We now continue the story of my being cut in half at the Little Boots Rodeo on Saturday.You might recall that was my fate, after having the losing pig in a race against Mayor Craig Johnson.
We entered the stage area in back of magician Mr. D’s magic truck- as he was slicing potatoes with the saw he would use to slice ME in two. I’m no potato,but it looked like it would have no problem cutting through some goolie guts.
I handed my hat to our helper Sue, then, was about to hand my wallet over to the Mayor- but I rethought that. “I’d rather have it cut in half than missing”, I explained.
I lay down on the table, and Mr. D put an arch with the saw track around my middle. Let me rephrase that- he TRIED to put it around my middle. It would seem that Mr. D normally performs this trick with a slender young woman, or possibly a child, whom the arch would fit around snugly- however, my rather husky Sven physique had to be somewhat shoe-horned into most of the arch.Close enough…
He started up the saw, and the blade roared as he started it into the arch’s track- and seemingly into my side!I immediately cried out- not from pain from the blade, but because I just remembered that I had left my iron on at home…but then, he continued to send the blade on its way, as I grimaced, groaned, and protested as it traversed my body- and finally, came out the other side of the arch- which Mr. D then removed- revealing that- I was unhurt and still in one piece!I wouldn’t have minded if he had taken a few inches off my waistline, but- he’s a magician, dammit, not a liposuctionist!
After this illusion well done by Mr. D, it was time to see an all-too-real amazing feat- human cannonball David Smith Jr., who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent”- was about to be fired through the air from a huge cannon, across the rodeo grounds to the hopeful safety of a huge net!
We stood by as he checked the net, the charted trajectory of his cannon, and put on a crash helmet- then, stood atop the cannon, as it was raised up into place. He then climbed into the cannon, and we waited for the signal to count down to his “launch”- and were given a signal too early by a young helper to the human bullet. We did a countodwn that ended in…nothing. However, the official word came down- and we counted down with the crowd from ten to zero- and -BOOM! The cannon fired, and we witnessed the amazing feat of the Human Cannonball hurtling through the air- and landing perfectly in the big blue net!
The crowd went wild as he stood and saluted! It was a perfect conclusion to a bunch of amazing occurances- but then- it was time for me to head over to our tent to sign autographs for the many patient fans who had waited to visit with us!
As usual, it was a wide range of ages- people who had been watching me since I first hit TV in 1979- new young fans, including tiny babies who were either enchanted or terrified to be that close to me- whole families, young couples, moms with their children, folks I had previously met here who came by to say hello- even 80 year olds who have been longtime fans!
Both Saturday and Sunday were again great times for me at the Little Boots Rodeo. Thanks to everyone associated with the rodeo, and all our friends who came to enjoy the fun with us.
More Sven appearances are on tap for the summer- I hope I’ll see YOU at one!