Dogfish Juggling

I posted this on rec.juggling and decided I wanted some sort of archive. This seemed the most appropriate place. I may come back in and polish that a bit.It seems like from around 1300 or so to "juggle" meant almost exclusively to "play conjuring tricks, cheat or deceive." That understanding and usage seems to have persisted well into the mid 1700′s and indeed persisted in some cases into the 1800′s, although by the 1800′s the idea of juggling as a sort of entertainment was more widespread. It is interesting to note that the idea of juggling as something which entertained seemed to exists during this entire period, it was just much less common. While as early as 1600 one could "juggle before the king" without running the risk of coming up a head or two short, the association between juggling (the word not the act) and witchcraft predominated the english language for centuries. It seems like around 1800 or so the word changed in two ways. 1) the idea of a juggler as a jester (i.e. one who entertains) became much more prominent. this new understanding probably has a lot to do with the decline in the belief in "witchcraft" so it seems pretty natural to me. the "wizards" and conjurers who were previously burned at the stake were beginning to be understood as. . . well not evil, magic casting beings of a supernatural and terrifying power and just dudes. 2) instead of using juggling to mean some form of deception or chance with a decidedly and predetermined evil intent, the term began to mean simply to change or manipulate. Not until nearly the turn of the century (around 1890′s) was juggling used to refer to what we in rec.juggling know as "juggling" (To toss and catch several objects continuously, keeping at least one of them in the air while handling the others. Also, to toss an object, etc., from hand to hand with dexterity; (of two or more persons) to toss an object, etc., back and forth between them.) we can see this usage in the 1892 Routlege’s Book of Cirucs, "All Acrobats can juggle. . .  It is very difficult to juggle with articles of various weights at teh same time" Darwin, who’s life spanned the bulk of the 1800′s, lived at a time when the word "juggling" was at its most ephemeral. Probably late in his life the term would have begun to be applied to prop manipulation, but the usage in this case of jugglery, as Paul noted, most likely refereed to the magical conjuring and deception of his compass and matches.  the whole thread is here 

I’m at the office.  I’ve finished all of my copy for the weekend edition, and at this point I am just killing time until the paper goes to press. I cant really leave because a call could come in with some news and I would have to go cover it.  I have a ribbon cutting for a daycare center (not related to the one mentioned in my previous post) today at 4, so that cuts into my evening nicely.  I got in some good 4-ball practice last night, really focusing on short, accurate runs of about 6-10 catches. I think it was very helpful, and I will continue to work in this manner over my next few sessions.  I also went through the juggling portion of my new "reporter routine" as I have come to call it.  I am still having a few problems with some of the 1 up 2 up tricks. I can usually get the 1 ball to migrate pretty nicely, but I tend to have some difficulties if I try the cross with the 2 throw. I’ve also found it somewhat challenging to transition from 1 up 2 up’s to 4044, but I think I just need to get more comfortable with 1 up 2 up.  I was a bit upset by how long it took me to get focused last night, I hate feeling like I have no control over my thoughts, and that was definitely the case last night. Im telling myself that its just the winter weather–lack of sunlight, S.A.D or whathaveyou–and not the fact that about this time last year I went through a terrible breakup and wound up living in a closet for some months.  But all things are for the best, and had that not happened I never would have begun juggling (which has really been one of the most positive things to ever happen in my life–sad thought that fact may be), so I guess I can’t complain too much.  In other news, I am still slacking off about graduate school, although I did complete the first part of my admission to GC&SU, which I have come to regard as something of a safety school.  It seems like a nice town, and I think it will do me good to have a fresh start, so to speak and not try to pursue a school in Atlanta just to be closer to old friends–although the Atlanta Jugglers Association is a very tempting incentive and I know I will kick myself if I don’t apply to at least one metro-area institution.  Well, im off on a photo assignment. All for now

I started this blog for two reasons.
1. I’ve wanted a juggling blog for some time now.
2. I got an iPod touch and I want to take it out for a spin.

So that is it really for introductions. I’ve been jufgling for about seven or eight months now. I’ve been running four balls for a few months, when I’m on my game I can manage around 50 or so catches on average. I havens beenaking as much progress as I would like(mainly owing to my new job) but I hope to start practicing regularly again soon.
Tonight.
I think I will continue to work on tighter four patterns for the bulk of my practices in the near future, although.i am working out a sole three ball routine for a daycare event I will be speakingal at through work.it is not too complex, bit it is the first thing I have ever tries to put together and I am excited because I have a little narrative to go along witn my tricks. Its mostly one up two up, mills mess, some cascade tricks,and a 4203 (not sure it that is right) trick with an underarm toss (I call it atoms the world). The narrative is about "juggling" the responsibilities of a reporter (its for a career day).
so i will be working on that. I really do want to learn five though. And I also really need to get back to juggling the 2.35lb balls I have. As I fell like I am not in the same shape I was earlier this year, when I spent more time juggling.
all that sets up a pretty nice list of juggling resolutions for the new year–good thing on top of things and not getting distracted by things like graduate school or anything. Nice!
well all this via the touch, and a pretty easy time of it I’ve had… Well all for now. I’ve got balls to juggle.