The condition of being lost in thought • Absentminded dreaming while awake • An abstracted state of absorption
Friday, August 31, 2007
Paradise Cove, Malibu
When it gets really hot in the valley, I head to the coast. Up the 101, through the Santa Monica Mtns. and Malibu Canyon. A nice drive to the beach. Thought about going to Zuma or Point Doom, but the nostalgia of the Rockford Files, a show I used to love, I was attracted to Paradise Cove where Rockford lived. A popular shooting location, it's always been curious to me.
I pulled off the PCH and down into the cove. I had cocktails and some food in mind at the Piradise Cove Cafe. I read my Neil Young Biography while enjoying a drink and some calamari in the sun on the beach. Just a beautiful day with a nice ocean breeze.
After lunch I took a nice cigar walk on the beach. Hot chicks in bikini's. . . . you got to like this place!
I pulled off the PCH and down into the cove. I had cocktails and some food in mind at the Piradise Cove Cafe. I read my Neil Young Biography while enjoying a drink and some calamari in the sun on the beach. Just a beautiful day with a nice ocean breeze.
After lunch I took a nice cigar walk on the beach. Hot chicks in bikini's. . . . you got to like this place!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Mr. Soul
Oh, hello Mr. Soul,
I dropped by
to pick up a reason
For the thought that I caught
that my head
is the event of the season
Why in crowds just a trace
of my face
could seem so pleasin'
I'll cop out to the change,
but a stranger
is putting the tease on.
I was down on a frown
when the messenger
brought me a letter
I was raised by the praise
of a fan
who said I upset her
Any girl in the world
could have easily
known me better
She said, You're strange,
but don't change,
and I let her.
In a while will the smile
on my face
turn to plaster?
Stick around while the clown
who is sick
does the trick of disaster
For the race of my head
and my face
is moving much faster
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know,
why don't you ask her?
By Neil Young
I dropped by
to pick up a reason
For the thought that I caught
that my head
is the event of the season
Why in crowds just a trace
of my face
could seem so pleasin'
I'll cop out to the change,
but a stranger
is putting the tease on.
I was down on a frown
when the messenger
brought me a letter
I was raised by the praise
of a fan
who said I upset her
Any girl in the world
could have easily
known me better
She said, You're strange,
but don't change,
and I let her.
In a while will the smile
on my face
turn to plaster?
Stick around while the clown
who is sick
does the trick of disaster
For the race of my head
and my face
is moving much faster
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know,
why don't you ask her?
By Neil Young
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
New Deck Order
Tonight I treated myself to a fresh pack of cards. I love peeling the shrink wrap and cracking the seal with my thumbnail. Pitch the jokers and the ad cards. I usually spend a while breaking in a deck of cards, but tonight as soon as I was set up and the deck opened, I had an audience. I showed the new deck by ribbon spreading it face up in a semi circle. I pointed out the new deck order and starting shuffling and cutting the deck. I'm doing this to music, trying to synchronize my motions to the beat and the feel of the song. Another ribbon spread reveals that not one card has actually moved and the cards are in the same order as when we started. I perform it understated to meager applause. Couldn't help myself with the new deck and all. Another preliminary card routine demonstrates the beauty and elegance of a new pack of cards. The finish exquisite and the deck breaking in nicely. Have to be a little careful with my doubles as to prevent any unwanted slippage.
Really enjoying work. Show up late, leave early, do what I got to do, to get it done. Street performing is an adventure. I'm so lucky and blessed to have the skill and the talent to make a living doing what I love.
We had a little dinner party over the weekend. Polly's friend Maria who does wardrobe on CSI: NY joined us as well as Ruth who does hair for Jersey Boys and her friend Carlos. I love asking Polly's industry friends lots of questions. I really do feel like I've been on a self guided education on the television and film industry. That said, I'm glad I 'm a street performer. There's no business, like show business!
Polly outdid herself in the kitchen and we enjoyed a delicious meal. It wasn't a late night as Maria and Polly both had call times before 6AM. These guys work crazy hours. I count my blessings every day.
Bla Bla Bla
Life is good
I talked to my youngest son Liam, on the phone. He just turned 6 years old. I wanted to see if he got the big box of Bionacles I sent him. He did and he liked the gift. It was great to hear his voice.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow, make take a beach walk in Malibu
I love my life.
Really enjoying work. Show up late, leave early, do what I got to do, to get it done. Street performing is an adventure. I'm so lucky and blessed to have the skill and the talent to make a living doing what I love.
We had a little dinner party over the weekend. Polly's friend Maria who does wardrobe on CSI: NY joined us as well as Ruth who does hair for Jersey Boys and her friend Carlos. I love asking Polly's industry friends lots of questions. I really do feel like I've been on a self guided education on the television and film industry. That said, I'm glad I 'm a street performer. There's no business, like show business!
Polly outdid herself in the kitchen and we enjoyed a delicious meal. It wasn't a late night as Maria and Polly both had call times before 6AM. These guys work crazy hours. I count my blessings every day.
Bla Bla Bla
Life is good
I talked to my youngest son Liam, on the phone. He just turned 6 years old. I wanted to see if he got the big box of Bionacles I sent him. He did and he liked the gift. It was great to hear his voice.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow, make take a beach walk in Malibu
I love my life.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Illusionist Jerry Andrus dies
By Ian Rollins
Albany Democrat-Herald
Jerry Andrus, Albany’s world-famous magician and illusionist, died Sunday at the Mennonite Home. He was 89.
His brother, George Andrus, said Jerry died of cancer. George said a private graveside service will be held this week, and a public memorial service will follow later.
“Among other things, Jerry many times stated that he’d had a good life,” George, 91, said this morning. “He wasn’t morbid about it at all. He wasn’t fighting it.”
Rick Rogers, owner of Movies and Magic in downtown Albany, said Andrus was one of his early inspirations. “I’ve known him to be one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Any child that ever knocked on his door and said, ‘Mr. Andrus, I’d like to see a trick,’ or ‘Mr. Andrus, can you help me with this trick?’ ... I’ve never known him not to stop and take the time to help a child, or an adult, for that matter.”
Rogers said Andrus was considered to be one of the top close-up magicians in the world. He knew illusionists David Copperfield and Criss Angel, performed at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and at shows worldwide, and had spoken at Harvard and Stanford as well as other universities.
His brother said the family moved from Springfield to Albany in 1928, when he and Jerry were boys. He said Jerry never moved far from Albany the rest of his life.
Ring 238 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians held a special Jerry Andrus Day March 18 at the Venetian Theater. Albany Mayor Doug Killin contributed to the honor, proclaiming the day to be “Jerry Andrus Day.”
George Andrus lived next door to his brother since 1979. He said Jerry’s house was the “tightest, fullest house and shop of any place in the world,” packed with moving shelf units, which held Andrus’s many gadgets and inventions.
George and Jerry were two of four siblings. Other than George, Jerry is survived by a niece and nephew — daughter and son of George’s and Jerry’s late sister Lucilia Wiltse.
Albany Democrat-Herald
Jerry Andrus, Albany’s world-famous magician and illusionist, died Sunday at the Mennonite Home. He was 89.
His brother, George Andrus, said Jerry died of cancer. George said a private graveside service will be held this week, and a public memorial service will follow later.
“Among other things, Jerry many times stated that he’d had a good life,” George, 91, said this morning. “He wasn’t morbid about it at all. He wasn’t fighting it.”
Rick Rogers, owner of Movies and Magic in downtown Albany, said Andrus was one of his early inspirations. “I’ve known him to be one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Any child that ever knocked on his door and said, ‘Mr. Andrus, I’d like to see a trick,’ or ‘Mr. Andrus, can you help me with this trick?’ ... I’ve never known him not to stop and take the time to help a child, or an adult, for that matter.”
Rogers said Andrus was considered to be one of the top close-up magicians in the world. He knew illusionists David Copperfield and Criss Angel, performed at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and at shows worldwide, and had spoken at Harvard and Stanford as well as other universities.
His brother said the family moved from Springfield to Albany in 1928, when he and Jerry were boys. He said Jerry never moved far from Albany the rest of his life.
Ring 238 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians held a special Jerry Andrus Day March 18 at the Venetian Theater. Albany Mayor Doug Killin contributed to the honor, proclaiming the day to be “Jerry Andrus Day.”
George Andrus lived next door to his brother since 1979. He said Jerry’s house was the “tightest, fullest house and shop of any place in the world,” packed with moving shelf units, which held Andrus’s many gadgets and inventions.
George and Jerry were two of four siblings. Other than George, Jerry is survived by a niece and nephew — daughter and son of George’s and Jerry’s late sister Lucilia Wiltse.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Another one of the greats. . . gone.
SHOUT OUT!!!
Congratulations are in order for my pal Scotty and his bride Gina! Not only are they married, but expecting! Can I say that here. . . is that OK? Based out of Denver these days Scotty has been seen in Seattle and talking about a trip to Italy. Lots of exciting things going on every where you look.
I am flattered that Scotty considers me a mentor and says that I inspired him to work the streets. But this young man has talent, drive, and energy that inspires me. While others talk about doing things and going places, he does them. Good for him, the wife and the kid.
I am flattered that Scotty considers me a mentor and says that I inspired him to work the streets. But this young man has talent, drive, and energy that inspires me. While others talk about doing things and going places, he does them. Good for him, the wife and the kid.
Talked to Jake today
He's the cat in the middle with the guitar. Click Pick to enlarge, that's Annie on fiddle and I don't know the dudes name with the bass. It was nice to catch up. I like Jake and Annie a lot. We were part of the Pike Place Market higher archy of Buskers. Indeed, we were too cool for any street silly performers guild. I got your newspaper box hanging. Good memories of an interesting time. A return to street performing after a decade in retail.
What I like about Jake is that he is an old school southern boy in a traditional bluesman way. He'll tell you to your face the way he see's it. I don't guess it's to easy to get a good bowl of grits in Seattle.
What I like about Jake is that he is an old school southern boy in a traditional bluesman way. He'll tell you to your face the way he see's it. I don't guess it's to easy to get a good bowl of grits in Seattle.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Street
Rotten motherfucker! He yelled before getting smacked in the back of the head with his own skateboard. Fucker! He took two more hits to the face, one on the jaw, the other in the eye.
All this over a card trick!? It wasn't even a card trick, it was an extreme card manipulation sequence. So Mouse takes a beating for messing with the wrong guys move. Thats harsh, but that the way it became after the mess at the back alley competition. Those dudes were out for blood with their razor thin stainless steel playing cards. The fine scroll work on the faint Aristocrat back made these metal cards as beautiful as the were dangerous. A one of a kind deck owned and manipulated by a fierce dude named Rectum. 6'4" a big man with giant hands or maybe I should call them 5 fingered callus. Not only are the cards razor thin, but they are actually sharpened razors on the edges. Nutty I know, but this tattoo clad, body pierced moron, made these cards dance a hypnotic and inspired kinetic sculpture. Outrageous! He likes to hand the deck out and ask someone to shuffle it. They grab it and soon find out by the blood dripping from their hands what's up. Welcome to the big city, hope your strapped with a card clip and a baseball bat.
Street magic isn't what it used to be, somehow now it's a part of the urban warfare landscape. I watched a fellow do a show where a guy was heckling him. He got real close to the guy, then pimp slapped him, calling him a bitch.
What's happening to the world? Another busker, an escape artist ripped off while tied up in a straight jacket and chains.
Maybe I should have listened to my father and finished high school and went to college. Got a real job and lived a normal life.
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
All this over a card trick!? It wasn't even a card trick, it was an extreme card manipulation sequence. So Mouse takes a beating for messing with the wrong guys move. Thats harsh, but that the way it became after the mess at the back alley competition. Those dudes were out for blood with their razor thin stainless steel playing cards. The fine scroll work on the faint Aristocrat back made these metal cards as beautiful as the were dangerous. A one of a kind deck owned and manipulated by a fierce dude named Rectum. 6'4" a big man with giant hands or maybe I should call them 5 fingered callus. Not only are the cards razor thin, but they are actually sharpened razors on the edges. Nutty I know, but this tattoo clad, body pierced moron, made these cards dance a hypnotic and inspired kinetic sculpture. Outrageous! He likes to hand the deck out and ask someone to shuffle it. They grab it and soon find out by the blood dripping from their hands what's up. Welcome to the big city, hope your strapped with a card clip and a baseball bat.
Street magic isn't what it used to be, somehow now it's a part of the urban warfare landscape. I watched a fellow do a show where a guy was heckling him. He got real close to the guy, then pimp slapped him, calling him a bitch.
What's happening to the world? Another busker, an escape artist ripped off while tied up in a straight jacket and chains.
Maybe I should have listened to my father and finished high school and went to college. Got a real job and lived a normal life.
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Jazz Report
Two more visits to the Hollywood bowl this week rounded out our triple dose of live jazz under the stars. Wednesdays show opened with Madeleine Peyroux. Her singing style has been compared to Billy Holiday. Her retro jazz stylings show the audience where her musical inspirations are coming from. She had a solid set mixed with original songs and standards. The sold out crowd of 17,000 loved her. She did an excellent job of setting the stage for the evenings headliner, Dave Brubeck and his quartet. I got to tell you, I've listened to music all over the world and here's this guy who looks like he's a hundred years old with his band as old as him dishing up some of the most savory jazz I've ever heard. A packed hour long set of gobs of great songs including his masterpiece Take 5. Bruce Hornsby finished out the evening with a short set with a new jazz trio. I've been a Bruce Hornsby fan since he toured with the Dead in 1990. Seeing him with a straight forward jazz combo was a new thing for me. His piano work, as always, was exceptional. Great time, great music and more Polly time, kissing and hugging the night away.
Last night we finished our summer series with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy backed up by the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Orchestra. What a night. Perfect weather and another sell out crowd. The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Orchestra opened up the first half with great songs from the likes of Duke Ellington & Count Basie. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy opened an energetic second set with their own brand of swing on steroids. The Hollywood Hornets did some swing dancing on stage while the bad played. I feel so lucky to have seen so much great music this summer and especially this last week. Life is good with a song in my heart and a smile of my face.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Last night we finished our summer series with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy backed up by the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Orchestra. What a night. Perfect weather and another sell out crowd. The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Orchestra opened up the first half with great songs from the likes of Duke Ellington & Count Basie. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy opened an energetic second set with their own brand of swing on steroids. The Hollywood Hornets did some swing dancing on stage while the bad played. I feel so lucky to have seen so much great music this summer and especially this last week. Life is good with a song in my heart and a smile of my face.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
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