The Circus
A contest entry for my first job.13 total reviews
Comment from lyenochka
WOW! Your first job was with the circus? But actually, you helped with caring for little ones since you were really little. Loved this story, Alie. What an amazing and mature eleven-year-old. And that lifestyle of traveling is something you still do!
Minor nit:
for the children' rides. (children's) ?
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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WOW! Your first job was with the circus? But actually, you helped with caring for little ones since you were really little. Loved this story, Alie. What an amazing and mature eleven-year-old. And that lifestyle of traveling is something you still do!
Minor nit:
for the children' rides. (children's) ?
Comment Written 22-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2021
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, Helen. Your comments were great. I will fix that in a few minutes.
Comment from Spitfire
I had to read this winning story. You give wonderful details of every aspect of your job that summer. Circus people are indeed a family, and I expect you learned loyalty as well that summer.
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2018
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I had to read this winning story. You give wonderful details of every aspect of your job that summer. Circus people are indeed a family, and I expect you learned loyalty as well that summer.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2018
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate your kind and honest comments. Yes I did enjoy the many summers I had with the circus. It was actually life changing.
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I liked to see you write more on this--maybe specific experiences.
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I had several readers comment that they were surprised to learn this so I have started a book about my adventures in life from the time I met my husband, Jim.
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Alie. This is a wonderful memoir. Frankly, I didn't even know you wrote this. I stumbled upon it today. Congratulations on winning first place for this delightful story. My uncle was a "Carnie," as they were called back in those days, I guess. He traveled with a carnival and was gone for weeks at a time. Somehow my aunt and uncle managed to have four kids, so I guess they got together sometimes. Now I know why you travel so much and have such an interesting life, having grown up with it like that. Congrats again. Marilyn
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2018
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Hi Alie. This is a wonderful memoir. Frankly, I didn't even know you wrote this. I stumbled upon it today. Congratulations on winning first place for this delightful story. My uncle was a "Carnie," as they were called back in those days, I guess. He traveled with a carnival and was gone for weeks at a time. Somehow my aunt and uncle managed to have four kids, so I guess they got together sometimes. Now I know why you travel so much and have such an interesting life, having grown up with it like that. Congrats again. Marilyn
Comment Written 30-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 30-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Marilyn. I appreciate your interesting comments. Lol, the comment about your aunt and uncle and four kids was priceless. Yep, I remember 'carnie". I guess I suffered a double wammie- enjoying the circus life for my summers and then a professor told us that people with Native American Indian ancestry have a tendency to be a nomad because of the need to follow the bison, the food. Thanks for the congrats.
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Then I must be Native American because I like it, too. :)
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BIG SMILE!!!!
Comment from LynnetteOK
I think every child dreams of running away with the circus at some point. I'm glad you were able to do it in a safe way. I like how much you stressed the fact that the employees were so well connected to each other like a family. As first jobs go, you had a pretty good one. Best of luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2018
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I think every child dreams of running away with the circus at some point. I'm glad you were able to do it in a safe way. I like how much you stressed the fact that the employees were so well connected to each other like a family. As first jobs go, you had a pretty good one. Best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate your kind comments and of course the good luck wishes.
Comment from LaRosa
My favorite book as a child was 'Toby Tyler, or, 10 Weeks with a Circus'. I could get quite melodramatic about running away and joining one. And you got to do it for fun! Wonderful.
And on top of it, my greatest fantasy: a job without shoes!
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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My favorite book as a child was 'Toby Tyler, or, 10 Weeks with a Circus'. I could get quite melodramatic about running away and joining one. And you got to do it for fun! Wonderful.
And on top of it, my greatest fantasy: a job without shoes!
Comment Written 25-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing and for your kind comments. Alas I only had the shoeless job for three summers, then I was upgraded to the rides, I look more adult by that time, lol.
Comment from GowerHug
I really enjoyed this insight into circus life. Like you, I always had the same dream of running away but never was able to fulfill it. It's really interesting when you describe the set up times and the daily routines. Plus I love the family aspect where you all eat together in the morning. Your writing does convey your excitement and enjoyment if this life. What an amazing first job to have! Thanks for sharing such an interesting piece and good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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I really enjoyed this insight into circus life. Like you, I always had the same dream of running away but never was able to fulfill it. It's really interesting when you describe the set up times and the daily routines. Plus I love the family aspect where you all eat together in the morning. Your writing does convey your excitement and enjoyment if this life. What an amazing first job to have! Thanks for sharing such an interesting piece and good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 25-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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Thank you for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate your kind comments and good luck wishes. The morning meals and meetings were what laid great stepping stones in my life.
Comment from damommy
What an exciting story. You lived every boys' dream, I bet.
I'm guessing you have lots of stories to tell about this summer job. Looking forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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What an exciting story. You lived every boys' dream, I bet.
I'm guessing you have lots of stories to tell about this summer job. Looking forward to reading more.
Comment Written 25-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2018
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Thank you for reading and reviewing and for your kind comments.
Comment from Swampfox1
How fascinating to actually join the circus at such a young age and gain such valuable experience that would help all through life. Cool that you were able to continue that until you were 18 years of age. I like the story, it is well written, and it flows well and I think you stand a good chance in the first job contest. Not too many people will be able to brag about having the circus as a first job.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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How fascinating to actually join the circus at such a young age and gain such valuable experience that would help all through life. Cool that you were able to continue that until you were 18 years of age. I like the story, it is well written, and it flows well and I think you stand a good chance in the first job contest. Not too many people will be able to brag about having the circus as a first job.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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Thank you so very much for reading and then taking the time to review. I really appreciate your concrete comments. And thanks for the good luck thoughts.
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You're welcome
Comment from Lady Jane
My aunt and uncle actually traveled year-round(.) (They'd head) north in the summer, (then) south in the winter. - just so it reads a bit smoother.
My aunt (who) met my uncle about fifteen years before, liked the sense of adventure and married him.
Couples had smaller areas in a caravan divided in two. - no comma needed
that a man and a woman did better for the children(') rides
Actually, in all the summers I worked(,) there was never an argument nor a robbery at the booths.
Some people snuck in booze and when they got a snoot full(,) they became obnoxious.
The fair grounds did not open until 11(:)30 am and closed down at 10(:)00 pm
I had grown up over that summer(.) (P)hysically I was a scrawny eleven year old, but in my mind and my heart, I was an adult.
I returned every summer until I was eighteen(.) I enjoyed my summer(.)
Some edit suggestions above, but an overall enjoyable reading experience. Thorough explanation of "your first job," and I am amazed you were able to pen it all so fluidly. Well done. I'll come back and upgrade if you'd like once edits are made. Good luck in the contest. The flow was good. The writer was vivid in detail when associating the aspects of circus life, and the accompanying image was adorable. Nicely done, Keep writing!
Janelle
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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My aunt and uncle actually traveled year-round(.) (They'd head) north in the summer, (then) south in the winter. - just so it reads a bit smoother.
My aunt (who) met my uncle about fifteen years before, liked the sense of adventure and married him.
Couples had smaller areas in a caravan divided in two. - no comma needed
that a man and a woman did better for the children(') rides
Actually, in all the summers I worked(,) there was never an argument nor a robbery at the booths.
Some people snuck in booze and when they got a snoot full(,) they became obnoxious.
The fair grounds did not open until 11(:)30 am and closed down at 10(:)00 pm
I had grown up over that summer(.) (P)hysically I was a scrawny eleven year old, but in my mind and my heart, I was an adult.
I returned every summer until I was eighteen(.) I enjoyed my summer(.)
Some edit suggestions above, but an overall enjoyable reading experience. Thorough explanation of "your first job," and I am amazed you were able to pen it all so fluidly. Well done. I'll come back and upgrade if you'd like once edits are made. Good luck in the contest. The flow was good. The writer was vivid in detail when associating the aspects of circus life, and the accompanying image was adorable. Nicely done, Keep writing!
Janelle
Comment Written 24-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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Thank you so much for reading and then taking the time to review. I really appreciate your constructive comments and will make those changes in a few minutes. Also thank you for the good luck wishes.
Comment from mally mack
What a super cool first job story! This is much better than mine which was making coffee at Dunkin Donuts. The artwork chosen is fantastic as well. Kudos on the photo credit given to the artist as well. Not everyone seems to do that when they come from outside sources.
I look forward to stumbling across your writing again!
Good Luck in the Contest
Mallory
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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What a super cool first job story! This is much better than mine which was making coffee at Dunkin Donuts. The artwork chosen is fantastic as well. Kudos on the photo credit given to the artist as well. Not everyone seems to do that when they come from outside sources.
I look forward to stumbling across your writing again!
Good Luck in the Contest
Mallory
Comment Written 24-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2018
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Thank you so very much for reading and then taking the time to review. I really appreciate you kind comments. Thank you as well for the comment about the photo artist, I just consider it polite to do so. Oh and thanks for the good luck wishes.