Escape to "Big Al Catraz"

One of the most prominent sights in San Francisco looms in the distance across the bay. Alcatraz island rises out of the water as a monument to the inescapable. There is a question to this day as to the validity of its stated record saying that during its 29 years as a penitentiary, no prisoner had successfully escaped. It is known that 36 prisoners attempted, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed, two drowned, and five are listed as presumed drowned. The question as to the "presumed" drowned became one of the most famous escape movies of all time, "Escape From Alcatraz" staring Clint Eastwood.

But probably the most cheesy use of this as a backdrop for an escape was done by David Copperfield. This takes me back, back to a time when magic was... well... cheesier than a warm brie wrapped in a wine port cheddar..mmm so tasty.



Escape has been a part of my life for many years. As a young magician many of us read of Houdini and realize the impact escape can have upon an audience. I don't really know why audiences like to watch a person free themselves from bonds, prison cells, etc. But they do enjoy a good escape performance when it is done with the proper flair and death defiance.

I made a small undeserved reputation as an escape artist when I performed my strait jacket escape dangling by the ankles 300 feet in the air from a burning rope. I've even performed an underwater handcuff escape. And I was at one time attempting an underwater strait jacket escape which resulted of my being pulled from a pool and given mouth to mouth resuscitation. And now you know why I wasn't that famous as an escape artist. 

Big Al Catraz performs at pier 39 in San Francisco

Many magicians have an escape or even two in their repertoire. And a magician who goes by the name of "Big Al Catraz" was no different. As I walked to the back of the Pier 39 shops, there was a very large crowd looking upon a small outdoor stage.There tied to a chair, was a working magician in all his cheesy magic show glory performing a comedy escape for the tourist crowd and an audience filled with children screaming with delight. It was a classic performance of an often performed escape. I hadn't seen him actually get tied up, but there he was dancing a rendition of that famous of musical numbers "The Hokey Pokey." It certainly made and interesting addition to his chair tie escape.


Because of Al's "bigness" it made the performance even better. There is something about a big guy doing the "hokey pokey" while tied up to a chair. Of course he eventually falls over and threatened to fall off the stage onto the kids who were at one time clamoring to be in the show. They of course backed up rather quickly when he tumbled.


And the show wouldn't have been complete without him taking his bow to the crowd and his pants dropping to the floor revealing his boxer shorts. I believe that the most successful escapes can be made even better by adding corn ball cheese to them. Maybe this is what made Copperfield so famous. But I'm not sure he was trying.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Al for a while after his performance. I wanted to find out more about him than meets the stage floor. So we talked about the creation of his character of "Big Al" and how it came about. One thing that differentiates Al from other magicians is that he studied acting and was an actor before he became a magician. This gives him a great background with which to derive his character. When he first decided to become a "pro" magician, he knew he wanted something iconic to be associated with San Francisco.

He actually thought of the name when he was driving by a "Big Al's Clothing" store. We talked about how lucky he was to have a permanent stage show. And we talked about a couple of interesting things, one of which was the "DEATH OF MAGIC." Al hasn't been a magician for that long, only ten years. I think that may have shaped his thinking. You see Al doesn't believe that magic is dead at all. In fact he thinks it is thriving. He sees the Internet as promoting and distributing magic to young people, not ruining it's potential.

"The kids who are watching magic on the Internet are absorbing information quicker, they are taking the principles which they learn and creating new ways to use them, better than ever before... I think magic is going to live on, but it is going to change. And people don't like change."

Worries about and early death because of his weight.

He does think that kids posting the secrets to the tricks they learn is a problem, but he has chosen to ignore the magician doomsday preachers and naysayers who say that magic is in a decline. (Of course it is a lot easier for a guy who has an audience every day in a tourist venue such as he does.) And believe me he is lucky to be there and he knows it. Most magicians have to work everyday to find a paying gig. So lucky are the guys who work at Theme Parks, or tourist traps such as Pier 39. But he hasn't seen or felt the decline as many magicians struggling to get a paying gig have. And it would follow of course that he wouldn't fear the death of magic.

He may not have been afraid of the death of magic, but this big guy did express a fear of his own death. He confided in me that he has been concerned for his weight and health. Like all of us, magicians are just people too. I know that is an astonishing revelation, and as such, we worry about things like weight and dieing before our time. It seems that Al's father died when he was too young and Al told me he worries that he too will suffer the same fate. But he is doing something about it. Al has been working at losing "big" from his show through a newly adopted diet and workout. Of course when the subject turned to that I had to tell him about Lions, Tigers, and Bears OMG! my web page and future book for guys in the midst of a midlife crisis.

Of course how could we turn to a discussion of LTBOMG without a workout picture for all of you overweight guys with a lowering libido. (not saying Al had a lowering libido just for the record) So before I go on to my next blogging opportunity, I'll leave you with a picture of Brittnay doing one of her workout poses. I hope this is motivational to you and your lowering libido, LOL. I know it always motivates me.

Well on to Reno then Boise... keep living the magic!

Movies, Music, and The Death of Magic

Movies are but an illusion of captured light, still images which create movement due to a trick of the eye and confusion of the brain. Of course it would make sense that one of the earliest movie makers was himself an illusionist. French stage magician, Georges Melies. Melies was not only one of the first feature film creators, he was the first to use "trick" photography in his movies. His very first film was called "Playing Cards" and his first production company was named "Star Film Company." This information is coming to you from a guy who received his magician name, "Ace Star" in this very place, Southern California performing card tricks at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Magician/Musician/Movie Mogul

My visit to Southern California didn't include a trip to Hollywood, a place where I've ventured many times in my life. But Southern California includes many magical places. I was on a mission to find a magician whom I'd known for many years. His name is Tony Maclaren.  He invited me over to his home in Chatsworth, California, a different kind of movie making capital. (for a laugh, look it up.) OK I won't make you look it up. It's the porn capital of the world. So naturally when this old magician/rockstar friend of mine tells me he's making movies and living in Chatsworth, naturally, I have to wonder to myself. (Then he tells me that he may even have a part for me.) Of course as I drove to his home, letting Nelly, my navigation system lead the way, my mind wandered, exploring the possibilities of the magic this interview might conjure up. LOL!!!

However, I was relieved (slightly disappointed) to discover that he is making a feature film called THE FROZEN TUNDRA, which he described to me during our visit. The story is one of a neurotic guy who fears life, who has a sudden journey almost forced upon him and has to learn to deal with his on phobias. (Wow come to think of it, this is sounding familiar)

Tony Maclaren is one of those rare breed of individuals who is extremely blessed with multiple talents. I've found that many magicians are talented musicians as well and have a knack for writing songs. He is very bright and creative beyond belief. He has been a professional guitarist, and an accomplished song writer, as well as a talented conjurer. As a young boy he was a guitar prodigy, and if you ever hear him play, he'll blow you away. If and when I get to interview him on video we are going to get him to play a little guitar for us too.

As most magicians are, Tony was bitten by the magic bug at an early age and began performing magic when he was only 6 years old. I met Tony when he was a working pro magician in Southern California which he has done for quite a few years. So when he told me that he had finally given up on magic to produce, write and direct movies, I was quite taken aback. The fact that this life long magician would now leave his life's work, was one of the most surprising things I've heard during this amazing journey. Then when he told me why, I was even more astounded and I admit somewhat depressed. You see he told me, "Magic is dead."

From a guy who has been in the magic business for more years than me, that was a seriously depressing remark. What another of my interviews, Jon Racherbaumer, had mentioned was that he believed was a change in  the culture of magic, was now coming out of Tony's mouth as "the death of magic." And after listening to his rational, I was almost ready to agree with him. IS MAGIC DEAD????

For you, the non-magicians, things may appear to be the same. But to the working professional, the world of magic has changed dramatically. When Tony began magic, it was an art which had to be studied and almost revered in order for one to participate in it's realm. Now with the world of Internet, cable TV, and YouTube, the world of magic has been turned upside down. Today anyone with a cellphone can immediately go online and search for the trick which they have just seen performed. And usually they will discover that its secret is readily available for a simple click. Why are kids who learn a trick these days so quick to jump on the Internet and reveal the secret? I'm not sure what they derive from it? Is it is an ego boost for them or something. But they are doing this over and over. Here, I'm going to give you an example:

This is a simple trick and I'm not certainly on  to reveal tricks, so it pains me to even put this on the blog. But this is a well known trick that was easy to master once the secret was known. However, it is so sad to me that some kid goes to all the trouble to put the very secret to a trick he didn't create, and probably learned by watching a video like this in order to somehow gain recognition he so craves.

A long time ago I decided not to put my own magic on the Internet. Years ago, I invented a couple of sleights which were very magical and back then I decided to put them on YouTube. It was a matter of hours and the postings began about how to possibly do the trick, as if I was looking for them to solve a puzzle. So I quickly took them off. It wasn't that the posters had even figured out what I was doing, but that for some reason, they saw my video as a challenge to come up with and post the solution, which of course it wasn't at all. I just wanted to share the magic feeling that they should derive out of seeing the impossible accomplished.  If magic is performed as a challenge to the audience then it's true magic is lost.

When I asked Tony if he'd perform something original to me to video tape for the blog, he politely said no. Without considering my own policy, I'd asked him to do that very thing I was against. He told me that their was no point to putting things on the Internet for others to run over and over again, in order to discover its secret. "For what purpose?" he asked, "so they could then post the secret to show how smart they are?" He told me in his last days of being a working professional magician that he would quit whenever he saw someone recording him with a phone. Is this what magic has come to?

If it's not the YouTube wanna be magicians aren't enough to make one think that magic is over, working magicians have another real problem. He is that guy who calls himself, THE MASKED MAGICIAN. We all know him, and quite frankly he disgusts me.

Sawing a lady illusion I built by hand.

I'll tell you why. Many magicians are making a living doing small shows, trade shows, even birthday parties. These guys don't have a nine to five with health insurance, and for the most of them, they don't make a lot of money. So to improve the show, a guy like me will build or buy a small illusion, such as sawing a lady in half. Time money and effort go into making this a valuable part of the show. An illusion like that may cost him $5000 or even more. For most of us, that is a major investment. But, once the masked magician puts how to do it on his show, that illusion is nothing more than a box with a couple of mirrors. Kids who used to stare wide eyed in amazement now yell, "I know that one! It's a mirror! Right there, look everyone he's a fake!!"

For another magician to reveal the secrets of magic to kids, is the equivalent of running through a toy store at Christmas time and yelling, "Santa isn't real! He's your parents! Don't fall for it kids, your parents put that stuff under the tree."  What is the point of taking that magical feeling away from them. For any of you who are a parent, please don't take that magic away. Let them discover the magic in life.

No "Witch" in Wichita

Life is Like a Kaleidoscope

Life is the synthesis of the passing of time and specific events all of which seem random at first, but eventually they coalesce into something beautiful, and when we reflect on them, they show us patterns, much like the turning of a kaleidoscope. What seems to be just a few objects trapped in a telescopic tunnel, when turned to the sunlight, they shine inspiration and reflect memories for us in magnificent colorful patterns. This is the kaleidoscope of life, it at time appears random and then suddenly when you look into the light, life changes from random events to form colorful concentric images almost perfect in their beauty. Here in Wichita Kansas, I found myself looking into that wonderful color-filled tube of life. This is a moment in my life where I reflected and suddenly it all came into focus if for only a brief moment.

I'd only been to Wichita once before in my life. It was a moment which was almost surreal in my foggy un-focusing memories. You see one of the women in my past was friends with Kirstie Alley's family (she is from Witchita) actually she babysat Kirstie, when she was a kid, as she lived next door to her parents. But that's another story. Anyway, it was Christmas time and we were invited over to their house to have a drink with Kirstie and her husband, Parker Stevenson. Of course I was invited for one reason... to perform magic. So the only memory I really have of that time in Kansas was that I did some tricks for Kirstie and Parker. I never knew I'd be asked to perform magic again in Witchita.

When I began my Magic Life journey I wasn't planning on visiting Kansas. Yet I made a comment that "Magicians are given a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see the workings of the wizard in this marvelous world." That of course is a reference to THE WIZARD OF OZ. Thus I may have inadvertently opened up the heavens and a tornado of serendipity may have caused my path to end up in the land of the yellow brick road. It was after that, that I received a message from a friend from my past asking me if I would be close to Wichita during my travels.

Linda Swafford in High School

Her name is Linda, just think of her as the "good witch" in this tale of magic.  Linda was a girl with whom I attended high school. On the acknowledgements page of THE MAGIC LIFE there is a list of names which are people within my life who have been my teachers. The list starts with a young carpenter who worked for my father when I was just a little boy. His name was Marty Barts and everyday I should thank him for something he taught me.  He taught me to tie my shoes. There is my English teacher in that high school who really inspired me to become a writer, Carol Allred. These are people all who I treasure in one way or another. Well, one of those person's on that page, whose name is there in small print is a young girl named "Linda Swafford." Linda, (as she was then in the picture) was my first magician's assistant.

Well Linda went on to develop something of a love for the conjuring arts herself. Never becoming a true pro magician, she does perform magic at least once a year. Her son has also developed a love for magic and has performed magic in his talent show. She is an amazing person and has devoted herself to teaching, loving, and helping those in need. Over the years I've heard from Linda now and then asking me about magic and where to find a new trick or two. 

Linda "Swafford" Dickerson and I Today

I truly believe that life will give us so many opportunities for magic if we simply follow it's flow and stop swimming upstream. I mention this, because it was in a book which my English teacher, Carol Allred, mentioned above, had assigned and the concept stuck with me and changed me and eventually led me back to Kansas. It was this book by Richard Bach, ILLUSIONS, about a reluctant messiah, a pilot, who traveled the country in a bi-plane, barnstorming, and teaching his philosophy that inspired me to write THE MAGIC LIFE. And it was this philosophy which inspired me to "go with the flow" when I received an invitation from Linda. Is it a coincidence that the main character was barnstorming, in a mythical place like Wichita Kansas?

So when I started my drive from Dallas to Wichita I pulled on the freeway and a huge billboard caught my attention, it said, "Be Sure and Try the Magic of Magic Dental." Then I turned on my radio and a song by Heart was playing, "Magic Man." I smiled, knowing I was on the right path that morning.

Later that evening, Linda wanted to share Wichita with me, almost apologetically, since some of the people who posted about my blog had made a few seemingly disparaging remarks. Well her and her boyfriend, Craig, took me to one of their favorite places to hang out, and there was a band playing. The bands name, THE BAND OF OZ, and of course they had to be singing, Steve Miller Band's song "ABRACADABRA."

It was then that the amazing magic life came full circle. Out of nowhere, a girl approaches us at the table. As if to tell me, "Don't ever forget that life is filled with magic" she states that she is with a bachelorette party and is on a scavenger hunt. She asks, "Can any of you do a magic trick?"And now I have two memories of performing magic in Wichita. There may not be two "t's" in Wichita, but there does seem to be magic to be found there. Thanks Linda, you are bewitching. Thank you for inviting, allowing me to stay at your home and again for reminding me of our magic time together.

And so I will continue my journey.. going with the flow of this magic life.

Austin Still Keeping it Weird

Austin, a strange mix of cowboys and college students, of politicians and programmers, creates an atmosphere where almost anything, even magic can happen. Austin is full of eclectic eccentricities. It's a place where Michael Dell started a computer company and Willy Nelson lost everything to the IRS (and now has a street named after him.) Both strange and wonderful is this city on the Colorado River. And the Austinites know it. In fact you can often see them wearing the slogan on a tee shirt, "Keep Austin Weird." Weird yes, but the one thing that almost everyone says who goes to school there or practically anyone who has ever  lived there is, "I love Austin."

Brittnay Lynn in Cid's Apartment

Having spent time as a student at the University of Texas, I too say, "I love Austin." In my book, THE MAGIC LIFE, the main character, James, first comes in contact with the magician at a street festival in this magical place. The scene in the book is actually based upon my own experience of performing on the street at the Pecan street Festival. Austin is indeed a magical place, which has several note worthy magicians.

When I  put Austin on my map, I figured I'd go ahead and stay with one of my old college buddies and call up one of those local magicians for an interview. I called my old college compadre Cid Galindo, an amazing friend I've had for all these many years. Cid gave me the thumbs up and pretty much said, "mi casa es su casa." So Austin was going to be included and I'd also get a chance to see my friend and patent attorney, Anthony Campbell, who was my first editor in grad school.

My intention was to get an interview with one of the local magicians there in Austin, but my magic life seemed to take an interesting turn which never included interviewing a magician. First there was meeting Cid's wonderful little girl Lola. That was where I got to use some of my own magic, Lola wanted me to do a couple tricks for her, so I did. When her Mom came to pick her up, (Cid and her are separated) she wanted to see some too. So I showed her and Lola magic, and also sang them a couple of songs which I figured I'd video for you there in Austin, because after all it is a music mecca.

Brittnay in workout shot for LTBOMG

Wow!

But I decided to get some work done and unfortunately, or actually amazingly fortunately, work led to fun which led to never interviewing a magician or even recording my songs.

Instead I have to share my wonderful happenstance meeting with a beautiful model named Brittnay Lynn. I decided to shoot some workout shots with her for the Lions, Tigers, and Bears, OMG! website. Which led to trying to find a bikini bottom, which she didn't have, and eventually buying her a pair of tie-dyed shorts for the workout shots. Cid offered the use of his Hilton Fitness Center membership and I was allowed to use their gym for the shoot. This was a great location and Brittnay was absolutely beautiful and she actually got a pretty good workout during the photo session too.


We had so much fun at the shoot that she asked me to take her out afterward for a drink, which led to dinner, then more drinks. She started getting really hot, and I'm not just talking about my "beer goggle eyes" here either. No her skin was getting hot and flushed. We then discovered that Brittnay was allergic to something we had for dinner. Soon she was breaking out with hives. (End of the evening for me unless I take care of her.) So of course we had to go back to Cid's place and get her an allergy pill and lay her down in his bed. I gave her an Allegra and put some cold wash cloths on her, and we watched "Adult Swim" cartoons for a while. Eventually she was OK. And she was actually ready to rally just as Cid came in the door from his evening out. He had quite a surprised look on his face when he saw me sitting on the bed with Brittany in it wearing wet wash cloths. Come on, she was hot, she had to take her cloths off to put the wet wash cloths on her. (I know your minds are in the gutter at this point.)

Even Hot with Hives

But this was the beginning of a wonderful, magical night with Brittnay and Cid in Austin.We went out 'til way too late, and Brittnay led the way. By the end of the evening, or about when the sun was to come up, we had to call it a night, so we went back to Cid's to dance in his gallery and continue the night. My diet certainly seems to be going to hell on this trip as we not only stopped for a slice of pizza but then Cid made us all a sandwich at his place. And of course the magic life wouldn't have been complete without a little bit of the bubbly.

And such is another night in the magic life. 

New Orleans: The Trickster Appears

New Orleans, a city that is a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, calls to me like an old, silver-haired, black gentleman, strumming a worn out guitar with his time calloused fingers. He's singing a blues from his wicker rocker on his front porch, filling the humid air with his raspy voice between puffs on his long-ashed cigarette. The Big Easy, is that music, moving slowly to the rhythms of that unique sound of blues and jazz. Blues are the heart and souls, and jazz is the music which always remains true to it's source, playing notes and riffs around the true unchanged melody. Through a hundred years NOLA often seems frozen in time.  But change is the one true constant in life and even a world tied to tradition such as New Orleans will succumb to it's power.

Jack Lyles "Where's my stuff?"

For me, I've been fortunate enough to have included in my magic life, some magical friends, and through their generosity and love I've included much time in New Orleans in my life's journey. My time spent here will no doubt be some of the most magical and wondrous times of my life.

Living in Houston, years ago I had the privilege to meet the Lyles family, Jack and Pam and their son and daughter, Jeffery and Taylor. When they moved to New Orleans, they took my friendship with them and over the years, I've spent many, nights and days, reveling with them at their home endearingly referred to as "Hotel Lyles." I've learned the wonders of Mardi Gras, walked amongst the topless women on Bourbon Street, marveled at the street magic in the French Quarter, and seen the ravages of hurricane Katrina.

Change is not a welcomed adversary, but like the mythical "trickster" change appears to wreak havoc upon his stealthful visit. But hopefully when he departs, a life lesson has been learned. And as change is the only true constant in life, we must learn to embrace each new chapter, cherishing the memories of that which lay behind us as magical illusions fading in our mind as the years go by. The Lyles offered me a place to stay in New Orleans one last time. And I feel a true privilege being the last real guest of Hotel Lyles. Pam and Jack are embracing a new chapter in their lives too and doing it with gusto. Looking forward to the adventures that await them.

NOLA - A Mystical City Wrapped in Magical Traditions

I'll miss the Hotel Lyles with all it's amazing memories and traditions, but our friendships will be that true melody which only the riffs and notes encircle to make that beautiful magical life sound. I know that all my New Orleans friends and those who have had this wonderful, magical encounter with this amazing family, will miss our times at "Hotel Lyles" but we will always cherish those memories which "the trickster" cannot ever take from us.

But there is more magic in New Orleans to come...

A Glance into Glancey

Two wizards and a magician walk into a bar. the first wizard say's, "watch this" and he waves his wand and three drinks appear in front of them. He points his wand to the next wizard and states, "your turn."
The second wizard responds "Ok, watch this." He waves his wand and the three drinks disappear. Both wizards then point their wands at the magician, who suddenly turns into a duck. The duck looks up at them and says, "You bastards just stuck me with the bill again, didn't you."

If you sat down next to a wizard you might realize it, but the magician somehow blends into the scenery. At least in Key West, where such characters abound, they do. Here are three men sitting at a bar and one of them is the magician. The others are wizards in their own right, but I doubt they can turn the magician into a duck.

His name is Tim Glancey, he is the one in the hat, not the top hat, but the one in the loud shirt, who looks as though he's hiding a coin or something in his right hand. Tim has had an amazing magic life and I have had a true opportunity to have crossed his path with mine.

I met Glancey while I was attending Boise State University, studying theater. He got me my first restaurant job at the Grizzly Bear Pizza parlor, doing table to table magic. He introduced me to other magicians and many, many sleights and tricks. I ran into him years later in Las Vegas at a magician's convention and he'd been doing magic all over the country, at the time he was living and working in Orlando, Florida.

Tim, was the original magician for the Orlando magic, which considering the position was a miracle in and of itself. When the Orlando Magic first announced that their name was to be "the magic," a thousand magicians quickly shot them a proposal and resume. Tim told me he was different. He camped at their doorstep. When he finally got a chance to meet with them and introduced himself as a magician, they said, "We aren't that kind of magic." And he off the top of his head replied, "Well I'm not that kind of magician."

"Well, what kind of magician are you then?"

"I do team sports magic." 

And at that moment the concept of "Team Sports Magic" was born. He told me that he was just shooting from the hip. He envisioned and eventually created someone pulling a basketball from a briefcase. From then on Tim developed the sports team magic program which created an intimate relationship with a sports arena audience to get them involved. He told me that the principle was to bring the person in the back of the crowd into the show as he would a person watching him do a close-up trick. How does one do that? You might ask. How can you personally connect with an enormous crowd.

If you've ever been to a game where someone shoots a tee-shirt into the audience with and air cannon, then you can thank this magician. While creating this concept of team sports magic, he came up with that idea and invented the way to get a tee shirt, Nerf ball, etc, into the hands of a person yelling and screaming from twenty rows up.

I had the pleasure once again of watching Tim perform some of his close-up magic that night. I was absolutely dumbfounded by a simple little illusion. He pulled a match from a pack of matches, lit it, held it in his hand and it changed into a silver dollar. I don't mean it looked like it changed. It was a match one moment and a dollar the next instant, with smoke still rising from it's edge. Tim later shared with me that simple magic is always the best.

Tim has lived a life of a magician, from time to time it's hard like most lives can be. But he told me that he has never filled out a job application in his life and knows that security for him is an illusion. But his security has been that he could walk into a restaurant if he needed and would tell the manager, let me perform tonight and see if it works for both of us. Within 30 minutes the manager would be asking, "how much do you charge to do this." He has managed to work, travel and live life as a magician, relying on his skills and abilities to make others happy.

I sat with Tim and talked about life and the magic moments he has had throughout his. He calls them "click" moments. The time he closed up his magic shop and headed for Orlando, the door went "click." I like to call them "defining moments." Those moments that change the direction of your life, they define your life. The moment that Tim said the words "I do team sports magic" for example was a defining moment a "click" in Tim's life. 

When I asked him what the most amazing thin he has ever done, he didn't tell me about making a dragon appear in a box hanging a hundred feet in the air, or sawing a woman in two. No, he told me about a time he surprised his girlfriend by getting some of her relatives to come make a surprise visit. It made him relive that magic moment and he teared up with tears of joy. We talked about so many things, magical things, amazing things. I know that this old friend of mine, this magic mentor, who has taught so many and helped so many others get their lives on track, does know the difference between real magic, and those things a magician does with cards.

Live the magic, my magician brother!

Key West - The Magic Begins

When I think of Key West it brings to mind, some marvelous imagery, as well as conjuring up foggy rum soaked memories of fantasy fests gone by. The farthest southern point of the US, it is more than snorkel trips, sunset cruises, and restaurants where chickens scratch at your feet. It is a mysterious island filled with hidden secrets. Beyond the delicious taste of a cool slice of key lime pie, and the palm trees split by a serene sunset, most of all, it is a place filled with characters. As though Hemingway himself had provided background and filled this tourist town with his own eclectic creations. It is in this very place indeed where he staggered down to a local bar, to challenge a friend to a drinking contest or boxing match. The saloons still echo his bygone bravado,with names such as Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, or The Schooner Warf, they are a magnet to the often loud, wrinkled, liver ravaged, pirates which wander Duval Street in search of a drop of the magic which fortunately this wonderful, eye-opening, island can provide.

My search for magic began with my own christening as I finished packing the Jeep. The very last thing after everything was packed was to take out the leftover groceries from my refrigerator to give to a friend. When I did the bottom of the bag fell out and a half bottle of Cabernet went pouring down my shorts, ran down my right leg, soaked into my white gym sock and pretty much dyed my white tennis shoe instantly. My trip was going to begin as random as my life, like the man who is picked to be a spy simply because he has "one red shoe."

Rain Means Rebirth

Raining is the Beginning of Life

Well a little more packing to do, clean up the condo and then it's adios South Beach and on to my first freeloading stop. Of course nothing could be more perfect than to wake up the rain. So that wonderful scenic drive I intended to have down the Florida Keys will now include the eternal sound of squeaky wiper blades. However, again I prefer to frame this in its truely positive perspective, as I wade my way to Einstein Bros. bagels for a thin bagel and egg sandwich. I will look at this sudden cooling rain as nature intended. I don't know how many non magicians out there realize it, but rain means rebirth. Not only does it make our gardens grow, it is something which story tellers and movie makers know and often use to make a character change directions or find an epiphany or new start. I'm trying to think of a good example, but my coffee hasn't kicked in yet. OK, in An Officer and a Gentleman, Gere's character is being drilled "in the pouring rain" when he's finally broken down and almost crying says "cause I got nothing else...cause I got nothing else." It is at this point that he, standing in the pouring rain, becomes a true officer. Next time you are watching a movie and you see a rainstorm remember it means rebirth, and you'll see what I'm talking about.If you can think of other examples, please share them in a comment. So today is my rebirth, my time to discover myself. I've said that in each of us is hidden the ultimate magician. Mine has been hiding for a while, but with help like this from the universe, I know I'll find him.

OK I had a moment left on my computer this morning before I packed it and I came up with another of my favorite examples: The Shawshank Redemption. 

Battery's Charged - A Metaphor For My Life?

Ok I'm working my ass off packing. pfffft.. yeah right, I'm having a vodka drink. But I have had a "heluva" day.. I love that word "helava" don't you. OK, I will be on my journey tomorrow come "helorhi" water. See how I worked that in there.. clever huh?

But I did want you to know that I'm already over budget, thanks to my dead battery. First I tried to get a friend of mine to help me jump the jeep, but he unfortunately was out of town. (yeah right) So after debating what to do I flagged a guy about to park in the garage down, and asked if he'd help me jump my car.

I'm so glad at this moment that this wasn't New York. In New York he would have said something like, "Do I look like triple A?" Of course I would have replied, "No you look like you're either a member of AA, or you're no doubt single aye?" And of course this would have lead to a scuffle in which we'd end up long life drinking buddies. Because that's just the way I am.

I digress. So in my Miami Beach garage the guy says simply, "Do you have cables?"

So yes he gave me a jump.. ladies, I don't need to hear the obvious jokes at this point, even though this is Miami Beach. So I get the car started and drive to the nearest auto parts store. After a battery check, it is determined that my battery needs a funeral. So $140 later and a little sweat, and I'm back on track. Now I need to get this puppy filled.. oh wait I'm talking about the jeep, not my vodka drink.

And So it Begins...

Ever notice that when you are about to do something great, all of the sudden life puts obstacles in front of you. Not that this trip is going to be something great, but I really have to laugh. I'm trying to get my stuff organized, and packed this morning, so that I can leave tomorrow. Well I need a wrench so that I can take my magic table apart. I haul one load out to the jeep, jump in and give the key a turn.. well here is the result.

Packing Day

One of Life's True Wonders - Roller Blades

So much to do before I go on my journey. I'm going to miss South Beach. It truly has been magical. (see photo at left) But I digress.

I wish I were truly magic as I'd just snap my fingers and everything would be packed and loaded in my Jeep. But no, I have to slog it all down the hall and along the half mile journey to the garage where it is parked. Living in a condo in Miami Beach does have it's disadvantages, but then I have to remind myself, I live in a condo in Miami Beach. Well, so far some of the schedule is already presenting it's problems. Along with the minor hassles that come with things like this, my video on my camera that I planned to use doesn't seem to be working. And one of my stays has already canceled on me.


But not to worry, I can always use my Iphone or Ipad. But for certain, we're going to need some video along the way. What if I pick up two hot women hitch hiking in short shorts? I know you guys will want to see that right. .. yeah in my dreams. But really what about the magic? Don't worry I'm sure we'll find it as soon as we start looking. But for today I'm going to share something that I think is just weird. Take a look at this video, and those of you who are old enough, shake your heads in disbelief. You've got to wonder about life when you see this. Think of how really crazy life is. Does it really have any meaning at all? Or is it just some random occurrences which have no pattern, no meaning and certainly no justification for being?

Makes me go hmmmmmm?