You Can Do Magic

Well, tonight was pack meeting. I didn't get a lot of time to prepare or practice magic beforehand (the last week has been insanely busy), but things went well. I had to drop one of my originally planned five tricks due to a prop malfunction this morning, but I still had four in my bag of tricks (okay, so it was my backpack, close enough). I slipped up a bit on two of the tricks, but the other two went off without a hitch. The last one had several people in the audience (including grown-ups) mystified as to how I did it. It's magic, of course!

My wife also came to pack meeting to support me in my first-ever magic show. It really meant a lot to me that she came. I appreciated it greatly. It was also nice to see my youngest roaming the halls and aisles. I regularly bring my oldest two with me to pack meeting as my "helpers" (as well as to give their mother a break), but the youngest rarely comes. She came toddling up to me, pointed at the cheap top hat I was wearing as part of my magician costume, and said, "Hat!" Of course, I've been saying the same thing to her for months every time I put a hat on her head. :)

I actually enjoyed myself while I was doing my short show at pack meeting. It was a nice way to start out: 4 tricks, a small audience, and inexpensive props, mostly things I could find around the house. Not bad for an amateur magician just starting out! It was also very rewarding to try something new and find that I am pretty good at it! Although my sleight-of-hand needs some work, my patter was very good. Magic seems like a very good fit for my personality.

I definitely don't plan on this being my last magic show! Now I just need to make some time to learn and practice some more tricks. Although four tricks was about right for pack meeting, I'd like to have a bit more to work with for my next show. When will my next show be? Well, I don't know. Sometime. :)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

I have always enjoyed magic shows. I loved them as a kid, and I still love them as a grown-up. They help me to remember my childhood sense of wonder and amazement, when it seemed like magic was everywhere in the world.

I have had a passing interest in learning magic, even to the point of purchasing a couple of books, but I have never taken it any further than that. Until now.

See, I am the Cubmaster for the Scout troop of my church group, and this month's theme is "Abracadabra". Pack meeting is coming up on Tuesday, and I would like very much to be able to perform some simple tricks for the boys and their families. Basically, this feels like a good excuse for me to do something that I have wanted to do for some time, but have never quite gotten around to doing.

I used a good portion of my lunch hour yesterday obtaining some items that I will need for my performance. I will also be able to find many of the items around the house. Honestly, I was amazed at the number of items I will need for just five simple tricks. I have a feeling that this is going to be another one of those not-so-inexpensive hobbies (like my costuming hobby, but more on that another time).

Now I just need to find some time to practice. Ah yes, the trickiest part. Actually trying something new, with the possibility that I will fail the first few times. Scary stuff. But rewarding, nonetheless. Life is about trying new things and yes, making mistakes and learning from them. Perhaps that is the greatest magic of all.

And even if my magic performance fails miserably, there is one magic trick that I know I can do for sure.

I can help make the refreshments disappear!

It's a Small World After All

Although ironically, that was the only ride that was closed when we went to Disneyland last week. They're doing an extensive remodel this year. I was concerned that my son would be disconsolate (since "Boat Ride" was his favorite on our last trip to Mickey Mouse country). Fortunately, he found a new favorite ride in Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. We must have gone on the ride at least 10 times. My oldest daughter liked it too. The youngest didn't seem to have an opinion one way or the other. In fact, my son was still talking about the ride today (specifically, that he wanted to go on it again).

It was an interesting trip in many ways. I really enjoyed the first two days (the second day was my wife's birthday). The third day was awful. The fourth day was a little bit better, but still kind of blah. The fifth day, I recovered a bit. The sixth day, we came home. I can tell that I'm getting older. This is the first time that I've ever been glad to come home from Disneyland.

When I was younger, I would go to Disneyland with my mother from time to time. I always wondered why she would often sit and "people watch" while I went on the rides. Now that I am getting into my 30's, I am beginning to understand. To quote the immortal Indiana Jones, "It's not the years. It's the mileage." I was pretty wiped out a couple of days, while the kids were still raring to go. Of course, the extra poundage I'm carrying around these days doesn't help any. I really need to get on the weight loss program, and work off some of that delicious, hi-fat, low-nutrition food that I ate on vacation. :)

Oh, and we got to go on one more "ride" on the way back on Saturday. Descending into the airport, we hit a patch of turbulence. Airplane travel doesn't usually bother me, but my stomach ended up partway up my throat, while my head was down where my stomach usually is.

Still, all in all, a good vacation. I am looking forward to going back to work tomorrow and sift through the mountain of email that will be waiting for me. I'm thinking we might even go back to Disneyland when the kids are of a more appropriate age.

Early 2012, perhaps.

A Daddy's Reward Moment

As those of you who are parents know, it can be the toughest job you'll ever love. There is much of frustration, irritation, tiredness, and endless demands. But there are also those handful of moments that make it all worth it. I had one of those moments tonight.

I had just finished putting my two girls (ages 4 1/2 and 19 months) down for the night, and snuggling them into bed. I told them I loved them. I then poked my head above the youngest's crib and said, "I love you. Good night." She looked at me with a neutral expression for a moment, and then smiled, showing me all four of her teeth on the top. She raised her right hand, waved at me, and said "Bye!" in her little toddler voice. Excuse me for a moment while my heart melts.

As frustrating as they can be at times, I wouldn't send them back for the world. Or as my Grandpa so eloquently put it, "I wouldn't sell you for a million dollars, and I wouldn't pay a nickel for another one just like you."