Hi guys. I've been browsing this excellent site a few days now, and have decided to register, sign up, and join in the fun
. Here's a bit about me.
Approximately 4 years ago, I was bitten by the magic bug. The cause for this was watching the David Blaine Street Magic Special that, if I recall, was aired on Sky One. I was totally amazed by what I saw, and wondered for days about what I had seen. I used the power of Google, to find out a bit more about magic. now I know this sounds totally stupid, but to my surprise and shock, I discovered that I too could perform magic if I so wished. Not the small card tricks you might find in a children's book, but proper magic, magic that truly amazes people. I found a magic shop (emagictricks.co.uk) and purchased an 'introductory pack' If I recall, this consisted of the raven, an ID, IT.. and some cards... oh and a video describing a few tricks, like 2 card monte e.t.c.
I distinctly remembered the first time I tried the raven. I remember how bad I was at it!!! At first I was useless at pretty much everything, but I persisted, practiced over the next year, and by that time I had pretty much every single one of David Blaine's tricks under my belt (which was my initial aim and motivation at the time). I think I was what some people call a 'Blaine-a-be' or something!!!
Over the following year, I developed my skills more, and branched into other areas (whilst finding out what an expensive hobby it is!!!) At the pinnacle, I performed for Charity at my school, in front of my peers (the toughest audience I've EVER encountered) Everything went great, and the buzz I got from performing that was amazing. The card to locker trick went down great, as did the floating tenner
And then, came GCSE's. I put magic on hold for a while, while exams took over. After my exams, I carried on, until (and I know this sounds stupid) I got an xbox, Halo2 and an xbox Live subscription. Essentially, after those initial 2 and a half years of magic (by which time I suppose I reached just passed the beginner and into the intermediate level), I replaced magic with gaming.
It's been a year and a half since I have performed, or even practiced. My cupboard at home is still full of tricks, books e.t.c. I have very recently rekindled my passion, and I can't really explain why. During the time when I actively practiced and performed, I did go through small periods of time in which the passion, or desire to perform and practice was lost, but I have spoken to other magicians, and they say the same happens to them every so often. Is this true for any of you?
Anyways, like I said, I've somehow rekindled the magic flame again and have started practising again. I used to practice a good 3 hours a day on average before hand.
To my dismay, since recently starting magic again, I have unfortunately gone backwards, right back to a beginner again. Essentially, all the skill I had before, is seemingly now gone. I think it may be a case of extreme rustiness. A lot of the technique and routine has been lost and I am seemingly starting again from square one. Looking back at the things I USED to be able to do, I'm pretty sad at the prospect of doing it all again, but at the end of the day, I'll probably be a better magicican for it.
The thing is, this time, I want to do things PROPERLY. It is said that the best magicians, know only 10 or so tricks. And by, know, they REALLY know them. Know how top PERFORM, not just know how the trick is done. I'm afraid to say, that although I performed tricks succussfully, I had not reached a perfect level on any of them. True that I had an almost 100% success rate, but I always moved on, or bought a new trick before ever properly grasping certain effects.
This time round, I'm trying to change that, and try to stop my impatience of performing before I am truly ready.
I would say that my preferred, and style of magic, was street magic. I loved the 'in your face' no gimmick aspect of it, which really blows people away. However, the closest I ever got to true street magic, was performing at school. I never managed to build up confidence to go on the street. Perhaps I would have done if I carried on, who knows?
These forums are OFFICIALLY, one of my homepage tabs in my FireFox browser, so I'll be a regular member around here from now on
I think a forum like this is great to talk to others like yourself who share the same interest and to give and receive help regarding various aspects of magic.
Sorry for the essay, but just wanted to introduce myself.
