Cat-astrophes

Another night of fun and games...
Fire...I love it. I love it more when it's spinning all around me. Last night I was twirling at a party...but it surely was a night of firsts! Let me mention that I've done a number of shows. Mostly smaller private parties, a few larger functions - even one on a rooftop in the middle of the city (Fan-sparking-tastic!)...but this was the first time in about a month I'd picked up my staff and poi.

Everything began smoothly enough...I warmed up, did a simple single staff routine to a chorus of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' that always make me giggle. Then I lit up the poi. Now they look absolutely spectacular (I love it. Love it a lot) but are Soooooo dangerous. Especially when you have heavy-duty chains with chunky-layered cathedral-fold wicks. Very weighty flammable devices indeed!

Began with a few basic moves and all was going well, so stepped out into a few more show-pleasing ones. All went smoothly. So I decided to get a little acrobatic and attempt my floor routine. Keep in mind it has actually been 3 months since doing ground-work...I think you can see where this is going! I ended up getting stuck on my back on the ground giggling away with fire all around me like a real pyromaniac.

The crowd were great! They let out dramatic screams and shouts of 'Where's the fire extinguisher?!' By this point I had managed to sit up on my butt...still laughing mind you, with the poi still going in perfect momentum.

So I've now had my first show (major) stuff-up. I finished off with a few more crowd-pleasers, but didn't get back on the ground again. The most exciting thing though was that I received my first real burn! Yes, in three years of playing with fire, I hadn't given myself a decent burn until last night. Ironically it was after the fire was out too - I burnt myself on the hot chains. Silly me.

Regardless though, of feeling like an idiot, the crowd seemed to really appreciate it all. A few enthusiastic individuals tried to pick up the staff and have a go, but soon realised it is a little more difficult than they anticipated. There was one natural there though, and we're going to trade off staff lessons with drumming lessons (one of my life goals...yay!). Marvelous.

xxx