I want to tell you all about an awesome experience I had on Saturday night. As many of you know, I am the official balloon artist for the Brockton Rox. The Rox are a minor-league baseball team on the South Shore of Massachusetts. This is my third year as their balloon artist. The Rox are my ideal kind of client, because they are family-friendly and focused on making sure everyone comes away with a terrific memory of their day.
What you may not know about the Brockton Rox is that Bill Murray, the actor, is part owner of the team. He and his family were visiting Campanelli Stadium this past weekend, and I had the opportunity to twist for him and his guests. His sons gave me many different balloon challenges, including Jedi Master Yoda, a giant dragon and lots of other great stuff. The most fun, however, was when his youngest son asked if I could make Mr. Murray out of balloons. It was as if it was the top of the ninth inning, I had to throw a Hail Mary pass and Pele was in goal. Actually, it was the top of the ninth, and I really wanted to make Mr. Murray out of balloons before the game ended, thus avoiding the awkward position: do we wait for the balloon guy, or do we beat the traffic?
As I raced to finish the balloon caricature, Mr. Murray came out and asked me what I was making. I told him "Actually, I am making you out of balloons." He chuckled and said that he was told that’s what I was attempting and he said it couldn't be done. I told him that I was easily the best balloon artist in the baseball stadium at that moment and that I was, in fact, up for the task.
By this point, the entire suite was watching me. I put the finishing touches on the sculpture and handed it to Professor Venkman. He looked at himself, smiled and said "that's really me." I suggested that the three of us take a picture together which you can see to your right.
Mr. Murray told me "You're balloons are really terrific. I've never seen anything like them before."
Jungle Jim... Balloon artist to the stars?
