Mar 29, 2009

A birthday gift from a good friend from miles away

I've been quite busy over the past few days especially with my birthday. I went to University of the Philippines to do a demo teach, watch my girlfriend's thesis defense and to meet long time friends to celebrate my birthday.

Well it was really nice since I got to celebrate my birthday with a free lunch courtesy of UP ASCENT (Sorry if I was in a hurry and wasn't able to share more time with you guys) Anyway I enjoyed the lunch and I promised to treat them the next time we see each other.

Speaking of treats, I treated my friends from school with Cello's Donuts. I went there right after my demo teaching and it really felt good to treat friends even it feels bad on the pocket. Here's one out of the three boxes I bought for them.


Cello's Cheese, Chocnut, Cinnamon Crunch, Chocolate Sprinkles

Well it wasn't just all for my friends at school since one box went to my girlfriend Ciara and her classmates since they were working hard for a presentation. I had to admit I was a little hesitant to give one box because it might not be enough for the group, but of course they valued the thought more than anything else and appreciated the gift and shared it with everyone in the class.

After sharing all the love and donuts on my birthday, I took Ciara back to her home and on the way there we were talking to another good friend of mine: Shane. Though it was getting late it was really fun recounting all the memories back in school.

Arriving from home, I saw a brown envelope waiting for me on the table. I opened it and behold I had one of the best gifts for my birthday courtesy of Justin Meitz. It might not be intentional but the time it arrived was just perfect since it was my birthday, and I can't wait to watch it.

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Well thanks to everyone who made this year's birthday a better one. Hopefully next year would even be better.

Thanks to all,

Mar 27, 2009

Another year another chance and a birthday wish



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Yeah the title sounds cliche but of course with each birthday that passed in my life as far as I could remember it has been a chance for me to look back at who I was and look forward to who will I be. With my birthday today all I could say that for the past 22 years of my existence in this world I have learned a lot but not enough to know what is life really about.

Turning a year older made me realize that life isn't all about making you biggest wishes and wildest fantasies come true. Before I always said to myself that after I finished my studies I'll be filthy rich and all with a lifestyle of luxury that I would be enjoying for the rest of my life.

Those were a few wishes I wanted and every year I would be wishing for them but of course in reality it would only bring frustration if you can't achieve those things that you've been wishing for. Worse is that despite the hard work you gave to it, it will still turn out very unlike the dream you've always wished for.

With that I realized that in life sometimes our dreams get too much in the way that we forget the reality that life is beautiful. Yes life isn't perfect but it can always be beautiful, especially with the people you value the most.

Lastly I learned that in the end it all just comes down to one question: "Are you happy" Well the answer would still vary but for now I know that I am...

Mar 24, 2009

Taking a break

What do sheep count when they can't get to sleep?





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Well I am taking a break from magic since for the past two weeks I have been to busy with my current job. However in a month, I'll be off with a new job and hopefully it won't be as stressful as this one.

I know it might not be wise to get out of a current job because times are hard but imagine if you could actaully do what you want then you wouldn't have to work a single day in your life right? In other words doing something you enjoy would make you look forward to go to work rather than drag yourself all the way to it.

This brings me to something related with magic. When I started magic I wanted to do almost everything there is with it. I wanted to do close-up, parlor and even stage illusions. Though it was really far fetched I never stopped conceiving ideas for possible acts in the future.

So I studied almost every branch of magic thinking that someday I'll be very good at it. However I just gave up on some of the things I'm practicing like Card Manipulations. I got tired trying to produce continuous cards out of thin air and actually not being happy with the results. Then I thought that if I don't so this anyway that won't make me less a magician right?

Well at least now whenever I learn something new I try to practice it first but when I see that it really wouldn't be of any help I just ditch it and search for better options same with what I have just done, since I'm not seeing my self improving with this I might as well find something better to do.

This brings me back to the question above (What do sheep count when they can't get to sleep?) Well maybe they'll count something else.


Mar 13, 2009

Discovery


During this week I received the package I ordered from Magicians.com and boy it was fun experimenting again with the new stuff. Basically I got the stuff I need to create my own handling of two killer effects. One of them is the Anniversary Waltz.

Basically I already know how to do the tricks that I'm practicing in theory. I know the underlying methods to accomplish such,(thanks to a good knowledge of basic and intermediate sleights) and the moment I receive the equipment I need, in just an hour or two I was able to do it smoothly.

After a few days of practice, and by some stroke of good luck I was able to actually make my own handling of that card trick that uses a special deck for it (It also sounds like a dance). Thanks to the videos that I keep on watching I was able to fish out a good move that made my handling possible.

Well actually I'm still perfecting my handling for the trick and I made it easier for me so that I could perform it smoothly.

Mar 3, 2009

Visiting a few magic people

Yesterday I went to this little magic kiosk and saw a few people doing tricks. I performed a little for them and I was surprised that some of them still get impressed despite the simplicity of the tricks I've done.

I've performed the following for them:

1. Chicago Opener with final card change
2. Gecko Lighter Vanish
3. Subway by Dan and Dave
4. Coins across from Bobo
5. Coins Across Version 2 using three large regular coins.

Well apparently this remains my sole advantage over these guys: knowledge of the classics. My knowledge of the classics made it hard for them especially since most of them know the modern people like Ogawa, Pearlman, Noblezada etc. Although we know that most of their works are from the classics of course not all of the material there would be known now.

Also what made my magic a little more special for them might be the fact that I use less gimmicks and focus more on technique Well that's just me and that's my style, a fan of tradition with a mix of modern magic.

Mar 2, 2009

Make your own magic


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In one of my magic books, it is strongly encouraged that a magician be creative when he makes his own props. Most of the time the materials needed when constructing props could be found just around your home.

I admit that there are times that I am a pack rat. In other words I keep lots of materials that I might find useful someday when I need it. Well it has prove to be worthwhile to store some items but of course I immediately throw out those without any use already.

An example of this are all my nonworking earphones from my MP3 player. I saved a few of them knowing that I could use some parts of it. Lo and behold I was actually able to harvest from it a prop that sells in some magic shops fro over $12.00!

Well as we all know it all comes down to creativity. The stuff that the stores are carrying might have started from the garage or even from the garbage. Just remember to let your imagiiantion flow and soon you might be able to create your own magic.


Mar 1, 2009

Magic Review: Gecko

I received my gecko two weeks ago from Magicians.com. The Gecko is described as a utility tool used primarily for vanishes. It could vanish almost anything, provided that you have a lot of practice and mastery of the device.

The Gecko itself is not a trick, rather I would say it is a utility device that could help you achieve miracles. Here are a few things that you could do with it according to it's description.

Here are just a few of the effects you can master with The Gecko:

* Vanish coins!
* Vanish cell phones!
* Bent and restored bottle cap routines!
* Instant coin transformations
* Vanish business cards and credit cards!
* Use as a Hold-Out Device too!

The possibilities are endless. You are only limited by your imagination!

Yes the Gecko could truly all do that but don't expect that you can do it immediately after you open the box. As I have said it requires a lot of practice and an intermediate level in magic. This device isn't recommended for beginners since a beginner would surely have a hard time

The kit includes 2 complete assemblies; one regular and one heavy-duty. It also comes with a spare "change out" gimmick and all necessary supplies. Also it includes a DVD that would cover the basics of the device and some killer routines to perform.

For the kit I am really happy that it is assembled before hand and all you have to do is adjust it to conform to your body and after that you could start practicing with it. Although it would be hard at first, after you have learned how to adjust yourself to certain aspects then surely you're off to a good start.

You could buy your Gecko here at a limited time low price offer. To see it in action you could watch my video here.

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