Sleeping Around 2018-2019
 The best way to sum up this year's Sleeping Around data, my annual dive into an attempt at comprehending my life through looking at where I lay my head, might be "as much as things change, they stay the same." Besides a few percentage points here and there, this year and last year look almost the same. But just because things look almost the same doesn't mean they don't warrant a closer look.
Housesitting is up; that's good. As our circus business grows, housesitting represents a less critical financial piece, but it is still a prominent part of our life that I would not like to see fade away. Travel is down; that's bad. Both overall and the two most interesting types of travel, international and domestic, are not nearly as high as I would like. After two years with no nights in a tent, we got 2, internationally no less. At Home percentage is spot on to the 10-year average, which I find oddly amusing. Other interesting stats from the year:
As always, I'm excited to see what the next year will hold. We've got a big international trip planned, some changes in the housesitting landscape, and as always, the possibility for the unseen. Life is fun. Looking at it through the lens of data is fun too! |
| Friday August 2 2019 | File under: stats |
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I Wanted To Be a Millionaire
 If you haven't seen the episode and don't want any spoilers, I suggest you skip to the end of this post and give it a watch before continuing. I can wait...
Nearly 4 years to the day after I taped my Wheel of Fortune episode, I found myself back in a TV studio, this time in Las Vegas, nervously waiting to appear on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. The process with Millionaire wasn't too dissimilar to Wheel, if you replace face-to-face testing and auditions with Skype calls*. There were a few more logisitics around bringing your "plus 1" and my producer was a bit more specific about wardrobe*, but overall the process was something like: apply online -> [get lucky to be picked to move on] -> take a test -> [be smart] -> have audition -> [get lucky your attempt at jokes go over well] -> wait hopefully (and a bit nervously) -> [receive "You're in!" letter] -> do a jig -> anxious wait to hear about taping date -> binge watch the show for studying purposes -> keep waiting* -> fly to Las Vegas to tape the episode -> exhaleOverall, it was a wonderful experience. I got to meet some really great people, added another cool adventure to my life resume, and ended up with a little bit of change in my pocket*. While the result of this pass at TV game show-dom didn't quite support the this-is-a-big-part-of-my-how-I-make-my-living plan, I'm not going to let that stop me from continuing to try!   
Oh, and if you never saw my Wheel episode, check it out here |
| Thursday May 2 2019 | File under: video, pictures |
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| on Sun 19th May, 2019 01:25 pm EDT Horge said: Cool! Though I wouldn't have managed any better if I'd been your phone-a-friend. I mean, I could've helped you out with other planetary questions maybe... In any case, sounds like a harrowing 9 months' wait. I know a bit about that myself ;-) (=read your email!) ************************ |
The Real Food Show (with Minor Media Mentions)
 Almost 5 years ago, I posted about a show Della was involved in that goes into elementary schools and teaches kids about healthy eating and lifestyle. As of about 2 years ago, I took over the roll of Frank* and have been busy performing in schools all over Western Washington.
The Real Food Show is a dynamic 35-minute performance that combines circus arts, food education, laughter, healthy lifestyle awareness, and fun. Della eats an apple while juggling. I ride a unicycle. Della dances* while standing on my shoulder. I balance a huge stack of protein blocks on my face. It's a really fun show. The funding model so far has allowed schools to get the show for free through sponsorship by local area co-ops. Overall, the show has been in 75+ schools (40-ish under my tenure) and is universally well received. But we're looking to expand to communities that might not have co-ops. We're excited to be doing a PTA sponsored show soon and hope to find lots more ways to bring this important message delivered in a fun way to more students! If you have want the show to come to your kid's school or have an in anywhere that might want the show, please contact me. A few of our recent shows have been covered in print, and as is my wont, I shall post the articles here for posterity. A big thanks to the Port Townsend Leader and the Skagit Food Co-op for the coverage, and as always, the Community Food Co-op for their initial and continued support of the show! 
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| Friday April 19 2019 | File under: media, juggling |
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Mexico 2019 Finance and Picture Recap
| Our recent trip to Mexico was quite wonderful. It was relaxing, adventurous, warm(!), much-needed, and varied. It almost felt like 4 trips in 1: beach time with my dad in Zipolite, urban adventuring in Mexico city, lazy resort time in Puerto Vallarta, and off the beaten path time in Yelapa. And as is my wont, I wanted to summarize costs and post a few random pictures so that this fun adventure (and its details) won't be lost.
Finances The total trip, including airfare, hotels, food, in-country transportation, lots of ice cream, and all entertainment came to $2360 which covers both me and Della. We were gone 15.5-ish days* That makes the per day per person cost to $76. With the amount that we did and saw, this is a number that we are both rather proud of. It's nice to know that travel doesn't have to be crazy expensive.
We have a breakdown of every penny we spent (tracking that is kind of our hobby), but I won't subject you to that. But having this rough idea helps us contextualize the trip and plan for future trips! Next winter is going to be a big one!! :-) Pictures Click on each photo to read the caption for context.            |
| Saturday April 6 2019 | File under: Mexico, pictures |
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Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
 You know that sinking feeling when you reach for your phone in your pocket and it's not there? Imagine that feeling, but while being in a foreign country where you rely on said phone for not getting lost, figuring out what it is you're eating, and getting access to your plane tickets. Not to be overdramatic, but it can be a bit of a heart stopper. It was exactly this feeling I had yesterday as Della and I hustled off the crowded public bus in Puerto Vallarta on our way to see a two-bit (but still very enjoyable) Mexican circus*.
"Maybe I left it in the room..." [Nervous two hours of trying to ignore possibility of phone loss, search room top to bottom, ask hotel staff where bus lost and found is, enjoy staff's laughter at this concept, lose hope] "Didn't I hear a podcast about an online way that can help you track where your phone is?" [Google "find my phone", log in, see blinking red dot a map nearby(!), hustle out on the street, get lost finding intersection, find intersection, don't find phone, return to hotel]  "Oh hey, the blinking dot moved!" [Internet sleuth everything possible about new blinking dot location, grow disheartened by very rural location, enlist friends' help to call phone, remotely lock down phone and prepare my goodbyes, search for phone replacement costs]
"The dot moved again!!" [Put on Sherlock hat, start spreadsheet of GPS coords with time of observation, frantically refresh website until bedtime, sleep fitfully]  "I think the phone is still on the bus!!" [Continue to track route, convert spreadsheet of GPS coords into map, develop a plan to find this bus out of the 100s of public Puerto Vallarta buses.]
"The buses seem to be laying over in this abandoned field. We should go there and search every bus we find!" [Jump through hoops to get internet on Della's phone, hop a bus that looks like it's going that direction, hop off bus once it diverts, see intermittently updated blinking dot pass us, furiously speculate, hop on new bus, bounce our way to the "station"] "Yesterday he/she/it lose thing phone in bus please us look for"* [Start searching buses, try to connect via Della's phone to make it ring, no ringing, see dancing Della with phone in her hand, jump for joy, many self congratuations] With a successful completion of the mission, we felt like badasses. From the get go, we felt like our chances were slim. But for a few pesos for bus fare and international data charges and a bit of ingenuity and persistance, we triumphed. In fact, it was a better adventure than the overpriced omni-present snorkeling excursions the resort keeps trying to pitch us. Adventure, badassery, frugality: that's the way we roll! |
| Thursday March 7 2019 | File under: travel, mexico |
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| on Thu 07th Mar, 2019 01:34 am EST Mom said: OMG I was on the edge of my seat until I realized that you must have found it or I wouldn’t be reading this tale. Whew!! ************************ on Sun 10th Mar, 2019 09:37 pm EDT rus said: well ill be damned ************************ on Thu 14th Mar, 2019 05:14 pm EDT Horge said: ¿Donde está la tarta de hoy? Aunque estaís en vacaciones no sería un razon bastante fuerte para no hacer una empanada por el catorce de marzo... ¿Porque no estás/eres listo? ************************ |
An Age Milestone
 Today, I am exactly half as old as my dad. Or, in other words, I am the age now that my dad was when I was born. This fun milestone was discovered as I was visiting him in Zipolite, Mexico. What an interesting perspective it can give about where I am in my life. But mostly, it was just a fun tidbit to toast over chiliquilis and fresh squeezed orange juice on the beach!
Della and I are on a bit of a Mexico adventure and Zipolite proved the perfect places to start it out: a mile long picturesque beach on which we found a circus hotel for next to nothing price-wise. We played in the surf, we juggled for locals while dad played accordion, and we ate really well for very cheap.  As far as a place to relax a bit after a winter of back-to-back-to-back* housesitting and an intense run of Valentine's day circus shows, it can't be beat.
My dad and I have good travel history together. This trip is the third Mexico adventure together (San Cristobal 9 years ago, and San Miguelle de Allende 15 years ago (pre-BdW(!))). While "adventure" might apply less on this trip than it did to the others, easy time over crosswords and good food is an experience I can get behind just as much. I can only hope that when I'm his age, I'll be living as great a life! |
| Wednesday February 27 2019 | File under: travel, mexico |
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| on Sat 02nd Mar, 2019 03:38 pm EST Andrew said: A ese gato le encanta hacer malabares! ************************ |
2018 Year End Letter
I wish Della and I were on it enough to put out an end of the year letter to send to friends and family every year. We love it when we receive updates from others (even if we have gotten bits and pieces from social media.) We put one out back in 2013 and again in 2015. Well, we got it together enough to do it again for 2018! Most of the info is probably old news, but not everybody is so good about staying updated on BdW* as you! Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
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| Tuesday January 15 2019 | File under: misc |
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Twas the Night Before Christmas 2018
| Twas the night before Christmas
At the house on the lake It's gone from raucous to quiet 
Now I'm barely awake It's been a full day Filled with of all sorts of good Good food and good people Just like a holiday should We played in the pool We pet the horse and the goat We ate grilled oysters with butter But I don't try to gloat Homemade duck pate Smoked salmon that Sam caught Dates stuffed with cream cheese And a spaghetti filled pot It felt like a whirlwind But of the best kind Now that everyone's gone We begin to unwind It's just me and Della For where now we call home Next month we'll be elsewhere As we tend to roam It's a big part of our life Bouncing from place to place Different housesitting and travel Rarely in our home base This year is a rarity That we're here and not there So we were happy to host This Christmas affair Next year who can say Where I'll be writing this post Maybe an island in Thailand Or in a van on the coast But next year is next year And this ode's about now But since it's getting quite long I think it's time to say ciao Thanks for reading my rhyme (The tenth that I've done!?!) I hope that your Christmas is merry Full of food, folks, and fun My last words for the night Before I click send Is Merry Christmas to you all My family and friends |
| Tuesday December 25 2018 | File under: holidays, poetry |
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| on Wed 26th Dec, 2018 12:35 am EST Andrew said: Merry Christmas! ************************ on Thu 03rd Jan, 2019 03:48 pm EST Chris said: Merry Christmas from Kosovo! ************************ on Tue 08th Jan, 2019 12:43 pm EST Horge said: Delayed Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Texas! BTW, instead of by the coast, I vote for living in a van, down by the river (RIP Chris Farley) ************************ |
TV and Film Resume
 Progress on the old be-an-extra-in-a-movie life goal proceeds at a slower than hoped for pace, but that doesn't mean it isn't progressing. I've posted here before about various extra/background stuff I've done, but I've finally gotten it together to put it all together in one place. I introduce to you my TV/Film Resume! It has screen shots, links, dates, and more!
Despite the slowness of progress on said goal, it is nice to see the resume start to build up. In just about all cases, you can barely see me for a split second here and there (hence the screenshots), but some respectable names are represented (SyFy Networks, Adult Swim, MTV, Netflix) which has gotta mean something. It will also be a place where I post future film related appearances, so feel free to check back on it every now and again. I even added it to the header!! Chances are I've already mentioned it to you in person, but in case I haven't, I'm serious about pursuing this dream. If you have connections or hear about anything that might get little old me on TV or in a movie, please let me know! I'll fly to Spain* if I have to. Otherwise, it's a neat little list* that you might enjoy taking a peek at. I'm not saying I'm famous, but... |
| Thursday December 6 2018 | File under: extra, video |
| Toggle Comments (2) | comment? |
| on Tue 08th Jan, 2019 12:47 pm EST Horge said: I don't really have any film connections in Spain for you, sorry. My brother-in-law occasionally does music videos for local bands or commercials for local products, but so far no big films... My brother here in Dallas has been working on sets/props for all seasons so far of the "Queen of the South" TV show. Not that he has any clout for casting, but maybe they need someone to play a short-wearing gringo to be a drug mule or something? ************************ on Tue 08th Jan, 2019 12:51 pm EST Horge said: *shortS-wearing gringo Also, it may help you land a drug-mule role if you get some professional photos made demonstrating where/how you'd stuff those little cocaine baggies stuffed in balloons. #methodactingdrugmule ************************ |
2018 Halloween Circus Show
 Bellingham Circus Guild's second annual* Beastly, Frightful, Unbelievably Spooky Circus of Doom was a rip roaring success. Della and I had a great time being a part. Through sheer persistance of will*, we created a brand spanking new act, one that we both like very much (despite it being incredibly difficult).
In addition to some awesome video (courtesy of Bellingham Access TV), we got some really fun photo booth shots. And, as a super fun surprise, I ran across a video of myself doing some pre-show fire juggling to entertain the crowd on Instagram! With all the video, pictures, and more, it's like you are there in person! Enjoy!
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| Thursday November 15 2018 | File under: circus, juggling |
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Recent Comments:
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*rus on Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
*Mom on Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
Recent Content:
*Sleeping Around 2018-2019
*I Wanted To Be a Millionaire
*The Real Food Show (with Minor Media Mentions)
*Mexico 2019 Finance and Picture Recap
*2018 Year End Letter
*2018 Halloween Circus Show
*Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
*An Age Milestone
*Twas the Night Before Christmas 2018
*TV and Film Resume
*2018 Summer Juggling Recap
*EXTRA EXTRA - American Vandal and others
*Sleeping Around 2017-18
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* Wren and Della
Della and my juggling website
* The Real Food Show
A circus-inspired elementary assembly show to teach kids about healthy eating
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*Horge on I Wanted To Be a Millionaire
*Horge on Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
*rus on Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
*Mom on Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
Recent Content:
*Sleeping Around 2018-2019
*I Wanted To Be a Millionaire
*The Real Food Show (with Minor Media Mentions)
*Mexico 2019 Finance and Picture Recap
*2018 Year End Letter
*2018 Halloween Circus Show
*Losing a Phone In Puerto Vallarta
*An Age Milestone
*Twas the Night Before Christmas 2018
*TV and Film Resume
*2018 Summer Juggling Recap
*EXTRA EXTRA - American Vandal and others
*Sleeping Around 2017-18
Websites du Friends:
* Wren and Della
Della and my juggling website
* The Real Food Show
A circus-inspired elementary assembly show to teach kids about healthy eating
* Della Moustachella
Della's performance website
* The Fun Bags
Della and Sadye's Performance Troupe
Tags
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Korea (1)
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blog (8)
books (1)
coding (15)
comic (45)
contest (4)
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