My family and I went to Monkey Joe's last night. Lots of inflatable goodness. I ended up with my three year old son, my two year old daughter, and my three year old niece in some sort of inflated ring with a pole in the center. We were running about and tackling each other. At some point two other kids came in, maybe four or five, and they just joined the game. (I looked and couldn't see their parents ... so just figured the heck with it, hopefully they won't sue me for being gleefully tackled by their kids.)
It turns out that having five kids tackle and jump on you is actually surprisingly enjoyable.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Frank again
Xander's favorite stuffed animal is a little cat he calls Kitty. We like Kitty. We have several spare Kitties in a drawer so when Kitty gets dirty we can clean it and Xander doesn't know it's been swapped. And if one gets lost we can find another one. Kitty has been his favorite for a very long time now. But Bolt (from the Disney movie) has been sneaking into the picture, and in the last week or so Kitty has been replaced by Bolt.
I like Kitty better. Well, actually I somehow just dislike his favorite being a marketed named animal, I find I just preferred his stuffed animal being more uniquely his. Or, to be really honest, I guess I just preferred the UNnamed marketed animal. I dunno, I can't justify it, I just preferred Kitty.
So in an attempt to rectify this, Kitty has been in the Frank stories lately I tell Xander when he goes to sleep. So this is where I have failed in something. The point of a bedtime story is to get the boy quiet and calm and restful. Frank stories don't do that well, but he demands them and doesn't want to be read to afterwards, so it's the last story. And the Frank song helps but still, I think we need to figure that out.
So to tie all this together. Last night Kitty went on the offensive and attacked Frank, which I demonstrated with Kitty who basically attached himself to my face Alien facehugger style and then proceeded to completely demolish me in many other ways. This made the boy laugh so hysterically he collapsed on the bed unable to breathe.
I totally stink at getting him all calmed down and ready to go to sleep.
I like Kitty better. Well, actually I somehow just dislike his favorite being a marketed named animal, I find I just preferred his stuffed animal being more uniquely his. Or, to be really honest, I guess I just preferred the UNnamed marketed animal. I dunno, I can't justify it, I just preferred Kitty.
So in an attempt to rectify this, Kitty has been in the Frank stories lately I tell Xander when he goes to sleep. So this is where I have failed in something. The point of a bedtime story is to get the boy quiet and calm and restful. Frank stories don't do that well, but he demands them and doesn't want to be read to afterwards, so it's the last story. And the Frank song helps but still, I think we need to figure that out.
So to tie all this together. Last night Kitty went on the offensive and attacked Frank, which I demonstrated with Kitty who basically attached himself to my face Alien facehugger style and then proceeded to completely demolish me in many other ways. This made the boy laugh so hysterically he collapsed on the bed unable to breathe.
I totally stink at getting him all calmed down and ready to go to sleep.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Frank
So a while ago, around St. Patrick's Day, instead of reading a story to my son Xander I made one up. It was St. Patrick's Day, so I told the story of St. Patrick and his snake removal service. I can't remember if Frank was in the first story or not, but Xander wanted to hear it again the next night, and sooner or later Frank showed up in the stories. Frank essentially carries snakes around and throws them at people. St. Patrick stopped him. The snake throwing thing made Xander laugh, so now the stories pretty much just revolve around Frank.
So now Xander won't let me read to him any more, though he will listen to Piper's stories. But every night he runs to bed, climbs in, and waits very eagerly for his Frank story. So I make up a new one every night. Xander is in a lot of them now which he likes, and I'll ask him questions and take the story wherever it goes based on what he says (he tends to want to shoot Frank with a gun a lot. Frank blocks the bullets with a snake, usually.) The stories really aren't very good, but they make the boy happy. And now they get followed with the Frank and Xander song which also changes every night.
It's kind of challenging to come up with a story every day, but fun - sure they are terrible stories I'm sure, but it's fun. The only problem is that they get the boy worked up and excited, so I'm trying to figure out how to do this without getting him worked up. That's how the Frank and Xander song started, which helps but I'd rather he not get so excited.
On the other hand, for however long this lasts, it's really wonderful to see how much he loves having me make up a story for him every night.
So now Xander won't let me read to him any more, though he will listen to Piper's stories. But every night he runs to bed, climbs in, and waits very eagerly for his Frank story. So I make up a new one every night. Xander is in a lot of them now which he likes, and I'll ask him questions and take the story wherever it goes based on what he says (he tends to want to shoot Frank with a gun a lot. Frank blocks the bullets with a snake, usually.) The stories really aren't very good, but they make the boy happy. And now they get followed with the Frank and Xander song which also changes every night.
It's kind of challenging to come up with a story every day, but fun - sure they are terrible stories I'm sure, but it's fun. The only problem is that they get the boy worked up and excited, so I'm trying to figure out how to do this without getting him worked up. That's how the Frank and Xander song started, which helps but I'd rather he not get so excited.
On the other hand, for however long this lasts, it's really wonderful to see how much he loves having me make up a story for him every night.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Library Show
I'll be at the Smyrna Public Library this Thursday at 7 if anyone wants to come see a free magic show! I'll be in the community center. The library address is
100 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, Georgia
I think this is my last library show for the summer. It was fun doing them, I really enjoy library shows!
100 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, Georgia
I think this is my last library show for the summer. It was fun doing them, I really enjoy library shows!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Star Wars Insider
I'm in the Star Wars insider with my son!
My son loves R2 and my stormtrooper armor. He's three and pretty small, so when I was repairing R2 one day I just stuck him inside. He helped. It was fun, and I took some pictures of it. And later, he saw the Stormtrooper armor and was fascinated by it, so I put it on him which just made his DAY. We sent a picture of him in R2 and another of him in the armor to the insider, and this month they printed them! We're on page 74, in the fan section, of the issue with Yoda on the cover.
My son was rather interested, but when everyone started making a fuss over the pictures he got really excited and proud. That makes me happy.
My son loves R2 and my stormtrooper armor. He's three and pretty small, so when I was repairing R2 one day I just stuck him inside. He helped. It was fun, and I took some pictures of it. And later, he saw the Stormtrooper armor and was fascinated by it, so I put it on him which just made his DAY. We sent a picture of him in R2 and another of him in the armor to the insider, and this month they printed them! We're on page 74, in the fan section, of the issue with Yoda on the cover.
My son was rather interested, but when everyone started making a fuss over the pictures he got really excited and proud. That makes me happy.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Museum event!
On July 11th, the Southern Museum is having a "Night at the Museum" event, based on the movie, for a fundraiser. Everything in the museum will be coming alive. It should be fairly cool.
Here's the web page:
http://www.southernmuseum.org/se_night_at_somu.html
There will be (among a LOT of other things) a pretty good Star Wars presence there. I know there will be several Stormtroopers, and if I can work out the logistics of it, R2-D2 will be there - that's the fully drivable remote controlled one I built. So come see us!
Here's the web page:
http://www.southernmuseum.org/se_night_at_somu.html
There will be (among a LOT of other things) a pretty good Star Wars presence there. I know there will be several Stormtroopers, and if I can work out the logistics of it, R2-D2 will be there - that's the fully drivable remote controlled one I built. So come see us!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
R2 repair
This picture amused me ... R2 burned out a foot motor at a charity event. I finally got it fixed, and have tightened the chains to boot so he drives much more evenly now (I hope!)
This picture is after the foot has been rebuilt and remounted, and I'm preparing to solder the wires back in so the remote system in the body will control the motor ... I think it's the nerd equivalent to working under the car.
This picture is after the foot has been rebuilt and remounted, and I'm preparing to solder the wires back in so the remote system in the body will control the motor ... I think it's the nerd equivalent to working under the car.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Fanboys
The movie Fanboys is finally coming to Atlanta! As fanboy, I'm pretty thrilled.
Several of us are going to be doing things at the UA Northpoint Market movie theater (6500 Northpoint Parkway, Alpharetta, GA) tonight, I think from around 5 to 7. There will be several R2 units and multiple stormtroopers.
So come see us!
Several of us are going to be doing things at the UA Northpoint Market movie theater (6500 Northpoint Parkway, Alpharetta, GA) tonight, I think from around 5 to 7. There will be several R2 units and multiple stormtroopers.
So come see us!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Antinomy
A while ago I got published in a magazine, and was bragging about it in this blog. Well get ready to hear it again about the same magazine. Just deal with it. I'm all excited still.
WEB LINKS!
http://www.antinomymagic.com/issue14.htm
Plus this one says it's articles from "some of the sharpest minds on the magic scene". They probably were not thinking of me at all, but I choose to believe they DID.
http://www.magicproshop.com/antinomy-magazine-book-p-12161.html
WOOOO! I'm all psyched!
WEB LINKS!
http://www.antinomymagic.com/issue14.htm
Plus this one says it's articles from "some of the sharpest minds on the magic scene". They probably were not thinking of me at all, but I choose to believe they DID.
http://www.magicproshop.com/antinomy-magazine-book-p-12161.html
WOOOO! I'm all psyched!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Stormtrooper son
My armor was out ... my three year old son was fascinated by it ... so what can I say.
There are more pictures of him here. This was a pretty exciting moment for the boy I think ... he was delighted about this!
There are more pictures of him here. This was a pretty exciting moment for the boy I think ... he was delighted about this!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Toys for Tots
R2's first public appearance went great! We helped collect a lot of toys, R2 performed pretty well all in all, and I'm just delighted!
Here's two Marines with R2 ...
Here's two Marines with R2 ...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Toys for Tots - Best Buy!!
I messed up - I will be out with R2 collecting toys on Sunday, Dec 21st, but it is at the Kennesaw Best Buy, not Toys R Us! Still on Barrett Parkway, though.
Folks should be there from 11 to 4:30. I'm not quite sure when I'll be there, but I will shoot to be there from 12 to 2 at least - depends somewhat on R2's batteries!
Best Buy Store 501
850 Cobb Place Blvd Nw
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Folks should be there from 11 to 4:30. I'm not quite sure when I'll be there, but I will shoot to be there from 12 to 2 at least - depends somewhat on R2's batteries!
Best Buy Store 501
850 Cobb Place Blvd Nw
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Toys for Tots
I almost forgot to post about this! On Sunday, Dec 21st I will be collecting toys for Toys for Tots. I will be at the Barrett Parkway Toys R Us in the afternoon.
The 501st will be there, so there will be multiple stormtroopers and other costumed characters. I will NOT be coming as a Stormtrooper - I am bringing R2-D2!
So if you want to come see R2, Stormtroopers, and who knows what else - I'd sure love to see you there!
(I'd been planning on having R2 talk through my normal sound system ... which won't be there ... this evening and for a few upcoming ones I am frantically trying to get a remote controlled sound system installed!)
The 501st will be there, so there will be multiple stormtroopers and other costumed characters. I will NOT be coming as a Stormtrooper - I am bringing R2-D2!
So if you want to come see R2, Stormtroopers, and who knows what else - I'd sure love to see you there!
(I'd been planning on having R2 talk through my normal sound system ... which won't be there ... this evening and for a few upcoming ones I am frantically trying to get a remote controlled sound system installed!)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
I'm in print!
I got a magic magazine I really like in the mail yesterday. So I opened up the envelope, took a look at the cover and my name was on it.
THAT'S RIGHT! I'M IN PRINT!
I submitted a routine to these guys a while ago, never heard back, and figured that meant they thought I sucked and had no interest in my routine. So I was totally surprised to see that not only am I in the magazine, but my name is on the cover! (Along with about 10 other guys, but MY name is on top of the list!) So I'm just thrilled.
The magazine was Antinomy - I'm in issue 14 which isn't on their site yet it seems. But soon!
So that combined with me being in the Kidabra magazine a few months ago and I'M FAMOUS! WOOO!
Which basically means last night I spent 15 minutes running around the house with the magazine crowing about it while Karen tried to continue faking enthusiasm. It was a fairly awesome moment.
THAT'S RIGHT! I'M IN PRINT!
I submitted a routine to these guys a while ago, never heard back, and figured that meant they thought I sucked and had no interest in my routine. So I was totally surprised to see that not only am I in the magazine, but my name is on the cover! (Along with about 10 other guys, but MY name is on top of the list!) So I'm just thrilled.
The magazine was Antinomy - I'm in issue 14 which isn't on their site yet it seems. But soon!
So that combined with me being in the Kidabra magazine a few months ago and I'M FAMOUS! WOOO!
Which basically means last night I spent 15 minutes running around the house with the magazine crowing about it while Karen tried to continue faking enthusiasm. It was a fairly awesome moment.
Friday, September 05, 2008
So McDonalds is totally awesome.
First, they have STAR WARS toys! Way cool. So we went there today so that my kids Xander and Piper could have happy meals. Which featured R2-D2 on the box! AND they had a R2 toy! A little R2 bobble head! Can you get any cooler? I think NOT! It was great! Except Xander wanted the toy. Can you imagine? Heck no! It was R2! I almost had it, too, except that my wife stepped in and said Xander had to have it. Mean! So I'm sending her back tomorrow for more.
It's OK, though, we went to play on the big play set and we were the only ones there. And I noticed a sign saying adults too! So I took off my shoes and Xander and I played in the big playset for a long time. I always wanted to do that and it was JUST AS COOL AS I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!
So when I left I placed a dollar slightly out of sight way up high in the play set. I figure some little kid that evening was going to have a nice surprise later.
First, they have STAR WARS toys! Way cool. So we went there today so that my kids Xander and Piper could have happy meals. Which featured R2-D2 on the box! AND they had a R2 toy! A little R2 bobble head! Can you get any cooler? I think NOT! It was great! Except Xander wanted the toy. Can you imagine? Heck no! It was R2! I almost had it, too, except that my wife stepped in and said Xander had to have it. Mean! So I'm sending her back tomorrow for more.
It's OK, though, we went to play on the big play set and we were the only ones there. And I noticed a sign saying adults too! So I took off my shoes and Xander and I played in the big playset for a long time. I always wanted to do that and it was JUST AS COOL AS I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!
So when I left I placed a dollar slightly out of sight way up high in the play set. I figure some little kid that evening was going to have a nice surprise later.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Magic competition
Last weekend I went to a magic convention. I had a pretty nice time, got to see some magicians I like, and entered the stage competition with R2. It was his big public debut, so that was fairly exciting!
It was HARD getting R2 there and back. Getting him in and out of the car is a three person job. My wife and I did it once by ourselves, but that was even harder. Getting him on and off stage was hard. We had to go first because of some issues there. His front foot loosened and the slightest crack stopped him, so since it was a segmented stage he couldn't move much. But it went great. I didn't win (the guy that did was AMAZING) but I did well, had a good showing, and I made some friends out of it.
It turns out that you really CAN'T see squat when you're on a big stage with spotlights on you, by the way.
I liked having a competition act. I think I will keep competing, but I think I will come up with a new act that doesn't have R2. It means I won't have that noticability factor that R2 gives, but ... well, it won't take massive help to get him there and on stage, either!
It was HARD getting R2 there and back. Getting him in and out of the car is a three person job. My wife and I did it once by ourselves, but that was even harder. Getting him on and off stage was hard. We had to go first because of some issues there. His front foot loosened and the slightest crack stopped him, so since it was a segmented stage he couldn't move much. But it went great. I didn't win (the guy that did was AMAZING) but I did well, had a good showing, and I made some friends out of it.
It turns out that you really CAN'T see squat when you're on a big stage with spotlights on you, by the way.
I liked having a competition act. I think I will keep competing, but I think I will come up with a new act that doesn't have R2. It means I won't have that noticability factor that R2 gives, but ... well, it won't take massive help to get him there and on stage, either!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Trophy!
I finally got around to photographing the trophy I won for Magician of the Year! Frankly it's not a great picture so I'll have to try again, but hey. Plus it shows of the backdrop I'm taking to shows now!
I'm still very pleased to have won that - it's quite an honor.
Needless to say my son, who was outside running about at the time, had to get in on the picture ...
I think this picture is my favorite:
I'm still very pleased to have won that - it's quite an honor.
Needless to say my son, who was outside running about at the time, had to get in on the picture ...
I think this picture is my favorite:
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Magic Convention
I just came back from a international magic convention in Kentucky. It was a week long and I got to see a LOT of magic acts from guys I've wanted to meet for a long time, so it was great. I saw some stuff that blew me away, too!
This guy won the competition they held:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N5Ke822_syY
Recorded it is so-so, but trust me, live this was an ASTOUNDING act. Smooth and just brilliant card handling. The other standout act to me was this one:
http://www.greatkaplan.com/moviesO.html
He was very funny and a very nice guy as well.
For me ... I now have curtains! I have wanted them for a while. This means my living room show will have a stage curtain backdrop, which looks really nice and helps really transform the room.
I have been using a raccoon puppet for a while and I got a new puppet ... it is quite a few steps up from the raccoon puppet. I need to rescript the routine around the new puppet, though, so that will be a while before it goes into the show!
This guy won the competition they held:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N5Ke822_syY
Recorded it is so-so, but trust me, live this was an ASTOUNDING act. Smooth and just brilliant card handling. The other standout act to me was this one:
http://www.greatkaplan.com/moviesO.html
He was very funny and a very nice guy as well.
For me ... I now have curtains! I have wanted them for a while. This means my living room show will have a stage curtain backdrop, which looks really nice and helps really transform the room.
I have been using a raccoon puppet for a while and I got a new puppet ... it is quite a few steps up from the raccoon puppet. I need to rescript the routine around the new puppet, though, so that will be a while before it goes into the show!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Jackson County
I did a show last night in Jackson County which went pretty well. I had a really fun time doing it and I put in a new (short) piece that ended up going quite well, so that made me happy.
It also occurred to me that there is a better placement for my sound system ... I think I'm going to rework R2-Q5 innards to put the new system inside him. I use it to make him talk, so it makes more sense to be in him anyway. Wish me luck finding time to do that! I need to build a wooden framework to hold the system as well as the receiver in R2-Q5, so it won't be quick, but it'll be nice when it's done!
It also occurred to me that there is a better placement for my sound system ... I think I'm going to rework R2-Q5 innards to put the new system inside him. I use it to make him talk, so it makes more sense to be in him anyway. Wish me luck finding time to do that! I need to build a wooden framework to hold the system as well as the receiver in R2-Q5, so it won't be quick, but it'll be nice when it's done!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Repairing R2-Q5
R2-Q5 needs periodic repair ... so I had the dome off, the innards out, and ... well ...
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