World War II Memorial Washington DC

God works in mysterious ways.  In April of 2004, I was visiting my parents the same day the World War II Memorial in Washington DC opened and we watched the opening ceremony together.  My father was quite excited about the memorial and I am sure that he longed to visit it, but his health did not allow him.  I told him that I would like to go and photo and video it, but I just never knew when the opportunity would present itself. Elaine and I would discuss vacations and trips and sometimes Washington DC would come up, but we just never decided on it.  Sadly, my father passed away two years ago, never having gone and I never went to show him photos and videos.  In the back of my mind somewhere, this always bothered me as unfulfilled mission of the worst kind as you just never know how long you will have in this world.

Three weeks ago, I get an email from the U.S. Department of State asking me to evaluate Middle East employment and entrepreneurship proposals.  At the end of the process, besides paying me for the work, they would fly me down to DC, put me up, and pay my expenses as there was a necessary meeting to discuss the proposals for possible funding.  An all expense paid trip to DC and getting paid on top?  God works in mysterious ways.

Once in DC with some precious free time, I met up with my cousin Mike and our first stop was the World War II Memorial.  My uncle Albert was in the military, too and Mike reminded me that our grandfather was a World War I veteran.  We arrived at the Memorial.

 This is the Atlantic side entrance signifying the war in the Atlantic theater.

 These tokens of expression to honor departed loved ones were throughout the Memorial

 Inside, looking towards the Pacific theater side

 My father was from Barnesboro, Pennsylvania

I was glad to see school children there.  Best history lesson in the world for why they have the freedom to enjoy what they have in life

 Now we move to the Pacific theater side

 This was the Park Service Building where one can get information and assistance

 My mother registered my father on the World War II Honoree website

 As many of you know, my father was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  If you would like to watch his incredible eyewitness testimony of the events of that day, please click on any December link on the left sidebar and you will find it.

These are wondering outside of the Memorial

Strangely enough, Altoona Middle School students were in attendance, which is where my mother is from and Mike and I visited our grandparents on many occasions.  This photo was by permission of the teacher.

Here are the Pearl Harbor inscriptions

One last look back before we left.  I will never forget today for as long as I live.

The New Magicians

How would you like to start out in a career field where every single method and trade secret was exposed, all that was is gone and shattered, and now what do you do? Elaine, Ryan, and I went to the Palace Theater in Canton last night to watch the Battle of Magicians and a fun night it was. Also, it was the night of the "SuperMoon", so it was a very mysterious and cosmically heavy occasion. I enjoyed all the performances, they were all top-notch, but I wanted to focus in on the three young guys performing, Eric Buss, Jason Hudy, and Trigg Watson.

Back in 1997 or so, The Masked Magician had a series of Fox Network specials where he broke, or should I say destroyed/obliterated, the Magician's Code. The Code is, you never tell how the magic is done. You never do the same trick twice for the same audience either, but that lesser part of the Code has been twisted, bent, ignored, or forgotten. For several years, The Masked Magician did the unthinkable by divulging the high secrets of many of the world's and time's great magicians, illusionists, and magic practitioners. I talked to a few magicians during that time and after who were fortunate that they still had work or they secrets were not revealed, but they told me horror stories of magicians who lost work because everyone knew what they were doing. I heard about a magician with a big Vegas gig who was fired on the spot due to The Great Reveal.

The Masked Magician did what he did for whatever he reasons or rationale was, but the experience left a sour, bad taste in my mouth. The field of magic was never the same. But what about those of us who started young like me who took the Code seriously? How do you continue in your line of work or your life's passion knowing that the magic's gone and the trick and trickster has been exposed?

We have attended magic shows or watched TV magic shows down through the years since then. I have seen magicians perform the exact same illusions and prestidigitations that were laid waste. I always assumed that they thought time heals all wounds and perhaps the audience never saw the Fox shows. That was the easy explanation and that could be.

Last night, I finally realized how true purveyors of the art dealt with the great outing, you go on and you find a way. I noticed their big illusions with something strangely familiar about them. When you think about it and dig down deep enough, you could actually find the core or root in some of the good old hocus pocus, but they were so updated and modern, they bore little resemblance to The Great Reveal. I doubt that anyone in the audience would even recognized that what was broadcast fourteen years ago and what I saw last night were much related unless you really did know the secrets. Time not only healed the wound, but what has emerged is something even better, more creative, and more magical.

Back to the young magicians. If you are going to do the same revealed abracadbra, you better have a reason for it. These three guys especially showed such skill, even if you knew the workings, you marveled at how they put it together, performed it, and pulled it off. Knowing how it was done, you still applaud at their showmanship and the talent. Time moves on. I am very excited about this new generation of magicians and encourage them and all young people to follow your dreams, shoot for the stars, and find a way around or through the adversity. It is refreshing for me to see.

Elaine and I went to the Cleveland Science Center

Photo I Took This Beautiful Morning

Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas and God Bless Us Everyone

Christmas Eve 2011

Pearl Harbor Day 2011

My father was in the military and stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Here is my father's incredible eyewitness testimony of the events of December 7, 1941.



Sadly, my father passed away August 7, 2011. I will never forget him as he was the greatest man that I ever knew. We must never forget the event that led to the United States involvement in World War II. God bless our military and our veterans. God bless our freedom, liberty, and the United States of America.

Christmas Tree at Akron Canton Airport

Thanksgiving 2011

Veterans Day 2011



Honoring the memory of my father and all who serve.

Vicki Lawrence and Mama - A Two Woman Show

Elaine and I went to the Palace theater last night to watch Vicki Lawrence and Mama. Vicki is a real entertainer, she tells funny stories, really funny one-liners, and sings and dances. We laughed and laughed and enjoyed ourselves immensely for a fun night out.

Elaine and I at the Cleveland Zoo

Another Fort Lauderdale Photo

This is taken by one of my dive buddies, Michelle from Canada. You can see me with my underwater videocamera and I am holding the dive flag rope. Oh, also you can see my Sears Craftsman Dive Gloves.

Perfect Day at Gilboa Quarry

August 80 degree day, what could be better? Here are my dive buddies from my second dive of the day, Victor, Vitali, and Nick

August 7, 2010 - My Father Passed Away One Year Ago



It's been too long since we last talked. Too long since I told him how we all were, as he cared so much for us. Every time I called, I would tell him Elaine and I were fine and the kids were fine. Too long since we talked about the Steelers and the Panthers. We miss you so much and you are still the greatest man that I ever knew.