Some years ago I saw a short film on PBS of a guy doing some amazing things with a glass ball. He cupped his fingers under it and began rolling it around in his hands with an unbelievable grace. It got more and more complex as he began rolling it up and down his arms with such an effortless dexterity that it looked as if there could have been an invisible hand moving the ball.
Well, that activity has a name: "contact juggling." If you know what that is then you probably already appreciate the skill and grace the practitioners of that art display.
Here are some Youtube samples. JCJC does it outdoors in a park, but there's nothing amateurish about his skill. Mr Om looks to be a bit more professional. And for some traditional juggling check out Chris Bliss juggling to Beatles music. All of these videos are worth watching.
Here's another one worth checking out:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/michael_moschen_juggles_rhythm_and_motion.html
Posted by: Rob O. | August 17, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Thanks, Rob O. That guy is amazing!
Posted by: Geo | August 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM
We'll probably see this in the Olympics some day.
Makes as much sense as beach volleyball.
Posted by: Redman | August 21, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Ha Ha, good point, Redman.
But in defense of beach volleyball, if there's one thing Olympic athletes have in common it's a well toned bod. And a spectator sport like beach volleyball is a great way to put them on display. In fact, that may be the whole point of beach volleyball.
Posted by: Geo | August 21, 2008 at 12:59 PM