So I’m an aspiring sideshow performer, and like most other people interested in this profession, I’m learning the human blockhead act.
Now, I’m practicing with Q-tips, and after some practice, I managed to get one all the way up my nose. For the first few tries, it was fairly easy and pain free. As I practiced a few more times, it got more and more difficult.
Now, a few days later, it hurts like hell!
I con get maybe two inches, before it feels like I’m hitting some kind of membrane, or very tight impasse. With a bit of force, I can push further, and the next half an inch is really rough going, but after that it starts to get easier again.
So can anyone who’s learned this act themselves, or possible a medical doctor, tell me what the hell happened? Will this go away, if I keep practicing, as my body gets used to it. Perhaps most importantly, do you think I’m risking serious permanent damage?
I know you’re a professional performer and all, but you should probably seek either the advice of a doctor, or the help of someone who has a lot of experience in this particular act.
That’s about all I can say to help.
Also, film it when you get really good!
Here’s the guy you want to ask, although unfortunately he’s not around anymore to answer. I got to see him do his blockhead act several times when I was a kid, and the James E. Strates shows would come to the New York State Fair midway.
Paragraph 6 actually provides some insight as to how Melvin came about the skill. You probably won’t get this same head start, but it’s certainly something that some people have trained themselves to be able to do.
I’m quite adept at putting things up my nose. I first started with cooked spaghetti up the nose then out through the mouth. Sort of like flossing your head.
I then moved on to condoms which can be slightly more painful but not too bad if you’re gentle.
Now I just experiment when the mood takes me. I almost got a runner bean stuck a couple of weeks ago.
But yeah, keep practising with softer stuff like spaghetti to get your sinuses opened up enough.
You’re probably actually better off practising with nails as Q-tips have more friction and would irritate your sinuses more but tie a bit of thread to the end so that if you insert it too far you can yank it out again.
Disclaimer:
I am in no way responsible for any embarassing trips to the ER or any other injuries you may endure as a result of this advice.
Yuk, I really want to believe it’s a fake pic, using 2 condoms…but I know in my heart you really did it. Have you tried blowing it up while it’s in there? Not explosively … with air. Medically, it could be a nasal angioplasty procedure.
I’ve seen a baloon act where two guys did the baloons through their nose and mouth, then sent the air back and forth to bubbles on each end. They ended up with one long balloon going through both their noses and mouths. I think this was at a Renegade show at an IJA festival or something. Gross but funny!
Less gross for me perhaps, because I’ve seen lots of people do blockhead acts. One of my old roommates, Bob Infantino, used to do it with a piece of string in his comedy club act, which of course he would then offer to someone in the front row to add to the grossness.
Most blockhead performers that I’ve seen use big nails (and hammers) or ice picks. The ice pick goes all the way up to the handle. Soft stuff probably doesn’t count as blockhead.
So this makes it apparent that, at least for some people, the sinuses provide a clear path straight back into your head. I guess if your brain is far enough back, you can stick all kinds of things in there.
I’m sure nick already knows this, and that it’s generally a bad idea to stick stuff way up your nose (or down your throat, or to put fire in your mouth, etc.). Not being a doctor myself, all I can say is take it real easy. For me, the assumption would be that my body was trying to tell me something. I try to listen to those things.
Same thing; start with cooked peice of spaghetti, let it slide down your throat and work on controling your gag reflex. Then you work up to rigid objects like swords. I never learned this myself, but I have had a few street performer friends who have made a good living as sword swallowers.
Thanks for everyon who’s posted so far, no real answers, but some good comments.
Tom: I know all about Melvin, he’s a hero, and will be missed. Thanks for bringing him up though! Bill Berry is incredible. I’ve never seen him in person, but quite a few of my friends have. He’s quite an inspiration, much like Melvin.
John: Soft items do not count as blockhead acts by themselves, but are often incorperated into them. Renegade stages are awesome, maybe you’ll see me up there sometime soon. I am well aware of the dangers of everything I’m doing, and I’m going about it all in what I feel is a responsible manner. I appreciate your concern. Also, you’r final thought about listening to my body is well heeded, hence this thread.
Bondo: Sword swallowing is next, but I think that might take me a year or so to learn. Truely a difficult skill to master, and dangerous (very real potential for death) as well.
Everyone else: I’ll let you know when I’ve got a video up on you tube.
Not heard the term Blockhead, but I once went to a nail in the nose workshop…as a spectator. But I did hold one of the nails for a couple of minutes.
Does anyone know who first figured out that he could hammer a nail into his nose safely?
I was wondering yesterday about an electric drill into my ear…
