I Can't Stop Juggling

Blog is in limbo

2008-12-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

Only 9 posts since June 2008. Does this mean I'm retired from blogging about juggling? Time will tell.

The absence of adequate indoor juggling space renders late fall through early spring non-juggle-able due to cold temperatures. I've got to go very far out of my way to find indoor space to juggle 5 balls. Basically I need to juggle in a subway station.

You can't play baseball without an adequate field... you can't juggle without an adequate space. I guess that's life. Go with the flow.

Jugglers I want to see perform

2008-11-20T01:42:00.000-08:00

The jugglers I want to see perform are:

Wes Peden
Jay Gilligan
Anthony Gatto

Draitube 3 Ball Tricks (WIP Series)

2008-10-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some videos with a lot of 3 ball variations. The video WIP 2 is not nearly as good as the others, so I've left it out of this post. Draitube's Youtube page is here. If you've ever wanted to study 3 ball tricks, these videos should help a lot.

WIP 1

WIP 3

WIP 4

WIP 5

WIP 6

Tossaball® Hybrid 'Super Soft' 3.2

2008-10-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

My quest to find the perfect juggling ball continues... I remember my first balls which I received at a motivational speaking event. They were made of vinyl and never really lost their square shape. These days there are lots of balls to choose from and I think there is a real lack of reviews to help people sort them out and spend their money wisely. In this regard, this post is an attempt to help other jugglers make good buying decisions.

I have a new set of balls called Tossaball® Hybrid 'Super Soft' 3.2 which I've been practicing with recently. These balls are the new line of hybrid balls from The Flying Clipper based in Oregon. A few months ago I made the switch to juggling the original line of hybrids which are 2.8" 130 grams. You can read my review here. Below is a description of the Super Soft balls I pulled from the manufacturer's website.

Finally a 'Super Soft" completely washable juggle ball that will always keep its shape even after many washings. Hand made craft is taken to high a form in this new Hybrid juggle ball offering. Like our other Hybrid balls this one also isolates heavy crushed rock filler between two layers of material, keeping most of the balls weight on the outside rim. For a super soft ball, this ball also rolls like a firm ball allowing for a unique combination of rolls and stalls unlike any other ball before it. This is the larger cousin to our new "Crossover" Hybrid footbag/juggle ball. The larger diameter and super soft feel make this one a great performance ball.
Diameter: 3.2" Weight: 140 grams

So what do I think about these new balls? In a word, quality. I feel the same way about the originals as I do about the Super Soft balls. As soon as you see and touch these balls, you will understand the high level of craftsmanship in them. The fact that they are sturdy and will last a long time, and the fact that you can machine wash them means these balls are a good investment of your money.

Personally, after juggling the original 2.8" Hybrids, I find that I prefer them over the Super Soft version. Both balls have their advantages and disadvantages. The tighter packed originals are easier for me to multiplex with and I have fewer collisions. The bigger, underfilled Super Softs are more visual because of their size, and easier to do stalls with. I prefer the smaller version because I love doing multiplexes and I think I have small hands which makes catching the smaller balls easier for me.

Regardless of my personal preference for the smaller, tightly packed originals, I can definitely confirm the quality of craftsmanship in both of these products. Basically, if you are looking for a high quality, washable juggling bean bag that will last you a long time, the new Super Soft balls are a good choice. Whether you like small tightly packed balls or larger loosely filled balls, I can honestly recommend Tossaball® Hybrid Series.

MOM blogged me

2008-08-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

The Ministry of Manipulation blogged about my blog recently. Here is the link. Pretty cool! The guys over at MOM are hoping to get me back into posting here. The gap in my postings is growing day by day, but it's not because I don't have anything to say about juggling. It's because I'm spending so much of my free time and energy on learning to speak Korean. Also, I've been swimming laps at the pool for exercise to get rid of the spare tire around my waist (something juggling has not been able to do for me). Both of my goals are manifesting themselves, however my juggling related activities have had to take the back seat. No worries though, life goes in cycles. Soon enough, I'll return to the juggling blogospehere.

In the meantime, I'm testing out some new balls. A while back, I got my hands on some Flying Clipper Hybrid Toss-a-balls. You can read about my review of them here. Flying Clipper has released an newer version that is bigger and underfilled to meet the needs of people who like an underfilled ball. The ones I have are called Hybrid Super Soft 3.0. I'll give a review of the new balls in a couple months after I've had some time to play with them and form an opinion.

2 month gap in postings

2008-07-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

Seems like I've fallen off the face of the earth, huh? No posts in 2 months. In fact, I haven't even read rec.juggling for the same period of time. Truth be told, I haven't juggled much either. Then what have I been doing?

I've been working hard at learning to speak Korean and getting back into good physical condition. In order to do that, I've had to put many things on the back burner, so to speak. Not only juggling related activities, but also other interests of mine.

Technitivity

2008-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

Act performed by Marco Paoletti in 2006-2007. www.maggler.com

Poll: Practice Alone vs. With Others

2008-06-06T02:14:00.000-07:00

Opinion Polls & Market Research

View poll statistics

4b Tricks from Dreamjuggler

2008-06-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

There are some nice 4 ball tricks in these videos.

Interesting Threads June 6, 2008

2008-06-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

It seems to me like everyone is saying that you should juggle to do new tricks that no one has done before. I see a trick that i like and i want to learn it. Once you learn that trick there are endless variations on that trick and endless variations on those variations, so why do people say its so bad to learn tricks you have seen before. In the future when you have learned all of these tricks that hav the endless posibilities then you can use creativity around them. This is how new tricks are born! Then if you are throwing all of these backcrosses and decide "oh wat if i can throw them under my arm and a backcross at the same time a new trick is born." I think that becoming an amazing juggler and learning all of the tricks you see is exactly the key to unlocking new tricks. Any responses?

Transitions out of a 4 ball shower?

Hi there

Anybody knows any cool transitions out of a 4 ball full shower?

-Matias

1up 4up Variation

Hi rec.

I was playing around with 1up 4up variations [1] last week and I'd like to suggest a trick for someone to get on video because I am not up to the challenge as I suck at pirouettes.

The trick:

(starting from 5 ball cascade)
1. Throw one very high and collect two in each hand.
2. Throw synch _split_ duplexes so that one split is much higher than the other.
3. Do a pirouette under each of the throws (3-stage pirouette?) and go back into cascade.

Thanks to anyone who attempts this and kudos to anyone that actually gets it on video.

[1] www.freewebs.com/multiplex/blog.html

Vova Galchenko Article in NY Times

Link to the article

Interesting Threads May 28, 2008

2008-05-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

What is the definition of a "squeeze"? Are there different types of squeezes? Thanks.

Jason interviews Wes & Jason interviews Wes: Jason's Version should be mentioned at the same time. I won't add the original posts because they are really long. These are really interesting reads in many ways.

The Juggling Crib - Lube

THE JUGGLING CRIB is a juggling related comic strip featuring some local jugglers here in Stockholm, Sweden. In the main cast you can watch bad imitations of jugglers like Elias Hedlund, Wes Peden, Peter Åberg and Jay Gilligan amongst others.*

http://www.informatik.umu.se/~svph0214/index.php?page=projects&proj=tjc

Feel free to give feedback either here or at eliashedlund AT gmail DOT com

* The script and all characters in this comic are based and inspired by real life situations. The following strip contains coarse language and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone. The truth is always nastier though.

/ Elias Hedlund

Druggling

I was curious how other jugglers feel about JUI (juggling under the influence). I used to be a pretty dedicated gamer and liked nothing more than to puff a bit on my magical hippy pipe of wonder and sit down to a few hours of Halo or Everquest or whathaveyou. Now, thought, since I started juggling, after an evening of typical hippy antics I usually spend that time juggling. It is interesting to think about if my drug-induced runs are more or less productive than sober-minded ones (i am still not sure, but i am selflessly continuing to experiment as often as i can).

Any thoughts?

wikidiabolo.com now online

Hey there,

Check out http://wikidiabolo.com - the only wiki site dedicated to diabolo.

Feel free to add, change and learn from the site.

Seeya

Rich

Gandini juggling commercial

2008-05-27T20:22:00.001-07:00

xylocybin

2008-05-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is a really really cool video titled "xylocybin" by a juggler named Georg Pelzer. If you are surfing my blog for juggling videos, this is a must-see video. I can't say more. Just watch it.

Neverending progress #1

2008-05-25T08:04:00.001-07:00

This is an amazing video, full of insanely difficult siteswaps. The juggler says he's been practicing for 2 years and 1 month. The title of the video "Neverending progress" is exactly what a person needs in order to be able to do these kinds of tricks within 2 years. I think the juggler's name is Pawel Witczak.

This is all he wrote about the video:

The first video of a new series. Some nice siteswaps in there.

I'm looking forward to the next video.

Juggling Research Survey

2008-05-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

There are some jugglers who are trying to answer the question, "Which is the most interesting siteswap [juggling pattern]?" They've created an interesting online survey. When you go to the survey, simply create a user profile (1 minute) and select the more interesting pattern you see between the pairs of patterns presented. Click 'next' as many times as you want to continue the survey. There are 70 different patterns which can be combined in a VERY large number of ways, so just go as far as you are interested, in terms of 'next'. Below is the original post on rec.juggling. Or, if you want, read the entire rec.juggling thread about it.

Hi,

I was talking to a friend of mine and this question came out of nowhere: Which is the most interesting siteswap? (Well, actually it came out of a couple of beers)

After that question, we found another: is there a "most interesting siteswap" for everyone or everyone has a different opinion?

We were so curious about this question that we created a web site to find out. The url is http://frodo.matcom.uh.cu/Juggling and we will need as many opinions as possible.

In the web site, you will be asked to compare several pairs of juggling animations and in each pair you should select the one which is more interesting to you.

When we have enough information we will try to find out if it is possible to "guess" how interesting is a siteswap using only the numbers in the siteswap, without looking at the animation.

Comments, suggestions and beers are welcome.

Fernando.

Poll: Artisitic or Technical Juggler

2008-05-23T03:20:00.000-07:00

Opinion Polls & Market Research

View poll statistics

Interesting Threads May 23, 2008

2008-05-23T02:21:00.000-07:00

These are interesting threads from Rec.juggling. Click on the links above the quotes to read the entire threads. The quote is the original post or a condensed summary of mine if it is a really long post.

I like the idea of posting links to threads I find interesting, if for no other reason than I can find them easily when I'm bored. :-) So here are a few more that I've enjoyed reading.

Are there juggling-videos of historic value?

Imagine someone who doesn't know anything about juggling and its cultural conditions asks you for some juggling videos in order to get an overview about juggling and its development (18xx - today). Which videos would you show that person?

As there are tons of good juggling videos out there, I'm interested in finding out if there are any that one should have seen absolutely. You know, which ones are the essentials that still will be watched in 50 years or so because of their content. I know it's hard, but please try to mention up to 20 videos (not more!) that you think are important. Let's see where it gets us... have fun, thank you Jo

What the Duck!?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb7Qq8yHuKk

so let's see something happen. show me some action. make something new!

please and thank you.

/wes

The Juggling Crib - laura

THE JUGGLING CRIB is a juggling related comic strip featuring some local jugglers here in Stockholm, Sweden. In the main cast you can watch bad imitations of jugglers like Elias Hedlund, Wes Peden, Peter Åberg and Jay Gilligan amongst others.*

THE JUGGLING CRIB
http://www.informatik.umu.se/~svph0214/index.php?page=projects&proj=tjc
New strip every monday

Feel free to give feedback either here or at eliashedlund AT gmail DOT com

* The script and all characters in this comic are based and inspired by real life situations. The following strip contains coarse language and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone. The truth is always nastier though.

/ Elias Hedlund

social desire

What do you all think about performers being valued or devalued based on gender presentation? I was prompted to write this after reading the new 'Juggling Crib' comic, but i hope this to be a seperate discussion on what perspective or experiences some of you might have on this topic. I have a few things to share that I'm sure are very limited so I really hope to open it up to everybody (particullarly those who may have unique experiences or perspectives to share).

Just a recently I saw a show where I woman performer got a super great reception. She had a nice routine, but I think people were really celebrating her in terms of her sexyness. Maybe I was jealous, but I realy felt that If I had done her routine, in the way she had done it, that it would not have been very well liked at all (by the same audience). I am not saying it was a bad routine, or that there is anything wrong with any one acting sexy on stage. But I wonder if audiences are missing out on women who may not to play it up.

Fun fact: I have been called 'a faggot' more times when I have been juggling than when I have not (even if you count junior high-school [that's 11 to 13 yrs or grades 7-8 in the u.s.])!

Sorry this is conceptually messy and probably full of typos. -brian

Four ball videos

I`ve seen quite a lot of really good and impressing four ball videos which I found on rec. juggling.

Whar are the best four ball juggling videos or four ball parts in juggling videos that you know?

All suggestions are welcome!

Best wishes and sunny spring greetings from Austria

Elisabeth

Whatever you want

2008-05-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a new and interesting juggling video by Sean Blue and Marcus Monre. Apparently this is a concept they are exploring for use in the IJA teams competition this summer. It's titled "Whatever you want".

Interesting Threads

2008-05-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start posting links to the interesting threads I read on rec.juggling which is an online juggling discussion group. These are from the last couple months. There are more recent threads which I will post soon. Click on the links above the quotes to read the entire threads. The quote is the original post or a condensed summary of mine if it is a really long post.

Combined halfshower-fullshower siteswap?

Hi there. Anybody knows the siteswap for a combined 4 ball halfshower - fullshower? Not a transition from one to the other, but a continuously pattern. -Matias

The Juggling Crib - Pilot

THE JUGGLING CRIB is a juggling related comic strip featuring some local jugglers here in Stockholm, Sweden. In the main cast you can watch bad imitations of jugglers like Elias Hedlund, Wes Peden, Peter Åberg and Jay Gilligan amongst others.*

I will be releasing a new episode every monday starting on the 28th of April.

THE JUGGLING CRIB
http://www.informatik.umu.se/~svph0214/index.php?page=projects&proj=tjc

Feel free to give feedback either here or at eliashedlund AT gmail DOT com

* The script and all characters in this comic are based and inspired by real life situations. The following strip contains coarse language and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone. The truth is always nastier though.

/ Elias Hedlund

The Juggling Crib - language

THE JUGGLING CRIB is a juggling related comic strip featuring some local jugglers here in Stockholm, Sweden. In the main cast you can watch bad imitations of jugglers like Elias Hedlund, Wes Peden, Peter Åberg and Jay Gilligan amongst others.*

THE JUGGLING CRIB
http://www.informatik.umu.se/~svph0214/index.php?page=projects&proj=tjc

New strip every monday

Feel free to give feedback either here or at eliashedlund AT gmail DOT com

* The script and all characters in this comic are based and inspired by real life situations. The following strip contains coarse language and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone. The truth is always nastier though.

/ Elias Hedlund

Multiplex terminology

Hi rec.
I was chatting to Tiff a couple of weeks back and he mentioned a duplex (I forget what he called it) and wondered what terminology everyone uses or has heard being used to describe the first 2 of the following 5 duplex throws. I've labeled them using the terminology I use or have heard of from others but I want to know what others use.

(1) Martin Duplex Taken from the trick with the same name. Throw a ball with a ball held in the hand. Siteswap [?2]

(2) Slice Duplex Throw both balls but one ball goes straight to the other hand as a pass while the other ball is caught on a later beat. Usually thrown so the catching hand is directly above the throwing hand and claws the 1. Siteswap [?1]

(3) Split Duplex Throw both balls and catch them in separate hands. Common siteswaps [43], [54], [65] etc.

(4) Stack Duplex Throw both balls to the same or other hand treating both balls as if they were one. Common siteswaps [33], [44], [55]

(5) Cut Duplex Throw both balls to the same or other hand like a stacked duplex but in a staggered fashion so the bottom ball of the duplex is caught and re-thrown before the top ball is caught. Commonly used in Shower Explosions with the siteswaps [53], [64], [75] etc.

Thanks in advance to everyone who replies.

Danny

High patterns

I've been practicing 744 recently and I think I'm in love with high throws...

Any suggestions for some nice 5 ball siteswaps or tricks that involve high throws? It doesn't matter how hard they are (as long as they are possible), I'll start easy and work up to the harder ones or something like that, so long as they are prettyful.

Thus far I've only got 744, 94444, 5 ball box and d151.

-Thanks guys and gals :)

What is the value of juggling?

What is the value of artistic juggling or of sport juggling?

What are the practical benefits for individuals or society by having us jugglers around?

To Workshop Teachers: Re: Siteswap Workshop Handouts

If you don't mind, could you send me the files of the Siteswap Workshop Handouts you have used to teach workshops? That is, of course, you used one. I'm really curious to see what people have used in terms of handouts.

5b [53] and [64] Multiplex Lists

2008-05-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

I have been using 3x5 cards with siteswaps listed on them during my practice sessions since last spring when I got serious about 4b multiplex patterns. The most recent card I made has 5b [53] and [64] multiplex patterns listed. Up until now, the only 5b [53] trick I've done is [53]25.

In order to make the list, I used a multiplex generator and then selected the patterns I felt were within my reach of ability or looked interesting enough to engage my focus.

*I have edited this post. The information below is updated.

I took my list to practice and realized I had no clue how to enter the patterns. So I brought my list home, plugged the patterns into a transition generator, wrote the 'In' and 'Out' numbers, and noted which patterns appeared to have a squeeze. I think that an 'In' of a 1 is like a squeeze, but it is easy to get around... just throw three high 5s before you throw the 1 to enter the pattern. Also, some of the patterns have more than one 'In' and/or 'Out' but I chose to put one of them in most cases (the one I thought looked easiest for me in the animator). The patterns where there are more than one 'Out' I used a / to seperate them. 'sq' = squeeze in the pattern, in case you want to avoid squeezes altogether. Cut and paste. Create your own practice cards!

Transition generator: is called ulbox; Danny Marden shared it with me

The actual siteswaps are big. The numbers before the bold ones are the 'In' and the numbers after the bold are the 'Out'.

Here are the results of the 5b [53] list:

Period 3

4647 [53]07 [54]0 sq
25 [53]25 [53]
1 [53]34 [54] sq
1 [53]52 [54] sq
25 [53]61 [53] sq

Period 4

725 [53]165 [75]500[54] sq
27 [53]327 [43]4/[53]3/[54]2
25 [53]345 [53] sq
25 [53]363 [53] sq
25 [53]525 [53]
25 [53]561 [53] sq
725 [53]705 [75]500[54] sq
25 [53]723 [53]
25 [53]741 [53] sq

Period 5

27 [53]3527 [43]4/[53]3/[54]2
25 [53]5525 [53]
25 [53]5561 [53] sq
25 [53]5723 [53]
27 [53]6227 [43]4/[53]3/[54]2
25 [53]6425 [53]
25 [53]6461 [53]
25 [53]6722 [53]
25 [53]6731 [53] sq

Here are the results of the 5b [64] list:

Period 3

624 [64]14 [54]50[54] sq
1 [64]23 [54]
1 [64]41 [54] sq
624 [64]50 [54]50[54] sq

Period 4

26 [64]271 [43] sq
1 [64]424 [54] sq
1 [64]451 [54] sq

Period 5

626 [64]1626 [42]
626 [64]1671 [42] sq
26 [64]2526 [43] sq
26 [64]2571 [43] sq
1 [64]4344 [54] sq
1 [64]4524 [54]
1 [64]4551 [54] sq
1 [64]4623 [54]
1 [64]6324 [54]
1 [64]6351 [54] sq
1 [64]6621 [54]
626 [64]7026 [42]
1 [64]7323 [54]
1 [64]7521 [54]

Let me know if you see one in there you have done or tried, should be on the list, etc. Thanks.

New Rueben Video

2008-05-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the newest video from a young and talented juggler named Rueben. He style is fast and crazy. If you can't figure out what his hands are doing, just try to enjoy his skills.

Here is his Juggling TV video page with a bunch of videos.

Great Michael Moschen Video

2008-05-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Link to the video.

Poll: How often do you visit?

2008-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Opinion Polls & Market Research

View poll statistics

Siteswap Workshop Handouts

2008-05-02T23:30:00.000-07:00

Do you have any siteswap workshop handouts? I am collecting them out of curiousity. I want to see what kinds of information workshop instructors are putting on their handouts (if they use them). I'd also like to learn from them.

If you have an electronic file of the handout, could you email it to me?

eddie_provencher at hot mail

Portland Clowns Without Borders Benefit Show

2008-04-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

From Leapin' Louie, Don't miss it!

Dear friends and lovers of laughter,

The 11th annual Portland Clowns Without Borders Benefit Show is just around the corner! Come on out for an evening of fantastic vaudevillian entertainment, and support this wonderful cause. And please help us pack the house by forwarding this on to your friends in the area.

When: Saturday, May 3, 7:30pm

Where: Da Vinci Middle School Auditorium (2508 NE Everett)

Tickets: RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW, online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/33371, or buy them at the door. Pre-purchased ticket holders will have priority seating. $10-25 adults, $5-10 youth 12 and under.

THE SHOW: The 11th annual Portland Clowns Without Borders Benefit show promises to be a wonder-full evening of laughter for all ages. Live music will accompany clowns, jugglers, comic ninjas, acrobats, and more.

Some of Portland's finest and funniest vaudevillian performers have come together in support of this great cause, including Nanda, Henrik Bothe, Stevie G, Charlie Brown, Zephyr, the Shoehorn VonTap Quartet, Fist of Dishonor, members and affiliates of Do Jump!, members of Kazum, Curt Carlyle, Barnaby King, the Nomadic Theatre Co, and Michael O'Neill of The Other Brothers.

ABOUT CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS (CWB): Clowns Without Borders is an international organization which offers laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis around the world, including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency. We bring levity and contemporary clown/circus oriented performances and workshops into communities so that they can celebrate together and forget for a moment the tensions that darken their daily lives. In the past year alone, Clowns Without Borders-USA sent expeditions to areas of crisis across the globe including Indonesia, Guatemala, Southern Africa, Haiti, and Egypt. Portland is a hub of active CWB volunteers, and this annual benefit is their main source of funding. We are currently fundraising to send a group of Portland performers to bring shows and workshops to refugee camps in Liberia. Read more about CWB, our mission, and past expeditions at www.clownswithoutborders.org.

If you are unable to attend but would like to support local CWB volunteers in spreading laughter and joy in areas of crisis around the world, you can make a tax-deductible donation online through the Clowns Without Borders-USA web site, www.clownswithoutborders.org. Put "Portland CWB" in the item line.