Forums > Introductions > Xopher in Hoboken (near New York City)
Login/Join to Participate456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Hi everybody, I'm brand new here. I'm Xopher, and I live in Hoboken, New Jersey. That's right across the Hudson River (actually a tidal estuary) from New York City. (Yeah, we got to watch the World Trade Center fall down, then burn for a week. More on that later - MUCH later.)
I just found out about poi at a gathering I went to. I want to learn this new trick; the trouble is I'm kind of an old dog, if you know what I mean (not quite in the "wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled" zone yet). Also I have a tiny apartment; there's nowhere indoors I can swing poi around without mashing plants, breaking glass, knocking stuff over, or hitting a wall. Therefore can't watch instructional videos and try the swings at the same time.
Soooo, I'm looking for somewhere I can actually take a class or two. Found this site as a result of googling for that very thing. I know y'all are far away, but does anybody know of any instruction available in New York? (No car; I live in the biggest public transit nexus on this continent, after all. Willing to pay reasonable fees.)
Even if not, hello! [insert friendly sounds appropriate to various cultures about here]
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
Welcome to HoP!
Cheers!
A perth girl gone walkabout...
396 posts
Location: Back home in Perth WA, Australia
Hiya!! Welcome!! 
I smile because i have no idea whats going on!! 
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Hiya Xopher. Is that like a futuristic Gopher? I can se it all dressed in silver in my mind eye!!
There's a few peeps in NYC you could contact from here to see if they're interested in helping. You can do a search up top somewhere and there's a Lets Meet Up area somewhere here or you could post a thread int he events forum and ask peeps to come along for a play on your side of the river...*ahem* estuary.
If you wanna spin indoors get some long socks and put tennis balls inside them and spin away my friend. You can shorten them to custom fit your apartment too!!!
Let's relight this forum 
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Don't worry kids... we got him in the loop.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Yeah, NYC jumped on it right away, for which thanks!
But Custom Bug, those are great suggestions...and it's not like Hoboken doesn't have parks, it's just at my current level (the bottom one) I don't want to stand out there alone in front of the dozens and hundreds, whacking myself in the head (or worse!) repeatedly as I try to learn!
The time will come, though.
As for 'Xopher' think 'Xmas' and you'll get the right idea...
Thanks for the friendly welcomes, Patrick KOTB and Mela.
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
now available in "advanced"
6,086 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Hello, and welcome to HoP!
don't worry about mashing plants and the like - you'll not be the first, and I'm sure you'll not be the last! Lightbulbs are a favourite too!
My state of mind is not yours to define!
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Hello
Welcome to HoP
What is your opinions on the colour pink?
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
I saw the best thing at the weekend. Lightbulbs taped to the ceiling! Perfect!
Let's relight this forum
After 17 hrs i got the little beautie
340 posts
Location: Sunny Devon, UK
Hey Xopher
Welcome to HoPI have the same problem as you in the fact that i cant spin inside. I live in a house that was made about 300 years ago and you have to duck everywhere you go else you hit your head. Everyone must of been midgets in those days!! But stick with it dude. It wont be long till your in those parks
A wise man once told me, A friend will bail you outta jail, A great friend will be sitting beside you saying that was f**king awesome.
Super Gidg!!!!
8,506 posts
Location: Portland Oregon USA
Gidg bounces in on her pogo stick ... boing ... boing ... boing ...
Welcome to HoP
Don't worry Xopher, we are know to teach old dogs new tricks all the time.
Gidg starts searching her pockets and mumbles to herself now where did I put that bone?
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is NOT.
Proud member of the HoP DPS.
Sanity is a highly overrated state of mind.
I'm normal ... it's everyone else that's crazy.
Gidg
456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Thanks for the encouragement, all. As for Pink -- some of my favorite body parts (mine and others') are that color. I look like a corpse in all pastels, so I don't wear it, but it looks good on some people (the "peaches and cream" complexion in particular).
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
lurker
194 posts
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Welcome Xopher!
You are in good hands here.
I'm from Brooklyn - we have a poi-people around here. If you've heard from NYC already, then you are in good hands!
Happy Poi - look forward to meeting you at some point.
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
'ello!
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
2,293 posts
Location: NJ or DE, USA
**grumbles** Durned New Yorkers... Always stealing away any potential poi-pals of mine... And I finally found one that's actually in New Jersey. **shakes her fist at NYC** It's all your fault, ya know!
Welcome to HoP, Xopher! I can personally guarantee that those of us who live in central Jersey are much nicer than those that live in New York.
Come spin with meeeeeee! Anyhoo... Enjoy your stay!
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Pies Jesu Domine *whack*
Dona eis requiem *whack*
Come join us and chat - we're bored! irc.newnet.net #homeofpoi
456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Thanks again, everyone. rbmnyc, hope so too. Elanna, I see no reason to choose one or the other! (Though it is true that getting to the NYC event takes half an hour and $1.50, while Central Jersey is far, far away (in time and $) for a poor carless person such as moiself.)
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
I'd just like to say that exactly 7 (seven) days after my initial post here, I've been to two meetings of the New York spinning gang, and learned all sorts of stuff. Last night I got the 3-beat weave! (Not "mastered," just "got." I can do it, but it's kinda ugly; now I have to clean it up.)
NYC is a stunningly awesome poister. I wanna be like him. Really fast, really complex patterns. I can't imagine how I could ever learn half of what he knows, but then it's going faster than I thought it would ('cuz of the Old Dog thing). Still...
There was also a woman there who was doing the long poi. A tall, elegant, serene blonde doing huge, elegant, serene patterns. She was like a goddess commanding rings of fire to do her bidding. I was in complete awe.
I've met a lot of other extremely cool people in the past week, too. None of it would have happened without Home Of Poi. So thank you.
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Written by: Xopher
NYC is a stunningly awesome poister. I wanna be like him. Really fast, really complex patterns. I can't imagine how I could ever learn half of what he knows, but then it's going faster than I thought it would ('cuz of the Old Dog thing). Still...
i knew it!!! ha!
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Dang it Xopher... how am I ever gonna fool the women with my "Oh I don't know anything, please teach me how to be pretty like you" line if you keep telling them I'm decent.
And I think the tall blonde you're talking about was Claire (with the two tone hair). She's lovely.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
456 posts
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Yeah, she is. And I remembered her name by remembering Claire de Lune (I was just being discreet). Though I suppose it would be Claire de Feu, wouldn't it? (Or something; I can write all the French I know on a 3X5 card with a dull #2 pencil.)
NYC, your line is obvious BS to anyone who's seen you spin for 10 seconds. And here I thought your strategy was more the "Hey, look what I can do. If I can do THIS with my hands, just imagine..." kind of approach...I know I certainly hope it will work for me! (Not on women, of course.)
"If you didn't like something the first time, the cud won't be any good either." --Elsie the Cow, Ruminations
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