It's Monday and you know what that means... Monday Mail Call!
Each Monday (give or take), 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!
A few weeks late, but this month's copy of Genii finally arrived! I was finally caught up enough with my other readings that I've been able to dive into it the last two mornings with my coffee, it's a pretty good read. The main feature of the month is of Randy Pitchford's purchase of The Magic Castle. It gives great background on the history of The Castle and the potential that it may have closed for good. Pitchford stepped up and is now the sole owner, protecting the building and all it stands for. I can't wait to visit one day!
There's also a second feature about the history of Story Decks (think "Sam the Bellhop", except with actual pictures on the decks... but also Sam the Bellhop). Coincidentally, I've created a few story decks in the past year alone, and I am working on one right now for the Super Flower Blood Moon that was last night (the 15th). They're not full decks, but a few cards that tell a story. It's pretty cool to see that these ideas have existing for a really long time, and there are a lot of different ways to present them too.
Up next is a an awesome delivery, it's a half brick of False Anchors decks! Ryan Schlutz held a giveaway contest on Instagram (@falseanchors) and my entry won!! I knew that the giveaway prize was a half-brick, but I didn't expect it to be the False Anchors Collection Bundle (I thought it would just be 6 V3 Standard Editions or something similar). When I opened the box and saw a really, really nice half-brick box I had my first phase of shock. Opening the magnetic clasp on that and seeing different decks inside, whoah!
All in all, the prize includes False Anchors V1, V2, and V3 Standard Edition decks. It also includes a False Anchors V3 Special Edition deck, a Gilded V3 deck, and one Unanchored Standard Edition deck! I am so happy for these. Thank you again Ryan, this is unbelievable (^_^)
To wrap up the deliveries of the week are The Neat Review - Issue Four and Double Lift, both from The Neat Review (and Double Lift is also by Andrew Frost, i.e. @sleightlyobsessed). I received Issue Four as part of the one-year subscription, so there will be two more coming after this one too.
I am a very big fan of the books that Neat Review's put out so far, so I did buy these two semi-blindly, almost at fanboy level. Sadly, I also haven't opened either of them yet. Rather, I've taken them out of their wrappings, but I haven't read anything in them yet. My queue is still backed up and these are in it, but I just haven't gotten there yet. If Issue Four is anything like the first three though, it'll be well worth the wait. Though, I don't really know what to expect with Double Lift. The idea's right there in the title, but... well, we'll see =]
Magazines, books, and decks -- the week couldn't have gone better! Though, are Neat Review issues books, or magazines? They're softcover, and more artsy than wordsy... but Neat Review does say "Books by Neat Review" so maybe they're books? I've considered them thick magazines until recently. I still consider them magazines actually, I'm just confused as to why they're referred to as books =P. Either way, I'm going to read them and love them all the same <3
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.