Out there

My juggling skills really aren't what they once were. In truth I was never that good a juggler, though I could cope well enough with most of the basics. Even when it came to contact juggling I never really got off the bottom rung. This was illustrated this afternoon when I idled away a moment or two at a cash register by picking up a ball of rubber bands that lay on the counter and tried to give it a whirl. Much to my surprise the guy behind the counter proved himself a far more able contact juggler than myself. I felt a little chastened, but he seemed pleased to find someone else interested in that particular discipline, and informed me that there was a regular meeting every Thursday evening, during which a group of random people assemble to practice assorted juggling and circus skills. He kindly jotted down their address for (which turned out to be only a 20 minute walk from my flat). Given my whinge earlier in the week about my need to get out more and socialise, this seemed a fortuitous occurrence.

So tonight, with some trepidation, I headed along to the address on the paper in my pocket. I didn't realise it at the time, but apparently they're associated with these people, and it's a serious endeavour funded by the Scottish Arts Council. It all takes place in a fantastically ramshackle building which I think used to be a lumber yard. I found myself gazing at the trapeze dangling from the ceiling with some wonder (post Cirque de Soleil I found myself wonder how easy it would be to learn the trapeze).

Whilst I'm no judge of anyone's age, I'd nevertheless guess that I had about 10 years or so on most of the assemblege, and a great deal to learn to catch up with the skills on display. Most everyone there had obviously spent a great deal of time in practice (with a lot of poi work, and stick twirling on display - Nicky would be interested in that, I must remember to mention it to him) and my contact juggling skills seemed particularly meagre by comparison. I could claim to be some 10 years out of practice, but the truth is that I was simply never that good to begin with. However, I'm certainly capable of improvement and it was good to see others perform in the flesh. I spoke for a while to Steve, the guy who'd invited me along (and who was almost depressingly modest about his abilities, despite their far exceeding my own). During the conversation Steve explained how much help the web had been with his learning, and I had to confess that when I'd started learning the web (and indeed the internet) was a very different creature than it is now. For a moment I felt old, but only for a moment.

I returned home, and immediately ordered a set of two 75mm acrylic contact balls. I have a 60mm ball tucked away somewhere, but the larger balls are easier to work with. Ideally I'd like 4, but I can't quite justify spending that much money in one go, so I'll order another pair next month, when my back is turned.

What an unexpectedly pleasant day.