Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When traveling internationally, you might need a plug adapter for your electronics.

Depending on what you’re bringing (like hair styling tools), you might also need a voltage adapter. You can probably buy adapters when you get where you’re going, but they’re likely cheaper to get them before you go. And definitely check about the voltage — you don’t want to fry your favorite curling iron before a show.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 14 November 2025 at 4:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a happy Halloween! Here’s your tip!

Try to have a consistent sleep schedule.

I know that’s so hard when you’ve got gigs that go late, especially if you also have a day job. Throw in the time change and it’s an extra challenge. But if you want to look your best and perform your best, you need enough sleep.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 7 November 2025 at 4:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Tomorrow we’ll be at Deacon Giles Speakeasy Lab for our annual Halloween show! I think there are still tickets available for the late (9PM) performance. Here’s your tip!

If you’ve been wearing the same makeup style for a while, revisit it.

Faces change over time and what worked for you once, may not be the best look anymore. You want cosmetics to compliment your face and that may require an adjustment to application or color.

This is not one of those “people over X age should never…” things. Fie on them! By all means, keep wearing a cat-eye, but you may find a different shape enhances your eye now. Rock your red lip, but maybe a new shade makes it pop better.

Stay looking fabulous whatever your age!

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 17 October 2025 at 3:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! We’re just over a week away from The Spookeasy Lab, our Halloween show at Deacon Giles’ Speakeasy Lab (see what we did there…) I’ll be doing a brand new act, along with a duet with Betty that hasn’t been seen in a very long time. I hope to see you there! And now for your tip:

When negotiating a gig make sure that you and the person booking you are on the same page.

You want to make sure that expectations are going to be met on both sides. You should all be in agreement as to how many performers, at what time, how many acts, how much money, &c. Also, making sure they understand what burlesque is and what level of stripping is okay for the venue.

As I’ve recommended before, get it in writing. This doesn’t have to be a formal contract; it could be an email or text that explains what you both have agreed to. If you had a phone call or in-person conversations, this is where you lay out your understanding of the scope of the gig, and the other person can approve or make changes. Miscommunications are hammered out in advance and if there is some discrepency later, you have a record to fall back on.

Your goal is to have everyone happy — you, the booker, and the audience!

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 10 October 2025 at 1:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s Friday!

Todays tip is for women of a certain age and those who expect to be one:

Get your annual mammogram done.

I know it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it’s really important, especially if you have breast cancer in your family (as I do). Even if you don’t, you can’t be too careful. One of my dear friends was diagnosed with breast cancer from her first-ever mammogram. She was very fortunate (and she’s doing great!).

I want all of you, Dear Readers, to stay healthy and twirling your tassels for as long as possible!

M2

P.S. Guess what I’m doing this afternoon.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 3 October 2025 at 3:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Friday tip logoHappy Friday! Here’s your tip!

The seasons are changing. Time to change your skin care products.

During the hot, sweaty summer, we often need a lighter moisturizer. As the days turn colder and drier, you’ll want a richer version.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 26 September 2025 at 10:45 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Here we are, Friday again. How’s everyone holding up?

I’ve been trying to come up with a Iight-hearted tip, but my mind keeps going blank, so I’ll just say

Get away from your screens for a while. Go outside. Spend some time with your pets or your kids or your friends.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 19 September 2025 at 6:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Friday tip logoHappy Friday! I’ve recommended using Sharpies to make costume touch-ups, but what do you when the pen slips?

Alcohol can help get out ink stains.

Don’t have any? Hairspray can work, as can shaving cream. Rinse, let air dry, and repeat until the stain is gone. The important thing is not expose the stain to high heat (like a dryer or iron) until you’ve gotten it out.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 12 September 2025 at 1:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Friday tip logo

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s September! Anyone have exciting plans for the fall?

This tip is for audience members. Not you, Dear Reader, you would never even think of this.

That is their real name.

Sometime an audience member will ask a performer, “So, what’s your real name?”. There’s no need to know that. Performers use stage names for all sorts of reasons, but names have power. Just having bought a ticket does not give someone the right to know a secret name. For some, it’s a matter of keeping their job or themselves safe to conceal their “real world” identity. Others, just want to preserve the mystique — that’s why they want to know — you’re keeping a secret and that makes you interesting.

If you’re a performer and someone asks for your “real name” and isn’t dissuaded with a “that’s private” or something similar, just thank them for coming to the show and walk away. Don’t be cute or coy, because that can encouraging. If they get belligerent, get security.

Fortunately, most folks aren’t like this and instead think stage names are creative and fun — and will respect performers’ off-stage privacy

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 5 September 2025 at 4:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Can you believe it’s the last Friday of August already? Are you frantically trying to finish (or start) your summer projects? This tip is for my fellow procrastinators:

What is keeping you from working on your project? Really think about the root of your reluctance. What can you do to get beyond it?

Sometimes just bringing it to light can help give you the boost you need to get to work.

For my Patrons, I wrote about one of my own costuming projects that’s been sitting for a while and why I had a hard time getting started. How about you?

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 29 August 2025 at 5:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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