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The magic that you see magicians performing today is really truly amazing. It seems like every year the bar is being raised to put the challenge on the rest of the magic community to come up with the next “big thing”. Magic shows are getting bigger; they’re getting more elaborate; they’re getting extreme. But is bigger always better?

Think about it. What would you rather see, David Copperfield on stage performing one of his unbelievable elusions with all the lights, pretty assistants, and fire and smoke or some ordinary Joe walking up to you on the street and asking you to pick a card, any card?

What’s your first reaction? Of course, who wouldn’t want to go see David Copperfield? He is the man, well known for all of his mind blowing magic that he has performed on stage and seen by millions on TV. Hey, if I was asked this question, I’d be the first to admit, I would choose David Copperfield in a heartbeat.

But let’s take a step back and think about this question, David Copperfield or Ordinary Joe. You’ve got the glamour versus the struggling street performer. Why would we choose Copperfield over Ordinary Joe? Is it because we know what Mr. Copperfield can do and we know whatever he does is over the top and we will enjoy it? Most likely, but what about Ordinary Joe? Why not give him a chance?

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\\ tags: Magic, Magic Trick

The Twenty One Card Trick is a trick illusion effect where the conjurer deals twenty one playing cards onto the table, and into 3 card value face up piles of 7 cards each, & asks the observer to try to remember any of the cards viewed. The viewer is not supposed to tell the magician which card is being thought of, but advises the conjurer which stack the card is in. This is executed three times & the conjurer is able to tell the spectator which card they had in mind. The cards are doled out into the piles one after another, like when dealing out hands in a playing card game. Every time they are dealt, after the observer indicates which stack contains the thought of playing card, the illusionist places that pile between the other two. After the first time, the playing card will be one of the ones in positions 8 to 14. When the cards are dealt the second time, the choice will be the third, 4th, or fifth playing card in the stack it finds itself. In picking up the stacks, the conjurer places this stack between the other two again. This guarantees that the choice will now be one of those in position ten to twelve. The third occasion the playing cards are dealt out, the choice will be the fourth playing card in which ever pile it ends up in. On the third deal, as soon as the spectator points out which stack contains the choice, the magician knows that it is the 4th, or centre, playing card in that stack. If the magician collects up the piles again, as before with the pile comprising the selection in the middle, the choice will be the eleventh card in the 21 playing card packet.

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\\ tags: Magic, Magic Trick

Music is part of our lives. Babies are comforted by lullabies, we learn to speak and communicate through song, teenagers first rebel through rap, and communities are brought together through hymns. Music defines who we are, and allows us to concentrate on tasks by providing rhythm to our daily tasks, and a melody can dredge up memories long thought forgotten.

Although we’ve had access to portable music for decades, the iPod has revolutionized how we think about portability itself; songs can be downloaded in a few minutes and be played until they have been replaced. As permanent media are not needed, such as for compact disk players, and the songs can be downloaded again (in case of accidental deletion) there is no need for protecting the songs themselves. This makes iPods the most portable music source, as other players require not only the player, but the medium itself. In other words: You don’t need to drag tapes or CD’s along, and worry about how you will carry them or keep them safe.

Unfortunately, iPods do not support all kinds of audio formats. Luckily there is iPod AudioBook software that will make audio books out of your .flac or .ogg or any other files.

You can also do something you can’t with other players: You can transmit the music to other players. Thus sharing music or trading songs is just a matter of having the right cords. You can also place the iPod in a dock, allowing it to play music in a better sound system. Whereas other players were limited to transferring the media itself, the iPod becomes the media.

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\\ tags: iPods, Magic

Robert-Houdin who was born in Blois is often credited as being “the father of modern magic”. Before him, magicians performed in marketplaces and at fairs, but Robert-Houdin performed magic at private parties and in theatres. He wore formal clothes, like those of his audiences. Many magicians today mimic this by wearing tail-coats, though some magicians consider this as old-fashioned and prefer contemporary clothes. He is widely considered the pioneer in the modern performance art of illusion. The stage name of Harry Houdini was taken in tribute to him, though Houdini later denounced Robert-Houdin.

Robert-Houdin made mechanical toys and machines and he was a watchmaker. From an early age he had been interested in sleight of hand and juggling, and in 1845 he began to exhibit his skill, soon becoming famous for his tricks.

The Arabs of Algeria were said to be excited to rebel against French colonialists by false miracles performed by their religious leaders. In 1856, the French government led by Napoleon 3rd sent Robert-Houdin there, hoping that he might perform tricks that were far more impressive, thereby dissolving the excitement of the rebels. It is said that Robert-Houdin’s tricks, succeeded in breaking up the influence of the priests. Moreover, the Arabs became afraid of Robert-Houdin.

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\\ tags: Magic

I have researched talismans & amulets for many years, I have a fascination with symbols and the power they are given. A recent find in France has unearthed an Earth Mother charm used in fertility rites that is estimated to be around 25,000 years old. This is an indication that symbols have been used for as long as Gods have been worshipped.

Talismans and amulets are usually an item that is worn or carried, and is given some kind of function to perform. They can be made from virtually any material and be used for almost any purpose. For instance; a four-leaf clover to attract luck, a Chinese lucky coin to bring wealth or a piece of snowflake obsidian to repel negative influences.

The power given to an object can be entirely of personal choice or can use the principles of sympathetic magick, in other words, to use something that relates to or resembles the required outcome. You could find a stone that you like while walking and this might become your ‘lucky stone’. Someone you care about may give you an item (ring, jewellery, photo etc) that suddenly holds power for you or you may use a more traditional form of amulet.

Traditional charms include; Rabbits foot (bad for the rabbit), the Crucifix, A piece of jade, garlic (to repel vampires and demons), Holy relics, dried flowers and herbs, metal talismans (often from ceremonial magick), astrological symbols, crystals, the Evil Eye, the pentagram (5 sided star, used for protection), the Star of David and countless thousands more.

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\\ tags: Charm, Magic, Talisman

Learning how to hypnotize somebody will require patience and practice. For someone with the dedication to learn the ropes, however, the process won’t be all that terribly difficult.

The options to learn how to hypnotize somebody will generally involve some type of formalized training. This can be obtained in the following places:

·Books, videos or online sites. It’s possible to learn how to hypnotize somebody by doing nothing more than reading and watching. Whether this is the best route to go or even a legal one will depend on the person in question and the state in which a person resides. While it’s more than possible to learn how to hypnotize somebody this way, subtle techniques might not be fully mastered in this manner.

·Hypnotism schools. There are actually schools that specialize in this. These schools tend to offer certifications to show others their students have properly learned how to hypnotize somebody. They can be beneficial for professional career choice and even for adding on to an already established career. They also work well for those who want to learn self hypnosis.

·Universities. Many degree programs include courses that involve lessons in how to hypnotize somebody. Whether it’s for clinicians or psychologists, the lessons in how to hypnotize somebody will often be quite intense and include a variety of different techniques.

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\\ tags: Hypnotize, Magic

THE SONNET
The sonnet is a fourteen-line lyric poem in predominantly iambic pentameter, with a formal rhyme scheme. Although there can be considerable variation in rhyme scheme, most English sonnets are written in either the Italian (Petrarchan) style or the English (Shakespearean) style. A third sonnet form, the Spenserian sonnet, is also well-known, but far less commonly used than either the Petrarchan or the Shakespearean sonnet.

THE PETRARCHAN SONNET
The Italian sonnet form is commony called the Petrarchan sonnet, because Petrarch’s “Canzonieri,” a sequence of poems including 317 sonnets, established the sonnet as a major form in European poetry. The Petrarchan sonnet consists of an octave (an eight-line stanza), rhyming abbaabba, and a sestet (a six-line stanza), rhyming cdcdcd, or cdecde–or using some other variation of the cd or cde patterns, but without a final rhymed couplet.

The octave usually presents an idea, raises an argument, makes a proposition, or poses a problem. A turning point (”volta”) occurs between the octave and the sestet, and the sestet develops out of the octave by illustrating the idea in the octave, varying it, responding to it, or solving the problem it poses.

THE SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET
Shakespeare did not invent the English sonnet form, but he is recognized as its greatest practitioner; therefore, the English sonnet is commonly called the Shakespearean sonnet.

The Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas), rhyming abab cdcd efef, and a couplet (a two-line stanza), rhyming gg. Because each new stanza introduces a new set of rhyming sounds, the Shakespearean sonnet is well-suited to English, which is less richly endowed than Italian with rhyming words.

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\\ tags: Literature, Sonnet

Reviewing a book may not be an easy task for all of us, especially for those of us who do not read often. Sometimes, however, the task is inevitable, whether as a school or work assignment, and it is hard to think of what to say. There are a few things a book review should cover, which are sometimes missed as people fall into the trap of writing a summary instead, and if you keep these things in mind, an effective, coherent book review is no daunting task.

Firstly, read the book. Well, that wasn’t completely a joke. Sometimes one tends to just skim over the pages, or even simply read the back cover and work from there, especially when one is pressed for time. Read the book properly once so you will know what you’re talking about…unless you’re a master of bull excrement, you won’t be able to write a review that reads off impressively otherwise.

So you’ve read the book. The next hardest step is getting started. How does one introduce a book? If you have knowledge of the genre, it is a good idea to start off by comparing it with works you’ve found similar. � by Terry Goodkind is as compelling and as intricately woven as Tolkien…� , might be an example. This immediately gives the reader an idea of what standard the book is, at least in someone’s opinion, and also lets him know what to expect if he reads the book. In the event that you don’t know the genre, say, the case being that you’ve been asked to do a review on a book in a genre you don’t usually read, start off with an interesting �leading in� sentence about the book. �Of burning passion, deceit and suspense, does not lack.� Is an example of this. Whatever the case is, give an overall feeling of the book in your opening paragraph. Stylistic modifications are perfectly fine, and do in fact add to the interest a reader would have in your review, but that is the standard objective your first paragraph should aim to achieve. Elaborate on your opening sentence…give reasons Elaborate on your opening sentence…give reasons why you say the book is like this, but do not worry if you can’t say much. It’s an introduction.

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\\ tags: Literature

Public Speaking is one of the greatest fears most people have. In order to overcome mine I joined a Toastmasters club. I not only became a confident public speaker; I learned many tools for effective speech writing that are also helpful in writing.

The purpose of this article is to explain how speechwriting taught me structure. Writing a speech is not very different from writing an article. When addressing a �live� audience, you practice vocal tone, grammar, body language and your appearance. Lucky for me no one sees me when I�m writing!

Structure is important when writing a speech or a piece that is going to be read by someone else. Ideas need to flow logically and naturally from one idea to the other. Sentences open your thoughts in a logical flow as thread in a sweater. A paragraph should contain one complete idea. One helpful suggestion is to read your article aloud after you�ve written it. Does it sound like it flows in a logical and interesting way? Would you be comfortable reading it to an audience?

The basic outline of a speech is simple:

Introduction: Tell the people what you�re going to tell them.

Body: Tell them

Conclusion: Tell them what you just told them (in summary)

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\\ tags: Literature

If you’ve read the writings of Dr. Seuss, children’s writing may seem to be a snap. However, anyone that has ever tried to write a children’s poem knows that the process is much harder than it seems. It’s very easy to fall into overused conventions and produce work that is not original. It is a well-known fact that publishers rarely accept children’s poetry. This is the reason that there are so few established children’s poets. Use the following tips to create original and engaging children’s poetry that may just beat the tough market:

1. Don’t Be a Mimic
The first mistake that all new writers to children’s poetry fall into is writing like another writer. Publishers receive tons of Dr. Seuss-like poems from hopeful writers. If you are going to write children’s poems, you first have to develop a unique voice, one that no one can dispute or copy. Courses in this area are usually available at local colleges, and writer’s groups are invaluable for testing new work. This is the key to breaking into the poetry market.

2. Know your Market
You can’t get a feel for the market that will buy your poems unless you read into it. Spend some time at a local bookstore, and browse other sets of children’s poems in order to see the different types that are out there. Order children’s magazine, and take a look at what makes the cut.

3. Find Areas of Interest
There are some areas that will always be of interest to publishers for poetry. Some publishers prefer easy reading, other prefer non-fiction and teaching books, and so on. Read up on this.

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\\ tags: Literature, poems