Something fishy
February 19, 2011 2:24 AM Subscribe
This post was deleted for the following reason: posted previously -- vacapinta
Surely these people have bigger fish to fry.
posted by rhymer at 2:40 AM on February 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by rhymer at 2:40 AM on February 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'll try to add a comment a few days from now, when Fu Yandong reveals the trick, apparently (really!) under international pressure.
As with all good tricks, I suspect it's easier than pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:45 AM on February 19, 2011
As with all good tricks, I suspect it's easier than pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:45 AM on February 19, 2011
From what I've gathered the magic trick or Effect is called "A Fish Called Costeau". It was created by Mago Anton, and in 2003, it was banned by the International Federation of Magic Societies (who, despite their impressive title, are completely inept at casting magic missiles...noobs). This might explain the outrage. However, on forums populated by magicians, a magician by the name of Jason London adamantly states that the Effect is completely safe for the fish if it is performed correctly. This effect can be purchased in Mago Anton's magic shop for 900 GPs
DAMMIT PEOPLE IS THIS A DOUBLE??
posted by lemuring at 2:55 AM on February 19, 2011
DAMMIT PEOPLE IS THIS A DOUBLE??
posted by lemuring at 2:55 AM on February 19, 2011
Oh yeah... I see how he does it. Watch closely at 18 seconds. Took me a few viewings though.
posted by dougrayrankin at 2:56 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by dougrayrankin at 2:56 AM on February 19, 2011
Double. Kill this. Sorry.
But I can tell you how the trick is done. So suck it Metafilter-never-takes-a-double.
Hint: It's not magnets.
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:57 AM on February 19, 2011
But I can tell you how the trick is done. So suck it Metafilter-never-takes-a-double.
Hint: It's not magnets.
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:57 AM on February 19, 2011
mannnn... I learned a lot though.. thanks twoleftfeet, I woulda missed this.
posted by lemuring at 3:01 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by lemuring at 3:01 AM on February 19, 2011
There's a trick, first popularized by Max Malini, where you make the same post appear in two different places. Well, actually, the "same-thing-in-two-different-places" trick wasn't invented by Malini, but he was really good at it.
I can palm a marked coin, pass it to somebody else, have them insert it into a lemon and take it to the backstage before you can remember what we were talking about. Malini was cool that way... he would spend an hour or two before dinner thinking about how to get your lemon to the backstage.
When somebody retrieved the lemon, they would see that it was an exact double of a coin that had appeared earlier.
I love Malini for his forthrightness, fior doing an obvious trick, the same trick we all know, in way that wasn't obvious.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:26 AM on February 19, 2011
I can palm a marked coin, pass it to somebody else, have them insert it into a lemon and take it to the backstage before you can remember what we were talking about. Malini was cool that way... he would spend an hour or two before dinner thinking about how to get your lemon to the backstage.
When somebody retrieved the lemon, they would see that it was an exact double of a coin that had appeared earlier.
I love Malini for his forthrightness, fior doing an obvious trick, the same trick we all know, in way that wasn't obvious.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:26 AM on February 19, 2011
This post will certainly be deleted, which means that I have a few minutes to violate The Magician's Code.
When you saw a woman in half, make sure most of her is below the blade. Escaping a straitjacket is easier if you tense up first, while they apply the straitjacket. There's a universal key that unlocks most handcuffs. If you ask someone for a shape, nine times out of ten they'll say "circle". Make sure you have a room of ten people, and choose nine times out of ten. Learn to back palm a card. Pull a rabbit out of a hat by having a false bottom (top?) in the hat which matches a hole in your table. Magicians are a secretive group, but very lonely. Talk to some and they'll tell you everything. For the most part, magicians are either boring nerds or extremely interesting people.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:41 AM on February 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
When you saw a woman in half, make sure most of her is below the blade. Escaping a straitjacket is easier if you tense up first, while they apply the straitjacket. There's a universal key that unlocks most handcuffs. If you ask someone for a shape, nine times out of ten they'll say "circle". Make sure you have a room of ten people, and choose nine times out of ten. Learn to back palm a card. Pull a rabbit out of a hat by having a false bottom (top?) in the hat which matches a hole in your table. Magicians are a secretive group, but very lonely. Talk to some and they'll tell you everything. For the most part, magicians are either boring nerds or extremely interesting people.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:41 AM on February 19, 2011 [3 favorites]
Never let it be said, item, that when you ask for love you do not get it.
posted by cmyk at 3:44 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by cmyk at 3:44 AM on February 19, 2011
For my next trick, I will make this entire post disappear.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:04 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:04 AM on February 19, 2011
A heavily itemized bill.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:09 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:09 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Think of a number between ten and thirty. Any number. Make sure that the number that you're thinking of is bigger than ten and less than thirty. Make sure both of the two digits of the number that you are thinking of are odd and that they aren't the same digits. Also make sure that the number you are thinking of is the team number of a former basketball player and that the two digits add up to five. Also make sure that the product of the two numbers is six.
My prediction is that you chose 21, because you can't multiply.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:16 AM on February 19, 2011
My prediction is that you chose 21, because you can't multiply.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:16 AM on February 19, 2011
item, I think your brain is breaking.
posted by sonic meat machine at 4:19 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by sonic meat machine at 4:19 AM on February 19, 2011
Hey rocky, watch me pull a massacre out of my hat!
Again?!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:22 AM on February 19, 2011
Again?!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:22 AM on February 19, 2011
Pick a card, any card.
Now concentrate on the card. It's the three of spuds, isn't it?
Perhaps you object that there is no such thing as the "three of spuds". But you would be wrong, because it exists in the here-and-now as an abstract concept that I've just invented.
That, my friend, is true magic; the ability to invent a reality where none has existed before. That's why the three of spuds exists. That's why I've been thrown out of every casino in Vegas.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:24 AM on February 19, 2011
Now concentrate on the card. It's the three of spuds, isn't it?
Perhaps you object that there is no such thing as the "three of spuds". But you would be wrong, because it exists in the here-and-now as an abstract concept that I've just invented.
That, my friend, is true magic; the ability to invent a reality where none has existed before. That's why the three of spuds exists. That's why I've been thrown out of every casino in Vegas.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:24 AM on February 19, 2011
so glad to be here I would like this thread Itemized
posted by adamvasco at 4:31 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by adamvasco at 4:31 AM on February 19, 2011
This is a hard trick to do over the web, but I'll try to do it anyway.
I have 3 shells:
^^^
and I'll put a pea under the first shell, like this:
^^^
-
then I'll mix all the shells around:
^^^
^^^
^^^
^^^
You have to guess where the pea is. The trick is that no matter how you guess, you'll be wrong, because the shells are only typographical symbols in a web post, and I cheat like crazy.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:32 AM on February 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
I have 3 shells:
^^^
and I'll put a pea under the first shell, like this:
^^^
-
then I'll mix all the shells around:
^^^
^^^
^^^
^^^
You have to guess where the pea is. The trick is that no matter how you guess, you'll be wrong, because the shells are only typographical symbols in a web post, and I cheat like crazy.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:32 AM on February 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
How the Hell is this thread still up?
Magic!
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:34 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Magic!
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:34 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
I once sawed a comment in half.
Pardon my grammar. I once saw half a comment.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:39 AM on February 19, 2011
Pardon my grammar. I once saw half a comment.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:39 AM on February 19, 2011
It's not like we know how magnets work anyway.
posted by ardgedee at 4:43 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ardgedee at 4:43 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's the Final Countdown! Dee-dee-dee-deee. Dee-dee-dee-dee-deeee.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:43 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:43 AM on February 19, 2011
item, I think you've made this my favorite MeFi thread ever.
posted by barnacles at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by barnacles at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011
Can I show you a card trick?
Shuffle these cards:
=
=
=
=
=
=
Now pick the top card. It's a -
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Shuffle these cards:
=
=
=
=
=
=
Now pick the top card. It's a -
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
item thanks for the entertainment this morning as I sit in an airport. . . waiting.
posted by garnetgirl at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by garnetgirl at 4:45 AM on February 19, 2011
This shit really should never see the light of day
I will always know your secret shame, item.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
I will always know your secret shame, item.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
East coast what?! Good evening from Western Australia.
posted by barnacles at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by barnacles at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
Take from that what you will.
OK, I did. I bet I know who the oddball musician is, too! Anyway, I'm guessing it's Daniel Johnston, and/or Jad Fair. And for those of you who don't know, Mefi's own item has posted a couple of tunes he recorded with the legendary Mr. Johnson and Mr. Fair, right here at Mefi Music. So check 'em out!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
OK, I did. I bet I know who the oddball musician is, too! Anyway, I'm guessing it's Daniel Johnston, and/or Jad Fair. And for those of you who don't know, Mefi's own item has posted a couple of tunes he recorded with the legendary Mr. Johnson and Mr. Fair, right here at Mefi Music. So check 'em out!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:46 AM on February 19, 2011
item: "Man, my earlier work in this thread was seminal, raw, really something to behold. My later stuff I'm just phoning it in."
... is your last name "Corgan"?
posted by barnacles at 4:53 AM on February 19, 2011
... is your last name "Corgan"?
posted by barnacles at 4:53 AM on February 19, 2011
I think the tags should be like the kiwis would say: fush and trucks.
posted by barnacles at 4:55 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by barnacles at 4:55 AM on February 19, 2011
That would be 'img' tage. I forgot that you can't use '<>'.
posted by ericb at 4:55 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by ericb at 4:55 AM on February 19, 2011
I wonder if jessamine will get to this before the West Coaster Mods wake up. Bet she's having something with Pure Vermont® Maple Syrup for breakfast this morning.
posted by ericb at 4:58 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by ericb at 4:58 AM on February 19, 2011
jessamine!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
jessamyn ... geesh, typos galore before coffee!*
* -- I don't drink coffee.
posted by ericb at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
* -- I don't drink coffee.
posted by ericb at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
I've developed a new rapid-fire magical style that involves both sleight of hand and fleet of foot.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:59 AM on February 19, 2011
All native-born Vermonters have a secret maple spigot.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:00 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:00 AM on February 19, 2011
Vermonsters!
They force you to eat cheese and maple syrup and ice cream and coffee until you are SATISFIED!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:01 AM on February 19, 2011
They force you to eat cheese and maple syrup and ice cream and coffee until you are SATISFIED!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:01 AM on February 19, 2011
I buy most of my clothes second-hand so I suspect I've crossed dressed a time or two by accident.
posted by Sailormom at 5:06 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Sailormom at 5:06 AM on February 19, 2011
The Royal Society has a great video that animates ...
posted by adamvasco at 5:07 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by adamvasco at 5:07 AM on February 19, 2011
I'M WEARING WOMEN'S CLOTHES, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
Well, according to Morty Seinfeld, it's the culottes that made Jerry 'gay.'
posted by ericb at 5:08 AM on February 19, 2011
Well, according to Morty Seinfeld, it's the culottes that made Jerry 'gay.'
posted by ericb at 5:08 AM on February 19, 2011
Well, I guess I can't blame you, I get, like, hyper-emotional during previews in a theater. I think I carry around a lot more stress than I realize, and there's something about being in a dark movie theater with the music and the edits and the compressed little stories that somehow bypasses my armor.
posted by Menthol at 5:10 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Menthol at 5:10 AM on February 19, 2011
A is for Apple. Also for Alphabet Game. Anybody?
It's a 3 day weekend!
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:11 AM on February 19, 2011
It's a 3 day weekend!
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:11 AM on February 19, 2011
But I've never seen it on the Blue.
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:11 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:11 AM on February 19, 2011
Well, and there's something to be said for the sort of group emotional dynamic that comes from seeing something and experiencing something with a group of strangeness, even in the dark. It's a helluva thing at times.
posted by barnacles at 5:12 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by barnacles at 5:12 AM on February 19, 2011
C is for fish.
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:12 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:12 AM on February 19, 2011
Or is it ghoti?
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:13 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:13 AM on February 19, 2011
D is for Daleks, which stay crunchy in milk.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:13 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:13 AM on February 19, 2011
Anyone else using font Monaco to read mefi? I think it looks great.
posted by knz at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by knz at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
I also find it a great comfort in terrible times to go to the movies by myself, to sit in the dark and let the story sort of wash away all my inner turmoil.
As an aside, I just got this new keyboard that's all clicky, and man, it's pretty awesome typing on this thing.
posted by Menthol at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
As an aside, I just got this new keyboard that's all clicky, and man, it's pretty awesome typing on this thing.
posted by Menthol at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
It's Comic Sans all the way down.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:14 AM on February 19, 2011
East coast what?! Good evening from Western Australia.
Aussies don't get a 3-day holiday this weekend. Hah-ha. /Nelson Muntz
posted by ericb at 5:15 AM on February 19, 2011
Aussies don't get a 3-day holiday this weekend. Hah-ha. /Nelson Muntz
posted by ericb at 5:15 AM on February 19, 2011
Let's stay on topic here, Memo.
posted by Menthol at 5:15 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Menthol at 5:15 AM on February 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Note: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion by focusing comments on the
issues, topics, and facts at hand—not at other members of the site.
posted by progosk at 5:16 AM on February 19, 2011
issues, topics, and facts at hand—not at other members of the site.
posted by progosk at 5:16 AM on February 19, 2011
It's Comic Sans all the way down.
At the very bottom circle of Hell it is labelled as Helvetica.
posted by jaduncan at 5:16 AM on February 19, 2011
At the very bottom circle of Hell it is labelled as Helvetica.
posted by jaduncan at 5:16 AM on February 19, 2011
3-day weekend?! What what! What day is it?
Anyways, I'm working all weekend in preparation for fieldwork, so I'm doubly-screwed.
posted by barnacles at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2011
Anyways, I'm working all weekend in preparation for fieldwork, so I'm doubly-screwed.
posted by barnacles at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2011
progosk: "Note: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion by focusing comments on the issues, topics, and facts at hand—not at other members of the site"
YEAH YOU WOULD SAY THAT
posted by barnacles at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2011
YEAH YOU WOULD SAY THAT
posted by barnacles at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2011
3- day weekend. Yep. Presidents Day -- "...the fourth most celebrated holiday in America behind Christmas,Thanksgiving, and New Years's Day."
posted by ericb at 5:19 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by ericb at 5:19 AM on February 19, 2011
Menthol: "Let's stay on topic here, Memo"You obviously didn't get me! ...get it? Ha ha ha ha ha...
posted by Memo at 5:20 AM on February 19, 2011
Go home, drunk, you're item.
posted by loquacious at 5:23 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by loquacious at 5:23 AM on February 19, 2011
I think "Honerable" is in the OTD.
Oxford Texas Dictionary DUH
posted by barnacles at 5:23 AM on February 19, 2011
Oxford Texas Dictionary DUH
posted by barnacles at 5:23 AM on February 19, 2011
You people just aren't taking this seriously enough.
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by twoleftfeet at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
You know what harms fish? Sticking a hook through their face and letting them suffocate to death in the bottom of a dinghy.
posted by zzazazz at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by zzazazz at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
Isn't honerable already a word? I thought it meant it was an appropriate time or pace for playing a harmonica. Which is pretty much never unless you're Tom Waits or Bob Dylan. Well, maybe not even Dylan.
posted by loquacious at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by loquacious at 5:24 AM on February 19, 2011
True story. I was named Eric in honor of My Pet Fish, Eric (an Halibut).
posted by ericb at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2011
posted by ericb at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2011
loq, I wish. I can't drink anymore due to an ugly and very real medical problem.
I'm kidding. It's a bent injoke.
Now, who gave vacapinta permission to sleep in on a Saturday?
posted by loquacious at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2011
I'm kidding. It's a bent injoke.
Now, who gave vacapinta permission to sleep in on a Saturday?
posted by loquacious at 5:27 AM on February 19, 2011
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posted by mannequito at 2:30 AM on February 19, 2011