We celebrated Kay's 65th birthday and the holiday fun ness .
I love seeing friends but all the festivity is winning .
Dick and Marshall - star date December 20 , 2013
We celebrated Kay's 65th birthday and the holiday fun ness .
I love seeing friends but all the festivity is winning .
our friend Jake Conover
I have known Jake Conover since 1987 . He build aerial rigging , actually Custom Built Equipment will build anything you can dream of . They construct chairs to balance on , slides for dogs and pigs , pedestals for elephants . The list is pretty long ,personally they have kept me in swivels, rope ,webs , neck loops , hand loops , rosin , pulley blocks , chalk , stakes ,wheels and shackles . Sometimes I dye web casings and loop casings for them for our friends who want to have colorful equipment . Their latest endeavor is WINE . They brought me a couple of their award winning (at the fair )bottles , Blackberry and Cotton Candy are the flavors I received . I opened the cotton candy and couldn't believe my eyes ! Blue cotton candy wine , how fun is that ?
My friend Jake is going through some health issues , we wish him the best . I am glad in my adventures Jake and his family have helped me as friends and suppliers . Get better Jake ! you still have more stories to share !
My friend Jake is going through some health issues , we wish him the best . I am glad in my adventures Jake and his family have helped me as friends and suppliers . Get better Jake ! you still have more stories to share !
The living wall at nbc , part 3 nyc
This wall is inside the building and it moves like a vertical conveyor belt and it is alive .
There is no way Fresia is that tall , she is wearing heels.
30 rock and LaGuardia, nyc part 2 from November 19ish
I have more to say..That photo with all the tablets is LaGuardia airport , when you get to your gate at Delta there are rows and rows of tablets on bars on dinettes on standing tables. You can go online till your flight is ready , conveniently there are credit card scanners so you can order food from a modern overpriced plastic crappy food service or SHOP for anything from TV shows to Victoria Secret !! There was no Starbucks only yucky coffee. When we ordered food , which we did a lot of because our flight was cancelled , you go to the touch screen a) pick your food b) swipe c) get receipt d) wait for human to give you food , the ways of the modern world ! This photo does not do it justice , but there were so many rows of people glued to the screens , swiping and having a virtual party .It made me think of that movie "Wall-e" with the humans just becoming non physical beings or in "Bruce almighty" when the file cabinets open in an infinite way.
I have an idea or may I make a suggestion ? part 1
I had an idea in early October that our family unit HAD to go to NYC !! I lived there for about 6 years and I wanted to share some of my city with Fresia, I also wanted her to have some different experiences and broaden her horizons just a little.
Marshall said he wasn't interested in my suggestion and he would stay home and play with the house.
" I really want to go the city and see shows and take a dance class and ride the subway and look and do New York things and have Fresia meet family and friends she didn't know about "
I told a friend we were coming and she set up a neck spin class for me to teach , spinning by your neck is not a contemporary circus skill..I happen to be a pretty good spinner and spinning teacher.
Fresia was a riot , she said , " Do you even know how to teach anything ? Have you ever done this before ??" I said , " Actually I have taught a few things in the air . " she looked at me with doubt .
We saw Pippin !! Big Apple Circus !! Circus Vazquez ! We had a visit with Elizabeth Streb S.L.A.M , I taught my little class at Big Sky Works and met some aerialists, Fresia shopped and bought a pair of 8" platforms and cute clothing, I took a class at the Martha Graham Center ! we went to 30 rock and to studio 9C (a cousins office) and saw the big tree being decorated, I even squeezed in a hot yoga class , went fabric shopping , saw cousins that we share great and great great grand parents with , saw friends from my late teens and their children and friends I have had adventures with before Fresia was born and friends we both share.
We did a lot of subway and walked a lot !! Cabs are if you are just too tired to walk to the subway or if it is freezing or if you are lazy or if you have luggage ..
Every time I tried to share my love of maps and direction with Fresia and explain where and how we were going she gave me the look of death ! As we were landing at LaGuardia we flew over Circus Vazquez , I was thrilled and tried to share my joy..no response . However when I pointed out the new World Trade Towers she was thrilled too ! yay .
We stayed with wonderful friends Jan and Chayda in Greenwich Village . A lovely place with sun streaming in and a view of things !! Fresia was so impressed
As we walked down the streets I said hi to the doggies , she said don't talk to these people or these dogs..by the 2nd day she was talking to the doggies too ! success
She shared her knowledge of dog behavior impressing our cousins , because she has the Dr Doolittle thing , kind of.
In conclusion it was a glorious time . We live for today because who really knows what tomorrow will bring.
Fresia , self ,Vik G ,Chris P @ Pippin after the show and before the amazing backstage tour, orchestra of 13 musicians !!
The view from the 6th floor , to the left is the Pink Building( not the artist ) to the right the Hudson River
Jan , Fresia ,Johnny K , self and Chayda @ Big Apple Circus .
COUSINS !!! in Brooklyn ,we ate at an amazing restaurant ! Pizza with Gravlax and capers , need I say more ?
Circus Vazquez live BAND !! I used museum setting on the camera so there was no flash
Cousin Grumpy dancing ! notice those jazz hands
Marshall said he wasn't interested in my suggestion and he would stay home and play with the house.
" I really want to go the city and see shows and take a dance class and ride the subway and look and do New York things and have Fresia meet family and friends she didn't know about "
I told a friend we were coming and she set up a neck spin class for me to teach , spinning by your neck is not a contemporary circus skill..I happen to be a pretty good spinner and spinning teacher.
Fresia was a riot , she said , " Do you even know how to teach anything ? Have you ever done this before ??" I said , " Actually I have taught a few things in the air . " she looked at me with doubt .
We saw Pippin !! Big Apple Circus !! Circus Vazquez ! We had a visit with Elizabeth Streb S.L.A.M , I taught my little class at Big Sky Works and met some aerialists, Fresia shopped and bought a pair of 8" platforms and cute clothing, I took a class at the Martha Graham Center ! we went to 30 rock and to studio 9C (a cousins office) and saw the big tree being decorated, I even squeezed in a hot yoga class , went fabric shopping , saw cousins that we share great and great great grand parents with , saw friends from my late teens and their children and friends I have had adventures with before Fresia was born and friends we both share.
We did a lot of subway and walked a lot !! Cabs are if you are just too tired to walk to the subway or if it is freezing or if you are lazy or if you have luggage ..
Every time I tried to share my love of maps and direction with Fresia and explain where and how we were going she gave me the look of death ! As we were landing at LaGuardia we flew over Circus Vazquez , I was thrilled and tried to share my joy..no response . However when I pointed out the new World Trade Towers she was thrilled too ! yay .
We stayed with wonderful friends Jan and Chayda in Greenwich Village . A lovely place with sun streaming in and a view of things !! Fresia was so impressed
As we walked down the streets I said hi to the doggies , she said don't talk to these people or these dogs..by the 2nd day she was talking to the doggies too ! success
She shared her knowledge of dog behavior impressing our cousins , because she has the Dr Doolittle thing , kind of.
In conclusion it was a glorious time . We live for today because who really knows what tomorrow will bring.
Rigging
October 10th weekend
We spent some time in the St Louis , MO area . Friday night Jessica , Rosa , Elliana , 8 Arches and a huge group from Circus Harmony came to the show , the Arches performed , opening the second half with juggling ,tumbling and pyramids . High energy , youthful , circus , spirited fun ! On Saturday we had a fun time at the City Museum with Jessica Hentoff and Fresia as tour guides . We climbed 10 flights of stairs , slid down big slides , went on the roof and explored the school bus that hangs over the roof . We returned to the circus lot at 12.30 am !!! Our friend Clay is visiting and we boogied to the movies after Sundays show to see "Gravity" in 3D !! , he will be hanging out till Wednesday the 16 in the early morning .
16 more days to get it right-the trip of October 9 ,2013
"the rescue rangers" . The mechanical department fixed me up and off I motored . The route slip said to take a left on historic us 66 . I saw the warning arrows and I saw historic us 66 BUT MUCH TO MY SURPRISE , there are 2 of them .. I knew right away I was doomed. I was on an OLD frontage road , I had to drive 15 miles extra . I turned around finally and very cranky I arrived . My day improved when we foraged at thrift stores and I stumbled upon a store called Glick or Glik or something like that and scored a pair of $100 Missme jeans for $33 !! woo hoo .
Tent raising
I have the best children at tent raising . Yesterday and today , actually many days these little children just start clapping after my little story of the circus . I talk about a typical day on this circus .I tell them how we we get up at 6am, We hop in our trucks and we drive to the next town. I talk about the 24 hour man and the arrows. The mechanics , otherwise known as the rescue rangers, the cook ,the school teachers, the tent crew , the animal care, the water man, the electrical department , the trumpet player , the drummer and the sound effects guy , the fact that at least 8 people weld , the costume work ,the laundry , the people who pull permits , all the people , the work , the history of the circus as I know it . I talk about regulations and laws , how lucky we are to just look at these magnificent animals . I try to explain how it is to work with animals.. Believe me I can go on for a lonnng time , there is a lot to tell . I talk about our history . I make some jokes . I take credit for the elephant going to the ladies room in the big top . I tell them about running away with the circus and I share the facts that we have some families that are 10 generations of circus . I talk about the family deal. We are a big extended family of 96 persons , together day in and day out for 38 weeks , 500 shows..200 set ups . We come to your town to entertain you and your families . How cool is that ? The circus is for everybody..maybe you are here with a friend or your cousin and your folks ..You could be watching families together performing .Someday when you come to the circus when you are older you can bring your children ..I guess that is one of the differences between nouveau circus and traditional circus..familySome days I have a future in story telling , there is boatloads of money in that . Yesterday it was a little chilly I was somehow inspired to look fashionable . I wore maybe Ella's or Doris's or Lillian's or Alice's or Rose's small pillbox mink hat . When I walked by the children- a 6th grade boy said your hair is so cool . How fun !! It is the little things in life . Oh yes and of course I tell them about the show ! The shiny , sparkly show..
I don't have to look , I have to see
Star date September 27 , 2013.This morning we had the luxury of sleeping , we traveled last night . In the am we made our stove top espresso, Marshall walked the dogs and I shuffled Fresia into our bed because I wanted to make her bed into the dinette so we could sit and have coffee all civilized . I put my silver coffee chalice on the white slightly beat up Formica table .Marshall opened the door and it was magical ! Light and shiny stuff makes great visuals , just like a sparkly circus costume with good lighting. Even the black duck tape that is holding the Formica down makes sense . I love how the coffee steam is blue tendrils on the bottom image . 
Ode to Joy
A big day for the Catholic Church on Kelly Miller Circus .We had Baptisms and first communions and confirmations all in the tent . Father Jerry Hogan flew in from Boston , always a joy to see this guy !! Sister Bernard and Sister Dorothy have been working with the people who practice . I really know very little about Catholicism , being Jewish , but I have friends of all religions and I was there in friendship cheering them on and taking photos !!
Of course us huge hams had to do a selfie type snapshot before the festivities began .
Of course us huge hams had to do a selfie type snapshot before the festivities began .
The event began with a procession and Marshall playing solo " Ode to Joy" on his getzen trumpet ! He sounded so clear and beautiful..
I am leaving out names because I am..it is their experience.. I am just sharing a little tidbit or two and some bad photos
the Rebeccas
after I total a truck there is nothing like some yoga to straighten out my mind and body .Fortunately Rebecca had planned a private yoga class.
NINA !!
we got to hang out with Nina while in the Chicago area. Meg, Rebecca and Nina and Aerial and Sean..always wonderful to see friends that are not part of your everyday life
please look both ways
The most dangerous thing I do is drive . I am a safe driver , ask my insurance company . I even took a safe driving class to get a little break on my insurance . You can't be careful enough . The other day dear as I was driving..ok so I am driving , only 35 mph on a little curvy road . A person in a small gray rice burner vehicle pulled out , from the side street that had a stop sign, in front of me . They pulled out so close. The whole series of events is so fast and horrid . You turn the wheel away from them because you know your truck will kill them , you apply brakes..you think you can avoid this nightmare but the little gray rice burner doesn't stop. So you do what you have to do to avoid impact and then the crazy happens ..your truck takes over..it starts to slide and twist and turn and it is out of control and finally BAM something stops you and it is like an earthquake and the trailer slides around the truck for another BAM and you jump out of the truck !, glass is everywhere ,there is bent metal and the radio is on a hissing channel, some kind people come out of there home to ask if you are ok and do you need anything..you say you just need to walk around and call your family and your people who can make it better AND THEN you go around and you see the little gray car and they are in the middle of the road by the yellow line and they are fine and they drive away . You go into your truck and you look for your things .You find your purse and your phone and you see your coffee cup is ok in the cup holder and there are papers and a mess everywhere . The cops come lickity split they are very organized and get a wrecker or 2 or 3 . I call Marshall and Danny and Fridman and soon the truck and trailer are straightened out and Oscar takes me to the lot and I am glad it is a day off . I say I am sorry and Oscar says ,"everyday on your tent raising tour you say "we are over 300 tires going down the highway , sometimes things happen "..things happen.."
We arrive at the lot and Alex and Tavo park the truck like it is a normal day and then these amazing people start to fix things .
Marshall has some fabulous coffee and Tavana comes over and there is hugging and maybe I cried a couple of crocodile tears .
My friends on the circus ask me of my well being and we joke about a few things .
Before I know it my friend Rebecca shows up and whisks me to Chicago ..I take a long hot shower at her fun house, we have a little nosh and then go to some amazing yoga place and have a private perfect yoga class.
We finish the day by meeting up with Marshall , Fresia , the North's, Gene and the Rice's at the Midnight Circus..a fun sweet distraction to my morning .
We drove back to the circus I make some pasta and crawl into bed by 9.
What a day .
We arrive at the lot and Alex and Tavo park the truck like it is a normal day and then these amazing people start to fix things .
Marshall has some fabulous coffee and Tavana comes over and there is hugging and maybe I cried a couple of crocodile tears .
My friends on the circus ask me of my well being and we joke about a few things .
Before I know it my friend Rebecca shows up and whisks me to Chicago ..I take a long hot shower at her fun house, we have a little nosh and then go to some amazing yoga place and have a private perfect yoga class.
We finish the day by meeting up with Marshall , Fresia , the North's, Gene and the Rice's at the Midnight Circus..a fun sweet distraction to my morning .
We drove back to the circus I make some pasta and crawl into bed by 9.
What a day .
friendship
On my very first circus I met my friend Meg . We have stayed friends all these years .
Meg and Sean came to Chicago to be with their daughter Aerial and watch her perform in the Midnight Circus .This was bonus because we got a visit as well . Well Marshall didn't get a big visit with Sean because he didn't want to interrupt the Clown bonding session. I have decided that it is a hard knock life on the BIG SHOW because those clowns have very deep painful wounds and must talk , kind of like group therapy
through my white wine haze I remembered I wanted a photo..so I grabbed the camera..Shelby was the photog and Marshall and Fresia were getting ready for beddy bye ..seeing as how we had a 5.30am call .In conclusion when your friends and family come to visit it gives you a shot..and Fresia is furious at me for using the term beddy bye..
from left to right ( me, Book , Meg , Brett , Aerial , Steve and Sean )
through my white wine haze I remembered I wanted a photo..so I grabbed the camera..Shelby was the photog and Marshall and Fresia were getting ready for beddy bye ..seeing as how we had a 5.30am call .In conclusion when your friends and family come to visit it gives you a shot..and Fresia is furious at me for using the term beddy bye..
from left to right ( me, Book , Meg , Brett , Aerial , Steve and Sean )
tent raising and thank you
Giving the tent raising tour gives me a
satisfying feeling . I enlighten the masses to our way of life , tell
them about circus , the history, lots of fun tales...and on this day there was an adorable group of small school children..we just looked at all the animals . I kept it simple . I told them a few facts one hump ,two humps..letter D, letter B ..
Some days if you are a very lucky person you get to see the joy in a person's face when they see an elephant , a zebra , a camel, a llama, or a tiger for the first time .It is pure , a look of joy and wonderment .
They made this thank you card !
Frank's place
Last year around this time
Fresia ,Arwen Danny ,Tavana and I did the walking tour of Frank's
architecture...This year we went on the home and studio tour !! We
went inside ! I paid $5 extra to take photo's "for personal use
only " . I loved so many individual things. I really love the
natural light.The quietness and the luxury to experience the outside
visually while being sheltered . Architecture is such an important art .The "wright" space can make or break you .Some fun things he did was to paper the walls with painters canvas and then paint it. I love how he used sawdust in the cement floors to make them soft and kind on the legs.
I believe this is a Louis( form follows function ) Sullivan inspired curved sky light..
The high back chairs in the dining room create a room within a room
Terra cotta ,old and new
I would love to have been a drafter at these tables
A few days ,a few slices of life
"pie artists" . This is called fruits of the forest , a medley of berries ,rhubarb with a little apple..someplace in Michigan near Lake Huron
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