Carnival Cruise San Diego Fire or Magic?

By now you had to have heard about the Carnival Cruise Splendor stuck at sea off San Diego due to a fire and loss of power...

I find it interesting that the Carnival Cruise out of San Diego, which caught fire and was stranded this week, was attended by magicians for a mini convention! That's right, over 150 magicians stuck with over 4,000 passengers for 4 days. 


I have to joke for a second about the insanity of that concept! "Pick a card…" Oh, man! Seriously thought, I had several friends on that ship and considered lecturing or attending myself. From what I've been told, they did not just eat Spam! They did not have power for four days and could not charge phones and did get flashlights. Luckily, there were battery backups to control doors to let you into your room. I was also informed that Carnival did a great job organizing food, drinks, announcements, etc. Not one person was injured. US military ships and aircraft have been providing fresh supplies since the fire knocked out refrigeration, along with air conditioning, the Internet, and phone service.


One friend described to me that a sort of "shuttering" was felt at about 6am the night after the departure. He and his wife thought they might be docking, but they also knew that they were supposed to be at sea for two straight days. Soon afterwards, they learned that there was a fire and that it was safe and contained. He said that magicians did mingle about the passengers doing some tricks throughout the four days of waiting on board. They also spend a lot of time sharing tricks to each other in a large convention/meeting room. 

Now, to put in my two cents about people's compensation… I think it is great that Carnival has offered refunds for all guests, including flights.. and offered another cruise for free. But think about it for a second. That really just REPLACES what was already paid for. Many people are thinking that this is some sort of deal! The cruise was gone for so long that the next scheduled group waiting in San Diego got cancelled and they were offered a refund (NO KIDDING!) and a 25% discount on their next cruise. When you really look at the fact that Carnival HAS to refund guests for this cruise which was planned, where the real gift, apology or compensation? I'd think that in addition to REPLACING the lost cruise, that guests would be eligible for an additional cruise or discount.


Well, it might have been a magical cruise for some, but I know it was certainly not for others as this happened on day one of the cruise. 


Coincidentally, I just heard another magician back east talking on The Bulldog Show, which I'll be on Wednesday talking about my book on tricks for dating. It's such a small world!

Holiday Party Entertainment

It's Holiday Party time already!? You have to be kidding me!  It's time to scramble to find entertainment and fun things to do with guests! Well, here's an easy piece to the puzzle...

If you're having (or know of someone having) a nice holiday party, consider the importance and FUN of having "The Ice Breaker" mingle with guests! It's important to have something unique and fun for guests to experience at holiday parties... they cant just sit around and listen to the boss talk about next years projections or painfully sit through another bucket of tickets to be drawn for prizes. People want to relax, laugh, eat and mingle... and be entertained!

Mingling magic, sleight of hand, strolling magic, interactive magic, close-up magic... or whatever you want to call it, is ideal for holiday parties where people are gathering for several hours to socialize, mingle and have a good time. It's the best way to get outside spouses or guests to start a conversation with coworkers. Interactive magic slaps people around mentally (in a very positive and fun way) and gives people a chance to laugh or freak out together! Once the magician find his next group, the last group immediately starts comparing notes and breaking the ice on their own... it's like magic!

You do not want to hire a "cheesy magician" who is just going to shove tricks on guests or interrupt them... No. You want someone that knows how to HELP get people talking with sophisticate, modern magic with personality. You want someone who guests WANT to entertain them. You want an experienced professional that can scan a room and find a couple people that need some excitement... or a person left alone at a table... or a group of high energy people to make explode!  Beware of an amateur entertainer who's goal is to trick people instead of make the even memorable and exciting.

"The Ice Breaker" (Magician and Mentalist Rich Ferguson) is not the "show" but rather the icing on the cake to tie it all together. It's subtle but powerful entertainment that leaves a huge impression on people!

See for yourself how fun it is to let "The Ice Breaker" loose at your holiday party or special event!  It does not matter if it is in a private home, business or event facility. Just add guests and let the magic happen!

Besides national and international recognition, Rich was voted as "Best Entertainer" regionally. Pamper your guests with something unique and interactive in addition to whatever you have planned!

For complete details, please check out http://www.TheIceBreaker.com

Poker Chip Tricks Free Trick Offer

Chip Tricks have become unbelievably popular in the past few years along with the gaining interest in poker and magic. My DVD, Chip Tricks, along with other Poker DVDs from the series have certainly been popular products as well.

If you want a link to my favorite Chip Trick, just click here and share with your friends on either Facebook or Twitter how cool chip tricks are and you instantly get the link to the lesson for free!

I'm pleased to share that we have a newly updated site, shopping cart and offer for my favorite Chip Trick for FREE! Take a look at the new site (still being updated as we speak!) at http://www.ChipTricksOnline.com and watch the chip tricks video, get the free Chip Trick Lesson and browse our new shop full of magic, books, cards and more.

Also, keep an eye out for the World Chip Trick Contest! I'm the grandfather of the event this year and I can't wait to see what new Chip Tricks come down the pipeline!

Currently, there is a sale on our Chip Tricks DVD! Normally $29.95, on sale half off this month for only $14.95. This DVD is packed with over 70 of the hottest Chip Tricks to get you started on the new addiction of looking cool at the table!

Gift Idea for Boys, Men and Single Guy - FREE for sharing

A great holiday gift or birthday gift for single guys, boys or men can be partially yours for FREE! That's right, as a gift to you for helping us, we'll give you a link to a pdf version of portions of Tricks to Pick Up Chick just for sharing it to a friend. Just click the link and either post the message that appears (can be altered to anything you want) on Twitter of Facebook. This is a fantastic way to see if it's a book you might want to keep for yourself!


Tricks To Pick Up Chicks is the ultimate secret weapon to meeting girls and/or entertaining friends. The title is a play on words and not to be taken the wrong way... any of the jokes, riddles, magic tricks, scams, etc can be done by anyone, anytime, anywhere to break the ice and be the life of the party.

You’re about to learn a variety of magic tricks, bets and scams to break the ice in no time flat. You’ll also get the secrets of body language and how to use your friends to get the attention of any girl. You do not have to be a guy to impress your friends with this book. Anyone can start amazing people today at clubs, school, bars, work, parties or anywhere! You also don't have to be a rich stud to start today with this amazing collection of tricks, scams, lines, bets and much more.

Look at the insane content in this bad boy:

Chapter 1 - “Quickies”
Tricks, ice-breakers and lines that can be done to instantly get the attention of any dream-girl.

Chapter 2 - “One Night Stands”
Full blown magic tricks, bets and scams to impress girls, make you stand out and make them want more.

Chapter 3 - “Threesomes”
Gain an advantage by secretly using your “wingman” to trick, scam or set-up your target!

Chapter 4 - Body Language
Learn how to read body language, gestures and expressions so you know exactly what she is really thinking!

Chapter 5 - Rules of the Game
Become aware of the rules that separate the men from the boys. Learn the do’s and don’ts of the dating game.

Included in this book are 88 photos and expert instruction sharing 26 specialized magic tricks just to break the ice, over 100 of the best Lines for every situation, over a dozen top quality Card Tricks that make you look like a professional magician, 5 Tricks with Money magicians don't want you to know, 7 mind-blowing Mind Reading Tricks, 22 Tricks with Everyday Objects to use anytime anywhere, 24 of the best Bet's ever created, 15 Scams to get a girls attention, 8 Magic Tricks using your Wingman, 5 Scams with your Wingman sure to get you in with your dream-girl and 6 sure-fire way to get your Wingman to Set Up your girl! That's well over a 100 awesome magic tricks, dozens of scams and more!



Plus 45 detailed secrets to reading a girl like a book with important photos you've got to see. From micro-expressions, body language, psychology, gestures to expressions, we have it covered. This is the stuff guys around the world want to know. It is finally explained specifically regarding women. As a final bonus, the final chapter shares the top 60 ways to play the game right!

The hundreds of tricks, bets, scams, lines and tips are taught by world class magician Rich Ferguson, AKA "The Ice Breaker." http://www.TheIceBreaker.com
The Introduction was written by Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell
Paperback, B/W Interior, 184 pages. Copyright 2010. ISBN: 1450560180



Get your copy now and buy others for that perfect gift! You'll be happy you did.
This perfect gift idea is available at Amazon.com, TheIceBreaker.com and select bookstores for $19.95.

Body Language Handshake Analysis at Nipomo Chamber of Commerce

As far as handshake meanings, body language and demonstrations of profiling, I've had a blast. Today was an intimate setting with the Nipomo Chamber of Commerce. About 40 people converged on the Black Lake Golf Course, had lunch, networked then watched me give my unique perspective on body language. With only 30 minutes, I wish I had more time to dazzle the folks with some magic as well! It was a funny time of year to be the guest speaker with all the folks campaigning for office! However, it was great to see some familiar faces I hope do well in their campaigns. Also in attendance was my good buddy Sean from AMS Entertainment. He got to be my "assistant"!

Full, in-depth trainings of body language and influence for sales with a full 2+ hour Keynote program are available. Please go to our site or this detailed page "Body Language: It's no Illusion" for more information.

If you want to see part of small segment from another meeting, it can be viewed on YouTube. 

If you know of any company party or events that can use my services, please send them to my site. 


Happy Halloween to you all!

Pitchman for Amazing Balance Bracelet

I was chosen as the pitchman for the Balance Bracelet. Infomercials will start to air nationally in November. We had a great time shooting with Picture Stable Productions at the Competitive Edge Marketing Corporate Headquarters. Even the creator, Mark Jones, was on hand to lend some advice for the product. Now I'm off to film a promo for a new invention! Details to come. It's a production and film day for sure!

Magic Dating Book Review - Tribune San Luis Obispo

Even though my newest book, Tricks to Pick Up Chicks, has received reviews from radio to magazines, it is very fun to see it written up in my San Luis Obispo County newspaper. The Tribune created a list of six books written by "local" authors. Take a look and see if there are any authors you might want to support.

If you know of anyone interested in dating tips, pick up lines, magic, bar bets, body language and more, have them check out my book. It's just "the cost of a couple drinks!"