I use the term 'magic geek' to refer to myself and others who enjoy dabbling in the dark, deceptive arts. To my, it isn't a derogatory term. In fact, I think some of the best people I've ever met are magic geeks, and I'm proud to be one. And if you want to meet a whole bunch of them, and you're in Vegas on a Wednesday night, Boomers is the place to go.

This is Bob Kohler. A first-rate magician in his own right, who is also good fun to hang out with and was tremendously kind, helpful and generous during this, my first trip to Vegas.

And here's a group photo of magic geeks en masse, who required little encouragement to adopt suitably magical poses. I did note all their names at the time, but I've since mislaid that particular scrap of paper.

One of the few (if not the only) female magic geeks to attend the Boomers sessions is my friend Joan Du Kore. Magician, variety artiste, stalwart of the McBride Magic School, and a trained dancer. Basically, she has more strings to her bow than Robin Hood in a hall of mirrors.

Joan also has the smallest hands of any performing magician. We took these historic photographs to prove it. On the top, you see the hand of one of the other magicians who happened to be present (sorry, I forget who). Below, Joan's hand.

And for an even more illuminative comparison...

Joan does plenty of card magic, and has never her relatively diminutive hands impede her progress. She has what I think is an admirable philosophy: "Well, when I'm learning a new sleight, first of all I try it to normal way and see if my hands are large enough. And if they aren't, it's no big deal, I just do it some other way!".