Hello folks,
How are you? I hope that you all are finding yourself in good spirits now that the end of summer is official and we travel into fall.
I wanted to address the slow down, and all-out stop, of posts here lately - though, it may be more for myself. As an avid blog reader and tumblr addict, I feel confused when a fave goes AWOL so I wouldn't want to repeat those patterns.
In the past two months I have moved, made big changes in important relationships, turned 25 and suffered what many call a 'quarter life crisis.' From my observation, it is not uncommon - but OHMYMY does it feel like a ton of bricks hitting your chest: THE FUTURE. IT'S UP TO YOU. WHADDYA GUNNA DO OHMYGOD.
This year was a wonderful adventure of hoop events, farmer's markets, workshops, classes, new skills, discoveries and endless travel. Everything was so exciting. But, after it died down I was left to ask myself - well, what now?
I came to realize that as much as I absolutely love hooping and will never leave this passion, I am looking for something new. I got to explore it to it's fullest, had days where I hooped for 5 or 6 hours; Recorded. Watched. Learned. Now though, I want to learn something new. I want a job. A career?
It's a scary thought for me - and I would guess, many - in this ... sluggish...job market. But it is something of which I am sure.
So in the past few weeks I have been thinking about the future. Now I am exploring it.
...and struggling with insomnia.
I am not abandoning this blog - but I am not going to fill it with fluff. I plan on continuing in the hoop world and will update when events come up and videos or pictures inspire.
Thanks so much for listening. Keep hooping, guys!
-Kym
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
BreVolvinBliss Flows Under the Big Sky
A Beautiful hoop session in her new home of Breckenridge, Co.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Andre Reyes San Francisco Ballet Hoop Dance
Do I wish I had a context for all of this? Well... yes. The costume and punctuated poses were a bit silly to me (though, I am sure my humble opinion means nothing to a San Francisco professional ballet dancer) but the grace and the transitions were phenomenal. I LOVE foot hooping but it is the most difficult move to transition into - usually I am hooping and then clunk around and TA-DA it's on my foot.
He pulls it off much more skillfully. I always enjoy seeing hoop dance in a professional realm and this is lovely and inspiring.
Contact Buugeng Tech Blog
Every move is an optical illusion. I met both of these fine and talented folks at Hoop Fest New England and it's a pleasure to further enjoy their considerable skill.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Why So Slooooooow
Hello Hoopers -
I just wanted to apologize for the slow posting lately! There have been lots of changes now that summer is over (sob) and it interrupts my hoop blogging time. But! I definitely intend on getting new stuff up soon and thank-you guys for your patience!
... real life - why do you always get in the way of internet life?
Hoping you are all having hooptastic times -
KymS
I just wanted to apologize for the slow posting lately! There have been lots of changes now that summer is over (sob) and it interrupts my hoop blogging time. But! I definitely intend on getting new stuff up soon and thank-you guys for your patience!
... real life - why do you always get in the way of internet life?
Hoping you are all having hooptastic times -
KymS
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| My stand-in blogger is just not cutting it... |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Beyond the Sea
Stunning.
This seems so dreamy - escaping to the end of the world and hooping your heart out.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Photo Diary: Carry the Stars with You
Photos from today and a few yesterday's ago.
This morning I knew I wanted to make something and when I saw the (second to last) picture with stacks of glowing lamps (via tumblr), I was inspired to dig out the strings of lights I had purchased for the birthday fort a bit ago. New spaces are hotbeds of inspiration.
That being said, the 'new' apartment is clearly only new to me and I love that the old-style door knobs look like the talking door handle from Alice in Wonderland.
As if I weren't in a whimsical enough mood.
I'll always contend that pretending should be a life long hobby and this morning, with the lights properly strung, I imagined bringing the stars inside with me - to sleep under or gaze upon even if it rained, thanks to some finagling with an antique umbrella.
Never far from my hoop, I squeezed in a short session after the POP(!) POP(!) of lights blowing out signaled it was time to clean up. There are always more photos of me singing along than not.
The colorful swingset is from a recent trip to Six Flags.
Wonder if there is a way to recreate that one at home?
Oh yes, I think I like it here.
Everyone is the Show at BM
I am contemplating dying my hair again so this picture makes me very, very happy.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Raven Rainbow Gets Back to the Hoop with Impressive Multi Moves
The leg hooping/shoulder hooping duck out at 1:05 is definitely impressive. I have been using my long hair and teeny hoop as an excuse for no longer being able to do duck outs successfully most of the time... but, uh... I think I may have to change my tune now. Dern it. Stunning work.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Circular Constant
Do you ever feel like you are going crazy when you haven't hooped for awhile? Okay - full disclosure - I feel like I am going crazy most of the time, but it is much more pronounced when I am living sans hoop. Yes, I think the exercise aspect of hooping impacts the sense of calm I have post spin session - but even when it is only 5-10 minutes I feel worlds better. My conclusion is that this sense of happiness is from having the reminder that something that exists purely for joy does exist in life (or, in my life.)
So many 'happy' things come with side-effects that make them impermanent additions in life. Heck, even going to the gym (way back when) was something that was 'good' for me and made me happy, but eventually left me with swollen, sore knees and joints and, of course, that often felt gym boredom. I knew it wouldn't be forever.
Particularly at this time in my life - at twenty five, when the future is confusing and ever pressing, and I feel undeniably grown up, yet not very good at it - it is a blessing to have one thing that I am assured will be a constant in my life. Yes, it's a hula-hoop - but it is something that assures me that I will move forever, be active and learning forever and be able to find a sense of peace within myself despite the rest of life.
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| from a brief but oh-so therapeutic hoop session yesterday. |
It seems clear that many, many new folks are stumbling into this hoop world of ours - and whether or
not they will feel the way I do about it (or it will instead be a rather depressing 'thinspo' fad...grumble) remains to be seen, but I hope that it is. Finding constants in anything - people, places, interests, professions - is difficult. Being the control-happy young and confused gal I am, I am glad I found one. 
Circle and Splits
Eek! I can't help it - it just looks so painful! But I am sure it feels like a lovely stretch for the hoop yogi seen above. Oh my, my
Monday, September 12, 2011
Five Funny Hoop Headlines from the 1950's
It seems in the hoop's mid-century hey-day there was quite the controversy about our favorite plastic round. Flustering the Royalty and hospitalizing housewives, the hula-hoop made the page quite a few times - with chuckle producing results. Click on the headlines below for the full article.
Spokane Daily Chronicle Sep 24th 1958
Sarasota Journal Oct 30th 1958
Toledo Blade March 30th 1959
The Sun March 21st 1959
Park City Daily News Oct 24th 1958
Emma Kerr and Steve Bags - Partner Twin Moves (!!!)
They are having so much fun - as it should be! Pretty innovative you slick hoopers, you.
Capturing Burning Man 2011
"Rites of Passage"
Beautiful shots of hoopers and more at Burning Man 2011. Is there anything better for a Monday morning when the 'real world' rears it's ugly head than a vicarious trip to that magical gathering in the desert? All photos courtesy of katparry via Flickr. Check out the Burning Man set for lots more of what looked like an absolutely amazing time.
My goal is already set to make next years happen for me. Preparation and cost is intense so it's never too soon to start - but, my oh my, is it ever nice to have such a motivating factor to work towards.
Friday, September 9, 2011
DubStep Frenzy
Never has a title been more accurate.
I love her flow and experimentation with the speed and level of the hoop. There are also great tosses and passes in here! I love, love, love speedy hoopers - dizzying to look at, but so much fun to watch.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
New. Home.
Here we are. The move is "over." "Over" in (air) quotation marks (and said with raised eyebrows) to indicate that the process is not really over until a routine is in place. Not until I can walk in, throw my keys on the side table and plop down somewhere comfortable after a long day will I really feel like I am home. Currently, my keys are... on the floor. The couch is made of camp chairs and the most comfortable place to hang out is on the kitchen counter with coffee in hand and feet dangling. It's just like being 10-years old again (though, back then, the coffee was 80% half & half, 15% sugar and 5% coffee.)
Ah yes, the memories of this place and time are forming already.
Premature nostalgia aside, I am really enjoying the 'newness' of it all. It's a blank slate, an exciting house-sized art project to personalize and perfect until it feels like home. I guess that's what they mean by laying down roots - finding objects that represent yourself, or an idea of yourself, and buying them so that you see who you are (or want to be) reflected in what you own. Choosing things based on preference and not necessity. It definitely feels like another step towards adulthood.
... though, traipsing in the building with dozens of hoops slung over my shoulder while I watch people scurry out in business suits keeps me feeling young.
This place has passed the all important hoop test - with high ceilings and limited belongings making spinning with a teensy poly pro easy work. Another poly pro bonus is that there are no colorful marks left on surfaces that are hit with the hoop - not even this pink hoop. With the memory of repainting the ceiling and walls in the old place so fresh, it was a big relief.
I'll miss the old place - we went out with a bang with drinks and ice cream waffles - but I am open to whatever this new experience has to offer. (and more ice cream waffles.)
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| Hoops sneak their way in to every picture... |
I think I am finally accepting that change is life. I've heard it forever... but kept waiting for stable ground. Really, it's always moving - it's just about keeping pace and remembering to look around, smile, and be yourself.
Monday, September 5, 2011
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