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MarkRochon New user Martinez, CA 23 Posts |
Hello! Been lurking around for a few weeks and ya’ll have a nice forum here. I’ve been toying with cards again the last few weeks and thinking maybe I need to get serious about them again. I’m an old guy – no, 55 isn’t that old – and started magic way back in the sixties as a kid and I really got into it. By the time I was 14 I had a weekly gig on a local kids TV show in my home town of Anchorage, Alaska. That gig of a five/seven minute spot once a week lasted about 3 years - when I kind of started neglecting magic after picking up the guitar - but I didn’t leave the show: I became Woodsy Owl. The show had a Woodsy costume around and when my interest in magic started to wane they said try on the suit. So I did that for another year until the show was canceled.
Alaska is a pretty isolated place and back in the day there weren’t many other magicians around. But I had a wonderful tutor, Gary Fain, who I think is now in the Raleigh, NC area. Gary gave me a solid grounding in card basics and a lifelong love of all things Harry Lorayne. Over the years I’ve kept up the basic slights and flourishes: Charlier cut, Faro, pretty good card control, etc. But for the life of me I can’t remember a single trick. So I’ve been cleaning up the moves and re-reading Lorayne so I can re-learn some actual effects. I’ve even pulled Stars of Magic out and I’m determined to finally really learn something out of it – well, more than throwing tissues over someone’s head. I also picked up a Lorayne DVD and am enjoying work with it – wish they had these things back with I was starting out… I’m now in Martinez, CA, in the Bay Area, and am so lucky that Martinez is the home of the California Magic Club. Even though I only go maybe twice a year or so I’m so fortunate to have this wonderful magic venue 10 minutes from my house. And I just love the owner Gerry Griffin. I really need to go more often. So anyway sorry for being so verbose but I’m glad to have found the site and I’m looking forward to being a part of the community. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Welcome MarkRochon,
Wow, a 5 to 7 minute spot once a week for for 3 years? I'd have burned out long before you did. I hope you got some tape of that but in those days it was either film or the fat tape. Welcome back to Magic. -Mary Mowder |
AKMan New user Covington, WA 56 Posts |
Welcome Mark,
About a year ago I moved from Fairbanks where I lived for 40 years. It was tough learning magic while being so isolated but it forced me to come up with my own magical ideas, props and solutions. I suspect your experience was similar. I highly recommend finding an IBM Ring or SAM Assembly to join in your area. I joined the Spokane IBM Ring and have been having a blast. My best to you and again, welcome. Jon |
MarkRochon New user Martinez, CA 23 Posts |
AKMan - Good to hear from a fellow displaced Alaskan. Yes, those long cold winter nights were a great time to work on your own new & unique ideas. There is an active SAM Assembly here that I've been thinking I need to check out.
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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Welcome Mark,
Martinez is a nice area. I grew up next door in Concord and now live about 40 minutes north in Winters, Ca. I've never been to the California Magic Club but it looks like a fun place. I'm going to have to check it out sometime. You'll love the Café. Harry Lorayne is a VIP member here, his posts are excellent. Jim |
gomerel Elite user 458 Posts |
We recently visited the Mt. Diablo SAM club (Assembly 112). Great club. They meet in Pleasant Hill. http://sam112.com/
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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Thanks. That's in my old stomping ground. Maybe I'll see you there one night
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