Monday Mail Call #8

It's Monday and you know what that means... Monday Mail Call!

Every few Mondays, I use this feature to highlight a few of the things that have made their way in over the past week or so. Packages, purchases, and emails -- oh my!

I took most of last week off for Spring Break and it was great. Went to Mexico with the family, got sunburn twice, and I'm pretty sure my pants don't fit anymore. Then again, they didn't really fit to begin with so who's counting =P

Freedom of Expression Book
Freedom of Expression by Dani DaOrtiz.

This week's haul actually came in right before I left for break. While I received a few decks, I want to kick things off with Freedom of Expression by Dani DaOrtiz. I pre-ordered this book back in November and just received it. I would love to say, "better late than never," but honestly, it's not that late in the grand scheme of things. This book is an English translation reprint of DaOrtiz's first book ever, one that he goes on to say (in the intro) that many people have requested he have translated over the years. Well, 10 years later and here it is!

I started devouring the book as soon as I received it but I'm not really that far into it. I brought it with me on my vacation thinking that I'd have some down-time to flip through, and while I did have the time, I actually used it to read a different book (The Three Musketeers -- you gotta love those classics!). I know last time I mentioned it I said I'd have a intro review, but I'd like to get a little further into it and practice some of it prior to that. As of right now though, and again, I'm not very far into it, but right now it's very much worth it. I know I'm going to get so much great knowledge from this book!

Up next is the latest subscription delivery from Jocu Playing Cards, the CULT : Fire Inner Circle Exclusive deck and the Hops & Barley Belgian Blond, an early release!

The CULT: Fire deck and Hops & Barley Belgian Blond deck by Jocu Playing Cards
The CULT: Fire and Hops & Barley Belgian Blond decks.

This is the fourth (and I think final?) deck in the CULT series. I haven't added any of the others to the site yet, but I do have them all. I also haven't opened any of them. They have this wax seal on a ribbon that just invokes a do not open vibe. "I'm not a collector" ™ but I just can't bring myself to do it. It'll happen one day, I'm sure. But for now, these beauties are hanging out on my wall display!

The Hops & Barley deck was a surprise delivery too, mostly because I didn't read my email. I knew that in my subscription I would receive an early-release deck, but I didn't know it was coming in this package and when I opened it, I just got a whole lot of "wow!" I really love the Hops & Barley series overall. The cards are very well designed and have an amazing feel to them. They're a deck that you'd love to use and show off.

And finally, the Kings Wild Table Player's deck of the month. I subscribed to the Table Players series this year because they've historically looked cool. This month's deck, the back design kind of kills it for me (in a bad way). The tuck's nice and the faces are great, but ugh. I'll probably use the deck and toss it.

KWP Table Players Limited tuck and back design
The tuck and back design of this month's KWP Table Player's release.

I wish I could explain how happy I am to have Freedom of Expression. I've been on a Spanish Magician kick for at least a year or two now and I'm excited to consume all the material I can. This book, ah how I can't wait to go through it all! And the decks I've received, 2 out of the three are real winners. Not the greatest of odds, but hey, they're like mystery decks that show up each month or two so I'm not complaining too much.

Stay tuned for the next iteration of Monday Mail Call, there's a lot more to come!

Oh also, if you'd like to offer suggestions for books, tricks, decks or if you have questions about magic (performing, routines, sleights, etc.), just reach out here.

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