Carny Chronicles: The Beginning
I was 18 when I began my journey as a carny. A lifestyle that would span just over 20 years. It wasn't some Hollywood start, with some bizarre or epic entrance into a unique subculture. It was pretty mundane. If anything, it started like the film "Adventureland" . Just a teenager, with no job, no prospects, and just another summer in a small town. I already had something of a reputation for being a local nuisance. Getting into trouble, fights, and fairly high regularly. But this summer was different. This summer, I wanted something different. I had heard stories about being a carny. I even had a few friends who worked the shows every summer. So that year, I decided to give it a try. At this point, I wasn't homeless , but rather more of a transient. So it was an easy decision to pack a duffle bag and hit the road. The first show I worked for turned out to be a bad idea. I found myself stranded out in the country, and I walked for MILES until I found a tattoo shop. They...
