Trick Clinic - 19 Oct 2006

12 January 2007

First of all apologies for not being around at meetings very much. The run-up to Christmas has been particularly busy. As some of you may be aware Sue and I are performing together again as 'Millie and Max' so spare time has been somewhat limited. Having had a recent Computer breakdown, I am only recently limping back into the IT loop. A report I had hoped to submit on a 'tricks clinic' may be lost forever so instead I am writing about other matters of interest.

Security of Members Vehicles at Southover Grange

All members must share with me concern over the recent incidents involving vehicles parked opposite Southover Grange. Tyres let down, tyres damaged - let us hope that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. My thoughts are with the unfortunate victims of this wanton vandalism.

It ain't Heavy it's my Roll-on.

As congestion on our roads and parking difficulties increase I predict that a new type of entertainer will evolve. Portability will be everything. Fewer and lightweight props will feature more in acts who increasingly cannot park next to venues. Mark Worgan may well have been thinking ahead of his time with his range of Children's props that are not as heavy as other Dealers. On a personal note, for the new year, I will be looking at the props I carry with a view to substituting lighter and more portable items. Having tried and bought almost all of the magic tables available I currently use a Harbin folding table. I have totally given up on Roll on tables. Although I am sure many entertainers swear by them as they are quick to set up, are showy and can carry your act inside them, they are for practical purposes, too heavy. Unless you can park right next to your venue - and often a school car park for example will still necessitate a good walk to your performing area, a heavily laden Roll-on table is a slipped disc waiting to happen. The big difficulty I find is the belief that in the public's eyes, props equate as value. Is this really true? I would be interested in other members views on this. I would suggest that a small amount of props and an impressive outfit could create as favourable an impression as a cartload of bulky props. There is of course the view that as real magician's we should be able to make whatever we need appear my magic..so we should be able to walk into a kid?s party with nothing? hmm..

Millionaire

Would anyone like to be a millionaire? Well if you put your hand on a calculator I can make it happen. How much will this cost you wonder? Well the cost is 10p. So with your calculator in hand let's start.

1) Key in .10 this is your starting 10p and it only took a second for you to do this

2) Multiply by 60, this will give you 6.6 a minute, you have achieved this many times. What about the boot/magic sale when you sold something that to you was worth very little and yet someone gave you 6 or more for it. What about the 10.00 tip you received that time for just doing your job. There have been many minutes in your life when you have earned -6.00 a minute.

3) Multiply the 6.00 by 60. there are 60 minutes in an hour. That will give you 360.00. You are thinking, I can't earn 360.00 an hour? but you have and probably more than once. What about that car you sold, or that flat, or house. What about your CV? It took you an hour to write and it earned you way in excess of 360.00. So you see you can do this - it's just capturing the moment and repeating it.

4) Multiply the 360.00 by 24. there are 24 hours in a day. I don't expect anyone to work 24 hours a day so we'll come back to that. Your calculator is showing a total of 8640.00

5) Multiply this total by 365 the number of days in a year, this will give you a total of - 3153600.00

6) Take away 153600 for odd weekends and holidays you've got plenty so you can afford it. This leaves you with a total of 3000000.00

7) I don't expect anyone to work 24 hours a day but 8 hours a day would be ok. 24 hours divided by 3 gives you 8... so finally divie your 3000000.00 by 3.

You now have a total of 1000000.00 Don't spend it all at once.

I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas.

Best wishes
Paul Leacy SMC Treasurer
Sue Leacy
Stanley the Dog

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