Hi everyone, I'm 32 and started magic when I was 7 doing shows at elementary schools etc. Wow, it's easy to get paying gigs when your little and adorable. Hah! Then I spent time in my late teens studying sleight of hand did several restaurants and later a lounge. I moved into busking after meeting Kozmo at one of Hank Lee's conventions and did that full time for a season before grad school and then on and off for the last decade. As a result I've ONLY done three tricks (sponge balls, card in mouth, and cups and balls) for about 10 years! Or at least until recently. I have a sadly very limited repertoire... but I'm really good at those three tricks. Oh brother!

Now, as a stay at home mom with very limited busking opportunities, I'm wanting to pick up some restaurants and eventually corporate parties, etc., so I'm delving back into my studies of broader magic and frantically grinding off the rust of the rest of my sleight of hand beyond my street show effects. 

I was a student of John Blake for several years when I was younger, I'm hugely inspired by Reed McClintock (and wish desperately that he still did magic), and I've just discovered (with elation) Ron Bauer. I'm ridiculously excited about Mr. Bauer's Private study series. 

OK, I think that's all about me for now. Thanks for reading, and I'm exciting to be a part of this community. 😉

Thanks for the welcomes, Waterman and Dave Campbell. For sure, I can already tell this is a great community.

Yeah, seeing Reed perform is amazing. When he partnered briefly with John Blake, I picked Reed up in Boston to head to a Hank Lee's convention. We stayed the night in Boston first, and he did what I can only imagine must have been his full repertoire from Knuckle Busters and his DVDs. It was hours of astonishment in the purist sense of the word. I had never seen that type of sleight of hand in person (or anywhere) for that matter. The best part is back then, I wasn't privy to the classic force. So, when I selected a card, and then he did his simple masterpiece with his ribbon spread tattoo, I think I nearly cried it from the overload of emotions. I've never been so moved by magic, and I'm excited to get back into close-up performances where I can chase similar abilities and create those types of moments (lofty goal, but ya gotta shoot big). Whatever he's doing in the world, people are better off for it, I'm sure.

And with the small repertoire of my own, I used to agree with you, Waterman! But now, I can't lug my table and cups around strolling events or restaurants. I feel pretty stripped of my powers, ya know? Plus, after so many shows with only three effects, they're so polished, that everything else I do now looks reeeeaaaaallllllly amateurish (because it is, hah!) -- that's painful. Just gotta put in "new" dues, though. Right?

Thanks, Rudy. The Saturday Sessions you set up sound really awesome. It would be very fun to join in. Thanks for the welcome!

Nice to meet you Wayne T and Chris w. Chris, I know the feeling.