We closed our big show traveling out last week w/a trip to SoCal for our annual Calico Ghost Haunt. Normally we do 2 weekends but the organizer wanted to try something different for the first weekend, breaking out 16 year tradition). The shop owners and many of our fans were not too happy. I even got several emails and Facebook complaints about us not being there. The act they brought in were a couple of portly men who present a so called horror magic show that included a fire-eating routine where one of the gents zips down his fly and sticks a lit fire-eating torch into his crotch. Calico is primarily a family oriented place and the people who told me about this said they were aghast at their show. Not seeing or knowing them personally I have nothing personal to report. However, the people who own the shops and restaurants up there complained that the show there was so bad it drew small crowds hence small sales.
It was humbling when we returned the second weekend and were greeted by nearly everyone with hugs, hearty hand shakes, and then immediate gratitude that the other act wasn't back.
Our schedule was a unique one this year. We always did night shows but this year we weren't scheduled to do any. Again the shop owners were not happy. Our night shows always drew more than 600-1000 people watching. That means hungry, thirsty folks waiting for the show to go on, not to mention eating and drinking during the show and after. They lost revenue. So on the Saturday one of the owners asked me if he could contract us for a night show. I said sure if the town approved it. He handled that end and told me they had so we did our night show and we had quite a crowd...and the shop keepers made a little bit more that night.
I am only guessing but since the evidence is strong I have to say our treatment was a sort of petty revenge. Last year we had a night show the same time the Hypnotist had his show at the bottom of the town. We had 600+. He had 13 and didn't do a show. So the boss asked me to start our night show 30 minutes early, end 30 minutes early and announce the hypnotist. During this conversation I suggested she think about another hypnotist since there are so many out there that would perform if only one person showed up (we meet so many in our travels). A private 30 second or less suggestion. In the mean time a young man from the theatrical world who was running some of the events mid town was livid that a performer would do what that guy had done. "The show must go on" wasn't a cliche or saying to him...it was in his dna make-up. So he let everyone know of his dissatisfaction. Word got back to the hypno-dude that someone was spreading bad press. He must have assumed it was me. But I hadn't seen his show and all I knew of him was what the boss-lady told me and my suggestion for a better performer. At the close of last year one of the shop owners asked why we did our show earlier then push the crowd out fast...cutting into his possibility of more income. I told him what my boss-lady had asked me to do and that I had suggested a perfomer who would go on regardless. He told me that I had made a booboo....the hypno dude and the Boss lady were lovers. OOPS! Hence payback? (I say that because a month later hypno dude sends me a series of messages via facebook that trashed me for what I suggest to boss lady and that he could see to it that I would not perform there again. ...I saved those messages.) Isn't show business fun.
Since November is light on bookings Jim and I decided to volunteer to be a poll worker. Yo know patriotism, giving back to society. I was an inspector (manager) and Jim was a VSS (Voting systems specialist...in control of the voting machines). We worked different precincts. It was educational. Like within five minutes into the job I could think of how a slime-bag or group could easily pull off fraud. Cali's system is so flawed I am sure, just because so many human hearts are un-tempered by morality or ethics. Many are in it for their guy (or gal) to win that the means justifies the ends. Regardless, it was a fun 16 hours on vote-night and since it was steady it went by fast. We pot-lucked with the other poll workers for snacks and meals. My crew included 4 older women and one hippy-like free spirit 19 year old who has already lived with a beautiful woman in LA an been homeless on the streets of SF and Oroville. He told me his write-in vote was a protest vote, he wrote in the name of a dead British turned French turned exiled anarchist.
Since back I had a wonderful lunch of Pho noodles with my best friend JC. It is always fun to get together with him. If ever there was a kinder man who's heart is bigger than the moon, I have yet to find it. And he always has to make people's days by doing magic ricks and jokes for them. Never has anyone been turned off by him. He is just that kind of kind guy.
Also since returning I have had a long hike with my other best friend, Bill Jackson. That was yesterday and boy do I ache today. I love our conversations. We talk of many things but it is our talks of Christ and the Church that are the best. He is so knowledgeable in theology and in magic (illusions) it is like walking with a human encyclopedia.
On Halloween we performed for our 7th time at First Baptist Church in Elk Grove. What an honor and blessing. We mix a little God-talk and perform our hearts out for them. I think we are one of the only acts to set up trapeze in a church main hall.
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