Welcome Ted! I look forward to hearing about your ventures with the Ball and tube!

Andrew, Do you hike often? I look forward to this Venture also! Are you performing for a certain group at Mt Whitney?

Has anyone heard from Magic Laurie? I noticed her absence.

-Pete

Welcome Theodore! It is all about improving our magic, one trick at a time!

This thread has helped me get through that difficult stage where I just want to pick up something else. (Thanks Jim!) but knowing that someone here is going to ask, 'how is such-and-such coming along?' You've got to have an answer, so there is the drive to put in that extra effort.

Magical Laurie is auditioning for a role in a film. I think that has gotten her busy lately. Not sure how it's going.

Me, shows have been picking up. This morning I'm performing at St Paul Cathedral Centenial celebration. (St Paul MN) I've added Silk 2 Egg (Cody Fisher - great routine) and spend a lot of time looking for undersized eggs - after breaking one in my hand and all over my suit! (Was squeezing egg to hard while pushing silk into the same hand - smaller eggs make this part easier)

In addition the Silk 2 Egg, I added Warning (Kostya Kimlat) to my strolling show. First time working with flash paper, which was a lot harder than I imagined it would be! Burnt fingers, egg all over me, who would have thought magic was so dangerous!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Hudson

Gosh, I wish there were video of the Flash to Omelet. LOL

I'm not laughing at you Hudson, I'm… Well I'm laughing at you pretty hard.

So much for the encouraging group of friends.

Booking more shows is a plus though.

I had two shows cancel on me on this Saturday. Add to that, I had to work pretty hard to find out they didn't want me for sure. I have written policy to cover this but I really want to hear it from them. I hear so many stories about Magicians who "never showed up" that I want to make sure there is no mis-understanding.

I got one last minute show to replace one of them. I got to the show in the park and had to wait 45 minutes for the hostess to show while her mortified relatives tried to be as welcoming as they could.
I know many would have left but since I did not have another show, I waited till she arrived and did a great show. Got paid but no tip.
Still, if I'm getting up early to get ready for a show, it is worth it to me to swallow my pride and wait for a while. The kids and Family were very nice.

I'm waiting for shows more and more. I feel like a sucker and they NEVER tip. These are not all poor folk and I make a point of stressing that people often arrive late and that they should plan the show well after the start of the party.
I guess it is time to bite the bullet and write a pay to wait policy when I don't have a show following.

Thank you for letting me vent.

-Mary

To say the least, I was a bit flustered when that egg went all over my 3-piece suit! The funny thing was, I kept going and the second reveal, in the asssitant's hand, sill had great impact. Also, I sequence my show so anything new or I'm not 100% certain is no-fail is placed about 3/4 of the way through the show. That way I've established credibility and will still close on a high note Right now my close is Stupid Bean Trick (thanks Jim!) for adults or mixed audience and Banana Bandana for kids only. (It is also in the adult show - I didn't have it in and my neighbor who I do my final dress rehearsal before something goes into my act told me she enjoyed it as much as her 8-year old! So now it is in about every show.

Long morning today. Strolling magic for about an hour as parishioners were waiting in line for brunch after Mass, then a short break and the show. Mostly kids, I had anticipated more adults do omitted the Silk 2 Egg. Need an adult volunteer for sure with that one! Tonight is IBM banquet with a close up show. Should be fun.

On the business side, I always require a deposit now. Around 50%. I also provide a letter, asking for a counter signature, with clear specification on what to expect for the show. I would leave early, but I do think the formality of the letter helps guide the client on expectations going both ways.


Hudson

Most shows I have a 50% up front non refundable date retention fee.

For last minute shows I don't require it because mailing a check last minute won't work and many last minute types don't do PayPal but I do ask the fee up front.

All my shows are 'Satisfaction Guaranteed" and I've never had anyone ask for their money back.

I have a confirmation letter for all shows but not a contract per se, mostly because I'm not really going to take anyone to court.

The only times I've ever actually been stiffed on a fee is WITH a contract and booking agencies that cheated me.
I have had people renege on scrip that was part of a deal with cash. You've got to cash in on those deals fast or forget 'em.

-Mary Mowder

It is so inspiring to read these posts! Currently, I am having to concentrate most of my energy on business concerns, but it sure is fun to come here and get rejuvenated about my magic.

Welcome to Theodore! Stick with your plan and you will amaze yourself. Remember that if you miss a session, do not be too hard on yourself- just keep on schedule and don't let the obstacles stop your steady work toward your goal.

Hudson, Mary was too easy on you- I had a good laugh as well. Perhaps from now on you can call that your Benedict Suit. Is it not great some of the stuff we get into- and on stage? I had a very bad performance once where so many things went wrong, I had no choice but to make it a comedy routine. Glad to hear there is a fellow "stupid beaner" out there- good on ya'!

Mary- no need for an up front fee. Just ask them if it is OK if "Channel 4" can be there to tape some of it for the 11 o'clock news...

Andrew- I seldom get jealous, but YOU can do it...

Good thoughts all-

Jim

Hey gang!

My buddy Danny Mohill just released this exclusive video on our mentor Dick Oslund. Dick is writing a book that will be coming out soon. This is a little taste of the content. Enjoy!

https://vimeo.com/123978543

Mary and Hudson, keep the stories coming! We learn as much from those as our practice! Not magic related but applicable, A friend just told me she went to a nature preserve and so some things that upset her. She was there with other naturalists as part of a field trip for a conference. They all quietly discussed why they were there and she said because may be it is times like those that it is as important to learn what not to do as it is on what to do?

Also, In my profession as an Interpretive Naturalist, I was just invited to share some stories for a book of when things go wrong in Interpretive Programs being produced by Parks Canada. I shared a story when I was first doing my character, Al Nino the Wacky Weatherman around 1998. I would drop off my materials for each program at the Kindergarten class 10 minutes before my program and then I would return to the teacher's lounge. There I had my Costume on underneath my work uniform. So in my youth, I changed in the open and left my clothes in a neat pile on the sofa and returned to the classroom as Al Nino. I would return between each program 1 hr. later and repeat. So I finished my program and went back with 10 minutes before my next program and my clothes were gone! I needed to be at the next class to drop off my stuff in the next five minutes! Long Story Short, I found my clothes on a four foot Stuffed Franklin the Turtle in the school library! I quickly stripped Franklin, dressed, delivered my stuff, changed again into Al Nino and the day went on. We had a good laugh later with all of the Kindergarten Teachers later. But I learned to stay on my toes and to change in the bathroom with my clothes safely stored in a Rubbermaid.
.
I find stories like these make us who we are and give us perspective in what we do and definitely keep us grounded. Maybe we should start a new Strand called "OOps! There it is!"

Keep it Magical!
Pete

Thanks for the link Pete.

LOVED it.

It inspired me to go work on Dick's version of Miser's Dream.

Simple and Fun (the way Dick does it anyway LOL).

-Mary Mowder

Peter - I try and hike at least once a week, but this big climb is something to aim for. We're discussing doing Mount Rainier next year - just a few feet shorter than Whitney but technically more challenging (and it's in my home state!) The group I'll perform for will consist of anyone that happens to be standing at the summit at 6am on June 19th. Really just doing it to say I've done it.

And Jim - I would wager that I'M the jealous one, considering I still don't have the guys to do the busking thing the way you do. I wish I could...

I too have been rather swamped with work but we wrap in a couple of weeks and then I'll have some more time on my hands to practice.

Well, so far during the course of my practicing I'm learning 2 things.

1. For some reason it's been very hard to find plain, red tissue paper in this town.

and 2. I hate the ball and tube.

Maybe there is a reason this sits in my drawer after all? I'm going to keep at it though and see if perseverance can teach me some lessons.

Ted,

There are a million Magic Effects.

If Ball and tube doesn't thrill you, move on.

You transmit your feelings to your Audience so you want to feel wonder.

Perseverance is for Effects that you love and have trouble perfecting.

-Mary Mowder

Yeah, you're right. I was hoping for an experiment regarding neglected tricks wherein I could learn something- even if I only learned to appreciate them.

I guess hate was too strong a word.

I'm going to stick with it a while longer and then see- I might be taking your advice!

I agree with Mary. I have tried several times to perfect a "great" effect that didn't really thrill me, and have found I just do not keep up with it. Eventually it ends up gathering dust. For me, it is much better to work on something I really, really like, even if it is more complex and takes lots longer to perfect. I've been working on Torn (Garcia) for a couple of years, and still love to practice it. Someday, I hope to do it as good as Danny...

Jim

Well, I haven't given up on the old ball n chain! Oops! I meant ball n tube, of course! I like it enough to keep chipping away at it. I'm learning perseverance! I will make it fun! lol

But I have stumbled on some happy accidents while considering other neglected tricks in the drawer.

Cardtoon! I'm such a bozo for not doing this more often- it's the perfect trick for the children's hospital walk around I do. I used to not be as good/comfortable handling cards when I first bought this trick. Pretty lame excuse, but; be that as it may, I'm much better with cards in general a few years later and I dragged it out lately and have been giving it some good practice. I feel much better with it. This is going with me to the hospital next visit!

I'm also going to take Dick Oslund's advice from another thread and keep working on ring and rope, which I love but seem to suck at for whatever reason.

Hi Ted, Hope you are convalescing well. Maybe you'll get a Trick Knee but I'm not sure if you'd want to hope for that.

Glad to hear you're not giving up (if that's what you want) on the Ball & Tube but also glad you found the Cardtoon.

I also have a deck (somewhere) and next time it churns up from the depths of my Magic room, I'll hold on to it and give it a try.

I always liked the effect but never took the time to learn to perform it.

I'm working on my Library Shows (Read to the Rhythm).

-Mary Mowder

A trick knee? haha! THAT is funny!

Vicodin makes everything better

Here's to hoping you rock your library shows!

Every time I tried doing a library show they kept telling me to shush!

Yup! They usually prefer mimes...

You guys are hysterical! These are great posts. I own Cardtoon 2. It has been tucked away for some time. the reveal is out of a cannon. I may have to relearn it as well.

KISMIF, Pete

Cardtoon was very well received at the hospital, btw.

As was ring and rope.

And I'll be honest... ball and tube is back in the drawer.

Hello all,

You can't say you didn't give it a chance Ted. Put it in a box labeled NEXT MAGIC AUCTION.
Did you try the Ball and Tube in the Hospital or did it ever see the light of day?

Glad your Ring and Rope and Cardtoon are working.
Like Pete, my Cardtoon is still tucked away.

I'm doing my first Library Show of the summer today.
I'll give a report later.

-Mary Mowder