Hello all!

My name is Eli, I'm a 29 year old amateur.

I had a strong interest in magic at childhood through to early teens. Back then I gobbled all magic material I could find. That included kiddy magic sets, children magic corners in newspapers, viewing every magic show there was on television, and scavenging though bookstores for the few foreign books about magic I could find (Much of my knowledge in classic magic stems from what I’ve learned those years).

My interest in magic was rekindled about three years ago when I visited the States. I found Wilson's book as well as the many excellent Dover books on magic in the large bookstores. Later on the trip I got to Al's shop in Washington where I purchased Royal Road, ECT and the two first Goibbi books.

When I got back home, those kept me busy for a long time.

Later on, I got some Lorayne and Marlo books, and afterwards the infamous Ammar tapes as well as Ortiz's books.

In the past year I have also become interested in mentalism. I especially like the "con angle" in mentalism - as in switches, miscalls, double talk, and clever “stationery” ideas.

I have full time work as an engineer, and have no plans for becoming professional. My audience includes friends, family and co-workers (If there is one thing I don't like about such small audiences is that they don't allow for many great mentalism effects that require large groups for the effect to succeed properly).

In a book versus video discussion - I'll always go for the book, though there are times when a video can succeed where a book can't (a slight you misread, or timing for misdirection). I think that in a way a good video could be the closest thing to what a personal mentor is.

Presentation – I prefer working through every detail before presenting an effect. I don’t like to improvise anything. I will work on the wording, the pauses between words and even my facial expressions. Perhaps this is overkill, but as this is my hobby – and that’s the way I enjoy it.

Well, I think my coffee is getting cold. See you round the corner,

Eli A.

Hello and welcome Eli,
You have found the best magic site on the net, and there are many good people to help us along, visit often and enjoy your visits!

Welcome Eli if you have an interest in Magic you will discover you have friends wherever you go and the best friends are found right here in the Magic Cafe, so drink up and enjoy the company.

Welcome Eli: We already have one of your Countrymen at the Mentalists' table, so come on over, pull up a chair and let's "Talk." The table is the one in the corner by the window under the sign that says "A Penney For Your Thoughts," but I sensed you already knew that.

Welcome Eli, it sounds like your passion for magic is very strong. I know you will be a great contributor to the Cafe

Hello Eli,
so nice to have you join our magic family!
Welcome to The Magic Cafe!

Welcome to the Cafe... I would offer you a but you seem to already have one, The Cafe is the best place on the net for magic and since you like some of the older stuff you may want to go pull up a chair at Oldies....but goodies, or Penny for your thoughts the mentalist table.

Welcome Eli

You will need to get that coffee warmer to open on the front of your computer,
(some people use them for CDROMS, but they hold your cup nicely, and with all of the heat in the computer, coffee stays quite warm )

Anyway, that may (OR MAY NOT) keep your coffee warm while you post and read all that is here.

Nice to have you join us.

BroDavid

welcome!

G'day Eli, another mentalist is always welcome and there are even a few Cafe regulars who like card tricks.
Look forward to your input.
(I put that, because I could not find an upside down one and I'm from downunder).

Shalom, Eli!

Welcome to the Magic Cafe. This is truly a wonderful site. I know you will enjoy the time you spend here.

-Marty

Welcome aboard, Eli.
Speaking from experience, when you get bitten by the magic bug the SECOND time, it's for life!
I'm sure you'll enjoy your visits here.
cheers,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com

You got it.


Sable

Welcome to the CAFE!!!!!!

Hi Eli!

Welcome to the "Magic Cafe"

Come on in and join our party!

:bigdance:

Mya

Great to have you here.
Come by often.

Eli,
You are totally mistaken!!! After all those efforts and investment on magic, you can NOT stay as an amateur. But you can be a non-profit professional. I am a really good mentalist and I have never failed... Wait and see... I can not predict the time but you are on the way.
Wanna bet about this??? (If I were you I would not dare it especially with Tora/The prince of Magic)