I thought that when I gave up working on sound reinforcement I wouldn't have to put up with that kind of annoyance again. I remember once, assisting on a brasilian pop music show, the artist was supposed to perform some songs by herself with her guitar. The lights came down, the spotlight was on her and there was no sound from her guitar. This was supposed to be a veteran artist of more than 10 years. She already had recorded several LPs and was riding on the sucess of her latest album. The house was packed and in total silence. I guess she just forgot where she was, because she asked for assistance right into the mike.

Me and the house engineer were on the main mixing console right in the center of the music hall and since there was no Intercom and she was starting to freak out, we had to instruct her to turn on her amp in front of all paying customers. There was general laughter from the entire audience. On her third song you could still feel the embarassment on her performance.

Since this turned out into a public humiliation for her, I am wiling to bet that she will never make this mistake again.

Now the user, in the office I now work, that complained she couldn't print the document she edited on a printer standing on a desk in front of hers (about 6 feet away from her). Which I privately explained that was powered off. That one will probably bother some other poor support technician real soon.