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Hello all. I am 33 years old. I am married with one 3 year old daughter, who has a better ability at making things (such as important paperwork, car keys, etc.) disappear than I'll ever be able to comprehend. I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, USA, and I've always had the yearning to learn magic.

In college, I was introduced to sleight of hand, and started with a quarter. Through my line of work, Law Enforcement (I'm a police sergeant for a small police department), I was afforded the opportunity to speak to high school, middle school, and elementary aged juveniles regarding safety issues. It wasn't until then that I really pressed myself into the world of magic. I found it was easier to get the attention of those older juveniles who automatically hate the cops. I began using magic in the school halls between classes, and during my presentations, which in my opinion drew juveniles to me.

Now I'd conisder myself somewhere between Amatuer Hobbyist and Skilled Hobbyist. I would like to reach the level of a working performer, but it wasn't until recently that I even considered attempting to conquer magic at that level.

Magic to me is all about fun and enjoyment. The reactions a well performed trick draw from people keeps me wanting to do more as well as the feeling of accomplishment in even the simplist trick brings out in me. The moment that you are able to perform a difficult trick with precision is like turning a light on for me. Enlightenment. And I guess that is what keeps me wanting to learn more.

hi anvil you have hit the nail so to speek right on its head.
as a performer myself i can say that the feeling you get is two fold, first theres the feeling when you perform a difficult slight infront of an audience and it pays off.
then theres the satifaction when you do a simple trick like the haunted key and some kids face lights up or some adult takes the key from you and just can't figure out how it can be done.

add to that the natural fear of performing and you have a heady mixture thats a very potent drug that drives you on to achieve more and get better so that you can impress more and more people.

your people skills will improve as you do paid gigs and your presentation will gain higher and higher skills, in the end though you will find that performing a few tricks well far outways haveing pockets of tricks and that quality not quantity gets you bookings.

Hi there Anvil and welcome.
Sounds like you have a real intrest for the subject which is always good.
Ill seeya round the boards and I look forward to reading your posts.

Hi Anvil welcome to TalkMagic

Magic to me is all about fun and enjoyment. The reactions a well performed trick draw from people keeps me wanting to do more as well as the feeling of accomplishment in even the simplist trick brings out in me

I think that says everything really. I suspect everyone here can associate with those sentiments. Certainly I can.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your posts.

Simon

Hi Anvil, welcome to Talk Magic!
I hope you enjoy it here and find the forum useful!

Hi Anvil,
It sounds like you are really enjoing your magic and if that's the case then you're on the right track. I think it's amazing when people such as your self put magic to such good use, I for one wouldn't be able to use it in that way. I look forward to hearing from you on the boards,

All the best,


Fish

just thought i would say 'welcome to the forum'

I'm a police sergeant for a small police department

OK, I'll get those bald tyres replaced - honest I will!

Welcome to the Forum, I think you've expressed sentiments which we can all share - Magic should be fun and if it can be useful as well then you've scored twice - we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

Anvil wrote:Magic to me is all about fun and enjoyment. The reactions a well performed trick draw from people keeps me wanting to do more as well as the feeling of accomplishment in even the simplist trick brings out in me. The moment that you are able to perform a difficult trick with precision is like turning a light on for me. Enlightenment. And I guess that is what keeps me wanting to learn more.

Or, you could start teaching magic to several beginners and more "professionals" than I care to think about! We need more magicians who understand those words...Too many don't, these days.

Welcome to the forums from a fellow Ohioan.

Mike.

Hi Anvil great Intro, welcome to the boards

I think I'm right at the same level as u, nice meeting u. I am trying to break into working too. Not a lot of oppurtunities at my age and city.