Surrounded . . .
By nerds.
Adorabale, shaggy-haired, mostly-unshaven nerds.
I love them. They’re all so cute. I’m at the Wizard’s Wall in Melbourne.
Apparently, every Friday night, they come together to play a popular card game called Magic: The Gathering. Have you ever been in the home where another language is predominately spoken? I’m surrounded by 30 or so non-english speakers.
I say this, not because they don’t speak English. I say this because– I just can’t comprehend the way they use it. They’re “tapping” cards to cast “spells” and from time to time, someone screams because they’re happy with the card they drew. Each card does different things, and if you play your cards right, you can walk out of there with bragging rights and some new cards. We’re nearing the third hour of “Friday Night Magic,” and Chris seems to be doing well.
I think. . .
I mean . . other people have left . . There are only about 16 or so playing, now. Either the other people lost and went home . . OR . . you can get up and leave any time, and Chris is just having fun playing. . . so he’s sticking around?
Jose is here. As is his gay brother whose name escapes me. Also Rob, a guy who shared a meal with us at Denny’s the LAST time I was here. I think his girlfriend is named Katrina.
There’s a great little Chinese place a few doors down, and I had a craving. . Yum. I had sweet & sour pork, beef, chicken, and shrimp. It was awesome. You know how a lot of places make you dig through an inch of breading to find ONE miniscule piece of meat? Not this place. The prices were reasonable, the people were nice, and the food was great.
I also . . . impressed them. 
I brought my own stainless steel chopsticks for dinner, and randomly– one of the owners needed a pair of scissors. Of all the random and odd things for me to be carrying? Yep.
They were in my zippered notepad. I explained this away with . . “I’m a magician.”
POP! Out popped three kids, Grandma, Mom, and Dad. Chris and I BOTH did magic tonight. I spent about 30 minutes doing all I could with a fifty cent piece, sponge balls, napkins, and comedy.
It was a great time- and I’m happy I was able to entertain. I love AND despise doing magic for children.
They’ll always believe what you say, but they believe you so much- they begin expecting the impossible. “Can you make me fly?” “Can you make me disappear?” etc etc . . It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve made up a few witty comebacks that explain why I can’t saw them in half. . . . Of course I can’t saw you in half, you didn’t bring your saw tonight, and mine’s too big to lug around in the car.
So, it looks like things may be wrapping up here soon, and I think Jose, his brother, Chris, and I will be hanging out– Most likely at Applebees or Dennys.
I know I haven’t updated as often lately, and I DO have big big big HUGE news.
But . .I’m surrounded by adorable distractions tonight talking about Geomancers. So, I’ll write my news very soon . . just not tonight.
<3 Josh
