Greetings one and all,
I am just getting home for the South Carolina Early Childhood Conference where I had the opportunity to perform for several kindergarten classes as well as lecture to several educators. I had a great time and want to say "hello" to any who went to the lecture that might be reading this. If anyone has any questions about the magic routines/tricks that you learned about, don't hesitate to ask!
Well, on to the second part of the blog title, "New Additions." One the way home I stopped at a Burger King to get a healthy meal consisting of a classic chicken sandwich, a medium fry, a sprite and then a lovely chocolate milkshake. As I was leaving I saw a sign for a pet store called "Pet Safari" so on impulse I turned in - for those who have seen my elementary reading show, you know I like strange animals! As it turns out, the store had recently gotten in two new critters that I just happened to be searching for for the upcoming show for this summer and next school year for the "Catch the Reading Bug" theme. What were they you ask? I'm glad you asked, I'll tell you - they were two large Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches! I quickly bought them both and am now pleased to announce the addition of the two newest members of my magical safari friends.
They are quite friendly and make a lovely hissing noise when you touch them on the back! Very cool! It sounds very much like a snake. Right now they are moving around in there little box and probably eating the carrot that was placed in there - yes, carrots are their most favorite food!
Pictures will be posted shortly! Everyone have a great day!
Chad
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
"On the Road Again..."
Greetings once again blog readers!
As many of you know I travel all over the place performing at schools and libraries. I consider something an hour away as "close." With all that time in the car, one must come up with creative ways to stay awake during those early morning drives and late or slow afternoon trips home. I have come up with several ways to stay awake and I shall now share them with you.
1. For early mornings, my first defense is breakfast. I eat while driving, so as soon as I feel tired it's time to go to the nearest McDonald's drive-thru.
2. After breakfast, there is the snack food - which, 99% of the time, is pop tarts.
3. Finally, once those two options are exhausted, you can try the radio - but that depends on whether you are in the middle of nowhere.
4. Last, it's time to bring out the secret weapon that works any time of the day and any day of the week - sunflower seeds. No, not the ones that are already out of the shell, but the ones in the shell that you have to work at to get open and then you spit out the shell into a cup or empty water bottle. Yes, it will keep you awake and active. I have actually gotten full on sunflower seeds before - and it takes a lot. They come in different flavors, bar-b-que being one of my favorites, but also including sour cream and onion, original, salsa, and I'm sure there are others.
Of course, during the summer, I have my assistant and cousin, Morgan, to drive for me so that I can go to sleep - then we swap off. Although sometimes her driving makes it difficult to go to sleep - but don't tell her that - I already have!
So there you have it - yet another aspect in the life of the educational entertainer.
An extra note*** Today I was in White County performing and saw snow and several snowmen in people's yards. We here in Augusta had no accumulation, but it was nice to see some snow on the way to the show! Thankfully school was not cancelled!
As many of you know I travel all over the place performing at schools and libraries. I consider something an hour away as "close." With all that time in the car, one must come up with creative ways to stay awake during those early morning drives and late or slow afternoon trips home. I have come up with several ways to stay awake and I shall now share them with you.
1. For early mornings, my first defense is breakfast. I eat while driving, so as soon as I feel tired it's time to go to the nearest McDonald's drive-thru.
2. After breakfast, there is the snack food - which, 99% of the time, is pop tarts.
3. Finally, once those two options are exhausted, you can try the radio - but that depends on whether you are in the middle of nowhere.
4. Last, it's time to bring out the secret weapon that works any time of the day and any day of the week - sunflower seeds. No, not the ones that are already out of the shell, but the ones in the shell that you have to work at to get open and then you spit out the shell into a cup or empty water bottle. Yes, it will keep you awake and active. I have actually gotten full on sunflower seeds before - and it takes a lot. They come in different flavors, bar-b-que being one of my favorites, but also including sour cream and onion, original, salsa, and I'm sure there are others.
Of course, during the summer, I have my assistant and cousin, Morgan, to drive for me so that I can go to sleep - then we swap off. Although sometimes her driving makes it difficult to go to sleep - but don't tell her that - I already have!
So there you have it - yet another aspect in the life of the educational entertainer.
An extra note*** Today I was in White County performing and saw snow and several snowmen in people's yards. We here in Augusta had no accumulation, but it was nice to see some snow on the way to the show! Thankfully school was not cancelled!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Some Funny Pictures!
Here are some more pictures from my show in Alma, GA. They were taken by the media specialist there, Ms. McDonald. I thought they would give everyone a good laugh - no one can say that my show is low energy! Both the students and the teachers were a great audience and even better volunteers! If any of you who are reading this have pictures from a show - feel free to email them to me and I will definitely post them for your viewing pleasure!
Posing with my "strong" volunteer
My volunteer using all his strength to strap me in
Me using all my strength to try and get out in time!
It has been said that I should have been a sumo wrestler....
So, if you want a high impact, no holds barred educational extravaganza - now you know where to find it - right here.
*Optional straitjackets in children's sizes for those unruly students* JUST KIDDING!
Have a great day everyone!
Chad
A Long Awaited Update!
Greetings Everyone!
I have been terrible about updating my blog, so let me catch everyone up on the last several months! The school year has been extremely busy both at elementary schools and middle and high schools. With the addition of the "Authors of Mystery and Horror" program that I have posted about in earlier blogs, my October, November and January of this year have been extremely busy - and that's a good thing! I have already booked up a large portion of next October and now have booked the first program for January 2009 as well as booking some libraries already for the summer of 2009 also!
As a former middle and high school teacher, I have really enjoyed being able to perform for this age range - they are a great group and are often overlooked. After completing a show at a middle school in Greenville, SC this week, I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes at the end of the day in the Media Center, where they had many of the books and authors I highlight in my show on display. Students came in one after another and grabbed the books off the shelf, and the media specialist told me that some of those students have hardly ever checked out books from the library - much less books on Poe! And that is the reason that I perform the show - to encourage students to check out the classics of mystery and horror - because they are classics for a very good reason.
My little girl Reagan is also doing great! She is sitting up and rolling over and a tooth is trying to come in as well! She is growing so fast! Christmas was extra special this year with her as part of the family! Here is a picture:
I have been terrible about updating my blog, so let me catch everyone up on the last several months! The school year has been extremely busy both at elementary schools and middle and high schools. With the addition of the "Authors of Mystery and Horror" program that I have posted about in earlier blogs, my October, November and January of this year have been extremely busy - and that's a good thing! I have already booked up a large portion of next October and now have booked the first program for January 2009 as well as booking some libraries already for the summer of 2009 also!
As a former middle and high school teacher, I have really enjoyed being able to perform for this age range - they are a great group and are often overlooked. After completing a show at a middle school in Greenville, SC this week, I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes at the end of the day in the Media Center, where they had many of the books and authors I highlight in my show on display. Students came in one after another and grabbed the books off the shelf, and the media specialist told me that some of those students have hardly ever checked out books from the library - much less books on Poe! And that is the reason that I perform the show - to encourage students to check out the classics of mystery and horror - because they are classics for a very good reason.
My little girl Reagan is also doing great! She is sitting up and rolling over and a tooth is trying to come in as well! She is growing so fast! Christmas was extra special this year with her as part of the family! Here is a picture:
Her Hello Kitty bowl was her favorite Christmas present! She ignored the rest!
Well, I hear Reagan waking up right now - so this blog must come to an end!
Stay tuned for some hilarious pictures from an elementary show down in south Georgia!
Have a great day!
Chad
Monday, August 6, 2007
Summer Library Season Comes to an End
Greetings everyone,
It has been a while since I posted a blog on my blogsite. I have been very busy with the summer library season, with almost 90 shows in 2 months! And even more importantly, my wife and I have just had our first baby - a little girl named Reagan, who was born on May 20th. She was a month early and she only weighed 5.1 lbs but she has now doubled in size and is as healthy as could be!
Now I am enjoying being a stay-at-home-dad for a few weeks before the school season really picks up. Reagan and I enjoy dancing to oldies music and other silly things. Having a child is real magic!
Well, to give everyone an update, we are now booked up for the summer of 2008 and are now accepting reservations for the summer of 2009! I have been blessed to be able to do something that I love to do and have gotten lots of great comments from librarians and others who have seen the show - and I have as much fun as the kids do when I'm performing for them!
I am already hard at work on next year's show, but I won't spill the beans yet on what will be in it - it should be lots of fun though!
Well, everyone have a great day and check back for more blogs in the near future!
Magically
Chad
Friday, March 23, 2007
Houdini's Death Revisited!
Greetings one and all!
It appears that the mystery surrounding Houdini's death has grown since the biography was written that I mentioned in my earlier blog. Some of Houdini's family want his body dug up so that they can have it tested to see if Houdini may have been poisoned - and the suspects are the Spiritualist (think psychics, fortune tellers, etc.). And, if you have seen my "Authors of Mystery and Horror Show" this past year, you know that the most outspoken Spiritualist was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame. It is an interesting theory to say the least - if you are interested in reading the news article you can do so by clicking here.
I also encourage everyone who may be interested to read the new biography on Houdini - it is quite fascinating!
Have a great day!
It appears that the mystery surrounding Houdini's death has grown since the biography was written that I mentioned in my earlier blog. Some of Houdini's family want his body dug up so that they can have it tested to see if Houdini may have been poisoned - and the suspects are the Spiritualist (think psychics, fortune tellers, etc.). And, if you have seen my "Authors of Mystery and Horror Show" this past year, you know that the most outspoken Spiritualist was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame. It is an interesting theory to say the least - if you are interested in reading the news article you can do so by clicking here.
I also encourage everyone who may be interested to read the new biography on Houdini - it is quite fascinating!
Have a great day!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
One of the Most Asked Questions....
Greetings,
As a "magical educator" I get asked lots of questions. I just recently performed at two schools - one with my "Exotic Animal Science Show" and the other just "Fun Show" for a PTA Festival. At both shows I had my snake, or snakes (at the science show), and I get asked lots of questions after my shows. Of course, I tell the kids ahead of time that they can't ask me how I do my magic tricks, because a magician can never reveal his/her secrets.
However, there is one question that always amuses me and gets a good chuckle, and it goes something like this: "Is that snake (that I am holding or have around my neck) poisonous?"
I get asked this question more than almost any other question. Now for those of you who aren't aware - I use a ball python and also a cornsnake in my science/safari show and, no, neither are poisonous! They do not have fangs, nor do they eat people.
The really funny thing is - adults ask the question just as much as the children do! I guess that I am simply one adventurous looking dude! But I regret to inform everyone that I will not be adding a poisonous snake to my show anytime soon!
But there's always the tarantula and scorpion.... :)
Have a great day!
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