HAPPY NEW YEAR – it’s hard for me to wrap my brain around 2013, but here it is.  Cindy and I brought the new year in quietly and at home.  I’ve been home a lot these last few weeks as a result of my shoulder reconstruction.  Things are moving along well and I should be good-to-go for our first performances later this month

Even though I’ve been home, I have been busy.  I successfully completed my Certification in Autism Studies and I’m working now on getting registered as a Qualified Autism Services Practitioner.  I also had another research paper published, this time in the Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education.  We are moving forward with additional research projects this spring and will be collaborating with one of our colleagues in Belfast on a “hand therapy” project.  It should be very interesting.

We’ve added some new illusions to the show as well.  I’m always excited when we can incorporate new magic into the show.  We are a bit slower than most when it comes to this.  Perhaps, we just want everything to be perfect before we put it on the stage in front of a live audience.  The Invisible Lady is turning into one of our favorite illusions – a great twist at the end!

And then there’s some of our favorites – especially the “Spikes of Doom” with a bog volunteer from the audience!  This picture is from our last performance.  This young man stepped in AFTER the first boy ran from the stage when he saw the spikes!

Several of the illusions also have a very personal connection, like this one.  It was created by u best first in magic, Andre Kole.  He gave Doug Henning permission to perform the illusion (the prop in the picture) and then Andre passed it along to us.  There’s a lot of history in this illusion!

I’m working hard this week with my physical therapists to get ready for the tour to begin.  I’ll be in New York City this weekend for a series of meetings and then we’re off to Boston for our first shows of 2013!