#Bruce Kalver

[hellishere7980]

Whatever It Takes (CH-4)

Dear mother, I know you're mad at me. I was supposed to stay with Damien. Stay ‘safe’ as you put it But there is still a weak point I need to cover. You said our aim was to get Damian to safety. Mother, you and I both know he is not completely safe. Safer? Yes. But not completely safe. You know, I promised to myself that I would do whatever it took to keep you both safe. This is my way of doing it. Go ahead and say that ‘You don't need to do it’. But I know I need to do it. So, forgive me, mother, for disobeying your direct orders. I was following the order you gave me a long time ago.

I love you, Mother.

You always said that repeating something again and again reduces the value of your words. These three words I will never tire of speaking to you. Because you gave birth to me. You kept me safe as much as you could. You snuck in and stayed with me when I was sick. You are my mother.

You always said, “Mariam, You are my daughter. Be brave.”

Now I'm saying, “You are my mother, Trust me.”

Trust me to know what I'm doing.

Your daughter, Mariam.

Talia fell down crying after reading the letter. The woman who never shed a tear even after being stabbed and shot.

Bruce stepped forward and supported her to a chair.

— — — — — — — —

“M-Mother?” Damian asked as Talia was about to get back into the car.

“Yes, Damian.” Talia said, smiling at him.

“Don't worry.” Bruce said, standing beside Damien. “We'll keep a lookout for Mariam.”

Talia just nodded and was about to get into the car when a notification chimed up in the bat computer.

Facial match: Ra’s Al-Ghul Location: Gotham Harbour, Dock #7

They all looked at each other as they rushed to put on their costumes. Dick dragged Damian with him to at least make him wear a basic black Kalver uniform. Soon enough, they all took off. Dick and Tim on the nightcycle and the R-Cycle. Bruce, Damian and Talia in the Batmobile with Alfred manning the comms. After breaking some traffic laws, they pulled up at the Gotham Harbour in under 20 minutes. They all stepped out and saw Ra’s standing on a cliff while his personal helicopter, ready for takeoff, waited below in the sandy area.

“Well.” Ra’s said, turning towards them. “I expected that pusillanimous girl of yours to do this.” He said to Talia. “But you? You failed to achieve the low expectations I set for you. This has gone on for long enough. If you so desperately wish to get out of the league, then fine. The league has no place for cowards like you and your daughter who can not even respect their blood. Come along, Damian.”

“NO!” Talia And Damian said together.

Ra’s opened his mouth to say something else but just then a stone was catapulted from the nearby higher cliff which hit Ra’s, the momentum throwing him off the cliff and onto the spinning blades of his helicopter.

Everyone else remaining on the cliff were stunned and watched in utter shock as they heard the sound of flesh being sliced and falling into the slightly acidic waters of Gotham Harbour. As the men in the helicopter jumped out, arrows from the nearby cliff, although from a different area, claimed their lives as they fell down in the pools of their own blood.

All of them stood motionless. Then Batman said, “Whoever did this, the intention was not to harm us yet. Proceed with caution. Robin, Damian, check if there are any survivors. Talia, Nightwing and I are going to check the cliff from where the attack came.”

After spending hours, they couldn't find anything. Just a note that said.

I Bow to thee, Talia Al-Ghul. The Demon Head of the League of Assassins.

“What does this mean, mother?” Damian asked when they showed the note to everyone back in the Batcave.

“This is an ancient ritual.” Talia said looking at the note with something akin to silent horror. “Whenever a Demon had died and the heir took the place as the next Demon Head, all the people of the League of Assassins were supposed to pledge their loyalty to the new Demon Head. They used to bow as a symbol for accepting their superior.”

“But didn't Ra’s say that you were not to inherit the League?” Bruce asked. “Because you are a woman.”

“I know that.” Talia said.

“OK, OK, you are the new Head.” Dick said. “Got it. What are we gonna do now? I think that Mariam might have done it—”

Talia said, “She wouldn’t kill her own Grandfather.” She took a deep breath in.

“I still think the League isn't a fit place to bring up Damian. I still wish you would keep him here.” Talia said, looking at Bruce.

“That would be my absolute pleasure.” Bruce said. “But I want to know one thing.” He continued turning towards Damian, kneeling down to his level, “You wanna stay here, Damian?”

Damian looked deep into Bruce's eyes. “Yes, Father.”

“Well, that's settled!” Tim said. “He gets to stay with us. And you,” He said to Talia. “Get to head the league. Fun.”

Talia gave a light chuckle. “I will leave now.”

And so the days went by. Damian adjusted in his new life as the new Robin after Tim gave him the mantle. Talia went on to Head the league, changing the name from League of Assassins to League of Shadows. When Damian called her about it, she replied, “A new change of aim, means a new change of name.”

Talia even revealed that Jason was back in the living world. They tried to fix that burnt bridge. But Jason was still not completely open to coming back, but, baby steps. Everything was going swimmingly until one day, specifically on Damian's birthday, someone rang the doorbell.

[scottwellsmagic]

854: Magic Texas - Day One Report

Friday, August 30th, 2024

Subject to change

8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Registration Open

9:00 AM SAM National Council Meeting

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Youth Academy

NOON – 1:00 PM SESSION #1 – Choice between; Kent Cummins – Marketing Magic Live, Gustavo Raley – Creativity

1:30 – 2:30 PM SESSION #2 – Choice Between; SAM Youth Protection Training, Diamond Jim Tyler – Bamboozlers

3:00 - 4:00 PM SESSION #3 – Choice between; Fabian Moreno – The High-End Residency, Bruce Kalver – Tech Talk

6:00 - 7:00 PM Welcome To Texas Party – Foyer of Ballroom – Cash Bar,

7:00 - 7:30 PM Welcome Event – TAOM & SAM Officers, Introduction of FISM-NA Contestants. Introduce Gay Blackstone, Honoree. Andrea Baioni FISM Talk (with slide show) - Houdini Theater at Loews Ballroom

7:30 – 7:50 PM A Conversation with David Copperfield – Eric Hogue

8:00 – 9:00 PM Adrian Vega One-Man Close-Up Show # 1

8:00 – 8:30 PM Mind2Mind Mentalism Session #1 (30 Person Limit – Must be pre-registered)

8:00 – 11:00 PM Youth Academy

7:30 –11:30 PM Grand Opening of Dealers Room – Magic Texas Clue – Prizes from Dealers

8:45 – 9:15 PM Mind2Mind Mentalism Session #2 (30 Person Limit – Must be pre-registered)

9:00 – 10:00 PM Adrian Vega One-Man Close-Up Show #2

9:30 – 10:00 PM Mind2Mind Mentalism Session #3 (30 Person Limit – Must be pre-registered)

10:00 – 11:30 PM MAGIC COLLECTORS/HISTORY SESSION – Chip Romero on Doug Henning, Mark Jensen on Marshall Brodien

11:30 PM – Late Night Magic Jam

Time stamps for this episode: updates will be posted after I get some sleep

00:00:18 –

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[mickeyotoole-blog]

The S.A.M. Launches An Online Magic Club

The S.A.M. Launches An Online Magic Club

What is V1.1? The Society of American Magicians has developed a virtual assembly in order to provide all S.A.M. Members an opportunity to attend a monthly meeting. There are many individuals who cannot attend a local meeting due to either not having one nearby or other obligations that take precedent over attending a meeting. Now there is a monthly meeting where any member who wants to attend can…

[scottwellsmagic]

771: S.A.M. 2023 Convention in New Orleans - Day One Report

Sunday, July 23rd

8:00 AM REGISTRATION Open Vieux Carre Foyer

9:00 AM SAM National Council Mtg “Thurston Lecture Hall” SYM Youth Academy “William Andrews Classroom”

11:00 AM Exhibitors Grand Opening “Kellar Exhibitor Hall”

1:00 PM SHOW 1: Exhibitors Showcase Show “Thurston Lecture Hall”

2:15 PM Convention Welcome “Thurston Lecture Hall”

2:30 PM Lecture 1: Bruce Kalver – Tech Tips & Tricks “Thurston Lecture Hall”

4:00 PM Lecture 2: Barry Mitchell Focus on Funny for Kids “Thurston Lecture Hall”

4:00 PM REGISTRATION Closed Vieux Carre Foyer

6:00 PM Exhibitors Close “Kellar Exhibitor Hall” 8:00 PM PARTY 1: Mardi Gras Welcome Party. Join the 2nd line Parade –   with the Crecent City Conjourers (Warpo, Doug Conn, Devon Faul, Steve Reynolds, Winston Helling Jr, Michael Dardant) and Variety Talent by Frenchman Street Productions Promenade/Courtyard/Martinkas Backroom and balcony

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

[scottwellsmagic]

541: 2020 S.A.M. Update Day Three

Schedule of Events - Sunday, January 19

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM          The Magic Circle Reception  (TMC members only)

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM           Registration                                                           Conference Center Prefunction

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM        LECTURE – Gustavo Raley: Shadowplay       Houdini Theater

10:00 AM – 1:30 PM        EXHIBITORS                                                           Kellar Exhibitor Hall

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM      STARS OF TOMORROW Stage Show            Houdini Theater

(Open Seating)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM        Stars of Tomorrow Close-up Performances Houdini Theater

Grab N Go lunch with Dealers

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM          LECTURE: Scott Alexander – Standup Parlor  Houdini Theater

2:30 PM – 6:00 PM          EXHIBITORS                                                          Kellar Exhibitor Hall

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM          S.A.M. Special Award Presentation              Houdini Theater

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM          Pro Close-up Show (Open Seating)                    Houdini Theater

Danny Archer, Daniel Roy, Tony Montana, Sergio Starman, Henry Evans

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM           LECTURE: Juliana Chen – World Champion   Houdini Theater

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM           Pro Close-up (Group A Open Seating)               Houdini Theater

7:00 PM – 8:15 PM           Rudy Coby Show (Group B Ticket)                    Showroom

9:00 PM – 10:30 PM        Pro Close-up (Group B open seating)                 Houdini Theater

9:00 PM – 10:15 PM        Rudy Coby Show                                                    Showroom

(Bring Your Ticket)

11:00 PM – 12:00 AM     Harrison Greenbaum Late Night Comedy Troy Liquor Bar

(Minimum Age 21 – Open Seating)

Time Stamps for this Podcast:

00:00:17 - Henry Evans talks about the convention and his many travels

00:04:23 - a visit with the nearby Donut Bar restaurant that is a place you should visit!

00:07:43 - Bruce Kalver, Past National President, is also the M.U.M. columnist of the Tech Talk column.talks about his favorite recommendations

00:18:20 - Marc DeSouza gives us an update from yesterday’s activities

00:25:00 - Mark Weidhaas, Past National President, is also the Convention Chairman who tells us what it took to put this convention together.

00:35:47 - International President of the I.B.M. talks about the upcoming I.B.M. convention in Pittsburgh

00:40:14 - Jeff McBride talks about this convention and his Mystery School

00:46:39 - Eric Buss will be on the bill as part of the talent as he has taken some time off from his busy cruising schedule

00:55:42 - Sara Crassan is an attorney who talks about protecting your intellectual property as a magician

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

[scottwellsmagic]

540: 2020 S.A.M. Update Days One & Two

Schedule of Events - Friday, January 17

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM        REGISTRATION                                                         Conference Center Prefunction

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM        Magic Endowment Fund Meeting                      Martinkas Backroom

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM        LECTURE: Bruce Kalver Tech Tricks Live         Houdini Theater

9:30 PM – 11:00 PM       Youth Protection Training & Certification    Martinkas Backroom

11:00 PM – 11:30 PM      V1.1 Podcast Convention Kickoff                        Martinkas Backroom

Schedule of Events - Saturday, January 18

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM           REGISTRATION                                                  Conference Center Prefunction

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM        SAM Council Meeting                                      Thurston Lecture Hall

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM        EXHIBITORS Open                                             Kellar Exhibitor Hall

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM     New Conventioneer Orientation                    Houdini Theater

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM     Convention Grand Opening / Welcome       Houdini Theater

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM      EXHIBITORS Showcase                                      Houdini Theater

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM         Conference Conversation & Interview          Houdini Theater

Featuring: The Dean of American Magicians: George Schindler

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM        GALA SHOW                                                              Houdini Theater

“Dedicated to Johnny Thompson  Tank You Berry Much!”

Stephen Bargatze, Ice McDonald, Gustavo Raley, Paul Vigil, Yukihiro Katayama

(Open Seating)

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM           EXHIBITORS                                                          Kellar Exhibitor Hall

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM           BUSSES to the LINQ                                            Carson Tower Lobby

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM           Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly    The LINQ

(Group A Ticket)

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM           Hi Roller / Brooklyn Bowl (On Your Own) The LINQ

9:30 PM – 11:00 PM        Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly     The LINQ

(Group B Ticket)

9:30 PM – 12:00 AM     BUSSES to Golden Nugget                 Pickup at The LINQ

Time Stamps for this Podcast:

00:00:15 - leaving Houston and flyiing my Magic Carpet (Southwest Airines) to Las Vegas.

00:03:53 - Alain Nu talks about his new (Nu) show in Las Vegas then Elliott Hitchcock joins us, too.

00:10:03 - Luke Dancy talks about living in Las Vegas and working for Murphy’s Magic Supplies

00:15:36 - Scott Land discusses his puppet workhops in Las Vegas

00:22:12 - James Dimmare in Frankies Tiki Room

00:28:51 - Daisikai with SEO Magic

00:29:11 - Lupe Nielsen talks about her woodworking, posters and Norm

00:34:34 - Guest of Honor for this year’s convention and Dean of the S.A.M. magicians, George Schindler

00:45:53 - Jon Dorenbos talks about his path since America’s Got Talent

00:51:03 - Steve Bargatze, International VP of the I.B.M., talks about the upcoming I.B.M. convention in Pittsburgh, PA

00:55:10 - Stan Allen talks about being a past Guest of Honor at the S.A.M. convention plus what’s happening in Vegas

01:00:36 - Bob Portillo talks about Alain Nu’s new show that was discussed earlier in the podcast.

01:03:19 - Dan Sclare and TOm Vorjohan talk about Life Membership in the S.A.M.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

[scottwellsmagic]

366: Day Two - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2017

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 SCHEDULE 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Registration Opens - Registration Area 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - S.A.M Annual Meeting - Carroll Ford Spouses Orientation - Combs Chandler 10:30 - NOON - I.B.M. Board Meeting - Nunn 11 AM - Noon - Bruce Kalver | Tech Tricks Lecture - Grand Ballroom 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Stage Contest 1 - Grand Ballroom 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Fielding West Lecture - Grand Ballroom 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Magic Circle Reception - Presidential Suite 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM - Dealers Show - Grand Ballroom 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM - Stars of Magic Gala (Gene Anderson, MC, Jonathan Neal & Leann, David Deeble, Jason Andrews, and the Outerbridges)- Whitney Hall (Ticketed Event) 10:00 PM - 10:45 PM - Kent Cummins Lecture - Grand Ballroom 11:00 PM - 11:45 PM - Jeki Lecture - Grand Ballroom

Time Stamps for this podcast::

00:03:40 - John Sturk talks about the new things going on with the Chicago Magic Lounge and their "new digs" that are being built

00:14:51 - Steve Bryant talks about seances in Southern Illinois and Indiana

00:24:28 - Steven Bargatze talks about his son, Nate Bargatze, who is a successful comedian.

00:38:50 - Rick Heath, artist from Le Grand David Magic Show, talks about working with Marko the Magnificent (Cesareo Peleaz)

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here