Sunday, November 6, 2011
People, I suppose
Like in real life, finding helpful people in magic (or League of Legends) is one of the hardest things to do. Most people are assholes because "lol I know a lot" or because they just want the chance to show off what they know/can do. There's no such thing as "honest mistakes" to some people. I don't know why that it is, but it's pretty unfortunate.
I'm not saying you have to be uber-kind and go out of your way just to not make people feel bad, though certainly it's really not that hard. Constructive criticism is sometimes the only way to go. But, you just have to be tactful, something many people don't really understand. Please try and remember that being super sarcastic and a complete dick is not the same as being constructive or helpful. All it does is make you look bad (e.g. why do you think bullies continue to bully in school? Could it be possibly because they feel much better in the eyes of their peers, or possibly themselves?)
I think magic is a terrible culprit of this. It's populated by assholes, calling other people assholes. Everyone thinks they know more than the other, and berate you if you mess up. You just need to look at the Magic Cafe to see what I mean. It has a lot of potential, but it's so off from it. They should probably first fix the moderator issues and the search engine.
Imagine if I just had to go into the fray of patients with asshole attendings to learn. I'd be a terrible doctor! Everyone has to start somewhere.
I've posted a similar rant after watching several members on the Green Monster gang up on a poor kid who just wanted to find out about the Criss Angel set. Yes, it's a bad set. Yes, Criss Angel is not really a great magician. But all he wanted to do was find out. He was probably just starting in magic, found this website, and thought, "Hey, maybe they can tell me if this is good place to get started." The kid made one last post about how he just wanted to find out about it. All he got were....really poorly thought out posts. Unhelpful, sarcastic marks and even getting berated. But why? Other than to toughen him up, how the hell is any of that helpful? Just remember, you don't need to be (you really shouldn't be, actually) an asshole to teach someone something, or help someone out, to give advice, or to "toughen them up".
Whatever the hell that actually means.
I'm not saying you have to be uber-kind and go out of your way just to not make people feel bad, though certainly it's really not that hard. Constructive criticism is sometimes the only way to go. But, you just have to be tactful, something many people don't really understand. Please try and remember that being super sarcastic and a complete dick is not the same as being constructive or helpful. All it does is make you look bad (e.g. why do you think bullies continue to bully in school? Could it be possibly because they feel much better in the eyes of their peers, or possibly themselves?)
I think magic is a terrible culprit of this. It's populated by assholes, calling other people assholes. Everyone thinks they know more than the other, and berate you if you mess up. You just need to look at the Magic Cafe to see what I mean. It has a lot of potential, but it's so off from it. They should probably first fix the moderator issues and the search engine.
Imagine if I just had to go into the fray of patients with asshole attendings to learn. I'd be a terrible doctor! Everyone has to start somewhere.
I've posted a similar rant after watching several members on the Green Monster gang up on a poor kid who just wanted to find out about the Criss Angel set. Yes, it's a bad set. Yes, Criss Angel is not really a great magician. But all he wanted to do was find out. He was probably just starting in magic, found this website, and thought, "Hey, maybe they can tell me if this is good place to get started." The kid made one last post about how he just wanted to find out about it. All he got were....really poorly thought out posts. Unhelpful, sarcastic marks and even getting berated. But why? Other than to toughen him up, how the hell is any of that helpful? Just remember, you don't need to be (you really shouldn't be, actually) an asshole to teach someone something, or help someone out, to give advice, or to "toughen them up".
Whatever the hell that actually means.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Almost forgot to mention...
...how good Alex Geiser's Intensity is. It is not some super sensitive angle b.s. It is very practical, nearly impromptu, and quite beautiful.
Vanishing Inc is great
Seriously. Great service and great downloads. This is probably the only site I download from.
They're two new hot videos, Sense-sational and More Memory Man, are excellent. I like all the things I've received from Vanishing Inc, and these are no different.
Sense-sational is simple in effect, simple in performance. The premise is excellent in that there is very little done by the magician. I think the principles are excellent - however I have yet to try the second and third reveals, but if you're like me, even semi decent culling won't make this impromptu - so the second reveal I simply use Buckley's excellent fan peek since it gives you the position for when you're dealing as well making it easy to "sense" where the card is, and the third reveal I use the LePaul peek - the peek is quick and you don't need to know the position for the card. I think these are acceptable changes because they still seem like you're doing almost nothing - showing a fan, and drawing a square with the spectator imagining the card.
Actually now that I'm thinking about it, there's no reason you can't do the lepaul peek for the third card, and then carry onto an impromptu presentation of Bannon's Dead Reckoning. I did a standalone effect for it using the premise taught by Cameron Francis in his Scammed Across routine, making it totally impromptu and more involved (well, I thought so anyways - gave me more room for patter). I would think the third reveal you could just let that spectator hold onto his card from the beginning, and then go on with the Francis/Bannon combo as a finale. You'd still be playing with the idea of "hearing", but I was going to make it like "psychic hearing". I dunno. I'll test it out.
More Memory Man is just plain awesome. Use of Bannon's Bullet Catcher is just superb context. I know MMM was published in a book, but I don't want to buy the other routines, I only really cared about this one (although I might get it in the future, anyways - Joel Givens seems like a very charming gentleman with a sexy southern accent even though I'm not gay).
They're two new hot videos, Sense-sational and More Memory Man, are excellent. I like all the things I've received from Vanishing Inc, and these are no different.
Sense-sational is simple in effect, simple in performance. The premise is excellent in that there is very little done by the magician. I think the principles are excellent - however I have yet to try the second and third reveals, but if you're like me, even semi decent culling won't make this impromptu - so the second reveal I simply use Buckley's excellent fan peek since it gives you the position for when you're dealing as well making it easy to "sense" where the card is, and the third reveal I use the LePaul peek - the peek is quick and you don't need to know the position for the card. I think these are acceptable changes because they still seem like you're doing almost nothing - showing a fan, and drawing a square with the spectator imagining the card.
Actually now that I'm thinking about it, there's no reason you can't do the lepaul peek for the third card, and then carry onto an impromptu presentation of Bannon's Dead Reckoning. I did a standalone effect for it using the premise taught by Cameron Francis in his Scammed Across routine, making it totally impromptu and more involved (well, I thought so anyways - gave me more room for patter). I would think the third reveal you could just let that spectator hold onto his card from the beginning, and then go on with the Francis/Bannon combo as a finale. You'd still be playing with the idea of "hearing", but I was going to make it like "psychic hearing". I dunno. I'll test it out.
More Memory Man is just plain awesome. Use of Bannon's Bullet Catcher is just superb context. I know MMM was published in a book, but I don't want to buy the other routines, I only really cared about this one (although I might get it in the future, anyways - Joel Givens seems like a very charming gentleman with a sexy southern accent even though I'm not gay).
Monday, October 24, 2011
Card Magic USA
I didn't really get TOO into this book because I just never really had time, but there really are a lot of gems in here.
For instance, check out Jim Patton's Clip Force (which has almost replaced my riffle force use, almost because you are jutting out a card that could be noticeable if you aren't careful sitting down and performing), and Harvey Rosenthal's multiple shift (which is kinda like Ollie Mealing's Barrier Shift combined with the Neil Elias Multiple Shift - I love it!).
For instance, check out Jim Patton's Clip Force (which has almost replaced my riffle force use, almost because you are jutting out a card that could be noticeable if you aren't careful sitting down and performing), and Harvey Rosenthal's multiple shift (which is kinda like Ollie Mealing's Barrier Shift combined with the Neil Elias Multiple Shift - I love it!).
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Wow, lots of stuff going on in magic. New things to help me through med school and for good reads. Sleight I'm currently studying is Kosby's Raise Rise. Getting better at it!
Book I'm currently reading through is Wisdom of Solomon. It's good. I hate Faro's though. I can do a trick that needs a false deal or a pass or whatever. I just hate Faro's. The other book I'm reading are the two Walton books. Not far in but man, this guy has superb thinking.
DVD would be Bannon's Bullet Party. Easy stuff but really great thinking. People complain that he isn't the same as Impossibilia or Smoke and Mirrors or Dear Mr. Fantasy, but I have studied those pretty intently and I have to strongly disagree. Bannon is really good still. Between him, Solomon, and MacD's Aces I have more Ace Assemblies than I'll ever need in my life.
Trick is Garret Thomas's stand up monte. That and Lorayne's Poor Man Monte - you have the basic set up to a conman theme set (which I'm working out right now).
As a side note: I inadvertently discovered Ackerman's use of the double cut bottom palm as a direct method (meaning I just do it without the double cut - it occurs in two steps but is very fast and pretty easy...just wish I could claim credit to it).
Book I'm currently reading through is Wisdom of Solomon. It's good. I hate Faro's though. I can do a trick that needs a false deal or a pass or whatever. I just hate Faro's. The other book I'm reading are the two Walton books. Not far in but man, this guy has superb thinking.
DVD would be Bannon's Bullet Party. Easy stuff but really great thinking. People complain that he isn't the same as Impossibilia or Smoke and Mirrors or Dear Mr. Fantasy, but I have studied those pretty intently and I have to strongly disagree. Bannon is really good still. Between him, Solomon, and MacD's Aces I have more Ace Assemblies than I'll ever need in my life.
Trick is Garret Thomas's stand up monte. That and Lorayne's Poor Man Monte - you have the basic set up to a conman theme set (which I'm working out right now).
As a side note: I inadvertently discovered Ackerman's use of the double cut bottom palm as a direct method (meaning I just do it without the double cut - it occurs in two steps but is very fast and pretty easy...just wish I could claim credit to it).
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Card Classics of Ken Krenzel
You might not like Harry Lorayne, but his material is pretty hot stuff. Been reading through Card Classics of Ken Krenzel, and it's freaking awesome. Natural Double Lift is a pretty neat sleight, though it's not really for people directly to your left [you can adjust it; it's just another, albeit nice way, of doing the double lift.]
One thing I find somewhat irritating is the huge use of commas. I feel like I'm pausing after every 3 words, lol.
One thing I find somewhat irritating is the huge use of commas. I feel like I'm pausing after every 3 words, lol.
Monday, June 27, 2011
ANOTHER AWESOME THREAD ON THE MAGIC CAFE
Obviously the best forum for magic.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=421067&forum=2&start=270
You can also read the whole thing, but there are some juicy parts here right now. It'll probably delete eventually, but get it while it's hot!
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=421067&forum=2&start=270
You can also read the whole thing, but there are some juicy parts here right now. It'll probably delete eventually, but get it while it's hot!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
There has been a lot of talk about RE4RM, a torn and restored card that, while using only 1 card, requires you to tear up the card before handing it back to the spectator.
I am not one to judge other people and their effects. I think Mr. Vogt is very creative [that's why he was hired to Team Copperfield], but I don't like the effect. In my opinion, the whole premise of TnR is to give back a fully restored card back to your spectator after they watched it get torn up. I felt personally frustrated at the end of the trailer. But, you know, if it works for you and you like it, all the power to ya!
If you would like to do a TnR, there are many good ones that let you return the card to your spectator. The three I recommend are Torn/TornToo by Daniel Garcia, The Epilogue in Drawing Room Deceptions by Guy Hollingsworth, and, Rehab by Cameron Francis. Actually, my favorite torn and restored anything is Shawn Farquhar's Torn 2 Pieces. Just totally ridiculously awesome. It's the one of the very few one-trick DVD's I'd recommend to people [I prefer recommending you books, anyways]. Now of course, unlike RE4RM, these are not impromptu. But in my opinion, a TnR can be a helluva closer and isn't the first thing I'd do with a borrowed deck of cards [that would probably be Bannon's Watching the Detectives/New Jax/Full Circle routine].
I am not one to judge other people and their effects. I think Mr. Vogt is very creative [that's why he was hired to Team Copperfield], but I don't like the effect. In my opinion, the whole premise of TnR is to give back a fully restored card back to your spectator after they watched it get torn up. I felt personally frustrated at the end of the trailer. But, you know, if it works for you and you like it, all the power to ya!
If you would like to do a TnR, there are many good ones that let you return the card to your spectator. The three I recommend are Torn/TornToo by Daniel Garcia, The Epilogue in Drawing Room Deceptions by Guy Hollingsworth, and, Rehab by Cameron Francis. Actually, my favorite torn and restored anything is Shawn Farquhar's Torn 2 Pieces. Just totally ridiculously awesome. It's the one of the very few one-trick DVD's I'd recommend to people [I prefer recommending you books, anyways]. Now of course, unlike RE4RM, these are not impromptu. But in my opinion, a TnR can be a helluva closer and isn't the first thing I'd do with a borrowed deck of cards [that would probably be Bannon's Watching the Detectives/New Jax/Full Circle routine].
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Erdnase!!
Well, the step 1 board exam is behind me now. I feel like prison rape might have been more fun.
So while in Vegas, I stopped by the Houdini magic shop in the Venetian. While they don't have the largest selection and aren't exactly cheap, I DID manage to find several things I've wanted for a while.
- Paul LePaul on the card magic of Bro J Hamman [short pamphlet but anything LePaul's name in it I WILL BUY. Card Magic of Paul LePaul is just so incredible.
- Faro Shuffle section of Rev. Card Magic [Ed Marlo - gonna save up money for the whole book]
- Marlo on Erdnase [for some reason this book gets flak, but I love it esp as a magician]
...and most importantly...
- Allan Ackerman's Erdnase 10 DVD set. Finally. The Las Vegas master. Doing Erdnase. He does sleights beautifully. I have 3 other DVD's with him and he just simply rocks. Plus, he just seems like the nicest guy ever. Totally someone I'd love to learn magic from personally.
So while in Vegas, I stopped by the Houdini magic shop in the Venetian. While they don't have the largest selection and aren't exactly cheap, I DID manage to find several things I've wanted for a while.
- Paul LePaul on the card magic of Bro J Hamman [short pamphlet but anything LePaul's name in it I WILL BUY. Card Magic of Paul LePaul is just so incredible.
- Faro Shuffle section of Rev. Card Magic [Ed Marlo - gonna save up money for the whole book]
- Marlo on Erdnase [for some reason this book gets flak, but I love it esp as a magician]
...and most importantly...
- Allan Ackerman's Erdnase 10 DVD set. Finally. The Las Vegas master. Doing Erdnase. He does sleights beautifully. I have 3 other DVD's with him and he just simply rocks. Plus, he just seems like the nicest guy ever. Totally someone I'd love to learn magic from personally.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
My only goal right now is to make sure my sister doesn't go to medical school. That way she can actually LIVE a little.
For fuck's sake, I have been studying my ass off, no days off, just to prep for this board exam. I swear if I don't do well, I'm just going to drop out of med school. I didn't come all this way to be seen as only qualified to clean up the sniffles.
For fuck's sake, I have been studying my ass off, no days off, just to prep for this board exam. I swear if I don't do well, I'm just going to drop out of med school. I didn't come all this way to be seen as only qualified to clean up the sniffles.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
INCOMING!
To arrive by the 24th:
- Card Classics of Ken Krenzel by Harry Lorayne
- Constant Fooling Volume 1 by David Regal
- Nocturnal Creations by Paul Gordon
- Card Magic USA by Paul Duffie + awesome dudes
- Wisdom of Solomon by David Solomon
Can you say, hello awesome reading material to bring with me to Vegas?!
- Card Classics of Ken Krenzel by Harry Lorayne
- Constant Fooling Volume 1 by David Regal
- Nocturnal Creations by Paul Gordon
- Card Magic USA by Paul Duffie + awesome dudes
- Wisdom of Solomon by David Solomon
Can you say, hello awesome reading material to bring with me to Vegas?!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Review shows...
Well, like most magic enthusiasts I like to watch WPR - not necessarily for review, but for entertainment.
For reviews and information about products, I prefer Guy Portlock's DTC-MTV [Dude That's Cool Magic...TV? Something like that!] You can find him on YouTube. The main reason I like him more is because he is a lot calmer and provides more information about the products he is reviewing, and gives more of a reason for his ratings. Plus, he gives a separate rating for hobbyists [like myself].
So, a shoutout to Mr. Portlock!
For reviews and information about products, I prefer Guy Portlock's DTC-MTV [Dude That's Cool Magic...TV? Something like that!] You can find him on YouTube. The main reason I like him more is because he is a lot calmer and provides more information about the products he is reviewing, and gives more of a reason for his ratings. Plus, he gives a separate rating for hobbyists [like myself].
So, a shoutout to Mr. Portlock!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Hoookay....
...now onto Step 1!
*puts away decks and books for now*
*keeps out Expert Card Technique*
*puts away decks and books for now*
*keeps out Expert Card Technique*
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
