Thrilled to be recognized as the "Best of the Industry" for Entertainment by the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events. Back when my company was known as Miracle Magic Entertainment.

Holding the center and entertaining the masses at a holiday event at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco

The stage is set! Mentalism performance for a 60th birthday party at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. Most of the audience flew in from Chicago that afternoon to surprise the guest of honor.

Entertaining at an corporate incentive weekend in Santa Barbara

Cocktail reception for corporate incentive weekend in Santa Barbara

Yet another corporate incentive weekend for one of my favorite planners. This time at the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale, in Arizona

Entertaining as part of a team of international stars of magic in Las Vegas

Opening reception for corporate conference in Sonoma.

An intimate fundraising event in our home for my son's elementary school. Couples purchased tickets to an evening of wine, cheese, and magic.

Watch this blog for more magic in 2016!

Big thanks to John Southwell, San Jose Marriott's GM, for the kind words.

Always a treat to be part of your events, John!

Back in 2013, I entertained at the annual gala for Silicon Valley National Association for Catering and Events. Had a great time and made some new friends.

Last night I was booked on an event by the past president of the SV NACE Chapter and before I took the stage, she presented me with this award for Best of the Industry 2014.

Had no idea and it caught me completely by surprise. Flattered and honored. Thanks, SV NACE!

Great little article at inc.com about 7 successful entrepreneurs who started out as magicians. Some of them even keep up with it.

http://www.inc.com/anna-hensel/ss/entrepreneurs-who-started-out-as-magicians.html

“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.”

— Neil Armstrong

I'm often asked if I know how all the magic works. If I were to see something performed, would I know how the secret. Sometimes yes, sometimes not.

So, let me introduce you to a beautiful mystery of the Piddington's -- a performance they gave over the radio, mind you. The Ugly Truth behind it is only a click away. I choose to #wonder about it. How about you?

Do let me know what you decide.

“...we suggest that people insist on experiencing more everyday awe, to actively seek out what gives them goose bumps...”

— From Why Do We Experience Awe by Paul Piff and Dacher Keltner

Read the entire article at NY Times.

“Actually, many, many times I am given this photo to autograph it. And I never do. I don’t want to have anything to do with that. And also out of respect for Jayne Mansfield because she’s not with us anymore.”

— Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren is the most beautiful and elegant woman on the plant. What class.

They broke the mold after my wife came along. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

Read the whole story behind this famous photo here.

I grew up watching reruns of The Rockford Files but never realized how much of an impression Garner made on me until I read his obit. That's the way it goes sometimes.

“Mr. Garner disdained the pretentiousness of the acting profession. “I’m a Methodist but not as an actor,” he wrote in “The Garner Files.” “I’m from the Spencer Tracy school: Be on time, know your words, hit your marks, and tell the truth. I don’t have any theories about acting, and I don’t think about how to do it, except that an actor shouldn’t take himself too seriously, and shouldn’t try to make acting something it isn’t. Acting is just common sense. It isn’t hard if you put yourself aside and just do what the writer wrote.”

— James Garner

Precisely the way I was taught to approach the profession and the craft of acting. And it certainly informs me a magician, as well.

“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

— Mark Victor Hansen