I know, I know...I never did a Paul’s Picks for February. It was a crazy month and I just never had a chance to write one up. Conventions and traveling have been taking up a lot of my time lately and next week I hit the road again for some lectures stop and the Nemcon Convention in Cromwell, CT. The lecture stops are listed here and if you live near ANY of these areas I hope you’ll come out and enjoy the evening.

Now let’s get started with this month’s Picks!

• Transporter: I am very proud of this new release from Elmwood Magic and it has been getting very strong reviews from users all over the world. It was one of the hits of Blackpool and if you’ve been looking for an easy card to wallet that you can carry ALL the time, then this is definitely worth checking out. (As an aside, you may have heard some of the buzz about another hit we had at Blackpool called "Truth"…we are keeping this new item under wraps a little while longer but I promise you’ll see it on the site soon!)
• Mastermind: Many years ago we sold the original version of Mastermind and the effect was always strong but the card stock was not the best. Chris Kenworthey has now produced this in Bicycle stock and it truly is a dream deck. You can use it for many effects but certainly the one that’s been getting the most press is a devastating Card At Any Number. This is super easy to do and uses NO sleights at all!
• Sudden Impact: Cameron Francis showed me this a few months ago and I thought it was a great idea…so I was delighted to see it’s now available as a DVD. This is a wonderfully visual change that looks totally impossible. The card is isolated in the box and the audience actually sees it transform to another selection. A really clever idea that you’ll have a ton of fun with!
• Ultracinese: I’ve mentioned many times in the past that I’m not a big fan of electronic items. But every once in a while I see one that is just absolutely ingenious. This is one of those times! Ultracinese is a well made, creates a phenomenal effect, and is surprisingly practical. If the effect appeals to you, then you will be VERY pleased with the product. A word of warning on these, the release was delayed due to the high demand and time need to produce each unit. These will not last long and I assure you there will be folks who wait and miss out on the chance to own one. When our stock is gone, we have been given NO date as to when (or if) we will be able to get more.
• Fortune Sticks, Tenyo Elite: The new Tenyo Elite line has arrived and I am a particularly impressed with this item. The original Tenyo item was ingenious, clean, and direct…this lacks none of those features but is far better made than the old plastic model. If you like high quality magic that is powerful as well, this is for you!
• Cardini, The Suave Deceiver: This book comes in at almost 600 pages and I’m still working my way through it. But as Jamy Swiss said in his review, “…it’s nothing short of astounding”. I must admit that while I knew of Cardini and his impact, I really knew nothing of his life and the details of his career. This is a must read for any student of magic, manipulation, or history.
• Sneak Preview: A great new effect from Danny Archer. Danny is a worker and he creates effects for workers. Solid premise, easy method, strong impact…what’s not to like? This is a great effect that allows you hand out a business card while you deliver a powerful demonstration of thought reading. Easy to do and well thought out.
• Mojoe: John Kennedy always creates clever off beat magic and this little guy is no exception. I should point out that this takes some set up and is not an item I can see using in an actual show. But with the right set up and under the right circumstances, you’ll have a miracle on your hands.
• Spin: Boy Oh Boy….do I like this DVD! Let me begin by saying in all likelihood you already know the method…but Matt Sconce has figured out every angle and idea for using this technique. He really has gone above and beyond to deliver the goods and you will be well rewarded for the time you invest in watching this. Two big thumbs up from me!

Still playing a bit of office catch up since returning from MagiFest and now my sights have turned towards the UK...

We are very busy preparing for a trip across the pond to the world’s largest magic convention in Blackpool, England. This event is always a sell out with THOUSANDS of magicians traveling from all over the world for this remarkable magical experience. I’ve been to many conventions, in many places but the Blackpool Magician’s Club has created something unique and this event is without a doubt the most awe inspiring.

This year I’ve decided to combine the magic with a bit of family fun, so my wife and daughter will be joining me on the trek. We will be taking a trip down to London after the convention to soak in a bit of English culture as well. This means that things will be a bit shorthanded at the shop from February 16th to the 26th. You can get the full details about the office schedule during that time by clicking here.

Shortly after my return, I’ll be heading back out on the road in March for a few lectures in PA, NJ, and final stop in CT for the Nemcon Convention. Here’s the lecture line up:

Harrisburg, PA
When: Monday March 8
Where: Doc Holliday's, 110 Limekiln Road, New Cumberland, PA 17070
For more information contact John Stover at: 717-802-6708 or get full info on this lecture here http://www.centralpamagic.org/html/paulr.html

Philadelphia, PA
When: Tuesday March 9
Where: Grasso’s Magic Theatre, 103 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, Pa 19123
For more information visit: http://www.grassosmagictheatre.com/contact.html

Edison, NJ
When: Wednesday March 10
Where: Community Center Auditorium, 328 Plainfield Avenue Edison, NJ 08817
For more information contact Eric Appel at ega53@comcast.net

If one of the stops is near you, I hope you’ll come out to say hello!

It’s 2010 and stuff moves fast! Finding anything with staying power is close to impossible. Maybe that’s why I always enjoy going to the Columbus Magi-Fest so much. This year Magi-Fest celebrates its 79th Anniversary! That’s a long time for any event but by magic standards it’s a miracle! You may think it’s because people love visiting Columbus in the dead of winter, but I suspect it’s something else...

This great convention attracts people from all over and never fails to have a stellar line up of talent. This year the line up includes Jon Allen, Dan Garcia, Eric Jones, Arthur Trace, Geoff Williams, Terry Ward, and many more. But what really makes Magi-Fest fun is the non-stop magic jam in the lobby. You’ll find hoards of attendees hanging out until the wee hours and sessioning. You’ll see them as you head off to bed and find many still there when you wake up!

If you plan on being there, stop by our booth to see all the new goodies. And if you need a little magic inspiration, start packing because it starts tomorrow! Get the full details at www.magifest.org.

About four years ago Joshua Jay approached me about producing a series of effects a person could carry in their wallet. These would be effects that took up little room but played large and could be used with little preparation. The project was dubbed the Wonder Wallet Series.

It began with Vegas Visit, a hybrid of the classic “story” routine and the six card repeat. Think Sam the Bellhop Meets Tommy Tucker! It was quickly embraced by performers like Bob Sheets, Aaron Fisher, Joel Givens, and others as fitting tribute to the two classics.

Next up, was Extra Credit. Not really a stand alone trick, but a collection of gags and photos that motivated pulling out your wallet in an impromptu setting. The jokes ranged from mild to a tad racy with enough material that the user could pick and choose the lines that worked best for them. This is perfect for those moments when friends are sharing photos.

And now comes, Transporter...a diabolical device for getting a signed card to your wallet right under the spectator’s nose. It’s so clever it borders on evil!  See for yourself...

Stick with me a bit. Trust me, this post is about magic....

Many of my readers may be surprised to learn that I have been long time student of philosophy. I have always had a particular interest in eastern thought. One of my favorite Soto Zen stories involves Master Dogen’s travels to China in search of true wisdom. Here is the story in its briefest form:

"It was summer, and very hot. There was a very old monk at work, drying mushrooms. Old and frail as he was, he was spreading the mushrooms out in the sun. Master Dogen saw him and asked him, "Why are you working? You are an old monk and a superior of the temple. You should get younger people to do this work. It is not necessary for you to work. Besides, it is extremely hot today. Do that another day." The monk said to him, "You have come from Japan, young man, you are intelligent and you understand Buddhism, but you do not understand the essence of Zen. If I do not do this, if I do not work here and now, who could understand? I am not you, I am not others. Others are not me. So others cannot have the experience. If I don't work, if I do not have this experience here and now, I cannot understand. If a young monk helped me to do the work, if I were to stand by and watch him, then I could not have the experience of drying these mushrooms. If I said, "Do this, do that. Put them here or there," I could not have the experience. I could not understand the act that is here and now. "I am not others and others are not me." Master Dogen was startled, and he suddenly understood. True, he was highly intelligent. He had studied in books, he had looked with his brain and he spent all his time thinking, but just then he understood: "If I do not have the experience I cannot understand true Zen."

I often think of this story when talking with magicians. I am always willing to help and guide when I can. I really believe the primary job of a dealer should be to help foster good choices and move magic in a positive direction. But at a certain point every student in any field, magic included, must gain experience and answers by doing. Experience teaches lessons that can not be learned ANY other way. No book, no dvd, no lecture, no message board, and no talk with another magician can replace the experience of doing. Understand that I am not discounting those resources. Far from it, they are VERY valuable and necessary. But at a certain point all magicians need to "do" in order to "know". It’s the only way to find real wisdom in any field. You can not master magic in a vacuum, you need to "do".

All study, practice, and rehearsal can only fully blossom in the act of doing.

Do.