Oklahoma City

We arrived (Brenda and I) in Oklahoma City today. We got to the market at noon, but the place was looking pretty dead. I decided not to spring for the rent for today just to play the afternoon on a slow day, so I paid for a spot for tomorrow. It's a very good spot; central location, on a corner, near concessions, and right under an A/C unit. If the market can draw enough people tomorrow, we should have a very good day. I'll post tomorrow night to tell y'all how business went.

S. David Walker Hospitalized

For the last three days, David has been acting strangely. He's been having trouble balancing himself, and has been having dizzy spells and bouts of slurred speech. We finally convinced him to go to the VA hospital to be checked out. The doctor told us that he had some congestive heart failure, and has been having TIAs (transient ischemic attacks), which was causing the dizziness and slurred speech.

In consequence of this, I will be going to OK City without him to work the market we were planning to work. I'm bringing Brenda along. I'll be running the joint on my own, without David's help, while he is trying to get well in the hospital. I really hope he gets better, because we have a big season booked starting next weekend, and he will really want to go. I can't imagine how disappointed and angry he would be if he couldn't go.

If you pray, pray for him. If not, at least wish him a speedy recovery.

On a happier note, I finally got to see one of those famous Texas sunsets. Here's a photo for you, Jamie:



Well I'm off to bed. I am getting up in three hours to head to OK City. Wish me luck!

Some photos from my phone

Brenda showing them the eye holes. When she talks, they stay inside, so people outside see a crowd and want to go in, too. Clever!

These folks are looking at the Chupacabra, the horrible monster animal. It survives by drinking the blood of the animals it kills.

Eric working the joint. He's a cool guy. He's 50 years old, tall as me (almost) with a 70's stash and a huge longboard. He goes surfing at the Gulf whenever there's a hurricane coming.

My first days in Dallas

I arrived in Dallas at 10 AM on Sunday after staying up all night, and sleeping for an hour or two on the plane. We went to the Waffle House for breakfast (yum), then straight to the market to see the joint.

I tried my hand at giving the bally, which is to say talking to the people to convince them to come in, and I did very well. Turns out I have a talent for talking to people and getting them to hand over money! Who knew? I was only on the joint for a total of about 45 minutes, and in that time I grossed over 80 dollars. At a dollar a person, that means I got more than 80 people to pay to come inside our tent and see the Chup. If I can keep this pace up David and I will make plenty of money this season!

Last night David and I stayed up until 4 in the morning talking and telling stories. He has an amazing memory; I suspect he has total recall of everything he ever did! I have been recording some of the things we talk about, and if I can figure out how to get the files from my recorder to my computer, I will post something interesting for you folks to listen to.

Apropos posting media: I went out yesterday and bought a digital camera. I will be taking pictures of the joint to put up here so you folks can see what we do. I may also put up a picture of the hideous monster! (the Chupacabra, not David)

And away I go!

I've been up all night. It's 5 am CT time. I'm in Middletown right now. In 6 hours I will be in Dallas on my way to my first day of work. We'll see if I can stay awake!

I'll be missing all you folks, but you can keep tabs on me here. Please keep in touch! I expect I'll be getting homesick in about a couple months. :)