Saturday, June 2: Petersburg, WV-2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Miles: 61
Lot: school grounds
Since I got 16 miles of the jump out of the way last night when I drove to Walmart, I got to sleep in this morning: a whopping sixteen whole minutes!
On the route slip there was a warning about a 9% grade on a hill outside of Keyser (the town where I spent the night); all night I was worrying about it, and when I finally tackled the downgrade, it was a piece of cake.
I hate when I get myself all worked up over nothing.
The weather was a lot cooler today, which was nice since we had afternoon shows. Both audiences were good too.
I had a relaxing evening off; it was perfect for watching a movie.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
What A Load Of Bull....horn
Friday, June 1: Lonaconing, MD-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 23
Lot: athletic field
There was an early call time even though we had a short jump this morning. I imagine it was because we drove by a very strict weigh station on the way to town.
It was a rainy, overcast day. I stayed indoors, partly because of the weather and partly because there was absolutely nothing to do in Lonaconing.
Valerie, Fridman's wife, came back to the show yesterday. I visited with her briefly while I got into make up.
The first audience just zapped my energy. I tried to get a rise out of them with my new toy, a bullhorn. There was an extra one in the office, so I grabbed it for use in our package delivery bit.
Sadly even my aggravating yelling and blasts from the horn's siren couldn't wake up the crowd.
The second half was cut short because of an incoming storm. It hit during the juggling act, and the heavy rainfall was almost deafening in the tent during our surfing gag.
As if it wasn't hard enough to get something out of the audience, we had to compete with a torrential downpour and thunder for their attention!
On the plus side, the storm passed by quickly and the second crowd showed some signs of life.
Tavo told me earlier in the day that everything was going to move off the lot tonight. I scouted out the area where we were going to be parking, and it looked rather small to me.
I decided to get a head start on the jump to Petersburg since there was a Walmart on the way.
By the time the show ended I had my rig ready to go, and I rushed to get out of make up and costume so I could hit the road.
I arrived at Walmart safely, and then I went inside to do my weekly grocery shopping. Ryan and Tatiana also joined me at the parking/shopping paradise.
Miles: 23
Lot: athletic field
There was an early call time even though we had a short jump this morning. I imagine it was because we drove by a very strict weigh station on the way to town.
It was a rainy, overcast day. I stayed indoors, partly because of the weather and partly because there was absolutely nothing to do in Lonaconing.
Valerie, Fridman's wife, came back to the show yesterday. I visited with her briefly while I got into make up.
The first audience just zapped my energy. I tried to get a rise out of them with my new toy, a bullhorn. There was an extra one in the office, so I grabbed it for use in our package delivery bit.
Sadly even my aggravating yelling and blasts from the horn's siren couldn't wake up the crowd.
The second half was cut short because of an incoming storm. It hit during the juggling act, and the heavy rainfall was almost deafening in the tent during our surfing gag.
As if it wasn't hard enough to get something out of the audience, we had to compete with a torrential downpour and thunder for their attention!
On the plus side, the storm passed by quickly and the second crowd showed some signs of life.
Tavo told me earlier in the day that everything was going to move off the lot tonight. I scouted out the area where we were going to be parking, and it looked rather small to me.
I decided to get a head start on the jump to Petersburg since there was a Walmart on the way.
By the time the show ended I had my rig ready to go, and I rushed to get out of make up and costume so I could hit the road.
I arrived at Walmart safely, and then I went inside to do my weekly grocery shopping. Ryan and Tatiana also joined me at the parking/shopping paradise.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Finally!
Thursday, May 31: Grantsville, MD-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 73
Lot: Town Park
The drive this morning was pretty hellacious. Once we got on the interstate, which was the majority of our trip, we were constantly climbing steep hills. Thank God I have a dependable truck this season.
As soon as I got everything situated at the lot, I walked into town to find trouble. Instead I found breakfast at the Casselman Inn, a hotel/restaurant.
Mike, the drummer, gave me a ride on the back of his moped to a nearby laundromat. It was close enough to the lot that I was able to walk back after my clothes were dry and folded.
Don Curtis came by to visit and take some photos of performers in the back yard. He also brought me some steak kabobs that I can't wait to barbecue this weekend.
The past week has been fairly lame for me, but today was a good day.
Miles: 73
Lot: Town Park
The drive this morning was pretty hellacious. Once we got on the interstate, which was the majority of our trip, we were constantly climbing steep hills. Thank God I have a dependable truck this season.
As soon as I got everything situated at the lot, I walked into town to find trouble. Instead I found breakfast at the Casselman Inn, a hotel/restaurant.
Mike, the drummer, gave me a ride on the back of his moped to a nearby laundromat. It was close enough to the lot that I was able to walk back after my clothes were dry and folded.
Don Curtis came by to visit and take some photos of performers in the back yard. He also brought me some steak kabobs that I can't wait to barbecue this weekend.
The past week has been fairly lame for me, but today was a good day.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Emmie, Do You Want A Play Mate?
Tuesday, May 29: Waynesburg, PA-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 26
Lot: Fairgrounds
It was an overcast day, and according to my phone there was a good chance we would be hit with storms. They all must have passed us, though; the sun came out just in time for the shows to make the weather hot and humid.
Ryan and I could just not catch a break during the first show. First off, the tiger cage take down took F O R E V E R! Ryan and I really had to stretch what already is a borderline lame gag; I suppose that is the nature of the spot.
Next, while we were setting our props for the hillbilly gag we noticed that a few items had been sprayed with tiger pee. Grrr.
The final straw came in the Angry Birds gag. John Moss was finishing his announcement, "It's a game I love to play. It's called Angry......"
His speech was cut short as the generator died.
Ryan and I knew we couldn't leave John hanging, and as everyone knows, the old adage is, "The show must go on."
We ran out and did the gag as best as we could. John was preoccupied with the power outage, and there was no way to make a graceful exit without music and a microphone, so the gag was a mess. That's putting it nicely....
We both went to our trailers to change for the surfing gag. I waited awhile and then went over since I couldn't tell what part of the show was on without any music.
When I got over I found out that the show had been stopped right after the Angry Birds gag. Ryan and I got together some juggling clubs to go fill until the power was back on, but by the time we got back to the tent, the show had resumed.
Needless to say, both Ryan and I were frustrated and angry. What happened to "The show must go on"? It was ok for us to go out and present crap to the audience, while the rest of the show waited awkwardly until the music was back on.
Ok, my point is made and my rant is done.
Luckily the second show went better, and I was able to get some Tasty Kakes after the show to calm myself down further.
Wednesday, May 30: Masontown, PA-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 16
Lot: Masontown-German Park
When we arrived at the lot, we were all directed to a small parking lot to await further instructions. I heard that a tractor was being found to pull us onto the lot, but shortly after that information Tavo directed me onto the lot and I was parked. I'm not sure what the wait was for.
There was a chain link fence surrounding the tent and semis. All the trailers were parked on the back door side of the tent, outside of the fence.
There was only a small gate allowing access to the back door, and of course it was too small for the hillbilly box to fit through.
We drove my truck all the way around to the other side of the fence, where there was a big opening, so we could unload the box and get it inside the tent.
I took Ryan into town so we could go to the post office. After dropping him off back at the lot, I walked into town to get lunch.
Town was also the only place where I had any sort of phone signal, so I made sure to make the most of my visit.
We had good audiences today. There was a short rain shower in between shows that really cooled things down for us.
The only other exciting occurrence of the day was when Silvano, who fills our water tanks, called me over to show me something in the grass. It was a baby bird of prey; after closer examination Ryan guessed it was a baby hawk. It was so cute!
When I had a break, I went over to take a picture of it. It had decapitated a baby mouse and was busy trying to swallow its body whole. How adorable!!!
Miles: 26
Lot: Fairgrounds
It was an overcast day, and according to my phone there was a good chance we would be hit with storms. They all must have passed us, though; the sun came out just in time for the shows to make the weather hot and humid.
Ryan and I could just not catch a break during the first show. First off, the tiger cage take down took F O R E V E R! Ryan and I really had to stretch what already is a borderline lame gag; I suppose that is the nature of the spot.
Next, while we were setting our props for the hillbilly gag we noticed that a few items had been sprayed with tiger pee. Grrr.
The final straw came in the Angry Birds gag. John Moss was finishing his announcement, "It's a game I love to play. It's called Angry......"
His speech was cut short as the generator died.
Ryan and I knew we couldn't leave John hanging, and as everyone knows, the old adage is, "The show must go on."
We ran out and did the gag as best as we could. John was preoccupied with the power outage, and there was no way to make a graceful exit without music and a microphone, so the gag was a mess. That's putting it nicely....
We both went to our trailers to change for the surfing gag. I waited awhile and then went over since I couldn't tell what part of the show was on without any music.
When I got over I found out that the show had been stopped right after the Angry Birds gag. Ryan and I got together some juggling clubs to go fill until the power was back on, but by the time we got back to the tent, the show had resumed.
Needless to say, both Ryan and I were frustrated and angry. What happened to "The show must go on"? It was ok for us to go out and present crap to the audience, while the rest of the show waited awkwardly until the music was back on.
Ok, my point is made and my rant is done.
Luckily the second show went better, and I was able to get some Tasty Kakes after the show to calm myself down further.
Wednesday, May 30: Masontown, PA-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 16
Lot: Masontown-German Park
When we arrived at the lot, we were all directed to a small parking lot to await further instructions. I heard that a tractor was being found to pull us onto the lot, but shortly after that information Tavo directed me onto the lot and I was parked. I'm not sure what the wait was for.
There was a chain link fence surrounding the tent and semis. All the trailers were parked on the back door side of the tent, outside of the fence.
There was only a small gate allowing access to the back door, and of course it was too small for the hillbilly box to fit through.
We drove my truck all the way around to the other side of the fence, where there was a big opening, so we could unload the box and get it inside the tent.
I took Ryan into town so we could go to the post office. After dropping him off back at the lot, I walked into town to get lunch.
Town was also the only place where I had any sort of phone signal, so I made sure to make the most of my visit.
We had good audiences today. There was a short rain shower in between shows that really cooled things down for us.
The only other exciting occurrence of the day was when Silvano, who fills our water tanks, called me over to show me something in the grass. It was a baby bird of prey; after closer examination Ryan guessed it was a baby hawk. It was so cute!
When I had a break, I went over to take a picture of it. It had decapitated a baby mouse and was busy trying to swallow its body whole. How adorable!!!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
No Signal...Again
Hey everyone,
I don't have Internet (or phone signal) at the lot, so there will be no blog post today.
I am in town right now; the only place with signal. As much as I love you guys, I am not going to peck out a blog on my phone's keypad....sorry.
See you tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Gordooooooooooooooooon!
Monday, May 28: Washington, PA-2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
This afternoon Jeff Gordon and his partner, Roger, took me to lunch before the first show. I picked Jeff's brain about his year with Ringling and his many seasons on Big Apple.
Jeff and Roger watched the first show, and afterwards Jeff had some very insightful and accurate criticisms and advice for us. I am glad we got the chance to visit today.
I'm not going to lie, the shows today were rough. At least we had friendly faces in the first audience; the second show afforded us no such comfort.
Another circus is coming to town for three days this summer....good luck guys!
Fridman took off for three days to pick up his motorhome. With him gone, Ryan and I were in every other act in the first half. That coupled with the heat made for no walk in the park.
At least there was a light at the end of the tunnel. After the shows I went out and had sushi for the first time in a couple of months.
I also went to Toys 'R Us to try and find some Pocoyo dolls for Nico. Alas, my mission was a failure.
This afternoon Jeff Gordon and his partner, Roger, took me to lunch before the first show. I picked Jeff's brain about his year with Ringling and his many seasons on Big Apple.
Jeff and Roger watched the first show, and afterwards Jeff had some very insightful and accurate criticisms and advice for us. I am glad we got the chance to visit today.
I'm not going to lie, the shows today were rough. At least we had friendly faces in the first audience; the second show afforded us no such comfort.
Another circus is coming to town for three days this summer....good luck guys!
Fridman took off for three days to pick up his motorhome. With him gone, Ryan and I were in every other act in the first half. That coupled with the heat made for no walk in the park.
At least there was a light at the end of the tunnel. After the shows I went out and had sushi for the first time in a couple of months.
I also went to Toys 'R Us to try and find some Pocoyo dolls for Nico. Alas, my mission was a failure.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Bang Bang!
Sunday, May 27: Washington, PA-3:00 p.m.
Miles: 140
Lot: Consol Energy Park
It was a hot, humid, hot, muggy, hot, sticky, hot, nasty day.
There was a flea market next to the lot that I walked to with Ryan and the Fusco family. We got in for free since we were with the circus.
There were a few neat items, but everything was fairly expensive. The coolest thing I found was this Emmett Kelly doll:
Unfortunately, it wasn't "$50 cool."
While I was making a little lunch, I got a knock on my door. It was Jeff Gordon, better known as "The Clown Gordoon", who was on Big Apple for many seasons.
He and his mother had a booth at the flea market, and she spotted all the circus trucks coming in this morning.
He had to get back to his booth, but he said he was coming to the show tomorrow.
Jerry, a local circus fan, was visiting today. He brought gifts for a few folks: I got some great photos, a video of the Clown College 20th Anniversary TV special, and some magazines.
We only had one show today. After performing it, I was thankful we only had one. 'Nuff said.
I went out to eat dinner, and then I met up with some folks to watch a ball game. The baseball stadium was only a few feet from my house, and the park graciously gave the circus free tickets.
A decent sized group from the show went over to have some fun. We had great seats right behind home plate.
The game was a match between the Washington Wildthings and the River City Rascals.
Many foul balls were hit into the area where our trailers were parked. We all joked about broken windows and dented vehicles, but luckily nothing was actually hit.
It was a fairly slow moving game, but it got exciting towards the end. Unfortunately the visiting team won by only one run.
After the game there was a great fireworks display to wrap up the evening's entertainment.
Miles: 140
Lot: Consol Energy Park
It was a hot, humid, hot, muggy, hot, sticky, hot, nasty day.
There was a flea market next to the lot that I walked to with Ryan and the Fusco family. We got in for free since we were with the circus.
There were a few neat items, but everything was fairly expensive. The coolest thing I found was this Emmett Kelly doll:
Unfortunately, it wasn't "$50 cool."
While I was making a little lunch, I got a knock on my door. It was Jeff Gordon, better known as "The Clown Gordoon", who was on Big Apple for many seasons.
He and his mother had a booth at the flea market, and she spotted all the circus trucks coming in this morning.
He had to get back to his booth, but he said he was coming to the show tomorrow.
Jerry, a local circus fan, was visiting today. He brought gifts for a few folks: I got some great photos, a video of the Clown College 20th Anniversary TV special, and some magazines.
We only had one show today. After performing it, I was thankful we only had one. 'Nuff said.
I went out to eat dinner, and then I met up with some folks to watch a ball game. The baseball stadium was only a few feet from my house, and the park graciously gave the circus free tickets.
A decent sized group from the show went over to have some fun. We had great seats right behind home plate.
The game was a match between the Washington Wildthings and the River City Rascals.
Many foul balls were hit into the area where our trailers were parked. We all joked about broken windows and dented vehicles, but luckily nothing was actually hit.
It was a fairly slow moving game, but it got exciting towards the end. Unfortunately the visiting team won by only one run.
After the game there was a great fireworks display to wrap up the evening's entertainment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)