TAM Session Anyone?

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Would anyone be interested in getting together for a session at TAM V?

This could be for anyone, regardless of skill level, who wants to share tricks, ideas, advice or anything magic/sleight of hand related.

This session would not be for the sake of exposing secrets.

We'll see what the interest level is and go from there.

[Wowbagger]

I know a few tricks, but I am not anywhere near a professional magician.

I might join in.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I know a few tricks, but I am not anywhere near a professional magician.

I might join in.

As I mentioned above, any skill level. You don't even have to show any tricks. You can watch others do tricks, get some advice, ask questions. Just show you are genuinely interested.

Anyone interested in doing tricks can get feedback from others.

Magician busting trolls will be verboten.

[Gulliamo]

As long as we can work it in the schedule you can count me in. I am an amateur conjurer (when I say armature I'm talking 12 year-olds birthday parties and bar tricks amateur) and would be happy to share with and learn from others in the field.

[Wowbagger]

I once considered performing magic as a side job. But, Jamy Ian Swiss' book "Shattering Illusions" talked me out of it. Good book, though!

[Gulliamo]

I consider it more a side-hobby than side job. I often use magic to get my point across during skeptic conversations - you can't trust your senses.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

As long as we can work it in the schedule you can count me in.

I think as the meeting gets closer and we have a good idea about who's interested, we'll work on where it fits in the schedule.

[Stir]

Sounds like fun. Count me in!

[firecoins]

I once considered performing magic as a side job. But, Jamy Ian Swiss' book "Shattering Illusions" talked me out of it. Good book, though!
Don't let JIS talk you out of it. Without getting into details, he does not take all of his advice he advocates.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Don't let JIS talk you out of it. Without getting into details, he does not take all of his advice he advocates.

I'm not sure he'd try to talk someone out of it as a "side job" as Wowbagger said. Full time would be a different story.

I agree he shouldn't be talked out of it by anyone as a part time gig.

[Gulliamo]

I have not read JIS's book. What is the jist of his objection?

[firecoins]

I have not read JIS's book. What is the jist of his objection?
His book had a variety of essays. I don't know if he objects to people being professional magicians. I read the book a long time ago. Rails against people stealing, the too impossible theory, the negative view of magic by the general public, mistreatment of volunteers and list sleights and books needed to be studied to become professional.

I would think JIS would argue against part time magicians as he considers them not as good as professionls and stealing work from professionals.

[Cain]

The problem with Magicians in general, and Swiss in particular, is that they're so godfreakingdamn self-righteous. I still like Swiss. I remember reading something by M. Close and then an Honest Liar editorial (in _Antimony_) by Swiss and both had taken potshots at the Bush administration (yes!).

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Those interested so far:

Gulliamo.
Stir.
Wowbagger.
DP.

Space is filling fast. We only have room for a few dozen more. Get in on this once in a lifetime opportunity to session at TAM V!.

[firecoins]

The problem with Magicians in general, and Swiss in particular, is that they're so godfreakingdamn self-righteous. I still like Swiss. I remember reading something by M. Close and then an Honest Liar editorial (in _Antimony_) by Swiss and both had taken potshots at the Bush administration (yes!).
I second that, especially with Swiss.

FUnny thing is I have an old essay of his somewhere where he talk about the negative view of magic by non magicians. He made good points about how magicians mistreat volunteers yet I have seen him perform and I think he is one of the worst at the treatment of volunteers especially when they don't understand what he wants from them.

[DiskoVilante]

I'm up for watching some magic. I love trying to figure out how it's done.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I'm up for watching some magic. I love trying to figure out how it's done.

Well, this doesn't really fall into the spirit of a *session*. A session is generally for those who perform some magic and want to do or see a few tricks, share ideas, technique, etc. I'd be glad to show you some tricks sometime during the meeting, though.

For Gulliamo, Stir and wowbagger:

If you are still interested in an informal session, let's give it a shot. We need to decide on a time to meet. We can sort it out here or after we arrive at TAM. Since there are only four of us, it should be easy to arrange.

Let me know what works best for you.

[Gulliamo]

How does Thursday sound?

[Dinsdale Piranha]

How does Thursday sound?

Maybe late afternoon before the reception? That should work for me.

Are you going to see Banachek?

[Gulliamo]

Maybe late afternoon before the reception? That should work for me.
That sounds good. PM me for my cell#.

Are you going to see Banachek?
Regretfully, no.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

That sounds good. PM me for my cell#.

Regretfully, no.

PM on the way.

No Banachek? How about Jamy Ian Swiss?

[Wowbagger]

To be a good magic performer takes pain and dedication. The reason JIS's book talked me out of it, is because I realized, through read it, that I probably won't have the time to put in all the dedication necessary. I am better off spending more of my time as a software developer and filmmaker.

As for place and time: I can't think of any particular place, other than one of our hotel rooms. But, as for time: Thursday before any TAM activities is good for me.

[firecoins]

To be a good magic performer takes pain and dedication. The reason JIS's book talked me out of it, is because I realized, through read it, that I probably won't have the time to put in all the dedication necessary. I am better off spending more of my time as a software developer and filmmaker.

As for place and time: I can't think of any particular place, other than one of our hotel rooms. But, as for time: Thursday before any TAM activities is good for me.
I still think its sad that Swiss can talk people out of magic as a hobby. Yes dedication is necessary but if you put a small amount of time into it, you will do more than a satisfactory job. You do not need to know everything on the entire subject of magic. Not even Swiis knows everything although he probably thinks he does.

[Wowbagger]

I still think its sad that Swiss can talk people out of magic as a hobby. Yes dedication is necessary but if you put a small amount of time into it, you will do more than a satisfactory job. You do not need to know everything on the entire subject of magic. Not even Swiis knows everything although he probably thinks he does.
Actually, there is also the fact that I tend to suck at the tricks I would like to do. It doesn't take Swiss to tell me that.

As a hobby, I might still attempt doing them, every now and then. But, presenting myself as a magic entertainer is not a wise idea.

[DiskoVilante]

Well, this doesn't really fall into the spirit of a *session*. A session is generally for those who perform some magic and want to do or see a few tricks, share ideas, technique, etc. I'd be glad to show you some tricks sometime during the meeting, though.


Woops, gotcha. I'll look for you at TAM though. Thanks.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Woops, gotcha. I'll look for you at TAM though. Thanks.

Great, looking forward to it.

Don't forget there are going to be a couple *real* magicians there known as Jerry Andrus and Jamy Ian Swiss.

[firecoins]

Don't forget there are going to be a couple *real* magicians there known as Jerry Andrus and Jamy Ian Swiss.
I am pretty sure Jamy will have a problem with being called a "real" magician. better of with sleight of hand artist or sleight of handist for short.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

I am pretty sure Jamy will have a problem with being called a "real" magician. better of with sleight of hand artist or sleight of handist for short.

He may prefer "conjuror". My comment was tongue in cheek, anyway. "Real magician" as opposed to those of us who don't do it full time.

[firecoins]

He may prefer "conjuror". My comment was tongue in cheek, anyway. "Real magician" as opposed to those of us who don't do it full time.
I know.

[Gulliamo]

Regretfully, no.Wait! Good news! Mrs. G just informed me that I do indeed have Banachek tickets! Yippee!

[Stir]

Thursday late afternoon before the reception sounds good. Reception is at 5:00, so say 3:00? Anyone know the hotel well enough to suggest a place? (a quiet corner in a pub is usually a good spot)

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Thursday late afternoon before the reception sounds good. Reception is at 5:00, so say 3:00? Anyone know the hotel well enough to suggest a place? (a quiet corner in a pub is usually a good spot)

I don't know what the bar is like at the hotel. There is a coffee shop at the hotel that might work. I'm sure we can find something there.

I've sent my cell number to Gulliamo. If anyone else needs it for the session, send me a PM.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Looks like aofl will also be joining us. We're tentatively scheduled for 3 PM, Thursday somewhere in the hotel.

We're leaving tomorrow AM, so I'll probably be offline at least until Wed. PM.

I guess it won't be too much of a problem to get in contact once we get to the hotel. See you all there.

[aofl]

By way of introduction, I am an amateur (non-performing) magician.

Coincidentally, there's a magic shop right next to the coffee shop. Just the thing if one of us has an urgent need for an over-priced Svengali deck. :D

A

[firecoins]

By way of introduction, I am an amateur (non-performing) magician.
A
take it up a notch and perform for someone. Do some easy stuff. Invisible deck is nice and strong and I would be willing to show you advanced stuff to get in and out of it and the next TAM. I am not coming to this TAM. Oh well.

Cartoon deck is easy and is stron also and you can tell them its a trick deck and they still won't care.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Looks like our session is moving to Friday after the meetings adjourn.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Thanks to Gulliamo, aofl and Wowbagger. It was great to meet you all and have our informal session. Maybe next time we can get a few more involved.

Unfortunately, Stir was unable to attend.

Special thanks to Betsy - Gulliamo's better half and D'Lite expert - for playing the role of the "victim".