What? Give up Show-Biz?

I’ve loved this Gahan Wilson cartoon for years. Humor comes from truth. 

Yes, even in the San Francisco Magic Parlor, some evenings the magic in the air seems a tad tarnished.

But, we'd never give up Show-Biz!

 

The Twain Transformation

One of San Francisco’s heroes (though he was only here a brief time) was Samuel Clemens, on the verge of becoming Mark Twain. 

It’s highly improbable that he really said: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco!” But, I’m going to keep quoting that because it has the ring of truth…

Not *Quite* Magic, but enlightening & fun!

Pick a Picture Personality Test

Let your choice of colors and shapes tell you more about your personality!
Relax, look at the pictures and see which you are most attracted to. 

 
Personality Test Results:

1. Freedom loving

Freedom is important to you - nothing is worse than when you feel tied down. You may find you move jobs or location frequently because the idea of staying in one place too long unnerves you. The same can apply to relationships! People see you as fun loving, and you are. You attempt to enjoy life to the full, in accordance with the motto: "You only live once." You tend to attract less energetic people as friends or partners, like moths to a flame, they see you as the light. Careful they don't drain you! You are very curious and open about everything new and thrive on change. Quite simply, you are a breath of fresh air.

2. Independent and unconventional

Your lifestyle is highly individualistic. You do not follow the crowd, on the contrary, you seek to live according to your own ideas and convictions, even if this means swimming against the tide. You need a free and unattached life that allows you to determine your own course. You have an artistic bent in your work or leisure activities. Your urge for freedom sometimes causes you to do exactly the opposite of what is expected of you. You are rather unique, so don't bother comparing yourself to anyone else. Live life your way.

3. Sensitive and reflective

You are comfortable spending hours alone with your thoughts and rarely become bored. You dislike superficiality; you'd rather be alone than have to suffer through small talk. Your relationships with your friends are very strong, which gives you the inner tranquility and harmony that you require. You love deeply but if someone betrays you it is next to impossible to forgive. You are an old soul, someone who has lived many times before and has seen it all. All you crave now is simplicity and the chance to focus your attention on a meaningful existence.

4. Down to earth and charming

You have a natural authentic charm, what you see is what you get. People admire you because you seem so 'together'. You have both feet planted firmly on the ground and they can depend on you. While others complicate their life with ifs and buts, you know your own mind. You provide security and space to those close to you. You are a rock, and although others may not tell you, you are the sun around which they revolve. You dislike superficiality and tend to be skeptical toward the whims of trends. Where others crash and burn, you motor on, quietly achieving all you need to do. You are a woman (or man) of substance.

5. Professional and self-assured

You take charge of your life, and place less faith in your luck and more in your own actions. You solve problems in a practical, uncomplicated manner. You take a realistic view of things in your daily life and tackle them without fuss. You are given responsibility at work, because people know that you can be depended upon. You project self-assurance to others. You are a born leader and organizer. Although you work well in a team, ideally you should be the one giving the orders. After all, you are usually right!

6. Peaceful and timeless

You are easy-going yet discreet. There is a timeless elegance about you (think Audrey Hepburn). You make friends effortlessly, yet enjoy your privacy and independence. You like to get away from it all and be alone from time to time to contemplate the meaning of life. You need space, so you escape to hideaways, but you are not a loner. You are at peace with yourself and the world, and you appreciate life and what this world has to offer. You have a strong life purpose and when you discover it, you project your personal brand of magic on the world.

7. Cultured and classical

Cultured and sophisticated you value the things money can't necessarily buy - good conversation, original ideas, music and the arts. You have a fair mind and can see both sides of an argument. You rarely let emotions get the better of you, preferring to assess situations rationally. Calm, logical and yet compassionate and kind. You have 'old-fashioned' principles, which at heart make you a real lady (or gentleman). A timeless, vintage classic - the sort of person everyone secretly admires and likes to copy.

8. Sensitive and spiritual

You are a highly sensitive and spiritual person. You refuse to see life only from a rational view point. You have great intuition and trust your feelings. You must have dreams to aspire towards or you won't feel happy. You like to improve yourself, and in so doing make a difference in the world - even if only in little ways. You find it hard to understand people who are only guided rationality. You form true relationships with open souls, people who know there is more to life than we can touch, see or hear. Your psychic sense is highly evolved, trust it and work with it.

9. Dynamic and sparkly

You are a mover and a shaker! You are willing to take risks in return for interesting and varied work. Routine tends to have a paralyzing effect on you. Being stuck behind a desk 9-5 would destroy your soul and enthusiasm for life. You need to be given the chance to express your ideas and put them into action. You have a rainbow personality, and can cheer others up, even on the gloomiest of days. If you ever feel you have lost your sparkle it is because the situation you find yourself in is not right for you. Follow your enthusiasm, even if it means you chop and change for years. The journey is as important as the destination.

Beware of Leprechauns! Drink Responsibly on St. Pat’s Day!

Leprechauns are a species of Faerie Folk. Often portrayed as Pixies (think Lucky Charms cereal) in reality they are spiteful and unpredictable creatures. Their magic may amuse you one day and kill you the next.

Leprechauns appear as elderly men with beards, wearing green coats (earlier lore in red) with black buckled shoes, sporting a pointed cap or top hat, often smoking a clay pipe. Leprechauns are always male (which raises several issues.)

Though Leprechauns are associated with hoards of gold most are humble cobblers. Their name perhaps derived from the Irish “leath bhrogan” translated as shoemaker.  (What if they’d prefer to be lawyers, or bakers, or farmers???)This must be a thriving vocation in Faerieland as each Leprechaun has his own pot of gold hidden at the end of a rainbow.

The Leprechauns cannot be trusted and deceive at every turn. Legends abound of people lucky enough to come across a Leprechaun and imprison him. The furious creature barters three wishes for his freedom, however interfering with Leprechauns is a risky proposition. In a heartbeat they’ll manipulate your wishes and wreak vengeance worse than your mother in law.

Leprechaun legends are morality tales. These fables warn against the stupidity of get rich quick schemes, taking what is not yours, and the gravest crime…interfering Faerie Folk (as a whole called "The Good People") or other supernatural creatures.

The stubborn Irish have been always annoyed by the Leprechaun’s ethnic stereotyping, particularly the American Leprechauns who seem to only appear in inebriated dreams on Saint Patrick’s Day. Do Leprechauns exist? Who knows for sure. However they amuse and delight us and will for many centuries to come. 

With a little help from my friends!

Hearty Thanks to

Brian Scott,

David Facer, and

Tobias Beckwith,

my Parlor Artistic Advisers,

for seeing the show yet again,

and taking truly valuable notes.

All shows “slip”

and need tweaking every so often…

especially if you want those

 five-star rating on Yelp! 

2009 nostalgia!

5 years ago in April the San Francisco Magic Parlor was born in the Chancellor Hotel Union Square.

The original cast in the old San Francisco Magic Parlor: Brian Scott, David Facer, Ruth Fraser, Walt Anthony

…où sont les neiges d'antan?

www.SanFranciscoMagicParlor.com