Hello Everyone,

I'm John Palazzo and after many years away, I am getting back to my love of and interest in magic.

My passion for magic started as a young boy of 10 or so. Houdini first "captured" me. I must have read "Houdini's Fabulous Magic" by Walter Gibson a hundred times. I was then enchanted by Doug Henning- a terrific magician and entertainer. I could barely put down his wonderful book on Houdini.

And watching Slydini's performance on a Dick Cavett show-- WOW! That's the kind of magic I wanted to do (and still plan to).

"Amateur Magicians Handbook" by Henry Hay became my sleight-of-hand bible for many years. My 1974 paperback copy is frayed and dog-eared and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My older sister would accompany me on the train or bus into Boston. I'd stay all day at Jack's Joke Shop or Hank Lee's. I loved it. That's were I began buying effects and books on magic.

My favorites that I have always returned to:

o Million Dollar Card Secrets - Frank Garcia
o Super Subtle Card Miracles - Frank Garcia
o Las Vegas Closeup - Paul Harris
o Modern Coin Magic - Bobo
o Closeup Card Magic - Harry Lorayne
o More Card Manipulations - Jean Hugard
o The Magic of Slydini - Lewis Ganson
o Scarne on Card Magic - John Scarne
o The Magic Book - Harry Lorayne
o Amateur Magicians Handbook - Henry Hay

I never really performed much, but back then that was OK. I was happy to read and try the magic on my own and take those trips to Boston.

Somewhere between then and now, high school, college, work, marriage, and family became my interests.

But I'm recently back, and I plan to stay for good this time. I joined SAM #104 in Salem, MA. My first night there I enjoyed a terrific show and lecture by George Schindler (what a coincidence- George was editor for both of the Frank Garcia card books I have). And I am practicing and enjoying magic again.

I've been following and learning from the great posts here at The Magic Cafe. Time to join in and share in the fun...

John

Hello John you are very welcome to this great site and you have some first class reading listed above I feel sure that someone as learned as you can only be an asset to us,also let me be the first to offer you a drink a seat and a chat.
Once again John welcome..
trevor.

Well met John!

Welcome back to the fold.

Hi John! Welcome back! Magic was wondering just where the heck you had gone off to.

Welcome back to magic John, and thanks for joining The Magic Cafe!

Excellent.
Good to have you, John.
What a place to come to for getting back into magic.
You will find some inspiring posts here that will make you wonder how you ever found the time to stop practicing in the first place.
Have another burger:
:hamburger:

See you around the Cafe,

Stephen
:carrot:

Hi, John:

Greetings from a fellow Bostonian now living in California. It's been a while since I thought of Jack's Joke Shop. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Welcome to the Cafe and welcome back to magic!

-Marty

Welcome Friend John!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder... or at least I found it that way with Magic.

Once away, but back to stay!

Glad to have you back among the folded.... er...uh. I mean .. the fold again! Unless of course in your card effects you do a mercury fold

BroDavid

Hi John
Thanks for a resume which is more than sufficient. We are glad that you are back...
I want to serve you a cup of strong Turkish Coffee on my bill while you are surfing in this beautiful Cafe.
Welcome to the family...

Only one thing to say - ASK YOUR QUESTIONS -of course we will answer - when we can
But usually there is one who can!

Gawin

P.S.
Nice to see one who holds the line!

hey john,
that sounds great! i hope you have a great time with everyone here at the magic cafe. see ya around!!!!!!!!

Welcome aboard, John.
Everything you mention, above -- books, effects, etc. -- are good, solid things for a good, solid grounding in magic.
You are obviously going in the right direction; any help you might want from this board will certainly be forthcoming.
cheers,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com

Just a quick thanks to everyone for the good words and sentiments. The and are superb!

Talk with you again soon...

- John

Greetings, John!

Good to have you back in magic. I'm moving to your neck of the woods soon...from Hawaii to Massachusetts!

Meanwhile, have another coffee on me.

:sun:

Welcome John, great to have you here. I'm sure you have alot to share with all of us.