I miss Buster

I talk to him every other day or so. Seems like he's having a good time.

Tuesday Night Session

This weeks session started out with just Steve, Tim & me. Relaxed conversation leading into a serious discussion (with props in hand) about the Ball & Cone. Angle issues and the large size of the ball I am using is giving me second thoughts as to how much time and effort I want to put into this routine.

Scotty showed up a while later as well as Becky. After a round robin (go around the table, everyone performs a trick) we discussed Tim's performance of Daryl's Jumping Knots of Pakistan. We talked about cleaning up a few moments, like when the white knot is magically popped on to the red rope. Scotty had some experience with the trick and taught what he knew about this effect. Becky filled us in on the happenings at last weeks South Center Session. Becky learned to do the "Sybil Cut" with playing cards. She's been learning magic about a month now and shows promise. After everyone left Becky stayed till 3:00AM. The conversation interesting and enlightening. Becky is a bright 19 year old who moved here from Chicago a month ago. She wants to street perform. I'm showing her the ropes.

Newsgroup Post

While Seattle Magic was still in business, I started an online email driven newsgroup. The purpose was to create a cyber extension of our secret "Magicians Only" Back Room. It has grown quite a bit and has members that span the globe. While it is primarily a tool for connecting seattle magicians, we receive many reports on the magic scene in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If you are a magician and have an interest in seeing what the Seattle Magic Back-room Tight Circle is all about send me an email and I'll send you an invite. This is not a spam generator and the list is so private, I don't even use it.

Here is a sample post I just wrote.


Mark, I thought you gave some Don some good advice on the pass.

Don, there are some guys here in town that do as good a pass as you will never see.

The pass is a reoccurring topic at the Tuesday night sessions at the Alki Beach Magic Studio.

Some feel that the pass is an ineffective way to control just one card, or rather in that context a sleight with a disproportionate lack of economy of motion.

I love the pass. As many of you know, I am partial to Paul LePaul's spread pass.

Don, Do you have any of the Card College series? If you like Royal Road to Card Magic, then you owe it to yourself, to dive into the Royal Road of a new era. All of the fundamental building blocks, written and illustrated for maximum clarity.

It used to be that magic books were written cryptic. You really had to extract the information. Authors back then didn't want the uninitiated to be able to open a magic book and have it easily understood. These days the explanations are great. Combine the spoon feeding of DVD's and excellent text with a session or two and you can't help but learn at an accelerated pace.

Wednesday Market

Had a great day at the market today. Hung out with one of my favorite street musicians, Jim Hinde. We talked about the Country Fair. He gave me great advice about applying to all of the appropriate performance stages for next year. I have to camp out at the fair next year!! He also told me to keep my busking location a secret. . . . as he said. . . "Like a good fishing spot". Right On.

Jim was one of the first guys I met when I started busking the market almost 3 years ago. His heart as big as his smile and his message as big as his voice. He welcomed me into the community with open arms and plugged me into the network of bizarre characters that are the threads in the fabric of the street theater scene in Seattle. I like it here.

Slow

It's funny for me to think that anyone would actually read my bullshit. I've always thought of it more like a journal, I forget that someone might actually be waiting for the page to load. I love to post pics, it's so easy. I forget that on some computers/connections this might take a while to load.

Will I see my kids this Friday?

As a result of performing for my son Max's school, I booked a gig in Cle Elum for this Friday. I thought GREAT, I'll pick up the kids Firday morning and we'll have fun all day till my gig at 6:00PM. I emailed Moira on Friday of last week trying to set things up. I called her yesterday morning as well as this morning to confirm that she had received the email and that we could coordinate the visit. Haven't heard a word. Need to go out and perform today. Need to keep love in my heart and a smile on my face. I can only do. . . what I can do. . . as my children turn into strangers. Such a shame.

Had to get back - meeting with the lawyer

As fun and free flying as the fair was, as well as hanging out with Mr. Asher, I had to return to Seattle for a 10:30AM meeting with the lawyer monday morning.

It was the difference between love, peace and magic and a sharpened strip of razor wire cutting through a hippies neck and through his dreadlocks.

I've spent the better part of the last two years NOT playing the game, not contesting, not fighting, but now, with the kids living in Cle Elum an hour and a half drive away, I need to see them with regular overnight visits.

I get to the lawyers office, and he can't find any of my paper work. No biggie. He starts asking me to draft up a list. How often did I see the kids, how many times did I try and see them. These are the questions and the process that really piss me off.

Here is a sample of my frustration:

How many times did I see the kids

January - No Visit
February 2, 4-7:30
February 9, 4-7:00
March 16, 4-7:30PM
April 27, 4-7:30PM
May 10, 4-6:45
June 9 I did a Magic Show at Max's School hung out all afternoon with Max at school. Hope was out sick. I asked the see the other two kids while I was on that side of the mountains. Request denied

How many times did I call them
When they first moved we talked at least twice a week
She never answers when I call her, and rarely has the kids call back when I leave a message.
These days I'm lucky to speak to my kids once every couple of weeks

For a couple of months I was writing all the kids a couple of letters a month. Never got a letter back. Thought this might encourage writing as that is what Max & Hope are learning at school.

How many times did I ask to visit the kids

Asked if I could see them on Easter (3/27)and participate in Easter Egg Hunt
Kids were on spring break from 4/4 - 4/10 Asked to see them anytime during the break. She said they were on vacation out of town.
The kids oldest brother (John, my son from my first marriage who lives with me), turned 15 on April 4th, I asked if we could take advantage of them being on spring break, drive across the mountains and spend the day with them. No Go, they were on vacation.
Hope turned 6 years old on May 4, I wanted to visit with her on her birthday. Request denied.
Wanted to spend time with the kids on my Birthday May 9. - Request Denied
Wanted to get all the kids together before Buster went to Cincinnati for the summer. Didn't happen, she said they were out of town on vacation

Why can't we all just get along? Why has her hate and anger overshadowed what is in the best interest of the kids. I've tried to be mellow and see where the dust would fall. Well fuck this shit, I'm gonna fight to spend time with my kids. I love them and miss them.

Even the babies were tipping me

More Fair Pics

This guy and girl spread out a small rug on the stage I was working on. Off to the side he started doing a Henna Tattoo on her hand. This was not a quick process and I busted out several shows and a break while he made her hand a work of art.

I get to the Country Fair

Saturday morning I arrived at the the fairgrounds shortly after the gates opened at 11:00AM. It started with the people helping get the cars parked. "WELCOME TO THE FAIR!", "Have a good fair" Smiles as far as the eye could see. These were no fake shit smirks, these were these genuine well wishers, to their freaking country fair!! When they say, "Have a good fair". . . they mean it! I had loaded up my rig, consisting of my two wheeler: table top and tray jack, my doctor's bag, a knapsack with my rings a sweatshirt and a few bottles of water. . . oh and some trail mix. Wearing my trusty buskers pouch and wearing my custom made felt hat I walked through the gates smoking my cigar. I got to the security check point. I started to unzip the back pack saying I was a magician. She asked if I had any glass, I said no, that was it. Right on, "Have a good fair!" she hollered at me with a twinkle in her eye.

The fair site was huge. A labyrinth of paths some leading to and containing entertainment stages, art/craft booths, bizarro workshop/education tent structures for meditation, yoga etc. . . fun everywhere you look. The smell of freshly cooked food mingled with some of the sickest pot I have ever smelled. Did I get that right? I heard some kid say, "Man this is some SICK weed". Another street performer was saying, Nugs, Hugs and Loves. . . I take it all. After walking around for 10 minutes I could feel that it was going to be a great day!

Showing up to an event like this as a street performer, with the idea of banking some cash while spreading the love, requires a certain set of skills. Finding the right place to set up is key. My plan was to give it the once over and see what I could about where I wanted to set up. I saw lots of places that would work. Lots of nooks, forks and intersections that made for potential show sites. Then I saw it, a little area just off the main path. . . . with a little stage!! Wow. . . built just for me. . . I dig it!! I set up and got to work.

The audiences were terrific. My shows were tight and my hats full. I was having a great time!

Oregon Country Fair

Eugene, Oregon - A Peaceful Place

Arrived at Lee's place late Friday night. X-elent Hospitality! Thanks Lee, for putting up with me for a couple of evenings. Lee cracks me up. His knowledge, experience and enthusiasm always push the realm of my simple thoughts. He's smart, talented, aggressive and doesn't mind rocking the boat. All qualities I like in a person.



We talked a lot about Larry Jennings, the site, his legacy, his intellectual property, his friends and his memory. Far more interesting to me is the reason why you should purchase "Up in Smoke" from the site. It's not my story to tell, but it's a good one.

Days Disappear

Keep wanting to write about last weeks session. Scotty Walsh honored us with his presence. It was great to talk to him and find out what he's been up to for the last year or so. I had the opportunity to watch Scotty work the market last weekend and must say I'm impressed with his development.



We had a good talk about street performing, life, women and cards. I hope to see more of Mr. Walsh as the summer quickly disappears.

Oregon Country Fair