The Next Great 4th of July Controversy (Film at 11)
So my Fourth was a pretty busy one. It started with a friend coming over for a photoshoot. Now, this is something I don't do often. I normally only photograph Lorelai for her site (which is happening less and less of late for site-related reasons, but that's for another entry.) and occasionally Dawni for future aspirations as an erotic model in the plus-sized genre. But this friend is a woman who, while obese, is also a VERY beautiful woman. She also has the usual self-esteem issues, believing herself to be unattractive because of her weight, FUCK-YOU-VERY-MUCH-COSMOPOLITAN-AND-VOGUE-MAGAZINE. So I offered (okay, I sort of bullied her into it) to shoot a few galleries in different outfits for her. I am not a professional photographer, but I do know a few things about directing models and lining up shots. Lorelai and I both know this woman is beautiful, and it is a shame she doesn't see it. So my task was to SHOW her that she IS. Well, I set up the lights, she did her makeup, and I put up a backdrop. We shot all three galleries in a different outfit for each in front of the couch in the living room. I would show her a preview now and again, and it worked like magic. She began to relax, display more confidence in herself, and in the last gallery she was just radiant. After uploading the pictures to my computer and showing her, as well as loading them to her thumbdrive, she seemed about a foot taller. THAT'S what it's all about. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
Later, Lorelai came home, and we all got ready to go to Mana's for a 4th of July party.
Now, let me recap last year's party. Everyone on the block (Mana excluded) went up to Washington and bought lots of illegal fireworks. Explosives, rockets, mortars, the works. Mana instead invited ME. Fireworks haven't done anything for me in about 8 years. That's how long I have been performing with fire. So, I brought fire gear with me, and put on a show by way of an act here and there, between barrages of fireworks. The night culminated in some creative firebreathing. We started lining up fireworks (the little 25 cent fountains that only spray sparks about four to six feet for about 3 seconds) and I attempted to get them all lit with a blast of firebreathing. We did this I think three times. Well, when Mana put the videos up on YouTube, someone whose identity is known but will not be named decided to use them in an attempt to get me banned from fire performance at events in the region of the SCA I tend to perform in mainly. No one rallied to his side, which was funny and popcorn-worthy to watch. This year, everyone in Mana's cul-de-sac was asking if I'd be back.
THIS year, I did something different. Before I tell you about this act, allow me to inform you that all performance that night was done on asphalt in the middle of a spacious cul-de-sac and I was about 40 feet away from anyone or anything I could do any harm to. There was a water bucket, wet towel, and ABC fire extinguisher present, as well as a first aid kit. Several of the people in attendance were also trained not only in first aid, but fire performance safety in specific. So, knowing this, you have no reason to worry about anyone but the crazy person doing it, and I am one of the best.
I started by pouring fuel directly onto the asphalt to form a large (10 ft diameter) circle with about a foot-wide line. I prepped my firewhip, Balrog, and went out with it lit. As I crossed into the ring, I swung Balrog down to light the fuel, and proceeded to perform in the middle of a HUGE circle of fire. Suffice to say what video I saw of it looked damned intense, and once I can share it with you guys I will.
I did other things that night, such as trying my new fire swords (downright heavy after a minute or two) and the STAFF FROM HELL (double wicked with almost double the thickness, for a flame that lasts for what feels like forever) as well as a baton set and some breathing. The most interesting thing about that night was how the WHOLE block would stop lighting fireworks and go dead silent every time I walked out into the street to do something. While it was really flattering, it was also kinda creepy. But it was obvious that folks were into it, as I got applause from all sides when I was done each time. I would say that the only thing I disliked about my 4th of July is that the baby was asleep for all the bright flashy stuff.
So my Fourth was a pretty busy one. It started with a friend coming over for a photoshoot. Now, this is something I don't do often. I normally only photograph Lorelai for her site (which is happening less and less of late for site-related reasons, but that's for another entry.) and occasionally Dawni for future aspirations as an erotic model in the plus-sized genre. But this friend is a woman who, while obese, is also a VERY beautiful woman. She also has the usual self-esteem issues, believing herself to be unattractive because of her weight, FUCK-YOU-VERY-MUCH-COSMOPOLITAN-AND-VOGUE-MAGAZINE. So I offered (okay, I sort of bullied her into it) to shoot a few galleries in different outfits for her. I am not a professional photographer, but I do know a few things about directing models and lining up shots. Lorelai and I both know this woman is beautiful, and it is a shame she doesn't see it. So my task was to SHOW her that she IS. Well, I set up the lights, she did her makeup, and I put up a backdrop. We shot all three galleries in a different outfit for each in front of the couch in the living room. I would show her a preview now and again, and it worked like magic. She began to relax, display more confidence in herself, and in the last gallery she was just radiant. After uploading the pictures to my computer and showing her, as well as loading them to her thumbdrive, she seemed about a foot taller. THAT'S what it's all about. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
Later, Lorelai came home, and we all got ready to go to Mana's for a 4th of July party.
Now, let me recap last year's party. Everyone on the block (Mana excluded) went up to Washington and bought lots of illegal fireworks. Explosives, rockets, mortars, the works. Mana instead invited ME. Fireworks haven't done anything for me in about 8 years. That's how long I have been performing with fire. So, I brought fire gear with me, and put on a show by way of an act here and there, between barrages of fireworks. The night culminated in some creative firebreathing. We started lining up fireworks (the little 25 cent fountains that only spray sparks about four to six feet for about 3 seconds) and I attempted to get them all lit with a blast of firebreathing. We did this I think three times. Well, when Mana put the videos up on YouTube, someone whose identity is known but will not be named decided to use them in an attempt to get me banned from fire performance at events in the region of the SCA I tend to perform in mainly. No one rallied to his side, which was funny and popcorn-worthy to watch. This year, everyone in Mana's cul-de-sac was asking if I'd be back.
THIS year, I did something different. Before I tell you about this act, allow me to inform you that all performance that night was done on asphalt in the middle of a spacious cul-de-sac and I was about 40 feet away from anyone or anything I could do any harm to. There was a water bucket, wet towel, and ABC fire extinguisher present, as well as a first aid kit. Several of the people in attendance were also trained not only in first aid, but fire performance safety in specific. So, knowing this, you have no reason to worry about anyone but the crazy person doing it, and I am one of the best.
I started by pouring fuel directly onto the asphalt to form a large (10 ft diameter) circle with about a foot-wide line. I prepped my firewhip, Balrog, and went out with it lit. As I crossed into the ring, I swung Balrog down to light the fuel, and proceeded to perform in the middle of a HUGE circle of fire. Suffice to say what video I saw of it looked damned intense, and once I can share it with you guys I will.
I did other things that night, such as trying my new fire swords (downright heavy after a minute or two) and the STAFF FROM HELL (double wicked with almost double the thickness, for a flame that lasts for what feels like forever) as well as a baton set and some breathing. The most interesting thing about that night was how the WHOLE block would stop lighting fireworks and go dead silent every time I walked out into the street to do something. While it was really flattering, it was also kinda creepy. But it was obvious that folks were into it, as I got applause from all sides when I was done each time. I would say that the only thing I disliked about my 4th of July is that the baby was asleep for all the bright flashy stuff.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
seasan:
awesome sounds like a fun filled evening 
pheme:
It's nice that you helped her feel beautiful, that's a gift that keeps giving.