In 1996, I graduated from a 12 week clown training class. It included many skills needed to be a successful professional clown. We had classes on creating our own unique clown character, getting clown outfits, using makeup, juggling, making animals out of balloons, painting other people's faces and performing magic tricks.

However, I learned that all of these skills are useless unless I exceed at the most important skill of all. This skill is looking and acting stupid. Mediocre clowns put on an act of being stupid. These clowns may fool adults but children can see right through their pretense. Truly great clowns simply expose their genuine inherent stupidity and children love them.

After graduating, I performed as a clown for a child's birthday party. The child said that my presence made it the best birthday party he had ever had. I am sure that my genuine inherent stupidity was what made me a good clown.

Afterwards, I did a skit as a clown as one of the acts at a company's employee party. I also dressed as a clown and did some magic tricks at a few other parties. I then became busy with other activities and retired from my short career as a clown.