Why am I stuck in magician Hell?

It's that time again...

Time to make some people not like me again. (Redundant) First off I wanna say that I have been writing a lot in the journal over the last year and I try my best (save for a few pokes and jabs here and there) to stay off what many of the other magic blogs have fallen into. I of course speak of gossip and drama.

Now there is nothing wrong with other people reporting this. I personally think it's good to see that magic isn't just a bright shiny happy thing all the time. It's dirty and tarnished like everything else in the world. This blog was set up to discuss what I do or do not like about magic itself. I'll let others report on Ted Lassen or on how much of a bonehole Steve Brooks is.

Here you will find nothing but clean wholesome fambly fun.... as long as yer fambly is neurotic and dysfunctional.. but hey whose isn't? On with the show!!

First off I wanna talk about a few current events.. or more accurately current products. I have purchased two new marketed tricks. One was hyped beyond belief and was waaay too expensive for what it was. The other was mildly hyped and, while being a little bit of a "Well yah duh" the extra included bit is a grand idea.

The first one I won't mention by name by those in the know will know by the description I give. First off everyone and their dog talked up this effect. (As we all know the reliability of information on the magic cafe isn't always just that... with that being said...) It was said you could vanish, switch, appear, and damn near turn water to wine with these "Utility" devices. (Anytime something is called just as good as a thumb tip I get leery.. and I don't mean Dennis.)

Now many people speculated and it was said the objects you vanish do NOT have to be metal. Sure it helps and no they don't have to be buuuuuut.... there are limitations. First off the only way to do a deck switch is if the deck was in a card box and the only way to effectively switch coins is if it's Canadian currency. Ladies and gentlemen if you need something special to switch decks or vanish a coin please get the hell out of magic. Geez.

Mind you I got this device on X-mas and have been toying with it to give it a fair chance. To all of the people who thought this was a big "wow wished I thought of that first" you prolly have never cracked open a hard drive. I've been using this idea for a while as have many others.

Now the person who released this was known for saying you can vanish something and turn around and see nothing. Ending clean as it were. Well thaz a bit misleading. (From what I understand not an unusual practice.) Also the demo video, (Which was kinda poorly done froma video production guy standpoint), raised a great many questions and a few vauge answers. So regardless, not worth the money but hey now I can erase all of my roommate's pr0n videos.

Now since everyone loved that one and it was lackluster, the newest one that has drawn a lukewarm response is Steve Fearson's Self Vanish. (Find the link yourself you lazy bastahd.) Even tho' this new technique was cheap (also appeared in other literature as a way to vanish food) and an e-book type thing, there is another brainstorm included with the original. Definitely something to think about, especially if yer a stage performer. (Already working on ideas meself.)

However the idea has merit and CAN work to scare one person. Sure you read it and think, "Screw That!" but there are 1,000's of effects like that. However in the right hands it can be powerful. (Mike Close/ genii bottle anyone?) So for little money, don't bitch so much. You paid more for less elsewhere I guarantee.

I want to add that the fact I kinda know Mr. Fearson has NO bearing on my opinion on said release. My first thought was, "Oh come on!" but the second part is well worth it and with some thinking, so was the first part... but I do like his hat in the photos.

Ok well if you have read this far I guess you can contemplate this line from Star Wars. "Who is more foolish. The fool or the fool who follows the fool."

Just remember, don't believe everything you read cuz' 14% of all statistics are just made up anyway.

Bizzaro.