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Who still regularly gets asked to blow things up (balloons, beach balls, pool floats) because you are a tuba player?

Follow up: Who does it and considers it a personal affront when the balloon isn't quite as big as you hoped it would be after the first big blow?

I get asked that all the time.

I live on a lake, everyone here comes to me with every inflatable imaginable. I fill them up quckly with my air compressor!

The ability to blow up 2 balloons at a time will impress them even more.

We don't. We refer the requester to the nearest helium purveyor.

(We own two helium wells, so need to feed the kitty. Great investment - always going up, and adjusts for inflation.)

bloke wrote:As a group of individuals, we also are notorious for an uncanny ability to pass offensive gas, but I don't recall a request for that.

+ 1,000,000,000

The one I tend to get is the request to inflate air mattresses any time the college gang gets back together.

If someone asks me to blow up balloons, I pop them.

AlwAys asked, never offended. How would it bother me to do what I do best?

I have heard some rumor that Art Bell died but I don’t believe it.

timayer wrote:Who still regularly gets asked to blow things up (balloons, beach balls, pool floats) because you are a tuba player?

Yes

timayer wrote:Follow up: Who does it and considers it a personal affront when the balloon isn't quite as big as you hoped it would be after the first big blow?

Always

I’d tell them they can go blow it out their ***!!

Any trick to blowing up clown balloons? The ones what get twisted into animal shapes?

It is possible i might find them easier since i took up tuba, but i wouldn't count on it...

I have been known to describe playing the oboe with a pro reed as about the same air pressure as getting one of those small balloons started, but with the balloon once you get it started, the pressure drops. With the oboe, the pressure continues.
Nobody asks me to blow stuff up.

Art Bell passed away a few months ago. His programs can still be heard on an all Art Bell station on the internet radio. New broadcasts are being done on a station called late night in the desert. It is based out of Pheniox AZ. It is on week days starting at 11 pm central time. They still do the UFO, paranormal and similar stuff. On Tuesday they review or talk about a notorious crime. (This is so Bloke can be up to date).

MaryAnn wrote:I have been known to describe playing the oboe with a pro reed as about the same air pressure as getting one of those small balloons started, but with the balloon once you get it started, the pressure drops. With the oboe, the pressure continues.
Nobody asks me to blow stuff up.

It hasn't happened for years but when it did I always accepted and delivered in impressive fashion. I did once fill my college band director's office waist-deep with balloons, blowing them all up over the course of a couple of hours. On another occasion, I won a case of beer (albeit cheap) on a bet by blowing up a farm tractor inner tube until it was taller than me, probably around 6'-6". I share the sentiment expressed above: why would a tuba player refuse to do what we're best at?

As for the second part, I always take a huge breath so yes, not big enough on that first blow is certainly an affront. I'll even start over to restore my dignity.

Regards

humBell wrote:Any trick to blowing up clown balloons? The ones what get twisted into animal shapes?

It is possible i might find them easier since i took up tuba, but i wouldn't count on it...

They're pretty challenging to blow up but I figured it out. I got handed a couple once and was able to after a couple of comical unsuccessful attempts. Stretching them out a time or two will make them less resistant. Even without stretching, all you really need to do is take one right at the top at the opening between your forefinger tips and thumb tips, use both hands, take a good deep breath and without pinching the balloon (air has to flow freely into it), blow hard into it starting with a "tu" articulation without puffing your cheeks and you'll be on your way. A good, deep breath with steady blowing pressure should almost fully inflate it if not completely in one breath. Have fun and impress your friends!

As a Clown who ties animal balloons by the hundreds, I do not blow up balloons with my mouth. For one, it is illegal to give out balloons in some cities if you do it orally, you may be passing unwanted bugs in the air that you blow out. Second the back pressure of all of those balloons can cause you problems. There are a lot of manual mechanical pumps out there and several powered ones as well. If you want to learn how to tie, check out "Balloons HQ". And they do not float if you use helium.

Charlie C. Chowder

Howdy Mr. Chowder,

The question was about how to blow up these balloons by mouth. No one said anything about distributing them or venturing into the business of clowning or related vocations. Some folks can blow them up, others can't. I was amused that I could.

Regards