-What sparked your interest in cards?I always had a fascination with playing cards for as long as I can remember. What other "game" is there that you can play so many games with? I was also into typewriters (later computers) as well as anything used to keep time (watches, clocks, calendars, etc.). As a kid I played around with a Svengali "TV Magic" deck as well as a few stripper decks and one really weird-looking DeLand Automatic Deck (it practically screamed "I'm a trick deck!"), but never did anything spectacular with it - just the obvious, unimaginative tricks. I always loved magic, too - used to Wilson's Saturday morning magic show (broadcast LIVE at the time, no camera stunts!) while it was on the air. I lost interest for several years (except maybe a few risque/nudie decks!), but my interest in cards returned when I started playing in a family poker game at my dad's house. The game died when he did a few years ago. I thought of starting a small poker game of my own last year and started poking around the net for unique, cool-looking playing cards. By sheer chance, Google led me to Ellusionist. I took the plunge and placed an order in December, which arrived on Christmas Eve. I work night shifts, so I took my package to work; before the shift was over I was already performing some simple but fun tricks for people I know at work. (It's been all downhill ever since...)
-Are you a magician, cardist, collector, or other? (If other please specify)I'm a magician and collector, with interests in getting into cardistry and coin magic. I picked up "Metal" and De'Vo's beginner DVDs but haven't had the time to really dedicate to them yet. What I am working on now is Erdnase and Royal Road. I felt a need to get into the real sleight-of-hand basics before going on to the flashier and newer stuff.
-Why do you do what you do? (Magic, Flourish, Collect)I collect because I love cards, period. Always have. Always will. My overall favorites are Tally-Hos.
I perform magic because I love spreading a little fascination to people. I especially enjoy watching them try (and fail) to figure out how I do certain tricks! I volunteer at a hospital now (I'm heading there very soon, in fact) where I perform for the kids in the pediatric unit. You want to try something VERY rewarding, give that a shot, seriously.
-How long have you been into cards?Since childhood. As young as I can remember. I was kind of a prodigy as a kid so I picked up on cards earlier than most kids would.
I'm adding a question to this list, if no one minds.
-What are your personal interests outside of cards, cardistry and magic?Well, you know about my volunteering. I love to read and I'm a big movie buff. I also practice a Japanese martial art called aikido - I've been at it for over five years and hopefully I'll be testing for my black belt in the spring of 2012. For anyone who knows a bit about the art, I'm affiliated with Takemusu Aikido Association, which follows the teachings of Saito-shihan and Iwama style - my sensei throws in a dash of Sugano-sensei's jo and bokken work, and he practiced under Sugano for several years. I also started dating a beautiful woman in the spring - I'm a native New Yorker, she's from Ukraine and has been here for nearly two decades. I moved in with her this month and, if all goes well, I plan to propose to her on our anniversary in July!
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