Hi, Laurie!

I have no objection, having always felt about half of the topics belong there anyway. How would one go about doing that? Certainly, unless the Café establishes categories within Secret Session it will be much harder to find the thread...

Good to hear from you.

Jim

My next performance is in a couple of weeks (family wedding) I'll report back then.

In the mean-time I've just started work on 'Do As I Did' (Ortiz, at The Card Table).
Technically, a very simple routine, but does require a (partial) deck-switch that I'm looking to do in the previous trick ('Ace In Pocket')

Hi Jim,

Possibly, but worth a shot to put it up there, I think. Would allow a more specific discussion that I think might be more substantially beneficial to all parties.

Laurie

P.S.- we could refer others to a sidekick thread with a link from here, maybe.

Dear Laurie,

What is a sidekick (other than the trick and Tonto).

Love the new picture.

- Mary Mowder

It would be a companion thread, Mary.
Glad you like the new pic, thanks!

Laurie

Laurie-

They can't move the thread because we have posters with less than 50 posts. They said we could link to a new thread in SS and then they would lock this one. I think I would like to keep this open for those with less than 50 posts who are trying to get in the practice habit.

Perhaps we need to start a new SS topic but keep this one active as well. What do you think?

Jim

That's what I was thinking, Jim. I didn't intend for anyone to shut this thread down. I just thought it might be beneficial to add an associated thread in the Secret Sessions where discussion could be a little more specific.

Laurie

Great minds and all, Laurie! OK, I have a thread in SS with a similar name that will allow us to delve deeper into our magic thoughts. Have at it!

For those of you without the required 50 posts, we will wait eagerly for you. Meanwhile, I will check this thread regularly and post as usual.

Keep up the practice!!!!!

Hey, Mary-

Just saw the curse was off! Wish I had seen that sooner, I have had a really bad couple of weeks - tax audit, root canal, best friend stole my girl, skunk died, lost my topit... hope it will all get better now... thanks!

With good thoughts and magic dreams...

Jim

Jim,

"Don't know my own strength"

Sorry.

- Mary

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't checked in for a few weeks. I took some time off to finish up my research projects and study for finals. Then my wife and I took a trip to D.C.

But I did get five solid practice sessions in this past week. Probably, motivated by the time off. My overhand shuffle and fun is much smoother. Rhythmically and audibly both are quite similar. But I still have a slight hitch when switching from one to the other, during a shuffle. I have a ways to to go, but the focused practice is paying off.

I've also been working on Cameron Francis' Convergence in between overhand shuffle practice.

How is everyone else doing? When the weather gets nice, it is much harder to stay inside and practice. Maybe some outdoor practice sessions are in order.

Once I have 50 posts under my belt, I'll definitely be taking a look at the companion thread in SS.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~ Nathan

Thanks for checking in, BlueOwl.

Not familiar with Convergence, but good to hear of your progress. Although I am busy working on a stage and busking show next month, I keep a deck around to practice. Currently, I am working on Steve Youell's Mongrel Pass, which while not yet "ready" is getting really good. Also working on a snap double lift, top change and Harry Lorayne's Halo Cut.

I am actually practicing outside when I can, as my shows next month will be al fresco. I have learned it is really important to practice as close to the type of situation you will perform in as possible. As I get closer, I will actually go to the spots where I will perform, at the appropriate time of day, just to see about sun and shade, noise, wind, etc. Things like D'Lites, cards, sponge balls, balloons, can be impossible to work with outside.

Nothing happening on the other thread yet...

Mary-

Yes, you are par-full lady, par-fulll...

Regards,

Jim

Posted: May 23, 2010 2:05pm
... everyone leave town?

Jim,
This is an awesome thread you started! I'm so glad to run across it in my exploration of The Magic Café. I'm in!

Hudson
Sponge Ball routine
15 minutes per session (I have a short attention span!)
4 sessions per week
June 23 -- going on vacation with my sister & brother-in-law and want to be ready to use it then!

I've been practicing for the last two weeks or so, but this will put some structure into it.

Thanks!

Hudson

Hudson-

Welcome! We have had some great success with our efforts, and hope you will as well. I am not the only one here, or at least wasn't until a short while ago, but the others should check in sometime soon.

The 15 minutes is a GREAT limit for practice sessions. So many set goals that they just can not keep up with, and then fall to the side due to their own schedule. I am a firm believer in not going beyond that neat period when you are fully engaged. If you can do that for 2 hours, you will progress at an amazing pace. However most, including your's truly, just can not do that. My NP is about 20 minutes per effect- and I find if go beyond that "neat period" I practice wrong and go backward.

On sponge balls, If you don't already have it, Reel magic has an issue with Bill Malone that has a really unique sponge ball transfer that I just love to do. I can find out the issue if you are interested.

Thanks for joining our little group, and good practice to you, Hudson!

Regards,

Jim

Thanks Jim!

I've read a number of the posts and see you, Mary and Magicalaurie from early on and now BlueOwl. I'm amazed at how long this has been going, so must be working.

For me, I've been inspired to start a log of my practice time. I've estimated that I spend about 4 hours per week over the past two years, but haven't keep a good log and seem to jump from one effect to another. Keeping a log will help me focus. There's just so much to learn it is easy to get distracted.

I'm not familiar with Reel Magic. I have joined SAM and IBM and just started going to Ring 19 in Saint Paul. I did get the World's Greatest Magic, Sponge Balls DVD and was planning to get the Sponge Ball Tool Box DVD. Any other suggestions?

Looking forward to reporting regularly on progress and hearing how others are doing.

Thanks for the welcome!

Hudson

Hi guys. I've got three 15 minute practice sessions in this week so far and feel great about it. Even better, I've got my log up and running so I can track how many times I run through the routine. I've also started adding notes to my log on how I feel my skill is progressing.

How are you all doing?

Hudson

Hello, Hudson.

As I mentioned before, I have been amazed at how much progress you can make at 15 minutes at a time. I am convinced that, for me at least, it is better to do more frequent short sessions than fewer long ones.

I really like your tracking idea, and think I will try it out. Human nature is to work on the easy stuff first, which is exactly opposite of what I find works best. Tracking will help me see what I am neglecting.

On the weekend, usually Saturday, I will do a "show" usually just for myself but with full patter, of my "daily dozen", the things I want under my thumbs on short notice. It's lots of fun, and brings together the week's work.

I am preparing for an upcoming show, so for now have had to turn most of my attention to that. Could use more time but, other than that, doing well!

Good to hear from you...

Jim

Thanks Jim. I am finding that small practice sessions, focused on a specific technique is starting to pay off. The sponge ball routine is not complicated and I'm rinning through the patter and sequence at least once per practice session. Then I focus on a specific technique - which requires me to move one fingure without moving the one next to it for a clean presentation. I've been standing in front of a mirror and just repeating the technique until I have satisfactorly completed 10 times. Not a lot of excitement here, but I Am seeing the improvement and trust that after a while, muscle memory will take over.

I gues if this were easy, then anyone could do it!

Hudson

Sorry it's been so long since I checked in.

I checked out on practice for a while.

I've been avoiding thinking about my upcoming library shows. Fortunately my mental block is broken but I'll probably be working on my show rather than practice (other than the Library Show ) for a while.

- Mary Mowder

OK, I am breaking the rules with two but the second includes my assistant.

Chad Wonder
Dances with Ropes
30 minutes
5 per week
June 26th

Chad Wonder and Assistant Katie Z
Metamorphosis
2 to 3 hours (or until our arms and legs get tired)
2 per week
June 18th

Welcome Chad,

I like the mix of easy to practice in the living room and hard to coordinate practice.

You really will get results. Good Luck!

- Mary Mowder