Ruben Padilla

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Posts by Ruben Padilla

MAGIC-CON 2011 – DAY 1 – Friday

March 27, 2011 - 10:45 pm

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Share MAGIC-CON 2011 – DAY 1 – Friday Max Maven was the host of the first Morning Session, and right off the bat we had microphone trouble, which was a jarring departure from expectations, but this was quickly forgotten with the introduction of the first performer, Helder Guimarães. Helder began with a sandwich card effect [...]

Secret Agenda – March 25 – Tent Vanish Subtlety

March 25, 2011 - 12:24 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 25 – Tent Vanish Subtlety The Tent Vanish has always been a reliable sleight in the magician’s cupboard.  What’s more, it’s fun to do. Using Roberto’s subtlety makes it even more fun to do. Rather than just read today’s entry, pick up your deck and try it out (and yes, [...]

MAGIC-CON 2011 – Thursday Night Reception

March 24, 2011 - 11:49 pm

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Share MAGIC-CON 2011 – Thursday Night Reception The second Magic-Con began this evening, still in my hometown of San Diego, but at a new venue, the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley.Tonight was the reception – essentially everybody gathered in a large hall shaking hands, rekindling friendships, sharing a drink, and watching impromptu performances by notable [...]

Secret Agenda – March 24 – Ten Favorite Little-Known or Little-Used Sleights

March 24, 2011 - 12:14 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 24 – Ten Favorite Little-Known or Little-Used Sleights I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m only vaguely familiar with a couple of these sleights, and I’ll need more than a day to visit (or revisit) the sources cited.  At the same time, I’m proud to say I own all the books [...]

Secret Agenda – March 23 – Good and Better

March 24, 2011 - 12:13 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 23 – Good and Better A very subtle lesson today, but one worthy of our attention.  Looking at our sleights from the audience’s point of view will provide opportunities to “tweak” our methods for the better.  This process of adjustment, done with the priority of strengthening our spectators’ perceptions, is [...]

Secret Agenda – March 22 – Fecther’s Slide Control

March 24, 2011 - 12:12 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 22 – Fechter’s Slide Control For some reason it took a while to make sense of this description, and I place no blame on Roberto.  For the longest time I just couldn’t get it.  Finally, I made it work.  There’s a saying in Spanish, “No me llamó la atención.”  It [...]

Secret Agenda – March 21 – Top Ten General Quotes

March 24, 2011 - 12:09 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 21 – Top Ten General Quotes Hard to choose a favorite.  Ascanio, Picasso, Schweizer, Disney, and Arden.  These are my top five. (And, I’ll admit, I’m still trying to understand Kant’s quote.)

Secret Agenda – March 20 – Double Lift Substitute

March 24, 2011 - 12:05 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 20 – Double Lift Substitute Haven’t had a chance to try this for someone, yet.  But I like the thinking and, as part of a longer Ambitious Card routine, this would be a nice, clean sequence.  I’m not completely sold on the idea of lifting the deck up (twice!) so [...]

Secret Agenda – March 19 – A Not So Mathematical Contro

March 24, 2011 - 12:03 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 19 – A Not So Mathematical Control I like Roberto’s thinking, especially as an example of the discipline required to spruce up boring (or rather, not too exciting) magic procedures. As for this effect, I’d only perform it on somebody’s birthday.  And even then, I’d be hard pressed to not [...]

Secret Agenda – March 18 – A Mathematical Control

March 24, 2011 - 12:01 am

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Share Secret Agenda – March 18 – A Mathematical Control I’m interested to see what Roberto comes up with tomorrow.  As it stands, I’d never do this.  But I’ve seen other people perform it (as a simple location) to mild response.