HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: feathers@serss0 (Michael Feathers)
Subject: Wanted: Eraserhead
Organization: Florida International University, Miami
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 15:22:37 GMT



Does anyone know where I can get _Eraserhead_ by David Lynch on video?

Every video store that I go to to order it says that they can't, and a 
recent hurricane here in Miami has destroyed the local video store that 
carried it for rental.  I will be unable to play it over the Christmas 
holiday for my friends and relatives and Christmas will not be the same.

If it is available for purchase I may be able to get it for next year.

Anyone?

If you have information about this, please send me mail at feathers@fiu.edu
since I do not get over here to often.
 
-MiKe
Newsgroups: alt.znet.pc
Subject: Issue 9222
From: jonc@status.gen.nz (Jon Clarke)
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 07:21:11 GMT
Organization: The Z*NET Global News Gateway in Parnell New Zealand.

Hi peoples,
 
This weeks issue has been delayed for a few hours. I will post it
later today so many of you outside our time zone may not receive it
till Monday morning.
 
Happy days


 Jon Clarke                                                     Z*NET Pacific
 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  jonc@status.gen.nz           GEnie: J.Clarke6        Hexagon: HSBC NZM EBD
  Phone: (+649) 358-5589       IFNA : 3/772:105        GEM    : NZM CABLES
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     "Practise safe computing ! Wear a write protect tab!" jc 1988
Newsgroups: alt.znet.pc
Subject: Seasons greetings from the Z*NET Crew
From: jonc@status.gen.nz (Jon Clarke)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 07:54:02 GMT
Organization: The Z*NET Global News Gateway in Parnell New Zealand.


 
VVVVVVV, VVVVVVVV   .VVV.    ,VVVVVV, VVVVVVVV    ,VVVVVV, VV.   VV
VV   .VV VV        .VV VV.   VV    '' VV          VV'  'VV VVV.  VV
VVVVVVV' VVVVVV    VVVVVVV   VV       VVVVVV      VV    VV VVVV. VV
VV       VV      .VV     VV  VV    ,, VV          VV.  .VV VV  VVVV
VV       VVVVVVV.VV       VV.'VVVVVV' VVVVVVVV    'VVVVVV' VV   VVV
 
           VVVVVVVV    .VVV.    VVVVVVV, VVVVVVVV VV    VV
           VV         .VV VV.   VV    VV    VV    VV    VV
           VVVVVV    .VVVVVVV.  VVVVVVV'    VV    VVVVVVVV
           VV       .VV     VV. VV  VV.     VV    VV    VV
           VVVVVVVV.VV       VV.VV   VV.    VV    VV    VV
 
 
 
                     /:
                    ///:,
                   //////:,
      .W.          ////////:,.
     .WWW,         ///////////::,.
    .WWWWWW,       ////////////////::,,.
   .WWWWWWWWW,.     ////////////////////::,,.
  .WWWWWWWWWWWWW,.  ///////////////////////////:,.              ()
  WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW,.//////////////////////////////.            /
  WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:,.//////////////////////////.        Y  :
  WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:,,.///////////////////.        : /  ()
  WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:,,.///////////.,,.      Y  /
   WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:,///.:WWWWWW,    :----
   WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW,//,WWWWWWWWW:  /
    WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW///:WWWWWWWWWW./
     WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'///:WWWWWWWWVVV.
      'WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'/////WWWWWWW//''V.
       'WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:,./.,WWWWWW//
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            'WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW//WWW,
                 'WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW//WWWWW:
                   '''WWWWWWWWWWW/''WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:
                        '''''''  ,WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'
                            .,,::WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'
                      .,,:WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:'
            ..,,,,,:WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW::''
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        ''WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'
          '''WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'
             '''WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW'
                 '''WWWWWWWWW'
                       '''
 
 
 To all our readers world-wide, Thanks.
 
 regards
 
 Z*NET  USA
        Canada
        Europe
        South Pacific
        Pacific



 Jon Clarke                                                     Z*NET Pacific
 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  jonc@status.gen.nz           GEnie: J.Clarke6        Hexagon: HSBC NZM EBD
  Phone: (+649) 358-5589       IFNA : 3/772:105        GEM    : NZM CABLES
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     "Practise safe computing ! Wear a write protect tab!" jc 1988
Newsgroups: alt.znet.pc
Subject: Z*NET Issue 9222
From: jonc@status.gen.nz (Jon Clarke)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 07:18:23 GMT
Organization: The Z*NET Global News Gateway in Parnell New Zealand.


 In this weeks issue which can be found in alt.znet.pc you will 
 see the following .....
 

 ## Falcon Bundled With D2D        ## Syquest Files Lawsuit
 ## 1992 Year In Review - Part 1   ## Music Coalition Announced
 ## Z*Net Newswire                 ## AtariNet Network
 ## IBM Considers More Layoffs     ## Perusing GEnie
 ## Kodak Photo CD Explained       ## 256MB DRAM
 ## Atarophile                     ## Injunction Filed Against Microsoft
 
 If your system does not carry the ALT.ZNET ask you sysadmin to add
 them to your news feeds.
 
 regards from the Z*NET Crew world-wide


 Jon Clarke                                                     Z*NET Pacific
 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  jonc@status.gen.nz           GEnie: J.Clarke6        Hexagon: HSBC NZM EBD
  Phone: (+649) 358-5589       IFNA : 3/772:105        GEM    : NZM CABLES
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     "Practise safe computing ! Wear a write protect tab!" jc 1988
Newsgroups: alt.znet.pc
Organization: The Undead
X-Subliminal-Message: Memory is Divine Punishment
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 04:32:10 EST
From: Karll the Ghoul <AKH104@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.znet.pc
Subject: 9222?

  Did anyone actually recieve that last Znet???
_________________________________________________________________________
   HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS???  IF YOU GET NETNEWS THEN YOU MUST READ:
                 alt.alien.vampire.flonk.flonk.flonk

   Only here can you learn the wonders of my roomate simoN and wade
     through my never ending spew of spooge about love and life!
        BE A FLONKER TODAY!  FLONK A FRIEND!  FLONK AN ENEMY!!
              simoN says : "HacK On!"   FLoNk the Weasel!
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
Subject: Holiday Magic...
Reply-To: sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
Organization: Harvard OIT Network Services
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 18:32:22 GMT


I've done some magic and have seen others do magic around the holidays
and thought I might pass a few things on, and possibly stir up some
discussion. 

A friend wrapped something up as a present to himself and gaffed the
wrapping paper up so that he could do a torn and restored wrapping paper
trick. He used the standard torn and restored newspaper method.

A zombie routine using a dinner roll can be pretty effective.

If you use a bit of yarn instead of ribbon on a package, you can do cut
and restored rope, or the professor's nightmare with the ribbon. Wrap a
pair of scissors and you will be all set.

Pull the cigarette from Aunt Ruth's mouth and vanish it and quietly
walk away.

Walk into the middle of a room and make a bottle of champagne (or
similar) appear. Open the bottle and serve to folks nearby.

After you finish your champagne, make the glass vanish. I use the method
that appeared in Michael Ammar's Encore series.

If you have the vanishing bird cage walk into the room and pretend to
present the bird in the cage to the host/hostess. Just as you pass it
on, make it vanish.

When it comes time to light the candles on the dinner table, reach into
your coat and pull out a burning candle and light a candle on the table.
Put your candle away, act surprised that there were other candles to
light and pull the candle out again and light the other candles on the
table. Make sure to be casual about this.

These are some of the things that I have tried or have seen done during
dinner parties and family get togethers. Anyone else hae any ideas?
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Card Tricks
From: drbombay@netlink.cts.com (Walter Ladwig)
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 19:50:06 PST
Organization: NetLink Online Communications, San Diego CA

joo@postman.hsn.no (Jan Oddvar Olsen) writes:

> It's almost Christmas, families rejoin....  Is anyone in possession of a 
> list, or just a few good card tricks, of tricks that can be shared.  Hope 
> this is not an unethical question with all respect to the many clever 
> magicians out there.  
> 
> I have a few "easy to learn" card tricks I can post if there is an interest. 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,  from SantaClaus Land

I'd be interested in some easy card tricks.

--                    
INTERNET:  drbombay@netlink.cts.com (Walter Ladwig)
UUCP:   ...!ryptyde!netlink!drbombay
NetLink Online Communications * Public Access in San Diego, CA (619) 453-1115
From: zerucha@shell.portal.com (Thomas E Zerucha)
Subject: Re: Lying vs. illusion.  What is lying?
Organization: Portal Communications Company -- 408/973-9111 (voice) 408/973-8091 (data)
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 01:48:29 GMT

I usually give the example of the special effects done in movies - that is an
illusion.  What I do is of the same nature, only live (and in my case, close
up).  Since I go for more visual illusions, I usually let them speak for them-
selves.  And when I make a false statement, I do so as an actor, to my
audience who is with me - it is roughly the same idea as an actor who speaks
first person.  If speaking to another actor, you don't call him by his given
name, you respond to him as if he is the person he is playing.  Saying that
a coin penetrated through the table is similar.  I am playing my part talking
about the other players, who happen to be inanimate objects.

Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: garyb@hprnd.rose.hp.com (Gary Berard)
Subject: Gimmick problems
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 20:39:32 GMT
Organization: HP - Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

The cards back into the case trick can be found in Michael Ammar's "Encore
Three" book. I believe the effect is called "Cased" and I don't remember the
originator.  Paul Harris also has some handling tips for it.  It's all slight 
of hand and mind.

Regards,
Gary Berard
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: atekant@wimsey.bc.ca (Argun Tekant)
Subject: Where to see/buy magic in San Francisco?
Organization: Wimsey Information Services
Date: Sun, 20 Dec 1992 05:35:29 GMT

Hello fellow alt.magicians.

I will be travelling to San Francisco over the holidays. First time since
I started a serious interest in magic.

I hear there is a lot of magic happening in SF. Could you please point me
to good shops and good shows/revues etc.

Specifically, I was told that one shop was particularly rich in thumb tips,
carrying many types, sizes and skin colours. Would anybody know what I am
talking about?

Thanks a lot.
Argun Tekant.


Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: knepley@CS.ColoState.EDU (Ranseus (Jim Knepley))
Subject: Re: Need Close-up Levitation
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 15:06:22 GMT
Organization: Colorado State University

In article <1992Dec15.194736.9518@cs.wisc.edu> so@brownie.cs.wisc.edu (Bryan S. So) writes:
>
>If I need to purchase one or two levitation effects (or any
>kind of Spook effects) that can be watched close-up, which
>ones do you think are the most amazing and deceptive?
For close-up, I'm partial to the "Levitation Card."  It's a playing card
that, upon placing a match on the back, will appear to cause the match
to levitate about 1/2" - 1" (which is all you need for closeup).

There's also a levitation made by the fine folks at Chazpro called
"UFO" that's particularly clear, but it requires a certain type of
person (specifically, a specific style) to pull it off.

Also look into the PKFactor stuff.  It's not levitation, but more
animation of objects.  The benefit here being that if nobody expects
you to do it, you can kill them because the gimick isn't what they're
thinking...

>I'd like to know more about Copperfield's kleenex paper effect.
Go to your local magic store, they'd be more than happy to sell you a
"thingie" that'll do just what you need.

>I suppose it must be watched in a dark auditorium?
Nope, you could do it in bright light as well with minimal modification.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but this is a public forum, ya' know!

Jim
-- 
----- knepley@cs.colostate.edu --------------- Boycott Colorado -------------
 Jim "Ranseus" Knepley |  Avoid rectal-cranial inversion. 
 Programmer, magician, |  "Gun's don't kill people, it's those bullet things"   
 computer geek.        |  
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: mappler@titan.ucc.umass.edu (Matthew A Appler)
Subject: Re: Gimmick problems  2/2
Organization: /usr/users/user4/mappler/.organization
	<14DEC199209175015@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov>
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 16:58:54 GMT

In article <14DEC199209175015@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov> femanrs@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (BRUCE MANNERS) writes:

   Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: ken.laporte@synapse.org (Ken Laporte) 
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Gimmick problems
Date: 12 Dec 92 14:44:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: SYNAPSE BBS - GATINEAU, QUEBEC - 819-561-4321
Reply-To: ken.laporte@synapse.org (Ken Laporte) 

To:  magicmat@camelot.bradley.edu (Mathew Phillips)
From: ken.laporte@synapse.org (Ken Laporte)


MP[You mentioned that you spent $200 on gimmicks, only to find they
MP[were cheap. I found the same thing years ago, and came to this
MP[conclusion: Buy books, and material. It takes more work to do
MP[ungimmicked magic, but you can do it anywhere, and anytime.
MP[Angles are generally better in sleight of hand it seems. Get
MP[yourself some general magic books, and basic props..coins,
MP[cards, etc. Bobo's book on coin magic can show you a dozen good
MP[vanishes that are impromptu. Look for new material, not other's.

Agreed... 100 per cent.   As I just replied to Michael McKellar, were
being taken for a ride, by most of the gimmicks, dealers and suppliers.
Please see my response to him, for more info..

Sincerely

Ken.
From: wesley@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Wesley HRJ Gaus)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Amazing Randi
Date: 13 Dec 92 14:10:39 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

Hello- 

	I was wondering if anyone out there ever saw the Amazing Randi 
perform his spoon-breaking trick. As a magician for many years, I was 
rather intrigued by such a feat. If anybody has any ideas on how to perform
such a feat (besides pre-bending the spoon or super-gluing it together) 
please e-mail me personally. Thanks a lot!!

-Wesley Gaus
(wesley@eniac.seas.upenn.edu)

*********Whodini done it- so can I***********
Organization: Junior, Math/Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 17:08:09 -0500 
From: "Daniel S. Efran" <de0t+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Need Close-up Levitation

There are lots of close-up levitation effects available, of course.
The Copperfield one is "The Floating Rose" by Kevin James.  He's got
a videotape (K.J. does, that is) that explains & demonstrates the effect
nicely, along with some similar effects.  It's a bit expensive (like
most magic videotapes, books, effects, etc.) but it comes with "supplies"
(you need your own flash paper & rose though).  If you plan to do an
effect like this, the tape is probably worth the money.  He discusses the
Copperfield version, as well as other ways of setting up.

Lighting is a factor, as with all levitations, but this one's no worse
than any other.

Another person who has good close-up levitations of this type (floating
crumpled money, etc. is Mike Ammar.  I know he talks about it in a
videotape, but I think he mentions it in a book as well, and his books
are (IMHO) better than his videotapes.  The tapes are nice -- you get
to see the effects performed and explained visually, which always helps,
but the books simply have more stuff in them.

There are two slightly different ways to do a levitation of this type,
Kevin James prefers one and Mike Ammar the other (if I remember correctly)
so you might want to look into both.

Hope that helps.

	---Daniel Efran
----------------------------------
An it harm none, do as you Will.
Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: garyb@hprnd.rose.hp.com (Gary Berard)
Subject: Cardtoon
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 20:47:48 GMT
Organization: HP - Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

I just purchased Dan Harlan's Cardtoon effect.  The effect is that a deck
of cards is shown with a stick figure magician drawn on the back.  ANY CARD
from the deck (joker excluded) can be named by a spectator.  The named card
is removed and placed face up on a table.  The pack is then riffled so that
the stick magician becomes animated (like the cartoon flip books).  The stick
magician takes off his hat and pulls the selected card from it.

It's a cute effect.  However, the quality of the cards and the printing could
be better.  I'd recommend against the handling that the instructions give 
except for the variation by Michael Weber.  I have also come up with another
handling that works for me.  It's worth looking into.  It cost around $15 and
is advertised in most of the magic magazines.

Regards,
Gary Berard
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: joo@postman.hsn.no (Jan Oddvar Olsen)
Subject: Card Tricks
Organization: Nordland College
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 16:22:11 GMT

It's almost Christmas, families rejoin....  Is anyone in possession of a 
list, or just a few good card tricks, of tricks that can be shared.  Hope 
this is not an unethical question with all respect to the many clever 
magicians out there.  

I have a few "easy to learn" card tricks I can post if there is an interest. 



Thanks,  from SantaClaus Land
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: femanrs@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (BRUCE MANNERS)
Subject: Re: Gimmick problems  2/2
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 14 Dec 1992 09:17 EST  

In article <1gfmteINNbuu@agate.berkeley.edu>, bh@anarres.CS.Berkeley.EDU (Brian Harvey) writes...
>ken.laporte@synapse.org (Ken Laporte)  writes:
>>One trend that does bother me.  Is the teenagers today who simply have
>>no interest or use for magic.  This is the audience of the future.  It's
>>funny because a number of their idols use magic and effects in their
>>stage productions (Music) but couldn't care less if they were shown a
>>really neat illusion by a magician.
> 
>Does everyone share this experience?  Are kids not into magic today?
>If so, why, do you think?  Too sophisticated/cynical/street-wise too
>young, like Calvin or Bart?  Or maybe if you're into heavy metal then
>the fantasy in traditional magic isn't intense enough?  (I'm told,
>although I haven't seen it myself, that some magicians these days
>actually splatter blood around the stage when they do a dismemberment
>illusion, for example.)  Or perhaps in this super-scientific era it's
>harder for people to do the suspension of disbelief trick?

In my experience, teenagers are just a poor audience for variety performers
  I am a juggler and use magic in my show.  My show generally very well 
received by kids (under 13) and adults, but often not teens.  

Remember folks, teens are caught between being an adult and a kid.  They 
view magicians and jugglers as being children's entertainment, but they are 
too young to recognize quality adult entertainment.  Take a teenager to the 
orchestra and they will be bored as well.  Does that mean that we should be 
worried about classical music too?  

Just my opinion!

**************************************************************************

Bruce Manners                                          Juglito, ergo sum

**************************************************************************
From: gumby@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (David Brian Gumminger)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Re: Klamm Magic
Date: 16 Dec 1992 11:41:47 -0600
Organization: Kansas State University
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: matt.ksu.ksu.edu

In article <1992Dec11.035821.12769@ncsu.edu> hes@ncsu.edu (Henry E. Schaffer) writes:
>  I just happened on an ad for this company and thought it might
>be worth saying something about them.  I've met the people who
>run it (I'm blocking on his name - maybe Robert?, and she is
>Berneice?) 

Yes, those are the correct names

>and seen their stock at several magic conventions.
>They often have unusual, imaginative magic effects* at quite
>reasonable prices.  He wrote a book a few years ago on how to
>buy magic effects, and how to decide what magic effects you
>should buy (i.e. which ones are right for *you*) which I
>recommend highly.  (Although I don't know if it is still in
>print and I don't remember the title, I'm sure you'll recognize
>it if you see it!)

The book is called "Buying Magic is Tricky Business."  It is still in 
print ($8 from Klamm Magic or Free with an order of $70 or more).
>
>  They are at 1412-L Appleton, Independence, MO 64052
>816 461 4594.

This is my main source of magical items.  They stock a wide range of books,
close-up effects and even stage sized illusions.  Robert Klamm has been
performing magic for years and his experience is free for the asking.  I 
have to second this as a fine place to do business.


-- 
David B. Gumminger
Kansas State University
gumby@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
Newsgroups: alt.magic
From: mckellar@author.ecn.purdue.edu (Michael G McKellar)
Subject: Re: Gimmick problems
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 00:12:23 GMT

In article <325.1604.uupcb@synapse.org> ken.laporte@synapse.org (Ken Laporte)  writes:
>From:  Ken@Laporte.Synapse.org (Ken Laporte)
>
>Hi Everyone,
>
>
>I just purchased a couple of new toys. 

Some comments deleted

>
>Comment;
>
>I'd like to see more chat regarding gimmicks and how well they work,
>plus how good are the instructions.    I've spent almost $200 this year
>on new gimmicks and I'm disapointed with a lot of them.   The
>instructions in every gimmick except the vaishing nickle were really bad
>photocopies.
>
>
>Ken.
>                                                                                                                    


If I may make a suggestion Ken.  Instead of buying more gimmicked tricks
go buy some good magic books and learn some illusions using cards, coins,
and everyday objects.  Don't get me wrong,  I use gimmicked tricks 
periodically as well and some gimmicks are quite good, but learning
from books be advantagous in many ways.
1.  If you learn sleight of hand magic, you'll spend more time 
    developing the illusion and hence when performed, the illusion will
    be better.  Sometimes gimmicked tricks will be poorly performed
    because they are too easy and not enough time was spent on 
    developing the performance.  

2.  Books give more detail and more routines for a particular common
    gimmick.  For instance if you buy the cups and balls, the instructions
    are usually not very detailed, but if you find a book that has
    cups and balls routines, the book tends to give more advice on
    technique as well as ideas for different routines.

3.  Once you develop a respect for the effort needed to perform and
    illusion, if you go back to the gimmicked tricks, you'll have
    more respect for them and will spend more time on developing
    the performance.

This advice is not my own (I got it from the Amateur Magician's Handbook
by Hayes)  but I have used this advice and have seen my illusions
become 100% better.  I've also learned to make the illusions my own
in the sense that I've developed routines that fit my personality.

Since I suggested books, here is a list of books that I found useful

1.  Now You See It, Now You Don't by Bill Tarr
2.  Amateur Magician's Handbook by Hayes
3.  Royal Road to Card Magic  by Hugard
4.  Bobo's Modern Coin Magic
5.  Mark Wilson's Complete Course of Magic.

Again this is just some very friendly advice that helped me in
becoming a better magician.

Mike McKellar (mgq@inel.gov)