Some of my now humorous, previously mortifying, top show experiences:
1. In Australia in 1979 I was on two TV shows a week apart. One in Melbourne and one in Adelaide. The first was a pre-recorded show and I was a little concerned when they brought me a 12-inch diameter wooden disk to land my 5-lb, 12-inch tall, 8-inch diameter Kauri top on before picking it up. They were worried their studio floor might be damaged. But I thought, since the show's pre-recorded, we could always do a take 2 or 3 or etc! As the time came, I landed it dead center first try and finished with no retakes. The next show in Adelaide was a live broadcast and they had me on for the finale of a variety children's hour. I was concerned about being given limitations like the Melbourne show but they said I could put the top anywhere on the studio floor. I was relieved. Until, as we were wrapping up my part with the grand finale Kauri top, it landed on it's side and rolled all the way to the far side of the studio with me in hot pursuit. The emcee said "He'll be right back, folks!" and started closing the show. I returned and did it right and held it up in my hand next to him as he said "That's all for today, see you next week!"
2. About 12 years ago in Manila, I did a tops show at the function hall of the oldest Anglican Church in Manila for a full house of high school students. We were there early and waited a while for them to assemble and I made sure to visit the loo before starting the show. We did a full 45-minute show for them and it was only after the show was over and I went to sit down that I noticed my zipper had been unzipped the whole time. I was thankful the pair of pants I had did lie nicely flat when standing but perhaps I should be more thankful for the graciousness of the audience and hosts who never said a word about it!
3. March 10, 2012, we did the first attempt to spin my giant 12-foot diameter top, As most of you know, a gear on a winch we were using shattered and a fragment crushed the back of my skull and I ended up having about a 1-inch by 2-inch chunk of skull removed. When my older brother heard it he said "My little brother needs a world record like he needs a hole in his head!"
