Escape to "Big Al Catraz"

One of the most prominent sights in San Francisco looms in the distance across the bay. Alcatraz island rises out of the water as a monument to the inescapable. There is a question to this day as to the validity of its stated record saying that during its 29 years as a penitentiary, no prisoner had successfully escaped. It is known that 36 prisoners attempted, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed, two drowned, and five are listed as presumed drowned. The question as to the "presumed" drowned became one of the most famous escape movies of all time, "Escape From Alcatraz" staring Clint Eastwood.

But probably the most cheesy use of this as a backdrop for an escape was done by David Copperfield. This takes me back, back to a time when magic was... well... cheesier than a warm brie wrapped in a wine port cheddar..mmm so tasty.



Escape has been a part of my life for many years. As a young magician many of us read of Houdini and realize the impact escape can have upon an audience. I don't really know why audiences like to watch a person free themselves from bonds, prison cells, etc. But they do enjoy a good escape performance when it is done with the proper flair and death defiance.

I made a small undeserved reputation as an escape artist when I performed my strait jacket escape dangling by the ankles 300 feet in the air from a burning rope. I've even performed an underwater handcuff escape. And I was at one time attempting an underwater strait jacket escape which resulted of my being pulled from a pool and given mouth to mouth resuscitation. And now you know why I wasn't that famous as an escape artist. 

Big Al Catraz performs at pier 39 in San Francisco

Many magicians have an escape or even two in their repertoire. And a magician who goes by the name of "Big Al Catraz" was no different. As I walked to the back of the Pier 39 shops, there was a very large crowd looking upon a small outdoor stage.There tied to a chair, was a working magician in all his cheesy magic show glory performing a comedy escape for the tourist crowd and an audience filled with children screaming with delight. It was a classic performance of an often performed escape. I hadn't seen him actually get tied up, but there he was dancing a rendition of that famous of musical numbers "The Hokey Pokey." It certainly made and interesting addition to his chair tie escape.


Because of Al's "bigness" it made the performance even better. There is something about a big guy doing the "hokey pokey" while tied up to a chair. Of course he eventually falls over and threatened to fall off the stage onto the kids who were at one time clamoring to be in the show. They of course backed up rather quickly when he tumbled.


And the show wouldn't have been complete without him taking his bow to the crowd and his pants dropping to the floor revealing his boxer shorts. I believe that the most successful escapes can be made even better by adding corn ball cheese to them. Maybe this is what made Copperfield so famous. But I'm not sure he was trying.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Al for a while after his performance. I wanted to find out more about him than meets the stage floor. So we talked about the creation of his character of "Big Al" and how it came about. One thing that differentiates Al from other magicians is that he studied acting and was an actor before he became a magician. This gives him a great background with which to derive his character. When he first decided to become a "pro" magician, he knew he wanted something iconic to be associated with San Francisco.

He actually thought of the name when he was driving by a "Big Al's Clothing" store. We talked about how lucky he was to have a permanent stage show. And we talked about a couple of interesting things, one of which was the "DEATH OF MAGIC." Al hasn't been a magician for that long, only ten years. I think that may have shaped his thinking. You see Al doesn't believe that magic is dead at all. In fact he thinks it is thriving. He sees the Internet as promoting and distributing magic to young people, not ruining it's potential.

"The kids who are watching magic on the Internet are absorbing information quicker, they are taking the principles which they learn and creating new ways to use them, better than ever before... I think magic is going to live on, but it is going to change. And people don't like change."

Worries about and early death because of his weight.

He does think that kids posting the secrets to the tricks they learn is a problem, but he has chosen to ignore the magician doomsday preachers and naysayers who say that magic is in a decline. (Of course it is a lot easier for a guy who has an audience every day in a tourist venue such as he does.) And believe me he is lucky to be there and he knows it. Most magicians have to work everyday to find a paying gig. So lucky are the guys who work at Theme Parks, or tourist traps such as Pier 39. But he hasn't seen or felt the decline as many magicians struggling to get a paying gig have. And it would follow of course that he wouldn't fear the death of magic.

He may not have been afraid of the death of magic, but this big guy did express a fear of his own death. He confided in me that he has been concerned for his weight and health. Like all of us, magicians are just people too. I know that is an astonishing revelation, and as such, we worry about things like weight and dieing before our time. It seems that Al's father died when he was too young and Al told me he worries that he too will suffer the same fate. But he is doing something about it. Al has been working at losing "big" from his show through a newly adopted diet and workout. Of course when the subject turned to that I had to tell him about Lions, Tigers, and Bears OMG! my web page and future book for guys in the midst of a midlife crisis.

Of course how could we turn to a discussion of LTBOMG without a workout picture for all of you overweight guys with a lowering libido. (not saying Al had a lowering libido just for the record) So before I go on to my next blogging opportunity, I'll leave you with a picture of Brittnay doing one of her workout poses. I hope this is motivational to you and your lowering libido, LOL. I know it always motivates me.

Well on to Reno then Boise... keep living the magic!

Mirage and Miracles of Las Vegas

A mirage is that illusive illusion in the desert which appears to be a reflection of cool clean water, your salvation from the searing heat of the desert sun. When you are just about to give up you see it calling to you. But like that illusionary glimmering water, the Las Vegas mirage is something that will stay beyond your reach, teasing you like a sexy siren each step towards it.  A city of magic, Vegas is an illusion consisting of glittering neon lights, glorious games of chance,  and let’s not forget sensual show girls, all seducing you to sip it’s cool water, and eventually kiss it’s enticing lips. The city of “lost wages” is a monument in and of itself built upon the power and seduction of illusion. 

Known for making fortunes appear and disappear in the blink of an eye, Las Vegas is something of a Mecca for working magicians and wanna-be magicians alike. Much as actors go to Hollywood and New York, magicians arrive in dedicated droves to this desert oasis, usually with not much more than a deck of cards, and a dove up their sleeves. But they do still arrive here in search of the illusive illusionist’s dream. All of us magicians, at one time in our lives, dream  of following the footsteps of Siegfried and Roy, the two German magicians who appeared in the desert and first started the empire of magic. Every magician dreams at one time of having his own show on the Vegas strip, with a huge billboard with his most mysterious pose surrounded by beautiful exotic animals and even more exotic show girls, and of course the flashing neon lights.  

Impossibility is the nature of magic, and some of those magicians are successful in this almost impossible journey. However to be so they need to not only be the best at their craft, they have to have something known to make you successful in Vegas, luck. Names like David Copperfield, Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, The Amazing Jonathan, Rick Thomas, Nathan Burton, Steve Wyric, Mac King, Jeff McBride and Cris Angel have blessed the skyline with their likeness.

The drive from Albuquerque to Vegas is long, but beautiful, filled with amazing scenery. Then as if to announce the coming attractions you finally arrive at Hoover Damn, which creates the energy and somehow prepares you for the awesome grandeur that is Las Vegas. Then when you reach that oasis in the desert you are struck by the very electricity which the magnificent marvel of engineering provides .

Vegas Seductress?

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but there are a few things I can tell you about my visit to this amazing magical place which I’m able to share with you. As I wandered the strip I was struck by the statues all beckoning me to come share the magic. It is as if the Casinos were bastions of the erudite nobles.  A noble venture awaited me I was certain. Then I saw the beautiful woman on a ship, there in the desert, she was the goddess of the water. And somehow she reminded me of a certain model I’d met in Austin. So of course I’ll have another excuse to put another picture of her in my blog. 

Brittnay Lynn

There of course are details of a night or two which will remain secret, as always with Vegas. And of course as a magician, I can keep a secret. I’d probably share that night too, except that I ran into Zach Galifianakis (from THE HANGOVER) on Las Vegas Blvd., and I can’t even remember what happened that night. (yes that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

It was a magic life circumstance that I even included Vegas on my journey. You see my original plan was to go straight to Los Angeles from Albuquerque, however my friend whom I planned on staying with, in LA, Jack Span, (more about this later) was going to be out of town at that time. So I decided, that I’d take a little side trip to Vegas. 

Ace Starry and Zach Galifianakis

Why not? I knew that Vegas was filled with magicians and to find one would not be difficult. It’s practically as easy as walking down the street and throwing a deck of cards in the air, you’ll probably hit a magician. I no more than hit the street when I discovered a Magic Show by Baltimore Tom. Magic is everywhere you turn in Vegas. It’s ubiquitous. I even found this machine which made money appear for me. No it wasn’t this slot machine called Magic Wish, it was the ATM. 

Baltimore Tom

However, I did parlay that withdrawal into enough cash to cover my night out by playing my favorite slot, THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE. But we aren’t going to talk about that now are we. Back to how I eventually found my magician. 

I called upon a friend of mine, an amazing magician who lives and works in Vegas, Jeff McBride. Jeff is a master illusionist and teacher of magic, I’ve met on several occasions over the years. Jeff was traveling, so he was unable to give me the interview, but he gave me the introduction to a young magician working there in the Mirage. 

His name is Paul Vigil, (pronounced VeeHill) and Jeff told me that this guy was an up and coming superstar. I was able to meet and talk with Paul as well as witness his amazing magic. I have to agree with McBride, Paul Vigil is a rising star. He is a polished performer and he amazes his audience there in the Ink King Lounge in the Mirage Hotel. Of course I was interested in knowing the real secret. What set him apart from those thousand of other magicians who made the pilgrimage to Nevada? What secrets does he old that enabled him to manifest his reality? ... next time. 

Austin Still Keeping it Weird

Austin, a strange mix of cowboys and college students, of politicians and programmers, creates an atmosphere where almost anything, even magic can happen. Austin is full of eclectic eccentricities. It's a place where Michael Dell started a computer company and Willy Nelson lost everything to the IRS (and now has a street named after him.) Both strange and wonderful is this city on the Colorado River. And the Austinites know it. In fact you can often see them wearing the slogan on a tee shirt, "Keep Austin Weird." Weird yes, but the one thing that almost everyone says who goes to school there or practically anyone who has ever  lived there is, "I love Austin."

Brittnay Lynn in Cid's Apartment

Having spent time as a student at the University of Texas, I too say, "I love Austin." In my book, THE MAGIC LIFE, the main character, James, first comes in contact with the magician at a street festival in this magical place. The scene in the book is actually based upon my own experience of performing on the street at the Pecan street Festival. Austin is indeed a magical place, which has several note worthy magicians.

When I  put Austin on my map, I figured I'd go ahead and stay with one of my old college buddies and call up one of those local magicians for an interview. I called my old college compadre Cid Galindo, an amazing friend I've had for all these many years. Cid gave me the thumbs up and pretty much said, "mi casa es su casa." So Austin was going to be included and I'd also get a chance to see my friend and patent attorney, Anthony Campbell, who was my first editor in grad school.

My intention was to get an interview with one of the local magicians there in Austin, but my magic life seemed to take an interesting turn which never included interviewing a magician. First there was meeting Cid's wonderful little girl Lola. That was where I got to use some of my own magic, Lola wanted me to do a couple tricks for her, so I did. When her Mom came to pick her up, (Cid and her are separated) she wanted to see some too. So I showed her and Lola magic, and also sang them a couple of songs which I figured I'd video for you there in Austin, because after all it is a music mecca.

Brittnay in workout shot for LTBOMG

Wow!

But I decided to get some work done and unfortunately, or actually amazingly fortunately, work led to fun which led to never interviewing a magician or even recording my songs.

Instead I have to share my wonderful happenstance meeting with a beautiful model named Brittnay Lynn. I decided to shoot some workout shots with her for the Lions, Tigers, and Bears, OMG! website. Which led to trying to find a bikini bottom, which she didn't have, and eventually buying her a pair of tie-dyed shorts for the workout shots. Cid offered the use of his Hilton Fitness Center membership and I was allowed to use their gym for the shoot. This was a great location and Brittnay was absolutely beautiful and she actually got a pretty good workout during the photo session too.


We had so much fun at the shoot that she asked me to take her out afterward for a drink, which led to dinner, then more drinks. She started getting really hot, and I'm not just talking about my "beer goggle eyes" here either. No her skin was getting hot and flushed. We then discovered that Brittnay was allergic to something we had for dinner. Soon she was breaking out with hives. (End of the evening for me unless I take care of her.) So of course we had to go back to Cid's place and get her an allergy pill and lay her down in his bed. I gave her an Allegra and put some cold wash cloths on her, and we watched "Adult Swim" cartoons for a while. Eventually she was OK. And she was actually ready to rally just as Cid came in the door from his evening out. He had quite a surprised look on his face when he saw me sitting on the bed with Brittany in it wearing wet wash cloths. Come on, she was hot, she had to take her cloths off to put the wet wash cloths on her. (I know your minds are in the gutter at this point.)

Even Hot with Hives

But this was the beginning of a wonderful, magical night with Brittnay and Cid in Austin.We went out 'til way too late, and Brittnay led the way. By the end of the evening, or about when the sun was to come up, we had to call it a night, so we went back to Cid's to dance in his gallery and continue the night. My diet certainly seems to be going to hell on this trip as we not only stopped for a slice of pizza but then Cid made us all a sandwich at his place. And of course the magic life wouldn't have been complete without a little bit of the bubbly.

And such is another night in the magic life.