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Best of the Best 2008 Brickfish

VOTE me for the scholarship!

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I don't normally do this but I am confident the other scholarship entries will make it to the finals. This one is a long shot so I might as well focus on it.

In other yoyo news, I have the gig with Desired Temptations. I found out last night. =) So after all my finals, I will be able to blow off steam by performing and clubbing it up!

The Mexican Contest is OVER!

What's Your Favorite Toy? Brickfish

***EDIT: I posted my scholarship entry above but the original post is below***
I am so exhausted. I judged, performed, and taught all weekend long starting from the moment I arrived in Mexico city. Once I was off the plane, we were heading straight to a cafe where 2 yoyoers were hanging out. Since then, it was nonstop teaching and learning tricks.

On Saturday, the yoyo contest was held at the park. Then it moved to the mall where the stage was somewhat in the center of everything. The contest was great and there were amazing yoyo perofermances all around. I was particularly impressed with the several girl yoyo players because they went up on stage and FREESTYLED! I have no idea how much experience they have in the performing arts but that was VERY impressive to me.

I finished that day with my freestyle. Isaac mentioned this later that evening, "did you see the audiences´ faces? They never saw anything like that before!" That is one thing I absolutely miss about going on tour; THE CHANCE TO CHANGE SOMEONE´S LIFE

As corny as that may sound, all it took was a professional yoyo player to come to my school. Now look what I´m doing...I am doing exactly what that professional did 10 years ago; touring the world and changing people´s lives one at a time with the greatest toy of the 21st century.

As for today, after a LONG day we wrapped it up and awareded Paul 1st place in the 1A division and Javier won the Combined division. Judging is tough when it comes to 3 minutes because there are so many elements it´s frustrating to give points to a trick you think you´ve seen but not sure of. Or you should have given more/less points to a particular trick. Nonetheless, the results were accurate. We agreed on who the winner was and who placed top 5.

After I performed, after the awards were given, after the pictures were taken, I remembered what it was like to be on tour again as a professional yoyo demonstrator. All the kids lined up for my signature. They all lined up to take pictures with me. They all admired me. That´s when I knew I was changing people´s lives. It´s one thing to teach someone to do a trick and hope they retain what we tell them. It´s another thing when you make an impact in their lives. It´s another thing when they place their winning trophy for decoration, and they remember your signature because you inspired them to continue to play.

It´s amazing how people can underestimate how a yoyo changes lives. Mine has been forever changed because of it. I am forever in debt to the yoyo. How do I start to pay back what the yoyo has given to me? I spread my love and passion for the yoyo to OTHER´S in hopes that they do the same. Today proved that my mission has been accomplished. When more and more yoyo players come out of Mexico, I know I helped. Whenever I see the trick I taught them in their freestyle, I know I inspired them.

I guess that´s why I won the 2006 most inspirational player award. I INSPIRE people. That should be the story of my life. Not just my yoyo life. ^_^

Audition TONIGHT for Desired Temptations!

You have to love Craig for inventing CRAIGSLIST! I was on the computer at work (like right now) looking at CL ads in the gigs section. I replied to a handful and lo and behold, one of them called me back interested in having me audition TONIGHT at 10PM. I gather we will finish the negotiations regarding how long I perform, how much I charge, etc.

However...

I never performed at a NIGHT VENUE before. This place is a straight up CLUB/LOUNGE. Not only do I have to LOOK SHARP, I have to BE SHARP. I'm bringing my resume and sending photos to them since they requested it. Now the real question is; WHAT SONG DO I USE? *scratches head*

I have to figure this out especially since this is MY AGE GROUP that I'm performing for. I've freestyled to many different genere's of music. I'm guessing I'll use what Brendan mixed up for me when I won the talent show last year; DJ Stylewise Bay Area mix. Little outdated but definitely bay music will hit the spot. =)

My BAC freestyle the week after I won the talent show using the song:

Fan mail

Little outdated but I was clearing up my mailbox and thought this would be a waste if I deleted it. There's evidence that I am a big deal. =)

To: josephharris@yoyojam.com
Date: September 6, 2008 911PM
Subject: GREAT JOB!

So my Mom and I were chatting on the phone and she starts talking about this amazing young man who is a yo-yo champion.. and low and beyond it was you.. my lil bro! Congrats on a great weekend.. and my Mom says you have great presence on the TV. She will be around on Monday, if you are going to be by the office, she wants you to autograph her yo-yo! She's never known a yo-yo champ in her 65 years!

Take care and good job.. GO NINERS!!
.. Big Sis...

My first business card!

Yeah boy! ;-D I wonder who my first customer will be.

Mexican Yoyo Clinic

I have never been to Mexico before (unless you count when I was an infant) but the opportunity has presented itself! I will be going to Mexico city once I book the flight later today with confirmation from the one and only YOYOJAM! They rock. I can't wait to see the scene there.

Other than that, enjoy some pics from the yoyo gig I had a few weeks back!!!