Beckstead
(4 more)
Family of Spies (1990) (TV)

"Star Trek: The Next Generation"
... aka Star Trek: TNG (USA: promotional abbreviation)
- Evolution (1989) TV Episode .... Dr. Paul Stubbs
In Country (1989) .... Jim Holly
Breaking Point (1989) (TV) .... Col. Lowe
The Abyss (1989) .... Gerard Kirkhill, Benthic Petroleum Co. Representative
Roe vs. Wade (1989) (TV)
The Outside Woman (1989) (TV) .... Junior Miller
Words to Live by (1989) (TV) .... School Board Lawyer
Disaster at Silo 7 (1988) (TV) .... Clarence
"Knots Landing"
- Borderline (1988) TV Episode .... Border Thug #1
"Newhart"
- Town Without Pity (1988) TV Episode .... Al Griswold
"Amen"
- Fear of Flying (1988) TV Episode .... The Pilot
The Wizard of Loneliness (1988) .... Joel Spender
Matewan (1987) .... Sephus Purcell
"The Equalizer"
- The Children's Song (1985) TV Episode .... Sheriff
Heart of Steel (1983) (TV) .... Priest

In Fashion (1974) (TV) .... Aubin

Katharine Houghton



Katharine appeared on Broadway in Our Town, The Front Page and A Very Rich Woman. She won the Theatre World award for her performance in A Scent of Flowers Off-Broadway in 1969. For several seasons she was a member of New York’s Mirror Repertory Company where she played Mary Stuart (Vivat, Viva Regina!), Gabrielle (The Mad Woman of Chaillot), and Mary L. (The Time of Your Life). In 1987 she performed at New York’s West Bank Cafe and at the Ivoryton Playhouse in her own trilogy, The Hooded Eye. In regional theatres she has played major roles in over fifty productions, including Portia (The Merchant of Venice), Kate (The Taming of the Shrew), Nina (The Seagull), Yelena (Uncle Vanya), Nora (A Doll’s House) and Catherine (Suddenly, Last Summer). On television she was Nabby Adams in the award-winning Adams’ Chronicles. She has appeared in both featured and guest roles in several series and soap operas, including All My Children and One Life to Live. In film she is best known for her role in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Other films include Ethan Frome, Mr. North, The Night We Never Met, Billy Bathgate, The Gardener and Let it Be You. She has performed her one-woman show To Heaven in a Swing, The Last Day in the Life of Louisa May Alcot in New York at the American Place Theatre, York Theatre and Barnard College, as well as in Houston, Amherst, Ivoryton Playhouse, Orchard House in Concord and various other regional theatres. Her play Buddha, was published in Best Short Plays of 1988. Other plays that have been produced include Merlin, The Merry Month of May, Mortal Friends, On the Shadyside, The Right Number and Phone Play. Her newest play, Only Angels, is in development in New York. Her screenplays include Spot, an animated/live action script co-written with Elizabeth Rose, The Heart of the Matter and Acting in Concert, co-written with Anna Littles. At NJ Rep, Katharine starred in Best Kept Secret, a play that she wrote.


Kinsey (2004) .... Mrs. Spaulding

Let It Be Me (1995) .... Homeless Woman
... aka Love Dance (UK)
The Night We Never Met (1993) .... Less/More Cheese Lady
Ethan Frome (1993) .... Mrs. Hale
Billy Bathgate (1991) .... Charlotte

Mr. North (1988) .... Mrs. Skeel
"I'll Take Manhattan" (1987) (mini) TV Series
The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1982)
The Color of Friendship (1981) (TV) .... Miss James

"The Adams Chronicles" (1976) (mini) TV Series .... Nabby
Seeds of Evil (1975) .... Ellen Bennett

"Judd for the Defense"
- In a Puff of Smoke (1968) TV Episode .... Suzy Thurston
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) .... Joanna 'Joey' Drayton
"ABC Stage 67"
- The Confession (1966) TV Episode .... Bonnie



Christopher Walken singing and dancing



From the movie Pennies From Heaven starring Steve Martin and what great magician/actor/dancer?

In my "In Box"

Dear Mr. Frank,

Last summer, I was in a funk. Infact ... yeah, pretty much a funk. I often would retreat to Seattle over the weekends whenever I could just so perhaps the busy, vivacious ambiance of a lively city would lift my spirits. Even for a little bit. Arts, entertainment, play, creativity, theatre, especially the theatre, parks, Starbucks, the Market ... what have you, as a young person apparitions of a rich, cultured, fun, rythmic beating future surrounded by these elements rests a hope amongst the damded draining uncertanese that tend to kick you in the ass over time.

Well ... one weekend, last summer, I nearly had enough. To be completely honest, I was hard spent. I found myself quiet, and disconnecting ... creativity uninspired, sand in my soul. Pretty much - I was unhappy. In a bad way.

Walking along grey concrete, not really looking around but at the tops of my shoes, I hadn't really noticed exactly what part of town I was skimming through, when I happened to crossed a cobbled brick street when something ... enchanting happened.

I'm stopped, actually invited by what it sounds like a mix of Jimmy Stewart and W.C. Fields timeless mouthpeice to come on in and partake in an opportunity to witness some fantstic and outstanding feats of skill and amazement. I look over just a couple of feet away from me and there standing on the corner of this sidewalk is who seems to me be a Time Peice. Pink and white striped shirt, fair brinmbed white hat and a face that makes liars heros.

Something quick happened, and I giggled. I what? wow. Thats been a while. These cards, whats he doing ... ooooooh ... pretty. The corner of my mouth curves up. I haven't seen this kind of act in a long time, I've kinda missed watching tasty majic-WHAT, THAT COIN WENT UP IN HIS HAND ALL STELLAR! This unique character askes to see my hand... half a second later I smack his back, I'm grining now. I remember how much my brother digged magic, these guys hands are absolutely exquisite with his skill as much as his cheeky banter is. This is the most beautiful, fun, quite enchanting magic and slight of hand I have ever seen in my life. And I've seen quite a bit. My GOD MAN ... shiny, shiny coins in and around and ontop of his fingers ... My head begins thinking about whimsical objects - moons and stars and enchanting things. Did this guy pop out of a vaudvillian picture show from the 1920's? How the hell did I end up here? I'm soo happy to be here ...

Creativity, and vision spill into my brain and heart ... great and unexpected treasures are happening now, great and unexpected treasures are going to happen/ come to pass as well.

What? He's done? I giant smile lifts my face upright to a 190 degree angle. Everyone clapps and hoorays - and I can't help myself. I walk over to the fella and exclaim in refreshing," Thank you soo much ... You've just made my day soo much better, you deserve a big kiss on the cheek!" Muah!

Walking back across the sreet, and glancing back there is this energy and sating joy that just hit the spot scattering with people as they mosey on. I have energy, I have ideas, I have joy in my heart ... I want to start writing about this magic. I feel releived.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for being what you are, working hard as you do to be soo fucking smooth, pressing on to greater acheivements, and simply for being a blessing to me that day.
I needed it more than you'll ever know.

Heather,23

Monday

LA Summer 2006

A wonderful awakening

To be loved so fully

after so long

Never a dull moment in my life.

Wild ups and downs

things I wouldn't share in my old blog

cause, "you know who" had become a regular reader

Although you may have thought I was as open as could be, I was largely editing myself.

My hope for this new blog is to get back to being totally honest with myself.

If I feel like saying something like, "I was convicted of Driving Under The Influence and found guilty by a jury of my peers, a week before leaving Seattle" I just may.

Life is a never ending series of challenges.

Some recent aggravations by the ex, largely her aggressive legal campaign to try and put me in jail before I left for LA, created a variety of reasons why I needed to flee the State of Washington.

I won't be able to go back to Washington till I clear up the back child support stuff and the other $20,000 judgement against me. Evidently, I am supposed to pick up her legal fee's. Guess the jokes on me. . . . not funny.

I win the game by paying her off, getting back on my feet financially and living the best fucking life anyone could imagine!!

Hell yeah!

In my "In Box"

seattlemarketa[1]

Sounds like you're happy. Seattle will miss you. 1st Tom Frank Anonymous Recovery Meeting starts tomorrow at Nash's house.

Jose

Busker du Jour

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The one and only. . . "GAZZO"

Monday, July 17, 2006

I love LA!!!

Got here Wednesday, been getting settled in and unpacking. Loving my girl Polly, and digging my new scene. Yesterday Kirsten was over and helped us hang a bunch of art. The place is feeling like home already. Tomorrow I pick up my street performers license at Santa Monica City Hall. I purchased a 1988 Volvo from a friend of Polly's and Kirsten's. Tomorrow I will put the car in my name. Might see Sylvester the Jester tomorrow, guess we'll just see.

It's late and I should go to bed. I'm liking my new life so far. Pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling into place for a change.

Santa Monica
FULL SIZE • Click Here

Visit with Chris Karney

Chris Karney Web Site • Click Here

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Here are some of Chris's props. He makes all his own stuff and does a great job in his workshop. It's a very good old school set of skills to be able to use a variety of power tools.

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After loading up the truck with the help of my magic friends, I headed off to start a new life in LA. I enjoyed the drive to San Francisco where I stopped to visit a pal and his wife. They live in a beautiful apartment in North Beach. . . . not bad at all!

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Chris Karney is a name to listen for. He is a comedy magician in the true sense of the word. We discussed the elements of comedy and styles of presentation. Interesting dialog about the mechanics of comedy. Weird when you start breaking it down.

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I like his brash irreverance. He pushes the envelope of good taste than backs off a little, this goes on through his act with an ebb and flow.

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At 29 years old he is wise beyond his years and should have an interesting life in show business. We hung out for a few hours, went to the coffee shop, talked tricks, technique and thoery. Good time.

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