The interrelationship between inner and outer worlds, and our ability to control one with the other, is the very definition of magic. The wisdom and intelligence of the universe is at our disposal when we learn to listen to our hearts. Why would anyone want to do anything else but magic?

I love that story.

I did a trade show gig here in Vegas last year where I played banjo and "sang about Jed" probably 40 times in a 3 hour period or so. I hope to never have to "sing about Jed" for the rest of my life. Fortunately I made significantly more than a nickel for my efforts.

Because I enjoy it.

Michael,

I am crushed!!!!!

I thought all along because I did magic that chicks dig me.

I'm ruined, I cannot bear the pain.

OH the humanity.

David

Perhaps because some find that a magic wand makes a classy cane or comfortable crutch - like mirrored sunglasses that let you see others while they can't see you?

Is there something wrong about having a comfortable crutch?

Jumpin' in late but here goes.

The bug started for me with ventriloquism. I was the only kid from my school who was "representing" at the talent show at the sister school. Fifth grade, three corny jokes and a vent figure that was purchased at Sears for my birthday. I heard the applause in the background as I was being hustled away backstage after the curtain closed. I remember really tripping on the fact that they were clapping for me, combined with the strange sense of loss that I wasn't out there on stage anymore for that part of it. Quite a few people told me "good job" later and I was really hit with the performance bug.

I saw a church magician a few months later and realized that I would rather be on the stage than watching. He did a levitation that blew my mind, and the specifics of how he handled the hoop were burned into my mind. I finally worked out the solution (correctly) but was not just content to know how it was done, I wanted to be the one doing the doing.

So that's how it started, but what kept me interested for the next two decades was the fact that it is an art form that (can be) a combination of so many other art forms; public speaking, dance, drama, costuming, music, lighting, comedy, set design, writing, woodworking, stage craft, choreography, directing, psychology, even film. There is just so much to learn and explore. But what it taught me more than anything else is that you can engineer the life you want to live. It was that process of "I want to be a magician / learn it / do it / be it" that opened my eyes to doing the same kind of thing in the other aspects of my life.

Those other aspects have taken over for the time being, but magic will be there for me when the time is right again. For me it tends to be an all consuming beast, and I need to get some other things put to bed before I can get back to it. Magic blessed my life significantly and I don't want to return to it until I'm at a point where I can give back to it as much as it has given to me.

Tommy,
If you go that deep, we'll have to close this thread... there will be nothing much to add. Let's hope no one really understand what you wrote.

Magic the in my opinion the greatest form of Art there is. It can be expressed in so many different ways. Through your body language , tone , dance , expressions , storyline , color , music , and sequence. You can tell a story with a beginning and an end with magic. Eugene Burger is the best in the business with the INNER meanings !