WARNING The following "rant" is rather long and meandering. It does however address an issue of genuine apology to the over-all membership of this forum for having to put up with some of the head-games a certain group seems to love playing (not exclusively with me but most especially with me). At the same time, this posit will (I hope) expose a bit about this game and the fact that more than one person has noticed what they term as being "Virtual Stalking" by three key individuals with especial note towards one in particular, who has a massive ego when it comes to showing off his intellect More than anything, it's just me getting this c-r-a-p off my chest in that I'm fed up with the games and immaturity these folks insist on expressing.
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In the past few months I've made some out-bursts and flaming comments towards two or three individuals, all of whom seem to have followed me not only to here but several other forums via The Magic Bunny a.k.a. The Magic Cafe of the UK... or so it would seem. Some of the shenanigans of its membership roster would place it a bit beneath the Cafe when it comes to just how low and childish this group can be with it's antics of harassment and attempt to put down those without any sense of "Celebrity" who have decades worth of hands-on experience in this craft that surpasses that of the typical mage. I'm not referring entirely to my self in this in that others, a few of whom are or were members here, have felt this same course of attack and general disrespect.
I've been assured numerous times that TM will remain a safe haven for me and I will always be welcomed here. I'm not as "active" here as I once was, nor am I contributing nearly as much as I wish... life has gotten in the way, as were. Fortunately I've not managed to kill myself like others in that trap have done, but like most in that grouping I did a hell of a lot of damage over a very brief period of time. I'm likewise paying for it on multiple levels... BUT, even my greatest of critics in this craft give me credit when and where it is due along side serious respect. I know that my "peers" on this forum can attest to similar things though we are not seen as "Major" players on the battle front... we're just down to earth work horses if the truth were to be known.
Getting to the Point... there's a small handful of folks that have made it their hobby to taunt and when possible, strive to make me (specifically) look the fool. One particular individual in this Bunny Hit Squad (as I call them) has gone so far as to do a full life history sense of research on me; possessing every possible on-line file that can be found on me and possibly a bit more. He's done so NOT out of loyalty or the act of being a fan, but for the sake of harassment i.e. attempting to use my own words or history against me or to "trip me up".
Needless to say I've become rather fed up with it and via IM/PM activities, emails and other scenarios, I've been told to let the general public (so to speak) know about this so THEY can see the games for themselves; cleverly worded posts, for an example, that make the poster look totally innocent but at the same time, extend a dual sense of position... one that cuts with aggression as well as defends.
... then again, I've been accused at the public level of being overly paranoid. Again, something that deliberately paints me the fool and gives the accuser that sense of being on the higher, more firm and above board position.
This forum, like the Bunny and many others, have had people of this ilk, chase off people that were gold mines of knowledge, experience and integrity simply because these folks a.) weren't recognized enough via the media to warrant respect in conjunction to their claims and/or knowledge base; b.) shared observations and opinions that went against the more amateur (less experienced) points of view and desire. c.) They were willing to point out the short-comings and challenge the style and philosophy of the more well known and "famous" folks within the industry.
CASE IN POINT: I often use the term "Magician" as a negative.
Firstly, I'm not alone in this action and can readily give you a very long list of seasoned performers, including those many idolize, that see how eager most magic buffs are to live down to the more negative stereo-type this word implies vs. that minority that is serious about this craft and constantly strives (quietly) towards perfection. Interestingly, most of those that fall into this latter category aren't only rare but few of them become more than hobbyists.
In the pro world it is a known constant that lectures that don't teach at least three solid card tricks get lower marks and kudos than those that do (no matter who is doing the lecture). Statistics also show how lectures and even workshops that focus on the more theater side of things vs. the next new trick, gain less patronage and support... two examples as to why those that have "been around" employ the word "Magician" in the negative But, there is one more important reason -- the perspective of the laity. Most of whom moan and even laugh when they hear the term "Magician" in that it typically denotes a nerd of some kind that does tricks and does them poorly and ironically, each geek involved in magic fits certain other typecast-molds i.e. womanizers, heavy drinkers, poor dressers, used car salesman type personalities and so much more.
When we sit down and get honest about things, the negative perspective on what the word "Magician" means has far more support in reality than most want to acknowledge. On the other hand we do have those that live up to the more "romantic" idea of that image; the Lance Burton types and even the slowly maturing persona's of Angel and Blaine... but it's only because they pay people to mold them and make them "Celebrity Quality"... these are the guys that attended those lectures and workshops and college courses in theater, etc. that didn't teach a single card trick but rather the tricks of the trade.... call me Jaded but this is where the real magic starts happening, not via Tarbell, the Wilson Course, etc.
For generations Mentalists have been seen as elitists and smug in that they have (until the past decade) been far more protective of their secrets, the psychology of their performances, and more. The unfolding of this "Dunninger Platform" as some insiders call it (i.e. the commercial magic attitude applied to mentalism, which is what made Dunninger so famous and "acceptable" in his day), creating a greater sense of chasm within the art than ever before -- the "having one's cake and eating it too" attitude resulting in old times and "truests" like myself, to express some strong disdain and opinions with the hope of encouraging just a few of you all, to reconsider and try to do things the "right way" vs. the new commercial way... presenting Mentalism as a mystery vs. another freak'n magic show.
So if my sharpness or wit and tongue insults you when it comes to this sort of thing, maybe you should ask why. It is not my desire to be rude, just direct and honest based on forty some odd years playing with either big boxes or mental mysteries... but more important, forty some odd years ON STAGE or working in the industry at some level. You'd think that was worth something and yet, there are those here that would deliberately pizzz all over it out of spite or their "need" to act and be seen as superior... one of my "step" kids suffered from this condition, today he's a noted Lawyer working on International Law Cases out of Switzerland and loves to build cases that tie the hands of vicious women seeking divorce and the general castration of their spouses... not because he's gone through such but that he was a kid watching two such vindictive courses by the women in his life. That however is another tale...
Bottom line is, I apologies if I come off as rude, arrogant or demeaning in my posts. Though there are times such is obviously deliberate for what should be obvious reasons, that is not my intent for the most part (though I do have an odd sense of humor that oft gets mis-read). I also apologies for the fact that I've been on and off stage since the mid and late 1960s; that I've seen and been privy to so much and have so little to show for it all. I apologies for what some refer to as "Name Dropping" when, from my point of view I'm only referring to friends and folks I've "grown up" with... some of whom have "made it" big time... but I can say the same about some of the younger folks who were encouraged by my words... but I'm not allowed, it would seem, to name names in that some find it rude and an "ego" driven thing.
I want to apologies for having answers on things as well as resources that I share freely most of the time; for trying to give those asking for information more than one source, etc. Similarly, I apologies for not putting everything into an eBook and forcing you to pay whatever inflated sum I wish, so as to treat you all like suckers... just the way many of my critics and detractors here are and have been doing.
Anywho... thanks for letting me vent. I really do mean this as an apology to all in that I've blown up a bit here of late and though I can give you many "excuses" all of which have a bit of legitimacy, I think it more prudent to reveal (indirectly) that there are foolish bunnies in the world that forget that bears will eat them alive if they poke them too much. This particular Teddy already discovering that many of his friends that weren't even aware of past tensions, are seeing it and looking at the culprits as ignorant punks vs. the intellects and resources they envision themselves to be. So keep on poking the bear you silly little rabbits, it is a game now fully exposed and making YOU look the greater fool... and I'm very sorry for that as well, in that some of you were once seen as a friend and others, as the kind of genius I typically encourage and endorse... believe it or not, my endorsement carries weight in the real world... again, another story.
Thanks All!
