Posted on August 30, 2005
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Naturally, New Orleans is getting lots of attention. But the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been nearly erased by Katrina. WLBT TV posted a video shot from a helicopter this morning. The word “devastation” doesn’t seem to cover it, really.
If you have a moment, you should watch what television news coverage couldn’t capture when it happened.
As bad as the winds were, it was the incredible storm surge from Katrina pulled in from the gulf that managed to lift a couple of the floating casinos, take them across the beach, across highway 90, and drop on top of other buildings. (Well, any buildings that still existed.)
Brendan Loy (The Irish Trojan’s Blog) posted a link to a BBC-hosted story and video that will break your heart. And if it doesn’t break your heart in two, I wouldn’t want to know you.
Katrina Hurricane New Orleans Biloxi
Posted on August 30, 2005
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The Times Picayune, the paper of record for me growing up in the New Orleans area, has gone to an online edition-only today. In an article just posted titled, “Will New Orleans Survive?”, writer James Varney says:
On the southern fringe of New Orleans’ City Park there is a live oak with a branch that dips low, goes briefly underground, and comes up the other side still thriving.
It’s ancient and gnarled, this tree, and filtered sunglight slants through its crown at dusk. It’s a sublime thing.
When we talk about these majestic items that dot New Orleans’ landscape we say, “is,” but we may mean, “was.” The reports are still scattered, the news from the ground still incomplete, but Hurricane Katrina may have annihilated New Orleans.
It looks bad to everyone. “It’s impossible for us to say how many structures can be salvaged,” Gov. Kathleen Blanco said late Tuesday. But can the birthplace of jazz truly be wiped from the face of the earth?
New Orleans may yet surprise. Too often the city is written off as a whiskey nirvana, where one guzzles Pimms cups at Napoleon House in the French Quarter at night, and eggs and grits at the Camellia Grill in the Riverbend at sunrise.
The rest of the article is good reading because it touches on a lot of reasons why I’m pretty sure the city will surprise again int he face of Katrina’s devastation. People and the cities they inhabit are remarkably resilient. When faced with insurmountable tasks, people, in general, will find a way over, around or through.
The very history of south Louisiana — and New Orleans in particular — is a testament to surviving.
It’s events like this that remind people they are people first, Orleanians second, and skin color somewhere down the line. Substitute another city for New Orleans and I believe the same could be said for any other city under such dire conditions.
Katrina Hurricane New Orleans Biloxi
Posted on August 30, 2005
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I’ve been through many hurricanes. This is going to sound weird, but some of my fondest memories of childhood are from hurricanes. My childhood home was a former turn-of-the-century Catholic rectory that was built to withstand the gulf’s hurricanes. So, when the hurricanes came to the Gulf south, family and friends camped out at our house. To the kids, that meant flashlights for everyone and sleeping on the floor. As a kid, how could it get any better than that?
But here in Big People Land, I have quite a different opinion of hurricanes. The devastation Katrina caused leaves me at a loss for words. From New Orleans through the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the destruction is impossible to comprehend.
Here are a few links for you to visit if you have a moment. And say a prayer for the people along the gulf coast if you are so inclined:
Video interview with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Monday night.
Times Picayune newspaper online (print edition was cancelled)
I’m still trying to contact family and friends.
Katrina Hurricane New Orleans Biloxi
Posted on August 23, 2005
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Robert A. Moog, May 23, 1934 - August 21, 2005.
Stories here, here, here, here, and here.
From the family’s Caring Bridge journal:
MEMORIAL CELEBRATION: August 24, 12 NOON
The Orange Peel, Social Aid & Pleasure Club
101Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC
828 225-5851
www.theorangepeel.net
Posted on August 11, 2005
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Okay, I’ll admit that the number and frequency of my posts regarding Penn Jillette’s “The Aristocrats” — you know the movie about the dirtiest joke ever told, the one Michael Medved isn’t going to list in his top ten list — is surprising, even to me. But I think it’s a fascinating story about a story about a joke “normal” people wouldn’t have any business hearing to begin with.
Here’s a new review from The Daily Californian, in which writer David Boyk observes and opines:
But the middles vary from clean but funny slapstick—all slapstick is funny slapstick—to the foulest, most shocking descriptions of incestuous, pedophilic coprophagy (look that one up!) involving endangered species, and other things that don’t even have euphemisms, that ever made a crowd guffaw. And the nastiest version of all, by a long shot, is told by Bob Saget. It lasts for probably 10 minutes and will force grandmas out of their seats. It’s also very funny.
I’d heard that about Bob Saget.
He also noted — as have others — that there are few commediennes who tell the joke. It seems to me the concept of “equality” is being taken to absurd lengths. Besides, not that I particularly care to hear a dirty joke to begin with, I don’t particularly want to hear a chick tell it. But, that’s just me.
But here’s the part I found more interesting:
The movie’s emphasis on more or less obscure comedians is an asset, however. When famous comedians do show up, most of them end up disappointing. Robin Williams is incoherent, Jon Stewart is stiff, Drew Carey is self-satisfied and Eddie Izzard doesn’t even know the joke. The worst part of the movie, near the end, is the extended love letter to Gilbert Gottfried.
Aside from the startling “revelation” that Robin Williams is incoherent, it appears Mr. Boyd isn’t a fan of Gilbert Gottfried. I am. And the story behind Gottfried’s performance of this piece is actually more funny than any other venue I can imagine. It seems to me its position in the film is the right punctuation, given what comes before it.
Still not showing at a theater near me, though.
Posted on August 5, 2005
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Every once in a while I find it useful and pleasant to stop everything from moving around me, sit for a while, and think. I don’t know anyone who could possibly argue that the pace of life in the Internet age is so fast that what we used to call “fast” is now old-fogey stately in comparison.
Sometimes I have to find a reason to stop. Thankfully, I was given a pretty good reason late yesterday in the form of an advance copy of Richard Osterlind’s newest e-book, “The Principles of Magic.”
If you’ve spent the least amount of time here at Escamoteurettes, you know I am a fan of Osterlind’s work. He’s a fellow who preaches from the same pulpit he works behind. It still astounds me he decided to release his first set of DVDs, filled with the stuff he does for paying audiences. As a general rule, despite how good the material is in DVDs, it’s usually not the material a working magician actually performs for “normal” people. And that’s precisely what made those DVDs so valuable.
Over the last couple of years, Richard, through his friend and business partner Jim Sisti, has released a series of e-books that have garnered almost universal praise. And for good reason: like the DVDs, they are filled with valuable material — both advice and tricks — that translate successfully in the real world because thats where it was born: in the real world.
One of the threads that’s woven through and between each of his books is the notion that magic is more than the sum of the tricks performed before audiences and their responses. In a different manner than Burger and Neale — and I love dearly the work of both of those men — Richard presents his point of view that magic is inherently and should be really magic, and the devices by which he describes for creating that are…how can I put this?…simpler. By simpler, I mean in the same way a properly performed trick with an Ultra Mental creates a moment of real magic. You have to admit, magic doesn’t get simpler than that, yet the response is all out of proportion. Why? That’s the magic. That’s the thread you’ll find through each of these e-books.
“The Principles of Magic” is described this way by Richard in his Foreward:
This book is not an attempt to list all the principles of magic as we usually think of them. There are numerous tomes which have done that job perfectly. The Tarbell Course of Magic has more to offer along those lines than any ten other books. It can safely be said that mastering that course would give the reader well over 90% of all the knowledge he needs to succeed in magic.
Rather, this work has two objectives in mind. The first is to strengthen the respect that magic deserves as an art and the second is to add to the above principles of magic. It is hoped that these ideas will be approached with an open mind and the belief that we can all improve and should always be trying to.
There’s always the fear that any follow-up to such an excellent series of books — e- or otherwise — may not live up to what’s come before. After two complete readings over the course of twenty-four hours I’m happy to say this easily earns its place next to Richard’s other e-books.
There are five main sections, each covering an aspect of the art of magic and mentalism that seems to come up in conversation over and over, and you’ll recognize the subject matter if you spend any time at all on any of the magic discussion boards. The first section covers the ground work and touches on how we got to where we are today in magic.
The second section’s topics include how to deal with guilt, the magician’s ego, and my favorite “How far is too far?” (This was a terrific section and worthy of reading several times.)
The next two sections cover some nuts and bolts topics that concern stage and close-up workers alike. Osterlind covers each from his experience and point of view and asks just enough questions to have you question why you may believe what you believe about the performance of magic. Ever ask yourself what’s the best way to walk on stage? If not, maybe you should. What are some nearly no-fail strategies in selecting volunteers, and how to best handle them once they’re standing next to you? Every get the willies when performing? (Virtually a rhetorical question, I realize.) Suppose you could learn a strategy to successfully deal with that so you can concentrate on your performance? Would that interest you?
The final section, like Richard’s other e-books, offers an excellent trick that, like the others, deserves to be sold on its own. Like the other tricks, this is one Osterlind actually uses in front of paying audiences. It’s explained in great detail and it it a killer.
Is this worth your investment? I think it is. So are Richard’s other e-books. But, unlike the other e-books, this one isn’t available yet. It actually goes online for instant purchase tonight at midnight on the Osterlind Mysteries web site.
If you have a serious interest in the magic of magic and want to explore some territory dealing with fundamental principles of magic that don’t get enough ink — electronic or otherwise — I can’t think of a good reason not to invest in this new book.
Posted on August 4, 2005
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One of my occasional haunts is blabbermouth.net. A few days ago, they announced:
Master provocateur Criss Angel, whose A&E series “Criss Angel Mindfreak” debuted last week (airs weekly on Wednesday) at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, will make an appearance at the July 30 Ozzfest date in Chicago.
Angel will have a tented area where he will be available to interact with fans and sign autographs from 12 noon to 3 p.m. He will periodically perform close demonstrations including razor blades, metal bending, and mentalism outside of the tent. Angel will also take the stage to introduce ROB ZOMBIE.
Consider, for a moment, Angel’s angle here: he’s going to interact with fans.
Compare that with top-of-mind television magicians from the last few years. Notice a difference? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
Posted on August 4, 2005
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It is becoming readily apparent to me that “The Aristocrats” is not going to suffer the same fate as did “The Blair Witch Project” — which is to say, it appears to me many people still aren’t getting the joke. Which, naturally, makes the joke even funnier. This may become the Mobius Strip movie of the decade.
I should be a mindreader. (HA! HA! HA! HA! Sorry.)
Penn Jillette’s project, “The Aristocrats“ — known affectionately by many as the movie that presents the dirtiest joke ever told, the movie Michael Medved panned “because it’s not a film anybody’s going to see, it’s not a film that anybody cares about” — is proving itself, its premise, and bearing out what I suspected: some people just don’t get it at all.
My favorite comment is, “The joke isn’t even funny.” (I strongly suspect these are the same people who would ban dihydrogen monoxide if they had half a chance.) But I disagree; this is very funny.
The motion picture opened in four theaters on July 29th and the news continues to roll in. CNN called it, “The most foul-mouthed movie ever.” It went on to say, “‘Aristocrats’ offers no sex or violence, but plenty of obscenity.”
In other words, it’s like a trip to the local mall’s food court on a Saturday night?
AMC Theatres claims it will not show the movie on any of its nearly 3,500 screens. In an interview with a hoarse Jillette:
Q: So I’m figuring I’ll get my ticket early, hopefully at the AMC theater. At Pleasure Island. In Walt Disney World. On opening day. What’re my chances?
Jillette: Not good. Not good at all. Hahaha!
“The Aristocrats” is not about the story; it’s about the storytellers. Or, as Penn put it, “It’s the singer, not the song. It’s the craft of comedy.” Unfortunately, critics — for the most part — are staring at the bark on the tree, wondering aloud what makes it so special. Color me capricious, but I find that awfully amusing.
Posted on August 4, 2005
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Not quite “man bites dog” but, as a header, it’ll do.
This weekend, Abbott’s Magic Get-Together marks the 68th year of get-togethers in Colon, MI. An article today in Sturgis Journal mentions:
This is the 68th year for the Abbott’s Magic Get-Together. Magicians from several foreign countries have arrived in preparation for the magic shows at Colon High School. Greg Bordner, owner-operator of the Abbott Magic Company, said he’s already thinking ahead to next year working on a list of potential performers.
Featured at this year’s get-together are more than 1,000 magic tricks, a new catalog and 300 copies of the just-released “Steward James Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks.â€
The FAB Magic’s “Magi Celebration†takes place under the tent outside Clancy’s and will feature two all-star shows Friday and Saturday.
The Colon Chamber of Commerce is selling copies of a new Colon Magic Capital of the World souvenir license plate for $5. It has been a popular sales item for magicians.
As Tevye would put it, “Tradition.”
The article also interviews amateur magician/atom splitter Wayne Braun — who hasn’t missed a Get-Together in 28 years.
Check out the article if you have a moment.
I wish there’d had been added to that article just a little bit about the history of Abbott’s Magic. Of course, Abbott’s own web site doesn’t offer much in the way of history, either.
Posted on August 3, 2005
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The Guardian’s Alok Jha wrote an excellent article on magic.
First there’s shock tinged with disbelief. A moment of wonder follows. Then, a desperate scramble to rack your brains and work out just how you’ve been had. There’s no denying the effects of a good magic trick. From the great escapes of Houdini and the surreal mental trickery of Derren Brown to the conjurors at children’s parties, the appeal is universal.
Yes, that sounds like magic to me, too.
Lots of quotes from Magic Circle member Richard Wiseman, as well as Durham University psychologist Gustav Kuhn. Great article. Read it if you have a few moments.
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