a break from practicing

A cool thing happened this morning. I was finishing up my juggling session, jamming to my tunes, chasing juggling pins around the park, when someone came into my field of view. I stopped, took out my headphones, and said hello to her.

"Would you like to come put on a little show for some kids?"

I chuckled. "Well, I'm not really good enough to put on a show," I said.

"It's a Montessori school around the corner. I'm a teacher there. They're just five-year olds, and you're really good."

Hahaha. No, I'm not. Just because I can keep three things in the air doesn't mean I'm really good. Maybe I'm on the way to being good, but it's a long road . . . No, I'm not good enough. Say no. Tell her no. Don't embarrass yourself.

"Well, I'm just about done for today", I said. "Maybe you could come back tomorrow."

She pushed. "You could just come over for a few minutes. The kids would really love it."

Don't do it. You don't need the attention. You're doing fine with your practicing. Just get out of this somehow.

"The kids would really love it."

This is what you're about, dude. Teaching and kids. Helping people laugh. And new experiences are a good thing right now. "Okay. But just for a few minutes."

So I packed up my stuff and followed her over to the school. Lots of kids. All running around and having fun. Before I knew it, they were sitting in a row on the ground in front of me. I laid my clubs, beanbags, and tennis balls on the ground next to me. I picked up a tennis ball and rolled it across the ground at one of the kids. They smiled and rolled it back. Again, to another kid. The first kid grabbed for it, but the second kid was too quick. Okay, this will be a challenge. I moved down the row and focused on another couple of kids. The first two kids ran over and fought over it. I got them all to sit down again.

A bit different speed than high-schoolers.

I moved on to light tosses, trying to get them to throw back to me. Once someone did it high enough, I went immediately into a 3-ball cascade. Didn't last long. Amazement only lasts for a little while with five-year olds (cartoons juggle all the time), so I tried to keep moving. Pretty soon, they were all diving for each tennis ball I threw at 'em. Crazy. I tried a couple of other little games, getting them to take turns throwing things to me, when I realized an important lesson.

When juggling for kids, you have to watch more than one set of beanbags, (if you know what I mean). Ouch.

I did a quick little finish with three pins, to which they all clapped, then thanked them, and said my good-byes.

Great fun. And it reminded me why I like juggling.

Now back to practicing, clown boy.

Posted: Thu - April 15, 2004 at 11:25 AM

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a break from practicing

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