"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."
~Joseph Campbell

Memorial day is upon us! (Also known as Decoration Day.) I know, I know, for most of us it’s a time for theme parks, water parks, and picnics in the park. Perhaps it is a time to watch the 99-year old tradition of the Indianapolis 500 races. For most, it is a long weekend filled with opportunities for families and friends to share time together.

But what was the original intent of this holiday? Anyone? Did the quote give it away? In the midst of all of the revelry that summer is upon us, it is a time to reflect upon the lives of the brave men and women who have given their lives in the name of our nations freedom and security.

It is a time to remember our parents and grandparents who may have served in the armed forces and what their service means to us. Both of my grandfathers and my stepfather served America in their time. Frank White served as an airman first-class in the Air Force, Paul Weinstein Block was a Master Sergeant in-charge of the first integrated squadron of men in the Army Air Corps, and Calvin Taylor retired as a Colonel in the Air Force. I think of their service at this time, and all of my friends who have served, currently serve or have had family members serve in their lifetimes.

In the honor of the service men that have passed, I share with you a beautiful poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon who served in WWI.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."
-General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
Mental Mysteries
Mental Mystery (agent friendly site)

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV 
will be fought with sticks and stones."
- Albert Einstein (contemplating nuclear devastation)

Helping Hospitals Heal
West Palm Beach, Florida
May 3-10

Dan Sperry Wedding
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 14

Guest Lecture ITT Technical Institute
Salt Lake City , Utah
May 27

Workshops and Shows
Missoula, Montana
June 3-5

Trade Show
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 14-16

Utah 48 Hour Film Fest
Salt Lake City, UT
June18-20

Sandy Amphitheater
Sandy, Utah
June 25

EMC
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 15-17

Las Vegas IBM Ring Lecture
Las Vegas, Nevada
August 2

Mystique Dining
Boise, Idaho
September 6 – October 31

Magic in the Rockies
Fort Collin, Colorado
September 8-13

Tentative Magic Lecture
New Jersey, New Jersey
November 8th

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye The Science Guy: The Brain episode with Jerry Andrus

Jerry Andrus was a wonderful magician, skeptic and creator of marvelous optical illusions. I had many opportunities to meet with him at magic, science and skeptic events! In this episode of Bill Nye we have an opportunity to watch Jerry as he personally explains several of his baffling optical illusions. Enjoy as he fools us through the screen, he even fooled me! Although we lost Jerry in 2007, his magic, illusions, creations and love of the mysteries of the human mind live on! I hope that you enjoy this clip as much as I do!

Mystique Dining

I will be performing 6 nights a week in the Mystique Dining experience in Boise, Idaho from September 6th to October 31st 2010.

Butlers greet you in front of two ominous chamber doors. When those doors open, you are formally announced to the Manor’s hostess who seats you within the Victorian dining chamber. Your choice of entree is perfectly prepared and elegantly served in courses. After dessert is cleared, a World Class Conjuror appears from the shadows and the magic and mayhem begin. The intimacy of the Chamber allows you to witness miracles of prestidigitation so close and incredible you believe it must be magic, suspending belief, forsaking logic and reality. Expect the Unexpected!