Back on the street • The show must go on

With some beautiful weather here lately I worked the market both yesterday and today. I'll do it again tomorrow. Also worked the Fenix Underground last night. I was feeling in a bit of a funk yesterday, I thought that the best way I could make myself feel better was to make someone else feel better. It worked. I connected with my audiences, I paused, I didn't step on my jokes or my magical moments. Today's shows were even better, I got up on that newspaper box and did my show the way I like to do it. It's a fucking spectacle man. . . I love it.

In 9 days, I will compete in the close up contest at the World Magic Seminar. I think I will dedicate the performance to my mom, who was always my biggest fan. I love contests and auditions and making performances matter. With a twinkle in my eye and some spring to my step, I work though yet another devastating heart break. I got a call today and the number that came up on my cell was Mom Cell. For a moment I was in the Twilight Zone then it kicked into voice mail.

Sylvester The Jester

Ritchie

Full Size • Click Here

Day after the funeral

Not sure why, but I found the need to go back to the cemetery the next day. Guess I wanted to make sure they covered her up. I also wanted a few private moments to say goodbye without all the commotion of the previous day.



Took another short stroll and visited the final resting place of my sister Margie. Oh well.

Our suite at the Mirage

We enjoyed a two bedroom suite with ajoining dining room and living room. Here's peek at part of the Master Bedroom's Bath.

Nice ey?

Vegas Smokes

Farley brought a exceptional selection of cigars. As you might imagine, I puffed up, day and night! Between those, and the ones Willie was getting me from the Casino, I felt like I hit the jackpot!

Classic Moment with Adrie Matthews

Video Clip • Click Here

In the limo to the airport in Vegas

Will & Harvey

Superbowl 40 Vegas Trip 2006

What can I say, I had a great time. I didn't get the bad news till I was on my way to the airport on the flip side. Thanks to all my many friends who helped me. As for the party boys of rock n roll Harvey Weinstein, Will Waxler and the rest of the Rat Pack of serious gamblers, I must say a good time was had by all. The weather was beautiful, and so were the women. One afternoon I went for a swim. Another evening Harvey, Farley and I went to see the Penn & Teller show at the Rio. (Thank you JR for the hook up! I appreciate it.) The show was great, as I knew it would be. I'm a big Penn & Teller fan! I was treated to some of my favorite older routines as well as seeing some for the first time like the flag burning piece. All in all a top notch show in a nice theater (with theater seating)



I also enjoyed having dinner with Mike and Lisa Close. What a great couple. To me they represent what's good in marriage. Mike entertained my pals with some great card magic and they raved about it for days. Mike and Lisa were kind enough to give me one of Mike's music CD's as well as the Workers Series on disk. VERY NICE!!! Thanks you for your friendship and generosity. I shared with Mike the first time I ever saw him work was at a National IBM Convention in 1980 in Evensville, Indiana. Mike will go a lot further than the most magicians to fool you. He artfully weaves together ideas and themes, he does it with great poise and a unique sense of humor. I've aways been a Mike Close fan and was honored to be able to spend as much time as we did together in the early days at Illusions.



Buy Mike Close Music & Magic • Click Here

Buy this CD!!! As good as he is at magic, his jazz piano takes me to another place.

Mike Close Quartet Sample Tune • Listen Click Here

Mourner's Kaddish

MOURNER'S KADDISH
An English Translation

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven



Originally published on 2/8/2006

Adrianne P. Matthews (nee Price) beloved wife of Norman. Loving mother of Caryn (Anders) Olsson, Michael Abraham HaLevy, Thomas Price Frank and the late Margery Porter. Devoted grandmother, Dear sister of JoAnn Burke. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 8 at 1 P.M. at the Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH. Friends who wish may contribute to the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3708 5th Ave., Medical Arts Bldg., Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Memorial services will be held in Cleveland, OH at a date and time to be announced. Arrangements under the direction of BERKOWITZ-KUMIN -BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL.
Funeral Home: Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz
Funeral Date: Feb. 8, 1 p.m.

Freebird

My mom wanted my brother to sing this at her funeral. It was a tasteful rendition.



Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.

Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it badly,
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you'll never change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.

(obviously he skipped the 10 minute jam portion of the song)

Spring Grove Cemetery

Spring Grove has been serving the Cincinnati community since 1845, Spring Grove is the second largest cemetery in the United States. Established as a non-profit cemetery in 1845, Spring Grove is a trusted part of Cincinnati’s history; serving the community with dignity and respect for over seven generations. Our city’s rich tradition and history is beautifully preserved among acres of towering trees, soothing lakes, and winding roadways. Cincinnati families from all walks of life including such notables as Taft, Kroger and Procter have entrusted Spring Grove to preserve their unique family history.

Spring Grove serves families representing all religions, cultures, and walks of life in a tradition of compassion, integrity, and excellence. With hundreds of undeveloped acres, Spring Grove will continue to provide future generations a place of beauty and respect to treasure the memories of those who have gone before.



Chartered in 1910, Oak Hill was established as a not-for-profit cemetery to serve historic Glendale. Now part of the Spring Grove Family, Oak Hill serves Tri-county and the surrounding communities building on a tradition of beauty and excellence.

Oak Hill maintains deep ties to the community embracing the rich history and heritage of Northern Cincinnati. Our staff is committed to helping families embrace the significance of individual lives and provide a beautiful place to treasure memories. Oak Hill serves families with dignity, integrity, and compassion - offering affordability and accessibility in the Spring Grove Family tradition.




And there's a shitload a dead people there.

CSN&Y

Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground,
Mother Earth will swallow you,
Lay your body down.

Don't want to go

Don't want to say good bye

Don't want to see dirt shoveled on your coffin

Don't want to forget what a wonderful person you were

What ever the fuck you did, you did all right. . . cause all of your kids turned out OK. . . . I guess

I think it's fair to say that your poor body was a freaking disease magnet

You would exhibit symptoms that would make doctors look at one another and say, "Jeez Pete, will ya look at that? I ain't never seen nuth'en that looked like that.

Even in the end, last week when we spoke on the phone you were complaining about have shingles on your head. Ouch.


I'm supposed to be at the cemetery in an hour. Is it bad form to not show up? There are some flights leaving tonight, I might be on one of them.


I don't know what to say

Broken Bicycles by Tom Waits • Listen Click Here

Broken bicycles, old busted chains
With rusted handle bars, out in the rain
Somebody must have an orphanage for
All these things that nobody wants any more
September's reminding July
It's time to be saying goodbye
Summer is gone, but our love will remain
Like old broken bicycles out in the rain

Broken bicycles, don't tell my folks
There's all those playing cards pinned to the spokes
Laid down like skeletons out on the lawn
The wheels won't turn when the other has gone
The seasons can turn on a dime
Somehow I forget every time
For all the things that you've given me will always stay
Broken, but I'll never throw them away

Adrie

Words cannot describe my mother, to call her a whack job would be an understatement. Always the patron of my art. To give you some idea, one year, actually 25 years ago this week when I was Buster's age (15) , I was supposed to be riding up to Columbus to the Magi-Fest. Shawn's car failed and my mom ended up driving us there, dropping us off at the hotel and driving back 100 miles back to Cincinnati, with Max the German Shepard.

I loved my mom a lot. I hope she knew that. I had a special gift that the other kids didn't. No matter how mad she was at me, or what crazy trouble I had got myself into, I somehow had the capability of making her laugh. I used this technique till the very end. I'm glad I could make my mom laugh.

My Mom Died

4 Months after her heart transplant, peacefully in her sleep she passed away.

I will miss her.

I found this out at the airport yesterday as I was leaving Vegas to come home to Seattle.

The Funeral is Wednesday, in Cincinnati.

So instead of flying back to Seattle, I bought a ticket to Cincinnati.

I don't know what I'm doing and I can't get a hold of anyone as I left my cell phone with Buster.

If you need to reach me, try calling Harvey's Cell, that number is 513.235.1314


This sucks!!! But as we spoke on the phone almost daily. . . .there was little left unsaid. . . . except maybe thanks.