[PHOTOSTORY 2: ADITL] Everyday Magic

By: Daisy Davis

Michael Allen stands in the "Magic: The Gathering" card section of Galactic Comics and Games store in Statesboro, GA. He is looking to buy some new cards with his tip money from working at Waffle House over the weekend. 

Michael Allen shuffles through decks of cards to pick out the ones he would like to purchase. "Magic: The Gathering" is a multiplayer tabletop card game that Michael enjoys playing with his friends in his free time.

Michael Allen waits for assistance from an employee so that he can purchase a deck of cards. "You can look the decks up online to get a catalog of the cards that will likely be in them, so sometimes it's better than sorting through hundreds of cards," Michael said.

Michael Allen leaving Galactic Comics and Games store with $40 worth of "Magic: The Gathering" cards. Michael said he plans to go back to the store soon to play the trading card game and meet new people.

Michael Allen sitting at his desk to open new packs of "Magic: The Gathering" cards he purchased. When Michael isn't working, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing trading card games, campaign games, and reading fantasy novels. 

Michael Allen shuffling through a newly opened pack of cards. "The foil cards like this one are always fun to show off because shiny cards are just cool, everyone wants those," Michael said.

Michael's desk is filled with books, cards, and keepsakes that have been given to him by his friends and family. Michael works at Smoothie King and Waffle House throughout the week and on the weekend, unless he has to report for the National Guard.

Michael Allen reaches for a box of cards on his desk. "The desk might look a little messy, but it's just crowded. I promise there's some organization to it," Michael said. 

     Michael Allen holds a case of cards he's been collecting over the past year. Michael said that he buys these cases because they help him keep the cards in order and each box can hold around 10 packs of cards.
                                                                             

Michael Allen looks through his fifth pack of cards for the day. In a trading card game like Magic: The Gathering, the more cards you have, the better.

Michael Allen's wall displays several posters and National Guard memorabilia. "The bottom one is a marksman ribbon for shooting expert and the top is a National Guard Insignia," Michael said.

Michael Allen is holding a ring he was given after joining the Army National Guard. He joined in February of 2018 to train on Chinook aircraft repair. 

Michael Allen shows me the ring. The ring is engraved with the phrase, "Death Before Dishonor."

Michael Allen pulls out a pair of old boots he wore for 5 years to National Guard drill weekends. "Yeah so, as you can see, the new ones are in much better condition," Michael said.

Michael Allen reaches for his Waffle House hat to get ready for work at 2 p.m. Michael is saving up for a car, so he currently rides a bicycle and has to leave early to get to work on time.

Michael Allen fixing the chain on his bike before he heads out for the day. He says that his bike usually needs a few repairs a week, so he does them at home to save money.

                       

                    

Michael Allen moves his hands off the greasy bike chain. "If I don't check it and make sure it's on right before I leave, it usually causes me problems and I have to stop to fix it anyways," Michael said.

Michael Allen carries his bike out of his apartment and down twenty stairs before he rides to work. Michael has lived at Eighteen18, an off-campus housing unit at Georgia Southern, for almost half a year now. 

Michael looks at a neighbor and smiles. Michael is not currently enrolled in school, but he wants to save up enough money to go to a university and study physics.

Michael Allen biking from his apartment to Waffle House. He bikes 13 minutes to work, six days a week.