Friday, February 13, 2009

Blue Valentines

She sends me blue valentines
all the way from philadelphia
to mark the anniversary
of someone that I used to be
and it feels just like there's
a warrant out for my arrest
got me checkin' in my rearview mirrror
and I'm always on the run
thats why I change my name
and I didn't think you'd ever find me here

to send me blue valentines
like half forgotten dreams
like a pebble in my shoe
as I walk these streets
and the ghost of your memory
is the thistle in the kiss
and the burgler that that can break a roses neck
it's the tattooed broken promise
that I hide beneath my sleeve
and I see you every time I turn my back

she sends me blue valentines
though I try to remain at large
they're insisting that our love
must have a ulogy
why do I save all of this madness
in the nightstand drawer
there to haunt upon my shoulders
baby I know
I'd be luckier to walk around everywhere I go
with a blind and broken heart
that sleeps beneath my lapel

she sends me blue valentines
to remind me of my cardinal sin
I can never wash the guilt
or get these bloodstains off my hands
and it takes a lot of whiskey
to make these nightmares go away
and I cut my bleedin' heart out every nite
and I die a little more on each st. valentine day
remember that I promised I would
write you...
these blue valentines
blue valentines
blue valentines

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The things you can find on the internet

The other morning after the SCPA Mixer I awoke from lousy night of sleep and nightmares to a feeling of not being able to breath. As it happens I had a swollen uvula. I knew that’s what is was called, because it had happened 8 or 9 years ago.

I did a Google search for swollen uvula and this is what I found CLICK HERE

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Why I love magic

Ultimately, when it all comes together, it makes people happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, was make people happy. There’s look in a child's eye and a subsequent smile or look of surprise; or turning a grown up into a child. . . even if but for a moment. That’s why I got in the game. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I always thought it was a noble profession to make people smile.

Tonight the money was horrible. It was 50 degrees and had rained most of the day. It was even hailing at one point. It cleared up enough to get out there for a couple hours in the evening. I didn’t make that much in tips, but I did some nice shows, and made some people happy.

I want to get better and grow as a magician a performer and a business man. I think it might be time to overhaul my act. All my friends seem to think that I need to reinvent myself and freshen things up a bit. Scary thought for a guy who has done the same act for 25 years. But I have learned one thing, when you hear the same comments from a a bunch of people whose opinions you respect. . . I should probably listen.

I love what I do, and there are endless possibilities. I used to have dreams and for years made them realities. Life’s harsh blows to the heart and soul can be crippling to motivation. Death and divorce, alienation and self loathing have all contributed to my lack of productivity in the last few years. I want to motivate myself to produce and again feel the delight in life and my art.

Here and now I renew my commitment towards my life. I will watch less television, write more and explore the vast universe of new material to sculpt out a new act. I have a lot of confidence on my ability as a performer, I always have. I need to get off the streets and book some gigs. Things are tough all over, but I have to believe that making people happy is a commodity that will always have value.

Time to put on the thinking cap and get to work.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

SCPA Alumni Mixer in Los Angeles

Last night Polly and I went downtown to a cool club to hang with some old friends from high school. We found out about the mixer from FaceBook only last week and were excited to go out on a Saturday Night and share our memories of the old days in Cincinnati. A few of the people live here and work in the industry, and some were just visiting. It was a small but exuberant group. It was very interesting to hear what everyone had been up to for the last quarter century. To be honest these were people I barely knew, Polly knew them much better. While these fine folks were getting their education in the class room, I was skipping school, reading magic books and practicing my art off campus. Of the many schools I was kicked out of SCPA was my favorite.

Click Pics to enlarge • A good time was had by all

Click HERE to see more pics from last night

FaceCrack

I joined up with FaceBook a few weeks ago and been really surprised to see how quickly you can become addicted to finding and communicating with people from your past. Friends from high school, friends I've worked for and with, through the years, and just plugging into this new world order of viral communities. Very interesting to get on the phone with old friends and catch each other up.

Here's a pic of a friend of mine named Mark Mounts. We went to the School for Creative & Performing Arts back in the early 80's. I think I was there in 10th and 11th grade before getting kicked out for rarely showing up. Mark and I used to skip school regularly with our posse of ne'er do well misfits.

Polly also went there and so did my brother Mike and my sister Margie. Harvey and Stevie Weinstein as well (a couple of the guys I met with in Vegas last week).

What a long strange trip. . . it continues to be!