Meanderings of a Monkey Juggler

This is a bit of a thing.  Isn't it weird when opinions shift?  I've said before that people generally make up opinions and then find things to justify their position.  I've also said that I'm not a fan of this.  So time to fess up.  I'm as guilty as anyone and something's happened recently to make me realise it.  It all happened very quickly (as these things are wont to do).

First off we'll use the example of Tony Cake, juggler extraordinaire.  I was a member of his forum and enjoyed reading and contributing to it.  A few people have had conversations there re his dislike of the site-swap system.  But his response, rather than a simple "look I don't feel it adds anything to my life so why should I bother", was a collection of rants about "samey" juggling on the site and then a video showing him doing a passable impression of a learning disabled lad doing siteswaps.  Another bit was his claim that he could do 8 clubs.  Most reckoned his skill level was high enough that this wasn't far-fetched at all.  One or two questioned him as there was no video evidence of him doing 8 clubs.  So his latest is a vid of him getting 8 clubs 3 times (apparently he did it more than that during that session).  No problem you'd think.  Ah but no, then he has to tack on an arrogant response to any critics at the end of the video.

Further to this:  He recently changed the look of his site.  It's now white on black and is certainly eye-catching.  Problem is I can't easily read it (white on black really doesn't work well for astigmatism).  Other regulars have the same problem.  We said so and asked if he could re-think.  Cue the response that we should all have eye-tests and it's staying as it is so ner.  I have no problem with someone designing their website in the way that they like but to basically insult regular, polite and friendly people (who like the site and want to use it) stating a preference is hardly the attitude you want.  [edit: he's now changed it to something much more, eye-friendly so this paragraph can be partially discounted]

So my attitude has changed and I can see where some other people are coming from re this guy's arrogance. 

And who is there to publically articulate the same view as me?  Luke B, that's who.  He posted on rec.juggling re the 8 club video and used the line

8 clubs is very impressive, but I almost felt sick seeing
Anthony's reaction and the way he presented it.

I can't disagree with that at all.  In fact in many of his recent posts (that I've seen) he's come across as one of the more thoughtful and insightful people on rec.juggling.  And his opinions have closely correlated with mine.

He followed this with a post that ended with the sig:

Luke Burrage - reportedly "arrogant"

I checked and found out that the site that comes out on top in Yahoo when you search for "Luke Burrage arrogant" is this very site you're reading now.  I think I owe him an apology.  Over the last year he's impressed me greatly (especially with the BYJOTY organising and presentation) and I really have no leg to stand on to stand by some of the comments I've put in writing on here (although at least one I can think of was rather tongue-in-cheek; but I'm not going back and re-writing them).  If you're reading this Luke then, Sorry boss, if I've ever been unfair.

Have fun.

I've just seen an advert at work.  Someone is selling a stack of video's[sic] and book's[sic too].  The poor punctuation is one matter of concern but the major meat of this post is this line:

"about a boy by Nick Hornby paper back (based on the film with hugh Grant)"

Apart from the appalling literacy level here (what on earth is going on with the capitalising?), I love the idea that the book is based on the film.  Next week they'll be selling "Pride and Prejudice - based on the TV mini-series".

What's the world coming to?

Have fun.

Steve Irwin died today!  Good heavens.

I remember mentioning him to Tanya once and she wasn't impressed that he (and some stupid right-wing politician at the time) was the public face of 'Straya.  She thought there were more people who could, perhaps, have been more dignified and would better sell the place.

I'm not sure I agree with this.  Agreed his first shows were a little OTT but then that's how he got himself known in the wider world.  As a business plan it worked a treat.  Recently though I've seen some of his shows that have shown him as a driven and, above all, passionate man.  That is passionate about his subject.  It was abundantly clear that he loved his life doing what he was doing.  The only possible reason to hate that is jealousy. 

Steve showed a true Australian attitude and if he's the model I'd be proud to be an Aussie.

Have fun.