If there’s anything I love about New York City, it’s the spontaneity of life. You can be walking down 5th Avenue and have an urge to play chess, go stunt jumping, or walk the Brooklyn Bridge–and then be able to do ALL OF IT in one day. So it doesn’t surprise me that when I woke up last week and thought to myself, “All I want to do is beatbox this week,” that I was able to make it happen–with the help of Grey Matter BBox.
What a lot of people don’t know is that each time I meet someone new for these hobbies–activities–I get a little bit nervous. It’s hard to gauge through an email, a tweet, or an information box on a website how welcoming people are going to be to an entire lesson being shot on video–or how each person will be as a teacher. I’ve been very fortunate so far that most of the instructors or teachers for each hobby have been totally into the project and willing to be a part of it. But, this time, especially, Grey Matter was by far one of the most laid back, kindest, and most generous teachers I have had over these last six months. And he taught Justin Bieber how to beatbox–that’s pretty sweet…
And like I said–there’s nothing I enjoy more than the spontaneity of New York City. Check out Grey Matter as he performs across NYC with other talented New Yorkers:
During my ziplining adventure on June 10, one of our adventure tour friends suggested that I try out a ventriloquist lesson for the hobby year. Just a few days later, I scheduled a lesson with comic and ventriloquist April Brucker, who welcomed me into her apartment and took me under her wing. In an hour, I went from novice to street performing novice.
One of the greatest parts of the hobby year thus far is meeting new people and finding others who have similar missions as myself. A month or so ago, I received an email from one of the co-founders of Surprise Industries, and I was super amped when she told me that Surprise Industries would like to offer me a free surprise hobby/activity. The email was already one brilliant surprise! As the weeks went by my excitement grew–and when I walked into the gym and discovered that Kangoo Hopping–Hip-Hop–Dance was our surprise activity, I bounced up and down–literally.
For months, I have tried to get into a Kangoo Nation class, but it’s so popular that I’ve often missed sign-ups, however, not this time–This time, I got to try Kangoo dancing–and it was just by surprise–just by luck of the draw–just by connecting with people who have a similar goal as mine: to get people to get out and do things–even if they don’t know exactly what they are getting into.
The class was small and intimate, but the energy was upbeat and fast. As we hit the second dance routine, I could feel my heart racing, the positive endorphins flowing through my body, and the sweat dripping. This was the best workout I’d had in a long time–and it’s one I definitely plan to return to. As we hopped around the room, I could feel the smile on my face growing larger and larger on my face, and as I turned to my friend, I watched as she smiled too. This is what hobbies–and surprises–and new things do–they inspire you–they break you out of slumps–and bring you back to LIFE.
I’ve been so fortunate to have the opportunity to try so much this year–to meet so many people–to experience LIFE with so many other people.
Because that’s all this hobby year is about–experiencing life–for everything it’s worth–not saying no–and jumping at each and every chance to try something new. This life is too short not to let surprises happen–it’s too short not to try something new–even if you think you’ll look silly–and it’s definitely too short to be sitting online reading blogs all the time. So get outside and try something new…Who knows maybe Kangoo hopping is your new favorite hobby–it’s definitely one of mine.
Disclaimer: Normally, after a Surprise Industries event you DON’T talk about your SURPRISE–it’s kind of like Tyler Durden’s rules of Fight Club–YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB…
YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT THE SURPRISE
But since Surprise Industries and I agreed on our common missions and why I would be telling people what my surprise was–GUESS WHAT–you know–but now that means you need to go SIGN UP for your own at http://www.surpriseindustries.com — Make sure you tell them you found them through the one and only Hobby Hoarder. ENJOY YOUR SURPRISE!!!!
In 7th grade, I wanted to give a how-to lesson on breakdancing. The problem was that I didn’t really know a thing about breakdancing. The only reason I cared about it all was because the boy I had a huge crush on throughout middle school was learning all the moves–and so I thought if I knew anything about the style of dance at all–he might like me back.
It didn’t work out too well–the project–nor the crush.
So on July 8, I headed out to 5 Pointz for my first official breakdancing lesson with Kid Glyde who is an active member in the Dynamic Rockers crew.
We hit the concrete right away giving me b-girl cred–and then we broke it down–moving from our home position to our Indian steps, to six steps (helicopter) and the tornado all while the graffiti artwork served as a beautiful backdrop to our stage.
I watched as the guys who were there broke it down on cardboard boxes and I smiled at the thought that maybe one day I could stand on my head–or gl”yde” as smoothly as they did. While my moves were a bit stiff and my freezes were a bit short–I still rocked out the best I could. What’s the joy in trying if you are going to be great at it right away anyway?
This hobby just might be a keeper. Who knows–maybe one day I’ll star in Step Up the Revolution Part 12 with a Channing Tatum look alike. That.would.be.awesome.
Each year, on July 4th, there are parades all around America–and in those parades, stilt walkers come out by the dozens–dressed as Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty–and more. When I went to choose my hobby for the week of July 4th, I took a poll on Facebook and Twitter of what hobby I should do. The majority voted that I should stilt walk–and so I did. It felt pretty nice to be tall.
Have you ever watched a movie and said, “Well gosh darn–How do they know all the same dance moves? I wish that was real life!”
For me, that was real life on June 30th as over 400 of us took the “stage” at Pier 84 and performed a choreographed dance that we had learned via video and in rehearsal in just under four days. The event was sponsored by UrtheCast and put together by Flash Mob America. UrtheCast is using the flash mobs as a marketing tool for their earth camera. During the twelve minute flash mob, we formed a # symbol, an @ symbol, and an infinity symbol–before lastly spelling out I ❤ NY.
From the moment I arrived at rehearsal Saturday morning, I knew I had made a great decision for this week’s hobby. People were already waiting outside and they welcomed me with 3pm smiles–when it was only 8am. It was clear that we were all excited to be there, even if it was still four hours of rehearsal away.
I met people from Denmark, Australia, Spain, and Germany. I met people who never had done a flash mob before, and I met the professionals. I met people who were nervous about dancing, and I met people who spent hours watching over the videos so they could be the first ones onto the “stage” per say come Saturday. I met Moms, I met daughters, I met friends, I met boyfriends, I met Dads, I met women, I met men, I met children, I met a multitude of people who came together to bring joy to the lives of others. I met wonderful, amazing people who came together to bring joy to themselves. And I can tell you–it’s much more enjoyable to be a part of the dance than to watch it in the movies. Everyone should do a flash mob once in their life.
Stay tuned for the helicopter camera footage this Thursday from Urthecast.com
The Hobby Hoarder 