Circus circus circus!!!!!

So, after I noted David's site and online diary, I started reading it myself. I'm not sure why I never had before. So, for one thing, there's certainly some corrections to be made to my recollections, but they're minor, so I won't bother (like show times and such - you guys don't really care, right?). But the other thing I realized is that his experience was FAR different than mine. As Boss Clown, he was considered management of sorts, but he seems to have had SO MUCH more free time than I did. I think that was generally true of the performers as a whole, but I also am a bit of a workaholic. I read three weeks worth of entries of his and he saw a movie each week while I was still involved in loading out. He did the animal walk each week following the last show on Sunday and then was free to do whatever until the train left. Since the load out took about 4 hours to get out of the building and then another 2 to get the train loaded, he and the other clowns had TONS of time to hang out. The other advantage he had over me was that he had been on the show for 5 or 6 years already by that time and had been to all of these cities before, so he knew where there were things to do and see in each town. I never motivated myself to go anywhere in most towns - while I was Asst Ops Mgr I worked 9-5-ish and usually just wanted to go home to my trailer and watch TV. Plus, since everyone else was working during the time that I was off, there was no one to go out exploring the town with.

And, the other thing to talk about that will certainly delay my circus tale is that I actually went to the circus last night. We visited on Thursday, but actually attended the performance yesterday. We ended up backstage before the show, talking to Tim Roberts, the band conductor. We also ran into our friend Gabor, a clown. The show was great, as usual. I thought the sound was a bit soft, but I think one of the biggest problems was that the house was so empty. Clearly the promoters should not have scheduled a circus performance at the same time as a Steeler game, even if it was an away game! They obviously don't know Pittsburgh very well.

Anyway, being there and seeing the show and watching some of the load out made me want to be back on the show again. I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about it so much. I finally got to sleep at around 3am. Ugh. It's really amazing how it gets into your blood. I'm fine for most of the year when the show isn't around and I'm happy working for the Opera. But then the circus comes to town and I want to be on the train when it pulls out. Even though I know it would go back to being tedious and difficult very quickly. These are the times when it doesn't surprise me that those who've grown up in circus families stay with the circus and even those who haven't stay on the show for a LONG time. As hard work as it is, I know people who've been with them 15-20 years who weren't circus people to begin with. I think I could have been one of those people.

At least I left for a good reason and then married him :)