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Steve Brooks
Manager
Northern California - United States
4192 Posts
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Posted: Jun 10, 2002 4:29pm
As I sit at my desk writing this, The Magic Cafe is very quiet. For the first time in almost a year, I am the only person online. It's a strange and eerie type of feeling for me, almost spooky.
I wonder, is this how parents feel when their children have left home? 
The last several days have been the most difficult for me thus far. Being booted off yet another server, tons of emails to answer, personal issues, financial concerns, little sleep, and...well, I think you get the idea.
But, these are the pains of growth, and one does learn from the experience. So in the end, I guess it is a good thing. 
We are now on a private server, which allows us much more freedom, and plenty of room for growth. Not only that, but as a bonus, the server belongs to a good friend...and you can't ask for much more than that.
It's not been an easy path getting here, we have lost a few members along the way, wrestled with software issues, server and hosting trouble, and sometimes even posed the question to ourselves; "Is it really worth all the trouble...do people even care?"
I think they not only care, but have come to see The Cafe as home, if the many kind emails I have received are of any indication.
When things are going crazy, it's very easy to see only the negative aspects of life raining down upon you, and in that flood of sorrow, we often forget the positive rays of sunlight that are just waiting to shine, if we but pause and wait for the storm to pass.
I've had many such storms in my life, both professional and personal, but each time I have gained great strength and experience from them. Like an old sea captain, I have learned to spot foul weather approaching.
Most times, there is not a lot you can do but lock everything down and ride it out.
Well, the storm clouds are clearing, the seagulls are filling the air with their song, and in the distance I can see land.
With a cool breeze upon my face, I am once again ready to set sail.
I just want to thank all of you for making this journey with me, and riding out the latest storm. It's been a wild trip, and I am eagerly looking forward to future voyages that will no doubt take us to new and unexplored destinations, that at least for now, can only be imagined.
Thank you. 
You can now follow me on
 and
 See you there!
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preston91
Regular user
clearwater,fl
187 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 8:31am
Thanks Steve, for all you do.
You're right, The Cafe is almost like home.
Usually the first web site I hit when I fire up the PC.
It's good to be back!!!
Paul
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zoneinfinite
New user
87 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 8:52am
Yes!!!! I'm so happy! I've been checking this site the moment I log on every morning for the past few days and finally it's up! This magic forum is just so much more professional and "clean" than many others. Wooooo! I hope no more downtime?
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zoneinfinite
New user
87 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 8:54am
Oh and we all gotta thank Steve for doing a good job, repairing site issues and solving all these server problems etc. Thank you!!!
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Mack Magic
Loyal user
The Burgh' Pittsburgh, PA
258 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 9:14am
I am really glad The Cafe is up and running again.
Thank you Steve for all your hard work and effort!!
* "May your life be like toliet paper..long and useful."
* "If the shoe fits, get another one just like it."
* "Use the talents you have, for the woods would be a very silent place if only the best birds sang!"
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RiffClown
Inner circle
Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany)
1582 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 9:16am
Ditto on all of the above comments. You were very much missed. WELCOME BACK!!!!!
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
http://www.riffclown.com
Magic is not the method, but the presentation.
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JBmagic
Regular user
New Jersey
110 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 9:31am
Steve, you rock!
I love this place and will do everything I can to help you in any way you ever need.
Peace
Jay Buchanan
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Chris Becker
Veteran user
New York, NY
367 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 10:31am
Steve, like the others did, I want to thank you so much for all the hard work you undertook for providing us with a virtual magical home.
Ever since I joined The Cafe on November 2nd, last year, the site has the most prominent place in my QuickLink list. Though "Google" is my start page, it can never provide me with as much useful information as does The Magic Cafe.
Best, Chris
- - -
Cards don't cheat people. People cheat people.
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Reed McClintock
V.I.P.
772 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 11:05am
I woke up, rolled over and clicked the favorites button, and ahh...like an addict I finally got my fix! The drooling has stopped, and the left eye twitching has finally subsided, and the nausea is gone.
My life is finally geting back to normal. Steve you rock! You bring so many people happiness and joy with your site. Oh, and you personally do a Great job skipper!
Thanks for not giving up and keeping it together throughout this last storm! Your friend, Reed McClintock 
"Stuff is anything, but magic is everything"
Reed McClintock 2003
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RangeCowboy
Regular user
Long Beach
197 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 12:47pm
Yes Steve,
like the other 'holics hanging around Starbucks, we all wandered to other boards, even got involved in a chat room or two but you could sense our hearts weren't in it.
Like comfortable old shoes, or a saddle, ain't it nice to be back on the trail ag'in,
where the spelling is as important as the sentiment, and the deer and the eskimos roam? Something like that.
RangeCowboy
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thimblerig
Loyal user
Bellevue, WA
250 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 1:20pm
Steve,
Many thanks for all the time and effort. Your work is sincerely appreciated. Felt like there was a major hole in my routine while the site was down. I'm glad you're back up and running.
Sincerely,
tr
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BroDavid
Inner circle
America’s North Coast, Ohio
3182 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 1:26pm
Thanks Steve,
Congratulations on doing what needed to be done, and bringing The Magic cafe back to the thirsty throngs of this very special Magic Community.
It looks better than ever!
God Bless!
BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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John Smetana
???? - 2009
499 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 1:41pm
Hey Steve,
Thanks and kudo's to you and your staff. This is a great site and was sorely missed.
Best thoughts,
John Smetana
FREE SCAM VIDEOS
YOUR OWN VIDEO SITE-FREE-
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Tony Chapparo
Special user
Albuquerque, NM
705 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 1:54pm
Steve,
You are doing a great service for the magic community and I thank you for it.
I tried to fill the void the last few days by going to some other magic boards and found that none of them were even close to being as good as The Magic Cafe!
I can't tell you how happy I was to see your site up and running today!
Thanks again!
Tony Chapparo
Tony Chapparo
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davisjr
New user
Colorado
64 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 2:32pm
Well, if a few users gave up along the way, they weren't the type that could stick it out and ride out the storm with the Captain. The ship's probably better off! Thanks for the great work!
Jon 
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RiffClown
Inner circle
Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany)
1582 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 2:47pm
Steve,
magic_escapes wrote:
"I tried to fill the void the last few days by going to some other magic boards"
Reply....
There are other magic boards?!?!?!?!?!?
TONGUE-IN-CHEEK
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
http://www.riffclown.com
Magic is not the method, but the presentation.
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ravi
Elite user
Germany
405 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 2:55pm
My first thing, I do it every morning, is drinking my coffee, and checking new messages in The Magic Cafe.
Thank you for doing all this hard work. KEEP GOING!!!
I N D R I D C O L E
DEAD AnD GONE
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Rodan
New user
Sydney Australia
65 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 3:06pm
Yep, it's HOME alright. Everytime as I'd turn the old 'pooter on and the browser would be firing up, I'd be wondering...would I see that sad page telling me of the changes taking place? Or even worse, the esoteric php mumbo-jumbo?
And then this morning, my heart skipped a little beat as I saw my coffee was once again ready.
Great work Steve and team, we luvs ya! 
"To assert the impossibility of a fact comes to the same thing as saying that it has not as yet been observed; nothing authorises us to decide that it will never be observed." Joseph Maxwell 1858-1938
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Dave Scribner
Assistant Manager
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
4723 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 4:38pm
It's been said before in many ways but thanks Steve for getting us up and running again. 
Even though I am relatively new to The Cafe, I missed getting my coffee and donut each day. Keep up the good work and hopefully you won't have to go through this again.
Where the magic begins
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Bernard Sim
Inner circle
Singapore
1084 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 4:45pm
Hey Steve, I guessed you cured us of withdrawel systems. Thanks for the great work!
Bernard Sim
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saglaser
Loyal user
Champaign, IL
246 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 4:48pm
Good going, Steve!
I've dealt with enough web hosting problems myself to have a taste of what you must have gone through, so I appreciate the craziness and the perseverence. It's good to see The Magic Cafe back and everyone huddling up once more.
This place has been a great resource for me, as well as a place to hang out with some truly cool folks. I've missed it, and am very glad to see you back.
Steve
http://sagcs.net
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jecar
Veteran user
358 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 5:09pm
Steve,
I'm glad it's up and running. For what it's worth, I really missed it while it was down.
Thanks for providing The Magic Cafe.
Jerry
..
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Russ
Regular user
Muskogee, Oklahoma
117 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 8:24pm
It's good to see everything back to normal. This really is the best magic board on the net and very well run.
Keep up the good work.
Russ
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Leland
Inner circle
St Louis
1090 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 8:53pm
FINALLY!!! I got my board back!! You're right it is home. Thanks for all your hard work. Need help...just post it and I am sure that you'll get it. And quick!
Life of Magic!
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CardTrix
New user
Springfield, IL
52 Posts
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Posted: Jun 13, 2002 9:03pm
WOOHOO....thats all I could say today when I clicked on my favorites and there she was...MagicCafe back in action.
Steve, for what it's worth, you have one great community here, no wait, you have one big family here and everyone appreciates the many long hours you put in here to keep it running.
Keep up the good work
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Maynooth
Regular user
Australia
106 Posts
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Posted: Jun 14, 2002 3:15am
The tears can now dry from my pillow.  After many teary nights it's great to have you back.
 Coffee all round!
Thanks for your Herculean effort.
cheers
Maynooth
The race is long and in the end it is only with one's self.
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Manipulix
Regular user
Germany
174 Posts
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Posted: Jun 14, 2002 3:37am
Great work, Steve,
thanks a lot.
Manipulix 
What is life without a little bit of magic?
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Steve Brooks
Manager
Northern California - United States
4192 Posts
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Posted: Jun 14, 2002 4:08am
Thanks everyone for both your patience in this last storm we encountered, and for your continued support of my efforts with the Cafe.
However, like any good captain, I often rely on the hardwork and loyalty of my crew.
The team of volunteers who make up the roster here are the very best. They are hardworking, sincere, and have never let me down.
My Cafe tech team (Mary & Gene) have worked very hard with me to insure The Cafe functions the way it should, providing our members stability in an often chaotic Internet world.
That said, this last move would not have been possible without the hardwork and dedication they have always shown to the cause. They really are the best!
I also want to thank my moderators and grammar people for their continued efforts and hardwork in keeping The Cafe sparkling clean 24/7! This is often a thankless job, requiring real dedication and patience, I know I could not have done it without you!
In closing I just want to say The Magic Cafe has become greater than I imagined, and all I could hope for, a real family atmosphere with a true community spirit. Thank you all.
You can now follow me on
and
See you there!
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