Firedancing

A group of fire jugglers meet on the cliffs above the ocean almost every Sunday night, just before dusk. I like to go down to watch them, and also to watch the out of towners who have no idea what's going on and hold their bags close to their bodies. I also like to see all of the people who stop by, like me, who just enjoy the whackadoodle pageantry so often on display in this town.

But most of all, I enjoy how, if you listen closely, you will find that the guys jamming only know these lyrics to "Fire On The Mountain:" 'fire on the mountain,' and so just sing them over and over and over. Hippyjamfail, guys.

Stage Moms

I was a child performer on a very small scale (like, not at all, really). I made a television commercial, I was in an operetta. But I was friends with real, professional, intense child performers, and later, I dated someone for a number of years who was deeply involved in a performance field. I feel I have seen and been around all levels of stage parents and crazy coaches, and witnessed a wide variety of behind-the-scenes behavior. I know what normal crazy looks like.

This is not that.

July 4.

Standing in line at the local drugstore to purchase a twenty-pound bag of crushed ice, into which I was tempted to stick my head, as it was 106 degrees outside. With me was my four-year-old niece, wearing her cat ears and tail ("I'M A TIGER!"), who was shout-singing Rebecca Black's "Friday" with gusto while crawling on all fours. I avoided the gaze of the cashier and sang along. LOUDLY. 

That memory is my new happy place.

 

Overheard at the pet store today (elderly woman in a vivid green floral baby doll-style dress, to the college kid cashier):

I never did acid when I was younger,
but I should have, because now my reality is getting weird
and I'm simply not prepared.

Did you know Pierce Brosnan is a trained fire eater?

Well, now you do.

Tripping

Just outside Madera, California, a farmer had a big sign spelled out on a roadside sign:

DON'T BLAME ME

I VOTED FOR

THE HERO

AND THE HOTTIE

Sorry I don't have a photo to share, but I was too busy giving it the finger.