Dennis,

I know I could have used the relaxation technique when I first started practicing with two ropes. I would get so tense my toes would curl up in my shoes! Not quite that bad anymore.

I suspect the breathing technique would be very helpful to any performer before going onstage.

Andy

Andy
Before I go on stage I close my eyes, take several deep breaths, check my zipper, and I'm ready to go.

Al,

I walked into a restaurant I had worked in for six months, put my case in the kitchen as usual, walked out and did a card-to-wallet-to-under-a-glass for two middle-aged ladies. Mind you, this was an upscale restaurant called the Ovens of Brittany, almost what you might call a Tea Room.

They were amazed and responsive and I felt great until......one leaned over and told me my fly was open. I was mortified! Luckily she smiled and even left an attaboy on the restaurant comment card.

It could have been much worse, and needless to say...I check the zipper now.

Andy

When that happens at my house my wife tells me that I'm more like my father every day.

Another relaxation technique is to use a Mantra. I'm not suggesting full blown meditation, although that might help with the tension you speak of. No, just before going onstage, or when holding the pose just before you snap two knots, as you slowly breathe and and out, think the simple phrase: "Just Relax." Think the word "just" as you inhale slowly and then think the word "relax" as you exhale. It's also helpful to make a conscious effort to relax the muscles of your upper back and neck. (The seat of so much tension.) Just willing those muscles to relax goes a long way to ridding yourself of the built up tension.

Dennis Loomis

When I was at school my first year taking theatre, the second years were performing a run of The Laramie Project, in which I was an extra, and one of the guys- he was playing a cop- hit the stage 2 out of 3 nights with his fly down. Before the next performance, everybody in the dressing room's checking him out, going, "the zipper, the zipper.?" He's like, "yeah I got it, it's good. I dunno."

Magicalaurie,

How did he even remember his lines?

In retrospect, maybe I should have done a card-to-wallet-to-under-a-glass-to-fly.

Andy

P.S. Sorry everyone for once again going off-topic.

Hey, he was a trained actor.

Getting back to Will Rogers, we just came back from visiting the Will Rogers State Park, at Pacific Pallisades, Calif. His home is fully restored and the tour guides have a great number of anecdotes about his life and his performing. And there's a room with film clips of his great rope stunts... a MUST SEE for anyone in the area.

I've got it with the right hand. And the left hand is coming nicely now. I think another thread may have stated to try with a rope in each hand to make it easier to get the left, but I'm finding the left coming much easier if I try with the rope in the left hand alone.

So got the right. Getting the left. Hoping I'll be able to put them together soon, and add the hat.

Just saw your video. I don't know if anyone got the fact that your knot is at the juncture of the colors.
I do that with rainbow ropes. I snap the first knot where the colors meet, then turn the rope over and snap the second knot at the other color joint. Great job.

Ian
Andy Hagen is not one to brag, but when he did the snap knot with two ropes, one in either hand at his local magic club meeting they gave him a standing ovation.

I can't wait to see Laurie do it, because she does uses a totally different technique, and she is better looking than Andy.

Al,

I'm waiting to get the exact opposite reaction Sunday with Ian's Prof. Nightmare: Total awestruck silence. I wish I had a video camera to take to the meeting.

Yes, Laurie is better looking than me. It must be the gender thing.

Andy

Andy
I have had some old vets lately come up to me and ask where I found such great rope tricks. There are not a lot of guys at the local clubs that have taken to on line magic. One guy was the legendary Bob Little who asked me where I learned "Fiber optics". Now we have had Richard Sanders lecture at our club since, but lecture or seeing other members perform a trick is how most magicians learn new magic tricks.

Al

I stopped doing routines that were in my working repertoire at meetings long ago. Even if I do something new I do not use the handling and "patter" that I have scripted.

I once attended a show by one of the members and half his show was my routines and patter.

So much for creativity.

Andy

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseactio......23454928

Here's the left hand. Getting it one piece at a time. Watch for the double- with the HAT!!! Coming soon.

Laurie
Way to go, that is a great move and one I can not do. Now there's nothing left but the double in a cow girl outfit.

What other rope effects do you do Laurie?
Hey guys...did you see Laurie do coin rolls?
Pretty good technique. My fingers hurt just watching her do that.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseac......=9341635

Thanks, Al. Appreciated.

Magicians: Ian, is it? So far, with ropes, I've mostly just done knot effects. As for the coin roll, I had set it aside for awhile. Picked it up again the other day- using a silver dollar now. Hoping to be able to accomplish that in an ambidextral fashion, as well. Appreciate your comments.

Oh he// yes!
Being a cowboy and making my living in the horse biz most of my life I have seen some pretty awesome rope work but I'm telling ya Laurie, if you add the hat and get to snapping with both hands I can't guarantee I won't sneak up to Canada and become a stalker! LOL
Looking forward to seeing the whole act and if ya ever make it to Calif. I have a horse that will let you ride her standing on her back doing rope tricks!
Mick