Volume I, Issue 35
February 2 - February 9, 1998

On the eve of my 18th birthday, I ran away and joined the circus. I'll never forget those days: letting them shoot me out of a cannon to test the reliability of the the safety net, helping the lion tamer get his head out of that big cat's mouth the day after I forgot to feed it (oops!), taking testosterone pills so I could grow my first beard....it was a young woman's dream come true. I never did come to terms with my fear of clowns -- not even after the day they attacked me with mallets to "shock" me out of my phobia -- but I still had a terrific time. And with physical therapy, I was able to walk again just a year later.

That's why I'm so very pleased to recommend a couple of fine stories in this week's Arts & Leisure section. This article couldn't be more fun: It's a Day at the Circus, as told by a fellow named Ian Blackburn, who, incidentally, is also afraid of clowns. (Hey there, Ian, I'd be happy to help you get past your fears, if you've got the time.) Another story explains the crazy, mad-cap antics of Cirque Ingenieux, a new breed of circus that turns "whimsical flights of fancy" into literal reality -- all the while telling a dramatic story. Now that's one kooky circus.

While we're on the subject of dramatic stories, be sure to take a look at this week's many theatre reviews. Whether it's a musical, comedy, homosexual monologue or a play related to the Titanic disaster, you can read about it here. We've also got articles about Old Salem, North Carolina and a museum exhibit based on a slave ship.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to hobble on over to my physical therapist's office for an appointment. Honk honk.

Now What?
A gallery of captivating links to keep your imagination churning while the paint dries. [10]