So I've been posting here for a few months now (I think I joined back in November?), but I never got around to doing one of these. My name is Mike, I'm 22 years old and I'm from Chicago...area, though I usually just say Chicago because it's easier. I pretty much do everything related to cards, and it varies from day to day what I'm feeling. More recently I've been practicing cardistry/flourishing, while about a month or two ago I was practicing gambling sleights and shuffles mainly, and of course I started out with magic which I still do from time to time. Also I have a pretty decent card collection, but not as extensive as some card collections I've seen (I'd say around 70 decks total right now).
I got into cards around March last year IIRC, so I've been practicing for about ten months. It was kinda strange how it happened. For whatever reason I got really into Penn & Teller Bullshit in late 2011, which eventually led to me watching Fool Us, and that is what eventually led me to picking up magic for myself. The rest followed along after that. I got into cardistry after watching Decksandcontest's video on the sybil cut, then I got Dangerous and Trilogy and have been practicing that ever since. I'd say my biggest interest is in magic/gambling sleights more than the actual tricks, which is also a big reason why I do cardistry. I really only do magic spontaneously, and usually while drinking which kind of makes it harder, so that's definitely not what motivates me to practice. It's more like I really just enjoy getting better at moves or flourishes, i.e. I'd practice the classic pass rather than practicing a specific trick, and it's mostly because I like to see the improvement in the moves.
Other than cards, my main hobbies are drumming, powerlifting, and breakdancing. Somewhat unconventional hobbies, I know, but I do all of those for very similar reasons to why I practice with cards. I develop an interest for something, which turns into a passion and I just love getting better at them. I've been drumming and powerlifting for about 5 years now, and breakdancing for a few months (still not that great at it lol but it's fun). Drumming will always be my #1 passion and I'd say it's the thing I'm best at. Here's an old video of me drumming for reference, though I am quite a bit better now (it's about a year and a half old)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYblaNG2cIsYes, Streetlight Manifesto is my favorite band, and I really love music in general but that's a long discussion for another time. I guess this introduction got a bit long and somewhat off topic but here you go. Definitely not afraid to make my opinion known as some people here have found out (Don...lol), but I'd like to think I'm pretty easy to get along with.
Go Blackhawks!
-Mike
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