Circus life continues! I've been here for a little more than a month now, but it feels like years. Mondays are our "dark days" when we have no shows, and it kinda screws up my week schedule. I never know what day it is anymore.
Being involved in the actual circus show is fun, but I find it a bit stressful. I don't know why, since I've had *much* more stressful jobs before, but I always get a little nervous backstage.
Example: At one point in the animal act, Newman the pig unrolls a long red carpet. The carpet is important later, but as far as Newman in concerned, that's all he does. I let him out of his cage, he marches out and unrolls the carpet (eats the candy treat inside), and then marches back into the cage and I whisk him away. Not much to it, right?
Well, I'm in charge of Newman's prop - the carpet. I place a mini Snicker's bar in the carpet and carefully roll it up. If I roll it crooked, it unrolls wrong and looks like crap to the audience (or at least I think so).
So I'm backstage before the show one day, trying to roll up this candy in the carpet. I keep rolling and unrolling it, trying to roll it tighter, trying to keep the edges from poking out - basically being kinda anal about it. One of the ring crew guys sees me getting a little frustrated over this carpet and comes over to observe, "Geeze, having a big of trouble with that carpet, har har har! What's the big deal?"
I glared at him: "Listen dude, I have *one* job here. I roll up a piece of candy in a carpet for a pig to eat and I'm gonna do it right!" That showed him. I may not do much, but I do a good job.
On an unrelated note, we jump to New York City in less than a week. I'm very excited to be back in NY. Virginia... kinda sucks. New York here we come!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Extra extra!
We've been open for about a week now. The Washington Post came to the show Sunday night and gave us a great write up in today's paper - even though we had some animal uh, potty issues. People go freakin insane when a dog pees in the middle of a show. So yeah, if you can pick up the Washington Post, get on it. We made the papes!!!
I'm having a great time!! The first few days in VA were REALLY tough for me, but now I'm definitely settling in. Also, on an unrelated note, I've bought an instrument. The days are so long and boring sometimes (no Internet, no cable, spotty cell phone reception), I figured I'd use that free time for something constructive. So, I went out and bought a mandolin. I can already play Yankee Doodle, so I figure that's a good indicator that I'm AWESOME at mandolin.
The circus also provides free gym membership in every city we jump to, so I've been working out a lot. Good times.
I figure everyone wants the skinny on the animals, so here you go!
In this year's show, we've got the three black Arabian horses - Ringo, Jet, and Dakar. On the road with us we've also brought three grey Arabians - Sully, Samat and Kadir. Those boys are stallions, so they're kinda freakin' crazy. Now that the three blacks know the show, every morning we practice for next years routine with all six horses. It looks very ambitious to me, but apparently it's nothing compared to last year, when they had goats riding ponys!!!
Then there's Bob, the capybara. He's kinda a jerk, but he's just so funny looking! Percy, the porcupine, it terrifying. I'm told he's an African porcupine, and that when they are threatened they run at you backwards. Holy. Shit.
I've been collecting his quills he sheds to give as souvenirs to all my friends.
Newman the pig is by far my favorite. He's adorable. He's trained with baby Snickers. When he does his trick right, he gets a candy. This means there's bag upon bags of Snicker's in the barn. Result: I eat A LOT of candy when no one is looking.
Sophie and Bridgette are the two labradoodle sheepdogs. Grace is the beautiful Great Dane (she's afraid of everything!). Finally, Squirt and Daisy are two little yappy dogs.
Everybody is REALLY well cared for! We take that part of the job very seriously, and I think it really shows. The animals always look great and have fun doing their acts.
Hopefully now that I've found a reliable Internet source (Thanks, Starbucks!), there will be more updates!
I'm having a great time!! The first few days in VA were REALLY tough for me, but now I'm definitely settling in. Also, on an unrelated note, I've bought an instrument. The days are so long and boring sometimes (no Internet, no cable, spotty cell phone reception), I figured I'd use that free time for something constructive. So, I went out and bought a mandolin. I can already play Yankee Doodle, so I figure that's a good indicator that I'm AWESOME at mandolin.
The circus also provides free gym membership in every city we jump to, so I've been working out a lot. Good times.
I figure everyone wants the skinny on the animals, so here you go!
In this year's show, we've got the three black Arabian horses - Ringo, Jet, and Dakar. On the road with us we've also brought three grey Arabians - Sully, Samat and Kadir. Those boys are stallions, so they're kinda freakin' crazy. Now that the three blacks know the show, every morning we practice for next years routine with all six horses. It looks very ambitious to me, but apparently it's nothing compared to last year, when they had goats riding ponys!!!
Then there's Bob, the capybara. He's kinda a jerk, but he's just so funny looking! Percy, the porcupine, it terrifying. I'm told he's an African porcupine, and that when they are threatened they run at you backwards. Holy. Shit.
I've been collecting his quills he sheds to give as souvenirs to all my friends.
Newman the pig is by far my favorite. He's adorable. He's trained with baby Snickers. When he does his trick right, he gets a candy. This means there's bag upon bags of Snicker's in the barn. Result: I eat A LOT of candy when no one is looking.
Sophie and Bridgette are the two labradoodle sheepdogs. Grace is the beautiful Great Dane (she's afraid of everything!). Finally, Squirt and Daisy are two little yappy dogs.
Everybody is REALLY well cared for! We take that part of the job very seriously, and I think it really shows. The animals always look great and have fun doing their acts.
Hopefully now that I've found a reliable Internet source (Thanks, Starbucks!), there will be more updates!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Jump down south
Whew!! Been a while. Turns out, quelle suprise, there is no internet at the circus. Thus, no updates.
Anywhoo, let's catch-up!!
It's been about three weeks since I joined the circus. My first day, I got to ease in a bit. I was led out to the big top, where LT was running the mixed animal act. I sat in the bleechers and watched, and after a few runs of it, I was in the thick of things. Catching runaway dogs (a GIANT great dane I could ride like a pony), releasing pigs from carriers (then luring them back with candy(!)), keeping a sharp eye out for escaping capybaras, fleeing in terror from startled porcupines - THIS is the circus, folks.
My first two weeks were filled with much of the same. The horse grooms get up early and muck stalls and leading beautiful black arabian horses back and forth to the big top where LT puts them to their paces. Then it's time for the mixed animal act rehersal, which is generally full of madness and sawdust.
Then, once everyone is safely nestled back in their respective stalls, we clean the barn. The rest of my days were filled with various chores - washing and grooming dogs, washing and grooming horses, painting portable stalls, packing the horse trailer - scut work.
Finally, half way through last week, the routine changed. Rehearsals ramped up, costumes were revealed, lighting and sound rehearsals went late into the night, the live band began practicing along with the acts. Then, the big night - dress rehearsal. The whole show, all together with a LIVE real audience. Very exciting, but very stressful. We all stumbled along with only few kinks. Afterwards, we all celebrated, piling into the back of a pick-up truck and driving into town to drink the night away.
Immediately the next day, the tent began to slowly be torn down and carefully packed away. It's quite a sight to see an entire circus tent taken apart - kinda sad. The whole lot was humming with activity - everyone knew what the next day was - Jump day.
Early last Thursday, we packed all our animals in to our hot pink (!) horse trailer and drove the long drive from NY down to VA - our first jump! Several hours later we pulled into a large empty lot, our new home. The sun was just setting, but we had hours of work to do. Building horse stalls, unloading all the animals and making them comfortable and safe. While we (the grooms) did all of this, so much more was going on around us. Generators being set up, running water getting situated, giant tent pieces being unloaded - it was a late night for everyone.
The next day was great! Instead of cleaning stalls and brushing horses, I couldn't help but watch as the big top was set up. It's a scene straight out of Dumbo. Men with sledge hammers hammering big steel spikes, a dozen people pulling ropes up to raise the spires, giant tent walls flapping down and being secured - it's insane.
Today it's cold and rainy. A hot breakfast in the cookhouse fixed me up for morning chores, but now I crave lunch. One of the joys of circus I've already found is eating. Work is so long and so hard the three squares a day is all you have time for - and you relish them. It's doesn't matter what's being served, it tastes amazing. It's kinda awesome!
Today is tech rehearsals, tomorrow - dress rehearsal for VA, and then we open Thursday!
I've got so much more to tell!!!! So many cool details!! More soon!
Anywhoo, let's catch-up!!
It's been about three weeks since I joined the circus. My first day, I got to ease in a bit. I was led out to the big top, where LT was running the mixed animal act. I sat in the bleechers and watched, and after a few runs of it, I was in the thick of things. Catching runaway dogs (a GIANT great dane I could ride like a pony), releasing pigs from carriers (then luring them back with candy(!)), keeping a sharp eye out for escaping capybaras, fleeing in terror from startled porcupines - THIS is the circus, folks.
My first two weeks were filled with much of the same. The horse grooms get up early and muck stalls and leading beautiful black arabian horses back and forth to the big top where LT puts them to their paces. Then it's time for the mixed animal act rehersal, which is generally full of madness and sawdust.
Then, once everyone is safely nestled back in their respective stalls, we clean the barn. The rest of my days were filled with various chores - washing and grooming dogs, washing and grooming horses, painting portable stalls, packing the horse trailer - scut work.
Finally, half way through last week, the routine changed. Rehearsals ramped up, costumes were revealed, lighting and sound rehearsals went late into the night, the live band began practicing along with the acts. Then, the big night - dress rehearsal. The whole show, all together with a LIVE real audience. Very exciting, but very stressful. We all stumbled along with only few kinks. Afterwards, we all celebrated, piling into the back of a pick-up truck and driving into town to drink the night away.
Immediately the next day, the tent began to slowly be torn down and carefully packed away. It's quite a sight to see an entire circus tent taken apart - kinda sad. The whole lot was humming with activity - everyone knew what the next day was - Jump day.
Early last Thursday, we packed all our animals in to our hot pink (!) horse trailer and drove the long drive from NY down to VA - our first jump! Several hours later we pulled into a large empty lot, our new home. The sun was just setting, but we had hours of work to do. Building horse stalls, unloading all the animals and making them comfortable and safe. While we (the grooms) did all of this, so much more was going on around us. Generators being set up, running water getting situated, giant tent pieces being unloaded - it was a late night for everyone.
The next day was great! Instead of cleaning stalls and brushing horses, I couldn't help but watch as the big top was set up. It's a scene straight out of Dumbo. Men with sledge hammers hammering big steel spikes, a dozen people pulling ropes up to raise the spires, giant tent walls flapping down and being secured - it's insane.
Today it's cold and rainy. A hot breakfast in the cookhouse fixed me up for morning chores, but now I crave lunch. One of the joys of circus I've already found is eating. Work is so long and so hard the three squares a day is all you have time for - and you relish them. It's doesn't matter what's being served, it tastes amazing. It's kinda awesome!
Today is tech rehearsals, tomorrow - dress rehearsal for VA, and then we open Thursday!
I've got so much more to tell!!!! So many cool details!! More soon!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Is this really happening?
Last week, I came home from work tired and angry, much the same way I've done every day for the past year. My mom caught me at the door and showed me a want-ad she'd highlighted in the local paper. It was tiny, as want-ads go. "BIG APPLE CIRCUS - seeks HORSE GROOM to feed and care for horses. Tours with show. No experience necessary. Contact XX@XXXX." What the hell, I thought. I'd been shotgunning resumes out into space for the past year with no leads, trying to move forward. What would one more e-mail hurt? It certainly wouldn't be the weirdest thing I'd applied to.
So, I shot off an e-mail. I kept it simple, no more than three sentences. Basically, "I have horse experience, which consists of x, y, and z, and I'm interested to hear more about the job". Send.
I left it at that, and forgot about it. Who really runs away to join the circus?
Then, on Tuesday, my phone rings. The circus is calling. Long story short, they're very interested. I take the night to mull it over, with an invitation to come visit them the following day at their home base of Walden, NY - a mere 45 minutes for me.
Wednesday rolls around and that afternoon I find myself in Walden, walking up to a nondescript building. I meet my Point of Contact. After chatting in his normal, business-like office, he offers to take me back to the horse stables to meet the Lead Trainer, who would be my immediate boss. I'm lead through a warren of offices and halls, and emerge in a giant warehouse full of cranes, welding equipment, sawdust, and massive, mysterious tarp-covered objects. He lead me through a small door and I had to fight not to do a double-take.
Another large warehouse, only this one brightly lit, set as the circus reherasal space. Trapeze rigging, padded floors, and acrobats and tumblers practicing all around us. It was like a movie, or a dream. Weaving through acrobatics, we finally came out to the back of the complex.
My POC handed me off to the Lead Trainer (who also performs the horse/animal acts) and the real tour began. The clean, massive horse stables. 12 beautiful white Arabians. A porcupine. A pot-bellied pig. Several ferrets. Several yappy little trained dogs. And a capybara (Look it up!). These animals would be my purview. They are the performers, I am their personal assistant.
I was shown the rest of the grounds, the sleeping quarters, showers, laundry trailer, cookhouse(!!) and finally, the bigtop itself. So. Fucking. Cool. The center ring, the trapeze rig, the red velvet audience seats, the colors, the sheer space of it. What a thrill!
We kicked back in the audience seats and just chatted. The new Swedish directors for the new season, the international cast and language barriers, the circus life, on and on. And then, almost as an aside, LT mentions, "Oh yeah, the new directors have this vision this year of complete involvement. Everyone is in the show. So, when I'm on stage, you'll be out there too". I had a horrible flash of myself sweating under the bright lights in a pink tutu and like, sparkly tights. Damn my imagination!
We'll see how* that* goes.
I met back up with my POC. He and LT again stated how impressed they were with my qualifications (2 sentences in an e-mail guys!!!) and that they really liked me (a "vibe"?!). Basically, the job is mine if I wanted it. Now, I've got to digress for a moment. I don't know if it's my background, and the jobs I've had in the past, or residual cop instincts (which I'll probblly never loose), or what, but my brain kept shouting "YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW ME!! No resume, no background. I could be Daniel Radcliff from Eqqus and be crazy and slash horses at night!" Meh. I guess I'm so used to being vetted at every step of a hiring process, grilled in panel interviews, warned of criminal prosecution if you falsify information on your application, blah blah, all the gov't jazz.
Back on track! It's actually refreshing. A fresh start. I could be anything here. Do anything. Leave everything behind me.
It took two seconds for me to stick out my and shake on it. "I'm your new horse groom."
"Welcome to the family."
I gave my two weeks notice yesterday. The day after that two weeks, I move int0 the circus. Two weeks of learning the ropes, dress rehearsals, who knows, and then we roll out!
In four days, I ran away with the circus.
So, I shot off an e-mail. I kept it simple, no more than three sentences. Basically, "I have horse experience, which consists of x, y, and z, and I'm interested to hear more about the job". Send.
I left it at that, and forgot about it. Who really runs away to join the circus?
Then, on Tuesday, my phone rings. The circus is calling. Long story short, they're very interested. I take the night to mull it over, with an invitation to come visit them the following day at their home base of Walden, NY - a mere 45 minutes for me.
Wednesday rolls around and that afternoon I find myself in Walden, walking up to a nondescript building. I meet my Point of Contact. After chatting in his normal, business-like office, he offers to take me back to the horse stables to meet the Lead Trainer, who would be my immediate boss. I'm lead through a warren of offices and halls, and emerge in a giant warehouse full of cranes, welding equipment, sawdust, and massive, mysterious tarp-covered objects. He lead me through a small door and I had to fight not to do a double-take.
Another large warehouse, only this one brightly lit, set as the circus reherasal space. Trapeze rigging, padded floors, and acrobats and tumblers practicing all around us. It was like a movie, or a dream. Weaving through acrobatics, we finally came out to the back of the complex.
My POC handed me off to the Lead Trainer (who also performs the horse/animal acts) and the real tour began. The clean, massive horse stables. 12 beautiful white Arabians. A porcupine. A pot-bellied pig. Several ferrets. Several yappy little trained dogs. And a capybara (Look it up!). These animals would be my purview. They are the performers, I am their personal assistant.
I was shown the rest of the grounds, the sleeping quarters, showers, laundry trailer, cookhouse(!!) and finally, the bigtop itself. So. Fucking. Cool. The center ring, the trapeze rig, the red velvet audience seats, the colors, the sheer space of it. What a thrill!
We kicked back in the audience seats and just chatted. The new Swedish directors for the new season, the international cast and language barriers, the circus life, on and on. And then, almost as an aside, LT mentions, "Oh yeah, the new directors have this vision this year of complete involvement. Everyone is in the show. So, when I'm on stage, you'll be out there too". I had a horrible flash of myself sweating under the bright lights in a pink tutu and like, sparkly tights. Damn my imagination!
We'll see how* that* goes.
I met back up with my POC. He and LT again stated how impressed they were with my qualifications (2 sentences in an e-mail guys!!!) and that they really liked me (a "vibe"?!). Basically, the job is mine if I wanted it. Now, I've got to digress for a moment. I don't know if it's my background, and the jobs I've had in the past, or residual cop instincts (which I'll probblly never loose), or what, but my brain kept shouting "YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW ME!! No resume, no background. I could be Daniel Radcliff from Eqqus and be crazy and slash horses at night!" Meh. I guess I'm so used to being vetted at every step of a hiring process, grilled in panel interviews, warned of criminal prosecution if you falsify information on your application, blah blah, all the gov't jazz.
Back on track! It's actually refreshing. A fresh start. I could be anything here. Do anything. Leave everything behind me.
It took two seconds for me to stick out my and shake on it. "I'm your new horse groom."
"Welcome to the family."
I gave my two weeks notice yesterday. The day after that two weeks, I move int0 the circus. Two weeks of learning the ropes, dress rehearsals, who knows, and then we roll out!
In four days, I ran away with the circus.
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