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  • Mark Twain’s House Will Remain Open
    Posted on 22nd June 2008

    Mark Twain’s House Will Remain Open

    “Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
    Mark Twain

    Over coffee, I read an article in the New York Times saying that the museum at Mark Twain’s house would soon close its doors. Two weekends later, I went there to see the place. I had to see it. It’s an incredible Victorian house, in a beautiful [...]

  • So Now What?
    Posted on 6th April 2007

    So Now What?

    I’m not sure I recognize my life anymore. Everything about it has changed, since August or so. That’s why I haven’t written online very much since then. Finally, I have a moment to reflect on it, and to let you know what has happened, if you’re interested.

  • The Most Dangerous Woman Alive
    Posted on 28th August 2006

    The Most Dangerous Woman Alive

    Last weekend, during a trip to Washington DC, I thrilled to the sight of a sideshow attraction: Charon Henning, The Most Dangerous Woman Alive. She’s able to walk on glass, barely flinching, before stair-stepping on a ladder of swords. Her partner, Professor Otto Knowbetter, chews razorblades live before your very eyes. And the best part, [...]

  • What’s in the Tent?
    Posted on 29th June 2006

    What’s in the Tent?

    There’s progress to report about my ongoing writing project. I’m writing a spoken word routine about The Outside Talker who performs to announce the carnivals or freak shows, etc. I got stuck wondering about which image to choose. I imagine its as though I’m strolling through the midway, between the tents, beside the boxcars, with a camera. I can only take one photograph. I only desire a single image, before I can write. There are the snake charmers, sword-swallowers, bearded ladies, Siamese twins, etc. None of those would do, so I hit the books.

  • Gentlemanly Lecturer
    Posted on 26th June 2006

    Gentlemanly Lecturer

    Bally excerpted from a 1903 book entitled “On The Road with the Circus”… In the authors words, “It is interesting as a truthful reproduction of a style of unique oratory which prevails nowhere else.”

  • Sounds of the Sideshow
    Posted on 12th June 2006

    Sounds of the Sideshow

    I’m writing a spoken word routine about The Outside Talker who performs to announce the carnivals or freakshows, etc. To get ideas, I’ve purchaced a recording of some of these performances. I was enticed by the sample recordings on the website, about Eekah the Geek, and about Nature’s Greatest Mistakes. It is called “Bally, Sounds [...]

  • The Carnival Show
    Posted on 26th May 2006

    The Carnival Show

    In a previous post, I outlined some ideas for a spoken word routine where I’d like to emulate the lyric qualities of one of those sideshow, carnival “barkers”. I’m also interested in the role: being outside of some place, pitching the sensory experience to be had within, where description is everything.
    I’d like to continue outlining [...]

  • Tangled Strings
    Posted on 24th May 2006

    Tangled Strings

    Come one, come all
    To the puppet show
    Only a handful of strings
    Can move it on its way!
    A hand full of strings
    Can move it, anyway.
    Puppets are marvelous things,
    What dance! What sing!
    And for all to see
    So come one, come all
    To the puppet show!
    Take your seats
    The price of admission’s not free
    Every ticket’s on a string
    Just pull it. You’ll see.
    What [...]

  • The Outside Talker
    Posted on 22nd May 2006

    The Outside Talker

    For a while now I’ve been wondering about a theme to use with a spoken word performance. A theme, a main idea, or a character.
    I’ve been reluctant to simply read my poetry into a microphone. Even musical accompaniment wouldn’t cheer me up too much about the idea. I want to do something more like what [...]