Hey guys and gals,
This is more of a mini blog than a forum post, but hey its magic related in several ways...and I do kinda need some advice.
Sussex Magic Circle, I emailed the chairman and he invited me to come along this thursday (6th Dec) - Im extatic, I've never really had the balls to do anything like this, and im really excited, but I'm nervous as hell, is this normal? I know I'm gonna be meeting other magicians and stuff, but I cant help but shake like a mad thing whenever I think about it - I think I'm dreading the day they say 'lets see what you can do then' and I fail to impress them :S
Xmas Party, was the good old (if slightly early) B&Q Xmas party last weekend here in Brighton, and (as Im sure a LOT of you will do) I took along a deck of cards with me - the reaction was amazing :-O 'I had no idea you were into magic, and its so good' said one manager of mine - even though I was drunk, thus didnt try anything more than a very bad handling version of an ambitious card routine and a 'find the aces' trick. The responce was amazing, and the experience REALLY boosted my confidence with performing, maybe its because I knew some of them (not all - many broguht partners / spouces along) or maybe its because I was a little tipsy and it was very informal. The only thing was, 1 man - The HR managers Husband - he was following me heckling me most of the evening...'he isnt shuffling them properly', 'Thats easy, I saw it on TV once', 'He always picks the stupid people to do tricks on, cos clever people see how its done' to name a few - I tried to throw off any comments, ie let spectators shuffle and inspect the cards (apart from my newly modified ID obviously - BEST TRICK IN THE WORLD BTW), but he really put a blow on the massive confidence boost I had gained before

3rd, and final - One of the night crew ladies works as a cub leader, and asked if I would go along, do some tricks and then show them to do some, allowing them to get a badge / sticker on a chart (or some other form of recognition for their hard work / skills at entertaining). I was flattered, but I've never entertained kids before - though it would be fun to do, Im not even sure where to start with what I would teach or present...any help would be GREATLY appreciated

Rant / blog over, many thans to people who reply with helful advice

Dan
aka Trev