where does the time go?

Poi practice started out pretty good, working on my turns and weaves and moving with them.  It all felt good.  Then the hard part began.  Chad worked with me on keeping my hands in the correct position when I spin, which of course made everything harder.  I stood facing the wall, working on spinning the poi in front of me, keeping my planes close to the wall.  I'd make maybe 2 or 3 rotations before the chains would tangle, or the balls would smack in the face or... elsewhere.  There was much frustration.  But as I told someone else in class "if it was easy, everyone would do it."  Another person showed me a different maneuver, so I learned a few new things last night, on top ofall the drills I have to practice.  I felt very much like a novice in a martial arts film: pole on my shoulder, carrying two buckets of water, standing on one leg while some ancient bastard smacked my shins with a stick.  Except the stick was a set of poi, and the ancient bastard was myself.  Seriosly, everyone who helped me out was great, and I look forward to more punishment learning.

Ceremony was a right good time too.  Old faces, new faces, new beats, old beats, and the freezing freezing cold.  Friends going through transitions, in their lives and in their hair *grin*. 
Good times were had.