I refer to myself as a 'fridge magnet' with genuine pride, because I am one. Or was.

In 2003, while visiting San Francisco, I was invited to give a lecture in San Jose. This was one of my lectures for magicians, and it was hosted by super magician and magical historian Joe Atmore. He and his charming wife Cindy also hosted a small reception for me in their lovely home.

For fun, one of them (I think it was Cindy) had taken one of the small tickets printed for the lecture, and turned it into a fridge magnet:

I am immensely proud of this. I'm not beng sarcastic or funny, I really am.

In the entertainment business, there are many great and glorious prizes for which a man can aim - an Oscar, a 'Time' magazine cover, a star on the Hollywood pavement, a date with Jacqueline Bisset and so on. These and many other things may remain forever beyond my grasp, but tell me... how many entertainers, be they ever so accomplished, make the grade as a fridge magnet? Not many, that's for sure.

Incidentally, the photo above left doesn't really do justice to the front of Cindy's fridge, which was/is a truly glorious compilation of stunningly diverse material. If some social historian digs it up in 100 years' time he'll have a field day. I've seen entire sets of encyclopedias that cover less ground.

I am hoping to get some fridge magnets made up in the not too distant future. Given the number of projects I have on the go, 'in the not to distant future' loosely translates to, 'any time before the heat death of the universe'. If you know anyone that makes this kind of thing, please let me know (Home page menu > Contact).

This could be the start of a very lucrative line in Ian Rowland merchandising. Today fridge magnets, tomorrow action figures ('comes with miniature bent spoon!'), his'n'hers bath robes, kiddies sandwich box, torque wrench, mouse mat, coffee table with portrait inlay, duvet cover, saline drip stand, novelty toilet-roll holder etc. Your suggestions welcome.

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