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Friday, January 30, 2004

Yesterday the Dog woke me up about 4:30AM. I had a groggy and less productive day. Great sleep last night. Shadow is a real guard dog. There were some loud people talking down in the mobile home park and of course he was barking at them. We have to teach him to not be so sensitive but to protect us when danger is near. His training is going well but it is as much work for us as him. You have plenty to learn and remember.
I miss my mom. It has only been 3 months but I was having trouble remembering her face. Of course I can remember it but I had to focus. Out of sight... It is sad when someone you like just stops being there. Their life, energy, love is gone. Someone reminded me the you have to live everyday like it is your last. I believe this with all my heart.

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

"We made water come out of the air." That is one of my best testimonials and it came from the mother of a preschooler who saw my show.
I just read "Rain" by Sommerset Maugham. He was a good writer but the things that shocked the reader 60 years ago no longer do. It was still worth the time. I continue to read Moby Dick and it is very slow but wonderful. Slow because it is so dense and worth a careful read. Like Maugham he is good at describing personalities. That makes it interesting. Also he gives you an education in whaling along the way. The "sermon" chapter would be a terrific one man monologue. Fascinating. This is a long book. He doesn't mention the what until chapter 36 where I at right now. This book is not for everyone but it is for me.
I did a show for seniors last Friday in Valley Center. I joked that being old means never being late. My older audiences always are seated a half an hour early staring at you. I understand that. As I get older I am early and prepared. But I think I will arrive on time for non critical events in the future. Just to be different. Thursday night the 22nd I did a show at the Prado in Balboa Park for a furniture company and its clients. A wild boisterous youthful audience became putty in my hands and I got a standing ovation at the end. I was very happy. They surrounded me for readings after the show. It was nice.
Friday night I went to the second Cirque de Soleil Theme party in Indio at the Polo Grounds. I had a Cirque Shirt and did readings. This was a huge party under tents for Morgan Stanley Sales Weasels and their families. Nice people though I did some good readings. The news was that Diego and his group of "real" psychics made him late because they are calm and rely on the "Stars" and "karma" instead of common sense and professionalism. They were 20 minutes late and the agent, client and party planner were upset. Diego is beside himself. Next time we will depend on each other.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Did readings at the Morgan Stanley Party last night in Indio at Empire Polo Grounds. They set up tents and it looks like a Arab Festival with Anglos. Diego and 3 of his friends who are "psychics" helped out. We call these people, who were very nice, "shuteyes" which mean they are true believers in their power. At least they play the part offstage. One asked me what my birthday was. Diego and I find them amusing. We don't believe in what we do but we try to do it well. I got $350.00 for going out there and will do it again on Friday. It takes about ten hours total to drive out and back but I am up for it. I don't like being away that long but it beats making no money. I saw Vicki Bayard my agent. I haven't worked for her in over a year. She is slimmer than ever and separated from her husband. She lives with her son who is a professional dancer in L.A. It is good to be working with her again.

Sunday, January 18, 2004

Busy day yesterday. I drove 300 miles for just two shows. I get a call from Janessa saying she tried to transfer money to her account from ours and there was none. I was telling Cathy Law that I have spent the last few years nervous when the phone rings. I worry about emergencies relating to the kids. They have called when they had car accidents, four times, broke a hand, twice, cars stalled, been sick, or in this case can't get money. Of course the day my Mom called and her emergency led to her death. I have become a little shaky. I need to relax and calm down. Donna is handling it much better than I am. I need to be successful at my work, be good to my family and just relax. Things will be fine, I hope. Too much worry makes me unhappy.
"Civilization is an exercise in restraint." I like that. "There is very little difference between man and the animals and most humans waste that"
I spent Friday night with Bill Redman planning the next leg of our Pacific Crest Trail. My family leaves for the weekend and I spend a the night with some guy looking at a map on a computer screen. Frankly it was a lot of fun. Bill said to me at dinner later that he wasn't like me. He only had intermediate goals. Like getting to the San Diego County line on the trail. He wasn't thinking about the Canadian border like me. Well I don't think too much about the terminus of the trail much either. It is too far away and too big a goal to get around in my mind. His idea sounds better. Frankly the cliche about the "it is not the destination that matters, but the journey" sounds right. I am excited about going a long way but each trip is enough to think about. It is an adventure.

Saturday, January 17, 2004

Sunday. I am alone. Donna went to Vegas to be with Debbie. Brendan is in the desert at Glamis. Janessa is at her apartment of course. I have a tendency to stay up too late working when I am alone. I get a lot done but I wake up early anyway. Never had a problem with sleeping in when I was younger. Guess that is the way it is. I you want to get your sleep got to bed early. I am listening to rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin. It is a beautiful thing. I bought the track from Real.com. I have joined the pay for music group on the Internet. I could and have got it for free but I feel better this way. At .99 a track it is about the same as buying an album but I get what I want. Hope there is a price war though. I have to get out of here in a hour to do some shows. Brendan made up some goody bags for me and my parties. Good boy. Well off to work.

Thursday, January 15, 2004

The dog woke us up at 3:30AM scratching his fleas. Donna fell back asleep. I didn't. Funny how I can be tired but can't stop my mind long enough to sleep again. I tried self talk, "you can sleep, you are tired, etc", but it didn't work this time. Donna goes to Las Vegas for a few days to be with her sister Debbie. Donna wants give her a fresh start after going through hell. Two broken marriages, overweight, smoker and stuck in Vegas upside down in a house and really depressed. Donna's dream is to get her back here in San Diego near us. Sounds good to me. She is a really nice person. Her husbands were buttheads.

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Pedro Fages Monument to Scissors Crossing January 12th, 2004. Day 6 We had a big pause in our hiking because Bill Redman had a heart attack. He had surgery to implant a stent in the afflicted artery and we took four months off for important recovery. We started at the monument so we could park our cars after picking up our terminus driver at Scissors. This spur is about one mile southwest from the PCT. Joyce, Lou and Ray Ellis joined us for 7:00AM start. It was 39 degrees. My new Land's End Marinac fleece jacket kept me very warm but my face and ears stung. It quickly warmed up at the escarpment overlooking Oriflamme canyon and Granite Mountain. We took a group shot and went down the jarring rutted decent to Chariot Canyon Wash. There was evidence of a huge amount of runoff from the recent rain but no running water only wet sand. The trail goes up the hill and turns left along Chariot Mountain to then Rodriguez Canyon. We could see an airstrip in the desert floor to the southeast that I learned later was a private strip called Rancho Vallecitos. Rodriguez Canyon is a pleasant area between two mountains. When we hike we see places where people could live a secret life and rarely be seen by outsiders. Cut off from the rest of the world. The view here is quite nice and we had an early lunch with a view of Banner Grade and Valle de San Felipe. Lou found a rock which I have that is imbedded with black tourmaline. He has quite a knowledge of plants and rocks. We passed some old mines as we entered the fringes of Granite Mountain. The mountain is quite steep in places and I watched my step. There was some damage to the trail from runoff and dirt slides and we had to mountain goat a little. There are plenty of rocks to slip on as well. Joyce who is terrific shape twisted her ankle a little and suffered from hot spots. Lou brought some moleskin and cut some for her relief. I have added it to my hiking list. Bill took a fall too and it looked scary but wasn't. I didn't fall but slid about a half dozen times like a drunken sailor. The trail goes around the north side of Granite Mountain for a long way. The guide book says that a direct route wasn't possible because of property rights. When it is hot it must be hell here. We saw more and more succulents such as Beaver Tail cactus, Teddy Bear Cholla and Agaves. We saw and photographed what may have been a mortar (Metate) that the Indians ground Agave in past centuries. We imagined a person sitting, grinding with a protective view of the valley below. Lou pointed out a Juniper Bush which I have seen but had no name for. We stopped on a rocky outcropping to take a long break. The next segments along San Felipe Hills are clearly in view. Water will be the big challenge for the two days necessary to reach S-22 at Barrel Springs. Ray has been on all of this section before and it helped to have his knowledge. He is a quiet giant in my view. Humble but very accomplished. Bill has plotted all of our waypoints for this trip and they were spot on. He is going to teach me the Topo program we follow and print maps from. We took a sharp right at base of Granite Mountain and went along a fence line to S-2 and then down it nearly to the crossing. Bill, Ray and I jumped over a running San Felipe Creek successfully but I got wet when I went back to fetch my sunglasses. We were a bit stiff and tired but all in all a great day.


Saturday, January 10, 2004

Sitting here early as usual. I would have slept longer if I didn't have a dream I had to pee. Only it wasn't a dream. I had the whole week off which is wonderful and unnerving. I got a lot of work done. It is so easy to fall behind when you are making money. If I could make money and have someone handle most of the details it would be great. I did a lot of house repairs. Donna was pleased but teased me saying "how come you weren't making money." I did get a batch of shows for this month!
Janessa and Becca probably found a new apartment in western Corona. It will save her some time getting to school which has become a five day a week schedule. They are working hard to get the best and least expensive apartment. I wish I was this wise when I was their ages.
I took a walk on the first three miles of the next segment of the Pacific Crest Trail yesterday. I went down to where it crosses Chariot Creek northeast of Lake Cuyamaca. First of all the fires destroyed the surrounding area nearly completely. It is naked and blackened. I can keep in my minds eye the beautiful view there before the conflagration till I die. But it won't look like that again till after I am gone. I never worried about the brush burning but the undergrowth was so high that 1 out of 4 trees are dead and numerous fauna. The sole beautiful oak in the valley on the walk appears completely dead. No sign of life and it was so awe inspiring as it sat alone in the valley. I am partial to our oaks. The hike back up from the creek was a hump but I met two segment hikers coming down. A fifty four year old lady and her 30ish nephew. It is so nice to meet birds of a feather. Funny they said "Our spouses aren't interested in this but we are working on them." I think the secret of happiness is not trying to change your spouse or anyone important to you. Don't expect them to pick you hobbies or interests. Just expect to treat you with love and respect. She said "I have set a goal of 200 miles a year and hope to make it. I know exactly how she feels. I like the mileage goal. They were both overloaded. He had to pick up 10 of her pounds to keep her from falling out. This ultralight craze in backpacking has become a religion but they would have benefited from a little of it. We will walk this segment to Scissors Crossing on Monday the 12th.

Friday, January 09, 2004

Marvin the alien dog is outside barking, a little, at the old white poodle that belongs to the neighbor directly down the slope. Marvin is fairly independent but we are starting to enjoy him at least I like him better.
We had a scare yesterday. Janessa mistakenly started school a few days late and almost got kicked out of her Biology class. She had to beg to not be dropped. It is a critical class and she had no other requirements to replace it with.
Brendan is in the middle of his finals for this semester and had a tough math test yesterday. He got 3 out of 6 problems is really frustrated. One mistake on a big problem and you get no credit. I hate tests and school and yet I know how critical it is. He is like me. No amount of study allows you not to have a difficult time. He said excitedly last night that he wants to do whatever it takes to make good money at a job as soon as possible. Donna told him to be patient and never quit. She is right.

Thursday, January 08, 2004

Not having any shows for a week means I get to do the projects I complain I don't have time to do. When I have I have the time I fret over which project to do and then find myself doing more "home" things then "work" things because they are easier to accomplish. I have to force myself to do the important things.
I get up most mornings excited to be alive and try to get a lot done. Having the new dog keeps us busy. Finding where he poops in the backyard. Chasing after him when he escapes. He sure runs fast. He really isn't trying to get away from us. He is just running around when he gets the chance.
I have been reading Moby Dick. Today you would say it was overwritten. But this book is overwritten brilliantly. His sentences are filled with compelling pith. I have been working the Highlighter overtime. I often note interesting phrases in books but struggle to get them out in the light of day to use and employ them in my life and share them with others. The classics the ones I have enjoyed anyway have added value to my life when I can employ them in some in the real world. Reading the classics makes for more "wow" moments than you want to share with others. Sometimes it deepens your understanding of everyday issues.
Brendan is facing his end of semester tests. There is another word for them but I can't remember it right now. He is doing fairly well but the other night he said to me that the most important thing is to pass his AP tests. In his words. "I don't want to take these classes again in college. I don't want to waste my time or your money." Boy that was a clear thought. Donna said he wished he would have realized this earlier but everything comes in its own time.
Janessa left for her apartment last night. School starts up this morning. She has been sweet to us. It makes it easier for us to be generous to her. Her books alone cost $400.00 this semester.
Not having any shows for a week means I get to do the projects I complain I don't have time to do. When I have I have the time I fret over which project to do and then find myself doing more "home" things then "work" things because they are easier to accomplish. I have to force myself to do the important things.
I get up most mornings excited to be alive and try to get a lot done. Having the new dog keeps us busy. Finding where he poops in the backyard. Chasing after him when he escapes. He sure runs fast. He really isn't trying to get away from us. He is just running around when he gets the chance.
I have been reading Moby Dick. Today you would say it was overwritten. But this book is overwritten brillantly. His sentences are filled with compelling pith. I have been working the hilghter overtime. I often note interesting phrases in books but struggle to get them out in the light of day to use and employ them in my life and share them with others. The classics the ones I have enjoyed anyway have added value to my life when I can employ them in some in the real world. Readin g the classics makes for more "wow" moments than you want to share with others. Sometimes it deapens your understanding of everyday issues.
Brendan is facing his end of semester tests. There is another word for them but I can't remember it right now. He is doing fairly well but the other night he said to me that the most important thing is to pass his AP tests. In his words. "I don't want to take these classes again in college. I don't want to waste my time or your money." Boy that was a clear thought. Donna said he wished he would have realized this earlier but everything comes in its own time.
Janessa left for her apartment last night. School starts up this morning. She has been sweet to us. It makes it easier for us to be generous to her. Her books alone cost $400.00 this semester.

Tuesday, January 06, 2004

Not much going on around here. Janessa, Becca and Jessica Greaves got back from Provo. They had a good time but as always there was Drama wherever they go. First something apparently awful happens. In this case Amanda ,the friend they visited, gets thrown out of her apartment and she and the girls have to spend the night in a hotel. Second the girls make a million calls back and forth in a huff after the trip getting worked up about that "'bitch" roommate. Then they even ask for my opinion. There is a crisis every day. I fight not to get worked up about their problems. These crises almost always are about little or nothing. "The hardest thing in life is to figure out what is important." The girls do like Marvin the alien dog. We are trying to pick a name. They like Maverick. Donna hates it. Trying for a M name here so he will respond quicker.
Got a call from my first agent after the postcard mailing. Sounds like the real thing. Today I will send them a package.

Monday, January 05, 2004

Donna is back at work. Marvin the alien dog escaped and returned for about the fifth time. It turns out he is in charge of security here because he has found about three ways to get out of our yard. We got a call from the neighbor, Marsha Larsen, that he was in her yard via a loose fence board which she will nail shut on her side. He is responding a little to commands and treats.
Diego Domingo lost his Aunt in the Philippines and his girlfriend Chris lost her mom last week. Pretty sad for them.
Janessa had a shock on her road trip last night. Her friend, Amanda, who lives in Provo with a girlfriend got kicked out of her apartment yesterday for a reason they can't understand and they all had to spend the night at a motel. Janessa, Becca and Jessica Greaves are returning today but Amanda has a problem.
We are well. I did a fiftieth birthday for a woman who looks 40 maybe. I said in the show that it appears that fifty is the new forty and got applause. It was a good show but the paper balls over the head was a complete failure with sharp older man named Alex catching my every move. I have to go back to the basics.

Sunday, January 04, 2004

We didn't accomplish much yesterday. Donna is back on the Atkins program and I petitioned for lean protein in the meals. We had a pork chop and spinach salad and it was good. Brendan only ate the pork chop and later made two burritos. My biggest problem is not Donna's cooking but my tendency to snack on Carbs or other crap after a perfect meal. We watched "Weekend at Bernies" a classic comedy that I had never seen. It was very funny. Stupid funny rarely succeeds and this movie does.
NASA put a rover on Mars yesterday and it was so cool watching the Scientists at JPL get excited after the successful landing. It was the revenge of the Nerds. I told Brendan to study his Math and Science.
Marvin the alien dog escaped into the street from the back yard for a short time. We can't bathe him just yet because his neutering site is still healing so he stinks. We took him for a walk and he made love to bushes and plants along the way. A dog pees on everything until there is no pee left and continue to fake it as long as there is a plant or bush nearby.


Saturday, January 03, 2004

Well we now have a Dog. His name is Marvin but we may well change it. He is black. I mean really black. Black hair, tongue, face. I have never seen anything like it. I call him Alien Dog. Donna likes him and that is nice. He is friendly, calm and seems intelligent. He was a favorite at the El Cajon Pound where we got him. They are nice people except for the evil Officer Stalker who was there. We tried not to look at him. He gave us a lot of trouble over Pinto. He treated us like criminals. He acted nice but he is still evil.

Thursday, January 01, 2004

Happy new year. I usually start the day reading the news or streaming my favorite radio program over the internet, or both. I usually wake up before Donna and today is no exception. It has been cold and we have the greatest luxury. An electric blanket. We will probably get a few things done today around the house. Donna has a New Years menu for us but it will be pretty easy with Honey Baked Ham as the entree. Last night I got home after three early shows about 10:00pm. We could have gone to sleep then being older folks but we had to stay up long enough to get phone calls from our kids at midnight. We listen closely to see if they are drunk or stoned at their respective parties and talk to an adult to see if they are drunk or stoned. You never stop worrying about your kids. Janessa is probably out of danger but Brendan is still a concern. Both of them sounded sweet and loving. The seemed like they cared about their parents as they wished them a happy new year and that carries us a long time.
Last night I did two shows at the First Night Celebration in Escondido. There were huge crowds in the street which had been blocked off for the party. I had a stage manager (Mrs. Escondido!], lights, sound and a great audience. I love working outdoors and though it was chilly I soon forgot that because I get caught up in the work. I get louder, funnier and more edgy outside. They were both great shows. Someone remarked as I came of the second set that I seem to really enjoy my work. It is true I love it. Even though my family magic show is set almost in stone I will change it this year. A new trick and more sparkling patter. Donna is awake and drinking her coffee behind me.

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