While We Were Out
/MW wrote in to bring my attention to a video that Alakazam recently sent out for the trick, Influencer by Astor.
The video promises that the trick delivers a “fanny beginning.”
I know this is confusing to some people, but it’s actually just a simple misunderstanding of British vs. American English. In America this trick would be said to have a “fanny ending.”
I hope that clears things up.
That email from Alakazam also had a review for a trick called Executive Suite. I’m fairly certain this review was written by the mother of the guy who designed the packaging.
Yes… but what about the most important thing with any magic trick… the packaging?
If you had told 13-year-old me, buying tricks from the magic store that came in mailing envelopes and (if it was a fancy trick) ziplock sandwich bags, that someday people would care about trick packaging, I would have been very confused. “Huh? The part you throw out?”
September 21st passed while we were away. If you don’t know the story of Demi Adejuyigbe and what he’s been doing on the 21st of September for the past few years, I encourage you to check it out here. It’s the sort of thing I love. I remember back when I was writing the old site in 2004-ish people used to think it was an insult to write me and say, “You have too much time on your hands.” That’s always been the corniest criticism as far as I’m concerned. The type of art I’m most drawn to is the stuff that people say that about. So I never took it negatively. What interesting piece of art/entertainment have you ever seen and thought, “Wow, this guy must have been really busy with other stuff when he did this!”
Having time on your hands allows you to do some fun shit. And Demi’s 9/21 bit is excellent.
Although nothing will beat this tweet of his, as far as I’m concerned. (Sound on)
— demi adejuyigbe (@electrolemon) February 25, 2020
I found a trick while sorting through some stuff over the past week, and I don’t know what it was. I’m hoping maybe one of you can help identify it. It was just some props in a small clear plastic bag, so there was no branding on it. I should have taken a picture, but I didn’t think to at the time, and now I’m not in the location where the trick is. So instead I will paint a picture in your mind. Imagine me, and my taught, nubile body sorting through a box with some old tricks in it—wait, sorry, I’m focusing on the wrong details. Okay, so the props… the props consisted of a couple blank cards and some card-sized transparencies with cards faces printed on them. There were two transparencies. I think it was a 2 and a 3, but it might not have been. If you held the transparencies over the blank card it looked like a normal card. I can sort of see what you might do with this, but I’m curious to know exactly what the trick was. If you have any ideas, let me know.
Joshua Jay made a very sad (but in its own way, very brave) Instagram post while we were away.
Of course what makes this so heartbreaking is that Josh and Andi are now doing this in separate beds. If those two can’t make it, what hope do any of us have? I realize they have to live their truth, and I don’t expect them to stay together “for the kids” (that is, us magicians). But still, it’s so sad.
What’s most devastating about this is that it’s very clear from the picture whose idea the split was, and who is handling it well, and whose heart is shattered. And while I’m proud of Josh for feeling strong enough to be honest about the dissolution of their relationship, I’m not sure this was the best photo with which to do so, as it sort of cruelly juxtaposes how painful (or not) the situation has been for both of them.
