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 By Jack Lepiarz Dec. 22, 2005 I always like to keep memories in the back of my mind. Though only seventeen, I always like to stop and think about places I've been, things that I've seen, and people I've met. I was born in Texas, so I guess that technically makes me a Texan. Of course, I have nothing to really show for it, except for the cowboy hat that sits in the back of my car (which I decided to wear for my student ID picture). Otherwise, I have most certainly become acclimatized to the hustle and bustle of the New York City metropolitan area. My brother is in Texas right now. He has more of a reason to call himself a Texan than I do, having lived there for most of his life. I was only there for a year. Since then, I've been to Texas once, when I was six, to perform in a Renaissance Faire. Which brings me to my next point. I could most certainly call myself a "circus kid" (or a "fair kid" if I was working at a Renaissance Faire). Having spent six years living and traveling with the Big Apple Circus, and now working and performing with my father in the Super Scientific Circus, the circus has had a huge impact on my life as a whole. It is my early childhood, my irregularly paying job, and otherwise, a lot of fun. Getting paid to teach children and adults of all ages how to do various circus tricks is great. And it sure beats working at an ice cream shop, making just over minimum wage. I've taken routines, acts, and jokes from all the circuses I've seen in my life. From the Big Apple Circus, to my father's routines, to the many young and talented people that I've had the benefit to meet as a result of being involved. It's a great privilege. Of course, the costumes aren't always flattering, nor comfortable, and the jobs aren't always the easiest. Being an elf in 35-degree weather is downright painful. But the experience is worth it. I started working with my father in various fairs around Pennsylvania, New England, and New York as early as six or seven years old, and continuing right up until I was about eleven or twelve. I remember always being terrified of the King and Queen. I thought they were going to have my head chopped off. The knights were always fun to talk to as well, and if they had children, that made it all the better! Finding someone around my age was like a blessing. I was always looking for someone to play with, even if they were a girl (for you see, they had cooties back then), I wouldn't care. I remember three sisters in particular from King Richard's Faire in Massachusetts, I think the oldest one was named Audrey, but I'm not sure. When I was eight years old, I accompanied my father on a tour to Taiwan and Canada, missing about a month of school in the process. I spent two weeks in Taiwan, learning various phrases in Mandarin (almost all of which I have forgotten), learning about new and "interesting" foods, and, my favorite, challenging Taiwanese teenagers to video game duels. Though neither of us spoke the same language, we could communicate through interacting on the television screen. Canada was fun as well. Sitting behind the stage while my father did a show, working on my homework was a daily ritual, as I slowly chipped away at the mountain of homework left to me by my teachers. I read and reread practically every "Goosebumps" book that R.L. Stine ever wrote at least two or three times, if not more. I experienced snow and cold without really being that cold, and I saw the West Coast of North America for the first time. That was nine years ago, over half of my lifetime. Nine years from now, who knows where I'll be sitting. I might be working in a television or radio station somewhere. Maybe trying to make a writing career. Who knows? I hope I remember all of these great memories though. I hope I have more to remember too. They are worth cherishing. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is a senior at Madison High School. Born in Waco, Texas, he lived with the Big Apple Circus for much of his early childhood, eventually moving to Madison, New Jersey, where he now resides. Although he is often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open-mind towards new ideas and treat people the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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