Thursday, April 20, 2006

Today's Video Link

And today's video link is also a plug for something that may interest those of you in the Los Angeles area. We love good magic and in a few weeks, you'll have the chance to see some of the best magic around...and for a good cause.

On May 26, 27 and 28 at the Colony Theater in Burbank you can see the lovely Misty Lee and the outrageous Sylvester the Jester perform miracles before your very eyes. Sylvester bills himself as "The Human Cartoon" and with good reason: He creates on-stage what Tex Avery created with a pencil and a pile of animation paper. Misty presents mind-boggling illusions that combine classic tradition with modern, audience-grabbing innovation. She's stunning and what she does is stunning...so this is quite a parlay. If I were you, I'd click here and get tickets now...because they're only doing the three performances.

And if that's not enough to sell you, here's a little less than five minutes of Sylvester jesting...

• Posted at 10:50 AM · LINK

Good Toth News

We're hearing better news about the health of master comic book and animation artist Alex Toth, who's been hospitalized for many weeks. Alex is easily one of the most respected artists in his fields...a man who's been remarkably influential on several generations of other artists. Word spread recently that he was not long for the world and I'm happy to report that this does not seem to have been the case. He is soon to leave the hospital, much to the relief of fans and friends.

Many of those folks have deluged him with letters and cards wishing him well, and these seem to have helped considerably. If you'd like to add to the pile — keeping in mind you won't be receiving a reply — the address has been posted on a few websites like this one. Alex has written hundreds of encouraging postcards and notes to others over the years, mostly inspiring others with their creative work. It's nice to think about the positive energy working in the other direction.

• Posted at 10:38 AM · LINK

Recommended Reading

I just read a number of interesting discussions by mostly-Liberal pundits as to just how Liberal of Conservative John McCain actually is. I didn't come to any conclusion but if you want to read the same articles, read this one and this one and this one and this one and this one and this one.

• Posted at 10:00 AM · LINK