Tyler Seamons

The Haiku Challenge

secchione9 — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:12:21 +0000

In an effort to take at least a couple of minutes a day to be more freely creative, I’m going challenging myself to 30 days of haiku. If you don’t know, haiku is a Japanese form of poetry consisting of three lines, five syllables in the first, seven in the second, and five again in the last. I have been fascinated with haiku for a long time, but this is my first attempt. Feel free to play along and share your own haikus.

communication
born of fruitful persistence
reaps a quick return

Pranay on the Diabolo

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:38:43 +0000

Diabolo is my favorite prop, and I know we haven’t spent much time on it, it is what I love the most, and this kid has a great style. It’s a little long, but he does a great job.

A Good Mix of Everything

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:32:02 +0000

In this compilation video that was made to commemorate the end of the International Juggling Database website, you’ll see a whole bunch of different styles and tricks that were contributed to the site over the years.

Vova and Olga Piano Act

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:29:28 +0000

Vova and Olga do a great job of involving every day objects. This time they show how you can juggle and do other things at the same time: play the piano and ride a unicycle. Great stuff from great artists.

Vova and Olga Passing Act

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:28:20 +0000

This is a great representation of a touring act. These two make passing look great, easy, and fun. Vova and Olga are great.

Vova Galchenko Solo

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:26:57 +0000

Vova is part of a duo that does a great show, but this video is a demonstration of his awesome club juggling skills. I would consider this more of a street performance.

Steven Ragatz Routine

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:25:22 +0000

This is a great video to show how a show should be put together. He does a great job of building out a stage, a story, and still demonstrates great skill with the props he uses.

Toby Walker Video

secchione9 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:15 +0000

Toby Walker is a world-class competitive juggler who has a great set bouncing a ball on his head and integrating other props like clubs and balls in a multi-pattern. He’s really great. Check it out.

Canzone Disperata Nostra

secchione9 — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:46:01 +0000

My oldest sister was getting married in April of 2001. It was the wedding dinner, the night before the ceremony. I was seated next to my best friend. Everyone that didn’t know us thought we were lovers. Maybe if one of use was a woman, that would have been accurate, but as it was we were more like brothers. As I was sitting at the table, a poem started to emerge. I didn’t have paper or a pen, so I flattened out a napkin and then, almost in a trance, got up and started begging, in somewhat a strained and desperate voice, “Do you have a pen?…do you have a pen?”

Finally the groom’s mother dug a pen out of her purse and put me out of my misery, temporarily. I’m sure I looked like an addict, hands shaking, wild eyes avoiding contact.

I took my seat. The world disappeared. I struggled to keep up with the words. This poem bled out on to the napkin with little mercy for where I was or what I was supposed to be doing. It is one of the best I’ve written. Probably the best. It’s the only that I ever wrote directly in to Italian with no translation.

canzone disperata nostra

venne la notte tenebrosa

e cadde la pioggia

come chiodi piccini

facendo uscire il sangue

come se fosse quel cuore

spezzato, congelato, freddo dalla mancanza

il vento stava alla faccia

tirandoci indietro al tempo che

trascorremmo dopo due anni di <>

quando gli occhi si trovarono attraverso

una sala piena, zeppa, come se fosse un’autobus

a firenze sotto la pioggia

ma gli occhi furono più forti

e ci trovammo subito assieme

come alla collina stupida

con facce bagnate

aqua mescolata con le rimpiante di una vita passata

quando la valle ci abbracciò

e la città sorridette all’idea di crearci una casa in cima

tornando, ci creammo un silenzio, un momento

tra i canti, le macchine e la musica

di due cuori che batterono insieme

di nuovo in cucina

durante un silenzio profondo

confessai <>

<>

poi mi chiedesti come finisse la storia

la tragedia nostra

con uno sguardo ti spiegai

la crescita di sentimenti profondi

ti diedi la borsa e i pantaloni

con una promessa

scendesti nella macchina

rimasi silenzioso e il mare

pieno e arrogante

ubriaco di buio e di fumo

caddi e entrò in casa mia

sdraiato a terra

sul tappeto ruvido

si addormentò il mio cuore spezzato

con la notte tenebrosa

I’m Pretty Sure I Won the Race

secchione9 — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:32:32 +0000

There are some definite perks to working from home.

Jason was home from school with a sore throat and cough. He dug out my slot car track, which usually only sees the light of day once a year. By looking at him, you wouldn’t know that he’s sick. He’s running around the house, all smiles, but he’s like his dad. He only gets down when the sick is deep and forces him to the ground.

I heard him putting something together. It would be the first track he built alone. It sounded serious.

He came in fifteen minutes later and needed a hand. His track was beautiful. It didn’t need much help from me, either.

So I went back to work. Ten minutes later he comes in to my office. The car won’t turn one of the corners without a little push.

After we get the track together and working for him…I just can’t resist. And we race.

Things have been rough for a couple of months. I’ve felt like I was in a tunnel of my own making. I’ve been learning hard lessons hand-over-fist. There have been a lot of days where I stay in my office downstairs from before the sun comes up until well after it sets. My internal warden only lets me out long enough to grab a bite to eat and maybe walk to the mailbox and back.

Being in the dungeon is a little better now that the sun is shining. But it was a dark winter.

Working from home may not be ideal, and it has its ugly moments. But the perks outweigh the problems. I’m grateful that I have time to spend with my interrupting kids. It’s wonderful when Lucy or Jake come down, climb up on the chair next to me and give me a hug. I love when Madi comes home from school, runs down to my office, and shows me her grades or a project. And I’m glad Jason was sick enough to stay home and give me some time with him. And I’m glad he let me win the race.