Book shaped like sleeping cat = I want an iPad shaped like sleeping cat.
Rings of Desire
Lillian Leitzel was one of the most famous acrobats and trapeze artists the American Circus has ever known. Performing during the early 20th century without a net, Leitzel was considered both a daredevil and a flirt amongst audiences and with the circus performers she kept in her company. These facts were not uncommon ones for women in the circus, but what makes Leitzel’s story so stunning in the minds and hearts of fans and historians are the events surrounding her untimely death. I’m posting this for anyone who lives in Los Angeles and wants to see one of the most stunning graves I’ve ever seen. You can see it pictured below.
Leitzel later married circus trapeze artist Alfred Codona in 1928, and would tragically die nine years later from a fatal accident while performing. The ropes and rings that Leitzel used for all her performances had crystallized due to the friction caused from overuse and she fell landing hard on her head several stories below. Surprisingly, she was able to compose herself and finish her routine, but would die the next day in the hospital. Codona was off performing in Germany at the time, and rushed to be by his wife’s side as soon as he heard the news. Codona had been touring solo because he had grown jealous of his wife’s fame and accused her of infidelity. His touring without her was his way of getting back at her, and during this time he began a relationship with equestrian Vera Bruce.
After Leitzel’s Death, Codona and Bruce were married. Bruce continued to perform until he experienced a career ending shoulder injury. This injury attributed to their crumbling marriage, and eventually Codona left Bruce and took a job working at a Southern California gas station. When Bruce insisted that Codona sign divorce papers in the presence of her lawyer, he agreed, and then in the meeting shot her, and then shot himself. This story is one of the most tragic things I’ve read in recent memory; it would make a great film.
Codona is buried next to Leitzel, his true love, and he is depicted on his headstone as an Angel holding his fallen and broken bride. You can find the grave at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
The business of cards
As I near completion of my first novel (which will be completed this summer) I realized that I will probably need a business card, luckily for me I have some really talented friends who lend me their editing (I’m horrible, please don’t cringe at these blog posts) and artistic talents. The man in the red hot air balloon pictured in the business card below is me, and is an alter ego I created for a post card game called The Imaginary Vacation Club (included in a separate book of games I’m working on) which I intend to turn into probably the saddest children’s story ever written, I’m talking Giving Tree sad. I hope you all enjoy my new business card. I really love how it turned out. The artist responsible is Kristina Yee; illustrator for the Harvard Lampoon and Crimson, and also more importantly illustrator of my first novel.
The Usual Suspects
Someone has been thieving my popcorn again. I found these two troublemakers at a thrift store in Vallejo yesterday. The North Bay (Vallejo/Benicia) has the best thrift stores/swapmeets I’ve been to. The only real problem with this whole situation is now I have two giant chipmunks that are taunting my wiener dog Robocop, he hates them.
Mr. O’Malley gets an extra life.
Everyone knows that I’m the biggest fan of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World written by Bryan Lee O’Malley, but what you might not know is that Mr. O’Malley is one hell of a musician. You can check out his music and download a couple of his albums, under the alias Kupek, for free at the following website: http://www.radiomaru.com/kupek/. Great, honest, and often silly lyrics, combined with a variety of real and digital instruments make for a great listening experience. His music is sure to kick and Punch its way to your heart. Give the track “Donut Lagoon” a listen for me: http://www.radiomaru.com/kupek/mp3/triesagain/08_DonutLagoon.mp3
From Spiderman With Love
It’s Valentine’s Day, a Holiday I usually look forward to; due mostly in part to some pretty great girlfriends in the past. This year it didn’t take a box of candy, or a night on the town with someone I love to make me feel special, it only took a tiny card from a 3 year old named Olivia. For those of you who are unaware, I perform storytimes for the Solano County Library every Thursday, and Olivia is always in the front row ready to sing “It’s raining, it’s pouring.” While I may not have an official Valentine today, it’s good to know I can make a difference in a small child’s life with a song, and a story. With that said, Happy Valentines Day. 
P.S. Pictured is Olivia’s Valentine and the Mego Spiderman I scored at the Swap Meet Sunday, also my super cluttered desk
