I was in a toy store with a friend and my eye fell on the book that changed my life: Juggling for the Complete Klutz. You think I'm kidding? I hesitated before buying it---whoa! almost 20 years ago---but I was hooked from the start. It took me about a week to be able to keep a simple 3-ball pattern stable for any length of time, partly because I couldn't catch. Yup, I'd been one of those kids who'd always be chosen last on the team.
When I was studying in Paris for my junior year in college, I took a community-circus juggling class and hung out with the jugglers at Les Halles, an, erm, colorful corner of the City of Light, every weekend.
Juggling taught me that(almost) anything can be learned. I turn green/purple/red with irritation when people say "I could *never* learn to do that."
Juggling is a great way to meet people---they come to you, they take your photo, they ask you to marry their learning-disabled sons (I'm not kidding!).
Apparently, it's good for your brain and overall health in different ways, but mostly, is just addictive and fun!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Desecrating the Bunny Altar
Whoa! I was asked to leave the immediate area today. What a milestone; my first time being kicked out while performing my journalistic duties for the Monterey County Herald. I felt like a rebel. Cool. I was also greatly embarrassed.
I was shooting footage of a man examining and evaluating . . . rabbits. He was checking to see if the 4-H kids were properly caring for the bunnies. He was fast and efficient and it looked so cool as he pulled them out of cages checked their ears and fur, whipped 'em onto their backs and checked their, uhm, let's not think about that . . .
But I was in a space where only judges were allowed, I guess. Had I approached this judge from any other direction, I would've seen the yellow tape marking the perimeter. You'd think I'd done the equivalent of burning the American flag or spitting on an altar.
I was shooting footage of a man examining and evaluating . . . rabbits. He was checking to see if the 4-H kids were properly caring for the bunnies. He was fast and efficient and it looked so cool as he pulled them out of cages checked their ears and fur, whipped 'em onto their backs and checked their, uhm, let's not think about that . . .
But I was in a space where only judges were allowed, I guess. Had I approached this judge from any other direction, I would've seen the yellow tape marking the perimeter. You'd think I'd done the equivalent of burning the American flag or spitting on an altar.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Matchmaking Horus
A guy stopped me at the mall, saying he was a HUGE Star Wars fan and LOVED my Yoda backpack. I'd had it slung over one shoulder, so I put it on properly so he could get the full effect.
"I like your earrings, too!" he said, and he reached under his shirt, fumbling around his belt, and pulled out . . . his keychain, which had an Eye of Horus charm on it that matched my earrings.
The Eye of Horus is a very rich symbol of protection and knowledge. But nevermind that--- he was cute. He smiled at me. Then I realized that, unfortunately, he was a minor. He high-fived me. *sigh*
It was actually a very lovely moment of connection with another human being and I'm grateful. I'd be even more grateful if Horus and his Eye could send me date-able material, though. What d'you think?
"I like your earrings, too!" he said, and he reached under his shirt, fumbling around his belt, and pulled out . . . his keychain, which had an Eye of Horus charm on it that matched my earrings.
The Eye of Horus is a very rich symbol of protection and knowledge. But nevermind that--- he was cute. He smiled at me. Then I realized that, unfortunately, he was a minor. He high-fived me. *sigh*
It was actually a very lovely moment of connection with another human being and I'm grateful. I'd be even more grateful if Horus and his Eye could send me date-able material, though. What d'you think?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Texas Catheter
When asked to hang out with friend who knew people going paragliding, I dropped everything to dash out to the dunes with my camcorder. I got sand in aforementioned camcorder, but that's just how dedicated I am, right? It was very windy and hard to keep the camera still, but I promise there's only one section that's really bad. I included it because it shows how far the wind pulled the paraglider.
What a learning experience! I got to see the equipment used to monitor speed and altitude, and I learned that flights can last for hours; you take food and adult diapers. Or you use a "Texas catheter," a condom attached to a tube. I've found the term on medical sites, so it's not just a pretty slang term!
What a learning experience! I got to see the equipment used to monitor speed and altitude, and I learned that flights can last for hours; you take food and adult diapers. Or you use a "Texas catheter," a condom attached to a tube. I've found the term on medical sites, so it's not just a pretty slang term!
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