* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #489 Date: Sunday 8th April 2007 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.Alan-Watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Buyer Beware Again - I Have Been RIPPED OFF 3. "Magic From The Heart Of Texas" - To Open Day "One" 4. Jay Marshall Auction Correct Web Address 5. 'Remarkable Magic' #1 - Nick Lewin 6. Getting To The Show: Tips and Techniques - By Kyle Peron 7. Dale Salwak's International Stars Of Magic 8. Close-Up & Personal The Tour - Jeff Ezell 9. Expect The Unexpected 10. S.A.M. Magic Center Foundation, Inc Established 11. TAOM 2007 Update 12. Kelly & Colleen Forkner Raise Funds For American Legion 13. The 20th Annual Magic Jamboree 14. Petition Against Magic Exposure 15. I Made The Cover Of Magic Magazine (April) 16. Magic Blooper Contest Gives The Lecture Network The Last Laugh" 17. Carol And Dan Garrett Need Your Help 18. The Amazing Orchante Saga 19. e-zine Archives 20 . Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Last week we brought our subscribers attention to non-delivery of goods purchased from Mr. Darin Carolus of Reno, Nevada, USA. As I mentioned last week Mr. Darin Carolus is a subscriber of Magic New Zealand ezine and we gave him the right of reply, which he has not taken up. A day after publication we find another magician, Brian Ledbetter, in a similar situation with Mr. Darin Carolus (refer item 2). If there are any other subscribers out there trying to make contact with Mr. Darin Carolus I've since found out he is a web designer ( www.z4solutions.com ) who can be contacted at his work number: 775-544-1756. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Buyer Beware Again - I Have Been RIPPED OFF -------------------------------------------- Message from Brian Ledbetter Does anyone know Darin Carolus? I don't know much about him. I know that he lives in Reno, that he builds illusions, and that he works closely with Darren Romeo as an illusion builder/technician. His website is http://www.magiccolosseum.com, but there is never any content on his website except a link to a very questionable video/3d animation. He used to constantly sell Modern Arts, Blamo Boxes, and a few other illusions he was building on eBay. I contracted Darin Carolus to build me a Blamo Box. As it turned out, he had one ready that he was going to ship to me right away. This was back in October. After I sent the check and we made arrangements for it to be shipped, I never heard from him. After not receiving it I called him a couple times. Every time I called him I got some story about how it would go out the following week. I needed this illusion for a special engagement; I was working on a deadline. Now, 4-5 months have passed and I've heard nothing. He won't return my emails or calls. Of course I have not seen the prop or a refund. Quite some time ago I sent him a letter via certified/registered mail, which I have proof that he received, asking for my money to be refunded. I gave him a deadline. He failed to meet that deadline. I filed a complaint with the Reno PD, but they aren't able to help me much because they consider it too civil, even though it is classified as fraud -- obtaining under false pretenses. A police officer sent him an email advising him that it was a felony and he should return my money. He never responded. Does anyone know him or had any problems with him in the past? Any idea how I can get my money back? As I said, there is no way I can get in touch with him because he will not return my calls, emails, or certified/registered letters. -------------------------------------------- 3. "Magic From The Heart Of Texas" - To Open Day "One" -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians "Magic From The Heart Of Texas" - To Open Day "One" of the fabulous S.A.M. Convention in Dallas (July 4) - Six home town Dallas Professional magicians will be featuring everything from illusions , comedy , and magic , plus a "Bull Whip" act at this performance. Emceed by Carl Jones, the show stars Rick Walker, Mike Squires, Jeff Lee, Mica and Judy Calfee and Dal Sanders. All will be followed by the city of Dallas Fireworks, what can be better, register now! www.magicsam.com -------------------------------------------- 4. Jay Marshall Auction Correct Web Address -------------------------------------------- Message from Geoff Goodway The address for the Jay Marshall Collection auction catalog is incorrect the h of squash was left out. If they go directly to the home page www.squashpublications.com they can down load the catalog. -------------------------------------------- 5. 'Remarkable Magic' #1 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from - Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic #1: McComb and the Coin in Bottle. I guess within one's magical memories one trick always sticks out above all others. For me it is an easy choice: it will always be the amazing impact of seeing Billy McComb perform the coin in bottle in a large showroom. The first time I saw Billy put a half crown into a Schweppes tonic bottle it astounded me. Not so much the trick itself, I was familiar with a folding coin, but the way he performed it. He made it play from the front to the back of the show room. It opened my eyes to the power that a small trick can have in a big room. Of course it was a pretty amazing scenario that McComb brought into play. He very casually borrowed any coin from the audience. The key element in that sentence was the word any. When this trick was Billy's signature piece he carried an index of dozens of different coins in his amazingly un-bulging pockets. Different coins from different countries all lovingly mutilated and reassembled in his garage workshop. With that borrowed coin at his fingertips Billy would have a volunteer hold the bottle in one hand while he tapped the coin on the base of the bottle. The loud CLICK, CLICK of the metal on glass signaled to the very back of the room that two solid objects were being used. Not much else needed to be said. Of course, being Billy there was also a hysterically funny stream of patter before that moment. I remember in particular that he would ask the spectator if there was a hole in the bottle. Nine times out of ten eager to catch out the magician, they would respond, "Yes, on the top." Billy would give them a sideways glance and mutter (directly into the microphone around his neck!) "That's not a hole it's an opening. (Pause) I can tell your honeymoon must have been a bizarre manifestation!" Classically comic McComb. But the moment that CLICK, CLICK of coin on bottle began the room went silent. Everyone's attention went to the glistening bottle and the shiny coin. When the coin arrived in the bottle the room burst into spontaneous applause. Even if you couldn't see the darn coin or the bottle you knew exactly what had happened because that ever-present microphone around Billy's neck picked up and amplified the sound. This was truly a trick where sound played as large a part as sight. When the coin arrived in the bottle you could tell by the look on the face of the spectator what had happened. When the spectator rattled the coin inside the bottle it was confirmed: nothing else to do but take the applause. We have all seen illusion shows where a multitude of big, expensive props added up to little more than a series of puzzles. However when that coin arrived in the bottle you knew that you had witnessed a miracle. What made it a miracle was the focus that Billy introduced into the trick and those two simple props. Focus created by correct lighting, correct handling and attention to detail. I once watched Franz Harrary perform his massive illusion in Lake Tahoe and just sat there in the dark wondering what these amazing effects would look like if he had mastered the art of focus that McComb could bring to a trick that in less skilled hands would be a close up trick! Quite a few people in the last six months discover the Virtual McComb segment on my NickLewin.com website. I am now slowly adding video clips to it from the McCombical Video Archives (a fancy phrase for the three cardboard boxes of decomposing VHS tapes!) that Billy entrusted me with. If you love good magic bookmark my YouTube channel and watch out for more clips as I digitalize, edit, encode and upload these gems from the mine of great magic that was Billy McComb. Please send any bricks & bouquets (or better still pictures or video of Billy for the site!) to NickLewin@earthlink.net or http://www.NickLewin.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Getting To The Show: Tips and Techniques - By Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from By Kyle Peron (US) E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com I thought I would talk a little bit about a subject that effects every performer but yet even though we deal with it all the time, we hardly ever talk about it amongst each other. I wanted to talk a bit about how do you get to your shows on time? What are different tools and tips to make getting there easy? It is my hope that some of these ideas and tips might be of help to you or at least get you thinking about this in different ways that can benefit you and your clients. The first thing we need to discuss is the importance of simply getting there and being there on time as stated to your client. Part of the reason this is so important is that it sets the tone for the event. It also is a part of my philosophy that you must always be a professional. I often say that being a professional does not start when the curtains open and end when they close. That when I state to my client I will be there at a certain time, then I make sure that I am there at that time as promised. With that said, what are some tips and ideas to ensure that you arrive at the show on time and make it easy for you. I have come across many ideas and tips and techniques over the years. Some of them came out of necessity and some from just ideas I have heard from others. I want to share some of them with you. - Create a Zone Map: This basically means that in my office I have a map on the wall. In the center is a pin that is my home base. I draw in ink circles of 20 mile radius from my home. These circles represent zones in my working or performing area. What helps is that now whenever someone calls, I can check to see what zone they are on. This allows me to get a pretty good idea of my drive time right off the bat and allows me to give a fairly accurate arrival time to my client. - Use Online Map Resources: One of the easiest methods to ensure you get to where you are going, is to use an online map resource. With the advent of the internet, there are many online websites that allow you to retrieve maps and get printed driving directions from anywhere. They give you step by step driving instructions as well as maps and an estimated time of travel. Some of the ones I use most are MapQuest.com and also RandMcNally.com. Both are pretty good and reliable and you can print out the instructions and take that with you in your vehicle. - Use Online Satellite Imagery: This is one that I recently came across a year ago and I was surprised by the find as it has really been a huge help to me. Basically I realized there are websites that will allow you to type in an address and then you can see instantly a close up satellite view of the area that you type in. You can zoom in and zoom out on different levels. The one I use can be found by going to Google.com. When you get there click on the Maps button at the top. This takes you to their map area. Type in an address you want to look for in the search menu and click "search maps". This will bring up your destination. Then click on the satellite button to see a real satellite view of the area. Zoom in to get a more detailed view. What I find so useful about this is that I can track my route and also the area I will be going to. I can zoom in and see actual landmarks that I might be passing and get a really good feel for the area. I can also print these maps out if I choose to and bring them with me. Another way I use this is that I often do a lot of outdoor performances in parks and festivals and fairs. Because of this, I can do a satellite search and zoom in on the area and see exactly what it is like where I will actually be performing. I can see what is nearby, what trees or buildings and really be able to solve any problems for myself ahead of time. - GPS Systems: One of the best investments I have ever made lately is investing in a really good GPS system for my vehicle. They cost a bit of money but it is the best investment I have made for myself and my show. It has paid for itself time and time again. If you do a lot of shows and find yourself traveling a lot to them, then a GPS is really a viable solution you may really want to look into. I personally use a Garmin model GPS system that cost me about 500-600 US Dollars. It connects into my truck with a clip and I plug it right into my cigarette lighter port. It also can run on its own battery. Because it can be taken off the clip, it can be stored for safety or transferred from one car to the other anytime you like. The GPS system is very easy to use. I simply type in my destination address and it will route me to where I need to go. It shows a detailed map with arrows and also has a voice activation feature so that it will say loudly to me when to turn, what road to turn onto and how much distance before I make the turn. This way my eyes are always on the road as they should be. If you make a wrong turn, it will automatically reroute you in a matter of seconds and send you a different route to get you back to where you are headed. This GPS system has saved me a lot of time and hassles. I no longer have to print out detailed maps or look at driving directions as I am driving. It gets me from point A to point B with no problems at all. It also has a nice feature that if you are in a location that is new to you and you need gas between shows, you can hit the gas button and it will show you all the gas stations in the area. Simply click on one and it will route you to the location. It will also show me my estimated time of arrival and change that time based on traffic flow etc. If you do a lot of shows, then this really is something to think about. I paid this off in 2 shows easily and it has really helped me to stay on track and on time for every show I do. So what can we learn about this? One is that we have to be professional and arrive on time for our client no matter what the situation. It also allows you to get there in enough time so you are not rushing or racing to get things done. You can get things set up at a pace that works for you. This sends a positive and professional impression to your client. If you have multiple shows during the same day, then some of the tips mentioned above can really help you stay on track and on time according to your schedule. By using the tips above, multiple shows can be timed out ahead of time to ensure you are leaving yourself ample time to get from one show to the next. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Dale Salwak's International Stars Of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Dale Salwak (US) The 32rd Annual edition of Dale Salwak's International Stars Of Magic kicks off the new season by coming to the Haugh Performing Arts Center, Glendora, California on April 28th with an 8 pm curtain. Michael Finney will emcee the show which features David and Dania (fresh from an appearance on the Oprah Show and a Royal Command Performance in London), Fukai and Kimika, Amos Levkovitch, Dale Salwak, and Chuck Jones and Company. Tickets are available by calling the Haugh Center directly (626-963-9411) or visiting their web site and ordering tickets online (tickets.com). -------------------------------------------- 8. Close-Up & Personal The Tour - Jeff Ezell -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell (US) Close-Up & Personal The Tour Great Night of MAGIC! April 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th Venue: Novi Sheraton (275 Freeway at 8 Mile Road & Haggerty) 2 shows nightly! Buy your tickets today and get more info from my website: www.JeffEzellMAGIC.com Ph: 248-345-0802 -------------------------------------------- 9. Expect The Unexpected -------------------------------------------- Message from Dan Stapleton (US) Interesting show I did the other night. Was hired by a huge home improvement company (I'll call...."House Deposit" just so no one really knows what popular US chain store I'm really talking about). This southern-town store location was having their annual employee party and I was hired to be their headliner for this year. Also on the show was some of the talented employee's cracking up their fellow workers by displaying their talents such as doing animal sounds (they all sounded like donkeys in heat) and singing karaoke tunes...one called "I went to bed at "2" with a "10" but woke up at "10" with a "2"!!! On the phone they were proud to tell me that they have all the lumber and resources they need to build me a nice size stage for my show. Imagine my horror when I arrived to find the stage tall enough (when standing on stage I had a nose bleed)...but just a little larger than my close-up pad! I have never performed anywhere in a "lumber isle" before. Lesson #1...provide them first with the stage dimensions needed...especially if you are to stand on the stage along with your props! I guess to them...a "tall" stage meant a "large stage". Good thing they sold ladders or I never would have been able to get up on that stage! When I arrived I pulled my car around the back of the store which had no lighting. Some guys were "loading" equipment into their van and when I asked them where I was to perform, they said..."Don't know...we don't work here!"..and they drove off. I don't think I was the only "magician" performing there that night. When mentioning this to some of the managers...they didn't know what I was talking about as that back door is "locked" all the time...especially at night. Lesson #2...don't ask questions from anyone who looks like a Popeye cartoon villain who's in the middle of his job working behind any business that has no lighting. I noticed that some of the employee's did have most of their teeth which, I suppose was why they served corn-off-the-cob, along with other things that I have seen on a "glass-bottom bus" tour. One guy had all gold teeth, two big diamond earrings, and a huge gold chain wrapped around his chest. When he asked me how much I was selling my souvenir Magic Set for ($19.95)...he looked at me and said..."I ain't got no money anyways...who you think I am...David Trump?" I knew I should have performed the "Hip-Hop" rabbits! I asked one guy where the bathroom was...and he said, "See that large oil drum at the end of the isle...we usually just go there late at night!" And then he and his buddy walked away laughing. Lesson #3... Ask those important questions before you have to "go". During a mentalism routine, I asked this tough looking gal (I think it was a gal) to think of the most unusual place she has visited. She said..."Prison." I asked her when she last visited a prison. She said, "I wasn't no visiton!" Lesson #4...Don't invite and gal up on stage who has a better facial growth than you. Since I really don't know...I'll just say that I think that many of these employee's (in my opinion) were "contract employees". I was performing the Linking Rings for this 12 year old boy who I could barely understand. I asked him how long he lived in the United States. His mother yelled out..."He was born here!" Each time I asked him a question he would turn and look at his mother who would answer for him. Lesson #5...Learn to speak Spanish. During my act I produce a real bottle of champagne, which I give to my adult female helper from the audience. What you are about to hear (read) I am not making up so help me Criss Angel. When I presented this older lady the champagne..she said...into the microphone..."I can't drink champagne!" Of course I had no idea what was coming so I said (like an idiot)..."Why not?" and she said (I swear I am NOT making this up)..."Because I have liver cancer!" I heard crickets at that moment. I realize that a situation like that is not funny...but what do you do? Lesson #6...Make sure your car keys are out and you have a full tank of gas. -------------------------------------------- 10. S.A.M. Magic Center Foundation, Inc Established -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians The S.A.M. Magic Center is becoming a reality! The Society of American Magicians is planning a new home, and it's shaping up to become one of the premier magic destinations in the world! At the recent S.A.M. National Council Meeting held in Austin, Texas, enthusiasm for the project was palpable. A new, quad-fold brochure was introduced and distributed, and a trade show exhibit booth for the convention in Dallas was on display. John Moehring described a 3-page article about the center, which will be featured in the May issue of M-U-M. magazine, along with a "tipped in" copy of the new brochure. Jay Gorham, who initiated the vision for this project during his year as National President, presides over the S.A.M Magic Center Board of Directors. (This is a non-profit 501c3 foundation) - Financial Statement available upon written request) See the complete program at www.SAMMagicCenter.com -------------------------------------------- 11. TAOM 2007 Update -------------------------------------------- Message from Joe Douglas TAOM 2007 Entertainment Chairman Come to the Sparkling City by the Sea for the Texas Association of Magicians Convention in Corpus Christi, Texas, August 31 to September 3, 2007. Please check www.taom2007.org for information, registration forms, and contest forms. We just booked our final 3 performers this week: Vince Carmen, Robert Baxt, and Stoil & Ekaterina. This year's talent is among the best. Here's the current lineup (subject to change without notice): Dale Salwak (Performer and Lecturer) J. C. Wagner (Performer and Lecturer) Aldo Colombini (Performer and Lecturer) Bill and Ruth Pitts (Performers) Paul Osborne (Lecturer and Dealer) Robert Baxt (Performer and Lecturer) Vince Carmen (Performer) Dave Mitchell (Performer and Lecturer) Stoil & Ekaterina (Performers) Dr. S. Brent Morris (Lecture on Faro Shuffle) Daniel Reyes (Performer) Marcus Eddie (Performer) Sterling Dietz (Performer) Chris Walden (Performer) Friday Night Show features: Jaramy Sissy Hir Spider Granell Eddy Au Dealers (subject to change): Diamond Don Magic Colombini Magic The Magic Parlor J. B. Magic Jam Magic Osborne Illusion Systems Ramirez Enterprise Wonderwarehouse Haines House of Cards H&R Magic Books RingsNThings II Texas Magic Supply Contest Categories: Senior (18 and older): Close-up, Stage, Club, and Comedy Junior (17 and under): Close-up and Stage (includes club and comedy) Public Shows: 3 Different, Full-Evening Shows at the Selena Auditorium Check out www.taom2007.org for information. Register early. Enter the stage and close-up contests. See plenty of close-up and stage magic. Learn from top lecturers. See you in Corpus Christi! Magically yours, Joe Douglas TAOM 2007 Entertainment Chairman douglasjp3@yahoo.com Check out www.taom2007.org (Note: All performers and lecturers have been booked. We have a FULL, fun-filled convention scheduled for you in the Omni Bayfront Hotel with the evening shows in the state-of-the-art Selena Auditorium.) ----------------- 12. Kelly & Colleen Forkner Raise Funds For American Legion ----------------- Message from Kelly Forkner (US) April 21st, in Memphis Texas, Kelly and his wife will be performing a patriotic Evening of Magic to raise funds for the American Legion to put crosses on the graves of the veterans in the cemetery. Show starts at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $7.00 and are available from the American Legion, or you can email Kelly at: flamagicman@aol.com. ----------------- 13. The 20th Annual Magic Jamboree ----------------- Message from Stan Kramien (US) The 20th Annual Magic Jamboree is almost upon us, April 27 and 28. Stan Kramien and his crew of wonder workers have put together a real big one held at the giant show arena at the big top ranch in Newberg, Oregon (just outside of Portland) in the beautiful wine country. Each year the Jamboree gestures top talent, this year Mac King, Mike Caveney, John Carney, Tina Lenert, David Williamson, David Charvet, Kramien, Chazz, Eric Pierce, Tom Gallo, Gary Savard, Mathias, and more. Seven lectures, twenty dealers, including Stevens, and Abbotts, a big magic auction and all food and drink for both days including a big Texas bar b que steak dinner is all included in the one ticket, of just $125 for magicians, and $65for a spouse, or juniors. It is the best deal in magic. Go to the website: www. Magicjamboree.com and register today. Use any major credit card through Pay Pal. Or you can call Stan direct at 503 277 2478. Trust me on this one, it is one heck of a party. ----------------- 14. Petition Against Magic Exposure ----------------- Message from Dev Mag Please take some time to sign an Online Petition Against Magic Exposure On Youtube and forward this email to your contacts. To sign The Petition Follow The Following Link: http://thiscause.org/p/show_sigs.php?p=Depot52666DB&page=70&epp=15&__USER_PAGE=71 ----------------- 15. I Made The Cover Of Magic Magazine (April) ----------------- Message from Mark Horowitz I made the cover of Magic Magazine (April) for my magic comic book collection. It is a great article and bio of me for a most unique magic collectable. It is not often that the average guy makes the cover of a magic publication, but it happened with enough trying and Stan Allen liked the idea. If you remember that I am Lee Asher`s dad and he is the famous one! I am now lecturing at the Reno, IBM convention and Calgary, PCAM convention (on magic sets and comics). -------------------------------------------- 16. Magic Blooper Contest Gives The Lecture Network The Last Laugh" -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff Hobson (US) The Last Laugh Las Vegas, 2007 - Have you ever produced a dove only to have it land on a spectator's head? Or have a kid scream when he thinks you are really going to chop off his head? Ever had a prop go haywire during a performance? Do you have a video of it? If so, The Lecture Network wants to see it and give you the chance to win prizes. Jeff Hobson and Loren Christopher Michaels have created A World of Magic...LIVE, with magic's first, interactive, internet broadcast service called The Lecture Network. The web-based service will be available in June of 2007. The grand-opening, "Open House" event will invite magicians from around the world to enjoy the festivities and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Lecture Network's studio in Las Vegas. Special guests will be Lance Burton and Mac King. Loren Christopher Michaels resides as the Network's creative director and Jeff Hobson is the host for all activities. Visitors can go to www.TheLectureNetwork.com to participate in "Magic's BEST Blooper Contest". If a magician thinks he or she has a funny, unexpected - and maybe embarrassing video of one of their performances, they are invited to submit it to be voted upon. Prizes will include a year's subscription to The Lecture Network and a trip to Las Vegas to part of the Open House festivities. The site, besides broadcasting weekly live lectures, will also broadcast "Celebrities of Magic". These LIVE, video interviews will give a forum for magic's most talented and respected individuals. The Lecture Network will also feature an up-to-date magic news service and calendar with reports of magic happenings around the world. Subscribers will also be able to view vintage magic video clips, magic bloopers and magic podcasts. There will also be a forum for members to meet and chat. All lectures and interviews will utilize an interactive "chat" window to allow viewers to ask questions in real-time with the guest. www.TheLectureNetwork.com Keep it bookmarked! ----------------- 17. Carol And Dan Garrett Need Your Help ----------------- Message from Carol and Dan Garrett (US) Our friend Ken Fletcher, owner of Magic Masters magic shops, is going to be 70 on April 28. What Dan and I would like to do is gather well wishes from his friends in magic. We would like people to send emails, letters, anecdotes, poems, anything creative that strikes their fancy. I will be compiling them in a book for him. THIS IS A SECRET!! ----------------- 18. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 150 We Leave New Zealand - For Tropical Fiji If someone had said to me that the next time I left New Zealand's shores, accompanied by my new wife, it would be many, many years (perhaps never), before we would return home, I would have laughed out loud. How could we possibly have known what fate had in store for us! Perhaps I had better start at beginning, which is usually a good place to set out. As I have mentioned previously, on several occasions, the majority of my work/ income during the Seventies was derived from performing my shows not only for small privately owned hotels, but also the various large hotel chains throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. It was during one of the runs down in the South Island, that I met 'Eric'. He was the managing this particular hotel - I've forgotten the name of it now, but it was one of those rather expensive touristy type hotels down in Te Anau or Queenstown - somewhere like that. We hit it off big time, Eric and I and, whenever I rang to say that I was heading his way, he always managed to find me a week or so, to put on my show at the hotel. It was during December of 1975, when I was again 'doing my thing' at Eric's hotel that he informed me that the company who owned the hotel had asked him if he would consider taking over the management of a beach resort/hotel in Fiji. Eric told me that it took him all of two seconds, considering, before he said, "OK". Well you would, wouldn't you! Eric was adamant that as soon he was settled in Fiji, he wanted us to pack up and fly over and join him at the hotel, making it our permanent home. He was going to pool together all the other hotels in the chain on Fiji, including others on the 'mainland', and those that were on different smaller islands of the Fijian group. Many of these were privately owned - catering for the very rich; exclusive and very expensive sun-drenched 'Islands in Paradise', perfect 'Treasures of  Tranquility', for those who could afford it; the playgrounds of internationally famous film stars etc, who wish to vanish from the eyes of the public and the invasive press for a few weeks. The idea was that we would have regular, nonstop employment for years to come. As I write this, I glance out of the window of the office/spare bedroom of our home here in England, then stare out at the snow - filled clouds, the heavy white frost that carpets the road, footpath and grass outside. The temperature outside is minus something bloody awful on this freezing winter's day of January, Friday 10th 2003; ( now April 2007 - the sun is out and very warm; can't believe it's been four years since I wrote this) and I can't help thinking back to those wonderful, heady days when I was traipsing all over the South Pacific, and say out loud - "What the hell am I doing here"; then, with a wee tear in my eye, start thinking about the 'Why's and How's', it all went down a different road. What makes it even worse is that the mail has just arrived, and amongst the usual 'Get Rich Quick' crap is a manila envelope. It is from Alan Watson, with a copy of Michael Woolf's 'MAGICANA', New Zealand's International Magazine for Magicians, Volume 49 - Number 298. Among others, it contains a wonderful (pardon my blushes), article that Richard Webster has written about our recent 'Lifetime Achievement Award, which he personally presented to us here at our home. On the back cover of the magazine are several photographs of Alan Watson and his family (on a working holiday), performing in Port Vila, one of the islands of the Vanuatu (New Hebrides) group, not all that far, relatively speaking, from New Caledonia or Fiji. Those photographs bring back so many memories for me; I was running around and performing on all those islands in the sixties, and there sure wasn't the luxury such as the 'Waterfront Bar & Grill' in Port Vila, back then. In those days it was a lot more primitive. Gilbert Thong, my old friend and promoter from Noumea, in New Caledonia, used to cart me off to many of those far flung islands to work my 2˝ hour stage show, not just in picture theatre/halls, but also in tiny remote villages, many off the beaten track. I wasn't just doing sleight of hand magic (I've never been a boxes, tubes and 'push the buttons' man), but also a mime act, ventriloquism, hypnotism and the fakir act - Fire-Eating, the Beds of Nails and Sword Swallowing. The 'Psychic Surgery' ('String Thing') wasn't in the act in those days, which is probably just as well, the natives would, more than likely have cut me open to see what else they could pull out, and thrown 'IT' as well as the rest of me, into the communal cooking pot. Joking aside, there is no doubt that primeval fear of the unknown can have disastrous consequences! -------------------------------------------- 19. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) -------------------------------------------- 20. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. 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