Idk where you are located, but we have a great convention in NC too. It is relatively inexpensive and the has amazing talent and sessioning. www.tricsconvention.com
Michael...
Its my birthday today, when is your birthday?
How many deck of cards do you go through in a month?
What other things (outside magic) influence your art?
Hey man, I am in Charlotte, NC. Not that close, but close enough. I was just driving up 95 yesterday by you. We have a great convention here in Charlotte every year. Its called the TriCs. Check out http://www.tricsconvention.com The lineup this year is sick! It would definitely be worth the trip...
I love to ask professional magicians this:
What was the last trick you saw that fooled you?
Also, I would like to know...
When/where did the original idea for EMC come about?
Hey, LOOK OVER THERE!!!
You just practice. The better you get at the moves and trick, the more you can focus on patter and misdirection. Also, the more you do it, the better your timing will be, which means your misdirection will be more crisp.