1. How and when did you meet Paul Harris?
The first time was about 1993 or 1994 when he lectured locally. At that time I introduced him to bratwurst on a bun. (He liked it).
2. How did you get involved with the Art of Astonishment projects?
I was an English major in college. When Paul came to town to work with Tony Dunn, who is an old friend, I helped Paul find an apartment. We became friends, and at Paul�s request I agreed (jumped at the chance) to edit and photograph the books.
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3. What is your favorite story while working on the Art of Astonishment project?
Paul performed each trick and I made photographs as an aid for Tony Dunn�s wonderful drawings. (How many out there can say Paul did all his stuff at their dining room table)?
When we started on Arrow-Split-Arrow I told him no one would do the trick because it was too difficult and the failure rate during performance would be too high. Paul sat down on the living room floor (I have a 16-foot high cathedral ceiling) and started doing the trick over and over, throwing the card within an inch or two of the ceiling. It kept coming back to the cut deck and into the split card flawlessly every time. When I finally asked when he would stop, he said �when you�re convinced.� I was convinced!
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4. What is the funniest story while hanging out with Paul?
There were many! Hmmm�for instance every time we were in a restaurant Paul would inveigle the waitress to concoct a fruit drink. First she/he had to name all the fruits in the restaurant and then Paul would think awhile (sometimes quite awhile) and then come up with combination that seemed interesting to him.
How about the time Paul and I were sitting on the patio of a close friend of mine whose neighbor was convinced she was a psychic, and had several of her like-minded friends over for a party. We joined the party and as a joke I did the old 21-card trick for one of the psychics. Paul winced. When the trick was over I got no response whatever from the spectator. Paul just shook his head and pointed out that there was no reason for her to be impressed since she thought she was a psychic anyway.
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5. What is your favorite story while hanging out with Paul?
Paul left town for bit while working with David Blaine on his first TV special. By then Paul and I were good friends and I missed him greatly. One night Tony asked me to eat at one of our and Paul�s favorite restaurants. After the meal Tony and I sat and talked and drank coffee for an amazing amount of time and I noticed Tony kept looking at his watch but didn�t want to leave.
Finally, we decided to leave and as we walked out the door, down the street came Paul! He wanted to surprise me (with Tony�s help) but his plane landed late in Milwaukee, and to make it in time he took a cab 90 miles at great expense to Madison to be on time!
But that was Paul. Besides being a world-class genius, Paul is the most gentle and caring person I have ever met. Extremely well read on every subject inside and outside of magic, I cannot say enough about his generosity and willingness to share. He thinks nothing of possessions and lives with very few belongings�but I digress.
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6. What is your favorite Paul Harris book (not including the art of astonishment books) and why?
Tough choice, but for me it would be Cardboard Connection for purely sentimental reasons as it was the first book of Paul�s I purchased way back in the 1970�s. It has of course morphed many times and given rise to many other versions, but I performed it for many years and it was a personal favorite.
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7. What is your favorite Paul Harris trick and why?
Another tough choice! Maybe Whack your Pack a/k/a Reflex, because I had so much fun performing this while table-hopping in restaurants; Maybe Card Cuffs because it works so well for me with Red Hot Mama a/k/a Chicago opener; Maybe The Shape of Astonishment because I helped somewhat in ironing out the moves and road-tested it for Paul at a Wedding Reception gig and got great results.
On second thought, don�t ask me for a favorite�there are too many! On third thought this capsulated set of seven questions and answers does not begin to capture that marvelous time I spent with Paul and Tony editing the books, photographing the covers and the routines. It was without doubt a wonderful highlight of my life, and I take great pride in being part of the creation of this now classic trilogy. Paul �you�re the greatest and I miss your wit, your wisdom and your companionship.