My Lovely Thanksgiving

Well, to tell you the truth, my Thanksgiving started out horrible.  Wednesday night I couldn't sleep because I had the biggest headache ever.  And I kept trying to sleep, knowing that if I'm asleep, I can't feel the headache.  Nothing was working.  I knew I had to be up early, as I was doing living statue at 10am.

I couldn't call in sick.  First of all, Thanksgiving is a big money day for statues, plus, if you call in sick on a holiday, you need a doctor's note, so I'd be out the money I would have made, plus the money for the doctor's visit.

At 6:30, the headache finally lifted and the angels sang.  I was exhausted but pain free. I couldn't go back to bed at that point because it would have made it worse when I did get up. So I drank about a pot of coffee and got ready to go.

Now being tired for a normal day of work is difficult, but being tired while you have to stand absolutely still is a monster. Somehow, I managed to get through the shift. Luckily statue shifts are four hours and I was done by 2.

When I crawled through the door, the boyfriend had Thanksgiving cooked and on the table.  I'm so grateful it was his turn this year to cook. He prefers ham over turkey, and if he's making it, he can make whatever his heart desires as far as I'm concerned.  He had ham, corn, rolls and a wonderful bison-green bean casserole topped with cheese and tater tots. Of course there was apple pie for dessert.

I'm am currently waiting to hear from the Guinness judges on whether I have taken the world record in most weight gained in a 12 hour period.  I'll keep you posted. lol.

Welcome Cooler Times

Winter is coming! The air is definitely cooler, and doing errands is no longer a hot sweaty chore.  I know, I know, how can I live in the desert when I hate hot weather?  Well, the desert is where the jobs are for me, so for 4 months out of the year, I am forced to suffer.

Now the good times are rolling in.  I can go outside with a sweatshirt on. The unbearable heat that makes me the laziest person on the planet and makes me never want to leave my air-conditioned haven has now passed.

Now I can take my dogs on car rides with me.  In the middle of summer, I can't even take them to the dog park unless I go at dawn.  Even though they can have a good time in 110 degree weather, the car while parked gets to well over 130, and that is way too much for them.  Now I can take them on a quick errand or two, as well as the park.

I know in many parts of the country there's snow and ice and winter is already becoming miserable, but here in the desert, I say, "Blow some of that snow my way!"

3 Day Gig

The gang and I at the convention. I'm in red.

For the past three days, I did a gig at the convention center, performing magic for a trade show.  The show was all printers.  Printers that printed on paper, that printed on fabric, that printed on wood, or printed on anything your heart desired. Who knew there were so many printers out there.

The gig was lots of fun. I performed with a hula hoop girl, a pole dancer, a juggler, a stilt walker and two other magicians who have been friends with me for a long time.  It was so good to see them, and since there was a lot of down time during the gig, we had plenty of opportunity to catch up with everything the others were doing, and got to make some new friends in the process.

The convention center is so huge, that even though it was an easy gig, my legs were really tired by the end of it.

Now for a much needed break... no... wait a minute... I have to do six shows at the Venetian today.

Step Family

Amazing Johnathan and my friend Penny

Well, the step-family is in town for my step-sister's husband's 40th birthday.

Last night I got us tickets to see the Amazing Johnathan.  He just moved into a new theater at Bally's and I hadn't seen him there yet.  The show was great and he added a couple of new pieces and new jokes which made it really fun to see.

There was a lady in the front row with a service dog, and Johnathan kept picking on them, pretending to be angry that the dog didn't seem to be enjoying the show. Great off-the-cuff stuff.

I wanted to go out with everyone afterward, but I knew I had to work today, and needed to come home and sleep.

Addicted to Black and Orange... & Chumlee?

So, I'm still waiting for the new crochet hooks, and in the interim, I've become addicted to orange and black.  I had yarn left over from the halloween pillows, so while the boyfriend and I watched movies, I made some fingerless gloves.

...Then, as the hooks still weren't in, I started a pair of orange and black house socks.  Just the cuff left to do on the first one, and then it's on to the second.

Depending on how much I get done today, I might have them listed as early as tomorrow, although Thursday or Saturday is probably more realistic.

In other news:

Chumlee from Pawn Stars

Went to the San Genaro feast on Saturday with the boyfriend.  It was crowded, but the food was great and the company was fun.

It was a long narrow walk back to the parking area, everyone walking pretty much in a line.  We were actually walking right behind Chumlee (the guy from Pawn Stars).

We didn't talk to him or anything, we were tired and just wanted to get back to the car. The boyfriend and I just kind of rolled our eyes and smiled.

It's a Desert Out There

It takes me a while to get settled back in Vegas.  I had a massive headache all day yesterday. Going from super humid to super dry is really difficult and my sinuses were rebelling.

Despite all that, I did manage to get everything on my to do list done.  There was a lot of lying on the couch with the dogs in between tasks, but I still managed to do it.

Today is my first day back working at the Venetian.  I have a huge list of to do's to accomplish in between the shows.  Sometimes I think I'm more productive at work doing things on our short breaks than when I have a whole day off.

That's all for now. Got to finish my computer stuff and put on my make up... I haven't worn make up in 2 whole weeks...wow!

Gig went well

Last night's gig went pretty well.  I did my make-up before the last show at the Venetian, so all I would have to do was get into costume once I got to the venue.


It was a good thing, too, lots of traffic.  I barely made it.  Between the fight traffic, people going to sports books for game 7 traffic, and electric daisy parade traffic, I'm surprised I'm still not sitting in my car.


The people were great, even the kids! They were all polite and fun, which, when teenagers are like that, it tends to surprise me.  What a great gig.


The pictures are still on my phone, and I haven't synced it yet, but I'm sure whatever you have in your mind is better than the ones I took...lol.

Boyfriend Teaches Make-Up Skills

Gigs have been really slow as of late, so when I got the chance to do magic at a Bat Mitzvah, I jumped at the chance.  The catch? I have to be a clown.

Boyfriend Balancing Plates

Now my boyfriend was a real clown on Ringling Brother's Circus, so of course I asked him for help.  Together we stood in front of the mirror as he gave me step by step instructions on how to do my make up.  It didn't come out too bad.  Unfortunately, I will have only 15 minutes to do it in as I finish performing at the Venetian at 6:45 and the gig starts at 7:30 in a different hotel.


I kind of feel like an imposturer doing this as I feel clowning is an amazing art. The boyfriend actually went to clown college and everything! But, I need the money... This gig is going to help pay for the work I miss when I'm on vacation with the boyfriend.

I'm on a Billboard!

I've always wanted to be on a billboard.  To be driving along and look up and say, "That's me!"


Well, it finally happened.  I did a photo shoot for the Venetian, and now the image is plastered all over the hotel, plus there's a billboard on Spring Mountain Road right near the Strip!


Unfortunately, I am wearing a mask, so even my mother wouldn't recognize me.  But at least I know it's me.  Plus many of the other performers know since they have seen me in that costume on many occasions.  


So here it is, me and my billboard:

Me and my Billboard at the Venetian

I'm the one in the red shirt, lol, plus the one in the picture doing the same pose.

Gigs and Exhaustion

Ok, so I'm skipping my running today.  I'm just too exhausted.  The past two days were so chalked full of work, plus I have to do living statue today, that I don't think I can make it.

Performing at Sinsations.  Just got free from my handcuffs

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, I was in a show called "Sinsations". This is, of course, in addition to working at the Venetian, so I would finish my last show there, do my hair, drive over to the next theater, get set up and do another show.  


The shows went great, but now I'm so tired.  One of the Statues at the Venetian just got married, and I told her I would work her shifts so she could go on her honeymoon.  It's not as altruistic as it sounds, statue is one of the best paying gigs over there and I got bills to pay.


My next running day is Wednesday, I'll be sure not to skip that one.

Auditions

I've been having a lot of auditions lately.  I remember when I used to get so nervous, and then I'd stress for days wondering if I got the job or not.  


Nowadays, I've been to so many hundreds of them that they don't phase me anymore, and in fact, when I do get the job, sometimes I don't even remember auditioning for it.  There is very rarely a rejection letter in the entertainment industry, either you hear from them, or you don't.  It's usually best to forget about something once you've tried out, otherwise, you'll drive yourself crazy wondering.

Meeting Karina Smirnoff

On Saturday, Karina Smirnoff came by the Venetian to check out our Winter in Venice event.  The cast from the St. Mark's Square show came out to greet her and the Christmas cast.  She seemed nice, but we didn't really get a chance to talk to her as her people whisked her away to the next photo op right afterward.


This time, I'm the one in the black and white costume standing next to her.

Interview

Last night I was interviewed by a magician named Jeff McBride.  He does a weekly internet TV show, and I was the special guest.  


It was loads of fun.  I got interviewed which made me feel like a celebrity, and then I got to co-host the rest of the show.  There was also a chat room on there, where people could comment about things in real time. It made me kind of nervous at first, but all the things that were said were really positive.


Now I'm off to go about my non-celebrity life which includes some cleaning... how glamourous... 

Meeting Jordin Sparks

The Venetian just opened its "Winter in Venice" attraction for Christmas.  There's a show, a tree lighting and ice skating open to the public, plus entertainers strolling around during the day.

Me, Jordin Sparks, and some of the Venetian Cast

On opening night, some of us had to go and work the event after we finished our shows inside.  They knew there was going to be media there, and they wanted as many of us there as they could.


For the opening ceremony, Jordin Sparks sang a couple of songs and then went off to meet and greet in the VIP area.  They chose a few characters to come and join her for pictures.  


While the cameras snapped away at us, I said, "I'm so sorry, the paparazzi just seem to follow me everywhere."  She laughed and thought it was funny.  


I'm the one in the funny hat...

Flash Mob

This morning I'm up quite early, as I'm going to be a part of a flash mob.  Now, some of you might have seen some of the more traditional ones on TV, but this one is a little different.


This Flash Mob is at a computer convention, and we're coming in to surprise the conventioneers.  We were hired by one of the companies that is a presenter there, so it's kind of like advertising for the company.


This has become more and more of a trend lately, and the second one I've been hired for.  It's so much fun, and easy money, but I could do without the early morning hours.

Strange Gig... But Good

On Friday, I performed magic at a Curling Tournament, with special guests who were members of the US Olympic team!  Though I'd watched curling during the Olympics on TV, I'd never been to an actual tournament, nor had I performed at one.


During these tournaments, there is a bit of down time, and there's a bar that overlooks the ice rink for people to hang out in.  This is where I performed.


When I first walked in, I saw a bunch of people dressed up like cows, then there were pilgrims, rabbits and a bunch of other stuff.  I thought, "Wow, these curlers are sure strange!"...then it hit me that it was almost Halloween...duh!


Everyone was really nice and seemed to enjoy the magical break from the curling.  I got to perform for the Olympians as well, and they were really great, down to earth guys.  The guy that runs the tournament says that they'll hire me again next year if they have one... count me in!

Halloween Gig

Well, you know from previous posts how much I "love" Halloween gigs.  Last night, I had a four hour one.


It was a charity event for people to bring their kids to.  It wasn't nearly as bad as my normal Halloween gigs.  To start with, very few adults were in costume, mainly just the kids, so with me in costume doing magic, it did make me stand out a bit.


Some parents thought I was a parent of another child, though, and would give me strange looks when I'd approach them and their kids.  They were cool, after they realized that I worked there.


Four hours walking on cement has really made me quite sore today, but the work week is not over yet.  I still have 6 shows today, 3 shows tomorrow and 6 shows on Monday at the Venetian. 


Calgon! Take me away!

The "Joys" of Halloween Performing

Now don't get me wrong, I love Halloween.  I love seeing everyone dress up in strange costumes, love the candy (except the candy corn) and love having kids coming to my door saying, "Trick or treat?"


However, I do not love performing around Halloween.  Where I do magic at the Venetian, I play a character, and as such wear a costume... year round.  However during the month of October, I am stuck with people asking me, "Where did you get that costume?"  

Of course the average person is going to think I'm dressing up for the holidays, but the worst is the people that work there also think so.  They see me every day and yet in October, they forget and say things like, "Aren't you a little bit early this year?" Did they not have conversations with me last month or the month before?  You might think they are joking, but when I remind them that I always wear this, they say, "Oh yeah..."


Sometimes in the break room, the dealers ask me if they let me take the costume home for Halloween... and yet they don't think it's funny if I ask them if they get to take their uniform home so they can be a dealer for their trick-or-treating.


Don't worry, little kids, I'm not a Scrooge, and though I won't be dressing up for Halloween, I will have candy by the door, and will enjoy each and every one of your costumes.

The Things I get to Do

As a magician, most of the gigs I get are corporate affairs; usually for the top sellers, top buyers or employee appreciation.  Sometimes I get to work trade shows where I put on shows to gather a crowd in front of a booth.  


Every once in a while, I get something different. I just got a gig at the end of October performing at a curling tournament.  I even get to perform for the US Olympic Curling Team! How cool is that? 


Like most Americans, I don't actually follow curling year round, but come the Winter Games, I do tune in and have a great time watching these guys throw stones and sweep them across the ice.  I'm so excited, it's gonna be lots of fun!

Famous Encounter

I often get hired for events and go there not quite knowing what to expect.  The agencies send me out and I go.


Last week, I had a gig at Tao Beach at the Venetian.  I thought it was a corporate event, as they usually are, and I thought it would be a large event as they had booked me for three hours.


When I got there, it turned out it was a bridal party, of a bride, her maid of honor, and some other friends, about 7 or 8 total.  They were all super nice, and it was a joy to perform for them.  


Later, a photographer came, and wanted pictures of me with the bride. I still didn't think anything of it.  Many brides want to record everything that happens on their wedding day (or weekend).


Of course, as a performer, I use google alerts, and lo and behold, a picture of me and the bride triggered an email.  My step-father saw it too, and he was the one that told me that it was Susan Sarandon's daughter Eva Amurri!  How cool!