Archive for September, 2009

Regular Work

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

I (Tony the Balloon Guy) just started performing Tuesday and Saturday nights at Denny’s in Brooksville, on State Road 50 near Interstate 75.

So…

Monday nights at Chili’s, Tuesday nights at Denny’s, Wednesday mornings at The Shops at Wiregrass, Wednesday nights at Golden Corral, Thursday nights at Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, Saturday nights at Denny’s, every other Saturday morning/afternoon at Village Cadillac-Toyota, occassional appearances at Cici’s and IHOP… plus birthday parties, grand openings, church events, school events, etc.

Times and addresses are at…

www.TonyTheBalloonGuy.com

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That’s Not a Pony!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

A three-year-old girl asked me (Tony the Balloon Guy) for a pony at Chili’s.

Now, if you’ve seen me, you know I don’t crank out one-balloon animals in 20 seconds. A pony is gonna have a nice tail and mane, and some reigns, and pretty eyes. But it takes a minute or two to get there. I fill that time with silly antics, but this young lady wasn’t interested in comedy.

“That’s not a pony!” she told me.

I agreed. “But it’s not done yet.”

“That’s not a pony,” she told me again, two seconds later.

I thought for a moment. It wouldn’t do any good to argue with a three-year-old. Maybe I could put her in charge.

“You’re so right. That’s not a pony. But could I have another chance?”

She grinned and nodded.

I was more than halfway finished before she complained again. “How long is this going to take? That’s still not a pony.”

“No, still not. Can I have ONE MORE chance?”

“OK.”

I finished the pony, and put it in her hands, and she grinned, and thanked me.

But then she added. “It did take a pretty long time, though.”

Have a fun day!

www.TonyTheBalloonGuy.com

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The Little Things

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

I (Tony the Balloon Guy) make this alligator that people love, especially here in west-central Florida (think college football). It’s got mean eyes, and scary teeth, and sometimes wears orange and blue. Takes a while to put together, but it always gets a good reaction.

When I left Chili’s the other night, one of two brothers was standing next to their van with broken balloons in his hand. “The alligator popped,” he told me, sheepishly.

“That’s ’cause he threw it in the air and it popped on the ground,” his brother said.

“Yeah, ’cause you told me to!”

I started blowing up another balloon.

“You don’t have to do that,” the broken-alligator boy said.

“I know. I’m not making another alligator – that would take too long while you’re trying to go home. But I’ll make you a sword.”

I had a sword made before I had finished talking.

“Cool!” exclaimed broken-alligator boy.

Mom thanked me, and as I walked to my car, I heard the other brother say, “You are so LUCKY!”

So it’s not always how hard you work, or how intricate the results. Sometimes a kid just wants a sword.

Have a fun day!

www.TonyTheBalloonGuy.com

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Pizza Night

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Just before he left with his family after eating at Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, an older gentleman took me (Tony the Balloon Guy) aside, and told me that he had been married for 38 year, and for 30 years, Friday night was pizza night.

But now, he said, because his grandchildren loved coming to Anthony’s on Thursdays for the balloons and the face painting, after 30 years, pizza night had moved to Thursday.

“Just wanted to let you know that you had changed a 30-year tradition,” he told me.

I told him I was flattered, and also apologized for any trouble.

“No, no,” he said. “If pizza night had been CANCELED because of you, then we’d have a problem. But I’m OK with moving it one night earlier.”

Have a fun day!

www.TonyTheBalloonGuy.com

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