Search found 1549 matches
Re: Erdnase
I applaud Jason's research. It has always been my opinion that the conjuring section was there to disguise the books real purpose: a primer on cheating with cards. Jasons observations clearly explain the lack of Erdnases voice in the second half of the book. This ploy worked reasonably well until th...
Re: Apologies
Richard edited out the link in this character's original post so no one here was hustled by his review although a few did comment. What we have is an anonymous poster wanting forgiveness from people he doesn't know and has hardly interacted with. Would that be a tenent of the First Church of the Int...
- December 8th, 2010, 6:51 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Magical History Tour
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1470
- December 8th, 2010, 12:23 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Counting Down ...
- Replies: 52
- Views: 11196
Re: Counting Down ...
Sorry Richard, but my birthday two weeks away, not six days. No need to make a big deal out of it, but thanks for the thought anyway.
- December 4th, 2010, 6:13 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6749
Re: Movie Illusions
The mention of L.O. Gunn reminds me of Len. He was a member of SAM 22 when I was a very young man. Len was a character. Les Smith used to tell a story that put people in stitches about how Len conned some construction guys into moving the contents of a rented house for him for nothing so they could ...
- December 3rd, 2010, 7:04 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6749
Re: Movie Illusions
Thanks for the clarification, Pat. Interesting photo...I see Dr. Saint and Caryl Fleming and several others who I know through photos only. Who is the gal sitting to the left and behind Dr. Saint?
- December 3rd, 2010, 5:56 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6749
Re: Movie Illusions
Not to be too fussy about a point, Pat, but if we're talking about the same Bill Taylor, he and I are the same age and we weren't around in the thirties, were children in the forties and fifties, graduating high school in the early sixties. Bill owns Illusion Arts and is the only magician I know of ...
- December 1st, 2010, 12:32 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Copyright Wars
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3250
Re: The Copyright Wars
A small victory, possible mainly because the company was in New York. Most P2P sites are out of the US.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ ... c=Outbrain
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ ... c=Outbrain
- November 30th, 2010, 11:36 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Belief in magic?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5209
Re: Belief in magic?
A key sentence from the article Pat linked to: "From reviews of their shows in Victoria and South Australia, its clear that audiences roared with laughter throughout the night, watching the brothers make fools of important members of their local communities." So you can see why people show...
- November 29th, 2010, 5:21 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Copyright Wars
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3250
Re: The Copyright Wars
Actually, I don't believe these folks believe in Fair Use. They went after one real estate agent who used 8 sentences of a 30 sentence article in his blog/website. The judge found in his favor but he'd already reached a settlement with the plaintiffs and wanted to abide by it as he'd used content fr...
- November 29th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Copyright Wars
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3250
The Copyright Wars
For one of the latest developments in how to make money from copyright see this: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2010/07/stephens-media-llc-righthaven-llc-and.html">http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/20 ... c-and.html</a><!-- m --> Not sure they're making a...
- November 28th, 2010, 10:42 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
A bit more on the TSA's spending of our tax dollars: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gadling.com/2008/11/22/tsas-behavior-detection-technology-wrong-99-of-the-time/">http://www.gadling.com/2008/11/22/tsas- ... -the-time/</a><!-- m --> Gun accidentally carried on plane, missed by TSA: ...
- November 28th, 2010, 10:28 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
So some drone sitting in front of the screen sees the "protest," decides he can't see beneath the wording and calls out for an intrusive and especially vigorous pat-down for the tenth clown he sees wearing that underwear.
- November 28th, 2010, 12:56 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Jim Maloney asked, "Did they catch Nancy Botwin?" As long as Nancy produces good ratings for Showtime I suspect she'll be safe from the law. That and she probably has renewal clauses in her contract that will keep her out of prison for at least another season or two. She would probably fin...
- November 27th, 2010, 4:55 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
This particular tunnel was BIG BUSINESS as it was nearly a half-mile long and professionally constructed. Tons of marijuana was seized. With the border getting tighter the drug cartels are looking at more expensive and imaginative ways of bringing product to market. Some in South America have built ...
- November 27th, 2010, 1:06 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Here's a bit more on the developing story on people in religious garb: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.c ... versia.php
- November 27th, 2010, 9:26 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: www.CheatingAtTexasHoldem.com
- Replies: 126
- Views: 36456
Re: www.CheatingAtTexasHoldem.com
Quoting John M. Dale: "Yes, but I came here for an argument!!
JMD
No...you didn't!
JMD
No...you didn't!
- November 27th, 2010, 12:31 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
- November 27th, 2010, 12:27 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
The Christmas Day bombing attempt with the explosives in his underwear is the rationale the TSA puts forward for its "enhanced" pat downs. The problem is the enhanced secruity measures came 8 months after the Christmas Day bombing attempt. Apparently the appointment process had become some...
- November 26th, 2010, 5:56 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: I want to know if Richard has an appreciation of Dave O'Brien
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1356
Re: I want to know if Richard has an appreciation of Dave O'Brien
Dave O'Brien played Captain Midnight in the serial of the same name that came out of radio. Ed Prentiss played the Captain the longest on radio and I was a regular listener. It was sponsored by Ovaltine.
I have a Captain Midnight serial poster that I have to get mounted and framed.
I have a Captain Midnight serial poster that I have to get mounted and framed.
- November 25th, 2010, 1:14 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: www.CheatingAtTexasHoldem.com
- Replies: 126
- Views: 36456
Re: Erdnase
John,
The quote you use from the first section is Erdnase writing in what was considered a Negro dialect in those days, specifically imitating a "colored attendant." It was not Erdnase speaking in his own voice.
The quote you use from the first section is Erdnase writing in what was considered a Negro dialect in those days, specifically imitating a "colored attendant." It was not Erdnase speaking in his own voice.
- November 22nd, 2010, 11:52 pm
- Forum: Reference Room
- Topic: Smaller hands and flourishes
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2781
Re: Smaller hands and flourishes
A simple excercise for the hands that Bill Pearl gave me years ago - take a double sheet of newspaper by one corner and crumple it up with one hand using only the fingers and thumb of the hand that's holding the paper. The paper must hang down so you can't use gravity. Crumple up a few double sheets...
- November 20th, 2010, 2:25 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Jonathan's take would be interesting if it wasn't a fantasy. The "best product" doesn't always meet the buyers without strong sponsors inside and outside the government. Manufacturers hire lobbyists who contribute to politicians who then promote the manufacturer's product. They also hire s...
- November 20th, 2010, 12:50 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Here's a gem of an article that notes that the TSA spends $200 million a year on 3,000 "behavior detection officers" deployed at 161 airports, they didn't catch a single terrorist. Further, the article states that "...the GAO noted that at least 16 individuals later accused of involve...
- November 19th, 2010, 7:01 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Go here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://fedupflyers.org/resistance-101/mom-restrains-dad-films-while-tsa-torments-3yr-old#more-225">http://fedupflyers.org/resistance-101/m ... d#more-225</a><!-- m --> and look at the video. It's a few seconds of a fat cow of a TSA agent abusing a 3-year-o...
- November 19th, 2010, 12:19 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
I read the article Dustin linked to. The "assurances" that the machines are safe sound suspiciously like they came from the machine's manufacturer or people hired by the machine's manufacturer. I would value the assurances if they came as a result of independent tests done by people with n...
- November 18th, 2010, 5:06 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
The fear is explosives now that the pilots have been safely protected behind reinforced doors.
There are the explosive sniffing machines and trained dogs but they don't have the former head of Homeland Security pimping for them.
There are the explosive sniffing machines and trained dogs but they don't have the former head of Homeland Security pimping for them.
- November 18th, 2010, 1:55 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Here's John Tyner's entire account, what really went down. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UqM56e-kRA&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UqM56e- ... re=related</a><!-- m --> Read his post underneath the screen. His father is a retired cop and ask...
- November 18th, 2010, 1:32 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
I described the El Al procedure back on page 5. It requires highly trained interviewers. It wouldn't work in the US because there are thousands of flights a day. The TSA would never be able to hire and train the needed people. El Al is a government airline so they don't have to worry about turning a...
- November 18th, 2010, 12:21 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
A woman on the news tonight out of Chicago had recently flown in from St. Louis. She's had knee replacement surgery as evidenced by the scars on her legs. The replacements set off the metal detectors so she requrested a full-body scan. Sorry, "not available" she was told. She requested a w...
- November 17th, 2010, 11:53 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Cups and Balls
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4401
Re: Cups and Balls
A good source of information on cups would be Bill Palmer who has a large collection.
- November 16th, 2010, 4:26 pm
- Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
- Topic: Bad experience with Snapillusions
- Replies: 49
- Views: 16841
Re: Bad experience with Snapillusions
Before I spent any money I'd call the City Clerk of the town and find out what his business license says. Then Google that address to see if it's real or a fake.
- November 16th, 2010, 4:23 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
So the people mailing bombs to the United State from Japan (this is a problem?) will have to design better, longer-lasting fuses. Think computer chips with delayed timers and high-quality batteries.
I wonder what Japan will do in response.
I wonder what Japan will do in response.
- November 16th, 2010, 2:17 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
For those of you who think the TSA should be more like El Als security, its a nice thought but its never going to happen as it requires highly trained employees, something the TSA could never find in sufficient quantity to emulate what El Al does. Heres a description of El Als procedures which has w...
- November 16th, 2010, 1:49 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
The simple solution for bombs in luggage is building bomb-proof luggage containers but the airlines don't want to spend the money and accept the liability so they have the government x-ray everything going on board hoping to spot the bad stuff. Chances are this will be a boon for Amtrak but almost c...
- November 16th, 2010, 11:46 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Online Piracy Solution?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3309
Online Piracy Solution?
This morning's Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about a lawyer who hunts down porn pirates. He developed some software that tracks bit torrent usage. It cost about $250,000 to develop. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-porn-attorney-2010111...
- November 16th, 2010, 11:03 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
This matter made the headlines in this morning's Chicago Tribune. Several things occur to me: That the draconian and intrusive full-body searches are a ploy to push people into the scanners as the "lesser" of two evils. You have to wonder what sort of a person signs up to work for the TSA ...
- November 16th, 2010, 12:59 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: New TSA Security Procedures
- Replies: 177
- Views: 39658
Re: New TSA Security Procedures
Dodd, I like the term "security theater." Most appropriate. Years ago I had an experience that caused me to radically curtail my flying. I was returning from a lecture in Phoenix (non-magicial) in the days before there was a TSA. I asked that my briefcase be searched manually. As I stood w...
- November 13th, 2010, 4:13 pm
- Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
- Topic: Illusion
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1759
Re: Illusion
The problem with your post Karsten is that you give us no criteria from which we can give recommendations.
What are your working conditions? Is there a proscenium, lights, sound, proximity to the audience, availability of assistant(s), budget, portability, rehearsal time, your experience. Etc.
What are your working conditions? Is there a proscenium, lights, sound, proximity to the audience, availability of assistant(s), budget, portability, rehearsal time, your experience. Etc.