As you undoubtedly noticed, we had a little technically difficulty to ring in the new year but that is all sorted out now and iTricks is back!
But iTricks is also changing. After I really am not sure how long, my time with iTricks has come to an end. It has been a blast but, honestly, since taking this new day job three or four years ago I have less time to devote to iTricks. The podcast (‘member that?) was the first to suffer and then the long form articles. The time I spend on iTricks takes away from my own writing and that really proved to be the final straw.
So it is time for me to sign off. If you want to keep up if me come on by my website SwordsAndRayguns.com. I have been writing for a few years now but not about magic. I write science fiction and martial arts centered fantasy novels (think ‘70s kung fu movies you can read). Visit the website, sign up for my monthly science fiction and fantasy newsletter and download some free stories. In fact, some writer friends and I just released a completely free anthology of martial arts centered stories called Fists of Fiction. Download your choice of e-book format for free here (really 100% free, we don’t even ask for your email address).
I would like to close my time at iTricks by thanking Andrew and Justin for the opportunity and I would like to thank all y’all iTricksters for hanging out with me.
The Masters of Illusion Christmas Magic episode apparently aired last Friday… but I am not sure it was even on in my area! All I remember being on was local holiday specials and football (both of which I took a hard pass on…). Here is a taste of the special from Trigg Watson and, in case you missed it like I did, the full special is streaming on the CW website and their various phone and streaming TV apps.
We have no reason to think Ron Popeil, the king of the infomercial and founder of Ronco, was a magician. But the man behind the Pocket Fisherman, the Veg-O-Matic and Chop-O-Matic and, of course, Mr. Microphone was a past board member of both Mirage Resorts and MGM Hotels. So we offer not a broken wand but, perhaps, a broken Mr. Microphone. Ron Popeil, the man who taught us to “Wait… there’s more!” passed away Wednesday at the age of 86.
Although Mark Wilson will be remembered for his television work, he also produced magic instructional material. Personally, I think Mark Wilson’s Complete Course In Magic is one of the greatest resources out there for anyone, kid or adult, starting to explore an interest in magic. This lesson is from one of his instructional DVDs.
Several of his teaching DVDs are still available over on the MarkWilsonMagic.com site, as are copies of several of his television shows and specials.
Glenn Keeley shared this clip of him performing on a WIN-TV telethon back in 1986. And we are going to let Glenn take us into the weekend. Stay safe, stay cool and have fun!
