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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
This is probably going to be the last weekend I can work. Next weekend, I have to be at Wally world both days and the weekend after that, I'll be in NYC at the Comic-con.
I was in the park this afternoon and the crowds were slim. A guy walks by with his daughter all of two years old and I know there's not going to be any chance there. A few minutes later, his wife and the older daughter (maybe five or six) comes out of the playground and she's not happy to leave. She's fussing and pouting and I'm over there springing cards. The mother says; "Ooooh, look what HE'S doing." I know this kid is too young for card tricks, so once I get her attention, I start the sponge ball routine. After that, I do some rope magic and finish up with 20th Century Silks with the girl holding onto the container with the two tied silks in it. After that, an SUV pulls up and she says; "That's my daddy, we have to go now." All smiles and happy, completely different from the face she was making when she left the playground. I may never get three figure days (much less three figure hats) but that right there made me glad I'm doing this, even if it's just as a week end warrior. (Incidently, the mother dropped a five in the bucket. So it was all good!)
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
ALL good.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Ed, the money is good, yes. But the important thing we do is create memories. When we are long gone and have joined Houdini and the other greats some adults will be looking at pictures and remember "that magician in the park when I was just a little kid." That's what makes all the crap worth it.
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Thank you Paddy. This was a memory for ME as well and one I'm going to hold as long as I can.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Arkadia Special user Sweden, Sundsvall 866 Posts |
Great story! Thanks!
Don't miss out on the great new mentalist magic: www.metalwriting.com
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DLarkins New user Kingsport, TN 59 Posts |
I love hearing stories like this. In fact, I think that many magicians (myself included) could recount a story similar to this from the perspective of the child. I still recall my first exposure to live magic, and we as magicians seldom know when we might have the chance to affect someone in a positive way for years or decades to come.
Thanks for sharing your story.
______________________
David L. Larkins, Ph.D |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I had one other case when I was on the bus and a kid was crying her heart out. I started springing cards and doing back palms and snap changes. The kid quieted down and watched, when her father took her off the bus at their stop, the bus applauded me! (This kid had been REALLY crying!)
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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jazzy snazzy Inner circle run off by a mob of Villagers wielding 2109 Posts |
You were BUSking.
"The secret of life is to look good from a distance."
-Charles Schulz |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
-ouch-
You belong on alt.callahans!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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T. Sebastian Loyal user Ozark Mountains, USA 223 Posts |
Ed, there is no shame in being a weekend warrior. I too, am one. Not because I feel I lack the discipline or the guts. Actually I would love to pack up my show, hit the road and see how far it gets me. The reason I do not? It would require a sacrifice that I am absolutely not willing to make. Watching my kids grow up. They need a dad in their lives, and frankly, I need them. And I'm not about to uproot them for a life of hardship. So, I will continue to hone my skills and my show at my own pace in my own time. And when my kids are old enough that they don't need me as much, the road will still be there. (hopefully)
I only say this because you seemed a little down on yourself for not being a full time busker. We all do our own things for our own reasons. The fact is, you are going out there and brightening peoples' lives. Even if you aren't doing it every day, you are doing it. And that is honorable. Keep on Rockin!
So sorry I soiled your precious eyes.
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
T. Sebastian, you don't have to be a road warrior to be a busker. I would love to hit the road but on Mon, Wed, and Fri mornings I am on dialysis and yes I still busk full time. I'll never make what Bobby Maverick and Kosmo make but I make a very good middle class living. I am teaching my granddaughter how to busk with fire hoops and she has started to make a sizable income in Peoria IL by busking, made some 3 figure days this summer.
Nothing wrong with being a weekend warrior tho, even the Reserves are "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" or in our case "The Buskers!" (Yes I'm both USMC and Busker) |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I don't do full time even on weekends. I've tried, but after a few hours, I start getting the shakes. (I don't understand it either.)
Thanks T. Sebastian, my family is probably older than yours, but I feel they need me to be here anyway. Paddy, love your final thought even though I never served (Filed, listed 1H. Never felt I would manage well under that kind of discipline. Kinda regret not joining the Navy like my old man (and my step father) but there it is now.) I hoping to do better next summer.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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DavinSimone New user Central Louisiana 59 Posts |
For that matter Paddy those skills carry over for your other job. Funny you should bring that up, because it relates to my 'moment.'
Although I cant get into too many specifics we had a group of gypsies moving IEDs through our area in Iraq and we were having trouble getting a hold of them. One day it was 'Hey Doc, I want you to bring your cards on this patrol, we're going to put on a magic show' turned out these gypsies liked magic. It is pretty fun to say my magic assisted in combat operations and helped take some explosives out of action.
Davin L. Simone
Close up/Parlor Magician IBM Ring 268 - The Cajun Conjurers http://www.facebook.com/DavinSimone Above poster suffers from a severe lack of judgment and logic. Assume any points he made are wrong and baseless. |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Davin, that took some real courage to do magic while on combat duty. Semper Fi! Brother from another green beanie!!
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DavinSimone New user Central Louisiana 59 Posts |
Although I'm Army, I'm referred to by my devil dogs as a marine that missed the boat. So yut yut.
Also, courage reqires knowing how much you are risking, I was a lot closer to blind stupidity! Don't tell all the ladies that though!
Davin L. Simone
Close up/Parlor Magician IBM Ring 268 - The Cajun Conjurers http://www.facebook.com/DavinSimone Above poster suffers from a severe lack of judgment and logic. Assume any points he made are wrong and baseless. |
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