At the beginning of November 2023 I was handed a Contact Staff, and this last Christmas I bought myself and a friend a Balance Board. During the holidays I had a little time to practice both, and decided (whilst a little merry on Expresso Martini's) it would be fun to have a go at spinning the staff and balancing on the board at the same time. An earlier post contains a couple of GIFs showing (on a 3 second loop) early attempts at this unorthodox arrangement, and since then I have been keen have another try.
So yesterday I took a bag down to the beach and located a spot to set up and start recording. I'm still not convinced the surface was completely level but at least there were no ceiling or light obstacles to avoid!
▶️ Watch on 3Speak
I spent about an hour trying to put more than a few seconds of wobblily flow together, with this clip turning out best of a bad bunch and not looking so bad/beginner in my humble opinion. Clearly there's lots of scope for improvement but I think that will come quickest if I continue to practice these skills individually.
Towards the end of my play-time, which really is a essential for me as I fucking hate being inside and in front of a screen doing shit I don't care about, a guy who was sat by the water just out of shot got up and walked over. I didn't recognise him the whole time he was there even though we had met briefly once a few months prior. He asked for a go on my Staff, which I allowed because I'd seen a video or two of him and he's pretty good - better than me. Well, now he has my number and I'm hopeful we'll get to meet early one morning or later in the day (after work shite) so we can hopefully help each other improve some. I suspect it will be me who benefits most, and he is going to need my Staff-wizz friend to teach him some new tricks.
My mother, brother, and daughter have all been sent videos of me both 'Staffing' and balancing and the general consensus has been, "why?". Not really words of encouragement, which is fine, but I did feel a little disappointed that they seemingly didn't think so hard before asking the question.
Apart from the obvious physical health benefits of activating loads of muscles and moving around after sitting on your arse for 7-10 hours a day in front of a screen, there's a nice boost to my (previously flakey) mental health going on here too.
When I get those thoughts such as, "I'm not fucking sitting behind a desk all day until I'm 68 or whatever the retirement age is then", escaping that desk and leaving work thoughts behind for an hour or two gives me a little kick I need give some more of my time up the next day. That is until 2025 of course where Crypto will moon and we'll all be handing in resignation letters, maybe.
Have a good one,
Ash
▶️ 3Speak
For people that are not used to go out of their comfort zone, or maybe try something new, the question of 'Why' is usual first response. For something unusual, even more so. As people got older, they think everything needs to be done for a reason, some purpose, some monetary equivalent. But they forget that you can do things for fun, because you want to see if you can do it, as a sense of accomplishment.
I can't do either one of the things you are doing, and seeing you do both at the same time is awesome. Keep doing what you like, and keep being awesome.
I think you are right. And I probably have some 'why' thoughts when I see someone doing something which I wouldn't dare. Injury risk is low here though, and there's lots of brain n muscle connections going on.
Thanks for stopping by again!
Yeah. I have trouble multitasking so I can only imagine the amount of brain and muscle power needed to do that.
I really like your content. I wanted to retire early, and seeing the things you are doing gives me a lot of ideas. I didn't consider trying unusual things like above, or paddleboarding. But after much though, if I am retired, why not.
Start separately :) It's only been a few months with Staff and less with the balance board.
Thanks! I appreciate that for many reasons :)
I've been a regular for years, then fell of the map, and recently returned - new people around which is nice, and it means I should be making friends in comments.
life/personal content is my favourite and I find this is where the most original posts can be found - your story is your own sort of thing.
I'd love to retire early, but I'm doing as much as possible whilst still working because I may never make it to that age :)
Thanks again!
You’re doing the best thing to yourself. Spending one hour each day for this is not too much. We need to have fun and stay away from all negative energy
Nice one!
Thank you :) I hope you also have some activities to keep you entertained and give good energy.
Tbh that looks ridiculously fun.
They are more fun when done separately at present! :)
Escaping from prolonged screen time and desk work for an hour or two serves as a refreshing break, providing the motivation needed to face the next workday.
Here's to finding the right balance between health and productivity, and who knows what the future holds in 2025 crypto wise !
This is great to see you doing but I am sure it needs a lot of practice to play it like this. I can't do it..even for a few seconds.
hope it happens
It's just practice - time and willingness :)
I have faith in 2025!
So why...
...not be fucken awesome at balancing and wielding a staff in a cool and awesome way...that's the true question your family should have asked.
I think it's really cool to do these things, especially since we often get bogged down in the everyday of life and work, much of which we don't care about with the latter at least.
I say, get the fuck on with it, learn from that dude (who may become a really good friend) and design and create your ideal life my bro.
In light of your 2025 crypto prediction I have begun writing my resignation letter. It says...Fuck off, I'm out of here, so far. It's a work in progress.
I see we are following the same template :D
Yes, get on with doing what makes you enjoy the passing of time, cause it is passing for sure.
Cheers for the boost and for popping by - I need to do the rounds a bit more, but I'll have to wait until work aren't stealing so much of my time (gits!).
Fucken work gits...I'm there currently just contemplating the gazillion things they want me to do...that I have to do. They pay for my time, my life, and they pay well, but I wonder you know, at what price do we sell our lives and is there a better way to use life. You know? (I know you know)
Anyway, it's really cool what you're doing for the physical and emotional reasons and just because it's cool.
Keep well.
Yeah I know, and I live in eternal resentment until I get on me board, twizzle the Staff, go Paddleboarding, etc - just get me outside!
Thanks, keeping well over here and hoping you are too.
Each Day I come back from a stressful day at work and I try as possible to learn how to spin, I was motivated by you and I downloaded some few videos from YouTube.
Here is what I discovered
My spin practice has taken away the metal stress I get from every day work, as I enjoy getting better at it. this is so amazing. It's a good idea to take out time to do the things we love, it improve our mental health.
Oh before I 4get thanks for the motivation🙏👏