Summer's Gone

The summer has come and gone. This is Labor Day Weekend. Looking forward to one last shot before a serious drop. I’m dreading the winter lull. Need to get something together. Line up some projects or dream up some dreams. Time to open another magic shop? Time to manufacture another product? Time to grow up? Naaaaaa

Shot this picture of Redondo Beach, 5 minutes from home. Not bad. Took the day off and didn’t do much. Used the morning the polish up a set of cups and ship them off, also had an order for a set of Tayade Style Balls. All nearly extinct. Also sent back Tim Flynn’s tapes that I failed to edit and give him a DVD of his show so that he can sell after his performances. I’ve had the tapes since March and finally gave up. I had a bunch of issues that I couldn’t deal with like, memory space, audio and color correction issues. Too much for my little brain and the capabilities of iMovie.

The summer was good. Pretty much rocked it out 7 nights week at the Universal CityWalk. Had a new spot for most of the summer. It was trade off spot, I could trade off the LOUD MUSIC for the cold and wind. I got used to working in a wind tunnel, but my audiences always seemed chilly. They came into the park when it was hot, now it’s not and they’re on their way to their car. Whatever, I made money and made people happy. It was good.

Need to set some goals, start watching what I eat and drink again. GET BACK TO THE GYM. Stop eating my feeling.

Show the world all the love in my heart

Peace out

Freaks

Sending this one out to Moira. . .

Street Magician • Tom Frank

Street Magician • Tom Frank, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

PHOENIX II CUPS • COPPER • ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH

What can I say? These are drop dead gorgeous cups! Rings and Things II is da shit! They are now, and always have been. A name synonymous with quality, hand crafted, magical apparatus. As a matter of fact, my very first set of cups and my first set of linking rings were both Rings and Things back in the late 70's.

I wasn't till the early 80's that I switched to the Charlie Miller Cups from Magic Inc. By then, I had absorbed enough Cellini influence to start mutilating sets of cups and balls. I would go through a set a year. While studying under Cellini, I learned that by banging on the cups you excite an innate, primal force within people. The percussive sound might be compared to the beating of a drum, or the beating of your heart, and naturally draws an "audience" to it. It is a proven fact that once you start banging on the cups, people will cross a street or a crowded square to see what all the "commotion" is about.

After the extinction of the Charlie Miller cups, I endeavored to recreate them, with one modification, I made them MUCH stronger. Instead of just using copper, I had them combined with a metal alloy making them the strongest cups ever made.

A few years back I was contacted by RnT II. They were interested in reproducing the Phoenix Cups. I agreed, with several stipulations. I wanted them to fix every issue and complaint I ever got on the cups. They wobble, The lip isn't rolled all the way in etc. . . Funny, in all the years of using the Charlie Miller Cups I never thought of those as issues. They were just cups. These days a new breed of cup collector demands a higher level of quality.

Rings and Things II leads the pack when it comes to the manufacturing some of the best and widest selection of cups in the world! I wish I owed a set of each, someday I will. The first thing I noticed when handling the PHOENIX II CUPS • COPPER • ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH was the heft! These cups got some freaking weight! I always said I like a cup you could kill a man with. They fit the hand perfectly and to be quite honest, they are a perfect set of cups in every regard. Striking to look at, a dream to work with and the blackened bronze interior, a striking contrast.

Donnie Buckley is the new owner of RnT II and operates out of the Cleveland area. Thanks Donnie for doing such a GREAT job on this (and every set of your cups) you lovingly and magically make appear before our widened eyes and big smiles. Keep up the fantastic work!

PHOENIX II CUPS | COPPER | ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH

Overview

The Phoenix II cups are the newest generation of the original Ross Bertam style of cups. Charlie Miller made this cup style famous when he released his version of this cup decades ago thru Magic Inc. and called it "A Man's Cup". He called it that because the cups were hefty and fit well in the hand. That cup was recreated by RNT and resurrected as the "Phoenix Cup" and is still available from Tom Frank. This cup is an improvement on the Phoenix Cup and now holds a tennis ball size load and accomodates 3 1" balls on the saddle when the cups are nested. Durng the redesign we decided to build the cup from the ground up to be spun in heavy .064 copper and that modification tightened up the tolerances on the cup so there is absolutely no unnecessary wobbling when the cups are stacked - they nest firmly but don't stick. What was at one time "A Man's Cup", is today a very serious, heavy weight, masculine cup for the discriminating performer who wants a little piece of history AND all the modern advancements one has come to expect in a cup.

Craftsmanship

Each cup is hand spun from the original RNT II tooling in heavy .064 copper with a luxurious exterior Antique Bronze finish and hand highlighted. Each cup has a final clear coat applied to seal in and protect the Bronze finish. The interior of each cup is bronzed black.

Specifications

Weight per cup: 7 oz average
Weight per set: 1 lb 5 oz average
Stack Height: 5 1/4"
Cup Height: 3"
Cup Inside Diameter: 2 13/16"
Cup Inside Height: 2 3/4"
Saddle Diameter: 2 1/8"
Dimple Diameter: 2"
Dimple Depth: 1/4"

Recommended Balls

All Purpose: 1" Balls
2 Ball Nest: 1" Balls
3 Ball Nest: 1" Balls
Load Size: 2 1/2" Balls (Tennis Ball).

Included

3 Phoenix II cups
Deluxe Velvet Bag (XL)

CODE: 30267
List price: $399.99
RnT price: $349.99

Another day at the office

Street Magician • Tom Frank, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

In Loving Memory • Paul J. Roling Jr.

Where did the years go? I met Paul 34 years ago in 1976. I was 11 years old when I took magic lessons from him at Haines House of Cards in Norwood, OH. It was a troubled time in my life that only got worse, before it got better. My parents got divorced that year and we moved back to the States after living 6 years in Europe. My Dad moved to Atlanta to start a new family with his new wife and my mom, my brother and two sisters moved to Cincinnati. It was a tough time in my life.

It didn’t take me long to find the closest Magic Shop. Strangely it was a place that I had done some mail order business with when I lived in Paris. I would ride my bike to Haines House of Cards (then on Ross Avenue) in Norwood. The man behind the counter was Paul Roling. I had been doing magic for about 4 years at that point and took a magic class at ASP (American School of Paris) a couple years earlier. I was very happy to learn that Paul taught a magic class on Saturday mornings before the shop opened. I was a regular student for at least a couple of years. I loved magic then as much as I still do and Paul was one of the influential mentors in my formative years.

Paul was this big balding,teddy bear of a guy (to an 11 year old). He was friendly, snarkey and for whatever reason took me under his wing. He introduced me to close-up magic. My repertoire at the time consisted of tricks like the Temple Screen, the Candy Factory, Color Changing Rope etc. . . I remember him teaching me my first card force, The Riffle Force and introducing me to The Royal Road to Card Magic & Bobo’s Book on Coin Magic. I hung out at the Magic Shop all the time and became friends with everyone there. They became my family. Paul's’ generosity was not limited to the sharing of his knowledge. There were other perks, He took me to two magic shows that would change my life: Blackstone Jr. (full evening show w/ an orchestra), and Doug Henning. As I look back, I think, he didn’t have to take me to those shows. I’m not really sure why he did. Cause he was nice and liked me I guess. I was a lost child struggling to find a place in life. I had a found a home at Haines House of Cards. Paul taught me how to demo tricks behind the counter and I also helped the girls in the back room folding instructions and wrapping the trick decks that they manufactured and sold by the thousands. I would accompany them to the magic conventions at an early age and help set up the booth and pitch decks in exchange for my food, registration and a place on the hotel room floor to crash. Seems like just yesterday. . . . or a million years ago. . . I’m not sure which.

Paul used to hand cut belly strippers for Blackstone Jr., he knew all the guys and all the guys knew him. He introduced me to Ken Klosterman and really started my interest in collecting antique magic. Paul’s collection was humble but he put me on the path to understanding quality of a time gone by. He introduced me to Bob Little where he steered my purchase towards some old Carl Brema & Sons brass items. I still have all of those treasures.

Where did the time go. A few years later Shawn Greer and I would drive out to Max & Erma’s to see Paul work his regular weekend gig there. We would get a table, order a soda and stay there for hours watching him work. I loved the looks on people faces when he revealed the solid ball bering load from his chop cup. He would drop it on the table, from a foot or two up and it would make a wonderfully dramatic sound as it smacked the table.

Paul is gone now, but the many fond memories I have of him, will live in my heart forever. He was kind to me when I really needed it, and I’ll miss him. He taught me so many wonderful things. I remember him hand picking the Jay Terrell silk production for one of my early contest acts. I remember at one point some people would call me little Paul. I never knew how I felt about that, I do now. I’m honored to have known him and to have called him a friend.

Goodnight sweet magical prince of tricks and radio. Your legacy will not be forgot. I will miss you and treasure the time you lavished on me when no one else would.

In loving memory. . . . . .

From the freaky mind and fingers of my pal Greg Irwin

HD Video Log • Aug. - Dec. 2009

Aug. 27, 2009 Paradise Cove, Malibu California - Lunch by myself at the Paradise Cove Cafe

Sept. 17, 2009 Brief Clip of me working the CityWalk

Sept. 21, 2009 Buster (John) Visit Universal Studios w/ my son! Water World Stunt Show,

Sept. 22, 2009 Buster & I Visit The Getty Center, Buster shoots my Fornier 605’s playing card commercial.

Sept. 23, 2009 Cruising downtown, w/ Buster & Aaron Fisher.

Sept. 24, 2009 Aaron Fisher & I discuss the Fornier 605’s on the beach in Malibu

Sept. 25, 2009 Buster & I at Denny’s on his way out of town. First time in 3 years that I had seen my boy.

Oct. 2, 2009 Kitties in the kitchen Morse Ave. (Talking to Polly on bluetooth while shooting.

Oct. 7, 2009 More Kitties in the kitchen

Oct. 8, 2009 More Kitties in the kitchen

Oct. 24, 2009 Moving into the Apartment in Redondo Beach

Nov. 2, 2009 mini tour of apt.

Nov. 7, 2009 Braised short ribs w/ Swiss Chard

Nov. 13, 2009 Cat

Nov. 26, 2009 Thanksgiving Preparations. Polly making apple crisp.Hot Chicken Pie

Nov. 29, 2009 Charlotte plays w/ big hand therapy ball. Polly & Charlotte. Charlotte slutting it up in Polly’s lap

Dec. 2, 2009 Rehearsal Footage for Seattle gig, Cups and Balls practice, using my Gazzo Cups, Coin Routine

HD Video Log • Summer 2010

HD Video Log Summer 2010

May 18, 2010 Phoenix Visit w/ Dad • Dinner at Rustlers Roast, Sunset w/ Gordy

May 19, 2010 Shawn Greer and Derek w/ his Geko, Shawn does magic for Gordy. Bob Kabota

May 21, 2010 Golfing w/ Bob, Shawn, and Denise 110 degrees in the dessert.

May 21, 2010 Back at condo w/ Dad smoking Cuban Cigars.

May 22, 2010 Heading home through Palm Springs, wind farms.

May 31, 2010 Deans Box Practice Footage

June 22, 2010 Laundry Room folding and dancing

June 24, 2010 More Practice Footage, Sol Stone’s One Handed Triple Change Spellbound.

July, 1, 2010 More Practice Footage: Gallo Coin Purse Routine w/ 10 coins, Swinford 4 Packet Triumph, Cups and Balls w/ Phoenix II in Antique Bronze

If I Had The World To Give • Hunter / Garcia

If I had the world to give
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you let it fall
Or hold it all in your arms?

If I had a song to sing
I'd sing it to you, long as you live
Lullaby
Or maybe a plain serenade
Wouldn't you laugh, dance and cry or be afraid
At the change you made?

I may not have the world to give to you
But maybe I have a tune or two
Only if you let me be your world
Could I ever give this world to you
Could I ever give this world to you

But I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
Long as I live

If I had a star to give
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you have the time
To watch it shine, watch it shine?
Or ask for the moon and heaven too?
I'd give it to you

Maybe I've got no star to spare
Or anything fine or even rare
Only if you let me be your world
Would I ever give this world to you
Would I ever give this world to you

One more Saturday night

While the most of the world experiences the hottest summer in recorded history, Los Angeles has been unseasonable cool. Time moves forward and the clock ticks. What can I say, life is a strange adventure. The stakes are high as in life and death and the world is complicated as in right and left.

My heart is like my car. Beat up and held together with duct tape, but gets me everywhere I need to go at 80 miles an hour. Life ain't pretty, but if you can find your purpose and make it work, well then . . . you're ahead of the game.

My purpose has always been the same, "To make the world a better place, one smile at a time"; Increasingly difficult in an age where people are beat down, jaded, done and seen it all. . . what the fuck happened to people where their attention span disappeared. This downfall of human interest has occurred in my life span.

I just keep on doing what I do. Card tricks, coin tricks, cups and balls and the linking rings. I sell trick decks and share the love in my heart.

Polly is my girl, we're good together. Twice divorced, 4 kids that don't talk to me; I got a lot a love to give. Polly gets most of it. Life can be so cruel and so beautiful, simultaneously. . . . . like laughing and crying at the same time.

Death lurks around the corner, unless you're me. . . . and as you all know. . . I am immortal.

You can't kill me

4 years now in LA
what can I say
Am I closer. . . or farther away
whose to say
just pray

stay. . . just a little bit longer

one of these days. . . . .

Friend Of the Devil by gratefuldead

Things you never thought you would see. . . pt. 3

Ran across this while surfing

Death don't have no mercy

Nikki • RIP (this shit SUCKS!)

Death is kinda final

not for me to say but is

Phone call on a Sunday morning

out of the Norm.

Nikki, what the fuck happened!

this wasn't supposed to go down this way!

We talked two days ago for a half an hour or more

what would Gramsie think as you floated out the door!?

Conflicted emotions, I'm all broken up
I don't know what to say. . WTF!!

Life is so full of uncertain twists and turns
a young mother marries and a child is born

But the mother barley gets her foot out the door
before her life vanishes and she is no more

Nikki, why did you go?
Why did you leave us?

was it your disappointment
or a grievance?

Life is a strange game where the stakes are high
and so am I
so why

why. . . do the innocent die so young

why. . do we go on. . .

why is life so cruel

Broken up and sad
we weren't that close

you were family
that mattered the most.