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Some of you may recall recently a plea from magicians in China not to support this year's FISM because of their affiliations with the CAA who have shown a certain amount of contempt for the magic community that seems to surpass even Fox Entertainment. You can read about the details here...

So you came out smelling like roses and you're still going to complain? And how's that working out for you?

Imagine if you will being at a cocktail party. You cross paths with a gentleman who is dressed stylishly, but a little rakishly. Long hair, goatee, bit of a rocker vibe coming off of him. He introduces himself in a low bass/baritone voice and speaks very slowly, enunciating clearly as if...

The phrase is "couldn't care less." Besides that, it really is only an issue to magicians. And I would take it more seriously if there were any solidarity in the community, but there isn't.

You have to get behind somebody before you can stab them in the back. It's what magicians do best. Truth is, we're all looking out for Number 1. Some of us are just a little less aggressive about it.

Having a ****load of tricks doesn't do you much good if you don't know how to act like mentalist. That's why I keep saying Fundamentals. None of which is appropriate for beginners in mentalism. A lot of Kenton and Luke's best material requires an ability to lie that I'm sorry to say most...

Do not mistake competence for arrogance.

I just sent an email to the admins saying that every time someone says something uncomfortable and controversial, every one's first instinct is to label the thread as pointless or trolling and demand that it be closed immediately. Sometimes I really hate being right all the time.

Now try giving real advice. If you're starting off in mentalism, you cannot do better than Bob Cassidy's Fundamentals. It is a perfect no-bull**** guide to the craft. Remember, amateurs tell you to buy tricks. Professionals tell you how to become a mentalist.

He died at the hands of a madman who saw Harvey as the source of his fall from grace rather than his own failings. He made sacrifices to do what he believed to be the right thing. He believed in his cause strongly enough to make compromises, and those who knew him said that he had natural...

And that has ****-all to do with my point, how?

You are the last person in the world I expected to fulfill Godwin's Law. I know I joke a lot about drinking, but given the nature of the conversations I'm seeing among magicians lately leading to frequent Nazi analogies that only cheapen the real thing, I really do need a stiff drink right...

Asking for stock lines will help you in the beginning, but sooner or later you'll need to come up with something more personal. For example, in response to the question of making a person disappear, I used to say things like, "No, I'm only good at making my money disappear." It worked for a...

I almost wish they would reveal the damn thing. Then maybe people will shut up about it. A few months ago, there were a ton of clipshift battles. I wanted to slash my wrists. To make a point, a number of magicians quit using thumb tips after Night at the Museum came out. I still use one...

But there's so much else to do in life, why should I have to build a car when I can just buy one made by a professional automobile designer? And if I really want that custom look, there's always decals, detail painting, vanity plates... Of course, there's always the risk that in customizing...

I know two Russian roulette routines that are absolutely fool proof, the first of which being Mark Edward's. However, I do agree that they're generally done in bad taste. There are certain restrictions and licenses required, but hypothetically it could be acquired.

First off, I'm not a Linkin Park fan and that got me thinking. Consider your target market and if the song is appropriate for a demo aimed at hooking them. Definitely get rid of the cigarette. And those wipes need to go, they look amateurish. Cuts and dissolves are all you need.

And this is supposed to make me feel less apprehensive about acid, how? I get the science. But I also get drama. And from a writer's perspective, acid is more dramatic because it's process of destruction is slow and agonizing.

To repeat: personalized does not automatically equal good. Mark Wilson would have probably agreed with me that Blizzard should not be performed on TV. It should not be filmed. I state again and again and again that some magic just should not be filmed. Why are you ignoring that point...

Oh god... Just because I built it and the engine doesn't explode upon turning over doesn't mean it's a good car. Yeah, it may get me from place to place, but what if it needs constant repairs? What if the mileage sucks? What if the emissions aren't up to code? Just because it's personalized...