Keeping it simple this week. For a few years I enjoyed television bliss...and then it was over. So I thank you Mr.JJ Abrams for your epic adventure that was both intelligent and full of heart. Though many I talk to just "Did not get it" I always felt you did not have to understand the entire thing to fall in love with these characters.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
WTF Wednesdays
I live my life to a seemingly endless internal soundtrack populated by every song I have ever loved. I have started to actually build this endless album on my MP3 player to varied results, but it is a work in progress as much as the rest of my life is, so like my life I am constantly editing and adjusting the order in which a track appears or does not.
What I have noticed while creating this playlist is that for nearly every song I choose there is an emotion or memory associated with it. What this means is that no matter how much I love a song, if it is associated with a memory of sadness or loss every time it plays I essentially relive those events. I seem to associate a song with everything that seems crucial in my life at that time, be it a simple moment of depression or rejection, they all seem to become engrained in my mind. Its like fast forwarding to your favorite part of a film just so you can revel in that moment, the music sets the mood of the scene and is just as important as the lines the actors speak.
So when I want to travel back to a specific moment or feeling I call up a song on my playlist and I am instantly there again, which is especially self destructive for some of my more depressing memories. The ones where I made the wrong decision or, worse still, lost something I actually had. I do not know if this is a common ability or if its just a weird memory association and I am not entirely convinced its a good thing, but its how my brain works so its here to stay.
What I have noticed while creating this playlist is that for nearly every song I choose there is an emotion or memory associated with it. What this means is that no matter how much I love a song, if it is associated with a memory of sadness or loss every time it plays I essentially relive those events. I seem to associate a song with everything that seems crucial in my life at that time, be it a simple moment of depression or rejection, they all seem to become engrained in my mind. Its like fast forwarding to your favorite part of a film just so you can revel in that moment, the music sets the mood of the scene and is just as important as the lines the actors speak.
So when I want to travel back to a specific moment or feeling I call up a song on my playlist and I am instantly there again, which is especially self destructive for some of my more depressing memories. The ones where I made the wrong decision or, worse still, lost something I actually had. I do not know if this is a common ability or if its just a weird memory association and I am not entirely convinced its a good thing, but its how my brain works so its here to stay.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Testy Tuesdays
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| My first Dubstep concert DEC 2010 |
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Somber Sundays- Or Blake Vs Arachnids
I like to believe I can "handle" myself in a tense situation. Not that I have ever encountered a time when talking things over did not get the desired effect, I mean to say I have never been in a fight the devolved into fisticuffs. That being said, me and those of the arachnid species are not bros and never have been. Anything with that many extra legs and has the ability to suck your blood while staring you down with eight damn eyeballs is NOT NATURAL I dont care who your god is.
So call me surprised over the last week when I encounter not one or two rather large spiders, but four. Mind you I am not counting the small day to day lot either, those guys I can handle and I even let a quiet Daddy Long Legs chill in the corner cause we have struck a truce that does not involve my shoe ending his world.Im talking dollar bill sized terrors that Frodo flipping Baggins would be hard pressed to slay.
Tonight one of these monstrosities came creeping down my wall and made the mistake of being so big IT CAST ITS OWN SHADOW and completely drew my attention away from whatever it is I do when left to my own devices. This sucker was just strutting down my wall like it owned the damn place, practically saying "Hey hows it goin", and so I decided tonight was my night to make a stand. I would capture this things and make it my bitch, to show all the other giant spiders who owns this basement. I marched over with a menacingly sized stick and my improvised spider prison made from an empty Popsicle box with authority and swatted the monster in. Initially I freaked out and looked around because I thought my stick of doom had missed its mark, freeing the beast to exact its revenge upon me, its potential warden. But no, after further inspection I realized I had bested my prey and it would torment me no longer.
I was rather proud of myself after overcoming my phobia so I took it upstairs to show off my prize. It was then that Miss Roomies Ex informed me this particular breed of ugly was a Wolf Spider. Whats that? A WOLF SPIDER!? That sounds terrifyingly accurate, its like the people who name these things know that instead of naming these creatures they should be devoting their lives to the genocide of the entire species, but they cannot because the lords of spiderdom would surely destroy the planet in rebellion. So I took this pawn of the spider kingdom to the porch, in its cardboard prison.
And I stomped the bitch back to hell where it came from.
So call me surprised over the last week when I encounter not one or two rather large spiders, but four. Mind you I am not counting the small day to day lot either, those guys I can handle and I even let a quiet Daddy Long Legs chill in the corner cause we have struck a truce that does not involve my shoe ending his world.Im talking dollar bill sized terrors that Frodo flipping Baggins would be hard pressed to slay.
Tonight one of these monstrosities came creeping down my wall and made the mistake of being so big IT CAST ITS OWN SHADOW and completely drew my attention away from whatever it is I do when left to my own devices. This sucker was just strutting down my wall like it owned the damn place, practically saying "Hey hows it goin", and so I decided tonight was my night to make a stand. I would capture this things and make it my bitch, to show all the other giant spiders who owns this basement. I marched over with a menacingly sized stick and my improvised spider prison made from an empty Popsicle box with authority and swatted the monster in. Initially I freaked out and looked around because I thought my stick of doom had missed its mark, freeing the beast to exact its revenge upon me, its potential warden. But no, after further inspection I realized I had bested my prey and it would torment me no longer.
I was rather proud of myself after overcoming my phobia so I took it upstairs to show off my prize. It was then that Miss Roomies Ex informed me this particular breed of ugly was a Wolf Spider. Whats that? A WOLF SPIDER!? That sounds terrifyingly accurate, its like the people who name these things know that instead of naming these creatures they should be devoting their lives to the genocide of the entire species, but they cannot because the lords of spiderdom would surely destroy the planet in rebellion. So I took this pawn of the spider kingdom to the porch, in its cardboard prison.
And I stomped the bitch back to hell where it came from.
Fiction Fridays- Descriptive essay
This is a descriptive essay I wrote for my English class, while not strictly fiction I figured why not post it here for all to see.....(Formatting has been removed)
Descriptive Essay Rough Draft
After continuously driving for 6 hours my legs began to ache like an overworked mule so I pulled over. Though it was early morning the sky was still black and the air brisk and cold so I pulled my favorite hoodie sweater over my head, its soft embrace my only real comfort on this thousand mile journey to a new home. Stepping out of my small four cylinder pickup truck onto the soft but crunchy gravel my legs slightly give out for a moment, as if recovering from years of atrophy and neglect despite only being immobile for a few hours. I reach to the heavens while stretching and cracking every muscle and bone I can put a name to, my body singing silent praise at my decision to break from the trip.
Gazing up in to the silent sky just beyond a row of towering pine trees I marvel at the brilliant stars while they blink and glimmer, unobstructed by the city lights I have known for so long. The points of light so infinite in number my eyes have trouble focusing on just one. Standing completely still in utter silence I feel as though I could become one of the many trees that surround me, massive sentries viewing the world from above. I began to sway in the gentle breeze that moves through these trees, feeling the cold air slightly sting my cheeks and making the blood rush to their aid for warmth. I pull the soft hood of my sweater up like a protective barrier and begin to walk forward with no real destination in mind. It seems like I have been standing in that same spot for ages and for a moment I wish I had not yet moved for in that spot was a perfect calmness I could not remember ever experiencing before.
Moving forward my body begins to warm itself again and the friction of my arms rubbing against my sweater is comforting and pleasant. Walking to the edge of a steep cliff face I notice the first signs of dawn peeking low on the horizon ahead and with it the waking of life in the woods below. I can now hear the faint echo of birds singing from some unknown distance and the slight din of a river below. Though it may have been there the whole time I can now hear the wind blowing through branches like whispers and secrets I shall never understand, I listen for a long time trying to pick out the individual trees creaks and cracks.
Looking to the east again the sun is finally showing its full glory to the world, not just peeking now but rolling over the mountain valley like a brilliant flame of oranges and yellows. Everything became bright and full of color at an exponential rate, some corners going from complete darkness to daylight in an instant. As the sun continued to rise into the sky the red flames began to dim and give way to shades of dark blue and below, in the valley, deep greens and browns. I could do nothing but stand and gaze upon this amazing sunrise in stunned silence and at one point I reminded myself to breathe. And so I took deep longing breathes into my lungs and held them, savoring the sweet pine scents that could only come from a place far from civilization, far from the contamination of city streets and fast food restaurants. The air was thin and clear at this altitude and an experience I will remember for the rest of my days on this earth.
Tearing myself away from the incredible sunrise unraveling before me I slowly begin the short walk back to my truck though it seems a lifetime since stepping out of it not much time has actually passed. I feel a slight sorrow at having to leave this scene behind for never again will any one moment ever be so pure and without worry as this one. I am travelling to a place completely alien to me and a fear of the unknown suddenly overcomes me again. I stop just as I reach the hood of the vehicle and close my eyes, attempting to recover some of the calm and contentment I had so quickly lost. I breathe the mountain air in deep once more, though it is now warming in the sunlight and no longer chilled by the nights touch. I find some solace in this because though everything must change it is always transformed from something familiar. This air feels different but it is the very same air I took deep into my body just moments before.
With slow deliberate motions I open the door and slide inside the cab, taking one last look at the valley that will forever be engrained into my mind. I turn the keys in the ignition and feel the engine rumble to life gently and shift into gear. Gently idling out of the rest area I continue on my journey relaxed and at ease, ready for another twelve hours on the road and with slightly more confidence that my decision to leave California is the right one.
Descriptive Essay Rough Draft
After continuously driving for 6 hours my legs began to ache like an overworked mule so I pulled over. Though it was early morning the sky was still black and the air brisk and cold so I pulled my favorite hoodie sweater over my head, its soft embrace my only real comfort on this thousand mile journey to a new home. Stepping out of my small four cylinder pickup truck onto the soft but crunchy gravel my legs slightly give out for a moment, as if recovering from years of atrophy and neglect despite only being immobile for a few hours. I reach to the heavens while stretching and cracking every muscle and bone I can put a name to, my body singing silent praise at my decision to break from the trip.
Gazing up in to the silent sky just beyond a row of towering pine trees I marvel at the brilliant stars while they blink and glimmer, unobstructed by the city lights I have known for so long. The points of light so infinite in number my eyes have trouble focusing on just one. Standing completely still in utter silence I feel as though I could become one of the many trees that surround me, massive sentries viewing the world from above. I began to sway in the gentle breeze that moves through these trees, feeling the cold air slightly sting my cheeks and making the blood rush to their aid for warmth. I pull the soft hood of my sweater up like a protective barrier and begin to walk forward with no real destination in mind. It seems like I have been standing in that same spot for ages and for a moment I wish I had not yet moved for in that spot was a perfect calmness I could not remember ever experiencing before.
Moving forward my body begins to warm itself again and the friction of my arms rubbing against my sweater is comforting and pleasant. Walking to the edge of a steep cliff face I notice the first signs of dawn peeking low on the horizon ahead and with it the waking of life in the woods below. I can now hear the faint echo of birds singing from some unknown distance and the slight din of a river below. Though it may have been there the whole time I can now hear the wind blowing through branches like whispers and secrets I shall never understand, I listen for a long time trying to pick out the individual trees creaks and cracks.
Looking to the east again the sun is finally showing its full glory to the world, not just peeking now but rolling over the mountain valley like a brilliant flame of oranges and yellows. Everything became bright and full of color at an exponential rate, some corners going from complete darkness to daylight in an instant. As the sun continued to rise into the sky the red flames began to dim and give way to shades of dark blue and below, in the valley, deep greens and browns. I could do nothing but stand and gaze upon this amazing sunrise in stunned silence and at one point I reminded myself to breathe. And so I took deep longing breathes into my lungs and held them, savoring the sweet pine scents that could only come from a place far from civilization, far from the contamination of city streets and fast food restaurants. The air was thin and clear at this altitude and an experience I will remember for the rest of my days on this earth.
Tearing myself away from the incredible sunrise unraveling before me I slowly begin the short walk back to my truck though it seems a lifetime since stepping out of it not much time has actually passed. I feel a slight sorrow at having to leave this scene behind for never again will any one moment ever be so pure and without worry as this one. I am travelling to a place completely alien to me and a fear of the unknown suddenly overcomes me again. I stop just as I reach the hood of the vehicle and close my eyes, attempting to recover some of the calm and contentment I had so quickly lost. I breathe the mountain air in deep once more, though it is now warming in the sunlight and no longer chilled by the nights touch. I find some solace in this because though everything must change it is always transformed from something familiar. This air feels different but it is the very same air I took deep into my body just moments before.
With slow deliberate motions I open the door and slide inside the cab, taking one last look at the valley that will forever be engrained into my mind. I turn the keys in the ignition and feel the engine rumble to life gently and shift into gear. Gently idling out of the rest area I continue on my journey relaxed and at ease, ready for another twelve hours on the road and with slightly more confidence that my decision to leave California is the right one.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thankful Thursdays
Of all the things in the world I am enjoying at this moment there is one in particular that I do not give nearly enough credit and that is the state of Colorado. Yes I can and probably will mine this very broad subject for blog postings in the nearish future but for now I must say that Colorado as a whole is owed many a thank you from The Blake and today is that day.
Though moving here had been the plan a few years prior to it ever happening I had put it off over and over, after all thats a huge life change and it was not until my life essentially ended in California that I was able to start over here. Scary as that was I have almost no regrets of the location change and I wake every morning renewed with possibility and excitement. Even after nearly a year of living in Colorado I am constantly coming across new and amazing experiences with so much more to look forward to. I have only explored an incredibly small amount portion of Colorado so far and I am itching to get out there and see it all despite knowing that will take decades if not the rest of my lifetime. And though I still plan on visiting far off exotic locales I never forget that new experiences are right around the corner right where I am, all I have to do is be ready for them and keep my eyes open.
And the people of this great state! It is true that there have been some rude folks since moving here but I could say that about anywhere, but after meeting and making new friends and acquaintances whom I am genuinely intrigued and inspired by I am certain that there is no other place these people could exist. Traveling just minutes from Longmont, my now home town, I come to my new favorite city of Boulder. A place so filled with energy and creativity that just walking down the street gives me a new and wonderful experience. Random people strike up conversations and debates along Pearl, an act that might warrant harassment charges in California. The atmosphere is great I could think of no better place for me to raise Bug and Bubbas as the liberally open minded human beings I hope for them to become.
Though I have encountered sadness and maybe a smidge of loneliness since coming here I will never look back on the decision as anything less than a blessing. I needed a new life in a new place and what I got was an entirely new outlook on the universe and everything it contains. So on this day I say thank you Colorado, when I came here I was empty and with your help I am on a journey I no longer want to end.
Though moving here had been the plan a few years prior to it ever happening I had put it off over and over, after all thats a huge life change and it was not until my life essentially ended in California that I was able to start over here. Scary as that was I have almost no regrets of the location change and I wake every morning renewed with possibility and excitement. Even after nearly a year of living in Colorado I am constantly coming across new and amazing experiences with so much more to look forward to. I have only explored an incredibly small amount portion of Colorado so far and I am itching to get out there and see it all despite knowing that will take decades if not the rest of my lifetime. And though I still plan on visiting far off exotic locales I never forget that new experiences are right around the corner right where I am, all I have to do is be ready for them and keep my eyes open.
And the people of this great state! It is true that there have been some rude folks since moving here but I could say that about anywhere, but after meeting and making new friends and acquaintances whom I am genuinely intrigued and inspired by I am certain that there is no other place these people could exist. Traveling just minutes from Longmont, my now home town, I come to my new favorite city of Boulder. A place so filled with energy and creativity that just walking down the street gives me a new and wonderful experience. Random people strike up conversations and debates along Pearl, an act that might warrant harassment charges in California. The atmosphere is great I could think of no better place for me to raise Bug and Bubbas as the liberally open minded human beings I hope for them to become.
Though I have encountered sadness and maybe a smidge of loneliness since coming here I will never look back on the decision as anything less than a blessing. I needed a new life in a new place and what I got was an entirely new outlook on the universe and everything it contains. So on this day I say thank you Colorado, when I came here I was empty and with your help I am on a journey I no longer want to end.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
WTF Wednesdays- The Evil Empire
I was hired onto my first job at the age of 16 and at the time thought said job should feel lucky to have me, and so I took advantage by calling in sick when I was not sick and generally not caring about my attendance. I have always been a good worker and given much more effort than many of my peers when there, but in those early days I thought a job was more a right than privilege.
I have since changed my tune which helps in these tough economic times where any job is better than no job at all, even when you must work for a massive corporation who enjoys destroying small business and eating small kittens. Im kidding about enjoying the destruction of small business of course, they feel terrible when that happens. I have become a responsible adult who understands that if I do not show up to do my job someone must still do that job, so it really bugs me when another grown person does not see how much their lack of effort and irresponsible ways harms everyone and not just themselves.
There are coworkers at my place of work that rarely show up and when they do it is merely to stand around and have a good time rather than work, which essentially means these people are absent more than they are actually at work and when they actually show up it is to get paid for doing nothing. So I am stuck doing their jobs whether they show up or not, yet because I am such an efficient worker hell rains down upon me from upper management if I happen to call in sick. So My lazy coworkers zombie their way through life without consequence while I do their job, my good work ethic not rewarded but instead punished because it is expected of me.
Why these people are not punished because nothing is expected of them while I am held to a higher standard and not benefiting from it at all is beyond me, and I humbly ask WTF IS UP WITH THAT?
I have since changed my tune which helps in these tough economic times where any job is better than no job at all, even when you must work for a massive corporation who enjoys destroying small business and eating small kittens. Im kidding about enjoying the destruction of small business of course, they feel terrible when that happens. I have become a responsible adult who understands that if I do not show up to do my job someone must still do that job, so it really bugs me when another grown person does not see how much their lack of effort and irresponsible ways harms everyone and not just themselves.
There are coworkers at my place of work that rarely show up and when they do it is merely to stand around and have a good time rather than work, which essentially means these people are absent more than they are actually at work and when they actually show up it is to get paid for doing nothing. So I am stuck doing their jobs whether they show up or not, yet because I am such an efficient worker hell rains down upon me from upper management if I happen to call in sick. So My lazy coworkers zombie their way through life without consequence while I do their job, my good work ethic not rewarded but instead punished because it is expected of me.
Why these people are not punished because nothing is expected of them while I am held to a higher standard and not benefiting from it at all is beyond me, and I humbly ask WTF IS UP WITH THAT?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Testy Tuesdays- Changing Formats!
I did mention this might happen, a slight change in format mainly due to my inability to stay focused and such.
So anyways I have decided to do away with tasty Tuesdays, it had a good run but the whole recipe thing started to run out of steam partly due to the sporadic nature of my eating habits and partly because I dont think many people care about my bizarre food. So instead I introduce "Testy Tuesdays", dedicated to whatever the frick I want. It will be my wild card day where anything can happen and gosh do I wish that was as exciting as I am making it out to be but lets face it folks, Blake's life isn't all that interesting....yet! Now for the updated schedule of awesome I got going on for this here interweb writing thingy:
Somber Sundays- My day to dig deep into my psyche and wonder why things are and basically be Emo
Minecraft Mondays- Me being visually creative, usually a comic or piece of art
Testy Tuesdays- The wild card, it could be anything! What will it be next week, I dont even know!?
WTF Wednesdays- Me pondering the fracked up things I come across in life
Thankful Thursdays- My day to be utterly positive and talk about what I am thankful for
Fiction Fridays- Short and ongoing stories I write and you(hopefully)read!
Synopsis Saturdays- I review or reflect on something cool or interesting
As always thanks for the traffic and I hope to entertain you at least a little with my random musings. More to come and I cant wait to get some feedback! Oh and dont forget to check out my links on the side as well as the other Blogs I follow.
So anyways I have decided to do away with tasty Tuesdays, it had a good run but the whole recipe thing started to run out of steam partly due to the sporadic nature of my eating habits and partly because I dont think many people care about my bizarre food. So instead I introduce "Testy Tuesdays", dedicated to whatever the frick I want. It will be my wild card day where anything can happen and gosh do I wish that was as exciting as I am making it out to be but lets face it folks, Blake's life isn't all that interesting....yet! Now for the updated schedule of awesome I got going on for this here interweb writing thingy:
Somber Sundays- My day to dig deep into my psyche and wonder why things are and basically be Emo
Minecraft Mondays- Me being visually creative, usually a comic or piece of art
Testy Tuesdays- The wild card, it could be anything! What will it be next week, I dont even know!?
WTF Wednesdays- Me pondering the fracked up things I come across in life
Thankful Thursdays- My day to be utterly positive and talk about what I am thankful for
Fiction Fridays- Short and ongoing stories I write and you(hopefully)read!
Synopsis Saturdays- I review or reflect on something cool or interesting
As always thanks for the traffic and I hope to entertain you at least a little with my random musings. More to come and I cant wait to get some feedback! Oh and dont forget to check out my links on the side as well as the other Blogs I follow.
If you have kids, enjoy a laugh!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Somber Sundays- That great blue yonder
And so I continue on this journey rather aimlessly, always on the look out for an opportunity but never quite able to hold onto the ones I find. I vaguely remember sharing my life with another and it being a wonderful thing, conversations were not constant but the feeling of being together made silence joyful rather than awkward.
I am constantly confused by Miss Mamma and her many contradicting signs and signals, and the rise and fall of my chances with Miss amazing was an eye opening lesson in how not to let hope get the best of me, and throughout all this I attempt to remain optimistic because you never know whats just around the bend of life.
People, places, objects, hopes, dreams, all are interchangeable and come just as fast as they appeared. I am finding it hard to let anyone in for fear that when I do they just disappear. Though this may sound bleak at the moment it is completely appropriate.
I have been told by a few women now that I am a completely wonderful guy, but I am told this while essentially being rejected which defeats the purpose of the message and makes me really wonder what exactly is so wrong with me? This might have to be the subject of another Somber Sunday because I am seriously done with feeling sorry for myself this week.
Williams OUT
I am constantly confused by Miss Mamma and her many contradicting signs and signals, and the rise and fall of my chances with Miss amazing was an eye opening lesson in how not to let hope get the best of me, and throughout all this I attempt to remain optimistic because you never know whats just around the bend of life.
People, places, objects, hopes, dreams, all are interchangeable and come just as fast as they appeared. I am finding it hard to let anyone in for fear that when I do they just disappear. Though this may sound bleak at the moment it is completely appropriate.
I have been told by a few women now that I am a completely wonderful guy, but I am told this while essentially being rejected which defeats the purpose of the message and makes me really wonder what exactly is so wrong with me? This might have to be the subject of another Somber Sunday because I am seriously done with feeling sorry for myself this week.
Williams OUT
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Synopsis Saturdays- Pearl Street Awesomness!
I am busting out the Flux Capacitor and going back in time to write my Saturday Blog about something that happened on Sunday so this post is doubly exciting.
I live in a wonderfully dull town named Longmont in the great state of Colorado which some might point out as a negative thing, I however see it as a positive for two reasons. Firstly living in Longmont puts me in the same city as Bug and Bubbas, my two amazing kids whom I moved all the way to Colorado for in the first place. Secondly Longmont is geographically smack in the middle of everywhere else I might want to go in this state and particularly close to Boulder, a city I have completely fallen in love with since the big move. Now I tell you this not because I am going to review a location, no this is all merely a primer for the main event....YO YO's!
In Boulder there is a small but vibrant downtown district on Pearl Street which serves as the cities cultural hub, not unlike Time Square is to New York but with less Adult Film Theaters, and has also become a mecca for hundreds of street performers and sideshow enthusiasts who travel from all over the world just to do their acts. One such performer named John Higby caught my attention, and a bit of my ear, today on Pearl and I thought I would share a bit. His specialty is rather unusual and involves several elements but mainly focuses on a ridiculously skilled use of YO YO's. John also uses his audience a great deal and is one hell of a showman, always keeping the crowd involved and excited to see what his next trick will be. In fact every time he is about to perform a new feat of YO YO awesomeness he rings a bell, to which the audience is instructed early on to yell "YO" as loudly as possible.
At one point in the show he announced the need for one more volunteer, specifically a father, which I just happen to be one of. Though reluctant at first I was encouraged to volunteer by my Bug and Bubbas momma, and once I decided "what the heck, might as well" I jumped at the chance to be a part of this guys act. Initially me jumping up and down with my hand raised was apparently not enough to get Johns attention, so Miss Momma yelled out "pick this guy" in an uncomfortably loud volume which seemed to work. So I strolled up admittedly a smidge nervous to the YO YO masters inner circle and helped continue the show, first by holding a match which he promptly lit using only a single YO YO toss. I cant even lite a match using the strike on box so this was at least a little impressive by my standards. He then used his skill to knock a quarter off my ear without severely injuring me, something I had my doubts of him accomplishing. I was assured that if I was indeed injured I would receive "everything you see here", which after scanning a bit included a large collection of YO YO's, a silver hat with a propeller on it, and a unicycle. If I did lose an eye during this show I would totally make out like a bandit. Alas John was successful with only a minor graze of my ear so I did not get to fulfill my life long dream of owning a unicycle, I did however have a load of fun and get to look like an idiot in front of a hundred random Pearl street tourists!
John Higby had a family as well and closed out the show using his wife, who also had a rather impressive holahoop talent, and small son in a grand finale involving "Three YO YO's, a unicycle, two holahoops, one wife, one baby, and the worlds first YO YO powered propeller hat!" which I tell you now did not disappoint. Turns out that Johns show travels all over the world and has been featured on shows like Americas Got Talent and The Late Show with David Letterman, you can even learn all sorts of cool info on this family by visiting their website YOYOSHOW which I encourage you to do. All in all I had a blast watching this amazing families show and I totally recommend checking out their act if you ever get a chance.
I live in a wonderfully dull town named Longmont in the great state of Colorado which some might point out as a negative thing, I however see it as a positive for two reasons. Firstly living in Longmont puts me in the same city as Bug and Bubbas, my two amazing kids whom I moved all the way to Colorado for in the first place. Secondly Longmont is geographically smack in the middle of everywhere else I might want to go in this state and particularly close to Boulder, a city I have completely fallen in love with since the big move. Now I tell you this not because I am going to review a location, no this is all merely a primer for the main event....YO YO's!
In Boulder there is a small but vibrant downtown district on Pearl Street which serves as the cities cultural hub, not unlike Time Square is to New York but with less Adult Film Theaters, and has also become a mecca for hundreds of street performers and sideshow enthusiasts who travel from all over the world just to do their acts. One such performer named John Higby caught my attention, and a bit of my ear, today on Pearl and I thought I would share a bit. His specialty is rather unusual and involves several elements but mainly focuses on a ridiculously skilled use of YO YO's. John also uses his audience a great deal and is one hell of a showman, always keeping the crowd involved and excited to see what his next trick will be. In fact every time he is about to perform a new feat of YO YO awesomeness he rings a bell, to which the audience is instructed early on to yell "YO" as loudly as possible.
At one point in the show he announced the need for one more volunteer, specifically a father, which I just happen to be one of. Though reluctant at first I was encouraged to volunteer by my Bug and Bubbas momma, and once I decided "what the heck, might as well" I jumped at the chance to be a part of this guys act. Initially me jumping up and down with my hand raised was apparently not enough to get Johns attention, so Miss Momma yelled out "pick this guy" in an uncomfortably loud volume which seemed to work. So I strolled up admittedly a smidge nervous to the YO YO masters inner circle and helped continue the show, first by holding a match which he promptly lit using only a single YO YO toss. I cant even lite a match using the strike on box so this was at least a little impressive by my standards. He then used his skill to knock a quarter off my ear without severely injuring me, something I had my doubts of him accomplishing. I was assured that if I was indeed injured I would receive "everything you see here", which after scanning a bit included a large collection of YO YO's, a silver hat with a propeller on it, and a unicycle. If I did lose an eye during this show I would totally make out like a bandit. Alas John was successful with only a minor graze of my ear so I did not get to fulfill my life long dream of owning a unicycle, I did however have a load of fun and get to look like an idiot in front of a hundred random Pearl street tourists!
This is exactly the bit I played, except sexier.
John Higby had a family as well and closed out the show using his wife, who also had a rather impressive holahoop talent, and small son in a grand finale involving "Three YO YO's, a unicycle, two holahoops, one wife, one baby, and the worlds first YO YO powered propeller hat!" which I tell you now did not disappoint. Turns out that Johns show travels all over the world and has been featured on shows like Americas Got Talent and The Late Show with David Letterman, you can even learn all sorts of cool info on this family by visiting their website YOYOSHOW which I encourage you to do. All in all I had a blast watching this amazing families show and I totally recommend checking out their act if you ever get a chance.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Fiction Fridays
Precipice of Stars
Standing on the edge of this cliff face, staring into the darkness below, I wonder if this is truly the journey I want to take. It seems a terrible cliche but when you look down into the nothingness of an abyss, finite as it may be during daylight, the darkness below really does seep into your core and lay all that you are or would have been like stars in the sky. How does one reach the bottom and then decide to go even further? And once you step off that precipice are you truly doing it to end your own suffering, or to make someone else suffer more?
Do not be selfish, step back from that abyss, walk back into the light.
Its waiting for you.
Something always is.
Thankful Thursdays- Greatest invention EVER!
Netflix, I love it more than words can say. So much of my life is now spent just browsing its vast library of films and television shows that I scarcely remember a time without it. I have been a member of the service for nearly ten long years now and since the introduction of instant streaming to my computer and gaming console of choice I have never looked back.
So on this day I thank you, lords of all that is Netflix, for without you I might actually have to leave my home once in a while. Gosh what a tragedy that would be.....
So on this day I thank you, lords of all that is Netflix, for without you I might actually have to leave my home once in a while. Gosh what a tragedy that would be.....
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