Genius of my dad
I've spoken about my dad before - he of DIY slipper-sock-floor glue fame, but occasionally he has flashes of sheer brilliance.

Like the "levitation" trick. Me and a friend (actually the guy who was best man at my recent wedding) were about 4 at the time, I guess, no more than 6 anyway. We were tearing round the garden like idiots and generally getting in my dad's way (he was re-felting the shed roof, I believe). In an attempt to occupy us and keep us out of his hair for five minutes (where was mum when he needed her?), he had a wave of sheer inspiration.

He calls us over and says "can you stand on one leg?"

Yerrrrs, we think and demonstrate.

"Ok, can you stand on the other one?"

Of course, we're not fazed by this feat.

"Ok, you've got one leg off the ground, now lift the other one".

We switch legs.

"No, I meant while you already had one off the ground".

We were 4, but we weren't stupid. We knew we'd fall over. We pointed this out.

Here's the genius part - he goes into the shed and gets two buckets.

"If you stand in these and, if you concentrate really hard, you'll be able to pick yourself up by the handle and levitate"

We must have been there for two hours, convinced we could see clear space under each other's buckets at times.

The man's a marvel and I will sure as hell do that to my kids...I know my best mate is already doing it to his.
(Chance, Fri 18 Apr 2008, 17:01, 1 reply)

That's ace.
I hope I remember this so I can do it to my kids.
(Half of Stephen Fry's right buttock pissed on your dog on, Fri 18 Apr 2008, 17:18, closed)