The holidays have kept me so busy that it’s hard to find the time to write.  I performed dozens of shows for such companies as J.C. Penney, Dillards, Mary Kay, etc.  I also worked double duty at the shop.  The magic shop enjoyed a great season and I’m sure brightened several folks’ Christmas with unique gadgets and toys.  Plus, I am working on two projects that I plan to release during the first quarter of 2005.

The best thing that happened this year was witnessing my sister Jodi remarry her husband Joe.  Their boys Lane and Landen, my nephews, are always fun to be around.  The wedding took place in the stockyards of Ft. Worth.  It was a festive event and a great reason for the family to gather.  To the left is a picture of my sister and brother-in-law.

This month has been busy.  I’ve had lots of shows, magic projects and shop duties to keep me busy.  My next release is an instructional DVD that will feature many new effects surrounding the lore of mirrors; I hope to have it finished by the end of the November, just in time for the holiday season.

Also, I visited my all time favorite haunted house, better known as Verdun Manor.  My friend Lance Pope who past away in late 2002, created the house and the rest of the surrounding theme park called Thrillvania.  Lance’s parents kept his dream alive by keeping the park open with some new exciting thrills and chills.  If you ever get the chance one October to visit Terrell, TX then you MUST see this impressive exhibition.  For more information about Thrillvania click here!

This month I attended the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Houston.  This is the first convention in a long while that I’ve attended just for the fun of it.  The convention was awesome.  There were about 30 dealers from around the world.  The talent was phenomenal.  I attended several lectures, shows and contests.  If you ever get the chance to see Charlie Frye perform, then make a point to do so.  Charlie has got to be one of the best magician/jugglers on Earth. 

My biggest source of inspiration was Wayne Dobson.  Mr. Dobson made a name for himself in the early 80’s in the field of comedy close-up magic.  Many years ago Wayne developed MS and is now wheelchair bound.  During the Saturday night show, in his wheelchair, next to his two seated volunteers, doing a 15 minute card trick, Mr. Dobson had the whole theatre rolling on the floor with laughter and received a much deserved standing ovation.  Mr. Dobson stands tall in my mind as simply one of the best!

This month has been somewhat slow at the shop, but that has allowed us to start finalizing the store’s website www.magicalgadgets.com.  The shopping cart should be completely active by October 1st.  Plus, Sept. 1st marks our one year anniversary.  We will be celebrating our anniversary with a storewide sale until the end of September!!!

The big news this month is the release of my new DVD Pockets Full of Miracles.  Originally MagicSmith out of California produced it on VHS in 2001.  It was sold a 2-tape set that retailed for $50.00.  Now that I have purchased the rights, I have crammed all 23 routines onto one disc and will sell it for $40.00.  If you are a student of magic then you know that DVD is the only way to go.  The interactive menus allow you to jump right to the effect’s performance or explanation of your choice.

This month we were honored to sponsor the show and lecture by John & Tammy Calvert.  This was one of our best lectures!  John & Tammy have led a very interesting life.  To learn more about this magic dynamic duo visit www.johncalvert.com 

Also, we’ve begun our third installment of Adult Magic Classes at the shop.

And to top it all off I had the pleasure of visiting the Dallas World Trade Center to attend “market” to buy some new cool gadgets & gizmos for the shop.  So if you haven’t been in yet, or it’s been awhile, visit the shop to see all the new goodies!

What an eventful month!  This month my wife and I celebrated 12 years of being married.  My how time flies.  We’ve actually been together 16 years.  Okay.. now I feel old!

By the end of this month I will have performed 33 shows.  I think that’s a record for me.  That doesn’t count the hours running my business 6 days a week and the magic classes that I taught on Monday nights.  I’ve had little time to write or create, but I can’t complain because I’m out there doing what I love.

Many of my shows have been quite interesting.  One show this month had me performing at the Las Colinas Polo Club where I heard a fascinating lecture on the history of polo and I witnessed my first game.  Channel 8 news anchor Gloria Campos hired me to perform at a private function.  And I’ve done lots of high school graduation parties in this last week where I performed for many enthusiastic young people who definitely have the zest for life.

But the most rewarding show this month was for the Ft. Worth Boys & Girls Club.  The club hired me as their end of the year motivational speaker.  It was an honor sharing with them how I got to be where I am and who I am.  What a great organization this is!!!  If you or a young adult that you know needs a push in the right direction, I can highly recommend the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

I am now 34 years old.  Some days I feel my age, but most days I feel like I’m still 18.  I think my job as a magician helps me to keep in touch with my youth.  I began performing professionally when I was just 16.  However, I can forsee my hair turning white very soon from the stress of running my own business with part-time employees and the constant influx of bills.  I am definitely burning the candle at both ends being a shopkeeper and performing 5-6 shows a week.

On a lighter note we were all captivated by the Dan Korem lecture here at the shop.  Dan is a fountain of knowledge and has led a fascinating life.  Any chance to see Dan perform or reminisce is time well spent.

The second session of adult magic classes has begun at the shop.  If you are interested in learning some of the basics of sleight of hand magic, and you live in the immediate area, then please contact us.

The big news this month was Doc Eason’s lecture at our shop Magical Gadgets, Inc.  Doc drew in a great crowd and we received many compliments about his lecture and workshop.  Doc informed us that John Denver’s World Famous Tower Comedy Magic Bar and Restaurant, where he’s been the house magician for 27 years, will be closing.  However, Doc will be starting his own venture soon.  Good luck Doc from all of your friends in Texas!

For myself I can only report lots of shows, lots of hours at the shop, and lots of time pecking away at the keyboard working on my 2 book projects, and my single trick DVD that I hope to release within the next few months.  Time is a commodity that I wish I had more of.

This has been a fun month!  Magic classes are in session at the shop and have been well received.  My business partner and I were pleased with the turn-out and the nice feedback.  I have been working night and day by adding content to the company website magicalgadgets.com when I’m not manning the shop, performing, teaching, etc.

This month I attended David Copperfield‘s show at Music Hall.  He is STILL the MAN!  His show was a mix of old and new illusions.  His encore is an illusion called “13”, where he vanishes 13 audience members and then they reappear at the back of the theater.  I was one of the lucky ones chosen, and believe me that I am just as baffled as all who witnessed it.

Happy New Year!  2004 promises to be a great year.  I have lots of projects to complete and many exciting things to look forward to.  This time of year is typically slow, and yet I’ve been blessed with plenty of work.  Recently I began working for two different Tony Roma’s restaurants.