I really like your new website Hudson.

The photos of you smiling are very inviting and you have some great comments from past clients.

-Mary Mowder

Thanks Mary ... Now just have to wait till the gigs roll in

Hudson

Hey, guys! (Sorry Mary, I can tell full well you are not a guy)...

Good to hear from you! Hudson, I agree totally with Mary- great web site! Love the hat (I am a bit of a hat guy). Hope your site has the desired effect! I am adding the Stupid Bean Trick to my outdoor routine- have not field tested it yet (well, maybe in an empty field) but I think it will be a crowd stopper...

Take care, Jim

Hey, guys! (Sorry Mary, I can tell full well you are not a guy)...

Good to hear from you! Hudson, I agree totally with Mary- great web site! Love the hat (I am a bit of a hat guy). Hope your site has the desired effect! I am adding the Stupid Bean Trick to my outdoor routine- have not field tested it yet (well, maybe in an empty field) but I think it will be a crowd stopper...

Take care, Jim

Mr M - can stupid bean trick be used on stage? Also, how difficult to master?

I've thought about it, but worried I would use enough to justify investment.

Hudson

Hudson-

The stupid bean trick is great for stage. It is not a difficult effect, but is a little pricey. It is my understanding that only a limited number of sets will be sold so as to keep it from being over-exposed. You can get a good idea of how it plays on YouTube. Hope that helps. Jim

Hi, I don't know if this is too late, but I think it will help me practice and reach my goal, so:

1. Vidar

2. A simple card sandwich routine followed by rise and swap

3. 30 minutes

4. 4 times per week

5. June 10th

:)

Welcome VidarF,

We could use some new energy.

I look forward to your reports.

-Mary Mowder

Thank you Mary!

OK, so this week I have done two practice sessions since I joined this group. I have made a little change in the routine and I will be working on that.

Great!
You'll be surprised how quickly a few practice sessions become a good habit once you incorporate time for it into your schedule.

I'm currently working on "Linking Rings" (Ninjas) and "Ring and Ribbon" (long term) and have started playing with "The Charming Chinese Challenge" because of some of the crossover with the "Ring and Ribbon". These have been very diverting and satisfying sessions.
It is great fun to have my amazing partner and mentor Tom chime in with suggestions and ideas as well. Its like a great workshop every night.

-Mary Mowder

That sounds fun Mary! I went on your website and watched your video, your shows look very fun. Yes, I try to practice as much as I can, but I have a lot to do right now, in school and etc.
I am a beginner, 1 year into card magic. I wish I could have a mentor haha, but I don't know any magician. There is a magic circle in my town, but I wouldn't dare trying to join it, sounds scary.

You'd be surprised at how welcoming Magic groups can be to a dedicated student.

Give it a try.

Live help can far surpass online help. Real people can tell you when you are flashing or doing a "windup" to a move.

-Mary Mowder

You're probably right. Having someone to practice with, rather than practice on, would be nice. I might try it. Now I'll begin my first practice session for this week.

Hi. Last week hase been no good. I cut my thumb with a knife while cooking and with the thumb wrapped in band aid and hurting, the practice hasn't been so good.

I hope for better practice this week.

That is the worst. And don't try to sneak in any card practice early because the little dry flange of skin will seek the edge of any card in the vicinity and send you back to square one in the healing process.

A fingernail file can help smooth the skin but it looks like time to explore Linking Rings or some other non snaggy Magic for a while.

-Mary Mowder

Hello VidarF and welcome to our group! As you know, our goal is consistency. Your program sounds good and we will get positive vibes from your progress as well as our own. And remember, if you can't "find" 30 minutes on any given day, try to find a few, even if only 5. I was fiddling with Skinner's Monte a few weeks ago, literally doing the routine just once each evening. A chance came up to use it, and it went like clockwork! Good luck!

Jim

Hello all,

I've been performing my "Paws to Read" summer reading programs.
They are going very well and running exactly on time. (This almost never happens right from the start.)

Still working on Ring and Ribbon but I have done many of the single moves for the real public now as well as multiple showings to Magicians and friends (and some who are both).

I am very gratified at how well it is being received but had to pull a couple of the single effects from my "routine" (not yet set in stone) at a 5 hour gig July 1 (benefit for Ronald MacDonald House Charities).
It seems that some moves require very clean and dry hands, so I had to assess the situation before going for those.
Luckily there was a sink nearby and on such a long engagement I need to wash hands for best card work as well.

Ring and Ribbon also needs smooth hands as a snag can pull the ribbon in unexpected ways.

I'm not complaining. Each object has its own charms.

How are your efforts going?

-Mary Mowder

Hi Mary,
Good to hear you are well! I've been making good progress with my standup show - added the Stupid Bean Trick (thanks to Jim's comments) and it has been very well received. Plays well for all ages/ audiences. I also added in Dan Tong's cut and restored rope routine that I follow immediately with a ring and rope that seems to flow well.

I've tried egg bag, but just can't seem to get that where I like it well enough to keep in my set. Next up for me to learn is Silk2Egg. I'm doing a volunteer show for the Susan G Komen for the Cure in Minneapolis in late Aug and would like to have it ready by then.

Just back from IBM/SAM in St Louis. Saw some amazing magic, but think I like the smaller conventions better.

What's up with everyone else? Anyone making trips to Minneapolis?

Hudson

Hey gang!
I know it's been a while. I have had some health issues in the last year and I am doing much better now, but focusing on my job and family has trumped logging into the computer. I have been working on stuff off and on up until May and then had to take a break from magic due to an increased workload after a staff member departed in April to pursue his Masters. This unexpected departure put me back into the libraries for the summer. So Mary I was intrigued as I was catching up on the posts to see your venture into the libraries. Although I am approaching this as a naturalist and not a Magician I have been very successful creating Natural history programs that fit the libraries summer theme over the last 18 years. I have been to several library showcases in the past and I know exactly what you are referring to. It is unfortunate the acts that some libraries choose. I have several thoughts on this if you want to have aside conversation on this.
So back to magic. I did my first paying birthday party in May and had a great time as did the children. I incorporated some of Keith fields antics that works well with my style. As I said I haven't been doing much lately, but we are doing bag magic at the end of the month for our ring's monthly meeting. I am starting to work on a Bill Severn effect with checkers and paper lunch bags. I am also looking at some possibilities with the Baby Bag.

Andrew, has everything cleared up with you are you back to health?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pete