We have punted!

It's a kick off.

Last night we preformed our annual season kick off show at the EV Free Church in Oroville, Ca...a benefit show for the youth group trip to Mexico to evangelize and build homes for needy folks there. Thus the show was called Magic for Mexico V! One of the biggest crowds ever to come. Largest number of little ones to come as well. (And with today's parents' lack of parenting skills that meant a bunch of kids who really had no self control or ability to sit still.) This lack of parental control has become a bigger and bigger issue with me as time marches on. Still in view of that, the show went well. We introduced a number of new things...some will stay in the show...some won't or will be revamped or rethought.
I will mention to my disappointment that none of the church leadership nor the youth leadership came. The youth were pretty much put under the lackadaisical overview of a couple of good meaning but skilless in youth motivation parents. This meant quite a few of the youth (whom this event is to benefit) goofed off.
Also the church had booked the building for the next day for a women's conference and these organizers were not generous or at best reluctant to share space and at least one gentleman give into the stress of it all and being far from a Christian in his reactions and words. I mention this because it is hypocritical of me to criticize the secular word and there progressive spin down the toilet and overlook people proclaiming Christ only to really represent the World. My philosophy is to lay it all bear so we (believer's) can never be accused of covering up, playing favorites, or hiding anything. It may not sit well with some "believers" but better to hear it from a brother than from a heathen.
All outward criticism aside I will turn the camera inward and say....a couple of the new effects didn't go over the way I hoped. The Firestarter routine needs more rehearsal and the show seemed to run a little long.
Good Friend and magician Bill Jackson did a magic routine that saluted the HEROs going to Mexico. It was a lot of fun. He also ran several spikes through his arm.
On a personal note one young lady from the youth group (who by clothing and actions seemed to have one foot firmly planted in the World) greeted me with, "You really need to shave and cut your hair...because, honestly, you look terrible. " I've know this kid and her parents for years and was shocked by her remarks. I talked with her about it but she seemed really not to care.
Bobbi the cockatoo was a hit. She was a last minute addition to the show (by my wife's insistence). She danced and and then performed her card trick....not finding the card but eliminating every other card but the chosen one....it was a hoot.
New items in the magic shoppe were a success infact a couple of items even sold out. Including Knife through dollar bill.
Cheers.