Magic Unlimited

Scott & Muriel have Talent!

Scott & Muriel, FISM Grand Prix Winners are through to the Finals of Holland's Got Talent.

Scott sent us through the video, which he's kindly subtitled, for us to enjoy.

Hari Kari Telemarketer style

Wow.

I must have a real reputation among the Telemarketers.

I just got one then and the call went like this:

The phone rang, I answered and said hello... and waited (the usual delay to let you know you're about to speak to a Telemarketer) and on comes the TM.

"Hello my name is Gordon."

"Hello" I reply.

"I was wondering if I could... "

Then he hung up.

Was he so scared that he had to disconnect before we even began combat?

Did he give up before he even started, knowing my reputation?

Did he feel some sense of victory by hanging up of his own volition instead of hanging up on me later out of sheer frustration?

Maybe his shift ended precisely at 5pm?

Sue-Anne in Challenge

Sue-Anne is featured in the May edition of CHALLENGE. You can read the very revealing article by clicking here.

Pretending to be normal

It's been quite a busy time since my birthday. We've been organising a special event for later this year, setting up and launching the Australian Institute of Magic web site, spending time with Danny Archer, working on some new material, preparing a new version of Hollywood:Live with Mat Unwin and Ben Whimpey, host a poker night and performing a few shows.

We have had one or two goes on the Wii Fit (which is GREAT) but I haven't had time to watch any DVDs or read any of the books I got for my birthday yet. I did get started on one I ordered for myself though, and it's quite amazing.

The book is 'Pretending to be Normal - Living with Asperger's Syndrome', It's written by a woman who discovered she had Asperger's after one of her daughter's was diagnosed with the condition. The diagnosis helped her (as it's helped me) make sense of a lot of odd behaviour in her past.

I'll give you one excerpt which I can definitely relate to and those who know me will probably say "Yep, that's Tim alright!"

"It was easy for me to give my opinions on things, virtually all the time. I was by far the most blunt and outspoken of our group, even when friends suggested I had gone too far. I never knew how far was too far. Even now, I cannot find one reliable reason for keeping my thoughts to myself. The world seems fickle on this point. Sometimes people want an opinion, sometimes they do not. Sometimes they say something so incredible an opinion has to be given. Other times they sit in silence seemingly unaware of the situation that lies before them. The entire dichotomy is too confusing. I do not see how anyone can ever know with any degree of certainty when they should voice their thoughts and when they can keep them silent. Sure, I often find myself wondering if I have said too much or worrying that I have been misunderstood. Sometimes I even wish I had not said what I did. But I realised long ago that it would be easier to stop a dog going for a bone, than it would be for me to stop thoughts escaping from my mouth."

Puchi Puchi!

I just got the strangest birthday present I've EVER received.

Our friend Saki scoured the stores in Japan to get it for me, and most stores had sold out, it's just that popular.

What is it?

It's PUCHI PUCHI!

The latest Japanese invention designed for people who are addicted to popping bubble wrap.

Here's Jonathon Ross introducing it in the UK to viewers of his TV show:

And here's the PUCHI PUCHI ad if that wsn't clear enough:

Yes, it's infuriatingly addictive.. and I don't even like popping bubble wrap!

Big Announcement from The Australian Institute of Magic

The Australian Institute of Magic is a brand new association in Australia.

We are announcing the launch of the AIM website this weekend. Please take a look at: www.AustralianInstituteofMagic.org

Members of the former 'Magic Unlimited Group Sessions' - MUGS for short - decided to become an association earlier this year. It is the only organisation representing FISM in the Oceania region. The AIM website will become the ultimate resource on magic for agents, historians, magicians, businesses, media researchers and the general public. It is already a focal point for international liaison within the magic community.

The organisation represents the FISM code of ethics and the members are dedicated to promoting and developing the art of magic with view to raising the standard of magic in Australia.

The website is in its early stages of development, but already has a vast array of information covering many aspects of magic, including:

* Information on FISM
* Weblinks to magicians, clubs, blogs, shops, magazines
* Magic learning data base
* Tips for event planners
* Booking facility for AIM magicians
* Upcoming events... including meetings, shows, lectures and media appearances all over Australia
* Australian magic award winners - both national and international awards
* Gallery of photos, videos and press articles
* AIM merchandise
* Articles on all aspects of magic by AIM members
* Online AIM forum... plus lots more.

We encourage Australian magicians to let us know if they are having a public event, a magic meeting or convention that we don't know about to be added to the 'events calendar'... and help us fill in the 'blanks' - like award winners that have not been mentioned.

Please take a look at our site... it will be constantly updated as the Australian Institute of Magic evolves.


Sue-Anne Webster
President - Australian Institute of Magic

http://www.australianinstituteofmagic.org/

Some clips from CELEBRACADABRA

Happy Birthday to me... Wii

Well it's my birthday again today, and Sue-Anne has surprised me yet again with another spectacular gift. It's just released in Australia and I'm already starting to feel sore after just 35 minutes on it.

Yes, she got me a Wii Fit.

I've always been a fan of video games, but I hate the physical laziness that comes with them. That's why I was so happy when the Wii came along, but Wii Fit takes it to a whole other level!

Fitness in the electronic age, at least at our house is courtesy of Nintendo! Working on our bodies of Wii Fit and our minds with Nintendo DS Brain Trainer. Life has definitely changed in the last ten years!

Big news coming on Saturday

Sorry I've been lacking in the posting department here on the blog... but I've been burning the candle on both ends preparing a very special something that will all be revealed here on Saturday.

News from Las Vegas

The World's First, Global Internet Magic Competition!

We are looking for the next Vegas Magic Star! Beginning May 1st, 2008,

video submissions will be accepted on www.vegasmagicstar.com

Any type of magic act will be accepted for submission. The chosen one will

receive $1000.00 cash, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, a one-week contract

engagement in the World's Greatest Magic Show, a 3-day workshop at

McBride's Magic & Mystery School and more from Tony Clark

Magic.

The Lecture Network, in association with TonyClarkMagic.com

will broadcast LIVE from Las Vegas, The World's Greatest Magic Show

and announce Vegas' Next Magic Star during the live

performance on June 28th, 2008 at 7PM PST.

To submit your video and application or to purchase tickets to view

the world's first, live internet broadcast of The World's Greatest Magic Show

are available at www.vegasmagicstar.com