Learn memory techniques and stun my university

So I studied these techniques I ran across last night for about an hour. You’d think that it would have been so late that nothing sank in, but I practiced one of the association techniques on the bus into school today and managed to memorize a list of 20 randomly-chosen things. I chose these things as they came into my field of perception and created the pictures in my mind that are apparently necessary, and after creating the list of 20 items I was able to go through it backwards or forwards without making any mistakes. Here’s one 14-item list from my this morning’s busride, just for interest’s sake (and to see whether I still remember):
lamppost, tree, busstop, railing, head scarf, car, truck, high heels, rock, temple, street light, newspaper, bear paw, trash can.

I also remember the phonetic number system basics, as I think it’s called: 1=t,d; 2=n; 3=m; 4=r; 5=l; 6=j,sh, soft ch, soft g; 7=k, 8=f,v; 9=p,b; 0=s,z.

Yes I realize this all means nothing to most people ;) if you look at the links posted in my first entry on this topic you’ll see what I’m working from. Yaay! :)

mind you, not much luck with the (erk) constitution. Going to try again tonight.

I love stuff like this. Here’re two links that I’m using to help:

http://www.ricgerace.com/memory.htm

http://www.vlaardingen.net/~tom/Tut08.htm

...and I’m considering getting this book:

http://tinyurl.com/7d5y7

Sorry for all the links. Supposedly Aristotle came up with techniques to improve your memory beyond normal bounds, just that somehow no one I know has ever really heard much about it or studied it. The guy interviewed under the first link I posted can memorize the order of all the cards in a deck in a matter of minutes, and remember 50-digit numbers, plus all the codes you need to know to work for the US postal service.

Well get me some of that, please. I have to memorize the basics of the Canadian Constitution-ie what section is about what-and heck, that interview even mentions my specific case. Working on this tonight for fun and profit and procrastination!

Please add any good links/books you have found about this topic!