* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #364 Date: Sunday 6th November 2005 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. Distressing News About John And Tammy Calvert 3. John Carney LA Shows 4. Hope Through Magic 5. English Week At The Magic Castle 6. Abbott's 27th Annual Close Up Convention 7. Sierra Sorcerers 8. The Passing Ormond McGill - A Great Man 9. Movie News 10. Sam Schwartz Named "Magician Of The Year" 2006 11. Chuck Fayne At Dante's 12. Great Magic Auction - Houston 13. Broken Wand - Harry Sankey - Dunedin, NZ 14. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 13 15. 'When Magic Tricks Go Wrong' 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Broken Wand - Bob Lynn - "Tony Raven" Message from Richard Webster (NZ) I regret to advise that Bob Lynn, better known to the magic world as Tony Raven, died on November 3rd, at the age of 75. He was a member of the New Jersey Magician's Society, the Magician's Guild of America, and IBM Ring #162 in Plainfield, NJ. He served as president of this ring in 1963. In July 1973, Tony established "Invocation" magazine, which was dedicated to "Weird and bizarre magick and mentalism." In 1978, he was one of the founders of the Psychic Entertainers Association, and served as president from 1978 to 1983. Tony worked tirelessly to promote mentalism and bizarre magic, and his efforts influenced a whole generation of performers in these fields. His many publications are Tony's legacy to future generations of mentalists. Over the last twenty years, Tony and his wife, Mary, promoted Native American Awareness with a series of programmes that they held in schools, churches and civic organisations. Tony and Mary visited New Zealand twice in the early 1980s, and I have many memories of their visits. Possibly the most striking of these was watching the amazement in his spectators' faces when Tony performed an impromptu effect at the Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant in Auckland using objects that happened to be on the table. That was real magic. Whaley's Who's Who In Magic: Lynn, Bob "Tony Raven" (USA: fl.1940s-80s) Prominent psychic entertainer, bizarrist, & escapist as "Tony Raven". Collector. Co-founded the Psychic Entertainers Association 1978. PEA President 1978-83. Published-edited The Blue Sheet 1962-63 (6 issues), Private Journal 1972-73 (3 issues). As "Tony Raven" published-edited Invocation 1974-78, Raven Report 1977-79 (4 issues), & New Invocation 1979-81. Co-edited (with Scott Gordon) Psychikos 1980-81 (2 issues). Wrote The Necromantic Grimoire of Augustus Rupp (1974), a forcing book. Audio (1980). See Marc Tessler, Bizarre Magic: An Interview with Bob Lynn (1977, 8pp). --------------------------- Really nice article on Maria Ibañez (National First Vice President S.A.M.) in the Miami Herald. Go to: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/13034836.htm --------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Distressing News About John And Tammy Calvert ----------------- Message from Burns Scandrett (Delarno) (NZ) On Monday, we received distressing news that John and Tammy Calvert were somewhere lost at sea in their yacht, "The Magic Castle II," due to Hurricane Wilma in Florida. We breathed a sigh of relief when we received the below article from the newswire: Surviving Wilma on the waves Couple ride out terror as John Calvert, 94, and his wife, Tammy, 63, survive Wilma on a runaway boat Laurin Sellers Sentinel Staff Writer Posted October 26, 2005 Retired stunt man John Calvert, 94, and his wife, Tammy, 63, row back to shore Tuesday after being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. They spent a rough day Monday on their 67-foot boat after Hurricane Wilma destroyed the dock to which the craft was tied in Merritt Island. MERRITT ISLAND -- At the height of Hurricane Wilma, John Calvert stood on the bow of his yacht in the Banana River struggling with a frayed anchor line. If it snapped, the 94-year-old man was certain the fierce winds would send his boat crashing into the Mathers Bridge. Inside the thrashing 67-foot vessel, Calvert's wife, Tammy, prayed. "I was scared to death," she said Tuesday. "I thought it was the end of us." Hours earlier, Tammy Calvert, 63, who can't swim, had urged her husband to leave the yacht they call home and ride out the storm at a friend's house. But Calvert, a former stuntman, magician and adventurer who has flown blindfolded and once doubled for Clark Gable, was convinced they would be fine. The yacht he had helped build 25 years ago was tied to a dock and was weighted with seven anchors. But as the winds howled Monday afternoon, a nearby dock suddenly broke apart and slammed into the dock where the Calverts' boat, the Magic Castle II, was moored. "I had to cut the moor lines and all but two of the anchor lines loose so I could get away from the dock," Calvert said. He managed to start the motor and steer toward the middle of the Banana River about 100 yards from shore, where the water is 20 to 25 feet deep. Despite near-100 mph winds, 5-foot waves and pounding rain, Calvert still was convinced they would be safe. Then he noticed the fraying line. "I had to get that part of the rope pulled in so it wouldn't break," he said. "I have to say, I was getting very concerned." Using a cell phone with a dying battery, Calvert called his friend Bob Green and asked him to get help. Green called 911 and then the U.S. Coast Guard. But even before Green called him back, Calvert knew nobody would come for them. The winds were too strong to send a helicopter, and all the boat ramps were flooded, Coast Guard Petty Officer Ben Fleming said. "I already knew I would have to figure my way out," said Calvert, adding that the Coast Guard kept close tabs on them, calling every hour. Somehow, Calvert managed to secure the anchor line, and the couple spent the rest of the night huddled inside the stranded yacht. Early Tuesday, a Coast Guard vessel brought the weary pair to shore. By late afternoon, a diver from a salvage company was trying to untangle a mass of ropes and lines in the murky water, some of which had gotten caught in the boat's propeller. "I don't have a bone or a muscle in my body that isn't aching," Calvert conceded. "I've never worked so hard in my life." Tammy Calvert spent the morning on the phone with her sister. "We both just cried," she said, the tears suddenly welling. As for the Magic Castle II, Calvert said he had decided to sell it just days before the hurricane hit. Tammy Calvert couldn't be happier. "This was like going through hell," she said. Other friends who have been hit hard in the Florida area like Guy Bavli, who called the other day to say they won't have power for 3-4 weeks are also doing well, despite the inconvenience. We're also hoping to get in touch with Ulf Morhling and Lawrence Lemon, both of whom live in the hardest-hit area of Florida. Hopefully, they'll read this and get in touch with us; we want to make sure they are doing OK. ----------------- 3. John Carney LA Shows ----------------- Message from John Carney (US) I am doing my theatre show in LA again, Weekends in December, 2-24 (closed Christmas Day). Ticket info, show description, etc..... Are at http://www.carneymagic.com/WonderCab.htm Carney's Wonder Cabaret Comedy - Melody - Astonishment The Magic is Back! Weekends in December December 2 - 24, 2005 (closed Christmas Day) Wonder Cabaret is much more than a magic show! Carney astounds as much with his stories, characters and unique presentations as with his world class sleight of hand. Wonder Cabaret combines Carney's love of magic, comedy, and music into a unique evening of entertainment. Have a magic lesson with Faucett Ross! Chill as Dr. Klien makes a ghost appears and flex its muscles! Catch Mysto-mania with Mr. Mysto! LA Weekly "... a blessing ... Carney's an amiable, quick-witted Iowan with a twinge of sarcasm under his breath ... seamless technique ... makes a mockery of empiricism and the known mechanics of the universe." The Tolucan "... he will astound you with his unique magic and charms you with his stories and characters ... fresh and unique ... inventive ... go see it!" Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm Sunday Matinee at 2 pm All Tickets $15 Reservations 818 506 0600 Actor's Forum Theatre 10655 Magnolia Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601 http://www.actorsforumtheatre.org/ --------------------------------------------- 4. Hope Through Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Jamie G (Canada) The "Hope Through Magic" show held Wednesday October 19 2005 at the Windsor Public Library was a big hit. All the money made from this show went to the Salvation Army relief efforts for the victims of hurricane Katrina. The main performers were magicians from The Windsor magic circle I.B.M. ring 116 but the show also included three clowns from the city of Windsor as well. The magician line up from the show is as follows. Scott Rawlings, Wayne Tellier, Johnny Ould, Steven Paul, Patrick Knight, Jamie-G, Brad Toulouse, Nate Buckwell. With special guest Clarol the clown, Kiwi the clown and Trixi the clown. The Hope through magic show almost lasted two hours and to be quite honest the magic fellowship was awesome. One night shortly after hurricane Katrina hit as I watched in horror on C.N.N. I called the Windsor Magic Circle President Brad Toulouse on the telephone and asked him what can we do. As we were talking we both came up with this idea for the show and we both went to work on it. I would like to thank everyone who had helped in this very special show and is one way of magic giving back to others and giving people hope to move on. I'm very proud of the members of the Windsor magic circle once again thank you.....Jamie-G Past-President of the Windsor magic circle I.B.M. ring 116. --------------------------------------------- 5. English Week At The Magic Castle -------------------------------------------- Message from Terry Seabrooke (UK) A great week at the Magic Castle where the Centenary of The Magic Circle was celebrated. Very good audiences and the hospitality were terrific and all the circle performers registered very well. In the close up room Marc Oberon for his first ever visit to the Castle was just terrific and proved very popular. Michael Vincent was his usual terrific self and I know of many members who came just to see him. The Palace of Mystery show was all you could expect from the stars of the magic circle with President Alan Shaxon as MC, Romany with the female touch as lovely as ever and first timer Peter Wardell who proved very popular. The Parlour featured Tim Shoesmith and Terry Seabrooke who between them entertained in their most entertaining styles with the laughs flowing out to the nearby bar. In the WC Fields bar was John Star with his bar style magic and he had very good crowds down there. The Sunday lecture was given by President Alan Shaxon who spoke about the history of The Magic Circle and also one of the greats...Robert Harbin. Following this was a delightful party given by the castle and the week came to an end with some words from Alan Shaxon and Castle President Dale Hindman. Long time Castle and Circle member Billy McComb had cast his fatherly eye on all the proceedings of the week. Thank you magic castle on behalf of the Brits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --------------------------------------------- 6. Abbott's 27th Annual Close Up Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Hank Moorehouse (US) March 24, 25, 2006 will be the 27th year magicians have gathered in Colon for Abbott's Annual Close Up Convention. This year it will feature Mike Powers, David Solomon and Eric DeCamps. We'll also have our One Trick Peoples Choice Contest with $300 in merchandise prizes, Banquet, Mini Auctions, Close-up Show and more. Always a sell out. Advance registration is only $65.00. Contact Greg Bordner at 269 432 3235. --------------------------------------------- 7. Sierra Sorcerers -------------------------------------------- Message from Leroy & Lynn Goodenough The Sierra Sorcerers held their annual Magic contest and Genny the Genie (Genny Sanders) 13 year old won the Golden Wizards Trophy in the adult division of the contest. She will once again be returning to the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas (February) to compete in the Jr. division. Magical Michael (Michael Hasko) 16 years old won the Jr. division. --------------------------------------------- 8. The Passing Ormond McGill - A Great Man -------------------------------------------- Message from Stan Kramien (US) What sad news to read of the passing of this great man. I used to promote and do Seminars with him. We also worked one time doing stop smoking in some Holiday Inns. Ormond was without a shadow of a doubt, the KINDEST man I have ever known. He was a prolific writer. I have a large box of unpublished manuscripts he sent me, along with publication rights, this is a large project, but this valuable information should be made available to those interested. Oh yes, my Magic Jamboree for next year is May 19 and 20 stankramien@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------- 9. Movie News -------------------------------------------- Message from Richard Walls (NZ_ The evergreen Michael Caine is as busy as ever. He is soon to join Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Julianne Moore in The Children Of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Following that, he will re-team with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan and co-star Christian Bale for The Prestige in which he will play a retired magician who teaches tricks to younger magician (Hugh Jackman) who has developed a bitter rivalry with another magician (Bale). --------------------------------------------- 10. Sam Schwartz Named "Magician Of The Year" 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean of THE Society Of American Magicians New York City- November 4, 2005 Society of American Magicians Parent Assembly #1 Sam Schwartz Named "Magician Of The Year" 2006 The Parent Assembly # 1 of the Society of American Magicians announced its selection of Sam Schwartz as the 2006 "Magician of the Year". Sam is the Dean of the Parent Assembly and has been member for 48 years. He is best known for his "Back Flip" and other moves making him a pioneer of the packet tricks. Sam's award will be presented at the Parent Assembly Annual -Salute to Magic Show" on April 8 in New York City. Details and updates can be found at www.sampa1.com --------------------------------------------- 11. Chuck Fayne At Dante's -------------------------------------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Chuck Fayne wanted me to let everyone know that he'll be appearing on Monday night at Dante's. Monday, November 7 admission $10. Show starts at 8pm. http://www.dantesfitzroy.com.au/ --------------------------------------------- 12. Great Magic Auction - Houston -------------------------------------------- Message from Doug Kornegay (US) S.A.M. Assembly No. 19 and the Houston Association of Magicians Annual Auction Needs Help. Please let me know what you are planning to bring to the auction. I need items to list for one of the flyers (handbills). This will be published before the auction. Photos as Jpeg. file of the items would be great. Here are a couple of folks bringing things: 1. Bill Palmer - Effects from his Wizard Show. 2. Jamie Salinas - SHOWTECH - The Ultimate in wireless sound cues. If you need Bid Sheets (forms) and will not be attending the S.A.M. - H.A.O.M. Meeting, Monday night November 7, please phone or send your request by e-mail to: Dick Olson - Phone 281/579-6141 - e-mail - oly.olyson@swbell.net. See you at the Great Magic Auction. Sunday, Nov. 13th. I.A.T.S.E. Hall 3030 North Freeway (I-45) Doors open 1p.m. Auction starts at 2p.m. Thanks, Doug Kornegay dougk@howdy.net --------------------------------------------- 13. Broken Wand - Harry Sankey - Dunedin, NZ -------------------------------------------- Message from David Taylor & Murray Craig - Forwarded on by Brent McLeod We are sad to report the death (last week) of a dear, life-long friend Harry Sankey. In his 83rd year Harry began in magic around 70 years ago and was recognised as one of Dunedin's "characters" having presented magic, fire-eating and hypnotism regularly over the years. Very few local performers have not been asked at some venue or other: "I used to watch Harry Sankey's shows. Is he still doing magic?" We always answered in the affirmative because Harry was very active up until the last year or so. In the early years his skills were honed during the Second World War where all he could carry with him were some coins and a pack of cards. A one hour show using these meagre pieces of apparatus would perhaps be boring when presented by some magicians but in Harry's hands, it was always a top-class show because he was an entertainer first and foremost! The early years saw him do a hypnotism show (on radio!) but his first love was performing on the show grounds or under canvas and only several years ago, he worked with small family circuses when they played in this area. Local shows also benefited from Harry's experience and he appeared in such productions as "Barnum" "Hi Jinks Revue" and several small parts in Shakespearian productions. He did several television commercials and appeared in an episode of The Ray Bradbury Theatre filmed at Dunedin's Larnach Castle. A foundation member of the Otago Magic Circle, Harry appeared in their productions of "Magically Yours" where he featured the illusions "Bangkok Bungalow" and "Burning A Woman Alive". The latter caused some problems when Harry inadvertently poured on too much fuel and almost set His Majesty's Theatre alight! Fortunately this didn't happen but he certainly lit up our lives over the years and we will miss him dearly. ----------------- 14. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 13 ----------------- Message from Tony Lewis (US) A look at two excellent dice stacking reference sources. #13 in the dice stacking series Hi fellow magic enthusiasts, In the prior two articles in this series, I described how I purchased a gorgeous set of eight custom made dice from the notorious K.C. Card and Dice Company and also received a lesson in recognizing marked cards from one of the salesmen of that company. The next logical step would be to describe how I made use of my newly acquired excellent tools. I will proceed to do just that in article #15 . However, I would like to interrupt the narrative at this point to make you all aware of two noteworthy dice stacking reference sources that I have acquired since the series began. I still firmly believe that "The Dice Stacking Book" and "The Dice Stacking Video" by Todd Strong are the best two teaching vehicles on the art of dice stacking. The "Dice Stacking Video" has recently been converted from VHS to DVD. This has resulted in the price going from $19.95 US to $24.95. The book remains priced at $10.00 US. I consider either of these items to be a terrific buy. You can obtain them from Todd Strong himself at http://www.toddstrong.com/page7.htm or you can contact him directly at Tstrong@whidbey.com or 360-945-0786 (US). The book and video can also be obtained from many magic dealers. After I began the dice stacking series, I was contacted by Donald Wallace, owner of Magic Books by Post. This is a British company located at Bedminster, Bristol. Donald and I had a very interesting exchange of emails. He was kind enough to send me a complimentary copy of "Bernard's Lesson on Dice Stacking." He also included a very impressive catalog of magic books that he carries in inventory. The Bernard book was originally published in 1979 by Lewis Ganson as part of his Magic Teach-in Series. Donald is selling it for £7.50. This soft-bound book presents its material very well. It contains excellent black and white photos of the action. However, it consists of only twenty-three 7X10 inch pages. Thus it could hardly be called a bargain. For what it's worth, Todd Strong informed me that he picked up some dice stacking pointers personally from the book's author, Bobby Bernard. I would recommend the Bernard book as an excellent historical document. It makes an interesting supplement to Todd Strong's material. This publication can be acquired from Magic Books by Post at www.magicbooksbypost.co.uk - magicbooks@blueyonder.co.uk. Phone and FAX +44(0)9774409. I would presume that it is also carried by other magic dealers. After I sent an advanced copy of this article to Donald Wallace, he then informed me of the following facts: 1. He is the unique supplier of "many, many" magic titles. 2. Although the books in the Ganson Magic Teach-in series are not cheap, their prices have not been raised in the last ten years. At this point I would like to mention the following. I am sent several complimentary magic tricks, books, and videos over a year's time. When I am given something that in my opinion has definite merit, I give it a plug. In the great majority of cases, I thank the donor but state that the particular item does not appeal to me. As a matter of courtesy, I almost never give a donated item a bad review. If I don't like it, I just put it aside. The only exception to this practice occurs when I feel that an item is a clear cut rip-off of an existing effect or when the donated material is shoddily made or outrageously overpriced. Of course in today's market, it is very difficult to determine what constitutes overpricing. I am the recipient of a well known dealer's periodic flyers. They always contain several effects that are priced way beyond my budget. I am not talking about illusions here, just about tricks that can be performed close-up and cost several hundred US dollars. There is no doubt that magic prices have come a long way since I read my first Holden's magic catalog in the 1940's and I am making liberal allowances for inflation when I state this fact. In those days there were extremely few magicians who could afford a pricy trick. Many close-up effects were constructed by the performer in his private workshop. Allowing for inflation, almost all of the others would sell today for well under $50. OK, back to the subject at hand. This Dice stacking series has also resulted in my receiving a terrific complimentary DVD from Meir Yedid, owner of Meir Yedid Magic. The title of the video is "Gerry's Extreme Dice Stacking." I had heard good reports on this DVD from Todd Strong and a couple of other people so I was very anxious to view it personally. *I was not disappointed. In my opinion, Gerry is the best dice stacker I have ever seen. Yes, I believe that he is even better than Todd Strong.* And with that intriguing statement I will terminate this instalment in the dice stacking series. In my next article, I will explain in detail why I am so impressed with the Gerry DVD. At the suggestion of Alan Watson, the esteemed publisher of Magic New Zealand, I will be including my email address at the end of this article as well as in future ones. I always acknowledge all emails received. If you wish to ensure that your message will not be accidentally trashed along with all the SPAM that I encounter daily, just begin the subject line with "MAGIC NZ" That will surely get my attention. Regards, Tony L. Lewis - tonylew@concentric.net ----------------- 15. 'When Magic Tricks Go Wrong' ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard - 'The Amazing Orchanté Last week Alan published the following: 'Have just finished doing an interview in London for a TV show entitled, 'When Magic Tricks go Wrong'; should be shown here in the U.K. around the end of November/ December'. I have discovered that 'when Magic Tricks Go Wrong', is part of a whole week of 'Conjuring Tricks Going Wrong...' Etc. which will be shown in the U.K. on Channel E4 first, then on Channel 4 later. I'm in very good company - I think the producers have interviewed just about every Major Magician in the world - Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, The Pendragons', Blackstone Jnr; , Penn and Teller and many, many more. Marvellous isn't it - here I am retired and I'm STILL getting all this TV exposure. Oh well, as long as they are talking about me!!!! ---------------------- Veronica and I congratulate fellow Kiwi - Ross Skiffington, who was presented with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by Alan & Michele Watson on behalf of the 'Magic New Zealand Entertainment Committee'. at the IBM Kiwi Day of Magic Oct. 2005. We saw Ross many years ago - 1980 something, when he presented his theatre show in Sydney, Australia, for the first time. Ross, to this day, has absolutely NO idea how close it came, to several irate Australians, and me - thumping the hell out of a most obnoxious drunk who had, somehow, got past the security and theatre door staff five minutes before his show was due to start. The 'Drunken Hobo' was making an absolute 'Pain in The Proverbial Arse' of himself to various patrons, and then wandered onto the stage and started 'playing around' with some equipment... How I restrained myself still puzzles me today - but Ross came mighty close to receiving a very black eye etc. from 'The Amazing Orchanté' that night! Why? Because it WAS Ross Skiffington himself, acting out the part of a 'Most Irritating, Loathsome, Drunken Bum', dressed in torn rags - which just goes to prove how good his wonderful acting skills are, over and above his various magical talents! Good on yer' mate! ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 74 'I can resist everything, except temptation' Here is how I 'saw' it. After being 'caught out' in the bar by Sharon, 'Red Handed', I was not a very happy man, as you might imagine. We'd had an almighty 'row' in the hotel office, which had also served as my dressing room, during which, according to Sharon, I had- threatened to, 'Push my sword so far down my throat - it would come out of my arse'! Well at least it was original - it really is amazing what flows out in great abundance from one's 'gob' when in' Shit Street without a shovel'! I had a show to do within the hour and I wasn't really up to 'facing the music', afterwards. In fact, I had developed a rather nasty streak of yellow, right down my spine! How do I get out of this one? During the sword swallowing, I just kind of, 'snapped'. Sally's description of what happened is basically right, what she didn't know was that it was a deliberate, desperate, and unintentionally dramatic, to say the least - way to get out of an awkward situation, for the time being. Once the security lads had carried me into the office I decided to go the whole hog. I placed myself into a self-imposed hypnotic trance and, although I was 'sort of 'aware of what was going on around me, with self-hypnosis I was able to totally ignore it, even to the extent that I didn't realise that Sharon was also in the ambulance- in a terrible state of turmoil, obviously thinking that I had actually carried out my earlier threat, with the sword swallowing. Sharon says that we arrived at the hospital around 11pm but the doctors wouldn't let her see me until 2:00am! On top of everything else, what really upset her, to put it mildly, was that all I could say to her was "What Great Publicity". What an Absolute!!**!!!^**!!@??? Total Bastard I Was! I spend the entire night in hospital - the doctors had placed a drip feed into my arm - and I could hear them discussing whether or not to 'Open Me Up' to see if I had perforated my stomach or not! This unintentional performance hit the New Zealand Airwaves 'Big-Time'. Lou and Simon, New Zealand's top comedy duo of the time, were performing in Invercargill (the Southernmost city of the South Island) that night - heard the news on the radio down there; they and many other kiwi entertainers, who had also heard the news, rang the hospital. Unpremeditated result; 'Nationwide Publicity' - All Free! Eight or 9 o'clock the next morning, I decided it was about time that I brought myself 'around' - and explained that it is possible to ' heal' one's self through the use of hypnotic and yoga techniques - I received some very strange looks and sideways glances. As I booked myself out of the hospital, the doctors expressed their disappointment - they were looking forward to 'opening me up' and operating - to discover just what sort of damage a Sword - Swallower could do to himself! They weren't fooling me - they just wanted some 'payback time' for pulling the wool over their eyes! I couldn't blame them really! I count myself most fortunate indeed - I have two wonderful sons, both now in their thirties, with delightful children of their own, all beautiful girls, (not surprising really - they've inherited their grandfather's 'good looks'- Ha ha) they and their mother, my ex wife Sharon, forgave my indiscretion years ago and, along with her husband John, the nicest fellow you could ever hope to meet, not only deign to talk to me, we're all great friends as well as - family! I have a wonderful wife, Veronica, who has faithfully stuck with me through thick and thin, good times and bad, for 30 years plus and, for 99.999 per cent of that time; we have been together practically 24 hours-a-day! Is that some sort of Record? I love them all, dearly! So, what became of, and just who was the - 'Redheaded Iceberg'? Why, I Married Her Of Course! She Was, Still Is, My Wife - Veronica!!! ---------------- 17. 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) ------------------- 18. 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. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2005 Alan Watson