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There's an old saying: "The camera never lies." Even if the videos that your phone records aren't that good quality compared to say, an iPhone, they are still letting you know honestly that you have work to do. When you practice in front of a mirror, your attention is divided. It's like your...

Toby, I have actually done team building using magic at a corporate event a few years ago. I will share what I did, but the practicality of it will depend on how many people there are and other factors. Also, there were four of us magicians hired for the event. The group of roughly 50 people...

Hi James, the books you ordered would be enough to keep you busy for decades! Enjoy! Sorry i can't answer your question, though. How is your wife doing?

Yes, I like the bottom steal change, but the pack is face up when the move is done, so the card stolen from the "bottom" is actually the top card of the deck. Probably what you meant. I particularly like it for kids because of the jaw-dropping reaction it gets, but good for adults too. It's...

Deadman, It looks like you have arisen! I can relate to your story. It is not abnormal or unnatural to get burned out on things that we have been intensely involved with for a sustained period of time. And magic is no exception. The same can be true of people and places. Often when we take a...

I like Marlo's snap change when angles permit. If not, I do the paintbrush change.

Jordy, I enjoyed checking out your Blog tonight. I didn't have the opportunity to spend much time, but I will return to it. I know you have done a great deal of busking and have probably encountered many different types of people along the way. As the saying goes, "Experience is the best...

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - William Shakespeare - When I approach a table at a restaurant or people sitting at the bar, or anyone at a special event, I always introduce myself as "Al e Cat Debra, the Magical Entertainer" (never "magician"), usually followed by "Great to...

If the performance went really well, and the people you performed for perceived you as a magician and referred to you as such, then there is no reason why you should not think of yourself as a magician. After all, a lion cub is still a lion. It sounds like you have a sense of humility, and...

James, Thanks for keeping us posted. I know that you must feel a huge sense of relief! You have our continued support, prayers and good wishes, and please keep us updated...

Just wanted to add a couple quotes which I found that are on topic here and that struck a chord with me: "It's important to realize that the magician himself, or herself, is often experiencing the very same things that the others watching are experiencing. It's only by the magician entering...

i am assuming that there is a protocol against expressly tipping off the method David seems to be using to accomplish that effect, although a significant clue has been given. Perhaps it would provide a further clue to say that very rarely in life does making something rough for someone enable...

I agree with the comments of Christopher and Maaz. The best way I can sum up my approach is to say that I do not tell the spectators that what I am doing is real magic, and I do not tell them that it is not real magic, but I act like it is real. I always liked and identified with a statement...

Yes, James, please let us know how the surgery goes and update us on your wife's progress. You are a kind and good person.

James, Moisture on the hands and fingers provides friction, and friction is, of course, needed for quite a few card moves. For example, I do Marlo's Snap Change and his Convincing Control, both of which require friction between the fingertips and the cards. The same is true of the toss change...

Our thoughts and hearts are with you, James, and with your wife. Yes, I have found that a deck of cards is a great way to wile away the hours and a diversion from whatever stresses may be happening. My cards are like a friend that accompanies me pretty much everywhere. Well, actually, I guess...

Maaz, I would just add to the already excellent pointers you have received, that practicing 10,000 hours may make you a skillful sleight-of-hand artist, but not necessarily a good performer/entertainer. The most important skill to be practiced (in addition to learning to market/sell yourself...

So the question that has been posed is, "Why do some spectators insist on messing with you?" There have been some very insightful answers and comments posted here on this. In my opinion, there is no single reason, but most often it boils down to the personality or attitude of the performer...

@christopher: "In other words - magic that happens to use cards, rather than 'Card tricks,' This is making magic personal and people definitely like that." Yes, very well put.

Jebzy, No worries! In fact, I want to thank you for taking the time to make those three excellent points, and they are very helpful. As for your English, you are doing great. I would love to be able to speak or write Latvian (or any other language) one-half as good as you are doing with...