End of Summer

Wow, I cannot believe this summer is over already (well not by the calender, just by the fact the kids return to school tomorrow), lots has happened this summer the full gamut of experiences hit me this summer to which I have learned, grown and even prospered from.. some of which I will share here (but NOT all).

It began with the most Joyous of occasions and that was my brother Terry's Wedding to his high school sweetheart Tanya. There are pics and I will attempt to post some that I have here if I can make it work. It was by far the most fun wedding I have been to ever and I have been to dozens (in my duties as a "Mobile DJ" ok lets do the YMCA career), maybe I am just biased towards my baby brother... They were an AWESOME looking and extremely happy wedding couple and my heart just glowed being at the altar during their exchange of vows and love, it was just so perfect Mazel Tov Terry and Tanya!!

Then we began some exciting developments and changes in the Wicked Bingo and The Bingo Game worlds. Wicked Bingo had it's debut performance in an official Gaming establishment playing alongside a night of Bingo and enhancing it in a way Bingo Players have NEVER seen before, way cool stuff.

Also be prepared for the transformation of The Bingo Game Board Game, some new things coming and the amount of time I have put into the "changes" inspired this final weekend of Summer include having my daughter Madison and I play game after game and watching her determination to beat the creator of the Game (yes she did beat me... eventually) but this also marks the time my son got into the game as well he is 8 now and like Madison at that time is becoming aware of what he can do in the game and fully appreciates and enjoys what the game lets him do when playing it, they truly enjoyed being able to team up against Dad and slow him down (considerably) then just as quickly go toe to toe against each other in getting to the win... I LOVED IT!! I would not do what I am doing if they did not like this game simple as that.

Ok I guess that paragraph sounded a bit like a commercial and if it wasn't my game it would be, but it is my game and that is a very big part of my life and that is why I shared this as this is what is happeneing now at this time in my life.

Ok, also this Summer we had an awesome time at the PNE haven't been in a couple of years and it was a great time there with my kids and my sister Karen. We got them on a few rides but we didnt do the coasters and stuff as the lines were too long, but boy did we do the games, well more precise, boy did the kids do the games but Jarod was really happy he won what he wanted to (A Giant Stewie doll) and is still beaming about it to this day. Madison hot a henna Tattoo in the same spot as her Mom's real one... siiigh they grow up sooo fast.... I got one of those real cool Moving pictures that make the water move that reminds me of Bora Bora where I was once lucky enough to go to about 20 years ago, I knew then it was the most romantic places on earth and that was confirmed to me a few months ago when I saw it was #1 on the A&E Special "Top Ten most Romantic places" cool huh?

Ah let's not forget our time in Birch Bay, we were given a cabin to stay at our favourite campgrounds for the price of me doing a Magic Show for the place and thanks to the efforts of my Father and a friend of his named Dave had an audience of about 300 people which was way cool and very reminiscent of my very first Magic show performance.... wow at 45 hmmm... apparently the time of rebirth... nows the time to do magic right.... hmmmm (oops never mind just rambling now)

Thats how I spent my Summer vacation, in a nutshell, hope whoever reads this has had a good one as well!

Next Summer will be the boat, the seadoos and the choosing the new Home in the affluent neighbourhood, the 2nd new car.... then the eyes opening and the waking up and the "this is just a dream?" question again... then the tears then the... ok they got the joke.

"Keep your eyes on the Bingo Game Website...get your copy today...

The Tournaments ARE coming..... "(<-- THAT was a commercial)

Summer is HERE!!!

Well what a month June has been eh? (<-- yep telltale sign that I am truly Canadian). The Month started off in high spirits on many fronts.(yes, including Mom's Birthday as spoken about in my last Blog as every moment of remembering my Mother brings a mixture of sadness and loss as well as a feeling of love and happiness that I had her in my life for as long as I did - I do wish I had more but... and that she was MY Mother, therefore what better way to usher in each Summer that then celebration of my Mom's Life on her B'day, right?) I did two field trips this month with my kids. Madison's class had a field trip to Lynn Canyon up in North Vancouver and WOW, what an amazingly beautiful place, I cannot believe I have lived here my entire life and never been there. I need to get out more often, well I can assure you I will be visiting there again. At first I expected it to be a picnic kinda outing with her class, instead it turned into a 6 hour death march (yes a little exaggeration there) It was actually totally invigorating even the staircase that never seemed to end going up the side of a mountain. ouch. We all had a great time that day and I am very glad I had begun my excercise regime about a month or so ago or I would probably have never made it through the entire hike, phew. The second field trip was with Jarod's class to Locarno beach with 3 other grade 2 classes and over 100 kids bolting for the ocean once we got there. Jarod pretty much lived in the water that day and LOVED it, he also found a pretty cool crystal which is now in its place of honour amongst the others we have here. The day there ended on a high note as well, when a cameraman & reporter from CTV came by looking for some footage for a "First day of Summer" report they were doing (Yes this was on the first day of Summer, good guess kind reader) I started chatting with them, gave them my "Doktor Strange Experience" biz card, showed them an illusion and after more laughter and discussion said I would probably hear from them... I will keep you posted on that. I was also happy to find a comment on here from the first and original "Miss Direction" who was my wonderful and beautiful assistant in both my Magic Shows and in Wicked Bingo but have alas since lost her to her career as a registered Nurse and to her Fiancee ( a truly great guy) as she now resides down in Portland and she is missed very much by this Magician, but YAY I get to be the MC at her wedding and that is a HUGE honour for me. You can learn more about Miss Direction and her Fiancee through the "Miss Direction is Getting Married" link on the home page of Wicked Bingo.
This month also found me performing close-up magic and co-hosting an auction for the "Adoptive Families Association of BC" with none other than former Vancouver Mayor turned Senator the honourable Larry Campbell. Pictures of us there can be seen at the Laugh Thru Lunch site. The event titled "Jazz in the park" which was held in the Stanley Park roundhouse raised well over $160,000 surpassing there goal that evening by over $20,000, I had an awesome time there!!
Then there is the Bingo related developments that have happened this month, but those I will await a future blog to tell you about as they are pretty hard to believe how incredible they could become, too excited to do them Justice at this time, but you will know about them soon enough, keep your fingers crossed.
Of course the most exciting news this month is (drumroll please) My Brother Terry's Wedding of which I am the Best Man (Wahooooooo!!!!) The Wedding is this coming Wednesday June 28th, 2006 where he will Marry the Love of his Life: Tanya!! We had the rehearsel last Friday and like many of our family occasions was chalk full of laughter and fun for everyone, then Terry and Tanya presented all of us in the wedding party with some pretty awesome gifts, including the one I got which was a - are you ready for this- an Ipod Nano WOW!!! Love those two!!! This has also got to be a very proud moment for our Father too as it is the first wedding for one of his kids, EVER... Finally eh? Congratulations Tanya and Terry I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and then some and I really do Love you both very much!!!! Terry has an awesome blog too read it by clicking here !

There is also one more exciting potential happening in my life but that too I will await to tell you about as it is still somewhat unknown as to the outcome of it. I am very very hopeful about it, it excites me very very much but I am remaining somewhat cautious till I know for sure, it affects a personal part of my life, not professional so we will see...

I certainly hope all who read this have an Amazing Summer and that all you wish for happens in your life.

See You Next time and please keep Smiling!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday, June 9, was my Mom's birthday, she would have been 76. Last year we lost her to Non-hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer. I miss my Mother very much and a day does not go by without me thinking about her (and what her reactions would be to some of my cochamamie schemes) and each day I hope for an occasional visit in my dreams.

I remember almost everyday without fail I would hear from her asking how things were going and asking what if anything she could do to help. She was my strongest support ever. I used to dread the call, not unlike how many sitcoms portray a character's wincing at a call from mom, but in a good hearted way, honest! But now that I no longer recieve the calls I cannot believe how much I wish I had them back!

I loved my Mother very much as did all who knew her, she was a vibrant amazing woman who I know is watching over me, my sisters, my children and my nephew with even more love than ever and it is that comfort we all feel and cherish.

I miss you Mom, I hope you had an awesome Birthday up their with everyone you know and have met so far... we celebrated with you (as you well know) at the Old Spaghetti Factory and had a great evening!!

Well I am more than confident she has super high speed internet up there and is seeing this message and smiling enjoying this little note from her "wonderson" and probably calling everyone over to read it too!!

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you very much!!

Pic: Mom and my son Jarod

I am loving the Magic

I am so excited over the new Magic I am doing now. I have done magic for over 30 years and in the mid 90's when I got involved with Game design I kind of put it on the back burner. However about 3 years ago I found myself going back to it at the same time I launched Wicked Bingo.

I love what Magicians David Blaine and Criss Angel have done for the world of Magic, they have re-ignited this timeless craft with their abilities and presentations of Magic both new and classic and I love watching their styles. Criss Angel is even the rock n roll Magician I had once tried to be (way back when) I even had a show called "Rock N Roll Hocus Pocus", but as i am seeing it is never to late to pursue your dreams, Never!

Watching what they did inspired me to delve into Magic in a way I never had done before, developing new skills and increasing abilities that are taking me into a world of such wonder and fun that I literally vibrate with the energy it gives me!! (excercising helps too).

Yesterday I had the great priviledge of doing some magic for all the presenters and volunteers and people behind the scenes at the "Childrens' Hospital Miracle Weekend Telethon" and I had a fantastic time!! Lots of great people, and such a good feeling of community coming together for such an amazing cause! It also gave me the opportunity to try out some of the new types of magic I am learning/developing and the reactions were WONDERFUL!! I also noticed a nice comment on here from one of the kids there, Stephanie. Thank you and about teaching you a trick.. if you are truly interested in learning Magic or even to have a cool effect to show people I would suggest visiting the Magic Shop at the Granville Island kids Market Magic shop on the 2nd floor there. Or for anyone out of town reading this with that interest then please visit a Magic shop near you, they have great books, and dvds and magic for everyone from novice to expert.

I am considering a tour/vacation (bringing my kids too wheee!)for the summer and performing around the Okanagon here in BC, who knows, it all depends on how things with "Laugh Thru Lunch" continue to progress.

In the meantime the Bingo world is starting to look interesting and I am getting kind of excited over the positive reaction to The Bingo Game, so stay tuned there.

Hope everything in your world is magical and this Blog finds you smiling!

Some Magic stuff

Well I just got home from doing Magic at a benefit for the Canadian Cancer Society, it was at a club and the function was to raise money for the upcoming relay for life event.

There were myself and 5 other comediens and two bands and it was at a place called the "Buffalo Club". The crowd as expected was mostly in their twenties but on the most part were quite receptive and fun to perform for. I did a 10 minute schtick of mostly mentalism stuff that went over quite well. I was then asked if I would be auctioneer to auction off 3 items they were trying to do a silent auction with(but not having much luck). They were pretty cool items, a) an autographed poster and dvd of Michael buble' b) a Canadian Flag with Pat Quinn's autograph and c) A Canucks Jersey autographed by every memeber of the 1994 Vancouver Canucks team, yes the team that was in the playoffs during the infamous riot here in Vancouver. I am sure the guy who bought it will get a pretty penny for it on ebay.

I also did a show last Friday for a seniors group of about 150 people and they were a great audience (Thank you for the referral, Shannon). They had a great sense of humour (they got my jokes) and really appeared to enjoy themselves. I may be getting some images from the show and if I do I will post them here and some on my site as well.

Next week looks promising in the Bingo world, some pretty interesting meetings set up, I will let you know how those go... wish me luck!! oops forgot to mention a Birthday party gig and another major benefit I am MCing, doing Magic at and also being auctioneer at next week... wheeeeee!!!

Thanks for reading!

Twice in a lifetime I chickened out

Arrrghhh I cannot believe this, I chickened out, yes me, the most outgoing whacky crazy guy my kids know and I CHICKENED OUT!!!

What you may ask did I chicken out of doing?? Simply saying "Hello"

And who to? you may ask.. why none other than the one and only Mr. Robin Williams!!!!

Today my sister and I were shopping for my dad's 75th Birthday at HMV and right behind us in the lineup, was Robin Williams!!! I was starstruck, and as we walked away my sister said "whaa-aa-at" and I told her look... she did not notice at first as he was dressed super casual and in sunglasses and asked me "what about him?" and I said... "Thats Robin Williams" to which she reacted "Oh my G*D!! itis!!" Well We stood there dumbfounded as he left the store, walking right by us and I stood there like a slack jawed yokel... ME!!

But the worst part is this is the second time in my lifetime that this happened to AND WITH THE SAME PERSON!! Over 20 years ago I worked near the Sandman inn on Georgia and was having dinner there in the pub (alone) and he was there having a drink (I guess) alone and I also did not approach and say hello... again, starstruck and did not want to bother his privacy.

Still I am bothered by not at least introducing myself and telling him today to check out what I just launched:

www.laughatlunch.com

I bet he would have been able to give me the most awesome of advice on it!!

Anyway, Mr. Williams if by chance you ever read this, I apologize for my dumbfounded look and am still one of your biggest fans!!! Oh and if you are ever in Vancouver again I would be honoured for a chance to say hello!!

New Beginnings

Well I have to admit, I am feeling the excitement of new beginnings overwhelming me. Shadows from the past have been finally cleared away (was a pretty big broom indeed, but NEEDED to be done) and I see my future with much clearer persepective than I have allowed in a long long time.

In just the past few days, I have discovered great new business contacts, learned of some exciting upcoming meetings and even had my heart strings pulled upon, but in a good way!! (Thank you Shay)

It is a light at the end of the tunnel feeling where the light is truly bright and not as far off as it had been before.

It is an optimistic anything is possible light that has opened the door to my soul and filled me with such a positive feeling about ... well... everything!!

Normally I am quite a positive person, so much so that it has been suggested I do motivational speaking and am now considering adding that to my repetoire of offerings. It is just that some aspects of my life had been clinging to past habits that did not allow me to see what was right here for me... but no more.

Basically the moral of this post is, use your own personal history as a guide to learn from, not as a compass of hope to recapture old glories, and old loves. Past accomplishments are just that "old" and each new day is meant for something new!!

Carpe Diem: Sieze the day and always look forward!!