New Years Magic Resolution Trickery

It's here again! Just like magic, another year has vanished! All the holiday parties have ended and it's the rush week of people trying to make commitments to themselves about work, responsibilities, smoking, weight loss, etc. Why do people wait until January 1st to push to change and stay on track all at once? Wouldn't it be much easier to just be the same as you had been in the days prior to New Years (or whenever your resolution kicks in)?

Well, here's a "magic trick" to beat the "system"! That' right... I've discovered a loophole in logic, resolutions, New Years, effort, commitment, etc.  Here's the trick; Pick a date only a couple days from now to start your resolution. Announce to the world and yourself that, on that date, you will simply "stay the same" by doing exactly what you have been doing. Sounds impossible? What am I talking about? Have I gone nuts? NOPE. Here's the very simple catch. Workout, eat right, have fun, be responsible, don't smoke, have lots of loving, enjoy the magic of life to it's fullest, work hard, start projects or WHATEVER it is you NEED to change TODAY. Then simply do it for a few days. You can do that, right? Then, when your resolution date comes up, you can avoid the need to "change" and simply commit to being exactly the same! Doesn't that sound a lot easier without the added pressure of a new year, change, scheduling and the drama associated with the start of the year? Another added benefit of starting today is that you have a few days to ramp up to meet your goals as apposed to starting cold turkey. Intense, physical workout changes or dietary changes might be dangerous for some. Why not ramp up to your goal over the next few days?!

I know you might have been looking for a magic pill to change your life, but this is a start! This week, I'm going to commit to working out, protecting and strengthening some past injuries of mine. On New Years, I'll have to commit to nothing more than staying the same... while watching others stress about taking big steps and the pressure of changing and doing what they need to do.

Does this sound familiar? - What are you doing for your resolution Bob? "Well, I'm going to try to stop smoking today..."  That's crazy, I say! If Bob would have stopped smoking for a couple days prior, he could have simply told himself and others, "I'm going to just stay on the track I'm on. I'm perfectly happy with my current direction." Now Bob has to hear, "Oh, wow, that's a tough one... Good luck. I tried before but it only lasted a few weeks."

I know it is all just semantics to some, but if you really do want to make some positive changes, you might want to "trick" the system and start NOW. I personally believe waiting is the first sign of not committing 100%. Don't you deserve to start today?


Well, anyway you slice it, pound it, change it, do it, I wish you a very prosperous and successful, magical New Year!


This has been a remarkable year. Thanks for all the support and referrals!
For information on hiring me to let me loose with guests at your next special party, please visit http://www.TheIceBreaker.com  

Lives of Illusion - Life of a Magician

Living on the Central Coast is like Magic! If you have been under a rock and unaware of the blockbuster waves of Harry Potter movies, here's a little story The Tribune did about magicians on the Central Coast of California. The story was a tie in to the end of an epic series of magical stories. If you are looking for magical entertainment for children, companies or VIP events, this story does a nice job of describing the types of magic for different events.

In addition, if you are interested in getting magic as a gift for someone, please view my official online magic store full of cards, dvds and book on the subject.  If you are interested in learning more about magic clubs, performing and more, check out these magic links.  Lastly, if you just want to try some tricks out through your computer, try these tricks!

Here's wishing you all a magical Holiday Season!  - The Ice Breaker

Pick Up Lines and Magic?

Pick Up Lines... Pick-up Lines... Pickup Lines... Lines! Anyway you slice it, people sure have a preconceived notions about them.  They seem to love them or hate them.  Perhaps, they have never been exposed to a variety of styles or uses. Let's face it, it is not the line that usually annoys us! It's usually the person. From Poetry to really BAD "lines", men have courted women using words to get attention in some way for centuries. I'm certainly not saying that pick up lines have the same artistic value as poetry! I'm just saying that the purpose and lines to hit on girls has been around forever.


Pick up lines range in style, taste and function as do most things. There are (in one's opinion) horrible music and wonderful music. To each his own. There is always something for everyone. 


Here's an example of some pick up lines you might love, laugh at or be offended by(or use today!). These lines were taken out of "Tricks to Pick Up Chicks". This book is loaded with lines, magic, psychology and so much more. Check it out at http://www.DatingTricksRevealed.com

Of course, this book explains how to deliver these lines in the correct frame of mind and why you need to just be yourself. You have to be able to laugh at how bad a line is if it obviously a "line". In other cases, they can truly be an ice breaker as seen in the Sugar Packet example. The lines don't contain the "magic", you do! Have fun and spread the word about this unique and fun book. It's a perfect gift for teenagers and single men of any age.


Pick Up Lines:
"Well, here I am, what are your other two wishes?"

Pick up a pack of sugar that actually says, "sugar" on it then say, "You dropped your name tag!" Immediately laugh with her and do a trick with it.

If you see a woman with a Guess shirt on take a guess at her breast size and say something like, "Hmm, I'm guessing 32- C?"

"I came over here because I noticed you were staring at my butt."- when she wasn't.

"I bet you $20 you're gonna turn me down." 
...
Lines:
"I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you."

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that."
...
Lines if She Blows You Off
"I may not be the best looking guy in here, but I'm the only one talking to you."

If she says something to get you to check out, say, "That's what every girl says that’s into me. Can't you get an original line?"
...
Lines if She Blows Someone Else Off (and you move in...)
"Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go."
...


You get the idea! To see tons of magic tricks, bar bets, lines, body language and much more, view the book!  It's available at www.TheIceBreaker.com, www.DatingTricksRevealed.com or at www.Amazon.com. 

Stocking Stuffer - Holiday Gift Idea For Single Guys

Share the Magic of the Holidays Season with a Magical Stocking Stuffer! If you need to get a gift for a teenaged boy or know a single guy of any age, our Tricks Book is the perfect gift under $20.

Presented by Magician Rich "The Ice Breaker" Ferguson with Introduction by Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, guys will certainly get a kick out of the fun content of "Tricks to Pick Up Chicks".  Now hold on!- This is not some lame pick-up artist or seduction book! Nope... this is great for any age or skill level.  It's the book that makes it possible to entertain Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere! It's packed with Magic Tricks, Quick Ice-Breakers, Pick-Up Lines, Riddles, Psychology, Body Language and much more.

It's hard to find a holiday gift that any teenage boy would love. Well, look no further. Using magic, betcha's, ice-breakers and personality has never been so popular. Magic and Psychology is seen by people like David Blaine and Criss Angle as well as a regular theme on shows like Lie To Me, How I Met Your Mother and The Mentalist. Look at the official site and see for yourself all the great content of this book and wonderful stocking stuffer. Please check out http://www.DatingTricksRevlealed.com.  Wether someone is single or not, this book is packed with wonderful tricks anyone can have a blast with. It's "wife approved!"

Here's a peek at the sections of the book:
Quick Tricks • Ice Breakers • Pick Up Lines • Comebacks • Card Tricks • Money Magic • Mind Reading Tricks • Bar Bets • Impromptu Magic Tricks • Scams • Tricks with Wingman • Scams with Wingman • Hit On Set Ups • Gestures • Expressions • Non-Verbal Communication • Dating Tips • Personal Tips • Psychology

Available NOW from $14.95-$19.95 at Amazon.com, TheIceBreaker.com or DatingTricksRevealed.com or select stores.

PrimeMates Movie Magic...

Once again, I got to run to the Digital Film Festival after other performances and meet some of the most creative people from around the globe. From musician and composers to actors and directors, the Digital Film Festival has something for everyone.

The highlight of the 4-day event was likely the movie "PrimeMates"- directed and written by Rudy Luna. Starring in the movie was the charming Joe Estevez. This movie was about the psychological side of our natures... especially men's "behaviors" towards life, womanizing, faithfulness, sacrifice and so much more. However, it was done in such a creative and fun format, that you forgot that you were learning. It was real movie magic to create a story around a topic of discussion. Instead of a dry documentary of a talking head behind a desk, this setting is a cigar bar with a reunion of several guys talking about life. One is a womanizer, another is faithfully married, another is a psychologist and Joe plays the glue between them all. Actors Ethan Phillips (Star Trek Voyager), Will Wallace, Joe Estevez and Leo Rossi did a steller job at sucking us into a conversation and journey into the subconscious minds of men and women. The men begin to share stories nobody else knows, opinions about why people do the things they do and much more.

Without giving the ending away, lets just say that I can promise that many women will be uncomfortable and a often roll their eyes until the end of this movie... at which point they will cry and see that there is so much more than meets the eye to men and our "primal" behaviors and choices we make. Soon after, they will fall in love with this writer and director and take back the many misguided thoughts they certainly had for the first hour;)

The night started off for me arriving after a corporate event in Santa Barbara. As soon as I walked up, the director of the Digital Film Festival introduced me to Joe Estevez and Rudy Luna as we walked into the VIP tent. Right away, I liked both these men for their charm, humor and love of magic! We had some time to relax and talk about all sort of aspects of psychology and body language. I gathered from the director of PrimeMates that I was going to enjoy this film... and I certainly did. It was a nice treat for me to perform magic backstage for the guys as well!  Pictured here is Ruby Luna, Kerry Wallum, Joe Estevez (from the Sheen clan), Benford Stanley and Rich Ferguson.

Please support this fine film, watch their trailer and share this with anyone who wants a fresh perspective on men, psychology and life.

As always, I'm available for parties around the world. Please peek my website. http://www.TheIceBreaker.com  If you are interested in a fun book that combines dating, women, men, psychology of body language specific to women, bar bets and more, check out "Tricks to Pick Up Chicks" at DatingTricksRevealed.com or Amazon.

Magic Meets Medical - Worlds First Medical Magic Trick!

If you are not familiar with the Da Vinci Robot, it is a multi million dollar machine which allows for delicate operations with remote robotic arms.  These arms are controlled by an highly killed operator and doctor and can easily remove the skin from a grape.

Yours truly got to test drive the new unit and essentially do the worlds first medical magic trick! In all honesty, it was a real treat to sit and operate this amazing tool. The hand coordination came easy, but I did not even touch the multiple foot pedals. Here's a quick video of the magic!

Although my interests range from invention, producing products, performing magic at parties and more, I am fascinated my medical advancements and robotics. The delicate touch of this machine was truly elegant.

This particular machine is now at Sierra Vista Hospital.

By the way, if you know of any parties, I can add an elegant and fun touch of magic! I'm never too busy for your referrals. Happy Holidays! I can be reached on my official site, email or at 805-543-0251- The Ice Breaker

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!