I hate getting sick.
I don’t know of anyone who does, apart from the occasional grade-schooler or grownup who attempts to use it as an attendance-dodge.
Getting sick as a voice talent can be a serious problem, particularly with a head/chest cold, sinus infection, or the flu. If your voice changes you are screwed, especially if you’re in the middle of a long-form project like an audio book.
Fortunately I live alone and work from home so I’m generally not exposed to sick co-workers, family members, or children, those adorable little carriers of plague. That doesn’t mean I’m not at risk. I do go outside once in awhile, you know.
With that in mind, I am proud to say that I did not get sick in 2015. Yes, I am fully aware that by making that statement I am jinxing myself and I fully expect to come down with a nasty case of scurvy, shingles, and/or rickets within seconds of hitting the “Publish” button. If I do indeed get sick, it is in the name of enlightening & entertaining you, which makes it all your fault.
TIP OF THE WEEK
How did I not get sick for an entire calendar year?
I wash my hands. A lot. Not in an OCD way, but in a tactical way. Obviously I wash my hands after using the restroom, sneezing, etc. but I also do it as soon as I get off the bus, train, or any other form of public transportation. If I can’t do it in a timely manner, I make sure I don’t touch my face, nose, or mouth until I can. And no, I don’t use hand sanitizer. I’ve learned that it’s bad for your skin and weakens your immune system.
I always use my own pen. You know how they say that cash is filthy? My guess is that the same applies to pens. Any time I have to sign something like a credit card receipt, I use my own pen. Sometimes I get funny looks, but I don’t care. Often it’s a good conversation topic and I always have a spare “H is Silent” pen to give away. Always the marketing geek, I know…
I always use a stylus. This one may sound a little strange, but hear me out. Many of the recording studios I frequent have switched from using paper scripts to tablets. It saves on paper, which saves trees. I’ve always wondered if it’s more or less damaging to the environment to manufacture more tablets than it is to cut down tress, but I digress. Many people use their finger on a tablet so that’s a whole other batch o’ germs you can avoid by using a stylus.
I don’t have direct proof that I avoided getting sick using these three tips, but I’m not interested in stopping just to find out. Be smart and be healthy, everyone!
NEWS AND NOTES!
VOAtlanta (March 4-6) is this week! I am super-stoked to present, moderate an audio book panel, hang out with old friends, and make some new ones. If you can’t make it to the conference, you can watch it online! Go to www.VOAtlanta.me to learn more.
HAPPY HAPPYS!
Happy Banana Cream Pie Day and World Compliment Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
…life is notes underneath your fingers. You just gotta figure out what keys to hit to make your music. Jamie Foxx
From my village to yours; this is Tom Dheere, GKN News…
Tom Dheere is a 20-year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a coach at Edge Studio, voiceover business consultant known as the Voice Over Strategist, and is currently writing & producing the comic book “Agent 1.22”.