Cups Du Jour • Phoenix II

Hard Bona Bass Solo w/ Steps Ahead

Jaco Pastorius and Jeff Berlin 1985

Rained most of the day

Spotlight Feature • Lee Asher

How do I say it? I guess I just say that I'm a big Lee Asher fan. It goes deeper than that though. I like to consider myself a card man. I spent most of my life in pursuit of good magic with cards as an emphasis. Finally meeting Lee a few years ago was an awakening.

Lee and I had similar backgrounds, although I'm a decade older than him; he is light years ahead of me. We both started our magic careers working at magic shops at the tender age of eleven. I worked for Haine's House of Cards in Cincinnati, and he worked for Daytona Magic in Florida. Part of this early training was going to magic conventions and demonstrating in the booth. We both did this for years.

Flash forward, at 17 Lee moved to Las Vegas where he attended and graduated from the UNLV (The University of Las Vegas) with a degree in Hospitality with an emphasis in Casino Management. I guess it was there where he took "How not to get fucked with 101" I think for the final they taught the kids to loose the baseball bats and use words and lawyers.



Here's Lee with Rob Stiff blowing hot air.

So what am I trying to say here? I don't know. I dig Lee and everything he's about. You got to dig a dude who moves from Florida to Eugene, Oregon cause of the crunchy lifestyle that the Pacific Northwest provides. For those of you who don't know what that means, I'll give it to you in a nutshell. Crunchy as in granola, a wholesome lifestyle that includes lush green landscapes, mountains, and loving life to the fullest.

Lee is spearheading a grass roots movement that advocates magical artists rights and intellectual property. He seems to be able to identify trends in technology as it relates to our art in a way that is wise beyond his years. He truly wants to see the power / control put back in the rightful hands of the magicians who innovate and create the work. More power to you Lee, and all the other creative magicians who shouldn't be so fast to sell out their life's work for short sighted gains.

I've had the pleasure and honor of having Lee as a guest in my home and being one in his. Our late night sessions were epic and rarely has anyone fooled me as badly as he did again and again with the same fucking move for every classic theme. Yes, I'm talking about Pulp. I'm talking about collectors, triumph, ambitious all with this revolutionary application of an obscure concept.

Bla Bla Bla, Lee is cool, buy his shit. Hell, I bought the Ghost Twist DVD tonight just so I could trade it in.

Lee, you know I love you. . .

Keep up your good work changing the world, one fuck head at a time.

Who fucking does this. . . . Lee Asher

What you’re about to read is a personal offer from Lee Asher, based upon his personal opinion.

What: Trade-in plan for Ghost Kings DVD

Why: I want to swap your old copy of the Ghost Kings DVD with a brand new copy of the Asher Twist DVD because I feel the community should not settle for someone else’s fourth-rate attempt at my material. You deserve the best information possible.

I need your help.

I want the inferior product to disappear, and give you the real one in return.

Where: Lee's Fuck'em In The Ass Trade • Click Here

When: Right now!!! There’s no time like the present, and this deal won’t last forever!


In my opinion, the Ghost Kings DVD is a mistake.

Mistakes are useful part of the ‘learning process’, but we usually overlook how important they really are. In many cases, we forget about the trials and tribulations it took throughout our learning process.

I forgive Magic Makers, and I’ve even spoken, in person, with Rob Stiff about this (in the Minneapolis Airport). We’ve both decided it’s ‘water under the bridge’.

But, in order for this never to happen again - I feel it’s my duty to help make the consumer more intelligent.

The key to being a smarter shopper is education.

Maybe it was an impulse buy, or it was a gift, either way you didn’t know the Ghost King DVD was a substandard product. You had no idea it was the Asher Twist taught without permission by another company.


Here is your opportunity to right a wrong...


Two major reasons why you should trade in your used Ghost Kings DVD for a brand new Asher Twist DVD right now:

1. The Asher Twist is a better product. My DVD has additional detailed instructions, extra bonus options, and my personal guarantee you will be satisfied. That certainly doesn’t come with the Ghost Kings.

2. Swap your copy because you want to encourage artists and creators who devote their lives to generating original innovative material. Intellectual property is valuable to you, and getting these Ghost Kings DVDs out of circulation shows your support.



There are a few magicians in this industry, as of right now, who will stand-up and help those who need it. I’m taking money out of my own pocket to ensure you’re given the opportunity to receive the proper information. I am even going to over deliver - Act now, and I will also give you my Diving Board Double PDF worth $12.95.

Please take the initiative and trade-in those inferior products for my proper ones immediately.

Again, I don’t mind taking a loss if it means you are receiving a better product.

Visit the link below for more information on how to swap your old copy of Ghost Kings for a brand new copy of the Asher Twist DVD today.

Don’t take my word for it...

By clicking on the link below, you will activate a player so that you may see the differences for yourself. It’s important that you click on the link, and that you decide for yourself.

Even if you don’t own the Ghost Kings DVD - please take the time to look.


Lee's Fuck'em In The Ass Trade • Click Here


Thank you for your time.

Speak with you all soon.

Cheers,
Lee Asher

Ps. I don’t know how long my offer will last? Take advantage of it right now...

Off the web

Tom,

I've read your blog with great interest for some time now.

Now, even though I really do not know you, I have a very wonderful feeling on this move that you are making.

I wish you well.

God Bless You And Yours.

Best,

Vincent

Another day at the office

For the last 3 years I was the only magician down at the market. Stupid me encourages everyone and their brother to give it a try and now we have 4 guys working regularly. I think I picked a good time to leave. Here are 3 of the guys that I see almost daily down there. Laurence, Gary & Brian. At one pint today there was a magician on every corner. . . like that's gonna work. Laurence joked, telling me that he and Brian (who are room mates) are going to come down to LA as well and wanted to know where the good spots are. I told them that there were none, and that the free ride was over. They're gonna have to figure it out for themselves.



While chatting with the Larry, Mo & Curley, I spotted a guy walking down the street with a cool looking accordion. Took a quick pic.

Car issues put me on bus

Car had been running OK since I put in the sealer a few weeks ago. Yesterday the temperature gauge spiked and it no longer wanted to hold water. Kind of looked like a hose might have come undone or something. . . who knows? Blew off dancing last night cause I didn't want to further complicate matters and took the bus today to the market.



Taking the bus always feels like a field trip to the center of contemporary humanity. I keep my eyes and ears open to the sights and sounds that present themselves to my immediate vicinity. People get on and off the bus of reality. A guy with slicked back hair catches me trying to read the tattoo on his arm. He looks the other way for an extended period of time giving me a moment to try and figure out how the letters up and down his arm, in fancy script, spelling P R I D E tie into the picture of a girl wearing nothing more than a cowboy hat and chaps with her ass hanging out. The whole thing is framed in flames and she is standing in front of of a building with a sign overhead that says Saloon. To each his own.

I look to my right and notice a well tanned woman with goose bumps on her arm. I like them better than the guys tattoo. Two hispanic men sit on either side of the aisle near me and carry on in Spanish, "mire el tatuaje mudo enfrente del polluelo con el bumbs de ganso" he says. No idea what he's saying but he looks at me as though I should.

A woman in a traditional English plaid skirt suit sits down near me and smiles. I smile back and look over her shoulder towards the back of a bus. There is an interracial couple talking calmly but obviously pissed about something. I get to Pine and 1st and wait for those getting off at the stop to exit before pulling my hand truck with my street performing stuff towards the front of the bus to get off. I thank the driver for an entertaining experience, he snarls at me as I get off and the doors close behind me.

Quotes du Jour

Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.

~ Charlie Parker

Too much reaction?

What's my deal? People don't react and I over analyze the whole thing. People over react and you guessed it, I think they're insincere. What's my problem? Why can't I just be satisfied regardless of their reaction?

Lately, at the Fenix and on the street; I have been getting "OVER THE TOP" audience reactions. I have a theory about this. I call it the David Blaine learned behavior audience reaction. This new template for TV magic shows focusing primarily on audience reaction (in my opinion) has tainted the way that the Gen X viewers think that they should respond.

Too much, too little, just right? Shit, just donkey punch poor little Goldilocks and get her the way you like.



"Yo babe, it was a card trick. . . relax"

Missing my mom

Missed her on Mother's Day, missed her on my birthday. . . which by the way, in 1965 was on the same day. That's right, I was born on Mother's Day. Great gift. . . Happy mothers day. . . . a baby boy.

Just thinking about her. She was always happy to hear about the women in my life and upcoming adventures. She knew Polly and liked her. I think she would have got a kick out of this interesting turn of events.

Mike called me back in April and said that he was having a hard time of his birthday without Mom. I guess it's all sinking in. I'm not really sad, as she suffers no more. . . . just missing her.

Mike liked my comment, "To call her a whack job is an understatement". A lot of people are missing her. She was a nutty woman.

David Copperfield vs. David Blaine

Fun @ the Alki Beach Magic Studio

Last nights session, while missing core members Steve Ameden & Tim Flynn, was still a good time discussing a variety of magic related topics.

We welcomed back new guy Clay, and welcomed another new friend named Zech Johnson. David Rudd also graced us with his presence as well as Mark, Jose, Pete, Becky (fresh back from an adventure in Italy and London) and Nash.

Early in the session a few laymen friends dropped by while walking their dog in the neighborhood. It was fun to do a round robin with each of us getting a chance to see one and other perform for laymen (always more interesting than performing for each other).



Jose asked a relevant question while exploring the notion of modifying Gazzo's patter to fit his personality. He asked about the process of developing patter and we launched into a full discussion on scripting, developing and defining performing persona and establishing a point of view. It was a hearty dialog using David's performance of the pot hole trick and a twisting routine with a kicker ending that Zech performed as examples of how to fill a routine with who you are, where your coming from and what interests you.

It's rare that we have a session where theory outweighs tricks, but this was clearly what was happening last night. We discussed resource reading including books like, Magic & Meaning, Shattering Illusions, Showmanship for Magicians as well as the Mystery School Book.



Becky told us of her travels and visiting magic shops in both London and Italy. She also brought me a few gifts. A couple of coin purses made out of fine Italian Leather and a neat big die made of marble. Thanks Becky, your a sweetheart.



This is one of the coin purses she brought me! Can't say that I ever seen a coin purse like this. It's one of my weaknesses, I kind of a nut for cool coin purses.



We also talked about David Baine (who ranked #35 for the week with 10.5 million viewers) and Keith Barry (#75 w/ 5.72 million viewers). Numbers provided by my Hollywood girlfriend. She texted messeged them to me during the session. We also discussed the interesting fact that there were two magic shows aired during sweeps. Nash had taped the Keith Barry special and we gave it a look. Very cool.



The evening ended after 1AM and everyone left happy and fulfilled.

Quotes du Jour • CHANGE

You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.

- Jan Glidewell

The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.

- Peter Drucker

A new chapter in my life

I am making plans to move to LA to be with the woman I love. Is this too fast? We have only known each other for 25 years. What can I say, I love her and want to be with her. She feels the same way about me. . . go figure. The last few years have been some of the toughest I've ever experienced, and I'm finally ready to put them to rest and move on with my life.

Scary, exciting, full of hope and wonder, I wander off in the night to see the most fantastic sunrise.

When Buster gets out of school for the summer, we will go down to Los Angeles to look at neighborhoods and school districts. While he is not so happy about this impending transition, I know change is growth and with it can come some pain. Nobody knows this better than me.

Polly fills me with optimism and loves me for who I am. She remembers me when we were 15 and has seen me through all of my changes through the years. I have watched her grow into the woman that she has become, and it feels right to say that I love her. . . . for I always did.

Sword Fighting

Last year Wil turned Buster and me on to some funky version of sword fighting with thse make shift swords made out of PVC pipe, foam and duct tape. Buster made a few swords up and loves to bash around with Wil. Hell, I even got in on some of the action.



Fun stuff and a suprisingly physical sport. I quit early after Buster smacked one of my hands and then the other. Fuck it, I'm a pussy when it comes to my hands.



Wil never ceases to amaze me with his bizarre interests and passions like, magic, magick, wicca, weapons, lock picking, explosives and many more.

Distant memories

TOY STORE TO OPEN IN CAREW TOWER.(BUSINESS)

The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH); 8/1/1996; Peale, Cliff

Byline: Cliff Peale Post staff reporter

A new toy store will open Sept. 1 in the space formerly occupied by Henry Harris in the Carew Tower downtown.

Tom Frank, operator of the Industrial Strength Magic store on the skywalk level of the same building, said Wednesday he will open FunKIDelic Toys Inc. this fall. Since the last downtown toy store closed earlier this year, Frank said he hopes to plug into a niche market and attract downtown shoppers.

''I think I can sell a lot of toys,'' Frank said. ''If I can't sell toys going into the holiday season, it's my fault.''

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And another

FINDING MAGIC IN PIONEER SQUARE.(Business)

ttle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA); 1/18/2003

Byline: RETAIL NOTEBOOK

WHEN TOM FRANK MOVED to Seattle, he thought the city's downtown retail core was the spot to relocate his magic shop.

Then he discovered Pioneer Square a few blocks away. The former Cincinnati resident brought Industrial Strength Magic to the area at the end of November and now stays open until 11:30 p.m. some nights stumping bar hoppers with his card tricks.

"From my store, as I look out on First Avenue, I see nothing but opportunity," he said.

He's not the only one. At least 10 new retailers and restaurants have recently moved to Pioneer ...

Video Clip du Jour • Smoke & Mirrors Show

Video Clip • Click Here

Seattle Cheese Festival

This weekend was the start of the Seattle Spring Street Performing Season for me. Felt good to start to get in a groove and bang out a bunch of shows. The streets were closed off at the market, and it was a bit of a busker free for all.



Lot's of fun in the hot sun. I thought the official festival poster should have read "Who cut the cheese!"



It's only in the last year or so that I have really started to appreciate good cheese and how it can add to the quality of life.



The crowds were out in full force to enjoy all that the festival had to offer. To read an interesting Seattle Weekly story about the festival Click Here



This cheese was about the size of a car tire.



I told buster if he would come out and help me with my act (passing the hat) that I would give im 10% of my day.

Busker du Jour