Maple Story Magician Guide - Magician Training Guide

Magicians are the spell casters in MapleStory. They use their magic power to send destruction upon their enemies.

Their attacks are able to be casted at range on a monster or even if it is standing right next to them.

Magician

As a Magician, you are able to become rich very fast because Magicians have the ability to destroy large groups of enemies very fast and efficiently.

Magicians use MP to cast their spells and defensive shields. They receive skills such as MP Recovery and MP eater, which help them with the re-generation of their MP. While Magicians have the great amount of MP, they also have the lowest amount of HP, but it can be countered by their skills such as Magic Guard.

This is how you can advance as a Magician character class:
Beginner > Magician > Wizard, Fire/Poison (with more job advancements)
Beginner > Magician > Wizard, Ice/Lightening (with more job advancements)
Beginner > Magician > Cleric (with more job advancements)

Magicians will have an easy time leveling in their 1st job advancement and halfway into their 2nd job advancement. They are able to do large amounts of damage with little downtime, so you will be able to easily fly through the levels to the mid 40s. Once you get around level 45+, they start to slow down and become more balanced.

If you are tired of playing with the other Maple Story characters such as Bowman, you may want to have a change of character class and try your hand at being a Magician!

Our MapleStory Magician training guide has all the details for training your Magician character.

Maple Story Magician Guide - Magician Training Guide

Donald Lim is a Maple Story game enthusiast. Along the process of learning how to play Maple Story better, he chanced upon the web site of a professional Mapler, John. He managed to convince John to write several Maple Story Guides for new and seasoned Maplers, and so http://www.FreeMapleStoryGuide.com was created. To get a copy of a free Maple Story guide while it is still available, please visit http://www.FreeMapleStoryGuide.com

Hard Hat Stickers and Decals

Hard Hat Stickers and Decals are an essential part of any construction safety program. Hard hat stickers are a constant reminder from every person that encounters another that safety should always be first and foremost, and what better way to keep it in the forefront than in your face.

Hard hat stickers have been around for years, but often many company management teams fail to recognize the true value in having them as a part of their personal protection equipment. To prove this valuable point and to drive home the safety added value, take any sign, license plate, roadside sign, real estate yard sign or even a bumper sticker, if you see it you can't help but read it. Stickers and decals are no exception to this emphatic point of it being read.

Hat

If you see hard hat stickers you read them, and if you read them, they stick in your brain, period. Therefore, stickers or decals are very important and added value to your safety program.

Whether you place hard hat stickers on the front, the side, or even on the back of your hard hat, you are sending out a message that is sure to be read. Stickers and decals can actually be a trademark for your personal interests or even make a statement about who you are.

If you are a part of a union, maybe pipe fitters, iron workers, trade union, or whatever group, club, or trade, you should display it with stickers and decals. Be proud, be bold, and be seen and display your values.

Many new construction sites are seen as a group of workers that involve several trades, all working together to construct a new building or complex. To display the different trades or even display your employees by name, why not use hard hat stickers to give everyone the benefit of knowing who there are talking to or hearing from. The ability to know people by name, using stickers or decals to put their name on their hard hat is a great communication tool without anyone really knowing it.

So, if stickers or decals are not on your team or company's employees, they should be. Safety is and will always be the first and foremost importance of any construction, why not add small but powerful stickers or decals to display messages that never get old.

To further involve your team or construction group, give them the choice of choosing the type of stickers they want to display. You'll be glad you did them the favor. They are your company, keep them safe.

Hard Hat Stickers and Decals

If you don't know where to get your hard hat stickers and to see the various styles and types, then you really should know who can assist you in your safety needs. It may sound cliché, but you want everyone to go home with their bodies as in tact as when they arrived.

http://wealthsmith.com/hard-hat-stickers-hard-hat-decals.htm

Top Kids' Birthday Party Questions Answered

Kids' birthday parties today are a lot different today than they were when most moms were kids. In many communities, throwing kids' birthday parties has almost become a competitive sport.

Your kid's party should be about fun, not competition. And birthday parties should never put kids in the position of comparing levels of party extravagance.

Magician S Hat

The key to having a great birthday party? First, remember that it's about your kid-not anyone else's. Plan your party around your own child's interests, and what you're family is comfortable doing.

Start planning the party at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance so you have plenty of time to take care of everything-if that's what you want to do and are able to do. If you decide to hire a party entertainer or book a birthday party venue, make your calls about three months in advance, to be sure the date and time you want is available.

Here are some of the most common questions that moms ask about planning kids' birthday parties, and some common-sense answers.

How many kids should I invite?

If the party is for a child under age 5, and parents are invited to stay, the number of kids won't be a big factor. The parents will supervise their own children, so you'll be able to concentrate more on yours.

Some experts maintain that kids are old enough to be dropped off at parties once they're about 5 or 6 years old. By that time, most have been in playgroups, pre-schools, and possibly, kindergarten. That means they should have the social skills they need to play nicely with other kids and have a good time.

The general rule of thumb on how many kids to invite: your child's age plus one.

What time should I have the party?

The best time for the party also will depend on the guests' ages. For babies and toddlers, consider naptimes. Scheduling the party so that it ends by noon is probably a good idea. For slightly older children, parties can begin by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.

How long should the party last?

An hour for kids under age five, and an hour-and-a-half to two hours for older kids should be perfect. State a pick-up time on the invitation, so parents know exactly when to get their young partygoers.

Is there a guideline to choosing party decorations?

Just make everything colorful-Use your child's favorite color and carry a one-, two-, three-, or multi-color scheme through with balloons, plates, napkins, serving bowls, tablecloth, and goodie bags.

Decorations will also reflect the theme your child chooses. Once you and your child have decided on a theme, the easiest choice is to buy a complete party ware kit. If your child is into, say, pirates, dolls, Disney princess, Hannah Montana, or any sport, there will be an all-in-one package to suit his or her birthday party fantasy. Check out this extensive assortment of party decorations and themed party packs.

What should I serve?

The tiniest tots are easy to please: Having their moms or dads help them to a bit of cake and ice cream will probably make them very happy.

For young kids, small food portions work well. Think cut-up fruit, pieces of cheese, baby carrots, crackers, and miniature muffins.

Another idea is to make popular sandwiches rolled up and sliced to form pinwheels, or cut into shapes using cookie cutters.

For kids over age 7 or so, you can never go wrong with macaroni and cheese, baked ziti, or pizza. Add some salad or cherry or grape tomatoes and sliced cucumbers to give the party fare a bit more color.

If you're serving pizza, cut the pies into smaller-than-usual slices and let the kids keep coming back for more. Cutting small slices will dramatically reduce waste.

A birthday cake or cupcakes are essential. Decorating cupcakes has become a dual-purpose parent-pleasing activity: It keeps the kids busy and takes care of providing a dessert the kids will love.

What are the best games for young kids?

Little kids will enjoy listening to and singing familiar songs, clapping their hands or following simple hand motions. The stories, songs, and games they know from pre-school will be popular at parties, as well. Ask your child or your child's teacher for favorites. Have enough activities planned to start a new one every 10 or 15 minutes, if necessary.

A treasure hunt can also work, and easily be customized to fit almost any theme-e.g., the kids search for the pirates' "gold" or the princess's "jewels." Just be sure that moms and dads or other party helpers are there to help the kids as they follow clues and look for the hidden treasure.

Should I hire a party entertainer?

Hiring a party entertainment pro is an increasingly popular option. Party clowns, magicians, and other entertainers can, of course, take charge of all the birthday party activities.

Party pros can lower your hassle and stress levels, because they're prepared to handle almost any situation. They do this all the time. They're tuned into the signs that a little girl isn't engaged, or two boys aren't getting along, or that all the kids are getting antsy and it's time to move on to a new activity.

Another option: Bring the party elsewhere. There are plenty of party venues that can keep your child and his or her friends occupied from the second the first guest arrives 'til the last happy child is picked up.

Are there any special party "Do's and Don'ts?"

A definite "Do" is to let kids be creative. Coloring, painting, putting stickers on objects, making badges, bracelets, decorating inexpensive hats, or working on other craft projects will keep kids amused and happy. In fact, letting young kids create or decorate their own party favors is a great way to keep them occupied during the first 15 or so minutes of the party, when everyone is arriving.

Another "Do" is to have refreshments for the parents, especially if you've asked them to stay at the party.

And "Do" be gracious if unexpected siblings show up. Have enough food for a few more people, and one or two extra goodie bags, just in case.

Here's a big-time "Don't:" Regardless of the activities you have planned for your child's birthday party, never let any child feel left out or unhappy because he or she isn't chosen for a team or is eliminated from a game. Encourage participation, cooperation, and team effort, not individual competition.

Should we open gifts at the party?

There are two schools of thought on opening birthday presents. The first is to wait until after the party is over. Key reasons:
1) you don't want the party to focus on gifts;
2) it can get boring for everyone to sit there while the birthday boy or girl rips open boxes; and
3) you have a limited amount of time, especially if you're having the party at a party venue.

The second viewpoint is to open presents while everyone is there. Key reasons: 1) the birthday guest of honor can't wait to open them; and 2) the kid giving the gift wants to see his or her friend open it-especially if that child helped pick out the present.

Decide what makes you comfortable-just be flexible about it, should circumstances warrant a change of plans.

Should I insist that my child write a "thank-you" note?

Absolutely. Before kids learn to write, it's appropriate for the parent to write the note and have the child scribble or color something on it. When the child is able to write his or her name, signing the bottom of a mom- or dad-written note is OK.

When kids are older, though, they should understand that written "thank-you" notes are a very meaningful way to let people know that you appreciate their kindness and generosity. Think of thank-you notes not only as part of teaching kids to be well-mannered, but as helping them learn a social lesson that will serve them extremely well throughout their lives.

Top Kids' Birthday Party Questions Answered

Carole Jace is a writer for the popular site, CelebratewithStyle.com The site features advice on planning a party for family members and friends, as well as holiday, business, social, and fundraising events.

It offers ideas and advice from experts on food for parties, stylish décor, dress-up fashion, and beauty. It also provides great tips for planning a party for kids, teen events, and wedding-related festivities.

Abracadabra, it's a Magic Party

Children of all ages love magic and a party themed around magic is an excellent way to celebrate a birthday for a boy or a girl.

Once the decorations for the magic themed party are purchased it's time to plan the menu for the day's festivities. A great magic party menu starts with Presto Change-o Punch, Magic Potion Pizza, Magic Wand Pretzels and Rabbit in the Hat Cake.

Magician S Hat

To create the Presto Change-o Punch at the magic party, gather 1 cup Gummy worms, 1 quart Lemon-lime soda, 1 cup Boiling water, 2 pack Jell-O, lime flavored; (small packages) 3 cup Cold water, 1½ quart Lemon-lime soda; chilled ½ cup superfine Sugar. Mix and serve this fizzy punch in a large glass punch bowl so the kids can magically pour the Presto Change-o Punch into their own mystical crystal ball glasses.

For the Magic Wand Pretzels, just instruct the guests when they arrive that these ordinary pretzel sticks are really magic wands since they disappear as the child snacks on them.

Making their own Magic Potion Pizza will have these little magicians in heaven. Stop by your local grocer and purchase inexpensive pizza bases. Upon arrival lead each guest into the kitchen to make their own creation. Have sauce, a variety of shredded cheeses and numerous toppings, including pineapple. While the pizzas are cooking in the oven entertain the kids with party games. Make sure to send the left over home with each child.

Add a little magic to your party with any of these magical tips.

Abracadabra, it's a Magic Party

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for magic party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Magic Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

How to Decorate Your Ramones Band Hat and T-Shirt

This article is written for those people who dream to become designers or at least once thought of adding unique elements to their clothing. Have you ever thought of the ways you can decorate a t-shirt, jeans, jackets or even hats? Go and make a cup of coffee and then read the article. I will tell you about interesting ideas on to decorate hats and t-shirts.

Designing your own Ramones Hat and T-shirt

Hat

Tip number one:

Look carefully at your table, shelves and try for find a Ramones badge. If you do listen to the band, you are sure to have one. Did you have done that? Still there is no badge in your house? Ok, then go and buy one and then stick the badge to the hat. Well, it doesn't have to be a Ramones band badge, its color and image is up to your choice. Stir your imagination!

You can buy several badges and stick them to both: your hat and your t-shirt. Try different sizes and different color to find out what suites best of all.

Tip number two:

The second thing how you can change the outlook of your hat or t-shirt is appliqué work. You need to choose the right color and the right paint for it. If the clothes' color is black the appliqué work color might be either red or white. White and red looks great on the black background. Actually, you can test what coloring option would be the best for you by testing it on the sheet of paper first.

Just draw your hat and your t-shirt and then try different colors to see what color combination you like most of all. Do not limit yourself to those three colors mentioned above. Use any color that might come to your heard. Experiments are always great. Good luck.

How to Decorate Your Ramones Band Hat and T-Shirt

ShirtHunt.com is an online store where you find band hats and a Ramones t-shirt as well. Good choice of band clothes.

Jesus the Magician? Archaeological Find Unlikely As Earliest Reference to Jesus Christ

Underwater find

A bowl newly discovered in Alexandria, Egypt, and dated to the period from the late second century BCE to the early first century CE bears an engraving that may be the world's earliest known reference to Jesus Christ. The engraving reads dia chrstou ogoistais, translated by the excavation team as "through Christ the magician." According to French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio, co-founder of the Oxford Center of Maritime Archaeology, and Egyptologist David Fabre, the phrase could very well be a reference to Jesus Christ, since he was one known as a primary exponent of white magic.

Magician

The team found the bowl during their underwater excavation of the ancient harbor of Alexandria. They speculate that a first-century magus may have used the bowl to tell fortunes. They note that the bowl is very similar to one depicted on two early Egyptian statuettes that are thought to show a soothsaying ritual. Ancient soothsaying manuals describe a technique in which the fortune teller poured oil into water and then entered an ecstatic state while studying the whirling mix. In the hallucinatory state, the fortune-teller hoped to meet mystical beings that could field questions about the future. The inscription, the archaeologists theorize, may have served to legitimize the soothsaying by invoking the name of Christ, acknowledged to be a wonder-worker.

How weighty is the evidence?

o Is it "Christ" or "Good"? - The archaeologists may have mistaken one Greek word for another in their interpretation. A glance at the photograph of the cup reveals a letter between the rho ("P") and the sigma ("C"). The letter, though poorly formed, seems unmistakably the letter eta ("H"). If this identification is correct, then the lexical form of the Greek word inscribed is not christos, but chrestos, meaning "kind, loving, good, merciful."

The prepositional phrase, then, probably indicates that the bowl was a gift, given "through kindness" from some benefactor. It seems obvious that chrestou is much more likely than christou for the engraved word. Rather than referring to the power of Christ, the word chrestou might be a reference to the person who gave the cup as a gift-as we might write on a gift "from Donald with best wishes." This explanation seems as plausible as its alternative is unlikely.

o References to christos too vague to reach certainty - Yet even if christou is the correct word, we are still far from reaching certainty that it is a reference to Jesus Christ. We must remember that the word christos was not a personal name of Jesus but a title, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word mashiach ("Messiah, anointed one"). Like its Hebrew counterpart, this Greek term could apply to any number of people. It occurs in the Hebrew Scriptures more than 60 times, designating priests, prophets, and kings, as well as the anticipated Messiah. It even describes the pagan ruler Cyrus of Persia (Isa. 45:1, LXX). Calling someone christos does not necessarily identify that person with Jesus. Even the Greek Scriptures warn that many would claim that title (Mark 13:21-22).

o The meaning of goistais - In Theological Dictionary of New Testament, Gerhard Delling defines go-es, the lexical form behind goistais, as "imposter, charlatan, one who performs magic through formulae." Its only New Testament occurrence is in 2 Timothy 3:13: "...evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." Delling says that among ancient people, those who believed in demon possession tended to hold the gos in high respect, while the educated people tended to look down on such a person. (See also the entry for go-es in the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon, which defines it as "sorcerer, wizard" and secondarily as "juggler, cheat.")

If this term goistais, therefore, were a reference to Jesus Christ, it would be most inappropriate. Jesus did not perform miracles through such formulae as abracadabra, alacazam, or presto. When He did speak, he gave simple commands, such as "Be healed!" or "Rise and walk!" Even the words ephphatha and talitha koum of Mark 5:41 and 7:34, respectively, are merely "Be opened!" and "Little girl, I say to you, get up!", spoken in Aramaic, Jesus' native tongue. Rather than using formulae, Jesus constantly varied the means by which he healed people-sometimes touching (e.g., Mark 1:31), or saying a few words (e.g., Mark 2:11), or healing without touch (e.g., Matthew 12:13) or even without being present (e.g., Mark 8:13). Some scholars believe it likely that He varied His healing procedures for the very purpose of avoiding magical associations.

The archaeologists have apparently forced their translation, as if goistais is genitive singular, like chrestou, and functions in the phrase as an appositive. The word goistais, however, is dative plural, making their suggested translation impossible. The phrase dia chrestou goistais probably means "[Given] through kindness for the magicians."

o The dating is probably too early - At the time of Jesus, tens of centuries before the printing press, and two millennia before the digital age with its instant communication, events in one part of the empire often had little impact beyond the immediate vicinity. For the ripple effect of the ministry of Jesus to reach Alexandria would take some years, and at first would be felt only in Christian and then Jewish circles. For it to sweep across to pagans like the owner of the soothsayer's bowl would take even longer. And not only would the magician have to know of the miraculous power, but enough time would have to elapse for to be convince him or her that customers would also be aware of Jesus.

Yet the latest date assigned for the bowl is the early first century. Given that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ happened no earlier than 30 CE, that only allows 20 years before we reach mid-century. One hundred years or even more might be needed for the ripple to flood the pagan consciousness of Alexandria.

What can we conclude?

If the engraving did refer to Jesus Christ, it would constitute an extrabiblical confirmation that Jesus was a miracle-worker. This is similar to the impact of what is now known as the Paris Magical Papyrus, dated to about 300 CE. It describes an elaborate exorcism ritual, which begins, "I adjure you by the god of the Hebrews," and then lists a number of mystical names, of which Jesu is the first. The adjuration continues with numerous references to biblical events and persons, some of which are garbled. The point for New Testament studies is the confirmation that in Egypt about 150 years after the resurrection, Jesus was known as a successful exorcist and called "the god of the Hebrews." This latest discovery would make a similar argument from evidence much, much earlier.

Such evidence opposes against claims skeptics have made for generations that Jesus' miracles all have rationalistic explanations. The eyewitnesses found sufficient proof in Jesus' works to discern the all-powerful hand of God. In the words of the Apostle Peter, Jesus "went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him" (Acts 10:38). Even if legitimate, this evidence would not constitute proof that Jesus was a magician, despite the claims of such books as Jesus the Magician: Charlatan or Son of God? by Morton Smith, published in 1978. (See Barry Crawford's largely negative review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion [10/26/1978].)

The problem, however, is that the evidence is too early and that it is too ambiguous to be credible. It seems to be another example of archaeologists attempting to grab headlines be placing their latest discovery in the same sentence with the words "Jesus Christ." Such unwarranted coupling often contributes to unjustified conclusions about Jesus among the ignorant and the credulous.

Want to Go Deeper?

Recommended for purchase

Howard Clark Kee. What can we know about Jesus? Cambridge, 1990. - Kee explores both the biblical accounts of Jesus' life and works and the extrabiblical material touching on this. Extrabiblical references to Christ include the writings of non-orthodox Christians, pagan authors, and Jews. Kee analyzes all the relevant material to determine what precisely can be deduced about Jesus from these diverse accounts, written by both friend and foe.

Craig L. Blomberg. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. 2nd ed. Inter-Varsity, 2008. - Blomberg reveals the faulty analysis and presuppositions that have led to mistaken conclusions about the Gospels, providing scholarly criteria for judging these books and biblical answers to our hard questions. Readers will find that over the past twenty years, the case for the historical trustworthiness of the Gospels has grown vastly stronger.

C. K. Barrett. The New Testament Background. HarperOne, 1989. Contains a discussion of the Paris Magical Papyrus along with its text in English translation (pp. 34ff). Also contains a wealth of other material relevant to New Testament studies.

Recommended for online reading

Details about the Paris Magical Papyrus in G. A. Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East. Hodder & Stoughton, 1910. pp. 254ff.

Gary R. Habermas, "The Late Twentieth-Century Resurgence of
Naturalistic Responses to Jesus' Resurrection." Trinity Journal, 22 NS (2001):179-196.

Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ. Eerdmans, 2005, pp. 358-364. - A short but helpful discussion of the title "Christ" ("Messiah").

You may want to study the earliest charge that Jesus was a magician, leveled by the anti-Christian debater Celsus in the third century. The church father Origen ably defended the orthodox view by pointing out that in contrast to magicians, Jesus' miracles all had a moral purpose. See Origen, Against Celsus, book 1, chapter 68. See also Justin Martyr's second-century anticipation of this argument in his First Apology, chapter 30.

If you are curious about Morton's Smith's book, take a look at the exchange Professor Smith had with Frank Kermode over the latter's review of Smith's book in the New York Review of Books. This exchange includes a summary of Smith's main points and the essentials of Kermode's critique. Be sure to read all four essays, the first two published on Dec. 21, 1978, and the second on Feb. 8, 1979. Unfortunately, Kermode's original review, "The Quest for the Magical Jesus," is unavailable without a subscription to the Review. Also available online is a brief review of Smith's book by Terrance Callan from the Library Journal (June 15, 1978).

Jesus the Magician? Archaeological Find Unlikely As Earliest Reference to Jesus Christ

Copyright ©2008 Steve Singleton

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles. He has been an editor, reporter, and public relations consultant. He has taught college-level Greek, Bible, biblical archaeology, and religious studies courses and has taught seminars in 11 U. S. states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Check out the DeeperStudy Bookstore for great e-books, free books, and great discounts.

How to Become a Successful Entertainer

I always wanted to perform in front of people, I felt that stage is the place that really sets me on fire and gave new meaning to everything. So I became a magician and it is my profession today. I live in Finland, and Finland is a rather small country, and we have only about 10 professionals who make their living performing magic.

Despite this above mentioned fact, I do around 150 gigs per year, and that is about as much as I can handle.

Magician

I have been around the world in many magic conventions and seen a lot of good performers and sleight of hand artists, but the big question remains; why do some make a living performing this art, and other don't.

Is it personality?

To some extent I would say yes, definitely. You have to be an open person and you must find it easy to communicate with people. Let's say you do close up magic (which I strongly suggest you should also do if you want to make a good living in magic) but you find it difficult to confront people up close. This will obviously make you somewhat unnatural and the audience senses this very quickly.

It is of vital importance for a performer to be very bold, strong but at the same time sophisticated and not too aggressive. It is very important to be able to read the audience correctly and to 'tune in' into the audience.

A performer is not just anybody. He is someone people are used to look up to, give him the space and enjoy the ride. But if the ride is not enjoyable and the performer is uncomfortable it will end up very quickly.

Is it my technique?

The skill of the performer is also very important. A skillful performer always gets credited, take for example a good juggler; it is enjoyable to watch he's pure skill and the excitement of the art.

So being skillful is also important and will add up to the total entertainment value. This should also not be overused and never just show off, blend skill into the performances with taste. We are speaking of the whole package here and that is what people are going to remember.

What magic style should I choose?

Well, obviously the one that suits you best, but there can be variations and exceptions.

What I do, is mixing comedy and magic. This is very common and many do this, but you need to be very good and very funny to make it really pay off.

Let me give you an example:

I used to perform more seriously, but I also wanted to have comedy in my shows. I ended up being confusing and probably not funny at all. I thought that the tricks I do will make people wonder and it is not so important what I say. Still after many performances I felt confused and lost. I haven't found my stage person, and I did not get the reactions I knew were possible.

Then I saw a younger friend of mine perform in a magic competition. He was so funny I could not believe it, the audience loved him and he was having a good time on stage.

This was a big lesson for me.

I started to work with my program from scratch and really going through every second of it. What I say, how do I look, what gestures etc.

I had always on my mind my goal, which was to do good quality tricks but to be very funny at the same time. I rehearsed my show over and over and left out parts that did not really work and finally ended up with a 15 minutes of solid material. I went to gig with this material and the response was amazing. People laughed, enjoyed themselves, and wanted to get my cards more than ever...

I knew I was on the right path. Then I started to do the same to my close up magic. I was always a more natural close up worker than a stage performer, but I took my close up to another level also.

Finally I had a stage personality and I knew what I was doing and what I wanted to do.

What a relief and how nice it felt doing gigs and make people happy.
That is the secret how I get so many bookings.

Marketing is important, but the most important is the gigs you do, because there is always someone in the audience who is arranging a party in the near future and need a good entertainer. And the word gets around. Many times when a new customer calls me, he says he got a reference from somebody else who had seen me somewhere.

Customers want to get a good performer, because we all experienced the annoyed feeling a bad performer generates and if you do corporate magic you will never be booked again if you do a bad job.

Summing it up; be natural with people, practice your art, practice and review your show and don't risk anything. Have a complete script for your show and follow it.

Keep improving and the gigs will come. I hope you found something of value in this short article and wish you good luck and happy performances.

How to Become a Successful Entertainer

Kim Wist is a professional magician and one of the most successful performers in Finland: Magician Kim Wist

Fantasy Writing - The Real Magic

When I was thirteen, I went to the College of Magic, to learn all I could. It was kind of a Harry Potter school for stage magicians - there were rabbits coming out of hats, white doves flapping about and silk scarves that turned into ropes. I sat down eagerly to my first class, apprentice wizard that I was. I was told there is no magic. I was told it is all illusion, all trickery, all a sham. I couldn't have been more disappointed.

What followed were three years of interesting sleight of hand techniques, visual effects and misdirection. They were right; there was no magic in it. They only used clever dyes, trick card decks and boxes with false bottoms. But I did not believe them that there was no magic at all. It was just that they had no magic to offer.

Magician S Hat

I believe in magic, and so I found a way to work with it, or rather, it found me.

Learning by Writing
Writing gives you the power to create. And as you create your tale, a man becomes a being, a character becomes a person whom you know, your creation comes alive as you spend more of your waking hours in their world. Writing is always a study of the human condition. I write what I want to learn about, which is how to do magic. And so, I chose to write about a young wizard, learning her way in a world where magic is a raw force. By working with wizards, I begin to understand what it is they do, and how they do it.

Heightened Awareness
Writing gives the writer a gateway to a deep and timeless realm. I call it Heightened Awareness. It is where the Muse speaks to me, and I feel wise and gifted when I am there, even though I know I shall lose that feeling the moment I walk out of the writing room door. It is what makes me come back, day after day, to write. Engaging the Muse is like channelling a spirit. I speak to myself, and I hear a voice that is infinitely wiser than my own. It is hard to record the thoughts that flood down upon me. Too many thoughts, too rich, too elevated to grasp, sometimes.

Capturing thought in metaphor
Slowly, my ability to capture these thoughts improves, for they cannot be written in direct translation, but rather captured in metaphor, just as an impressionist painter strives to communicate the feeling rather than the form of what he has perceived. Anyone can write a factual report ; the skill of writing fiction comes in the ability to write a net of words and ideas that contain the emotional and intellectual impact of the deeper idea within those bare sentences. The author's job is to prepare the reader's mind so they can be receptive to the deeper thought-forms when they come across them. There's a lot more to reading than the simple story.

Being Receptive to Magic
Fantasy writing puts the reader in a world where magic is part of the accepted environment, and as you read you are in a receptive state. With just the right words, I can shift you to a place of seeing, a place of vision, where you experience the magic for yourself. The ability to bring that power back, to use it in this world, well that is true sorcery. Writing is the best way I know to work with that magic and to help others to step through the gateway, to see the unseen.

Exploring the story
Stepping through the gateway (or falling into the page, as some would say) is a deeply moving experience. I am not the kind of writer who can plot out an entire book and then write it. My stories are written in darkness, they come from darkness; I have no idea of the structure of the house when I open the door. I strike a match, the candle flares, and then, I see ... And from there I explore, and learn, and discover. It's the way I enjoy fantasy novels, it's the way I want you to experience my story, as I did.

Flash fiction
The most inspiring pieces of writing came as flashes of visualisation, scenes I witnessed and then scrambled to record, with my fingers flying over the keyboard and yet still losing big clouds of exposition like smoke that scatters as I grasp for its threads. With the pivotal moments in the book I never feel that I am making them up - I have seen them, I am merely the (frantic) scribe. I feel priviledged to be sitting in a small chair in the front row of the action, and to have these heroes around me. I write as much as I can of what I see.

The Joy and Pain of Writing
When I write I feel everything, I feel as my characters feel, I know their pain. Yes I shout and curse, yes I laugh, yes I cry. I feel as if I'm watching flashbacks stored in some giant astral database, things that have happened or shall come to pass, and when I see them I am transported, as if I am a prophet or visionary. I am right there with them. If I could show my readers that, I know they will be completely gripped by the story. It would be like being in a 3D action film, and feeling the emotions and thoughts in 3D as well. Being in touch with the Muse is like stepping into a great mind. There is so much to explore down every train of thought, you feel there is so much beyond what you can touch that you could spend a lifetime learning and still know very little of the immensity.

Perfecting the Spell of Fantasy
Writing fantasy is very much like the art of perfecting a spell. The book is the spell, an intricate pattern of thought, woven around you. And it is a very real kind of magic. It is designed to transport you, body and soul, into another world. A world where you can feel what the author felt, where you can see what the author has seen, and learn what they have learned.

Yet there is no place for me to feel smug about my learning, for there is another book, a new spell, and once again, I am the apprentice. There is so much to learn. And so, I write.

Fantasy Writing - The Real Magic

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Words © Greg Hamerton

Greg is a fantasy author from Cape Town, South Africa. His fantasy novel THE RIDDLER'S GIFT is the first tale of the Lifesong Cycle.

Get free samples of his fantasy book and other fantasy writing on his SPELL FOR ETERNITY website, where you can join the mailing list to keep in touch.

Preschool Science Experiments

There is nothing more fascinating and fun than helping small children conduct preschool science experiments. Watching their delighted little faces as these experiments show them that there may be a bit of "magic," after all, is so entertaining. There are many safe and educational experiments that can be done with the preschooler. They are not overly involved or difficult either.

One such experiment involves some raisins and a glass of Seven Up or Sprite. It is aptly named The Dancing Raisins. You simply take a glass of still fizzing Seven Up or Sprite and let the children drop a few raisins in the soda. The raisins seem to take on a life of their own. They jump around on top of the soda, then seem to dive to the bottom of the glass, only to rise up again. Children love preschool science experiments such as this one.

Magician

Another experiment can be used to teach about the parts of plants. For this one, you will need a stalk of celery, 2 cups of water and some food coloring. Add the food coloring to the water. Slice the celery in half long ways and put each end into the water. Within about 10 minutes the food coloring has been absorbed into the celery, outlining the veins of the celery stalk. Children are extremely fascinated with this one.

Now, if you don't mind messy preschool science experiments, you can try this one. The children get to make their very own slime to play with. You will need to get some liquid starch and mix it with a bottle of Elmer's glue. Once it has mixed together, it starts to make a totally different substance. The children can dig their hands in and start to pull out the "globs" to play with.

An easy and fun experiment that teaches about density requires first getting a glass. Next, you will take food coloring and add it to different substances such as water, oil, and salt water. These will be added to the glass one at a time, layering as they go. The different colors help identify each substance. This is one of the more fascinating preschool science experiments, as their little eyes just get bigger and bigger while watching these substances NOT mix.

Preschool is such an easy age to teach scientific things. They are delighted and thrilled by the simplest things. Not only that, you become a magician in their eyes, so you might let them guess at what has occurred just a little bit longer before explaining it to them. Then they will get to feel special that they can make these things happen, too.

Preschool Science Experiments

If you would like more advice on Parenting Advice then why not go to the authors site today for tons of great Parenting Tips

How to Perform Magic-like Business Powerpoint Presentations

It is not about playing magic tricks during your business meetings or performing sleight of hand to perform coin or card tricks, or even pulling a rabbit from a magician's hat. It is an undeniable fact that magic stunts are indeed entertaining and mostly audiences are easily mesmerized by it. In order to optimize your PowerPoint presentation, you have to be a 'magician' rather than an ordinary presenter.

Magician S Hat

Qualities of being a 'magician'

Being a magician able to divert your attention to something important rather than focus on something irrelevant or unimportant. Famous magicians like David Copperfield, David Blaine and Chris Angel are not just remarkable magic performers, but as a talented storytellers.

Being one storyteller, one has to convince audiences to what the storyteller has to say. In order to do so, the storyteller has to be confident and high sense of humor to grasp audiences' attention.

During your business presentation, you have to simplify your PowerPoint slides and divert your clients' attention to your business ideas with minimal efforts. Therefore, it shortens the time of managing or creating slides in which this particular task previously would take a longer time to be completed.  

What are the 'magic tricks' that you should include in your slides?

These tricks are simply irresistible to your clients - only if you know what they actually want.   

In this case, let's us discuss how you put 'yourself' into your slides.

Step 1: Insert your own picture into your slide template

Make sure you insert your professional looking picture of yourself into your slide templates. This picture has to be you or your colleagues (if you in groups), and the attire has to be the same as what you are wearing during your presentation.

For example, if you are wearing black suits in front of your audiences, it has to be the same in your picture. It is like a 'magic trick' that diverts your clients' attention to your slides when they see a still picture of you on the screen.

Step 2: Create a dialogue bubble in each of the slide

Whenever you want to deliver your ideas to your clients, insert a dialogue bubble along with the text-contents in which both represent a conversation that initiated from your picture that has been inserted in your slide template earlier.

This creates a close rapport with your clients in which they area able to relate with your product ideas, company background in terms of its mission statement, objectives and other related resources.

How to Perform Magic-like Business Powerpoint Presentations

It is possible to create your very own magic-like PowerPoint presentation in front of your audiences - even if you are not David Blaine, Chris Angel or David Copperfield. For more pictorial description of this magic-like Powerpoint presentations visit http://presentationism.com

The Cutest Crochet Baby Hat Patterns on the Internet

If you are looking to find the cutest crochet baby hat patterns, you've come to the right article!

I've been using crochet patterns for over 30 years! I've used them for my own children and am now using them for my grandchildren. It's absolutely amazing how time flies!

Hat

One thing has remained constant though and that is how great it is to use crochet patterns to create gorgeous little hats for your babies!

Crochet baby hat patterns are really great to use. These patterns include easy to follow instructions and illustrations that you can follow to make the hats.

Making clothes for your children and your grandchildren gives such a sense of pride. Doesn't it? I must admit that I feel no greater pride in myself than when someone sees my grandchild wearing one of the hats I've made for him with patterns and asks "where did you get that little hat?" And of course to that you beam and say "I made it myself!"

I've got three little granddaughters and one little grandson. You can only imagine how many hats I've made using these patterns!

Throughout the years, I've searched for the best patterns. I've found some of all qualities and styles. Some have been very ordinary and mediocre and some have been absolute gorgeous. A jewel of a find. My absolute favorite book containing crochet baby hat patterns and vintage clothes patterns is called Vintage Knit. I use this book a lot for making vintage clothing since it includes vintage crochet baby hat patterns, shawls, sweaters, and more and it's easy to use.

I actually make a living out of sharing with others how to use these patterns.

The Cutest Crochet Baby Hat Patterns on the Internet

I am currently a teacher and teach about using crochet baby hat patterns among many other types of crochet patterns on a regular basis. I find the book I mentioned above to be so easy to use and follow that I use it to teach my students how to crochet. The instructions are THAT easy to follow!

Make Heads Turn With a Wide Brim Hat

Fashion always comes at a definite cost. At most times the cost involved is that it is in one way or another harmful to your body. Such is the case when it comes to protecting yourself from the harsh rays of the sun. Yes, sunglasses do protect your eyes, but what happens to the other parts of your face and your head? In such cases a wide brim hat definitely protects your head and all the parts of your face and body, while making sure that your sense of fashion is not marred in any way.

Wide brim hats are ones that could be made of any material but as a rule, they should all have large all round brims that not only protect your head and your face but also provide protection to your chest. These hats are a definite must have for people on vacation or for those who love to lounge in the open - places like the pool, a boat or even ones own roof.

Hat

Such hats come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. So if you wish to have a hat for every single clothing in your wardrobe, then you sure can find one that matches every single clothing individually. These hats can be found in a variety of material too. The most common among wide brim hats are the ones made out of straw, that surely are fashionable accessories that are also the best at protecting one's body parts. Such straw hats are also known to keep one's head a lot cooler that any other hat in comparison.

These hats are no longer considered as a must have for your vacation because the latest spring collection and the summer collection of some of the world's well known designers have used these hats as a part of their collection. These hats have been made popular by a lot of movies stars and many chick flicks have actually shown how these hats are used for both style and functionality.

Some of these hats are so wide that they are known to be the best skin protector ever. These hats are known to protect your skin to about ninety eight percent from the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. So if you are looking for accessories that protect and style, then wide brim hats are your best bet.

Make Heads Turn With a Wide Brim Hat

Do not miss to present your kids with comfy and trendy wide brim hats! Find the most affordably priced kids cowboy hats of the highest quality!