on the lam

another good find at the evil wally world
these self laminating pouches come five to a pack for about two bucks
they are a bit big for a playing card but a quick snip with the scissor and the excess is gone

they probably have these at office depot and other supply warehouses
i just happened upon the thing at walmart
in general i think of that place as hellish and hate to reccomend shopping there
so perhaps search online or something

Methinks its a good find and one that can save your precious "gag" or special pasteboards from wear and tear of the real world use

get one  thank me later (please someeone let me know these random tips are not falling on deaf ears  though if they are: so beit> my goal in writing these things down are not just to share it with the fellow magi but also to make a record of the thing for my own faulty memory)

ok blabber blabber blab
nuff for now
(and my keyboard is f"n up)
i"m gonna go practice something secret
(i"d like to review and tell you what but it"s so good: i"m keeping this nugget for myself)

AGT

Well, Well

America's Got Talent returns tonight!

It's a guilty pleasure that most of my colleagues look down upon

I understand. 90 seconds - 3 minutes is in no, way, shape or form long enough for proper character development

AND i don"t care
its like variety potato chips and i enjoy every bite
my summer has been made
my depression has been lifted

Howie Howard and now HEIDI!!!! WOOT
how can you go wrong? (well you could hire a spice girl but i digress> there"s no accounting for good taste!)
heh

tune in tues (and i think wed) nights on nbc

spongology

Yes, this is happening... they'll be ready for the August-Sept  lecture tour (if not sooner)

We've been testing different designs, sizes and sponges and are about to go to press

If you have any questions, comments, touches or tips, NOW is the time to send them my way

write me: connjure AT gmail.com 

Click below for full size pic

6/20/13 Update: The Dies are in production, the sponge cutting begins SOON

connspiracy

coming soon (electronic pdf version)
stay tuned to dougconn.com and lybrary.com

Lake

Just returned from a 5 day excursion to Smith Lake AL. It really was a peaceful getaway from the hot / humid (& often stupid) city life that New Orleans offers. Alas, the trip was in lieu of the Pebblepallooza Con (held in OK City, for the first time this year.) The visit to the lake was very important to the wife and kids, so I opted for the opportunity to give the family a memory as opposed to a self-serving visit to see some of the best close-up magic in the world (sigh.) I did have a good time with the family and some good friends, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't constantly think of the awesome gathering I was missing. I wasn't completely without some good trickin: I performed a bit of magic during the get-away (at a huge memorial day party) and was able to catch up on a bit of reading (finishing up the Ramon Ribadoo book & the first re-read of Semi-Automatic Card Tricks #6: LOVE Steve Beams writing! And I suggest you get EVERYTHING he has put out!)Also started relearning my bottom deal (leaving Marlo's 'Illusionary' (strike) bottom in exchange for a more secure push out deal.) I guess it'll take a year or so... I'll get there. I also reviewed Bannon's Bullet DVD's and more than ever; I'm convinced he is one of the most important creators of solid attainable, entertaining card magic that has seen print (in either book or DVD) in the last 2-3 decades. Anything with his name on it is worth getting. Anything. I just read some of the Pebble posts on what I missed in OK and I can only hope they do it again. Speaking of this gathering: I'd like to send a personal shout out to Tyler Wilson who went above and beyond the call of duty in effort to get me out there (but alas my sexy sasquatch: some things are more important...) I hope everyone who's eyes gaze upon this page has the love of a child (and simultaneouly the unconditional love of a good woman) A love that proves "true love" does exist (one even stronger than the love of close-up magic.)

Sick

My new favorite magic reviewer Magic Johnny 8 Ball talks about "Sick" and Ponta is sick... check out his work

Blind

I've been waiting for this...

I've been an online friend of Rich Aviles for many moons (long live TSD)
and a personal acquaintance for a few years, yet I've never bought anything from trcky
Well, than all changes this weekend: He gets my bucks for this wonderful effort.

Regarding Rich (Author of "Above the Fold")
Some might be familiar with his new upstart http://www.trcky.com
("misdirecting the i ") It was with Rich whom I finally caved in and did a video project (or 3)
Built to Last by Doug Conn and the Pinky Swear Project
both have recieved rave reviews and I'm VERY happy mssr Aviles was part of the project.

I'm sure Mr. Jack Carpenter will feel similarly when "BlindSpot" is released on May 17th

Here's a Demo of the Effect : 


Num Num (the cereal too: I don't know what kind it was, but I know it was good)
You want this. I want this. Get it.

Thanks guys Enjoy