ArticlesA friend of mine is an trained acrobat. He is well-built, as he often works base. You know when you see acrobats standing on top of each others shoulders, three-high, and you wonder how the guy on the bottom can support them? Well, he’s the guy on the bottom.
I, on the other hand, am not a trained acrobat.
I was with him once, when another acrobat that I didn’t know particularly well came up to us. She asked him about a gig. He explained he was unavailable then, and I joked that it was no problem as I would take his place. As we laughed, she briefly grasped me tightly, but warmly, by the upper-arm, and then excused herself went off to find another acrobat.
It all seemed very friendly, until I noticed a few seconds later that I could still feel where she had grasped me – she had pushed her thumb in harder than you might expect.
I realised she wasn’t just being friendly. She was surreptitiously testing my biceps to check my acrobatic credentials.
I felt slightly violated! I had just been evaluated like a piece of meat… and clearly found wanting.
Comment by Cassie on June 23, 2006
I have just finished putting together my audition video to get into a circus course. One criterion I had to include was “maximum number of chin ups”. Plural?!
This story is exactly the thing I did not want to read after that.
Excellent timing.
Comment by Aristotle Pagaltzis on June 23, 2006
It’s your own damn fault if you read Julian’s weblog, Cassie.
Comment by Cassie on June 23, 2006
Aristotle, I was just empathising with Julian, in a round about kind of way, because I am sure that I will be found lacking muscles and acrobatic ability too. No need to get snippy now.
Comment by Aristotle Pagaltzis on June 23, 2006
And I was just ribbing Julian, in a round about kind of way. ;)
Comment by Cassie on June 24, 2006
Aristotle, do you feel like this conversation is akin to talking about Julian behind his back, while he’s still in the room?
It looks like we’re both little kids trying to attract his attention by talking about him, but he’s just playing the “I’m too mature for that” role.
C’mon Joooolian. Don’t be a poo poo head. Play with us… I’ll give you a lolleee…
Comment by Aristotle Pagaltzis on June 24, 2006
Err, I think I’ll refrain from making any comments about lollies.
Comment by Julian on June 24, 2006
Hey kids, will you be quiet in the backseat? The adults are trying to talk. If I have to turn this blog around…
Cassie: You’re expecting a response from me within a couple of hours of you posting a comment? I am not sure you are on the right blog! I have some other priorities: a life, a job, other blog articles and most importantly trying to work out in what way Aristotle’s initial comment could be seen as ribbing me. I think I might get that get that after re-reading it another few dozen times.
Good luck with the audition tape… or are acrobats like actors? Should I say “break a leg?”
Comment by Cassie on June 24, 2006
Go on – I dare ya to turn this blog around.
No, I wasn’t expecting a response. Merely writing crap… like this. I also have other priorities, but I am very good at procrastinating. Have you considered quitting your job to give you time to figure out Aristotle’s comment – it is most important after all.
I’m neither an acrobat nor an actor. I do not know how alike they are. I’m pretty sure that, on average, acrobats are more cut than actors.
Comment by Julian on June 25, 2006
I spoke to some acrobats today, and was told that they use the term “chookas” instead. So, now you know.
I think the difference is that acrobats think they are more cut than actors, and actors think they are more cute than acrobats. Hope that helps.