u/Inevitable-Win-2815

Thought I would share this as it's a pretty cool part of a very shit time we are having.

My dad died last week which is obviously the worst feeling in the world.

He had been in hospital the last three months with the occasional week at home and so I'm wondering if my bird will have any idea that he has passed.

My bird is torturing us however by repeating all the things my dad used to say around the house haha

Incredibly sad but also cool that my dad's voice will never actually be gone.

Edit: Every reply has been so nice so thanks for that.

I should specify the bird has lived with my mum my dad and me and my brother for all 6 years of his life with the exception of me and brother disappearing to University for periods of time.

His entire routine was basically built around my dad which is reflected in his vocabulary. He knows the exact time he ate dinner with him and says this accurately as well as the time my dad would shower etc etc.

Because my dad had been in hospital for the last 3 months I think hes gotten semi used to that routine being broken now.

But I do think he senses something is going on

Has anybody been? Is it good?

What are the magicians like?

I've been performing for a few months now. And even being very new I feel I've learnt a lot with my limited experience.

What general things have you learnt that can elevate the quality of a performance?

I figured I would list some that I have been thinking about:

1: pacing the trick - when I first started I would approach someone and then want to get out of there as soon as possible. This led to the trick feeling rushed and not building the ending at all. Instead I now take my time and try to be more in the moment with the spectator. I'm still improving at this but I do think it's a good thing to think about

2: Dialogue with the spectator - similar to the first one I use to rush and therefore be a bit boring. Now I take care to ask their name, and then even stick around a bit after the trick to speak to them a bit rather than rushing away. This helps with the connection I think.

3: When performing to groups perform to all of them - rather than focusing all your energy on say the person who picks the card, I like to make sure I'm speaking to everyone and making everyone feel involved. I find this leads to better reactions because everyone feels important and involved.

4: 'Hecklers' - if someone is heckling just ignore. Maybe they aren't exactly being horrible but caught a move. If they catch your card control say I think it's best to just ignore them. Chances are the other people you're performing to didn't catch it and if you ignore them they won't take what the heckler is saying seriously.

This is just some stuff I've been thinking of ahead of performing again pretty soon. I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience they can pass on!

How often do you do either of these things?

I know a few good tricks where they hold and shuffle the deck but it seems so many people shuffle cards so badly that it can actually damage them a bit which puts me off.

On signing cards, do you consider that card ruined after that effect? Or do you just reuse it?

This happens occasionally, and I can almost always feel when it happens. Is there any way out of this I'm not seeing?

I have like every old deck I've ever used just sat around. Idk why I don't get rid of them except for that they're good for duplicates/replacement and I feel like the decks hold some weird nostalgia haha

My parrot always steps on my forearm not my finger. I was made aware of this by someone yesterday and it seems I've conditioned him this way as he has no intention of stepping on my finger.

Is this considered a bad thing ?

I perform card magic on the street as a hobby. Thinking of going to derby soon as it's close by. Where is busy / social that I could go?

Any advice appreciated!