Abra cadabra, !

We've got a bit of a magic theme in this weeks newsletter so, let the incantations ensue! Did you know the word "abra cadabra" was first used by a physician in historical times? More on that below. Also, apologies for the date mix up last week. Did it confuse you? If so, let me know and drop me a line!

As always, a shameless request! Could you forward this newsletter to just 3 people that you think would like one of the articles? It helps A LOT! If you're the friend reading this, click the link below to join! Glad to have you here!

Week in the life

This is probably the first newsletter on a Sunday in a while! It's been a very social weekend with a BBQ at my place yesterday. Most of the week not spent working was trying to figure out the guests/dietary requirements/logistics and shopping. Pre pandemic, I was managing to do 2-3 of these a year and using them as an event them as an event to catch up given how busy everyone is.

Over all, for a relative hermit couple, we had about 30 guests come between 1230 and 7pm last night. I would've spent the whole day today recharging if I didn't have to go to work...

More of the update over on the blog...

Creative update

randInt S02E18 - Dr Vyom Sharma - The medical magician

We have a new episode of the podcast this week and this time it's with our good friends Dr Vyom Sharma. Vyom has had quite a journey since medical school: not only is he a doctor, but he's toured the world with his magic performances, started his own radio and regularly is on TV as a health commentator.

I thought we had enough random in exploring all that but in typical randInt style, we went into some obscure and controversial topics. Hope you enjoy the chat as much as we did!

Gadgets/Tech

instax mini LiPlay

A while ago, I mentioned getting a instant camera to be able to capture and print moments so that I had a physical album. As mentioned above, we had a BBQ on the weekend and that camera didn't work (just low battery but didn't know at the time) and I ended up taking some photos on the phone instead. I was looking for a polaroid printer and came across this: it's an instant camera AND a printer of any photo from your smart phone! It's also currently on sale so had to get one and make some faux polaroids from the phone photos. I got the black and gold one.

Other gadgets/tech

• Food storage bag on steroids - Another Kickstarter project, but looks like a solid upgrade on my lunch bag
• Heated coffee mug - I use the ember one, but this is much much cheaper. I would've got this if it was out at the time!

Read

In 1996, Pepsi Joked About Giving Away a Fighter Jet for Pepsi Points. Two Dudes Held Pepsi to It.

If you ever wondered why they have to have terms and conditions apply on so many things, this is one of those examples.

I think the title gives what it's all about but I just love the fact that if a company decides on some ridiculous marketing stunt, there will be some random stranger in some corner of the world, happy to call that bluff...

Watch

World's 7 greatest magic tricks revealed

Continuing with the magic theme of this newsletter, here's a video looking at home some of the most famous magic tricks were performed and the techniques used to pull them off.

On one hand, I don't actually like knowing how things are done just to preserve the illusion of magic but on the other, some of the techniques are just so ingenious and show how the human mind works that it's fascinating...

Quote I'm pondering

'No matter what hand you're dealt, don't let anyone tell you that you can't play'

— Richard Turner

This one is from an American magician who specialises in card tricks. I thought it was an interesting quote from a magician because it we commonly say things like "that's the hand he/she was dealt" as if it's a final good/bad thing but that's not necessarily true.

By that very saying, you then get the ability to PLAY that hand of cards and I think that gets overlooked. In fact, as magicians can attest, maybe you don't need to play cards at all and instead play with the cards and come up with a magic trick.

In essence, what I'm trying to remind myself is that we think we'd do some great thing only if life didn't get in the way. For anyone that you currently admire, realise that life was always there but they did something that inspired you anyway.

In that same vein, you may have your own deck stacked against you, but that doesn't mean you can't at least take your chances...

With that, see you all next week for another dose of random!

- Raffy

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