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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Last night I had a new and disturbing experience. I finished up my restaurant gig, cut the line off, working about 30 minutes longer than I was being paid for and then put my things away. One of the parents pulled me aside to let me know there was a mad and intimidating looking man/father (bald, tattoos, lots of ink) that was angry I had cut the line off and that his child didn't get a balloon. When making balloons, one has to cut the line somewhere. He wasn't even at the cut off mark. He didn't complain to me or to management, but was mad enough to make other patrons uneasy. I informed our security about him and made my way out the door. I stopped at Best Buy on the way home and that's when I realized the guy had followed me there. I was looking at noise cancelling headphones when he slowly walked past without a word and just a threatening glare to let me know he was there. I informed security, went to my car and home. He didn't follow me home, and my wife is a police detective so I'm not too concerned about my personal protection at home, but it wouldn't be hard, with the internet today, to find out what my personal address is. So according to just how disturbed this guy is, in more ways than one, I a little concerned. Others had this problem?
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HerbLarry Special user Poof! 731 Posts |
Personal protection is always a good idea.
You know why don't act naive.
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Fábio DeRose Inner circle San Paolo, Brasile 1477 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-24 10:40, derrick wrote: Yes, that for sure makes him a serial killer. |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Derrick,
Could it be possible that this guy showing up at Best Buy was an amazing coincidence? I'm just asking? Do you know for a fact that he did follow you there or perhaps he just happened to end up in the same place you were, saw you were there too and was still miffed. Obviously, I have no idea, I'm just trying to play out another scenario... Personal Protection is a must I feel. I do not like guns or carry one at all. I hate them. But I do carry a blade on me. I use it in my show for a few differnt things it is a prop in my show, but if I need it, I've got it! I have had an issue once or twice in my life where I felt threatened by someone at one of my gigs, but I was able to talk myself out if it using my sharp tongue and my oozing charm...lol! Just one more reason I won't do balloons anymore...becuase there is always going to someone who won't get one and feels like they got left out in the cold when I stop the line. Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Servaas Koomen Regular user 138 Posts |
Ive accepted it as a general fact of life that I need protection, so for many years I'm training kung fu now.
for me its a race against the clock, to be the strongest on the moment I need to, so I can protect me and my family. the moment may never come, but I am more than ready. lots of people with issues out there you see..
"The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That's what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they'll go through the pain no matter what" A.
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montymagi Special user Slidell La 752 Posts |
I am a federal officer in my day job so I always have a gun on me or in my car. There are bad people out there.
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meyegr Special user Only able to muster 800 Posts |
A fightihng technique or a knife is no match for a gun
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Geeze Stanyon...who has something like that lying around their house! WOW! lol!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
This is a first for me in over 20 years of performing to be be threatened by a patron. Having a wife who is a detective, I do have a carry permit and usually (not always) have her old service pistol (40 mm Beretta) with me. It will now be with me all of the time. This kind of situation is really strange and extrememly disturbing. What worries me even more is that it could be more than one person who might make it their business.
D |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Oh, and Christopher - it was no mistake. Same isle and eye contact.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-24 14:57, derrick wrote: Wow! Creepy! Sorry that happened mate! This guy must have been HUGH if YOU felt intimidated. You ain't exactly what I'd call a "tiny" person if you know what I mean.... Once, I was performing in a night club out in Downtown Dallas and I had a female assistant on stage with me. She was into the routine and was pretty much game for anything so my jokes and comedy went south. Hey! It's like 1am in a Dallas Nightclub...right? WRONG! Apparently, her emo boyfriend didn't like the inuendo or some of the touchy feely stuff that her and I had going on stage and he was waiting for me out in the parking lot after the show ready to make a man out of me. I explained to him that what happened on stage was just in good fun and everyone (including his lady friend) was enjoying the show. He wasn't buyin' it. He wanted to knock me flat. I told him that Magicians are not known for their brute strength or fighting ability and that he could either hit me and then get arrested for assult or a better solution would be for me to go back in the bar with him and buy him a drink. He agreed. We went inside, I bought him a drink, and hit the road! Disaster avoided! The other instance happened so long ago, that I don't remember the specifics. What I do remember was some nut thought I was really magic and was becoming annoyed that I wouldn't explain to him how I was doing my stuff. He too waited out in the parking lot...but I think I told him to Pi$$ off and he bolted.... Not a very exciting ending to either story I know, but I'm glad they each ended the way they did! Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
Is it really possible your life could be threatened for not making a balloon animal?
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Stuff happens. If you're in this game long enough, you're gonna run into somebody looking for a fight. You can be absolutely blameless and still have some nutjob want to take you out. It's happened to me a number of times in a number of situations. I had to take one guy down to the ground and hold him there for a few minutes once. Thankfully, he was quite inebriated--had he been sober and retained his normal reflexes, he likely would have knocked me cold, or worse. He was a rodeo bull rider and VERY strong.
I've told a story elsewhere about a gig I had in a redneck lounge where literally the biggest man I've ever seen in person threw (I mean literally THREW) a table (full-size 12 top) across the room and started coming at me. He was also fairly drunk, but still had his motor skills--and he was over 6'8" and well over 350 pounds, not much of it fat! The only thing that saved me was that the owner yelled out he'd already called the cops, and this guy was on parole--for assault! Typically, I can get out of these situations by talking or sheer force of personality. However, keep in mind that I've done thousands of shows and this has happened to me less than a handful of times. The scariest moment of my career? I had been asked to fill-in last minute for a traveling circus, whose magician had quit without notice. At the end of the week, they paid me -- in cash, in a clear plastic bag! I'd already loaded everything up, and was wearing shorts and a tank top, so nowhere to hide it. We were in a BAD part of town and I had to walk about a block to my rig. Let me tell you, carrying a clear plastic bag full of money at dusk in that area scared the living daylights out of me! But nobody approached me.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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base851 New user Houston, TX 58 Posts |
One cautionary note as we discuss the pros & cons of carrying a weapon for protection purposes.
I live in probably the most gun-friendly state in the US, but even with a concealed/carry license you can get into biiiiigg trouble if you waltz into one of a number of places (e.g. bars, government buildings, etc. etc.) packing heat. Plus, a weapons violation on your record can put a damper on future employment possibilities. I'm not saying don't protect yourself, just saying be very very observant of where you take your protection. |
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GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
At the end of the week, they paid me -- in cash, in a clear plastic bag!
Now that's a change bag!!!
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
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Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-24 14:56, derrick wrote: How would packing a gun have helped the situation? I can't imagine it doing anything but making a bad situation worse. |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Back to the reason the question of protection was asked...
Why not carry a bagful of pre-made balloons stashed away in a corner, so when you do hit that cut off point, if there are still kids in line, just grab the bag, tell them it's time for you to go, but they will still get a balloon. Open the bag and pull out each one with as much fanfare and comedic hoopla as you can generate. Get them laughing so they'll forget they didn't have a choice. Then scram. What will a few extra balloons cost you?
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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SteveB Regular user St Louis, MO 117 Posts |
"Well officer, he wanted me to make his kid a balloon but I was off duty. He had a bunch of tats and looked scary so I shot him! What? you want me to lean against that wall with my hands above my head"
I would rather just make his kid a balloon. There is no way I would want to lose some teeth over another "poodle dog" balloon. I like Michael's idea, not only do you avoid the drama but everyone is happy. |
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ERIC Inner circle New Jersey 1188 Posts |
"I do have a carry permit and usually (not always) have her old service pistol (40 mm Beretta) with me."
I have heard of a 9mm or 10mm, even a 45 calbre, I've carried all three on the job, but a 40 mm shell would be 1&5/8 inches across. I don't believe anyone makes a handgun like that. |
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