Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Home Sweet Home...

I will put up a big blog tomorrow
We just got home to await the birth of baby Genevive
For now just dig on these cool pictures my friend Ryan Easley took
The last couple days







"They say misery loves company,
But it damn sure aint lookin for me,
I'll be alright, I just need to find,
Someone to break my heart tonight"
Reckless Kelly

26 comments:

Tavana said...

Tomorrow route slip:
Hard work spotlights the character of people:some turn up their sleeves,some turn up their noses,and some don't turn up at all.
Missing you guys already-glad you are home!

Tavana

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Great quote!
Should be posted at the back door since some don't drive,,,,but then again,,,some don't do the show either.


Miss everyone...
Everyone be safe!!!

It is a jungle out there

Ryan Easley said...

Nice pictures!
Wow that cat is getting some air. Very impressive.
Thanks Casey for letting us hang out! Can't promise i'll bring a hot girl next time but alcohol for sure!

GaryHill said...

Casey is this leap from a prop or off the ground?

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Gary,
It is from the ground. Pretty good leap huh?

GaryHill said...

Excellent!!!

john herriott said...

New one for North 2-KM. Never heard of a feature act leaving the show for a period of time because of wife pregnancy. Or any performer for that matter. Also it appears that dog act is out as well. I note this has been mentioned on the blog for a few weeks, but it seems no replacement has been hired. I assume cat act is publicized and maybe pictured on kid tickets. Guess they can cfopy the other Ringling titled shows and have a TV screne to show acts. It seems that bareback rider-elephant presenter also had a baby born, but he remained on the show. I had threekids born enroute and note that Katja Schumann Binder gave birth between shows. Must be some reason that we are not aware of, but it very unusual. I note there was note much of a replacement for the great Fuco acts, so it would seem the show would be a little weak. I note that daughter Laurs was there and had to have emergency Cancer surgery but grandaughter Jennifer stepped up and cAPABLY worked her acts as well, so nothing was out. Just curious.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

John Herriot,
I am quite sure it is unusual. And yes there are circumstances and health concerns that you are not aware of, and are none of your DAMN BUSINESS! The important parties are aware. You are correct that everyone who needed to know, has been aware quite some time (Management knew we would be leaving before the last season ended) and opted to hire the acts anyway. You are incorrect about Armando,he did leave for four or five days,and a replacement was there to work act. As far as the Cat act being advertised, it is not for the next three weeks. I am glad Laura is recovering well from her surgeries and cancer.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Addendum to Johnny,
I also pride myself on having never put myself...or the circus...before the well being and happiness of my family. Contrary to what many believe the Circus is just a job it is not my life, and it will not define me. I believe for the rest of the world they call this "Maternity Leave" and they actually pay you for it. Though the acts are not being paid at this time, we have had nothing but support at this time from the KM management. As I believe your daughter had during her absence. Others in this business have done what they had to do during pregnancies, and I applaud that. Being that we have not had the best of luck with the last two, I felt compelled to come home to Natalie's doctor and take no chances, as I would hate to ever feel that I put my family second to a job. If you want to be proud of being a gypsy and giving birth in whatever wagon was handy,,,,it is your prerogative.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Anonymous,
As much as I agree with your remark about Herriot's comment, I will not run it. It is cowardly to attack a person if they don't know who it is attacking them. I wouldn't let him get you all worked up like that either. I try not to pay him much mind. I just hope 20 years from now I won't be so miserable, and half to look back 20 years to see my accomplishments.

Steve said...

Casey - hear, hear. You can always get another booking but you can't replace a life.

More power to you.

Tavana said...

It is hard to believe a person could be that insensitive.

john herriott said...

You will note that I suggested the situation could be something that we are noy aware of so naturally I am not insensitave and hope for the very best for you and your family. I am not alone in wondering how two acts would leave a circus during the season and not be replaced, especialy being very important acts in the show. I am a family man and the greatest joy in my life has been with my wife, children and grandchildren. That superceeds all. We sacrifice alot in this nomadic form of life and at times wonder if it is even worth it. I have even heard you suggest the sae in your blog. So I made my comment and do not take it back or make apologies. My very best to you and yours. I note some other comments would suggest otherwise, but I am a big boy and have had to roll with the punches and of course I have not lost any sleep. I just like to call it the way I see it and ood or bad that has sustained me over the year. Note you are dedicated in your training endeavors and Applaud you for that, just do not blow your own horn too loud.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

John Herriot,
I believe you do call it the way you see it. I also believe you only see a tiny bit of the big picture from a couch in FL. I think you have "sour grapes" because your family is not on Kelly Miller, and some how you feel slighted by that. You can grind your axe,,,,just don't grind it at my family. As far as "blowing my own horn too loud" I think I play a pretty nice tune plan to write a few more. I am very proud of all I have done so far in life, and plan to do much much more. Surely you would agree that the Circus in general is at an all time low for personal pride, and that is evident with alot of the acts today. No Mr. Herriot, I think I will continue being "proud" and I will continue trying to do more then the rest.

john herriott said...

A PS to Tavana in regard to my being insensitive. Maybe my memory is better than yours as I recall that our Herriott Family was more than just supportive during a very difficult time in your life. I only mention this on the blog because you have publically chosen to call me insensitive.

It is a great conincidence and am sure favorable for all parties involved that the nut can be sizeably cut during that bleak trek across the spring season when biz is zilt.

I recall being a party of one last year in suggesting that the blogger at that time should be shut up or redlighted and that the circus operations were confidential to the circus. I still believe that however it seems that mgmnt. has now allowed, or should I say accepted A total of three daily blogs, so if they are out there I and others will read them as a public entity.

In regard to all of this I believe DR, Hoxie or Jake Mills are turning over in their graves.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Johnny,
I have had this blog for many years. And when time has allowed updated it from many shows, including the Gopher's. This is not communist Russia, or Nazi Germany. Here in the civilized world, we have the right (Weren't you in a conflict over seas) to free speech. I imagine back in the days of proudly ripping people off, the Circus biz, would have greatly disproved of Blogs. All of that "hush hush" top secret BULLSHIT is what has made the circus less practical in modern society. Open up several magazines or web pages and you can see the route and grosses of any other major form of entertainment. Look a little more and you can find the salaries of any major entertainer or professional athlete. Are you suggesting the Circus is still too "shady" to be public? We just want the people to show up, drop off their money, and not be interested in anything about this very little world we live in? Or, do we not tell them anything, because we are embarrassed? Come on Mr. Herriot, this is not 1950, there is no hiding from anyone. I am sure you are rite about DR, Hoxie, and Jack. I am also sure they would have had to change their systems to survive in today's world.

john herriott said...

I am not disgruntled over the fact that we are not represented on KM. Far from it. But I do know of some of the things that my family went threw while being there have no changed for the better in regard to animal awareness. Note "rocks in the ring". It seems that the Suptnt laying out the lot is just as insesitive as always in not making endeavor for animal acts and seems to feel animal people are nust tempermental when all they want to do is put on their best show. Management, it seems, has not corrected that for fear that it might rock the cradle when it is obvious that the"tail is wagging the dog".

Iam sure you would agree with me, especially in this modern day that on the lot "animals should come first" and the animal people should not have to fret and certainly not put their job on the line. I can well imagine the difficulties of an arena type wild animal act trouping on a one day stand mud show. In the old tent show days the arena was set up in the round end and cat trailer was spotted between guy lines up to sidewall.

I would advise you that my family have gone on to bigger and better things, thank you, but we are quite aware of our roots and have sure been there and done that. During the five years that I had my own small tent circus it was a joy yo be able to do things our way and was successful doing just that. If its none of my damned business then don't put your or my business on the blog.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

A mudshow...is a mudshow...
But there have been some changes. I myself, if need be, rake rocks out of ring with the help of the prop guys before the show. This has been the case since we arrived. The first rocky lot last year, we set the arena, I walked out grabbed a rake raked all the rocks to the edge of the arena which left a big mound 3ft inside the circumference of the ring, and left it. The prop guys quickly decided it was easier to just help me and rake them all the way out of the ring. On muddy and wet lots, shavings are put down, in large quantity, because tigers don't lay down or roll over in water. I always put the animals first regardless of the consequence, and that has not been an issue with the management. There is always room for improvement, but anything I have needed has been provided without much song and dance. This year with a full prop crew the arena moves with ease.

Anonymous said...

Now for my 2cents...Id like to know how it is anyones business at all what Casey and Natalie do. Sure, they could have the baby on the road but considering the problems they have had in the past, they are opting to play it safe and go home....what difference does it make if their acts were replaced or not? Why does everything have to turn into a gossipy saga? Mind your own freaking business...

Lauren Fairchild

Anonymous said...

After posting my last comment, I went to the sink to wash dishes and while standing there, I got to thinking about the great lengths that people have gone to in order to have children...some people have kids with no problems and some people do not. Remember what our friends Tavana and Danny went through with the premature birth of Arwen that left them in the hospital for months. Some people would never go to those lengths. Other people that we know have had invitro. Some people would never go to those lengths. Other people that we know have adopted (very publicly, I might add) and think of the lengths they had to go through before that was all said and done. This being said by the person who offered to be a surrogate mother for that very same couple. The point is that people go to all sorts of lengths to have children, so if leaving the show with no acts to replacement is the length they went to, it seems like a small measure to insure the healthy delivery of a child. 'nuff said...
Lauren

john herriott said...

It will certainly be interesting to see what the future holds for yours truly and the circus associations you may be involved with. Yes on the couch jI can see and reflect on the picture as I see it. Am I a gypsy? If so I have worked with and for some, or moswt of the important peiople in this business in a high profile. Not bad for an old gypsy.

My remarks were not snide and in fact called it the way I see it. If it causede some people including those on the show, etcto be upset for whatever, too bad.

There are alot of boots to shine before you get to your own and I hope you do a good job. I note that even circus owners here in the good old USA are now training and working igers. How bqabout that?

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

Johnny,
Your comments were snide, and you have had a hard on for Kelly Miller since your granddaughter and daughter were not asked back, that is evident in many comments on many blogs. As far as my future, fret not, I have made a good living at Show biz for 20 years, and plan to continue. There are circus owners working cage acts now, about as often as they have for the last 50 years, for the same reason some of them work pony drills, or elephants, to save a buck. It is as simple as there are two show owned cat acts in the US, and they are worked by the guy who owns the show. WHO ARE THEY GOING TO GET TO WORK THEM?? There are no Wade Burcks, John Compalangos, Pat Whites, or Larry Allen Deans out there now days.

Robin said...

I too would like to know what business is it of Mr.Harriot's or anyone else for that matter,as to the choices my sister ,Natalie and Casey make in regards to the delivery of THEIR baby... or any other decisions they make in their lives! KM knew plenty in advance as to their decision to deliver at home.Obviously they did not have a problem with it as they chose to have them back this season, knowing they would be absent for however long it took.Again I will say; So,what business is it of yours?What exactly are you out by them not being on the show? Good for Katja and HER decision to deliver her child the way SHE saw fit!But does that make her a better person than Natalie? A better mother? What exactly are you implying by that/those type of comments,other then hurting the feelings of a woman who has done nothing to you.Further more,did Katja ( or any of the other women mentioned) have 2- 12", steel rods in her back? Or any other health concerns Natalie has had? Probably not...But then again, that's no ones business either?? By the way,in these modern times,fathers are now allowed to actually be in the room when there children are born! "Props" to those dads who can put their wives and children's welfare before the almighty dollar! As you mentioned before,this business forces us to miss out on a lot of things...And although I know they're missed,I'm sure KM will still stay afloat in Natalie & Casey's absence. Not to further ruffle any feathers,but I too will be absent from my job here on C & M as; cook, purchasing agent and driver to attend the birth of my niece.Hopefully you will be relieved to know that all my positions are being covered. All the best to you and your family.
Robin

Anonymous said...

Pardon me but I think I have lost track of what the original "beef" is here...Is Mr. Herriot's complaint that Natalie and Casey left the show to have their baby or that KM didnt replace their acts while gone? This argument has veered WAY off course. We who are in this business are ALL gypsies...we have all done what we have had to do to get to the next town, slopped around in the muck and pulled our rigs out by the elephants and traisped around the country, practiced until we were bloody, rasied our kids and made some money along the way and we all loved every minute of it..We have all worked for nice shows and crappy ones...deep down inside, we are all the same...contrary to popular belief, there are none of us better that the others...Make no mistake, this business has changed since Mr. Herriot's hey day...yes, show owners are working their own cat acts...but havent we all had to do whatever we can to get this shit down the road? I have the utmost respect for the entire Herriot family, as our families have been friends for years and I respect Mr. Herriot's inquiries as to the topic, however, times have changed and our priorities as performers and as humans have changed and some things are just not worth the risk like they used to be...I am proud of the work that my brother in law has done (Casey with his animals) and proud of what my sister Natalie has accomplished since her accident which left her with two 12 inch rods in her back...In fact, Id like to see people do what Natalie does every single day with the limitations she has...for her next trick, she will deliver yet another child...good Lord willing and the creek dont raise....

Lauren

Anonymous said...

Casey & Natalie, best wishes and thoughts on the impending joyous occasion. Those of us who are still on the road know what it's like and sometimes you just have to do what you have to do...can't wait to see pictures of the new family member.....Adam

Ryan Easley said...

Forget the original beef, how about the air that tiger is getting from the ground! A hell of an act Casey. Thank you for letting me visit and attend and learn so much. You reinforced why all my days are circus days.

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