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A tough decision...

Donnie

Donnie

Member
Joined
May 2019
Messages
17
Today I made an incredibly difficult pyro decision... for the first time I have turned down one of my recurring gigs.

My heart hasn't been in this particular show the last couple years, and I could tell (even though they couldn't) that I was 'phoning it in.' It's not fair for anyone for me to dread working on a show, putting it off until the last minute.

The passion isn't there, and since I'm not in commerce, I really don't have anything to lose. I gain a little more sleep before the 4th, a little more time helping with the fundraising tent that the local 4-H shooting sports program is doing through Sizzboom, and will just flat-out have more 'free' time for a portion of my summer, right before 4-H fairs hit and we get super busy as a family.

If my pride would have allowed it, I would have offered to do a whole cake, manually-fired show, but since that audience has become used to me shooting a musical, I feel like that step backward would look 'worse' than me deciding to take a year off.

A few years ago, I was sooo eager to take on any little gig I could; now, not so much. Maybe it's burnout, maybe other hobbies, maybe family commitments, who knows... I still love fireworks, but I'm loving less and less the hours of music editing, scripting and prep that go into a musical.

Sorry for the ramble, just felt like sharing...

Thanks,

Donnie
 
Donnie, I do appreciate you sharing this. Most things in life have their ups and downs … work, marriage, hobbies, etc.
I have been shooting shows since 1981, and I have gone YEARS without nearly any pyro involvement -- it happens.
I'm pretty certain that your inner pyro-fire will rekindle in time, it may just be that your soul needs a bit of a break from it.
My best to you and yours in your other endeavors, -Dex
 
I know just how you feel and you made the right decision. If it's no longer fun then you need to take a break. Maybe it will rekindle next year, maybe not. Burnout is real in this hobby/industry.
 
I agree this was a good call on your part. Not saying it would happen to you but if you aren't in it 100% a person can get sloppy/careless and that can end badly. I know I make mistakes when I'm not into something 100%.

AGAIN NOT SAYING YOU SPECIFICALLY.
 
Sharig is carig. SOrry the does't work o my keyoard

You also have to e willig to walk away from people who wait til 2 weeks eforehad to call you.
 
You made the right decision. Getting burned out on something you should normally love is just your mind's way of saying it's time to move on. Who knows, maybe some new budding pyro will pick up where you left off and have a chance to make it his/her own. It seems you have some other things going on, better to direct your passion into those things.
 
Always the right decision to take care of yourself and family first! I’ve been in this since 1983 and took 12 years off for family time, increasing education and military deployments. I always had the itch but loved just sitting back and watching too! I’ve been back in it for awhile now and will have no issue cutting back when I feel the need. The beauty in Pyro is you set your availability. Yes, company loyalty matters- but family first!
 
I always said- when the fun goes out, QUIT!!! You have to make sure that you take care of yourself, then your family, and other things fall in line from there. It doesn't matter if your getting paid for it- well sort of. But, if you have a accident-life changes. Trust me.

I have seen companies giving out T-shirts, working crews like slaves, and they pocket the profits, and you give up your time.

Yes, I have put on some "second to no one" shows for the price. But when you get to my age you better start realizing that you cannot buy back time. So, If your not enjoying what your doing- get out!
 
One other thing Donnie where I think you made the right decision.


People become complacent, They will remember your show the next year, bitch a little, and then the following year they will remember that this years show was the best ever!!! It's been 10 years since I show a "professional" show, yes- I do miss it a little, But extreme hours on holidays, sweating your rear off, and yes- the people cheering gives your a rush ,like a sporting event- you did great, and then the work begins again.

We did it for the communities- what they had to spend, we made it work. 3K up to 7K and that was 10 years ago. What makes you pissed- is when the new companies came in, they got at least 25% more and less shells. It would have been nice to put that 25% into my brothers and my pocket. But we volunteered.

Pat yourself on the back- you did good for that show.
 
I think we've all been there, you get burned out and you have to take a break and step back...If its not fun anymore, whats the point?
 
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