Buster has been enjoying a visit from his mom

Cricket and Larry arrived Wednesday afternoon. They took us out to dinner at Buca di Beppo that night. That was very nice of them and we all had a good time and a good meal. Yesterday Buster took his mom to The Seattle Center and the Observation Deck of the Space Needle.

She took this shot of him


And he took this shot of her

Transmental

Pulled out an oldie but a goodie last week at the Fenix and at the session. A beautiful little pocket trick from Viking Manufacturing Company called Transmental Gemsation. It's a little psychic trick that gets a great response. When I had my shop, I enjoyed selling them. The trick never really made it into my working repertoire, as I like to consider myself a bit of a sleight of hand purist. As I continue to try and refresh my material week after week, this one was a big hit! This one guy who has seen me half a dozen times said, "I like your sleight of hand and all, but this. . . I just don't understand". Cracks me up in a way. Whatever gets the job done, I suppose.

Confused

I just got off the phone with Max, Hope & Liam. Sounds like they had a nice Thanksgiving, I'm glad. I had asked Moira about seeing them for Thanksgiving or this weekend and she flat out denied me on both requests. I spoke to her briefly after talking to the kids. I asked her when she was going to grow up and start letting me see the kids more. She said, "Why don't you ask yourself?" Then she hung up on me. I'm confused. What does that mean. What am I going to ask myself? When I'm going to grow up and start allowing myself to see the kids more?

Friends have told me that she doesn't like my fight to see the kids. They have also told me that by stopping my casual pot use and completing the drug evaluation (that said I had no problem with drugs or alcohol), and next week completing the court ordered parenting classes, I am sending her a message that I am not going away. I'm still confused. What is this really all about.

I don't get it. I have nothing but love in my heart. I want to be with my kids and I will do whatever it takes. It's going on a year of this fight. I saw my kids more, when I wasn't fighting for overnight visitation and still smoking pot. Of course, she only lived a half hour away at that time as opposed to the 2 hours away, now that they live in Ellensburg.

Oh well.

Yesterdays Bird

This is the 19 pound turkey I prepared for Thanksgiving. It turned out perfect, If I do say so myself.



At the dinner table was Buster and myself as well as two guests my buddy "the mover" Kayma (he moved us here from Cincinnati, then moved me from the suburbs to downtown, then from downtown to Alki) and his helper Moez. A good time was had by all.

I miss my little sister Margie

Marjorie Kathleen Frank born June 6th, 1967 died tragically in a car accident November 24, 1985 she died on Thanksgiving.


My sister Caryn with baby Margie


Margie and my Mom

Margie Video Click Here

Margie got married when she was 16 years old. I was living in New York City at the time. I was invited to the wedding but did not attend as I did not approve of her decision. I have few regrets in my life, but that was one. At the time it was important to me to let her know how I felt. Now is doesn't matter. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl when she was 17. She died when she was 18.

I loved her so much, and now thinking about her and reliving the memory of her, my heart breaks and the tears flow freely. Here are two songs that my brother wrote that might bring her back to life for you.

This song Mike wrote and sang at her wedding. It's called "Isn't it lovely" Click Here

The next song he wrote after Margie and Gerry had their baby. Its called, "Nikki" Click Here


Here's a picture of Margie and Me when we were kids.

Happy Thanksgiving

After a year, Buster gets his hair cut, and dyed

Happy Birthday Nikki & Marshall!!!!

Today a couple of very special people in my life are celebrating their birthdays! Marshall Garrison (a pal from the old days, and son of Harry Garrison "The Smoke Ring King") and my niece Nicole Lynn Porter. Buster and I called them both and sang Happy Birthday to them.

Nikki turned 21 today. It's a bitter sweet story. While I'm sure she's happy to be celebrating her 21st birthday, it was 20 years ago (Thanksgiving) that my kid sister Margie. . . (Nikki's Mom) was killed in an automobile accident. This has always been a tough time of year for us all.

Here's a picture of Nikki I took years ago.

His new job

My first business card

The year was 1977. . . . 28 years ago, I was 12 years old. I took the bus up to Hyde Park Plaza where at Bell Printing I ordered my first business cards. I paid for them with proceeds from one of my early magic shows. Seems life a lifetime ago.

Monday Night

Last night Buster and I went to his school (The Nova Project) to meet with his coordinator. It was supposed to be a pot luck dinner for the parents, students and the coordinator, Joe. Well, there was no pot, and as luck would have it, there were only 2 other parents. I was the only one who brought anything and they seemed to appreciate the chips and dip.

Neither Buster or I wanted to be there. We wanted to be sitting in front to the TV, eating chicken wings and watching Monday Night Football, like we do every week. But after it was over, I was happy that we went. This school is such a TRIP! They really give ownership and responsibility of a kids education to the kid. Half the time I feel out of the loop, and I believe this is somewhat by design feeding into the school concept. So, these opportunities to find out what's going on are very important to me. The other two parents there were also interested in having some questions answered.

Buster is doing well in school and seems interested and motivated. We talk about what he's doing in school every night as we sit down at the dinner table; but it's nice to hear it from a school administrator as well.

Thanksgiving

It's been to cold to street perform, so I've been spending my days in the comfort of my home sitting in front of the computer trying to figure out how to pay next month's rent. I'm not really too worried about it. I always seem to make it happen. I pay all my bills except for my child support. If I could come up with that as well, I would pay it too. I send what ever I can each month but seeing as how Moira is sitting on a mountain of money. . . . I don't pressure myself to do the impossible. My ex-wife has had a serious spending addiction for as long as I've known her. With her new house and her new car and her new clothes her new dog and her live in lover, the kids don't want for anything. . . . . . except for maybe overnight visitations with their father.

I put in a call to her and the kids yesterday evening asking about Thanksgiving. Since she had the kids last year, I asked her, shouldn't I get them this year. My lawyer put that date in a letter weeks ago, but I've received no response and the kids did not call me back. No worries. I am full of love and refuse to get angry over this ongoing saga anymore.

Cricket, Buster's mom and my first wife/ex-wife called and said that she and her boyfriend (who will be here on Wednesday, from Cincinnati) will not be joining us for Thanksgiving Dinner at my home. They want to eat at the hotel and said that we could join them there if we wanted to . I asked Buster what he wanted to do and he wants me to cook. I'm a pretty good cook, If I do say so myself. I love cooking for the holidays. In both of my marriages I was the cook preparing most of the meals. Once again no worries. It makes me happy that Buster wants me to cook. Last year the two of us enjoyed a nice home cooked Thanksgiving Dinner. . . just the two of us. God it would be great to pick the kids up in Ellensburg, and bring them here for the day and night to celebrate the holiday. But alas, that just isn't going to happen. . . . yet. . . this year. I will continue to fight for what is right. With love in my heart and a smile on my face.

Interesting Opportunity

Last weekend while working at the Fenix , I met a group of people that work at the state prision on McNeil Island . There's a good chance that I may be working a holiday function there for the staff. The McNeil Island facility is an interesting place. It has the distinction of being the only prison in the U. S. that began as a territorial prison, became a federal penitentiary, and finally a state prison. It is also the last prison in America located on a small, remote island. McNeil Island, in Pierce County, is 2.25 miles wide and 3 miles long. It comprises approximately 4,400 acres, and lies 2.8 miles across Puget Sound from Steilacoom, the nearest town.



While talking with this rather large, bald correctional officer (who was on the Holiday Party Comitee), I expressed serious interest in doing a prison cell escape. He said that it would be impossible to do as you can't just open one cell door. A large lever at the end of the cell block opens all of the cell doors on that block. I told him nothing was impossible and that we needed to talk.



I am very excited about this unique opportunity. How do you spell "Publicity"!?

Kids Vid 11/20/05

Video Clip Click Here

In my "In Box"

A package came in Saturday's mail from London, England. I had sent an email while listening to the Eugene Burger interview on Radio Magic . I didn't realize I would get a prize. Very cool. Got a tiny deck of tarot cards and a magnifying glass. Pretty neat and unexpected.

Visit with my kids today

This morning Buster and I were up at 8AM and out by 9AM on our way to Ellensburg to visit with Max, Hope & Liam. Buster read to me on our 2 hour trip over the Cascade Mountains. He's reading 1984 for school. We had a great time with the kids. Walked around town a bit, went to McDonald's for lunch, played in the playland and went to a movie. The 5 hour visit went by far too fast. I've asked Moira on more than one occasion to let me pick the kids up earlier and keep them later, but for whatever reason I only get them from 11AM to 4PM. This sucks but I hope to move things forward through mediation soon.



We went to see Zathura a film the kids were excited about seeing. Liam and Hope both took a turn sitting in my lap when the movie got tense. I love my kids and miss them more than I could ever express. But I am accepting of my situation and at peace.



The trip home is always a little tough as I hate to say goodbye. I found out this visit that Moira had put Misty to sleep. Misty was the golden retriever that we got shortly after we were married. I trained that dog and she was a wonderful addition to our growing family. I haven't seen her in a couple of years with the restraining orders and all, but I will miss her.

Moira has already replaced the dog much like she has replaced me. Oh well. . .



Zathura (Video Clip Click Here)