Well, yesterday I spent my day busking. Didn't do too badly either. I'm coming to the conclusion that the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica may not be the best spot for busking, at least for a magician. The hip-hop dance troupe who was to my left, and then my right, and then my left again were having no problems drawing people in, and they were quite good. It's just a little difficult to draw a crowd when one group is so noisy and bouncy and is holding two of the three spots on the street. Asshats.
Anyway, I did have some good come of yesterday: had a few people come up and ask me for a business card, and one man who was wearing an "FBI Special Agent" badge (can't say if he was or not, but I'm going for not...) asked me, out of the blue, "How has magic changed your life?" Not kidding. First words out of his mouth after introducing himself. I'll be posting a bit about that on my Magic Today blog in a bit.
Then there was the little kiwi kid (kiwi being slang for New Zealander) who thought I was amazing and his dad had him take a picture with me. Really kinda made my day.
Right now I'm sitting at the bakery, it being 8am, waiting until I can head into Santa Monica (legally can't start busking til 9 or 10) to get my pier registration (yup...they don't tell you about that extra little rule that you can be ticketed for when you get a permit) to perform on the Pier today.
I figure the pier might be a better place to perform seeing as no one on the pier is there to shop or anything other than just be entertained, so I'm not interrupting them. I'm pretty excited about the prospects; the pier is nice and cool and there will be a good number of people there, so wish me luck...
Other than that we have a dinner party tonight. Lots of Stevie's friends whom I've heard quite a bit about and now get to put faces to names. So that's what's going on with that...
Oh! Parkour was fantastic. We did precisions which involve jumping from balance beam to balance beam and doing tic-tacs (running and then jumping off a wall to scale an object.) Then Stevie and I stayed after and those of us left messed around with random insanity. We stacked a set of mats up to where there was two foot clearance from the top to the bar above it that we were using to swing through the gap. That was great! I'm loving it.
Well, I guess that's it. On disk 5 of season 3 of Galactica. Fantastic show. Everyone should watch. Just spilled coffee on my favorite shirt (which, in it's defense already has a tea spot and a blood spot...This is why I can't have nice things...) though the coffee is fantastic.
There are a slew of other things I'm sure, but I just can't remember them. This having no internet at the apartment thing is really hampering my spilling my brains into words...
Oh, and it turns out google spell-check things "internet" needs to be capitalized and that "asshat" isn't a word.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Rainy days are here again
So it's another rainy day here in the city of angels. Rainy might not be the best word...misty might be a better word. But despite the fact that there isn't actual rain (not car-flooding rain) there are people out with umbrellas and ponchos, afraid to get their precious hair wet. Think of the frizz (and not the teacher from Magic Schoolbus).
So plans...I haven't really got one, at least i didn't until today. I've been kind of lost the last bit, not really sure where to go or how to begin anything. Stevie gave me a pep-talk of sorts and made me realize that while being fiercely independent is fine and all, in this town you need to know people. You ask for help or you drown are the words I think she used. Apt advice. So I guess it's time to get over the 'I don't need help' shtick and start using the tools at my disposal which, it appears, are vast. Apparently I know people who know people. So that's going to help.
Still attemtping the busking, though it's seeming more and more like the magicians who have tried here before are right: it's hell. But I'm planning on hitting the pavement some more anyway. If nothing else, it's good experience and exposure.
I'm at the public library, North Hollywood branch, because the internet in the complex has been disrupted while some people move out and others move in, so if I don't post often or reply to emails, that's why.
Anyway, parkour again tonight. Stevie and I went out and did the warm-up bits at the park two days ago (Tuesday I guess) and let me tell you, it's harder to do those things in the park than in a gymnasium.
Well, if anyone pops up any good ideas for anything, let me know.
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. ~Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905
So plans...I haven't really got one, at least i didn't until today. I've been kind of lost the last bit, not really sure where to go or how to begin anything. Stevie gave me a pep-talk of sorts and made me realize that while being fiercely independent is fine and all, in this town you need to know people. You ask for help or you drown are the words I think she used. Apt advice. So I guess it's time to get over the 'I don't need help' shtick and start using the tools at my disposal which, it appears, are vast. Apparently I know people who know people. So that's going to help.
Still attemtping the busking, though it's seeming more and more like the magicians who have tried here before are right: it's hell. But I'm planning on hitting the pavement some more anyway. If nothing else, it's good experience and exposure.
I'm at the public library, North Hollywood branch, because the internet in the complex has been disrupted while some people move out and others move in, so if I don't post often or reply to emails, that's why.
Anyway, parkour again tonight. Stevie and I went out and did the warm-up bits at the park two days ago (Tuesday I guess) and let me tell you, it's harder to do those things in the park than in a gymnasium.
Well, if anyone pops up any good ideas for anything, let me know.
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. ~Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Seven down...
Well, spent my day today first writing up some more lecture notes, these over vanishing an object. Perhaps I should look at submitting things to some of the magic journals.
Then I spent a while contacting seven restaurants around the area. Out of seven of them, two said to contact corporate (both said they didn't need me though), one said just send me a brochure, one the GM is there in the mornings, one I left a message on the GM's machine, and the last two refused to allow me to speak to the GM (one of them actually hung up on me).
So...going pretty well. There's another that the GM is out of town until later this week.
Fantastic.
So I'm trying to come up with other ideas, but I'm fresh out. And no, I still haven't heard back from the CityWalk people yet.
Then I spent a while contacting seven restaurants around the area. Out of seven of them, two said to contact corporate (both said they didn't need me though), one said just send me a brochure, one the GM is there in the mornings, one I left a message on the GM's machine, and the last two refused to allow me to speak to the GM (one of them actually hung up on me).
So...going pretty well. There's another that the GM is out of town until later this week.
Fantastic.
So I'm trying to come up with other ideas, but I'm fresh out. And no, I still haven't heard back from the CityWalk people yet.
Pics
Here are the pics from Huntington. The link has 10 downloads on it, so let me know when it runs out and I'll get another one.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Huntington Gardens
So we went to Huntington Gardens today. We saw about half (if that) of the total gardens and museum exhibits that are there. Talk about Stendhal Syndrome. I took over 100 pics, so I'll put them in a compressed file and link to it later.
Get this in mind early: we never grow up. ~Richard Bach
Get this in mind early: we never grow up. ~Richard Bach
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A good night
Tonight was pretty awesome. Stevie got home and cooked a meal of brautwurst, mashed potatoes and saurkraut. The neighbors brought over some salad and we all had a great dinner full of laughing and carrying on.
Then we played cards for a while. Stevie won (like always) and afterwards we took Chopper (dog) on a walk. I think the high point of playing cards is definitely the creative cursing at each other. Try adding twizzler to a string of curses. Works like a charm.
Anyway, off to another episode of Galactica.
Then we played cards for a while. Stevie won (like always) and afterwards we took Chopper (dog) on a walk. I think the high point of playing cards is definitely the creative cursing at each other. Try adding twizzler to a string of curses. Works like a charm.
Anyway, off to another episode of Galactica.
Electronics
Well, here I am, a beautiful sunny day here in California. The temperature is a brisk 63 degrees with a high today of 68. The low tonight is 49 degrees and a high tomorrow of 63.
What's that sport fans? What am I doing at a computer typing away about the wonderful weather instead of being outside enjoying it and practicing my trade? Why I would assume that with a group as smart as you, the answer would become apparent. No, I haven't come down with necrotizing fasciitis (something you won't want to look at pictures of I assure you [the real question is how many are going to now that I've said that?]). What's that? No, no I haven't been hit by a bus. Legs? Still intact. Nope, still got a spleen, as useful as that is to busking.
No folks, the real reason that I'm sitting here at a computer instead of out enjoying the day busking is...drum roll please... my alarm didn't go off! That's right folks! Or at least, when it went off it was set at the quietest possible setting, so it took me a bit to realize what the funny music playing through my dream was.
No problem, you say. It's only 9:45 there. Get out and do something! Let me remind you that the ride to Santa Monica is 2 hours long on a good day, and almost 3 on a bad one. That puts me at the Promenade at about 12-noon. That's not bad, you say to yourself, Scooby-Doo playing in the background (the ones without Scrappy), you munching on your Cookie Crisp cereal (if it can be called cereal) waiting for Mikey down the street to come out and play after the Scooby-Doo marathon.
Well let me remind you that last time we went out all the spots were gone by noon and we just happened to weasel our way into one. One. And then we didn't get a spot for the next bit.
So what have we learned kiddies? Monsters are just people in costumes? No Timmy, the monsters are real and are going to eat your toes like little round olives. Ride bikes! Ride Bikes! Ride Bikes! Oh, a penny. That's right Jason, eating seven bowls of Cookie Crisp in an hour while watching Scooby-Doo is probably the reason everyone and their mother has ADHD in this country. Any other guesses? That perhaps if you want to accomplish something you should ensure that you set your alarm clock and check all of the settings instead of taking out your frustration in a sarcastic and partially cynical blog post about it where you insult little children and tell them their toes taste like olives.
Wow, Susie, um...you're real Johnny on the Spot there. (No Johnny, sit back down.) Anything else to add?
Yes, I will eat their toes like little round olives.
What's that sport fans? What am I doing at a computer typing away about the wonderful weather instead of being outside enjoying it and practicing my trade? Why I would assume that with a group as smart as you, the answer would become apparent. No, I haven't come down with necrotizing fasciitis (something you won't want to look at pictures of I assure you [the real question is how many are going to now that I've said that?]). What's that? No, no I haven't been hit by a bus. Legs? Still intact. Nope, still got a spleen, as useful as that is to busking.
No folks, the real reason that I'm sitting here at a computer instead of out enjoying the day busking is...drum roll please... my alarm didn't go off! That's right folks! Or at least, when it went off it was set at the quietest possible setting, so it took me a bit to realize what the funny music playing through my dream was.
No problem, you say. It's only 9:45 there. Get out and do something! Let me remind you that the ride to Santa Monica is 2 hours long on a good day, and almost 3 on a bad one. That puts me at the Promenade at about 12-noon. That's not bad, you say to yourself, Scooby-Doo playing in the background (the ones without Scrappy), you munching on your Cookie Crisp cereal (if it can be called cereal) waiting for Mikey down the street to come out and play after the Scooby-Doo marathon.
Well let me remind you that last time we went out all the spots were gone by noon and we just happened to weasel our way into one. One. And then we didn't get a spot for the next bit.
So what have we learned kiddies? Monsters are just people in costumes? No Timmy, the monsters are real and are going to eat your toes like little round olives. Ride bikes! Ride Bikes! Ride Bikes! Oh, a penny. That's right Jason, eating seven bowls of Cookie Crisp in an hour while watching Scooby-Doo is probably the reason everyone and their mother has ADHD in this country. Any other guesses? That perhaps if you want to accomplish something you should ensure that you set your alarm clock and check all of the settings instead of taking out your frustration in a sarcastic and partially cynical blog post about it where you insult little children and tell them their toes taste like olives.
Wow, Susie, um...you're real Johnny on the Spot there. (No Johnny, sit back down.) Anything else to add?
Yes, I will eat their toes like little round olives.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Scouting
Today I'm headed out to Griffith Park, a place closer by that Stevie said might be good for busking.
Also, a huge congratulations to Travis for making it trough the interview and into the Comal County Sheriff's Office. Well done.
Also, a huge congratulations to Travis for making it trough the interview and into the Comal County Sheriff's Office. Well done.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Parkour...again
Just got back from parkour. Did climbs and grabs which pretty much means you try to climb a ten foot wall and then you try to throw yourself at a wall from as far away as possible and grab on.
It was a lot of fun. Hard work, but fun.
Busking tomorrow.
You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice. ~Steven D. Woodhull
It was a lot of fun. Hard work, but fun.
Busking tomorrow.
You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice. ~Steven D. Woodhull
Public Broadcast Message
{Begin Transmission}
People in California look at you strangely when you say "Howdy". That is all.
{Transmission Terminated}
People in California look at you strangely when you say "Howdy". That is all.
{Transmission Terminated}
Restaurant Magic
So I almost forgot (well I did forget for a bit) that part of my plan out here was to find a few restaurants to work in in the evenings. So I'm spending time today putting together a list of interesting restaurants to work at here in Los Angeles.
So far I have five restaurant/lounge-type-things:
So far I have five restaurant/lounge-type-things:
So take a look and let me know what you think of those. I'm looking for restaurants that are unique and would fit my personality. Sure there are some very, very, upscale restaurants that would be great for magic, but they really aren't my thing. Imagine me with my sarcastic humor and eccentricities trying to play a five star black-tie restaurant. I'd need a better coat.
So any other restaurants people can think of that "fit the bill" so to speak would be welcome.
Anyway, other than that Parkour tonight. It's going to be painful and fun!
Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things. ~Ray Bradbury
Yesterday...
Sorry I didn't get to posting yesterday. I am glad that nobody took that to mean that I was dead, just that it slipped my mind.
Yesterday started with me waking up and deciding that it was a writing day, thus I spent most of my day working on my story which, for anyone who is interested, is coming along. I'm well over twenty pages into it and just finished up the ending scene (which came to me all at once. Also Tegan isn't allowed to tell anyone about it though she may not remember what I told her).
Also it was intersperced with watching Battlestar Galactica which is a fantastic series. I'm through season 1 and will start season 2 shortly.
Also I had dinner with the neighbors last night and watched part of Flight of Dragons, a movie I haven't seen for years about the war between magic and science. It was quite good and I enjoyed watching it again.
Also, Stevie has me on this new book called Neverwhere, about the world of the London Underground. It's pretty good so far. I'm on Chapter 6 and I'll let y'all know how it goes. It's by Neil Gaiman, by the way.
Oh! Also I started trying to optimize my website for search engines because when you search for "Cameron Rivers Magician", you don't find Kings To You Magic. You find the Order of Aggie Illusionists site which has me on it and links to my site (thanks Clay!), but not mine. So if anyone knows (or has) a website and would like to link to mine, please do so.
Also, click my links damnit! They're there for you to be clickin' on!
And it wouldn't kill y'all to comment on my posts (or kill Suit and Clay to comment on my rambling posts at Magic Today).
Take care and don't explode.
Yesterday started with me waking up and deciding that it was a writing day, thus I spent most of my day working on my story which, for anyone who is interested, is coming along. I'm well over twenty pages into it and just finished up the ending scene (which came to me all at once. Also Tegan isn't allowed to tell anyone about it though she may not remember what I told her).
Also it was intersperced with watching Battlestar Galactica which is a fantastic series. I'm through season 1 and will start season 2 shortly.
Also I had dinner with the neighbors last night and watched part of Flight of Dragons, a movie I haven't seen for years about the war between magic and science. It was quite good and I enjoyed watching it again.
Also, Stevie has me on this new book called Neverwhere, about the world of the London Underground. It's pretty good so far. I'm on Chapter 6 and I'll let y'all know how it goes. It's by Neil Gaiman, by the way.
Oh! Also I started trying to optimize my website for search engines because when you search for "Cameron Rivers Magician", you don't find Kings To You Magic. You find the Order of Aggie Illusionists site which has me on it and links to my site (thanks Clay!), but not mine. So if anyone knows (or has) a website and would like to link to mine, please do so.
Also, click my links damnit! They're there for you to be clickin' on!
And it wouldn't kill y'all to comment on my posts (or kill Suit and Clay to comment on my rambling posts at Magic Today).
Take care and don't explode.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
CityWalk
Well, this morning at 5am I was present at Universal Studios' CityWalk to be on KTLA, the local news channel. We ran two bits with me, and let me say that when performing for a news camera, it's very difficult to figure out where they are focused. Also the reporter we were with was a little on the ditsy side, but that's okay I suppose.
I was rushed through my routines and didn't really get a chance to say anything. I was trying to plug StreetFest on CityWalk as well as Kings To You, but wound up not doing much of either.
Then when I got back, I found out that it's very hard to find the Kings To You website searching for "Cameron Rivers magician". So I'll be spending part of my day trying to optimize my website for search engines. Hopefully I get a few gigs out of this...
As it turns out, I should be performing at CityWalk, so keep your fingers crossed.
It's a rainy day here, so no busking.
I was rushed through my routines and didn't really get a chance to say anything. I was trying to plug StreetFest on CityWalk as well as Kings To You, but wound up not doing much of either.
Then when I got back, I found out that it's very hard to find the Kings To You website searching for "Cameron Rivers magician". So I'll be spending part of my day trying to optimize my website for search engines. Hopefully I get a few gigs out of this...
As it turns out, I should be performing at CityWalk, so keep your fingers crossed.
It's a rainy day here, so no busking.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Shiner!!!!
So when Stevie got home this afternoon she had a six pack of Shiner Hefeweizen and the store will have Bock next week!!!
My life is complete.
My life is complete.
Tomorrow on the News
So tomorrow morning I'll be on the LA morning news. I've got my set down for the most part, but have to switch out a trick because it's to damn hard to find the props for it in LA.
So if anyone knows a place (not a bank because apparently none of the banks in LA carry new bills) to get brand new dollar bills...
Other than that, things seem to be going fine. I'll just have to change up my routine a bit. Three tricks. Should be fine.
So if anyone knows a place (not a bank because apparently none of the banks in LA carry new bills) to get brand new dollar bills...
Other than that, things seem to be going fine. I'll just have to change up my routine a bit. Three tricks. Should be fine.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
So....
Well, today was semi-productive.
I did a mock-up of a new show.
Then I found this:
http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/01/08/domestic-espionage-alert-spy-drone-discovered/
So...the police say they are only going to use their new toy for good and honest things...
Looks like we're trying to win the "Surveillance State of the Year" award.
I did a mock-up of a new show.
Then I found this:
http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/01/08/domestic-espionage-alert-spy-drone-discovered/
So...the police say they are only going to use their new toy for good and honest things...
Looks like we're trying to win the "Surveillance State of the Year" award.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
First day on the job
Well, I've been out here a week and finally managed to get out to busk. Yup, went out to Santa Monica's famous 3rd Promenade.
I arrived about 12:00 and found a spot on the far South side of the Promenade. It was the only spot available. I forgot, it's Saturday, and apparently Saturday is the day to be out there. So I set up and start going and before long have a small crowd. I get to my cups routine and am inturrupted by one of the "Promenade Ambassodors" who informs me I was blocking a fire lane. He was very polite about it, but really? Blocking a fire lane? Buddy, if a fire breaks out, I'm moving. So I move my show twenty feet to the North and continue. Grand total from that show: $5
I continue on until 2pm when, as all of you should know, you are required by law, to move to a different spot more than 125 or 150 feet away (aka off that street and onto the next). So I move to the center street of the Promenade, the Mecca of performing in this area, and I find a perfect pitch. Oh, it was so beautiful! But then 35-40 feet in front of me, the distance required by law, a guitar duo hooked up to some very, very, very loud amps and began to play grunge music. Needless to say, I couldn't hear myself speak, let alone the audience hear me. And there weren't any other pitches open.
So I thought I'd head to Santa Monica Pier, but the magician I ran into earlier this week ran into me and we started talking. Apparently there is a secret law that they don't put into the booklet they give you on busking laws that states that you must be present at 11am on the pier at the second gazebo to sign up for a spot to perform. On top of that, they will tell you exactly where you will perform and you are by law not allowed to perform anywhere else but that 7.5 foot square. But that only lets you perform til 4. If you want to perform after 4, from 4-7 (the next time slot), you must be present at the second gazebo at 2pm to sign up for a spot. again at 5:30 or so.
So, what I've found out today:
I arrived about 12:00 and found a spot on the far South side of the Promenade. It was the only spot available. I forgot, it's Saturday, and apparently Saturday is the day to be out there. So I set up and start going and before long have a small crowd. I get to my cups routine and am inturrupted by one of the "Promenade Ambassodors" who informs me I was blocking a fire lane. He was very polite about it, but really? Blocking a fire lane? Buddy, if a fire breaks out, I'm moving. So I move my show twenty feet to the North and continue. Grand total from that show: $5
I continue on until 2pm when, as all of you should know, you are required by law, to move to a different spot more than 125 or 150 feet away (aka off that street and onto the next). So I move to the center street of the Promenade, the Mecca of performing in this area, and I find a perfect pitch. Oh, it was so beautiful! But then 35-40 feet in front of me, the distance required by law, a guitar duo hooked up to some very, very, very loud amps and began to play grunge music. Needless to say, I couldn't hear myself speak, let alone the audience hear me. And there weren't any other pitches open.
So I thought I'd head to Santa Monica Pier, but the magician I ran into earlier this week ran into me and we started talking. Apparently there is a secret law that they don't put into the booklet they give you on busking laws that states that you must be present at 11am on the pier at the second gazebo to sign up for a spot to perform. On top of that, they will tell you exactly where you will perform and you are by law not allowed to perform anywhere else but that 7.5 foot square. But that only lets you perform til 4. If you want to perform after 4, from 4-7 (the next time slot), you must be present at the second gazebo at 2pm to sign up for a spot. again at 5:30 or so.
So, what I've found out today:
- Everyone and their dog (or iguana in the case of one guy) is out there trying to perform on the weekend.
- The bums are out in force.
- There are hidden, secret rules that no one will tell you, even if you ask. You gotta find out by being issued a ticket (not me, my friend).
- Some bums have great stories.
- Don't sleep on the metro (CHANCE: Missed your stop on the Metro. +45 minutes to your already 2.5 hour trip)
- 5 hours a day on the Metro will steal your soul.
- No matter how bad your day, a puppy makes it all better.
So, grand total for the day: $5
Keep your fingers crossed I get the CityWalk thing. It's closer and I could actually use my "getting a crowd" bit (confetti storm) without being afraid the cops would write me 10,000 tickets for littering. (CityWalk is private property)
Friday, May 14, 2010
More CityWalk News
So just got a call about the audition I did yesterday and Universal Studios CityWalk and they think that I would be a good fit for what they are looking for.
The guy I talked to said that they want to have me come back out and do a bit with the guests and see how I interact with everyone and how everyone responds.
Things are looking up. CityWalk is only 3 miles or so from the apartment, a simple 5-10 minute bus ride, and if things work out then I may be there part of my week, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
The guy I talked to said that they want to have me come back out and do a bit with the guests and see how I interact with everyone and how everyone responds.
Things are looking up. CityWalk is only 3 miles or so from the apartment, a simple 5-10 minute bus ride, and if things work out then I may be there part of my week, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
The morning news
So, I just got a phone call from the Public Relations office at Universal Studios Hollywood and apparently the local news (KTLA) will be filming a program at a comedy club up on CityWalk. What this means for me, my dear readers, is that the news people need some extra footage of "cool and interesting" people/things and I'm supposed to be one of those "cool and interesting" people.
The downside? 5:30 am. Yeah.
But I should be getting an email with the details tomorrow, so when I know more, you'll know more.
~Your favorite "cool and interesting" person
The downside? 5:30 am. Yeah.
But I should be getting an email with the details tomorrow, so when I know more, you'll know more.
~Your favorite "cool and interesting" person
YEA!!!!!
So I just googled it and aparentlly there is a bar one, read it, one (1) mile away from the apartment that serves Shiner!!!
So we'll see if it does...
Still leaves me needing to find a store that sells it...
So we'll see if it does...
Still leaves me needing to find a store that sells it...
My life's goal
Or at least the goal for the summer is to find a store that sells Shiner Bock.
That is all.
That is all.
Pause
I was getting things ready this morning to head out to Santa Monica and start my first day of busking when I realized that my servante was really not suitable for the table it is attached to. The thing hangs way low and all foldy-openy and prone to dropping props...
So... I'm going to be re-working things to either:
So... I'm going to be re-working things to either:
- Re-rig the servante to work better or
- Work out of my pockets
Either option fixes the problem, but both prevent me from busking today. One of these days I'll actually make it out there to busk damnit!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Exhausted...but in a good way
Today was fantastic. Let's just get that through now.
I got up this morning and Stevie took me to my audition at Universal Studios CityWalk. The audition went well, and I should hear back by Friday, so everyone keep your fingers crossed. The audition is for an event called "Always Unexpected" and will occur on every Sunday through mid June (5 days I think).
After that, I dropped by Santa Monica City Hall and now have my permit in hand. I then took a walk over to Third Street Promenade and watched a movie called The Losers. It was entertaining. Lots of explosions and such.
Then I wandered up and down the Pier, trying to figure out where to set up for tomorrow. Looks like a pretty easy gig.
Made my way to Venice and watched a performer draw a crowd of 40 people and hat them twice!!! I can't really explain what he did. He was doing some pop 'n lock dance and then got others involved. Very entertaining.
Made it to the bakery and zoned out 'til Stevie closed and we went next door to a yoga/massage/tea place where we waited for our Parkour class to start. I got an egg salad sandwich and it was great. Also found this really good book called Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung. It's written by a theoretical physicist turned Buddhist monk (now an Abbot) and it's a bunch of inspirational stories. YOU SOULD ALL READ IT. There's a partial copy avaliable through Google Books here.
Parkour was exhausting. It was a very difficult workout for someone who hasn't worked out in forever. But it was fun, and I will probably be headed back next week. Lot's of fun people there. Lot's of crazy people there.
Now it's time for what you've all been waiting for: My hero of the day. For those of us who don't know (all of you) I've decided to have a hero of the day; someone who catches my attention or does something amazing (in a positive or negative way).
My hero of the day is the artist at www.magicbeansarereal.com. I was on the bus and he looked over at me and said "Can I draw you?" I know. Creepy, huh? I thought for a moment and said sure, and the drawing came out pretty great. He should be emailing me a copy (because I didn't have a $20 spot on me) soon, and then I'll send it out to you guys.
So that's that. I'm a gonna go eat an egg.
I got up this morning and Stevie took me to my audition at Universal Studios CityWalk. The audition went well, and I should hear back by Friday, so everyone keep your fingers crossed. The audition is for an event called "Always Unexpected" and will occur on every Sunday through mid June (5 days I think).
After that, I dropped by Santa Monica City Hall and now have my permit in hand. I then took a walk over to Third Street Promenade and watched a movie called The Losers. It was entertaining. Lots of explosions and such.
Then I wandered up and down the Pier, trying to figure out where to set up for tomorrow. Looks like a pretty easy gig.
Made my way to Venice and watched a performer draw a crowd of 40 people and hat them twice!!! I can't really explain what he did. He was doing some pop 'n lock dance and then got others involved. Very entertaining.
Made it to the bakery and zoned out 'til Stevie closed and we went next door to a yoga/massage/tea place where we waited for our Parkour class to start. I got an egg salad sandwich and it was great. Also found this really good book called Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung. It's written by a theoretical physicist turned Buddhist monk (now an Abbot) and it's a bunch of inspirational stories. YOU SOULD ALL READ IT. There's a partial copy avaliable through Google Books here.
Parkour was exhausting. It was a very difficult workout for someone who hasn't worked out in forever. But it was fun, and I will probably be headed back next week. Lot's of fun people there. Lot's of crazy people there.
Now it's time for what you've all been waiting for: My hero of the day. For those of us who don't know (all of you) I've decided to have a hero of the day; someone who catches my attention or does something amazing (in a positive or negative way).
My hero of the day is the artist at www.magicbeansarereal.com. I was on the bus and he looked over at me and said "Can I draw you?" I know. Creepy, huh? I thought for a moment and said sure, and the drawing came out pretty great. He should be emailing me a copy (because I didn't have a $20 spot on me) soon, and then I'll send it out to you guys.
So that's that. I'm a gonna go eat an egg.
Audition-y Things
So, here I am preparing to audition for a busking spot at Universal City CityWalk. It should be quite exciting. CityWalk is only three miles or so from here, so hopefully the bus won't take forever (actually I've been told there's a metro rail line to Universal from North Hollywood, so there's very little waiting).
Anyway, if I get this spot, it will provide me with some fun busking for the next few Sundays, and perhaps for more than that.
So I've got everything together (after spending nine hours collecting it yesterday...thanks buses), and all I need to get are some fruit on the way there.
So wish me luck.
Anyway, if I get this spot, it will provide me with some fun busking for the next few Sundays, and perhaps for more than that.
So I've got everything together (after spending nine hours collecting it yesterday...thanks buses), and all I need to get are some fruit on the way there.
So wish me luck.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Metro...again
Just got back from the store. Stevie dropped me off at noonish and I was done with the first store (getting a tray stand) and the second store (graphite powder for the front door) in ten minutes. Then all I had to do was get on the bus. It's a 15-20 minute bus ride.
You extrapolate.
You extrapolate.
The Magic Castle
So, as it turns out, the Castle is only 6 miles or so from the apartment, so it was a quick drive.
It's amazing, and yes, you really do have to say "Open Sesame" to get in through the hidden bookcase-door. The entire place is rather confusing, and the rooms don't really seem to lead where you feel they should. Everything is covered in gaudyness, but it works amazingly.
We had dinner, which was fantastic. We got to sit in the Dante room. The walls were covered with old (reproductions? I dunno) posters from Dante's shows. The thing that kept bothering me was there were two windows side by side to the other room, and I would watch people walk past and then when they got to the third window, they had vanished!
I knew of course, this was a mirror. It wasn't exactly a secret either; the mirror was huge and hung in the room we were dining in and framed with gold scrollwork. It was just the angle that I was at you expected to see people continue to walk through, and they never did.
The entire place was fantastic, and the magicians were wonderful. I saw one of the best manipulators I have seen in a long time as well as the MC of the show who could juggle ping-pong balls with his mouth...
Long story short, it was amazing.
And yes...Irma plays any song on request.
It's amazing, and yes, you really do have to say "Open Sesame" to get in through the hidden bookcase-door. The entire place is rather confusing, and the rooms don't really seem to lead where you feel they should. Everything is covered in gaudyness, but it works amazingly.
We had dinner, which was fantastic. We got to sit in the Dante room. The walls were covered with old (reproductions? I dunno) posters from Dante's shows. The thing that kept bothering me was there were two windows side by side to the other room, and I would watch people walk past and then when they got to the third window, they had vanished!
I knew of course, this was a mirror. It wasn't exactly a secret either; the mirror was huge and hung in the room we were dining in and framed with gold scrollwork. It was just the angle that I was at you expected to see people continue to walk through, and they never did.
The entire place was fantastic, and the magicians were wonderful. I saw one of the best manipulators I have seen in a long time as well as the MC of the show who could juggle ping-pong balls with his mouth...
Long story short, it was amazing.
And yes...Irma plays any song on request.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
We're legal!
Just got back from my two and a half hour bus ride home. The Metro trip planner says it's only an hour and fifteen minutes...
Anyway, all that aside, I have my permit to busk anywhere in Santa Monica. Some of the rules are strange, like if a holiday falls on a Monday and there is not a holiday on Tuesday then Monday is actually a Sunday and Sunday a Saturday, but if the Holiday is on a Friday, then Friday is a Saturday and Thursday is a Friday. However if a Holiday falls in the middle of the week, then that day is a Sunday and the day before it a Friday.
It gets worse, but I won't subject you to it. Those of you who are magicians and actually want to know how these rules work, I'll be posting something on the Kings To You Blog.
After getting my permit, I finally made it to the fabled 3rd Promenade!!! I had lunch there and listened to a fantastic guitarist and wandered a bit. As I was leaving, I noticed a guy with a close up mat on top of a trey table and some cards. So after watching for a moment, I wandered over to give him some pointers. Turns out it was his first day out there and he didn't really know what was going on or how to build a crowd. In return, he insisted I take a trick he had. It looks promising, so once I get it going, I'll review it over on the other blog.
Then it was the two and a half hour ride home. Talk about boring, and I kept thinking I missed my stop. Luckily I looked at the schedule and it said that there was a connection to the Red Line Metro we met yesterday at one of the stops after mine. Thankfully, I didn't have to use it.
The bus dropped me off right up the street, so now it's time to go pick up my jacket, shower, shave, etc for the trip to the Castle. More on that later.
Anyway, all that aside, I have my permit to busk anywhere in Santa Monica. Some of the rules are strange, like if a holiday falls on a Monday and there is not a holiday on Tuesday then Monday is actually a Sunday and Sunday a Saturday, but if the Holiday is on a Friday, then Friday is a Saturday and Thursday is a Friday. However if a Holiday falls in the middle of the week, then that day is a Sunday and the day before it a Friday.
It gets worse, but I won't subject you to it. Those of you who are magicians and actually want to know how these rules work, I'll be posting something on the Kings To You Blog.
After getting my permit, I finally made it to the fabled 3rd Promenade!!! I had lunch there and listened to a fantastic guitarist and wandered a bit. As I was leaving, I noticed a guy with a close up mat on top of a trey table and some cards. So after watching for a moment, I wandered over to give him some pointers. Turns out it was his first day out there and he didn't really know what was going on or how to build a crowd. In return, he insisted I take a trick he had. It looks promising, so once I get it going, I'll review it over on the other blog.
Then it was the two and a half hour ride home. Talk about boring, and I kept thinking I missed my stop. Luckily I looked at the schedule and it said that there was a connection to the Red Line Metro we met yesterday at one of the stops after mine. Thankfully, I didn't have to use it.
The bus dropped me off right up the street, so now it's time to go pick up my jacket, shower, shave, etc for the trip to the Castle. More on that later.
So...we're trying again
Today is another adventure. Stevie doesn't have to be at work until noon, so she has offered me a ride down to Santa Monica, it's just up to me to find my way back.
The Metro trip planner has told me that I went a crazy way yesterday (at the trip planner's instructions) and instead need only catch these two busses. So, eventually I will know about ten dozen ways to make it to Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Anyway, it is quite cool here and there's a nice breeze. Weather.com just informed me it is 59 degrees and sunny, though the sunny part I knew myself.
So goals for the day:
The Metro trip planner has told me that I went a crazy way yesterday (at the trip planner's instructions) and instead need only catch these two busses. So, eventually I will know about ten dozen ways to make it to Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Anyway, it is quite cool here and there's a nice breeze. Weather.com just informed me it is 59 degrees and sunny, though the sunny part I knew myself.
So goals for the day:
- Performing Permits
- taking a look at the 3rd Promenade
- Making it home (important)
- Picking up the jacket from the tailors
- MAGIC CASTLE!!!!!!! (not excited at all ;) )
And perhaps find a hat.
At the end of the day
So it seems that everyone in the apartment had a pretty horrible day. Between truck repairs, being told that your work is crap, and my metro problems, everyone needed a beer.
But as we all sat there round the kitchen laughing and drinking, we found that perhaps the day wasn't a complete loss.
Here's to the little things that make everything worth it.
Oh, and stay away from the Kaltenburg Pils beer...it's not so great.
But as we all sat there round the kitchen laughing and drinking, we found that perhaps the day wasn't a complete loss.
Here's to the little things that make everything worth it.
Oh, and stay away from the Kaltenburg Pils beer...it's not so great.
Monday, May 10, 2010
LA Metro, Part the Second
So after arriving home, I decided to do some other errands, as I previously mentioned. So I got my jacket and took it to the tailors (sleeves were only three inches too long) and then got some photos for my permits (the guy there was pretty great "Uh...do you want to look stoned?") and then I decided to pop down to the magic shop that's about 20 minutes down the way.
Well to get there, I have to take the bus, Metro 230/239 to Metro 150/240. Well I got on the first one no problems and when I got off, the other bus was already at the stop.
Finally, I thought. A break. This should be easy as pie
Well, turns out the reason the bus is already there is that it has broken down. So I decide to walk to the shop. I'm at 12015 and the shop's at 11390. It can't be that far right? Wrong. Took me thirty minutes to walk there, and in all that time, not a single bus 150/240 passed me. So, had I chosen to stop at the next bus stop and wait (which I did [+5 minutes]) I would have waited longer than it took to walk.
Well I finally arrive in the shopping center where the magic shop is, the Magic Apple it's called, and I saunter up the stairs ready to talk Ascanio spreads and Elmsley counts and what's the best way to turn over a card and turn it into a house and whatnot only to find that the shop...
...Wait for it...
...Is...
CLOSED ON MONDAYS!!!!
So I descended the stairs to the regular level and I see a bus 150/240 go by on my side of the street and one on the other side.
Sweet, I think to myself. It should only be a few minutes before that bus gets back around to me, and there are at least two buses on the route.
Thirty minutes pass while I wait for the bus that had just gone past. Several Red Line 740's came by, and fifteen minutes into my wait, a 150/240 goes by on the other side of the street.
Fifteen more minutes, and the same bus that went by fifteen minutes ago is on my side of the street. This means that the bus I saw go by thirty minutes ago, and was waiting on forever, just disappeared. That's right, it's gone, never to be heard from again. So either it just gave up and went home, or it broke down too!!!
That's two buses, count 'em, 2, that broke down on this one trip.
F*** it. I'm going to sleep.
Well to get there, I have to take the bus, Metro 230/239 to Metro 150/240. Well I got on the first one no problems and when I got off, the other bus was already at the stop.
Finally, I thought. A break. This should be easy as pie
Well, turns out the reason the bus is already there is that it has broken down. So I decide to walk to the shop. I'm at 12015 and the shop's at 11390. It can't be that far right? Wrong. Took me thirty minutes to walk there, and in all that time, not a single bus 150/240 passed me. So, had I chosen to stop at the next bus stop and wait (which I did [+5 minutes]) I would have waited longer than it took to walk.
Well I finally arrive in the shopping center where the magic shop is, the Magic Apple it's called, and I saunter up the stairs ready to talk Ascanio spreads and Elmsley counts and what's the best way to turn over a card and turn it into a house and whatnot only to find that the shop...
...Wait for it...
...Is...
CLOSED ON MONDAYS!!!!
So I descended the stairs to the regular level and I see a bus 150/240 go by on my side of the street and one on the other side.
Sweet, I think to myself. It should only be a few minutes before that bus gets back around to me, and there are at least two buses on the route.
Thirty minutes pass while I wait for the bus that had just gone past. Several Red Line 740's came by, and fifteen minutes into my wait, a 150/240 goes by on the other side of the street.
Fifteen more minutes, and the same bus that went by fifteen minutes ago is on my side of the street. This means that the bus I saw go by thirty minutes ago, and was waiting on forever, just disappeared. That's right, it's gone, never to be heard from again. So either it just gave up and went home, or it broke down too!!!
That's two buses, count 'em, 2, that broke down on this one trip.
F*** it. I'm going to sleep.
The LA Metro
So, today I decided to go down and get my permits so that I can start performing in the next few days. L.A. can be a pretty lonely place when you have nothing to do all day, and I'd really like to get going on the busking.
So with that in mind, I got some help from Stevie to route my metro trip to take me to Santa Monica City Hall, the magical building where all the street performers are given little pieces of paper that allow them not to perform without fear of being accosted by the local blue people.
Well, I make it all the way to Downtown LA sans problem. It takes about a half hour to make it to the station, and my instructions say to get on Santa Monica 10. What the instructions fail to tell me is if this is a train, bus, taxi, or some sort of hot air balloon that will take me away to my desired destination. Turns out, it's a bus, but the designation for the bus is not "Santa Monica 10". No, that would be too easy. Turns out the designation for the bus is "BBB10" and the map outside the 7th Street Station tells me it stops at stops 22, 23, 24 and 29.
Well, stops 22, 23, and 24 are unfindable (it's a word...now) on this map, so I head down to stop 29. Well There isn't a stop 29. I found the stop for "BBB10". In fact I found it just as the "BBB10" was pulling out. Turns out "BBB10" stands for, and I'm not joking, Big Blue Bus 10 to Santa Monica, and the complicated metro map made me spend valuable minutes deciphering it instead of walking the ten minutes to the bus stop
So in my naivete, I assume that another bus will be along shortly. Well I wait for a full hour, and during that time I think "Well, they have to have two buses. It's an hour trip each way, so about 12:20 the other bus will be here."
During this wait, I watched an armored car pull out of what I can only assume to be a bank across the street, and another armored car pull in. Turns out that if you stand in one spot, across from a secured bank entrance for an hour, the cops armed with AR-15's start getting twitchy. Luckily, about this time, the "BBB10" shows up.
And drives off. That's right. In Los Angeles, if you are standing under the bus stop sign with the designation of the bus approaching on the sign and make eye contact with the bus driver, he will pull in and out of the stop in less than a second. That's right. I had now waited a full hour and the bus, which was mostly empty, had tapped it's breaks at my stop and then pulled right back into traffic.
Perhaps he didn't see you, you say. Well, considering I was on the curb under the "BBB10" sign looking him in the eye and wearing a bright yellow shirt, I have to disagree. So, defeated, I headed back to the subway station. At least that one stops.
On the way back, there was a Metro employee helping people figure out where they were going. "Of course there is," I muttered as I approached the metro entrance. Then I paused for a moment, not able to believe my eyes. Could it be? The Big Blue Bus 10 to Santa Monica? It was!!! Hurray all was not lost. At least, until I fully read the display on the bus:
"BBB10 Santa Monica, Freeway Express, departure only"
Departure only? Departure only? How can a bus be departure only? Once the doors open, there isn't a field that only lets people through in one direction. So I watched as it passed, and defeated, walked back to the Metro Red Line to North Hollywood and came back to the apartment.
Once back, I remembered that I needed a passport photo to get a permit, so perhaps I wasn't defeated, but merely re-routed to the correct first destination. There's a passport photo place across the street from here.
So it's off to there and then to find fabric for my table top. Tomorrow...MAGIC CASTLE...and another attempt at the metro.
EDIT: spelling
So with that in mind, I got some help from Stevie to route my metro trip to take me to Santa Monica City Hall, the magical building where all the street performers are given little pieces of paper that allow them not to perform without fear of being accosted by the local blue people.
Well, I make it all the way to Downtown LA sans problem. It takes about a half hour to make it to the station, and my instructions say to get on Santa Monica 10. What the instructions fail to tell me is if this is a train, bus, taxi, or some sort of hot air balloon that will take me away to my desired destination. Turns out, it's a bus, but the designation for the bus is not "Santa Monica 10". No, that would be too easy. Turns out the designation for the bus is "BBB10" and the map outside the 7th Street Station tells me it stops at stops 22, 23, 24 and 29.
Well, stops 22, 23, and 24 are unfindable (it's a word...now) on this map, so I head down to stop 29. Well There isn't a stop 29. I found the stop for "BBB10". In fact I found it just as the "BBB10" was pulling out. Turns out "BBB10" stands for, and I'm not joking, Big Blue Bus 10 to Santa Monica, and the complicated metro map made me spend valuable minutes deciphering it instead of walking the ten minutes to the bus stop
So in my naivete, I assume that another bus will be along shortly. Well I wait for a full hour, and during that time I think "Well, they have to have two buses. It's an hour trip each way, so about 12:20 the other bus will be here."
During this wait, I watched an armored car pull out of what I can only assume to be a bank across the street, and another armored car pull in. Turns out that if you stand in one spot, across from a secured bank entrance for an hour, the cops armed with AR-15's start getting twitchy. Luckily, about this time, the "BBB10" shows up.
And drives off. That's right. In Los Angeles, if you are standing under the bus stop sign with the designation of the bus approaching on the sign and make eye contact with the bus driver, he will pull in and out of the stop in less than a second. That's right. I had now waited a full hour and the bus, which was mostly empty, had tapped it's breaks at my stop and then pulled right back into traffic.
Perhaps he didn't see you, you say. Well, considering I was on the curb under the "BBB10" sign looking him in the eye and wearing a bright yellow shirt, I have to disagree. So, defeated, I headed back to the subway station. At least that one stops.
On the way back, there was a Metro employee helping people figure out where they were going. "Of course there is," I muttered as I approached the metro entrance. Then I paused for a moment, not able to believe my eyes. Could it be? The Big Blue Bus 10 to Santa Monica? It was!!! Hurray all was not lost. At least, until I fully read the display on the bus:
"BBB10 Santa Monica, Freeway Express, departure only"
Departure only? Departure only? How can a bus be departure only? Once the doors open, there isn't a field that only lets people through in one direction. So I watched as it passed, and defeated, walked back to the Metro Red Line to North Hollywood and came back to the apartment.
Once back, I remembered that I needed a passport photo to get a permit, so perhaps I wasn't defeated, but merely re-routed to the correct first destination. There's a passport photo place across the street from here.
So it's off to there and then to find fabric for my table top. Tomorrow...MAGIC CASTLE...and another attempt at the metro.
EDIT: spelling
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Day Three
Today has been interesting.
It started with me waking up. That's it. Nothing fantastic in and of itself (other than knowing I didn't die) but the fun thing is that when I wake up here, I'm awake. There is no groggy feeling or need to return to the bed. Nope, just awake.
After waking, I sat with Stevie while she sewed some clothing for the Ren Faire she's went to today and then, after she left, I sat with my other host while he worked on some things and I wrote some lecture notes that will be sent off to the OAI soon.
I'm trying to write at least a set a week, that way the OAI will have some backstock when they aren't sure what to do that week.
I've cut the top for my new busking table, now all that's left is to cover it and get a stand.
I'm about to head out again with my host to the best pizza place he knows.
Mmmmmm......pizzzzzzzaaaa...
Saturday, May 8, 2010
A bit late...
I apologize for this posting being a day or two late, but things have been rather busy here.
So I made it to LA just fine. So far no mafia have threatened me and I haven't found the flourishing white female slave trade (FWFST for short). It seems no one here knows about the FWFST... it must be one of those "Best Kept Secrets" things.
I did make it to Venice Beach yesterday morning. I arrived at about 10am, which I found out is much to early for people to be there. Some shops were just setting up and even more weren't even open. I wandered down from the Venice pier to the Santa Monica Pier. It was a bit of a walk, but the Santa Monica Pier looks like a fantastic place to perform.
After that, I attempted to make my way to the Third Street Promenade, but the street sign pointed in the wrong direction, which in turn means that I walked to the end of 3rd street back into Venice. I made it a while, but my foot, not used to walking quite this much in one go and clothed only in flip-flops, decided to stage a coup, so I was forced into my first experience with the LA Public Transit System.
First, you should know that where I was, it was a dollar to get on the bus. Second, you should know I gave a dollar to a homeless guy who ranted about hanging a beer can from the giant hole in his ear. Third, and this isn't that important, after adding my dollar to their stash, they left to buy cocaine.
But the single most important part is that the bus driver doesn't care. Yeah. She doesn't care who you are or what you're doing; the road is her's and she is driving here! So yeah, after giving my dollar to hobos, All I had was a crummy old taped up dollar, which the machine wouldn't take. Luckily there were a few of us getting on the bus, so she just told me to sit down...moral: FREE BUS RIDES!!!
So I hung out at the Bakery for a bit and then headed home where we had some great food at some place I can't remember before heading out to an industrial goth club.
Yeah.
I wore a UtiliKilt (for those of us not versed in ren-faire talk, a UtiliKilt is a black kilt with cargo pockets. They're pretty awesome).
The club was pretty cool. From an academic standpoint, it's fascinating; from a how much whiskey is in a drink standpoint, way enough. From a Los Angeles standpoint, it was just another night.
I think that is what is going to shock me most is that everything strange or fascinating is just another day for most of these people.
Anyway, I'm staying home to rest my foot and to fix my leather servante so that when I get the permits to go busking, I can actually go.
Well that's it for me people! Until later.
So I made it to LA just fine. So far no mafia have threatened me and I haven't found the flourishing white female slave trade (FWFST for short). It seems no one here knows about the FWFST... it must be one of those "Best Kept Secrets" things.
I did make it to Venice Beach yesterday morning. I arrived at about 10am, which I found out is much to early for people to be there. Some shops were just setting up and even more weren't even open. I wandered down from the Venice pier to the Santa Monica Pier. It was a bit of a walk, but the Santa Monica Pier looks like a fantastic place to perform.
After that, I attempted to make my way to the Third Street Promenade, but the street sign pointed in the wrong direction, which in turn means that I walked to the end of 3rd street back into Venice. I made it a while, but my foot, not used to walking quite this much in one go and clothed only in flip-flops, decided to stage a coup, so I was forced into my first experience with the LA Public Transit System.
First, you should know that where I was, it was a dollar to get on the bus. Second, you should know I gave a dollar to a homeless guy who ranted about hanging a beer can from the giant hole in his ear. Third, and this isn't that important, after adding my dollar to their stash, they left to buy cocaine.
But the single most important part is that the bus driver doesn't care. Yeah. She doesn't care who you are or what you're doing; the road is her's and she is driving here! So yeah, after giving my dollar to hobos, All I had was a crummy old taped up dollar, which the machine wouldn't take. Luckily there were a few of us getting on the bus, so she just told me to sit down...moral: FREE BUS RIDES!!!
So I hung out at the Bakery for a bit and then headed home where we had some great food at some place I can't remember before heading out to an industrial goth club.
Yeah.
I wore a UtiliKilt (for those of us not versed in ren-faire talk, a UtiliKilt is a black kilt with cargo pockets. They're pretty awesome).
The club was pretty cool. From an academic standpoint, it's fascinating; from a how much whiskey is in a drink standpoint, way enough. From a Los Angeles standpoint, it was just another night.
I think that is what is going to shock me most is that everything strange or fascinating is just another day for most of these people.
Anyway, I'm staying home to rest my foot and to fix my leather servante so that when I get the permits to go busking, I can actually go.
Well that's it for me people! Until later.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Last day in Ft. Worth
So here I am, getting prepped for my flight tomorrow and there is a show about cheating in Vegas on TV. It's actually really funny because the people who are talking seem to know what they're talking about, but it still doesn't seem to have any sort of deterrent on people who use sophisticated sleight of hand or other sophisticated scams. It appears that the "eye in the sky" only takes action if something looks suspicious, which for sophisticated methods are never.
For most of us, myself included, cheating at Vegas is never something that you want to try. Vegas is highly sophisticated and quick reacting, so unless you're Richard Turner, don't try cheating!
EDIT: Spelling
For most of us, myself included, cheating at Vegas is never something that you want to try. Vegas is highly sophisticated and quick reacting, so unless you're Richard Turner, don't try cheating!
EDIT: Spelling
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On schedule
Well floks, it looks like despite the motorcycle setbacks, I will be arriving in Los Angeles on time (Wednesday or Thursday)! After that it's just a matter of grabbing the correct permits and figuring out how to get around sans motorcycle.
The flight I'm looking at wil leave me a three hour layover in Las Vegas so anyone up for a quick jaunt into Sin City to earn our millions? Just kidding, but I'm glad that my schedule isn't set back too much.
I will be getting a new table while I'm out there. I figured that since I won't be needing something to fold up that I would perfer stability on the table top. I'm still trying to figure out how to go about marketing myself while I'm out there, so any ideas on how to get myself booked for some parties, let me know!
The flight I'm looking at wil leave me a three hour layover in Las Vegas so anyone up for a quick jaunt into Sin City to earn our millions? Just kidding, but I'm glad that my schedule isn't set back too much.
I will be getting a new table while I'm out there. I figured that since I won't be needing something to fold up that I would perfer stability on the table top. I'm still trying to figure out how to go about marketing myself while I'm out there, so any ideas on how to get myself booked for some parties, let me know!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
TRF Auditions
I felt that auditions went very well. Jeff Baldwin has a way of making everyone feel amazing about working at TRF. I did my set and it went smashingly, so hopefully I receive a phone call soon!
Also, it was great to see all of my friends from Sherwood out there. I wish y'all luck with the auditions, and I can't wait to see everyone again.
Also, it was great to see all of my friends from Sherwood out there. I wish y'all luck with the auditions, and I can't wait to see everyone again.
DELAYED!!!
So folks, due to a series of unforeseen and (perhaps fortunate) events, I will be slightly delayed. I will still be leaving College Station in about an hour or so, but I will NOT be headed to LA on the motorcycle. That's right folks, not taking the bike.
Why, you ask? Because on the way to auditions, my license plate decided to jump ship and swim it's way to safety somewhere along Highway 6. On top of that, I learned today that my bike, which should be capable of going about 200 miles before hitting reserve, is capable of going about 100 before turning over. So it appears that the trip isn't at all possible on this motorcycle. So I will be booking a plane (time unknown) and flying to LA.
Why, you ask? Because on the way to auditions, my license plate decided to jump ship and swim it's way to safety somewhere along Highway 6. On top of that, I learned today that my bike, which should be capable of going about 200 miles before hitting reserve, is capable of going about 100 before turning over. So it appears that the trip isn't at all possible on this motorcycle. So I will be booking a plane (time unknown) and flying to LA.
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