Picture Perfect Magic!
Tasty Tricks & Typewriters
Yo…
It’s been quiet following the long NBA All-Star Weekend with Monday off for most: Family Day (in Canada) and Presidents Day (in America).
I’m leisurely working my way through Satanic Panic last newsletter’s podcast suggestion. Man: it’s scary how people act when they consume a steady diet of fear. Panic is not a good look; unfortunately, it remains fashionable. On the third episode this morning with my tea; 4 episodes are out. S’ok I am taking my time and going slow.
As for fresh suggestions: magician Justin Willman host of the spectacular Netflix series Magic for Humans was recently at Google. Granted I’m a big fan though I share his Google talk because he’s asked a fantastic question: What Have You Learned About Being Human?
Magic is amazing; we willingly pay magicians to fool us. Any other time to have somebody take advantage of us sucks. Magic smoothly injects wonder into our lives. Good magic forces you to think abstractly; a sweet invitation to flex your intelligence. There are so many human emotions involved in magic: it’s a mirror where we can see ourselves.
“Surprise comes easy, but joy never does.” That’s how magician Nate Staniforth puts it in his book Here Is Real Magic.
Enjoy Justin Willman’s Google talk which opens with a surprising magic trick:
Do check out his Netflix show Magic for Humans. Want to find more compelling television; perhaps even some not involving magic? You can yell out JACKPOT! by reading my weekly #SetTheVCR suggestions: Here or Here. Same post just different sites. Magic, right?
A sample of type of tv you can and should expect:
California Typewriter (Anytime / Crave) – What do Tom Hanks and John Mayer have in common? Typewriters! This is a fascinating documentary; I saw it in 2018 and trust me it’s just your type. This isn’t “get off my lawn!” anger and this isn’t “the good old days were better” nostalgia. This is a recognition of how creativity has evolved: to type is to work slowly, methodically even think things through. This is a solid doc and if you like old-timey contraptions and creativity check it out. (Bonus Sammy Story: I interviewed director Doug Nichol at a type-in. A gathering of people and their typewriters: think comic book convention but substitute comics for typewriters. After I finished the interview I sat down at this table of typewriters, I haven’t used one in like 10 years maybe? It is not like a bicycle it doesn’t just come back. I struggled mightily.)
Outstanding. I’ll close off our time with from Free Love from Darryl D from Cairns, Australia who wrote:
"A great, insightful, interview with ‘Mystify: Michael Hutchence’ director, Richard Lowenstein. Thank you Sammy and Richard."
Woah. Look Stephen King that dude is rich and successful; his books sell. For everybody else: if you like something they’ve made tell em. Tell em then share it.
Remember Lester Bangs? “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.” Indeed: it makes for magical moments.
In All You Do; Work Your Magic
Sammy Younan
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