Previous thread?? What was that?

Paper money, cotton rope, silk hankies, leather wallet, stainless steel scissors... Unless we want to call attention to the materials usd in construction (and possibly raise curiosity), it's usually best to keep things simple.

And I think it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shinin' like a red rubber ball
-Cyrkle

Don't know what it has to do with this thread, but I thought I'd toss it in.

I usually do 3D Rabbits, so the name issue doesn't come up often. I hadn't thought about the fact that calling them spongeballs would tip the method. I mean... isn't it kind of obvious to everyone that they are made of sponge? They KNOW you can squish them, but that still doesn't explain where they came from when they saw your hand empty.

One last thing... do you measure up the spectators prior to a performance to determine if they are "sponge-worthy?"

Thank-you Mr.Darrow for sharing that gem by Mr.Asprin.Used judiciously(with the 10 count) it should be a real hoot!(I just tried it,and the timing is perfect) Best.

Rich

Not much to do with naming the darn things, but (I wish I could credit the right person) I was told that the end of your sponge routine should never be squeezing all your items together in your hand to stuff them back into your pocket (kinda tips the method, doncha know).

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......0&20
This is the previous thread where I mentioned it. if there is one thing I have learnt from my mentors in the magic circle is don't overprove or bring any undue attention to the props you use

In the past I called them "balls". I always got umm interesting comments after I'd say that. I now don't call them anything.

I have a friend who (after slowly putting one sponge ball in his hand a la retention vanish) asks the spectator how many balls he has. He can't figure out why the answer given is "Two, probably..."

Some great ideas. I was wondering what are peoples thoughts on actually calling them sponge?

All jokes aside... I don't use the term sponge.

As I produce them from a purse frame, I merely refer to them as "three little balls" I get requests to do the "red ball trick" or "the ball trick" I never mention sponge.

David

I call them stress balls

I don't refer to them as anything.

I used to use Carl Andrews' line: "This is eenie and this is meeny, the fastest nerf balls in the world."

then you introduce miney.

then you finish by asking, "Do you know why their called eenie, meenie, and miney? cause theyre aint no mo..."

wakka wakka.

Now I use this:

I take them out and say "aren't they beautiful? take a look. enjoy yourself."

the weird thing about these is I'm a grown man and I carry these around....
the other wierd thing is if I take one here and one here...

It's on.

I put them on the table and ask the spectator what they see. Inevitably, they say a ball. And what else would they say?

One time when I was doing table hopping, I was just at the end of my act for this one table the guy at the table yells out “wow how did he do that” and that got the attention of the other tables, even the table with a group of ladies that called me over to show them magic. I’m at the table and I say “well good evening ladies I would like to show you my magic balls” I didn’t meant it to be funny but my walk to their table I was thinking “what can I do for them” then at the table I thought oh yes I’ll do the sponge ball. Then when I said “well good evening ladies I would like to show you my magic balls” they broke out laughing, all at the same time and it went over my head. It took a few second for me to get their laughing and when I took out the purse frame they started laughing again.

So since that day, they will always be MY magic balls.

I first have to determine if an audience is "sponge worthy"

Just let the magic soak in, don't feel squeezed and don't let cheap friends sponge off your great ideas...

I like this the best. I think I will start to use that.

"Safety rocks".

Doug