A time to share

Smoked Fish

2012-02-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

Been doing a lot of fishing in the last three months,
Mostly river fishing as the boat costs so much to put in the water,
Parking, oil, gas, gas... but even then, after fishing it takes a lot of time and work to clean the boat and flush the motors.
This year (last year actually)was an odd year and that means that it would potentially be a great year for the Humpy's return, or Pink Salmon... and it was. We caught so many Pink Salmon out of the Puyallup river that I have smoked 4-5 Large Racks of fish.

I also was shown some fishing spots on the Cowlitz River. Particularly Barrier Dam, and a place about 6 miles down stream called Blue Creek.
At Barrier dam we caught some large Silver Salmon and some Black mouth as well.
Down River at Blue Creek is prime fishing of Steel head.

So here are some pics of what I like to called Smoked Gold!

Who Are We Performing For?

2012-02-05T15:45:00.001-08:00

Several days ago I volunteered to perform for a group of children for their Tiger Cub, Cub Scout Meeting. It was a woman from our church that asked me to do this. I felt a little weird about it. No money was talked about. It wasn't even brought up. I kind of felt like it was expected of me. Why? Because she knows me? Because we attend church together. I hardly know this woman. Sure, she is the assistant pastors wife... but..
I spoke about this with a magic friend and he compared it to someone asking their surgeon to come and talk to their group free gratis... A surgeon is a professional and somewhat rare. A magician, hmm, are we the same? A professional, and somewhat rare?
Actually a talented, professional magician is rarer than a surgeon, in my opinion...

So I decided I would go ahead and do the "gig... I recently purchased some new clothes. I was excited to "dress up" and go to the school to see these young people. My wife asked how com I put on some of my new clothes, In other words, "why are you getting all dressed up for this?"
I thought of Criss Angel, and the IMAGE he projects. I am working on projecting my particular image.
I AM SO GLAD I DID!
There is just something different about the way people look at you when you carry yourself well. They simply treat you differently.
I arrived and found the room. It was about ten minutes before I was introduced. It was fun sitting there knowing everyone was wondering, "what is this guy here for?"!!!
Like I said earlier, I was kind of out of sorts doing a free gig. But when I got rolling, it turned out that I think I was blessed more than I blessed them.
I started with a magic trick called Acrobatic Knot. This was just to let my audience know that I am a capable magician.
Funny but as soon as I showed the white rope, a child yells out, "Oh, I know this one..."
That is so typical. I am glad I read Silly Billy's book where he talks about this happening. They don't really know, but have seen something similar, and it empowers them to acknowledge that they do.
Then I performed Needle thru balloon, and while I did not show them how my needle thru balloon works, we did put some cellophane tape on theirs so they could do the effect.

Jumping Rubber bands were next. We all had a great time as you can see.
But again, the serendipity of it is that I was really blessed by taking time from my own life to share my love of magic with others!

A New Mentor!

2012-01-24T00:53:00.000-08:00

I have submitted myself to the tutelage of a master magician recently.
I am ready to make my magic Elegant.
Will I put in the work required? I don't know, I am kind of lazy, and I have many excuses not too. Work, family, T.V. other hobbies etc. etc.
This mentor is amazing. He is the greatest sleight of hand man I have ever seen. I am hoping that he will rub off on me by osmosis. Too bad that will not work.
It will take hard work, time and effort.
He busts my chops every time I am with him. He tells me to "take the boxing gloves off Tim."
At first this annoyed and hurt me, I thought I was doing fairly well, (And I am) but by whose standards?
My biggest challenge will be to honor his time and effort into my magical life. He has me working on several card tricks that require many different sleights. They are not easy to do and require finesse to make it look as if nothing is taking place. I look forward to the future and my growth as a magi.

The Emperors New Clothes (Stylin'!)

2012-01-24T00:38:00.001-08:00

Boeing bribed us employees with 5000 dollars to accept a new contract almost a year before our old contract expired. This was last November, right before December which is Christmas time. I was apposed to the contract offer, but I did not get to vote as I am a "Beck objector" which means I do not agree with the political arm of our union. The way they spend it's members money on political activities. I am still a union member but do not have full rights because I choose to not allow any of my union dues money to go to what our union calls "Non Partisan Political league." However, our union only votes Democrat which is totally liberal and against many of my beliefs.
So, any way, we at Boeing got a lump sum payment of $5000.00. I call it a bribe. Our union went behind it's members back to meet secretly with the Boeing counter parts to get this done. Gotta love Unions, just like Democrats, all believing they know what's best for the people but do not want the people's input.
So I decided to enjoy the money as best I could. I spent about oh, I don't know 2-3 thousand on Christmas gifts for everyone and then....

I went to Men's Wearhouse and spent a couple of Thousand on new clothes for me!
Three suits, a nice overcoat for wearing over the suit in the cold weather, six or seven shirts, a couple pairs of pants, three pairs of dress shoes, eight new ties, and a belt, some socks too.
I figured it was time to start looking and acting the part of a magician.
I am excited to look nice and to have many colors and styles to choose from. In the past, I only had one suit jacket and a vest to wear, and I changed the "look" by changing my shirt, tie and pants...
But now I have an arsenal of clothing. It was quite an experience, one I hope every man gets the opportunity to enjoy!
I picked out a purple suit jacket to set myself off a little from the idea that I am wearing a business suit, also I bought a Tuxedo, but I still think I want to get one with tails...
I felt a little bad about spending all this money when so many I know are struggling. A friend of mine pointed out that this economy needs people spending too, so I felt a little better, but still, this is something I have never done.
It feels good though!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-24T00:21:00.000-08:00

As I type these words it is January 24th, are you kidding me!
It is already flying by. Magically I just performed a private party at O'Asian Restaurant for a birthday party 0f mostly 25 year olds. I had a wonderful time and so did the audience. It was an interesting venue for me. It started out interesting from the initial phone call,and continued to the end...
I received the call on Friday the 20th, and spoke with a young man looking for a magician for his girlfriends 25th b-day party. I asked several questions like, Time of event, place of event, how many people, (25-35) did he want a stand up show or a walk around show?
He did not know the difference so wanted clarification. He opted for wanting a stand up platform type show. I gave him a price and he said he'd call me back in about an hour. Three or four hours later I had not heard back from him, and as the event was the next day, I called him. He told me he had two other magicians in mind. I asked him who as I might know them. He told me and to my surprise I knew neither of them. They both came under my price so Lowered my price a little bit.
So I got the gig, but since I did not know Duke, I asked a small favor, could he pay me in cash as I normally send out a contract requiring a small fee and payment after the show. He agreed and we were all set!
I did my normal stand up set and enjoyed "working" the audience. I am getting more comfortable being able to stop mid trick or in between tricks and step out into the audience to simply converse or remark upon things said and or done by them. This is important as it tailors the show to them and makes it seem unique.
I had several opportunities for this and took full advantage of them.
The Birthday girl, Joyce got up to use the rest room as I was just going to perform my Linking Rings, I noticed, made a comment like "hey, I didn't leave when you showed up." Got a laugh, and so I waited by stepping out into the "crowd" and performing the Crazy Man's Hand Cuffs in the Round! Since it is a close up trick and requires studious concentration by your audience, of course some people missed it so I performed it again,(Which I was going to do anyway) and then after that I had a young woman stretch a rubber band between her hands and performed it in her hands. This went well, and allowed me to fill enough time for the Birthday girl to arrive back to move forward and continue my performance!
After the show, I did a few card tricks close up for some people and at one point the man who hired me, Duke confided in me that he was glad he chose me for the event. (Music to my ears) I told him that I was too! :)
He then told me he was scared about the whole thing. I mentioned that I understood that perfectly, and that I take it very seriously when I am hired to do my best all the way thru the whole process.
Which brings me to some observations about this craft of magic. If you are going to "sell" yourself as a magician, and an entertainer, you better always do your best and always give 100% of whatever you are capable of bringing to the table. Someone is "choosing" you to entertain his or her friends or clients. You are the "head liner" for their event whatever that may be.
It is an awesome responsibility.
A little later while I was packing up my equipment to leave, another gentleman approached me and told me he knew all of my tricks except one. (I Highly doubt it) I asked him how this is so, are you a magician? He told me that as a kid he was... But he continued to tell me that I was very entertaining and that is why he doesn't do magic anymore. (So, maybe he did know how many of the effects are worked)
I took this as a compliment.
This brings up another thought I have about magic. Is it simply okay to know how to do a trick? Or is it equally or even more important to be entertaining with it?
I believe that it is more important to be entertaining with an effect, or better yet to be able to marry the two points into a cohesive whole. How do you do this!?
Practice until you know the effect inside and out, and then get out and perform it over and over again, making the effect you and you the effect, This is how you will be able to entertain with your magic. This will enable you to ad lib, and stop and pause and go out into your audience and make the show unique.

Great Time With Magic

2011-10-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday arrived and I was a bit anxious...
Not for any normal reasons one might think... more in the fact that I had two magic gigs that day and had no "Moto" as my marine son would say.
I had a show at a bank in Federal way at 2pm. Mostly for children and I hadn't really done my homework the week before... no moto... later that evening, at 7:30 pm I had a magic gig in a private home. This was an interesting gig as I had done one for someone I work with and he had a friend at that show and this friends mom always has a Halloween party and I was to be the main attraction. Again, for some weird reason I can't put my finger on, I had no motivation. I struggled all week trying to practice the effects I would be performing at these particular shows.
At the last minute, like the night before, I pulled out a video of one on my best children's performances and watched it. It was very helpful.
I arrived at the bank early, set up, moved some tables and chairs etc. I did not bring out my microphone and speaker set up as it looked like it would be a small turn out... boy was I wrong. seemed everyone showed up about 2:30 and there was about 60 people there. I rocked the house and we had a grand time. The woman that hired me was ecstatic! So was I! Laughter and smiles all around!
I handed out several business cards by request afterward and hopefully it will turn into some repeat business for me.
I had couple of hours to kill so I went to eat some dinner as I hadn't eaten and knew that I would need some fuel for the evening adventure.
I arrived at the peoples home about 45 minutes before "showtime" and set up my table and props. This time I made sure to set up my speaker and microphone... I finished setting up in plenty of time to do some pre show close up magic for people here and there. I finally settled in at a small table with about 8-10 people sitting around finishing up on their meals. It was a nice intimate affair. Wasn't long and the laughter and clapping filled the area and more people ambled on over to see what all the commotion was about.
I was holding court. Later as I reflected upon this moment in time I was able to realize that this was probably the first time I was totally relaxed sharing my card magic with so many people. Now there's a good word for me to latch onto... Sharing, Yes, that is it. That is what made the difference this night. I was simply sharing something I love with people. it seemed that no sooner was I about to finish up 'here" and get on with my stand up act, when someone new would arrive and ask me to do something for them. I quickly searched my brain for something that would "top" or at least equal what I had already done. This was rather difficult as I had been doing some fantastic effects already. It seems, especially with the ladies, that if you have one sign a card and give it away as a souvenir, that they all want one.
I had done a couple of sets of three, as I like to call them, with an encore effect thrown in. So maybe seven card tricks for various people in this growing, small crowd.
I finished with my friend Tom Frank's tricky wallet. It was a great ending to a wonderful beginning of the evening!
I then went over to the corner where I had set up shop so to speak. Launched into my stand up show and rocked the house.
The show lasted almost an hour and afterwards, as I was sort of cleaning up and tearing down, several young people in their twenties grabbed me and i did some coin magic for them.
I think by this time I could have told them the sun and moon had traded places and they would have believed me. So my coin 'set' which is a constant work in progress, and which I do not share with many was pretty darn good. I had them laughing and enjoying and believing...
I rocked !

Wonderful Magical Day

2011-09-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday now as I type, I had a great time performing walk around close up magic for elderly people and their care givers at a place called Cedar Ridge retirement and assisted living.
I was booked for a three hour walk around gig.
The event was mostly held out doors as the weather was very nice for this time of year. It almost reached 80 degrees.
There was BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers, a horse to ride and a bouncy house for small children.
Oh yeah and this 52 year old magic guy... ME! :)
I started out with finding some people to do something for, anything really just to get myself going.
A couple of ladies were sitting, not eating so I approached them and opened with my Hot Rod routine. I did some coins and rubber bands and was off and running. I moved around the picnic area and had a wonderful time.
I decided to make sure and put more coin effects into my repertoire. Recently several people have told me that my coin work is good. I have been 'messing' with coins for many years but do not feel very confident with them. I decided it is time to move out into that area of magic more.
I had a lot of fun doing coin stuff too. Charming Chinese Challenge. Coins across, coins thru table. Many people were loving it. And yes, I ma not the best at it ... yet! :)
It was a very uplifting day and to think... I even get paid a decent wage for dong it!
YEAH!
During the few hours I was there, a band arrived and set up. It was a country/Western band of four men. They were performing at the same time as I was. This created a problem for me and the people enjoying my magic. I do not understand why these assisted living people that are in charge of entertainment do not understand that two shows going on simultaneously is a bad idea. Shouting over a band is not conducive to good quality magic!
I decided to take my act in doors and was well received by those that were in there!

Last month I performed at an assisted living place and they wanted some walk around magic and my stand up show as well. That was all good, but they wanted me to perform my stand up show while all the patrons were eating dinner... this was not good planning. Magic needs to be witnessed, seen to be understood and followed. If people miss something during an effect, well, you have no effect, no magic.
It was ironic at this particular event that they had two musical 'shows.' One before me an don after. They lined up chairs in a semi circle so that they could all watch the musicians. But music does not need to be seen to be appreciated. Most magic must be seen as well as heard.
I am thinking maybe I should research putting together a small booklet for these entertainment directors.?
For some odd reason they must think that hiring more is better.
At any rate, I enjoyed the performing immensely.

That Time of Year!

2011-08-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

That time of year around here is...
Salmon fishing time...
In years past I have spent a lot of time, money, and energy fishing in Puget Sound on our 16 foot Arima boat. Every year I have to 'dig' the boat out of the garage amidst the clutter that has accumulated over the winter and spring months.
Most every year it is a challenge to get the kicker motor to work properly, this year was no different, although the first time out on the Sound the kicker motor purred like a kitten. But when I got home and flushed it with fresh water, it decided that it has had enough! It stopped spitting water and my neighbor Andy, a wonderful mechanic happened to be watching me clean up the boat and flush the motors. We took the motor off the boat and took the "head' off. We found a small hole in the cylinder.
NOT GOOD! The motor is shot. Dead, kaput...
With the high cost of running a boat, launch fees, clean up time etc... I am beginning to adopt the idea that fishing in the rivers is the way to go.
It saves me time and money, and I still catch plenty of fish, if not more. I just need to learn more about the times the different types of Salmon run.
And of course where and when to go fish for Steelhead.
Our children are beginning to learn this fishery as well.
It has been fun teaching them these methods, which I too am just learning, and also how to tie your leaders and hooks and fishing tackle.
I am pretty tired, worn out doing all this fishing, but it is living life and working to get better at something, spending time with your children and I love smoking salmon and giving it away.

2011-08-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to meet Hall Of Fame Basketball player Nancy Lieberman.
Some might say something like, well, you didn't really meet a Hall Of famer, I mena, she's a woman." I mean had she competed against men, she wouldn't have made it in the HOF!" And they would be partially correct, she is a woman. But in many respects Nancy's road to the HOF was much more difficult and was a harder path than many men's, simply BECAUSE she is a woman.
It was a pleasure and an honor to hera her speak and get to meet her.
I took our 18 year old daughter with me and I think she really enjoyed meeting Nancy as well.
We also enjoye dthe Seattle Storm game which the Storm won by a two point margin. It was my first Seattle Storm game, and I'm glad we went. We had a great time!

Magic, More Magic, and Work Magic

2011-08-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today is Sunday, August 21st 2011.
I recently returned from my first visit to Magic Live in Las Vegas.
I do not understand all that Magic Live is, but it is a magic convention that is hosted by the editor of Magic Live Magazine, a Man named Stan Allen. He is an excellent magician.
The convention was a blast. I got to meet many world renowned magicians, men I have long admired and aspire to emulate. One day!
The week before the convention I had two gigs lined up and one was at a church for their Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, and the other was a home party for a twelve year old birthday party. Both shows went really well, although I felt I struggled thru the VBS show as they only wanted a half an hour. Believe it or not, a 30 minute show is more difficult than my 45 minute to an hour show!
I have found that it is harder to remove stuff from my show. I have developed my show so that it has a certain flow to it.

The Humpy's or Pink Salmon have arrived in Puget Sound in very large quantities. I had been fishing for them as well prior to leaving for Las Vegas.
Some days are successful and some not. I took our son Ryan fishing the day before I left and we got skunked. We saw many fish being caught around us and this gave him the bug.
Something interesting he said to me as we fished amongst many other anglers.
We were waist deep in Puget Sound, looking down the line of fishermen, boats out in the water casting their lures towards us, we along the shore casting our lures towards them... Hills with homes surrounding us, the sun shining brightly, skies clouded but bright... hills all around, out in Puget Sound many islands in view, Ryan says, "Dad, if you didn't know where we are, this could be Peru or someplace exotic." In actuality, we live in a very nice exotic place!

So I arrive in Vegas with my magical friend Steve Ameden. We stayed at the Orleans Hotel. Everything we would need is in that hotel. Restaurants, bars and rooms for lectures and magic. A nice theater too.
Like I said I got to meet and session with many Giants in Magic. Bill Malone, Michael Ammar Daryl Easton, and on and on the list goes..
I arrived home Thursday afternoon knowing that the next afternoon I have a gig at Aegis Assisted living facilities. I arrived early to check out the venue. Am informed that they want me to do a 30 minute walk around outside before doing a 30 minute stand up show. That's fine by me, but they want me to perform my stand up show while the residents are eating dinner. I advise against this. I'm performing magic, if person looks down at their plate (and they will ) to get a fork full of food, their concentration is broken. I am over ruled so I go ahead and do it their way. As expected, many residents missed the magic. Many did not even turn their chairs around to watch, heck maybe many of them are unable to turn their chairs around. It was a disappointing show for me. Sure I got paid for it, and sure some of them got to enjoy it, but I will never perform while people are eating dinner again. I will take control and not allow it. Interestingly to me, a one man guitar/singer was on before me, they sat the residents in a moon shaped circle around him, perfect searing arrangement for my stand up show. After I finished another "band" of two people played banjo's guitars and sang, again the residents were arranged in perfect half round seating to be able to see them.
What is interesting to me is, it's MUSIC. It doesn't need to be seen to be enjoyed!
So I continue to learn and grow!
Here are a few pictures of happy people I entertain.

The next day I have another in home show. This for a fellow that I work with. He has hired me to perform my magic for his 15 year old daughter's birthday and some family and friends. I estimate about 15 people in all.
I rocked the house and blew their minds.
It was a great day. In fact on the way to that gig, while stopped at a red light. The fellow in the car next to me sees my magic signs on my car door and motions for me to do something for him. I was ready and performed a quick rubber band melting thru another. His eyes popped out of his head, he smiled big, got out of his car and asked for a business card.
That was really fun!

Fish On, Fish Off

2011-08-10T04:52:00.000-07:00

Took Katie Fishing yesterday,
It was a beautiful day on Puget Sound...
We trolled for "Kings" early but had no luck.
We watched as many anglers were fishing near shore for the "Pinks" or "humpy's" as they are called.
Supposed to be a banner year for Humpy's.
As we did not have any luck with the "Kings" we fished for some Humpy's, we caught three and called it a morning!

A McDowell Wedding!

2011-08-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Drove up North toFerndale Washington Saturday morning. About a 2 1/2 hour drive.
Was a very nice day.
Our friend Scott McDowell was marrying his long time sweet heart Malia!
Scott is the son of our long time friends Dale and Gene McDowell.
The wedding was a shoe string affair, and I do not say that in a derrogatory way. Just that they are a young couple and have been attending college most of their adult life and they did not want to burden their families with a huge wedding day expense.
They did most of the work themselves along with some great help from friends and family.
The wedding was a simple affair and was held outside. The weather was perfect, and everyone enjoyed the day! Volleyball, ladder golf, Frisbee throwing, kick ball and several other outdoor games were held.
During the "toasting" portion of the event I did a toast to Scott and Malia, and few minutes later I performed a special magical effect known as the Anniversary Waltz for the newlyweds.

Long Time no Posts...

2011-07-29T01:25:00.000-07:00

I have been very lax in writing here, in fact, I almost didn't get logged in because I cannot remember my password...
Ahh, but luckily it came back to me! :)
July 29th.
The summer time, but we have not had sunny weather, although it is beginning to change...
I dug the boat out of the garage last Saturday while Ryan and Matt Clark worked on Ryan's Isuzu Rodeo. Worked on getting the transmission out of it. I say worked on it because it didn't get done.
As usual when Flynn's work on vehicles.... Murphy's law takes over...
But...
On a higher note I did get the boat out of the garage and surprisingly...
Drum Roll please...both motors fired up and pee'd...
What does pee'd mean?
Well, outboard motors have what's known as a tell tale. This where water spews from the motor. It is a very important part of the cooling system of outboard motors.
Usually my "kicker" motor is frozen with salt residue or the impeller is frozen.
I am very happy to say that this year that is not the case.
So very soon I will try to get the boat wet in Puget Sound!
I have heard that this year will be a major year in 'humpy' Salmon fishing.
So, stay tuned, should have some excellent smoked Salmon in a couple of months!

On a magical front I have been very busy entertaining and growing in the art!
YAY!

Wounded Warrior Project

2011-06-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last Wednsday, several magicians and I performed in Fife Washington for something called the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jess & Carrie Moriarty started this fund raiser and we all pitched in.
There were four of us performing. Myself doing some "classics of magic".
like Linking Rings, and The Cups and Balls. Isaac Louie doing his comedy stand up routine, Young Matt Wells performing a wonderful set, and then large stage Illusions performed by a young magician
We had a good turn out and everyone had a good time.

Graduation Party

2011-06-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very nice day. We had about 50 people stop by to wish Katie good luck in the next leg of her journey. She graduated high school two weeks ago and we celebrated it with her. Lots of great food, pulled pork, cookies, veggies, fruit and drink. I think everyone had a good time.
I know I did and everyone is proud of her.

Fathers Day 2011

2011-06-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

First let me just say thank you to my family for the very nice, mellow, relaxed Fathers Day today.
I actually dislike fathers day. I was going to say 'hate" fathers day, but that is a rather strong way to put it.
I don't know when or why I dis like fathers day. Maybe it has something to do with my biological "father" being such an absent entity in my life. Then when I am in my twenties, and I contact him, he wants it to be like"water under the bridge." (His exact words)
Or maybe it is the commercialization of fathers day, mothers day, valentines day, Christmas etc.
Our society makes you feel like you have to get something for your dad. Like new golf clubs, power tools or some such. Or maybe do something in recognition for them, and while I think all this is good, providing it is something that you want to do, I do not think it should be like making people feel obligated to do these things. If you do not already have the love you should for all that your "rents" do and did for you, then Fathers day is a joke. If you aren't taking out the garbage, washing their car now and then, mowing the lawn, washing the dishes after meals, meals that they provided for you... if you don't do these things naturally for them... puhlease... skip the obligatory fathers day!
Today I worked. But I got to sleep in and when I got up... I replaced a kitchen light fixture as we are remodeling our kitchen, and today I took about 45 minutes to do that, then I fired up the Big Green Egg and BBQ'd a Flank Steak to perfection. No gifts, a nice hand made, heartfelt card from our daughter and later a phone call from our son Eric who is in Oregon with some friends. Ryan and I smoked a cigar on our deck and just simply ... were together!
What could be better!
Happy Fathers Day!

Legend Of The Five Mystic Rings!

2011-06-19T05:26:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=V4NixmxZywI

Leave Em Wanting More

2011-06-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

I have heard this many times, leave em wanting more. As far as performing magic is concerned.
As a magician I find it difficult to not want to perform, and perform, and perform...
Last Sunday I performed for an hour at The Maple Valley Days. I was thinking of shortening my act. During the performance sometimes I feel a "lag" of some sort. But I posted about this on Facebook and a person that was at the show had this to say.
"As an audience member..don't shorten it!!! We were bummed when you said you were done. GREAT JOB Tim, so very entertaining and loved sitting next to your wife being as bewildered as me. So glad we got to see you perform."
Tonight I performed fro an automotive group of about 35-40 people. It was an outdoor event, great BBQ and a fun evening. The gentleman who hired me asked for 2-25 minutes. He has seen my show several times, hired me in the past. So I performed for about 30 minutes. Afterward he told me it was a great, fun show, then said, "I wish you would have done the Linking rings.!"
Whatcha gonna do!? haha.
Well, I consoled myself with the fact that... at least I left him wanting more!
So now I am playing in my head with my act. I think I will consider building all future shows around the Cups and Balls and Linking Rings. (Except shows for children as the Linking Rings is something that doesn't really grab them.)
I did a little strolling magic before hand as I had time to kill and people were enjoying the great food!
Tonight my set consisted of:
Finger clap
Acrobatic Knot.
Cut and Restored Rope/Professors Nightmare
Lassoing a Card
Floating Card
3 Signed Cards Rise from sealed Envelope
Cups and Balls
Leave em Wanting More!

The Standing 'O'

2011-06-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

This morning after work I attended my Thursday morning Covington Networking Group meeting.
I was the "featured" speaker which simply means I get ten minutes to share what it is I do. It is an opportunity for me to allow others into my world as a magician.
I chose to perform rather than talk about it, or show a video.
Having only ten minutes really limited me in my choices of what I would perform.
I chose to go with my signature effect... The Cups and Balls...
I actually opened with the one finger clap opener I like. This warms the crowd up nicely and allows me to introduce myself. We have about 35 people in our networking group, so it was a nice sized crowd to perform for.
I performed the cups and balls. Many of these people have seen me perform some sort of "walk around" or "strolling" magic. Some card effects or coin effects. This was my chance to show them something a bit larger and to showcase my personality for them.
I must say I was overwhelmed by the response. When I revealed the oranges and the melon under my hat for the finish to the cups and balls. I got a spontaneous standing ovation. I really was not prepared for this lavish applause.
I will say that I truly enjoyed it though. I got warm all over... sadly, I blushed and really did not know how to respond. So I did what Dai Vernon recommends. I simply bowed my head and said thank you several times.
Later in the day I began to analyze what had happened and why.
I want to know how to create that moment again and again.
Not just for me and my ego, although it was very wonderful to bask in the glow of the moment. But I realize as I think on it that the audience enjoys the show more as well. When they give you or anyone a standing heartfelt ovation, they go away from the experience invigorated too. They perceive that "it" was better. (And maybe it was?)
I don't know? I was on a ten minute time crunch, and somewhere during the cups and balls routine, the timer told me I had a minute thirty left... I began to speak and move much quicker... maybe my speeding up helped create excitement?
I had a similar experience at my men's group doing a set of card tricks in the past. I drove home that evening wondering why that Standing 'O' happened.
Like I said, it is not so much about me trying to get more of them for my benefit, I just believe the audience goes away with a much larger feeling of the event. A more lasting impression.

Rain Or Shine

2011-06-06T06:39:00.001-07:00

This what I love doing..

Happy Happy Birthday...

2011-06-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

Our son Ryan turned 27 Saturday.
We celebrated by enjoying cigars and a fine meal.

We talked about going out to dinner somewhere, but instead purchased some great "eats" at Costco. Wonderful steaks, Prawns, and Scallops...
We cooked them all on the Big Green Egg...
Turned out really really good, better than the finest restaurant out there.
We figured the total cost to be about 50 to 60 dollars.
That's for five people. Imagine taking five people out to dinner and feeding them top quality Steaks, Prawns, Scallops, baked potato, and a salad, not to mention a few cold Corona's...

Let's say about 35 dollars minimum. That's what? 35 X 5 = 175... and tax, can't forget about the tax, oh, and a tip... hmm, probably can't enjoy a cigar anywhere anymore, not with all the petty laws we've enacted in the Great United States of America...
Sorry for that political rant,
Was a great meal and wonderful time...
27 year old Ryan Patrick Flynn...
Happy Birthday!

Wizard

2011-06-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

I met a man named Bob Heinrich just about a year ago.....
well, I didn't actually meet him. Bob was selling a magic item on Ebay and I bought it. We began corresponding via email.
Bob was getting out of magic at age 62, can you believe it!
He had some other items for sale and thru corresponding I had some items he wanted.. getting outta magic, are you kidding? :)
So Bob and I made some trades, we each sold each other some items as well, and we have become very good friends although we have never met face to face/ We have spoken many times on the phone, exchanged video's of each other performing, yes performing. Somehow I have reached Bob and have lifted him up to where he is performing small shows in Delaware.
He blames me for his magic talents that have been unleashed onto an unsuspecting public.
Well recently he wanted to do something nice for me. Besides having a bit of magic talent, Bob is a wood worker. Having built a beautiful sail boat and other things, so... he made me a wooden Wizard.
Ain't he GRANDE!!!
I love him... My little Wizard of the North!

Silent Mora & The Chinese Sticks

2011-06-01T01:48:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of the Great "Silent Mora"

He is a famous magician in magician circles.
Recently I purchased his set of Chinese Sticks on Ebay. They are beautiful, and very old. Notice the date on them.
Below is a picture of Silent Mora performing his Chinese Sticks routine.

Louis McCord is his real name.
Silent Mora did two acts, one in which he dressed in Chinese clothing and performed silently to music. Another was an act he did for club dates and dressed nicely in a tuxedo and used comedy and audience participation.
He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1884. He died in 1972.
I do a Chinese Sticks routine and love it.

New Kitchen?

2011-05-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

Out with the old... and in with the new...
For over two years Mrs. Flynn has been wanting a new kitchen. She has made plans, scrapped plans, and put things on hold...
We contacted my friend and magician Jose Floresca 2 1/2 years ago.
He came out and took pictures, drew up plans and then things got in the way.
In the picture are two Jose's! Big Jose and my friend Jose Floresca. Jose Floresca is the one smiling!
Things called life.
A few deaths and funerals along the way.
But finally the kitchen remodel is under way.
At present we are in the "Rip & Tear" Construction phase...
Living by BBQing on the Big Green Egg, basically using the living and bathroom as a kitchen.
It has been an interesting week so far.
I sold the refrigerator that was our garage refer. Moved the one from inside the house to the garage, but not before cleaning both of them inside and out.
I think we have a few weeks left of this non sense...

The Table

2011-05-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I traveled to Vashon Island to see my Cousin Larry and two of my other Cousins...
While visiting with them it was mentioned that our Grand Father, Lawrence Owen Flynn had built a desk for each of his children. The desk for my family would have been passed down thru my father. Some where along the line, this desk has disappeared.
My cousins, Cindy and Diane have theirs from their mother Carol, my Aunt.
I guess no one in their family wants the desk, it is not a very pretty thing, but it was hand crafted by my grand father and my children and their children's great grand father.
They gave the desk to our mutual Cousin Larry. He actually does not want it either as the space to slide a chair underneath is rather tight.
So, I said I would take it and refurbish it, so to speak.
Today I drove to Vashon Island via ferry boat and picked up the desk. I enjoyed the trip to Larry's home and we had a nice conversation for about an hour.
Here is that desk.

As you can see it has been painted a creamy beige color. It is also a roll top desk.
Probably built in the 60's.
It will take some time and effort to properly dismantle and make this thing look great.
I will try.

Four Years Ago

2011-05-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

Today marks the four year anniversary of my younger brothers death...
I am still saddened by this as I suppose I should be.
Theodore Owen Flynn. August 30th 1960- May 23rd 2007.

It really does seem like yesterday.
I guess in the big scheme of things it really was only a moment in time.
Four years... what have I accomplished in those four years? Have I been doing all I can do to live MY Dash?
Sometimes I think I have, I know I have, but at others... ? Well maybe not.
It is ironic that "life" gets in the way of living...
We all have these wonderful dreams, plans to accomplish things, or travel... but we allow circumstances or others to get in our way. Sometimes we build a wall around our own self, stymieing ourselves. We pigeon hole ourselves by our life we live. We often do not live for ourselves but for others. Our spouse or our children. Our job or even what we think we ought to do because we think it is right and proper.
What about your dreams, desires, goals? Are they dead? Are you dead in a live body?
It is funny how we are always comparing ourselves with other people.
Ted was always the outgoing, charming one. He could walk into any room and liven it up. He fit in anywhere and with ease.
He should have been the magician. His easy rapport with people would have been so disarming. And yet... He had many challenges in life too.
Ted was a very special person in my life. We were a year and a half apart. Many people thought we were twins, in fact I was just asked this by my cousin two days ago. I loved playing sports with Ted. He was a lefty, and had speed and power.
I remember playing Little League baseball together. Ted was 11 and I was 12. I played center field and would laugh when a right handed batter would swing at one of Ted's left handed curve balls, a swing and a miss. Often while they missed the ball it would also hit them in the foot. I am glad I never had to try to hit against him.
He was also my friend.
We struggled in our relationship towards each other late in life as he liked to drink a lot, and I think he felt that I was judgemental about it. So, I didn't get invited to a lot of his back yard BBQ's...
of which he was famous for.
In our early twenties we enjoyed playing a lot of softball together. Ted played left field for us and was a great fielder. He was small in height, and he used this to his great advantage. I would just love to see the opposing teams outfielders begin to creep in closer in right field. Ted would take a pitch or two and watch them as well. Then BAM, he'd hit a home run over their heads!
We had some great times going to tournaments.
Boy did we party!
Ted had an easy smile, he was the most un judgemental person I know, and I wish I had more of that trait too...

Vashon Island

2011-05-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a fun filled day on Vashon Island.

Two cousins of mine drove from Idaho to visit our Cousin Larry who has a beautiful place on Vashon Island. Actually he owns and operates a small guest house.
He built the guest house as well as refurbished the existing A frame structure.
Carpentry runs in our family as our grand father was a carpenter as well as my father and my brother John as well.
I have a few small skill in that dept. as well.
Anyway, Joan, Ryan and I arrived at Larry's place about 11;00 A.M.
We met up with Cindy, who I haven't seen in 39 years, and her sister Diane.

Hooked up with Larry who had to go do some charitable work for a few hours, so the rest of us went into town after a brief visit. We ate lunch at a wonderful restaurant called the Red Bicycle. I can heartily recommend the Clam Chowder. I ordered the Portabello mushroom burger. I was disappointed that when it arrived there was no meat on it. Geesh, what was I thinking? :)
I ordered a plain hamburger patty and chowed down.
Larry was able to break away from his duties and join us for lunch. As they had all heard about my magical endeavors, I knew it would be just short while before I would need to prove that I actually have some.
I didn't disappoint.
I think Ryan and Joan were not interested in it much as they have been around it and me long enough, but My cousins sure enjoyed the entertainment.

We did some shopping in various 'stores' on Vashon Islands main street. Visiting some stores looking for bargains and various other sundries.
Everywhere we went people knew my cousin Larry. He is the local bus driver and meets everyone, he is an outgoing person and gives love wherever he travels.

Walked along the beach and just simply enjoyed the day.
I am somewhat mad at myself for not visiting Larry and Vashon Island before this.
We had such a great time I will definitely be going back soon.

My Beautiful Mentor

2011-05-20T01:26:00.000-07:00

Oh what a lucky man I am....

Recently I have had the opportunity to attempt to teach someone I work with some magic. His name is Gary and he is an older man like myself. He wants to learn some simple card tricks. I decided to teach him some self working card tricks. This is not as easy as I thought.
I have come to realize that through the last 7 years, by hard work and diligence, I have become rather smooth at this craft. Yes I am tooting my own horn. If I don't blow it, no one else will! :)
What I am trying to say is that my patter, or what I say during my card routines, as well as all my magic effects has become somewhat ingrained. The verbiage said during an effect or performance is just as valuable as the actual physical mechanics of the trick. They go hand in glove.
So, here I am trying to teach this fellow some magic and he is not taking notes, his hands are dirty from working on airplanes, I give him some cards and because he uses dirty hands as he practices they are looking extremely shabby which affects the way they work.
This all brings me to my mentor Tom Frank.
I never realized how gentle of a teacher he was and is. OMG!
What patience he had with me.
It is all I can do not to pull my hair out with this man.
I must be careful not to crush his excitement and exuberance.
And yet, his work is so stilted and jerky. ( I must have been the same, how could I not be?)
As I type this I realize that compared to the masters in our craft, men like Alan Ackerman, Juan Tamariz, Harry Lorayne, Bill Malone, Darwin Ortiz, Daryl Easton, and so many more, that I most likely look stilted and jerky to them as well.
Patience...
I want to thank my friend and mentor Tom Frank, and others that were there for me in the beginning, men like Steve Ameden who constantly told me, "soft hands." And "don't give up."
I find it amazing that they even put up with me.
I am having so much fun with this wonderful art.
What an amazing journey!

Disappointed in myself

2011-05-08T13:22:00.001-07:00

Renton High School is celebrating it's 100 year centennial. This is an amazing accomplishment. I heard that because the building is now a hundred years old, it is an historic landmark...
I haven't been back to see the old high school since graduating. It was a lot of fun actually. I got on the committee putting on the event. I wanted to perform my magic show at the Ikea Performing Arts building, but that didn't happen. So... I helped in other ways. I did get to perform walk around magic
for the alumni as they mingled around during the Saturday event. Later that evening I also performed more formal walk around magic during the awards dinner.

Many alums were being honored for athletic awards or recognition of achievement.
Renton High School had never done this. No Renton High School "hall of Famers." Now there is!
The reason I am disappointed in myself is that I set up for my stand up show. I brought all my magic apparatus including my microphone and speaker system. But as I was looking around the room, at the set up of the place, I felt that It was not a good lay out for me. So I did do a lot of walk around or table hopping magic. I had a lot of fun and as I watched the portion of the evening that was when the honorees received their awards, I realized that the set up would have worked fine.
My challenge was a feeling of uneasiness because no would be announcing me, and I felt this nagging feeling that it would be like "tooting my own horn."
The next day while attending church, I kept beating myself up over the lost opportunity to perform. I felt like I stole from myself and my fellow alums. We could have had a BLAST. A lot of laughter and memories. But I guess I chickened out or something...
I didn't share my magical gifts.

I hope I have learned something from this.

Friday Golf

2011-04-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

I went golfing yesterday after work with my friend Mike.
We got on at Riverbend golf course in Kent.
It was a nice, chilly day. We have been experiencing a lot of rain and cold weather. Could someone tell Al Gore to turn on the heat!
We could use some global warming or climate change in these parts...
I started of well with a par on hole # 1. bogeyed two and parred the "Ted" hole. I call every hole # 3 on a golf course the "Ted" hole. My brother Teds, (may he rest in peace) favorite # was the number 3, after the great Babe Ruth. So to keep his memory alive, I dedicate every # 3 hole while golfing to him (If I remember, and I usually do)...anyway, I had a great time, and shot an 87. Could have been much better but I blew up on # 17. I am stiff and sore today but if I can get out and golf more often... that should take care of itself.
I am wondering how the weight loss of the past several months will help my swing. I am at present about 182 pounds. I made it up to about 197 last year and was contemplating going over two hundred just to say I did, But decided to push myself away from the table a little sooner. I also stopped eating large quantities of ice cream after work in the morning right before bedtime. I think this is the most significant factor in my weight loss.
Now I think I need to actually begin lifting weights or at least doing some sort of limbering exercises...

Dog Watching

2011-04-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine from work has flown the coup and is in Italy for three weeks.
Good for her.
I offered the services of our daughter Katie to watch her dogs. She owns two Mini Schnauzers. We have had them at our home for 3 days now.
At first it seemed like it would be a real problem as the dogs like to bark. But now they are beginning to fit in real well. Everyone is beginning to enjoy them and I think they are liking all the attention. We have a nice large yard for them to run around in too.
They come from a home where the owner is very loving but all alone and she has a full time job. Our home at present has four of us living here. So the dogs are getting a lot of attention.In fact they are attention hounds. When they are left downstairs all alone, they pine for company.
The male, Enzo is more aggressive and assertive, while the female, Izbel is docile and often frightened of any fast movements. I think she was the runt of her litter.
I do not know what will happen when they are gone in three weeks. I know that everyone here is becoming somewhat attached to them although it didn't seem like that would be possible on day one!
These dogs became more at home as time went on. They really have their own personalities. I have grown to really care for them, I did not expect that to happen. I ma having a blast playing with them.

Networking

2011-04-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

Four the last four weeks I have been meeting with several people interested in networking.
We meet every Thursday morning at 7:30.
This is a little rough for me, but doable.
I am trying to get my magic career, such that it is, off the ground.
I would love to perform more often.
Many reasons for this.
It will make me a better performer and person.
I will make some money which helps pay for the props I buy.
I will spread joy and laughter and wonderment in the world.
This will be the main reason, I love to bring happiness to others and potentially change their day and their life.
As Jackie Gleason used to say:
HOW SWEET IT IS!!!
The idea behind this networking group is people come together from many different business, each one exclusive to this group. No two alike, we refer each other whenever possible.
I am not only hoping to increase my performing opportunities, but make some life long friends, and help some of them increase as well.

StarBucks

2011-04-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I took my son Ryan to the store with me to get some needles to pump up balls with, basketballs primarily... It was just an excuse to spend some one on one time with him. He will be 27 in June and well, I know someday he
We arrived at Starbucks at about 7:45. This particular Starbucks closes at 8:00 pm.
We go our drinks, sat down and immediately a young woman announced, "Fifteen minutes to closing."
Well, at the ten minute or there abouts mark before closing, I said in a rather deep, resonant military voice, "Ten minutes, ten minutes..."
No one laughed except me. At the five minute mark to closing, I repeated that we have five minutes, five minutes...
And precisely at 8 pm the young woman says we are closing, time to leave.
I made some comment to her, and she replied, "at least I said it with a smile on my face, see!"
Man, I was disappointed.
I remember when I worked in restaurants as a teen ager... we were required to not only stay open til the posted closing time, but people could stay in the store until they finished eating whatever it was they purchased.
I didn't like it but that's the way it was.
I mentioned this to my son Ryan, and he defended the Starbucks policy saying something about how people will stay in there all day on WiFi..
I just wanted to enjoy a relaxing cup of "Joe" with him...
A multi million dollar company like Starbucks, I thought they had a little more class...

Magical Weekend...

2011-04-18T00:42:00.000-07:00

My niece Heidi
turned 30 about a week ago, that's a trip in itself... just yesterday morning she was born... I guess I was 22 at the time... anyway, she has had a run of bad lick... mostly self imposed... her son Isaih turned 11 Saturday,

and she asked me last week if I could do a show for her and him as she was broke...
I told her no worries as I would gladly help her out.
I haven't really performed for a group since December... Geesh.. that's way to long, so I polished off some magical apparatus and drove the 25 miles to Puyallup.
I performed my "children's" show,

and it was a good, fun time!
My favorite part is fooling the adult parents of the children, I think they think that since it is a "Children's" show, that somehow they won't be baffled. The looks on those adults faces is priceless. BAM!
My wife Joan went along and took a few pictures...

Later that evening Joan and I went to a Pub in Renton known as Jacks. We met up with about 60-70 Renton high schoolers from the 1970's... We had a good time. This evening get together was set up because of someone on Facebook doing something. Years ago there was a pinball hang out called Fumo's in Skyway. We all hung out there in the late 70's playing foosball, pinball and smoking pot.(And some beer as well...)
So thru facebook, we all, whoever wanted too, came out and partied and reminisced.
Because of the nature of the event, It not being a Reunion of one class year. I got to see people I haven't seen in 30 years.
What a great time, lots of smiles and laughter.
And yes... I did some magic as well.

Session In the Magic Room

2011-04-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

Last night Jose Floresca and Mark Jensen came by.
Jose was doing double duty as we are remodeling our kitchen soon and we want him to install the new cabinets and appliances. So, since he was driving all the way out here... we thought it would be good to have a small session.

We had a good time, reminiscing and shuffling cards. I did Whit Hadyns' Teleportation device for them, and although it is still "rough" it was fun to do. Mark did a nice piece with some magic smoke and taking away my fears.
Jose performed some coin work and it looks good. He is working on an Ambitious Card routine as well. Just after 10 pm I had to let them know I had to get to work, what a bummer, seemed that things were just beginning to heat up!
It was nice to use the magic room for another of it's intended purposes.

I'm 18 and I Like It!

2011-04-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, today was Katie's 18th birthday...

are you kidding me... another adult in the house!
We had a little celebration for her as she was going to her youth group meeting at our church's parsonage... so I had made plans to attend Renton High Schools 100 year centennial planning meeting.
We will celebrate Katies birthday this Saturday.
I have been attending the centennial planning meetings in hopes of using my magical talents in some capacity at the event.
I do not know if that is going to happen. After the meeting John Taylor, Kim Sargeant,RoseMary Castillo, and I went to some Irish bar in Renton.
I was asked to do a magic trick or two and well.... how do you get a magician to do a hundred magic tricks? Ask him to do one...
I had brought an eight foot length of rope with me and some scissors, the fact that I was carrying full size scissors was reason for a bit of laughter.
I performed the cut & restored rope and Professors Nightmare for my small contingent and a young woman stopped to enjoy the "show."
She came back with several others and I entertained them all for about 30 minutes with coins, cards and rubber bands.
After they went back to their table, I did a card on ceiling effect for RoseMary, she loved it... Then one of the waiters stopped by and I did a very nice card in box rise that happens in his hands. Everyone went wild. It was eery.
He told his manager who came over and so I did a nice four person poker mental routine to cap off the night.
I think the best part for me, other than the fact that I nailed every trick tonight, is that the people at my table enjoyed watching me perform for everyone else. They got to watch from a slightly different perspective and had a great time.
As We were leaving, we had to pass by the table with the four people who came by and enjoyed my love of magic. I paused and thanked them for letting me share my passion with them, they all stuck out their hands and thanked me in turn, one young man even said, "you are a great artist."

I love magic!
......................................................................................
Back to the birthday celebration, since Katie's Birthday arrived on a Wednesday... we chose to celebrate by going out to dinner on the following Saturday, (Which as I type was three days ago now, I know, I am not updating this blog like I should)..
We went T P H Changs in Bellevue.

We had a wonderful time and laughed, ate and drank, Happy Birthday Katie. You ae well loved!

Happiness & Sadness...

2011-03-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 52nd birthday...
It was a great day for me as my family treated me very well with a sweet dinner, (Which I cooked! :)) and some wonderful gifts too.
The sad thing which is not really a big deal is our son Eric began moving out into his own apartment on the same day. It is a mixed bitter sweet thing. He has been home for about six months and it has really been great, but it is time for him to move on and move out! he will be attending Bellevue College starting this Monday and he moved closer to Bellevue. In an apartment in Renton.
It's all good, but it was a great thing having him around and home safely from the military and over seas...

Roberto Giobbi Lecture

2011-03-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night I spent a few hours in the presence of greatness. I arrived in Everett Washington for a three hour lecture by Roberto Giobbi.

He is Of Italian descent but lived in Switzerland. He speaks and writes five languages fluently and has written many books on Magic, Mostly card magic. He has written a book series known throughout the world as the Card College series.
I purchased this five volume set a few years ago.

I started reading volume 1 and got side tracked.
I am always getting side tracked magically. Other books, DVD's, seminars, lectures, and performing gigs, not to mention a full time job, and raising a family keep getting in my way! :)
During this wonderful lecture Mr. Giobbi did several magical effects that are taught in his books, which I have. He also spoke eloquently about something called the "Magic Pyramid." I was frantically writing notes trying to keep up with this generous, deep man. Then he mentions that this whole talk about the magic pyramid is written up in his volume # 4 Card College... which I own but have never opened.
I am kicking myself about this. In his first Card College book, Roberto says this at the end of his "Personal Note, which is at the opening of his book under the Heading The path Of The Master: "If you master the techniques and tricks in this course, you will be more capable than ninety percent of all magicians who do card magic, and you will have the tools of a card expert."
Wow! What a statement!
And Knowing Roberto Giobbi, I know this is a true statement.
So why? How do I get side tracked so often?
There is so much great information available, and so much great card effects and magic available. Where does one start?
Well, it seems this Card College series would be a GREAT place to start, and if one really goes thru it diligently, painstakingly... in a few years you would be an expert at card magic and one of the few in the upper 10 percentile of card magicians in the world!
So why wouldn't someone get after it!?
Vision, perseverance, diligence, seeing beyond the here and now....
Putting up with failure. Knowing that thru failure you are on the path to success.
Today as I type it is Sunday afernoon. I have been reading and studying very hard since the lecture.
I have spoken in depth with my friend Steve Ameden about wanting to dig deeper into this card magic. He reminded me of how far I've come, of what I will have to give up to do this Card College study. Making choices. Do I want to really be a connosier of card magic?
Sometimes I feel so good about my place magically, and at other times I feel like I have SO MUCH to learn!
What about my "stage" act? Am I willing to give that up? Put it on the back burner? Or is there a place in between where I can marry it all together!?
I believe ther eis and that makes me a well rounded magician!

Why I Love Magic

2011-03-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

People often ask me how or why I got into magic.
It's a long story...
Or they might ask a little deeper question about what you see in magic? Or better yet, what drew you into doing magic? What is it about magic and performing tricks, fooling people that makes it worthwhile for you to do?
That is an interesting question to me, and I don't know if I have a definitive answer.
All I know is that when I am fooled by magic, it is intriguing, astonishing and much more to me.
Not just a puzzle, but when magic is performed as magic... it is wondrous....
The other night at work I had to fill in for some guys as we were short handed. I had to move a couple of planes in the factory, and some stabilizer dolly's and Fin bucks into the various buildings.
This allowed me to work with many "new" people. I know them all sort of, but the way Boeing is, there are always some new faces.
I work with a man named Joe Henry, he is a fork lift operator like me, and has watched me perform many magic tricks. So I thought he would enjoy some of my latest and greatest... He did, and as I performed for him, some others noticed and pretty soon I was performing for many men,well mostly men. My supervisor is a woman and I did some magic for her too... It was really great to see wonder, excitement, astonishment and JOY on these men's faces. I added a little laughter and joy into their lives while at work.
I changed the whole atmosphere of the place.
That is an amazing thing to be able to do. it only took maybe ten minutes, but soon several "guys" were coming up to me wanting to see the trick with the stick. (Hot rod)
What an awesome thing we are able to do.
I left that place feeling really good about myself, and I am sure I left smiles in my wake!

Big Green Egg Table... Weeks Later

2011-03-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

BEFORE!

Yesterday I got up early, 11:30 am, which is about four hours into my sleep... Yech... but for a Good reason! :)
My friend Jay Brunner was coming over at noon to help me (or should I honestly say, for me to help him!?) Put the tile onto the table for my Ceramic cooker.
Last time we got together to do this was really cold outside and we had a lot of trouble cutting the ceramic tiles.
We (He) did a much better job this time.
We got all the tiles cut and cemented in to place on the table. Now we will let it sit over night and "set up."
Today we will grout between the tiles finishing the project.

I can't wait to get the "Egg" back up onto the table as it is sitting on my deck and is not as much user friendly as I would like!
So, after waiting about a week for the grout to dry, and after putting some kind of sealant onto the grout, here is the table today!

And of course, it looks even better with smoke spewing from the top, meaning something delicious is being cooked inside. In this instance it would be some Coho Salmon!

I think it looks great, In fact the top is so nice, now I want to do something with the lower section?
Hmm, never satisfied am I!? :)

Palm Springs...

2011-03-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

After the wonderful plane ride and drive down the interstate to Palm Springs, which by the way, kind of shot that day, which was a Monday, and my wife and mines 30th wedding anniversary... we went out to dinner at a place called "Babes." Why we chose a BBQ joint... I am not sure.
The food was really good and we enjoyed ourselves. I had a runny nose and my eyes were running and puffy as well.
Tuesday was my planned golf day. I chose to golf in the morning so as not to take up the whole day by golfing an afternoon round. I golfed an the PGA West Nicklaus Tournament course. It was a spendy bill... if you know what I mean, and I think you do!
The course was spectacular.
The weather perfect! About 80 degrees. I was not used to this heat as in Seattle it was in the 30's when we left.

I must say though that it didn't take long to really enjoy the venue at PGA West.
I somehow managed four birdies, and three pars.
I also had some large numbers resulting in a final score of 92 from the white tees.
I haven't golfed much lately, and I was pretty amazed at my putting. It is what got those birdies, well some really nice approach shots didn't hurt either.
The ball really flies well in that California heat!

I golfed with two older gentlemen. I think they were both in their 70's. We had a great time and I think they enjoyed watching me get into and out of trouble out there!
Wednesday my wife and I planned a trip on the Palm Springs Tram. This was really pretty cool.
We drove to the tram which was about 2000 plus feet of elevation, then get on the tram and it takes you up the mountain to an elevation over 8000 feet.

You copuld see the whole of Palm Springs and teh surrounding dessert from there!
We went from 80 degrees to 40 something in a matter of minutes, from hot sunshine to sun soaked snow!
It was pretty neat.
We also visited a Palm Date farm and learned about dates.
Ate dinner that evening at a place called Jackalope Ranch.
This is a beautiful place.
We arrived early and walked the grounds and noticed some oranges on many trees in the area.
They were up pretty high as I think the lower ones that were within reach had probably been picked.
I found a tree with a few within reach and picked some. Joan was a bit upset with me, but hey... I'm on vacation... I peeled them and they turned out to be nice and large Tangerines. I picked some more and they were really sweet and juicy. I don't know why the establishment at Jackalope Ranch didn't pick them and offer them to people coming for dinner or happy hour?
We went back to our hotel for a nap,

(View from out hotel)
and to refresh as I was pretty sick and tired, worn out... we had dinner later at Jackalope Ranch and I ordered a Buffalo Steak.
I was worried about it as I had never had Buffalo before and the price was pretty high, and I was hoping I would like it... well, it was EXCELLENT!
Thursday we slept in a bit and then went into downtown Palm Springs to walk around and see all the shops.
We had a good time and enjoyed the place.
I would enjoy going back.

Near Death?

2011-03-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

Can never tell, but all I know is I was vomiting (nothing came up) And lots of people were praying as our plane from Seattle to Palm Springs on Monday march 7th could not land in Palm Springs. The Pilot made TWO attempts and then G forced us back into the sky, not once but twice.
It was eerily silent on our plane as people were really scared. No screaming, no yelling, just "dead silence."
We eventually had to land in Ontario Cal.
My wife & I chose to get a rental car and drive the hour to Palm Springs, it was quite an adventure..
When we arrived in Palm Springs.... we had to go to the airport to get my golf clubs. I enquired as to how the flight from Ontario went. I was told that it was a good thing that we elected to disembark from the plane as everyone that stayed with the plane threw up... not only that, but it took three more attempts to land. I heard that after the 2nd (4th) attempt that everyone was screaming to have them "TAKE US TO ONTARIO!"
I don't know what to say about this, but it was definitely not fun being on an airplane and feeling that this could actually be the end...
I also think that this feeling of sickness carried over into our whole time in Palm Springs.

World Magic Seminar 2011

2011-03-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

Had a GREAT time at WMS.
It is kind of weird for me as I am not really looking forward to going right up til I get there.
Then I am there and I feel the love of about 500 or more magicians.
This is my third year in a row attending this incredible event.
I am beginning to look forward to seeing other magi that I am making connections with.
Mainly this year I was lured into attending by the presence of Master Magician Juan Tamariz.
I have never met Juan and at 68 years of young-ness... may never have another opportunity.
He is a spry, energetic waif of a man, but Oh my... can he magish!
Fool you right into shock.
I spent over ten hours in his magical presence!
I would love to sit at his feet and be mentored by him.
Not an elegant magician, but very elegant.
Diminutive in stature, but larger than life itself!
Relaxed at all times, and yet, so very intense. A master, a maestro..

I guess I'll just have to acquire all his books, magazine articles and dvd's....
And more importantly... STUDY, study, study...
What a treasure Juan Tamariz is!

My mentor from days gone by, Tom Frank Drove over from L.A.
What a special treat to spend some time with him.
Tom always greets me with a hug and a smile.
It was a fitting reunion of the three founding members
of what Tom eventually dubbed, "The Alki Magic Studio!"
It is hard to believe that four years (or is it five?) have passed since Tom Moved to L.A. and the Alki Magic Studio vanished into a long road trip and memory.
At the time I was saddened by this but also knew that it was a good thing, like the cutting of the apron strings of a mother and child.

I am always amazed at WMS.
The amount of talent is incredible, funny thing, but I am a small part of that magical talent there.
What I mean is I find it hard not to compare myself to other magicians, while at the same time other magicians are more than likely comparing themselves to me.
Must be an ego thing! Haha...
I blow some magicians away with some of my magic and am totally lost while watching others. I think it is just that we all learn different material and techniques, we are all on a journey and come into it at different angles and varying levels of interest.
Maybe... Maybe it is just me wanting to be the best?!
I have A LOT of work to do, and ironically at times I am doing it.
It is difficult to juggle everything and be a professional entertainer as well. Family, a job, husband and father...
But I try and try! :)

World Magic Seminar 2011

2011-02-26T17:43:00.000-08:00

In a few hours I will be Las Vegas attending my third World Magic Seminar.
I am now a "seasoned" veteran of these things and am hoping to be able to relax and mingle and learn, and not get caught up in the buying frenzy of new magical products. It is like a Tupperware event at times. They have a "dealers" room and it is hard to not open your wallet.
Some of the "salesmen" are quite amazing magicians in their own right and they come up with the darnedest things. They make it all look so easy to perform and men Like Mark Mason can sell ice cubes to an Eskimo in sub zero weather!
I am excited to see Juan Tamariz. He will be lecturing during this weekend.

Books

2011-02-26T17:41:00.001-08:00

The love of reading is an amazing thing, and the consequences are always good.
I fell in love with reading at an early age. I wonder if maybe it has something to do with our mothers or fathers reading to us a bed time story? Nah... I fell in love with reading because my older brother John would come home late at night and turn on the lamp he had clamped above his bed, turn on his stereo (Too loud) and read science fiction books.
I hated that at the time. I learned to keep my mouth shut and sleep with a pillow over my head to keep out the sound and the light.Whatcha going to do? It was better than getting my ass kicked.
A few years of this and I finally read one of his sci fi books. I don't recall which one it was, (Elric of Melnibone comes to mind)but it started a love affair with first, science fiction novels, and then reading in general. It dawned on me that all knowledge is contained in books.
Today with video so prevalent, I find it interesting that my family, everyone of them is a reader. I was worried about Eric for awhile because he just did not like school much, but he is a very bright and intelligent person. I was very happy to find out that he loves to read. He really enjoys body building books at present. But I know that the joy of reading will ebb and flow and always be available.
As I delve deeper into the art of magic, I am beginning to read more. Reading magic books is difficult. Especially if they are teaching a sleight or a trick. Often pictures are drawn or shown and you have to turn the book upside down to get the proper view of the picture... now you cannot read the text that accompanies and explains the photo.
Some magical friends have told me that a nice way to combat this challenge is to read the text into a recording device and then listen to the words as you work the handlings drawn in the photo's.
Anyway, I am blessed to live in a country where reading is taught and available to everyone.

The Stirrings of Life

2011-02-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went on a walk about the neighborhood with my wife.
It was a nice calm day. No rain and no wind, just about 50 degrees...
As we walked I noticed several children, a group of about eight playing kick ball up one street. It was a joy to watch them run and laugh and be competitive. Further up the road I noticed two boys sitting on a porch enjoying being outside, playing some made up game or other...
As we walked I spied a house that we had made an offer on almost 19 years ago, (we didn't get that house and it was a blessing as we were unknowingly pregnant at the time with Katie) In the big picture window were two young children playing in the living room. A moment later their father came in and began to play with them. Reminded me of a time long past with our boys, before Katie came along.
It was a good memory! :)
Seems Spring is almost upon us, here in our neck of the woods the Winter has been mild so far.
Noticed some buds forming on some trees too.
Looking forward to Spring and Summer.

That's Impossible, Last Chance

2011-02-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to Ballard. A place called Egan's Ballard Jam House. It is a small pub/eatery with a small stage, usually used for music I assume.

My friend Tony Comito, a wonderful magician is moving back to Albuquerque and he is the one who has organized the monthly "That's Impossible" magic shows here at The Ballard Jam House.

This night was to be a sort of sending off party for Tony.
I was excited to see the show.
I figured (Wrongly) that this would be a great show as there was to be several past magicians each performing a three minute piece from there repertoire.
As I watched the show, I couldn't help wonder why these obviously talented magicians would choose non magical effects from their repertoires.
I saw a bubble act. I saw a mentalism act that left me wondering what was the point? I saw a great magician cover his head with a form fitting mask and then card board box and push umbrellas through the box as if they were somehow magically passing through his head.

It was entertaining only because he is entertaining, but magical? Not!
I watched as two magicians chose the most inebriated, obnoxious woman in the room to invite on stage to be the magicians helper, and I wondered what this was all about. I have been taught to avoid these types of people as they are difficult to deal with, and she proved that old axiom correct.
I realize it is very difficult to perform a three minute "act" from one's repertoire out of context. You miss the building and rapport that you develop with an audience through your normal set show.
But still, these are the best from your show? It seemed to me that some of these Magicians were using this as an opportunity to introduce something new and see how it plays.
Where's the magic!?Tony is an excellent emcee. I asked him if I could video him, he graciously agreed. I asked the head liner if I could video her portion of the show. She declined which was okay.
I asked Crystal Sinclair if it would be okay to video her segment? She graciously allowed that. She performed her linking ring routine and did it very well.
My friend Isaac Louie asked me to video his spot, which I did.
This was I thought, supposed to be a send off for Tony Comito, and I guess I expected better magic from my brother magicians.
Aaron Wheeler did a very nice rose napkin/floating table routine
and everyone was working real hard.
I do not know what I would have performed had I been asked too...
It depends on where in the line up you would be performing.
Had I been the closer, before the Headliner, I suppose the torn and restored newspaper would be appropriate.
All these things come into consideration.
Although I was disappointed in the show, I think the audience had a great time. I would wish that I could see thru non magician's eyes again.

The head liner, a woman magician...Maritess Zurbano was... well, I expected a whole lot more. I asked her if I could video her performance, she replied, "I'd rather you didn't." and that was okay with me. So many magicians are worried about their acts being stolen, and duplicated... I totally can respect that.
She started out well with a card flourish set, fans and card appearances. She dove tailed this into a ball manipulation, all this was well done.
Maritess got into trouble with the "Mentalism" part of the show.
It flat out bombed. The worst thing about it is that she blamed her choices of audience members for her failure.
Not once, but twice...
I learned a long time ago to never blame your spectators for my failure to make the magic work.
Maritess also did an interesting shtick about her "mentor" and she dressed the part, donning funny nose glasses, an odd jacket and affecting a deep baritone voice.
Again she chose to do a sponge ball routine that ultimately embarrassed her onstage guest.
Too each their own I guess, just not my cup of tea!

Martin Lewis Lecture

2011-02-07T05:16:00.000-08:00

I debated for a couple weeks if I would attend the Martin Lewis lecture Saturday, what swayed me to go was an email from my friend Mark Jensen.
I am not sure how much I got from the lecture. Martin Lewis is a wonderful magician and a good teacher of magic.
I really like his presence magically.
He went thru most of the things he has invented or is presently selling.
I purchased his Lecture notes c.d. and his Business Cardiographic dvd. It is a nice way to hand out your business card to someone, very magical, a miniature Cardiograph.
I am looking forward to a couple of things from the lecture notes c.d.
particularly his torn & restored cigarette paper and the Crystal Gazing routine he does.
After the lecture Mark Jensen and I went and enjoyed dinner at Sean O'Donnell's.
The real meat of the evening came when Mark and I were alone, outside, standing by our cars talking magic and life. I think we must have chatted for an hour.
I had a good day!

Cruise ship sinking.

2011-02-05T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's In The Blood...

2011-01-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

Today I am giving blood... at Safe way no less... guess the old saying, "you can't squeeze blood from a turnip." might just be wrong today!
Our daughter Katie set this whole project up through her church.
It has been an ongoing process for her. She has worked REALLY hard to put this whole thing together.
I am really proud of her.
She is growing up WAY too fast... slow down, don't go so fast, Time waits for no one... time keeps on slippin', slippin'...
Oh, sorry... it's about the blood!
Actually Katie had 15 first time donars give blood!
That is awesome!
I heard that each persons pint is used on three different people somehow.
So, she has affected in a positive way many people!
Right on! TWO thumbs up... WAY UP!!!!

What's an Idea Worth?

2011-01-20T01:16:00.000-08:00

My friend and magic buddy Mark Jensen planted a seed of an idea a couple of weeks ago while we were visiting and sessioning...
He mentioned that he had read an article by Master magician Roberto Giobbi.
Roberto said that in order to not forget all that you learn magically as you travel on this magical journey, that it might be a good idea to write down all the tricks (I don't know if it was just card tricks, as I have been unable to find the article)you know on individual cards,
thereby making a very magical deck indeed... and then every day you can shuffle and cut the "deck' and a trick that you know or in my case want to learn, or perhaps one from long ago that has fallen by the wayside because you have "moved" on can be worked for that whole day.
Well, me being me, I have begun this process. It is amazing how much "stuff" I know.
Not only have I written down card effects, but also certain card maneuvers or sleights that I need to Polish or keep polished, but also some coin magic as well.
I have decided not to write down things from my "larger" repertoire, although I have included some sleights necessary in some of my Parlor magic.
I think I have about 70 cards at present in this deck.
This might be Too large of a deck and am thinking that I might make two decks.
One for actual effects, or tricks, and one for coins and sleights.
And to keep from being bored with one trick all day... I am thinking it might be best to choose a card from each of the two decks.
As an entertainer in magic, I go thru a lot of cards. As they become worn out somewhat, or my decks shrink because of signed cards handed out as souvenir's to spectators... this allowed me to "get rid" of some of my cards and give them new life!
Awesome!

The Egg Table

2011-01-20T01:09:00.001-08:00

A work in progress...
As our lives are. A constant evolving, changing thing... As Ideas come, we ponder, poke, and prod, discard and keep.
I built this table
a few years ago for my original Kamado "egg." Or Hibachi as my wife likes to call it. The original was a clay one from Japan that her father brought home from his many travels abroad. It sat in his garage for 40 years until we unearthed after his death. The elements were not kind to it and It began to crumble. I tried valiantly to save it, but alas, putting Humpty Dumpty back together again did not work.
So I sold something to buy something, you might say it was a trade... anyway we have a New "egg" and the table had some burn marks on it and I decided it would be nice if I covered it with porcelain tiles.
So here is my friend Jay Brunner
helping me with that project.
We needed to cover the table with some special "wood." Actually cement board.
Then we have to glue the tiles to the board after measuring and cutting to fit!

Wake Up Call

2011-01-10T23:18:00.001-08:00

My wife woke me at 3 PM this afternoon...
She was whispering in my ear...
She was being quiet so as not to alarm me...
I said "yes"
She said some guy called wanting me to do magic for them tonight and did I know anything about it?
I replied that I did not, but maybe I did? hahaha... waking up to questions can get a guy in trouble... lol...
It was a last minute request from someone I met at a wedding I did some magic for back in August of 2010...
So, I called the gentleman and we worked something out. It was a walk around gig at a local bowling alley. I was kind of worried about having to yell, but was assured that this particular alley had about ten lanes set aside in a sort of private area.
So I did the gig, made some money, handed some business cards, missed the national championship game and enjoyed creating laugher and awe wherever I went!
NICE wake up call!

Happy New Year 1-1-11

2011-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed bringing in the year at home with just My wife and Ryan.
Ryan and I enjoyed (?) a cigar and then stayed up just long enough to actually bring in 2011... I slept until about 8:15 A.M. and the alarm went off. Why my wife set the alarm??? I do not know!
Well, as the morning began I decided to find out if any stores were selling unfrozen turkeys!
Success with the first call at Safeway. .69 cents a pound!
I went and picked up a 16 pounder and fired up the Big Green Egg. man did that bird turn out excellent. As I was roasting the turkey, Eric and I enjoyed a cigar. The turkey took way less time than expected, I had to shut the 'egg' down to let it cook slower.
It was a fun day and I am learning bit by bit about this egg!

I invited my friend Mike and his wife Kimberly over for dinner. It was a very nice dinner and visit!

Spending Time...

2010-12-31T10:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I drove to North Bend to spend some time, interesting when you think about the word "spend" and "time." We spend money on things, and time is often mentioned as money, as in..."time is money." Anyway, I did, I spent some time with my buddy Mark Jensen yesterday at his home. I love having a four wheel drive vehicle. The drive was beautiful as the roads leading to Marks' home were magically transformed with a blanket of white!

We talked things magical, drank coffee, entertained each other and basically just enjoyed one another's company!
I value my time with Mark, so it is time well spent! So often we spend our time unwisely, just as we spend money unwisely.
For some reason Mark is one of the people that always uplifts me and my magical endeavors. From the very first time we met, he has always been a positive influence on me and for me. Maybe that is why I value spending time with him!? :)
Mark is someone that always puts up with my quirks and my endeavors to grow as a magician. He never fails to allow me to "show" him something new. He is a rare magician that can watch an effect that I do and watch it as a non magician would and at the same time, see it as a magician would too.
He has a child like quality that never fails to come out when I perform something for him!

The Least I Could Do

2010-12-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday our pet dog Cub died.
We talked about burying him in the back yard behind our fence, the land behind our fence is still my property, just that it is a big hill and I built the fence to keep basketballs from rolling down it, and having to go retrieve them became a hassle.
Anyway, yesterday we decided to take our dog somewhere for what? Disposal?
We thought perhaps this would be easier in that w were worried that animals might dig him up and dismember him. These thoughts are unpalatable to Katie and us...
This morning I spoke with Katie and said that it is her decision, but that I am very willing to dig a grave and bury him here on our property. She liked this idea so that is what I did. I also proposed the idea of getting a small head stone marker for him so that she will have a place to grieve and visit and relive his memory.
It Is The Least I can do for my daughter.
I think a burial and a short ceremony will help her have some closure. Her wounds and hurt are so fresh right now. Her emotions extremely raw. Katie is a lover of animals as most girls are.

This is very painful for her. Maybe this digging of a grave and burial is for me as well. Something physical I can do to help her in some small way, and thereby help myself?
I guess in some weird way, digging that hole yesterday warmed me up for the one I dug today.
Since writing the above, we buried Cub and Katie did some of the shoveling. I do not know if this is helping or not. She mentioned how he was her everything. Someone (?) just for her, I am crying as I type knowing her loss. Feeling her pain and the missing of someone special in her life. The instantaneous "nothing" that is there.
She is a level headed "woman" and will be fine in a while.
It just hurts so much when you love someone as I do my daughter and cannot take away their pain.

Good day, Bad day, Dog day...

2010-12-28T02:45:00.000-08:00

The Good:I got up really early yesterday morning, well early for when a guy is on vacation...
My friend Jay Brunner had a mild heart attack last week. He does carpentry and just about any work needed, he is an amazing handy man.
I found out Sunday at church that he had to dig a 40 inch, 3 X 3 foot hole in the ground at our parsonage to run some wire and conduit and a short trench. I sure didn't want Jay digging that, especially with the stitches etc, and his recent hart trouble, it is his third one.
So I volunteered myself and talked my son into helping.
Good thing too. It took us two hours of solid digging and that equivilates ( I know, I made this word up, just call me Sarah Palin jr. )to four man hours. I doubt I could have done four hours of digging myself. Not because I'm weak, just that It is something that is foreign to me and would use muscles unaccustomed to that type of labor. As it was, after about two feet down in the 3 X 3hole, only one of us could fit at a time anyway, so Eric and I took turns.
I was pleased as punch to do this for Jay. So was Jay, he was not looking forward to it!
After resting at home, I talked my wife into going to Lowe's to look at tile to cover the table that I have the Big Green Egg in... we spent some time there as it was difficult to choose a color.
actually we got one we think we will like.
While driving home we received a call form our son Eric informing us that our dog Cub
had had some more seizures, Eric said about 11, and that Katie and Ryan were taking him to the animal hospital. We called them and by the time we reached them, Ryan informed us that he thought that Cub was dead. So we had him bring him home.
It is a very sad thing to lose your dog. Cub has been a fun family dog for about 4-5 years, He is basically Katie's dog... but you know how the inveigle themselves into your heart!
Katie is devastated, and we are all feeling the loss.
I offered to bury Cub in the back yard behind our fence and told Katie we could get a small head stone for him and for her to visit him. At first she was for this idea, but I think her brother talked her out of it, saying that other animals might get to his body, so she changed her mind and we are going to take him away today...
I am at a loss as to what I can do for her, it is very difficult to be your daughters daddy and not be able to fix something like this.
In some ways Katie is very pragmatic, and realizes that Cub is not there... it is just so Damn hard to realize that one minute he was a very healthy part of your family, playing tug O war, chasing balls and a part of your life, and the next... just simply dead.

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

I am up early Christmas morning typing away on this blog.
Sleep eludes me.
I woke up every few hours in the night. noticed that the kitchen light was on even though I turned it off each time, someone else was struggling with ZZZzzz's too.
I know it was our son Ryan, he doesn't turn lights off very well.
Sure enough when I got up to come write on the blog, he was awake on the downstairs couch.
Yesterday was so much fun that everyone was keyed up.
The McDowell children left about 12:45 A.M. and we be bopped around putting last minute touches on gifts and placing them under our tree.
it was fun to watch our grown children do this. Joan and I had to wait til they finished to do ours.
Today should prove to be a fun and exciting day.
I finally got everyone outta bed around 9 AM. Lots of gifts and fun.
Katie made a bet with Eric & Ryan that there would be snow on the ground on Christmas day. The loser of the bet had to jump into Pipe lake.
Here is the person that got all wet!Brr... lucky for her it is an exceptionally warm Winter!

Joan and I pulled a fast one on our son Ryan. I had talked with him about getting a fly fishing rod for Katie, during the conversation Ryan let it be known that he would like one too. I told him that I was sorry but we had already gotten his gift.
Last week I went shopping with Ryan and he mentioned wanting a fly rod again. Again I told him that we had already gotten his gift.

Well today as he watched both Eric and Katie open their new fly rods, he was kind of bummed, until I sprang one on him, his face lit up like a Christmas tree!
It was priceless!
I scored some nice magic stuff.
A wonderful new book about the life and magic times of Del Ray, and three dozen decks of cards... three dozen... wow...
Everyone enjoyed our first Christmas together as a whole family for the first time in five years!

It is so easy to forget the reason for this celebration.
It is easy to forget the abundance that we enjoy in America.
So, as I walk thru this day I will try to keep focus on the birth of Christ and what that means to and for me.
Merry Christmas one and all!

Christmas Eve doins'

2010-12-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

Big test today for me and the new Big Green Egg!
I bought a nine pound Prime Rib roast.

Bone in...
I got a recipe off the Internet. We have company coming over and we are going to have a feast!
I purchased an electronic meat thermometer and magically it arrived today How cool is that!?
Well we'll see how cool it is if the heat and cooking temps all come together.
My wife is a bit worried about all this. the roast was expensive and I have not had any eggsperience doing a roast.
I have been told that it is difficult to over cook anything on the Big Green Egg.
I will soon know!
As you can see, the Prime rib roast turned out stellar!
it had a wonderful flavor and everyone enjoyed it. We had just enough, lucky a couple canceled at the last minute!
We spent the evening with our friends the McDowells.
It was a great time of food, family, fellowship and fun...
The young girls, Katie and Jenni had decided to exchange gifts, they decided to make it a challenge as each of them wrapped their gifts to each other using duct tape, glue, string, rope, zip locks, and any number of other difficult contrivances.
it was hilarious to watch them open these gifts, they were not allowed to use any tools such as scissors, only their hands and teeth.
Jenni won the competition as she was able to get her gift opened way before Katie. Katie took around a half hour of concentrated effort.
We enjoyed some great laughter as several of us played a fun game called Balderdash. If you have never heard of this game, I highly recommend you get it an play it. It is hilarious! But only if you like laughter....

Lots happening 2

2010-12-21T03:14:00.000-08:00

With the children (and I use the term loosely as they are all adults now, well, almost!) It has been a wonderful time. Shopping with Ryan at R E I. Watching television and football games, keeping the refrigerator stocked and the cars fueled up. Just three days of work left before holiday!
Friends coming over this Friday to celebrate Christmas eve.
I purchased a new toy, it is called a Big Green Egg.
I have been wanting one of these for a year or so... ever since my father in laws original Kamado fell into dis repair. The one we found in his garage after his death was made out of clay. It was somewhere near fifty years old and the heat of bbqing with it and the cold winters here in the Pacific NorthWet and all the dampness didn't bode well for it's survival... SO....
I sold our old asteroids machine, (18 years in the family) and used the money to help offset the cost of a new BGE (Big Green Egg)...
YAY!
I picked it up after church Sunday, and Monday fired it up and enjoyed some really good (Amazingly good) hamburgers!
Now our son informs me that we should "do prime rib" for the Christmas eve party.
I looked at him, and while agreeing with him couldn't help throw a barb his way saying, "it's sure easy to spend other people's money." I said it with a wink, but I have to agree...
The McDowell's are our oldest friends and we spend every Christmas eve, and most New Years eve's with them. They have treated us well at their home at the Ocean and honestly, you cannot take it with you!

Lots happening

2010-12-21T02:49:00.001-08:00

So much going on this time of year...
Christmas shopping, magic shows... family around...
this can be a wonderful time of year, or for some...
it is painful.
Lack of money, lost loved ones, estranged loved ones....
Last Saturday I performed for a woman that I work with. Well, actually she works day shift and I work night shift. She drives a forklift during the day. Her name is Terri Lucrisha.

I met her about three weeks ago and have had fun getting to know her. She is an interesting woman. Who decides to leave a comfortable job inside Boeing to go drive a rambling, bouncing forklift at the age of(??)? I'm not going there... but suffice it to say, her and I are in the same generation!
Anyway, as is my habit, I digress.
I arrived at her home about 4:45 in the afternoon. She was preparing LOTS of food for her guests. I arrived early because we had a really crazy wind storm and it knocked our power out for a day.
Terri was expecting about 15-20 people and was very excited to surprise them with me! A crazy magician
that she recently met!
Sadly there were only a handful of people that enjoyed her fine Italian cuisine.
We mingled, we ate and I performed.
it took me a while to get the "audience" to loosen up and relax. I think it is because it was such a small group. I have found that sometimes people are self conscious when watching magic. Maybe thinking thoughts like, "I don't want to look foolish." Or, "I don't want others to know I can't figure this out." or just laughing out loud.
I did some close up card tricks
to start the evenings magical festivities as we were an intimate group. Then I went into my full parlor show.

Smiles are what I'm after, and laughter! Touching people in a way that often is elusive! What a great craft I fell into!
Afterwards, while mingling people often want to ask questions about how you got into magic etc.
I used this time to really blow their minds with some fantastic close up card magic.
I wonder if this was more fun for them than my stand up show? I also know that without the stand up show, this after show bit of magic wouldn't have happened.
Well I skedaddled out of there kind of late as I was supposed to join my family at a friends home for his annual Christmas party.
I arrived there about 9:45 and the party was in full swing.
I had some more great food, and then a white elephant gift exchange broke out. Not having brought a gift, I got to watch from the sidelines.
This gift exchange got out of hand. It was quite comical but also kind of sad as yelling broke out and feelings got trampled, not in the spirit of the event. But sort of funny too.

A glorious day

2010-12-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Eric,
December 13, 2010... Ryan arrived this morning. Eric and Katie picked him up at the airport... yes, Katie missed some school, so what, straight A's and a chance to meet her brother at the airport... what is going to make lasting memories!?
I got out of bed around 3pm... slept really good, the weekend wore me out as I worked it and had the children's show at 11 am on Saturday...
We cooked up a wonderful BBQ dinner
of steak, potatoes, string beans and shrimp on the Barbie!
It was great having everyone home and enjoying each other...
This is Eric's first birthday at home in five years.
Ryan will be staying for a month or two as well... who knows, he is looking for employment, maybe that will happen here?
Eric opened some Birthday gifts and we all enjoyed his birthday!
Joan and I loved just being parents of a wonderful crew!

Children's show!

2010-12-14T00:28:00.000-08:00

What a great time I had last Saturday doing a children's show at the Auburn Elks club... again I have to say, "and they pay me for this!"
So many of my contemporaries will not do a children's show, or a show for elderly as in a senior center. Why?
They are missing out and they are missing out sharing the love of magic and fun with others...
I arrived early, began to set up, met the woman who hired me, Toni... I set her mind at ease right away. letting her know everything was going to be great! Whether I believe this or not is irrelevant. To them, just you saying it relaxes them and gives you an air of command. Like you know what you are doing... fake it til you make it.
As children with parents began to arrive, I was playing my harmonica gently to some Christmas songs. I had never done this before... I chatted with a little girl, talked of her school and what she wants to do when she grows up. Eventually more people arrived, and so I did some close up magic for some children, before I knew it ( I knew it!) there was a small group gathered round....I began to draw them in, ask their names, how old they were, is this your brother? Sister etc... Hot rod, Jumping gems, bird catcher... crazy man's hand cuffs... rubber band thru thumb... now there is a crowd, leave em wanting more, smiles all around... astonishment...
A few minutes from show time, I have given more before I even start, I am feeling good, they are primed...
I open with my rabbit in the hat, it goes really well, multiplying sponge carrots. the children want to pet the rabbit, I let them, next I do a magic coloring book routine... Silly Billy is right, this is a phenomenal trick for children, they are all screaming and having fun... I cannot believe it. I am learning, but they don't know it, they all think I know what the heck I am doing... I do a silk blow tube routine later, again, I mess the trick up on purpose, the children catch me out and they love it, I love it, this stuff really works, laughter and shouting and FUN!
The parents are involved, engaged too... what could be better!?
More magic...
I finish by having a young girl help me make candy in a dove pan, I use a break away fan and she cannot help but giggle... she was priceless.
Afterwards the adults all thanked me, told me the show was great. A woman told me..."You were WAAAY better then the guy last year!"
Well I don't know what he did, but she mentioned he couldn't relate to the children.
As I was driving home I heard a tribute to Dave Niehaus on the radio. Something Dave told Rick Rizz when he first broke into broadcasting, "Be yourself, and have fun."
Now those are words that make all this sort of easy.
I am a fortunate guy. Some how I think I am myself when I perform and I do have fun!
When I got home I watched the video of my performance, and while I have a lot to learn, I was very happy with most of it. It reinforced the notion of three peating the "mistakes" that allow children to catch you out, how they dig being empowered, getting one over on an adult, and how when you win out in the end, they like that too!

Standing "O"

2010-12-06T03:25:00.000-08:00

The gig finally arrived, Saturday night, after about five months of anticipation...
I was recommended for a gig that a magician friend of mine could not accept due to being over booked. I felt like I was jumping thru hoops to get this gig. The folks had seen my Promotional video, I had been highly recommended by a fellow magician, and yet, it still was like pulling teeth to convince these people that they would be in good hands hiring me as their entertainment for the evening.
I gave them several references, which they actually called...
They asked if they could come watch one of my performances. I had to remind them that like the one they were considering hiring me for, most of my gigs are for private parties.
So, they finally asked for a contract, sent a down payment. Then five days before the gig (Last Tuesday) they call and ask me if I can juggle? Juggle? Why? "Oh we just think it would be fun." Fun? For who? I asked them what they wanted a juggler for? "Oh, we just thought it would be fun if you could juggle some of our products."
I'm thinking, you're kidding right?
i told them I could maybe juggle them for a few "passes" but would eventually drop them. Did they want comedy?
Then she asks me if I can help the owner hand out gift cards in a magical way? Individually? "Yes" was the reply. About how many? oh about 45... Hmm, I told her that if I took a minute with each person, that would add about 45-60 minutes to the show. If it only took 30 seconds each, that would still ad about 25-30 minutes to the show. I asked what the size of the gift cards were. I was thinking that maybe they would be credit card size or something along the size of a playing card. I was told that "no", they are like Christmas card size, in envelopes...
The best I could come up with was to use a dove pan and produce them all at once...
As it turned out, they didn't need any of that after all.
I find it interesting that people want to tell you the performer how to do your show.
A show that has been seven years in the making. A show that flows rather well for me.
They also wanted me to arrive and set up three hours before the show.
This was something I was able to charge a little more for. As it turned out for me, it was a small serendipity as it allowed me to go across the street and watch the Apple Cup game and do some close up magic for a few of the patrons there. Nice!
One gentleman even paid for my meal unbeknownst to me. He loved my magic! I loved performing for these people! Hnaded out some business cards and... you never know!So I arrive for my show 30 minutes early and finally meet the Boss. She informs me that my hour show is now a 45 minute show. Now I have to cut and slash and change the tenor of my act. I actually cut out my signature piece, the Cups & Balls. The Cups and Balls for me is about 8-10 minutes of amazing magic. The layout of the room was actually not conducive to allowing everyone to see my table top, so it got cut!

Well, I have to say, the show went better than I thought it would. Maybe because they had been drinking and just enjoyed a fine meal. Or maybe, I have a good act!?
Probably a combination of the two? Haha...
I had em rockin' and rollin' from the opening lines...
People were sitting at tables, and they were right on top of me. This used to bother me, now I relish it. I mean, the people in the back would come up later to the people within two or three feet of me and ask them, "what did you see?" And the response would be, "nothing."
About 3/4 the way thru the show I performed the Invisible Pack. I like Bill Malone's style with it, so I emulate that routine. I actually used the lines "standing ovation" during it and some people did give their boss and the other helper a standing "O."
I finished my set with the Torn & restored Newspaper that my friend Sterling Dietz graciously allows me to use. It is a beautiful piece of magic but the story line about putting the world back together again by putting the family together first is what makes it so wonderful. I used this as my "closer," and received a wonderful Standing Ovation to end my show.
I wonder if the invisible Pack and the lines of a standing ovation helped lead the audience to give it? Bill Malone speaks of this during the teaching portion of his dvd.
I have to tell you, it is a wonderful feeling to get a standing ovation!
But the most telling part to me is...
I went into this gig with trepidation and reservations.
I felt at several points during the negotiation process and even later, that I was like a dog being asked to roll over, play dead, bark for me etc.
It was not a good feeling, but the people were actually very nice and responsive to me and the magic.
I think people are often just unsure of exactly what they are going to get when they hire a magician. Here it is their big end of year party and YOU are the entertainment. No one wants to have some dull, boring person that sucks the life from the room. Trepidation on their part.
I am glad I rocked the house!
My set included,
Chinese Sticks,
Disappearing & Reappearing silks,
Acrobatic Knot,
Cut & Restored Rope,
Lassoing a Card,
Linking Rings,
Vanishing Bandanna,
Egg Bag,
Invisible Pack, and
Torn & Restored Newspaper

Magic is awesome!

Humbling...

2010-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, It has been a very long, tiring week.
Spent all week on day shift at Boeing. Re certification for operating a mobile crane which falls into my job description.
There were 11 men in my re cert. class... all passed.... except me.
As I ponder all of this I am humbled. Many of the men that passed I would not have thought could, and yet it is I who failed the "practical" of actual driving of the crane. The test is set up in a very absurd way. Yet I still felt I would pass it. I took it twice and declined a third opportunity as I simply was embarrassed and humiliated.
I realize I should not feel those things but I do.
I can make all kinds of excuses, like I was on day shift and by 11 am it would be the middle of my sleep. (Which is true, and after four days of being up these hours I am groggy faced) or I could whine about not having any "seat" time on this particular crane which is actually a joy to drive compared with the dinosaur I have available to practice on.... Or that the course is totally bogus as to how a true operation would be done. For instance, the test was a timed affair, yet you would never put a pressure of time dong a delicate job using a mobile crane.
The fact is, 10 other guys passed the test in varying degrees, I can only look in the mirror and see the man who couldn't cut the mustard.
I passed the test three years ago and fully expected to this time.
I guess next time I will find a way to get some practice and "seat" time in well in advance of the program.
I think I went into the week with a bad attitude, in fact I know I did. Going on day shift kind of ticks me off. Knowing I have a magic gig tomorrow also kind of fried me as I did not want to do this this particular week.
(Any excuse will do!)
Hang doggin' my head...
And the world turns....

Day Shift! Argh...

2010-11-29T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day of a week long Mobile Crane Recertification course I have to take for my job at Boeing.
It is a lot of math and other stuff. Hands on work with the crane, and while I find it interesting, I do not like getting out of bed at 4:30 AM and driving to Seattle to start this class at 6 AM...
It has been a long day and my internal clock is out of whack.
Tests upcoming, both book and a physical driving of the crane and a load.
four days to go!

Thanksgiving celebration!

2010-11-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful day!
Eric home to celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time in five years.
We enjoyed having my wife's sister's family over.
I worked the night before and Joan did all the work.
What an amazing spread she laid out for everyone.
I don't know how she does it year after year.
Seems every year the "bird" turns out perfect.

(Click pictures to enlarge)

Cold & Brittle!

2010-11-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding me!
I was getting gas last week. The temperature was about 10*.
I sat in our Chevy Tahoe as I allowed the gas pump to fill er up, about 70 bucks worth as because of the snow, everyone wanted to use the four wheel drive vehicle... anyway, as I went to open teh door to get out of the Tahoe, the handle simply broke off in my hand.
I just couldn't believe it. I looked at the door handle sitting in my hand in utter astonishment!
Now I have to electronically open the window, reach outside, open the door, then electronically close the window before I can close the door.
Unbelievable!

Cub Scout Motto: Always be Prepared

2010-11-25T02:52:00.000-08:00

Last night, because of the snow, I had to pick my daughter up from a friends home. It was about five miles away in Ravensdale... Cool name, sounds like a wooded, secluded place... and it is!
Four wheelin' all the way there!
I found the home easily, rang the door bell... no one answered. I thought maybe the "chime" is upstairs or somehwere where the occupants of the home weren't able to hear it. In our home the chime is upstairs, if we are down stairs watching T.V. We don't always hear the door bell... So I knocked. I noticed a nice fire burning in a wood stove near the entry way, a voice called out from upstairs to "come on up." it was the wife/mother of the house. All of a sudden about seven young people converged on me asking me to do some magic... whoa Nelly, I think I had been set up! haha... Okay, give me a minute. My hands were still cold from the 10 degree weather we are enjoying!!!
I stalled a few minutes by meeting and greeting people, handed someone a deck of playing cards, took off my jacket and proceeded to do the crazy man's hand cuffs as an opener. It went extremely well. Now I had em where I wanted em... I pulled out a jumping gem rod and did the jumping gems routine for them. The nine year old son, named Montana, loved it.( So did others) He was sitting on the floor directly in front of me. (Afterward he wanted to know where he could get a set!)
Then I got into some nice card work, opening with The Biddle trick, it wowed them, and I moved into One Eyed Jack Sandwich which I use to teach people about poker and one eyed jacks are wild. It also get's me a signed card that I then use in Paperclipped... Now they are all shocked... I figured that was a nice little set of magic and decided to collect my daughter and go home.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs... I realized there was a set of twin boys, probably age 15-16... They had been real quiet during all the magic, so I asked them if I could do something for them? They agreed, and now everyone was standing around on the stairs etc. I did Card in Box whereby their chosen card is the only one standing in the box held by them after several futile attmpts by me to find it. Truly a magical experience which happens in the spectators hands...

As we were driving home my daughter received a text message on her cell phone. It was from one of the twins, it said, "That was amazing. I still don't know how any one of those tricks worked. My mind is blown."
-Kenny Humble.
The twins were sort of behind me to my right during all that I performed, kind of shy and hanging back. My daughter told me later that she was worried that they might "see" something from their vantage point. I assured her... there was nothing to see, and his text confirmed it!
I love magic and enthralling people.
What a great gift!

I just love the snow

2010-11-24T02:01:00.000-08:00

Whenever it arrives it is wonderful!
I feel like a child again. All the wonderful memories of hot chocolate, Hot apple cider, sledding, building snowmen, snowball fights, missing school, or even half days at school. I remember enjoying playing with my school chums, everyone bundled up with ear muffs that never quite worked, wearing socks on your hands because we never had mittens or gloves, (probably because we lost them)...
Hooky-bobbin when we got older..
Oh the snow! Hot fires and cutting wood, power failures and candle light...
Christmases and Thanksgivings... all winter things and snow...!!!

LMAO At Myself...And Soft Coins-Finally

2010-11-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

I recently have begun working with flash paper for a few magical effects. Flash paper is special paper that looks like tissue paper but burns immediately upon contact with a spark or a flame. It is beautiful stuff. The idea is to roll some up into a small ball and light it, toss it in the air or into your other hand and something magical will appear in it's place. I have been using it to produce a coin. The funny thing to me is that when I light it, it burns so brightly, so quickly and there is this little "Whoosh" sound so it startles me. This is causing my heart to leap in my chest and drop the coins to the floor. I am getting a kick out of this. And I get a bonus effect where I get to smell burning hair as the hair on my knuckles gets singed! I only wish I could be a fly on the wall watching myself. I would be laughing hysterically!
Ever since I got involved in magic and watched my mentor Tom Frank work with coins, he has used something known in magic circles as "Soft Coins." His silver dollars are well worn and have a tinge of dirt on them. In other words they look old and magical.
I thought it would be good to get nice shiny old coins that still have a lot of edge work on them.
I recently got some nice soft silver dollars from my wife, quite unexpectedly. They were in her fathers safe deposit box. I think there were about 40 silver dollars in all. I asked if I could see them. Much to my delight and surprise, I found two nice sets of worn silver dollars. One set consists of five Peace dollars.
These are from the years 1922-1928. and the set I really like is the set of five coins ranging from 1879-1899. The reason I like the older set is because they look and feel older, they are more worn, hence, "Softer."
They slide smoother and quieter, talk less and as I play with them,I get a nice smile inside of me. I know it is pretty weird to understand if you do not do magic, but to me, they are fantastic. A little piece of magic heaven!

I find it rather comical that I am not interested in the value of them as silver. I think they cost about 25 dollars each at present. That would mean this is about five hundred dollars worth of silver. I am not sure which set will get more usage. I really do not need them both. I am just a little greedy!
I feel liek I just got a nice bump in the game of monopoly, except it's for real and feels so much nicer. Everytime I handle the coins I get a little elated.
Like a child with a new baseball glove. I guess that is to mean I am cherishing them in an odd sort of way! I just like looking at them, the sound of them as I drop them onto each other. They are truly beautiful! They have character!

Dropping Like Flies...

2010-11-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Not a very good way to say it, but that is the way one co worker put it to me the other night.
Recently at work we have had a couple of men die, both in their mid fifties. One man died of a heart attack after complaining of shortness of breath all day. People had asked him if they should get medical to come take a look at him? He said "no, I'll go to the doctor on Monday... sadly Monday never arrived for him as he had his heart attack that weekend. Last Wednesday we lost another man to an auto accident. He was trying to sell his car to a potential customer and while "showing" it off, he went around a curve too fast, off the road and into a ditch. He struck a tree and died. The passenger lived.All of this saddens me and again it reminds me to "Tell the ones you love that you love them."
Live your life. Get after something you have been putting off. Mend some bridges. A few weeks ago the voice of the Seattle Mariners Dave Niehaus died. I was saddened by this as well. I actually found myself tearing up several times as I listened to the radio and all the talk about this wonderful man. So what am I trying to really say here?
Get on with your life man!
LIVE! Smile! Walk with some bounce! Be vibrant!
I need to take my own advice.
Yesterday was Friday, I met with a fellow magician after work in the morning. I sold him a set of linking rings that I have, an extra set as for some odd reason I bought another set. Now I had four sets and what the heck do I need them all for? A nice back up set is necessary so I met my friend John and made him happy. I got home and stayed awake all day. I worked on repairing some gimmick coins, doing some things with flash paper for a new magic trick I am working o. It was a very productive day magically and yet, since it was "all behind the scenes" stuff... in a way it feels as though I didn't do anything... weird!
On the other side of that same coin I have bit of a glow from it too.
It wasn't so long a go that I was totally in the dark about all of this and now I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel (At least today!)...
Life is good, enjoy it, share it!

Man I Am Jonesen..

2010-11-13T00:36:00.000-08:00

Jonesen for a magic session. Here it is 12:30 in the morning on a Friday, I slept all day and am awake and no one "my age" to play with...
Called a friend, he never answered, called another he never answered... Got some decks of cards out, shuffle the cards, mix em up, work some false cuts, Faro shuffles, one handed cuts. Went into the magic room and picked out a new deck. A gift deck from My friend Mark Jensen when he returned from SAM/IBM in 2008. These cards have been sitting unopened on a shelf. I am now shuffling them, They are really nice. Faro shuffle right outta the box. Do eight Faro shuffles in a row, back in new deck order. Why did I wait two years to try these cards out! A gift ain't a gift until you unwrap it. Sorry Mark, thought I'd keep them in pristine order on a shelf... What was I thinking? :)
I made a pot of decaf coffee... got out a manuscript from a friend in Delaware. Reading it uplifts me, there is a very nice card routine in it...
I might have to move to L.A. to be able to session all night. Just kidding, but I know my friend Tom would be up for it. I miss him and us and magic with him.
Yesterday i went to Bellevue and sessioned with G.G. Green at his office at the Hyatt. Three hours and it was gone in a snap. G.G. bought me lunch. Thank you bro, I really enjoyed the time together! Your magic is making leaps and bounds!
Recently purchased a Whit Haydn teleportation device. I spent a few hours today typing up the script to use along with it. Later, after dinner I melted some toilet bowl wax together
with paraffin to make a small piece of the puzzle come together! I have enough of this stuff to last a lifetime. Really nasty looking Goo!

I cannot wait to perform the teleportation device, a couple of weeks out I think. Maybe a month with all that I have coming up.

First Massage

2010-11-10T18:52:00.001-08:00

Today my wife and I went in to a message clinic. It is my first massage by a "professional" ever. It was pretty nice!
We had to meet with a doctor first, he felt me all over looking for what? He asked me if I had any specific areas of concern. I mention the right back side of my neck has been bothering me. I think it is strained because of the work I do. I have been backing airplanes up for many years. I look over my right shoulder a lot. Sometimes I do this to the point of seriously stretching my neck. I think it has caused this pain. So I had a nice one hour massage.
A few days later on Saturday my lower back began to hurt. It hurt when I bent over. Like a muscle spasm, felt like knocking the wind out of me except there is no wind there? Today is now Saturday a week later and my back is finally feeling almost back to it's old self. I have never had any serious back problems. The occasional muscle spasm after baseball season, but never anything serious. My right foot has been feeling rather warm and tingly as well. Kind of like blood rushing to it. I am wondering if the massage opened up some what? Some capillaries to allow better blood flow?
I have never been to a chiropractor before. I first felt that they might make things worse. I don't like people cracking my back or manipulating my bones. I am of the school of thought, "if it ain't broke.... don't fix it."
I will admit that the massage did make my neck feel better. Not completely but still better.

That's Impossible

2010-11-03T01:17:00.000-07:00

That's Impossible is a magical event held once a month at Egan's Ballard Jam House in Ballard.
I went to the event last night to watch some magic. Specifically to watch a woman named Crystal Sinclair.

She is a street performer from the far Northern corner of Washington state.
She learned her skills as street entertainer from the likes of Slydini and Jim Cellini.
My magic Mentor and teacher is Tom Frank. He also learned from Cellini so I was excited to go see Crystal perform.
I arrived at Egan's about 6:35 for the 7pm performance. Tony Comito emceed the event, and like always, he is an excellent emcee.
He is a very good magician as well!
Tony did some magic and then handed the stage off to another performer, his name is...Darrell Fisher. He was a very comedic performer. Darrell is a corporate entertainer and graciously shared his magic with us even though he recently suffered a tremendous loss. His mother passed away three days before this event. My condolences Darrell, and thank you for sharing your wonderful magic with us.
But I came to see Crystal.

She did a very nice job of entertaining everyone. I stayed for the second show as I couldn't see driving an hour to home and staying for a half hour, and then driving to work.
I was disappointed in the amount of people who were at the 9 P.M. show... only about 7 of us.
I spoke with Tony about this and he may have to go to only one show. We thought perhaps it is the winter night time thing, what with the sun going down around 6 P.M.
I was invited up onstage with Crystal during her 2nd performance to be her helper during her sword thru neck routine. We had some fun with it as you can see.
Sponge balls, Cut and restored rope, Linking rings, cups and balls, card routines... but mostly it was Crystal's relaxed way of doing magic that I will take home with me.
I wish i could just go and watch as a layman again, I have this challenge when watching magic that I am always in "learning" mode. Not necessarily a bad thing, just wishin.'

Happy Halloween, & Seven Years Ago Today....

2010-10-31T00:52:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today I got back into magic by answering the call of our pastor to put togehter a booth for Treats without Tricks night. (I wonder if there are any pictures from that night?)I had done some "slum" magic, or trinket magic twenty years prior. It was all boxed up. I dug out the box, put together a small booth, did tricks for the children as they stopped by, handed out some candy, and got the "bug."
It's been all down hill from there!

Happy Halloween to all that enjoy this "holiday."
It was always a fun one for me as a child.
Times going door to door with my brothers and sometimes sisters, age depending. Then as we got older raising some havoc on unsuspecting victims.
I guess it's true what comes around goes around...
We never really attached anything evil to Halloween, we were just in it for the free candy. The more the better!
Yesterday, day before Halloween, I did a magic show for my friends at Farrington Court Senior Center. It is my 7th time performing for them.
Either they like me, or I'm in their budget, or perhaps both!
Since it was my seventh time for them, I decided to change up my show. I decided to give them my children's show. Which I am happy to say went very well. I realize that their is a child in each of us. Some are just buried deeper than others and need more coaxing to reach.
I asked ahead of time if there would be children present. Was told that there would be and so I planned accordingly!
I did some silly bits of magic, at least silly to me. Not having done most of them very often, it was a little awkward, almost like starting over. The great thing is that I am blessed with having a way with people. I have been learning and studying this magical art form for some time now, one of the main themes is "like ability." If you don't have it, you need to get it, if you got it, you need to exploit it. And you need to be liked within the first 30 seconds or so. Well, I already have a slight rapport with these people so doing my "New" show was probably accepted better than at a different venue!
I found out a lot about magic and myself at this show. It's very important to have your chops down, and it's not so much about the magic, it's a lot about entertaining the folks. Being up beat and positive. It helps a lot if you know your tricks inside and out. Since this was a new show for me, some of the effects were rather... hmmm... shall I say they just weren't as polished as I would have liked.
Nothing major bad happened, didn't miss anything, just wasn't as well oiled, or ran as smoothly as will be next time.
Still, I think on the whole everyone went home with love and laughter in their hearts!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Later that evening...
Our daughter attended her first Homecoming Dance.
She was asked out by several boys and selected a nice young man named Brandon.
Brandon's mother came to our home and we took some pre dinner pictures.

They went to the Keg Restaurant, enjoyed the dance and went out for ice cream at Shari's after.
Katie was beaming and looked absolutely beautiful!
That's because she is!

Of funerals, and family times...

2010-10-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted in quite awhile... Mother in laws funeral was a week ago today, last Wednesday.
It was held in a Catholic church.
Joan and I got married in a catholic church and we attended it for a while.
I never liked the pomp and ceremony of it all. Seemed rather bizarre and contrived. As I have grown in knowledge biblically, it only reinforces my earlier findings about the Catholic church.
Not going to go into it but... I disagree with almost all of their teachings.
What i wanted to post was more about the serendipity of funerals.
We were blessed to have our whole immediate family home for the first time in five years.
Yeah, we have all been together in San Diego and San Antonio during the years Eric was in the marines. But we had Ryan home for four days during this "celebration" of life time.

It was fun to have everyone here.
BBQing
and smoking cigars.
Just "being."
Ryan left last Saturday and Eric went to San Diego for a friends wedding.
The house is quiet now... but it was a wonderful week.

Oh, All the Trouble I've seen

2010-10-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

Life is all about learning, growing up and taking charge of your own life.
I received a call today, about three hours ago from our 26 year old son living in Boulder... I said "how you doing you cop runner..." There was a slight chuckle on the other end... guess It wasn't too funny...
I had asked my wife earlier if she had heard from Ryan or Eric. she told me yes, in fact she was on the phone with Ryan, when he said to her, " I gotta go, there's a policeman behind me." In other words he was being pulled over for something.
Well, that was the reason for my "funny" comment.
Well turns out Ryan was calling from the Boulder Colorado County jail.
He had an outstanding warrant because awhile back he had been pulled over for a tail light out. Turns out he had an expired insurance card. Actually he had insurance, just hadn't replaced the expired one in the glove box. Sound familiar to anyone?
So, he was supposed to provide proof of insurance to some county court. He let it slide. He was mailed particulars but had not changed the address on his license so he never got the notices... fast forward to today.
Pulled over because of an outstanding warrant, hand cuffed,finger printed. Calling his parents at age 26 needing bond money of $1500.
Good people minding their own business. Getting caught up in nothing except the inability to take care of the particulars. Those particulars coming back to bite you hard in the ass.
I don't want to whine here, but c'mon...
I know how rough of a time he must be going thru, having to humble yourself to call your "rents' at his age. Embarrassment all around, being hand cuffed.
I guess he'll have a story to tell.

Innovention 2010 (2)

2010-10-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to expand a little about the Innovention Held in Las Vegas last week. It was the inaugural event, and I do not know if it will ever be repeated. I hope it is. I heard a rumor that Paul Stone said he would not do it again?
I met a 92 year old performer named Mark Raffles. Mark did a beautiful and very comedic linking ring routine that was most enjoyable. I think in my last post I mention something about the U.K. invasion or flavor of the Innovention. Well Mark Raffles is one of those that comes from across the pond! It was refreshing seeing so many magicians from the U.k. Mark gives me hope! I doubt I will ever be as comfortable as him, nor as smooth... but at 92, I have 41 more years to catch up!
Mark Raffles performing his linking ring routine was definitely a high light for me!
Teller of Penn and Teller fame did a one hour lecture on his "The Red Ball" trick. It was a wonderful lecture about the need for perseverance, and sticktuitiveness...
Teller's Red Ball Lecture was excellent. I think many will take pieces from it depending on where they are individually at in their magical journey.
Many will miss a lot because they are newly on their walk, others will glean much because they are further along their journey, still others might miss it entirely.
For me, the lecture resonated with the will to continue. The idea that I need to not be so much in a hurry. Too look at some effects differently. To plow ahead in spite of what someone else might negatively think. If I "see" something of value in an effect, and while I may not know exactly what it is I want to accomplish with it, or know "how" I am going to get where I want to go... If I keep plugging away at it, day by day, hour after hour... opportunities, ideas will present themselves.
Teller spent hours daily, after their regular show, on stage working on this one effect. It consumed him, even while on vacations, he would daily work on it... for eighteen months he worked on it.
Finally he shared it with Penn. Penn didn't exactly uplift his partner Teller. More work, tweaking, finally Teller thought it ready, again he shared it with Penn, Johnny Thompson and Mac King.
Scared of what they might say, he was pleasantly rewarded with three thumbs up!
Ironically, the ball never floats.
The interesting thing... Penn announces before hand...
"A trick with a thread"... exposing the gimmick, but by doing this... it enhances, rather than detracts from the magic of it! What a novel thought, like the masked magician, exposing magic to enhance the art! Picture is of Teller, speaking of the masked magician. (which most magicians truly despise)
So, what did I get out of it?
Trusting your instincts.
Never giving up on an idea.
Diligence, hard work, persistence...
Also, I am lazy!
My gosh, would I have quit after a few weeks, months, a YEAR AND A HALF!!!!??
One last note I'd like to add...
as I alluded to in the last post, about Paul Stone being a class act, and stand up guy.
Thursday night was the end of Innovention, I took the picture here of Paul and myself at about 2 A.M. Friday morning as I was getting ready to head up to my room. I had to get up at 7 A.M.
As I waited fro my shuttle out front of the Goldcoast hotel, I was chatting with two of our "head liners" that were going to the airport as well. They were both heading back to New York and home.
Paul Stone drove up in his car, and began loading their luggage into the trunk. He noticed me, and without any prompting immediately said, "Tim, where you headed?" I responded, "waiting for the shuttle to the airport." Paul said, "Grab your stuff, I'll drive you."
To me, this is something I would do, but it was an unexpected delight for me to be treated so warmly and kindly by Paul Stone, the executive producer of the event. Not only that, but I asked Paul what time he went to bed, "he said sometime around 3 A.M."
OUCH!
Paul was like this though out the Innovention.
Truly a wonderful giving man!

Waiting for someone to die

2010-10-11T02:27:00.000-07:00

What a weird thing to write...
Yet it is true enough.
While I was spending time in Las Vegas, living life large, enjoying the company of a couple hundred magicians and wanna be magicians...
My mother in law, age 90 has been in the hospital. She came down with Pneumonia, as of this writing, she has been in the hospital for ten days.
My wife has been carrying the burden of this all these days. Her sisters have been joining in the "vigil" when they can.
But Joan has been primary in this endeavor.
Today (now yesterday) we tried to celebrate our sons last day as a Marine. 10-10-10 was his last day although he has been home for about a month.
We had my wife's family over for a hamburger BBQ.
But it was dampened by her mothers plight at the hospital.
Her mom, Marion is not on life support, her organs are dying, she is assisted with her breathing and that is all. I have been told that she has stopped breathing for several beats on a few occasions and then starts again.
I guess this is a better way to go than suddenly, at least we can prepare in our minds for the inevitable.

Innovention 2010 (1)

2010-10-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

I got back from Innovention 2010 which was held in Las Vegas last week. I have a lot to unpack mentally as it was a four day magic convention with many lectures and two Gala events as well as five close up performances and lectures.
I HAD A GREAT TIME!
The event was put on by Executive producer, Paul Stone. I had never met Paul, but I can say he is a class act. He was very busy and still found time for everyone. More on that later!
The Innovention started Friday night Oct. 4th with a little gathering of magicians. I ran into a friend that I met at WMS in 2009. Per Strandberg from Sweden. We struck up our friendship and sat at a table. I decided to share a magic card effect with him. Zingone 12 card mental problem. A pet effect from my mentor Tom Frank. Per is the kind of man that enjoys math magical effects, in other words, self working math tricks. This effect really boggled him. As I was performing for him, another man sat down next to him and caught the end of the effect...Not having seen the beginning, he was a little in the "dark" about it. Per asked me to show it to him, I said, "why, so you can try to figure it out?" I did so anyway, and now I have two people totally baffled, again, as I was showing this wonderful effect to "Kevin", another guy sat down, and they both asked me to show it to him. So naturally, as I was on a roll... I did, and proceeded to twist him up as well. Man O man... I felt like a million bucks, and these guys must have thought pretty highly of me.
The next day Per was still baffled and told me he lost sleep over it! HA! (Thanks Tom!)We had a very nice surprise Monday night as Johnny Thompson, Mac King, and The Amazing Jonathon were on a small stage... but Johnny Thomson introduced a special guest, Tom Mullica!!! What a treat it was to have Tom join them for a question and answer session. Tom Is battling Leukemia.
Tuesday was the real kick off of the week...
The Johnny Thompson Hour,
With lectures by Magical Al, a childrens magician from New York,
Special workshop with Brian Eggerton on Website optimisation..
Then what was labeled a close up show...
Four world class magicians traveled from room to room entertaining us with their close up mastery.
We enjoyed the wonderful coin magic of Eric Jones.
The awesome card sleights of Mark Mason, followed by the funny and interestingly sloppy, hap hazard card work of Lenert Green, then the wonderful Three shell game by Bob Kholer.
I was genuinely surprised at how well Bob Kholer did. I had never seen him perform. The other three were great as well. Mark Mason brought down the house with his card tricks... Holy Smoke! Awesome!
Mentalism was next with Graham P. Jolly.. Wow!
Seems that Paul Stone is from the U.K. and he brought a fun and wonderful contingent of magicians to the states with him!
Later that evening was the International Stars of Magic Show.
WOW!
Fantastic..
Johnny Thompson & Pam. What a delight to watch these two perform!

And a late night session with Lennert Green.
Even some of the greatest card men in the world can get a little crazy when they want too!!!

Wednesday arrived with little sleep from the night before... I had made some new friends from the U.k. Jerry Kinsella and his partner of 11 years, Leonora...
what a wonderful couple they are. Also in the photo is another wonderful magician form the East Coast, Louis Cirulli. I called him "Sweet Lou!"

Leonora latched onto me. She just simply is a very bubbly person. Being a non magician, or a lay person as we call them, she was used and abused (Not really) by all the magicians in their close up shows.
She had a great time and never did get magicked out!
Anyway, Wednesday was more of the same, lectures by stars, on how to do trade shows, and how to keep soft eye contact.
Special workshops and business teachings about getting your self out there with today's technology.
Later Wednesday was something I was truly looking forward to. The Joanie Spina lecture!!! Joanie was David Copperfield's lead assistant and choreographer for many years. She teaches about movement, lack of movement and incorporating music into your show. I have no music in my show at present. My show is what might be termed a talking show. Joanie put on a great lecture. Something I hadn't considered, never even thought about was the use of music to underscore some of the effects I do.
Two come to mind immediately, my linking rings routine and the torn and restored newspaper. Both could use some music to enhance the flavor and feel of them. To "emotionalize them! Now the hard part, to find music that fits them.
Late night Wednesday found everyone gathered in the showroom for a special one hour session with Criss Angel!
It was actually better than expected. Criss spoke candidly about his life in magic. He is an overnight success story that took 16 years! Funny how when someone hits the big time, he is considered an overnight success.
Many magicians do not like Criss Angel. It is said he has forgotten where he came from and that he does not give back to magicians.
I don't know about all that. He seemed pretty genuine to me. Sure, he has this persona, all dressed in black goth, his magic has a super natural flavor, like he is calling on evil spirits. I think he is reaching this generation of children for magic, and all magicians benefit from it. I was at the Portland Magic jam a few weeks back, and at the question and answer portion of that event, the "panel" was asked what they thought of Criss Angel. It was said that he did not give a certain trick that was to be on his show enough rehearsal time before presenting it. In fact it was stated that he only gave it fifteen minutes before doing it live, on television.
Criss said that this is one of his abilities. To be able to take something and do it almost immediately.
He spoke of his love of magic from an early age and that because of his focus on magic, he did poorly in school.
When asked what he would tell a young person that wants to go into magic full time, his response was to tell them not too, to stay in school. Then if they ignored you, then you have someone who really wants it!
I enjoyed meeting him, and not because he is a "star." I just liked a lot he had to say about the "nay sayers" in life. The envious ones, and not listening to them. Following your dream.
Got to bed after 3 am that night!

Mercer Island Magic!

2010-10-03T15:14:00.001-07:00

Last night I took in my friend G. G. Greens magic show at a small theater on Mercer Island.
The theater looks like an elementary school from the outside.
The theater was nice, with a couple of different levels. G.G. had set up his props in various areas on stage. It was nice seeing G.G.'s wife helping him as they meet and greeted audience members to his show.
I hooked up with a fellow magician and his wife. Jess & Carrie, I had recently met them at Portland Magic Jam.
Lots of children and their parents were in attendance for the show. I would sat 150 to 200 people enjoyed G.G.'s show.
G.G. was up beat and positive. He opened his show with a nice audience participation sponge ball routine. It was fun and had a nice ending with many sponge balls appearing in a child's astonished hands!
A few card tricks, Floating napkin rose that actually floats in mid air, then he lights it afire and it turns magically into a real red rose.
Bill in lemon, rope and wedding rings. Cups and balls and a selected card stabbed by a sword.
G.G. rocked the house!
I was proud to watch my friend perform, and perform well!

Good Trade

2010-09-29T06:37:00.001-07:00

I remember that line in the movie, Dances With Wolves, one of all time favorite movies..
Last weekend at Portland Magic Jam I was approached by a man wanting to know about the tables I build and had on display for sale.
He mentioned how nice they were and I said, hey buy one, He said, I don't have any money, but would you be interested in a trade? I asked what he had in mind. He opened his jacket ( I know what you're thinking) and pulled out a deck of playing cards. They were a sealed in cellophane, unopened deck of...
Drum roll please....
Jerry's Nuggets!

I immediately told him I wasn't interested. I mean, what would I do with them? I cannot use them, most of my card tricks I end up ruining a deck of cards,I either have a card signed, or I fold one in half, and I wasn't interested in just admiring them on my shelf.
But then he said something that did intrigue me a little...
He mentioned that they are only going to go up in value.
So, I slept on it and came up with an equitable trade. One of my tables and $50 bucks for the deck.
He agreed and we struck a deal.
Now I have one of my tables being used and this is good for him and for me. Maybe another magician will see it, like and contact me!
I can only hope!

Portland Magic Jam

2010-09-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning I got off work at 6 am.
Tried to sleep for a few hours and hit the road to Portland, only challenge I had was getting some sleep. It didn't happen. I left for Portland around 12 noon...
It was a difficult drive. I was tired and hurting, my neck has been bothering me, my lower back was hurting, and I had an upset stomach. I don't get sick very often, but I think some food I ate a two am didn't agree with me. I felt like vomiting several times, kept a bag near me as I drove. It was rough!
I got to P{Portland in one piece, and around five pm, my stomach began to feel better!
I hooked up with my friend and fellow Magi G.G. Green. Him and I shared a room.
Friday night was a fun night as magician and friend Rick Anderson emcee'd the event.
As I go and watch these events, my respect goes way up for people with the ability to not only do magic, and do it well, but to also emcee and event like this. I once thought it would be easy to emcee, but now I realize how difficult it really is. My hat goes off to Rick, I thought he did a great job.
It was a long weekend and my brain is still unpacking everything. I cannot recall exactly the order of events... but Another friend, Jeff Evans did a wonderful 20 minute piece of magic. Twelve year old Matt Wells did a very nice set as well.
Doc Eason did his lecture Friday night and it was mostly about connecting with your audience, and the why's, and how fors of doing that.
I entered the Parlor contest only because there were so few entrants. I had my linking rings with me so I figured I could do that. I awoke at about 3 am and it crossed my mind to do few easy things to enhance my "set." I did the one finger clap as an opener and followed that with a six card repeat effect, ending with the Legend of the Five Mystic rings.
I did not finish "in the money." But I felt my performance deserved second place.
I again lost to 12 year old Matt Wells. He did a nice set with rope and cards. I think This time I got snookered by the "age" factor. Not a big deal, but I was told by someone that children should have to compete in their own competition as they get "extra" props just because they are kids. They get cut some slack that an older performer doesn't get. It was brought to my attention that it is only natural to not judge them only on performance. I watched his set, and I too was caught up in his being a child.
Interesting...
I was told my set was good by many people, so I am not going to stress over it.
I had a wonderful time and hopefully made some new friends, and cemented one as well.Daryl Easton is a fantastic magician. Very smooth. I would like to perform like him!
So, here I am performing for a young magic fan!
His mom asked me to "do it in his hands," as I had "done it" for his sister!
I like getting down on their level!
Had a very nice surprise at the Jam. I met a fellow in March in Las Vegas at the World Magic Seminar, his name is Fred King. We struck up a friendship. Been doing a lot of emailing and mailing of videos back and forth.
Fred just appeared out of no where. He got a big kick out of surprising me. Here is Fred with a masterful magician, Whit "Pop" Hadyn.Other head liners at this event included Doc Eason, and Wayne Houchin.
According to Wayne:
If it's to be, it's up to me!
Wayne gave a special, off the cuff lecture about promoting yourself. The main idea is, if you are waiting to "be discovered." it ain't going to happen. If you want to make something of your magical self. YOU have to do it, whatever it takes, Website, phone calls, follow ups etc.
He said a lot of bad magicians are making a lot of money, and a lot of great magicians aren't!
I couldn't agree more!

Friday Golf

2010-09-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

I heard a joke that had the punch line "Round is a shape." Like "I'm in shape, round is a shape."
I'm not round, but I am not in very good shape.
Even taking a cart golfing made me sore in my calves... Can only imagine how sore I'd be if I had walked the whole course..
Played Maplewood Golf Course Friday with my son Eric. I will say I shot a 94 before going much further and just get that out of the way. My trusty putter let me down, but actually it didn't bother me as I haven't golfed much this year...
I was stroking the ball well with the putter, just hammering every putt past the hole. My ball striking was surprisingly solid, if a bit erratic. This has always been my challenge. I hit the ball squarely most of the time, just don't know exactly where it's going to go. I have been pulling the ball and have acquired a draw/hook bias...
Now for the good stuff. Being with Eric was a blast. He hit a couple of balls that never came down, O.k. they came down, but about 300 yards from the tee! I began calling him Popeye because of his large Biceps. But it takes more than muscles to power a ball that far. It takes limber ness, and athleticism. Eric has both actually in spite of his dynamite muscular development.
Joining us were my friend Mike and Dale joined us for the back nine.
We enjoyed some cigars as we had a perfect fall day for golf!

Clown Alley News

2010-09-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is almost a week later and I'm finally posting about our alley meeting..
The days are moving rapidly along.
I can hardly get anything done and Winter is just about upon us and the nights will be longer and days shorter!
Our alley meeting was a very good one with one of our members, Sean Melicher teaching about posing as a clown, Posing... hmm... one of his greatest points was how we are taught to pose as a family from the time we are young to the time we are older. "Stand still, Smile, look at the camera, say cheese, etc..."
Well that IS NOT something you want to do as a clown, and in my case, as a magician! HOW BORING!!! Notice this first picture:No action and no props to enhance the photo, kind of dull, don't you think!
Now take a look at this next one, notice the difference, it's small but noticeable:

As we progressed in the "lecture" you can see how action adds flavor to the photo, I mean, what are you trying to portray as a clown!? Also, introducing available props and possibly stuff that is around you into the picture can really enhance things.

And notice this next one as there are a lot of people in it.
It is important to remember that the picture should be "focused" on them and not you. It is often hard not to "steal" the show so to speak when you are lit up in multitudes of bright colors, and the child or whoever is asking you to be in "their" Picture is not. This was another great point. Who is going to be holding on to the picture, who is it for?
Certainly not you, and while you want to give them the best of yourself, be careful not to do so much that you take away from them entirely!
Now this was a lecture that I can put to use right away!
Good information!

WElcome Home

2010-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we got a call from our son Eric, actually Katie got he call...
She said Eric was coming home later that night! Wow, that was kind of sudden... we were expecting him that weekend, but hadn't heard when. Well, Now is when!
We picked him up from the airport at about 10:15!
Man what a GREAT experience!
Welcoming your son, a hero, home from his time as a Marine and the war! He seems to be all intact!
By that I mean his mind is sound, his spirits are high, and his body is all intact as well!
We are truly blessed to have him home safe. So many do not.
It has been an interesting journey, these last five years.
He spent two tours in Iraq. Going out with his explosives sniffing dog. Finding hidden, buried caches in the sand.
Checking vehicles as they enter the city. He often said he is bored. I told him, "Bored is good!"
I think many of these young men and woman want action. Well, I am happy he didn't see any "real" action. Motly police work. Policing our own men!
Anyway... I digress.
I have been dancing in my heart for threee days!

Summer is over, bring on Fall

2010-09-08T18:10:00.001-07:00

Supposedly we have two weeks left of Summer, but "Mother Nature", (God) has other plans!

Uh Oh..

2010-09-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

September 7th,
Katie started school today amidst the rain in the Seattle area!
Her senior year! She wasn't acting very excited about heading back to school, but when I spoke with her when she got home later that day, she was all smiles! She doesn't yet realize what a BLAST senior year can be!
Well, now that the rain has begun....
It will last until March.

Airport Visit

2010-09-05T19:09:00.002-07:00

Our son Eric arrived "Home" from Japan today. YIPPEE! YAHOO!
Actually it is kind of strange, because his flight from Japan arrived at SeaTac International at about 1pm, we live 20 minutes from there. So he had a 2 hour lay over before boarding a plane for San Diego where he is stationed. He is meeting his older brother in San Diego as Ryan is attending a Christan conference that ends today and will be able to spend some time with Eric before he, Ryan flies home to Colorado on Wednesday. Then Eric will be getting out of the Marines and coming home to stay next weekend!
As popular T.V. character, Jackie Gleason used to say, "How Sweet it is!!!"
What a GREAT day!

600 feet of

2010-09-05T19:09:00.001-07:00

Magicians rope...
Man what a hassle...
I bought 600 feet of magicians rope on July 1st. The place I bought it from sent it to New York.
When I emailed him asking where my rope was, he told me that it was signed for via Fedex. I asked him to send me the tracking number. He did, and I sleuth ed that it was sent to New York. I was kind of ticked off that HE didn't figure this out himself and handle it.
Then he went on vacation and ignored me. I sent several emails and he said he would take care of it.
Almost two months went by, ans still no rope. Now I know 65 dollars won't break me, but now it's the principle of the thing...I finally received an email from him after badgering him with daily messages via phone and emails... telling him, "Hey, I sure could use the rope I paid for." His email said he somehow sent "my" rope to Pennsylvania...
I emailed him and told him I don't know whether to laugh or cry!
Two days later my rope arrived.
it was white, I dyed it Yellow!

Fishing and a wedding....

2010-08-30T01:54:00.001-07:00

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?

2010-08-21T13:46:00.001-07:00

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...

2010-08-20T04:27:00.000-07:00

"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...

2010-08-17T06:33:00.002-07:00

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...

2010-08-17T06:33:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-11T02:56:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-05T03:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-05T03:33:00.000-07:00

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!