[Snugglesnort]

Sounds like a plan!

There is a ton out there on how to do this stuff. Much of it can be found on the forum. If you havent already (looks like you have) look around and dig through old threads.

The trick is to start simple and build. All of clowning starts with yourself. You are what is funny, not the nose, the clothes, not the skills, and not the props.

Don't worry about the circus/stage clowns either, you can learn alot from them. They (or in the future we) work in a different enviroment, than hometown clowns, but the basic goal (making people laugh) and the basic way of reaching it (being funny) is the same. If you meet one, they frown at you, and then you remind them of this with a straight face, I would be surprised if they didn't answer any questions you might have, or be willing to exchange contact information.