Life. Do you have one?

[gOOfy]

Hey guys,

I just turned 15 yesterday. Yes, I had a pretty freakin awsome birthday. I got alot of cool things, I had a HUGE party at my house. All my freinds were there, my family, my beautiful girlfreind, I had it all...just thought I'd let you guys know :).

Anyways, on to the topic! (Hahahaha, the whole b-day paragraph was so random.)

I remember a poll created a few months back asking what the age range of members on the E forums were. The majority of you guys were between 13 and 18. And speaking to some of you guys over the year and a half I've been with Ellusionist, some of you guys don't sound like you get out much.

I don't mean to sound harsh at all, I mean this to be a sort of constructive critisism and you should take this info and use it to your advantage. I want to help you guys out with not only your magic, but with yourselves too.

Guys. You are teenagers. (Well most of you. There are some oldies on the forums too :]. I mean that in the best possible way, haha.) These are suppost to be the best years of your life. Practicing for 6 hours a day and not seeing sunlight for days doesn't sound very fun too me. Doing magic for people you don't even know at all, ALL day, EVERY day you get a chance doesn't sound fun at all. Yes, it's good to go out and do a few performances when your bored and sitting around doing nothing or practice when you think you getting a little rusty or when you get a new effect, but seriously guys. 2-5 hours a day?! You've got to be kidding me. All I want to know is when do you see......people?! Haha.

Go out, make new freinds. Hang out with old ones. Hook up with a chick ;). Go to a party, football game, school dance. Something. You don't want to look back when your 20/21 years old and all you can remember is you practicing in your room by yourself. HAVE FUN! Live your life to the fullest. You can only be young once.

There's a time for magic, theres a time for work, and theres a time for yourself and your freinds/family. Make sure you make time for ALL of those. If you dont, your going to be very un-prepared for life.

Check your pulse! You have one? Then get your butt up, stop reading my long post, and do something with somebody. Magic is not your ENTIRE life...

[-Ty]

Hear hear.

Now excuse while I quickly check the other 15 boards I regularly attend ;)

I'm off for a tuna sandwhich! And then I see my baby tonight.

Ty

[MagicZack]

I don't practice alot. I do alot of stuff. (Work, band, etc.) When I'm home, I usually just have a deck of cards to mess around with when I'm not doing anything.

As far as the girls.. heheh... Ya know how I met this girl I'm talking to now? I performed a few tricks I practiced. (Very good trick + Very good reaction = Very good phone number) :)

[Krash]

Hmm...I tend to use magic to help me get away from the various burdons of life. Another reason is simply because it is my favorite thing to do.

Eh, life is good. No foolies.

Shane K.

[Beans25]

I know what you mean, and I hear you loud and clear, seriously I've pictured the same thing your describing, a lot of people here and ellusionist are dedicating their lives to magic, already. Well I have, I've decided that I don't have the grades or the passion to go to a very good college, and I plan to try and support myself with my love and passion for magic, now, I'm 16, and even at this decision I still go out as much as I can and go to parties, used to hang out with my girlfriend (now ex.), and chill with my friends, I practice on people when we're bored or after dinners at friends houses or if I need something to do while I wait for a ride or SOMETHING

but I do spend an hour or so (like now) after I finish my homework, study, etc, to practice on whatever I can, and make it perfect.

Bottom line, if there is sun out, don't be practicing magic, heck if it's a weekend, either be performing or not doing magic.

I think there are a lot, I mean a lot of forum junkies in magic, people that just stay on the forums and probably make up half the crap they say about magic, about performance advice they've never encountered, who would know if you were lying? who would care? But it does sound to me like there are a lot of people on here that are not very people - friendly, which is fine, but that makes you a hobbiest, no matter how much you want to call yourself a magician.

Not to brag, seriously, I'm actually quite modest. But I'm the great grandson of W.C. Fields (if nobody knows who that is, then your REALLY missing something important) So from the moment I learned and watched him, I wanted to be just like him, in every aspect, I wanted to fill the giant shoes he left and hopefully become a performer. Now I started out juggling and working on several talents (that I swear are genetic) but I realized that it wasn't for me, but performing and people were. So when I found magic, I fell in love
Deep
unconditional
love.

Sounds nuts I know, but it's what I want to do for the rest of my life, and nothing is going to stop me. But a big part of performing is just interacting and talking to people. Thats what it's all about, "I'd rather see a mediocre magician with exceptional people skills than a exceptional magician with mediocre people skills and so will the audience."

So seriously guys, if your looking at me saying "yeah I practice 4 hours but I still go out and sit around with my friends all the time." thats not what we're talking about, go out, meet new people, make as many new friends as possible, learn how to get people to like and trust you within seconds after meeting you.

~Beans

[silent]

I agree, with almost everything you said. I don't think too many of the people on these forums spend THAT much time just practicing magic though. Ya i mean I do math homework while doing revolution cuts in one and a pencil in the other. It is true, our years as being youth are the greatest times of our lives. I mean take a look out there, you see corporate slaves, you see bums, you see 40 year olds working at macdonalds. Im not saying we're all gonna end up like them. What i'm trying to say is that the time to party, the time to remember is now. Yes you're going to have good times when you're older too but enjoy whats happening now. Now to relate back to magic, you can also practice when you're older as well and amaze ppl in the future as well.

[aznofspades]

I practice magic, not too much, just when I'm supposed to be doing my homework. (my grades haven't started to suffer yet)

With magic you need to come up with a goal, a list of sacrifices, and mini-goals.

For example, my goal is to be good enough and to have enough confidence to go pro with magic by the summer of 2010.

My sacrifices are: I'm giving up TV, baseball (i quit that anyway), piano (ditto as with baseball, my parents quit hounding me about it when they realized that I had found another hobby), Myspace

Now a regular person can be actively involved in all of the above things and still have a life, so I should be good. :)

[conjure_pitch]

Definately. Life before magic, magic during life. Thats my motto.

I have great freinds, great girlfreind, great life. No complaints here.

[3AQ7]

Definately. Life before magic, magic during life. Thats my motto.

I have great freinds, great girlfreind, great life. No complaints here.

Love the motto.. might have to steal it sometime if you don't mind :]

Well, of course I have a life. Popular, good looking (not to brag or anything) LOOKING FOR A FREAKING GIRLFRIEND lol. May have one soon :D Life is lovely, Birthday is in a week then i'm 16! woohoo! :p Of course I don't practice 6 hours a day, I practice sub-conciously while I relax after homework and am watching T.V. or checking out the forums. Some days I just feel like poppin in The Trilogy and practicing some stuff and get away from school and everything. I never go a day without magic! But some people just love it that much, it doesn't mean they don't have a life. It means they have a different life. All our lives are exciting, but it's what makes us excited that differes what our lives are about. This is all my opinon so don't go off on me for it lol :D.

mmkay. anyways just wanted to let you guys now I have a life! haha :D

Spencer.

[chainzero]

I live a very fulfilling (and time consuming) life. I am a full time student at the University of Florida and when I'm not working hard to maintain a perfect gpa, I keep in shape at the gym or hang out with friends. Yes, people may consider this a normal life (I'm sure many people have to do the same things I do), I thank my lucky stars that I do have a hobby I love and can spend hours doing. I find nothing wrong with practicing magic if that's what you enjoy.

Sure, you may say go out and live life, but just because you're social doesn't mean that you're happy or you have more substance in your life. Some of the most social people I know do the same thing every night (go clubbing or boozing), which to me is worse than having a passionate hobby. When you get to college, you realize most people don't have hobbies they continue doing or stick with their entire life. If magic is an integral part of your life, I say more power to you. Screw the haters who say you should be like everyone else. Do what you like doing.

[drorange]

I practice when i am bored i see my mates on the weekend and go out.

but some people (not me) like to practise or perform its what they live for different people like different things just because you like to go out and meet friends doesn't mean everyone has to.

just my thoughts

[Dizzi]

I'm a nerd. 'nuff said.


But in a longer way of saying it:

I have friends, thier at school. they'll come over, usually on fridays. but I love my magic, and my games. I spend at LEST three hours a day with my cards. MINIMUM. But thats because I want to maybe do this for a living. I know that I can't get far with just cards. Thats why my next purchase will probably be something for close-up. NOT cards.

[TRUNDY]

Hey guys,

I just turned 15 yesterday. Yes, I had a pretty freakin awsome birthday. I got alot of cool things, I had a HUGE party at my house. All my freinds were there, my family, my beautiful girlfreind, I had it all...just thought I'd let you guys know :).

Anyways, on to the topic! (Hahahaha, the whole b-day paragraph was so random.)

I remember a poll created a few months back asking what the age range of members on the E forums were. The majority of you guys were between 13 and 18. And speaking to some of you guys over the year and a half I've been with Ellusionist, some of you guys don't sound like you get out much.

I don't mean to sound harsh at all, I mean this to be a sort of constructive critisism and you should take this info and use it to your advantage. I want to help you guys out with not only your magic, but with yourselves too.

Guys. You are teenagers. (Well most of you. There are some oldies on the forums too :]. I mean that in the best possible way, haha.) These are suppost to be the best years of your life. Practicing for 6 hours a day and not seeing sunlight for days doesn't sound very fun too me. Doing magic for people you don't even know at all, ALL day, EVERY day you get a chance doesn't sound fun at all. Yes, it's good to go out and do a few performances when your bored and sitting around doing nothing or practice when you think you getting a little rusty or when you get a new effect, but seriously guys. 2-5 hours a day?! You've got to be kidding me. All I want to know is when do you see......people?! Haha.

Go out, make new freinds. Hang out with old ones. Hook up with a chick ;). Go to a party, football game, school dance. Something. You don't want to look back when your 20/21 years old and all you can remember is you practicing in your room by yourself. HAVE FUN! Live your life to the fullest. You can only be young once.

There's a time for magic, theres a time for work, and theres a time for yourself and your freinds/family. Make sure you make time for ALL of those. If you dont, your going to be very un-prepared for life.

Check your pulse! You have one? Then get your butt up, stop reading my long post, and do something with somebody. Magic is not your ENTIRE life...


Well as one of the "oldies" on the Forums I will say this ... 13-14-15 is probably not the prime of your life ... If it is then you are probably 13-14-15 ... I am 30 years old I have 5 boys the oldest of which is 12 going on 13 ... I would be sad to think that his best days are'nt ahead of him... He still has college which I think is a bit more fun/important than Jr High ... He still has his 20's where hopefully he will meet a significant other and start his own family ... And then most importantly Raise his own children which I am now positive is the most important thing anyone could ever do and I am also quite positive that is your prime .... So in my opinion , at 13-14-15 staying in and practicing Magic is not a waste of time but something to spend time with and enjoy... Now I do agree with you that no-one should close themselves off by any means...But I think Magic is the exact opposite ...Magic allows us to get out on the streets and see and interact with people we would never interact with otherwise.. and for anyone at anyage to dedicate themselves to anything that heavily is admirable...Especially someone so young... Do what you enjoy , don't cast judgement, treat everyone with respect , and no Matter when your PRIME hits , you may not even notice because life should all be so good.... My 2 cents ...

[StreetMage]

I actually turned 20 the day before you turned 15. Same here, too. Chillin' with the family and the beautiful girlfriend. . . played the new Transformers edition of Risk and got my ass kicked by my girl. . . hard. . . pretty decent day all around. Happy birthday.

Anyway, about the thing you said. . . about having a life. . . see, I'm ADD, and I've been socially awkward since elementary school. For me, magic is a social icebreaker. It allows me to loosen up myself, and loosen up others. I've made many friends and gotten several girls' phone numbers using magic as my conversation-starter.

Oh, and by the way, for those of you who are going to say that magic is a lame way to get a girl interested, I'd thank you kindly to take an entire deck of 1st-ed Guardians and lodge it firmly in your rectum for a few days. Musicians do it, and artists do it, so why the blazes shouldn't magicians be able to do it? People quite often use their talents and special abilities to attract the opposite sex, and magic is a very unique skill that many girls and women find fascinating.

But there are also times when I'm just performing. Yeah, every once in a while I'll just walk around my campus, the park, downtown, or some other place and just perform for whoever. I'm not trying to make friends; I'll just perform and walk away. It's what I like. That's why I chose magic as my hobby/art. . . so I could go out and perform it for people. Doing that doesn't mean I don't have a life. . . quite the opposite, actually.

And for all you practice-junkies out there. . . I practice an effect for a few days at the VERY most before going out and performing it for people. Most of my practice after that happens during actual performances. I believe an early part of the practice process should consist of discovering how your audience reacts to different things because if you practice something one way for a month and then take it out and find it doesn't work, you're really back to the drawing board and have to practice it all over again. I've found it's much more effective to shape a trick's performance through actual performance experience early in the learning process.

[UBERboomer]

Guys if you do have a life, you really dont need to try and convince everyone here that you do maybe have a life.

[Avancer]

I may have alot of posts, but it doesn't mean I sit home all day and just browse T11 ;)

Umm...I'm still in High School, Have friends, started skateboarding and do allt he things people usually do...including chilling :p

But seriously, yes, your advice is great and it may change some peoples perspectives on how they live, but most choose to do what they do because it suits them best. Personally, I can't sit at home for 2 hours practicing or doing indoor stuff by myself or else I get that "guilty" feeling. But that's just me.

Right now, I'm bored so I'll outline my schedule :)

School...come home, hang out for a bit, go to pick up my sister form school, usually do homework, then go outside, when I get home and before bed is when I practice so that way I have time for everything.

Personally though, I won't judge anyone by how much time they spend praticing etc..if that's what you enjoy, then go right ahead, but Goofy's post may change your mind.

Thanks, my post may seem random and unorganized but I just wanted to say what I wanted to say, thanks...:)

[Trickmaster]

You posted this in E forums...

[KatieEgleston]

Just wait until ya'll turn at least 21... THEN we will talk about life.


KE

[Zeus375]

I agree with a lot of the things that have been said here.

Except for when I'm practicing a new effect that I just bought, I never sit down and practice for an hour or however long. I'll just pick up some cards, coins, or whatever I'm practicing something with and I'll usually just work on some moves while watching tv or whatever. I think it's best to sort out your priorities....I'm not quite 15 yet, I'm on the freshmen basketball team, and I always hang out with my friends and what not. Actually, most people don't even know that I do magic. I personally would never do magic to someone at my school until I already knew them because I would want them to already know ME, NOT just my magic. I can't wait for Factory Sealed and Bullet....they will be the perfect tricks to do in school. I'm waiting for them to really get me started with magic at school.

But yeah, you guys may not agree with what I've said, but it's my opinion.

[S3al]

I would love to have a life. But I have 2 swollen optic nerves.....So I cant do anything with out getting a headache, really bad ones. Doc said it may take a year to get better, so yea. So the only thing I can do is watch tv, go on the computer, and do magic. Glad I found magic because I would be in big trouble with out it.

[Creeper]

You make it sound like practicing is for chumps. Do you ever want to improve, or do you just want to be that kid who knows a couple tricks. If your a determined person, and have set goals for yourself, then with hard work you should try to reach those goals. And who are you to say that if I practice a lot I'm a loser with no life. Since when is practicing something you love make you a loser. It's the same thing as practicing a sport. Your one of the problems with magic. Your an undetermined **** who doesn't know what he's talking about. Why the hell don't you practice a lot. Because your afraid somebody will think your a loser. The way I see it, the person who thinks your a loser is a loser themselves because they spend there time talking about somebody else. You need to grow up, and most of all, don't give a **** if somebody thinks your a loser. I can already see where this forums going.

[Zeus375]

You make it sound like practicing is for chumps. Do you ever want to improve, or do you just want to be that kid who knows a couple tricks. If your a determined person, and have set goals for yourself, then with hard work you should try to reach those goals. And who are you to say that if I practice a lot I'm a loser with no life. Since when is practicing something you love make you a loser. It's the same thing as practicing a sport. Your one of the problems with magic. Your an undetermined **** who doesn't know what he's talking about. Why the hell don't you practice a lot. Because your afraid somebody will think your a loser. The way I see it, the person who thinks your a loser is a loser themselves because they spend there time talking about somebody else. You need to grow up, and most of all, don't give a **** if somebody thinks your a loser. I can already see where this forums going.

No one here's calling you a loser or anything like that so you need to chill out. All the things that I stated were coming from the fact that I do magic as a hobby and I was just giving my opinion on this subject, as was everyone else. I realize that your post wasn't exactly directed toward me but I still felt the need to directly reply. I respect your opinion and honestly don't care what you choose to do with your life as far as magic is concerned as long as it's what YOU want. All gOOfy was saying is that it's better to mix in some social things and not just sit in your room practicing for hours after hours and I completely agree with him. That's it....

[Beans25]

You make it sound like practicing is for chumps. Do you ever want to improve, or do you just want to be that kid who knows a couple tricks. If your a determined person, and have set goals for yourself, then with hard work you should try to reach those goals. And who are you to say that if I practice a lot I'm a loser with no life. Since when is practicing something you love make you a loser. It's the same thing as practicing a sport. Your one of the problems with magic. Your an undetermined **** who doesn't know what he's talking about. Why the hell don't you practice a lot. Because your afraid somebody will think your a loser. The way I see it, the person who thinks your a loser is a loser themselves because they spend there time talking about somebody else. You need to grow up, and most of all, don't give a **** if somebody thinks your a loser. I can already see where this forums going.

See, I kind of knew where this forum was going, then you came in and took the whole bitter and mean vibe, and made it very present. I think if you sit around your house all day, do nothing but practice, and I mean sitting at home practicing your getting NO better as a magician, your getting way better as a sleight of hand artist. But becoming a magician, is much more than that. I can tell by the post you have very little people communication skills, maybe even lack of people skills in general.

All I'm saying is to grow as a magician you need to do a lot more than just sit around and practice sleights and routines, hell, practicing routines is nothing if you never practice them in front of people, see how they react and what you can change.

So I feel that I can say that you were struck very bluntly by this post, or you wouldn't have reacted in the way you did, and you'll read this and go "NO! I WAS JUST SAYING YOUR DUMB, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME." And before you say something along those lines, I've quoted it for you, so you can see how dumb it sounds, and how much of a hypocrite it makes you look like.

this is also coming from a 16 year old boy that has already made the decision to dedicate his life to magic, if you think I'm unmotivated, your sadly mistaken, it's my love, my passion, and my art.

~Beans

[MitchellStafiej]

A lot of magicians I know simply put magic in front of everything, mainly school. School is on the back burner for them. Let me tell you something, magic was my main focus all through high school, I barely passed high school and had trouble getting into College. Had I not put the cards down at the end of the year last year to shape up, I wouldn't be in College this year.

It's as simple as that, magic is great, but I don't want people to flunk out of school because they have a fancy cut to practice.

Mitchell

[Beans25]

A lot of magicians I know simply put magic in front of everything, mainly school. School is on the back burner for them. Let me tell you something, magic was my main focus all through high school, I barely passed high school and had trouble getting into College. Had I not put the cards down at the end of the year last year to shape up, I wouldn't be in College this year.

It's as simple as that, magic is great, but I don't want people to flunk out of school because they have a fancy cut to practice.

Mitchell

Very very true Mitchell, I may have decided to dedicate my life to magic, but not to the point where I know I'm going to make it, there are no gaurentees in life, and I'm not counting on it to pull through, so I'm trying to keep my grades up as I do magic, school first though, just in case.

and if you get one thing from this thread, let it be this. That magic may seem like the most important thing in your life, but it isn't. If you fail to plan you plan to fail.

~Beans

[VJmagicMan]

Family, friends, and scool are the most important in my opinion. I always make sure to get my work done, and spend time with my family and friends. In my sparetime, I practice magic because it is a wonderful art, but to me nothing comes before the people who support you and what is going to give you a bright future. If magic is what someone truly wants to do with their life though, don't give up and practice your hardest. Just remember to find that time to spend with your family/friends because they are the ones who will support you in doing so.

Just my thoughts.

[TRUNDY]

Just wait until ya'll turn at least 21... THEN we will talk about life.


KE

My thoughts exactly....

[b.boulton]

well...

i spend most of my time out with friends...or with random people...when im with either...i mess around with magic and entertain during the quit times...i meet new people...meet new friends...and have fun with the old ones all with magic. most of the parties i end up at are because i know the because i performed for him or her through magic. if im at home and not out a the mall, a football game or party...then sure i might do some magic...but then again, ill play pool...most of my practice comes from performin...

wow...that didnt really make sense..
just party hardy guys!!! (and perform while you're out!)

[MitchellStafiej]

I'm lucky College is really slack so far!

:p

Mitchell

[Trickmaster]

You make it sound like practicing is for chumps. Do you ever want to improve, or do you just want to be that kid who knows a couple tricks. If your a determined person, and have set goals for yourself, then with hard work you should try to reach those goals. And who are you to say that if I practice a lot I'm a loser with no life. Since when is practicing something you love make you a loser. It's the same thing as practicing a sport. Your one of the problems with magic. Your an undetermined **** who doesn't know what he's talking about. Why the hell don't you practice a lot. Because your afraid somebody will think your a loser. The way I see it, the person who thinks your a loser is a loser themselves because they spend there time talking about somebody else. You need to grow up, and most of all, don't give a **** if somebody thinks your a loser. I can already see where this forums going.

Dude...don't stay in that sad mood... :eek:
g00fy was just trying to give helpfull advice. He most likely was directly talking to you.

[Zeus375]

Dude...don't stay in that sad mood... :eek:
g00fy was just trying to give helpfull advice. He most likely was directly talking to you.

Yeah, that probably just got him angrier.

[Kelek]

I'm 16, A senior in HighSchool, I have a Job and work 38 hours a week maximum, I'm taking a training class for and internship at a computerized drafting and design firm, and I do magic for fun whenever to keep me from going nuts. Try living that life and not being able to have a hobby to keep yourself from going postal. I hit up forums like this because it's one of the place where I can find a person with the same thoughts on a subject, or where i can find help with something that a person i see everyday may not be able to answer. I'd rather get on a forum and talk to people about whether I should do an ACR, or Coin matrix to start off a family birthday party, instead of going out with some of the guys at school and get so high i can't tell the difference between my hand and my foot. Being social with anybody in a safe environment like this is relaxing. It clears your mid and helps to relate with other people on a subject you can understand.

[BlueBackedBikes]

And you just bumped a post that's almost a month old now.

[b.boulton]

why must you bring this thread back?!?!?

[savior3525]

There's a time for magic, theres a time for work, and theres a time for yourself and your freinds/family.


Check your pulse! You have one?

to the first thing that I have quoted. My friends, we teenagers (I'm 13 soon) call that place school.

To the second?
No...no pulse what so ever....but that's just me and my new trickeries:p


But seirously, i do see where you're coming from. Kiddies...you don't need to deny this for us. Weather it's true or not...you figure it out for yourself.

[Travis]

I practice 2-4 hours a day, depending on what I do that day. I get out of school, then I have football practice untill 4:30, then I come home, homework, dinner, then I basically relax ( cards, work on my xbox, tv, etc. ) unless I go over friends. Im only 13, and I almost completely rebult my xbox ( cathodes, LEDS, 80 mm fan upgrade, dvd drive upgrade, paintjob, etc. ) and I plan to be an electrical engineer unless however I somehow make a living off cardistry.

[The Dark Angel]

Ah man! Who brought this thread back?!

[sky_lark]

Interesting topic, on a magic forum. It's not the part of getting out or not that bothers me. It's that it seems (hopefully not true) that almost all of the people on this forum are men. It's just a little strange, is all.

Judging from your post, I'm apparently one of the few people who can't stand practicing more than half an hour.

Er, what I mean, is that I do other stuff besides magic a lot, because I can't stand to practice.

Then again, you have to realize that even though this may be the best part of your life, and you should get out, it's also the part where we've got a disease of crazy-about-technology. And we want attention, and magic basically puts you in the center of attention; so magic is great like that.

- sky_lark

[The Dark Angel]

I have almost 1,000 posts, the most out of anyone here, the website hasn't even been up for two months. You tell ME if you think I have a life!

Actually, my high post count comes from a very fast internet connection and being a fast typer.