Well, it's Good Friday (for my religious affiliations, at least) and I've started a fast. I'm not sure how long I'll go, but my goal is to slowly get away from my desires, and be able, through control of my own will power, to let go of my wants for unnecessary things (i.e. junk food, et cetera). I am a wholehearted believer that if you cannot control your own mind, you will have no ability to influence those around you. How can I affect people with my magic if I cannot even gain control over my own emotions? I plan on going no less than three days without food, drinking only water, and I'm not sure how long I might go after that. I've gone for about 30 hours so far without food. This is a religious, as well as a scientific fast, to test the whether or not one has the ability to overcome his or her own will power. In concordance with the religious aspect of the fast, it will help me to center my thoughts and emotions, so that I may better focus my time. I believe that as my savior suffered for me during these three days leading up for easter, I may too suffer, in honor of his sacrifice. I just wanted to clear up my intentions for a fast for anyone who may have questioned my reasoning. I'm not trying to be like Blaine.php>Blaine or anything, trust me. I'm not that much of an egoist. LoL...With that in mind, I'll continue to today's post.
Today was cool. For some reason, most classes were free days, so I spent most of my time compiling a list of all colour changes, flourishes, and card tricks that I know. This way, I can start routine-building for my presentation. But the coolest thing was going back and, to refresh my memory, re-learning and practicing all my older tricks, from when I first started.
I got a chance to sit next to a foreign exchange student in French class, so I seized the opportunity as one in which the particular student may not have ever seen magic before. My intuition was right. I performed some cuts, and a Russian Shuffle, and he was hooked in. "That was very neat", said Vincent (He's from somewhere in China or something...he's really cool). After a few flourishes and colour changes, I performed a very simple "Pick a Card" routine, which I ended with a Shapeshifter change from a random card to the card he choose. He was floored. I loved his reaction to the tricks that I did. It made me feel awesome, as though I was really affecting him on a personal level. It made me feel as though he opened up for an instant. I really hope I brightened his day.
In addition for trying out older tricks on the foreign students, I practiced a few newer ones on some girls that were sitting at my lunch table. I sat down in front of one, asked her if she would like to see a trick, and she said yes. From there, I performed a trick in which I had her choose a card, return it to the pack, and then after spreading the pack, I had her hold on to my wrist, and I found her card. She even said that she swore she felt the veins in my wrist twitch each time I passed her card, and she knew I would get it because of that. I never made my wrist twitch, so I guess it was a coincidence. But a useful one nevertheless. After she told me this, I used the same effect on her, and when I made my wrist twitch, I asked her, "Did you feel that?" And she said yes, at which point I flipped over her card.
Magic is so amazing...Whether it is Grandpa pulling a quarter from behind his grandchild's ear, or a man in a tuxedo pulling cards out of his mouth, magic truly caters to all interest groups and lifestyles. Magic can open up anyone, and make them travel back in time to their childhood days to use their imagination once more. No matter how their day has gone so far, after watching some magic tricks, all is forgotten, and a sense of wonder and amazement fills them, even if just for a split second. I love it.
As you guys already know, I posted the Introduction to A Beginner's Journey this week. The links are in the post below, if you'd like to see them. Feel free to join my YouTube group by clicking the link:
Anyway, after I posted my new videos, you all offered up some excellent advice. Marpenothi gave one great piece of advice when he said, "As for advice to give you...just save up and buy the products, then dedicate yourself and practice. You have to be willing to invest the time and the money...if you do that, then you are on your way to the top."
Special thanks to Marp for being a great friend and mentor of mine. Cheers Ryan.
Well, that's all I have for tonight. I'll update you on my physical condition as my fast continues throughout the next week. Until next time...