HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: david@elxr.jpl.nasa.gov (David Mills)
Subject: Help with marriage proposal
Summary: Need ideas for creative way to produce engagement ring
Keywords: conjuring,magic
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 00:40:47 GMT

Well, Ladies and Gents, this is it: the BIG question I will ask of my 
sweetheart...  I am looking for suggestions for creative methods for 
producing an engagement ring (closeup, probably w/ sleights) when I pop the 
question.

Points to consider: 
a) I'm under a time contraint: less than a week
b) I am out of practice in general, so needs to be fairly self-working (eg.
    I would discount a production of the ring as part of a cups and balls
    routine, since I don't have enough practice time to achieve a creditible 
    routine)
c) The proposal will be a private affair: can't use accomplices
d) The available $$  went into the ring: I can't afford anything else in the way
    of fancy props.

I was thinking of something along the lines of a simple production (ring in 
    ring box) from a silk pulled from my pocket, basically the same way one 
    would palm a billiard ball and produce it from a silk. Alternately, I was 
    thinking of finding some way of doing a cut and restored ribbon, having 
    the ring appear on the restored ribbon as a surprise ending.

Thanks, folks!
Please e-mail to: david@elxr.jpl.nasa.gov  before Oct.16
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 21:36:04 EDT
From: <HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Help with marriage proposal

In article <Eer5wSW00VpgM5qUtS@andrew.cmu.edu>, "Kishor K. Rao"
<kr1i+@andrew.cmu.edu> says:
>
>Well, since we're on the subject of trying to impress your lucky lady
>with magic, has anyone ever done magic to pick them up?  Earlier,
>someone mentioned creating a rose appear from a hankerchief for your
>lady, and that was impressive.  Does anyone else use a similar tactic
>for getting a young woman's attention?
>
>-Kish

I'm hardly a mega-stud, but whenever I perform in a restaurant I *ALWAYS*
come home with at least 6 or 7 phone numbers.  Too bad I'm happily (almost)
engaged.  :-)

I always tell my single friends "If you wanna get lucky, learn a card trick."
Worked for me!!

*  Hans C. Masing        |  "When you go in for a job interview, I  *
*  HCM100@PSUVM.psu.edu  |   think a good thing to ask is if they   *
*  Penn State MIS Dept.  |   ever press charges." - Jack Handey     *
From: jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Please Help
Date: 16 Oct 92 21:07:44 GMT
Reply-To: jti01@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <92289.232308HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu> HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>In article <Bw6DB6.HFn@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu>,
>dsknobel@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (David Knobel) says:
>>
>>I am wondering if any of you can help me.
>>
>>I have been involved with and performing close-up card magic for about 7
>>years.
>>Recently, I "invented" 2 routines (1 packet and 1 deck) which I have never
>>seen or heard of before.
>>
>>I am wondering how I can go about getting these tricks on the market.  Do the
>>larger companies buy rights to tricks from indiviuals?  Can I get a trick
>>Copyrighted?  Patented?
>>
>(Explanations of really neat routines deleted)
>

  I never saw the original post for this. Can someone please repost this?

  BTW: Steven's Magic Emporium also markets tricks but I think they
       prefer to have exclusive rights to most of the effects that they
       sell
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 12:12:47 EDT
From: <HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Favorite tricks - LAYPERSONS
 <1992Oct2.122346.16111@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov>
 <718064382.21914.0@unix3.andrew.cmu.edu>
 <1992Oct13.045527.20288@mailhost.ocs.mq.edu.au>

In article <1992Oct13.045527.20288@mailhost.ocs.mq.edu.au>,
s8825171@macgraw.mqcs.mq.oz.au (Mark Dras) says:
>
>Can you please post how to do this trick?
>
>                                        -J

No.

That is not in the scope of this newsgroup.  If you wish to go to email, I'm
sure that somebody will discuss the methods privately.

*  Hans C. Masing        |  "When you go in for a job interview, I  *
*  HCM100@PSUVM.psu.edu  |   think a good thing to ask is if they   *
*  Penn State MIS Dept.  |   ever press charges." - Jack Handey     *
From: pbaker@tbag.tscs.com (Pete Baker)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Please Help
Date: 13 Oct 92 07:00:28 EST
Organization: Tampa Bay Amiga Group

On Tue 13-Oct-1992  6:56a, Kingsley Morse wrote:
KM>               Please answer these 9 questions and return.

KM> 1.) Do you think equal rights for men and women is generally a good idea?
KM> 2.) Are you pro choice?
KM> 3.) Are you in favor of adoption?
KM> 4.) Do you think men should be allowed to legally terminate their parental
KM> 5.) What sex are you?
KM> 6.) How old are you?
KM> 7.) What religion are you?
KM> 8.) What political party are you affiliated with?
KM> 9.) How many years of education have you completed?

My reply:
1> who does this guy think he is?
2> isn't cross-posting punishable by castration?
3> I'd like to drop his access to NIL:, wouldn't you?

 

--- Via UCI v1.02 (C-Net Amiga)

            _
Pete Baker { }
          ( V-) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
pbaker@tbag <or was it> tbag!pbaker@uunet.uu.net <maybe> pbaker@tbag.tscs.com
============================================================================= 
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: dsknobel@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (David Knobel)
Subject: Re: Please Help
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 18:13:52 GMT

I am wondering if any of you can help me.

I have been involved with and performing close-up card magic for about 7 years. 
Recently, I "invented" 2 routines (1 packet and 1 deck) which I have never
seen or heard of before.

I am wondering how I can go about getting these tricks on the market.  Do the
larger companies buy rights to tricks from indiviuals?  Can I get a trick
Copyrighted?  Patented?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a brief description of each trick:

"The Blue Black Joker Trick"  Four blue-backed Jokers are freely shown front
and back.  The magician explains that the trick works only with blue-backed
Jokers and then produces a red-backed Joker and puts it aside.  The remaining
three cards are shown to all have blue backs, but one by one they switch into
red-backed Jokers.  The 4th red-backed Joker is added to the packet, and all
are freely shown to have blue backs.  Only 4 non-gaffed Jokers are used.

"Chameleon Card"  Four kings from a deck are placed aside.  The deck is
shuffled and spread and a card is freely selected.  The spectator looks at the
card and keeps it.  The four kings are shown again, and the spectator is asked
to choose one of the kings.  The chosen king is removed and placed anywhere
away from both the magician and spectator.  The original card that was selected
by the spectator is shown and then added to the three remaining kings.  The
magician explains that the selected card is the "Chameleon card" and can change
it's appearance to match it's surroundings.  PRESTO! Three of the kings are
shown and placed on the table face-up in a row.  The remaining card, the
"Chameleon card" is turned over -- it is the 4th king.  The king that was
earlier removed and placed away from the spectator and magician is then turned
over -- it is the selected card.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 15:57:47 EDT
From: <HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Crazy Man's Handcuffs

In article <1992Oct10.124857.7472@iscsvax.uni.edu>, hoefer4739@iscsvax.uni.edu
says:
>
>  Where can I find the solution to Crazy Man's Handcuffs?
>
>                                            -Tim


"The Magic of Michael Ammar", available at finer magic purveyors everywhere
for around $40.00 US.  Also, his "Classic Renditions" video tape series has
a section on Rubberband Magic (I Think it's number 2).

*  Hans C. Masing        |  "When you go in for a job interview, I  *
*  HCM100@PSUVM.psu.edu  |   think a good thing to ask is if they   *
*  Penn State MIS Dept.  |   ever press charges." - Jack Handey     *
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: j3david@student.business.uwo.ca (James David)
Subject: Doug Henning
Organization: University of Western Ontario
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1992 04:02:00 GMT

Ahhh, Doug Henning...what's going on?  To tell you the truth, I don't 
miss him.  Saw him perform in Montreal a few years ago...it was really 
not very professional.  Have to admit, though, he had a healthy attitude 
about what he was doing and seemed genuinely interested in making his 
show more of an experience rather than just a bunch of tricks.

Doug Henning has shacked up with the Mahareshi Yogi (I have absolutely no 
idea how to spell the latter).  Hans was right on the money about the 
transcendental meditation.  Believe or not, Henning was in the papers 
recently...he, along with his spiritual mentor, were planning to open an 
amusement park (a la Disney), to be named 'Vega Land' (or something like 
that).  Basically, it was a presentation to potential investors...Henning 
was looking for a little bit of financing for this venture.  I AM NOT 
KIDDING...THIS IS THE TRUTH.  It's a little bit scary.  What's next?  
David Copperfield looking to open a chain of donut shops???

Just thought I'd share that with you...

On the topic of making your business grow; it's going to depend on how 
much work you want to undertake.  Word of mouth and business cards will 
keep you busy on weekends and the occasional weeknight...if you are 
willing to spend a lot of time on it, an ad in the Yellow Pages will get 
you a lot of business...just take a look in there, find a way to 
differentiate your ad from the rest and sit by the phone.  BUT, be 
prepared to deliver.  If you are performing a lot of stage (which is 
usually what people are anticipating when they leaf through the Yellow 
Pages), then you'll need good equipment and a polished show...expect a 
lot of birthday parties.  Birthday parties can be profitable, but are a 
bit demanding and not very satisfying.  If you want to concentrate on 
close-up, then you are basically making the decision to work exclusively 
in restaurants, bars, etc...A lot depends on what you like to do.  
Restaurant and bar work is not very 'Yellow Pages'.  Get some business 
cards and go out and solicit.  The key is to decide where your interests 
lie...don't go out and spend a lot of money on platform gizmos before you 
have decided whether or not 'it's your bag'.

 
 
 
-- James David - London, Ontario, Canada
 

j3david@student.business.uwo.ca (James David)
Western Business School  --  London, Ontario
From: jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Help with marriage proposal
Keywords: conjuring,magic
Date: 16 Oct 92 00:10:59 GMT
Reply-To: jti01@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <Oct14.161335.60998@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU> knepley@CS.ColoState.EDU (Ranseus (Jim Knepley)) writes:
>In article <1992Oct14.004047.13258@jato.jpl.nasa.gov> david@elxr.jpl.nasa.gov (David Mills) writes:
>>Well, Ladies and Gents, this is it: the BIG question I will ask of my 
>>sweetheart...  I am looking for suggestions for creative methods for 
>>producing an engagement ring (closeup, probably w/ sleights) when I pop the 
>>question.
>
>Here's kind of an off-beat thought.  You may want to kick it around, though.
>
>Do a C/S routine with a penny and a dime.  For the kicker, say that you've
>"changed her coin into gold" and have her open her hand to reveal the ring.
>If the signet isn't too big, the ring should pass for a coin.  This
>depends largely on ring style, I fear.

 I think Jim's idea of doing a Copper/Silver routine is GREAT! But maybe
 instead of a dime and penny you could use another common or innocuous
 object that has the dimensions and general silhohette (sic) of your
 engagement ring so the feel of the real diamond won't be as suspicious?
 I'm not sure what you could use, perhaps wadded up tin foil (gum wrapper
 wadded to have a bumpp similar to a diamond). Tell your "fiance-to-be",
 (we hope ;-)) that you want to try something different. Wad up the foil
 and place it in her hand (secretly do the switch with the ring). Tell
 her you are going to make it dissappear, transform, transpose or
 what ever, based on the answer to your next question. Propose and when
 she answers ask her to open her hand. Hopefully, she says yes and
 contributes to a great close to your routine.

 Hope you come up with something great! Good Luck

 Best wishes,

 Jeff Isozaki - jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com
From: kingsley@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Kingsley Morse)
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 23:36:00 GMT
Subject: Please Help
Organization: HP Western Response Center
Newsgroups: alt.magic

              Please answer these 9 questions and return.

1.) Do you think equal rights for men and women is generally a good idea?
Yes                  [ ]
Sometimes            [ ]
No                   [ ]
Haven't heard enough [ ]
Other                [ ]

2.) Are you pro choice?
Yes                  [ ]
Sometimes            [ ]
No                   [ ]
Haven't heard enough [ ]
Other                [ ]

3.) Are you in favor of adoption?
Yes                  [ ]
Sometimes            [ ]
No                   [ ]
Haven't heard enough [ ]
Other                [ ]

4.) Do you think men should be allowed to legally terminate their parental
rights and responsibilities before fetal viability?
Yes                  [ ]
Sometimes            [ ]
No                   [ ]
Haven't heard enough [ ]
Other                [ ]

5.) What sex are you?
Male               [ ]
Female             [ ]

6.) How old are you?
Under 18           [ ]
19 to 65           [ ]
Over 65            [ ]

7.) What religion are you?
Protestant         [ ]
Catholic           [ ]
Jewish             [ ]
Other              [ ]

8.) What political party are you affiliated with?
Democratic         [ ]
Republican         [ ]
Other              [ ]

9.) How many years of education have you completed?
Grade School       [ ]
High School        [ ]
College            [ ]
More               [ ]
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 23:23:08 EDT
From: <HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Please Help
 <Bw6DB6.HFn@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu>

In article <Bw6DB6.HFn@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu>,
dsknobel@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (David Knobel) says:
>
>I am wondering if any of you can help me.
>
>I have been involved with and performing close-up card magic for about 7
>years.
>Recently, I "invented" 2 routines (1 packet and 1 deck) which I have never
>seen or heard of before.
>
>I am wondering how I can go about getting these tricks on the market.  Do the
>larger companies buy rights to tricks from indiviuals?  Can I get a trick
>Copyrighted?  Patented?
>
(Explanations of really neat routines deleted)

Contact Tannen's in New York.  They have an 800 number (cal 1-800-555-1212 and
ask for their toll free number) and often market tricks for magicians if they
consider it to be of merit.  These sound pretty good.  Give em a try.  Tell
'em Copperfield sent you.  :-)

*  Hans C. Masing        |  "When you go in for a job interview, I  *
*  HCM100@PSUVM.psu.edu  |   think a good thing to ask is if they   *
*  Penn State MIS Dept.  |   ever press charges." - Jack Handey     *
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: knepley@CS.ColoState.EDU (Ranseus (Jim Knepley))
Subject: Re: Help with marriage proposal
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 16:13:35 GMT
Organization: Colorado State University
Keywords: conjuring,magic

In article <1992Oct14.004047.13258@jato.jpl.nasa.gov> david@elxr.jpl.nasa.gov (David Mills) writes:
>Well, Ladies and Gents, this is it: the BIG question I will ask of my 
>sweetheart...  I am looking for suggestions for creative methods for 
>producing an engagement ring (closeup, probably w/ sleights) when I pop the 
>question.

Here's kind of an off-beat thought.  You may want to kick it around, though.

Do a C/S routine with a penny and a dime.  For the kicker, say that you've
"changed her coin into gold" and have her open her hand to reveal the ring.
If the signet isn't too big, the ring should pass for a coin.  This
depends largely on ring style, I fear.

Be sure to play up how much more valuable the "gold coin" is than either
the dime or the penny though.

If you want some help with the routine, write me.

Odly enough, I didn't do anything magical when I proposed to my fiancee.
I figured that the question would be magical enough for her.  :) 

Best wishes,
  Jim

-- 
----- knepley@cs.colostate.edu ----------------------------------------------
 Jim "Ranseus" Knepley                |  Never forget that you are the only
 Programmer, magician, computer geek  |  person in charge of your life.
------------------------------------------------------ Boycott Microsoft ----
From: ov@head-cfa.harvard.edu (Olaf Vancura)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Videos, etc.
Date: 9 Oct 92 12:38:14 GMT
Organization: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA,  USA

Does anyone have any suggestions for good magic videos -- either
stage illusion or slight of hand or both?  I've been recording 
Copperfield's last two yearly specials, but would like to obtain the 
works of others as well.

While I'm on the subject, I'd just like to say that his "Big Black Box"
illusion -- He shows a large box on wheels about a foot off the ground
to be empty.  Hanging curtains in front, he proceeds to create
two people from it, winding up with three shaggy dogs at the end, all
to the reverberations of Big Pig.  -- has got me stumped.  This was on the
special two years ago -- the same one with the disappearing train.  I've 
been able to determine how the rest of the tricks on both shows are done.  
(My wife and I saw him live in Baltimore recently after seeing last year's
TV special and were disappointed both by his prolific sexual connotations 
and the fact that he didn't do anything new.) I have the feeling that 
this "Big Black Box" thing is probably something obvious, but it's killing me.  Any thoughts?

Olaf
From: ron@eatdust.uswest.com (Ron Schweikert)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: alt.magic reader bios, also, "how do you get there from here"; misc...
Date: 16 Oct 92 17:07:44 GMT
Organization: U S WEST Communications -- Information Technologies
Originator: ron@eatdust

I have a couple of quick questions (the first one is quasi-embarassing...)

1) what is the "Hamman count" and "Biddle grip"?  It might be that I already
   know these, but by other names.  They are referred to in Harris' "Las 
   Vegas CloseUp" book.

2) Is Harris' "Intimate secrets" book good?  Again Harris defers to it a lot
   in LVCU for reference and insight.

Now for a more general question:

The bios I've seen for DC and other magicians are very short.  I'm interested
in how a hobbyist magician moves from neighborhood and small social
gathering "shows" to semi-professional and then perhaps full-time.  How
have some of you done it (I think the thread would be kind of fun -- the same
type of thing occured in rec.aviation awhile back ("most memorable flights"
and "personal bios") and was fun).  For those who do small shows, say mostly
close-up work, how do they transition to learning the "big stuff"?  For
those of us hobbyists (and others actually) there are numerous books on the
market that teach not only basic skills but also specific illusions.  This
is great, but are there the same type of videos/books for stage illusions?
Are these "grand" illusions learned mostly through mentoring, conferences, 
both? I don't see myself ever doing Andre Kole or DC type stuff, but I'm 
interested in the effects both for the art form, but also to see how some of 
the principles involved can be "scaled down" for more intimate gatherings.

Thanks in advance!

Ron

(Also, anyone know what Doug Henning is up to nowadays?  Anyone know how to
correspond with Andre Kole (find out schedule etc.)?)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: dulcinea@cwis.unomaha.edu (Shaene Steinauer)
Subject: Re: Another please help
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 18:00:28 GMT

Oops!  The article to which I was referring was erased.

A brief summary:

I am trying to home-make a gadget that electronically ignites
flash cotton, which propels and lights flash paper to create
a fire-ball effect.  My problem is the electronic ignition.

I have achieved the effect with model rocket igniters, but the
igniters only last for 2 or 3 shots.  

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

(Shaene Steinauer)

Dulcinea  (dulcinea@cwis.unomaha.edu)


Newsgroups: alt.conspiracy
From: pierce@lanai.cs.ucla.edu (Brad Pierce)
Subject: 1 of every 4 US commercial banks is bankrupt
Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 92 02:57:05 GMT

--------------  FORWARDED POSTING  -----------------------------------
From: streb@ee.rochester.edu (Chuck S.)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.perot
Subject: December Surprise
Date: 17 Oct 92 01:49:35 GMT

The front page of the business section of the Oct. 4 "Washington Post"
carried an in depth article describing a new banking crisis ready to
spill after the election.  The press had dubbed this "the December
surprise".  According to the article, one out of four US commercial
banks is currently bankrupt according to federal law despite the recent
lowering of the liquid holding requirement from 6% to 2%.  This is NOT
the continuation of the Savings and Loan crisis.  These are commercial
banks.  The article projects a minimum of another quarter trillion
dollars for this new fiasco.  FDIC is currently 6 billion overdrawn
(since April 91)  and another 60 some billion will soon need to be
allocated to clean up the S&L thing.

The article reports that this new bank crisis is being handled much the
same as was first.  Congress and the political parties have agreed to
put this issue off until after the election.  Surprise!  Further
reported, the media believes that this issue is too complex for the
American public to grasp.

Why is the wider media not reporting this?
Why have neither of the parties addressed this?
Why has Ross Perot not addressed this?

---------------  END OF FORWARDED POSTING  --------------------------

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