What does the little tombstone on the title line of some Magic: The Gathering cards indicate? [more inside]
posted by 256 on Dec 10, 2009 - 7 answers

I've never been so addicted in my life... [more inside]
posted by HabeasCorpus on Dec 2, 2009 - 29 answers

I am in need of some new simple magic tricks capable of impressing young children and inebriated adults. [more inside]
posted by AzzaMcKazza on Dec 1, 2009 - 17 answers

I have some weird, tricky physics questions based on a fantastic (non-real) premise, involving bullet speed and potential injury. [more inside]
posted by Caduceus on Nov 11, 2009 - 31 answers

After going to the library and conducting some research, you decide there's no two ways about it: Your next-door neighbor is a witch! [more inside]
posted by Nonce on Nov 3, 2009 - 31 answers

My girlfriend wants superpowers. What should I get her for Christmas? [more inside]
posted by moonroof on Oct 29, 2009 - 42 answers

Years ago on his Magic Show (80s, UK TV) I watched Paul Daniels pour apparently hundreds of different drinks from a single magic kettle. It freaked me out a little at the time and even now I'd love to know - how does that trick work?
posted by Fiery Jack on Oct 17, 2009 - 8 answers

Does anyone remember a Harry Blackstone Jr. television decapitation that traumatized me as a child in the later 80s early 90s? [more inside]
posted by jefficator on Oct 15, 2009 - 2 answers

What is this 80s cartoon about some possibly magical woman who lived under the ocean? [more inside]
posted by Dormant Gorilla on Oct 5, 2009 - 8 answers

Please help me find tasteful, grown-up fantasy-themed decorative and design ideas for a bedroom. Longer explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by jalexc on Oct 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Recommend some PC games that have in-depth spell-casting/spell creation systems. [more inside]
posted by Elminster24 on Aug 26, 2009 - 10 answers

I was taught this amazing card trick as a youngster and I can't remember it to save my life! [more inside]
posted by jluce50 on Aug 6, 2009 - 12 answers

Suggest absorbing fiction about mysterious England. [more inside]
posted by Doctor Suarez on Aug 2, 2009 - 54 answers

When could I expect contract price for the new iPhone and HTC magic to come down (UK)? [more inside]
posted by K.P. on Jul 23, 2009 - 2 answers

Where can I find folks to play Magic: the Gathering with in NYC? [more inside]
posted by cyrusdogstar on Jul 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Trying to find a friend find a book she remembers reading as a child, fantasy genre, wizards, kids with magic, and it was a trillogy! Better description (kinda) inside [more inside]
posted by Syntoad on Apr 10, 2009 - 5 answers

Stand-alone fantasy book recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Feb 19, 2009 - 57 answers

MagicFilter: How best to shoot sparks from your hand? [more inside]
posted by disillusioned on Jan 19, 2009 - 3 answers

Buying D'Lites In Bulk [more inside]
posted by thelloydshow on Jan 17, 2009 - 2 answers

SO... what good cards have been released for Magic: the Gathering since ~Ravnica Block? Have not really played in a while, nor kept track of the cards, need a sort of briefing on the state of magic. [more inside]
posted by JoeXIII007 on Jan 1, 2009 - 4 answers

My friend is having a flavor tripping party (with the miracle-fruit berry), and has asked everyone to bring something to try. I am shot for ideas. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Something creative, or clever, or anything, really. Just not lemons. Thanks!
posted by howgenerica on Dec 16, 2008 - 49 answers

I sometimes visit a network where port 22 is locked down. I'd like to be able to initiate ssh sessions from this site. Is there any tunneling or other magic I can invoke to reach this goal, or any other solution short of badgering the admins? [more inside]
posted by namespan on Oct 18, 2008 - 10 answers

Help me be a fantastic Cabaret MC . . . I need jokes, tricks, filler lines, and so on . . . oh, and this Cabaret is also a wedding! [more inside]
posted by donovan on Oct 7, 2008 - 3 answers

There must be a simple explanation for this, but I'm damned if I can figure it out: in televised football games, how do they get the digital line of scrimmage and digital arrows marking which down it is to appear as if they're underneath the players' feet and bodies? [more inside]
posted by Powerful Religious Baby on Sep 28, 2008 - 10 answers

Why are we getting incomplete printouts when attempting to print wirelessly from a laptop? [more inside]
posted by newfers on Aug 19, 2008 - 3 answers

How does one get skilled at Magic: the Gathering? [more inside]
posted by LSK on Aug 8, 2008 - 21 answers

What is the name of the book I read in 5th grade (as part of the curriculum) about a boy who finds a magic traveling alleyway in his neighborhood and meets the inhabitants, including an old "bag lady" who sews sweaters from bits of trashed yarn and an adolescent girl who ... wears roller skates, maybe? To clarify, these people live in houses that are inside the alley, and the alley itself (or the entrance to it, at least) moves every so often. I've been wondering about this book for years and can't seem to find reference to it. Thanks! (Bonus questions inside) [more inside]
posted by radiosig on Jul 19, 2008 - 10 answers

What is the best way to get back into Magic: The Gathering? [more inside]
posted by utsutsu on Jul 1, 2008 - 18 answers

Help me find real-world magic items. [more inside]
posted by MrVisible on Jun 17, 2008 - 47 answers

A couple years back I remember seeing a sleight of hand magic routine where the magician was sleeveless. He worked with cards and even produced some tall mixed drinks! He was a white guy with blond hair, perhaps from Sweden or Denmark? (That's just a guess.) He was touted on the program as the reigning sleight of hand champion. Can anyone tell me the name? I would like to find some video of his work.
posted by jxpx777 on May 8, 2008 - 3 answers

I've recently been enamored by card tricks that appear to be magic. Can anyone suggest reputable teachers/mentors and study guides?
posted by jasonspaceman on May 3, 2008 - 11 answers

How does one fidget with a purpose? [more inside]
posted by Stagecraft on Mar 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Does anyone know of where I could get (or download) a good sized copy of this poster (advertising the fictional magician Li H'sen Chang), seen in the classic Dr Who story 'The Talons of Weng Chiang'? I'd love to get a large sized copy to frame for my living room for some subtle geek chic!
posted by timpollard on Mar 14, 2008 - 3 answers

What's the best way to sell a bunch of old Magic: The Gathering cards? [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on Feb 17, 2008 - 23 answers

I was told of a book of Daemon's, where the protagonist is a C coder who gets transported to a magical world where his code can do magic. [more inside]
posted by Pontifex on Jan 17, 2008 - 12 answers

Recommendations of shows in Las Vegas, for two people in mid-20s. Looking for a few to see and for advice on how to get tickets for cheap if possible. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by bread-eater on Dec 24, 2007 - 9 answers

What are some good (preferably experience-based) birthday gifts for a 21-year-old Australian programming geek who thinks he's Danish? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 29, 2007 - 12 answers

You know the playground trick whereby four of you can "levitate" a fifth person using just your fingertips (you first hold your hands over his head and count to 20)? How does that work, then?
posted by bonaldi on Nov 21, 2007 - 20 answers

I'm going to a fruit-themed party next week and want to impress. Can you recommend me some awesome tricks with fruit not unlike this one? Bonus points for those involving apples, but all are welcome.
posted by pantone292 on Nov 16, 2007 - 23 answers

I can't remember this 70's/80's fantasy book series! It's driving me nuts. I've been searching google and amazon for about two hours and I keep hitting dead ends. [more inside]
posted by d13t_p3ps1 on Nov 8, 2007 - 8 answers

Where can I find a "Magic 8 Ball" in Panama City, Panama....today? If I had one...it would be able to help answer my own question about where to buy one...
posted by wogbat on Nov 8, 2007 - 7 answers

Any female magicians/assistants here? Does anyone know of any web resources/blogs regarding women and professional magic? [more inside]
posted by macrowave on Sep 25, 2007 - 3 answers

Recommendations for books with bumbling wizards? [more inside]
posted by killjoy on Sep 18, 2007 - 32 answers

Unix-poster-filter. Help me locate the original of an artwork... [more inside]
posted by bitmage on Sep 14, 2007 - 7 answers

I reckon an expert magician can "trick the public" most of the time - with disappearing/switching watches, coins, jewellry etc.
Given that...
1) would the normal magician-like techniques work in real life situations? In other words could a competent magician go through their life just thieving from us innocents?
2) Have any magicians ever been exposed as using their skills for "evil"? By evil I mean non-performance fraud/theft/short-term monetary gain?
A very poor example: early on in The Grifters, John Cusack gets the crap beaten out of him for trying to switch a large denomination $bill for a smaller one in a bar when he paid for a beer.
posted by selton on May 15, 2007 - 20 answers

i am looking for a children's book that my friend read when she was in elementary school (5-10 years ago.) the book is about a boy and a girl who go on an adventure through a magical world and save the people from a monster. then, the girl dies, and the boy has to boil her in a pot to bring her back to life. [more inside]
posted by comfortinsound on Apr 2, 2007 - 8 answers

I need help finding the patent for David and Dania's quick change act effect. [more inside]
posted by schnee on Feb 1, 2007 - 2 answers

Looking for help and suggestions on an illusion/science experiment/bit of alchemy I can perform. [more inside]
posted by donovan on Jan 26, 2007 - 13 answers

Where can I find video of Ricky Jay performing? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse on Nov 6, 2006 - 3 answers

Box Cutters: I get lots of boxes, and I'd like a device that turns those boxes into small piles of cardboard that fit in my small trash can. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by sirion on Oct 30, 2006 - 9 answers