Magician Nick Paul dazzling the audience at a festive Christmas gathering in Los Angeles. Hiring a magician can be the cherry on top of your Christmas party, but it’s not just about finding someone who can pull a rabbit out of a hat. Here’s an expanded guide on the dos and don’ts to ensure you bring the right magic to your event. DO Choose the Magic Castle Experience Wisely While it’s tempting to pick any magician who’s spent time at the Magic Castle, it's crucial to ensure they've been hired to perform there, not just casually wandering around with card tricks. This distinction speaks volume ..read more

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the negativity and fear perpetuated by the media. Turn on the news, and you're bombarded with stories of violence, conflict, and discord. It's as if the world is on the brink of chaos. But in my travels, I've discovered a different truth—one that reminds me that most people are inherently good-natured. The key is to remain open to this positivity. When you embark on a journey, whether it's to a neighboring town or a distant country, you encounter individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. In these moments, you realize that the ..read more

My new doctor had a similar physique to the Pillsbury Doughboy. During my physical, he sat on a small stool that was only an eighth of his size, typing into the computer with one finger at a time. He wore a pair of reading glasses held together by a magnet, which split apart in the middle when he needed to take them off to relay obvious health advice like; drink more water, eat less red meat, don’t drink four cocktails a night. The basics. There was a bit of confusion regarding whether I wanted a rectal exam. To be clear I did not WANT a rectal exam, but I believed it might be necessary. So, w ..read more

This morning during breakfast, a gentle elderly gentleman approached me and shared how much joy he found in seeing people exit the theater with smiles on their faces. Live entertainment, in all its captivating forms, serves as a wonderful and simple diversion with the primary aim of bringing joy and happiness to people's lives. It acts as a beacon of light in our busy, sometimes monotonous routines, offering a unique escape into a world of enchantment and wonder. The magic of live entertainment lies in its ability to transport us to different realms and emotions. Whether it's a spellbinding th ..read more

Getting to the airport hotel is easy. Getting to the cruise ship from the hotel is a moving escape room. The day before, you are often emailed a list of instructions that are incorrect, but you still follow them because you are told to follow the instructions. And you never want to make the people in corporate sad. I was instructed to be in the lobby NO LATER THAN 11 AM! (The instructional paper had this in all caps for emphasis, or it was someone over the age of 60 who thought they were using Facebook). I got to the lobby at 10:55 a.m., and no one was there. So I called the emergency number ..read more

Nick Paul performing at The Comedy and Magic Club I spoke with a guy who is truly passionate about surfing at The Comedy and Magic Club, and I couldn't resist asking him a question that had been lingering in my mind: "What makes you happy?" His response was both simple and profound, a glimpse into the depth of his emotions. He looked at me with a genuine smile, his eyes alight with a sense of excitement that I could practically feel in the air. "Surfing," he said, his voice carrying the weight of unwavering conviction. It was as if those seven letters held an entire world of meaning. But he di ..read more

After wrapping up a three-day music festival called Outside Lands in San Francisco, I found myself unexpectedly upgraded to first class on my way home. This is a perk I no longer feel guilty about. Essentially, it's Delta's way of acknowledging, "Hey, you've contributed a good deal of money to us. As a token of our appreciation, here's a seat designed for humans. And please, continue to support us financially!" Having spent what feels like an eternity on planes, confined to seats seemingly tailored for individuals with the body mass index of a small child, I've come to appreciate the luxuries ..read more

My wife found Rolo from a dachshund rescue in southern Florida. It’s like a regular rescue, but with many exclusions. Most importantly, if you aren’t a weaner dog, they can't do anything for you. Dog rescues are amazing organizations usually run by frantic middle-aged women named Karen. They had found him walking along the side of the road in Miami. Maybe he was out for a nice Cuban sandwich, or maybe he just left his current residency for something more.  Rolo was a brown-faced, short-haired, 14-inch long dachshund with a caramel-colored circle around his butt. He had a resting bitch fa ..read more

“Why do you want to be a therapist?” questioned my professor from her poorly lit room into my computer screen. I stood sweating and said, “I...I don’t...?” Then improvised some jargon about how I’ve been told I would be good at it and that right now my degree was just a MA in Psychology.  “Ok. Thanks.” And she moved on to the next virtual student.  I took a free seven-week course online about Psychology over the summer and was so fascinated by the subject, that I immediately applied to grad school for it. I’ve been out of college for almost twelve years, so I didn’t think I would ev ..read more

Out of everything, I miss pre show the most. I love to sit back stage and listen to people shuffling into the show room with anticipation, excitement and skepticism. Wondering if I am any good, what is about to happen, why they haven’t heard of me before, and how soon they can get back to the buffet (that’s just on cruise ships). As a kid I would go see David Copperfield at the Fox theater in Detroit. We could only afford one big show a year, and I would always choose his. One year, on the same weekend as he was in town, I opted to see The Lion King instead. I was disappointed to learn that a ..read more