Good luck Doc! From my perspective, I think you’ll be successful. You are quite affable and engaging.
I think it’s great that you’re going to do what you feel you’re really meant to do! I wish you the best of luck with it. When are you getting in touch with Captain Visual? Are you really intimidated to talk with him? I assume he’s in his profession because he loves it. People who love what they do are usually more than willing to help someone else discover the joy of working in the same field. When you talk with him, let us know how it went!
Oh, and are you thinking of going back to school at all?
I think I would concentrate on magic. Kids are easily impressed with a 5 dollar trick. Some adults too.
If you learn to juggle, I recommend practising every day, even if it’s only for ten minutes or so. Most people can learn in a couple of hours with a good teacher, but it takes practise to be able to do it reliably.
Omegaman I have poor manual dexterity. I have to rely on gadgets to do tricks. I can’t palm things. I can’t vanish coins or other small objects.
One of my tricks requires an adjustment made behind the back. Unable to do it quickly, I cover by rubbing the magic box on my butt. This, I explain is how I can see inside the box and name the chosen color. The kids are so amused by the buttrubbing that I have time to fiddle with the box and do the trick.
The box and cube and my re-appearing cup and ball are actually part of sets bought at a dollar store.
Nothing wrong with gadgets. What you are doing is more than a job – its almost noble in way ! Keep it up , my prayers will be with you. I bet the look in one of those kids eyes is worth more than I could make in a year. 
The story would be beter if you said:
“Later, I stepped in to buy a gun.”
DocCathode, if your manual dexterity is as good as mine, then embrace it – do magic tricks that depend on sleight-of-hand, and play up the inevitable fumble for the laughs! Go with your strengths, man.
Gadget-based magic acts are just as entertaining as sleight-of-hand acts. I remember a TV special of a magic show competition from some years ago, which included Sylvester the Jester (IIRC). His act was all about gadget-based magic, and I recall that he won the competition.
Based on how the past week went, I plan to spend every sunday in Clark Park. Security there passed me by without a second look. I took in a lot of money. There’s a corner store a block away so I can get a drink.
I still need practice at making balloons. I still can’t do a teddy bear head and have some other problems. A friend has offered to teach me ball juggling and may be able to help me learn devil sticks as well. Captain Visual’s big book of balloons is back in print and I shall order a copy.
I need balloon practice. I also need to figure out an act for birthday parties. I’ve been afraid to do them. There’s a lot of time to fill and expectations are high. But, it seems that’s where the money is.