A review and more...

The Magic Review blog takes a look at Pinky Swear


http://themagicreviewblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/pinky-swear-doug-conn.html

Meanwhile, Rich Aviles (Trcky's head honcho) offers up a free contest/copy of the download over on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/trckydotcom
*act fast this contest ends soon!

Born to Perform

Today's blog is brought to you by Penquin's blog:
http://blog.penguinmagic.com/doug-conn-interview

The Big One

If you know me, you know I love poker. I studied it with the same passion I pursued magic. I've got a sizable library on the subject (20+ books) and each one has been read and re-read.
During it's online hey-day: online poker was my livelihood (a tough way to make an easy living!)
I grinded .50-$1 multi-tables and low limit tournies on Party Poker, Pokerstars and any other site offering an edge. Ah the good old days (of spending 50 hours a week, staring at a computer screen... Heh. some things never change.) I played and I managed a network of poker sites: "The Shark Poker Tour" (and "Online Shark")
Memories.

So, anyway... to the point of this post.

As I type: the World Series of Poker is happening in Vegas
http://www.wsop.com/2012/

ESPN seems to be doing a good job of covering the action
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/poker/index

The event that is REALLY interesting me is "THE BIG ONE"
a 1,000,000 *yes One Million dollar buy-in Tourney
http://www.wsop.com/2012/thebigone/
42 People Registered so far
Starts July 1st

I'll be watching

Gazzo Prime Time

A young Gazzo
http://youtu.be/U9nXKqEqpro

Wow, what a treat!

TShirtD

Screw Jacks and Jokers... I'm getting one of these!~

Insert happy face here

:)

Jack! are you Joking?!?

I really like some of these shirts:
http://www.jacksandjokers.com/category/mens/

But, are you kidding me? $60 for a light weight tee?
Methinks maybe I need to consider the card-tee biz

love it... but not $60 love it

Beam! (Steve not Jim)

Attempting to even the cosmic scales of cardopia, allow me point the microscope at someone besides myself: Mr Steve Beam:


Was happy to run across a great 'freebie' section on Beam's website this morning. Well worth a look... even at half the price: http://www.stevebeam.com/tricks.htm

If you're not familiar with Steve Beam I suggest you correct that mistake ASAP. His Trapdoor zine contains some revolutionary stuff (and is a laugh riot!) and his "Semi-Automatic" card  books are an encyclopedia of amazing and easy card - stuff.  Here's his product line: http://www.stevebeam.com/product.htm  


Click here to see Steve in action: http://www.stevebeam.com/video.htm has a few clips of his card work 

Aight... nuff time wasting... back to work on my (wayyyyyy overdue) TSD submission...

Pinky Preview

Well today is the day
(or more appropriately: tonight is the night)

ETA: 9pm
http://www.trcky.com

Here's the
Pinky Swear Preview:
http://youtu.be/f2JsaLuYW4M

Aluma Wallet Review

Aluma Wallet - Review

I bought one of these bout a year ago for the purpose of keeping my packet tricks and special cards safe and secure. Alas, when I got it home and opened the package,  I was  disappointed to discover the thing didn't hold poker size cards. Well, I guess the 'As Seen on TV' folks are hardwired into my brain...
Today while waiting for a script to be filled in the fourth level of hell (Walmart) I happened across a new larger version. It holds poker size cards and holds them nicely. There are seven accordion style compartments that should keep the pasteboards organized and pristine. The strong, aluminum case fits snug in a back jean pocket. It's hard and maybe a bit uncomfortable for the buttox, but that's the only downside I can see. Note: I've only had the thing for a day, so I'm not sure bout long term use, but my initial opinion = exactly what I wanted / needed. 

Two thumb tips up.

 Just the right size and rests open / flat while on the table

I'm never one to promote the devils work, but I don't know who else has these (maybe Walgreens?) If you're interested: 12 bucks at Walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen-on-TV-Aluma-Wallet-Extra-Large-Graphite/20710589

Pinky Swear

So, yeah, this is exciting.

ETA: Thursday June 21st.

http://www.trcky.com

Foer!

Joshua Foer
author of (the incredible)
"Moonwalking With Einstein" 

@ Grey Matters (one of my all time fave blogs)
http://headinside.blogspot.com/2012/05/joshua-foer-at-ted.html

and here's his Ted Talk
http://youtu.be/U6PoUg7jXsA

and the book
Moonwalking with Einstein (check  out the audio version... I can highly recommend it)
http://www.amazon.com/Moonwalking-Einstein-Science-Remembering-Everything/dp/159420229X

If the subject really interests you, IMO: Dominic Obrien's "Quatum Memory Power" is THE resource for all things mnemonical http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Memory-Power-Improve-Champion/dp/0743528662

Annotated Royal Road

The link of the day goes to Andrew Musgrave's wonderful "Ye Olde Magick Blog"
http://sleightly.com/blog

Every word he's written (and there's lots of em)
is worth a look (if even only to disagree...)

Some of the content simply incredible...
Check out this annotated e-version of the Royal Road.:
http://sleightly.com/blog/annotated-royal-road-to-card-magic

great stuff. I'll quit rambling... go look.

Before I die....

I say hi to this guy  all the time (odd, but I don't know his first name) Absolutely love the fact that EVERY time I see him, he's in pirate garb (with pirate cup in hand ;) He's one of many such pirates alive & well in NOLA (one of many such clics.)
Today I saw 'him' (arrrrggghhh) on/in this article:
http://candychang.com/before-i-die-in-nola/  

What a wonderful / inspiring use of a blighted property.
God bless this wretched town. Hope springs eternal.

Monster

Monster indeed!
http://youtu.be/p29jLbEpzJc

Love the idea of using transparencies in coin/magic description.

This DVD looks like a winner.

Check out the Flash Matrix: Boing!
http://youtu.be/b5JIbh5ioDk

"I said no the first six times..."

America's Got Talent is one of the few TV shows I watch (basically that or my kindred art form: big time wrestling... yeah, I know.... go figure)  Anyhoo: below is an interesting piece from the perspective a busking troupe who participated in/on the show. An interesting / behind the scenes look :

http://whipchick.livejournal.com/12805.html

Vanishing Face

I often use this blog as a reference place-holder for ideas that cross my noggin.

Here's one that's related to this:  http://youtu.be/AWB_2TzaMvU ("The Vanishing Face")

Back in the late 90's I experimented with putting magical effects 'online' and I always thought this optical illusion would make a great 'online' magic trick. My vision (instead of shooting a video) was to do a flash / animation of the effect. Alas, my skills with the required software never met my mindset and so, the concept remains dormant. I think this might be accomplished with HTML5?  (hmmmm)

Note: The book in the foreground of this video "Mathematics, Magic and Mystery" is one of my all-time faves. If you have any interest in any of these subjects: get this wonderful tome. Sidenote to note: The puzzle from said book was created by the equally brilliant: Mel Stover.