I'm often asked where I got the handle "Scaramouch" and I tell them, quite honestly, that it was my stagename, from when I worked my way through college as a table-hopping restaurant magician in London in the 80s.

Over the years I've grown a little distant from a hobby in which - at one time - I completely immersed myself. Maybe in retirement. I'll get back to it.

But a wonderful article on the NY Times website about Slydini got me thinking about it again. Next week, I'm planning to post some of my favorite clips of magicians from YouTube, and I thought I'd throw it out to readers to see if you have any particular favorites. Let me know in comments and I'll try and throw them into the mix. Just, let's not lower ourself to the level of "Doug Henning", ok?

Meanwhile, watch in awe at the amazing card manipulation of Ricky Jay. This is the kind of performance - unlike some - that is ten times as incredible when you know how it's done.

Today on the veg...The Last Supper

Woody Harrelson recently gave a paparazzo a beat-down. It happened at La Guardia here in Gotham. Does anyone care if celebrities beat up paparazzi? Anyone? Of course not. I love these stories. When Johnny Depp chases an annoying photographer down the street with a wooden plank. These scumbags try to annoy celebs until they lose their temper and act out, then they sell the pics or vids for more dough.

So, nobody cares if a movie star gives a deserved whooping to one of these creeps. Woody did just that. But here is where the story gets ... amazing. Here is Woody's artistic excuse for the brouhaha:

I wrapped a movie called Zombieland, in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in character. With my daughter at the airport I was startled by a paparazzo, who I quite understandably mistook for a zombie.

Makes perfect sense to me, Woody. How can you be expected to differentiate the paparazzi and the living dead? That's an open and shut case, Judge Harry T. Stone.

This reminds me. I wish zombies were real. No kidding. In fact, I'm going to write a column about that for Monday. Real zombies. Okay, keep it down, I need to work. Seriously, shut up Kyle, I'm writing. Jeez...

The bloodiest, goriest industrial training video ever, and it's in general use even as we speak. It's technically SFW, but I still had to affirm that I am of age before YouTube would let me see it. This makes me reconsider my plans to chuck blogging and go into a useful trade.

In New South Wales Australia a local councilmen was so sick of being screwed by a local judge he motioned to use town funds to buy her a vibrator.

This is a painting of the judge. She's gifted, don't you think?

Back to the story. Councilmen Danny Lim called for his group to buy a vibrator for Virginia Judge (NSW Fair Trading Minister) so she can "stop screwing with the people of Strathfield and screw herself instead".

That's funny and absurd. Doesn't look to me like she needs the help.

Thankfully, the council refused to table the motion and Ms. Judge called for legal action against Mr Lim. Her claim, a good one, harassment.

Me thinks he's jealous of this cougar.

Thanks Cory