End of Summer Lull

Here we are at the end of another summer -- well, at least for those who are getting ready for 'back to school'.  That would include students of all ages, parents of students of all ages, teachers, day camp staff, daycare staff, librarians, youth workers of all types . . . and me.

Yup. As kids get ready for school -- everything grinds to a halt and the gears get changed as the ramp up to school begins.  For me that means a week or two of relaxing from the running. I put a lot of miles on during the summer months -- mostly local, within 60 miles or so. There are SO MANY shows to perform with libraries, day camps, daycares, company picnics, reunions, birthdays, etc that I don't spend much time around the home at all. So, right now -- I'm taking a breather as everyone else retools and tries to get that one last vacation in, or scurry about getting new clothing, school supplies and the like.   I'm sitting here writing a blog.

But. . . school is coming very soon -- even for me. Then I'll be off and running with a load of magic props and educational content for elementary students throughout the Midwest. And I'll be loving it. Hope I can get to your or your student's school this year with one of my Assembly Programs. If you want to see more about my shows, visit www.ScottObermann.com.  Then call me. I'll have my phone with me ready to schedule a great show for you!!

Time to Learn a Magic Trick!

The most frequently asked question I get is "How did you do that?" People always want to know the secret -- they think. But the truth is, what they really want is the wonder to continue. If  I stopped and explained every trick I performed, the wonder would quickly vanish and along with it --the fun. So, I never explain the tricks I am performing.  

The second most frequently asked question is “Can you teach me a trick?”  If I have time, I will teach a trick to someone who really wants to learn.  That question tells me that there is a more than a casual interest in simply learning secrets. He or she wants to experience the wonder from my side of the fence. 

With that in mind, here is a simple trick that won’t blow anyone’s mind, but will certainly amuse and make them go ‘hmmm’.  If you have an analog watch or clock handy this is for you. 

What Happens

Place a folded piece of paper in a visible place.

Have someone name a number between 1 and 12. Then ask that person to place his finger on the 12 of the clock face and begin to spell his number as he moves his finger one time for each letter. For example: If the chosen number is ‘3’, your assistant would spell t-h-r-e-e and end up with his finger on the 5. Then starting at the 5(or whatever number your assistant’s finger is on), repeat the process – this time spelling that number f-i-v-e  and ending on the number ‘9’ Repeat this one more time(in this example spelling n-i-n-e) and have the assistant take note that he stopped at the number ‘1’.

You open the piece of paper and show that you had written that exact number on the paper. A perfect prediction.

What’s the Secret?

This one works itself. Just follow the instructions above and you will always end up on the number ‘1’. Yup, that easy.  Before the performance, merely write  “You will stop on the number 1” on a piece of paper. Fold it up and you are ready to go. Try it a few times to see for yourself. 

With the right build up, this can be a real fooler. I wouldn't recommend repeating it though. Since the ending point is always '1', the method would become transparent fairly easily. 

This is just a quick sort of ice-breaker or time-filler. Have fun with it!

Use this in the workplace. For further reading see Magic in the Corporate World

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Visit my website at www.GreatScottMagic4U.com  to see more about the magic shows I offer.

Great Scott gets a face lift!

Ok, maybe not me personally, but my website http://www.GreatScottMagic4U.com just got a much needed facelift.  Wow, it's hard to keep up with all the changes in the online world. When I started this business a decade and a half ago barely anyone was looking for a magician using the internet. Those that did had to be seated in front of their computer screen. Now, it seems, most are searching on their phone . . . and the yellow pages (remember those) while still around are not of any real value anymore -- great as kindling for the fire though.

So, the new site is up. Take a look and drop me a note if you find anything that doesn't work for you.