Mermaid Rentals makes a Splash at CBS Studios!

CBS Studios!

The League of Extraordinary Mermaids

On July 4^th 2013 five mermaids from Thom Shouse’s Mermaid Rentals Pod made a show stopping appearance at CBS Studios annual Firework Show.  The Mermaids were stunning, the props were outstanding, and the crowd was more than pleased, but what does it take to look this good???

Mermaid Rentals employs a pod of talented, strong, and beautiful mermaids, we are not just rock sitters! We are the League of Extraordinaire Mermaids and we can do it all!  7AM shows up terribly early in morning, but in order to pull off a large event we all pull together, work together, and make the magic happen! Trucks, Mermaids, and Landsmen line the driveway of the Tail Man’s Studio early in the morning. Mermaids grab your tails, Landsmen grab the gear, let’s load up and head out to our next stop!

Landsman Ty and The Tail Man Thom

We pop over to WM Events in Torrance to pick props and scenery. A quick look over the giant the pumpkin, insulting wishing well, and the mummified mermaid (my favorite!)  the Landsmen began loading up the trucks and then it was off to Studio City and the CBS Studios!
Our caravan of mermaids and pirate props descends on the main gates of CBS studios, a quick check in and we are ushered off to our location for the day. Set up began quickly, the trucks were unloaded and it was time for the Landsmen to take over. The Mermaids were shown to our dress room which was located in the same sound stage that filmed Roseanne and Mary Taylor Moore.

We even had a star on our door again this year!  A moments rest in the air conditioning, a fresh face of make-up, and tousled hair we were ready to go. One by one our Landsmen carried or wheeled their mermaid to our booth! Over the course of a few hours we meet many children, took tons of pictures with grown-ups and little ones and raised over $250 dollars for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Thom and his Mer-Daughters 

It was an amazing day, but the sun was setting the air getting cooler and the mermaids needed to return to human form before they got too cold and shrank into sea foam.

 Just like this afternoon, one by one the mermaids were carried away. We were returned to the dressing rooms for warm clothes and a bite to eat before we all headed up to the rooftop to watch the firework display!  Each one of the mermaids snuggled up with their Landsmen to watch the fireworks explode in bright and glittering colors to a combination of modern music and classic American pride songs.

The Fireworks were incredible and from where we sat we could see firework shows all around us going off in the distance. Our show had ended and it was time for break down, all hands on deck!!!  Every able bodied hand was busy with break down, loading trucks and picking up trash. Our site was clean and cleared, as if we had never been there. Hugs and Kisses where had in rounds and we all got into our trucks and went our separate ways. Two trucks went to return the props, two cars began their drive home, and we headed back to the Tail Man’s Studio.  After a very long day, we got back in our truck and headed home….

“When Mermaids’ sleep they rest their heads on coral beds…”

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian Mer-Gyver

If you would like to help Meridian Mer-Gyver return to Mer-Palooza, please donate:

http://mer-palooza.com/meridian-mer-gyvers-guest-author-article-blue-marbles-project-merpaloozas-mermaid-journal/

Leave a comment, stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

Blogger: http://meridianmer-gyver.blogspot.com/

Keep up with Thom Shoue and The League of Extraordinaire Mermaids:

http://www.mermaidrentals.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mermaid-Rentals/373445526043647?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/thom.shouse1?ref=ts&fref=ts

The Men behind the Mermaids: Merman Christian ~ The Fluke Maker

Yet another multi-talented merman in our midst, Merman Christian comes to us from Baltimore Maryland. Christian is an active staple in the independent film business and working his way into the major studios. It is no surprise that he majored in Theater, what may come as a surprise was this young man’s passion for the ocean and all the life within the deep blue. Merman Christian’s love for sharks, rays, whales, dolphins and starfish began as a child and was quickly followed by his new love…mermaids!  High School was the perfect time for him to major in his two passions, Marine Biology and Theater. Now that our stage has been set, Merman Christian has grown up and his dreams are being met. A couple years ago he started making his own monofins and stumbled upon the Mermaid Community. Seeing how passionate others were about mermaid life and seeing professional mermaids, it was time to take the plunge. Merman Christian created his own tail with his own monofin, but he also wanted to have a message…"Fighting for our Oceans on a much deeper scale..."

Meridian: Explain to me how you started making monofins and why?

Merman Christian: Well it started about 2 years ago when I rediscovered my immense love for the ocean. Since I was a kid everything was always about sharks, rays, jellyfish, and MERMAIDS, but as I got older I started getting into new projects like working and acting in film and television and I lost sight of my passion for the ocean, however I DID study Marine biology in high school. Anyway, one day I was online on Youtube and I happened to search for mermaids and that’s how I discovered the woman who is now my biggest inspiration in the mer-community and that is MERMAID MELISSA. I watched a lot of her videos and was fascinated by her breath-holding skills, her presence, but especially her awesome tail, which was made by the ever-talented MIKE VAN DAAL. It was then I really discovered the Mer-community and what it was all about, as well as the many tail makers out there. I decided that I would give it a try too! When I first set out making them I decided I wasn't really going to make tails because everyone else was making them and I was going to be different, so I was going to just make the monofins, cause let's face it: the FIN/FLUKE is the best part of having a mermaid tail. While a lot of tail makers’ offer beautiful, but expensive tails, I made mine on a much cheaper scale. I don’t try to deny that they can't tear or become damaged; they're more of a 'starter' fin.

Meridian: Tell me more about your efforts with the Chesapeake Bay. (I used live in Virginia near Chesapeake Bay, you have my full attention!)

Merman Christian: I love Virginia Beach! Great Whale Watching, haha. Well when I set out to be Merman Christian I didn't just want to be a professional Merman, I wanted to take it to another level and give back to our waters. The Chesapeake Bay is such a busy watershed, and while it offers beauty with its blue crabs, tidal marshes, and many other birds and wildlife, it also has a dark side to it when it comes to people dumping anything and everything into it, and that’s what I'm trying to gain awareness for. I went on an Aquarium outing to go and clean up the tidal marshes around Fort McHenry (home of the Star-Spangled Banner), and it was just constant trash floating in from the bay, it was really awful. We would get an area clean, and then within an hour it looked just as it did when we started. I want to be a spokesperson for keeping the bay clean and I picked the Merman symbol because it's something everyone can associate with, especially children!

The Winner of the First Merman of the Month Contest,
hosted by Merman Minerals on Facebook!

Meridian: What is it like being an aquatic performer?

Merman Christian: Well I've done theatre and film work for many years, but I have never done anything like THIS! It's quite the haul and can be exhausting at times, I mean when you're strapped into a 40" wide fluke and skin-tight tail it's definitely a workout! I have a breath-hold of 3 minutes but my goal is to push it to 4. I get water up my nose, my eyes are blood-shot at the end of the day, but when it really boils down to it, I love it. It's like the ultimate connection with the water and the ocean, a form of escape. I'm pushing very hard to get the National Aquarium here in Baltimore to allow Mers. Mermaids are even bigger than ever now, and other aquariums are already starting to get in on it. We provide educational services about the oceans and who better than a Mermaid, or MERMAN to teach others about that. I've been currently talking to some pretty big people, so it's looking more and more positive each day.

Meridian: Where can people view your film/print work?

Merman Christian: Currently all my Merman work can be viewed on my Facebook page. But I'm in the process of getting some videos together too which I will be putting on Youtube, which is also where you can find some of my film work.

Meridian: Are you currently working on any conservation programs?

Merman Christian: I am currently a member of the ACT program at the aquarium, which is where we go out and clean up the marshlands, beaches and other bodies of water around the area.

Check out Merman Christian and stay connected:

www.facebook/mermanchristian

www.imdb.com (under CHRIS O'BROCKI)

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian

Things to Look For this Month!

“The Men behind the Mermaids: Tail Makers”

“Merman Minerals Review” and more blogs by Merman Ryan

“A Merman’s Guide to Preening”

Make sure you stop by Merman Minerals.com to check out all the products from shave creams to shampoos, this stuff isn’t for the Mermaids! Merman of the Month Contest in now in full swing, swim on over to Merman Minerals Facebook page to vote for your favorite Hunky Merman or Sultry Pirate.

Check back with Mermaid Talk for more blogs, photos, and adventure!

Leave a comment, stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

LGBT Pride the Mermaid Way

 “I've held a 'Mermaid' by the hand, as she grew up - they do exist, but many have no tail, or scales, or cannot even swim. But they do find their place to stand, given time.”

Today, June 26th 2013 has left a monumental mark on history, the DOMA Act has been overturned! June is a month where spring is in the air, fathers are celebrated, and it is the month of Superman’s birth. It is also an entire month dedicated to the LGBT community and today gives us all something more to celebrate! The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and everyone else in between pride month! Here in California we have huge pride festivals all of over, Disneyland holds a special “gay day” and Parades line the streets of cities around the country.  While this a wonderful month to express your individuality, what does it have to do with mermaids?

EVERYTHING!

Coming out of the closet, transitioning from one gender to another and drag, all harkens back to the mermaid myths and mysterious power of TRANSITION.  From the very beginning legends have told us that mermaids hold the power of transition.  The Celtic Selkies are seals until they come on land and shed their seal form and YawksYawks of Australia are known as dancing mermaids, at night they emerge from the water with legs and dance about the land. Some stories tell us that if a mermaid dries out she will turn human and some mermaids do not have the power of transformation so they seek it out with a magic spell from a sea witch.  The heart and the very base of mermaids is the mystery behind their ability to transform and fit into two very different worlds.

><((((º> FIN FACT ><((((º>

The word Drag comes to us from William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Women were not allowed on stage, so naturally young men would play the female roles. Marked next to the male actor's name who was to play the female role was... D.R.A.G or Dressed Resembling A Girl.

Alexis Mateo RuPaul's Drag Race

Some of us are familiar with one little girl…Jazz the Mermaid, is a little girl on big mission. Early on Jazz knew she had been born into the wrong body; thankfully her parents came to her rescue and raised her to be an outstanding young woman.

 Now in her teens, Jazz is an activist for http://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org/ an organization

 helping transgender children and their families. 

To read more about Jazz, check issue 5 of Tail Flip magazine http://issuu.com/t_obrecht/docs/tail_flip_issue_5  

or follow her on MerNetwork!

In the UK, a small group of families started a support group that took the ideas of transitions, mermaids, and strength and applied them to their children. Children who were struggling with idea that they had been born into the wrong gender, children who identified as the other sex and children who were scared and frightened because they weren't like anyone else.  It all began with one of founding families son when he asked….” his Mum (when he was about 9) 'Would you still love me if I was a Mermaid?' - on other words, no matter how different I am, will you still love me? When we were looking for a name, this was mentioned, and the then director of the clinic that sees our children (Domenico Di Ceglie) said that the Mermaid was a popular image among trans woman of all ages.” Quote by Linda, Mermaids Liaison.  Their brochure is full of poems, artwork and helpful information!

 Mermaid Brochure.pdf

All Mermaid.Uk.Org images and poems are copyrighted!

When you allow your children to grow up in a family that understands and accepts them for who they are it will benefit them greatly. 

Mermaidsuk.org.uk does just that. ….

Quoted from the website

Mermaids is a support group for gender variant children and teenagers, and their families.  Our goal is to relieve the mental and emotional stress of all persons aged 19 years and under who are in any manner affected by gender identity issues, and their families and to advance public education in the same.

To this end, Mermaids advocates: Let the child develop as he or she is naturally meant to, whilst loving and accepting them for who they are at the present time.  Seek help to alleviate any distress they may show.  Childhood is precious, and children should be allowed to enjoy it to the full.

In support of this we:

• Offer support to parents, families, carers and others.
• Raise awareness about gender issues amongst professionals (e.g. teachers, doctors, social services. etc.,) and the general public

§  Campaign for the recognition of this issue and an increase in professional services

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love that Mermaidsuk.org.uk has taken the old myths and made them relevant to today’s issues. They are keeping out legends alive and at the same time our legends are keeping them alive.  These children will bring a future where hate crimes and sexual inequality are a thing of the past.  We must all learn to live and love together, it is not enough to tolerate we must embrace! To the LGBT Community and the Mermaid Community, I love, accept, and embrace all of you. 

Words from Mermaids (transgender children),

Quoted from the website

Day by Day

by Bree
Age 17

I dread the next day
I have come to dread everyday
for each one I live
the life of another not mine
I can never live
the life that first meant for me
this life I now live
is a prison unfamiliar
my soul is now trapped
in bones it never knew and foreign flesh the torture never dies and my hopeless cries cover my smile now and forever

Drawing by a Transgender Child

Sea Views

By DJ Kingsbury

I stare out into the sea
Wishing I'll be able to shine as me.
Though the outcome of who I am
Mixed with the nature
Of the cruelty of this world,
I just don't want to exist any more.
So I stare out into the sea
Wishing to reel in a part of me.
Only to fall out of it again.

Personal Account

By a Former Mermaids Member
Now in their 20's

How's about starting a normal life?
But won't starting in the middle always be difficult?
But I suppose I never thought life would be so, well - tricky!
What happens when the only thought that occupies your mind is
"I WANT TO BE NORMAL!"
and suddenly you realize that's the only thing you'll NEVER be. Of course you have friends offering to help.
But when they will never truly understand, what's the point?
As soon as you get close to normality somebody moves the barriers.
Sometimes I try to convince myself that I am normal,
it's just the ones who don't understand or don't try to,
who aren't normal.
Somehow, I never can truly convince myself enough. But when I ask for help what happens?
Nothing.
Exactly. Perhaps I'm being selfish, stubborn, paranoid, or one of the thousand other things I've been called.
Why does it all have to be so f****** hard?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These words are hard to read and even harder when you are the one who feels them, celebrate peoples difference, be curious not cruel and remember we are all of the same flesh and blood.

Love, Peace, and Mermaids,

    Meridian Mer-Gyver

Ps. there is a new book coming out “Mermaid Drowning” by Terry & Tiffany Jacobs. It is about a transgender woman coming to terms with her secret after 10 years of blissful marriage and three children. If you have a Kindle you can purchase the book through Amazon, otherwise you will have to wait for the hard copy!

The Men behind the Mermaids: Jesse Caldwell ~ Mermaid Creations LLC.

Photo: Merman Jesse and Sasha FireGypsy

Jesse was born in 1982 and grew up in Florida where he lived on a lake, where he was often found either near the water’s edge or completely content to be in the water. It wasn’t until a warm spring day that Jesse first laid eyes on a mermaid. While visiting the famous Weeki Wachee Springs and seeing the mermaids perform "The Second Magic Show", and later "Mermaids of the World” show, Jesse was hooked on mermaids and there was no looking back! He began by creating fabric tails and over the years he created several, but today, Jesse’s choice is silicone around 2011, Jesse began playing with the materials and by August of that year he had created his first silicone merman tail.  With no training, tutorials, or school to learn from Jesse taught himself through Trial and Error.


In 2012 Mermaid Creations, LLC was born; I had the privilege of meeting Jesse that same year at Mer-Palooza. Mermaid Rentals teamed up with Mermaid Creations and we did a little underwater filming one night after the pool party. Behind scenes footage Jesse recorded:

Meridian: What makes your Tails unique?

Jesse: Our attention to detail, our pricing, our 50% payment plan, our warranty, unique styling, and our free lifetime maintenance set our tails apart from everyone else. You simply won't find a better value from any other tail maker in the price range that we offer.

Meridian: Have your Tails ever appeared in Print or Film? Tell me about your favorite experience.

Jesse: No print or film work, yet. However, we are the new tail providers for Pacific Beach Hotel Honolulu. I have been invited to swim in a tail in their Oceanarium! As more and more people become familiar with our tails, I am sure they will start popping up in ads and on TV.

Thom Shouse on the set of "Splash"

Meridian: Which Tail was your favorite to create and why?

Jesse: Any tail that resembles the tails used in the Splash movies are my favorite to make. I am completely in love with the Splash tails. If you compare the look of my tails to Mermaid Rental Tails, you will see where I get my inspiration.
Meridian: Do you have a muse or idol? If so, who?

Jesse: I based my fluke off Thom's tails, but changed it slightly so that it was not identical. Thom Shouse would be my idol in the Mer business. I am truly thankful to be able to call him a friend.






Meridian: As an Artist, what is your favorite part of creating tails?

Jesse: My favorite part of creating tails is seeing the final product on the mermaid or merman it was intended for.

To find out more about Mermaid Creations LLC or Jesse please visit:

Mermaid Creations LLC. Website: http://www.mermaidcreations-inc.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MermaidCreationsByMermanJesse

MerNetwork: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1224-Mermaid-Creations

Mermaid Natalie & Mermaid Amber
 swimming in Mermaid Creation LLC.
Tails. Mer-Palooza 2012

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian

Things to Look For this Month!
“The Men behind the Mermaids: Tail Makers”
“Merman Minerals Review” and more blogs by Merman Ryan
“A Merman’s Guide to Preening”

Make sure you stop by Merman Minerals.com to check out all the products from shave creams to shampoos, this stuff isn’t for the Mermaids! Merman of the Month Contest in now in full swing, swim on over to Merman Minerals Facebook page to vote for your favorite Hunky Merman or Sultry Pirate.

Check back with Mermaid Talk for more blogs, photos, and adventure!

Leave a comment, stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

Blogger: http://meridianmer-gyver.blogspot.com/

Merman Jesse & Angel the Little Merman at Mer-palooza 2012

Art Meets Ocean Conservation!

"Wish you were here?"


On July 18th, 2010 an artist named Laura Keeble dropped off this fantastic sculpture outside an Essex Starbucks on Southend High Street. The installation "Wish you were here?" only lasted 30 mins until Starbucks employees hauled it away. The effigy was the artist's contribution to UK's first annual ARTSIDE project (www.artside.org.uk). Artists participating within ARTSIDE were encouraged to re-evaluate British holiday town traditions by showing an alternative to common seaside images. The mermaid-consumer was left perishing in a sea of coffee beans, grounds, half molten Styrofoam cups and filth.

I wish I knew where she is now!

I absolutely love seeing people take a political stand that speaks volumes without issuing one word! There is very little info out there on this particular installation, however you can look up the Artist at:

http://www.laurakeeble.com/

 All of her work is compelling, everything has a deep and profound meaning. Besides this installation, Christmas Shopping and Idol Worship are two of my Favorites! Please check out her work and share it with others, Art with a message needs to be heard. Many of her installations only last a few hours, the stores are quick to remove her work. The Medusa from her installation "Without Consent" was confiscated by the Versace employs. When Laura Keeble asked about the statue she was told it belonged to Versace and that is make an appearance at Halloween as part of their decoration! If the art must perish for the cause then lets keep the message moving!

Close-up of the waste humans use to destroy our planet.

Close-up of Mermaid Consumer

Love, Peace, and Mermaids,

   Meridian Mer-Gyver

Mermaid Ambassador & Social Media Corresspondent

for Mermaid Minerals and Professional Mermaid.

www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Mermen in Lore and History

If I asked you to name a famous mermaid from literature or film, I bet you could tell me the name and story of several famous mermaids. If I asked you to name a famous Merman, could you? Most, I am sure would say King Triton, Ariel’s Father from the Little Mermaid. 

 But can anyone tell the story of the Foss Grim or The Blue Men of the Muir or the Manx Dinny Mara. Names like Hoori, Ea or Oannes, Tangaroa, and Glaucus are all but lost to the modern Merfolk. I am storyteller and a believer that nothing dies until it is forgotten, these names and stories are of the Merman who are part of our History and Lore. I will keep their legends alive and now you can too.

The Legends

Foss Grim ~ Found in Germanic Lore, the name Foss Grim means “river horse” in Old Norse. The Foss Grim is a water spirit, with the body of a man and not that of a merman. He is said to be strikingly handsome, seen near rivers and bodies or water, barely clothed, and playing haunting music from his violin. His music would lure Women and Children into his watery home and their final resting place. However, it is believed that if properly approached, the Foss Grim will teach a musician to play so adeptly "that the trees dance and waterfalls stop at his music"

The Blue Men of the Muir ~ Dangerous, Cruel and Dark, The Blue Men of Muir (Scottish Gaelic word for “Sea”) are no strangers to the harsh ways of the sea. They are called blue men because their skin is a blue gray color and they live in the Minch Channel off the coast of Northern Scotland. It is said that the Blue Men will swim up to passing ships and ask the mariners a question or riddle, if he could not answer correctly the Blue Men would wreck the sailor’s ship and drag them down to the depths.  They are also known to cause turbulent tides and sea storms.

The Manx Dinny Mara (Man of the Sea) ~ Manx are the people and language spoken on the Isle of Man off the coast of the Irish Sea. The Dinny Mara is similar in appearance to mermaids, with the upper half of the body of a man and the lower half the tail of a fish. However, the Dinny Mara is quit ugly! They are believed to have pig snouts for noses that are red from drinking the brandy from shipwrecks and wrinkled foreheads, it is also said that you will know a Dinny Mara by his red cap. Though the Dinny Mara is an ugly creature, they are wonderful Fathers and quite helpful and friendly to sailors. They warn the sailors of coming storms or bring them fish to eat if the sailor’s food supply runs low. The fastest way to get on the bad side of a Dinny Mara is to whistle while aboard a ship at sea. The whistling will awaken and anger the Dinny Mara, which will cause him to seek revenge upon the sailor who disturbed his rest.

Hoori ~ In Ancient Japan lived two brothers Hoderi, a great fisherman and Hoori, a great Hunter.  One day Hoderi loaned his lucky fishing hook to his brother, with the hopes that it would enable him to be a successful fishermen. Unfortunately Hoori did not catch any fish;

in fact he lost his brother’s lucky hook. Hoderi demanded that Hoori return to the sea to find his lucky hook. Hoori descend to the bottom of the sea, but instead of his brothers hook, he found Toyotama (rich Jewel) the daughter of the Sea God. They fell in love, the Sea God granted Hoori a tail and gills, so he may live underwater with new bride. As always the day came when Hoori longed for his home on the land and the Sea God beginning of a gentle heart, gave Hoori the missing hook so he may return to his brother and home.  Before leaving their home in the sea Toyotama, made Hoori promise to build a home for them on land where she could deliver their child. The night of the birth Toyotama told Hoori he must not look at while she was in labor, curiosity got the best of him and when he spied on his wife he saw her in her true form…a dragon. Toyotama found out that Hoori spied on her and she returned to the sea, living her Husband and child behind. Toyotama’s sister raised the baby and when he was of age, they were married. It is said that one of their children grew up to Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu Tenno. An emperor with Merfolk and Dragon blood!

Ea or Oannes ~ One of the most ancient water deities, the Babylonian god Ea, known as Oannes the Merman who taught early man the art of agriculture and architecture  . God of wisdom, art, farming, building and of course he was the primal ruler of water.

 

Tangaroa ~ In Polynesian mythology Tangaroa rules the seas and all the creatures of the seas. It is believed that Tangaroa is so big he breathes only once per day

with each breath it causes the tides to raise and to fall. He is the God of fertility and the Oceans and he is considered to be one of the Great Creator Spirits. Tangaroa’s mother is the Creator, Earth Goddess known as Papatuanuku.

                                                          ><((((º> FIN FACT ><((((º>


Did you know that Tangaroa is at Disneyland? That's right our own water God can be found at the Tikki Room! So next time you are at Disney, stop by and say Hi to a hidden Merman of the Islands! 


Glaucus ~ In Greek legend, a fisherman named Glaucus turned into a merman after eating what he believed to be enchanted sea grass. Feeling drawn to the ocean, Glaucus dove in; the sea deities turned his human legs into a fish’s tail. He is said to have green hair and a Metamorphose.

green beard and skin of a blue-green color.  The Roman poet Ovid wrote stories of Glaucus in his work









               ><((((º> FIN FACT ><((((º>

                                                                                         Glaucus Atlanticus is a species of blue sea slug!                                                                                                    

And of course a little Lore on Triton, the Titonesse and Poseidon….

Triton the son of the Greek God Poseidon (ruler of the sea) and Husband to Aphrodite the Goddess of Love and Beauty, bestowed upon his wife The Tritons. The Tritons were said to have evolved from Triton himself, they served as personal bodyguards and entourage for Aphrodite. The Tritons where described as having green hair, small hard scales, sea green eyes, and rough hands, a dolphin like tail, and gills behind their ears. The female, Triteness’s’ were of course beautiful but dangerous, they are often depicted as twin tailed mermaids.

Merman tales are few and far between, but they are out there. In every culture since the beginning of man’s time here on Earth there have been tales and sightings of Merfolk.  Stories that have been past down, names that have been kept alive and now I give these stories to you.  It is important that we keep our own legends alive and strong and it is even more important to have these Mermen to look to for strength and masculinity in a world that is so dominated by women. Even in this modern day, we must look to the past and our ancestors. 

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian

Make sure you stop by Merman Minerals.com to check out all the products from shave creams to shampoos, this stuff isn’t for the Mermaids! Merman of the Month Contest in now in full swing, swim on over to Merman Minerals Facebook page to vote for your favorite Hunky Merman or Sultry Pirate.

 

Check back with Mermaid Talk for more blogs, photos, and adventure!

Leave a comment, stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

~My Stories are dedicated to my dear friends David and Chris DuFour ~

~Thanks for making my life CHOICE~

Mermen on Stage: Interview with Angel the Little Merman

In 2012 I attend Mer-Palooza, a convention for Merfolk and the Mer-Lifestyle. I meet many people and some I have the privilege to call my friends to this day. One such friend is Daniel but most people know him as Angel, The Little Merman.  Like most Merfolk, Daniel fell in love with Disney’s The Little Mermaid and of course, Splash. But it wasn’t until High School that his passions and talents would emerge, learning about Marina, The Fire Eating Mermaid and seeing how she took her passions and turned them into a career, only fueled his desires. Over the years to come Daniel, befriended Marina and many other Mermaids, began to develop his Merman character, and honed his talents.  In 2008 Broadway released “The Little Mermaid” and Daniel began creating the tail he would come to be known for. Angel, The Little Merman was born and he stepped into Mer-Palooza and my life wearing his hand made Broadway inspired walking tail… Since then Daniel has continued to perform and create new tails his latest tail is inspired by the new costumes from the revamp stage production of the Little Mermaid, in which the mermaids doesn't skate on flapping tails but they fly with flowing fins.

I am very interested in you as an acting, costume designing, Merman. Tell me anything that pertains your theater work and shows!

Meridian: Where did learn to sew and create costumes?

Angel, The Little Merman: Learning to sew and create these costumes was all coming from ambition. I had no one teaching me, and at the time I couldn't afford any sewing lessons. I know how to sew mainly because I use to make these little dolls for my collection, and me being a young high school student looking at these different costumes, I just felt "I have to make my own!"

Meridian: Tell me more about creating your Broadway Tail

Angel, The Little Merman:  The creation of Broadway Tail came from the obsession of the costumes that were being created for the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. It really was a different approach on the stage presentation of what a mermaid is. For a costume designer it's so easy to create a walk-able mermaid tail and simply call it a day, and that was not the case for this. They learn the art form of gliding which is a whole lot like skating, and find a simple but effective illusion of seeing a mermaid tail move. Which earned a lot of respect from me and I felt I have to do that! There were early attempts, they weren't bad, but they weren't good either. It wasn't until the book on how they did the stage show came out and that became such a major BIG help for me! It's all about transparent fabric and snap rod wires... and of course Heelies! 

I had been in theater since middle school where I basically ditched studying art to learn drama and for me getting roles was SO limited and it still is today, because I have such unique singing voice. Most male actors have that "dashing, manly voice" and I have a high, husky voice for a tenor, that's why I idolize Frances Ruffelle. But it never stopped me from giving up, I go to audition after another, and I give it all I got.

The first major moment for doing theater was that in my senior of high school I was honored by the drama department at the time for: "Most Dramatic Performer" cause they always used to joke on the fact that not only I get dramatic on stage but also dramatic back stage. Looking back I found it quite humorous.

Meridian: What is like being a stage performing merman?

"...a spandex tail hand sewn and painted
 another labor of love project." 

Angel, The Little Merman: Being a stage performing merman was that wonderful idea, where I felt I could just mix two of my greatest obsessions and blend it into one and plus how often you would see a merman singing to Andrew Lloyd Webber. But really that was an important thing for me because as a performer creating their own character it's not an easy thing to do it takes a really long to do, until you could relate to him/her and find a relationship with him/her. Angel The Little Merman was a really long developed character for me cause I at the same time not only I'm mixing my favorite things but I want to make this person universal where anyone could like him. The name Angel came from the birth name I was given but I personally dislike it. So I decided to use it for my character to give it a positive light to it, "Little Merman" came mainly due to fact the that it honors my favorite red headed mermaid, but also the fact I'm a short little dude.

Meridian: What projects are you currently working on?

Angel, The Little Merman: At the moment I do have upcoming projects mainly all for my YouTube page one of the major ones is a series of shorts called: The Angel Shortz, and I'm not giving away too much of it just yet. But believe me it's Angel, The Little Merman as you wouldn't expect to see him. Of course there will be more swimming videos because I know a lot of young people enjoy seeing that. Theater wise, I'm planning to develop a one man show all devoted to mermen, I'm at the moment working on the script for it. It's a really short piece but at the same time I really want to make this a love letter to the merfolk community itself. I am currently looking for a composer for a really and I'm mean REALLY long in and out of developed project call: "Little Angel: The Musical Adventure" no merman here, but it's a rag doll and he's part of my "Angel Universe", Lol.

"inspired by the new costumes from the revamp stage
production of the Little Mermaid,
in which the mermaids fly with flowing fins." 

I just did a small local theater piece in the ending of April called: "Reliquary of Saturn" for one night only, it was created by our director: Chris Vila, it played off like a fever dream almost, and one point at the very beginning the room turns into a ocean and that's where Merman me basically comes and he's gives me an awesome punch line that I'm planning use "I'm NOT a mermaid! I'm a merman!" there was a last verse but I'm not saying that, no, no.

I feel I'm truly being honored/blessed right now, because since last year all the doors I've been working so hard to get to is finally happening. I made so many awesome friends in the merfolk community who understood what I wanted to do as performer and give me such glowing encouragement, and it's coming from the people I consider my heroes: Thom, Marina, and the other's and that's something I rarely get in my life other than my family so it meant a whole lot to me. I'm so grateful for it. Meridian, thank you so much for giving me this time to answer your question this means a lot to me. And anything to support thy fellow merfolk!

As anyone can tell Daniel is a talented and kind creature, if you would like to stay in touch, get advice, or just see what Daniel is currently working on you can follow him at…

Blog Page: www.angelthelittlemerman.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/angellittlemerman

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AngelLittleMerman

Make sure you stop by Merman Minerals.com to check out all the products from shave creams to shampoos, this stuff isn’t for the Mermaids! Merman of the Month Contest in now in full swing, swim on over to Merman Minerals Facebook page to vote for your favorite Hunky Merman or Sultry Pirate.

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian

Things to Look For this Month!

“Merman in Lore and History”

“The Men behind the Mermaids: Tail Makers”

“Merman Minerals Review” and more blogs by Merman Ryan

“A Merman’s Guide to Preening”

Check back with Mermaid Talk for more blogs, photos, and adventure!

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