If you've decided to add some stick tricks to your juggling routine (see Newsletter Vol. 32 No. 6), here are a few comic possibilities you may want to include.

First of all, give your stick personality by adding a face to it.

This will not only give you a slicker looking stick, but will permit you to carry on a conversation with it and, best of all, allow you to blame the stick for any mistakes you might make in doing tricks. (i.e. "You stunted, stumble-bum! Get up here and do it right!")

Next, make some comic props. Fix the handle of an old plumber's friend to look exactly like your stick. This prop can be used to threaten your stick when it doesn't do things right. (i.e. If the stick falls to the floor, grab the plunger, shake it at the stick and say, "There are other things you could be doing, you know!")

For another prop, get a three-foot piece of poly plastic. This is the flexible, semi-rigid kind used in sprinkling systems. Hold it under hot running water until it becomes soft and flexible enough to tie into a knot. Then apply tips and a face to make it, look like your stick. (i.e. "You remember what happened to your cousin, don't you?)

Next, make a "blindfold" for your stick. Here is a sample routine to use with your

blindfold:

"Step right up folks and see Sir Slick Stick do the half-turn toe flip! This is where he balances on my toe (do a drop toe balance), then flips over and lands on my toe again (go through the motions--holding onto the stick with your hand).

"And to make this trick even more difficult, we're going to do it blindfolded! (Reach in your pocket, pull out a black handkerchief and carefully fold it as if you are going to blindfold yourself. Bring it up to your eyes but instead wipe your forehead, saying...) Irs certainly warm today, isn't it?

"Now what did I do with his blindfold? Ah!

Here it is! (Pull out the stick's blindfold and place it on the stick) Now, can you see anything, Sir Slick Stick? (Twist the stick between your thumb and fingers as if it's shaking its head no.) He says he can see nothing. O.K., folks. Here's Sir Slick Stick with the half-turn toe flip...blindfolded!

This article pertains to SLEEP LEARNING, and how jugglers can use its motivation to practice and improve.

First of all, whatever it is you want to motivate has to be a highly concentrated thought on the conscious level. Using sleep learning techniques can motivate one to go into high gear with persis­tence and sincerity. You need either a self-repeat­ing record player along with self-made record, timer and pillow speaker or a tape recorder with self­repeating tape (eight-track type) or cassette re­corder with similar repeating ability.

In eight hours of sleep, the first and last are periods of lightest sleep. Psychologists advise that these are the best times to condition the mind.

Thus, you should adjust the timer to begin the tape or record about a half-hour after you go to bed and run for an hour. Until you are conditioned, the sound may wake you, but you should get used to it as people living by railroad tracks aren't dis­turbed by passing trains. So, if you think this type motivation might help you, be persistent.