Turks Head Jugglers

No practice sessions for Thursday, 10/6 and Saturday, 10/8

2011-10-06T19:31:00.000-04:00

(Sorry, I should have posted this several days ago. But anyway...)

West Chester Friends is having an art show that will take over the gym beginning Thursday evening and lasting until sometime Sunday.

So we won't have access to the facility. (I've seen the artwork that's going on display. Trust me, you don't want to get a juggling club within 30 feet of this lovely stuff!!)

Schedule should return to normal on Thursday, October 13th.

A DVD for dealing with "Numbers Envy"

2011-07-10T13:55:00.000-04:00

It's happened to most of us -- and happens to me on a regular basis it seems:

You're performing for friends or family or whatever and just getting into the good stuff when someone innocently asks you, "So, how many can you do?" (Meaning "How many objects can you juggle at the same time?" of course.) And if the answer is less than twelve or so, you might start to feel inadequate. I know I do...

But we all know that juggling as entertainment goes 'way beyond simple counting. There are creative and artistic elements to juggling as performance -- and (my opinion!) nothing does a better, more concise, more entertaining job of pointing this out than the IJA's tape of The Beauty of 3-Ball Juggling.

I now have DVD copies of this tape, which is no longer available through the IJA. And they're available for the ridiculously low price of $8.00. Cash only -- no muskrat pelts will be accepted at this or any other time.

Those of us who have been involved with juggling for a decade or more will certainly recognize many or even most of the performers -- and that alone makes this video fun to watch.

Some of the tricks shown are fairly easy to understand and include in your repertoire. Others are mind boggling -- but intriguing to watch. All of them are (to me) inspiring and open avenues for future work and development.

The quality of the video is somewhat degraded, and the colors are a bit washed out. But the tricks themselves and the performers are completely recognizable and the audio is perfectly fine.

Please let me know if you're interested in a copy by catching me at a THJ practice or e-mailing me at GotaJugl@msn.com.

Autism Awareness Duct Tape Bracelets

2011-04-15T23:40:00.002-04:00

Hey all! I'm making duct tape bracelets for Autism Awareness (April is Autism Awareness month.) The bracelets are $3 each, and ALL the proceeds will go to this great organization called Autism Speaks. I'll bring some with me to the gym, and will be selling them over the next few weeks. So let me know if you want one!

My Website!

2011-03-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! I just thought I'd share the link to my new website. It's still a bit under construction, but better than it was on day one. (Yesterday)

http://ihaveaspergers.webs.com

Check it out!

(I know this doesn't have anything to do with juggling, but I DID mention my cup stacking on the site!)

Branin Juggling on Youtube

2011-03-23T14:51:00.002-04:00

Hey All, I've finally gotten this video onto YouTube. It's been a learning experience. Copyrights? Who knew? Anyway, it's not all that I wanted it to be, but it could still be the first step on the road to my 15 minutes of fame. Now you have to do your part: pass it along to all your friends and relations and point out that the deeply textured camera work and intricate story line will richly reward multiple viewings. Search for Mr. Boyd at Ski Sawmill or use the URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HvlJ2ve8jc

Oh yea, do we still use this blog, or did we move on to something else? I do so try to keep up. I guess I'll know when I don't get my 15 minutes of fame.

Running Away With the Circus Blog

2011-01-15T12:03:00.004-05:00

Ever wondered what it's like to run away with the circus? Now you can find out by following Shana Kennedy's blog "Running Away With the Circus", in which she chronicles her family's experiences as her husband, juggler Greg Kennedy, tours with Cirque du Soleil's show Totem.

Juggling Resolutions

2010-12-29T12:29:00.003-05:00

As 2010 concludes, I've been thinking about some of the juggling progress I've made over the past year. I've also contemplated the goals I made but did not attain. Did you meet the juggling targets you set for yourself in 2010? Or, as in my case, did gravity alter the trajectory of your intentions?

If you attend our session at the gym on New Year's Day, kindly contribute to my research by letting me know of your juggling-related aspirations for 2011. If you consent, I'll post them on the blog. If you can't make it, note yours in a comment to this post. It's a personal issue but I assure my interest is magnanimous, to support the exchange of expertise and juggling growth among all club members in 2011.

Claymotion Primer

2010-12-18T14:22:00.002-05:00

I was introduced to Claymotion juggling during the last Phillyfest. If you're like me and you've forgotten what you learned, here's a great online primer.

THJ Practice on Christmas and New Year's Day

2010-12-13T18:25:00.003-05:00

Well, once every seven years or so (on average), the aforementioned two holidays fall on Saturdays. And -- lucky us -- this is the year!

I'm inclined to cancel the THJ practice session on these two days, unless some member of the THJ Executive Committee feels they'd like to have a session and is also ready to supervise the gym at that time.

(Having a session on Thanksgiving is something of an annual tradition for us, since it always happens on a Thursday [i.e., a practice day], but these sporadic dates are something different...)

So, unless you see a further posting on this subject, please note that there won't be sessions on either of these days.

Hoping that the holiday season is bringing you happiness and continued good health.

Throwing, with Accuracy

2010-10-03T21:34:00.002-04:00

If you think juggling requires precision throwing, check out this related activity.

You Gotta Love This!

2010-08-22T10:18:00.006-04:00

Ellen has provided us with a wonderful example of a discipline closely related to juggling called "Rhythmic Gymnastics." It's a full-blown Olympic event, but rarely if ever gets shown on US television -- which is really unfortunate. As I think you'll agree after watching this video.

I hope someone smarter than I am about these things can get a better copy of the video uploaded -- since Ellen sent this to several of us at a much higher resolution. But this will give you the basic idea... (Adam, can you help here?)

THJ Cards -- I finally thought of this...

2010-05-15T13:04:00.002-04:00

We've had "business cards" available for our club for years. The cards list our website name, so folks can look us up on-line. And the website lists the "when and where and how to get there" of our practice sessions, links to reputable prop vendors, other links to "how to juggle" pages, and so forth. All good stuff.

The main supply of these cards has been sitting in a box in my desk for years. Where they don't do anyone any good at all... So I finally figured out that, if I leave a supply of them in our cabinet at the gym, people who needed some could take them.

(Pretty clever, eh?)

And I will do that this very afternoon. And they will be in a yellow envelope labeled "THJ Cards." So, during the next gym practice you're attending, if you'd like a few for friends, family, or your adoring audience, you can take them!!

And, by the way, these cards fit perfectly in a 3-1/2-inch floppy disk holder. Keeps them nice and clean and flat and straight. And I think I have a few of those disk holders sitting around here somewhere. Somewhere... (They're getting harder and harder to find in stores!)

So if you'd like to have a floppy disk holder to hold your THJ cards, please ask me to track down my supply of them. And I'd be happy to oblige.

Starting a juggling club in Oswego, NY

2010-04-10T11:15:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone-

It's been a while since I was last at practice, so I decided to start a juggling club up here in the great white north! There was a club based out of SUNY Oswego that is now inactive, and I was planning on reactivating it. Any suggestions? Most of the people that I have talked to that expressed interest haven't juggled before. I'm hoping that I can attract at least one or two more experienced jugglers to help me teach everyone (I've already started teaching a few people, but I don't know if I could do it in a group!). I really miss the feel of this club, so I'd like to model mine after the Turks' Head ^_^

I *really* miss juggling with all of you!!

Love,
~Katie

Saturday Sessions at the Courthouse

2010-04-08T22:35:00.002-04:00

So, we've come up with a schedule for Saturday practices at the Chester County Courthouse (which is located at the corner of High and Market Streets in the very center of West Chester). Easy parking which is free on Saturdays. Coffee shops nearby. What else could you ask for?

The sessions are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month as follows:

-- Saturday, April 17th.

-- Saturday, May 15th.

-- Saturday, June 19th. (World Juggling Day! Be there!!)

-- Saturday, July 17th.

-- Saturday, August 21st.

-- Saturday, September 18.

Hope to see you there for all of these dates!!

Club Discount

2009-12-14T10:01:00.002-05:00

Just to let you guys know... we have signed up with YoYoSam for a club discount. Just use the code TURK21 at checkout and you will recieve 10% off your order and Turks Head will recieve a credit for 10% too! It's a win win win situation

8 Reasons Normal People Should Juggle

2009-12-01T23:03:00.002-05:00

More reasons to juggle, contributed by a friend. I like "#2 Got the Hunchies?"

"The average person spends 312 hours per day at a computer." Not physically possible, but I bet other desk jockeys would agree some Mondays do feel like 13 in a row.

Results from Cup-Stacking Championships

2009-11-21T19:56:00.002-05:00

Drumroll please!

To make a long story short, 1st place in all four events in my age division, once again.

Plus I won 2 raffle prizes (with only 6 tickets to win with).

Beat my cycle time from last year by about a full second.

And no news about any new records just yet.

The bad news is that there were a lot of mean people there, this year. One girl even said that someone's time was "horrible", as they walked up to get a medal for their placing in their division. Her mother, not much nicer herself, kept telling her what she was doing that was wrong.

But, despite the poor sportsmanship from these people, there were a few that stood out (to me) for trying their best, and just giving it a go. And I applaud those people for an attitude that makes the world go 'round. No names, just fond memories.

Cup Stacking State Championships- Sat. 11/21

2009-11-18T23:07:00.002-05:00

Ok, so a few of you may already know this, but I have registered (or will at the door) to participate in the PA state championships for cup stacking. Last year, I brought home four 1st place medals, AND the state record (still standing) for my age division, meaning I'm putting a TON more pressure on myself already!

And I already half broke another glow-in-the-dark cup! (I break them when I get nervous and frustrated, usually on my table at home)

So, here's hoping that the remaining cups will stay in one piece, and the half broken one (the crack hasn't gone all the way through to the other side) will stay intact for practice until Saturday.

For Saturday, I plan to use my REALLY good cups, in hopes that I do not break THEM during the competitions.

ANYWAYS (NOW I'M REALLY SHOUTING) Any positive thoughts sent my way will be much appreciated, as I'm having trouble sending them to myself.

I will now go have some of my dog's Valium. :P

Who am I kidding, I need to PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!

A Juggling Store in Wilmington!

2009-10-24T17:06:00.002-04:00

There is now a juggling store within easy driving distance -- where you can actually pick up the props you're thinking of buying and make sure they're what you want.

The store is called Yoyosam, and its street address is 2501 West 3rd Street in Wilmington. Zip is 19805, and the telephone number is 302.352.1843.

And, of course, they have a website: www.yoyosam.com from which you can join their mailing list. Or order on-line.

I visited the shop a couple of weeks ago, and was impresssed. They are set up to do most of their business via internet, but are happy to see human beings walk in. But they suggest you call ahead of time just to make sure that someone's there.

They stock all sorts of "this may be hard to learn, but well worth the effort" type things, like yo-yo's, juggling equipment, flower sticks, diabolos, disc golf stuff, footbags, kites, etc.

They handle the full line of Higgins Brothers juggling props, plus Sundia diabolos, Crystal Stix, Luna Stix, contact juggling balls, and more. Their in-house selection of clubs is somewhat modest, but high quality stuff.

Where they see the opportunity to make their own props (like really nice juggling balls and 4" diabolos), they do so -- and offer truly amazing prices. Amazing compared to most other on-line, well-known juggling brands.

So, if you're in the market for new props, I strongly recommend you visit the website and maybe take some time to drive down to Wilmington. Or just give them a call and ask about what they've got in stock.

It ain't far, and could well be worth your time.

A Bit of On-Line Pub for the THJ!

2009-09-03T08:34:00.002-04:00

I mentioned to several of you that we had a reporter coming from an on-line "magazine" called Examiner.com to talk about our happy little band -- and whether it is an appropriate place to invite kids and/or grownups.

So last Saturday, Eryn Travis (yes, that's her real name!) paid us a visit, talked with me for about 30 minutes, then interviewed several other Turks Heads, and got some nice photos. You can get to the article by clicking here: http://www.examiner.com/x-22075-South-Philadelphia-StayatHome-Moms-Examiner~y2009m9d1-Introduce-kids-to-juggling-with-Turks-Head-Jugglers

In the article, she stresses the appropriateness of the group for kids, because that was the initial intent of the article. I appreciate the fact that she included the idea that we are not a babysitting service, nor are we a formal teaching facility -- and that we expect everyone in attendance to behave in an adult rational manner. (Other than the fact that we stand around for hours throwing things up in the air and trying to catch them... I'm not sure everyone would agree that this qualifies as a serious "adult" behavior. But I digress.)

Anyway, Eryn and I would both appreciate it if you took a look at the article and gave some comment -- good, bad, or indifferent.

And please don't miss the short "slideshow" towards the end of the article!

2009-07-24T18:09:00.001-04:00

Alexandra!!!! You're the one who told us about shoebox tour and you weren't there- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TELLING US!!! and we missed you. Hope you are getting very very smart- not to say that you weren't already smart- because you were plenty smart- now you will just have more smart stuff in your head.

Five Unicycles!!

2009-05-30T13:30:00.002-04:00

This morning's unicycle session was a huge success. We had five unicycles and five unicyclists. (Which is about all the court can handle at one time.) A lot of learning taking place, a lot of assisting going on and everyone having a good time.

Quote of the day -- hands down winner -- was from Alexandra, who made her first appearance at the basketball court. She announced: "It's really nice to be able to go more than ten feet on the unicycle without running into a sofa."

Yup.

Hey Friends!

2009-05-18T00:07:00.002-04:00

Hello all!
Wow! I haven't posted in so long but you guys seem to have so many opportunities open for performing! That's great! I just wanted to drop by and let everyone know that I officially graduated from Penn State University on Saturday. yay! Wow. I never thought that day would come. Anyways, I'm currently jobless so juggling is in the schedule. I have been in contact with Disney and there is an opportunity to go back to my location at Indiana Jones, but I'm not sure I can make a solid living off of that. I have to go and talk with some of my friends down there and see how they are scraping by. Anyways, I hope to be in soon, probably on Thursday. Can't wait to see you guys!!!!
~Lauren

Randy's got surgery coming up

2009-04-28T06:13:00.003-04:00

I have some surgery currently scheduled for next week, and I'm writing this for two reasons:

my attendance at THJ sessions is probably going to be hit-or-miss for a month or so, and
I've created a blog to allow everyone who's interested up-to-date on how things are going.

Blog address is: http://RandysHealth.blogspot.com

Stacktacular

2009-04-18T20:02:00.002-04:00

Time.com

Blink and you might just miss it. The blur of crisscrossing hands and zigzagging neon cups is probably the weirdest organized sport you've never heard of...

Peden to Sweden (full video)

2009-02-26T21:26:00.002-05:00

If you haven't seen this, I'd highly recommend it. It has both technical and creative juggling- things ranging from 7 clubs to just plain creativity. If you have 13 minutes, watch it, it's really really great and impressive.
*Watch in high quality*

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGE3QJOcNzs

Enjoy,
AW

A Fitness Product for the Rest of Us!

2009-02-03T15:46:00.002-05:00

Hey gang! Had enough of those exorbitant health club fees? Disappointed in the "home gym" equipment you've used before? Well finally, there is a sensible answer to all your fitness needs! Just click on the URL below and be amazed!!

http://hydrationfitness.com/chairmaster2000/cm2k.htm

Chain Maille Juggling Balls?!?

2009-01-27T18:31:00.002-05:00

It will probably come as a surprise to most of you that my birthday was back on January 16th. We're not going to go into how old I am because that's not the point of the post. Some of you may remember that last Thursday I was doing some show-and-tell with my favorite birthday present. My wife was able to combine 2 of my hobbies into one gift. The first is obviously juggling, and the 2nd is chain-mailling. Anybody who is a Thursday night-er has had to have seen my kids (Matt and Becca) sitting on the floor sometimes with rings and pliers making small bits of chain-maille jewelry.

Anyhow, enough of this rambling on and on. Below is the link to the eBay store that my wife got the balls from, the seller has a few different types and the price is quite reasonable at $17-$20 per set.

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/lyncher2003

As always: try to keep your balls off the floor...

Howard

A THJ "Library"

2009-01-05T08:48:00.002-05:00

The School has been generous enough to provide us, not only the gym space we all know and love, but also our very own cabinet space in the adjacent "kitchen." That's where we keep the Boom Box and CD collection.

And what I would like to do is start a collection of useful juggling documents in aforesaid cabinet. So I will be taking a purple plastic envelope over to the gym today. In it will be the latest Brian Dube catalogue, the latest JugglingStore.com catalogue, and a recent issue of Juggle magazine. A sign on the envelope will encourage readers to browse through the enclosed documents, but return the documents to the folder rather than taking them home...
That way, we'll continue to have them!

Please feel free to contribute other documents to the "library" if you feel they will be useful to others.

Local Jugglers

2009-01-04T12:06:00.005-05:00

Here is a nice article with video links about local jugglers Jake and Marty LaSalle. They grew up just down the road in Kennett Square and are some of the best jugglers that I have ever known. Enjoy

The New York Times Jan 4, 2009

They were just on the news. Marty thinks you can tell that he just woke up, but the question is can you tell which one is Marty? The video is under the famous faces section, titled "family circus."

Fox News Video

Incredible Stacking Routine

2008-12-31T00:51:00.004-05:00

Many of us have seen, and been awed by the nine cigar box stacking routine. Well, here is a stacking routine that goes way beyond that. Give it a try (if you've got 22 cigar boxes, or the equivalent thereof)!

JuggleWiki

2008-12-06T17:21:00.002-05:00

Is everyone familiar with JuggleWiki?

I'm particularly fascinated by the pattern animations. I remember a site from few years ago with similar animations, but I believe JuggleWiki has a more comprehensive compendium. And there's all neatly arranged in siteswap notation for the juggling nerds.

Update on Tournament

2008-11-24T17:46:00.002-05:00

I won I won I won I won!!!!!!!!!!!!! First place in four events in my age division, which consited of two people. But actually, combining my age division and the division above mine, I still would have taken first (that's five people total). I now have four shiny medals to hang....but where to hang them.............

"Sport Stacking" (Cup stacking) Tournament!!!!

2008-11-19T18:31:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited. I have officially signed up to be in a tournament on November 22. Wish me luck!!

3-Ball Juggling Book for Sale!

2008-11-17T06:55:00.003-05:00

Rummaging around in my back room the other day, I came across a supply of Beyond the Cascade: Step-by-Step Guides to 88 Classic 3-Ball Juggling Tricks that I had planned to provide to some juggling classes I was teaching. I have 20 pristine copies of the book. And would love to find new homes for them.

Dube sells this book for $12.95. I'm offering them for $5.00 apiece -- and will mail them at no additional charge if you can't make it to the gym.

Learning juggling tricks from a book is always a bit... well, a bit tricky -- but the drawings in this book are excellent and the verbal descriptions are quite clear. And the book includes juggling tricks that even Christian doesn't know. (Not many, to be sure, but at least a couple...)

If you're interested, please write a comment to this posting or send me an e-mail at GotaJugl@msn.com or call me at 610.436.5759. I will try to remember to bring several copies with me to upcoming practice sessions.

Sew Your Own

2008-11-10T22:20:00.003-05:00

During last Saturday's practice session, several jugglers briefly pondered patterns not oft considered at they gym. Of course there was banter about siteswap , but we also talked about sewing patterns and templates used to fabricate one's own bean bag props. Turns out The Interned Juggling Database (IJDB) hosts a great page on stitching beanies. Scroll for downloadable templates in .pdf files.

Dodecahedrons, truncated tetrahedrons; the geometries are beautiful. Another quality of our passion convincing me of the logic of the pre- and non-digital.

See Ellen or Janelle to sample eponymous bean bags "Ellens" and "Janelles."

Octopus juggling

2008-11-08T17:00:00.003-05:00

But can he do a shower?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082084/Youve-heard-clown-fish--Now-meet-juggling-octopus-shoots-water-jets-switch-lights.html?ITO=1490

If anyone can find a video, please share.

Craig

Joggle and Joggle

2008-11-03T21:53:00.003-05:00

We all know the verb "joggle" as the simultaneous action of juggling and jogging, but did you know "joggle" is also an architecture term? According to my Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture, a "joggle" is

a notch or projection in one piece of material which is fitted to a projection or notch in a second piece to prevent one piece from slipping on the other.

Hmm. Rest assured I will casually introduce "joggle" into a conversation with a coworker tomorrow. See the link for an illustration.

4 Ball Box

2008-10-24T20:38:00.003-04:00

a few weeks ago we discussed the 4 ball box pattern. a true 4bb, with stacked throws, looks like this.

what we see vova doing here circa 3:40 is a pseudo 4bb because the vertical throws are fountain-like, rather than the true stacked pattern in the first video.

Juggling with Bill and Ellen

2008-10-05T11:17:00.006-04:00

Almost precisely one year ago Bill and Ellen agreed to be in a film I made for my final project in a film class I took in fall 2007. Now that we have this awesome blog, there was some discussion over dinner yesterday about possibly posting the video on here. Well, your wish is my command. Enjoy!

Click this link to watch!

http://blip.tv/file/744644

My Oh My!

2008-09-23T23:50:00.003-04:00

Wow! I am sure missing a lot with you Turk's Head Gang!!! If I was at school I would honestly go to the Faire with you Randy and I would be in costume as well!
Alas, I am here in sunny, hot, humid Florida working for the Mouse. It's not that bad. I do get to see the Indiana Jones Stunt Show at least 3 times a day. I also get to talk into a Microphone so all is well here!

This weekend there is a Theatre Open House in Downtown Orlando and my manager is running it. He has asked me if I would like to provide some entertainment! OF COURSE! Was my reply. Not only will I be juggling, but I will also be displaying my improv skills as well as performing a monologue and a scene. I am FLOORED to have this opportunity down here. Who knows, maybe something bigger will come out of it...

I am so glad to hear that the Turks Head Jugglers are growing in numbers!!! I hope to see all of you when I arrive home in January *If I can make it in one of the 6 days until I go back to school* and if not then, then whenever I am able to pop in and say hello. Who knew being a College Senior would mean I had to get a real job in that big scary real world...haha well I guess I sorta did, but working for Disney sure has opened many new doors for me!

Best Wishes to everyone!
~Lauren

P.S. Did you know you could post pictures?! Well here is one of me at work! Enjoy!

Disney Update!

2008-08-19T16:31:00.002-04:00

I'm a horrible person! Horrible, horrible...
I had no time to come to the club before I left. There is no excuse besides lack of time between seeing people, working, and packing, and small vacations. But that doesn't mean I haven't been practicing because I have!!!

Anyways, some of you have heard (and if not this is the perfect place to learn!) I am working in Disney World this fall! It is a very good thing for me and I am very excited! I still get to graduate college in May (that's how my dad is making sure I come home). Well I arrived in Disney Saturday night, I drove with my mom, and we went to Magic Kingdom on Sunday. It was a lot of fun before these past few days of moving in stress.

I am very content here. I have great roommates, 5 other girls all about my age, and I am working at a great location..Hollywood (MGM) Studios! I am very excited! I begin my orientation tomorrow, we get to learn all about the company, and then on Thursday I begin training at Icon Attractions! These attractions include: Great MOvie Ride, Indiana Jones, Muppett Vision, and Star Tours! I am pumped!

Also, I hope to audition to be a performer at the end of my program and maybe return in the summer. This would be great! I would love to perform down here, even though it gets hot and nasty outside!

Right now it is pouring due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Fay and we are inside relaxing before a long day of training tomorrow *4 straight hours*
anyways I'm probably boring you...but I promise to keep in touch! Hope all is well with everyone!

I've Been Published

2008-08-02T01:10:00.002-04:00

I sent a poem to someone a year or two ago, and now you can see my work in the book "More Than Little Professors". It's a collection of writing, quotes, art, and more by kids within the Autism Spectrum.

http://www.novelgames.com/flashgames/game.php?id=5

Click there for an online, typing style game of cup stacking.

Action News!?

2008-07-14T20:03:00.001-04:00

ok so I was watching action news at noon today because it was not a good beach day here. I was watching the opening and I could have sworn I saw Randy juggling. Randy are you in the opening roll of Action News???? Serious I swore it was you...it went by so fast though, it could have been another juggler.

2008-07-11T11:48:00.000-04:00

CLASSIFICATION
Lightning Bugs are the same as Fireflies. They are members of a particular family of the Beetle Order. The Firefly Family is technically known as the Lampyridae.
Lightning Bugs are beetles. They can't be "flies" as their name suggests because "flies" are members of the Fly Order. Glow-worms, which produce light similar to Lightning Bugs', also are beetles, but they belong to a different though closely related family, the Phengodidae. There are many Lightning Bug species.

I'm Alive...I Promise!

2008-07-10T16:07:00.000-04:00

Hey Gang,

So I was very active in the beginning of the summer and then I seemingly "disappeared". In all honesty it's because I haven't been feeling too well and I had to get tested for a whole bunch of stuff. All of which came back positive and it turns out I was just "running on empty". However, I am still trying to get my sleep schedule on track and what not so I have been going home straight from my internship and heading to bed early ( by early I mean 10pm at the very latest). Yay for Sleep!

Bad news: I won't be back at all this week or next. Family vacation has taken me hostage...I'm not complaining. (yet).

Good News: I will be back before I go to Disney (which is only 38 days away!!!)!!!

I know you all wanted to hear what was on in my life, but I thought you should know that I love you all and I wasn't avoiding you. Life just ended up catching up to me.

I haven't been lazy from juggling. As you know, I have been working on my cigar boxes and they are starting to tune up nicely. With the help of my friend, a professional magician, I have been putting together a routine to a jazzed up version of "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat." It's still in the beginning stages but I already have costumes, an opening, and I'm working on NEW tricks!!! This is very exciting for me an challenging. If I have it together before heading off to Disney I'll show it to you guys. If I don't, I'll post it via video on the blog.

Much Love in Juggling!!!

Lauren

I finally made it

2008-07-07T22:12:00.000-04:00

What a process! But at last, here I am registered for the blog. I've had less trouble obtaining larges sums of money in small unmarked bills that this, but that is another story for another day.

See you all when I see you!

jack

Passing Data Base

2008-06-18T20:49:00.000-04:00

Here's a good passing link we should consider adding to the main link page of the THJ site:

http://www.passingdb.com/

Juggling Fire: some words of wisdom...

2008-06-14T17:06:00.000-04:00

If you're thinking of juggling fire (or even if you're already doing so), you might want to check out the latest addition to the "Miscellaneous" Page. The new posting links to two excellent write-ups about how to minimize the dangers involved.

That Poem I Promised...

2008-06-10T09:20:00.000-04:00

The following was written by Margaret Mitchell Miller. It was published in the winter, 1995 edition of Juggler's World:

THIS TRICK

To begin, I must warn you:
it is more than a gesture of skill
or chance. It requires a love of

threes. You will find it impossible
to do, at first. There is one
more ball than you can manage with

ease. Each hand desires but a single
thing -- another hand, say -- touched
to the small cupped

palm. But you know what you need
to complete this trick. Part of your task
is mastering the perfect rhythm of

threes. You must practice in a room so large
that nothing is easily broken. At your first toss
the balls will drop and roll just out of

reach. Resist the urge to give in
to the loss. Soon your legs and arms grow limber,
stronger, as you learn to retrieve them

all. Listen: the trick is in keeping
two balls in the air, you eye fixed on them
always. In the exchange you must free what you

hold: you live for the one that is
falling. It is what you hands desire most, you
know. With practice you learn to anticipate

the moment you must let go.

Juggling College Life

2008-06-04T15:08:00.001-04:00

So I'm thinking that this blog is pretty cool. I'm happy to be a part of it! I'm a big fan of blogging when I can remember to keep up with it. I hope everyone continues to make good use of it.

What has everybody been up to?

I haven't seen most of you since Christmas time! I stopped by the club a few weekends ago but there were only 3 people there besides myself because of the holiday. I will definitely try to make it out to club again one of these days. I miss you all very much.

It has been a crazy year at Temple. I think you will be excited to know that I did it! I'm not talking about having a successful freshman year (even though I did...), I'm talking about how I started a juggling club at Temple University! Right now it remains "unofficial" but I have gained enough interest that the TUJC is off to a strong start. The first semester of our meetings has consisted of about 10 people juggling together twice a week. The club contains a lot of beginners and other jugglers that have been waiting for a club like this to come along so they could practice. It has been a great experience. A lot more people have expressed interest on the Facebook group and in person when they pass by the club. So maybe we will obtain even more interest in the Fall.

Since everyone is home for the summer, including myself, we will resume our club meetings twice a week during the Fall semester.

It has been a pleasure founding the TUJC. If anyone from Turks ever wants to stop by the club sometime please let me know when it gets closer to the fall and I'll have a better idea of what the TUJC's schedule looks like.

For right now, I can't wait to get back to West Chester and see everyone. I'll keep you posted...

Oh yeah... for those of you who use Facebook there is a Temple University Juggling Club group. Just search for "Temple University Juggling Club" and join!

Alright. Happy summer everybody!
~Bianca

Clubbing without a helmet

2008-06-03T22:37:00.000-04:00

Ok now I know what you all are thinking. Lauren is 21 now and she probably got herself into some trouble and that is why she titled the blog as such.

I am here to state that I have yet to be in trouble or to a real club.

I am simply talking about juggling clubs. When I first started my lovely purple clubs, I used to hit myself in the head a lot. When I practiced at home I would put my read sparring helmet from Tae Kwon Do on to ease the pain a bit. I'm glad to say, as I'm sure some have noticed, that my club juggling is slightly better.

I have been working on new tricks with my clubs so that when I get to Disney in the fall, ask me about it I LOVE talking about it!, I will have tricks up my sleeve that might get me into those famous parades or even a little Main Street Show. While I know that I am far from it, I know that with a lot of practice and determination I can get to where I want to be. This of course means dealing with some pain.... I am proud to say that after two hours of club practice...I am getting slightly even more better, however I have lots of bruises on my forearms from it.

Is forearm bruising normal in club juggling when you are tossing them about?

Also, a random fact that you didn't know about your lovely Lauren. She already has a blog. I muse about lots of things and would love to share it with you. Here's the link. Go there! I talk about a lot of different things and once I am in Disney I will be Vlogging! what is a Vlog you might ask...well...It's a Video Blog. There are a few examples already on my blog.

That's all for me I suppose. Oh and I love blogging...so unless life catches up with me, I promise to blog a lot!

Nice article about Vova Galchenko

2008-06-03T07:21:00.000-04:00

Adam Luther forwarded this NY Times article about the young man perhaps destined to become the greatest juggler of the next decade or so.

Thought you'd like to read it!

(Thanks Adam!)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/sports/playmagazine/601juggler.html?8dpc

What should I blog here?

2008-06-02T07:43:00.000-04:00

Great question!!

Answer: all sorts of stuff.

Here's some suggestions:

SCHEDULE CHANGES: This is where we will post the information that an upcoming practice session has to be cancelled. In addition, we'll post whether we're at the gym or at the Courthouse, if there's a unicycling or boomerang session coming up -- stuff like that. So watch this space!!
ADVICE ON TRICKS: Working on 3 balls? 4 balls? 5 balls? Transition to rings or clubs? Learning to pass? Contact juggling? Unicycling? Cup stacking? Whatever it is, if you're getting stuck, ask for a little help from your friends!!
WHERE TO BUY: Thinking of investing in new props -- and not sure which would be best for you? From a set of 3 balls to a giraffe unicycle, somebody around here has some good advice for you!
UPCOMING SHOWS: Don't you hate it when you find out that a superb juggling act came to town and performed... last night? So if you know of an upcoming juggling/magic/mime/comedy act that you think others would enjoy, for goodness' sakes, tell the world about it here!!
SHOW REPORT: The other end of Item #4. If you went to that show yesterday and you really liked it -- or really hated it -- share your opinion with the rest of us.
BUYING OR SELLING: Anyone who has been juggling for more than 3 years or so has a couple of perfectly good props tucked away in the closet that he/she probably will never use again. So let's create our own little eBay right here!!
RESTAURANT REVIEWS/MOVIE REVIEWS: Hey, life is not all cascades and passing patterns. Let us know about what's happening with you between THJ practice sessions!
AWAY ON VACATION -- OR JUST RETURNED: See Item #7.
JOKES: So these 3 jugglers walk into a bar. The first one is a bounce juggler, and he orders a...
SOMETHING INSPIRATIONAL: There's a wonderful poem about 3-ball juggling (honest!) in an old issue of Jugglers World. If and when I find it, I'll blog it for you. Go thou and do likewise.
PROP REVIEWS: Hey, I just got a new set of (your prop name here) and I think they are (your opinion here), because (your reasons here).
STAY IN TOUCH: Off at school? Long trip somewhere exciting... or not...? Let us know how you're doing!!

The above ideas are only suggestions. I hope the blog will take on a life of its own and that we will find wonderful new things to do with it!!

So... what's on your mind?