The question arises from time to time when we watch sports or other displays of physical skill. Ski-jumping, for example. We "Oooh" and "Aaah" as much as anyone when we see those feats of aerial grace, but then we wonder how one begins a ski-jumping career. Ski-jumping just seems like the kind of thing one either does very well or not--but since "not" will very likely lead to, um, death, we don't see how people work their way up to Olympic form. Ski-jumpers must be born, not made, and so, too, must bull riders.
Not so! Thanks to a hard-hitting report on the front page of today's Times, we learned how aspiring rodeo riders get their start: Mutton-busting. No, we did not make that up. In more and more places along the rodeo circuit, tiny tots can experience all the thrills and spills of bucking broncos without quite so much risk of broken bones by riding. . . sheep. While some cry child abuse (and others presumably cry sheep abuse), parents claim that mutton-busting builds character and teaches kids resilience.
Personally, as long as the kids enjoy themselves and the sheep don't get hurt, we have no problem with mutton-busting. At least it keeps the kids from riding the cat. And it does obviously provide an entree into the world of professional rodeo riding for those who are so inclined.
Now if only we knew how people began training to be sword-swallowers. We understand NAMBLA has a training program.
Sorry.
Solipsistography
"Little Lambs, Not the Sheep, Get Early Lessons in the Rodeo Life"
You haven't received many comments lately, but we still read your blog. Please keep writing, I like keeping up with you. Miss your social life, but I never understood how you had the guts to bare yourself like that in the first place. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate your comment. We're not sure what it MEANS, but we appreciate it, nonetheless.
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