Today was a day that can only be described as perfect. I generally do not set my expectation meter to "perfection" and tend, instead, to just roll with the punches hoping for the best. But today I was excited beyond my usual hopes for a cool outing with my godson. I'd been talking about this day for weeks and he'd been shrugging his shoulders with doubts about the "cool factor" I was explaining.
We were going to the circus-- Ringling's Bros. and Barnum & Bailey-- "the greatest show on earth", and I was beyond jazzed about the idea. The last time I attended a circus I was 14 years old. And I didn't actually attend it, I was in it. It was for a big annual, high school fundraiser. At the time, a student's family actually owned a real traveling circus and they put on a "big show" each year to raise to money for the PTA.
Back then, the family circus recruited students from the local dance studio to participate in the show and I was one of those student dancers. It was supposed to be a big honor to be involved as either a "showgirl" or a "featured extra" that worked alongside the professionals. Me? I didn't feel so "honored". The whole thing made me very nervous. I didn't like the idea of being in front of the entire town in a leotard or anywhere near the elephants.
For my big circus debut, I was one of the featured girls on the "web" which is basically a rope that hung from the ceiling-- way, way, way, up at nose bleed height. Oh, and did I mention I'm mortified of heights? The rope had a small loop on it. I'd hang from the loop by my wrist or (gulp) my ankle and a guy on the ground would spins me around at an ungodly speed while I did "tricks" until I nearly vomited. We did a routine to the old song "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" followed by me practically kissing the sawdust-covered ground every time I was finished performing.
In a nutshell, let's just say my folks didn't have to worry about me running off to join the circus. How I overcame my fear of heights and did a pretty good job, at age 14 and scared out of my wits, remains a mystery to this day. Anyway, that was my last circus experience.
Oh what I would give to have a picture of me spinning on that rope! My husband still thinks I'm making it all up, but Scouts honor, it's true.
So today we were on our way to the "real" circus. Driving to the show, I tried to talk it up with my godson in the back seat but I could see from the rear view mirror that his anticipation was more for the cotton candy and popcorn than the clowns, tigers and tightrope walkers.
His eyes got a little wider once we walked into Staples Center, clowns were bouncing around and people were selling some pretty cool souvenirs. We made our way into the auditorium and then... then... then... He saw the circus stage set where the Lakers usually play basketball, and I heard him gasp! It was not at all what he expected! Things were starting to get very "cool".
Somehow the angels were on my side and we scored fabulous front row seats without any wires or equipment blocking our view. Godson noted that we were pretty much in the same spot Jack Nicholson sits for the Lakers games. Chalk up a few more "cool" points!
Once we settled into our seats, I thanked gawd we didn't have to climb the stairs back up to the concession stands because they had people selling popcorn, cotton candy and fresh lemonade that came right to us so we could go on the floor/stage and mingle with the circus acts signing autographs and teaching kids how to juggle. Godson was loving it, until he looked around and remembered he's a "grown up" twelve year old and maybe this was for babies. The "cool" factor diminished, but not for long. The clowns were working the crowd of all ages and soon all was right at the circus again.
When the show started, the noise was cranked up so stinking loud I thought for sure I was going to lose godson. Loud noise is not his friend, as they say, but eventually things settled and that feeling of pounding in your chest from the noise subsided.
The parade of animals and the entire cast made their way around the ring. People were flying through the air on silk ribbons, costumes dazzled, elephants lead zebras that pranced while acrobats flipped and clowns played with the audience. There were even a bunch of girls spinning on "the web" which godson pointed out to me with "No way you ever did that!" laughter. Just before intermission, the Ringmaster made an elephant disappear right in front of us!
When the lights came up during the break, godson couldn't wait to call his mom and tell her what a great time he was having, (All together now, Awww!) then we shopped for souvenirs and posed for pictures with clowns.
During the show, I had a few momentary OMG lapses of "those poor animals" and flashbacks to the wonderful book Water For Elephants trying to remember what the "in case of emergency song" the band would play if things went to hell in hand basket. (Phew, they did not.) But mostly I enjoyed watching godson mesmerized by the show and pointing out things that "I" shouldn't try at home. You know, in case I ever considered shooting myself out of a cannon.
The next thing we knew, the show was over in a flash-- well, two hours, but over too soon nonetheless. We gathered our belongings and started the hike up the stairs to the exits. Half way up, godson stopped and turned back around towards the stage for one last long, slow, look, from top to bottom....
Then he squeezed my hand and said "I love this day!"
It was a perfect day that I will hold in my heart forever.
What's your idea of a perfect day?
Posts
