Yesterday while standing in line for lunch at the local deli, I saw two people who caught my eye. It was an odd combination of two types of people: he was an exceptionally short man (nearly a midget), she was an exceptionally large woman (okay, "fat"). Standing next to each other, they looked like they were straight out of a circus act. I'm not being cruel, it was just a first impression that I had at that moment. On my way out, I watched them wolfing down their sandwiches in what looked like an inhuman manner. I replayed this scene in my head all afternoon. Eventually I started thinking about the circus, which brings me to another scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Favorite Circus Acts.
I love the circus. This is different from Cirque du Soleil, which of course is in a league of it's own. But this is about the good old fashioned circus. As a kid, my parents would take me to the Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus, which always seemed so magical and mysterious to me. I think I still have an affection for this age-old tradition of circus acts, even if they are a bit hokey these days. Here are my favorites:
#1 Lion Taming
#2 Sword Swallowing
#3 Knife Throwing
#4 Trapeze/Highwire
#5 The Bearded Lady
#6 Elephants in the Ring
#7 Fire Eating
#7 Fire Eating
Bonus: The Human Cannon Ball
-Rick Rockhill
26 comments:
I really dig the turquoise shoes.
Good morning, Rick--
I'm dedlighted you found Designerblog and I hope you'll stop by a lot. you've caught me at a big life transition and it may be a while before everything smoothes out but it shouldn't be dull.
All best,
Will
I spent part of my childhood in San Antonio, Texas, which had (and presumably still has) a good circus museum. As far as museums go, it was a big favorite with us kids. :-)
thanks for visiting my blog. I am returning the favor and found you discussing something I love as an adult as much as when I was a kid. My favorite circus is the Vargas one where they put up a huge tent in some field. The tickets are not super expensive and every seat is great. I love sitting up front and watching the elephants run around outside the ring so close you can almost touch them.
Your post stirs up memories of strange smells and the sounds of the circus.
tc
I'm impressed! You found some great pictures to convey your memories of the circus. It stirs my own memories as well.
For some reason Fire Eating gets me all hot and tingly.
Like in a really good way.
circus clowns used to scare me when I was little, but I loved going anyway.
i was fond of the the contortionists and acrobats. they alwys amazed me.
thanks for the visit and the hug at my place. both much appreciated :)
thanks for stopping over at my place.
I checked out your other 2 blogs, you are certainly an interesting person.
I like the natural pet food info. I make my dogs treats which my hubby likes too :o
the human cannon ball was always my favorite. thanks for the trip down memory lane
I haven't been to the circus in a while. Those pics make me want to go the next time it comes to town. Great post!
I haven't been to a circus in like forever.
I did get to see Seigfried and Roy in Vegas..you know...before the whole Tiger thing.It was amazing!
Great blog ya got here.I'm bookmarking it. :)
Hi Rick, First of all, let me thank you for visiting my blog. It's not often that this little gal from Nebraska gets much Palm Springs traffic. I will peruse your blog fully as soon as life slows a little. I have busy household (Who doesn't?)
Also, RE: odd pairings: I was driving down this streeet in Omaha the other day and I saw this GIANT, white, very burly, bearded (in that very bikereque manner -- two heavy stripes of facial hair flanking his lips and a beard that probably hung off of his chin about four or five inches), heavily tattooed dude wearing a Harley T-shirt with cut-off sleeves, big chains, and a black leather bandana pushing a baby carriage and walking with like six or seven sweet little black children. It was one of the strangest yet somehow charming sites I've ever seen. It was like Biker Daycare or something.
I'll be back. Your blog looks like fun.
PS: Circuses freak me out.
When I was a kid, it was pretty much 'the terrifying woman with a wood face' & 'the silly cat with no hair.' Of course, I kid. And, you're right, Cirque du Soleil is completely wonderful/different all at the same time. Speaking of the couple you saw, you just may get the same impression if you met Chris & I. He's 5'2" & I'm 6'4". Maybe we're circus material.
LOL @ Morgetrons comment! Biker day care LOL
We have some characters in my town, let me tell ya! Oh yeah, I forgot, Im one of em!
I ran a spotlight for the circus last fall, and I do not like the animal acts. But, the knife throwing.... that's something I would like to see!!! :)
Also, thanks for stoppin' by my blog today. Cheers from Boston=:)
It's always been hard for me to watch sword swallowing - and impossible for me to watch knife throwing. The rest of the scenes you show from your circus viewing days are tolerable, maybe even enjoyable for me. Bearded ladies, for instance, a curiosity that ingrigues. Trapeze artists - yea! Elephants, I like 'em.
is it just me, or does that bearded lady look a little like rosie o'donnell? just askin'?
smiles, bee
My favorite act is when the elephant goes berserk and when the tigers mauled their trainer. Great stuff. :)
I didn't see a circus until I was an adult and I was probably in my late 20s when I saw Ringling Brother's. It ruined all other circuses for me. I was enthralled. It was magical.
I took Aaron to the circus this year and my favorite acts were the motorcycle guys in the cage and the cute little dogs doing tricks.
Interesting post.
J.
Hooseiergirl5- I forgot about the little dogs! I used to love seeing the dogs in a line all doing tricks, like riding a tricycle and stuff. Excellent contribution, thanks!
Oh I can do that one with the Sword but in my version it's not quite the sword the circus uses.. lol ;)
Oh Jimmi, you are naughty ;-)
I took my kids to the circus a few years ago and I think I enjoyed it more than they did. I love the elephants and those little dogs with the clowns are so cute. This circus had a lady with a snake in her act...none of us liked that one..lol.
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