They had a cool "UofI statue doing ball bounce" t-shirt for sale
along with pizza and pop - which was convenient. There was a raffle
late in the day on Saturday and show in the evening. I didn't see all
of the show but Andy Head, Terry Kippling, Mike Price (F.K.A
Sparkplug), to name a few, performed. Mike ended his routine
with 5 clubs on a 6 foot uni. For only 6 years of juggling
he is quite talented. He had a kangaroo unicycle (the pedals
are directly across from each other instead of up/down) that
he was riding during the day. The pedal strokes kind of look
like a kangaroo hopping. I had never seen that before.
I declined an opportunity to try it out.
The weather was pretty nice on Saturday so Kathy Glynn and
I decided to uni around the local neighborhood.
We got a few blocks away from the armory and ended up
in a "not-so-good place to be". There was a group of
"bad dudes" huddled behind a vacant garage. I think they
probably did a double take from the controlled substance
they were using to us riding by. I never felt we were
in any real trouble but I think there is a lesson to be
learned about straying off into unfamiliar territory.
Especially after I learned that my car was burglarized
that day outside the armory. Not much was taken, but it
sucks that someone would do that. Oh well - certainly no
reflection on the fest.
Troy Roark and Chris LaReau hosted parties at their
respective homes on Friday and Saturday night. I didn't
make Troy's party but people who did go said it was
"a great time", "well attended", "lots of beer drank"...
Chris's place was certainly packed Saturday night. He provided
unbelievable amounts of eat and drink. On his Twilight Zone
pinball machine I actually had 3 balls active at one time.
I couldn't get them into a nice cascade pattern, however.
Thanks again guys for your generous hospitality!!
Special thanks also to Dave Blumenthal (and the rest of
the U of I crowd) for ALL THE WORK that went into the
fest!!
Scott Schaeffer
juggler@lucent.com