O.P.P.
/I have a rule of not promoting other people’s magic releases on this site. Even the work of friends and supporters of the site. I mean, I’ll talk about it if I have something I specifically want to say about it. But I just don’t do it as a matter of course. What I don’t want is a situation where people write me and say, “I have this new trick coming out. Can you mention it on the site?” Not that there’s anything wrong with that sort of arrangement necessarily. But the problem is that it makes every mention of something suspect. You would wonder, “Wait… is he saying he likes this because he really likes this? Or because this is his friend’s release? Or because he was given a free copy? Or what?” I think this site would feel different if you had to question my motivation when I mention other people’s stuff. So to eliminate that question, my rule is simply to not do outright promotion of other people’s magic, unless it comes up naturally.
But when it comes to non-magic releases, I’m more than happy to promote the work of people who support this site. It’s my pleasure to do so, in fact. If you think, “Hey, he’s only mentioning this because the person is a supporter of his site.” Yup. You may be right. I don’t care. I’m completely in the tank for the people who support this site. If you’re a supporter with a non-magic release you want me to mention here, just ask. I probably won’t use your full name, just because I generally don’t want to make this site show up in a google search of your name (for your sake). But I’ll happily direct people to your stuff.
Here are a few recent projects from friends of the site. None of these people asked to be mentioned here, I just did so because I’m a sweetheart.
How to Remember Everything: Tips & Tricks to Become a Memory Master!
This is a recent book release by supporter Jacob SW. It’s a book aimed at a younger audience, but I bought a copy and, while I haven’t read it yet, I have flipped through it, and it looks to be right in my intellectual wheelhouse. This looks like the kind of book I would have returned to again and again when I was a kid. And, even as an adult, this is actually the type of book I would prefer to learn new skills from.
For the right kid, this would make a good, inexpensive Christmas gift. And if you want to improve your memory, this feels like a good place to start at any age.
Half Empty/Half Full
Supporter Andy G’s movie was just released on Amazon Prime in September.
I have to say, I was wary about this one. It’s a movie that takes place in one room in real time and it’s about two couples having dinner together. I thought it might be a bit too arty for my unsophisticated tastes. But while it never veered into the territory of a proper horror or thriller, there was enough tension to make it compelling. And I was interested the whole way through in seeing how things would unfold. I definitely think it’s worth the watch.
It’s currently available for free on Amazon Prime.
Ted Lasso
Another friend of the site is working on this show which can be found on Apple TV. I’m five episodes into the first season and this is easily my favorite show on TV at the moment. It’s just funny and good-hearted and Jason Sudeikis plays my favorite type of person—the unflappably optimistic kind. (As I said, I’m five episodes in. If his character turns into a serial-rapist later on in the show, that’s not what I was referring to when I said he played “my favorite type of person.”)
There are only 10 episodes at the moment, but it’s already been picked up for a 2nd and 3rd season, which I’m pretty psyched about.