•  Binge-watch Presidential documentaries on the History channel
• Wear a powdered wig while you’re out buying that sweet new mattress
• Take a hatchet to a cherry tree*
• Snag some amazing collectible currency featuring Mr. Washington’s handsome mug that you can later pass on to a youngster—history FTW!

Magic has been around for about 5,000 years or so. The Westcar Papyrus, tells five tales of illusionists performing in the Pharaohs' courts. As one messy story goes, a magician named Dedi beheaded and then restored several animals for Egyptian king, Cheops.

Street magic seems new, but it's not. Ancient Greek tales describe street magicians performing variations of the "cups and balls" trick (using rocks instead of balls).   Magicians didn't have anywhere but the street to perform and they didn't carry their own props; they had to use Things they could find or get from their audience to perform slight-of-hand illusions.

The Indian Rope Trick was described over 600 years ago, but it's impossible to recreate as told. The full trick goes like this: a magician suspends a rope in the air while a boy climbs up it hurling insults at the audience. The magician follows, disappears out of sight and body parts rain down on the ground. The magician descends the rope, picks up the parts, puts them in a basket and shakes it. The boy then emerges from the basket unharmed. Only parts of this famous trick can be recreated as told.

And then there was Black Herman - a magician who won fame and fortune for being buried alive and then coming back to life - even after his death. One night he collapsed onstage and really died. After which his faithful fans gathered outside the funeral home, waiting to see the rest of the "trick." Herman's assistant, who knew his boss better than anyone, suggested to the funeral home that the magician would have charged admission. So they did.

Sadly for his fans, Black Herman didn't come back from his last trick. And there were no refunds offered.

See you next week,
Bobby

It's an unfortunate fact of life that we have to be concerned with safety in today's world. A quick glance at the evening news demonstrates how important it is to secure yourself, your home, and your office. The best way to do that is being prepared before someThing happens. Here are a few security tips to get you started:

Cameras - real or fake. Burglars don't like to bother with businesses and homes that are under surveillance. Even a dummy camera can sometimes deter a criminal. But if you want to see what goes on while you're away or to monitor what's happening outside while you're inside, a wireless camera is just the Thing.


Early warning systems. Dogs can be a deterrent, but if you can’t get a big, scary watchdog, an electronic dog can “see" through doors and walls. The Thing will start “barking” when someone comes within fifteen feet, warning you before the bad guy gets inside. (Plus, an electronic dog won’t sell you out for a cheeseburger like my real dog Bosco would.) And so you can see what’s going on, a digital peephole lets you see what’s happening outside without putting yourself at risk.

Light it up. Criminals prefer an easy target, so outdoor lighting is one of the Things most of them will try to avoid. And you don’t even have to run up your energy bill. A motion activated light lets you know when someone is creeping around outside and chases away would-be burglars.

Defend yourself. If you find yourself in a confrontation with a criminal, it's good to have some self defense training to back you up. Krav Maga is easy to learn and works for anyone - no matter your size or strength.

I know this topic isn't as much fun as some of the others I've blogged, but sometimes even I have to be serious. Not too often, but sometimes...


Stay safe,
Bobby