Now Where and WTF???

Things have been up and down the last few months, I posted some time ago what my daughter did with the cell phone that I was paying for. This was October and she hasn't spoken to me since, I think she is being unreasonable, she ran up the charges, she should have to pay for those charges. That was the second time her phone was shut off and I told her it would not come back on, she did finally pay for the charges. The phone stayed off though. She was also upset that I didn't save for her college. I haven't exactly been a great spot to do that, I made a mistake several years ago that cost me my freedom, and left me with some pretty sizable fines, and being where I was, I couldn't pay child support. The state is like the Mob, they don't care what your situation, it's like they say in one of my favorite movies, "Goodfellas" "Fuck you pay me".
I worked two jobs for almost two years to pay the back child support, fines, and the cost of court supervision. I worked my ass off to dig out of a hole, and after rebuilding a life she sticks her hand out. At this point I'm glad I didn't give money, I found out that she got a nice sum of money from her mom and is just blowing it on every thing but school!! I say if she wants to go to school so bad, join the Service or get a job. I won't coddle her, but now what??

New Medication Working?

I have been on a medication called Abilify for the last few weeks ,my mood seems better, I have motivation to do stuff. I just need the time, there are so many effects I want to learn and practice, I don't know where to start. Working on the Rings, Cups and Balls, Thumb Tips, Ambitious Card and who knows what, I have been working on these things at work when I have a bit of down time.
I just got some cool stuff in the mail today, L&L Publishing had a special, 8 Dai Vernon DVD and his book for 175.00, that's too good a deal to pass up. This company has had some great deals as of late, so I'm building up my DVD collection. I need to take a break and stay off that site for a while.
Went out and played Air soft late Sunday night with my stepson, Jasper's coworkers from Best Buys Geek Squad. Oh boy!! These guys had no clue how to handle a weapon that is not in a video game.... this was a blood bath. I am sure if this was a video game, I would be the one getting my ass kicked, It was still funny though.

Well, I Guess I Can Stop Bitchin..... For Now!!!

Yes, I can stop complaining for now, maybe it's because of the new medication I am on or the pep chat my good friend Tim Flynn gave me. Or the combination of both, he said that instead of complaining on the bad stuff, take a minute and look at the good things in your life. That's what I have been trying to do. My wife, son, more motivation to do magic, play airsoft and paintball. I can't wait to get back out there and show them young whipper snappers what an old army fart can do! While they are running around like a bunch of idiots, I am holding my position waiting for them to enter my crosshairs!!

My new den is as done as it's gonna get. looks fine, I have space to work uninterrupted but still hear whats going on in the house. I have been working on an Ambitious Card routine with cleared plastic cards, the kicker is at that the end of the effect, the spectator is holding a solid block of plastic when they thought they were holding the cards. I have also been working on Simon Aronson's Random Shuffle Shuffle Board. Great effect

Got to see an old friend from my Army days, Bernie and I were in the same squad while I was stationed in Egypt. I found him on Facebook, we shot some messages back and fourth. Then on Saturday while I was at the butcher, I checked my email on my phone and there was a message from Bernie saying he is in town for a 4X4 swap meet at the Puyallup fairgrounds. I met up with my wife, handed her the meat and shot down to the fairgrounds. I sent him an email via facebook and surprised the crap out if him. I guess he wasn't expecting me there so fast... Hell, I haven't seen him in 15 years. My wife and I met up him the next day, it was funny because I have told so many stories of those days overseas and it looked like she didn't really believe some of them. One when I was trained to be a combat life saver, or when some of the squad left our outpost to head to the little town to get some beer for everybody. He confirmed every story!

It was good seeing him..... hopefully it won't be another 15 years........

And Now Where???

Well, my new den is done, it's a little small, but there is just enough room to practice in front of a mirror. I have been working on Harry Anderson's "Three Card Prince", I bought this effect at the PCAM in 2004 and just never got around to learning it, I am surprised I still had the instructions. It looked confusing at first, but as with all magic effects,you keep at it, it will come. Sunday was a sad day for the Tacoma Magic Club, we held a Broken Wand ceremony for long time member Don Brisbane. Don passed away a couple weeks ago and we decided to have a celebration if his life at the meeting. There wasn't a dry eye at the meeting, I have known Don for about 16 years. He was one of the first magicians I saw at the club perform, I will never forget his "Too Many Bottles" routine or his "Paper Hat" and "Side Walk Shuffle" routines. He is a dear friend and will be missed very much.
Things are heating up at work again(what else is new) now it turns out that the guy we hired specifically to work Saturday and Sunday night graveyards, can't work Sundays due to childcare issues on Monday morning. I don't want to sound like a dick, but he was hired for those days, childcare is not our problem. My wife and I have made child care arrangements so I can sleep. On top of that the other guy who can work nights, doesn't want to, so the store wants me to change my nights off. I can't do that, Saturday and Sunday are the only days I have with my family and the only nights I have with my wife(wink). I have been there 15 years this summer, these two combined have been there two years..... do the math.
I guess the one great thing to really look forward to is spring, fairs and fastivals will be starting. I put in applications at the Puyallup Fair, Spring fair, Meeker Days and the Pierce County Fair. We will see how things go.