Working On Location

One of the joys of working in a big city is you never know who you are going to meet. I've worked on CEO's lawyers, students, housewives, construction workers and detectives. When the big city is Los Angeles, the client mix can be actors, directors, writers, producers, Foley artists, grips, cameramen, publicists, production accountants, wardrobe assistants, make-up chiefs, hairstylists, .... well, you get the idea.

ART Massage is based in he San Fernando Valley and can easily reach the Warner Bros, Universal, CBS Radford, and Disney studios within 15-20 minutes. I can also quickly reach the Hollywood and Culver City studios.

I mention this because one of my television director clients offered me a 2-day job on his show. This is a great networking opportunity for me. I've worked with some of the cast and crew members before, so it will be a nice chance to remind them what they liked about me. (I see a lot of reflexology and trigger point therapy in the immediate future.)

Since this blog is supposed to help other therapists (not just brag about what I get to do) here is a simple list of supplies that I think are good to have for any location work:

• Massage Chair and/or Table (varies by job)
• Business Cards and Guestbook (Every person you work on should get your card. How will they contact you for another massage without your number? Try to get the name and contact info of everyone you work on as well. This is your proof that they agreed to let you work on them and it builds your marketing database for future massage events and services.)
• UN-scented, hypoallergenic lotion (oil can stain clothes or leave an "icky" feeling, plus, you might not have a washroom available for washing up - lotion can add glide if you are working on exposed skin but generally isn't needed for chair massage)
• Spray Cleaner and Hand Sanitizer (Even though you will use face cradle covers, it is reassuring to customers and more sanitary to clean the equipment between each client. Also, to prevent the spread of germs, ALWAYS have a way to clean your hands.)
• Paper Towels (to clean with between clients and can be used as face cradle covers)
• Clock (small enough to be discreet but big enough for you to read while working)
• Tip Jar and/or Money Box (I use a Rosie the Riveter lunch box because you can hear it if someone tries to open it, it's a unique conversation starter for those waiting their turn, and it hides the money if the job requires discretion - example: client is paying and tipping me so no need to ask for tips but can still accept them)
• Face Cradle Covers (disposable, fabric, really depends on your set-up and how much you are willing to carry)
• Baby-Wipes (optional yet self-explanatory)
• Rolling Luggage - Small (I use the kind that airline attendants use to carry all of my optional items and to store my purse, clipboard and extra supplies. I can fit my needed supplies for most chair massage jobs of 20 people or less in the massage chair bag. For full body massage jobs of 3 or more people, the suitcase keeps everything from being unwieldy and helps maintain a professional appearance.)

And of course, the most important things to bring to any location are a warm smile and your positive, healing energy! The list above is for working a more formal massage set-up. This week, I'll be working freestyle: just a discreet bag to hold my smartphone, business cards, and hand sanitizer. I can massage people for 2-5 minutes each while they are standing or sitting in a regular folding chair using my shiatsu, reflexology, and trigger point training. Anyone interested in a longer massage can trade contact info with me and I will follow up in a couple of days. I can't wait.

Sometimes We Just Need To Laugh

Here's how it is: this blog post has nothing to do with massage (though I reckon I still would like to work on some of the very tall folks at CASTLE but missed my chance last October when Jose Molina hired me to work there).

Just like folks needs a bit of rest for their bodies, the mind could use a vacation too. I was wandering the interwebs and found this little quiz.

If you know me, make a comment about how accurate you think it is. If you don't know me, what would you like to read in my blog?

Which SERENITY crew member are you?
Your results:
You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)

Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 80% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 80% Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 75% Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 70% Derrial Book (Shepherd) 60% Inara Serra (Companion) 50% River (Stowaway) 50% Wash (Ship Pilot) 45% Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 40% Alliance 40% A Reaver (Cannibal) 5%

Honest and a defender of the innocent. You sometimes make mistakes in judgment but you are generally good and would protect your crew from harm.

Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz

At least I wasn't in the car

You know the commercial where Mother Nature shows up with a "gift" to ruin your plans? Happy Easter Monday, here's what happened to me:

The acupuncture clinic I work at was closed because the acupuncturist's kids were on spring break.
I overslept and missed an appointment. (Sleeping through an alarm that rings 180 minutes is probably a sign you shouldn't work anyway.)
I forgot (or rather, didn't notice) that LAVC's spring break goes through Easter Monday and hightailed it to school so I wouldn't miss the daily quiz. (No school = no class = no quiz = no need to be there)
Return to parking lot to find ENTIRE FRONT bumper hanging by 1 bolt.

Is this what's known as irony?

The kid who hit my PARKED car then had the audacity to say I "parked to close to" his truck.

I made the sheriff's and public safety officers laugh with the following:

"Excuse me? Uh, No. I saw you get out of your truck. We left our cars at the same time; I was walking right next to you.
I made a point of not hitting your car with my door when I got out.
You would have heard or felt it if I hit your truck.
You hit me. Not the other way around.
If I had parked that close, I would not have been able to get out of my car and (doing Vanna-style presentation of self) I AM NOT A SMALL PERSON."
see photo for proof

I've labeled this post "stress" and "TerribleHorribleNoGoodDay" because sometimes, that's just how it goes. We can't get up because we're sick (from illness, cycles, worry) and things don't work out how we plan.

I can cry and complain about a kid driving a truck that's too big (srsly? can't c honda sedan in daylight?) for him to make a left turn safely or that I shouldn't have scheduled an appointment on a day I thought I had a test or "OMG! Hondas are expensive to fix!" Instead, I am thankful I have an extra two days to study, my insurance (and more importantly, his insurance) will cover the repairs and the car rental while my car is in the shop, and ... at least I wasn't in the car.