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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
As I'm taking care of my kids who are really sick and as I'm heading into the busiest and most profitable week of the year, I wonder what I'd do if I got really sick too. I've worked sick before but not fever, fatigue, shivers, puking kind of sick.
I'm a full-time magician so I need the income from this week. Moreover, there is no way I would be able to get another magician to cover me last minute this time of year, so I would damage my reputation with the companies who have booked me. What have you done? Or what would you do? |
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
The top thing on my list is watching out for germs as best I can. I'm washing my hands all the time, and I'm a heavy user of hand sanitizer. I carry a small, flat spray hand sanitizer that fits into my shirt pocket. I use it before and after my shows. Likewise, I use it after filling my car up with gas or using an ATM machine.
You might also consider getting a flu shot - next year! I haven't been sick during the Christmas season in years. It could have been before flu shots were the big thing and the invention of hand sanitizer. At your house, try spraying Lysol on doorknobs and consider using paper towels (when feasible) rather than regular hand towels. Gerry |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
On the road, doing 3 school shows a day (occasionally four) every day is like the pre=Christmas rush. I toured coast to coast and border to border.
In the early days, flu shots weren't "invented" yet. Twice over the years, I got the flu, while on a tour. Flu shots didn't exist yet. I was lucky. both times, it "hit", on a weekend. The emergency room doctor said REST, LOTS OF WATER, NO MILK. I followed "orders". Apparently, it was some sort of "48 hour flu". I was able to work on Monday. I always had a regular physical and dental exam. Once, about 30 years ago, I developed a severe tooth ache. It was the last two weeks of the tour. I phoned a young fellow whom I had mentored. I had helped him get several seasons bookings. He was back in college. He took over the two weeks, and I drove back to Michigan from the west end of North Dakota to my dentist. I never smoked, and drink alcohol very lightly, which helped. On the first day of my last tour before retiring, I broke a tooth off the "front" of my denture. I carried a spare set, so that was not a major problem. I "stubbed" a finger when I slipped on a gym floor. A bag of ice helped me get through one more show that day, and an ice bag all night helped. It was two weeks before it stopped hurting, but, I worked. In '71, doing a "lecture style program (a special educational program on the environment in which I used magic to illustrate points) I developed LARYNGITIS, but managed to finish the week. Gerry's advice is worth your noting! Daily vitamins! Get as much rest as you can. ETC.!!! NO SMOKING! An occasional beer! etc.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
When I am sick during my show, I just try to manipulate my brain into thinking I am not. It's more of a mind over matter thing. The adrenaline from doing your show will get you going! That's the problem in showbiz, we have no sick leaves. The show must go on as the saying goes.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Ha! "The show must go on!" was first said by an agent. (No show, no commission for the agent!!!)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Mychine New user 59 Posts |
Lou's suggestions of a positive outlook is very good. But if you are a pessimist at heart then just take zinc.
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
I get laryngitis every year at this time after being sick. It stresses me out cause I don't know when it will hit, how long it will last, etc. It's been a problem on and off for 2 or 3 weeks now. I managed so far. I carry a squeeze bottle of honey in the car and have some right before the show, it helps.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Rain, shine, sick or healthy ... the show must go on! As suggested above, take every precaution. But no matter how you feel, it's bad form to cancel a show and disappoint your client (and especially the kids).
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I've worked while sick with things like flu and very bad colds, but not around kids. Most of my career was spent as a banquet entertainer. For some weird reason, when I got up to work, the cough would subside, and whatever other symptoms I had would subside as well, until the show was over. The only time that I missed a show was when I had surgery. It got me to thinking about a second career which wouldn't interfere with my bookings.
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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
Quote:
Lou Hilario wrote: I was sick when I did a show yesterday, and the adrenaline made me feel normal. But, for unrelated reasons, it was one of my worst shows in 10 years of performing. I have this reoccurring nightmare of doing a terrible show and it's as though it came true. It was 70 adults and two older kids. I brought my kids show material because the customer specifically requested a kids show - that should say it all, but then I had a series of problems. For instance, I had a dove loop break so not only did the production not work but then I'm left with a bird that I have to remove discreetly because I'm at the beginning of the show. And that was just the beginning. |
Mychine New user 59 Posts |
Uhhg, being sick can knock you off your game - sounds like it was a rough go Five. Hang in there man. =)
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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
Thanks Mychine
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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
I rely on Airborne. I agree that it looks bad to cancel a show, but I've pinch-hit for magical friends who were far too ill to emerge into public. The parents never seemed too distressed.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Preventive action includes
Cardio- group cycling Strength - light weights Hand Washing Hand bumps instead of hand shakes Seeing Dr. When needed... for me sinus stuff sometimes affects my bronchials. Then it's time for RX. Have I worked sick. Yes - worse incident Pneumonia (undiagnosed until after a July 4th BIG event. I collapsed after the show. Take care and listen..your body and mind have much to tell you. Harris Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
When I'm really ill it seems happens the before a show.
But I'm the kind of guy who feels obligated to complete the show. I look at it this way. Those little creeps give me their germs so fair is fair
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Well, I came down with a bad sore throat during my last weekend of Christmas shows. At least it wasn't the flu.
Gerry |
Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
When I have the flu Crack Cocaine is a good remedy before any kids show that I perform
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Warm water
Halls or other drops-not just hard candy RX when needed such as antibiotics or Prednisone. Less is more for the last two. Especially the later, but if it's a choice of breathing vs not liking side effects, I'll take the breathing. Musically, my harp(harmonica) playing is usually a good indicator of my general health and lung function. Starting the day with 🏊🏊lap swimming. Stay tuned and well. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
What I personally try to do to stay healthy is get a FLU Shot in the first week of October.
And starting the second week of October I start taking "AIRBORNE" which is really just very high doses of Vitamin C but it works better for me personally than just taking Vitamin C pills. Since November is not a super busy month for me I take the Airborne for 2-weeks then stop. Then after Thanksgiving I start back up again and continue to take "AIRBORNE" until the last week of December. In the last 6 years since I started taking Airborne I have not gotten sick one time. However, what works for me might not work for you as all of our bodies are different and react to differently to over the counter medications. But it would be worth a try. Since my wife is a Second Grade school teacher she takes the Airborne as well and she stays healthy all year long even when she is stuck in a room full of sick children. Rodney
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
Geoff Akins New user 64 Posts |
Oh Man, I've been there!
I can say I've never actually cancelled a show because of illness but there were times that I completely crashed AFTERWARD! As others have mentioned, the adrenline can keep us going. My show involves lots of talking so when my voice is effected I get nervous. I try to limit any talking between shows, before and after, etc. Someone turned me on to using some oil of oregeno in water as a gargle to help sore throats. I take Airborne and Vitamin C as well. Part of me has toyed with the idea of recording myself doing the show completely healthy and then using the audio as a fall back "break in case of emergency" situation when my voice is shot! And, as others have suggested, I try to keep my hands as clean as possible so as not to pick up any bugs. |
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