Balducci
When renowned magician David Blaine first came on the scene I caught a television special featuring him going around blowing the minds of unsuspecting city dwellers. Lots of impressive card tricks and such. I appreciated the slick slight of hand, but was struck by this one bit where he seemingly levitated and hovered a couple inches off the ground.
Usually I let the wonder of magic wash over me without being too much of a know-it-all weenie skeptic. But the floating bit was too much. I had to know what was behind that. So I looked it up and even on the world wide web circa 2000 I quickly found this was simply something called "Balducci levitation."
Basically if you're facing away at the correct angle, you keep your left foot flat while lifting yourself off the ground tip-toe style on your right foot. The left foot masks what the right foot is doing. Wearing long enough pants to conceal the right heel helps. I practiced this in front of a mirror and it kinda sorta worked.
Meanwhile Jenya was out all night at a gig. She returned late and tired, loading her drums into the garage. This was a perfect setting, as garages are always creepy spaces.
I played it up, sputtering with an air of dizzy, manic concern. "Jenya, I.. I.. don't know what happened but I.. figured something out." I didn't say what exactly but asked her to stand over there as I positioned myself. I held my arms out and then did some weird inhalation as if I were struggling just to make the whole thing even more fantastical.
And then, with one puff I raised my arms as I successfully did the Balducci levitation.
Jenya yelped. Her universe was just blown wide open.
I'm the worst magician as I immediately rushed over and said it was just a trick and explained everything. We had a good laugh. I couldn't believe that actually worked. For a wondrous moment before reason kicked in Jenya really thought I could just.. float like that.
I think I got really lucky with the mood, the setting, the lighting, and the perfect angle, as every attempt I made to fool other people with this trick was a bust. Magic is hard!