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Went to the circus tonight, man was that a strange experience. I can't say the I was totally enthused or even entertained, but I came away with an appreciation of what circuses are and the hard work that goes into putting on the show. This particular circus, Circus Vargas, has been around for 40 years. As I watched the show I thought to myself how strange that no one has made a contemporary film about circus life. I had a couple ideas for kids films and maybe a farce, but I also kept coming back to a star studded Altman-esque idea, something I will never write.

It seemed that everyone had a couple of jobs at the circus. The death defying motorcycle rider whose display of skill closed the show was also the guy taking photos of audience members and trying to get them to buy the picture before the end of the show. Seems that everyone who performed also worked on the crew in some capacity. Trapeze artists also rolled out the carpet, the women who performed magic also sold concessions before the show. In a way, Circus Vargas was like the Boy Scouts.

I may not have been entertained (although there were some unintentionally funny moments) I am glad we went. Julie and the kids leave town in a week and even thinking about it now is getting me misty eyed. At least I'll have the cat... and the mouse that has taken up residency somewhere in our house. I hope it's mouse. I saw it last night scurry behind the dishwasher, then I heard its claws skitter across the kitchen floor while I watched Saint Ralph, one of my favorite movies. If you have not seen Saint Ralph you must rent it the next time you are choosing a movie (unless you're thinking about renting King's Highway, in which case Saint Ralph should be the second film you rent).

This week has been hectic as far as writing goes. I am close to completing some of the reviews I need to do for Popdose. Unfortunately I have not been able to work on the book as much. Yet, I do not feel anxious like I do when I'm not working on a screenplay. Perhaps because the words just seem to flow better when I'm writing the book and I'm not analyzing every single word I write for fear it will be misinterpreted by some future director. I don't know. I believe I am half way through my handwritten rough draft. I dread typing it.

Aloha

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