The Old Heroes Of The Wild West Were Really Terrorists

Writen by Derek Miller

Those heroes of the Wild West as portrayed by John Wayne and others on the big screen over the years, where in reality very far from heroes. If they were around today they would probably be branded as terrorists and then exterminated by the law enforcement agencies they purportedly represented. The home of the true gambling hero was this rough world of cattle herding dominated by the saloon and the gambling den.

Cheap novelists such as Ned Buntline whose dime publications became popular across the land romanticized this world of rough justice and mayhem. Buffalo Bill got together a whole bunch of these people, many of whom had come believe their descriptions in the "penny dreadfuls" and created a "Wild West Show" that he took on tour. His real name was William Frederick Cody and he was nicknamed, Buffalo Bill because of the dubious accolade of having managed to kill 4,3000 buffalo in a mere 18 months. Wild Bill Hickock, the quirky legendary marksman insisted on wearing 2 pistols even when asleep. Ironically he was killed during a poker game in Deadwood City. When he was shot by a publicity seeker whilst he was holding what has come to be known as the "dead man's hand" in poker, aces and eights.

Calamity Jane was a far cry from the character Doris Day portrayed. Martha Jane Canary was an ex-Pony Express rider whose shooting was good enough for Buffalo Bill to include her in his show. In reality it was amazing she could hit any target with a pistol, as she was a chronic alcoholic and inveterate gambler. Belle Starr was not really very different either. Her most famous poker line was "a pair of six shooters beats a pair of sixes any day!" I don't think any of us can argue with the logic behind that! She had a child by Cole Younger, married outlaw Jim Reed and after his death teamed up with an Indian named Sam who aided her in her very successful horse stealing business based out of Dallas.

What about Blly the Kid? Like many of his contemporaries he spent most of his time underage drinking in saloons and gambling parlors and had killed 21 men before he caught a bullet himself at the tender age of 21. Pity how all of this punctures the romanticized balloon on the noble Wild West, the last frontier. But then if people had known the truth Hollywood would have had huge problems of coming up with those 'westerns" that portrayed a world of honor and opportunity many of which have achieved cult status as movies. In reality, however, this was another "spin job" as nothing could be further from the truth!

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same

http://www.gamblingheros.com

Fortune Telling A Fun Party Entertainment Idea

Writen by Ellen Zucker

Fortune telling, or psychic entertainment as it is sometimes called, is an excellent way to liven up your party or special event.

It is both fun and highly popular with guests.

If you are thinking of hiring a fortune teller to be part of your party entertainment, it is helpful to know what she is providing and how she works.

The appeal of fortune telling as a party entertainment idea is simply that guests love to hear about themselves. Even skeptics listen intently as a skilled fortune teller zooms in on what makes them tick.

Psychic entertainment is found at events ranging from gala fundraisers, tradeshows and cocktail receptions to family and holiday events. And fortune telling is a very successful party entertainment idea for bachlorette parties, ladies' teas, and birthday parties for adults, teens, and even older children.

A competent party reader relays his messages in an upbeat manner that leaves guests feeling empowered.

Although fortune telling comes in various flavors, each type relies on some form of divination, that is, accessing a universal or divine intelligence. Many types of fortune telling rely on accumulated bodies of wisdom that are expressed in symbolic form. Tarot and Astrology are two examples.

The reader (the preferred term for a fortune teller) gets his or her information by analyzing and interpreting the symbols.

But since the symbols are designed to open the reader's intuitive sense, he or she will add his psychic impressions to the reading, if the reader is at all intuitive or psychic.

In a party setting, readings are kept short and sweet, just several minutes apiece. The subject may choose to be read privately or allow her partner or friends listen in.

Some types of Fortune Telling commonly used for party entertainment

Astrology
Astrology sees each moment in time, as it exists in a particular place, as unique. And the uniqueness of each moment unfolds over time.

We can't see time, so, instead, astrologers use the predictable rhythm of the planets' motion as an analogy to describe how the qualities of a particular moment of time unfold - say the moment of your birth.

OK, that sounds pretty abstract.

But it's the reason astrology is both an excellent tool for character analysis as well as timing. Today Astrology is used for guidance in areas ranging from personal guidance and enlightenment, understanding relationships, business and strategic planning, and, yes, it is an excellent way to fill the bill when looking for party entertainment ideas incorporating fortune telling.

Astrology has been around since the Babylonians where it was used to help the head of state align himself (and his country) with the will of the heavens. And has been used in civilizations as diverse as the Mayans, Classical Greece, the Roman and Moorish empires, China, India and on and on.

In a party setting, your astrologer will probably use an ephemeris, a book of planetary tables that describes daily planetary positions.

Some may use a laptop computer equipped with software that will do computations on the fly. (Guests get to see their actual birth charts while the astrologer interprets).

Tarot
When most people think of fortune tellers, they are thinking of someone reading 'cards.' Tarot is arguably the most common form of fortune telling party entertainment.

'Cards' refer to the deck of Tarot cards. And each Tarot card carries a distinct set of symbols.

Tarot decks consist of 78 cards; 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. The minor arcana are divided into 4 suits, pentacles, wands, cups, and swords The minor arcana suits correspond to the diamonds, clubs, hearts and spades of the modern playing deck.

Guests enjoy looking at the colorful cards of a tarot deck. The reader finds meaning by looking at the set of symbols on each card and the placement of the cards in the spread.

The guest will ask the reader a question about something going on in his or her life. The cards are then shuffled and laid out on the table. The fortune teller, or reader, as she is often called, then interprets the cards.

Palmistry
Palmists read by analyzing the shape and lines of your palms.

Handwriting Analysis
Handwriting Analysts or graphologists analyze the unique qualities of your handwriting. They will look at such things as the weight of your line, the slant, shape of letters, margins, etc.

Handwriting analysis is not fortune telling per se, it has practical uses in such areas as forensic and personnel work. But it is a handy tool for character analysis and lends itself well for party entertainment.

Psychic or Clairvoyant readings
When a particularly open reader uses the methods described above, she or he may pick up psychic impressions along with the other information received using that method. Some readers may prefer to concentrate on picking up psychic impressions directly. When they do this, they are giving a psychic reading. A reader able to pick up psychic impressions easily are referred to as a psychic or a clairvoyant.

Inviting fortune tellers to read at your event is a surefire way to add fun to your event and delight your guests.

About the Author For more tips, interviews, and advice on putting events together from the professionals who make parties and special events happen, visit Ellen Zucker's site, Faces-and-Fortunes-partytips.com: http://www.faces-and-fortunes-partytips.com Ellen M. Zucker has been a student of astrology since the late 70's. Her company, Faces & Fortunes, http://www.facesandfortunes.com, provides astrologers, Tarot, palm readers and clairvoyants to entertain at parties and special events throughout Greater Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Calamity Jane

Writen by Elizabeth Palmer

Calamity Jane was born Martha Jane Canary in 1852, Princeton, Missouri. In 1865, she moved to Montanna with her family, but by 1867 she had become an orphan. During the trip, she became a sharp shooter and good rider.

She worked as a scout with Custer when she was 18, and began the habit of wearing men's clothing. She also gained a reputation as being a woman who could out-swear and out-spit any man. She also worked as a bullwhacker and a pony express rider.

In 1876, she settled in Deadwood, after travelling there in Charlie Utter's wagon train. Wild Bill Hickock was also in Utter's wagon train, and this may have been where the two met. After Wild Bill Hickock was shot, Calamity Jane claimed that the two of them had been married and that the daughter she had given up for adoption was Wild Bill's. However, this seems unlikely as Wild Bill was recently married.

Despite dressing, swearing and spitting as a man, it seems Calamity Jane did have a tender streak (and also a very brave one). While in Deadwood, she nursed people that had smallpox. She also saved the lives of six passengers aboard a stagecoach while they were being chased by Indians. It is claimed that she got the nickname "Calamity Jane" after rescuing the life of Captain Egan while he was in a fight with Indians.

In 1885, Calamity Jane married Clinton Burke. They had a daughter in 1887. But the marriage did not last and they were formally separated in 1895.

She then became part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and attracted the attention of the public and the media. However, her drinking became a problem and eventually she was fired for drunkenness.

Before Calamity Jane's death, she asked that she be buried next to Wild Bill Hickock. She died from complications related to pneumonia in 1903 and, as requested, was buried next to Wild Bill in Mount Moriah Cemetary, Deadwood.

Calamity still attracts the attention of the public. She has made an appearance in many books and movies. Calamity Jane, starring Doris Day, is probably one of the most famous (if the least historically accurate) of these. Calamity Jane is also a character in the HBO television show, Deadwood.

Elizabeth Palmer is the owner of History Lass (http://geocities.com/historylass), where you can find history articles, links, book and movie reviews and trivia. You can subscribe to the History Lass newsletter by sending an email to historylass-subscribe@yahoogroups.com