Magic is a secretive art. And one I'm slowly becoming more practised in. As a little light relief one day, I created "The Magic Code". It works in a similar vein to the geek code, as symbols let you describe your magical persuasions in a simple, succinct, form.
Mine is, Cb+O--M+Pb--VT+I-A---, for example.
This can be decoded by means of the following table.
C : Prowess with playing cards
C+++ I am Daryl
C++ I do knuckle busting sleights without thinking
C+ I'd "pass" most sleight of hand competitions
C I can do a decent DL
C- I use cards in other effects, just because I can
C-- I rarely use cards because they just scream "trick"
C--- Never touch them
Card extension, a single post-fix letter indicates your back preference.e.g
Cb Bikes
Ct Tally Ho
Ce Bee
Ca Aladdin
Ce Ellusion fashion decks (you may not use Ce++ or higher without good reason
O : Have you coinage to show?
O+++ I am Daniel Garcia
O++ I'm holding six coins, but you can only see one.
O+ I will an hours worth of material before people fall asleep
O I do a version of coins across in my act
O- I only use coins that are gimmick.
O-- Coins are meant for spending; scotch and soda is for drinking.
O--- I can't even toss a coin
M : Mentalism Memes
M+++ I am Max Maven
M++ I live and die by the centre tear
M+ I'm one ahead of the crowd
M Appearing clever is easier than being funny, and quicker than learning sleights
M- I do mental magic, and prefer the term over mentalism
M-- I being and end with Fulves
M--- I've forgotten the question...
P : Professional performances
P+++ I am Mac king
P++ I have a residency
P+ I do enough shows for a full-time living
P I do some shows, and earn money from it
P- I've the life and soul of anywhere that hasn't banned me yet
P-- Will do tricks for beer
P--- I have a higher burn rate than flash paper
Performance extension, where do you perform
PS Street
Pr Restaurants
Pt Theatre
Pb Around the pubs and clubs
Pc Corporate events
V : Magic inventions
V+++ I am Jay Sankey
V++ I've created several effects, and sets of lecture notes
V+ I've created a couple of new effects, but guard them jealously
V I've created my own routines, and plan to publish one day
V- I adapt existing routines and make them my own
V-- I would create my own routines, but it's easier to buy it
V--- You mean someone _invents_ tricks!!?!?!?!
T : Patter
T+++ I am Penn
T++ I create and publish all my own words
T+ I create all my own words
T I adapt the patter that I've paid for to suit me
T- I've paid for patter, so I'm gonna use it as is
T-- I follow the patter of
T--- I am Teller
I : Under no illusions
I+++ I am David Copperfield
I++ I can do a 2 second metamorphosis
I+ I can do a 2 hour zig-zag, and make it fun
I Illusions are my staple, but on a small scale
I- I'd like to do illusions, but the cost and travel arrangements are prohibitive
I-- I like watching it, but that's it
I--- If it doesn't fit in a thumb tip, I'm not making it disappear
A : Assisting with assistants
A+++ I run a model agency
A++ I have more women than boxes to put them in
A+ I have at least two stage assistants
A I have an assistant
A- I always ask for volunteers to go in the box
A-- My assistants are there, but never visible
A--- I don't need any assistants for my act