Entry #24: Just Another Burning Man Story...8.16.11

Entry #23: Mandalic Inspiration...8.15.11

Entry #22: Everyone Needs a Bible, Right?...8.14.11

Number, Geometry, Music, + Cosmology.  The building blocks to our creation, our existence, and the fueling station for our personal inspiration and creativity.  This book encompasses it all.  It is the epicenter for all knowledge and balance of logic and spirituality.  At this moment, I am not going to break the doors of my belief system down, but by opening these pages, you will get a little peak.  The time will come for deep tissue philosophy, now however, is not that time.  Quadrivium is serving to be a guide for most flow artists and spinners in our community.  Intrigued?  I suggest you pick up a copy, or borrow a friends and see what the fuss is all about...

Next time we hit upon this subject...electromagnetism and harmonographs...om nom nom.

Entry #21: Jex=levelUp [3->4] Juggling 4 Rings FTW...8.13.11

Juggling has always been, to me, the most meditative and clearing of all prop manipulation.  It is the only time when my mind is forced to stay clear and focus on nothing but the matter and skill at hand.  There is nothing but myself and the prop I am juggling.  For if one does loose focus, one does run the risk of loosing teeth.

Thanks to this personal fact...EPIC  WIN!  Without thinking much about it, I was able to level up from 3 to 4 rings.  I had never considered the fact that my meditative practice would drastically improve my skill.  Yes, it is obvious to most this would be the case, but most of my time and efforts have been going into poi, clubs, and fans.  My rings, well, I just never consciously thought about it.  Whenever I wanted to learn a new trick, I just did it.  It just made sense, no need to dissect it, or obsess over it, it just happened.  Whenever I was frustrated with other props, I would pick up my rings and just play. Tonight, 4 rings just happen to bounce from my hands to the air in a most fluid of motions.  Satisfaction at it's finest.  Perhaps also with this, a deeper lesson in how practice should always be perceived...as a meditative flow, not as a burden as it can sometimes be.  These moments get me into trains of thought as to our motivation for taking up such arts...I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for my partner poi practice with Mikie on Monday night.  Gotta love random inspiration.

Entry #20: Carnivalution...8.12.11

Setting: Backstage at Carnivalution.  West Philadelphia's own Sideshow to which I was privileged enough to perform with tonight.  With fabulous trapeze and burlesque artists, mesmerizing fire acts, and mind numbing tradition sideshow, it was just the remedy I needed to get over not being at the EJC.  The Squidling Brothers Sideshow Circus performs every 2nd Friday from May through October at the seductive and richly delicious Tiberino Museum in West Philadelphia.  Looks like we'll be performing in the October show again, and I highly recommend you come out and play.

Entry #19:...So Happy Together

Entry #18: Truce...8.10.11

Entry #17: But We Were Getting Along So Well...

Have you ever had one of those days where everything flowed so impeccably perfect?  Almost as if you had left this plane of existence and entered a realm of pure, sublime beauty. Where you were so connected to your poi, to your music, to the natural world around you, that you could almost reach enlightenment?  That sure as hell was not today.  Aside from the lovely pressures of upcoming shows, I chose to enhance my practice by picking apart one of our pieces and refining as well as adding new homework to my studies.  All of which, explained thoroughly, and would aide in fine tuning the piece.  One important detail I had dare forgotten.  Poi:  r e m e m b e r,  Bam! Smack! ::insert the word fuck in 4 different languages:: And of course, no matter what you are practicing, no matter where the range of motion, the poi will always hit the same two spots.  Those spots, of course being two of the most sensitive points on your body.  "Ok.  Stop.  Take a moment.  Breathe.  Put down the poi before someone gets seriously hurt.  Ummm, what are you doing with that kni--"... "I think we're good for tonight." "Agreed."

The bottom line is, practice is just that--practice.  We talk about achieving a state of flow, and how for most of us, it is the driving force, the adrenaline rush, the fulfillment that keeps us practicing.  But no matter how in tuned we are with the universe or how spiritual our lifestyles may be, there are always going to bad fucking days.  Days where you can't even execute the most basic of moves.  Days where those who started 3 years after you are nailing moves that you still find difficult.  Days where you say fuck it, I don't want to do this anymore.  But these are just moments.  Moments that come and go like a flash of light.  And one bad day is not the be all and end all of your connection to your general practice.  I cannot express enough how true this is and how much myself and everyone around you has to remind themselves of this.  It is so easy to get discouraged, to get thrown off of your track, and most times, it's even harder to get back on.  And yet, you do.  This is the difference between loving something and loving the idea of something.  It is through the intense moments where you learn the most about yourself and how strong your connection is to your art.  Falling in love is never easy.  But true love lasts a lifetime. (Thank you,  Mikie & Drex, for always making me feel all of my frustrations are normal.  That everyone goes through this, and that no, just because you had a bad day, you don't suck. ^_^)

**Disclaimer/Note by the author:  The past few days had been particularly rough in general and therefore I believe had an adverse effect on my practice.  However, hurting poi in any way is never an answer, as I am not advocating violence on said poi.  No poi were [seriously or permanently] hurt during this photo session.  That being said, the occasional semi-beat down is always good therapy and should be executed as often as one sees fit.  Remember, you do it because you care...

Entry #16: Lux Arati: Desert Secrets

Within a lady's jewelery box lies a dark, delicious, secret that only she possesses.  Dark fantasies, rich magic, folklore, and seduction, these secrets are hidden well, only giving a hint of their luxury to those who prove their desire worthy.  Stories told through dance and fire, entrance the soul, leaving one a gift of magic and a secret of their own. 

Entry #15: Mad Decent Object Manipulators...8.07.11

Amongst all the moments that blow my mind in the Object Manipulation Community, nothing so much rivals as to how quickly it has grown in the time I have been involved.  Today, we attended the Mad Decent Block Party:  a delicious blend of grimey dubstep and a barrage of young hippies, wookies, burners, ravers, and those of which no category could do justice, equipped with everything from poi to hoops to even a few sets of double staffs.  It is enriching to see the community growing and spreading about not just around our groups, but amongst other genres as well.  For just like us, they are all taking it, and making it, very much their own.  Each different and unique to it's own personal culture.  Judgement free zone?  Absolutely.  I am quite intrigued to see where the future of this art form is going...

Entry #14: Head Balancing In A Most Unexpected Place...8.06.11

After spending a lovely evening in center city, we stopped off at my most favorite of all desert spots, The Naked Chocolate Cafe.  Upon entering, you feel as though you have fallen straight into a box of chocolate. Swirling amongst rich browns and antique turquoise with ruffles of fluffy, latte colored whip cream decorating the small corner cafe, you melt into vintage couches, sultrily gazing upon candy for your eyes as well as your taste buds.  Amongst the charming little nic-nacs perfectly placed around the equally as charming vintage furniture, a little girl sits with perfect posture, balancing upon her head a part to a lamp shade.  As you bite into your dark chocolate, lavender honey truffle, you take note of her appearance.  Obviously, there are no need for arms, as with an arch this lovely, one would only desire to carry things by way of head balancing.  A most useful skill to harness in her situation.  As for me, a treasure of a discovery of my love for balancing in a most unexpected place...

Entry #13: Midnight Snacks for Your Brain...8.05.11

To complement yesterday's entry on metaphorical balance...I share with you the off moments of past 2am, slowly creeping upon a full 24 hours of being awake.  Mikie created these two multidimensional transformations and they ended up being ornaments on our Christmas tree.  There are many more to follow.  Each one, a story of bittersweet insomnia, knee deep in over due projects, or just plain fidgeting.  I foresee multiple bins of these overflowing in our home one day.  Needless to say, they are incredibly fun to contact juggle and are halfway to becoming poi.

Entry#12: A Bit About Keeping Your Balance...8.04.12

When I was younger, I never would have thought I'd find it easier to balance a hoop on my chin than it is to balance my life.  When completely immersed in something we are so passionate about, we tend to want to explore every aspect, every possibility that can emerge.  From putting together large shows, to focusing on smaller troupes, to daily practices and personal study, we all of a sudden start to spread ourselves too thin.  Today I had a conversation with my dear friend Baz who said it best.  I messaged him, asking him about life, when he would be making his way down south to visit.  The conversation when sort of like this... He replied "I'm in involved in something called 'over commitment', have you heard of it?"  I laughed and replied, "I think I may have, is this a new genre of music?"  He replied "Yes.  It's the sound of when one is bashing ones head against a brick wall."  "Yes," I said. "That is song plays in my life at least 12 times a year.  I guess it's not so knew after all"  After this, I went through my project book and narrowed my focus points as best I could.  Here's a toast to a solid 4 hours of sleep a night! 

Entry #11: You've Been Antispun

It took me until I was going through security at the Oakland, CA airport, coming home from an epic Fire Drums, before I noticed this tag.  By far, the best I've ever gotten.  The photograph says it all.

Entry #10: Back to Basics--Original Inspiration

 

In the midst of the roller coaster that is life, we sometimes forget the origins of who we are today.  Throughout my life, I have tried to keep a positive outlook despite the state I was in.  Sometimes I was successful, most times I wasn't.  Most people would never have guessed, most people still won't.  The bottom line is, no matter who you are, where you are, what you have or haven't accomplished, you still possess a condition called "human".  And with this condition comes a plethora of emotions; a good portion of which we could momentarily live without.  During these darker times, I have taught myself to revert "back to basics".  To pay homage to those who have inspired me to take certain leaps and challenges; who were my first window to the object manipulation world.  To give credit to those who have pulled me into other worlds of emotion, whether they know it or not.  It is through this acknowledgment I feel a shift and with time, am lifted back to a better state.
Tonight, I want to give my love to a few within the object manipulation community, whom through their talent and spirit, and with that turned friendship, have helped me see better days.  Grimm Zimmer, Aileen Lawlor, Noel Yee, Greg Maldonado, Rovo, Thom Thumb, Memory, Mikie, & Alien John:  Thank you for being some of the most beautifully inspirational performers I have ever known.

                 

Entry #9: 30 Day Poi Challenge

Poi.  The central point of object manipulation and the gateway prop for most people into the object manipulation community.  The prop that when practicing, one feels as though they are practicing most other props in the process.  The prop that speaks a language all of its own, and connects to some of us on a level that is as omnipotent as finding god.  One of my dearest friends, Laura Schetzsle, had quite a magical experience with poi this past Transformus, a North Carolina regional burn.  After years of on and off spinning poi, off fire, she finally felt a connection.  A connection that guided her to her first time lighting up fire poi.  Laura completely illuminated.  There were no boundaries, no predetermined choreography, just herself, her poi, and some of her closest friends around her by the fire moments before sunrise.  She looked absolutely beautiful; her flow- breathtaking.  Since then, Laura has been energetically inspired, craving technical knowledge as well as how to balance movement.  After a play session today, she decided she would take on a 30 day challenge.  Spending a significant time on poi each day, pushing herself to new levels, working through the frustrations.  I, for one, am very excited to see how far she can advance through this project.  After all, these days, 30 days straight through of anything can be difficult.  If anyone could do it, it would be her.  Cheers to honing your flow!

Entry #8: 2nd Street Festival, Meet Ploome 7.31.2011

From start to finish, yesterday involved anything and everything to do with creativity on 2nd street in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties.  The 2nd Street Music Festival brought artists of all varieties; musical, craft, fine art, and performance art.  All boutiques, studios, bars, restaurants and even our bowling alley, celebrated the occasion with live art, food, and drinks.  At Ploome Studio, we showcased a little bit of what we have to offer.  Hoop, poi, fan, & juggling demonstrations were presented by myself, Mayra, Mike Icon, & Lauren Shaw throughout the day and a special fire performance by Mayra that evening.  Mike Icon, Laura Schetzsle, and myself performed at North Bowl during delicious music sets by Philadelphia's Rob Paine and our friends Terry "Helios" Fields, Liana Cameris, and Lauren Raske performed at the lovely Colors by Padmini boutique.  The day into night as a whole proved to be successful not only for us and the studio, but for our Philadelphia art and music communities as well.  I feel so grateful to have been a part of it.