Friday, November 30, 2012

Answer to Contest #6 …Who were Bummer and Lazarus?


Bummer and Lazarus were two stray dogs that roamed the streets , in the early 1860's. Recognized for their unique bond and their prodigious rat-killing ability, they became a fixture of city newspapers, were exempted from local ordinances and immortalized in cartoons.

Their ratting talent and unique bond was seized upon by the city's press. Martin's saloon was a favorite haunt of newspapermen and journalists, so, with the dogs a fixture outside the bar, they never had to travel far for a story. The exploits of the dogs were recorded in detail in the Californian, Daily Alta California, Daily Morning Call and Daily Evening Bulletin,

The two dogs had the run of the streets, and when, on June 14, 1862, Lazarus was taken by a new dog catcher, a mob of angry citizens demanded his release, petitioning to have the pair declared city property so they could wander the streets unmolested. The city supervisors released Lazarus and declared he and Bummer were exempt from the city ordinance against strays.

The two dogs were sometimes seen in the company of the eccentric Joshua Norton, "Emperor of the United States", and a popular legend made him their owner, though it seems he was reluctant to take the title.

http://www.amazon.com/Bummer-Lazarus-Franciscos-Famous-Dogs/dp/093023507Xhttp://www.amazon.com/Bummer-Lazarus-Franciscos-Famous-Dogs/dp/093023507X

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

If you don’t PLAY you can’t WIN the contest!

Still ONE pair of seats for this weekend...
Yep!  If you don’t PLAY you can’t WIN the contest!

(Contest #6)
Win FREE Tickets to the show this Friday or Saturday!
I’ll be awarding two pairs of tickets for each night (that’s 4 per-night)

The Trivia Question is a fun one this week…
“Tell me who Bummer and Lazarus were AND a little about their history in San Francisco lore.”

Please do not post your answers! Message or Email me.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Quotes from the novel “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern


ON TELLING TALES

Page 381

It is important, someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasure and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There is magic in that.

It’s in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words.

That is you role, your gift. You yourself can shape the future. Don’t forget that. There are many kinds of magic after all.


ON KEEPING SECRETS

Page 173

Secrets have power, and that power diminishes when they are shared, so they are best kept and kept well. Sharing secrets, real secrets, important ones, with even one other person, will change them.

Writing them down is worse. Writing it down in fancy books that get all dusty with age has lessened it, removed its power bit by bit. It was inevitable, perhaps, but not unavoidable. Everyone makes mistakes.

Quotes from the novel
“The Night Circus”
by Erin Morgenstern

(Contest #6) Win FREE Tickets to the show this Friday or Saturday!



Contest #6 
I’ll be awarding two pairs of tickets for each night (that’s 4 per-night)

The Trivia Question is a fun one this week…
“Tell me who Bummer and Lazarus were AND a little about their history in San Francisco lore.”

Please do not post your answers! Message or Email me.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

'Tis the wild and bleak shopping seaon on Union Square...


Black Friday / White Saturday. I generally give generalities about my shows. This weekend was such a striking contrast I want to spill the beans.

Black Friday’s show was d-a-r-k black. Two, yeah two, of the audience members laughed, gasped, clapped. The other twenty sat and stared in abject silence. Not a peep. Not a change in expression.

I tapped dance the best I knew how apparently to no avail… five folks fled at intermission. I wanted to close the Parlor for good…

Last night? twenty-five huge grins, giggles, interactions, extended applause… some folks asked for more. I had a fantastic time, loved everyone of them, and want to take them all to brunch.

How ‘dat happen??? A mystery of show-biz. I was deeply disturbed and appalled at the a gloom in the room Friday, I celebrated Saturday on a huge high. But now, on to new adventures next week. Join me and share the surprise.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Magical Thanksgiving day to everyone from the Parlor!



Wishing all my dear friends, audiences, and this world, a wonder-filled, enchanted, peaceful, and rewarding Thanksgiving!
Magically, Walt