AUGUST:  This month took me to California where I lectured at The Magic Apple in Studio City for the second time.  The next day my wife and I accompanied my friends (The Fleischers) at Universal Studios which I've visited many times; the Simpsons ride is still my favorite there.  The next night we visited The Magic Castle in Hollywood where two of my favorite relatives (Rodger & Alex) joined us for a fun-filled night.  It was nice to finally see my friend Gregory Wilson live, who was the highlight of the night for us all.

The following day we hopped aboard The Mariner of the Seas with our cousins.  This was our third cruise but first time to do so with Royal Caribbean.  It was very nice.  We rode dune buggies on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, we did nine zip lines through the canopy of the trees in the Sierra Madre mountains in Mazatlan, and went horseback riding in Puerta Vallarta.

Two of our excursions ended at tequila factories where we were schooled on the process of making this wonderful elixir from the agave plant and were forced to try sample after sample.  We brought home several bottles as souvenirs. There was also plenty of fun activities on the ship.  We attended shows, art auctions, the casino, the shops, the miniature golf course, the rock climbing wall, the swimming pools, etc.  I would recommend this cruise along the Mexican Riviera to anyone.

Anyone who has taken a cruise knows that they feed you very well.  Our group dined in the same restaurant most nights and I was entertained, for a change, by our server.  His name was Sharatkumar and he knew jokes, puzzles and how to make puppets out of cloth napkins.  After showing him a trick or two the first night it was "game on" each time we were there.  He and the rest of staff would gather around each night to see what new trick I had for them.

Upon returning I've done a few gigs around town, but I have mainly been focusing on several product-related projects.  I typically work on half a dozen projects at once and it is nice to wrap one of them up from time to time.  The anniversary edition of my DVD for Pockets Full of Miracles received a great review in the August edition of GENII magazine.  Also, I was flattered to find the video on the left on YouTube.  This guy from Spain has come up with an amazing handling for my trick called DiaMonte.  He seems to think it is the best card trick ever!!

MAY:  This month I performed many shows for companies such as Baylor Health, Siemens, Westin Hotels, Gulfstream and many more.  My wife and I celebrated our 18 year wedding anniversary.  We met in college in late 1988 and married in May of 1992.  My how time flies!  My magic appeared for review in:

GENII May 2010 (p. 84) Review of DiaMonte (click here)
MUM June 2010 (p.70) Review of Bamboozlers 2 (click here)
LINKING RING May 2010 (p.116) Review of DiaMonte
MAGIC June 2010 (p.82) Review of DiaMonte

The sad news I have to report this month is the passing of my friend Martin Gardner.  Martin lived to the ripe age of 95. He had written more than 70 books, and was working on several book projects.  Martin wrote my favorite magic book of all time entitled The Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic.  Anyone who has studied magic, science, mathematics, skepticism or religion has probably read one of his books.  To the left is a 45 minute program that reveals some of the impacts of his work.  Martin was the biggest skeptic out there but couldn't help but believe in God.  I hope they have Internet in Heaven because I'd like him to know that I will miss him dearly.

MARCH: This month I began preparing for my lecture tour across Australia and New Zealand:

What an adventure!  Over 18 days I made 11 flights.  I lectured in 8 cities, 5 in Australia and 3 in New Zealand.  All in all I traveled over 25,000 miles on this trip.  Imagine making a complete journey around the Earth!!  Click here to see an interactive Google Map that shows you the actual path I traveled.

Some of the highlights were seeing the beautiful scenery and birds.  They have millions of parrots flying around there like we have blackbirds.  The wildlife parks I visited were my favorite part.  Being so close to the animals and interacting with them makes you feel closer to God.  The people were amazing.  They were all super friendly and took great care of me.

I was surprised that people there don't all talk like the late Steve Irwin or Crocodile Dundee.  They are all very English, having tea (instead of dinner) and drive on the opposite side of the road.  Most of Australia felt like a blend between California and England.  Australia is as vast as the US but only has a population of 21.3 million people.  Most people live along the coast and the center of the Oz is simply desolate (the outback).

I hope to return one day and take in more of this beautiful country.  I regret not seeing Ayer's Rock, Darwin, and the scenery along the Great Barrier Reef.  The tour was very profitable and I know I'll return with another lecture in the future.  The amazing Sean Taylor who organized the tour gave my lecture a great review that can be found at the bottom of this page.  For another favorable review by the great Paul Romhany click here.

Once back home I began catching up on work here and returned to perform at Jackson's Pottery (one of my favorite clients) for their big super sale.  April is looking good and I have many more projects and tours in the works.

JANUARY:  I kicked off the month by lecturing for the Fort Worth Magic Club.  Check out their review here. The rest of the month kept me busy performing for Hyatt Hotels, Shaw Industries, the Mira Vista Country Club, Farmers Branch Senior Center, Betty Ford Clinic, countless more private parties, and planning future shows and tours. 

One party was for my friends the Nortons who would come to see me in my "restaurant magic heyday" at Slider & Blues where I worked for 9 years.  I've stayed with them in New York a few times, but this time the party was here and we celebrated their mom/grandmother's Catherine's 90th birthday with my magic to cap it off.

Another party had me at the 50th wedding anniversary of Jim & Barbara Davis.  I lived next door to the Davis' throughout part of Elementary, Middle and High School.  Luckily, I've kept in touch with the whole Davis clan and consider them as good as family.  It was a thrill for me that they got to see me in action, and not just winging it as I do sometimes when hanging out with friends.

Some of the big news this month was the release of my new instructional magic trick DVD titled DIAMONTE.  For more about the effect, to see the video teaser, or to buy it click here. The DVD, for the past two weeks, has been ranked as one of the top ten best-selling effects in the magic world market.  Brad Davis, of the Davis clan, owns Frozen Fire Films and did all of the video production for the DVD.  If you need a first class video production team, then there is no one finer and more affordable.

NOVEMBER:  This month has been a little more laid back which has allowed me focus on projects around the house and tinker with some new routines.  When not performing my time has been consumed with booking future tours all over the world.  It is amazing how much time it takes to line up these dates.  I am booked for the world's largest magic convention in Blackpool, England this coming February which typically hosts 2000 to 3000 magicians.  Shortly after my return from the UK I'll fly to Australia to tour there and in New Zealand as well.  I am working on some more touring dates here in the US.  And I'll be touring Germany in October of 2010.

My new book Bamboozlers Two will be here soon and the ad will begin running soon.  See the ad to the left.  While it is a collection of impromptu magic, bar bets and gags, I am guessing that most magicians are not familiar with a third of the 75 bits.  Look for my new Bamboozlers column in Jim Sisti's magazine The Magic Menu.

I have performed a stand-up version of the three card monte for over twenty years.  My version, which I call DiaMonte, has some neat twists and it packs a few punches.  The best part for the magician is that you end clean with all of the cards examinable.  I have just begun creating a DVD for this trick and hope to release it early next year.

This month I attended the lecture of Paul Gertner.  Mr. Gertner has always been one of my favorite magic thinkers.  I have performed one of his routines for about twenty years and I was glad to share some of the work I have on this effect with him.  If you ever have the chance to see him in action do not miss it.

Click here for a fun video that a friend sent me.  It might just change the way you view the world!

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER:  Luckily I have been blessed with plenty of shows during this recession.  Over the past couple of months some of my clients were Forever Living Products (where I entertained folks from 121 different countries at Southfork Ranch), Raising Cain's Chicken (where I entertained hundreds of employees for their country Hoe Down with armadillo races, with gunfights and saloon girls and Willy Nelson and Johnny Cash look-and-sing alikes) and Baylor Health for a nice black tie event.

I kicked off September attending the TAOM convention in Houston where the highlights were hanging out with friends and attending Daniel Garcia's and Michael Ammar's lectures.  Towards the end of the month I attended my friend David Magee's Mentalism show at the Palace Theater in Grapevine, TX (which I've worked before).  Dave's show was great and it runs for three more weeks- so see it if you can.

Today I had lunch with the Great Tomsoni (Johnny Thompson) who is best known these days for being the lead consultant on Mindfreak with Criss Angel.  Mr. Thompson and David Magee came to my home for a visit and we shot the breeze and critiqued his act which was practically flawless.  I'm proud to call them both friends!

Actor Burton Gilliam, showgirl, myself, David Magee, Johnny Thompson, showgirl, and Dave's friend and manager Wally.

MAY & JUNE: My adventure began May 9th when I flew to London and was greeted by my cousin Adrian.  From there we went onto Great Waltham in Chelmsford, Essex.  The following Monday I flew to Lisbon, Portugal where I picked up my Peugeot that I leased for the next 34 days.  My lecture schedule is below:

What a journey!!  On my four flights I flew about 11,000 miles! Not counting the miles I rode on buses or trains I actually drove 5720 miles.  Click here to check out the interactive Google Map to see the actual path I drove; (it may take a moment for the stops to load). 

Some of the highlights were driving through the Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps, driving through the wine and Champagne country in France, experiencing some of the customs, making a few new friends, trying different regional dishes, having the bonding time with my kid sister Chelsye in France and England, touring the beautiful towns of Bruges and Meiringen, making the pilgrimage to the top of the Reichenbach Falls, and seeing family who kept us well fed and entertained.

Some of the not so fun moments were paying $1000 for excess baggage fees on the way to Portugal, driving around lost when the GPS couldn't find something, spending on average $100 a day just for gas, tolls and parking, driving down the tiny city streets, the language barrier (since my french is horrible), bad interpreters at a few of the lectures, finding a place to park, missing many meals due to my hectic schedule, delayed and cancelled flights, not eating fried foods for weeks and being home sick and lonely.

Over my 40 day journey I lectured in 21 cities across 6 countries over a period of 33 days.  Ultimately, it was very profitable and I sold out of practically everything!  My brand name should be well known in southern Europe now.  However, it was way too long to be away from home.  I don't know if I have it in me to do another tour this long all by myself.  Thanks to Skype I was able to see and talk to my wife almost every night.  It's great to be back home and see family and friends.  I have a few souvenirs, a few bumps and scrapes on my body (that will soon heal), 650 photographs and memories enough to last a lifetime.

Being away for so long really makes me appreciate all that I have here.  I am eager to return to the daily grind because I have many exciting projects lined up.  An artist friend has begun the illustrations for my next book and I plan to release a single trick DVD on my version of the Three Card Monte.  Stay tuned!

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER:  I capped off the end of this year with a fun and busy season.  Many say that things are slow and business is down, but I think that I have merely chosen not to participate in any recession.  I performed about 30 shows over this 2 month period which is about one every other day.  Perhaps I am just lucky.  But I've always believed that we make our own luck.

One of the highlights this season was making my debut at the Addison IMPROV Comedy Club.  About 50 of my friends, family, clients and colleagues came out to see me that night.  It was nice to have many of them see me for the first time doing stand-up versus my strolling magic.  I received many compliments and I look forward to performing there again sometime.

Another highlight was performing at the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas for Daryl Flood Mobility's Christmas function.  The company was very generous in giving me a ticket to attend the Stories of Christmas production that was held that night.  It was very moving and well produced.  And I don't think that the angels in Heaven could have performed more sweetly.

My new book BAMBOOZLERS was advertised in the November issue of MAGIC magazine and the December issue of the LINKING RING.  The book received a wonderful review in the December issue of MUM; click here to read it.  And my friend Brian Brushwood gave the book a shout out by performing one of the effects for his video series called Scam School; click here to watch Brian's video of my effect called 4.5 cents.

This season is definitely my favorite time of year.  I always notice that strangers seem more outgoing and nice and there seems to be an air of generosity.  I wish everyone could be in that spirit all year long!  It's always so nice to visit with family and friends and to catch up with folks.  I think I had about 10 get-togethers with loved ones, which means lots of gift giving and over-eating.  I'm sure that one of my New Year's resolutions will be to lose some weight.

I am busy now scheduling shows, creating new routines, planning lecture tours for the coming year and 2010, and writing the sequels to my first two books.  I wish all of my readers a prosperous year ahead.  Plan on making things divine in 2009!

OCTOBER:  I returned from my tour of the west coast in early October (read more about it in my September blog below).  Upon my return I was surprised to find in the mailbox a nice hand-written letter from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from my performance for him almost one year ago. 

My sister Jodi, my nephew Lane and I attended the Hangman's House of Horrors which is adjacent to the wonderful Fort Worth Costume & Magic Etc. owned by Derek Kennedy.  It was great to get some hang time with my sister and my nephew.  If you want to see an amazing selection of costume rentals, make-up, theatrical supplies, and magic effects then you've got to see this gi-normous shop!

I also had a big book release party for BAMBOOZLERS at the house with catered food, an amazing guitarist/singer Jimmy Barcus, Daryl from Snake Encounters, plus about fifty or more attendees.  We all had a blast but I always regret not being able to spend more time with each of the party-goers.  As a host you have to spread yourself thin.

I've also performed lots of shows for clients this month like Dads in the Hood, Ferarri's Restaurant in Grapevine, Carnival Cruise Lines, Combined Group, plus many other private parties.

I took out an ad for my new book in this month's issue of MUM magazine which goes to all of the members of the Society of American Magicians.  Not only did they graciously put me on page one, but they also did a two-page spread on the book that features six of the routines from BAMBOOZLERS.  I'd like to thank John Moehring (the editor) for the nice surprise!!

I'm looking forward to the holidays and my busy schedule that lies ahead!

SEPTEMBER:  First off, my new book BAMBOOZLERS is doing great.  I've sold over one-third of the first printing in one month's time.  A full page ad for my book appeared in this month's issue of GENII magazine.  I began the month by doing a private party at the City Club in downtown Dallas and to my surprise was lucky to meet and entertain Pete Townshend of The Who (seen on the left).  I did another show for Texas Instruments and performed my stage show once again for the McKinney Jaycees at the historic McKinney Performing Arts Center.  Then on the 19th I performed for the DSNews company and warmed up the crowd before REO Speedwagon took the stage. 

The next day I flew to LA and stayed with my good friend Brian Gillis.  That night I drove to Long Beach and gave a lecture.  That same night I went to the 705 Club in Redondo Beach and witnessed the blissful music of Andy Hill and Renee Safier. That night was a blur.  The next day I went to the Lobster Fest in San Pedro and truly got into the spirit of things and got burnt like a lobster.  The highlight there was seeing Pop Hadyn and my friends Brian & Sue work their magic, and partake once again of the incredible music of Andy Hill, Renee Safier and their band Hard Rain.  Andy & Renee are a feast for the ears and I recommend that you buy all of their CD's immediately!

I couldn't miss a chance to visit the Magic Castle in Hollywood while being so close so my friends and I attended one night and took in the shows of Shimshi, Chipper Lowell and Asi Wind who were all incredible.  I was pleasantly surprised by my chance encounter with Eric Amazing who's magic blew me away and left my head spinning.  I'm hoping our paths cross again to witness more of Eric A.'s enigmatic personality.

My two week tour of the west coast then took me to Fresno, CA. where I performed at the headquarters of the largest magic online retailer Hocus Pocus.  Paul Gross, the owner, was super friendly and made me feel at home there.  Paul has one of the most impressive collections of horror and oddity memorabilia that I've ever seen.  I hope to return there one day to peruse his impressive warehouse of magic.

From there I went onto San Jose and stayed with my friends John & Rosella Pantalis.  They are a super sweet couple who enjoyed showing me the sites.  While in San Jose we dined in a very nice French restaurant and while in Santa Cruz, after touring the boardwalk, we dined at the popular Crow's Nest.  One of the highlights for me was finally touring the Winchester Mystery House.  Mrs. Winchester was a crazy rich old bat who hired a team of men to keep building onto the same house (seen on the left) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for a total of 38 years so that the ghosts who were haunting her would relent.

From there I went on to Las Vegas to lecture at the Denny & Lee studio and stayed with my good friend Chris Smith.  Chris Smith, a.k.a. MagicSmith puts out some of the best magic products on the market today.  Chris Smith showed me the awe inspiring Red Rock Park which is a beautiful site hidden only 10 minutes from the Vegas strip.  While in Vegas I returned to the Orleans casino and played a little blackjack and gave them back some of their money that I took from them on my last visit there.  From there I returned to California and lectured in Irvine, stayed a couple of days back in Redondo Beach to hang with my friends, and then moved on to lecture in Phoenix, Arizona and then again in Tucson. 

While in Tucson I was only one hour away from the historic town of Tombstone.  I couldn't resist visiting the site and seeing where the gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place.  Although the town of Tombstone has burnt down 5 times, it has been rebuilt to look as it did in 1881 when Wyatt Earp was sheriff.  It was great to see the saloons, horse-drawn carriages, actors in period western wear, etc.  To the left you can see what I might have looked like had I lived in those times!  When in Rome!!

Not counting the miles I flew, I drove 2400 miles on my tour, made lots of money, made some great new friends, saw lots of interesting sites and experienced lots of firsts on this trip that I will not soon forget.

AUGUST:  Where do I begin?  I've done many private shows, a family reunion, been to the IMPROV, saw lots of movies, had overnight guests in my home- like my cousins and the famous Mike Powers.  One gig was very unique when Robbins Bros., the engagement ring store, employed me to use my magic to help a couple get engaged; ask me about it sometime.  Another gig had me entertaining some of the student body at Texas Wesleyan University.  I worked the always fun Bailey butterfly release party and had a blast visiting with friends before and after.  I worked a trade show booth at the Gaylord Texan resort for E Solutions.  My new book BAMBOOZLERS arrived and has been selling like hotcakes!  Click here to see the little promo video I made for the book.  I attended, worked and lectured at the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Fort Worth where I had a blast watching shows, learning new effects, hanging out with friends and taking people's money!  My friends Steve Bryant, Andy Hickman and Dave Magee kept me in stitches most of the TAOM convention.  And the new movie MIRRORS released and someone finally uploaded the promo video created by JamesTown Productions that is being used all over the world.  Watch the video to the right to see me, Kiefer Sutherland, the director Alex Aja and learn more about the Mythology of Mirrors.

JUNE & JULY:  I started off June by working several private parties, working for the Rough Riders Baseball Team and for a very swanky golf outting at the Rivercrest Country Club in Fort Worth. 

Then as I prepared for my out of town trip to California at the end of month I got a phone call from a production company in Hollywood who needed an expert in "mirror mythology" for a major motion picture.  The film is called MIRRORS and is a thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland and directed by the wonderful Alexandre Aja.  The movie is due out August 15th.  Look for my video interview online soon and on the bonus feature section of the DVD when it is released.  The shoot went well and the movie sounds to be very good.  I was glad to be a small part of it.

Once in California I hooked up with my good friends Brian Gillis and Sisuepahn.  Brian and Sue are amazing and I stayed at their fabulous Redondo Beach Castle.  It was a pleasure to see them work their magic at the Trump National Golf Club.

This was my fourth time working the Castle, but my first time to lecture there.  The turn-out was good and the feedback was great.

While in California I toured Universal's CityWalk and Universal Studios for a couple of days, walked up and down Hollywood Blvd. once again, and hung out with some friends/clients who flew out from Texas to see me.  They were treated to the wonderful restaurant inside the Magic Castle, the spectacular shows, and on the 4th of July we had dinner atop the hill above the Castle at the famous Yamashiro's Restaurant.  The food was great and the view was just as good.  We counted over 10 fireworks shows from our vantage point on the hill overlooking all of Hollywood.

Plus, I got to hang out with my best friend in magic Jeff Davis.  When I was a teen-ager Jeff was the magician everyone was talking about.  Jeff was one of the first to send gigs my way and I'm glad we've kept in touch all these years.  It was great to visit with him, his wife Susan and their adorable daughter Molly.

While working the Castle this time I was excited to perform some new routines in the Parlour.  The feedback was great and the experience was wonderful.  I got to hang out with some of the biggest names in magic like The Pendragons, Sylvester the Jester, Goldfinger & Dove, Max Maven, Amos Levkovitch, etc.

To the left is a picture of (from left to right): John Carney, Tina Lenert, Myself, Mike Caveney, David Williamson and (below) David's funny and talented friend Dan Satchoff.

MARCH:  Talk about March madness... this month my job took me to many interesting places around town.  A few of the highlights were an anniversary party at the new Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine with an indoor water-park (seen to the left), the Dallas Arboretum, a wedding reception at Reflections in Plano, the UTD college campus, Jackson Pottery in Dallas, Bent Tree Bible in Carrollton, and the Hockaday School in Dallas where I warmed up the crowd before Dana Carvey went on stage.

In my spare time I've been hammering out the details for my European tour and helping my graphic artist to put the finishing touches on my new book due out this summer.  To preorder or learn more about my upcoming book BAMBOOZLERS click here.

FEBRUARY:  Well I did 15 shows this month.  That's one every other day.  I consider that to be a slow month and yet I feel super busy all of the time.  I guess because in my off time I create product, write, give lessons, work on new routines, book future shows, and work on my book project. 

Some of the highlights this month were my visit with Martin Gardner, attending Nathan Kranzo's lecture and performing at the Texas Motor Speedway.  And I've been setting up a European lecture tour for the month of May;  click here for more info. 

To reward myself I upgraded my car to the new 2008 Z4 Roadster.  I mention my car not to brag, but to show others that you can make a good living by doing what you love!  Follow your passion and the money will follow!

DECEMBER:  Whew!!  When this month is said and done I will have performed 23 shows for 23 different clients.  The nice thing about performing in Dallas for over the last 20 years is that I have a great client base.  Most of my shows were for repeat clients who hire me year after year.  It's much like seeing family for the holidays!  I'm lucky in that many of my shows are at great locations like III Forks, Ruth's Chris, the Dallas Arboretum, a suite at the Dallas Stars game, and some of the nicest hotels in the Dallas area.  This month I performed for such celebrities as former-mayor Ron Kirk and Mike Massey (one of the world's best trick shot champions).  If you read Genii magazine, then you saw the write-up of one of my latest creations called Ghost Writer which I'm sure will appear in PFM2.  For now I am looking forward to Christmas and spending some time with my family.  So to all of my readers out there.... have a great holiday season and a wonderful new year!!

NOVEMBER:  This month I finished writing my new book!  But there is still a lot of work to be done.  I've hired an artist, recently found a good editor, found a print house in New Jersey, and so I hope to have it all finished by April.  Stay tuned.. because this book is going to be slick!

I flew to Detroit, Michigan to work John Luka's 2-day close-up convention.  I worked along side David Acer, Jon Armstrong and John Rodgers.  I performed, lectured, gave a workshop, manned my dealer's table and hung out with some very interesting guys like my friend Kozmo.  Everyone there was great.  And I hope to return to Motor City again someday to see more of what the town has to offer.

One of the highlights this month was a spectacular private party.  At this celebration I entertained gold medalist and basketball star Lisa Leslie and the actress, singer and former Miss America Vanessa Williams who were just a couple of the guests amongst a very enthusiastic crowd.  I'm a lucky man!

My first column called Bamboozlers appeared in the third issue of Street Magic Magazine this month.  The column will showcase things that will be featured in my upcoming betcha/magic book of the same name.  The book will be geared to anyone who has an interest in jokes, puzzles, betchas or magic that can be done with things found in a restaurant or around the house.  What I've learned over the years has come from the sharing of others, so it makes sense for me to pay it forward.

OCTOBER:  I kicked off this month by working for the professional golfer J.J. Henry and his wife Lee's foundation called Henry House.  The Henry House fundraiser was quite a spectacle and I enjoyed warming up the crowd before the country singer Pat Green went on the stage.  I also worked a grand-opening for a new Mercedes-Benz dealership.  This month took me to the Belo Mansion, Jerry Jones Mansion, and the Crow Mansion where I entertained their V.I.P. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (seen to the right) who was among other enthusiastic guests.  Jerry Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys, loaned me his Superbowl ring to perform one of my pet routines with.  And the Crow family, who was very kind, gave me a copy of Clarence Thomas' new best-selling book which he kindly signed.  This month found me doing a few school assemblies and working some great Halloween parties.  I attended a great lecture given by my comedy magician friend Tom Burgoon.  Also, as of this month, I've become a columnist for the new magic magazine called Street Magic Magazine.  With my job life never fails to remain interesting!

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER:  When not doing shows- the month of August kept me mostly busy preparing for my multi-state lecture tour.  From September 3rd through the 13th I had quite an adventure.  Along my tour I stopped in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, and finally Mississippi.  I had a blast, made some good money, some new friends, saw lots of interesting places like Graceland (the home of Elvis Presley), the Ringling Circus and Art Museum, the Cà d'Zan Mansion (seen to the left), and the winter homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.  All in all I drove 3700 miles roundtrip.  I have now performed my magic in 22 of the 50 states in the U.S..  One day I hope to have knocked out all fifty.

In the past couple of months work has been plentiful and I've done shows for several restaurants, the Frisco Roughriders, Alliance Data, Texas Instruments and several private parties.  One performance had me as the opening act for a belly-dancing show.  This was my second time working for this particular group and they were a terrific audience.  Try not to conjure up images of me belly-dancing because I simply stuck to what I am good at.  Besides if I were to start belly-dancing all of my tricks would fly out of my pockets and somebody besides myself might get hurt! 

Now that I am back at home, I am working on a stage show and trying to finish my bar betcha book.  Plus, I have some other exciting projects that I will divulge in the near future... so stay tuned!

JULY:  This month has kept me busy performing and writing.  For years now I have been collecting notes on bar betchas, jokes and stunts done with everyday items like toothpicks, utensils, bottles, napkins, etc.  Other books have been written on the subject but I've always wanted to produce my own.  I've collected so much material that I think if I put 100 routines in each book I've already got enough stuff for five books, so I think I'll produce a series.  I hope to be finished with the first book by the end of the year.

The big thing this month was attending the S.A.M. Magic convention in Dallas.  I participated in the World's Biggest Magic Show which was fun, attended many good lectures, bought some new toys in the dealer's room, and witnessed many great evening shows.  Although this was the Society of American Magicians convention, I must confess that the oriental performers stole the shows this year.

As I am growing older I've learned to appreciate the down time at conventions so that I might visit with other magicians.  I had fun hanging out with my buddy Steve Bryant, Daniel Garcia and others.  The two guys in the picture are huge talents in magic that I am proud to call friends.  Greg Gleason (to my left) is currently a successful cruise ship magician and Dave Thomas (to my right) produces several magic stage productions.  We're all lucky to be living the dream!!

MAY & JUNE:  Whew!  Things never seem to slow down.  My wife and I celebrated 19 years of being together in May- fifteen actually married.  We realized that we have been together for more than half of our lives!!  Work has been plentiful.  I've performed for CompuCom, General Dynamics, Anheuser-Busch, Albertson's, EDS, and for various other private clientele.  One gig had me working for the first time at the impressive Pizza Hut Park Soccer Stadium in Frisco for the Mayor of Frisco. 

Wanting to see my friends I threw a big party at the end of June.  My good friend Kathryn Nordstrom read tarot cards and mystified all who met her.  It was good to see some of my clients, who I consider friends, show up and partake of my hospitality for a change.  With more than 50 people in attendance I always regret not having the chance to visit with everyone.  The big hit, as I predicted, was Miki the Monkey!  Miki stole the show.  And according to the Planet of the Apes movies one day soon these primates will be running things around here!

APRIL:  I kicked off this month by auditioning for America's Got Talent.  There were lots of contestants with various talents, so we'll see if they call me back.  I was thinking the other day about how I've opened for some of the biggest names in show business.  I've opened for Santa Claus, Elvis (look-alikes), the Easter Bunny (who recently upstaged me at an event) and now Jay Leno.  Mr. Leno and I were hired to entertain at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center's big charity event that has now raised about $2 million.

I performed at Southfork Ranch for the Texas Football Association.  I flew to Lubbock and then drove to Portales, New Mexico where I entertained the international students and their professors at Eastern New Mexico University.  I've performed at the Rough Rider baseball stadium in Frisco a couple of times this month.  I drove to Franklin, TX where I entertained the Texas Angus Association on the impressive 11,000 acre Camp Cooley Ranch.  And I did a couple of shows for Toll Brothers home builders where I actually stood in a framed home with no walls to entertain potential buyers and the residents of the new community at Twin Creeks in Allen, TX.

I turned 37 this month which means that I have been performing my magic for 21 years now.  People always ask me, "So what do you do for a living?"  I don't think it is an insult.  I believe that is hard for people to fathom that one can actually make a living doing something like magic.  Sometimes I have a hard time believing it too.  I know that I am lucky to be doing what I love for a living.  Life flies by in an instant so I recommend everyone follow their heart's desire.

MARCH:  This month has kept me busy performing mostly.  This month I've performed my magic for Wells Fargo, University of Texas at Dallas, Citibank, I.B.M., Jackson's Pottery, the Frisco Rough Riders and many more!

My wife and some friends of mine witnessed the stage and magic of Andre Kole for the first time.  Mr. Kole has many wonderful ideas and has created several illusions for some of the top magicians of the day like David Copperfield.

Two of my gigs this month took me to the fabulous W Hotel.  This hotel is THE hot spot in Dallas right now.  It is just across the street from the American Airlines Center located downtown.  At one show in the Ghost Bar (where Justin Timberlake had hung out the night before), guests were amazed by me and the glass balcony that made one feel as if they were hovering several floors above the busy streets below.  The other show there had me working on the pool deck which features an infinity pool that looked as if it was spilling over onto the street below us.

I never know who I'll bump into at my shows, but this month I met Robert Loggia the actor who has been featured in such big hits as Big with Tom Hanks and Scarface with Al Pacino.

FEBRUARY:  This month has mainly kept me busy rehearsing new routines.  I was fortunate to do more work this month for Park Place Lexus who has become a regular client.  I also attended two fun lectures, one by the gaff-card king and poker chip magician Don England, and the other by my good friend Jeb Sherrill (the prince of the Zombie Ball). Towards the end of the month I attended the famous Austin Magic Auction for my first time and placed the winning bid on several books, some magic posters and a few new toys. 

A couple of my routines found their way into the top two mainstream magic magazines of the day.  MAGIC magazine featured my Singing Cardbox article that teaches magicians how to make their card-boxes play music upon opening them.  And GENII magazine featured a review by David Regal of one of my latest marketed routines called MYTHOS.  I've been a fan of Mr. Regal's magic for some time and his work as a writer for such shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, so when I read his words of praise I was taken aback.  He said of my routine and I quote: "...a classy version of a brilliant bit of card magic, a performance piece that might very well be the highlight of an act."

I'm sending out a big congratulations to the two magic-themed movies The Illusionist and The Prestige who were up for Oscar awards this year!  Thanks to all involved who brought the art of magic to the forefront in Hollywood and gave it the respect it deserves.

JANUARY:  This has been a fun-filled month.  First my Mythos routine with mirrors appeared in this month's issue of S.A.M.'s MUM magazine.  Then two of my products (my Mirrors DVD and SentiMental Postcards) got great reviews in this month's issue of I.B.M.'s Linking Ring magazine.

We kicked off the month by traveling to L.A. to visit some friends and the Magic Castle. The Castle was wonderful as usual and I had the chance to rub elbows with many celebrity magicians like Brian Gillis, David Roth, Mark Wilson, Max Maven, John Carney and Sylvester the Jester.

Then we traveled aboard the Norwegian Star for an 8-day cruise of the Mexican Riviera.  We visited such ports as Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Cabo San Lucas.  All of the ports were beautiful.  We had a wonderful time!  This was our second time aboard the Star and we took in all that they offered like the great restaurants, every evening show, art auctions, etc.  The highlight for me aboard the ship was hanging out with my friend, the super-talented magician, Shawn Farquhar.

The dolphin in the picture above was a fan of magic
and had to have his picture made with me!

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER:  I have been so busy that it's hard to find the time to update my website.  November kept my busy with performing, traveling, working on new routines, appearing at the grand opening of Main Street Magic, attending the lecture of Aldo Colombini and Rachel Wild, witnessing the new Bond movie, hanging with friends, and staying at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine with my family where we saw the ICE SHOW which was phenomenal!

In December I was blessed with 21 shows.  I witnessed the lecture and showmanship of the best card cheat in the world named Richard Turner.  And I celebrated Christmas several times with each side of my family.

You can see from the picture to the left that I am very tired.  Now that the year is almost over I can't wait to have the time to buckle down and work on writing and creating new routines that are floating around in my head right now.

All the best to my friends, family and website visitors- and I wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2007!!!

Rachel Wild, Myself & Aldo Colombini.  Aldo obviously put me into a deep hypnotic sleep during this photograph!

OCTOBER:  This month has been fun creatively.  First I kicked off the month with a lecture tour that took me through parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.  Each stop was fun while making money and new friends.  I was reminded once again why I like hanging around other magicians- because most of them are good at heart. 

I also visited Thrillvania Haunted Theme Park voted one of the best in the nation by the Travel Channel.  I performed for such clients as Ambucs, Best Buy, the Frisco Rough Riders and others.  I attended the new magic movie called The Prestige which was the #1 film the weekend it opened.  I sold the rights to my new trick SentiMental Postcards to Fun Inc.  And I've just released a new packet trick called MYTHOS that delves into the mysteries of mirrors. 

I've come up with some new gizmos that I am working the bugs out of right now.  And I'm crazy busy booking shows for the upcoming holiday season.  Life couldn't be better right now.  If you'd like to see some clips of my magic that I've just uploaded to YOU TUBE then click here.  Happy Halloween!

SEPTEMBER:  What a month!  Labor Day weekend started off with the Texas Assoc. of Magicians convention here in Addison.  Many of the world's best magician's performed and attended.  It's always nice to attend these conventions and get my batteries re-charged.  I always walk away from these events having learned new things and making new friends.

I also performed many shows this month for such companies as Pizza Hut Corp., Harley-Davidson, and Great Lakes Carbon, etc.   My journies this month also took my wife and I to Fort Worth where we attended the Hatshepsut exhibit at the Kimble Art Museum.  The Egyptian exhibit there was very well done as were the rest of their exhibits.

However, the highlight for me this month was meeting Martin Gardner.  Mr. Gardner is now around 90 and still going strong.  A friend and I made a trek to Oklahoma to hang out with this living legend.  Mr. Gardner has written over 50 books, most of which revolve around mathematics or magic.  Upon our visit he had just completed one book and was in the process of publishing another.  We had what magicians call a "jam session" where we would show one another tricks.  Mr. Gardner is still sharp as a tack and had a few things to show us that we'd never seen.  I look forward to visiting with him again.

Myself & Martin Gardner

AUGUST:  This month has mainly kept me busy brainstorming on effects for both close-up and stage.  I've just created a singing card box that I plan to write up for one of the magic magazines.  And I'm working on putting together some stage theatrical pieces that use music.  Actually, I've got so many projects it's hard to know which one to work on first.

To the right is a picture that a friend made for me.  I'm letting the cat out of the bag so I won't get concerned emails like the ones I got from family members.

And no one has yet to claim the prize below for my maze challenge, so keep submitting your guesses!  A clue: The author's last name has 7 letters.

JULY:  This month I have been adjusting to life without a magic shop.  A weight has been lifted!  I'm so happy to return to creating and performing full time.  My brain has been going non-stop with ideas for new tricks to market and many selfishly that I'd like to keep for myself.  Stay tuned!  Click here to see an amazing video sent to me from my fan club!

This month I attended the wonderful lecture of Trevor Duffy from South Africa.  Trevor is bursting with creative ideas and I'm glad I had the chance to visit with him.  I'll be using one of his secret weapons real soon in my act to make objects vanish in a puff of smoke!

Luckily I've stayed busy with shows like the ones for Corsicana Freedom Festival, the grand opening of the Grand Prairie Recreation Center, and other top clients as Kaye/Bassman and Price, Waterhouse & Coopers, etc..

When you get the chance go and see the new Ed Norton movie entitled the The Illusionist.  I attended the premiere with many of my magic buddies and enjoyed it.  The thriller dragged a little in the middle but the ending more than made up for it.  It was nice to see the art of magic getting some due praise from Hollywood.

Solve my maze challenge and win a $100 prize!

JUNE:  This month I attended the lecture of the amazing and amusing Gregory Wilson.  Greg and I had a good visit and I was reminded of why I like his magic so much.  He is a great thinker and loves to have fun with his audience.  It won't be long I'm sure until we all see Greg's magic on TV!  See the picture of Greg and I to the right.

The big news this month is the closing of Magical Gadgets in Frisco.  My business partner and I have no regrets.  We gave it a good college try.  Closing the shop will be a huge weight off of my shoulders.  For more than three years I have been juggling the duties of the shop and my own business Diamond Jim Productions. I am eager to finish writing 2 books I have been working on, hitting the road to lecture again and creating more magic products.  And now I'll have more time to do that which I love most... performing!!!

The good news for those who frequented Magical Gadgets is that the shop will not disappear.  A new owner has bought the name and website and will open up a similar shop in Van Alstyne, Texas.

MAY:  My wife and I celebrate 14 years being married this month.  Plus, my kid sister Chelsye graduates from high school and turns 17 this May.  And my wife and I once again witnessed the magic of David Copperfield at Bass Hall.  Besides our personal events I have performed many shows for events as diverse as a couple of high school proms, the Ft. Worth Police Dept., Park Place Mercedes and Manhattan Construction Company who is building the new Cowboy Stadium where I met Mr. Jerry Jones.

This month is the debut of my new effect SentiMental Postcards which has been a labor of love over the past couple of years.  For more about the effect click on the picture to the left.

APRIL:  Well I just celebrated another birthday!  That makes me 36.  I had a party with a few friends and family and hired Critterman Dave.  We had all sorts of critters like a rose-hair tarantula, a black emperor scorpion, a hissing cockroach, a legless lizard, a hedgehog, an alligator, a king snake, and as you can see around my neck in the adjacent picture- a Burmese python.  It was fun to be on the receiving end of the entertainment for a change.  More importantly it was good to be surrounded by those that I love.

This month I witnessed Simon Lovell perform.  Simon is a professional magician/comedian living in New York who is now starring in his own one-man act off of Broadway.  He's a zany character whom I've always longed to meet. Mr. Lovell delivers 100%.

My new trick SentiMental Postcards will be released soon.  For more details click here!

MARCH:  This month has kept me busy putting some final touches on a new trick that I will release in April.  I've also been busy working at my shop and performing at restaurants and private parties.  But the most exciting thing has been preparing my magic to represent one of the Nestle companies.  In April I will appear on the 1st, 8th, 9th and the 15th at the Irving Mall to perform my magic and promote Wonka's new Easter products.  For more Wonka fun click here!

This is my original homepage from 1996!

All of the profits from my new effect, the Force Band, will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

NOVEMBER:  This month has kept me busy stocking up for the holidays at the shop.  We've got things like the Airzooka that shoots a huge blast of air across a room.  We now carry novelty candy like lollipops with actual scorpions inside and the new Sour Scream which is an edible foam that is apparently very sour.  We've got more in stock than I can possibly name and our showcases are crammed full of magic.  You can visit our website at www.magicalgadgets.com, but it only represents maybe 10% of our actual inventory.

This month also found me lecturing in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I met the legendary magic author Martin Gardner.  And to cap things off I visited downtown Fort Worth with much of my family (seen to the left) where we had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend.

OCTOBER:  This month has kept me busy performing for clients as varied as Citybank to Chuck E. Cheese.  In fact beginning in January you will be able to visit any Chuck E. Cheese in the nation and witness a small portion of my magic.  The big mouse made a video montage of myself and several other local artists (clowns, trick ropers, jugglers, etc.) that will feature us on their big screens while people chow down and play games.

I was also fortunate to work a wedding reception inside of the beautiful Trammell & Margaret Crow Asian Art Museum.  This was a most decadent setting for a memorable gathering.  I can't wait to return to see the rest of the exhibition.  Admission to the museum is free!  To visit their website click on the picture to the right.

SEPTEMBER:  This month has been a whirlwind of magic!  I performed several shows for many nice people (like the legendary Dallas Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach) in some fantastic locations.  Plus, I performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood for the third time.  Trying out new material at the Castle for their enthusiastic audiences is always a treat.  I visited Hollywood Magic.  I lectured at The Magic Apple magic shop in Studio City.  My wife and I visited Disneyland and we toured the King Tut exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but "I missed running my magic shop while I was away."  So now I'm back at the shop and beginning to book shows for the upcoming holiday season.

AUGUST:  The highlight this month was attending the wedding of my friend Chris and his new bride Zophia.  Chris and I worked together as teenagers at a magic shop in Dallas and have kept in touch ever since.  The reception was held inside of the beautiful Hilton Palmer House Hotel where I was pleased to perform my magic for his family and friends.  When inside of the Palmer House you feel like you are on the inside of a Faberge egg!

The day before the wedding I toured the warehouse of Fun Inc. in Chicago with my fantabulous tour-guide Tomas Medina.  It was thrilling to see where and how a lot of the magic is made.  Fun Inc. also houses a lot of the old Cracker Jack toys that we all played with as kids.  The warehouse and its contents are akin to Santa's workshop!

And finally Tim Felix at Midwest Magic in Franklin Park, Illinois hosted my lecture before a very receptive crowd.  If you've never seen Tim's shop then you have no idea of how overwhelming it can be.  I've been into magic for 30 years and have never seen anything like it.  I think he just about had at least one of every magic item ever made.

MAY/JUNE/JULY:  Things have been crazy!!  Our shop Magical Gadgets has practically doubled its inventory in the past 6 months.  Plus, I attended the Toy Show here in Dallas and picked out more goodies for the shop for the upcoming Christmas season.  I have stayed  busy doing shows for such clients as TXU, Cadbury Schweppes and the new Gatti Town here in Frisco. And I was flattered to read a great review of my DVD Pockets Full of Miracles in the July issue of the Linking Ring magazine.

But most of my time lately has been spent on the re-release of my trick called the Millennium Pack.  These 2 decks can do what 10 trick decks can do.  The effect will now come in a nice metal collector's tin with instructions.  Look for it at your favorite magic shop or online soon!!!

APRIL:  This month has been filled with events.  I celebrated my 35th birthday.  I put on a lecture in Tyler, TX.  I performed for such clients as Park Place Lexus, Harley-Davidson and the Frisco Rough Riders.  Intrigued by the Rough Riders, some of my family and I attended one of the games at the Dr. Pepper / 7-Up Ballpark in Frisco and were blown away by the amenities and all of the hard work to assure that the fans have fun.  You'll have to check it out yourself by clicking on the picture to the right, or better yet- attend one of the games.

Also this month I was interviewed and reviewed by Wayne Kawamoto at About.com.  Click on the adjoining links to read all about it. [Interview] [Review]

JANUARY:  2005 is already busier than ever.  We have begun signing up students for the next set of classes at Magical Gadgets.  For more information about the classes call me.  As for myself I have been busy performing and working on several projects.  Santa was very good to me this year.  Check out my new ride to the right!

Happy New Year!

OCTOBER:  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!

AUGUST:  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.  For more info about the DVD click here!

MAY:  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.

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.

MARCH:  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.

JANUARY:  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.  Click here for my restaurant schedule.

DECEMBER:  Ask any entertainer and they'll tell you that December is always the busiest month of the year.  This month I did 25 shows while working the shop more than full-time.  The shop experienced a great month and really put us on the map in Frisco.  We are currently restocking our shelves with new goodies and setting up the schedule for magic classes & lectures that will happen in early 2004.

To the right is a picture of the storefront.  For more pictures of the shop inside and out click here!

OCTOBER:  Things couldn't be busier.  Our new magic shop is going strong.  This month we featured a lecture by Dan Fleshman.  Dan was and is still amazing!  Folks are still talking about his magic.

My LITTLE FISHY effect received a great review in this month's issue of Genii Magazine. 

This month I played the character of Diamond Jim Carson, an eccentric and ruthless riverboat gambler who sponsors a party and poker tournament aboard the Texas State Railroad's historic train.  My character was murdered during this mystery tour and the audience had to figure out whodunnit.  It was a wonderful experience. To top things off the Palestine library raised $10,000.00 with this production of Ace's, Eights and Murder on the disORIENTed EXPRESS.

AUGUST:  Well it's finally here!  Ward Mathews and I have opened our new magic and toy store MAGICAL GADGETS, INC.  It's taken a lot out of us, but we are proud of the final result.  If you are in Frisco, TX we hope you will stop by to browse our magic tricks, juggling apparatus, spy stuff, remote control vehicles, scientific kits, nostalgic toys, novelties, robots and much more!  We have plans to do magic shows, classes and lectures at the shop. Our address is 7151 Preston Rd. #125 in Frisco TX, 75034.  We're in the shopping center next to Albertson's at Preston and Stonebrook.  Our website www.magicalgadgets.com is under construction but it will provide you with a little more information!

JUNE:  Many years ago I met a nice family (The Nortons) at Slider & Blues restaurant in Plano, TX.  We became fast friends and have kept in touch since their move to Chappaqua, NY in 1998.  I have been to NY now 4 times and have stayed with them 3 of the 4. 

This last time, a week ago, they flew my wife and I up there so that I could perform at their daughter's 16th birthday party.  The party was a lot of fun and included many of Emily Norton's best friends.  These friends should be on a who's who list of up and coming ivy league students.  I'm sure that she and her friends will make their mark and be successful in what they do.

This was my wife's first trip to New York so we did the town.  We traveled up and down Manhattan island by train, car, bus, taxi and on foot.  We went to the top of the Empire State Bldg., saw Ground Zero, dined in Times Square and Soho, bumped into a couple of celebrities, saw a Broadway play, and visited the Metropolitan museum.  We had a blast! 

New York offers the best in monumental architecture, plays, museums and fine dining.  Not only that, there is a piece of history around every corner.  If you haven't been, then go and take a bite out of the Big Apple soon!

APRIL:  This month marks another birthday for me, so I thought I'd have a party.  Many friends came over to help me celebrate and see our new home.  Being the host of the party and an entertainer I knew that I would need something to keep my guests captivated.  Thus I hired Action Jackson the chimpanzee.  EVERYONE loved Jackson!  He was definitely the life of the party!

The BIG news is that myself and a business partner will be opening a magic and hi-tech toy store in Frisco, TX.  We are about 90 days away from opening!  The store will feature a huge line of magic, novelties, Thomas the Train toys, remote control (cars, planes, robots) and more.  The name of the shop is MagicalGadgets.com.  So stay tuned for more information about our new shop and new site!

DECEMBER:  First I'd like to say Happy Holidays to all of my visitors!  This month I will have done 30 shows or more.  It's all good since I enjoy my job and make good money for doing it.  It's amazing to me, even after all of these years, how my magic connects me to strangers.  The other night a little girl clung to my side for two hours because she'd never experienced magic up close.  Another party for strangers had them cheering my name and paying me to work overtime.  Needless to say, if I was monetarily wealthy I'd still perform my magic due to the way it makes me and my audience feel.  I've got lots of projects in the works so stay tuned!

OCTOBER:  This month marks the release of my new effect called The Ouija Card;  click the picture to the right for more information.  This month has me busy doing shows, making Ouija Cards, booking shows for the holiday season, and planning for my upcoming lecture at the Mr. Magic Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 19th and 20th.  For more details about the convention please call Mr. Magic directly at 1-888-877-7249.

AUGUST:  This month I attended the Midwest Magic Jubilee in St. Louis, Missouri.  I was fortunate to work along side one of my magic heroes Dan Fleshman.  Dan's magic lecture was the first one that I witnessed in my youth.  It means a lot to me to rub elbows with those that I hold in high regard.  As a young man I can remember paying to attend these conventions to see the stars of magic.  Things have come full circle now that I am being paid to attend these conventions to lecture and perform.  While at the Midwest Magic Jubilee I made a little money, secured some new contacts, gained some experience, saw lots of wonderful magic, but most importantly made some great new friends.

What a great life I have.  Don't you wish you were me?  I know I do!

To the right is a picture of me lecturing at the Midwest Magic Jubilee.

JUNE:  One thing is for sure.. it is HOT here in Texas!!!  On top of all of my other shows, I've been doing magic outdoors at a Golf Camp once a week for kids of all ages.  Doing magic for kids can be challenging enough, but contending with the weather is another thing.  My cards want to stick, coins want to slip in my sweaty hands and the wind stirs up my allergies.  I must admit that I am a much better magician inside an air-conditioned room. :) But then again I love a challenge, because it makes me a better performer! 

On a more positive note- I just purchased a brand new car!  It's a 2002 BMW Z3 Roadster.  Look out James Bond!

APRIL:  Life is busy.  This month I celebrated my 32nd birthday.  I am still preparing things for my lecture tour in May.  My associate Shawn Ingram (creator of Astonish Mints) has volunteered to join me on my tour.  I know it'll be a blast visiting fellow magicians in states I've never been to before.  

My lecture note booklet  Precious Gems is hot of the press.  Typically at a magic lecture one will spend their hard earned money for a set of photo-copied notes with bad drawings.  Precious Gems is a bound 8.5 by 11" booklet with fifty pages on nice paper, lots of photographs, and a glossary describing all of the sleight of hand terms.  Everything that I do in my lecture appears in these notes with the exception of the Diamond Deck and Astonish Mints (since you obviously need the props).  I think that for the money it is the most comprehensive set of notes out there.  If  you attend one of my lectures, and buy the notes, I think you'll agree.

FEBRUARY:  Business is hopping!  Currently, I am planning my lecture tour.  As soon as I have more information about the tour I'll post it on the website.  A friend and colleague of mine by the name of Shawn Ingram is about to become a shooting star in the magic world.  He and I are about to market a new effect that all working close-up magicians should find useful and astonishing. Our project is secret for the time being, but will be disclosed next month!  Also, be sure to look for the new booklet called Slush! Magic Tricks with Slush Powder by Royal Magic.  The booklet features my own routine called Fire & Ice.

JANUARY: Happy New Year!  2002 marks the release of my new 2-Video set produced by MagicSmith out of California.  The videos contain the magic from my soldout book Pockets Full of Miracles.  The videos were shot in a restaurant and at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.  You'll find over 20 effects performed and explained.  Order now and you'll receive my latest effect Extra Sensory Poker for free!  Click here for more info.

DECEMBER:  What a month!  I think I've done more shows this month than ever before.  Christmas was wonderful as usual, especially being able to share it with our family and friends in our new home.  We have a new baby iguana named Indy.  He is so named because he moves like a car in the Indy 500 and can use his tail like Indiana Jones' whip!

NOVEMBER: Like most I am eagerly awaiting the release of the first Harry Potter movie on November 16th.  I like what Harry Potter has done for people;  he has created an interest in magicians and influenced kids and adults alike to read books.  For those interested I have created a special Harry Potter page on my website. And for those who would like to come see me perform I have returned to all three Tenaya's locations.  Click here for my schedule.

OCTOBER:  Life has been busy.  My wife and I recently moved into our new home in The Colony, Texas.  After I finish unpacking boxes I can get back to concentrating on performing, creating, teaching, and writing my magic.  I look forward to the pleasures of owning my own home.  For those interested I have once again begun to give magic lessons.  To schedule a lesson contact me at magic@diamond-jim.com

SEPTEMBER: This is a month that I and the rest of the world will never forget.  I sat and watched the TV in disbelief as the events unfolded on Sept. 11th, 2001.  As I drove to my gig that evening I pondered how I might go about performing.  How could I crack jokes at a time like this?  How could I perform for those who had just witnessed the same horrors?  Luckily, to my surprise, I found performing my magic for others very therapeutic.  The audience that evening, and every evening since, has appreciated my "gift of magic" with much more enthusiasm than I can remember.  We must all perform our jobs better than before and not let the terrorists succeed with their psychological warfare.  To the left is a picture from my last trip to New York.  The World Trade Center will always be a fond memory for me.  Although we should all move on, we should also never forget the attack on Sept. 11th.  To make a donation to the American Red Cross click here.

JUNE:  Well, once again I've been blessed with many shows this month.  But I'd like to take a moment to reflect on my family pet Iggy (pronounced Ijjee).  I've always been an animal lover, and I've always been allergic to animals with hair.  Needless to say, Iggy was the perfect pet.  For an iguana, she was quite intelligent.  She could climb out of her aquarium and when she wanted back in, she'd climb back in.  She was a great nap buddy and she sat at my computer with me many times while working.  Recently, I taught her to fetch.  For five years she brought alot of happiness into our lives.  Today, June 5th, she died of kidney disease.  She'll be missed.

APRIL:  This month has kept me busy performing.  I've just released one of my favorite effects on the mass market;  it's called How Sweet It Is! This routine is for those who love performing in the real world environment with ordinary props.  For more info click here.  I will be traveling some this month and next month, but I will try to keep everyone up with the latest.  Currently, I am working on revisions for the second edition of my book (which is soon to be out of print).  I am also preparing for the video shoot of Pockets Full of Miracles that will take place the middle of next month.  Look for the video set to be released during Q4 of this year!  And to top it all off, I turn 31 this month.  Life just doesn't seem to slow down!

FEBRUARY:  This was a busy busy month.  I attended the lectures of Dan Harlan & Jay Scott Berry; both of which were excellent.  I attended the Lone Star Magic Auction in Ft. Worth.  And I've done lots of shows.  Not to mention that my spare time is filled with writing and packaging material to sell on the market.  This month's Magic Menu is the "Diamond Jim Tyler Issue" with an article written by myself; plus it features some of the routines from my new book.  And to top it all off, Genii Magazine gave my book a good review in their latest issue.

JANUARY:  First let me say Happy New Year to all of my website visitors. Diamond-Jim.com was born in June of 1997 and it's still going strong. Thanks for taking the time to visit and browse my site.  Currently,  I am working on packaging and rewriting several effects from my new book.  The first trick to hit the mass market will be New Age Spellbound.  For more information about the effect click here.  Soon I'll be adding novelties to my Magic Shop.  Stay tuned!

DECEMBER:  This is going to be another crazy work month for me.  I've got 30 shows and counting.  This news bulletin board is somewhat of a diary for me to reflect upon, so I'd like to make a note.  I've lived in Las Colinas, a suburb of Irving, Texas for two years now.  It's such a privilege to live here.  I'm minutes away from DFW International airport, downtown Dallas, or beautiful downtown Las Colinas, Lonestar Park, the Movie Studios, Texas Stadium and every major highway.  When your job takes you in every direction, it's important to be centrally located.

NOVEMBER:  I performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA. in the Close-up Gallery through Nov. 6-12.  I had such a great time.  It's such a pleasure to perform in a venue where the sole intent is to see magic.  Needless to say, the audiences were extremely receptive.  I look forward to returning with my lecture.  On Nov. 18th I'll be appearing on DotComGuy's Saturday Net Live at 8:00 pm CST; for more info click here.  Also, be sure to look for the new review of my book in the latest issue of The Magic Menu.

OCTOBER: I've recently added Pappadeaux in Dallas to my list of restaurant gigs; for show times click here.  Some of my clients this month are Zales Corp., Winstar Communications, Williams Communications and the Texas Motor Speedway.  I performed at the Speedway to benefit the Texas Speedway Children's Charities; for more details click here.  There is also a new review for my book up at AllMagicGuide.com; click here to read it.

SEPTEMBER:  I performed and lectured at the Texas Association of Magicians convention held September 1st-4th, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Dallas.  For convention reports click here.  And in the current issue of Magic magazine Mike Close gives a good review of my new book.  On September 26th I was the featured guest speaker on About.com's "Magic & Illusion- Celebrity Chat".  To see the transcripts click here.

AUGUST:  My book's first printed review appeared in the August issue of the IBM's Linking Ring magazine.  Luckily, they had nothing but good things to say about it.  Plus, I've started performing at Champps Americana Restaurant; Click here to see my schedule.  And I made a live appearance on ABC's Good Morning Texas on Channel 8, August 25th.

JULY:  I attended the 72nd Annual International Brotherhood of Magicians convention in Buffalo, New York.  I saw many old friends, made some new friends, attended some great lectures, saw some great shows, and purchased some new gizmos.  The best part was brainstorming with other magicians in between the other activities.  This was definitely one of the best conventions I've ever been to.  I am really looking forward to the 73rd IBM convention in Orlando, Florida next year.

MAY:  Look for Diamond Jim's 21 page One Man Parade article in this month's Linking Ring magazine.  The article contains several excerpts from Diamond Jim's new book!  To order a copy, or to join the IBM, contact them at 314 845-9200, or on the net at www.magician.org .

Diamond Jim made his debut at the Mausoleum in Houston, TX on May 28th.  For more info visit the Mausoleum's site.

APRIL:  Well, Diamond Jim's book is off to the printer.  Things have not slowed down however.  Diamond Jim has 28 shows and counting this month.  He is working on packaging and marketing his new material.  And he's creating new ads for all of the major magic magazines.  On the 25th of this month Jim turns the BIG 3-0.  "My magic, my friends, and my family have been very kind to me through the years.  Thank you all!"

JANUARY & MARCH:  Currently Diamond Jim is putting the final touches on his book.  After the book is edited, laid out, and all of the "i's are dotted and t's are crossed" it will be sent to the printer in April.  Diamond Jim is also working on several new effects that he plans to sell on the magic market.  Stay tuned!

DECEMBER:  Like most entertainers, Diamond Jim had many shows during this magical month.  But he played one gig that he shall never forget.  Jim made his debut at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California the week of  December 12th.  Check out the following link to tour the nucleus of the magic world: http://www.magiccastle.com/

NOVEMBER:  Diamond Jim's Birthday Bill routine is published in MAGIC magazine.  This is the last routine in Diamond Jim's new upcoming book entitled Pockets Full of Miracles:  Secrets From the Repertoire of a Professional Close-Up Magician.  To find out more about this magic page-turner click here!

OCTOBER: Diamond Jim releases his new Millennium Pack.  These revolutionary cards allow you to recreate some of the best trick decks of our millennium.  Running with the idea of my Diamond Deck, I believe I have created the ultimate in gaffed card magic.   These special Bicycle Poker cards allow you to do what ten different trick decks can do.  Look for the ads in this months MAGIC magazine.  For more details and ordering information click on the picture to the right.

SEPTEMBER:  I attended the Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM) convention in Austin, TX.  Reports show that about 1600 people attended.  Each year they have a competition for junior and senior (Stage, Close-up, Comedy & Club).  In 1990, I competed in the Adult Close-up category and experienced the world of competition.  I got my feet wet.  In 1998, I competed again and came in second.  Unfortunately, there is no recognition for coming in second.  So I competed again in 1999, and guess what, I WON!  I guess the third time is a charm!

JUNE & JULY:  Diamond Jim (in association with Meir Yedid Magic) re-releases his Diamond Deck.  This pet routine was invented in 1994.  There's not a better color changing deck on the market.  The routine kills and the deck is examinable.  For more information click on the picture to the right!

APRIL & MAY:  This is the first entry in my news section.  Visit this page once a month to find out what's new.  Diamond Jim's Gunslinger routine is published in MAGIC magazine.  This is the first routine in Diamond Jim's new upcoming book entitled Pockets Full of Miracles:  Secrets From the Repertoire of a Professional Close-Up Magician.  Click on the picture to left to learn the routine.