All I Want for Christmas…

Hi all,

Bryce here.

As some of you may know, I’m one of the founders of MyLovelyAssistant.com, the internet’s largest repository of magic product reviews. Every product that gets an “official” review on our site comes through me (a couple dozen a month). I sample every DVD. I skim every book. I test out every trick.

For those of you who aren’t magicians, imagine getting a box of books or DVDs or kitchen tools from your favorite supplier every month. They’re yours to keep. All you have to do is tell the rest of the world what you think of them. Sounds cool, huh? Read on, my friends.

Luckily, I have a wonderful team of reviewers (about a dozen of them) that take on the arduous task of reviewing most of what comes in. I keep a few things for myself when they interest me or when I am the most qualified to tackle them.

These days I’m also being forced to keep more junk than I normally would. In addition to the reviews I write for the site, Jeff somehow talked me into doing a review segment every Monday night on McBrideMagic.tv. He has branded them “Kick A** Reviews.” Either the product kicks butt or needs its posterior flogged. People seem to like the hiney-kicking reviews the best, even though I take very little pleasure in ripping apart someone else’s work. But I have to give my audience what they want.

I hear from a lot of magicians that are envious of my position. I get to see all of the hot, new stuff the minute it comes out and I choose what I want to keep. It sounds like a never-ending shopping spree to them.

It’s true that I’ve learned a lot in the past decade thanks to MyLovelyAssistant. I’m still in the lead with 270 reviews. But most of the important lessons have come from the process, not the products. Here are a just a few…

The Best Magic Effect Ever!

I once wanted to write an ad that began with, “Are you waiting for someone to invent the trick that will make you a superstar?” Not gonna happen. The knives don’t make the chef. The brushes don’t make the painter. The tricks don’t make the magician.

The Tyranny of the New

There are times when I’m doing my Mystery School Monday segment and thinking to myself, “My viewers would be better off if they shut down the computer and started practicing.” Of course, I can only say this about my part of the show. The insightful and inspiring segments from my colleagues are priceless. I still can’t believe we’re not charging for this.

But, seriously, why aren’t we all working on perfecting the effects we already have instead of constantly searching for something new?

The Most Valuable Secrets are Still… Secret

We live in a hyper-connected world. Everyone has a voice and the audience can be millions. While I think this is a wonderful thing, there are pitfalls. I would guess at least thirty percent of products I receive are some “new” idea that is actually one or more of the following:

• Something old that’s been re-released, without credit or profit for the originator, and being sold by someone who hasn’t done their research.
• A half-baked idea that was cooked up in a dorm room, shot with a cell phone camera, tested on some drunk friends, and then considered “good enough” to release on a $30 one-trick DVD.
• A couple of flashy moves, deceptive only to a correctly-positioned camera and presented without context, script or premise.

I’m blessed to have spent the past two decades working with and learning from Jeff, Eugene, Tobias and all of the other professionals that are part of the Magic & Mystery School‘s extended family. What we say on the web site and in our ads is really true: The best learn from the best. While many people think that all of the secrets are readily available for free on the internet or a DVD, they’re only fooling themselves. The most important secrets are still passed directly from teacher to student, behind closed doors. The reason they’re called Master Classes is because we’re doing our best to create the next generation of Masters.

So, Santa, here’s all I want for Christmas (yes, he gets the Museletter; doesn’t everyone?):

• The continued and unwavering support of my teachers and friends at the Magic & Mystery School
• The diligence to continue spending at least 30 minutes every day working on my magic, and
• A pony.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Bryce

P.S. I realize that was probably the worst preface to a sales pitch ever, but people want honesty these days and that’s what I’m giving you, at least as I see it. If you believe that the best learn from the best, we’ve just created a couple of new ways for you to gain access to our faculty of master teachers.

If you have a magician in your life that is ready to take the next step towards mastery, we have just added Magic & Mystery School Gift Certificates to the catalog. You can find them in the YouRMagic Shop

We’d also like your help testing out a new concept: The Keys to the Magic & Mystery School. Jeff (with a lot of programming from yours truly) premiered the concept during his recent European tour. We’re working on the next phase and have three Keys to offer you for the 2011 Holiday Season:

• The Key to Beginning Manipulation
• The Key to Magic 24/7
• The Key to Card Manipulation
  

My plan is to only leave them up through December, 2011. If people like them, we’ll keep working on the concept and create more and better versions for some day in the future.

From Tobias:

Thanks, Bryce! I’d just like to chime in to remind you all that while we love the “original” 3-day master classes, we only managed to schedule one of them for 2012 – and it is Jan. 27-29. If you’ve been thinking of trying one of our classes, but may not yet be ready for the full investment of a week, the 3 days class is a fantastic way to quickly raise the level of your magic.

We’ve also just posted our first ever 10-day “Career Enhancement Seminar.” This will be limited to 10 professional or soon to be professionals who want to learn as much about creating their own successful business in magic as possible, in as short a time as possible. Think of it as an MBA in the magic business. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the description of the course it won’t be for everyone, but for those of you that it’s perfect for…well, we promise an enlightening 10 days.

All the best for a magical holiday!

Tobias
tobias@yourmagic.com

Thanksgiving Museletter

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

–Albert Schweitzer

Greetings friends,

Abbi here, writing from the House of Mystery, to say thank you. Each and every one of you reading these words, right now, at this very moment, has been touched by the light of magic, whether it’s been at our Magic and Mystery School here in Las Vegas, at one of our seminars or lectures near your hometown, or through our virtual magical world online… and we have been touched by your magic, too. So thank you, for rekindling our flames, over and over again.

I would just like to take a moment to tell you that I am most grateful for Jeff. We celebrated ten years of a happy marriage together a few months ago, and as each day goes by, I find myself falling more and more in love….

At every class we offer here at the School, we learn something from, and are inspired by, the students who attend. It is a wonder to see returning students, year after year, improving in their magical art by leaps and bounds, gaining recognition, appearing before the public, and winning competitions. Your victories re-ignite our spark.

A person however learned and qualified in his life’s work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.

— Hazrat Inayat Khan

One of the many things I am deeply grateful for is the fact that I get to be around some of the very best magicians in the world. I have the chance to share time and space, not only during the classes, but in the mornings before the students arrive, and late in the evening, around the fireplace. I will tell you this; I have seen, again and again that when people spend their time doing what they love, they are happy. Yes, there are the trials and tribulations of life we all face, challenges we all encounter, but on a deep, inner level, there is a sense of contentment with one’s choices, of satisfaction with work well done that is rewarding, and of an inner peace, knowing that we are on a path of our own choosing… and magic is a sublime path, indeed.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

–John Fitzgerald Kennedy

As we approach this time of Thanks-giving, when once in the year, we pause to remember to be grateful, I invite you to consider amplifying the gratitude current in your daily life. Perhaps you might pause before getting out of bed each morning, and take a moment to be grateful for another day embodied, to have senses that bring information about the world, mobility, imagination, good rest, beloved family and friends. Once you get started, the list could go on and on. If we are grateful for the gifts we receive, let us find ways in our worlds to give back, to live by the gratitude we feel, not just on one day each year, but consistently and conscientiously. Thanks!

Your friend in magic,

Abbi

From Tobias:

As this goes out, Jeff is wrapping his extended tour in Europe – Amsterdam, France, Denmark, Sweden and Hungary. We should have a report from him on the tour in our next Museletter.

In the meantime, we all want to especially thank those of you in the magic community who have hosted – or plan to host – The McBride Magic Experience. We’re enjoying growing and improving this special two-day event, with show, lecture and workshop all in a single, easy to produce package.& It provides a way for local magicians around the world to bring Jeff’s work to their local audiences with a minimum of risk, and, we hope, a maximum pay-off for all involve.

Finally: The holiday season is upon us. We have some special gifts for you already in the Secret Arts Journal and PEP talks on line (go to www.magicalwisdom.com to find them), and there will be more coming at http://shop.yourmagic.com in the coming days and weeks. I hope you’ll visit and take advantage of the free downloads (and maybe even shop for some of our old and new products from Jeff, Eugene and our other team members).

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com

‘Tis the season for giving gifts

“The greatest gift is to give people your enlightenment, to share it. It has to be the greatest.”

— the Buddha

Dear Friends:

Over the past year, I have been working away creating new magical offerings to our friends in the magic community that I hope they (and all of you) will find enlightening.

One of my personal philosophies is that you can’t give a magical experience unless you have had one. You can’t give a gift you do not possess.

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of a magical experience. Here are a few of the ways that we’ve made it easy for you!

One on One Time!

This is a way I can connect with you or your friend online and share my experience in magic. You can perfect a move, learn a new routine, work on ideas for character, presentation, business, marketing, or learn my inside tips on managing people, have a lively discussion on the art of magic, or anything else you can imagine….

*Online Skype sessions: are fun and easy and a great way to share magic.

http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/infopages/view/skype

Private or Small Group Classes: 

If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, set up you own custom session by calling Abbi at 702-450-0021.

Master Class:

We have three and seven day classes available. You can find full information on how to attend here:

http://www.magicalwisdom.com

Tricks & Tools of the Trade:

We have also been creating new magical products and tools for magicians at all levels of experience.

The Perfect Palming Coin

Squeak Technique & Bravo

Essential Card Manipulation

Free Online Resources

The faculty and friends of the Magic and Mystery School have created over forty hours of free online magic lessons for you and your friends. Please click the link below to find many more free magic teaching materials and inspiration.

McBride’s Mystery School Monday
MONDAY AT 7 PM PACIFIC TIME

LIVE magic, reviews, celebrity interviews & news reports from around the world with Jeff McBride and the Mystery School faculty: http://www.mcbridemagic.tv

I am currently on tour in Europe, and will be home just in time for Thanksgiving. I wish you all a happy holiday season!

Jeff

Euro Tour 2011

Photo Copyright 2011 by L.Donin ncportraitmagic.com

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

Greetings friends,

One Thing Needed

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

— Leonardo da Vinci

Dear Friends:

We are delighted to have this week’s contribution from none other than our Dean of the Magic & Mystery School, Eugene Burger:

One Thing Needed

Eugene Burger

I have the opportunity to watch a great amount of magic performed each year. Happily, I really enjoy performances of magic. And I am still learning. Over the years, one thing I have realized is that very often a thoughtful performer can learn as much from watching bad performances of magic as we do from watching good ones. From bad performances, we can learn what we do not want to do and be – and learning what we don’t want can be a lesson that is be truly priceless.

Not only do I have the opportunity to watch magic, I often have the opportunity to talk to many magicians – and magicians from many countries. Perhaps, not surprisingly, I often hear the same comments from them:

“I want my magic performances to be better.”
“I want to take my magic to a new level.”
“I want to figure out who my character is.”
“I want my magic to have more power and impact.”

These are revealing comments. They lead us to big questions: questions that are exceedingly important if we do, indeed, want our performances of magic to have more power and impact. The problem is how to begin.

I am here reminded of a Buddhist teaching. In Buddhism, there is the Eight-Fold Path,” the path a believer must travel on the way to personal enlightenment. Yet, before one begins to travel this Path there is what might be thought of as a preliminary step, the step before the first “official” step – and this preliminary step is Right Association. To practice Right Association, we need to spend less time with negative people who bring us down and, instead, spend more time with positive people who want us to succeed and actualize some of our dreams.

To deal with these questions about our magic – and to answer them for ourselves – requires many things. It certainly requires sacrifice which may be different for each of us. Priorities will probably need to be arranged and rearranged. Yes, many elements are needed. Here, I want to consider one of them. I am not saying that other things aren’t more important but only that this is one thing very definitely needed. Perhaps it is more like the preliminary step of Right Association in Buddhism. What I want to consider is a sense of urgency.

A sense of urgency comes from the realization that I do not have forever. I do not have forever with my life and I do not have forever with my magic. If I am going to change my performances of magic so they have more power, then I must act. I must act now. I do not have forever. Perhaps the automobile that is going to run over me and kill me in three months is, at this very moment, having its final coat of paint applied in some factory in Michigan! And, if that were to happen, I would be dead and no one would ever get to see that great new performance!

A sense of urgency reminds me that I do not have forever and yet can become so caught up in my “thoughts about improvement” that I never take any real steps to improve. Instead, I become stuck in my thoughts. Perhaps trying to figure things out before I take that first real step.

Some of the magicians I meet in my travels have this sense of urgency. Most, I am afraid, do not. Perhaps they think they do have forever. Perhaps the dream of improvement is better than the work – and possible failure! – of improving. Perhaps they don’t think much at all.

Lacking a sense of urgency, one faces the danger of living in unfulfilled dreams, living in our thoughts.

And acting out of a sense of urgency can be the first step to changing our relation to our magic in truly amazing ways.

As a footnote, I realize that not all of the people reading these words are magicians. Some have no interest in performing magic at all. If you are one of these individuals, I wonder what a sense of urgency might do for you as you face the path you have chosen to travel.

Website Update from Bryce:

We just posted another wonderful Secret Art Journal article from Mario Morris:  Mario’s Top Ten Tips for Street Performing.

From Tobias:

Thank you, Eugene! One of the great pleasures of working with Jeff and Eugene on our Master Classes is that I get to listen to Eugene deliver talks just like the article above every time I go to Las Vegas. He always makes me think, and take my art just a bit more seriously after I listen to him. I’m sure it is the same for all of you!

The holiday season is practically upon us, and Jeff McBride has been busy creating some of those “must have” goodies for all the magicians reading this:

“Squeak Technique” was originally going to be “Bravo,” the teaching of Jeff’s commedia dell’arte inspired handling of his ball and bowl routine, using a commedia character he developed and a special squeaker gimmick. But when he demonstrated the product at last summer’s IBM national convention, the enthusiasm for the squeakers themselves and their many uses was such that Jeff decided to hold back the product until he could add more material for the squeakers – and until we could actually find a source for them in bulk and actually include two of them with each DVD. The result is a DVD with twice as much material, and two of the special squeaker gimmicks. It is now available in our on line catalog: http://shop.yourmagic.com.

Jeff has also created two (actually three) new utility items for those of you who are into manipulation magic: Jeff McBride’s Palming Coins and his special new manipulation cards. There are two versions of the new cards, each designed with flesh-tone backs in a new ‘McBride’ design, and available both in the heavier weight Jeff uses for his card spinning and bouncing routine, and in an ultra-thin manipulation and fanning weight, unlike anything else currently on the market.

Beyond the new products, I should remind you: Now is the time to put together your Christmas Wish Lists, and few things can do more to help you take your magic to the next level than a visit to the McBride Magic & Mystery School. We now have the schedule posted on line for courses throughout the coming year. As I understand it, we even have one or two slots left for this year’s Master Class for Mentalists, October 13-15. If you’ve been thinking now is the time for a serious upgrade for your magic, please visit www.magicalwisdom.com right now and register for one of the upcoming classes. We have had to turn away students at the last several classes – they fill up quickly. So make sure you get in, and register early.

For our friends in Europe, Jeff will be over there with you very soon. First for the “Las Vegas in Bodoe” convention sponsored by the Magic Circle of Norway, and then for a tour that goes from Amsterdam to France to Denmark, Sweden and Hungary. Click the calendar for specifics of each stop. Jeff is both performing and teaching in almost every one of the locations where he stops, so sign up early for the workshops if he’s going to be near you.

That’s all from me for now. Best wishes for a magical fall season!

Sincerely,

Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com