The Genii Forum

I have been having so much fun with the Canadian contingent of magi. Even before David Acer pointed it out in his column, I had noticed the unusual prevalence of the words "Canada" and "Canadian" in the world of magic, and I wondered why this should be so.

I think I finally got a clue at Magic Collectors' Weekend, when I had some talk with Stephen Forrester, who lives in Calgary. It was May, and he mentioned a major snowstorm in his area. I said some stuff about how much I love living under a blue sky and seeing the sun every day, and expressed doubt that I could deal with snow in May. He said "I don't mind it. I have my magic."

So I've developed a theory that magic has warming properties. It would explain the popularity of magic in Canada, and explain why, here in New Mexico, we're a bunch of hobbyists showing each other card tricks.

Actually, the weather has nothing to do with this at all -- it's the gene pool. Apparently, Dai Vernon (a Canadian) fathered many, many, many unofficial children before he left for the States.

Vernon was a busy guy. Sid Lorraine, Bruce Posgate, Doug Henning, Jay Sankey, Stewart James, Micky Hades, and some raconteur named Farmer.

To Brian Glow, I'd have put you on the list, buddy, but we know you're too young.

I live in Brockville -- that's half way between Ottawa and Kingston -- the former where Vernon lived and the latter where he went to college. He had to go through here on his motorcycle.

Unknown to me until a few years ago, Tom Auburn, another excellent Canadian magician, was born in a house about half a block from my house.

No evidence of Vernon in the neighbourhood.

Lisa, I think your theory's sound and may also explain the rash of magical creativity coming out of Scandinavia, where the extended winter darkness appears to have prompted extended fiddling with rubber bands, Coke cans, &cetera.