Ever since I was a kid, I have loved certain things - and in some form or another, I continue to enjoy those same things. One such childhood pleasure I still enjoy is watching magicians. I remember watching the David Copperfield specials when I was little and I remember seeing other magic shows on TV and some kids’ magic shows in person as well. I even had a magic set when I was a boy, as well as an old book (Scarne’s Tricks, if I remember correctly).

I don’t do magic tricks any more, but I still enjoy watching magic shows. To this day, I am still a fan of (in my opinion) the best magic duo ever - Penn & Teller. They’re able to captivate kids as well as adults due to their illusions as well as their humor. (And lately, their opinion and commentary.)

Magicians like Penn and Teller aren’t “scary”, but they appeal to me and I think what they do belongs in (or at least near) the realm of horror and macabre. Their act is more humorous but it does indeed have an edge to it. However, classic illusionists such as Houdini used more images related to mysticism and near-occult in their acts and advertising.

Along with actual magic acts, there are some other things related to magic that I have only enjoyed as an adult. One such thing is a stupendous book by Michael Chabon called The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Again, it’s not exactly about magicians, but Houdini plays into the plot as well as comic books and the legendary Golem.

Another two things that simply rule are movies that came out in the past couple of years: The Illusionist
and The Prestige. Both are cool. (And The Prestige even features the awesome Nikola Tesla.)

I have loved all this kind of stuff since I was a kid. But it still holds appeal for me now, and I’m in my thirties! But I don’t care. There are some things that are cool, no matter what age you are. So tonight, I think I will watch an old Penn & Teller video.

When I first moved to New Orleans at the age of five, my parents thought it would be fun to bring me to see a few sites and see the city. One of the first places they took me was the Musee Conti Wax Museum, on Rue Conti in New Orleans. It’s the only wax museum New Orleans has, and I had never been to one before.

But that day, I was in for a surprise! The wax museum is full of “boring” historical characters modeled in wax…but there is also a haunted dungeon. I was terrified when I saw the entrance, and my parents begged me to enter. I refused and stood my ground.

A minute later, two elderly ladies came to the entrance of the dungeon and they apparently saw the commotion I was causing. One of the ladies said, “Would you like to come with me, young man?” and for some reason that even I don’t understand, I said, “Okay.” and took her hand. She and her friend led me through the haunted dungeon, and I wasn’t scared at all.

To this day, I remember the experience…and I still love to see monsters - whether in celluloid or wax form!