Its been such a long time since I've been on the boards I thought I would just check up on everyone and see how you all have been, what you've been up to and accomplishing in the magic world, and what you've been working on lately?

Love to hear from all of you!

I've been getting my name out there. 5 shows this weekend.

Wow, 5 shows-- sounds like your name is getting out there! Congratulations!!!

School is a bummer and time consumer, but I try to perform as much as I can. I did a large show (35+ kids 20+ adults) back in December for my local synagogue; this was the second large show I did for them. About two weeks later I did a 5 year old B-day party - the parents saw me at the large show and liked me.

Since then I have pretty inactive. I got hired to do a show for this past Tuesday for a very large show at a different synagogue. They called about a month ago to book me, but they canceled on me about 2 weeks ago because not enough people were going to attend.

You win some, you lose some...

I got my Associates degree in Sociology back in December and now working on my Bachelors. School's been really rough this semester...extremely busy...between school, magic, and music, I haven't had a free weekend since Mid December...after this weekend my calendar is lightening up a bit...I can't wait! I'm ready for a break!

I turned 21 in February...but never got to celebrate due to the reasons mentioned above...ah well...Winter Carnival of magic was last weekend. I had a blast up there in Pigeon Forge TN with tons of great friends. Usually I'm the one playing jokes and pranks on my friends, but boy did they all sure get me good on the last night..it practically turned into the Roast of Kyle Jarrard and I was the butt of jokes all night in the Ramada lobby! I love my friends lol!


How have you and your family been Kristen?

Congrats Kyle on both your degree and turning 21! Each is its own right of passage. ^_^ Sounds like you deserve a much needed break; I'm glad you are going to be taking one soon.

Our family is doing very well thank you! My daughter has not been performing, not for lack of offers. As much as the entire family loves magic, academics come first. Our daughter was hoping to open up her booking calendar this year for the first time during the school year, but she just couldn't with her academic load. She is taking too many honors classes and the curriculum is pretty rigid. The good news is she is carrying over a 4.0 and although she is just a sophomore, she is getting a ton of colleges expressing interest in her.

She did do a cool project just recently though. She acted as a "hostess" of sorts via video for a school event fundraiser. They needed a magician so she did a bunch of video clips they are going to put into a school video and show at a fundraiser on one of those big screens.

The sad news is she only committed to do one large show this year. Again, not for lack of offers, but because our old Victorian house is in dire need of some repairs this summer. With all the time we have devoted to her magic the last few years we have gotten behind on our renovations. Perhaps once the summer gets started and we see just how much we are dealing with at home we can open it back up. I just want to be sure that any show she does is given 100% of our attention and not suffer because of other obligations.

Other than that, life has been continuing on as normal. One bit of exciting news-- my husband entered his first close-up contest tonight and won first place. My daughter and I were very proud of him. He did a great job.

Thanks for checking in Kyle. You make sure you take care of yourself--- be careful not to burn out and take a breather when you need it!

All the best to you,

Kristen

Ayli, I know school can be a bummer, but hang in there. School really does need to be a priority. Just remember that summer will be here soon and you can dedicate all the time you want to your magic then. ^_^

I'm glad you got a call back this year! That should have definitely made you feel good. Call backs are the best type of job to get IMHO.

Keep up the hard work, both in school and magic, and you will continue to build a name and reputation for yourself!

All the best to you,

Kristen

I love it when you post Kristen. Makes coming to the forum worth while.

Hey Maloney,

How did your big weekend of show's go?

Ted

Why thank you Maloney.

Kristen, I unfortunately have been remiss keeping in contact. My father passed away in November of last year. It has been a struggle for me to re-focus...ever since. You can read more about my dad on my blog.

I also have been recovering from surgery for the past month, so again I have not had much time for magic.

I keep hopeful that this year will be better.

I am so very sorry, you have my deepest sympathies. I know how difficult it is to lose someone you dearly love. It is of little comfort, but in time the loss does lessen and then you are only left with wonderful memories.

I am also very sorry to hear about your health. I hope that your recovery is short and you are back on your feet soon. I will say a prayer for you that the year ahead brings you nothing but happiness & joy. God bless!

^_^ Kristen

Thanks Kristen, your words of encouragement are always so helpful.

One thing I forgot to mention. I will once again be the Magic Specialist at a day camp that I worked at last summer. Basically I will be teaching kids grades 2-6 magic two days a week. I absolutely love working there, and they pay VERY nicely which is a plus of course.

That would have to be pretty cool to be a Magic Specialist at camp.

The residential camp I work at in PA doesn't have magic as an activity. Maybe I will suggest it in the summer for introduction next year or the year after.

They start tonight, Ted.