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 By Jack Lepiarz Dec. 3, 2006 For as long as I can remember, performing and the circus have been a part of my life. When I was little, I spent six years living and traveling with the Big Apple Circus. As far back as I can remember, that was the happiest time of my life. After that, I spent 11 years living in Madison, New Jersey, but still going back to the circus to see old friends and faces. I would travel with my father sometimes when he went on tour as well, giving me the opportunity to visit places like Hong Kong (by which I mean the airport in Hong Kong), Taiwan, and several trips to British Columbia. And now I'm in college, doing my own show around Boston as much as possible. Last night, I even had a dream that I was living with the Big Apple Circus again. I love performing. Even if I didn't love seeing crowds laugh and clap, performing is fun! As painful as it is, and as many times I've injured myself learning to use a bullwhip (I've nearly put out my eye on several occasions), the satisfaction of knowing that I've learned something new surpasses all of the pain. The past two days are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Right now, I'm (rather unsuccessfully) trying to type with a very bandaged left hand. Over the course of the past few days, it's taken quite a beating. It's been whipped, stabbed, slashed, and cut as a result of various circus activities. What did I get for all of this? Well, I learned how to do a magic trick that involves a very sharp cane (hence three slash wounds), I've learned a new knife-throwing technique, and lastly, I've learned how to whip objects out of my mouth. Well, that's how the old saying goes: "No pain, no gain." I can't imagine myself doing anything else either. There are times when I really don't want to go to class, and, as much as I love working there, there are still times when I would really rather not go to the radio station. But I never have those feelings about the circus. I never sigh as I go to rehearse every Wednesday night. In fact, whenever I'm feeling stressed out, or angry, I'll go out to the Boston Common's baseball field and work on my whip-cracking for fifteen minutes or so. Not only is it great exercise, but it's also a way for me to clear my thoughts and concentrate on the now--two activities I'm finding I have less and less time for here at college, much to my disdain. But performing is simply a part of me. I can't see myself ever working a normal 9-5 job, at least at this point of my life. Settling down in one place, doing the same thing each day, every day, simply isn't for me. Performing gives me variety. No two shows are ever the same. Audiences are different, it might take me three cracks to whip the spaghetti out of a person's hand instead of one sometimes, and every now and then, the wind will make it impossible for me to balance a spinning plate on my chin. But it's what I love to do, and that's why I do it. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is an 18-year-old college student at Emerson College in Boston. He also co-hosts the Katherine and Jack Show on UthTV.com and has been performing various circus talents for the past several years. Though often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open mind and treat others the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ 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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