paying bills while hanging 40 feet high with no net

So, a question that seems to follow me around is "does it pay the rent?". Well, sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't. I would say that during the hot spots throughout the year, my bills are easily covered by circus performance alone. Holidays, community events, corporate parties... these are the things that I thrive on. Lately my bookings have brought me aerial gigs for the most part. everyone wants their own little 'cirque' party, and what better to set the scene than a mysterious man in flowing fabric above your head. It's kind of an easy 'in' when it comes to making the performers cut, and has been for almost two years.
I first got my start with aerial climbing in late spring of 2007. My first teacher was Autumn Augustus, who is also the creator and life blood behind Cirkus Pandemonium. Autumn saw my potential before anyone else, and jumped on the opportunity to lead me on the path to proficiency. Just like 95% of the populace, i was very reluctant to climb into the air, knot myself up and let go, falling into the hands of a brilliantly red poly-fiber ribbon. Those first moments, sitting in a cradle of silk trying to let go, were simply frightening. To be honest, I learned very little in the privacy of practice. It took the pressure of putting myself out there in front of an audience for me to really progress.
I look back on those days, and wonder how I made it through without killing myself. I was simply driven by the essence of my nick-name, Danger. Even now, I occasionally look down from above, in the midst of some high profile gig, and wonder if I have the guts to perform from my heart. Trusting that my training has provided me with the safety precautions necessary to keep me aloft, and in good health. It's like a lover, reeling me in, caressing me, whispering assurances... I trust thee, my love.
The question I ask you today, reader, is 'have you given yourself to passion? to trust?'. For the love of it is the only true reason to do anything, but it sure is nice when it pays the bills too...
Tune in next time, as I lead you on an elephant ride through the circus world. Ciao!