He said, "People say I'm crazy, but I like to work, and enjoy being outside in the sunshine. It's a big business out here, and it's something to fall back on just in case. Show business is fickle. I've been lucky for the past 10 years, but I want to have something I can fall back on. Entertainers have to be ready to go anywhere around the world at a moment's notice, but I'm too much of a home person. I have my fiancee, house and dog and and that's what I enjoy. I don't plan on leaving Vegas for quite a while."

 

His activities reflect his priorities. He works hard at his lawn business even though it means he's sometimes more worn out by the time of his evening show that he'd like. He's also seriously into weightlifting, but knows that bulking up to the point where he now bench presses 275 pounds isn't great for his juggling either.

 

Anthony doesn't live what one would consider a star's lifestyle because he has never considered himself a star. "I never thought seriously about being a professional juggler, it just sort of happened," he said. "Juggling and performing is just the style of life I've always know, it's never been a big deal."

 

He doesn't talk about juggling off the job with Nick or anyone else much, never watches juggling videos and doesn't have any juggling "idols." He said, "I respect the work that some other jugglers do, but I've never seen anything that totally inspired or amazed me."

 

He's proud of having flashed 12 rings and of appearing in the same show as Ignatov in Europe, but doesn't look at anything else as a "highlight" of his career.

 

Other than bodybuilding, the things he enjoys most are hanging around the house, riding his jet ski, snowboarding and generally being outdoors. He's got friends, a steady job in the Melinda magic show at the Lady Luck Casino and a good relationship with Nick, who doesn't pressure him in his career. "Nick does all the work," Anthony said. "He'll be at the hotel at 3 in the afternoon getting ready. I just show up at 6 and do my act. He's always been pretty lenient, but since I've gotten older, whatever I want to do is fine. Melinda is easy to work with, too. It's laid back, she likes the act, and has narrowed it down to me as the only other act in the show. I'm not looking for anything else. The job gives me the freedom to do the other things I enjoy. "

 

There's no doubt he got a lift from the IJA festival. "It's nice to be here and juggle for peopIe who know what I'm doing. I was telling the people backstage the other night 'listen to the audience tonight because there're a lot of jugglers out there.' I love it when they're in the audience because they really know how difficult it is. Most of the people at the festival are really friendly, and you can't help but be friendly with them. It's fun to come to the festivals when I can."

 

But his biggest concern now is his wedding a year or so from now to Brandy Driedonks, a 22-year-old waitress he met six years ago. She used to tell new acquaintances about Anthony's juggling, but he insists now that she not even tell people that he works at a hotel. "You always have to explain everything. I also don't like telling people I do nine rings or whatever on stage, because I think most of the time they don't buy it," he said.

 

There's no doubt that many jugglers assumed that Anthony would keep breaking juggling records forever, and they may be disappointed to hear that his goals don't lie in that direction. Rather than be disappointed, though, they might take some comfort from the realization that this extraordinary juggler is not much different from most of us - just an average guy who happens to be better at object manipulation than most people, and uses that fact to good advantage in enjoying life day to day!