I have been feeling magically burnt out of late (just had no enthusiasm at all), so I would like to apologise to all for not posting anything for ages.
I hope you have all had a good xmas and hopefully I will be able to come up with something soon.
cheers

Lyndon, I think it happens to a lot of us. Sometimes it's good to just walk away for while and when the "urge" comes back..you'll feel good about it.

Best thoughts,
John Smetana

Don't feel bad about not posting. Burnout happens to all of us once in a while. Don't try to force the magic out. You will only get a hernia.

Thanx and I must say I feel a little better after watching T.H.E.M = TOTALLY HIDDEN EXTREME MAGIC and I love the whole concept of the idea. Anyone else catch it?

No what is it?

A "Band" of magicians who pull of tricks on un-suspecting public in a style like candid camera, sort of magic reality tv it was on sky one here in UK, but keeps being repeated on Sky One Mix.

Yeah, I saw it. Not quite my style, but I DID rather enjoy it, and I think that there's probably a lot more mileage left in the concept.

I really liked the weird up-the-wall levitation in the lift (elevator) - very scary - and there were several other inspired bits: the quick-change act in the clothes store springs to mind .

I think the principle danger of the format is that it would be all to easy to descend into the 'look how smart I am, I fooled ya' magician's mentality - however, I thought, on the whole, the programme makers avoided that. The show was more about giving people a weird experience and tweaking their sense of reality, rather than finding victims to play practical jokes on.

I'd certainly watch another show. (Incidentally, whoever came up with the 'I'm one of THEM...' line, that so wonderfully extended people's confusion and astonishment before this enigmatic acronym was explained, bravo!)

Regards,

Caleb Strange.

P.S. lyndonwebb, I'm glad the show recharged your magical batteries, so to speak . I'd guess that we've all been disenchanted with the art, at sometime or another.

The lovely film Amelie reminded me of the alchemy of wonder when I was at a similar low-ebb.

Thanx Caleb and by the way I believe you have a coming out, if it is any way like the stuff you posted on here I will definately want a copy.
Oh and I believe you did the Villa today??

Lyndonwebb,

Many thanks for your kind words - my book will be coming out soon, c. April, published by Luke Jermay.

And yeah, we DID do the Villa today! (Some non-Brits may now be wondering what terrible secrets lie behind that ominous phrase 'The Villa'? But, as they say here on UK TV, 'Please, don't have nightmares...')

Muhahahahaaaaa...aack...aaoog...cka...krrr (evil laugh deteriorating into a fearful, phlegm-spluttering cough),

Caleb Strange.

I can imagine somebody now thinking
What manner of new evil is this "The Villa"?

Hi Lyndon,

Good to hear from you again. Hope to see you in a weeks time. Aston springs to mind when ever anyone mentions Villa but then again. Hope your Xmas was good I'm trying to find the energy to practice and start thinking magic again.


PS. Saw THEM as well, liked the idea behind it and look forward to see another installment.

The February 2004 IBM Linking Ring magazine will have my "It's More than Tricks" column where the topic is "Renewing your Interest in Magic."

You might find some useful ideas there.

Thanx to you all and I'll definatley check out your column in the feb edition.