Los Angeles - Princess Time, originally uploaded by Caroline Forest Images.

Another day

Ten ten in the evening and I’ve retired to the smoking lounge. One of the finest sticks in my humidor, now in my hand evenly burning as the smoke flows from my lips. A stiff cocktail on the rocks and a vaporizer bag to my right tells me that the night is all right.

The day started with a late call time for Polly in the morning. Always nice to see my girl in waking hours. She split for work and I farted around for an hour or so before hitting the gym. Did my 15 min. warm up and 30 min. of weights, but decided instead of an hour of cardio, I opted for an hour of yoga instead. Just what the doctor ordered. First time at the new gym taking a free yoga class. Me & 30 cutie petutie asian chicks. . . . not bad. Learned a new one, “Lion’s Breath” while in downward dog, she (the instructor) had us tense every muscle in our faces (of which there are many) I made God awful faces trying to challenge those muscles, then open your mouth up wide, stick out your tongue and expel all negative energy. I liked that one. The woman who taught the class was great, she talked a lot about energy, light and oxygenating joints. Did you know how much tension you carry in your hip joints? After the yoga class I enjoyed the sauna, hot tub, shower and off for lunch w/ Polly at the studio.

I love visiting Polly on set. CSI:Miami rocks! Never a dull moment. Along with CSI:Miami on the Religh Studio’s Lot is Marvel’s latest “Thor” as well as 90210. I always arrive right as Polly breaks for lunch. Lunch was decent, choices were halibut, pork tenderloin, chicken and a pasta bar w/ scallops. Needless to say I overindulged in protein. We took a walk and sat on a fake stoop on their mini back lot. I love to play the game fake or real. Shit that you would swear is real like concrete, you knock on it and guess what. . . fake. . . I love it.

Here is a pic of some poor unfortunate bastard burned beyond recognition, cool huh? It’s so cool to see stuff shot. . . ad nausium. . like watching paint dry, then see it on tv all slick and edited. Cool! This show scores bonus points on creative use of swing sets that are multifunctional.

After lunch I went to Costco to buy fruits, vegetables and other needed items like the big 1.75 Litre bottle of Crown Royal for $31.99 such a deal.


Back home and time to polish up one of the last sets of Phoenix Cups and Balls. Sold this same dude a set last week on ebay and he needed another. I like him.

Talked to my good friend Tim Flynn for an hour on the phone. Good chat about a lot of important stuff.

The complexities of like are mind boggling. Far be it for me as humble a student of life, to begin to think I understand even a portion of the big picture, but I’m trying.

Go figure, while I’m out here in my car, “The smoking lounge” typing on the computer, I get a skype message from my brother in Jerusalem. We video chat for a bit and say goodnight. I have a good feeling about things.

Sparky & Charlotte

Zombie Magician, originally uploaded by ExtraLife.

In my "In Box"

TOM!!

The eagle has landed, er, I mean the Phoenix! All I can say is WOW. This is the very best money I have spent in magic in years! I am just so pleased and surprised...................The cups, the wand, the balls, the presentation case................what a delight and will be a source of laughter and amazement for me and many for years to come. So thank you, thank you :-)
Just a few questions if it is OK? About how old are the cups (a collectors question)? And do you have any more for sale? Will you be making/getting any more? If you have more to sell, how many sets would you be willing to sell me and at what price? Not to worry, even if all the answers are no............ I thank you for this beautiful set of cups and balls. All the best, Roy

PS Although I am a performer, I do own 9 other sets, the original Charlie Miller and Bret Sherwood Silver/Gold included.

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Roy,

I'm very happy that you like the cups. As for their age, I went to China in 1998 and had 1000 sets made ( so, I guess that would make them 12 years old). Out of the 1000 sets I'm down to the last 5 sets. I don't feel like I have enough to discount too much, so I will be selling them on Ebay w/ a starting bid of $150 and a buy it now price of $170.

Again, thanks for your business, I appreciate it greatly!

Magically,


Tom Frank

PS I'm listing another set this afternoon

Looking Forward

Trying to get it together, again. . still, whatever. Trying to figure it out. Started this year with a batch of lofty goals and working daily to align my values with my daily activities. Am I working towards to the dreams and aspirations that I hold so dear. . . I hope so.

I’m exercising and eating right, for the most part. I’m proud of the physical transformation that I achieved last year. Looking and feeling good does wonders for the soul.

My heart breaks daily with regard to my kids, but I can only control my thoughts and actions, not theirs. Months pass without a word. This was the first Christmas that I did not send presents to them. I sent Hope a beautiful neckless for her birthday last June, haven’t heard from her since. Never even let me know if she got it. I sent Max some birthday presents in November, no word from him. Communication is a two way street. I’m tired of calling endlessly, leaving many voice mail messages for them and not hearing back. I wanted to see them while I was up in Seattle, request coldly denied.

When trying to figure out whether or not to be upset, I often ask myself; is my life any different today than it was a week, month or year ago? Sadly it isn’t, and I move forward with love in my heart and a smile on my face. I will always be here for my children, maybe someday I will be able to share the love I feel for them. . . with them.

So, I move forward into a new year, full of possibilities.

Polly and I are as solid a couple as I know. Between her, the cats, my friends and family; I feel loved and appreciated. That ain’t all bad. Life is good and going to get better if I have anything to say about it.

Looking forward

In my "In Box" • Yigal Mesika

Exploading Light Bulb

Hello Tom

My name is Yigal Mesika and recently I came across your video with you performing my exploding light bulb effect. I would just like to say you did a phenomenal job and I applaud your performance. I enjoy your presentation so much I would like to use the video and place it in some magic sites in order to promote the product. This will be great for you as it will give you mass exposure and connection to a new audience. Please let me know your thoughts, any questions and concerns are welcome.

Best regards,

Yigal Mesika



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Sounds great, please let me know where you post it, I'd be interested in people's reactions. We met briefly at a convention (PCAM 4 or 5 years ago I think). I was happy to tell you how much I liked the effect. I used to have a magic shop and sold quite a few of them. Keep up the great work!

Sincerely,


Tom Frank

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Tom

Thank you for your quick reply and for allowing me to use your video. I hope we meet again in the future, drinks will be on me. Just so you know we gave the video to Penguin Magic already and hope to give it to Hocus Pokus soon.

Best regards

Yigal Mesika

Cellini Archive Footage

I shot this clip back in 1993 when Cellini & Marianne visited me in Cincinnati. We were all downtown, working the taste of Cincinnati. Good times, good friends, good memories.

, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

Fuck Me

What the fuck do I know

I know frustration and pain and longing

I know that there are children in this world with my DNA

But I don't know them

I'm tired of trying to call them and not getting to talk to them

I'm tired of sending birthday and Christmas presents and not getting

as much as an acknowledgement

who knows if they got them? I don't.

Communication is a two way street

We live in an age of email, text messaging, skype, web cams and I can't get the time of day

from my own children.

What the fuck did I ever do to deserve this?

I was there when it mattered, now they don't even remember me.

This is the year that I truly let them go

Ball is in their court, if their mother doesn't take it away.

Letter of recommendation

Don't be afraid to ask twice for a letter of recommendation.

Just got this email back from one of my X-mas parties (after the second request)

Tom, Happy New Year!! Sorry for the slow response. Been just slammed with year end client reviews going on. You were absolutely terrific. I will put something together in the next couple of days and e-mail it down to you. Thanks,

Jon

New Years Eve Set List

December 31, 2009

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium * San Francisco, CA

Set 1: Shakedown Street, Jack Straw
Mama Tried, Candyman, Loose Lucy
Viola Lee Blues, Truckin'

Set 2: Help On The Way> Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower, Cassidy, The Wheel>
Jam> Dark Star> *Time>
Uncle John's Band, After Midnight

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Set 3: Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion>
Let It Grow> Cryptical Envelopment>
Born Cross-Eyed> The Other One>
Cryptical Envelopment> So Many Roads
St. Stephen> The Eleven> Not Fade Away

E: Sugar Magnolia

*1st time played

12/30/2009 • Set List

December 30, 2009

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium * San Francisco, CA

Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine>
Bertha, Promised Land
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo>
Deep Elem Blues
Lost Sailor> Saint Of Circumstance
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2: Playin' In The Band>
Eyes Of The World>
Scarlet Begonias>
Fire On The Mountain>
Drumz> King Solomons Marbles
Unbroken Chain>
Standing On The Moon>
China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider

E: Lady With A Fan>
Terrapin Station

Ebay Question

Q: I am interested in picking up a set of these cups but I would like a bit of security first. I know that a lot of Phoenix sets do not stack properly or stick together a bit. They might wobble a around on each other while stacked. Not good. So what I ask of you is could you test them out? You say you have six sets so I think that at least one of them would stack well. If you could stack up the sets and let me know if one has no wobble I would pick one of these up. The last set of these I got wobbled pretty bad and made them awkward to use in performance. I just want to know what I am getting this time around. Thanks,

Dylan Dec-17-09


A: Dylan, All the cups are made from the same die/chuck. I think, they are what they are. Some people love them, others don't. Best I can say is that I would offer a money back guarantee if your not satisfied. Or I might recommend the Johnson Cups for perfect cups in the same price range. Personally I love the cups, and use them all the time with no problem. Here is a bit of practice footage using the chrome plated Phoenix Cups.

Phoenix Cup Footage • Click Here

Sincerely,


Tom Frank


15min. after I responded I got another email


Holy Cow! I had no idea I was talking to the actual Tom Frank! I have seen that routine before and I must say that there is a lot of elegance. I always enjoy your drop vanish. Looks great every time.

Perhaps it would be better if I told you what I was looking for. I just want a nice set that will hold a larger load. A tennis ball is really what I am shooting for. I understand that some of the sets can hold a tennis ball and still lie flat on the table. If you have a set that will do this then really I am fine.

I have always wondered what you do with your cups after you switch them for new undented ones. Have you considered selling your old sets. I for one would be interested if the price was right. Just for the sentimental value.


As always,
Dylan

Once a cunt always a cunt

Dear Tom,

We exchanged, via e-mail, back in October what needed to occur before any supervised visitation time could be put into motion. However, the specific guidelines in our Parenting Plan pertaining to the safety and well-being of our children, has not been followed or adhered to by you. Therefore, any vitiation with them cannot occur during the weekend of December 4th, while you are in Seattle for work.

Best regards,


Moira Bonomi

078 Jim Cellini a, originally uploaded by Saomik.

The loss of a friend

I took a long walk on the beach this afternoon. Needed to clear my head. Had the headphones on listening to the Dead, Stella Blue.

“All the years combine, they melt into a dream,
A broken angel sings from a guitar.
In the end, there's just a song, comes cryin' up the night
Thru all the broken dreams and vanished years.
Stella blue”

Received the sad news that a friend of mine had died. About the time that the surf hit my knees, I realized that I was not going to mourn his death, but rather celebrate his life. I felt the same way when my mom passed. People that are dealing with deteriorating health, pain and loss of quality of life; it’s almost a relief. I hope that doesn’t sound harsh.

I prefer to think of Cellini as the guy I met when I was growing up. He was like out of a fairy tale and introduced me to the notion of personal adventure and showed me how a magician lived. It wasn’t just tricks and showmanship, technique and practice it was a crash course in life. I met him when I was 16 in New Orleans, then again when I was 18 in New York CIty; then I spent 9 months studying closely with him on a daily basis in 1984 when I was 19. That’s when our friendship became cemented. He was my mentor, teacher, friend and father figure. He had a work ethic and style all his own. “Be the first one out there in the morning, the last one to leave in the evening. . . . and never eat out.” That’s what he used to say. He was a work horse, grinding out show after show in the melting humidity of a New Orleans summer day.

I loved him, and liked to think that he loved me. He taught me so many things, like how to draw a crowd, a few people at first, then bring them in to unify them into an audience. He taught me about crowd mentality and how to use this to my advantage. So many years ago. . . a quarter century.

He will be missed and the stories he leaves behind legend. Those who knew him and called him a friend will cherish the time that he lavished on us.

His magic, his gift of time and education that he gave me. I can hardly imagine what my life would have been, had I not hooked up with him.

An orphan from New Hampshire, a door to door salesman, a Slydini student, lead singer in a rock band, street magician, teacher, world traveler, father, husband, friend. . . . he will be missed.

I feel lucky to have known such a man, to call him my friend and to call him on the phone when I wanted.

“When all the cards are down, there's nothing left to see,
There's just the pavement left and broken dreams.

In the end there's still that song comes cryin' like the wind.
Down every lonely street that's ever been
Stella blue”

In my "Out Box"

I will call Vanessa, if you can assure me that she will not be asking ME for ANY upfront money to be represented.

Can you give me that assurance?

Tom

Real agencies don't charge fees. We are a real agency. We take 20% of non-union & print work and 10% of union work.

That's what I wanted to hear.

HD Video Review 2009

HD Video Review

8/27/09 Paradise Cove Cafe • Malibu, CA

9/17/09 Working the CityWalk Clip

9/21/09 W/Buster at Universal Studios • Stunt Show & Tour

9/22/09 W/ Buster at The Getty Center • Lee Asher 605’s Testimonial Take 1 (audio not great)

9/23/09 Driving around downtown LA at night w/ Buster and Aaron Fisher. I’m driving, Buster shooting.

9/24/09 Zuma Beach w/ Buster and Aaron • 605’s Testimonial Take 2 w/ Aaron

9/25/09 W/ Buster at Denny’s near LAX • I interview my son. I love my boy.

10/2/09 Sparky & Charlotte in the Kitchen (N. Hollywood)

10/7/09 Sparky & Charlotte in the Kitchen

10/8/09 Charlotte in the Kitchen

10/24/09 Moving to Redondo Beach

11/2/09 Polly in Kitchen

11/7/09 Polly in Kitchen making Braised Short Ribs. Swiss Chard w/ Mashed Potatoes & Gravy