Almost everyone I know is afraid of clowns. I'm not; they're not my favorite part of the circus, and I think they're a little creepy, but they don't actually make me nervous. However, even I was uneasy a couple of times at this event. It felt so oddly voyeuristic to be there, watching what was essentially mourning for a very insular group of people. And yet, the voyeurism was encouraged and our attention was sought after with performances and prizes and trivia games - there was an actual program for about an hour and fifteen minutes, leading up to a procession of clowns laying flowers on the Showman's Rest memorial.
The world's most adorable dog, apparently a mix of corgi and golden retriever. He turned out to be part of the show and is named Jelly.
Clowns were handing out goodies, including smiley face stickers and plastic cockroaches. Colleen was thrilled with her plastic bug, and less excited when she saw some real ants.
The primary source of my discomfort. (He's the one who was handing out cockroaches, naturally.) At one point, I was taking pictures of the show, and he walked right in front of us - about six inches away. I didn't see him coming, and I think I stopped breathing for a second. I'd been trying to get a good picture of him for a while, and I think he'd noticed and was trying to unsettle us on purpose. It worked.
2 comments:
What a weirdly wonderful thing. I told a friend of mine that you were going to some kind of a clown memorial service and he asked, "Was it serious?"
At first I said, "As serious as one can be, I suppose, dressed as a clown." But then I added, "Which is pretty serious, I guess."
Love, love, LOVE the black-suited clown, "clowning" so seriously in front of the grave marker. I want a print of that.
It is unsettling. A tragic accident made into a sort of circus sideshow, but perhaps it's appropriate for the victims to be honored in that way. Maybe it's what they would want.
The person who chooses to be a clown is something of a mystery to me. I have to say that the cockroach-giving clown is somewhat troubling and dark.
Thank you for the clown funeral explanation, dearest! xo
p.s. I hope your sunburn is better :)
Post a Comment