#yearofsayingyes

  As a non-juggler, I have no business writing an HLGCBS - Highs, Lows, Goals, Crushes, Banes, Surprises. I really don't. But I have a lot of thoughts about what I experienced at the Flatland Juggling Festival this past weekend, and Thom told me I should go ahead and write one. Since I'm a YES-girl, I agreed.

  HIGHS [there were so many]:

Walking in a little nervous, not knowing what to expect, and feeling instantly comfortable. In keeping with my longtime experience with jugglers (serious and otherwise), these are the most open, friendly, accepting and interesting people anyone could hope to encounter. 

Making a ton of incredible new friends. Holy cow. There are no words.

Taking in the juggling et. al. and the community feeling.

Playing fun, interesting music with John & Ryan.

Watching excellent teaching and learning all around.

LOWS [there were so few!]:

Terrifyingly torrential rainstorm outside of Columbia, MO - Zero visibility, extremely slow going. We white-knuckled it through a substantial chunk of central Missouri on the drive out.

One channel of the music playing Saturday and Sunday wasn't functioning properly, pulling all the vocals out of the songs. This made for swell karaoke, but I would have liked to hear more David Lee Roth, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Roger Daltrey singing their own songs.

Our semi-crummy dinner Friday night. We should have come for pizza. Whoops.

HAVING TO LEAVE. SOB.

GOALS:

Play sweet music! CHECK!

Make new friends! CHECK!

Contribute positively to the community! = Happy music making + helping out where I could + learning an enormous amount from those around me on a wide range of topics + hopefully having something(s) interesting to bring to the table. HOPEFULLY CHECK!

CRUSHES:

TOPS! Loved all the tops! Such amazing artistry and craftsmanship. Beautiful to watch.

Mark Hayward and his totally endearing performance.

THOM WALL. DUH. 

BANES:

Yuck fluorescent lighting in the Bison Complex. Obviously no one's fault, but it was hard on the eyes and ears (60 Hz buzz eating my braaaaaaaaain)!

Missing most of brunch on Sunday because I am a slowwww mover. Yogurt and fruit were still delicious, though!

SURPRISES:

Saying "yes" to going to Flatland!

Learning to throw a top!

Being greeted after the public show by my friend Travis' mother, who I'd never met but who resides in Lincoln and came out for the show. Awesome!

Putting together the Flatland Scratch Band and laughing all Saturday afternoon while playing... And John's sincere rendition of our Tenacious D cover song. 

The Zen experience of being surrounded by a community of people who are wildly diverse, brilliant and creative, coming together to share a common experience based on love of one activity. I have literally never spent 2+ days in the company of such a welcoming, supportive group of individuals, and my mind was (is) blown. The level of talent and artistry in one gym was enormous, the energy palpable. I am inspired.