Search found 903 matches

by John LeBlanc
July 7th, 2016, 6:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Smash & Stab Goes Wrong
Replies: 31
Views: 11350

Re: Smash & Stab Goes Wrong

I was at least somewhat relieved when I heard that the Academy of Magical Arts banned the performance of such presentations at The Magic Castle. When I read that notice a while back I was repulsed a bit. I realize there are layers of legal responsibility at play, but the purist in me expects the pe...
by John LeBlanc
July 7th, 2016, 5:36 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: David Copperfield Buys Las Vegas Home for a Record $17.55 Million
Replies: 16
Views: 6243

Re: David Copperfield Buys Las Vegas Home for a Record $17.55 Million

He's traded away more of his life than most everyone else -- including me -- and in return for his efforts he can acquire this (as well as other material things.) I have no intellectual or moral issues with this. I am happy for him.

John
by John LeBlanc
July 7th, 2016, 5:30 pm
Forum: General
Topic: What Is It With Florida?
Replies: 7
Views: 5367

Re: What Is It With Florida?

This is another skirmish of a war ostinsibly fought since April 12, 1861.

John
by John LeBlanc
July 1st, 2016, 12:36 pm
Forum: General
Topic: DVD Backup Strategy
Replies: 27
Views: 10847

Re: DVD Backup Strategy

Based on my list of must-haves, after comparing Synology (which used to be the default choice for years) against QNAP, I went with QNAP. The software packages are comparable, but QNAP offers more CPU cores and upgradable RAM, which is important to me because I use the NAS for more than just storage....
by John LeBlanc
June 28th, 2016, 6:57 pm
Forum: General
Topic: DVD Backup Strategy
Replies: 27
Views: 10847

Re: DVD Backup Strategy

Steve didn't state he has 200 magic DVDs. He stated he had 200 DVDs. I understand the drivers that caused him to ask the question. Putting your DVD collection on a NAS box sets up your own personal Netflix. Who in his right mind wouldn't prefer that to shelves/racks of DVDs? He started this with an ...
by John LeBlanc
June 28th, 2016, 4:36 pm
Forum: General
Topic: DVD Backup Strategy
Replies: 27
Views: 10847

Re: DVD Backup Strategy

There are already a load of exceptions to DMCA. I hope one day soon EFF has success getting an exception for this. It's ironic that the "C" in "DMCA" refers to Copyright, yet it's circumventing DRM that criminalizes what would be, in this case, perfectly acceptable behavior with ...
by John LeBlanc
June 28th, 2016, 1:36 pm
Forum: General
Topic: DVD Backup Strategy
Replies: 27
Views: 10847

Re: DVD Backup Strategy

(For purposes of this discussion, may we assume that the DMCA allows backing up legally owned DVDs. Thanks!) Let's not assume that. Whether or not the DVDs are owned legally, there is currently no provision in the law to allow for circumventing DRM protection on a DVD for the purpose of making a ba...
by John LeBlanc
June 9th, 2016, 8:34 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New release of Cervon Notebooks
Replies: 85
Views: 21354

Re: New release of Cervon Notebooks

Richard, do you know how much of that material overlaps the four notebooks sold in the Potter auction a couple of years ago?

John
by John LeBlanc
June 9th, 2016, 4:46 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Marshall Brodien featured in article on effects of Alzheimers
Replies: 7
Views: 2733

Re: Marshall Brodien featured in article on effects of Alzheimers

To further this, I should have said the same, Mark. The very beginning of my interest in magic is as a direct result of TV Magic Cards. I remember the commercials, I remember pestering my mother until she eventually relented in going to K&B Drugstore in New Orleans to buy it for me. That's when ...
by John LeBlanc
June 9th, 2016, 4:03 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Effects for those who believe in spiritism
Replies: 20
Views: 13012

Re: Effects for those who believe in spiritism

I'm just thinking out loud here: It seems to me the first part may be entertaining, but the last part may be perceived that you are challenging their belief system. Or something more offensive.

John
by John LeBlanc
June 9th, 2016, 3:06 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Marshall Brodien featured in article on effects of Alzheimers
Replies: 7
Views: 2733

Re: Marshall Brodien featured in article on effects of Alzheimers

Anyone who has not known someone with this disease will eventually know someone who has been affected by this disease. If you've never seen the Glen Campbell documentary, I recommend it highly: http://glencampbellmovie.com/ John ("...diamonds and rust..." -- as much as I love the original ...
by John LeBlanc
June 6th, 2016, 5:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New release of Cervon Notebooks
Replies: 85
Views: 21354

Re: New release of Cervon Notebooks

I'm missing volume 5, so I'm looking forward to an opportunity to complete my set.

John
by John LeBlanc
June 5th, 2016, 2:19 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Copperfield being sued (and his illusion exposed)
Replies: 18
Views: 8685

Re: Copperfield being sued (and his illusion exposed)

AJM wrote:I didn't realise people still read newspapers.


I still tear newspapers, so I hope they continue at least a while longer.

John
by John LeBlanc
June 4th, 2016, 10:23 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Tap a Talk Once Again Enabled
Replies: 2
Views: 1297

Re: Tap a Talk Once Again Enabled

Thank you!

John
by John LeBlanc
June 2nd, 2016, 6:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Coming Monday June 6: A Buy One Get One Free Sale from Kaufman and Company
Replies: 10
Views: 3928

Re: Coming Shortly: A Buy One Get One Free Sale from Kaufman and Company

I'm doing my best not to set my hopes up, but I am making my list. I admit I am late to the ebook party, but my first love remains the good old fashioned dead tree versions.

Yes, Richard, it was (is) Arte Johnson. I remember two things best about Laugh In and Arte is one of them.

John
by John LeBlanc
June 2nd, 2016, 5:55 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Coming Monday June 6: A Buy One Get One Free Sale from Kaufman and Company
Replies: 10
Views: 3928

Re: Coming Shortly: A Buy One Get One Free Sale from Kaufman and Company

AJM wrote:Very interesting...


You are likely way too young for this to make sense, but it makes me laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krD4hdGvGHM
by John LeBlanc
June 2nd, 2016, 10:42 am
Forum: General
Topic: Return of a Controversial Blog
Replies: 255
Views: 78023

Re: Return of a Controversial Blog

Here's a question: Why does Andy deserve to succeed in his attempts to monetise (hate that word) his endeavours? Genuine question, seeking information. It might assist me in making my own still-in-the-works magnum opus more appealing. Unless I missed something, only Joe McKay has stated that. And I...
by John LeBlanc
June 1st, 2016, 4:17 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Return of a Controversial Blog
Replies: 255
Views: 78023

Re: Return of a Controversial Blog

Dale A. Hildebrandt wrote:
Joe Mckay wrote:NONE of the above, though, makes him CONTROVERSIAL.


By "the above" I assume you aren't referring to this thread in general.

John
by John LeBlanc
May 31st, 2016, 4:52 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Compleat Invocation
Replies: 8
Views: 3057

Re: The Compleat Invocation

Joe, this set is part of my "five-foot bookshelf" of mystery entertainment. I've referred to some books as a sort of talisman; just having it sparks the creative process. While there's loads of stuff you may not use as written, the methods and ideas will surely provide food for thought. John
by John LeBlanc
May 31st, 2016, 4:49 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Return of a Controversial Blog
Replies: 255
Views: 78023

Re: Return of a Controversial Blog

Selling a book of blog posts.

Hmmm.

Now, where'd I leave my blog...
by John LeBlanc
May 7th, 2016, 11:20 am
Forum: General
Topic: Laypeople
Replies: 52
Views: 31800

Re: Laypeople

This strikes me as a semantic dispute, and my answer depends on the context. When we engage in shoptalk -- among ourselves -- a convenient shortcut word for people who aren't magicians is layman or layperson; we all know what that means. I use "normal person." In outside talk, I use "...
by John LeBlanc
May 6th, 2016, 3:54 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: What happened to Black Fox Magic and Trading Company?
Replies: 24
Views: 10609

Re: What happened to Black Fox Magic and Trading Company?

After seeing some shells on eBay I wanted I thought I'd try the retail store number (909-866-0676) and ended up speaking to Hedi Popovich. She saw this thread a couple of days ago. (Yes, Erdnasefile, one set should have the divot.) For anyone wanting Frank's shells, the website is down for now, but ...
by John LeBlanc
May 6th, 2016, 10:43 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Avoid Reel Abuse
Replies: 2
Views: 4500

Re: Avoid Reel Abuse

Thanks for posting that, Jim. And it's nice to see some new work come out of the shop again!

John
by John LeBlanc
April 21st, 2016, 6:44 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Collector's Workshop Big Shot
Replies: 2
Views: 3372

Re: Collector's Workshop Big Shot

I'd think a call to Collector's Workshop would sort that out.

John
by John LeBlanc
April 18th, 2016, 8:06 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The May Issue of Genii is Now Live Online and In the Mail!
Replies: 3
Views: 1546

Re: The May Issue of Genii is Now Live Online and In the Mail!

The Hōkasen article was the second item I went to in the new issue and it is breathtakingly beautiful, start to finish. I'm glad I renewed when I did.

John
by John LeBlanc
April 17th, 2016, 9:56 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Impression devices for pre-show; do they fool?
Replies: 13
Views: 7842

Re: Impression devices for pre-show; do they fool?

Credit Card Counterfeiter: Why are you chasing me?
John Vukovich: Why are you running?
Credit Card Counterfeiter: 'Cause you're chasing me, man!
by John LeBlanc
April 16th, 2016, 9:52 am
Forum: General
Topic: anyone knows this email?
Replies: 7
Views: 4046

Re: anyone knows this email?

by John LeBlanc
December 5th, 2014, 7:46 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: What???
Replies: 6
Views: 4491

Re: What???

crandash wrote:You believe that this could be legitimate?


If by "legitimate" you mean the guy actually put the stop-n-rob employee into a trance, no I do not believe it was legitimate.
by John LeBlanc
December 5th, 2014, 7:13 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: youtube
Replies: 7
Views: 4858

Re: youtube

Some good videos there, Bish. Thanks for posting the link.
by John LeBlanc
December 5th, 2014, 7:12 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Eugene Burger - The Grinch
Replies: 2
Views: 1655

Re: Eugene Burger - The Grinch

Thanks for posting this, Scott. I'm not going embarrass myself by admitting how I did guessing the voices.

I did spelunk around the site and listened to the one you did with Charlie Randall. Enjoyed that one. I spent a good bit of time (and money) at H&R. Miss that place and Richard quite a lot.
by John LeBlanc
December 5th, 2014, 6:41 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Perhaps NFW. Blaine interviews Madonna for Interview Mag
Replies: 3
Views: 1894

Re: Perhaps NFW. Blaine interviews Madonna for Interview Mag

Dustin Stinett wrote:Here's the interview--such that it is:
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/madonna-1/


I enjoyed reading that. And I can't tell if it's because it was good or if it's my bias towards both of those people.
by John LeBlanc
December 5th, 2014, 6:23 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: What???
Replies: 6
Views: 4491

Re: What???

crandash wrote: Is this possible that he could have used rapid induction or post hypnotic suggestion to accomplish this as the article suggested?


If by "article" you mean the one BBC posted 4 December, then my answer is yes.
by John LeBlanc
November 29th, 2014, 6:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Al Goshman Video
Replies: 2
Views: 1776

Re: Al Goshman Video

That was great. I'm glad videos like this find their way to YouTube. They preserve and conserve, and provide - in my opinion - a much needed benchmark.
by John LeBlanc
November 28th, 2014, 8:06 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: What is a camera trick?
Replies: 45
Views: 14495

Re: What is a camera trick?

That's cold, Bill. Just sayin.
by John LeBlanc
November 28th, 2014, 11:32 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Poker Player Sues Casino and Loses
Replies: 4
Views: 1824

Re: Poker Player Sues Casino and Loses

A better headline might have been, "Poker Player Rolls Dice, Loses."
by John LeBlanc
November 26th, 2014, 10:43 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: What is a camera trick?
Replies: 45
Views: 14495

Re: What is a camera trick?

Bill Marquardt wrote:Otherwise, anyone could stand in front of a camera and be a "magician."


YouTube notwithstanding?
by John LeBlanc
November 26th, 2014, 10:13 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: "America's Best Magician in '75 & '76" plans to save A.C Taj
Replies: 1
Views: 1277

Re: "America's Best Magician in '75 & '76" plans to save A.C

Let's see if I follow this correctly.

1. Steve Hannah put The Onion up for sale.
2. Apparently, The NY Post purchased it.

Am I close?
by John LeBlanc
November 23rd, 2014, 9:58 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Criss Angel is the Biggest ...
Replies: 27
Views: 9141

Re: Criss Angel is the Biggest ...

Given the apparent absurdity of the statement, I wrote the author of the article for his explanation and, ostensibly, his unique definition of "most successful television magic show in history." I suspect the explanation, insofar as it can be explained, will pivot on the definition of the ...

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