Raleigh Hoopjam with a bonus trip to Sutton Station
I've upped my flow game since the last time I'd visited the Raleigh Hoop Jam, so I went ahead braved the I-40 / Wade Avenue / Western Boulevard traffic.
As usual, it was packed with hoopers, drummers, staff spinners, jugglers, and poi spinners. Spectators are usually families, including many foreigners, plus NC State students, occasional Pokémon hunters, dog walkers, joggers and skate boarders. If you're really lucky, you'll behold the magic of the Giant Bubble Maker.
The drum circle is impressive in size. Occasionally a belly dancer or two will dance for them. Generally a drumming circle will only hold my interest for a few minutes. I get irritated that it's all "doum-doum teka-tek doum tekka-tek" and no music, but there might be a deeper layer that I need to investigate. I'll probably be more open to that in the Autumn.
I brought two core hoops, a set of cheap 33" twins, a set of Dollar Store twins and Binky (my polypro). I lend out any hoops that aren't actually in my hands, keeping a closer eye on Binky, which was crazy uncheap. The Dollar Store twins ended up being mixed in with identical ones that other people had brought. Mine were on their last gasp anyway, so I let them remain in the wild with their new pack.
I noticed a young Latino family that looked very interested, the daughter, about age 8, most of all, so I let her try all the hoops. I could tell the Mom was intrigued but shy about doing it in public. The dad started messing with one of large twins and I managed to teach him the behind-the-back low-high, since it's easy and looks rather martial-art-y. The two brothers and their friend also played with them a lot. I could see that the girl was hooked, so I gifted one of the core hoops to her. For that the trip was worth it. ::: sigh :: I guess I'll just have to make more hoops, goshdarnit. :-)
Another high point was an NC State chick coming over and telling me I was "a really good hooper." I caught my Ego preening itself, a clear sign that I've become comfortable enough that it's time to start working on some new material.
I've only attended the Raleigh jam about three or four times, normally just flowing and working with newcomers. Next time my goal will be to introduce myself and gradually to know more of the regular hoopers and flowfolk. I've just realised that it's a lot easier for me to interact with newcomers. With strangers that share a hobby to which I'm still a bit new, it's harder for me to not feel awkward. Part of that is a fear of intruding at the wrong time. I guess maybe doing the unthinkable and asking if they're busy first and making sure that I'm leaving them space to comfortably decline. 8-o. Just reading that last paragraph is a good look of the bucket of awkward that lies stuffed in my noggin. It would do me good to dust the cobwebs off my social skills. Working from home (half a year thus far) doesn't help.
I left as it began to get dark, at which time the gnats become more numerous and bitey, though I didn't feel properly hooped out. Back in Durham, a few blocks from home, I pulled into Sutton Station, which is becoming one of my favourite places to hoop, and had 20-minute flow session there around 9PM, which left me pretty happy. The more I hoop there, the more I love it.
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.
As usual, it was packed with hoopers, drummers, staff spinners, jugglers, and poi spinners. Spectators are usually families, including many foreigners, plus NC State students, occasional Pokémon hunters, dog walkers, joggers and skate boarders. If you're really lucky, you'll behold the magic of the Giant Bubble Maker.
The drum circle is impressive in size. Occasionally a belly dancer or two will dance for them. Generally a drumming circle will only hold my interest for a few minutes. I get irritated that it's all "doum-doum teka-tek doum tekka-tek" and no music, but there might be a deeper layer that I need to investigate. I'll probably be more open to that in the Autumn.
I brought two core hoops, a set of cheap 33" twins, a set of Dollar Store twins and Binky (my polypro). I lend out any hoops that aren't actually in my hands, keeping a closer eye on Binky, which was crazy uncheap. The Dollar Store twins ended up being mixed in with identical ones that other people had brought. Mine were on their last gasp anyway, so I let them remain in the wild with their new pack.
I noticed a young Latino family that looked very interested, the daughter, about age 8, most of all, so I let her try all the hoops. I could tell the Mom was intrigued but shy about doing it in public. The dad started messing with one of large twins and I managed to teach him the behind-the-back low-high, since it's easy and looks rather martial-art-y. The two brothers and their friend also played with them a lot. I could see that the girl was hooked, so I gifted one of the core hoops to her. For that the trip was worth it. ::: sigh :: I guess I'll just have to make more hoops, goshdarnit. :-)
Another high point was an NC State chick coming over and telling me I was "a really good hooper." I caught my Ego preening itself, a clear sign that I've become comfortable enough that it's time to start working on some new material.
I've only attended the Raleigh jam about three or four times, normally just flowing and working with newcomers. Next time my goal will be to introduce myself and gradually to know more of the regular hoopers and flowfolk. I've just realised that it's a lot easier for me to interact with newcomers. With strangers that share a hobby to which I'm still a bit new, it's harder for me to not feel awkward. Part of that is a fear of intruding at the wrong time. I guess maybe doing the unthinkable and asking if they're busy first and making sure that I'm leaving them space to comfortably decline. 8-o. Just reading that last paragraph is a good look of the bucket of awkward that lies stuffed in my noggin. It would do me good to dust the cobwebs off my social skills. Working from home (half a year thus far) doesn't help.
I left as it began to get dark, at which time the gnats become more numerous and bitey, though I didn't feel properly hooped out. Back in Durham, a few blocks from home, I pulled into Sutton Station, which is becoming one of my favourite places to hoop, and had 20-minute flow session there around 9PM, which left me pretty happy. The more I hoop there, the more I love it.
Click here to return to the home page
.