Ever since I was three, I have collected playing cards. About five years ago, I had a collection of about 200 decks of all kinds. Used casino cards, souvenir cards, weird decks, you name it.

I don't know why it didn't occur to me to learn to do cool stuff with them until I was in my 30s.

Maybe because I had a bad attitude about magic. I actually was into magic in my early 20s. I was a shift manager for a fast food restaurant universally adored by kids, and my bosses thought I'd be good at magic. So I got some tricks that can easily be found in the toy section of your favorite big-box store and did my thing.

Naturally, it didn't hold me. I got bored. I thought magic was all about gaff cards, secret devices and cheesy, poorly-made props.

I'm glad I was wrong.

About four years ago, I found Ellusionist, and sleight of hand. The cards E offered were enough to hook me, but what really ensnared me into magic was the forum. I read and read all the good information about technique, presentation and where to go to learn new sleights. I learned the value of practice, and how to practice.

Now, I think I'm pretty good. I mean, my diagnoal palm shift still sucks, and my pass will never be perfect. But to hold a deck of cards -- any old deck -- and know that I can drop some jaws with it is a pretty cool feeling. Now, I'm glad to pay it forward. I'm a forum junkie and I pop up everywhere around the 'Net, meeting new people and helping newcomers grow -- just like everyone else did for me.