I really agree. I feel this attitude can be beneficial before anything "less than perfect" happens.

I noticed this very thing at our thanksgiving family gathering. I had been asked to say a few words, and decided to recite a poem of my mother's about thanksgiving.

This poem seemed to go well with Hindu Thread, and so I decided to do them as an act of sorts. All was well until about three days out. Then, at each practice session, the thread kept tangling no matter which technique I used. I went into my performance with serious misgivings.

On the cusp of bagging the "act" I decided instead to focus on a "who will remember in a hundred years" approach, so long as I carry it off with an upbeat and fun attitude it will end upbeat and fun.

"Attitude is more important than facts..."

Jim

ps- Of course, the thread tangled, the effect was ruined, the plantation owner refused to let such a loser marry his beautiful daughter, and I am on a bridge railing over a cold, deep river...

Lol sorry it tangled on you but glad to see you took it in good humor and you are 100 percent right. With All that is wrong with the world, a blown trick is hardly significant.... and the fact that you were trying to give something. To others you love is far more important than the goof

Now... Maybe someone else here who does Hindu thread ( I don't) can give you a pointer on that particular problem....

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Better to do it and have learned than to have not done it and learned nothing. So it destroyed Thanksgiving and you're the laughingstock of your entire family...at least you followed through!
P.S. Don't jump off the bridge - that water is mighty cold this time of year

Children are very unpredictable and a 3 year old already lives in a state of magical wonder, no cards needed. Pushing on through was the lesson learned and a great experience to gain. My worst encounter (or one of the worst) was entertaining the ultra rich children (top 2% income earners) at a well heeled private party. One little s**t would not shut up, until I did the first pour from a lota bowl, the kid was entranced, couldn't get his eyes off the bowl, twice walked right up to the stage to grab it, and after the show clambered up on stage to get a close look, he demanded I tell him how it worked and "by magic" would not work as an answer - so I whispered that I would tell him for $50 - thought that would get rid of him, he was about 8, reached into his pocket, took out his little wallet, and took out one of his $50 dollar bills - so I sold it to him on the spot, said "use your favorite method" as I handed it over and told him he could figure it out. Everyone was happy, now here is the kicker, his Dad gave me a $20 tip for being so nice to his son - I try not to do children shows much anymore - it takes a specialized approach which I seem to have outgrown in my coothood.

8 yr olds with $50 in their pocket is why videogame ratings were/are totally pointless.

I have had parents tell me in all seriousness they can't police what their kids spend money on.

Sure you can, don't hand them money!

(And I just hijacked my own thread.. .but this one really annoys me. Don't pass laws that ask the government to raise your child, Raise your *** child yourself.)

In the 'fess up department, I was only joking about the family performance (and slipping in a veiled analogy for fun). As it happened, there was one little hitch, although no one seemed to notice, and it was well received. I love that effect - it is truly magical.

I agree with your outlook, Andrew, and only wish the urge to avoid risk were not so strong in me. I try to waste little time on regret, but I do regret many of the shots I didn't take...

Jim

99% of my sins are sins of omission.

And they are also for the most part the only ones I regret.

I agree with the parents should raise their own f*^kin children, as a past elementary school educator (40 years ago) I watched as year after year we were asked to do more, paid less and given less authority over our charges. Not being allowed to discipline rowdy students led to the whole education thing taking a back seat to the social instruction that was not happening at home. Which bring us back to young audiences, they have to learn to appreciate live performance, it takes more concentration than just flicking from channel to channel, so many of my shows for younger audience include bits to help set the social guidelines for appropriate way to participate in, and enjoy, a live show.

As Robert De Niro said in the Untouchables and as you've proven from your more recent post "Life goes on".

This is indeed an inspiring thread. I love this story. I love the responses. We indeed are our own worst critiques. And as many threads on this state, part of the misdirection of what we do is to put some time between the dirty work and the finish. That's some of the most valuable lessons I've relearned here.

That they were still talking about it the next day is what you should take with you. Not what went wrong.

I know this thread started four months ago, and @Cyberqat has moved on, but I just wanted to keep this alive and up top, because it's such an inspiration, especially to those "new to magic."

A great lesson for all.