2006 — 41 posts, oldest first
Guy's Night Out ..
Sunday, January 22, 2006
January is a month I normally relax and catch up on some things .. yet there is no rest for the wicked. I did take some time out to do something a bit different. My little brother is into the Chicago Wolves .. and we piled in the car and went to the game last night. Joining us was Vegas Superstar, Dan Sperry and Tony Andrini on loan from Wal-Mart. This was guys night out .. so we didn't have to deal with the head-ache of any girls .. I know .. that's why I'm still single .. but believe me, it's a lot less hassle. The Wolves lost .. but no big deal .. but it was time to eat. Where else do a bunch of single guys go you ask ... Hooters of course. Lot's to look at .. oh .. the food is real good there too .. ya .. almost forgot. The boys were hungry so we had our fill ... and then it was getting late. It was a long day .. and I was beat .. so we got home, checked on the little monster, Rex and it was off to bed. I've got a lot coming up in the next few weeks ... including a road trip out to Indiana and Ohio. I'll bring the camera this time and we'll have plenty to write about .. stay tuned .. same bat time, same bat channel ...
Steve
Post ID 47 · recovered verbatim from the database
Down on the Farm ..
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
I didn't get a chance to write since last week .. but I did have a short road trip. My good friend, Tom Rozoff was in near by Merriville, Indiana doing some school shows. I've known Tom from the time I was a little boy .. when I was first getting started in magic. He was a huge influence way back then .. I can still remember the basement at his parents house, filled with illusions. It was wonderful .. I couldn't wait till I grew up .. then I too would be an illusionist. Funny thing is .. it may have really changed my life. I still look up to Tom .. he has taught me many valuable lessons about life over the years. Some of his words of wisdom are still fresh in my memory .. he has always been a trusted friend. Anytime we get together .. it's always a fun time .. no matter where we are or what we're doing. This time around .. we took a short trip to visit another friend in magic .. Alan Purintun. He too has been a huge influence on my life .. he's one of the most talented illusion builders I've known. Tom introduced me to Al when I was around thirteen, he built my very first illusion .. the Zig Zag Lady. At the time around 1979 .. it was the hottest illusion out there. It was my favorite .. dividing a girl into three pieces .. pretty cool stuff for a teenager. Anyway .. back to our little adventure .. we met up with Al on his farm in Indiana. He's got it all out there .. cows, turkeys, chickens .. there's even a horse. It's pretty cool .. if you're into the farm thing of course. We had a fun visit and talked about magic stuff. It was getting late .. and a bit chilly, Al threw some burgers on the grill .. and we sat down to eat. Strange thing is .. do you have any idea where the meat came from?? Ya .. it took about a week before I could look at another burger .. really.
Steve
Post ID 48 · recovered verbatim from the database
Road Trip ...
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
We just got back from a fun road trip out to Ohio ... I figured I'd write while some of it was fresh in my head. Vegas Superstar and kids party magician, Dan Sperry ... came along for the ride. Our first stop on our journey was in Vandalia, Ohio to visit one of my heroes, Walter Sheppard. I've written about him many times .. he's a master craftsman in the magic world. After some lunch and a few laughs .. we headed out to Columbus, Ohio for the 75th annual Magi-Fest. This is a gathering of magicians from across the country. We met lots of old friends .. and even some new ... including the twins!
There was magic everywhere you turned .. the dealers room, the hallway .. you couldn't get away from it. Friday began with the close-up magic contest early in the morning .. really early. We kinda slept through that .. due to the fact we went to bed around 3am or so. Instead we grabbed some lunch with Mike Hannah of Cabbage Cases. They make the road cases for bands and magicians like myself. This time I brought him a special trick I came up with .. I think he might just have caught the "magic bug." Later that night we enjoyed the Headliner Show in downtown Columbus. The show featured one of my favorites .. Greg Frewin of Canada. He performed his signature dove act and some fun new illusions for the crowd. There's more to this adventure .. so stay tuned ..
Steve
P.S. No .. that's not us in the Mini Cooper .. it was actually a little hottie we saw along the way ... her license plate says it all.
Post ID 49 · recovered verbatim from the database
Trippin' Part II
Saturday, February 11, 2006
I forgot exactly where I left off .. but I think it was Saturday .. and we slept through the morning contests .. again. I did set the alarm for 7:30am .. right .. like I'm up that early. Dan looked like a corpse on the other side of the room .. he wasn't moving .. actually I wasn't sure if he was still alive. I let him be .. and I fell back asleep for a few more hours. By the time we got up .. it was lunch time .. and we were going to one of my all time favorite restaurants .. Skyline Chili. If you've never had it .. you wouldn't understand. They have these little coney dogs .. and the three way chili, spaghetti, chili and cheese on top .. wow! Dan ordered up five coney dogs .. I knew he wouldn't finish .. infact .. I figured it would get him sick anyway. Three is my limit .. and I was satisfied.
We went back to the convention for the close-up shows .. and then back out to eat .. again. This time around we met up with friends from the east coast. We went down the street to the Outback Steakhouse ... and had a fun dinner that we will all remember. Let me explain .. when seven magicians sit down for a meal .. and the unsuspecting waiter doesn't know we're trixters .. well the comedy ensues. I'm sure our waiter wasn't too amused .. after our silverware multiplied many times over ... but it was really awesome. He was dumbfounded .. but we did tip him well .. and the food was really good. There was one evening show left .. then it was time to say goodbye to friends.
After another night at the good old Red Roof Inn .. we were heading up north to visit another good friend, Owen Redwine and his family. It was a bit windy on the way up to Bowling Green .. but we took our time .. oh, and stopped at Tim Horton's for some donuts ... we don't have those in Chicago either. We arrive at Owen's early afternoon .. and his wife had lunch ready for us. After we ate .. his little boy Connor showed us his magic skills .. he's so cute. Later we played in the shop with Owen .. and he showed us what he was working on. He's one of the best builders out there .. we love talking shop. We had a long drive ahead of us ... so it was time to hit the road once again .. back home to Chicago. It was good to get away for a few days .. I like to clear my mind of things and get inspired by others. Now it's time to catch up on things .. and get my shop back in order .. and maybe my love life too?
Steve
Post ID 50 · recovered verbatim from the database
Small Miracles ..
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
My friend Greg got me hooked on another magicians blog .. and he writes like everyday .. he's killing me. You too can check it out on Spencersmagic.com. Kevin is actually a friend of mine too .. he does the college and theater circuit ... but he's really out there touring .. not like most of the other magicians on the Internet ... with their so called tour schedule .. ya I know .. including me .. but whatever. Today I was in the dentists chair .. that was no fun .. but my dentist is very good .. I just have this thing about my teeth. So .. I survived .. another root canal .. and that's about as bad as things can get. I usually dread going in .. but I have to get these things taken care of .. besides .. I've been trough worse.
We had a very nice Valentines day .. in fact ... it was the best I can remember in recent years. I called a couple friends and we met at Max & Erma's in Woodridge. Joining us for the festivities were Angel, Dan, Barrett, my brother Jeff and of course Mom. We all haven't been together in quite some time .. so we had a lot of catching up to do. After a fun dinner, we surprised Angel with a birthday sundae .. you know where the wait staff comes out and sings. She did turn red as her hair .. it was pretty funny. Her birthday isn't for another month or so .. but she'll be out of town .. we celebrated early.
Afterward we stopped at my house to hang out for a little bit. I popped open the garage .. and my little guy, Rex .. was there to great us a usual. Jeff soon discovered that the back gate of the dog run was wide open. Earlier in the day, Rex and I were out in the back yard playing Frisbee .. you see, it was in the 40's in Chicago on Tuesday. Well .. I must have been distracted and forgot to close the gate. By some small miracle .. hours later .. he was still there at home, safe and sound. He's still very young .. and could have easily wondered into the street .. and so on. I'm not sure what he did .. or even if he ventured out .. but someone upstairs must have been looking out for both of us. Sure, he's a little monster most of the time .. but he's my little boy .. and he has to grow old with me. I'll be more careful from now on ... and hopefully he'll stick around for a while .....
Steve
Post ID 51 · recovered verbatim from the database
It's all in the Sauce ..
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
So .. I roll out of bed around 10am, put on my work clothes .. and take the little guy for his walk. I check on Jenna .. get the animals fed, then it's out the door to spend some quality time in the dentists chair. I was off today, from my rigorous close-up magic/imaginary tour schedule. After getting drilled and filled ... I grabbed some lunch .. soup of course, as my mouth was still a bit numb. Then it's play time in the backyard with the little monster. Rex really enjoys running around like a nut ... eventually he tires out. I had a to take care of a few projects around the house ... then it was time to take mother out to dinner and shopping. Our first stop was the Spaghetti Warehouse near the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora. We both had the spaghetti dinner deal .. and being the sinner that I am .. I had the meat sauce, after all today is Ash Wednesday. I have explained over and over to mother that the only reason you can't eat meat during Lent .. is because back then, they needed to sell more fish .. so this is what they came up with. Besides, if there isn't already a space saved for me up in heaven ... this isn't going to make much of a difference.
Where was I ... after a quick stop at Best Buy and Menard's .. it was time to pick up mother promptly at 9:00pm at the Burlington Coat Factory .. like she needs more clothes. On the way home we treated ourselves to some Sippable Sundays at good old Steak n Shake. Once I was back home ... it was time for another walk around the neighborhood. Rex is now on patrol and keeps and eye out for any criminal activity. If we're on schedule, we're back at 10:35pm to watch a little bit of Leno .. then it's bedtime for the animals ... around 11:30pm. It's close to midnight and it's about the only time I really have to myself. I check my email, and comb ebay for some more useless items I can't live without. At the same time, I'll watch a little bit of TV .. maybe even catch up on some Sopranos. Then I hit the pillow ... say my prayers and soon, I'm fast asleep. Tomorrow it all starts over again ..
Steve
Post ID 52 · recovered verbatim from the database
Stir Crazy ..
Friday, March 10, 2006
I've got a few minutes to write .. so we'll see where this goes. First .. the weather is warming up in the Chicago area .. that's always a good thing. I get a bit stir crazy this time of year .. I need some fresh air to clear my mind. Funny thing is .. the phrase, stir crazy .. reminds me of one of my first dates .. years ago. I think I was around thirteen or fourteen, and I had this crush on a girl at school .. her name was Carol Ann. I think it was her quick wit that really got me going. She was fast to knock me down to size .. really funny. Anyway .. back then, my parents had to drive us to the local theater .. the Ogden 6. We went to see a fun movie called Stir Crazy ... starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor .. still one of my favorite movies. I don't remember exactly how the date .. but we did go out for a while. I'm not sure what she's doing now .. but I still remember her smile. Wow .. that came out of no where.
This weekend I'll be stopping by the Halloween show in Rosemont ... no really it's trick or treatin' time. This is actually a trade show for the Halloween/party industry .. and it's always this time of year. I'll bring my little digital camera along .. and we'll get some cool pics. Lately I've been working in my shop .. trying to get that all straightened out again. It's difficult to find the time ... but I'm working on it .. and a million other things. Rex will be going back to puppy school in a week or so .. he really enjoys going to class and seeing the other dogs. He's been doing really well .. not tearing up to many things lately.
I've had a lot of things running through my mind lately ... some good, some bad. Not enough time to get into that right now. The spring will be upon us soon .. so I can't wait to spend more time outside and hit the road again ..
Steve
Post ID 53 · recovered verbatim from the database
No Strings Attached ..
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
We had a fun weekend .. I think, kinda a blur right now. Let's see .. I forgot what we did on Friday .. probably nothing. Saturday, we had a field trip to the Halloween Show .. and that's always a fun time. We ran into fellow magicians, David Seebach, Julie Sobanski, John Bundy and the "Diva of Darkness" ... Mistress Moran. The convention has exhibitors from across the country, with everything from Halloween candy to a full size, automated Headless Horseman! It's a very unusual event for this time of year .. but it kinda makes it even more fun that way. My brother, Jeff came along and we met up with "Vegas Superstar" .. Dan Sperry .. who also does birthday shows .. ouch. .Call me first if your in the area .. and we'll see what I can do .. it's a slow time of year to be honest. Now back to the expo, my favorite section is upstairs .. it's called the Dark Zone. It's set up just like sections of a Haunted House .. you're walking around in the dark with stuff jumping out at you .. cool stuff. There are some amazing displays .. I can't even begin to describe them .. just awesome. Later that same night, we met up with Danny again .. and had a late night dinner at El Centro. Always a good idea to have Mexican food right before going to bed .. but we were starving and that's all that's open around here.
After taking care of the little guy ... and Jenna of course .. it was time to give mother a ride to church. She still goes as often as she can .. which is a good thing. I know I don't really have an excuse .. but I spend enough time with her ... so it's kinda like I dropped her off at the sitters for an hour. Sure .. that's one way to look at it .. and I know I should be with her .. but if I don't get some time off from her .. you might just be reading about me in the paper .. oops .. have I gone too far?? I worked later that night at Max & Erma's .. and it was a busy night. I'm doing walk around magic there .. and it's cool .. nice to be with "normal" people .. for me at least. Sure that might not make sense to you .. but magicians are all nuts .. and I can only be around them so much too. It's all a delicate balance to keep me in line .. I'm a bit complex .. if you can believe that ..
Steve
Post ID 54 · recovered verbatim from the database
Open Up and Say Ahhh ...
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I haven't been feeling so hot lately .. I caught something along the way. I didn't want to spend a day in the Emergency Room .. so I went to the doctor to see what was going on. You see .. I rarely give in and go to the doctor .. but what ever I've got .. is kicking my butt. I got nothing done yesterday .. and I just can't stand that. I'm not the kind of person to sit around .. or lay in bed all day. I've got some meds running through my body .. so I'm feeling a little better today .. thanks for asking.
In other news .. the "Imaginary Summer Tour" is shaping up nicely .. June and July we'll be very busy. We will be returning to Santa's Village in Dundee, IL for select dates .. and we'll have those posted here on the site. It's almost 2pm ... and that's lunch time over here .. so I'm thinkin' Taco Bell today ....
Steve
Post ID 55 · recovered verbatim from the database
Long Way to Go ...
Thursday, March 23, 2006
I'm feeling stronger every day .. almost back to 100% .. almost. Got a lot running through my head tonight .. so I'm not quite sure where this will be going .. and we could wind up in some dangerous territory. The past couple of days I've pretty much stayed home .. so why not tackle another one of my projects and get the Magic Room straightened out. Yeah, I know .. I started this project .. oh a year or so ago .. but life kinda gets in the way of things. Anyway .. the thing is, I ran across stacks of photos from the past. This ... of course, is like opening Pandora's Box .. trust me. Sure enough, I had some strange dreams last night .. always good to see my Dad again .. I saw him clear as day .. just like he was here. Some of the pictures are just amazing .. hopefully I'll have some on here one day .. or maybe even better .. published?? There are so many stories to be told .. family, friends and road trips. The thing is .. I'm proud of my past and what I've done with my life .. there have been so many people I've shared special memories with. I've got friends scattered across the country .. I can go just about anywhere .. and have a place to stay. Not many people can say the same thing .. but it's a good feeling to know that you're welcome .. and a trusted friend.
It's near 1:00am .. and I don't even have the TV on to distract me at the moment .. you see there is more to it .. something is bothering me deep inside .. yet I can't talk about it .. not hear at least. Someone from the past called today .. and well, there's so much more. I don't know what to do sometimes .. or what the future will hold ..
I guess I'm only human ..
Steve
Post ID 56 · recovered verbatim from the database
Love and Coleslaw ...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Time to lighten things up a bit here .. so I met up with the boys at .... where else but Portillio's. Then we hopped in the van and made our way to Zanies in St. Charles. One of my favorite comedians was there tonight .. Emo Phillips. He's a little off the wall .. but that's what I like about him. Dan had never seen him before .. so I knew he was in for a treat. My brother was with too .. and we see Emo every time he's in town. The show was lot's of fun .. and afterward we shared some time with Emo .. that's when the real fun begins. You see .. Emo is originally from this area .. so I've got to know him over the years. I had a couple of things for him to sign .. and then a special request. My good friend Greg .. who now lives in Vegas, is a huge fan. So .. we dial up his number and have Emo sing "Happy Birthday" to him on the voice-mail. I'm not quite sure what his reaction was when he got the message .. but I'm sure it will be something he'll remember for a long time ..
Steve
Post ID 57 · recovered verbatim from the database
And Here's the Pitch ..
Monday, April 3, 2006
It's not what you're thinking .. I know it's baseball season already .. and I think the World Champion White Sox played last night. They may have been rained out ... we had some decent storms out this way .. but anyway. Now I'm really off the subject at hand .. you see in show business .. the "pitch" is where we talk up a product or service during our show. If you see me this summer, the "pitch" is actually on the show list .. you see this is how we make some extra cash, which is always a good thing. At our shows, we sell a nice photo with magic tricks on the back .. it's a fun souvenir .. then we sign them, how cool. Now that I've got your attention .. we have a special offer on the home page of my site. For a limited time only you can get an official "Chezaday Magic Superhero" on vintage VHS .. no less. It's actually pretty cool to have in your hands .. and to watch of course. I've got a lot of little fans that are really hooked on this .. and they watch it every day .. no kidding. I can go on and on about myself .. but take a look .. it's only $12.50 shipped to your door. Who would think I would even have the time to go to the post office and drop this stuff off .. well, I do right now .. ouch!
Tonight .. we've got a field trip to see WWE Raw .. or something like that. It's some sort of wrestling deal .. you know the stuff you see on TV .. I'm not even sure if it's real?? My brother and Dan are into it .. so I go for the fun of it .. who knows, maybe I'll wind up in the ring ..
I've got the outfit and all ...
Steve
Post ID 58 · recovered verbatim from the database
Let's Get Ready to Rumble ...
Monday, April 3, 2006
Normally you watch the fights in the ring when you go to a wrestling match .. well tonight, the fight was almost in the stands .. and yours truly, was the one ready to set things straight. Today was our little field trip to the Allstate Arena to see WWE Raw. Everything was going fine, Jeff and I were heading up to Schaumburg to pick up Danny Boy, and sure enough .. he pulls a "Tony" and bails out on the show with an hour to spare. Did you ever have those friends that you buy a ticket for something and then they change their mind last minute .. or something suddenly comes up, as Marsha Brady would say. We call that pulling a "Tony" .. although Mr. Sperry's record is starting to exceed Tony's right now. I might need someone to escort me for my little trip to Merriville on Saturday to see the Twins .. I'll worry about that later.
Back to the story .. so .. we're in our seats with time to spare. Just as the show begins, it never fails that we always have the drunken fool sitting near us. Sure, everyone is there for a good time .. but this guy crossed the line. Every other word out of his mouth is a profanity .. and he's right behind me, yelling out loud. I bit my tongue for a little bit .. as I didn't want to start anything .. I'm really not a trouble maker, not anymore at least. I took a look around and there were kids everywhere .. with their parents of course. I did here a few people complaining .. but they didn't do anything to correct the situation. I asked my brother how big this guy was .. as he was sitting directly behind me. I'm not a huge dude .. but I do have that hot Italian blood running through my veins. I said to myself .. one more time, and that was it .. I snapped. I turned around ready for a fight .. I called his attention to all the young fans in our general area and the language he was using was not appropriate. Of course I didn't say it so eloquently .. but he got the message and backed down right away. He said I was right .. and didn't mumble another foul word the rest of the night. What baffled me .. is that there were dads all around me just sitting there. I don't even have kids, and I wasn't going to let this continue.
So much for that .. at least I'm not in jail .. it really could have turned out bad, even though I was looking out for the kids. I haven't been in a fight in a long time, but I'm still ready to go. I guess I just can't help it ...
Steve
Post ID 59 · recovered verbatim from the database
Free Lunch ...
Saturday, April 8, 2006
Yesterday was a long day .. I was up early, not by choice though. Little Rex apparently had an accident in the kitchen .. so that had to be cleaned up first thing. Yes, the magic superstar does it all .. yuck .. hope you're not eating your lunch right now. Anyway .. I couldn't get back to sleep, and I go to bed late .. oh well. I had to get moving early for yet another visit to the dentist. You know when they tell you to go every six months .. listen.
My mother was in the hospital for a few days .. kinda like she needed a tune-up. I was in the area and they were letting her come home .. so I decided to grab some lunch. I still wasn't feelin' too hot after being drilled and filled .. but I still had my appetite. I went to my favorite sandwich shop .. Jimmy John's .. and ordered my usual .. a number five with mayo. This is where it gets interesting .. you see I went to pay, and the manager says it's on the house. Now, I'm a regular customer .. but it was a real nice surprise .. it actually made my day, at that point. I was still a little baffled .. but I figured someone above was smiling on me today. So, I'm ready to dig in and the manager comes to the table and wanted to ask me something important. You see, he was just in Las Vegas and saw David Copperfield perform. He wanted to know if his magic was the real thing .. apparently he knew I was a magician. He had never seen a show like his .. and I think it was really bothering him. In the theater, magic can feel very real .. very powerful .. and it does scare some people, I could see it in his eyes. I even run into people that see what we do as the Devil's work .. and they are serious. I simply explained to him that our goal is to bring wonder back into your life .. just like when you were a child, everything was magical. If Copperfield had real magic powers .. would he be making a car appear on stage? I think not .. there are a few more important things to do with that kind of a gift. It's all about entertainment .. creating a sense of wonder.
Of course I wanted to lie and tell him it was all real and so on .... but that would be cruel. Besides .. I did get a free lunch out of the deal.
Steve
Post ID 60 · recovered verbatim from the database
My Spanish is na so Good ..
Thursday, April 20, 2006
If you've been checking my tour schedule .. you'll see I've had a few days off to catch up on things. I've been booked solid for the past ten months or so .. I'm not use to time off. I wake up and have to figure out where I'm going that day .. gets confusing some times. I have those Post It notes all over the place to remind me ... strange, but it works. Once again .. I've got a million projects started ... and slowly I'm getting to each one. At night I usually do some errands .. last night was no exception. After joining a gym with my brother, I stopped at the Chevy dealer with the van ... then a quick bite at Taco Bell ... again, can't get enough of that Baja Blast Dew .. but anyway. Next stop was the local hardware store, Menards ... you can get just about everything there .. from Baltic birch lumber to barbecue sauce .. really. I'm always looking for new ideas .. and I was in the shelving section .. saw some cool Metro shelves in black, white and chrome. I opted for the black .. I figured it would work well in the basement or garage. The boxes were clearly marked .. well in Spanish at least .. so I grabbed "blanco" for black .. right?? Funny thing happened when I opened the box of course .. the black shelving had magically turned to white. It's been a while since high school ... and I wasn't really thinking. It all came back to me when I opened the box though ..
Steve
Post ID 61 · recovered verbatim from the database
I Want My Two Hours Back ...
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
If you haven't been locked in a closet for the past week or so .. I'm sure you've seen David Blaine on the news with his latest stunt .. Drowned Alive. I don't sit at home and watch TV much .. but I did tape this to view late at night. I really don't know why I waste my time with that garbage .. but I did, like the rest of you. I'm not much to rip on others in my field .. but there really wasn't much substance to this show. Lots of doctors telling us stupid things .. like he might just die .. stuff like that .. come on. If anything .. he got to meet Evil Knievel .. now he's something .. but we'll save that for another time.
There was some magic .. don't get me wrong .. but most of it was ridiculous and was just for TV. The giant snow globe looked cool .. but what was the point .. other than for us to talk about him. Now I've actually run into Blaine at a couple of conventions ... and I won't even get into that .. last time, at least he was coherent. I'll leave the tape in my VCR ... you can bet I'll be taping over this special ...
Steve
Post ID 62 · recovered verbatim from the database
Time for a New Mail Box ...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
It was quite a strange day yesterday .. first, on our morning walk, little Rex and I found a lost dog. He was an old Golden Retriever .. and he was a little scared being out on his own. I managed to get him on a leash and back to my house. The local animal control came for a pick up ... and I'm sure he's safe and home with his family. The rest of the day I worked outside ... cleaned the driveway, washed cars .. that kind of thing.
Later that very same night .. I was watching some Leno, while Rex was at my side, chewing a bone .. then out of nowhere ... Ka BAM!! It was really a decent boom ... and it sounded like it was right out in front .. sure enough .. it was! There was a huge cloud of smoke .. and sulfur was in the air .. a familiar smell to a fellow pyro. Well, some punk kids set off a fireworks shell in my mail box .. and as you can see in the pic .. not much was left. It was easy for me to determine what it was .. I've had my share of fireworks in the past .. now, I actually have an Explosives License .. but that's a story for another time. Anyway .. I did my share of trouble making years ago .. but I never damaged anyone else's property .. that's just not cool. It just shows lack of respect .. and there's a lot of that going around with some of the kids today .. now I'm sounding like an old man .. ouch!
It's a good thing no one was around .. or anything else got damaged .. because it could have been a lot worse. I just wish I could have seen it go off .. I bet it was pretty cool ..
Steve
Post ID 63 · recovered verbatim from the database
Just One Wish ...
Friday, May 26, 2006
Silently, I slipped into bed the other night .. and woke up the next morning .. a year older. This time around I hit the 40 mark .. and it does make you think about stuff. What I've done .. where I'm going .. what to have for lunch today?? We had a small party last Friday to celebrate .. and everyone had a fun time. It was a lot of work getting the house in order ... but it was a reason to get it done. So if anything, you can now see the floor in the Magic Room once again. There were plenty of kids over too .. so we all sang Happy Birthday to them as well. I had more fun watching the kids getting cup cake frosting all over their faces. Of course you get to make one wish before you blow out the candles .. and that got me thinking. My first response is always for ten more wishes .. but I think thats against the rules. There are actually so many things to wish for .. and most of them are for others, but you still only get one wish. A time machine came to mind .. and that might do the trick, but I remember Superman wasn't even allowed to mess with time. Of course I can't tell you what I wished for .. but hopefully it will come true ...
Steve
Post ID 64 · recovered verbatim from the database
I Should Turn 40 More Often ...
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Today was the second of my birthday celebrations ... this one was a surprise party thrown by my mom and brother. They tried to outsmart a trickster himself .. but I was already on to there little plan. I kept quiet of course .. I wanted to see how far and how elaborate the lies would become. They had a friend of the family hire me for some walk around magic at their restaurant. At first .. I didn't think anything of it, business as usual. Then my first clue that something was up .. my brother left a bag full of invitations on the steps, waiting to be mailed. This was back in April .. so I simply put the pieces of the puzzle together. You've got to get up pretty early in the morning to .. well you know.
I guess I was more surprised by all the people who showed up ... some from hours away. It was great to see family and friends .. and we all enjoyed a fine Italian meal at Cafe Buonaro's. It was quite a mix of people from all walks of life .. all with one common tie, they were all there because I touched their life in some way .. and thats what life is all about ..
Steve
Post ID 65 · recovered verbatim from the database
And the Crowd Goes Wild ...
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Just the other day was our annual, triumphant return to the Naperville Riverwalk. This was part of the Naperville Park District Lunch Hour Series. The stage is set next to the scenic Riverwalk .. right here in my home town. We had perfect weather, so hundreds of fans showed up for some rockin' magic. Outdoor shows are always a bit tricky .. the set up, the wind ... the heat .. stuff like that. Slipping into a spandex and leather outfit can be a bit of a challenge while crouched in our dressing room .. the van. Tony and Valerie worked along side me on-stage .. and everything went like clockwork. About half way through the show we did our Twinkie Break bit .. that's where I throw Twinkies into the crowd. As you can see from the photo .. everyone gets in on the action. There was a long line for autographs ... and I'm always glad to see all my little fans that come out to see the show.
The funny thing is .. every time I'm getting into my outfit, the same though runs through my mind, when I nearly pass out from the heat .. I must be out of my mind ...
Maybe I am ...
Steve
Post ID 66 · recovered verbatim from the database
Not Today .. Not Ever ..
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
This ones a little tough on me .. I lost one of my best friends in the world yesterday. He was well known in the magic world .. a builder of small miracles .. the apparatus magicians use to make it all happen. To me he was so much more .. Walter Sheppard left an impression on me that will last my lifetime. I wasn't expecting the call ... not today .. it was so beautiful out, how could this be? Then I got off the phone and it hit me .. and I cried. I looked up to the sky and felt piece .. he's not suffering anymore.
I've written about him many times before .. and I've always dreaded the day would come that he would no longer be there to talk to. He had such a great sense of humor .. always made me smile. I would visit him and his wife at least once a year with my travels. Every time I was always excited to see him .. and sad that it would be my last. He turned 80 back in December .. and still had his quick wit right till the end. He taught me so many things over the years .. even his bad habits.
I can't even tell you how special he was ... and still is to me ..
Steve
Post ID 67 · recovered verbatim from the database
The Cats Out of the Bag ...
Thursday, July 6, 2006
Ya .. believe it or not, we have kittens ... I'll get back to that in a bit .. lot's going on, and I'll try to catch up. Let's see .. summer is here, but our usual summer gig has fallen flat. Santa's Village amusement park didn't open this summer and that's where most of our work is .. so I've got some time to catch up on some things. We had the roof done here at Chezaday Manor .. and that was a project. At one point I had a frightened parrot and German Shepherd in my bed .. perfectly normal over here. Almost forgot .. we have kittens now .. apparently a stray cat had a litter under my porch. Now I'm feeding two little gray kittens every day. I'm not a cat person .. but they are really cute. I'd like to get a pic of them up here .. but as soon as I get out there .. they duck under the porch.
Speaking of pets .. I went to a nearby dog park the other day with my little buddy, Rex. He likes meeting the other dogs .. but the other day there was an older lady that couldn't control her dog .. or herself for that matter. Anyway .. her stupid little mutt attacked Rex twice .. to the point were I had to get him off with my foot. Rex didn't go after him at all .. but this little dog kept coming after us. Then the lady yells at me for kicking her dog .. not true. I even had Rex on a leash at that point .. and she's yelling at me. Needless to say .. she cut our visit short .. and I don't think I'll be going to that park again.
In other news .. we went up to Summerfest to see David Seebach's Wonders of Magic show. Alice Cooper was playing that night .. so I couldn't pass it up. We loaded up the H3 and went for a little ride. The Summerfest in Milwaukee is an awesome festival .. and it was packed. We saw some of David's show .. but then we had to grab some seats to see Alice. Sure enough, there was no where to sit. We wound up standing on a picnic table along with half a dozen other people. We could barely see the show .. but it was still a fun time. The fireworks up there were better than I've seen anywhere.
Hope you all had great 4th of July!
Steve
Post ID 68 · recovered verbatim from the database
The Year without a Santa ...
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Christmas in July anyone ?? Most of us aren't thinking about Santa during the summer .. but you see, Santa's out of work right now .. and so am I. Normally I'm working on and off during the summer at a little amusement park called Santa's Village. Over the past couple of years I spent a lot of time out in the sun .. three shows a day, rain or shine. It was fun work .. challenging at times, but I was really getting good at about five tricks. I hoped it would never end .. but like all good things .. it did.
The park was sold earlier this year .. but we were told everything would be fine. Guess what ... the park didn't open this year and a lot of people are out of work. Who is taking care of the reindeer?? I could go on and on with jokes .. but it's really not funny .. it's just sad. Hopefully things will turn around for next year .. or who knows, maybe you'll see me behind the counter of your local Burger King ...
"Would you like fries with that??"
Steve
Post ID 69 · recovered verbatim from the database
A Little Fresh Air ...
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Last week I made my annual pilgrimage to the little town of Colon, Michigan. Only people in the magic world would know why I'd be out in the middle of Amish country .. and that reason is the Abbott's Magic Get-Together. I've been making my way to this sleepy little town for over twenty years. I use to get so excited, I couldn't get any sleep the night before .. it was that special. Over the years, the excitement does fade .. and yes, I got some sleep before I hit the road. What's so great about this convention you ask?? Well it's a chance for this city boy to go out in the county and relax. There are farms surrounding the area, the Amish are cruising around in there little horse drawn carriages .. stuff like that. It's really like going back in time in many ways, to a simpler way of life.
The convention is a blast .. it's always great to see friends from across the country. During the day there are lectures and contests ... ya, I slept late on Friday and missed the contest .. oops. At night there is the big stage show in the high school gym .. complete with the basket ball hoop above the stage. You won't see me sitting in the audience though .. I'm actually part of the stage crew. It's amazing what we do behind the scenes to make it all happen on stage .. you wouldn't believe it.
The time away goes fast .. I've had so many great memories in that little town. I forgot how amazing the sky looks at midnight, in the middle of a cemetery .. but that's a story for another time.
I've really got a taste for some of that Five Star Pizza .. but I think I'm a little out of their delivery area ...
Steve
P.S. Hey Blade .. do you still want to be my little brother??
Post ID 70 · recovered verbatim from the database
Up for Breakfast ...
Monday, August 28, 2006
The summer is winding down and the leaves will be changing before you know it. Last week I was up in the Dells for a few days just having some summer fun. First stop of course was Paul Bunyan's for breakfast .. and that always brings back memories. When I was little .. this was one of our vacation spots. My dad would always try to get his moneys worth at an "all you can eat" restaurant. My brother would soon give him a run for his money. If you haven't been up to the Dells .. you should check out the Rick Wilcox Magic Show. Rick and his wife Suzan have an amazing show filled with illusions .. just right for an evening of family fun. After the show we made our annual stop at Pizzeria Uno .. and had plenty to eat. My brother even paid the bill .. of course he won some cash earlier in the day at the Ho Chunk Casino. I dropped a twenty ... and then I call it quits. I work to hard to throw my money away.
Speaking of gambling .. I'm off to Vegas this week. I'll be staying in the Chezaday Suite at Mulvey Manor ... Greg's got a spare room you see. We'll be seeing some of the shows .. lots of magic! Sure enough ... I can't find my suitcase ... and I still have to pack! I'll keep ya posted .. I'm running short on time ..
Steve
Post ID 71 · recovered verbatim from the database
Vegas Baby ... Day One
Thursday, September 7, 2006
It's been a crazy month .. I've been away quite a bit, so I'm trying to catch up on things once again. I flew out to Vegas last Tuesday for a few days of rest .. but of course, I didn't get much. First thing on Wednesday Greg, Dan and I met up with our little friend Blade and his dad .. all the way from Michigan. They talked me into indoor skydiving .. something I haven't done yet .. so we suited up. Dan bailed out .. as he was looking like death warmed over at 11am .. so Greg took his place. After signing our life away ... and taking full responsibility for our stupidity, we were ready to go. Basically you jump into the output of a DC10 engine .. and fly. Of course it wasn't as easy as it appeared .. and Blade was already doing spins and turns, crazy stuff. You'll be glad to know we all survived .. and went for lunch at the Peppermill, a really cheesy Vegas hangout with mirrors and neon all over the place. We stopped at the Fashion Show mall and said our goodbyes to Blade and his dad.
Dan was working in the WGM Show at 6pm. so we met up with Quissy and had dinner at some cool place at the Red Rock Casino. I don't remember what it was called ... but it was good stuff. We had a quick tour of the Casino and it was time to get back to the strip to see the Amazing Jonathan at 10:00pm. We met up with Dan again .. and it was guys night out. I think that was it for the first day in Vegas .. ya a bit much, but it was just the beginning of my adventure.
Steve
Post ID 72 · recovered verbatim from the database
Vegas Baby ... Day Two
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Lot's going on here as usual .. but I still have to finish the Vegas Trilogy for ya. It's already been a few weeks .. so some of the details may be lost in my memory .. I may need an upgrade soon. Let's see .. this would have been Thursday, Greg had some work to catch up on .. so I stole his car and headed for the strip. First stop was the car wash .. yep ... I'm that nice of a guy, and I could barely see out of the windshield. I met up with Sperry and we saw the 2:00pm show of Dirk Arthur. He was on Animal Planet with his cats and stuff .. he's got some of the white tigers in his show .. actually, I think every illusionist in Vegas gets a pair of white tigers when they move there. The whole time during the show I couldn't help but think that Dirk looked a lot like my friend Tony. So we made jokes that Tony was now doing his own magic show .. and talking no less, you see Tony is pretty quiet .. sometimes you don't know he's even there.
Way off the subject once again .. Dan and I had a fun time .. and before you know it, it was time to catch up with Greg and Quissy to see the Lance Burton show that night. After being stuck in traffic again .. I picked them up and we made our way to the Monte Carlo. We had just enough time for the buffet .. and stuffed ourselves. We were guests of my good friend Marshall Brodien .. so we got the star treatment and had awesome seats. The show was flawless .. Lance is right there on the top .. if you're ever in Vegas, this is the show to see. Afterward, Lance came out to talk with us and that was cool .. he's a great guy. I think that was it for today .. but it was plenty for day two. Stay tuned for the final instalment .. soon I promise!
Steve
Post ID 74 · recovered verbatim from the database
Day Three ... The Party
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Believe it or not .. I'm going to get this Trilogy complete before another week passes. We're actually getting ready for another road trip to Appleton, Wisconsin this weekend ... so I'm trying to get things finished up around here. From what I can remeber .. I slept pretty well at Mulvey Manor, I was in the Vegas room .. complete with gold glitter on the walls and clouds on the ceiling. Now I remember .. the morning started out with a short road trip to Red Rock National Park. Greg actually passed up the road to the park and we drove nearly an hour toward California before he realized that we were in the middle of the desert. To make things exciting ... ah, we were also running low on gas. I broke out the video camera to capture the fun ... and we finally made it to the park. The scenery was really amazing and it was getting a bit warm out. We didn't have a chance to eat .. so we were getting a little tired on top of things. Our plan was to see the 1:00pm Mac King show .. but we just made it in to the 3pm show, at 2:59pm no less. Mac's show was awesome .. he's really got a sweet deal over at Harrah's Casino. This is a great family show .. just the right size theater for his show. I can't say enough good stuff about him .. go check him out too!
Let's see .. ya it was a long day already ... but wait there's more. Tonight we were going to see my buddy, Dan Sperry work in the World's Greatest Magic Show. Once again we picked up Quissy and raced over to the Greek Isles Casino .. man this was a cheezy place. Think late 60's early 70's .. that was the feel. I was looking around to see if any of the tables featured Rock, Paper, Scissors .. really. The showroom had the same feel .. but the stage had some cool lighting and I figured eveything would be just fine. Dan was first up and he did his thing .. kind of a Gothic dove act, if that makes any sense. He did really well and the show is awesome .. a nice blend of magic and comedy. Again, this is a family show .. and worth seeing if your in town.
Afterward we were all a bit hungry, so we met up at one of my childhood favorites ... Jack in the Box. Sure enough .. only the drive thru was open .. so we wound up having dinner on the back of Quissy's car. As dumb as it may seem this was really a special moment .. here we are, four good friends from Chicago together again, just like old times.
The night wasn't over yet .. I was following Dan to a magic get together at midnight. This really made the trip complete .. I got to see some good friends I hadn't seen for a few years. I also got to meet some cool new people that Dan had made friends with. It had a strange high school party kind of feel to it .. even though everyone was around my age. I left feeling like a kid again .. out late on a Friday night. It was time to get some sleep as I was heading back home in the afternoon .. with some great stories to tell ...
Steve
Post ID 75 · recovered verbatim from the database
And the Rain Came Crashing Down ...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
As I was staring down at her .. I thought to myself, this just can't be .. this isn't how the story is suppose to end, she's much to young to die. It's just not fair .. and why didn't God hear our prayers?? I just can't help it .. this isn't right, it doesn't make any sense .. none at all. Laying before me was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen .. full of fire and life. She had her whole life ahead of her .. with her two young boys and her husband Jamie. It was just a year ago, to the day that she shared the stage with me one last time. I thought we had more time ..
I have much more to add .. but it's late and I'm exhausted ...
S
Christina 9/17/2006
Post ID 76 · recovered verbatim from the database
Still Messed Up ...
Monday, October 2, 2006
Two weeks have passed since I lost my friend Tina .. and I still can't believe it. This is my favorite time of year .. but I can't help but think of her and the two little boys she left behind .. it just kills me. I still haven't finished writing the previous entry .. I just can't seem to get it down in words .. but I will eventually. She meant the world to me ..
In other news .. I'm still out there working. The fall is in the air and it's beautiful here in Chicago. The smell of the fireplace .. the moon peeking out from behind the clouds .. just amazing. I've got a lot coming up this month .. we're going to see Alice Cooper tomorrow night .. so that will be cool. It's alway a great way to start .. Rocktober!
Steve
Post ID 77 · recovered verbatim from the database
Roctober ...
Thursday, October 19, 2006
I know I've been absent for a bit .. I still can't get around to finish my last entry .. but I will soon. We've been asked to make a special appearance on the WGN Morning News next Tuesday Oct. 24th .. so set your VCRs or if you'r up with the times, your TiVo. I'll be on the show along with Marshall Brodien to promote our upcoming show in Wadsworth, IL on Oct. 28 called Jackies Magic. You too can attend as it's open to the public and it's for a good cause. All the info you need can be found at jackiesmagic.com.
We're making a short road trip up to Milwaukee this weekend to see one of my favorite shows .. David Seebach's Illusions in the Night. It's a fun Halloween magic show in a real haunted theater called the Modjeska. If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend .. it's worth the trip. Look it up online at davidseebach.com .. you might even be able to sit next to me .. now that would be scary ...
Steve
Post ID 80 · recovered verbatim from the database
One Piece at a Time ...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Last night my plans to see the new movie "The Prestige" fell apart ... so I wound up being the lonely guy at Q'doba having dinner. From there it's a short trip across the parking lot to my favorite store, Target. Actually you can find me there just about any night of the week I'm off. I don't know what it is .. but I think I will eventually own Target .. one piece at a time. I just go up and down the isles .. I need one of these .. oh, and this. I think I know my way around better than some of the people that work there. They are hiring for the holidays.
Tonight we're heading up to Milwaukee for some Halloween fun. I'll have the camera with so I'll try to capture some special moments of our journey. Lot's goin' on around here .. so I've got to get my butt in gear and out the door.
More laterz ...
Steve
Post ID 81 · recovered verbatim from the database
Little Goblins ...
Sunday, November 5, 2006
Should I start with my excuse now .. or a little later?? A few weeks have passed again .. but it's a busy time of year for me. We made a special appearance on Chicago's WGN Morning News on October 24th. That went really well considering I was up at 4:20am. You see I'm on a different schedule than most of the world .. my bedtime is around 2:00am every night. Needless to say .. I had very little sleep that night. Helping me out on camera was none other than my good friend, Marshall Brodien .. a legend in the magic world. We were on promoting a show we had together later in the week in Wadsworth, IL. The show was simple yet a complicated set up including the Windshear and the Origami Illusion. Angel and Valerie assisted that evening .. and the show went smooth as could be with eight other acts on the same stage .. can you say magic marathon?? I lost count of the number of shows I did in the last few weeks ... but that's a good thing, November is another story.
Halloween was just the other day .. and it's always fun to see the kids come to the door. It was a bit chilly in the Chicago-land area .. in fact it was freezing out. I always loved Halloween .. we would go trick or treating for hours on end .. rain or shine, nothing stopped us from getting our loot. These days things are a bit different .. but it's good to see little devils and witches are still as popular as ever. I was brought up a good Catholic boy .. but nothing gets me crazier then those people that don't celebrate Halloween. These are the same people that don't want to see magic .. because it's the devils work. I can freely speak my mind about all that hear .. because if you've come to my site .. you've got an open mind, and don't have anything against magic. Some people still fear us .. and that's fine. Heck, they use to burn us at the stake for performing feats of magic .. really. I don't think I have to worry about that just yet .. but it's still out there. Hopefully the magic will never end .. and the little goblins and witches will still come knockin' on your door ..
Steve
Post ID 82 · recovered verbatim from the database
Starchild Rocks Chicago ...
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Last night was a late one .. but this time for some fun. My brother and I went downtown Chicago to see Paul Stanley's solo show at the House of Blues. For those who live on a different planet, Paul is the lead singer of a little band known as KISS. The trip downtown wasn't too bad .. there's always a ton of traffic going into the city. We met up with some friends and stood in line outside before the doors opened. You never know what the weather will be in Chicago .. but this time we lucked out. We were actually standing on a bridge looking at a full moon .. I think it was almost 50 degrees out .. so, that's a nice night by our standards.
The curtains opened .. and there he was, minus the make-up and platform boots. Tonight was all about the music .. and he was simply amazing. From start to finish his voice and energy was strong. The band backing him up was also top notch ... but he was the shining star last night. What's even cooler is that they were taping the show for a concert DVD release ... there were cameras everywhere! I almost forgot to mention the place was packed .. standing room only, we were shoulder to shoulder, some even closer. Paul played some new stuff off the "Live to Win" album and some old KISS favorites. The new album is really worth checking out .. it's got something for everyone .. you won't be disappointed.
The KISS Army is alive and well in the Windy City ... and I'm proud to be part of it ...
Steve
Post ID 83 · recovered verbatim from the database
Another Piece of My Heart ...
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Last night was like any other night .. I took mom out to the Spagetti Warehouse, then a little shopping at Target. The weather is just amazing out here right now .. we're in the 60's and it's November in Chicago.
Now back to what I was getting at .. so, we're at Target and I'm wondering the aisles like I usually do .. I came across the Christmas display. All the trees were set up, the lights .. the stockings ... and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My friend Tina, who passed away in September .. won't get to see Christmas this year. I almost lost it right there .. we had so many good memories of that special time of year. I remember going shopping with her, picking out garland for the tree .. she even had her own stocking for the fireplace. I tried real hard to make it all special for her .. she didn't have a family of her own. You see, she was a foster girl .. and had a very difficult life .. and now she's gone.
No, I'm not still over her .. and I can't pick up the phone and call her like I use to do. I still haven't finished her story .. but this is just another piece of the puzzle.
Steve
Post ID 84 · recovered verbatim from the database
My Friend Snuggles ...
Monday, November 13, 2006
I've been trying to keep things on the up .. but for some reason, reading this blog is just a bummer. This weekend I lost one of my little buddies ... Snuggles. She was one of the snakes that made frequent appearances in my show over the last ten years or so. Snuggles was a Red Tail Boa Constrictor .. and a beautiful creature at that. She really was the most docile of my snakes. I know many of you don't understand .. but she too is one of God's creatures. Snakes do get ill .. and Snuggles caught a cold she couldn't fight off. I did everything I could do to save her .. including giving her a series of shots to fight the infection. Nothing seemed to help .. and she stopped eating months ago. We even tried force feeding her just last week .. but, I guess it was too late. I watched her slip away, in my hands .. she was tough right to the end. Her cage is empty now .. and it's sad, I cared for her like a child. Now she's resting peacefully wrapped in one of her blankets .. back to the earth she came from.
Keep warm Snuggles ...
Steve
Post ID 85 · recovered verbatim from the database
Exit through the Gift Shop ...
Sunday, November 26, 2006
I've got a lot of catching up to do on here .. there are a couple of subjects that I have to finish up on here, but I'll save that for another time. I did wind up working on Thanksgiving at the Sabre Room .. I was going to relax, but Rudy called and it's a fun time. Mom came with for the show, which is a bit unusual. You see we were going to her friends house afterwards, and my brother wasn't up to driving her. We strapped mom in with the equipment and off we went. The Sabre Room is an old Chicago land favorite, dinner and show all for one low price. It's been around forever .. my parents use to go there when they were young. Anyway .. the show went fine and there were lots of kids to enjoy the magic.
Now .. I had a few days off, so I promised my mother that I would take her to see the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum. Getting mom around isn't as easy as it use to be .. she's on oxygen and can't walk long distances, so it can be challenging. My brother Jeff and Val came with for the adventure. After finding a parking space, and securing a wheelchair we were off to see the King. Turns out my mother went to school with him, she showed me his picture in the yearbook. The exhibit was pretty cool .. lots of crazy detailed items .. most made of wood, then covered in gold. It was neat to see up close .. only inches away. It seemed like it was all going to build up to the finale .. like the actual mummy itself. As we turned the final corner .. I was let down only to see the gift shop ... with every bit of King Tut junk you could imagine. Not too much different than Disneyland .. but still a fun time.
Steve
Post ID 86 · recovered verbatim from the database
Some Days are Better Than Others ...
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The other day .. I was just doing my thing, running on errands .. the bank, the post office and then grabbing some Taco Bell. I made a few calls along the way and left my new Motorola V3 Razr in the cup holder of my car. Just as usual I hopped out of the car, went in and had my lunch ... a little later then usual at 3:00pm. You see I try to keep a schedule .. 2:00pm is lunch, ask any of my friends. After lunch its playtime with Rex in the backyard for 15 minutes or so. Now I'm back to work .. today I was trying to get up some Christmas decorations up before the weather changed .. yes, "Christmas" decorations, not "Holiday" .. I'll celebrate things the way I want. OK .. back to the story .. I'm up on a ladder for an hour or two and its starting to get dark .. around 5pm or so. I plug in the lights .. kinda like the Grand Illumination you see on TV .. and nothing ... not even a flicker. Everything comes down and I test it out. The lights were working fine just last year .. it just doesn't make sense, I'll save it for another day.
I'm a little frustrated by my failed efforts .. but I've got more to take care of today. Next up was a quick shower and take mother out shopping again .. tonight we hit Costco, the Spaghetti Warehouse and Wal-Mart. It was about 6:30pm when we jumped in the H3 and hit the road. I could have swore I left my phone in the car .. but I figured I must have brought it inside .. I'll survive a few hours without it. We got some shopping done, loaded up the car and made our way back home .. now the search began. Next thing I'm looking for is my garage door opener, its gone too. Now, I live in a nice town .. it would be unthinkable that someone would steal something from my car, sitting in my driveway. Yes, it was unlocked .. and I was home .. the whole time. I like to think my neighborhood is safe enough that everything doesn't need to be on "Lock-Down" 24 hours a day .. thats just ridiculous. Well sure enough .. my phone and my garage door opener were stolen. Whats puzzling is there were other valuables in the car at the time .. so I'm sure it wasn't a pro. But feel free to come back and finish the job ... because next time .. it won't be the dog you'll have to worry about .. next time you'll be dealing with me ...
Steve
Post ID 87 · recovered verbatim from the database
Another Trying Day ...
Sunday, December 10, 2006
It's that time of year where we're out all day going from one show to the other. I live for the show .. it keeps me sane, but yesterday was a bit difficult on many levels. First thing .. my mother is in the hospital for a brief visit, I brought her in on Thursday. She usually comes down with something this time of year .. but apparently she almost died on Saturday. I was just heading out the door for my first show and got a message from my brother. I tried calling three or four times that same morning but it just rang. I figured they were just drawing blood or something so she couldn't answer. She's in critical care but doing better .. wonderful. It is very hard to concentrate on a show with this kind of stuff on your mind .. not easy at all, but the show goes on. We arrive in plenty of time to set up .. and then I run into a pretty major problem. The sound system isn't working .. no sound at all. For a crowd of over 500 screaming kids .. this is a potential disaster. We continued the set up .. hoping my luck would change. Only minutes before the show begins .. I get it working again. The show went off without a hitch .. so we packed it up and went to see mother. She was doing better .. hooked up to all kinds of machines and stuff, but awake and alert. We were on a schedule .. so it was time to grab a quick bite to eat and hit the road.
Our next stop was the Sabre Room once again .. nothing like spending time with Rudy and the Sabrettes. Valerie was with me for the day .. and she was good up until it was time to suit up for the evening show. Thats when the complaining begins .. and never ends. Apparently I can't do anything right .. and the outfits are hideous and on and on and on. It never ends .. and its definitely not the time to get me riled up ... but it never fails, she does it every time. I do my best to ignore her .. but she doesn't let it go. The show goes on .. and I've still got plenty on my mind.
It's about 10:30pm and we're on our way home, I call to check up on mother and she's sleeping the night away .. that's a good thing. Knowing that she's doing better .. I too, will be able to get some sleep myself ... it's been a long day.
Steve
Post ID 88 · recovered verbatim from the database
All the Bells and Whistles ...
Monday, December 18, 2006
As most of you have read previously .. my mother was in the hospital about a week ago. I brought her home on Wednesday but she wasn't doing so hot. By Saturday it was time to go back in .. but this time around I couldn't get her down the stairs. We had to call the ambulance and sure enough, they were there in just a few minutes. The firetruck arrived first .. sirens and all, that part was pretty cool. The Naperville Fire Department is really something else .. I was very impressed. Soon mother was on her way to Edward's hospital. She stable now .. but it was a bit close this time. I still had shows on the weekend .. and it's not like you can call in sick, it doesn't work that way. As long as I knew she was in good hands, the show could go on. It's Monday now .. and hopefully she'll be back on her feet soon. Maybe you could say a little prayer for my mother .. thats all I'll need for Christmas this year ...
Steve
Post ID 97 · recovered verbatim from the database
Christmas Wishes ...
Sunday, December 24, 2006
As I write .. mom is tucked away in her bed watching some holiday classics on TV. She's back home after another week in the hospital ... she's doing much better now. I'm always amazed at how many people actually read this ... and get a hold of me one way or another to wish my mother well. This time we lucked out again and the doctors took good care of her. Going back and forth to the hospital takes a lot out of my schedule .. and this time of year I don't have much time to spare. Its late Saturday night turning into Christmas eve morning .. at least on this side of the globe. I have yet to go through my purchases and sort out who gets what for Christmas .. hopefully sometime tomorrow I'll get to that. Its been an interesting week .. and I'll get to that soon. I just wanted to let everyone know I got my Christmas wish .. hope you get yours too ..
Merry Christmas everyone .. may peace be with you and your family ...
Steve
Post ID 98 · recovered verbatim from the database
