Just Like a Circus

In 2007 I thought my wildest dreams were about to come true. I attended the circus for the first time. Not any circus, but "Circus Europa". I was excited to see the freak sideshows, amazing animals, and Chinese acrobats, that weren't legal in the United States. I was severely disappointed. The most exhilarating part was the girl spinning a ball on her feet, wearing a thong leotard.

So when Nate invited me to the circus, I was once again excited to see what an American circus had to offer. We ate cotton candy and snow cones. We nestled in amongst the thousands of parents and small children, and prepared to be amazed.

The opening act was in the center ring. I had to literally fight back the tears as I watched an overweight man, wearing a sleeveless, sequined, fire inspired jumpsuit whip the tigers. Nate and I openly wanted one of the tigers to maul the master. I think they de-clawed them, and I think they only had to the two big teeth.

We sat through a horrible dance to Britney Spear's "Circus" and a strip tease by the same dancers, a dog show that was really a bunch of dogs jumping over things and catching frisbees, jugglers, indo board riders, an overweight woman spinning balls on her feet, two Hispanic lovers amaze us with there death defying tightrope and subsequent falling multiple times, and other tricks.

There were three acts that did amaze us. The 3 motocross riders in the metal ball (we felt a little more white trash after), the Hispanic family trapeze extraordinaire, and the elephants! They were amazing and almost redeeming. I recently watched "Water for Elephants" so I was in the circus mood, and slightly wished I had a sequined leo and matching headpiece that I could have worn as I rode around the arena.

The conclusion we both came to is that we won't be going back to the circus until we have little children. But, I don't want my kids to think it's ok to treat animals, and humans, that way.



The best part of the whole night came when we were walking out. This little kid was taking his time walking in front of us and when we went to pass him, he was one of the cutest little Down's kids I have ever seen. He gave us the biggest smile, and Nate just started laughing and shaking his head. He stated "Out of all the thousands of kids here, you happened to find the one with Down's". I think it's another sign!

Tender Mercy

Today I went to Kmart for the second time in my life.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a man who had a cat on a leash. Seriously. I was going to take a picture, but he looked like he would kill me if I did because he has a warrant out for his arrest. Reflecting back on it, I should have, because if Dog the Bounty Hunter is looking for him,I could have met Leland! Anyways, as I drove past the man and the cat, I saw his wife or girlfriend leaning against there car (which was packed to the brim with everything they owned), smoking a cigarette.

As I started walking into the store, I saw a mother and son walking in front of me. The son had Down's and it made me smile. I almost took a picture to send to Nate with the message "It's a sign!". Then, when I approached the door, he stopped and said, "After you!" and let me into the store before him.

I couldn't stop smiling for about 5 straight minutes. I even smiled at the homeless man who I think was following me around the store. Today was a good day.

"You have the weirdest eating habits out of everyone I know. Even my anorexics."

So if I'm ever hungry at work, I just watch the patients eat food and then, voila, I'm no longer hungry. It's like a train wreck, because it turns your stomach, but it's fascinating at the same time. I have seen the most random combinations of foods, sauces, and use of utensils.

About two days ago, I ran out of groceries and had to buy lunch at the "restaurant" at work. It's called the Canteen, and patients work there to make money and prepare for discharge. I ordered a chicken basket, which is deep-fried chicken strips and french fries. I sat in the corner away from everyone and ate my lunch.

About half-way through my meal, I looked down at my meal and realized that I eat like one of my patients. I was tearing little bits of chicken and eating them, all the while wiping my fingers and face in between each bite. I also lined the table under my food with napkins, and if anything touched the actual tabletop, I wouldn't eat it.

I always joked that some of my co-workers are one cork away from commitment. I guess I'm not as "normal" as I thought. But like they always say, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost