A Few Changes

While this blog used to be the province of things related to life and magic, now it is mostly just things related to life. I was giving it some thought a while back and decided that my life was definitely out of balance. I know this blog is likely not a stopping place for readers anymore, since I have been remiss in updating it, but all I can say is that I am sorry.

I had this bit of introspection, and in the course of this inventory I found that my life had become really lopsided. I found that my waking hours were mostly taken up with thinking about magic. Then on toward lunchtime, where I'd find myself thinking about magic, and on to the afternoon hours where I'd be thinking about magic. Truly, sitting at a table readying to eat lunch, thinking what a great time it would be for a disappearing saltshaker, or whatever. Finally, in the evening, I'd be thinking about the Tuesday night session, or wondering where there might be a session that night. Understand, that in the world of magic, this is not unusual conduct at all. To the rest of the world though, this seems a bit obsessive.

I found, in the course of this introspection, that I'd left my music behind. I have played guitar for over thirty five years, and for the past year or so, I'd not given so much as an hour a day to practicing. This is not a good thing, and even more, this was not me. I have decided to take a break from magic, and spend some time with my guitars. I am playing again, and actually making some progress. I'd been on a plateau for some time, and the process of coming back to my music and 'getting my chops back,' had not only served to start me playing again, I am even improving! After a certain point in playing music, you are skilful enough to play the things you need, so making progress has to be driven from deep inside. After all, if you were an artisan, skilled in working and carving wood, there would be little incentive to learn something new in the trade. I was there, and plateaus are no fun. I am inspired again though, and there is something about it even more important.

I have time for other things in my life. I have time to talk to and think about my wife and sons. I have time to chat with my wife, read books, and give thought to many other things. Current events are current again. (No more, "He died? When? I didn't know he died.") I still have a deep interest in magic, but I'm not allowing it to take over my thoughts and life. I am involved in the lives of my friends again, and I think they are finding me more receptive to their situations. I am hoping that I will manage to take hold of my own life again, and teach myself to be interested but not obsessed. I do have things about which I am passionate, but I need to make sure that they are worth the time and concern. If they are things like family, faith and friends, they are worth the time and trouble. I need to fill my hours with things of worth, and keep hobbies in their right places.

That said, I am happy to have been asked to edit and proof some really good work lately. Jack Parker. a magician from the UK, who has been featured in several issues of Magic magazine, has been writing booklets lately. He has a great approach, whereby he is writing 'chapters' of what will be a nice notebook type book when he is finished. Each 'chapter' has a central theme, usually a move or sleight, and then over a dozen effects using that move. The whole thing is called 'Explorations,' and the first chapter was called, "Two Fer," denoting that this chapter is a two - for - one deal. There are two moves explained, and effects for both. It is a bargain, and if this chapter is indicative of the quality for thie project, this is a don't miss effort. I am glad to be associated with Jack Parker's work, and he is a guy to keep an eye on in the future. Great mind, there.

That's it for now, folks. If you don't mind, I'll leave you with a musical recommendation. Listen to some Phil Keaggy, he and Doyle Dykes are two of the best guitarists you've never heard. Thanks for sticking with me.