52. UGH!

How can it be? It seemed like only yesterday I was a young man of 20 years of age. Now, in just a few days, I'll be 52 years-old. My collection of glasses grows by the year as bifocals are completely out of the question! Where has the time gone? I know this may sound like complaining to some of you, but I have to be very honest: I've had a hard time with birthdays since I turned 40. The old adage is true: The older you get, the faster time flies by. It really is true. Two weeks seemed like forever as a young kid, now two weeks fly by in what seems like a wink! Every year, it's the same; two weeks before my birthday, the depression sets in. There's no way to stop it; the day is coming, and just like the odometer in your car, that number rolls over, never to be seen again.


Notice the second pair of glasses on my desk? No bifocals for me. No, sir!

Realistically, however, for the first time in a looooong time, I've never felt better. I have a ton more energy than when I was at my heaviest weight, and I'm taking more time to be with my family and myself, which, as you grow older, finally takes the proper perspective. My hair's a little grayer (OK, it's ALL gray), but my wife says it makes me look distinguished. So, all in all, I guess I better get over it and accept the fact that the big day's almost here and buck up and enjoy it.

Speaking of taking more time, I'm going to be taking off early next week on Wednesday and not returning until the following Tuesday to enjoy the Labor Day holiday with my family and friends. I'm really looking forward to this time off, and everybody at the shop is taking bets that I won't be able to do it without showing up at the shop during that time. Joke's on them.

It's like a treasure hunt. Every day here at Hocus Pocus, we find new treasures from our network of suppliers and manufacturers. New items are the lifeblood of this industry, and there's hardly a day that goes by where they don't show up on our web site. Every day, we are striving to work harder to bring these new and exciting products to you to help spawn your creativity and get your juices flowing. I'm very fortunate to have the staff that I have here at Hocus Pocus; they are as dedicated as I am to providing the best customer service possible in an age where the term seems to have been forgotten or ignored. We have professional magicians on-hand to honestly and truthfully answer your questions about products, ideas, and helpful information for your act or routine. We're always interested in your input and your suggestions on how to make Hocus Pocus a better place to suit your needs. After all, without you, we would not exist for as long as we have.

It's hard to believe that Summer is almost over, and Fall and Winter is just around the corner. Pretty soon, we'll be playing Holiday music on the radio and in the shops at the mall. Probably right after Halloween! The reason I bring this up is because, as I said in a runaround way at the beginning of this, it is important to make the most of every day, because, before you know it, you'll wonder where all the time went.

So with all that, I guess I'll begin my breathing exercises in order to blow out all those candles on the cake.

Maybe Mike will be nice enough to take over the blog next week. Then you're all in trouble.

Have a great weekend.

Until next time,

Paul (another year older) Gross