Stilt Walking

     Since the temperature was about 50ish I decided it was time to try some stilt walking again. I convinced Jeremy to come out with me (I'm not allowed to unicycle or stilt walk alone. Apparently it's dangerous...). He grabbed a ladder and I grabbed my stilts and we headed out to the driveway.
I use the ladder to get on the stilts, and I keep one foot on the ladder until I'm ready to step off. I have to make sure my first foot is centered on the stilt just right and try to focus on my center of balance. Once I feel ready I move my second foot (always my left foot) onto the other stilt. I only have that one chance to make sure my foot is on the stilt correctly; if I put my foot on wrong there's no way to adjust it, I just have to fall. I'm sure I'll be able to adjust it as my balance gets better, it's just difficult now.
I think what makes it hard (besides the whole balance and gravity thing) is that I can't step with just my foot, I have to coordinate my arm to lift the stilt as I take a step. There's been several times where I've done that wrong and end up with my foot coming off the stilt (which usually results in a fall). I could put straps on for my feet, but then if I fell I wouldn't be able to land on my feet. I suppose the straps could go over the top of my feet and therefore my feet could easily slide out, but I don't want to risk it just yet.
And falling hurts! I always land on my feet, but falling from a couple of feet in the air onto the hard driveway is pretty painful to my feet. I think I need shock absorbers!

So, my best for today was probably about 4 or 5 steps. I might try again tomorrow, but there's a chance of rain, so we'll see.

It's Warm!

It's warm (well, at least warmer than it has been) and sunny outside! I put on my purple coat this morning (which I bought on sale for an amazingly low price of $5) and went outside to feed my chickens. I quickly realized that it was too warm for my coat and my denim jacket would have sufficed. I am so thrilled to see that the thermometer says it's 40 degrees! And it's sunny! It makes me feel so happy. Now I want to play outside! Too bad the ground is still rather soggy, but maybe the next few days will be as nice as today! Then maybe Jeremy, Luke and I will go for a walk across the bridge. And maybe I can practice my unicycle or stilts! Maybe we can make a new video!
I love sunshine!

Juggling

I hadn't juggled in a while, but last night I saw my box of juggling stuff and decided to go ahead and juggle some. I did some three ball tricks for a while, but then I decided to try four balls. I had tried to learn four ball juggling last year, but I wasn't very successful. This time I managed to get several throws! I was very excited. Now I'm hoping to be able to get at least 40 catches by the time Bristol starts. Then I can help my "brother" (as in my faire brother, John/Thomas, not Jeremy or Luke) learn 4 balls, and he can help me learn stilts!
John made a set of stilts for me, but they're currently sitting in the basement and I haven't practiced them. Somehow taking them out on a icy driveway seems like a bad idea... I think I'll wait until the weather is warmer before practicing them!