What is it about the blank page that makes it so hard to get started writing? I have so much I want to say and when I finally get the time to sit down and write, I sit staring at the screen wondering how to start.

I was talking with my buddy Pete the other day (it sure feels like the other day, but it was probably a good two weeks ago) and he was ragging on me for not updating the site in forever. I told him that between my job and my friends and everything else, magic’s kinda taken a backseat. I’m at the point where updating regularly would consist of nothing more than mindless short posts (which is what Twitter’s for) and that’s why I kinda gave up. I said something along the lines of, “I either need to officially give up the blog, or start doing magic again.”

I’m not giving this motherfucker up.

I have wanted to make a living as a magician for as long as I can remember. I work shitty dead-end job after shitty dead-end job in hopes of making it big some day, like an actor paying his dues waiting tables. I’ve been in this off and on for over a decade. It’s getting close to shit or get off the pot time.

The funny thing is, nobody’s come in and handed me an act yet. Gigs aren’t booking themselves, and construction hasn’t begun on my Vegas theater. And yet, apparently I expect all that to happen because I sit here day after day and do nothing to make progress. There’s always something more interesting to do than to work on my act or make some phone calls. And that’s really dumb. I understand that being a professional magician is a job just like any other, although it’s a very fun job. But I’m not treating it like one. If I slacked off this much at my day job, I’d be out on the street in an instant.

So I’m starting from scratch, and taking things seriously. I’m going to buckle down, work hard, and make a go of this. I know I can’t keep dicking around forever, and I refuse to quit without making a real effort. I’m not going to commit myself to any type of schedule (such as working on things for 4 hours a day and posting here twice a week) because that only sets me up for failure. I have proven that time and time again.

What I will say is that I am going to buckle down and do this, posting as frequently as possible about my progress. It’s going to be an interesting journey because I’m starting completely fresh and working my way back up. Tune in, tell your friends, and keep your fingers crossed. This is going to be an interesting ride.

Andster

So I really feel like douche bag cause I haven’t been posting regularly at all. But I finally got guilted into coming back between pestering from Pete and an offhand comment from Justin Robert Young about how I used to write a blog.

Unfortunately, I haven’t done anything worthwhile lately.

I have a couple topics I’d like to write about, and will do so soon. I also finally broke down and bought some stuff from Cannon’s that I’ve been looking at for years.

My birthday’s on Wednesday, and I’m partying Saturday. I’ve got something cool in mind for my party, and if all goes well there will be pictures and video up sometime soon after. I’m still Twittering, and you should definitely check that out, especially for pictures from Saturday.

Andster

I completely forgot that it was Wednesday until early Thursday morning, and since I haven’t decided upon protocol for missed posts, I just skipped it completely and waited until today. Got it? Good.

I saw a couple movies in the past few days, Observe and Report (don’t waste your time) and Knowing (decent, but I wasn’t a big fan of the ending). I’m aware it’s not the greatst creative leap ever taken, but Knowing made me start thinking about prediction effects. I’ve got a bunch of thoughts right now, and I’ll probably expand on this at a later date.

Briefly, I started thinking about the impact of predicting multiple events, instead of just one thing. How would a publicity stunt be affected if instead of predicting one set of winning lottery numbers, the magician predicted a couple month’s worth, along with winner’s names? What if someone accurately predicted the weather and high temperatures for a long stretch of time?

I also thought about how I could heighten the impact of a prediction. Sure, knowing the lottery numbers is fun, but what if I could play them, or show evidence that I played them? Would it be any more or less realistic to show that I knew what the numbers would be, then pull out the prize money as proof?

I kinda wish I hadn’t started writing about this, because now I’ve got a lot more I want to say but I’m late and need to leave. I’ll revisit this on Wednesday (maybe before if I’m inspired and have free time) but in the meantime, please leave your thoughts in the comments.

Andster

This counts as a post. Sue me.

Andster

According to my stats, this is my 400th published post since starting this blog so long ago. I wish I had something memorable to say, instead of sitting in front of my laptop trying to bang out a scheduled entry before I have to go to work.

Having this blog is one of the best things that’s happened to me. It’s given me a place to vent, to brain dump, to make smart ass comments and talk shit, and a place to write about things that are important to me. I’ve shared a lot of my life with complete strangers (some would probably say I’ve shared too much) and have come out of that for the better. (Hey, it’s cheaper than therapy!)

When I first started blogging 4 (or was it 5?) years ago, there weren’t many of us out there. I remember being inspired by the handful that were around and thinking, “Hey, I could do that!” So sure as shit I signed up for a bloglines account and started writing. Somewhere along the line, I did something right and got noticed and got popular and that made me happy.

I fully realize that this “magic blog” is anything but at times. Hell, at most times. But I’m really trying to get back into the swing of things. It sucks when real life takes its toll and I can’t perform as much or keep up with all the magic news. Although in the era of iTricks it’s almost futile to try to find and post magic news of your own because they do such a damn fine job of it. I am working on my magic more and trying like hell to actually do something, although I’m well aware I’ve been crowing about that for 4 years now. Maybe this time it’ll actually happen.

I’d like to send thanks to everyone who’s kept me going this long. First and foremost, a big thank you to John LeBlanc for creating and hosting this site. Without you, I literally would not be here.

Thanks are also due to JB of the Magic Mafia, if he’s still around somewhere. He brought me out of the shadows and drove lots of traffic to my site, as well as listening to God knows how many emails full of whining bullshit.

Thanks to the guys at iTricks for being awesome and supportive, as well as Andrew Mayne for all the sneak peeks and review copies that will some day get fully reviewed.

Big big thanks to my friends Sam Blankenship, Peter McKinnon, and Jen from DC for being wonderfully great people, who’ve spent lots of time bouncing ideas around with me and giving advice. Jen, I owe you a cake. Pete, I need to sit in on a podcast with you. Sam, why the hell does California have to be so far away?

Also a thanks to everyone who reads my “other blog” by following me on Twitter. It’s even more boring and sporadically updated than this is, but it’s still neat. I think so, anyway.

Finally, thanks to everyone who’s ever stopped by to read something, left a comment, or even just heard about andster.com accidentally. If I didn’t have an audience, I wouldn’t keep going. Without you, I am nothing. And I am eternally greatful to not be a nothing.

Andster

While flipping through the latest issue of Cosmo (don’t ask) I came across some information that could prove to be invaluable for all the magicians out there still trying to get girls with their tricks. Pass this on to everyone you know (or at least post it in the Ellusionist and Penguin forums).

In an interview with actor Taylor Kitsch, they talk about his role as Gambit in the new Wolverine movie and call his ability to throw cards an “awesome party trick.” He responds with “…It would be pretty sad if I were in a bar trying to impress people with a deck of cards. I wouldn’t want to be that guy.”

So let that be a lesson to you. If “Man on Fire” Taylor Kitsch wouldn’t use a deck of cards to impress people, you shouldn’t either.

Do a 3-Fly instead.

Andster

I almost didn’t write anything today, because I don’t want it to be interpreted as an April Fool’s Day joke. But I know how easily skipping one day will turn into skipping all of them, so I decided to write about April Fool’s Day and why I don’t like it anymore.

When I was younger, I used to love this day. I’d plot and plan and come up with devious pranks and laugh and laugh and laugh when they actually worked. But as I grew older, I started to like April Fool’s less and less. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I can honestly say I hate it. Last night I came up with a reason why.

Let’s for a moment change playing jokes into punching people. Let’s pretend that when you punch somebody, everybody laughs and congratulates you because they didn’t expect it, and you all have a grand old time. Now pretend that on April 1, it’s National Punch Everyone Day, where you’re expected to go out and punch everyone you can.

So on April 1, you manage to hit someone and instead of going, “Boy! You really got me! I wasn’t expecting that at all!” they say “Yeah, today is National Punch Everyone Day, isn’t it? Well, you caught me with my guard down. Oh, well. Live and learn, right?”

April Fool’s Day has changed from a day when it was simply socially acceptable to play a joke on someone to a day when it’s expected that you’ll play a joke on someone. When people expect the joke, it lessens the impact and it’s nowhere near as funny.

This is also true in magic. If you telegraph your ending, it lessens the impact on your audience. Surprise them, and enjoy their true reactions. And also surprise them with pranks on days other than April 1.

Oh, by the way, I’m quitting blogging.

Andster

April Fools!
(Yes, I hate myself.)

I’ve had a lot of time to daydream and work out new routines at work recently, but that’s only useful if I actually do something about it. I’ve dug out my copy of Richard Sanders’ Fiber Optics and started relearning it. I really like the routine but I’ve been out of practice and forgot most of the moves. It’s almost like starting from scratch, and I can tell it’s going to take work to get me back to where I want to be.

Ah, well. That’s my own fault for getting so out of practice, right?

Andster

I hesitate to mention this in case I don’t follow through and end up failing miserably, but I’m hoping the opposite will be true and by stating my intentions I’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Anyway, I’m going to try to make a post every Sunday and Wednesday, at least. I don’t know exactly what I’ll be talking about, but I’ll find something. I can’t pin down a certain time, and I’m hoping my work schedule doesn’t interfere too much.

Tune in Sunday and see if I’ve quit already.

Andster

This is probably the last time I’ll be able to get on until sometime after I get back from Vegas, so I wanted to take the opportunity to say hey. While I’m gone I’ll be sending updates and pictures to my Twitter feed, which you can find here. Unfortunately, I can’t get device updates turned on so if you want to send me a message I’m not going to get it until I get back online.

If, however, you have my cell number, feel free to call or text me directly. If you don’t have it and want it, shoot me an email or leave a comment with your email. I may be able to get back on one more time tomorrow to check it out and respond.

But I hope you all keep an eye on my “mobile blog” and I’ll be back with a full recap sometime next week.

Can’t wait to get to the desert again!

Andster

Jonathan Goodwin kicked off this week, and it’s fitting that he should end it. This is my favorite video of his. I don’t know exactly what about it speaks to me, but I love it. Hope you enjoyed the videos!

Andster

Remember long ago on Phenomenon when Jim Callahan and Criss Angel got into a shouting match? Here’s the performance and the ensuing conflict. When I first marked this, the audio was uncensored. For some reason, it’s been censored now. Still, I find it kinda funny. At some point, I’ll get audio/transcript of my chat with Wayne Hoffman up and you can hear what he says about all this.

Andster

I was originally going to post a video of a couple “Smash and Stab”-type routines gone wrong. But between when I first found the video and now, someone has put a copyright claim to some of the footage used in the clip, so I’m going to not post that and instead show you a clip of the masked magician screwing up a card trick very, very, very badly. Yes, it’s long and painful to watch. But it’s funny.

Andster

PS: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sacrilegious? Yes. Funny? I think so. British comedian Rowan Atkinson and the Amazing Jesus.

Andster

Long ago on PennRadio, Criss Angel discussed a trick from the first season of Mindfreak where he made a couple teleport down a hotel hallway. He gave away his method, and said he was going to do it again the next season with a whole family. Well, he didn’t do it in season 2 and instead waited until season 3. If you’re desperate to know how it’s done, you can try to find the interview in the archives. Here’s 2 hints: He doesn’t have powers and it’s done exactly how you think it’s done.

Andster

Kicking off video week is British escapoligist and star of Discovery Channel’s One Way Out, Jonathan Goodwin, showing us what can happen when you take risks. I’m not certain whether the ending was planned or not. Either way, it gives me chills. This may not be for the faint of heart, but keep in mind he survived.

Andster

While looking through stuff I bookmarked to post on the blog someday, I came across a bunch of different videos I liked for some reason or another. I never got around to posting them, but there’s no time like the present, right! So for the next week (or 6 days, you know, whatever) I’ll be posting a different video. Make sure you tune in daily!

Andster

Wi by Jason Messina

Price: $21.95

Available From: Your favorite dealer

This is going to be a short review, simply because I can’t say a lot without tipping the method. Yes, it’s one of those.

I appreciate the thinking behind this. It’s clever as hell, and would fool people. The method is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, but I don’t know how foolproof it is. I can definitely see some people never thinking of this, but others having it be the first thing they think of.

Another point is that this probably isn’t for the casual performer. It would play better for strangers than for your friends. It’s similar to what John LeBlanc said about Ben Harris’s Hole in the Head (if I may paraphrase slightly): It’s as though you could do a great levitation, but you had to walk with a cane. Your friends would know that you never used a cane before and suspect that something was up, but strangers that don’t know you don’t normally use a cane would be fine with it.

I have ideas for how to incorporate this into a formal show, and I think that’s how it would be best used. I’d caution you to think about it a little bit, and not just use it as presented because I can see a couple problems that would arise. I don’t know if they’re big problems and I can’t say what they are here (one of those tricks, remember?) but just be warned.

I like Wi, but I can see why a lot of people wouldn’t. It’s clever, but tread with caution. This isn’t for everybody. If you don’t mind spending money on what amounts to an idea, this could be for you.

Andster

Some More Tricks by Anthony Owen

Price: $25.95

Available From: Your favorite dealer

I realize as I sit down to write this I never actually wrote a review for the first book in this series, Some Tricks. I feel strange writing a review for part 2 before part 1, but I’ll get over it. Guess I’ll just have to add it to my list.

I was and am a very big fan of Some Tricks, and became a fan of Some More Tricks after just one read. Although there are only 6 tricks in the book, you are buying more than just the secret. What you get is a well thought-out routine, complete with patter, blocking, and motivation.

Some of the routines require you to do some pretty extensive set up and/or gimmick making. For the most part, this is a one time thing. However, if you’re not into arts and crafts and scavenger hunts and aren’t willing to send away to specialty shops for a couple things, you’re probably not going to perform many of these routines.

The two pieces I more or less bought the book for are Big Survivor and Recaffinated Coffee. Big Survivor is an excellent piece with an easy (and surprising) method. It’s one of the “scavenger hunt” tricks, but what you’ll need is easy to find and probably inexpensive. I like the thinking behind it, and see it playing well to a large audience.

Recaffinated Coffee wasn’t what I thought it would be. It’s interesting to see the thinking behind it, but it’s not something I’d likely ever make up and perform myself. Chances are nobody else will either. If you do make it up, it’s not something you’re going to be performing at the Waffle House at 3 in the morning. You’d pretty much have to be doing it either in a formal show or for video. It’s still cool, though!

I was pleasantly surprised by Ring on Notepad. It’s very direct and easy to do, and the “moves” required are built into the routine and covered with well motivated actions. In a way in reminds me of something you’d find in Workers, not because the trick is the similar to anything in there, but because he’s taken a relatively simple concept and fleshed it out with patter and blocking to create a wonderful piece that plays well.

If you’re looking for interesting, creative magic that goes beyond “pick a card” then look no further. Even if you don’t use anything from this book, you’ll still enjoy seeing the creativity behind these routines.

Andster

Good news! Not only is there a new post today (this is it, don’t go searching for more) there’s also going to be a new post once a day for the next 9 days! Unless I screwed something up with the posting scheduler, which is a real possibility. If that’s the case, forgive me. But we’ll find out tomorrow at 9 am and each day thereafter!

I’m beat. Working 60 hours a week is catching up with me. Nobody say “I told you so!”

Andster