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Hunter Clayton Sonora, California 0 Posts |
Threescore and three I am! Late to the party? Methinks not. While I freely admit to being a rank amateur, in my own defense I should say that I do, however, smell good. Like coconut. No one is quite sure why.
Somehow, I always end up here. Searching for the 'latest and greatest' in card manipulation and I end up here, with Card College recommended - and where to get it! The best source for top-quality close-up mats, and I end up here - and where to get it! And what the heck is 'bizarre magic' anyway? - and I end up here again. The five-volume set of Card College is here, as is my new 17 x 28" plush close-up mat. Some other goodies on the way too, and all found recommended here, so thought I might as well stick my head in the door and introduce myself. Kindly humor me whilst I 'toss the broads' a bit. Decades ago (and then some) it was that I first stepped into Presto's Magic Shop on Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach, California. Fred. I remember. I can nearly see his bearded face even now, though through yellowed and faded glass not quite darkly. Splendid times those were. Outrageous good times. And thanks for the 'Scotch and Soda', Fred! Bless me, I still have it. I surely do. Came across it rummaging through a drawer the other day, thought 'Oh my God', and smiled. But as heard so many times, life and career got in the way. I've lived in 'October Country' all my life, as far back as I can remember. It is a place in the heart. A desire of the spirit. That most wonderful of territories nestled between summer and winter, where the cool evening breeze runs chills up the spine; the leaves, a phantasm of carnival colors, run twisting and swirling down the streets, and the crisp Autumn air is full of the aromas of hot apple cider and cinnamon, and the sweet scintillation of pumpkin pie. I live where the delightful and the diabolical meet, embrace, and dance about the twilight corridors of the soul. That's me, and my world. Having decided on this track once again after all these decades, one late evening I fumbled about in the attic (strange that, as I have no attic), the moonlight dancing through the single old stained glass window as multi-colored dust particles twinkled in the faint glow. And there, illuminated in the moonbeams, partially hidden beneath old newspapers and broken picture frames and the gauze of time, sat the ancient redwood chest; once highly polished, but now the varnished surface all cracked and faded and yellowed. I worked loose the rusty latch and hesitantly opened the chest, and there before me were the ancient tomes and grimoires. The Royal Road, Expert Card Technique, Encyclopedia of Card Tricks, Card Manipulations, More Card Manipulations, Show Stoppers with Cards - all by Huggard/Braue; The Complete Illustrated Book of Card Magic and Professional Magic for Amateurs by Gibson; Erdnase Expert at the Card Table, Buckley's Card Control, Scarne on Card Tricks and Three Card Monte, Daryl's Secrets of a Puerto Rican Gambler, Counts Cuts Moves and Subtlety by Mentzer, The Phantom of the Card Table by McGuire, Early Vernon 1932, Card Fan Productions by Mario, How to Pick Pockets by Eddie Joseph? What was I thinking? And as a sardonic smile crept across my lips, I shook my head and wondered 'What ever happened to me!?' And then I heard John Kay whisper "It's never too late to start all over again!" So be it! Retired now, and much time on my hands. Speaking of which, my hands have seen too much time! Gnarly ol' knuckles full of the visitations of arthritis may not bode well for palming, but there's a work around that. Once upon a time in the far-distant past I could Cut and Twist the Aces ala Vernon, but alas, time has taken its toll. Even now though, I tell you I am 1/10th of 1% as good at shuffling a deck as is Ricky Jay! Well, that may be exaggerating a bit! But I'll get it back. I promise you. I may even dabble a bit in Mentalism! Yes, '13 Steps' is on the way, too. And Bizarre Magic? We'll see. Thus, seeking the kind permissions of ye denizens of this Sanctum Sanctorum of Sorcery, if I may, shall sit quietly in the rears of these chambers and practice the conjuring arts once more, with deep thanks and best wishes to all. I leave you now with this thought, young and old. Far removed from context, and yet strangely within: 'From either end, with centuries between as well as miles, Old looks to young, young looks to old And, pausing with their wands, Trade similar smiles.' ~ Ray Bradbury And now the day is done, my friends. Please sit, and make yourselves comfortable! Might I interest you in a snifter of this rather extraordinary Courvoisier? I have such tales to tell you! Hunter |
Boomer Special user Prosper, TX 666 Posts |
Love, LOVE that intro.
Welcome to TMC. Dave |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Welcome Hunter Clayton,
Your intro made me think of Ray Bradbury before I even got to the quote. You actually made me think kindly towards Autumn, instead of as the harbinger of a cold and gloomy Winter. If you bring your writing skills to your Magic, it will be a good match. Story telling Magic does not have to be bizarre. -Mary Mowder |
Hunter Clayton Sonora, California 0 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 11, 2017, Boomer wrote: Thanks, Dave! Glad you enjoyed it. |
Hunter Clayton Sonora, California 0 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 12, 2017, Mary Mowder wrote: Thank you, Mary! I'm always delighted to find someone familiar with Bradbury, and I can't tell you how many times in my life people have told me my writings reminded them of him. Very flattering, of course - and Mr. Bradbury (we call him Uncle Ray) is a National Treasure, but I just smoosh words together until they suit me. He's at the top of my list of all-time favorite authors (of which I have many), but I never set out to emulate his style. I just write the way I write. Yes, lean kindly into Autumn, Mary, and you'll find many a wonderous world awaits you. And if you walk quietly in the golden early evening and whisper a kind word to the trees in all their glory, you'll see them turn with a smile to watch as you stroll by. Even the Liquidambar might gently toss a leaf or two your way! Hunter |
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