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Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Posted:
Hello,
My name is John Lennon Goodwin, I live in Oakland, CA and I was born May, 12, 1982 Taurus, born under a full moon in the Chinese year of the Rooster. I like being named after the Beatle, not only for his music, but for his peace activism. My favorite food is actually a beverage SoBe Energy in the glass bottle. My favorite color is black, like my wardrobe. I currently have locally made (Berkeley) Flower style juggling sticks, a few different sets, some now lost to me. One set I rewrapped to be very slippery in electrical tape. I've done the hour glass shaped Devil sticks. (I don't like them, or the slippery set for performance, just practice.) I have a small but growing number of illusions and magician's secrets, I just recently learned to make special small cotton fire balls and the skills required to hold them a decent period of time in my hands with out injury.(
Its a skill and took more than any youtube or metacafe demo. I may one day post a tutorial explaining how this is achieved and why its very dangerous.) But what I really want to discuss is (thanks to this website) The new rope poi I made.
I just learned how to tie a monkey's paw knot and and about Poi. So after I finally got the knot right and at the end of a rope, I realized that I had made something facinating to me (a Rope Dart.) and after a short time (I don't mean to brag) realized I had a natural affinity that let me pick up the basics quickly, all by myself and watching some stuff from the library section. Rope Darting was cool, but then I realized I could make a rope Poi with a smaller "handle knot" for a grip.(I don't have neat looking socks to spare for sock poi.) So I did and had fun trying out the basic motions and just completed the set yesterday. Within a couple more hours of playing with both at once, I had a really great feeling. And light bruises, my monkey's paw's don't have weights, but are full of their own,hard rope. I don't mind the one or two small bruises since i figure later on if (more like when) I move on to fire,I may only have that same sensation or worse as seconds warning before the same accident proves much more hazardous. So, I'm interested in learning to handle my new rope poi and work my way up to fire poi, a non-fire meteor and rope dart, using the meteor, not a blade. Also, while as I feel comfortable performing small fire effects, I know that I have a lot more to learn before I continue playing with fire, I'd like to meet other jugglers,magicians and especially fire performers in the Bay Area and if not get lessons, then at least practice around others who know what they are doing. I'm also curious if any of you have tried the common magician's fire props, hidden igniters and other gimmicks, such as the invisio torch or like effects. A number of them are sold to magicians or any one 18+.But, I'm of the opinion that many of them look at least as dangerous as what you guys do sometimes, if not more since both the fire and a hidden igniter is right *in* the mage's hands, if only for a moment and many have a fuel bottle to hide in an iside pocket,with a little fuel line down the sleeve. (I'm sure I have not revealed any great secret there, as these are common products)After reading all the great (and sad) safety information given here, I want to really make sure of any devices,gimmicks or props that involve fire. I also feel a strong desire to use fire performance and props in my art, despite the risks. Its a personal choice that I've thought out carefully. I believe that proper use of stage magic and fire performance together could create a powerful,climactic show that would suit my artistic style.
Aside from the now obvious hobbies I am also a roleplaying game designer, you can find a free card and strategy game I designed here:https://www.1km1kt.net/tabletop/spellcaster I have also studied and practiced various forms of the not staged kinds of magic and alternative religions. I really enjoy writing sometimes I do poetry other times essays. I play secretsocietywars.com too.
I've had some college education, but life got in the way of finishing school. So, now I get to go back to studying things I choose to and practicing. With the lofty goal of performing at least part-time for pay street performing or better for regular locations and hired for events.
My Favorite movie is Terry Gilliam's Brazil, I have question for those who saw this one: Think very carefully about the ending, did he truly escape?
My favorite tv show is MST3K that is why I know that a Star Wars Destroyer would cream Godzilla and his earth,(Superior fire power from above.) but Gamera the nuclear rocket powered space turtle would wipe out part of the Empire along with the ship in revenge. Oh yea, since you ask I like mint icecream and I go with Nutella all the way, Vegemite and Marmite are good and all, but Nutella is so much better, since it is healthy chocolate.
Plans for life in general: (i.e. what you want to do when you grow up)
I want to do a lot of things, though over the course of the next year I plan on trying to get together a decent fire and magic show routine,practice and perform it. Btw,I understand that fire performance is different from stage magic, but the two go together nicely.Whenever I use fire to entertain, even when I do small tricks with a lighter or my favorite wooden matches, I always tell my audience the difference as well with the time honored "don't try this one,its no illusion, the fire is quite real, it can and probably will burn you if you play with fire."ect. Not that I've ever had much of a real audience, just my wife, a few friends and some of the neighbors.So I am training myself in the art of illusion, continuing to explore dexterity play juggling and all toward my greater goal to become and stay a safe,entertaining fire performer and magician.
Interprative Perfermance may actually follow!
Hello,
My name is John Lennon Goodwin, I live in Oakland, CA and I was born May, 12, 1982 Taurus, born under a full moon in the Chinese year of the Rooster. I like being named after the Beatle, not only for his music, but for his peace activism. My favorite food is actually a beverage SoBe Energy in the glass bottle. My favorite color is black, like my wardrobe. I currently have locally made (Berkeley) Flower style juggling sticks, a few different sets, some now lost to me. One set I rewrapped to be very slippery in electrical tape. I've done the hour glass shaped Devil sticks. (I don't like them, or the slippery set for performance, just practice.) I have a small but growing number of illusions and magician's secrets, I just recently learned to make special small cotton fire balls and the skills required to hold them a decent period of time in my hands with out injury.(
Its a skill and took more than any youtube or metacafe demo. I may one day post a tutorial explaining how this is achieved and why its very dangerous.) But what I really want to discuss is (thanks to this website) The new rope poi I made.I just learned how to tie a monkey's paw knot and and about Poi. So after I finally got the knot right and at the end of a rope, I realized that I had made something facinating to me (a Rope Dart.) and after a short time (I don't mean to brag) realized I had a natural affinity that let me pick up the basics quickly, all by myself and watching some stuff from the library section. Rope Darting was cool, but then I realized I could make a rope Poi with a smaller "handle knot" for a grip.(I don't have neat looking socks to spare for sock poi.) So I did and had fun trying out the basic motions and just completed the set yesterday. Within a couple more hours of playing with both at once, I had a really great feeling. And light bruises, my monkey's paw's don't have weights, but are full of their own,hard rope. I don't mind the one or two small bruises since i figure later on if (more like when) I move on to fire,I may only have that same sensation or worse as seconds warning before the same accident proves much more hazardous. So, I'm interested in learning to handle my new rope poi and work my way up to fire poi, a non-fire meteor and rope dart, using the meteor, not a blade. Also, while as I feel comfortable performing small fire effects, I know that I have a lot more to learn before I continue playing with fire, I'd like to meet other jugglers,magicians and especially fire performers in the Bay Area and if not get lessons, then at least practice around others who know what they are doing. I'm also curious if any of you have tried the common magician's fire props, hidden igniters and other gimmicks, such as the invisio torch or like effects. A number of them are sold to magicians or any one 18+.But, I'm of the opinion that many of them look at least as dangerous as what you guys do sometimes, if not more since both the fire and a hidden igniter is right *in* the mage's hands, if only for a moment and many have a fuel bottle to hide in an iside pocket,with a little fuel line down the sleeve. (I'm sure I have not revealed any great secret there, as these are common products)After reading all the great (and sad) safety information given here, I want to really make sure of any devices,gimmicks or props that involve fire. I also feel a strong desire to use fire performance and props in my art, despite the risks. Its a personal choice that I've thought out carefully. I believe that proper use of stage magic and fire performance together could create a powerful,climactic show that would suit my artistic style.Aside from the now obvious hobbies I am also a roleplaying game designer, you can find a free card and strategy game I designed here:https://www.1km1kt.net/tabletop/spellcaster I have also studied and practiced various forms of the not staged kinds of magic and alternative religions. I really enjoy writing sometimes I do poetry other times essays. I play secretsocietywars.com too.
I've had some college education, but life got in the way of finishing school. So, now I get to go back to studying things I choose to and practicing. With the lofty goal of performing at least part-time for pay street performing or better for regular locations and hired for events.
My Favorite movie is Terry Gilliam's Brazil, I have question for those who saw this one: Think very carefully about the ending, did he truly escape?
My favorite tv show is MST3K that is why I know that a Star Wars Destroyer would cream Godzilla and his earth,(Superior fire power from above.) but Gamera the nuclear rocket powered space turtle would wipe out part of the Empire along with the ship in revenge. Oh yea, since you ask I like mint icecream and I go with Nutella all the way, Vegemite and Marmite are good and all, but Nutella is so much better, since it is healthy chocolate.
Plans for life in general: (i.e. what you want to do when you grow up)
I want to do a lot of things, though over the course of the next year I plan on trying to get together a decent fire and magic show routine,practice and perform it. Btw,I understand that fire performance is different from stage magic, but the two go together nicely.Whenever I use fire to entertain, even when I do small tricks with a lighter or my favorite wooden matches, I always tell my audience the difference as well with the time honored "don't try this one,its no illusion, the fire is quite real, it can and probably will burn you if you play with fire."ect. Not that I've ever had much of a real audience, just my wife, a few friends and some of the neighbors.So I am training myself in the art of illusion, continuing to explore dexterity play juggling and all toward my greater goal to become and stay a safe,entertaining fire performer and magician.
Interprative Perfermance may actually follow!
John Lennon
BRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
Posted:
Welcome, welcome!
That's a bit more than most people bother putting in an introduction, but that's a good thing. I hope this site is useful to you.
Welcome, welcome!
That's a bit more than most people bother putting in an introduction, but that's a good thing. I hope this site is useful to you.
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!
If that's okay with you?
SILVER Member
Rampant whirler.
2,418 posts
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia!
Rampant whirler.
2,418 posts
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia!
Posted:
Hello, John. I really don't know what to say to all that but I'll say these two things...
I've got "give peace a chance" tattooed on my back because of my appreciation for the mans music and contribution to peace activism, I use it as a slogan to try promote peace on an every day level just as much as any other level because that is after all where it all begins.
And on Terry Gilliams Brazil I'll say this: Knowing what I do about the nature of his films and the way his general outlook tends to resolve itself I believe that Mr. Lowry both did escape and did not escape.
He has created a sort of Schrodingers cat scenario. The basic idea there is that theres a 50/50 chance the cat will live or die and until the cat is actually observed then the cat exists in both states. By giving us two conflicting observations Terry casts us into doubt as to the final result, requiring a final observation to actually bring a real result into being.
Unless you noticed some piece of evidence I missed? Good flick though, All the same. Seen Michel Gondry's Science of Sleep? I personally look forward to The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Heath Ledger died partway through filming for this one so now we've got Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp to fill in the gaps there rather than not use the stuff Ledger filmed. I hope Gilliam can make it work as I do love his stuff.
Hello, John. I really don't know what to say to all that but I'll say these two things...
I've got "give peace a chance" tattooed on my back because of my appreciation for the mans music and contribution to peace activism, I use it as a slogan to try promote peace on an every day level just as much as any other level because that is after all where it all begins.
And on Terry Gilliams Brazil I'll say this: Knowing what I do about the nature of his films and the way his general outlook tends to resolve itself I believe that Mr. Lowry both did escape and did not escape.
He has created a sort of Schrodingers cat scenario. The basic idea there is that theres a 50/50 chance the cat will live or die and until the cat is actually observed then the cat exists in both states. By giving us two conflicting observations Terry casts us into doubt as to the final result, requiring a final observation to actually bring a real result into being.
Unless you noticed some piece of evidence I missed?
Good flick though, All the same. Seen Michel Gondry's Science of Sleep? I personally look forward to The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Heath Ledger died partway through filming for this one so now we've got Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp to fill in the gaps there rather than not use the stuff Ledger filmed. I hope Gilliam can make it work as I do love his stuff. 
BRONZE Member
Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Posted:
I put a bit more in my intro post because I'm ethusiastic and and I want to maintain a fairly profesional standards when I present myself on line, especially here where performers meet. Also I'm nervous about where to post some of my questions and topics. I might as well ask some now:
I just practiced in the park nearby with poi and flower sticks, attracted an audience, got asked if my home made duck tape coffin bag was for tips. Not that I got any, today it was for carrying tricks while I practiced. My rope poi are fun for me, but boring to an audience since they can't see the white knot moving quickly, what is the best way to add color,such as streamers, flags or tails?
Performing for payment is my goal, while as I was flattered to hear "You should go busking with that!" I know that a single center flower stick, unless actualy a lit firestick or any other 1 toy or trick set will not earn very much by itself in the Bay Area. I'm considering making and selling flower sticks and/or just lessons. Any one have useful experience and an idea of how much to charge/ I could make realistically with that?
After I'm some how brilliant enough to perform a paying gig (show for an event or regular event some place) or expect payment for a street performance (busking) What are the going rates (My possible future income,before expenses) for a good diverse,1 man show?
Is any one here familiar with Dragon's Breath Fire Powder also known by the name lycopodium powder? Flash paper/powder?
And once again, has any one got practical experience or advice on magician's fire props, concealed ingniters and conjuring fire from the hands sort of effects? They are commonly sold to any adult just like a hard to find novelty lighter, but they seem dangerous to me.
Mother_Natures_Son, you share my views on Gilliam and Brazil pretty closely. And others too, I'm glad to hear from another peace bringing/peaceful performer. Many folks see The ending of Brazil as 50/50 as in binary or black and white: eiher Lowry escaped or physically remained in prisoned, tortured. I always say that Lowry escaped one way or the other, either into his own reality (crazy) or maybe actually physically escaped. I've watched Brazil several times and see new things each time, so I'm hesitant to say that I've seen something you've missd. I love schroedinger's cat paradoxes and want to find a way of incorporating the idea into an illusion. After Becca and I first met 7 or eight years ago, I asked her the same question abou Brazil, after a poetry reading. 7 or 8 years later we live together as a couple. So, when ever I discuss movies, I use that question to make new friends or start a discussion. I haven't seen Science of Sleep, but I heard about Heath Ledger since he is my favorite Joker, better than Jack Nickolson's and died of a sleeping pill combo. I'm an insomniac performer myself, so the story hit me close.
The man who did the best Crow in a live action movie was shot dead in a particular scene, the official story is that cotton from a blank fired to close killed him, others say that Brandon Lee was hit by the chinese mafia, like his father Bruce Lee. Does anyone sees the connection between clown make-up,comic book movies and great actors/performers dying? I bring this up because I had a dream both characters met and exchanged the lines, "Why sooo serious?" and "What's so funny?" before trying to simply up stage each other in perfomance art, not fight each other.
Thanks for saying hi back!
I put a bit more in my intro post because I'm ethusiastic and and I want to maintain a fairly profesional standards when I present myself on line, especially here where performers meet. Also I'm nervous about where to post some of my questions and topics. I might as well ask some now:
I just practiced in the park nearby with poi and flower sticks, attracted an audience, got asked if my home made duck tape coffin bag was for tips. Not that I got any, today it was for carrying tricks while I practiced. My rope poi are fun for me, but boring to an audience since they can't see the white knot moving quickly, what is the best way to add color,such as streamers, flags or tails?
Performing for payment is my goal, while as I was flattered to hear "You should go busking with that!" I know that a single center flower stick, unless actualy a lit firestick or any other 1 toy or trick set will not earn very much by itself in the Bay Area. I'm considering making and selling flower sticks and/or just lessons. Any one have useful experience and an idea of how much to charge/ I could make realistically with that?
After I'm some how brilliant enough to perform a paying gig (show for an event or regular event some place) or expect payment for a street performance (busking) What are the going rates (My possible future income,before expenses) for a good diverse,1 man show?
Is any one here familiar with Dragon's Breath Fire Powder also known by the name lycopodium powder? Flash paper/powder?
And once again, has any one got practical experience or advice on magician's fire props, concealed ingniters and conjuring fire from the hands sort of effects? They are commonly sold to any adult just like a hard to find novelty lighter, but they seem dangerous to me.
Mother_Natures_Son, you share my views on Gilliam and Brazil pretty closely. And others too, I'm glad to hear from another peace bringing/peaceful performer. Many folks see The ending of Brazil as 50/50 as in binary or black and white: eiher Lowry escaped or physically remained in prisoned, tortured. I always say that Lowry escaped one way or the other, either into his own reality (crazy) or maybe actually physically escaped. I've watched Brazil several times and see new things each time, so I'm hesitant to say that I've seen something you've missd. I love schroedinger's cat paradoxes and want to find a way of incorporating the idea into an illusion. After Becca and I first met 7 or eight years ago, I asked her the same question abou Brazil, after a poetry reading. 7 or 8 years later we live together as a couple. So, when ever I discuss movies, I use that question to make new friends or start a discussion. I haven't seen Science of Sleep, but I heard about Heath Ledger since he is my favorite Joker, better than Jack Nickolson's and died of a sleeping pill combo. I'm an insomniac performer myself, so the story hit me close.
The man who did the best Crow in a live action movie was shot dead in a particular scene, the official story is that cotton from a blank fired to close killed him, others say that Brandon Lee was hit by the chinese mafia, like his father Bruce Lee. Does anyone sees the connection between clown make-up,comic book movies and great actors/performers dying? I bring this up because I had a dream both characters met and exchanged the lines, "Why sooo serious?" and "What's so funny?" before trying to simply up stage each other in perfomance art, not fight each other.
Thanks for saying hi back!
John Lennon
SILVER Member
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
Posted:
Hi there John, welcome to HoP. Hope you enjoy your stay!
Hi there John, welcome to HoP. Hope you enjoy your stay!
.All things are beautiful if we take the time to look.
GOLD Member
Sneaking
1,207 posts
Location: Free falling through time, United Kingdom
Sneaking
1,207 posts
Location: Free falling through time, United Kingdom
Posted:
Hi John, welcome to the madhouse
Glad to see another magician on the site, there aren't all that many around, but over here you'll find some more of us.
Enjoy your time here and help yourself to some cheesecake
Hi John, welcome to the madhouse
Glad to see another magician on the site, there aren't all that many around, but over here you'll find some more of us.
Enjoy your time here and help yourself to some cheesecake
Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you land among the stars
BRONZE Member
Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Keeper of the Secret Fire
9 posts
Location: Oakland, CA, USA
Posted:
I'm having trouble joining magic cafe'.
At first I got a "no new members" message and then saw I need to have a website for my performances (good idea anyway) or alteast a non-free email address. They don't like my gmail (A suitable email address will take me a day or two at least.) It looks just great though, exactly the sort of place I'd like to be.
Have you seen expertvillage.com By the way? They have great juggling and magic revealed and also just good howto's. Honestly, I use plenty of stuff shown on that site in my acts and I'm learning more magic from there. More over plenty of the tutorials found when you search "magic tricks" can $cost$ or be poorly taught elsewhere. So, if like me you're a juggler, low budget also building magic into your act, its a good resource. Oh, and now I don't have to reveal magic to you guys, since they have for me. I can stay relatively 
here.
Hope you don't mind if I PM you about a couple questions soon, Point_Blank. I'd like to start up correspondence with other performing magi. I'm not yet a part of my local Magic Ring or anything like that yet. Though I am planning my application and talking to them soon. The I.B.M has a lot of cool stuff. Since I'm only just now warming back up into performing, I don't know many other performers personally yet. So hopefully 2009 really is a good year to make lots and lots of new friends like you.
I'm having trouble joining magic cafe'.
At first I got a "no new members" message and then saw I need to have a website for my performances (good idea anyway) or alteast a non-free email address. They don't like my gmail (A suitable email address will take me a day or two at least.) It looks just great though, exactly the sort of place I'd like to be. Have you seen expertvillage.com By the way? They have great juggling and magic revealed and also just good howto's. Honestly, I use plenty of stuff shown on that site in my acts and I'm learning more magic from there. More over plenty of the tutorials found when you search "magic tricks" can $cost$ or be poorly taught elsewhere. So, if like me you're a juggler, low budget also building magic into your act, its a good resource. Oh, and now I don't have to reveal magic to you guys, since they have for me. I can stay relatively here.Hope you don't mind if I PM you about a couple questions soon, Point_Blank. I'd like to start up correspondence with other performing magi. I'm not yet a part of my local Magic Ring or anything like that yet. Though I am planning my application and talking to them soon. The I.B.M has a lot of cool stuff. Since I'm only just now warming back up into performing, I don't know many other performers personally yet. So hopefully 2009 really is a good year to make lots and lots of new friends like you.
John Lennon
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