Mike Becvar

Mike’s Take on the World

I have been busy posting videos on YouTube…

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I feel like I have been on a series of missions since last week. I had several Christmas/clown events coming up and I needed to get ready.

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OK, I have been avoiding this… Yes, I am currently unemployed. I don’t know all the details, but my last employer went out of business. We were told on August 19th and sent home that same day.

For a long time, I used my day job as an excuse for not being able to spend more time working as a clown or an actor. But, now I have the time on my hand and don’t have any jobs as a clown or actor. I have the time to put together a Birthday party show, learn a few more balloons, and practice some magic tricks. I can also put together some headshots and marketing materials. But all of this takes time and money and doesn’t bring in a paycheck right away. I just don’t feel that I am at a point where I am ready to be able to do clowning full time and make enough money to cover the expenses.

My other side business for the past year has been developing websites. I have had my own websites for a few years and seem to add one or two each year. I have not been paid as a website developer as I am either working for myself or volunteering my services to the group. I have started talking with a few friends about creating or updating their website. I see this as one possible option for income until I can get my clown business off the ground.

But, since I need the money, I am also looking for a full time position. I know that there is a chance this will mean that I will actually have less free time for clowning and acting than I had with my last job.

Only time will tell what happens next.

So if you are interested in hiring a clown, actor, website developer, or eLearning developer, I am available.

I had a busy 4th of July weekend this year. Having the 4th fall on a Saturday helped, as Friday was a federal holiday and Sunday was a day to relax.

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On Saturday, April 4th, 2009, I marched in the DC Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Let me say that getting into the parade and then actually being to make it down the parade route were both more of a challenge than I could have expected.

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It is almost Christmas. It has definitely cold enough to feel like Christmas, but unless something changes in the forecast, it won’t be a white Christmas this year.

I set my goals fairly low this year. I knew how much effort it has taken in the past to send out Christmas cards and that I wouldn’t have big plans for Christmas day that required me to put up a tree. So, I guess I accomplished my goals.

I did two Christmas events as a clown (the Candlelighters Christmas Party and the Fantasy Flight at Dulles Airport.) I wanted to have a Christmas look for my clown, Sir Toony Van Dukes. Back around Thanksgiving, I purchased some Christmas fabric that I liked and hoped to be able to sew a few clown accessories. Considering how much fabric I purchased, I have enough for a full Christmas themed outfit instead of the few accessories. Maybe I will have time to make something for next year or make a few more accessories to sell/trade/give away to other clowns.

My parents came to visit the weekend before my Birthday for an early Christmas. That put the rush on buying gifts and having everything ready for their visit. Since their visit was early I knew that I wouldn’t have time for the tree and had decided not to bother this year.

The one surprise to my plans came when I got an email from one of the YFU hosts families. They were looking for homes for two exchange students in the area. I offered to host one of the students for two weeks over the holidays. The timing worked out great since I will go on vacation in January. Now, I feel like I should have made time to put up the Christmas tree. I may still try one night this week, even if it is up only a few days.

There are a few Christmas cards that I would like to send out. I know that they won’t arrive before Christmas unless I am really lucky. But, it is the thought that counts. Since I am not going to send out the pile of cards, I hope to have a holiday email for my family and friends.