Come and check out Monday Night Magic tomorrow night. (Monday July 12, 2010)
This will be my last performance at Monday Night Magic for a while because I will be in Hong Kong in around two weeks! Very busy times are ahead for me. I'll be packing this week and then I have three private gigs next week before I am off. For more info about tomorrow and for tickets check out:
http://www.mondaynightmagic.com
Let me know if you plan to come!
Dear Internet,
It is a beautiful Tuesday Mid Day. I am on my way to teach a private lesson in card magic. I am having one of those days where everything is beautiful. I always strive to feel this connection to the universe every day. I think today's euphoria is connected to the anticipation of Christine arriving tomorrow. Love does fuel the flame of happiness. Although I could go on and on about that I won't, I don't want to risk driving off the more sarcastic and apathetic in nature with the syrup of my affections for my fiancé.
Instead, I would prefer to drive them off my talking about Gods. I was recently watching a new television program hosted by Morgan Freeman (who should be cast as god in films more, only, better films), which contemplated the existance of a creator from the perspective of science. I love these contemplations, and I have been personally involved with them since my childhood. This questioning about death and existance goes back as far as I can remember, perhaps to a toddler aged image I have of a car screeching to a halt as my mother ran across the street to assure I was not obliterated. I don't think I began to come to any conclusions until I decided not to go through Christian Confirmation at my parents church at the realization that I was not Christian. I believed in god, or some kind of higher power, but Star Wars seemed to be more believable than what the Methodists were delivering.
The show gave many perspectives and displayed both sides of the coin. It was refreshing. The most intriguing part for me was an interview with a man named Michael Persinger who was testing
his "God Helmet".
The god helmet is a motorcycle helmet wired up to focus electromagnetic activity into one particular area of the brain. The result was that the test subjects would experience the presence of others in an empty room. He called this a classic god experience. And went on to say that the belief in another presense out there comes from within and not from outside. His thesis as I understood it was that the human propensity to not only believe in but also experience God or a higher power or even aliens and ghosts came from a reaction in the brain.
The next day I watched a TED talk* from Michael Shermer of the Skeptic society which was very well delivered and touched on this very idea as well. He mentioned in his talk that he had experienced the "God helmet", first hand. I would love to try this device out. But I have a different hypothosis as to what is happening. I don't think that the experience is a fabrication, I believe it to be the opening of a door way. The funny part is that I know any devout skeptic who just read that sentence just either became angry or decided I was an idiot, and any religious person would be nodding their heads in agreement...but then there is a third group who would be undecided. The true skeptics.
In the end any argument or discussion that involves the mysterious and undefinable, be it god or ghosts or anti-matter, comes down to belief or faith. And these things, as frightening as it may seem to some, are up to individual interpretation.
Best, Stuart
*http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/michael_shermer_the_pattern_behind_self_deception.html
Dear Internet,
I'm sorry it has been a spell since my last entry. I am back in New York for the time being. However I am very eager to get back to hong kong. I am waiting for my train after performing magic at the restaurant Ninja New York. It is cold and raining outside my clothing is damp and there are no other people here waiting. I watch as the second train travels by going the opposite direction. So I decided a blog entry would fill the time nicely. I plan to post more photos and info on the Hong Kong visit and on getting engaged, yup, if you didn't know, now you know. I am eagerly holding the ropes ready to tie the knot, and I couldn't be more in love. It really is the best feeling to be in love. I never want to lose it.
This blog has proven to be quite a place of my rambling. Sorry about that to those whose patience is thin. But then again they probably wouldn't be reading this. I had a salad "Asian chicken salad," at Ward III after work. I love that adding sesame oranges and fried noodles to a salad makes it the Asian salad. It seems pretty much the same everywhere. Except I didn't spot it in Asia. The waitress at Ward III introduced me to some of her friends and I was roped into performing a bit. Didn't mind, except for being tired. (Ahh train is here. Empty. I love the odd times NY gets ghostly. ) after some three card Monte I chatted with a computer guy who had fun riddles. Here are a few:
1 Suppose you run a candy shop and you receive three packages. But you are told that all three boxes are mislabeled. One is labeled mint one is labeled anise and the third is labeled mix anise/mint. You find that all the candy looks the same. How many candies do you need to taste to reelable the packages correctly?
2 You want to correctly measure gouty five minutes of time. But your only measuring tools available are two light-able fuses and a lighter. You know the fuses will each light for one hour. But you also know that the burn at intermittent rates. You can also light the fuses at different points and put them out if needed. How do you measure forty five minutes?
And finally:
3. There is a fox who would like to eat a duck. The duck is in a circular pond and can't fly away without reaching land first. The fox can run four times the duck's swimming speed. Is it possible for the duck to escape?
I hope someone finds that fun. If you do.....please fill in the comments below with your solutions.
After these riddles and problems somehow the memorization of pi was brought to topic. These were definitely super geeks. But I must include myself in that realm. Because at one point I memorized 33 didgets of pi. Let me see if I can do it here:
3.14159265358979323846264338327950288
That last zero might be a six. I'll check it later.
nope...it is a zero.
Just changed to train two. Above ground and two people on this one. The rain beats down on it's metal roof. It is a comfortable sound. I'll be getting off now soon. I wish everyone love and happiness.
Stuart
Dear Internet,
Having a Fabulous time in Hong Kong. Since my last post I have been visiting with many different people to make connections and set up shop in this city. On Sunday I attended Christine's Grandparents 62nd anniversary. This event was held at the Shanghainese club and consisted of dinner and drinks.
There was some very pushy toasting from the older folks "bottoms up bottoms up" the lady who circled around with a bottle of whisky toasting everyone would say. The night ended with the whole group singing songs I could only understand as classics.
I met with the seemingly most well known local magician Sean Mcfarlane on Tuesday. We became quick friends. Sharing ideas of performance and business. It is good to know I will find an inspiring and knowledgeable community here, as well as there being enough work to go around. Dinner Tuesday was with Christine's parents and some of their associates at a private kitchen. The food was an intriguing mix of American and Asian. Things like creamed corn with prawns and fish eggs.
Took it easy yesterday. I was having these earache-headaches all week so, seem to have subsided today. The pharmacist said they were most likely pollution related. One of the drawbacks to Hong Kong. Met Christine for lunch near her office. Had a Japanese teriyaki burger. And we had a Japanese dinner last night. It was very good. We had Ramen with soft boned meat. You could eat the bone as if it was made of thick pasta. After we had some crazy Taiwanese dissert that I think was called ice flakes. It was a mixture somewhere between shaved ice and ice-cream. And covered with chocolate and sprinkles and "magic beans," which were mango flavored and popped in your mouth like fish eggs. I am going back for another before I leave. This is what we are eating in the picture.
Tomorrow Christine and I are going to a birthday dinner where I will ben performing some. And this weekend MACAU!
I am very excited about seeing Macau. Looks like an amazing island city. I'll most likely have the next post on that time.
Sincerely,
Stuart
Dear Internet,
I am sitting at M's cafe having a coffee. It is Saturday in Hong Kong. The cafe looks out at the building I am staying in. This week has been a good one. I have found many leads for setting up shop in this town. I look forward to nailing down more substantial ones. Been meeting many new people. This weeks activities included visiting many schools, meeting new people, connecting with the Hong Kong Freemasons and many great meals. I am meeting tonight with a local magician to talk about the scene. More to come
Sincerely,
Stuart
Dear Internet,
It is Easter in Asia. We started the day with dim sum with Christine's sister, brother in Law and nephew. Performed some for her nephew. He loved the sponge balls and my Pet (puppet) monkey Pabu. Afterwards we wandered through Wan Chai. Christine took me to some old buildings and an art supply store. (I have become a regular practitioner of ink painting)
After our wandering we had a drink at a western influenced cafe called The Pawn, which had a great balcony and interior design. We ended our night with "clash of the titans" at The Grand, which is a movie theater with reclining overstuffed chairs. Dinner was at Megu on the roof of a mall. Sushi. Yum
Dear Internet,
It is a Friday afternoon in Hong Kong. Light rain, comfortable weather. I am at a gigantic mall in Kowloon. At a Vietnamese restraunt called Rice Paper. Great Food. Best company. Christine is now off her phone and looking at me with the "what are you doing on your phone?" stare.
Hello again. It is now Saturday afternoon. Just picked up a cheap cell phone for hong kong calls. Christine and I are booking the fancy lazy boy style chair that shake during explosion movie theatre to see Clash of the Titans tomorrow. We are hanging out for a bit in the common room of the apt/hotel I am staying at. Had a great night last night. We saw Imogen Heap at a very odd venue, an Italian restaurant. I don't think they knew what they were doing. The show ran over three hours and was packed. She was fantastic none the less. All and all great times.
More to come.
Dear Internet,
I am using this blog post to test out the new ability (for me) of posting from my phone and to let everyone know I will be in Hong Kong for April. I'll be updating here on all the amazing things I do and find.
Dear Internet,
It is Monday, the week after my birthday. I'm 31 now........ time does go by. But I must say that the last two years, have been great ones.
I''m currently working on learning Chinese Brush Painting, it is great to pick up a new skill in my arsenal of painting technique. Some may not know that read this, my background is in visual art. I have a degree in Painting, and still spend a good amount of time drawing and painting. I just recently completed an illustrated Childrens book which was written by my good friend Adam Cardone. The title is "The Haunted House Magic Show," check out below for a few images from the book. I will also post some of my ink paintings once I have some worth showing.
In other news, I am visiting San Fransisco for the first time next month with Christine. I have always wanted to visit that city. I will always enjoy traveling.
Look for more updates soon.
Best,
Stuart
Greetings and Salutations,
A Happy New Year to all, I will begin my new year with the resolution to keep more up to date contact with my clients and friends. Starting with this Blog!
Tonight is a blue moon. For those who don't know, a blue moon is when a full moon occurs a second time in a month, which is extremely rare, hence the phrase, "once in a blue moon."
It is also a good omen. That it is happening on the new year I will take as a very good omen. So let us all smile at the prospects for the year to come.
For those who need a little more magic in their lives, Come and see me perform close up magic this coming Monday at Monday Night Magic. http://www.mondaynightmagic.com
Should be a great night so get tickets early!
Let me update one and all on future plans. I am currently working for an extended stay in Asia, more specifically Hong Kong. I don't currently have a set departure date, but I greatly anticipate the relocation. I love to travel and I love to learn about new cultures and immerse myself in new experience.
Life is an amazing experience and one should not lose track of the beauty and mystery that exists all around. I have been seeing a great deal of cynicism and apathy in our current culture. The concept of "cool" in most genres seems caught up in not caring. I hope we can all try and drive away from this notion. Lets bring back sharing and togetherness. Lets bring back a love of the world, of nature, and of all people. These are things I hope all people can focus on more in times to come.
All the best,
Stuart
Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone's holiday celebrations are going well. I have been very busy working parties from Holiday parties at peoples homes and offices; to the toys for tots program; to the Dewars 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition, (or Repeal Day,) at the Box Theater. If you saw me at any of these such events, thanks for making it to the blog page.
There are a few ways you can see me again, First there is booking me for your own event, which simply involves giving me a call or emailing me, easy to contact through:
I will post any public stage shows here in the future.
To catch me performing close up most weeks in the New York area check out the restaurants
"Ninja New York," and "The Melting Pot."
Ninja is a Japanese restaurant with a Ninja theme, the staff all are dressed as Ninjas and the food has some crazy presentations such as smoking or lighting on fire. This restaurant was modeled to look like a Japanese mountain village, with a boardwalk and small private rooms. It is a crazy experience.
I perform there most Tuesdays, but you can also find me there on a Saturday or Sunday depending on the week, so call ahead and check if I am scheduled if you want to pop by on the weekend.
On Fridays you can Catch me at "The Melting Pot," in Darien Connecticut. The Melting Pot is a Fondue restaurant. Darien is not far from New York City and easy to get to by Train (metro north) or car. I am there from Seven to Ten, call ahead and check to make sure I will be there, and let them know you are coming to see me. This is a best bet for close up performance, lots of fun and great food.
If you go to any of these places make sure and tell the management, or the staff that you came to see Stuart Palm.
More to come...
My best to all,
Happy Solstice,
Stuart Palm
