As proof, here is a short clip of me doing the trick. Obviously I’m not perfect, and it took a lot of takes to do it where it looked good. In hindsight I should not have done it so close to the to the camera and also not in HD. If you watch it a couple of times you can figure out what is going on. Yes, the dramatic music was totally necessary.

A few weeks after I fully learned how to do the trick (I would say mastered, but I occasionally can’t do it under pressure), the telephone repairman was in the office fixing something. Someone tipped him off that I had been learning this trick. When he finished fixing the phones, he proceeded to do about four tricks in a row that put mine to shame. He then asked me to do my trick and I folded under pressure. I messed it up to which he responded, “Don’t show it if you don’t know it.”

A telephone repairman showed me up in a magic duel. He then gave me a business card and told me to give him a call if I wanted to learn some real tricks. I asked him if he had any advice and he responded that I should join the “International Brotherhood of Magicians” and begin going to events. If you are doubting this is exists, you can find their official web site here. All in all it was a very surreal experience.

Here is the question: is learning magic a good idea or a bad idea? I said it at the beginning, but I’ll say it again. I already know the answer to the question, but I thought the video and story were worth posting.

I’m considering the possibility of making this a semi-regular feature. I’ll post something I’m on the fence about and post a poll. Depending on how the vote goes, I’ll either do or not do said thing I am on the fence about.*

For this edition of Good Idea or Bad Idea I am debating whether or not to purchase and begin wearing a pair of Vibram Five Finger Shoes. What are these you ask? See the picture above. I think they could be a lot of fun. They closest place to buy them is in Bloomington, IN. I have to make a trip down there soon, so I will at least try them on. You can check out the product’s official page here.

Here are some of the benefits:
• Increase arch strength
• Create better posture
• Eliminate Back Pain
• Lightweight
• Washable
• Fun

*No guarantees that I actually follow the advice of the internet poll.