Steve du Jour

Where I Stand - Lady Gaga????

2011-05-25T10:59:00.006-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110525/ap_en_ot/us_going_gaga

Whether you like her or not, Lady Gaga knows how to promote. She knows what is going to work. She's like this giant Anti-Popular thing that almost anyone can feed in to. It's hard for me to tell, but I don't think she's an unattractive person, but nobody is perfect and she seems to amplify those imperfections with her make-up and outfits. The confidence she has within herself is likely what helps pull it all off.

Basically what I'm getting at is, if you are looking to market something, currently look no further than what Gaga is doing.

I'm not saying that I'm going to dress like an insane cross-dressing sideshow clown (no disrespect to them or L.G.), but what I am saying is that I am going to take a little more of the reckless abandon approach and "go for it."

With that said, this is my 200th blog post in the "Steve du Jour" blog, and I believe it will be my last. I'm moving the blog to a new location and starting fresh. I've done the same with my YouTube page, facebook page, and soon with my website, creating a "The Used Magician" cohesiveness instead of a bunch of fragmented websites scattered across the internet.

I have a few goals for this year including getting a consistent paying magic job, making at least one of my YouTube.com/TheUsedMagician go viral, getting a ton more fans on my facebook page , and who knows what else. A newspaper story would be cool, for instance.

The point is, there is no limit and I deserve this. I've put enough time into it and now it's time to get something in return.

Do you have a similar story? Do you want help making a video go viral, or getting views for some personal cause? Share your story in the comments or post it on my Fan Page. Keep on eye on www.TheUsedMagician.com for the new blog location once it is made available.

Thank you for any support.

"Steve, The Amazing"
The Used Magician

UPDATE:

The new blog will be located at TheUsedMagician.blogspot.com
New posts will begin later next week as well as a new series of videos on The Used Magician YouTube channel

Outsourced - "Save Lie to Me * "

2011-05-21T10:44:00.003-04:00

Outsourced is a section on my blog where I highlight something from the internet. This post is dedicated to a website trying to save one of my favorite tv shows: Lie to Me.

I've been watching the show for a little over two years now and it is right up my alley. Such a great cast of characters and a very different kind of show. You're following a character that always knows the truth, so in that regard you can kind of relax, but there's still drama in finding the end result each episode is looking for.

As a magician I like to watch any serious magic project, but they are rarely on tv more than once a year. These are the types of shows I watch instead and I'd really rather not lose them!

Save Lie to Me

Magic Monday - Doppelganger

2011-05-16T14:06:00.002-04:00

I've found not only another "Used Magician", but one who's name is also Steve. What a strange coincidence! So for Magic Monday I'm going to tip my hat to Steve Hart, the "Used Magician."

http://usedmagician.blogspot.com/

Fan Obsolescence 2 - "Let It Go Clear"

2011-05-06T15:14:00.001-04:00

Let It Go Clear - Fan Obsolescence 2 by tebe2k

Mix 2: Let It Go Clear

Honestly OK - Dido
Let It Go - Fauxliage
23 Enigma - Steve, The Amazing
Theory - David Blaine
Motorcade (Live) - Beck
Put on Your Sunday Clothes - Jerry Herman
Genesis - Justice
Whatever Gets You Thru the Night - John Lennon
Evil Bee - Menomena
Hallelujah - The Helio Sequence
Bad Cup of Coffee - Go to Blazes
Clear - Pam Aronoff
Yes Man - Munchausen by Proxy
Que Onda Guero - Beck
Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies
Guiding Light - Muse
Disco box - Beck
Pneumonic - Steve, The Amazing

Welcome!

2011-05-05T22:30:00.002-04:00

...or "Welcome Back" in my case. I'm back from my internet hiatus and am almost ready to begin some regular updates on the website and the blog again. I'd like to welcome any new visitors from the two recent Texas shows. I post a lot of different things; videos, pictures, behind the scenes stuff, updates, and some of those classic introspective internet blogs that were all the rage.

Anyway, I'm still getting settled in and I just got off of a long week at work, so I'm going to kick back and watch some dvd's and write something a little more substantial over the weekend.

My next show is May 13th at Delmar Dyer Stadium for the Relay for Life event being held there. I'll be arriving about 5:30. I can't remember if I'm doing a stage show or not, so that'll be interesting!

I'll definitely be back on the blog for the return of Magic Monday on...well, Monday. Hope to see you then.

Oh, one last thing, any help passing around this website (on the internet) would be greatly appreciated. Go ahead and "Like" it on the home page or send it out as a tweet. Or go to all your friend's houses and set it as the home page and force them to like it. The choice is yours!

- Steven' A.

2011-04-30T12:38:00.001-04:00

Getting internet set up tomorrow. Going to begin regular updates again by next week. Also looking to update a few of the pages and freshen up the look

2011-04-20T09:09:00.001-04:00

Haven't been able to update lately. Just moved to Texas two weeks ago and haven't set up internet here yet. Got a few shows going and things are looking up.

Moving Monday (Last Week in Michigan)

2011-03-28T11:06:00.004-04:00

A question I get a lot as a magician is "how many decks of cards do you own?" Well this last Saturday I spent an hour organizing all my decks of cards for my move, if that gives you any indication! I tried to get all my cards into one dresser instead of having them spread throughout my room. I think I have them all locked up in one dresser now instead of spread across my computer desk, in drawers, and on top of my dressers.

Sean Solak and I are recording a few magic videos this week. Yesterday was our first day and we rehearsed a new routine in his basement in between moments of Nintendo 3DS. We got a late start on recording some test footage, getting out just as the sun was setting. It was a pretty cold day to begin with, but it got aggressively cold after the sun went down. We still managed to bug a group of hacky sack players in the park off of Biddle though. It was definitely an interesting time to record! I would ask someone to pick a card and to put it back as quick as they could so they could get their hands back in their pockets! I even had to cut my routine short in order to get back to the car and warm my fingers up.

Today I am working on Introductions. I never introduce myself, nor do I ask for people's names. I'm looking for things that will put me "in the moment" as well as involve my spectators more and this is a huge next step.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I'm going to get back to organizing things for my move. Look for another video this Friday as well as a few more blogs about my thoughts leading up to the move later this week.

Until next time, may I recommend a song?
http://www.uvumi.com/#finelle/songs/16305

Road Trip

2011-03-25T10:14:00.004-04:00

This is a video (stop motion photography) from when my girlfriend Jordan and I drove from Texas to Michigan. It's from a few years ago and was when she was moving here. In a few weeks, I'll be making that drive again, but this time to move to Texas.

Each day I have someone ask if I'm excited. I answer by saying that I've pretty much felt every emotion there is. It's bittersweet to have to leave my home state in order to see the girl I love, but I am also very excited about all the new things I'll experience. I also am not good with change, so I'm a little hesitant and nervous!

I can't wait to get out on the road - one of my favorite things to do. I've never driven this far on my own, so it's going to be an intensely exciting time. I'll be using the internet and my smart phone to keep everyone as current as possible about what I'm doing. It all starts in about two weeks.

Another exciting thing is that I'll be jumping right in to action once I get to Houston. I've already got a show lined up for the day after I arrive. I'm looking to make an immediate impact and to really entertain some people.

I've had a lot of people wish me well and I truly appreciate it. I'll be back in Michigan whenever I'm able and I'll be sure to keep in contact - especially since I have a 30 minute drive to work!

- Steven' A.

Fan Obsolescence 1 - "Roll the Tape"

2011-03-22T14:46:00.005-04:00

Insired by Beck.com and stewoo.net/beck/forum here is my first "Fan Obsolescence"

Fanobsolecence1 by tebe2k

It's Working - MGMT (Air Remix)
Blood on Our Hands - Justice Remix
File Sharing - Steve, The Amazing
Out of My System - Jamie Lidell
Down So Long - Jewel
Jupiter - Starf***er
Waitin’ for My Man - Record Club
Bottle of Blues - Beck
Fences - Phoenix (The Soft Pac remix)
Delicate - Finelle

Southland Mall Magic - Unscrewed

2011-03-17T12:16:00.001-04:00

You are Listening to Los Angeles

2011-03-16T11:14:00.003-04:00

Hey, I thought I'd share this link with you. It's a really interesting website concept. It's a website that plays police scanners as you listen to ambient music. For those of you that are just as weird as I am, I think you'll really like it!

They have Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, and New York. I was going to post it last nite, but they were having difficulties with the ambient music part. Last I checked Chicago still seemed to have problems loading the music.

You are Listening to Los Angeles

"Moving" Monday

2011-03-14T19:06:00.003-04:00

Magic Monday is "Moving Monday" today (and likely a few more Mondays to come.) I've officially received my transfer at work and am looking to begin driving to Houston, Texas on April 5th.

I've already set up shows with some Relay for Life events down there:

April 8th
(Possible Stage Show)
Woodlands, TX
College Park High School

April 29th
Northwest Harris County, TX
Klein Oak High School

May 13th - my brother Brad's birthday
(Luncheon and a Possible Stage Show)
Greater Heights, TX
Delmar Dyer Stadium

I've also updated my gigsalad account to show the change. You are able to see what kind of shows I offer as well as booking me through GigSalad.com

Where I Stand - hanging out with friends

2011-03-08T23:02:00.004-05:00

Here's an "episode" of a talk show some old friends of mine made with me two years ago. I'm hosting a subliminal training magic party at my house later today (Wednesday 3-9-11)with some friends. That is the closest thing to a reason I could think of for uploading this video! Friends

Where I Stand - Bent

2011-03-03T13:12:00.005-05:00

I'm about to update my Booking page on the website. I'll be simplifying the selections as well as adding in some house parties. Along with that, I'll be trying to add in pricing estimates.

On top of that, I'm working on my upcoming house shows and trying to find an apartment and a job in Texas for my move. All of which are proving to be simply difficult.

So many ideas in my head and I'll be getting most of them out shortly.

Space Shuttle Launch: Viewed From an Airplane

2011-02-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

2 Card Transposition

2011-02-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

Wrestlemania 27 prediction

2011-02-15T23:00:00.002-05:00

Cena v.s. The Miz with special guest referee (or enforcer) The Rock

"Cops and Dougnuts" Bakery Business

2011-01-24T14:21:00.002-05:00

2011 January/February Review

You see, as the name indicates, the owners behind the bakery are actually police officers. Content in their jobs, the officers had no intention of opening a bakery until they learned that the Clare City Bakery—a staple in Clare’s downtown since 1896—was about to close its doors.
“Three of us were sitting around eating pizza and talking about the fact that the bakery was going to close and one of us said, ‘Why don’t we buy it,” said Alan White, one of nine officers who decided to buy the historic business rather than see it close.

The move has made news nationwide and the bakery is a hit with the locals and beyond. Cops & Doughnuts is a great example of the League’s entrepreneurship asset in its Center for 21st Century Communities initiative. Municipalities that focus only on attracting large manufacturers or big box retailers overlook the positive impact that entrepreneurs and small businesses, like the Cops & Doughnuts, can have on local communities. That’s not a mistake City Manager Ken Hibl will make; he’s seen firsthand the impact a small business can have.

“I can’t say enough about Cops & Doughnuts,” Hibl said. “Like a lot of communities in Michigan, the current economy has hit us hard and it meant a lot that those guys got together to keep the bakery open.”

A business plan written on a pizza box sounds a little crazy, but even crazier was the time frame with which the officers were dealing.

“We only had three weeks to make this thing happen,” said Officer Alan White, the vice president of Cops & Doughnuts. “We had this crazy plan and it turned out every member of our department, nine of us total, were interested in doing it. Part of the thinking was that split nine ways there wouldn’t be as much to lose if things went wrong.”

Initially, officers were simply trying to keep the bakery open, but it didn’t take long for them to see that they had a hit on their hands. “Something really magical happened,” White said. “People really responded to the story. We had press from all over. We were featured on Good Morning America and Fox News. It’s just a good story.”

Coin Vanish | コインバニッシュ

2011-01-18T13:57:00.000-05:00

This is an amazing coin vanish and reproduction that I just found on YouTube

New Month Day 16

2011-01-16T22:55:00.003-05:00

Introduction from New Month on Vimeo.

The New Month so far:

Day 1: New Year's Kiss
Day 2: Bought a decaf Starbucks beverage
Day 3: Used an Alka-Seltzer
Day 4: Made hot cocoa on the stove
Day 5: Ate a cinnamon roll pancake thing at Bob Evans
Day 6: Announced that I am moving to Texas in March
Day 7: Bought my first Next Generation video game
Day 8: Ate pears
Day 9: Took the Activia Challenge
Day 10: "Rockin' the mustache"
Day 11: Began a very unique picture project
Day 12: Found out my IQ score, 121
Day 13: located in the blog below
Day 14: My subliminal playlist idea was used for a www.wonderwizards.com product
Day 15: A magician idol of mine, Jay Sankey began following me on Twitter
Day 16: The video above

13 - easy

2011-01-13T00:32:00.008-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my dad's death. I don't really even remember how many years it's been. I'm guessing three. I still don't think I remember the last time I saw him. Even after his death I still made jokes at his expense. He can't change what's happened now, so I don't know why I would still say negative things about him. It's not really fair.

I like to think that people are inherently good. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt. I usually see that there is a reason someone did something negative. Those reasons usually make sense to me. Ted wasn't my biological father, but he was there for my early years. It's hard to look back on any of it because it's been so long. Everything feels distorted.

It used to be my "job" to keep track of the excuses he gave to not come and see us. I think I was designed to dislike him, not that it was anyone's fault. It would be hard for me to be pleasant with an ex or to be pleasant about someone's ex. It would be hard for me to go see one too. I don't know if I did enough sometimes.

Either way, no matter what happened... I know it boils down to the present. All of life is perception. Who knows if things could have gotten better. Who knows if they were better or worse than what I remember them. Though the more I talk about it the more I remember things like getting called on May 5th for my birthday.

I can't say that I'm upset about not having a stable father figure. I like who I am and all of these experiences have molded me to be that person. Maybe I'd be a bit harder, straight forward, or goal oriented...who knows? Who knows if that would even be a good thing? I think it's taken me a while longer than it could have, but I think I'm getting to the place that I want to be. I'm still very happy in each moment.

So it all boils down to the present. I want to say that I can forgive him for not showing up more often. I want to say that I can let it go. I want to believe it. I just don't really even know who he is. I don't think there was a single picture of me at the funeral home. He had a new family. I'm not sure if I was ever really a part of it, my own fault included. There was one picture there where I know that I was in the house doing something else instead.

I've lost the moment. I think I know why I've put this off for so long. The day I found out that he died I still went in to work. I didn't cry for over a week. I'm not sure if that's entirely his fault. I don't think I'm good with death. I have a strange personality. I can focus on the present a great deal. That has it's downsides, of course, if I'm upset.

I'm rambling. I'm putting off the topic.

I meant to go to the grave site. I was thinking of it earlier. It would be so strange.

I think I can let go and forgive. I just wish he had made it a little easier.

He always seemed like an example of what not to do. I don't drink alcohol as a way of being better than him. Well, him and Mike. I would never swear as a way of being smarter than Mike. That's a whole different topic though...or at least a different chapter.

I don't want this to turn negative, at least not any more negative. What would he have said if I asked why he wasn't around? I still feel partially at fault myself, to be honest.

I guess if I'm to blame too I could just forgive him as a way of releasing my guilt too. Normally that would be a cop out, cheap, and slightly unfair. I think it's necessary this time though. He should be proud to know that he had a big hand in making me the person I am today. Through all his faults, through all his actions and inactions, he helped mold me.

I'm so sorry. I hope you are too. I can truly say that I forgive you. I'm sorry it took so long, but hopefully you understand.

New Month Part 3

2011-01-07T14:29:00.000-05:00

Day 16 Video by SeX with ShAdowS - Myspace Video

I've begun my new month again. I'll keep everyone updated each week with what new things I've accomplished. Here's a look back at one of my stranger new things from 2009

Outsourced - Creamy Secret Safe

2010-12-18T13:13:00.001-05:00

This guy (kipkay) has become my new YouTube obsession.

Dream - Definitions

2010-12-17T13:34:00.004-05:00

Chase
“if you’re being chased you may be trying to escape responsibility.”
Automobile
“may mean it’s time to pursue your goals or ambitions. If someone else is driving, you may be realizing that someone has too much influence over you.”
Sunny
“symbolizes your conscious mind.”
Light
“light can mean you’ve reached a new level of understanding or are close to solving a problem.”
Glass
“often reflects your attitude about yourself and your sense of wholeness. If it is shattered you may need emotional or physical attention.”
change / money
“you may be dreaming of power or sex”

This is actually all starting to make a lot of sense. It’s also amazing to start to read this and remember that the day after the dream I actually went out on my own to pass out magic resumes. It was my most successful resume days on my own.

I was about to write that I’m not sure on the responsibility part, but that’s not true. I do need to begin to take responsibility for my magic as a career. I’ve been relying on other people as motivation to take small steps. It would appear that as I do that I begin to lose some of the magic (or my card!) The automobile being non-existent is still a very strange visual (or lack of one.) Someone else driving makes sense as well with me feeling like I am not taking charge of my dreams. It was a very sunny day and it does appear that I was at a higher level of understanding. I was just thinking all of these things to myself a few days earlier, so it’s really interesting to see those definitions popping up in this dream.

Not being able to pick up the quarter that I found on the mountain because of tiny shards of glass almost seems like the definition is spot on! I don’t feel that the dream was about sex since it is filled with all the other accomplishment and goal oriented imagery. I feel that my attitudes towards my goals are getting in the way and keeping them just out of reach. I should reflect on these thoughts and see where I want to go and how I want to accomplish it and then do it. Giving myself some attention with these ideas in mind can help me feel whole while working towards my goals with my own full support.

I get caught in the end and I’m okay with it. I’m slightly worried, but I know things will work out after a little while.

I asked myself a few nites before going to sleep to work on my magic for me in my dreams. I've heard of other artists that have things come to them in their dreams and wanted to see what I could get. This seems like a great start.

Dreams

2010-12-14T12:24:00.002-05:00

I had a dream last nite that I was outrunning the law with someone, but I didn't necessarily want to. I was sort of like in the passenger seat, though I don't remember a car or any type of vehicle. I started messing with my cards and I dropped one. That was the most upsetting part of the dream, that I couldn't go back for it. We both knew we were going to get caught too. I'm starting to remember more as I talk about it and it was really strange. My dreams didn't used to have all these memorable visuals about them, but I definitely remember this one being in color and very vivid. We drove over a railroad track at some point. We got out (of the imaginary vehicle) and started to run up a strange mountain that seemed to be composed of gravel and bits of glass. I found a quarter while walking up it and tried to reach for it, but got five tiny fragments of glass stuck in my hand. I also had to remove a chip of glass from my shoe at an earlier point. We made it to the top of the hill and that's where we decided to wait to get captured.

I didn't mean to start writing that much about the dream, but I forgot the glass hill. I'm going to look into a dream dictionary at see what some of those things are "supposed" to mean; I'll get back to you guy's about that later.

Where I Stand - Home/Projects/New

2010-12-08T12:42:00.004-05:00

This picture is rather biographical while simultaneously giving a very interesting sneak peek into a LOT of things that I've been working on. I just hope that the majority of them see the light of day sooner rather than later.

Magic Monday - Arts and Crafts

2010-12-06T23:58:00.004-05:00

I've been spending the last week trying to stay away from the Black Friday deals on the magic websites I frequent (yes even magic website have Black Friday deals.) I swore off buying magic products a year ago and was trying to keep my word (minus the three books I bought over the summer.) I looked through my old videos and books and found a few ideas that I've looked over for a while and began practicing them. It's pretty rewarding actually and I would recommend it to anyone that's in a similar situation.

Christmas is coming up and I just wrapped my presents. Keeping with my strange persona the presents have no names on them, but a secret code that reveals the recipient of the gift. I asked everyone on my list "what would be the worst gift to receive on Christmas" and used that as a starting point for what to get them. It should be a very interesting year! I'll be passing the gifts out when Jordan comes to town on New Year's Day.

As I mentioned earlier this month in the blog I've been studying up on Sherlock Holmes. I'm hoping to get a few jobs doing Sherlock Holmes styled personality readings and am going to be passing out my resumes again this week to a few select locations. I'm looking to practice my Holmes' reading methods during the week as well in order to fine tune my presentation. Anyone looking for a free personality reading send me an email, comment, or some sort of social network nudge.

Thanks for reading,
Steve.

Outsourced

2010-12-04T11:43:00.001-05:00

Gov't: Drugs were in 1 in 5 drivers killed in 2009 | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Washington— The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 18 percent of drivers killed in traffic crashes in 2009 had drugs in their system — both legal and illegal.

That's up from 13 percent in 2005. NHTSA said drug involvement does not mean the driver was impaired or that drug use was the cause of the crash — but it could have been a factor.

According to data compiled by NHTSA, 63 percent of the 21,798 drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 were tested for drugs. Of these, 3,952 tested positive for drug involvement, representing 18 percent of the total for that year. The types of drugs include narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, phencyclidines (PCPs), anabolic steroids and inhalants. The groups include illicit drugs as well as legally prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medicines.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101130/METRO05/11300382/Gov’t--Drugs-were-in-1-in-5-drivers-killed-in-2009#ixzz17A7TNm1t

4mm Plan

2010-12-02T13:05:00.004-05:00

Hey, I'm just writing out some of my ideas since this is my personal blog.

I think if I work this right I can pay $120 towards JCP by March.

I think I can save about $250, which isn't much in the long run, but it would be nice to actually have saved anything.

My credit card would have maybe $60 to spare also if all goes well.

On to the next step.

Steve.

Archived - Memories (the old house)

2010-11-28T14:10:00.002-05:00

The clips ended up getting out of order. This was a bunch of random clips I recorded on a trip to Cedar Point.

I'll begin posting more soon. I've been enjoying the holidays and working on some things including re-reading Sherlock Holmes and taking notes.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Jones Gallery: Submit your photo to Jones Soda: Jones Soda Co.

2010-11-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Jones Gallery: Submit your photo to Jones Soda: Jones Soda Co.

My photo "has been given a "Staff Pick" badge. That means we really like your photo and are passing it on to the judges who make the final label selections."

Outsourced - Top Restaurant Vanishing Act

2010-11-20T11:07:00.000-05:00

Man charged with eat and run at top restaurants

LONDON (Reuters) – An unemployed man has been charged with wining and dining at a series of London's top restaurants, running up massive bills and then disappearing without paying, police said on Wednesday.

Latvian Janis Nords, 27, is accused of carrying out the scam on three occasions between October 14 and November 15.

He is accused of running off after amassing a 349-pound ($555) bill at the Glass House restaurant in Richmond, southwest London, and a 965-pound bill at the Connaught Hotel in central London.

The largest unpaid bill was at L'Oranger French restaurant in central London where he is accused of failing to pay for 1,021 pounds worth of food and drink.

Nords was due to appear in court later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison)

Archived - Rockband Nite

2010-11-14T15:32:00.000-05:00

Archived is a section on my website blog @ TheUsedMagician.com where I let my Flip video software make a "magic movie" out of unused video footage. This is from a nite seemingly around June where people secretly recorded others singing and playing

Thousand Words

2010-11-12T16:13:00.003-05:00

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I’ve always wanted to test that theory. Here is a picture of me lounging around on a day off. I’ve gotten myself dressed up comfortably, but my plans have fallen through. I’m sitting on my brother’s computer chair in what is considered to be his house. There’s a lot of people living here right now so there isn’t much room to put all of our things. At the edge of my resting feet is a mirror from our old house. This is the first time all of us are living in the same place again after moving out almost exactly two years ago. The mirror no longer belongs on the one finished wall of our living room, but rests on the floor instead. It’s been an interesting two years to say the least. I had moved out with the same brother, had my girlfriend move in, get kicked out, moved in to a new place, and had it all repeat. I even got to live alone for a while, which was something I wasn’t sure I’d have the chance to do.

At the new apartment Jordan, my girlfriend, and I started to buy things for when we would live together. Underneath my feet, propping up the old mirror, are our two ottomans. They matched our tastes perfectly as well as fitting underneath our coffee table as if being made for it. We were very excited because they also store things inside of them. It was very helpful because we are both creative types that can get a bit messy when we go off on a creative tangent. We were able to use our coffee table for projects and then remove the clutter instantly by placing it all inside the storage ottoman. The room was so neat and tidy looking when we would smoothly place the ottomans under the coffee table. The green went perfect with the red couch and the multi colored rug laid out underneath it all. Personally, I think it looked even better at the old apartment, but perhaps that was because we had more decorations on the walls. Plus you’re always partial to your first, at least I am.

Speaking of creativity, above the mirror is a stack of all my artwork from school. As you get closer to the top of the pile you come across my newer pictures from my senior year. I didn’t quite finish anything I was making during that last year and it shows in the stack of eighty percent filled paper pieces. Most of those were turning out to be my best looking drawings too. It was the first time I really started to shy away from art in my memory. I don’t know what was happening, but I wasn’t finishing much of anything at that time. I almost didn’t graduate high school on time because my grades dropped off. I was normally a “do enough to get by” type of person, but then I had a senior slump that dropped me just below that average. I didn’t fail senior year until the last day. I was on the fence up to that point, so much so that within the same day I got a “congratulations on graduating” note and a slip to come down to the office to discuss my grades. These happened within an hour of each other.

I began to get back into magic during this last year of school. I did a few tricks at the beginning of high school, but it was this last year that I started to learn new effects and begin to practice full time. The dvd recorder that sits underneath the art class drawings was bought in order to make a magic video. It’s been my goal for over seven years now. I have many small video projects and even a full length “mock-umentary,” alas no full length magic dvd. I bought the recorder with some Christmas money in 2002, I believe. I then spent the next day and a half with an assortment of video cassettes, cameras, cords, the dvd recorder, and a VCR putting together old video projects and magic recordings into the previously mentioned mock-umentary. At the time it became one of the things I was most proud of. I continued this love for video making by recording and burning vacations with friends to Mackinac and Windsor, Ontario.

Just a few feet behind that dvd recorder, past the kitchen filled with Sam’s Club cereal boxes , is my mom’s makeshift bedroom. She made her own curtains and really dressed up the room quite beautifully. It reminds me of a gypsy tent, which is very much a compliment when it comes to me. I have a small affinity towards gypsies. I call my girlfriend one and she really is. I have my own tent in this house to separate my bedroom from the dining room. I send Jordan “pictures from the tent” each morning to say Good Morning. Jordan and I have a long distance relationship for those of you that don’t know, so we use modern technology a lot in order to keep that connection that is missing from the distance.

If you look just above my left shoulder you will see the top corner of a picture Jordan drew for me. I don’t have a place to hang it right now, so it just sits on my dresser in a frame. On the back of the drawing she wrote me a very beautiful and heartfelt letter. I love her dearly. That letter, along with the week of my best friend’s wedding, really remind me how much I love her. She feels like a part of me and a major part of my life. I don’t see it without her and I’m very happy to have her.

Steve

Journal Excerpt - November 9th, 2010

2010-11-10T10:54:00.004-05:00

"Stroker Ace"

I have this thought in my head that my idea is real. It's just a given. It's like I know that I have to. It's on my schedule. I just have to suck it up and do it.

What am I talking about? My long chased after goal to redord a full length magic video. Over the last year I know that I've recorded enough effects to truly accomplish it, but it didn't have that start to finish feel.

No one has guaranteed that they can help, the sun will set at 5:00 p.m., I have no camera besides my cheap one, and my Flip camera software sucks.

Still... the pieces have seemingly aligned in my brain and I know it will happen.

So much so that I foresee myself recording something tonite, rehearsing tomorrow, and recording two days straight afterwards. Then I'll pick up next Wednesday recording any effects that need another take.

I've lost my hope to film this for promotional reasons. The aim is now for me to allow my imagination to become reality.

I'd like to find a focus while recording. I'd like to learn to enjoy spontaneous performances. I'd like to learn to appreciate rehearsal and routining. I want to find a focus, a character, and give myself a voice. I also want to see something through from start to finish.

Magic Monday

2010-11-08T12:27:00.003-05:00

Here's a video of me performing on the fly at Buffalo Wild Wings back around January.

Please be forewarned that there's some foul language and "honest reactions" to this effect that I was not able to easily edit out. Flip camera software is not easy to navigate and does not give many options for editing.

Archived - Explosion Talk Show

2010-11-06T01:42:00.002-04:00

This is what happens when our friend Sean doesn't hang out with us. We do "Sean voice" talk shows. This is some old footage from mid September. I don't expect you to watch it if you don't know me!

ETC - Dan / Lindsay Wedding

2010-11-05T13:08:00.005-04:00

It's time to update the ETC page. Magicians are multi-talented people (just like the rest of the world.) The ETC Page is updated every other month with three non-magic things that I'm doing. Each Friday this month I'll be updating the page with videos, pictures, drawing, music, ETC. This week's update is a slideshow of my best friend's wedding.

Where I Stand - Zombie Dinner

2010-11-03T21:04:00.003-04:00

I've been busy lately with my best friend's wedding and my wonderful girlfriend Jordan coming to town.

The two of us danced at the wedding (our first wedding dance.) She complained to the dj for not taking any of our requests and got two Beatle songs in a row for it. The next day we went to Cedar Point for a day full of haunted houses. The day after that was a busy Halloween. After I got off work we painted each other's faces, bloodied up, and went to a romantic White Castle dinner with some Meijer grocery store desert.

Look for wedding pictures this Friday on the ETC page.

Where I Stand - "Caffeine Free"

2010-10-28T00:36:00.003-04:00

I've been getting into markers lately as a way to challenge my drawing style. Making pictures with markers is much quicker than laboring over a pencil or a colored pencil sketch. More to come each Friday next month with updates to the ETC page.

October Mixtape - "Becktober Too"

2010-10-26T11:59:00.004-04:00

1. Pi** on the floor
2. Cellphone's Dead
3. Profanity Prayers
4. Salt in the Wound
5. Teenage Wastebasket
6. Sunday Sun
7. Mutherfu*er
8. Pressure Zone
9. Diamond Bullocks
10. 1000 BPM
11. Clock
12. Nausea
13. Novacane
14. F*ckin' With My Head
15. Replica
16. Get Real Paid
17. High 5
18. Loser
19. Shake Shake Tambourine
20. Emergency Exit
21. Debra

A new mixtape with a lot less Beck music will be here next month. I'm going to find a way for you to be able to stream it to listen for yourself, so keep an ear out. Also November will have three new updates to the ETC page! I'm still working on the video project, I have one person up for it so far.

This week my lovely girlfriend Jordan is coming to town from Texas and we'll be attending my best friend's wedding as well as going to Halloweekends in Cedar Point...the wedding and Cedar Point are two different events.

It's been a busy week with magic and I'm hoping to have some more soon. Someone hire me, I'm cheap and willing to travel!

Outsourced - "Mind Reading Lamp for Sale"

2010-10-23T11:11:00.004-04:00

Team Coco Bearobics

2010-10-21T08:56:00.001-04:00

Just to update...I am still watching

Where I Stand - Live for 24 Hours

2010-10-20T19:21:00.002-04:00

I'm currently watching the live stream at Conan O'Brien's headquarters. I've seen a lot of tacos, flannel, and snow boots. California is weird.

October Mixtape: "Becktober"

2010-10-19T10:35:00.006-04:00

I haven't bought any new music in a while, so I resorted to making a new Beck mixtape. I really enjoyed it until I realized that I only included his most recent few albums (minus Sea Change.) So I am working on making a Becktober Too. Until then, here's my Beck mixtape:

1. The New Pollution
2. Motorcade
3. Timebomb
4. Black Tambourine
5. Modern Guilt
6. Scarecrow
7. Elevator Music
8. Broken Train
9. Girl
10. Where It's At
11. Gamma Ray
12. Mixed Bizness
13. Tropicalia
14. Clap Hands
15. Devil's Haircut
16. Lord Only Knows
17. E-pro
18. Nicotine and Gravy
19. Rental Car
20. Orphans
21. Hell Yes

The interesting thing about this mixtape, to me, is that I would have normally begun it on a song like Timebomb since it's so loud and bombastic. However, beginning it on New Pollution seems to give it a nice replay value because it feels very circular, like an ever revolving set of songs. There is no beginning and there is no end.

Unused Footage From December 2009

2010-10-17T15:49:00.002-04:00

Brings back some good memories.

Here's some stuff I recorded for my Challenge: One of the Guys videos that I never used (along with some other clips.)

Outsourced - "DIY Photo Magic: How to Turn B&W Photos into Full Color"

2010-10-14T08:08:00.003-04:00

We love the ease of digital photography, but sometimes we get an itch for some experimentation.

We want to feel like old school photography masters: mixing chemicals in darkrooms and watching images as they slowly develop.

So, what did we do when we learned that some of the first color photographs were made almost 150 years ago, and they weren’t made with color film?

We learned how to use our digital cameras to party like it was 1909, of course!

Now we’re going to share everything we learned and show you how to bring out your inner mad-photo-scientist to make full color photographs using only black and white ones!

Read More ...

My September Mixtape - "The Breeze Machine 9-02-10"

2010-10-12T23:07:00.006-04:00

This playlist was made on September 2nd. I try to make a new mixtape each month for my car and I thought I'd share it with you. This playlist was named after a fan I have in my room called "The Breeze Machine."

This playlist is sort of a "best of" of my summer playlists along with a few new songs. I was making it for my girlfriend as I was going to see her in Texas that week.

1. Bohemian Like You by The Dandy Warhols
2. Apple Tree by Wolfmother
3. Tremendous Dynamite by Eels
4. Think I'm in Love by Beck
5. DVNO by Justice
6. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
7. Time of the Assassins by Charlotte Gainsbourg
8. Great Piper by Jason Cox
9. I Have Learned by Barenaked Ladies
10. Electro Experimental Bullsht. by Steve, The Amazing
11. Fortress by Pinback
12. The Vagabond by Air
13. I Saw It by Barenaked Ladies
14. My Beloved Monster by Eels
15. Let's Get Lost by Beck and Bat For Lashes
16. TAOS by Menomena
17. Polar Bear by Puscifer
18. Long Distance Call (25 Hours a Day Remix) by Phoenix
19. Waiting on the Sun by Sixpence None the Richer
20. Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
21. Every Subway Car Barenaked Ladies
22. I Got You by Stone Temple Pilots

Magic Monday

2010-10-04T23:43:00.003-04:00

Magic Monday's is something I started doing years ago at my old house. I set aside an hour to create my own magic effects. I would choose a creative environment and listen to some creatively inspiring music. Most of the time I listened to the four part album Ghosts by Nine Inch Nails (since they advertised it as an album for daydreaming, it felt perfect.) I also chose to sit in my garage with the doors open so that I could hear the outside world, take in the sights, and feel the breeze go through.

I've just moved back in with my family, but we no longer live in the same house, so I will be on the lookout for a new creative environment. Right now I sit with my magic journal at Border's or Tim Horton's.

My first step is coming up with effect ideas. I sent a text out to all of my friends (none of whom are magicians) asking what they would do if any effect was possible to them. I got back very few responses, but it still got my mind going. One friend said "pull your heart out" and the other said "do something with invisibility." Another friend that was in the room when I sent the text mentioned levitating a chair.

Here's some of my list as it was written in my magic journal:

A coins across effect in someone else's pockets
Color Change done on a camera phone
Christmas in July (outside snow effect ala David Copperfield)
Make a chair appear (home or a restaurant)
An ambitious card routine where the deck disappears

The appearing chair came from my friend's idea. He had mentioned making a chair disappear, but making one appear would serve a more usefull purpose. Wouldn't it be great to invite some friends to a restaurant, not have enough chairs, and then make one appear?

The next few "Magic Mondays" will hopefully see the evolution of these ideas and more.

ETC - Texas Trip Slideshow

2010-10-03T12:14:00.002-04:00

Here's a slideshow of my most recent trip to Texas to visit my girlfriend Jordan. Jordan has taken most of the pictures on this website as well as editing the good looking ones.

See more at the ETC page ...

Where I Stand - sign of things to come

2010-09-29T14:04:00.003-04:00

I've begun moving my stuff.

This Monday is the last of the Magic Monday refresher videos. Magic Monday's will likely continue, just changed slightly.

I'll be adjusting the blog format so that there is an even wider variety of content going it starting after next week. This Friday is also the last ETC page update until November. The ETC page is updated every other month.

Magic Monday Week 5

2010-09-27T23:23:00.003-04:00

Here's a video some of you may not have seen. I did not teach this effect in my magic class, but I did teach a move used in the effect. So, if you remember what you learned in class you are able to do this one. That means you get to learn new things even though the class is over, how cool is that!?

The rest of you can still watch the video recorded last Christmas.

Anyone have some time off this weekend? I'm looking to record for a full day in order to stock pile some future videos and I need a few volunteer camera people. Send me a message on facebook or write a comment below if you're interested.

Steve, The Amazing

ETC - Spare Change

2010-09-25T23:19:00.003-04:00

The ETC Page has an update. You can view it by clicking the ETC page in the links (right side of the blog.)

I didn't mean to put two songs on the ETC page at the same time, but I haven't done too many other creative things outside of magic (and most of those things aren't recorded in any fashion.

I'm hoping to get back into the sketching mood again soon, check back next Friday for a new ETC page update.

Where I Stand - A Challenge

2010-09-22T12:11:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I had an idea and today I am making it a fact. I am going to start a challenge for myself next month. I will go the entire month without eating fast food. I know it's not an "impossible task", but it really is a difficult thing for the average person to do. I'm curious to see how my health will be affected as well as how much money I save.

Everyone else that wants to try this with me can leave a comment below, get in touch with me on facebook, or send an email to admin@theusedmagician.com with any details of their progress. It all begins at midnite on October 1st.

Magic Monday Week 4

2010-09-20T11:34:00.003-04:00

This is a refresher video of some of the effects we went over in my most recent magic class.

Now this week was about performance. This effect wasn't taught in my class (nor could I truly teach it in one hour, the secret is almost harder than the effect itself.) The idea is disecting performances and seeing what you like and what you feel you could do differently.

We felt pretty lucky to get this strange triangle shaped table; it was perfect for a performance. I began by making a coin appear from nowhere and then impossibly vanish never to be seen again. I think that started the nite on a very strange note. An hour after we ate; the guy in the video came up to me and asked "...where did the coin go?" I've never made someone that on edge about a coin vanish before, but I think it was because the coin wasn't brought back. An old saying goes, if magic where real people wouldn't clap they would scream, and I think I may have danced along a thin line that nite between magic and something more.

Bloggin' - Moving Day

2010-09-17T01:37:00.004-04:00

I've just spent a year at the same place for the first time since I was probably four, though that first time ended up turning into about 20 years! My lease is about to expire at my current apartment and I'll be moving back in with my whole family to start the month of October.

My roommates have moved out and I'm beginning to notice some of those things you come across when you first move in to a new place. You realize you don't own certain things like pans or cooking trays. You realize that you've never really bought aluminum foil. As things are starting to wind down to the end of this apartment I'm reminded of the beginning. I'm sure these feelings will grow when I start to actually move things out too.

I'm reminded of how my bedroom was just a mattress on the floor with a computer sitting on top of a couple of boxes. My living room was an over sized t.v. teetering on a bedside table while my roommates couch and love seat sat across from it. The kitchen was barren, the walls were plain, and the refrigerator was stacked with garbage.

Thinking back and feeling those empty apartment moments really brings me into the moment, the now, where I can realize how far I've come along in the last year. I finally moved the rest of my stuff here from my old apartment, bought a few new things, and even decorated. I threw out my roommates old food in the fridge. I set up my bed properly. I bought a computer desk. I even have my carpet and a proper entertainment center for the television. My bedroom now has a movie poster, a replica New York City Subway sign, a picture, and even a framed drawing of mine up. It's all really amazing and makes me start to truly feel at home here.

Then there's the realization that in two weeks I won't be allowed to come in here any more. The realization that I'll be moving all of these things into a dining room.

What a crappy note to end on huh?! It's not that I feel remarkably upset that I have to move what seems like a lot of things into what one would imagine to be a small space...it's just that it is what I have to do. It'll be nice to get back in touch with my family and I really think that I need to slum it for a while in order to push towards my dreams and goals. That; and it would be great to save up some money for a change. Life is an amazing thing that will keep you guessing, like just now I found out that I have statistics for my website's blog here. I had no idea until this very moment.

What I'm boiling this down to is this, take a look around and see where you're at and perhaps it will remind you where you've been. In my experience that leads me to either be thankful for where life's taken me or it makes me more dedicated to get where I want to go.

Where I Stand - Creative Talks

2010-09-15T15:08:00.002-04:00

I spent about four hours yesterday talking to the two guys that recorded this video of me. It's really cool to talk to some creative people that have an interest in magic, but don't really know the inner workings of it. We ended up coming up with (too many!) ideas of very new feeling and creative concepts. I'm going to try to put some of them to the test over this next week and see which ones are possible.

Also, this weekend I'm performing at the Arthritis Walk. It's Saturday September 18th beginning at 9 a.m. (8 a.m. check-in time.) The location is 14141 Pennsylvania Road in Riverview. You can also find out more information at www.letsmovetogether.org

Magic Monday Week 3

2010-09-13T21:03:00.002-04:00

Each Monday I give a refresher video of one of the effects I performed at my magic class. I've been late for a while, but here's a new one.

Where I Stand - "Two Places at Once"

2010-09-09T02:10:00.002-04:00

My Influences

Jim Carrey: Comedy and Impression mastermind

Leonardo DaVinci: Creative and Inventive Genius

Mark Twain: Writer and People Studier

Beck: Self Made Musician and Flux Artist

My Mom: Hardworking and Intelligent Woman

Little things that interest me:
Mississippi River
Model trains and miniature villages
office supplies and manilla envelopes
electronic gadgets
race cars / Nascar to an extent
Nasa, space exploration, stars
Hannibal Lector
inner workings of a toilet
the planet Pluto
monkeys, penguins, and cute birds
clouds - weather
liquid gel ink pens and Sharpies
collecting
photography to a degree / watches / time
Time Zones
Sunrise and Sunset

Where I Stand...in HD

2010-09-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

ETC - Satellite

2010-08-27T12:40:00.003-04:00

The ETC page is where I display some of my creative interests that aren't always magic related. This includes music, drawings, sketches, videos, and more. Here's a last look at one of the old updates as new ones get uploaded this upcoming month.

Satellite by tebe2k

I always wanted to play a musical instrument, but as a kid I felt that I wasn't part of that group somehow. I was too nervous to try out for band or anything and thought that I didn't know what I needed to do in order to join.

As I got older I saw a "Learn to Play Harmonica Today" book at the mall and decided I wanted to get it. Two years later I finally bought the book.

I started to practice with the cd as I drove (I had no problem doing it, but I don't recommend it!) Over a year later I made this song.

Look for three new items on the ETC page throughout next month including a new song right now at www.TheUsedMagician.com/etc

Where I Stand - Ninja / Arthritis

2010-08-25T20:31:00.004-04:00

Today was the first day of our Ninja shoot and we got nothing ninja related shot! However, we did record a set of card effects on an ironing board. Mental note, I want to perform using an ironing board as often as possible! I also spent some time at the mall thinking over some ideas for my close-up show next month (September 18th) at the Arthritis Walk in Riverview. The walk begins at 9 a.m. on September 18th at 14141 Pennsylvania Road in Riverview. You can also visit them at LetsMoveTogether.org

Number 32

2010-08-24T00:10:00.003-04:00

My levitation practice has gotten behind schedule due to my infected and impacted wisdom tooth. There's a pretty long and ridiculous story behind said tooth, but I'm tired of thinking of it already. I will mention that I had no idea I wasn't taking pain medication. The last three days I've been in a constant misery which is why I don't have a "Magic Monday" video up yet. However I started to take some medication for the pain today and I'll get a video recap up later Tuesday.

I officially began my levitation practice tonite, which is about five days behind schedule. I have a long road ahead of me from what I saw during this first practice. I've begun by doing a few stretches and I'll be taking a walk a little later or perhaps tomorrow morning. Nothing much to show just yet.

How to create a 'super password'

2010-08-22T22:41:00.001-04:00

How to create a 'super password'

“Say goodbye to those wimpy, eight-letter passwords. The 12-character era of online security is upon us, according to a report published this week by the Georgia Institute of Technology. The researchers used clusters of graphics cards to crack eight-character passwords in less than two hours. But when the researchers applied that same processing power to 12-character passwords, they found it would take 17,134 years to make them snap.

“The length of your password in some cases can dictate the vulnerability,” said Joshua Davis, a research scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. It’s hard to say what will happen in the future, but for now, 12-character passwords should be the standard, said Richard Boyd, a senior research scientist who also worked on the project. The researchers recommend 12-character passwords — as opposed to those with 11 or, say, 13 characters — because that number strikes a balance between “convenience and security.”

They assumed a sophisticated hacker might be able to try 1 trillion password combinations per second. In that scenario, it takes 180 years to crack an 11-character password, but there’s a big jump when you add just one more character — 17,134 years. Passwords have gotten longer over time, and security experts are already recommending that people use full sentences as passwords.”

Read more at CNN (Thanks @XxLadyClaireXx)

Where I Stand - "Everything is Horrible"

2010-08-18T18:23:00.005-04:00

I have a wisdom tooth coming in...well trying. It's been trying off and on FOREVER. All my teeth are overcrowded as it is. I feel sluggish from it, like the constant pain has weakened my entire body. I actually took some medicine to dull the feeling, which works, but I can tell that my jaw is still in pain.

Anyway, there's one month until my next show at the Arthritis Walk at my work. I don't know what I am scheduled to do yet, but I am planning for every possible scenario.

Earlier this year I started a goal to accomplish my most difficult magic challenges...so far I've only done one, which was to predict the lottery numbers. I'm preparing for my next challenge which I am titling:

The Man
The Myth
The Levitation

I used to get hounded all the time about doing a self levitation. I don't hang out with anyone that's seen me do it before (my last one was likely three years ago at least), so I don't get asked to do it too often any more. I'm looking to change that. I have one month to prepare myself to do it again and start a whole new craze of Steve fans! I'll keep you updated on my progress through the blog. Also check www.TheUsedMagician.com for updates on when/where I'll be performing the levitation.

Magic Monday Week 2

2010-08-16T15:16:00.002-04:00

About to start working on the Ninja video from my Interactive Facebook Group's suggestions. Until then, here is a refresher video of some of the effects I taught last Wednesday during my magic class.

The Playlist August: Opening Effect

2010-08-12T21:50:00.003-04:00

Where I Stand and Facebook Group Update

2010-08-11T20:03:00.002-04:00

Working at the "office" on a new stage show concept.

Tomorrow will be the first video of "The Playlist" on my Facebook Group

Here's a little info on The Playlist:

"The Playlist goes like this; one magician posts a video of them performing any opening effect of their choosing (and if possible who created the effect and where it is available to purchase,etc.) Then another magician records a video of what effect they feel should follow it.

The idea being that magicians can possibly get new routine/effect ideas while lay people can see magicians perform that they likely never would have seen."

Magic Mondays

2010-08-09T12:40:00.005-04:00

Here's a quick refresher of some of the things my magic class went over last Wednesday. Each Monday will have a new video through the remainder of the class.

August Motivation

2010-08-08T12:16:00.003-04:00

I wish that for a day you could get inside my head and hear all the ideas I have, all the motivations, all the thoughts and dreams. It's insane to think what I would be doing if I went after each of these thoughts the way that I aim to in my head. I'll get such a streak of motivation when I'm at a safe distance from the moment. I'm talking about that moment to strike. I can make plans for tomorrow or next week and be safe, because it is not yet that moment to strike.

However, once that moment comes I freeze. I start to think of every reason not to. What can I do to change that? I've been fighting it for years and the last couple have seen some real improvement.

Lately I've been trying to be more of a leader amongst my groups of friends. Normally if I want to hang out with people I wait for one of the group leaders to tell me we are going to. Now I'm looking for things that I can bring to the table. I'm not looking to be the "go to guy" each time, but I am also not wanting to always sit around for someone else's motivation. I'm looking for my own.

I think I've started to find it too. I started to search things I like and really start to remember the things that I enjoy. Your own enjoyment is a great motivator. I used to go to horse races as a kid, for example. I found that to be a really interesting thing. I don't know of any of my friends having gone to a horse race. This idea intrigued me. It felt fresh. It felt new. I started to get an almost euphoria in my head, an excitement in my legs ready to jump out there and chase that motivation. I've read about this in psychology books, this fight or flight kind of response. The blood in your body starts to move to the extremities ready to attack. I'm ready to run towards this motivation. I'm ready to fight for this motivation.

I'm looking to bring that moment closer. I'll be able to look back at today being the beginning of this new motivation. Everything I've done up to this point has prepared me for that moment to strike. Each step closer to that moment will fill me with excitement that calms my nerves. I'll see the moment and think "YES!" I'll know when I'm ready and I will achieve some glorious results.

Where I Stand

2010-08-03T23:16:00.005-04:00

Welcome to one of the new features of my revamp(ing) blog page. Wednesdays are a time to check in and see Where I Stand as I update my blog with a photo taken often moments before the blog post. Also many of my Where I Stand photos include subtle clues about my life or hints into something I'm doing, so keep an eye out for that.

Just to describe this image in a short amount of time; I was practicing with a deck of cards that my girlfriend and I made. This is a mind reading deck of cards that includes gypsy elements, mind reading psychology, as well as symbolism and a little luck. These five cards are the ones I chose at random. There are a few things going on in this picture that I am not going to go too far into, one being something that I hope to add to the website soon....

Back to the blog update. My second magic class is beginning tomorrow (though it might as well be Wednesday already.) As part of the class I will be uploading a video each Monday that will recap the performance of some of the effects being taught in each class. This will go on for the next six Monday's as the class continues. There is still time to get signed up for the class and I am willing to try to ask if I can teach another week to make up for anyone that misses this first week.

Keep to the blog for many more consistent updates as well as checking back as I clean up the website a bit. See you soon.

Steve.

New Facebook Group, Join US!!!!

2010-07-24T15:14:00.003-04:00

Hi, my name's Steve and I'm a magician/creative person. I'm looking for other creative people to help me make my new Facebook Group as cool and interactive as the idea of it in my head. If you could join it:

[/url]Used Magician for Sale

I would greatly appreciate it. I just started it today, so there's isn't much there yet. I am going to have a lot of interactive elements and I'm trying to get a largely varied group of interesting people involved to create some projects that no other specialised group of people could create.

It's my belief that "everyone's a magician" and what I mean by that is that almost everyone has come across something they wish they could do (and perhaps even found a way to do it) and perhaps many of you have even dabbled in card tricks or have been interested by someone else that has.

Magic is something you can't necessarily go to school for and I'm looking for videos, pictures, stories, drawings, etc from people that don't have "normal" aspirations. Those of us that have ever dreamt of being astronauts, president, skateboarders, "famous" (as if it is a job!)

Anyway, I don't want to take up much more of your time. I'll start posting up some events/projects soon. I hope you'll all join and enjoy it.

[/url]Used Magician for Sale

Taking a break

2010-07-11T21:48:00.001-04:00

I've been taking a little break lately trying to get through some personal changes. I've recently started a new job and begun my magic class (which is finishing up it's first session this week.) I'll be going in tomorrow to talk to the Lincoln Park Bandshell about setting up a second class soon along with how I can promote it.

Thanks for checking into the website, I've had a lot of random new views lately. I'll be making a few videos series/diaries to be uploaded over the next couple of months, so look into that.

More news coming soon.

Sun of an Update

2010-05-16T19:42:00.002-04:00

I'm finally relaxing after a long two weeks. I'm sunburnt from performing outside for seven hours yesterday at Allen Park and Lincoln Park's Relays for Life. The day saw two stage performances that both took some heavy modifications at the last minute. Each city seems to have a very different vibe and it was hard to plan ahead for what type of audience I was going to encounter.

Starting the month off was a performance on May 1st at the Riverview Relay where I performed for about twenty very interested adults and a few 16-18 year olds that tagged along. Earlier that week I had written a prediction under the supervision of employees of Rivergate Health Care center, just down the road from the Relay for Life. Right before the prediction was opened for the first time on stage, I had everyone in the audience write a number from 1 - 50 and put it in a hat. Our on stage audience member reached into the hat and pulled out one of the numbers at random. In my prediction was four of the six numbers to the Michigan Mega Millions lotto drawing, perfectly predicted. The fifth number, number 47, was held in the hands of the audience member. This was the fulfillment of a very old childhood dream and a great surge of excitement.

Allen Park's audience was all young children under the age of 12 and a few 16ish year olds that wanted to have a little fun. I had come prepared for a similar group as my Riverview show and had to change it very quickly as I saw that not one person watching resembled that last group. Also, I wasn't able to use the stage or a microphone and did the stage on the grass in front of the stage. After starting a little shaky and not being able to find the first kids card in an impressive fashion (I just pulled it out of the deck!) I got things going by ripping a kids dollar bill in half and putting it back together, having a girl hold her quarter tightly in her fist until it actually became bent, and bending silverware ala Uri Gellar.

I performed there for another couple hours including a long stop with a boyscout group until finally driving over to Lincoln Park's Council Point Park. I walked around a while looking very conspicuous in my dress pants, white dress shirt, and black vest. I then approached a woman with a few bored looking kids and asked if they wanted to see some magic. The older woman was not expecting anything that she saw as each trick made her yell louder and back up further away from the table! I started to walk away when some overly energetic teenagers asked me if I was a magician. I showed them some magic and spent the next hour playing the card game "B.S." with them in front of their tent.

I almost didn't perform my stage show at Lincoln Park. Where my first two shows were performed for an older group and a much younger group, this one was all pre-teens and teenagers listening to songs I've never heard of! However, some friends of mine showed up to the event and I would have felt horrible if I didn't show up for them. I turned back to the group, said "one seven", set down the seven of diamonds, and walked away.

The stage show was much shorter and felt like it was my most energetic performance to date. I closed out the performance by doing a voodoo styled effect where someone's thought of card folds up inside of the card box after folding up a business card that the spectator is focusing on.

Things are far from slowing down for me, however, as next week I am performing at the Taylor Relay for Life for at least two luncheons and probably some walk-around afterwards. Also, beginning the first Wednesday of June I will be teaching a magic class at the Lincoln Park Bandshell (www.LincolnParkRec.com), and on June 9th I will be performing for 24 hours at the Woodhaven Relay for Life to close out my participation in their events for 2010.

Thank you for your support of the website, tell a friend, leave a comment or suggestion, and know that anything you write will be read.

Steve Wachner
www.TheUsedMagician.com

2010-05-09T20:22:00.007-04:00

I just got a new phone that let's me write more letters than my old phone...so I am! I'll be making a payment for my website tomorrow. Hopefully that will mean that the website will be back and operational this week.

I hope you all enjoyed mothers day.

I just found out that my magic class is now listed on the Lincolnparkrec.com page. You are able to register there. Happy day!

Taking Downriver by Storm (One Step at a Time)

2010-04-06T15:00:00.003-04:00

Here is a list of when and where I'll be performing throughout the Spring.

Take Your Kids to Work Day
April 22nd
Private Show

Riverview Relay for Life
(14100 Civic Park Dr)
May 1st
12:30 - 1 p.m. (on stage)

Allen Park Relay for Life
(20725 Park Rd)
May 15th
1-1:30 p.m. (on stage)
6-7:00 p.m. (walk around)

Lincoln Park Relay for Life
(3949 River Dr)
May 15th
Roughly 8 or 8:30 p.m. (Close of the "Relay's Got Talent" show)

Taylor Relay for Life
(12111 Pardee Rd)
May 22nd
10:00 a.m. (Luncheon)
Walking around afterwards

Woodhaven Relay for Life
(Hall Road right off of West)
June 9th
At a booth most of the day starting at 10:00 a.m.

Whoops!

2010-03-21T14:41:00.003-04:00

I accidently saved over my ETC page. I'm feeling too lazy to fix it right now. I'm working on a new section, which if you hurry over to the ETC you can get a sneak peek of an idea I'm trying out for the summer.

UPDATE:

I got the ETC page fixed. I had to add a few old things in the mix and it's not exactly the way I would want it, but it'll be fixed up throughout the month as I update it with new things.

Twitter Micro-Prediction Results for WWE RAW

2010-02-15T23:11:00.000-05:00

TheUsedMagician I almost missed my first match. A few unpredicted things happened! I was thinking shaemus for the win though.

I'm doing a sport prediction event on twitter. You can read more at my website. I'm beginning with wrestling as a way to ease in
about 2 hours ago from txt

My girlfriend can attest to me calling the car backing into bret hart...! This is a weird thing to try since I'm used to using my dvr now!
about 2 hours ago from txt

I'm feeling showmiz for the win, though looking forward to a good back and forth and surprise quick ending
about 1 hour ago from txt

Oooh, one wrong!
about 1 hour ago from txt

My first instinct is for dibiase to win, but i feel so nervous after messing up the last match. Hopefully i can get on track
about 1 hour ago from txt

yes! back on track 2-1
about 1 hour ago from web

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the main event between HHH and Cena will not finish as multiple people come out to the ring
41 minutes ago from web

Yes! Three right out of four. Should be a good sign for this sunday's effect I'm looking to record. Wish me luck
6 minutes ago from txt

Shhhhh... keep this a secret

2010-02-09T18:21:00.004-05:00

I'm attempting to do a major prediction effect later this month with my friends. I will be trying to get one of my friends to make a prediction of a future event and be correct using their own intuition. I'm going to start practicing making predictions myself first.

I'm starting off small, this is just a first step that I'm trying to accomplish. It began during my first Challenge video series learning about sports.

My first practice attempt with this idea will be with wrestling matches since there is a bit more control. I think it is a perfect way to work up to predicting a major sporting event. This Monday on Twitter (@TheUsedMagician) I will be sending out my predictions of who is going to win the match before the match ends. Again, this is just a test run of an effect I'm working on. It's a first step.

Later this month I'll be taking another step where I'll record one of my friends using their intuition to predict the outcome of WWE's Elimination Chamber match. My personal prediction is that Chris Jericho will win the match and go on to face Edge at Wrestlemania. I would also believe that Shawn Michaels will get involved somehow so that he can face The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

This is the first in a series of predictions I'll be making. I'm banking on none of my friends reading my blog or visiting my website (how sad!)

Thanks for reading. I thought I'd give you all a look into the process I'm using to create and practice a major effect. I'll be making some more videos soon to share the process further.

2010-01-03T16:44:00.001-05:00

I caved and got a twitter account. You can follow me @theusedmagician where I'll be making posts that are about this long on a regular basis

Welcome to TheUsedMagician.com

2009-12-27T01:49:00.003-05:00

I'd like to welcome our new website viewers, we've had a few first time people checking out the site and from the looks of things we'll be getting many more new viewers in the next coming months. Of course, I'm always appreciative of our long-time locals that frequent the site on occasion. A very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year to each of you.

I've been having "the best Christmas ever" with my family this week. We just finished playing a few hours of Super Mario on Nintendo (I never knew there was a level 7!) I also recorded some very nice videos of magic effects with my family to intersperse throughout the new videos that I'll be making starting in 2010. A few new effects that I haven't put on the website before including an attempt and very real mind reading. I'm about to go to Chicago to continue the festivities and I'll be bringing my Flip Mini to record as much as possible.

I've gotten really far behind on The Challenge, I'm either going to scrap it and call Ben the winner or try to finish episode 3 in Chicago and do episode 4 on New Year's Eve. I'm looking into making another challenger very soon and have been talking to one of my friend's about possible challenges.

Again I would like to personally thank everyone that's come to the website. I like to say that supporting me is a lot like supporting a local business! Please pass the site around, send me email suggestions or a hello (admin@theusedmagician.com), and come back for more!

Steve Wachner

December Editorial

2009-12-16T22:00:00.002-05:00

It’s the holiday season. To me that means that my grandma is asking me what I like. I guess she’s trying to get me a gift for Christmas. I’ve decided to write her a list of things that I enjoy, but I don’t know how it’s going to help her.

　
THINGS I LIKE
(and want for Christmas)
Jude Law

Peanut Butter and Butter sandwiches

The phrase “only you can prevent WILD fires”

That 30 second outro at the end of tv shows

How inexpensive plain pasta and chocolate candies are

Going somewhere with my mom, passing a McDonald’s, thinking to myself “please turn in”, and having my mom turn into McDonald’s and buy me breakfast

CSI marathons

Getting my daily serving of vegetables from anything other than real vegetables

12:34 o’clock

12:35 o’clock (“prime” time)

Alcohol commercials (even though I don’t drink, they’re still hilarious)

My DVR

My ability to forget how stupid I thought DVR’s were before I got one

My girlfriend’s college reimbursement check

George Clooney’s voice

Knowing that there are “experts” that choose the top 100 most attractive females each year

The phrase “H1N1”

Green tea, always feels like a miracle cure

How pumped up my friend gets over organic food products

The phrase “BoGo”

How often the doctors on House mess up and are still considered to be the top in what they do

The phrase “good things come to those who wait.” Whoever came up doesn’t know what happens to cookies after they’re baked… they’ll also never know how good a cookie can taste.

That shampoo bottles say “for external use only”, just in case someone thinks they bought the first ever shampoo that cleans your hair from the inside out.

I swear

2009-12-10T18:24:00.002-05:00

I'm swearing off buying new magic items for a year. I've realized lately that I'm not a dumb guy and that I am only weakening my creativity by purchasing other people's magic items. Not only this, but I have way too many to keep track of and I've been buying recently for the idea more so than the effect.

What really pushed me over the edge is when I was considering buying a new product and I tried to stop myself. I told myself that the description seemed like nothing new and that I could do it on my own. I made a list of things that I would do in order to "prove myself worthy" of purchasing it.

After reading this new product I realized not only could I have come up with it and not only had I already read of most of these ideas, but I actually did come up with it a few months ago.

I only came up with it because I have an active mind and I've bought a lot of this website's material. I had taken the ideas I've read from them already and expanded on them in my own way, which is all they did for this new book (not that I blame them.) I'm just openly expressing my stupidity and commercialism ways and denouncing them.

I swear to not buy any new magic products for one year from this day. I will use this time to work on my perfomances and creating my own effects. I will also use the time, effort, and money to get my magic career going.

Thanks for reading.

New Video, but I need some ideas from YOU!

2009-12-01T18:55:00.001-05:00

I'm wanting to make a few new videos and I have a general theme idea. I have two hours of recording time on my camera, so I was thinking of going out one day and recording until I ran out of time or battery. However, to do this, I need a few interesting ideas of things to record and places to visit...possibly even people to include.

I'm not completely sure what I'll do for the video, perhaps I'll just break it down into a 80 minute "movie" and post it bit by bit on the internet... or perhaps I'll only have five good minutes out of two hours and just post that.

Either way, I'm looking for some ideas, send them my way if you're so inclined

UPDATE:

One of the videos I made during this day is now on the ETC page and more are likely to come.

The Most Interesting Conversation

2009-11-15T11:51:00.003-05:00

What is the most interesting conversation to most people? Well, in my experience; it’s talking about yourself. Who can blame you really? We are all interesting people that are trying to be understood. So what I don’t understand is why someone wouldn’t go out and try to date a boring or dull person. Especially one that is bad in social situations, but wants to meet someone. You know, those scared kids that didn’t even want to try to fit in with the “outcasts” because they didn’t think they had enough to offer any clique or group. All they would have to talk about is YOU! Yes, wonderful and entertaining YOU. I just solved two problems: interesting people in relationships with boring conversations AND lonely people that feel they have nothing to offer but long for a partnership.

Now I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to sell myself on you interesting people. I am one of those who enjoy talking about myself. In fact, I have way too many thoughts in my head for an average person.

For example:

I thought that a really scary Halloween costume would be a zombie mall walker. Zombie’s sprinting at you would, of course be scary, but a fit old woman walking incredibly fast at you would be unnerving and intense. It’s the difference between a shock horror movie that jumps things at you and a supernatural thriller that keeps things so on edge that the jumps scare you twice as much. That has the potential to be a very funny movie character if anyone can take advantage of it properly.

Speaking of zombie’s; I saw the new Michael Jackson movie recently. It was fun to watch, but a little disappointing at the same time. It is a bummer to see what kind of concert it would have been, but never to be finished. The movie itself is strange though since it’s not quite a documentary, not quite a concert, and not at all a movie necessarily. I’ve been thinking lately of what other kind of profession could pull off a movie about what they meant to do, but didn’t quite finish. It would be like if you called a plumber to fix your toilet; the plumber comes into your house with a dvd. He puts it in and shows you a video.

“This is a cgi composite of your toilet.”

The video continues to play.

“Here’s some stock footage of me fixing toilets at my job. Right here we piped in some crowd reaction to show how excited you would be at me fixing your toilet. This is a still image of you, showing what it would be like for you to look on at me fixing the toilet. Finally, this is a video of a normal working toilet to show what the ending would have been like.”

I didn’t necessarily mean to compare the movie to a plumber working on a toilet! Just the concept of the movie, I hope you understand!

So join me on a quest to spread the most interesting conversations. Sure, maybe you can get by with saying random things like me, but we all know that you can always fall back on letting someone just talk about themselves. All you have to do is start the conversation.

“Do you know a good icebreaker?”

That sentence IS my ice breaker.

Until next time, I’m Steve Wachner and sometimes I wear glasses to sleep so I can see my dreams better.

New Home Page Video Series

2009-10-19T23:17:00.002-04:00

Other Users Recommend Episode One

This is a home page video mini-series that I'm recording. This particular episode will revolve around what book I'm reading. I'm doing this to answer the question I get a lot of "how did you do that?" I read up on a lot of different skills and techniques that I thought would be interesting for other people to see. I also give an update into the website and other things I'm up to.

YLP.com October Editorial

2009-10-13T01:18:00.002-04:00

It has been a while since I wrote a new "Editorial" rant. I don't even truly know the definition of editorial, but that's what I was told to call them some five or six years ago! This is my most recent one. I hope to keep up with them every month for a little while.

I've got some website news coming up soon, so keep on back over the next few weeks.

So I’m single again. That means I’ve been watching a lot of television. It’s been a really long time since t.v. was a constant in my life. In fact, it was probably back in high school when I would religiously watch Friday Night Stand-up on Comedy Central. This time around, however, I’ve been staying up late daily watching the Late Nite Talk Shows. It has been a lot of fun, but it also got me motivated to write something new.

I’d like to act like a talk show host in my daily life. I could wear a nice jacket and a tie in my living room to sit down for a chat. I just enjoy what talk show hosts are able to do that most people never would in a normal conversation, like interrupt your friend in the middle of a thought to say we’re going to take a break; and then pick the conversation back up three minutes later. My friends would all need to be project oriented people though and constantly working on something new and exciting to talk about or else I wouldn’t be able to talk to them. I mean, maybe if it was like a Tuesday and I had no one else to talk to it would be okay, but that wouldn’t work out on a Thursday show when I’m trying to promote things, you know? However, if they got too boring I could just start playing a game with them and two audience members… or take them into my kitchen to make some food.

I almost forgot, they would need to bring a clip with them too. Wouldn’t that be great? I would love to have a thirty second clip to introduce myself to other people. Just plug your camera into the t.v., give them a quick introduction, and let the clip speak for itself. What would your thirty second clip be of?

I was having a little trouble trying to think of what to write about. I had a few topic ideas and needed to know what I was going to take out and what I was going to keep. Have you ever used a quarter to make your decision; like heads or tails? Doesn’t it almost always go for the opposite answer than what you want? It does for me at least. That’s how I know how much I really want something. If you’re willing to say “heads I’ll do this and tails I won’t” and then tails comes up and you say “I’m doing it anyway” then you know how much you really wanted to do it.

So heads, this is in:

I’ve come up with a new idea that I think will catch on pretty well… We’ve got a big “going green” craze happening recently and I mean there’s a lot of people in the world now and we’re running out of space. We need to be looking out for the earth, you know? My idea: Biodegradable “Green” coffins.

That’s the whole idea. Someone told me yesterday that they are pretty sure these are already available!

It's been a while since I've heard from everyone, so go ahead and post your goofy ideas, late nite talk show thoughts, or tell me what your thirty second talk show clip would be. Until next time remember that things have to get dirty before you can start to clean up.

The Stunt

2009-08-24T08:47:00.002-04:00

This is my Construction Cone stunt from 2007 changed slightly to make for one of our newest videos. The Stunt was originally just a picture idea that I had for a new default pic on MySpace. I was shopping at the Lincoln Park Meijer and noticed some white reflective looking duct tape and came up with the idea to put it on my orange soccer shirt from high school. I then stole a picture from Google to post in the background and then it became my most popular picture.

As I was driving to work I began to notice all the construction cones off the freeway right next to a traffic light. I realized it would be a lot of fun and a very strange sight if I did the outfit live in public. The original stunt took place in the Spring time with some chilly weather. Around April Fool's Day I would stand still for about an hour next to the other cones. This is the third year I've done the stunt. I also did it a little earlier this year during the Downriver Cruise.

I had to make up a reasoning for the video, but the truth is it is just a bizarre and fun idea that came to mind one day.

Personalized Past

2009-08-14T12:19:00.002-04:00

Lately I've been realizing that I've gotten old. I mean, not literally "OLD". I just mean that I've been living a lot longer than what I used to lately. I've also realized that I've far out done the ages that I remembered being scary and "adult" as a kid.

Either way, I just got a little worried since I don't consider my memory to be super awesome (short term, I mean. My long term memory is pretty good.) I live very much in the moment and so when I'm in a certain moment or a certain location everything else feels like the distant past. If I were to show up to my summer camp that I haven't been to for half a decade or more, for instance, I would feel like I've never left. I would remember the warm breeze, the bright sun, and that open field like it were yesterday. I would sit back in the cool shade of the trees and think that I probably left my towel on the line out back.

I got nervous that since there is more of my life to remember that there would be more of it to forget. The last few days I've been quietly and calmly asking my mind to remember every detail of my life. I'm trying to remember things I had all but forgotten and eventually I'm hoping to stretch scenes out so that I remember more than what I even used to remember remembering...!

Last nite I took a trip back to my old bathroom and envisioned myself turning the tub on for my mom one of the countless times I would have done it. I say that to point out I wasn't necessarily remembering any specific time but an act done more than once. Our water heater was "The Economizer" so you would just turn the hot water on and by the time the tub filled the water would be luke warm. I started thinking back to the old color of my bathroom walls and suddenly the thought of my yellow and black Batman symbol night light came to mind. While I was writing this just now I also remembered the shattered look of our bedroom doors.

There was a nite that I was upset about something in my bedroom and I started to write on the door. I was writing that I wasn't going to go to school any more. I spelt skool wrong on the door also about four times! That time brings me back to another when my room was on the top floor and I started writing in my year diary about how I was upset at my mom. It was one of those page a day books and over the course of five years I wrote it in four times! I had these random days marked out in no particular order where I had to write the year next to the date because I didn't finish the diary in time.

I'll let you know if anything else comes from this and I'd like to hear if any of you have tried similar things. Thanks for reading.

Steven A.

Unique View

2009-08-09T14:04:00.004-04:00

Last month our website www.TheUsedMagician.com had its largest number of unique visitor views since last June AND we are already well on pace to break both numbers this month and have our largest number of visitors since we started the site.

This, along with the video series, has me really excited. I'm working on the next episode (it's a day late right now) and I almost have it finished. I just need to record the final scene. I'm also working on a huge interactive video concept that has been in the "hopeful" section of my notes for the longest time. It's proving to be very difficult.

I'm glad you've stuck around through the recent upgrades and I ask that you bring a few other people with you and have fun exploring our website. The video series has just begun and I don't want to give away any of the fun effects and incidents you're going to see throughout the next couple months. Keep back

SAW

4,000

2009-07-30T18:31:00.003-04:00

I wrote this on my pad in between eating and coaching soccer

The new video series is going swimmingly. On the www.Kazoops.com website we have received nearly 4,000 views on the videos.

These videos are the most hits I've had since the "Day 16" punch to the face video, being an overnite flash in the pan.

I'm super proud and excited of the video series.

More to come. Thanks for being involved.

- SAW

Video Series

2009-07-22T11:31:00.002-04:00

I've begun a new video series to promote the website and my magic. This is the first video and the next one is available on the home page right now.

I shot this video about an hour before my most recent show while waiting for my clothes to dry at my mom's apartment... how's that for background information?!

Behind the Scenes - VBS show

2009-07-20T09:50:00.002-04:00

I had a magic show for what I was told is El Bueno church, but I think they are called El Buen church... not sure.

The show started off to be really fun before anything began because I had to try to cover someone's shift at my job, essentially being in two places at once! I had to thread up ten movie theatre projectors and teach my gm how to start movies within thirty minutes.

This made me late for the caravan that would be directing me to the show somewhere near/in Detroit. I showed up fifteen minutes late and was only able to stay in their house long enough to solve their Rubic's Cube. As we left I got stuck at a red light and had to guess which direction to go! Luckily I made it without getting lost and was able to catch up with them.

I had been working on the show concept for a little while now, but I hadn't actually practiced the full thing until the morning of. I had put together the final effects the nite before, but when I woke up I realized that half of them weren't going to be ready! I also noticed before I left that most of the other half I didn't have the necessary equipment. I was going to pass out strings and have each kid make an impromptu pendulumn, but I didn't think that I only had the strings and no weights. I really only had one thing truly planned... and once the show started all the kids had sat right up to the stage and I only had two steps of room to work with, so my lone rehearsed idea wasn't going to work!

The kids all seemed to enjoy the show that I put together on the spur of the moment, however. It may not have been the best show for the older kids and adults sitting in the back, but I did a preshow performance in the basement for them and it blew everyone away luckily enough.

Dear Blog

2009-07-15T17:50:00.002-04:00

I wrote this blog on a small pad of sketch paper while sitting in a parking lot earlier this afternoon.

I've recently joined SparkPeople.com ; which is a free dieting website that aims for motivation and guidance. I've had a poor diet since childhood and am trying to adjust it. I invite you to read my blogs and check out my "Spark Page" to view my progress.

I plan to dedicate myself to it for the next month to see if I can eat healthy throughout that month and what positive affects will occur.

I will also be continuing with the filled/filling magic schedule that I've been up to lately and have plenty of new things on the way.

saw

Subliminal Testing Group Preview - July 19th

2009-07-13T11:30:00.001-04:00

By Invite Only,

Local Magician Steve Wachner invites you to join him in his own home for a party like no other. You will be treated to a thirty-minute study of subliminal influence and how to begin picking up on it in your daily life. As you gain a knowledge of subtle influence methods, it can help you begin to move in a positive direction in your life by releasing negative patterns and working yourself toward a forward thinking and beneficial outcome. It also just happens to be a very fun experience as you begin to pick up and notice the subliminals being played on the testing cd. We live in a day and age that involves a lot of outside influence and many of these subtler influences go unnoticed throughout an average day. As your tester, we will work your mind towards noticing these outside forces so that you can pay attention to the ones you want and work towards a better future.

Steve, The Amazing has been studying subliminal influences for years. Not only has he studied psychology and Neuro Linguistic Programming, but he is also a Certified Subliminal Tester and a Gold Certified Subconscious Analysis and Reprogramming Technician.

Known for being an over the top performer, such as dressing as a construction cone to promote … nothing; he also knows how to go after an idea that he wants. With a career that began by performing at his own graduation party, predicting a word randomly written by a guest. The Used Magician Steve Wachner has used suggestion methods to stop his own pulse, interrupt thought patterns causing someone to forget their own name, help people sleep, and much more.

This event is invitation only and a sort of rehearsal for future events of this type. Your participation will be greatly appreciated. For more information about shows of this type or other bookings visit our website at www.TheUsedMagician.com

Sincerely,

Steve Wachner
The Used Magician

email admin@theusedmagician.com to ask for an invite, this particular preview version of the show is not available to anyone under 18.

Heritage Park and More

2009-06-18T22:37:00.002-04:00

The documentary I was involved in is now available online and is streaming on the home page of the website. This is also a good way for anyone to see what kind of magic I would perform on a moment's notice (we had nothing specific prepared and just recorded whatever came out the top of my head.)

The website will continue to go through some changes as I try to get in a few interactive pieces, some more video, and also get a list of places I've performed for.

Speaking of performing... I am finishing up the paperwork right now to perform throughout the year at the city of Taylor's new Farmer's Market at Heritage Park. I have been invited to perform and the paperwork is just a formality. I'll make sure to keep the website posted on performance times and any possible cancellations throughout the year. The Farmer's Market is Wednesday's from 12-7 starting June 24th and lasting through to October.

More to come, check out the documentary and let me know how you like the site.

Jordan Imported

2009-05-13T19:12:00.002-04:00

I've lately also been involved with the Jordan Imported video series. The series is available on RockPaperScone.com and at Jordan's Vimeo page... which is here

P.S.
Jordan is my very wonderful girlfriend

Quick Birthday Update

2009-05-02T13:52:00.003-04:00

I've been doing magic like crazy lately, almost daily this week it seems. I performed for a group of ten before the Wolverine midnite showing on Thursday afternoon. Yesterday I was at the Gibraltar Trade Center carnival recording for a short documentary I'm featured in. I hear we're recording tomorrow as well.

Today is also my 24th birthday

I've made some resumes and I'll be passing them out this week.

I think that's about all I can update with right now. I'm going to be making some changes to the website, adding a page or two, updating the etc page, and getting some pictures from my recent performances up.

I also am currently making a video series for Kazoops.com and the allDownRiver.com forums. I'll let you know when the first video is live, we're waiting to get two more recorded first.

Text Blogging II

2009-04-25T10:13:00.002-04:00

We've woken up an hour ago and are getting the car straightened out to leave. We originally had too much and caused it to scrape, but hopefully fixed it

I am stopped in a rest stop in arkansas. The toilets here are made of metal. I must also point out that I'm afraid to leave the stall because of this old man!

I've just driven over the mississippi river crossing into arkansas from tennessee.

We've spent two minutes too long in chicago and it cost us an extra six bucks. We did get to walk around sears tower to a panera bread.

Just recorded some at the michigan welcome center for kazoops.com and also for a short documentary I'm in. Some issues on the doc video, but working on it