I called Keith Watson to ask a question about the Tampa Bay Jugglers Association newsletter I had just received, but he had other things to talk about.

"Guess what!" he said excitedly. "When I got back from the convention, I found out my company had laid me off!"

Confused by his emotion, I replied haltingly, "Gee, Keith... I'm sorry to hear that. "

"No!" he shot back. "It's great! Now I get to tryout full-time juggling!"

As the story unfolded, I found out that Watson has been itching for the last year to devote more time to the primary passion of his life. But the steady paycheck coming from his work in the electronics industry prevented him from getting involved to the extent he would like. Sound familiar?

Like many others, Watson didn't dare quit his steady job outright to take the plunge into professional entertaining. But he figured this unexpected layoff presented the perfect opportunity. "If I had quit my job and it hadn't worked out, a new employer might have doubted my reliability. But being laid off, it'll look good on my resume that I was working on my own initiative if ! have to go back and look for a steady job."

And though he's updating his resume, Watson isn't sure he'll have to look for another 9-5 any time soon. He's got savings enough to print a brochure, connections with potential employers from his time with the Tampa Bay Jugglers Club and a home computer to generate mailing lists. He's also convinced the work is there.

"The Jaspar Juggling Company (himself and Ed Kosco) has been turning down a lot of jobs that I'll be able to take now. And at $50 an hour for just walking around shopping malls being myself, it won't take an 8-hour work day to keep bread on the table."

Time will tell if Watson is successful in following his dream. But at the very least, that potential has lifted his spirits and put some excitement in his life.

Another thing Watson wants to do with his newly-freed time is make contact with other juggling clubs to share the Tampa Bay experience. That's good news for juggling, and good news for the IJA since the Tampa Bay club's 60 members are in the process of affiliation.

Watson is just one of many people who have stepped forward recently to volunteer their efforts for a better IJA. There was a sense of commitment to the organization at the Atlanta convention. Most of the 500-plus conventioneers left with a handful of the new membership brochures to pass along to their juggling friends.

When the call went out for people to form an education committee to continue the work of Dave Finnigan, more than two dozen people attended two meetings and agreed to help. Carter Andrews, a Nashville entertainment lawyer, stepped into the breech to answer some questions the executive board had on legal matters, and has agreed to continue advising the IJA.

A dozen or more entertainers, prop makers and teachers gathered in another hastily-called meeting and agreed that it would be a good thing for the IJA to adopt a system of achievement levels to give jugglers skill goals.

Several years ago a move in that direction would have drawn protest. But today people must feel differently. It seems to me this new spirit of cooperation, building on a base of volunteerism that has kept the IJA afloat for the past half-dozen year, is a recognition that what we have is nothing less than a remarkable and unique network of talent and friendship.

This new spirit will make the IJA strong, and that will reflect well on those who are a part of it.

Here are a few random jottings I've accumulated since the last time I did this:

While Anthony Gatto's career continues to improve and impress, he continues to improve his skill. In practice sessions, the 13-year-old has flashed and pulled nine rings down over his head, done seven clubs for a dozen throws, and handled eight balls fairly well. Anthony is performing seven stage balls with tricks including a half­shower and neck catch and under-the-Ieg toss. He is also working on balancing one ball on his forehead while he cascades seven more!

Andrew Allen, 1982 IJA Juniors champion, will be appearing with Circus Grusse in performance throughout Europe for the next two years. Allen is also co-author of a new book, "Juggling: The Art and Its Artists," with juggling archivist Karl-Heinz Ziethen.

The Flying Karamazov Brothers finished filming "Jewel of the Nile" for 20th Century Fox in time to appear in the Edinburgh, Scotland, Festival in late August. They plan United States tours in the fall and winter (see Entertainers section), but will undoubtedly take time off to attend the opening of their first feature film, tentatively scheduled for December 13.

The Winter issue of Juggler's World will feature this renowned group and their unique creation of music with juggling.

Tom Dewart delivers a juggling bouquet to women in their working environments as a singing telegram artist in Eugene, Oregon.  Dressed in a top hat and tails, he sings "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and presents a telegram and a real rose. After that, he shows the birthday girl why everything's really coming up roses by pulling out three bouquets and presenting a juggling show.

Gene Jones juggled at Forest Hills during a corporate party at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. His props, of course, were tennis rackets.

Bob Blau, a performing magician and juggler for more than 50 years, has published "Bob Blau's World of Magic," a 54-page, spiral-bound look at his career and some of his best tricks. His book includes instruction in some easily-learned sleight of hand for beginners. Also revealed are far deeper secrets, including his trademark "spirit post" illusion. The juggling instruction is only basic. The cost is $10. For more information, write Blau at Pearland, Texas.

Gravity's Last Stand, IJA team champions in 1981 and second place finishers in 1982, have undergone some personnel changes. Veteran member Bill Fry from Orlando , Florida , is now joined by Rich DiGiovanna from Seattle, Washington, and Sandy Brown of Boston, Massachusetts.  Based in Washington, D.C. , Gravity entertains college, festival and convention crowds. They will be part of a USO tour to Europe and the Mideast in January and February.

Jahnathon Whitfield of the California Juggling Institute has announced the formation of the Juggling Games Association. He welcomes comments, suggestions and ideas at: Santa Ana, CA.