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ColtonRaelund Regular user COLTON ZOROASTER RAELUND 116 Posts |
I wasn't sure where to post this, so I decided to put it in the same place others had already done. Here goes!
I want to wish my mentor and good friend Dick Oslund a happy birthday tonight. I also want to thank him for everything he has done for me in what will be the two years I have known him, when December 29th comes around. Of all the things that shaped my path in Magic, I would say December 29th, 2015, ranks very high. There I was; A kid of almost, but not quite, fifteen years old. A kid who loved magic to death, but was totally lost as to how to learn the right way, and move forward with it. A kid who had only ever seen two magicians perform live in his entire life, never watched them on TV or online, and was pretty much isolated from the magic community at large, until joining the Café. A kid who had read every 793.8 book he could lay hands on, but didn't know how to properly put the knowledge to use. A kid with passion, but not direction. A kid with the desire, but not the means. Then came Dick Oslund, replying to one of my posts on the forum. He corrected me in several places, and, stickler that he is for the proper terminology, actually annoyed me a little bit. I managed to curb my young ego, and PM him, answering his question as to where I lived, starting our long correspondence. I thank my lucky stars today that I kept my ego in check and decided to learn from him that day! Very soon, I started to learn about who Dick was. I saw his books and DVD's for sale on the Magic Inc. website, and boy was I surprised! He had not told me about any of that yet! I did my research, and found that I was talking to possibly one of the most experienced magicians alive! I asked questions, and he answered them. He sent me his DVD at no cost, and I took notes, sending them to him when I was finished. He told me that he had not mentored anyone in a long time, but, we would see what happened... And happen it did! Very soon, I received other kind care packages from Dick. One stands out in my mind today; A yellow padded envelope, addressed to Colton Raelund, Esq. I looked up what those letters stood for, and found I had was now worthy of the title Esquire! A knight in training, so to speak! Then came my trip to the SAM convention in Indianpolis, 2016. On the return trip, after my first venture in the world of magic, I was to stop by in Michigan, and meet my mentor for the first time. I learned an incredible amount that day! And, he unloaded a lot of stuff as well! Time went by, and I improved day by day. Since knowing him, I have met him two additional times. I have been awarded over $3,000 in scholarships to conventions, camps, and schools across the US, and nearly 90% of everything I own is thanks to the kindness of Dick Oslund. I don't think I could have ever made it this far without his kindness, guidance, and friendship the whole way. The things I know now would have taken me years to learn! I have a tremendous head start; 86 years of knowledge, experience, and wisdom, all there for the taking! I will never be able to thank Dick enough. So for now... Happy Birthday, my friend! Many happy return of the day! Down the road! -Colton Raelund, Road Scholar's Apprentice |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
This is the way the world is supposed to operate.
You are indeed very fortunate, Colton. Julie |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
A farmer is 'always looking for fertile fields" in which to sow his seed! We only get to "live", once. After sowing, comes cultivating, weeding, and, watering. If the soil is "right", those seeds germinate, and, with a bit of "care" they will eventually produce fruit.
There's an old story about a youth walking down a country lane, who sees an elderly farmer, planting apple seeds. The young lad, a bit too "wise" for his age, laughs scornfully at the farmer, and sneers, "You'll never eat apples from those "trees"! The farmer, smiles, and replies, "I have grandchildren!" I have neither sons, nor grandchildren, but, I have "adopted" many "nephews", over the years. A few "withered" on the vine, but many have blossomed, and, produced fruit. One, now a successful professional, has a son, who is "almost" a professional. Three, who became successful professionals (two were VERY successful!) have died, but about a dozen are still working. So, planting those seeds, or cultivating those already planted, has been very worthwhile! In addition to those whom I have "cultivated", I receive emails from some, who only saw me perform, in some cases, years ago, who are now full time successful professionals! They write to thank me for encouraging them to get started, even though, we've never actually met! Colton has presented just a few shows, but, they were successful! He accepted my critiques, gracefully, and works to improve! THAT, motivates me to continue mentoring. He is courteous, intellectually curious, intelligent, and, interesting to converse with. What more could I expect? He has read Maskelynne & Devant, Fitzkee, Nelms, Booth, Weber, Anderson, et al, and, is reading Tarbell. He has even read, "Dick Oslund -- Road Scholar"! I don't have a working crystal ball. He is "16, going on 17." When my friend, George Anderson, author of "Magic Digest", and, "It Must Be Mindreading" was 17, in the midst of the Great Depression, he was making a hundred dollars a night, working small town theaters in the midwest, while full time "old pro's." were glad to pick up $5.00 club dates in the cities. It's something to think about. When I was "13, going on 14, in 1945, I became a part time pro, when I did my first school show. I made $26.00 in 35 minutes. All thru high school, when my buddies were making 50 to 75 ce nts an hour, sacking groceries, I was getting $10, $20, and even $25 for a 30 minute show. When I retired the fee for my program was averaging I hope to live long enough to see Colton "make it"!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Race Blakhart Special user Selma,CA 624 Posts |
Dick, you never fail to impress me. Just your natural ability to teach is enough to blow my mind, but then you throw your other talents on top of that and BOY HOWDY!
Colton, I am very familiar with you, as Dick and I have talked about you and how bright your future is. You are very blessed to have such a mentor, and I am glad you are humble enough to understand how lucky you are. At your age, most kids wouldn't be able to fully appreciate what you have going for you, but you are intelligent, and MUCH more mature than your peers. I will be looking for your name as your career grows. You're already making us proud, but I just know you will be doing so much more. |
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