talkmagic.co.uk

ah! bet you thought you were gonna a freebie magic trick there didnt you...well, youre not..but while you're here...

for us in the U.K., there's been the jolly old post office strike hasn't there - and there's also been a recent pay day too..

now, for alot of us, we are avid buyers - i've been into this stuff now for seven years, and even so - i always have a browse round the online shops every month, filling up the basket with stuff i know deep down i don't really need...but i want it anyway..

i've got some stuff on order now, i'll share what it is:
some stuff from jon rigg
two effects from alakazam
some cards and a book from magicbox

by now, they would of been here, i'd of dismissed, well, ok - this time, not much, maybe 20-30% im guessing at...but mostly, up to 50% of the stuff i buy i end up damning myself for not knowing better, and the methodology is what i expected...and of course the odd diamond in the rough too, that i'll give a go, and be surprised at how much i like something...

recently, that was "blank" by kenton knepper...

my point in all this though, is, looking through my wall of dvds and books, the extra box in my cupboard full of "goodies", my tray by my bedside with my current "to read" pile...my "classics" draw with all my most used stuff, lincolns best boon, imp pads, and my "mini-gig in a bag" set up for when i get called to perform late night...my point is, i know ultimately, that 5 books, and say 5 gimmicks are all i will ever really need...

i might get some good presentational slants from some books, and tips from the old pros are always priceless, but i just mean...well, from my bed i can see the following:
magic in theory
sleight of mind
expert card technique
building blocks
tarotmania
seventh heaven

and dvd's by:
chan canasta
bob cassidy
lennart green
derren brown
dave forrest

now, the material from those 11 items, would be enough to last me a good decade easily - and that's not counting corinda, annemann, my e-books, tomo's stuff, kenton's stuff, banachek and so on either...

its the tip of the magic iceberg...

so for me, this strike has been a good thing, the bonus effect if you will - as i've been hovering over about 12 different american sites, and placing orders, only to bottle out of the "submit" finality...and, though i have found some gems, some interesting books, they've been noted down for another time..

i think it's that old "yeah, but if i just get this one thing...it'll make all the difference..."

when you need to realise that it wont, i'll avoid the usual cliches...but just giving yourself a breather, a step back, and re-evaluating what you already know, and just applying it in different ways, is two things:

a) what magic is supposed to be about
b) saves you more money for sweet, delicious booze

if i had of clicked on "submit", i would of spent nearly £300 over the weekend...just cos im almost self-conditioned to buy stuff on a monthly/weekly basis...

i feel a little clensed now...ahhh....must be the fibre..

lol nice essay i feel exactly the samei keep saying ive stopped and you see a video and think wow! this is going to do it for me ! im going to have an incredible reputation with this... and then u feel the sameway about a trick tommorow and your bitterly dissapointed.... but yes there are a few gems out there ive purchased over the internet when ive finally clicked submit...

but take yesterday for instance... i was going to order 3 half dollars off ellusionist for about £6.... i decide not to and wait... about half an hour later i find out bicycle808 has 5 spare for only £5!! if i hadnt held back and thought about it id of been really pi**ed off...
but anyway i still have the beginners addiction goddamit....

man i feel like you.... must of been the bran flakes... (sorry for stealing the joke)

joecarr14....... xD

I entirely sympathise, abraxus.

I was talking to someone about something similar on a different forum earlier today. Magicians love new tricks and new ideas. I suspect most of us could do with backing off and concentrating on what we already own, but there's always that great book that's just come out, or that excellent collectors' edition prop, or whatever other shiny bauble someone is waving at us.

Or, as Michael Jay might put it - we're suckers!

I also suspect that many of us have been burned by putting off a purchase, only for that item to sell out, or be withdrawn from sale, or increase in price. I know I've lost out on more than one item I really wanted by hesitating.

I sometimes suspect releases of playing on this fear. More than once I've seen an effect or book detailed as a limited edition and had a distinct feeling that it's a ploy to get sales as quickly as possible, before anyone has the chance to review it.

Such a good post Abraxus...

I think it's a generation now of people wanting to know a trick straight away and want to perform it straight away.

There are plenty of successful magicians out there who have almost daily gigs and their routine is simply Crazy Man's Handcuffs, Ambitious Card, Sponge Balls and the tricks we seem to 'forget'.

A lot of 'new' tricks are just the basics with a new twist on them. A creative twist if you will... But it's an urge to find out HOW they do that new 2 card transpo.

I'm standing up with you and am also taking hold of the Bonus Effect...

Strike stike strike!

Ooooh... What's this new trick?

now, the material from those 11 items, would be enough to last me a good decade easily

I've had the same feeling of late. And though I keep my list(s) updated, I have laid off the "submit" button. Lately, I've gone back and rewatched some things I got early in, and lo and behold: there's stuff in there i had forgotten or at least forgotten to practice So, my late-year's resolution is to buy nothing else for the 4th quarter and make sure i've got everything else down that i want/need to.

b) saves you more money for sweet, delicious booze

Excellent point. I'm a Glenlivet man myself. Any takers?

I always think to myself - "Just one more piece of kit and then I'll have everything I need" - until next time that is.

It's true. I shouldn't buy anything else ever again. I have more books and bits and bobs than I shall ever use. I always advise people getting into metalism that 13 Steps is all the books you'll ever need. But do I listen to my own advice. No chance.

Currently waiting on Son of Mindscan from Outlaw and Cardini's marked tarot deck from Cards4magic.

It really is shifting sands... as is any hobby.

I took up golf last year, and before I knew it I'd spent over a grand on kit and kaboodle.

It's all to do with boys and their toys... we get bored to easily, and when there's a few pennies in the jar, we feel compelled to relieve the boredom.

true... though no offense but i cant stand golf lol....

I'm with Seige on this one, boys and their toys is certainly the way to look at it. If you have the disposable income and can afford to take the risk its in the basket the stuff goes.

Strangely I can be compelled to buy magic, buy new equipment and kit for the sports that I do but I never feel the same about new clobber, new shoes or work stuff.

Crazy

now I'm totally the other way around, I'll happily pay money for clothes but when it comes to magic toys I'm very tight.

Lady of Mystery wrote:now I'm totally the other way around, I'll happily pay money for clothes but when it comes to magic toys I'm very tight.

But you're a girl so that's to be expected. I've never known a girl not "happily pay money for clothes". In fact, I'm sure a few girls I know would happily swap their partners for a new wardrobe, but that's a whole new thread....