Nothing Much Else Happened: December 30, 1978

Today was a really bad day. It's too bad I had to end a perfectly good end-of-the-year with this. I ahd to do my magic show for Dan Kramon without Sean. Unfortuneately, it is the worst show I've ever done — mainly because of the audience! They were dead through the whole thing and didn't clap or laugh through the whole thing. It was absolutely the worst thing that could happen to a magician. When I called up Sean after the show, he was shocked and apalled at what had happened.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 31, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 28, 1978

Today I would like to talk about tomorrow, the next day, and the next day. Tomorrow, Lisa Rogne has invited me to go to Sea World with her, and we will be doing that all day tomorrow. The day after tomorrow I will be giving a magic show — only this one will be a little different because Sean has to work and I have to do the show alone. (I don't know if I like that) The next day, the last day of the year, Colette Matthews will be coming over, and she will spend New Years with us and New York's times square.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 29, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 18, 1978

Today I worked on my hardest magic illusion for tomorrow's performance. The Zombee is probably the hardest effect I have ever attempted, and my parents think I am very brave even to try to do that trick with such a risk of exposing it. Tomorrow, Sean will be coming over by bus with all his magic, we will run through the show once, and then we will be on our way for another $20.00. So far, through my savings, I now have $12.59. Sean and I are getting ready for the big magic shopping spree!

***

I resist as much as possible to comment on these entries, but ... God, what a geek.

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 19, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 17, 1978

Today I feel like a Las Vegas star and I'm sure Sean does, too. We just finished a show and we already have another job in 2 days! Also, when we were over at Lee's after the show on Friday, she got a call while we were there from a guy who's son had a birthday party coming up on the 30th. So it looks like we're really rollin'. By the way, Sean's brother, Kannyn, and his sister, Tracie, came down for Christmas with Sean and their Dad, Michael.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 18, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 15, 1978

Today was a very busy day. I got up at my normal 5:15 A.M. and got myself off to school. When I got there a girl named Elinor Schwimmer gave me a big giftwrapped canister for a Christmas present. After second period, Dad picked me up and I came home. Sean and I put everything in bags and everything went into the car. We got up to the school about 12:00, set up, and we were ready to do the show at 12:35. It ran very smoothly, except for my "Zombee," and Sean's chain escape.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 16, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 13, 1978

Today I received my first Christmas present. It was from the Kelley's next door. It is shaped like a little toothpaste tube (even though I know it isn't -- or I hope not!). Sean and I confirmed are plans about the show on the 15th and this is how it will work: Sean will come over here tomorrow. Then he will spend the night and I will go to school for the first 2 periods on Friday. Then come home, go up to the Elementary school and do the show. Tonight, I had my first magic lesson, and suddenly I started sneezing and feeling feverish. It turns out I got the flu, but just a slight case.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 33 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 14, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: December 1, 1978

Today is the beginning of the final month. I have no made 334 entries not including this one, and now there are only 31 left. The work in school is beginning to get heavier since the end of school is nearing from Christmas vacation (only 2 weeks). I recieved my first Christmas present today — from the Kelly's next-door. We won't put up our Christmas tree till the 20th or around there somewhere. Tonight Sean came over and spent the night. Tomorrow we will be practicing for our show on the 15th.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: December 2, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: November 26, 1978

Today I got to talking with Sean about future shows. I said, "Sean, we've got to get together on weekends once-in-a-while to keep in practice so our shows won't be like the one up in Idyllwild." That show was lousy because we had not been able to get together and practice so, I'm hoping that next weekend — if everything goes right — we will get together and practice for the upcoming magic show at Marquez Elementary school. Have I told you? It's going to be for my next-door neighbor's daughter's class.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: November 27, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: November 6, 1978

Today was back-to-school after a long, hard and fun weekend (even though the magic show wasn't very good). By the way, yesterday, I bought some good magic from Sean. I got a neat little trick called "Needle through the balloon" (which is self-explanatory). I got my first escapes: the "Shangri-La Shackles", which is a rope escape, and a chain escape done with heavy shackles. The total cost of all the tricks together was $18.50. (I've been saving my money) Well only 10 days until the first quarter of school is over — and only 39 days until Christmas Vacation!

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: November 7, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: November 5, 1978

Today (after, last night, being brought back to the school, having Mom pick me up, having a quick Colonel Sanders dinner, driving over and being dropped off at Sean's house, practicing our magic until 1:00 in the morning, finally going to sleep and getting up around 7:00 AM, and having breakfast), we went to Idyllwild. We got up there at 10:30 AM, went over to one of Sean's old friend's house, got set up and did our worst magic show ever. We hadn't practiced enough. Anyway, after doing the show, we came back home, and here I am after a hard weekend back in bed.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: November 6, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: October 30, 1978

Today I thought I might tell you about how the magic business is coming. Lousy! I was figuring on telling you this because we were supposed to be doing a magic show for the people next door for their daughter's birthday. Unfortuneately, the party was cancelled, and with it the Magic Show. But, it's just as well, because Sean and I never got around to practicing. But, we do have 2 definite dates coming up on the 5th of November in Idyllwild, and on the 15th of December for Marquez Elementary School.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: October 31, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: October 26, 1978

Today when I got home from school, I did absolutely nothing but work on my magic. I made arrangements for Sean to come over here on November 17 to spend the night and then spend all Saturday working on our magic. When I got off the phone, I went right back to my book, "Magic with Cards", which is the only book I have ever used, and I've been using it for 3 years. I learned a new trick. It's called aces follow aces. My mom and Dad think I'm really becoming a good magician and will have a good chance of becoming a professional. But, I still love baseball!

***

You can see the "Aces Follow Aces" sleight-of-hand performed here. I had no recollection of doing this trick, but as soon as I watched this kid (maybe he's 13 too?) perform it, I spotted how it was done.

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: October 27, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: October 22, 1978

Today was a lot of fun. Dad, Sean and I went to an annual magic show at the variety arts theatre called "It's Magic". It features some of the greatest magicians and illusionists in the world. Sean particularly liked these people who did an act with ladies who turn into animals and all that junk. But, my favorite was not even magic. These expert crossbowists were doing all sorts of amazing stunts with crossbows — including cutting a string in half, and knocking an apple off a lady's head.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: October 23, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: October 4, 1978

Today was opening day of the Playoffs between Philadelphia and the one and only Los Angeles Dodgers. And, of course, the Dodgers wiped the Phillies out, 9-5. Unfortuneately, I couldn't watch the whole game because Sean and I had to go to the magic club at the magic palace, where we buy our tricks, and perform some magic. Sean did an amazing chain escape, which he made himself, and I did "color-changing silks".

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: October 5, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 23, 1978

Today, Sean (who spent the night over and I started out the great day by coming out to the bowling alley and watching me bowl. Today was Sweepstakes day, and I didn't bowl good enough to get any prizes. I had a 107, a 113 and a 130. (I've had better days) Next, after coming home, Sean got into our outfit and went across the street to do a . . . . . magic show! They loved it! (It was Neil Bailord's birthday party) We made only $8, but I know it's the start of something big!

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: September 24, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 17, 1978

Today in Sunday School we had a substitute teacher: Mr. Jasper Thompson. I've told you about him before. He's one of the neatest guys I ever met. He's always telling us stories about his job as a chaplain. I thought it was interesting that so many poeple in prisons and in jails could be so interested in Christian Science. Well, we got our first job as magicians, Sean and I. Next Saturday, at Neil Bailord's birthday party, we will be performing a magic show. Our name is M.A.G.I.C. We don't know what it stands for yet.

***

We eventually figured out what it stood for: Magic And Great Illusions Company.

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

To view the next day click: September 18, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 16, 1978

Today was the first day (for me) for Junior League Bowling in over 4 months. I bowled alright with a 105, a 125, and a 130. I bowled with my old partner, John Derby, and he seemed to be better than he was last year. After bowling, I walked over to Sean's Dad's place, where I met Sean who had just gotten out of bed — at 11:00 A.M.! Well, we went down to the "Magic Palace" and I bought two tricks: The "guillotine" and the "Silk Serenade".

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

To view the next day click: September 17, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 15, 1978

Today Sean called me up and asked if I wanted to come over Saturday and start buying magic tricks. Well, how could I say no! I had saved up $7.50, and so had he, so after Junior League bowling (which, by the way, I'm starting again this week), I will walk over to his house and then we will both go down to the "magic palace" — which is the magic shop, — watch the magic show, and afterwards by some tricks.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

To view the next day click: September 16, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 9, 1978

Today I will continue the story of Sean. We did magic together for about a year, then when I moved to Pacific Palisades, I stopped. Fortuneately, he kept going. By the time he moved down here, he was twice as good as me. He moved down about 3 weeks ago because if he stayed up there, he would of had to have a 45 minute busride down to the Junior High School. Here, he only has to walk about 6 blocks. I'm glad he moved down because now he is my best friend.

***

Sean had moved from Idyllwild.

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: September 10, 1978

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Nothing Much Else Happened: September 8, 1978

Today one of my old friends, Sean McCrae, called me up. He's been my friend since 1974, when we began magic. In '75, we did our first performance — for some second graders. They loved it! Next week, I was already working on my next trick and probably my best. I would hang from our staircase and get out of a chain, some rope, and two jackets, one backwards. I did it in about 45 seconds. But we never got around to do it for an audience. Well, anyway, he's moved down here, and we're gonna start our magic again.

***

All punctuation and spelling has been retained precisely as I wrote it 32 years ago at age 13.

What's this all about? This is what it's all about.

To view the next day click: September 9, 1978

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