T.I. Cheek

by Dusty Galbraith

 

Dear Professor Cheek,

In your last column you said that juggling was more fun with somebody else. My question is, how do I find someone to juggle with?

Signed, Seeking

 

Dear Seeking,

I assume, since you're reading this, that you are an IJA member and you received the latest membership Roster. That is your best resource to find other jugglers. First check the geographic listing for your state (sorry about the way they're laid out). The listing by ZIP code should make it easy to find other members near you. If you find someone close, give them a call. The worst they will do is say no and hang up.

 

Next, check the club & affiliate listings on pages 6-12 of the Roster. Because of the lead time in gathering and publishing this information, always call the contact person listed rather than just showing up for a meeting. I visited several clubs when I first started juggling and always felt very welcome. I'm sure you will too.

 

The newest way to find other jugglers and groups is listed on page 4 of the new roster; cyberspace (see below). If that doesn't mean anything to you, start asking your computer­literate friends. They'll help you out and you can teach them to juggle.

As a last resort, you can start your own group. More about that in the next issue.

 

Dear Professor,

I've been telling a friend of mine, Tom, about all the great information on JIS (Juggling Information Service) and rec.juggle (juggler's newsgroup). But he refuses to even look at the computer screen. He will look at paper, he will listen to you.

Signed, Computer Literate

 

Dear Literate,

For decades, I've felt that computers were heartless, soulless things that could do nothing to improve my life. This goes back to being listed as the wrong gender in high school gym class. However, I've found such a wealth of info online, I've been forced to unlearn that old truth.

 

The lead time problem for gathering and publishing (above) drops from six or more months to two or fewer days. Most club listings on JIS include an e-mail address for contact people. Some clubs even have a street map. Punch a couple of buttons and call up a tour schedule for the Raspynis or Clockwork etc., etc. There is lots of "etc., etc." on the JIS. Some may interest you and some won't.

 

The rec.juggle newsgroup is sort of a Club Renegade in cyberspace. Just today I've found updated listings of 20-plus festivals. The nearest fest had more than four pages of info, including full schedule, motels, contact people, etc., etc. Everything you could ever want to know about the festival.

 

There are feuds and bad jokes going on and on. Forget the Club Renegade analogy... Rec.juggling is actually more like a bad soap opera about jugglers! One guy said, "I don't know how I'd get through the day without rec.juggling. I know I survived before it existed; I just don't remember how."

 

Be advised! The Juggler's World you're reading is a squeaky-clean magazine suitable for all ages. Things, words, etc. that are not suitable will be found on the internet and rec.juggle. Nothing you haven't seen before, but not on these pages.

 

Tom, listen to the Professor. You taught this old dog some great tricks. Now it's time for you to at least look. Sit down with a mouse, a brew, and a friend and check it out!