Fishing and a wedding....

Last Friday I went fishing at Redondo with my daughter who is getting so grown up... 17 years old, when did that happen!?
We didn't catch any fish, and neither did anyone else it seemed. The fish checker at the parking lot said no one had reported catching a fish. Man that stinks! My neighbor thinks the fish got caught by someone else out in the vast Ocean, Russia, Japan, China? They have no controls on them, but it behooves other countries to limit their catch as the fish need to make it back to their home rivers to spawn. But hey, maybe this isn't what happened..
Sunday my older brother got married. He was married at his home outside and it was a very nice wedding. It was great to see many family members, some old friends, and all that goes with these things.
John asked me to perform my magic show at his wedding. This is the first time I have done my show at a wedding. I think that most people would not have a magician at a wedding. I probably went a little too long, but I think everyone enjoyed the show. I ended with a special effect called Anniversary Waltz. It was a really nice ending to my show, and John's new bride was speechless!
My nephew Lionel had a camera crew taking pictures and filming the event.
I'm hoping to get some great pictures and a nice video of my show. Yes, I know I am selfish. It is hard to get good pictures of yourself performing as I cannot take them myself! lol..
The wedding itself was interesting and my brother John seemed to take it rather seriously. I mentioned this to him, and we both agreed... a marriage is a serious affair!
I am truly happy for him. It looked to me like he is at peace and fulfilled, It looks to me as if his new wife Tamar completes him! that is WAY cool!
I had some interesting and great comments after my show.
Some people told me how professional I have become. That is always GREAT to hear! I feel I have a long way to go. I think what is beginning to happen is that I am getting more relaxed, more shows under the belt and this is allowing me to concentrate on presentation and audience interaction more.
I have read some good articles on Staging, and blocking recently, and... I have a long way to go!
But I am enjoying the journey!

Magic In The Fast Lane?

Hahaha, Not so fast my friend....
I performed at my older brothers 35th High school reunion last night. I was invited by the planning organizer, Cheryl. She saw me perform about four weeks ago at my high school reunions' annual get together.
Reunions of this sort can be a challenge, but perhaps not. Maybe I am the challenge?!
Cheryl had seen me do walk around close-up magic only. She took the time to watch my promo video, and wanted Magic at her reunion. We discussed this in depth. Another factor was the "DJ" for the evening. Larry Lomax. He is a radio personalty on 105.3.
Larry has a Deep, smooth, silky voice.
Larry was the MC for the evening.
Having never seen me perform, I felt a lot of skepticism coming my way from him. This is no big deal, I am used to it, I mean, "what is magic boy going to do? Pull a rabbit outta his hat?"
So, I planned for just about any circumstance. I boned up on my close up sets. I prepared for my stage show. I was in contact with both Cheryl & Larry. Cheryl was all excited to have me perform my stand up act, Larry not so much so.
"It (The evening) is not about us." Larry informed me. "people will want to talk and reminisce."
I understood all this, still, I wanted to perform for them. It was a non paying gig. I knew or know may of the class of '75' as it was my brothers friends.
About fifteen minutes before I was to go on, I was met by Larry and Cheryl, and told I only had about twenty minutes.
WoW! They have no idea what that does to a performer. I build my show to have a certain rhythm, a flow. Each "piece" in the act is in a certain spot for a reason. "O.k. I'll cut some stuff out."
I grabbed a friend that has seen my show several times, and walked thru my set list with him.
He kept telling me to just go ahead and do my whole show, "what are they gonna do? Cut you off?"
I said, "it's O.k. It really is not about me, and I'll just try to leave them wanting more."
My set eventually consisted of...
1 Finger Clap for a warm up, Acrobatic Knot, Cut & Restored Rope, Lassoing a Card, Floating Card, And ended with the Cups & Balls. What I left out was the Linking Rings, the Vanishing Bandana, and the Egg Bag.(Boy did they miss out!)
Well, as the saying goes... The Show Must Go On!
I performed fine, but never really connected with the masses.
The people up front enjoyed the show, But there were two things happening at the same time.
I was performing on a small platform stage, and a large group of alumni were talking in the back of the room. Those in the back of the room that wanted to enjoy the magic, could not hear me.
I was mic'ed, but the only speakers were up front on either side of me.
I had a decent time, and so did those few spectators that could hear me. I had a hard time making that wonderful connection between performer and audience that makes magic magical!
Mama said there would be days like this!
Many people came up later and said they really enjoyed the show. I don't know if they were being polite or really did.
Several said I was very professional.
I performed some close up sleight of hand for many afterwards, as well as before. I found it rather ironic that many of those I was enthralling with close-up later in the evening, were the very ones that said, "I missed your show, we were talking in the back." Go figure! haha...
My friend Cheryl passed the hat, which I was a bit embarrassed to have her do, I brought my "tips" hat, but put it away in the car, felt rather awkward about the whole "money" thing.
Cheryl included dinner for my wife and I, and since I knew most everyone there... Just felt kind of weird.
But, I got a decent hat anyway, cuz Cheryl is an amazing personality. Talk about bouncing off the wall! She is a non stop dynamo.
I was approached by a man who asked if I do private parties. Of course was my reply, then he went on to explain that he is a member of a nudist camp. Made ma laugh, I asked him if I would have to perform nude. He said no, but afterward if I wanted I could take off my clothes and join them in their hot tubs. I gave him my card and told him to send me an email, we could discuss it further.
Later my wife met them, and they ran it all by her, her reaction was funny yet predictable, No, I don't think so! I just laughed...
I suppose I would have to come up with some magical sleight that involved removing clothes. I know of a couple, but if they are already naked... they wouldn't work anyway.
I know this post sounds kind of like sour grapes. I enjoyed seeing some old friends that I haven't seen since they graduated. And, as I look at some pictures from my performance I realize, i gave them the best I could under the circumstances!
So On We Go.

In My In Box...

"The Dash has made me think about a lot of things and it's always in the back of my mind now. And thank you for being my special friend from Washington. You've been an inspiration to me Tim and I mean that. I look where I was in March/April, biding my time with a broken leg, just being a mere collector and now I'm eager to perform. I have a long way to go, but I'll get better, I know it. I've traveled a long way in the last 5-6 months and have a new goal for the rest of my life, thanks to you. All from an ordinary eBay transaction. Amazing."

Bob

I met Bob thru an Ebay transaction about six months ago, and we have become fast friends. It is amazing what we can do if we just treat people with sincerity!
I love magic! I appreciate all the magicians that have gone before, and the one's especially that have impacted my life on a personal level. Tom Frank, Steve Ameden, Mark Jensen, Jose Floresca. I could name more but I think the point is made.
What a zany, fun, crazy journey!
Who woulda thunk it!

So posted below is the Poem:

The Dash

by Linda Ellis © 1998.

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars .... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard ... are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range")
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash??

Fun fishing but no catch...

Went fishing yesterday with my daughter, we hooked up with a work buddy who loves to fish the North Sound, Puget Sound. I am more familiar with the South Sound but still not that familiar at all. Anyway, I met Steve at the Golden Gardens Boat launch at 4:20 A.M. He was waiting for some people. It was early and very dark, Very nice boat launch with a break water that makes it nice and calm to launch a boat.
Since last Friday I fished with out success, and well, that's not entirely true, I did catch some crab in one of my crab pots... I put two pots out that Friday morning at West Point, but for some reason (Probably because I'm a chowder head) I was only able to find one later when it was time to check them for crab.
So, Katie and I left the dock in the dark and motored over to West point to see if we could find my crab pot after three days of sitting in the water. Since it was a low tide, we thought the chances pretty good if someone hadn't taken it.
As the light began to show on the water, I mentioned to Katie that it was "right about in this area" that I put her down"...
Was but a moment as we squinted, looking left and right when Katie says, "hey, there's a bump over there." Low and behold it was a buoy sitting all alone on top of the water. It was all alone because crabbing is only allowed Wednesday thru Saturday at this time!
Believe it or not it was mine!!! (Insert big smile here!)
Can't believe it!
It had two nice male crab in it that we could keep. Except, it was now Monday and well... we let them go. I was happy to get my pot and rope etc. back.
Off we flew North to catch up with Steve and fish a place called Jefferson Head.
I got a ticket for expired tabs on my trailer... $42... great, i tried to renew them online, but the computer wouldn't let me unless I bought tabs for the 2010 year... there is only a week left in 2010, so I will have to wait a week to be able to get my trailer licenced and get back out there!
Two steps forward...one back!

Great Day For A White Wedding...

Star date 8.14.2010
Ocean Shores Washington.
Beach home of Dale and Jean McDowell.
Celebration of their daughters wedding!
The day finally arrived, hot and clear, perfect!
My friend Jessica is marrying her sweetheart Matt Wiebe!
I was asked to be the photographer! I volunteered my daughter as well. she was excited to do it, as was I.
I think we did a pretty good job!

You decide!
We spent some time after the wedding at the beach, we had some fun in the sun!
It was my idea to bring and fly a kite.
I also performed a special wedding card trick for the newlyweds, it was astonishing!

Gotta Get Back On the water

last Friday after work, I travelled to Alki to launch my boat, just me and the water and a cigar, no one but myself, me, and i to try to land a big one. I tied my boat to the dock, parked the truck and trailer, hopped in the boat only to find that the batteries were dead... DOD... not going anywhere that fine morning. Here it is Wednesday. Still haven't gotten back out on the water. Bought a new battery and am ready, need time, too many people pulling on my time...
Last night I had our clown alley meeting, it was our annual picnic. Talked my wife into going with me, I think she had a good time and it was nice that she could meet all the clowns I run with. We had some great food, a little "alley" business and then it was "open Mic" time. Several people did some nice fun stuff. When it came to my turn, I performed Dean's Box, and The Wellington Switchboard. I was a bit nervous as it was the first time for either effect in front of an audience of more than two or three.
They went over just fine, need some polishing though...
Time is flying by...
This weekend we will be attending our friend Jessica McDowell's wedding up at Ocean Shores. She has asked me to be the official photographer as her friend who was going to do it has some family issues to attend too. Next weekend is the Renton high school class of 1975's 35th Reunion. I am attending and performing magic, haven't figured out whether it will be walk around close up, or my "stage act," or both...
Might have a gig the following day Down South in Olympia, that one hasn't firmed up yet, I might have over priced myself, but I really don't care, it's an hour drive each way... My brother's wedding is coming up on the 29th, he wants me to perform for his guests. Busy, busy, busy...

Wow! It Really Works...

Recently I had a dental exam. I asked about teeth whitening and was told that something called "Rev Whitening" is the way to go.
It cost about $180.00 from my dentist and they want to make rubber molds of your teeth to hold the "gel" while the molds hold the gel to your teeth. I looked online and found the same product for about $40.00. I am assuming that this would be with out the rubber molds, and the technician time etc.
My neighbor works for a dentist and I be bopped over their to talk with her about it, she wasn't home but here mom was there, and she works for the same dentist... the dentist is her other daughter,(It's a family affair) anyway, I spoke with her about all this and she recommended something called Crest Whitestrips Surpreme. Not only did she recommend them, but she went next door, yes she lives next door and brought me about 30 of these strips. I have been using them for about a week or more and am seeing wonderful improvement to my smile. Whiter, shinier teeth!
Awesome!

Fishin' With My Daughter

Yesterday I got off work, and took my daughter fishing in Puget Sound.
We saw many great things and wonders... Navy ships heading into the sound getting ready for SeaFair this weekend. The Victoria Clippers flying ships heading up to Canada. These are amazing Hydro foil boats built by Boeing in the 70's and 80's. I remember seeing them when I hired in back in 1978... They were all stainless steel and HUGE! Nice to see them still in service. Three hours by water in good weather!
other sites we saw, a porpoise or Dolphin, Hershel the salmon eating sea lion, or maybe his brothers and sisters... When I see "Hershels" in the water, unlike most people, I don't get offended, I get excited because it usually means there are salmon where we are at. Salmon is the reason for the season, the fishing season that is!
Last season would have been a total bust if not for the extremely large, record breaking run of Pink salmon.
Anyway, I digress... We launched from Alki in West Seattle at about 6 30 am. I know, you want to be on the water at day break, but I don't get off work early enough. Anyway, we headed to a new fishing spot, New to us that is, called West Point. It is about five mile or so boat ride North of our launch point. Never having been there, I needed a landmark, I was told there is a light house there. I was looking for something much taller, funny how I envision something totally different than reality!
We put tow crab pots down in about 90 feet of water. And then prepared ourselves to fish, now I got to be honest here, I wasn't expecting much as far as Salmon fishing is concerned. My friend Dan The Fisherman has been out fishing at Redondo 7 times already and has No, Zip, Nada, the big Zero for fish, and if he ain't catchin' em, there ain't many fish to be had. Also, all my gear was still set up from the previous season, I know, I was rather lazy about it. Maybe had something to so with the disgust I had for the lack of Salmon from last year... I just left everything in the boat as Katie and I prepared to catch all those Pinks in the river, so, yeah, I just wanted to enjoy being out in the boat with my daughter.
We had a wonderful time, caught a large dogfish right away, and later we hooked into a small, about 18 inch Blackmouth Salmon. Had another hit and hook up, but that one slipped the hook near the surface. At about 9:20 I noticed a bump bump on one of the rods in the down rigger, I got up, grabbed the rod from the down rigger holder and waited for another bump, there it came, I jerked back hard, FISH ON! OH boy, this fish was peeling line. Running for daylight, or perhaps deeper water as the case really was. I started barking orders, chaos ensues on my boat when someone really hooks into one. Since I hooked him at 130 feet down, and he started ripping line, I was afraid he might not stop peeling line from the reel, but eventually I got him to stop for a minute or two so I could try to retrieve some valuable fishing line!
Meanwhile Katie was doing her best to bring up the other down rigger and fishing rod. I'm steering the boat, and alternately reeling and holding as the fish does it's dance beneath the deep cold waters...Oh what a wonderful feeling, the thrill of the fight, that big fish hunkered down, your fishing rod bent at an extreme angle.
Eventually you see it surface, they always look bigger than they are, it crests about thirty feet from the boat, marvelous, a thing of beauty, Purple and silver, it makes another dive down, down, trying to escape.. I reel him in. by now Katie has the net, the salmon is tired, laying on it's side, Katie lunges, he is in the net, she folds the net over on itself, enclosing the fish, he is ours!
A Marvelous Buck of about 15 pounds.
We fish for another half hour or so, drive to our two crab pots, they are loaded with crab! Out of about 30 crab, we are able to keep 7 males of large enough size.
All in all, it was a fantastic day on Puget Sound!



Fillet O Fish!

Potluck at Home

Tuesday night was the kick off for this years family potluck dinners on Tuesday nights for our church, The first one was held at our home. I think my wife volunteered simply because that means I had to do a lot of stuff that has been needing doing... like this and that!
Anyway, it was a good kick off. Many people did not attend due to family matters and it being August, but for those that did attend, Good food and good fellowship!