Tonight, I added something to my list of things I want to do. After watching the skits at the clown workshop, the gag jokes and the slapstick, I was ready to run away and join the circus. I drove away with tears in my eyes. I want to be on stage and do silly things and ad lib and make people laugh. I'm not sure how to make that happen, but its in my stars, its in my destiny. I could taste it.
I sat in the room with people that have been clowns longer than I have been alive. I sat with people my age that have been clowning for 25 years. I want to be 80 and say I've been clowning for 25 years. I'm not really interested in the kids birthday parties, and I struggle with balloon animals. I am interested in the stage part....the part that right smack dab on center stage. This comes from a kid who used to hide behind the chair when someone knocked on the door, and as a teenager, couldn't call on the phone to order pizza.
Where I found my voice, I'm not sure. I just didn't have much to say the first 50 years of my life. Now, I want to make it all a comedy and act it out. or write a book of short stories about my life. They are really just one act plays that when they are put together in real life make me.
It will be interesting to see how this next year plays out. Look for me on some comedy stage soon. I will be there.
12 October 2007
11 October 2007
A Bunch of Clowns
I spent all day with a bunch of clowns. Yes, the real ones. The Ringling Brother's kind of clowns. Its a four day workshop on perfecting the art of clowning. I'm what they call a Joey. I've been a clown for about 6 months. Some of the attendees have been clowns for 50 years. The stories they tell, are what movies are made of.
When I was a kid, I like so many others, wanted to run away and join the circus. Its sounded good. I had no idea what exactly that meant. I've been a goofball all my life. Before I turned 50 I was a shy goofball. Now I'm a loud one. It was on the list of things I wanted to do during my life – be a clown. I also wanted to work with hospice as a volunteer. So, I am a volunteer with Hospice as a clown. I checked off two things on my list, with one organization - Tidewell Hospice & Palliative Care.
Part of the workshop today was learning how to twirl plates on a stick, make balloon animals and juggling. I got the jungling down, and after many attempts had a plate spinning on a stick. The red plates spun the best. I couldn't get the blue ones going. I was told they were the same, but I disagree. My balloon animals look like biological disasters. My dog had legs that didn't match in length. I couldn't even pretend they were cats or pigs. So I started making abstract hats. That seemed to work much better.
There's something magical about being a clown. Its not just putting on the makeup, although that is part of it. It comes from the heart outwards.
When I was a kid, I like so many others, wanted to run away and join the circus. Its sounded good. I had no idea what exactly that meant. I've been a goofball all my life. Before I turned 50 I was a shy goofball. Now I'm a loud one. It was on the list of things I wanted to do during my life – be a clown. I also wanted to work with hospice as a volunteer. So, I am a volunteer with Hospice as a clown. I checked off two things on my list, with one organization - Tidewell Hospice & Palliative Care.
Part of the workshop today was learning how to twirl plates on a stick, make balloon animals and juggling. I got the jungling down, and after many attempts had a plate spinning on a stick. The red plates spun the best. I couldn't get the blue ones going. I was told they were the same, but I disagree. My balloon animals look like biological disasters. My dog had legs that didn't match in length. I couldn't even pretend they were cats or pigs. So I started making abstract hats. That seemed to work much better.
There's something magical about being a clown. Its not just putting on the makeup, although that is part of it. It comes from the heart outwards.
10 October 2007
Leave It On The Court
Hi Bob
I have to tell you a story about this past weekend in Daytona. While watching one of your teammates play, I kept hearing you say "leave it on the court". I thought, gee, I've never quit thought of it like that. Give it your all, and leave it on the court. Good shot...leave it on the court. Bad Shot...leave it on the court. Match won...leave it on the court. Match lost...leave it on the court.
My first match was discouraging, the forehand I love just took a vacation. The second match it was there. We split sets, and I was serving for the match in the tie breaker. First serve to the woman....won...it is 9-7. Then I had to serve to the guy, who had this huge forehand. Ok, I thought, just get it in and deal with it. Missed (I should never "just get it in"). Second serve....and then I heard you in my head....leave it on the court. Ok, here goes. I've been practicing a kick serve for the past month. This was the moment, and I hit the most beautiful kick serve that took him by surprise, and he hit it up and out.
I think I'll always remember.... leave it on the court. It applies to so much more than just a tennis game.
thanks
judy
I have to tell you a story about this past weekend in Daytona. While watching one of your teammates play, I kept hearing you say "leave it on the court". I thought, gee, I've never quit thought of it like that. Give it your all, and leave it on the court. Good shot...leave it on the court. Bad Shot...leave it on the court. Match won...leave it on the court. Match lost...leave it on the court.
My first match was discouraging, the forehand I love just took a vacation. The second match it was there. We split sets, and I was serving for the match in the tie breaker. First serve to the woman....won...it is 9-7. Then I had to serve to the guy, who had this huge forehand. Ok, I thought, just get it in and deal with it. Missed (I should never "just get it in"). Second serve....and then I heard you in my head....leave it on the court. Ok, here goes. I've been practicing a kick serve for the past month. This was the moment, and I hit the most beautiful kick serve that took him by surprise, and he hit it up and out.
I think I'll always remember.... leave it on the court. It applies to so much more than just a tennis game.
thanks
judy
09 October 2007
Worn Shoes
Today, after my second tennis match of the day, I knew my tennis shoes needed replacing. They were done and my feet hurt. I can't tell you much more than that, but they are soon to be replaced by a new pair. My shoes last me about 6 months. After playing about 5 tennis matches a week, the spring has sprung.
The whiteness of my shoes were soon replaced by the color of the clay of the court. Its like they are dirty blonde, but on my shoes, instead of my hair.
If these shoes could talk, they would tell you all about the struggle to fit in at a tennis club filled with ladies in matching outfits, and young bodies. My outfits rarely match. I wear Nike and Adidas all on the same day, at the same time. One day I had Adidas on my head, Champion for my sports bra, Nike for my shirt, Armour for my compression shorts, Marcia for my skirt. I did have New Balance shoes and socks, but that is as far as matching goes. Some ladies match all the way down to their Nike stripes! I didn't even know you could order custom colored Nike swashes. My outfits are ala carte TJ Max.
Oh well, it might go back to grade school and high school where I HAD to wear a uniform, and HAD to have it all match, in fear of getting demerits. Its my way of getting back at the universe. Not matching. I do want to fit in though, in my own "not matching" sort of way. I will admit though, that the nuns always seemed to match. Come to think of it, most of my outfits are black and white......
The whiteness of my shoes were soon replaced by the color of the clay of the court. Its like they are dirty blonde, but on my shoes, instead of my hair.
If these shoes could talk, they would tell you all about the struggle to fit in at a tennis club filled with ladies in matching outfits, and young bodies. My outfits rarely match. I wear Nike and Adidas all on the same day, at the same time. One day I had Adidas on my head, Champion for my sports bra, Nike for my shirt, Armour for my compression shorts, Marcia for my skirt. I did have New Balance shoes and socks, but that is as far as matching goes. Some ladies match all the way down to their Nike stripes! I didn't even know you could order custom colored Nike swashes. My outfits are ala carte TJ Max.
Oh well, it might go back to grade school and high school where I HAD to wear a uniform, and HAD to have it all match, in fear of getting demerits. Its my way of getting back at the universe. Not matching. I do want to fit in though, in my own "not matching" sort of way. I will admit though, that the nuns always seemed to match. Come to think of it, most of my outfits are black and white......
08 October 2007
Kicking Butt
Someone asked me today if I kicked butt at Daytona this past weekend. My reply was that I got my butt kicked and then I kicked someone else butt. It was the Senior 7.0 Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament ---state finals. Pretty impressive. Felt right at home with all the Seniors. We all walked around quit cocky, telling each other how good we looked for our age. I'm only 4 years into this SeniorLand. Its not so bad, especially when I am standing next to a 80 year old. It makes me look like some hot chick!!!
My partner, Ernie and I faced off with a team from St. Pete. We had 10 minutes of warmup. Now really. I think seniors should be allowed a few more minutes. It takes a bit more time to warm up our engines. We certainly don't want to pull anything. We had some really great shots, and we had some really bad shots. The problem was that the bad ones didn't overcome the good ones. With two rain delays, we finished. Our butts kicked.
The next day Ernie and I faced off with a team from Gainesville. A really tall guy who never smiled and a lady that looked like a school teacher. The pace of the game was a much better match. We split sets and it got down to tie breaker. Ernie was pulled wide, and hit a tremendous shot down the line. I was jumping and pumping my arms. Two points to go, and it was my turn to serve. "Oh, please don't let my arms turn to rubber". I served the to school marm and we got the point. One point to go and we would win. The opposing giant was hitting forehand winners all day. I had to serve to him. First serve - out. Second serve, I tossed it up. Now I've been practicing my kick serve for the last month. Its like hitting a superball. It bounces up unexpectedly. I knew he could hit pace. He'd been doing it all day. So up the ball went, I hit it with arms that were strong, and the kick serve went in, bounced up and he hit it out.
What can I say....shot of a lifetime. We kicked butt!
My partner, Ernie and I faced off with a team from St. Pete. We had 10 minutes of warmup. Now really. I think seniors should be allowed a few more minutes. It takes a bit more time to warm up our engines. We certainly don't want to pull anything. We had some really great shots, and we had some really bad shots. The problem was that the bad ones didn't overcome the good ones. With two rain delays, we finished. Our butts kicked.
The next day Ernie and I faced off with a team from Gainesville. A really tall guy who never smiled and a lady that looked like a school teacher. The pace of the game was a much better match. We split sets and it got down to tie breaker. Ernie was pulled wide, and hit a tremendous shot down the line. I was jumping and pumping my arms. Two points to go, and it was my turn to serve. "Oh, please don't let my arms turn to rubber". I served the to school marm and we got the point. One point to go and we would win. The opposing giant was hitting forehand winners all day. I had to serve to him. First serve - out. Second serve, I tossed it up. Now I've been practicing my kick serve for the last month. Its like hitting a superball. It bounces up unexpectedly. I knew he could hit pace. He'd been doing it all day. So up the ball went, I hit it with arms that were strong, and the kick serve went in, bounced up and he hit it out.
What can I say....shot of a lifetime. We kicked butt!
03 October 2007
Black & White
I never knew how many black and white outfits I owned until I started packing for a weekend trip to Daytona. Senior Mixed Tennis tournament. 10 teams from around Florida compete for the crown. Clean shirts. Clean shorts and socks. Nothing worse than not having just the right piece of clothing. Of course, I need to take everything I own, even if its just for 2 or three matches. I need to make sure my mojo is just right. I won't be able to "be the ball" if I'm worried that my shirt is not feeling or looking right.
There is so much to tennis, that doesn't even show up on the court. Its the match between my ears that will be the hardest to control. Confidence to "go for it", letting my intuition be the leader, and not changing my mind in the midst of my stroke. I need to move my feet to the ball, and not lean in what my friends call "butt shots" It's where you plant your feet, and lean way out to hit the ball. So much easier to just move my feet, until the stress of competing makes my shoes concrete.
So I will be packing up tonight, with all my tennis stuff. My daughter often comments "don't you own anything but tennis outfits" I'm starting to agree with her.
There is so much to tennis, that doesn't even show up on the court. Its the match between my ears that will be the hardest to control. Confidence to "go for it", letting my intuition be the leader, and not changing my mind in the midst of my stroke. I need to move my feet to the ball, and not lean in what my friends call "butt shots" It's where you plant your feet, and lean way out to hit the ball. So much easier to just move my feet, until the stress of competing makes my shoes concrete.
So I will be packing up tonight, with all my tennis stuff. My daughter often comments "don't you own anything but tennis outfits" I'm starting to agree with her.
02 October 2007
Zoe
Zoe had such a black little face when we first brought her home. Her dark eyes were lost in puppy fur. As she got older her coat changed to a lighter gray. Her eyes stayed dark. We still after 13 years, can't tell when she is looking as us. We live with Zoe, she is definitely in charge. Jack Russel Terriers need a strong hand, and firm owners. She got the "do whatever" kind of owners. There are limits though. She can't eat off the table.
Zoe loves to bury things - chicken bones, bagels, old pizza crust. One night when I went to bed, I found a drumstick under my pillow. She was saving it for later. Another day, she was walking around the house, whining, with a bagel in her mouth. She finally found a good hiding place behind the floor length curtains. I checked on it later and it was gone.
There have been signs of her getting on the kitchen counter, but I have only once caught her in the act, standing behind the stove, eating old macaroni and cheese out of the pot. She must have heard me coming. When I came in the room, there she sat, calmly. If her eyes weren't so dark, I would be able to see guilt in them.
She's also taught us to pick up our clothes. Anything she finds, that she likes she eats. Doesn't matter if its clothing or food.
Zoe is old now, and we give her some slack. Her favorite place to rest is smack dab in the middle of the dining room table. Now, I've never caught her, just see the mess around her when she greets me at the door!
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