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SMC Magic Chalet Report II |
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Written by Shade
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Friday, 29 December 2006 |
Having stayed both nights, I think I'll just share a few of the fun moments...
DAY 1:
We did all the last minute shopping - charcoal, drinks, BREAD, sausages, toiletries (for me at least...), fire-starters - funny how a bunch of magicians need fire starters to get a fire started... Hmmm... Fire-retarded magicians. Wait till you hear how helpful the firestarters were on the BBQ night. NTUC proved a real maze for us as Jerome led us from point A to point B and back to point A only to realise we were trying to get to point C. We found out eventually that point C was really a level below us.
Liken to a bunch of REAL LIFE RPG characters in a Dungeon adventure, we traversed the levels of NTUC Toa Payoh, gaining experience in the act of shopping (which most ladies happen to be at full LEVEL 99). Finally, with everything we needed in stow, we were ready for the beginning of a WET WET WET day.
ARRIVAL:
Thanks to Gordon (dry_gin), we didn't have to deal with the hassle of fighting off the hordes of Taxi-hoggers. He was kind enough to pick us up and drive us down. With all the stuff, we braved the torrents - somebody up there had a full bladder - and eventually made it to our destination - BLOCK G, Unit 1723.
I would reserve the less than refined half of my language for the way that the 'chalet' is being run. I'm tempted to mention how stupid the 'per entry' system is; how crudely efficient the entire facility was designed to siphon off every last cent from the unwary victims of recreation; how sophisticatedly comfortable the design was to resemble high class modern slums to maximise profit; but I would focus instead on the SMC activities, which were the highlight of the 3 days, so I wouldn't mention any of the above.
THE CHALET DAY 1:
The 'chalet' was a room with 1 toilet. HAHAHA. It was small, but we made good use of the space. It didn't take long before someone broke out a deck of cards and the jamming began!
Uncle Bob arrived with Ning and his pupil, Kevin. Jerome performed some of his pet effects for Joel, Kevin, Tok and Sufi. He was so much in his element, it would've been very hard to tell that he was on holiday and not doing it professionally had it not been for the singlet he was wearing and all the sexy leg hairs he was flashing.
Uncle Bob performed his galactically famous DREAM CARD. Stunned silence followed by thunderous applause. I've seen that trick a number of times and I still enjoy it every time he does it.
Gordon slayed everybody by tempting FATE and COINCIDENCE. Somehow, the laws of chance don't apply whenever Gordon holds a deck of cards.
Even the new faces did a few effects that were truly entertaining. I know Kevin performed Oil and Water (another of Bob Chua's pet routines) for Joel and Sufi.
I could go on and on for hours on what we did. But suffice it to say - DAY 1 was jam till you dropped. So much information was shared and so many performances were made by everyone that we eventually turned in at about 4 in the morning. I only remember not being able to sleep from an overdose of magic madness and Hon's face in a nightmare with him going, "Is my faro ok? I need to make that giant fan!"
DAY 2:
Day 2 was really, a continuation of Day 1 - after all, we jammed late into the wee hours of day 1 ala early hours of day 2. The day started with brunch. Poor Joel had a bundung that would send him continuously to the toilet (almost 6 times...).
Mr SMC aka Aloysius, arrived with Ning and the Little Magic Shop in a box. They had enough to start a shop in the chalet there and then. We were playing Texas Holdem when they arrived.
It's interesting that the popularity of Holdem has caught on like wildfire. I personally always preferred Stud Poker, being more old school myself, but holdem does present other 'possibilities'.
Jerome had suddenly caught a bug to learn how to play the game, so we had a nice session where we used drinks as stakes. Loser drinks. HAHAHA. Boy did I have fun. Poor Joel had to drink 3 cups of water - twice. It was a water parade for us. And a true learning experience for everyone I'm sure.
Eventually, the big night came. Jerome had to run out in the storm to pick up the wings and all from the supplier. It was a cruel joke. The storm stopped the moment he got back! If we'd waited just another 20 minutes, we could've just walked out instead of dash out with umbrellas up our hind ends.
STARTING THE BBQ:
Probably the most fun about any BBQ is the fire. Somehow, the primal experience of starting a fire always sets the boys' blood running. It was such that saw 4 grown men hovering over a BBQ pit, setting up mini camp fires with charcoal and basking in the self-satisfied glow of successful fire starting. It was also then it started to rain. Buckets of piss fell from the sky.
A valiant effort was made to rescue our fire. Notice I said 'effort was made'. We failed. The fire went up in a poof and the gallant gentlemen of the gantry pit ran back into the relative shelter of the chalet. Well, in light of the circumstances, anyone would think it was a hopeless cause. 4 of Singapore's finest men could do nothing in the face of nature's ruthless onslaught.
Then, in the confines of the chalet, the smell of BBQ prawns drifted in through the open balcony door, teasing us - nay, taunting us - in open defiance of the impossible situation! Turns out, the four 'Aunties' next to our gentlemen had somehow managed to keep their fire going even in the down pour! HAHAHA.
Not to be outdone by a couple of pre-dated Dinosaurian Aunties with a straw hat fan, our heroes went back to work! The fire was eventually born!
THE MAIN EVENT:
With so many stars under one roof, it was inevitable that a little tension sets in.
Uncle Bob kick started everything off with his incredible rope routine. I've said this before and I'll say it again - if I ever decide to pick up a rope routine, I'd ask Uncle Bob to teach me his version. It's really the cleanest and most incredible handling I've seen to date of the Professor's Nightmare. He was truly at his element that night, swapping pointers with Enrico and JC. I wish I could everywhere at once to watch all the action.
Sherman Tjong came with Jack (Jerome's mentor and friend). Jack did a truly incredible coins routine. He must have been a little nervous in front of so many great names, and he seemed to be performing a little faster than he would normally, but it was indeed a great routine and validated by the applause he had.
Our own Nick (Blackwing) also did us proud in a rendition of Darren Brown's effect, blowing everyone away with the impossible effect.
JC Sum came with his concept magic team. He was really gracious as he lavished effect after effect on the guests after chatting up Enrico and Bob. He impressed everyone with his style and finesse with cards and then slayed all with his coin routine.
I dare say that everyone had their fill of amazing and incredible magic that night; there was so much magic packed under one roof that night it was surreal. I really look forward to more such events in the future.
I wish the question answer sessions with the pros could've been a little longer, but given the conditions just the ideas on the top change and Jacob Daley's Last trick shared was worth the price of the entire chalet.
DAY 2 LATE:
The weather was relentless - but even the unending showers could not dampen the spirit of what happened. I know that I've grown as a performer myself just by watching the likes of Uncle Bob, Enrico and JC perform; again, the axiom of 'a sleight makes a performer not' firmly reinforced through this night's session. I really wish to express my heartfelt thanks to them for taking the trouble to turn up in spite of their busy life schedules AND the bad weather conditions. It shows how dedicated and supportive they are to the Art of Magic to want to be there for us all.
That night, Aloy and Jerome had more Holdem action... I think they could've cleaned out two or even three more bottles of water. I did my own reflection with Joel even as I watched this young potential work his own magic in his own way.
There was much said and much shown; but still more to think about in the days ahead. I hope everyone took something home with them besides a few new sleights (faros) and a new effect or two.
I know I did. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 26 February 2007 )
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