sockmonster wrote:
> *How many unicyclist in this forum are also jugglers?*
I object to the association of the subject line of this
thread with the above question. If we can juggle does that
somehow associate us more closely with the circus? The vast
majority of people in the world who either juggle or
unicycle (or both) do it for fun and recreation. They are
great activities, and should be included in more physical
education programs.
They are also both sports. Don't be so stiff with your
definitions, folks. If fishing is a sport, so are juggling
and unicycling (and nose picking, if you ask me). My own
simple definition for this is that if you compete at it, and
if it involves physical exertion, it can be a sport. We
would do it even if it wasn't a sport, but some of us like
to race or otherwise compete.
I learned to juggle a year or so after learning to ride a
unicycle. I learned because I new my hands were available to
do other "hard" stuff while I was riding. People who like
one of these activities are often attracted by the other
because they are both hard. We like challenges.
I don't consider myself "a juggler." I can juggle. I used to
teach juggling for a living. I use juggling on stage in
professional shows. But to label me a juggler would be an
insult to other jugglers. I'm an entertainer, and I'm a
unicyclist. Juggling is a side thing for me.
I think the circus stigma exists more for unicyclists than
jugglers. Juggling is more recognized as a recreational
activity. This is probably because props are cheaper and
easier to come by, you can practice just about anywhere, and
it's easier to learn.
Easier to learn? Hell yes. Ask any educator who teaches
both. ANY. Does this mean juggling is easier? Not to me. I
think the extremes of juggling are "harder" than the
extremes of unicycling. The number of people who have
flashed or juggled 10 or more objects is extremely small.
And you have to pick all that stuff up!
But we're talking about apples and oranges there, and I
don't want to start a big debate. The fact is, the barrier
to entry in juggling is much lower than in unicycling. I
can teach most adults the basic pattern in about 15
minutes. To reach a similar level with a unicycle usually
takes way over an hour.
Sometimes when people ask if you're in the circus, they
really are just asking. But usually they're just being
annoying. Take it any way you want. Depending on the tone of
the asker, I will sometimes respond "No, are you?"
But I used to be.
In the early 80s I wanted to make unicycling my life. Even
today, if Kris Holm wanted to make his living riding
unicycles, he would probably have to become a performer. I
wanted to be a performer, and travel the world riding my
unicycle. This meant a close association with the circus,
even if I was seldom or never in an actual one.
Sidebar: A circus ring is actually not a very friendly
environment for unicycles. In traditional circuses, if you
do a cycling act you usually have to bring your own floor
along. Today's circuses are set up on dirt, grass, parking
lots, and concrete arena floors. If you're on a stage,
you're getting away from what most people (Americans anyway)
think of as "real" circus.
I worked for the National Circus Project
(www.nationalcircusproject.com) for about 5 years fulltime,
plus several years part time. I traveled around the
Northeastern US, and on several international trips. I got
my need to live "on the road" out of my system. When asked
by school kids why I wasn't in a "real" circus, I told them
because I liked to live in a house! After all, where else
could I store all those unicycles?
So if you want to get away from that circus stigma, just
take your unicycle out on the trails. The farther you get
from the parking lot, or the nearest road, the less you'll
hear the circus mentioned. The image of the unicycle as
shown by Kris Holm and others is getting out there, and
slowly people's perceptions will change. But I'm sure it
will never go away in our generation. Any of us that grew up
with 20th century cartoons and Dr. Seuss books will always
have a certain association between unicycles and silliness.
--
johnfoss - IUF Director
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com"
www.unicycling.com
"I went to the Liberace Museum and the Elvis-A-Rama Museum on the same
day! This is not for everyone."
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