Comfort in Containment

I'm back in the cage. Yet this time by choice. I think I missed it too much. While the world out there is great, there is something comforting (if not creepy) about the tiny room, the centered table and the view out the window.

After more thought, I've concluded that my attraction to hula hoops is similar. When you're inside your hula-hoop you have your own space, and no one else can go within a foot radius. Then there is the constant movement, the challenge of keeping the hula hoop in mid-air. It's addicting. And comforting.

Despite the all around awesomeness of this weekend, I still think hula-hooping was the best part. It was like finding a twenty-dollar bill in my pocket. To rediscover a childhood game and find that it makes me even happier than it did when I was a child is pretty sweet.

Hula-hoops are like swimming in the ocean, the constant motion....(get where I'm going?)

For those of you who are interested, the "hula" in "hula-hoop" came after someone realized that the hula dancing was similar to the hooping that people have been doing with circles of leaves around their waists for centuries.

I have also learned through my research that this year is the 50th anniversary of the launch of the modern "hoolah/hula hoop" and that there are international competitions! The record for non-stop hoolah hooping is 90 hours between April 2 and April 6! (today!-weird) in 1987.

My record is somewhere at about 15 minutes.
I am currently contemplating a hoolah hoopin for social change type activity in the lobby of the hallway where I will hold a sign advocating for some event while continuously hoolah hooping.
Hmmm... the possibilties abound.

whoah. apparently someone ran a 7 minute 48 second mile while hoolah hooping.

that's pretty impressive.

and just to be cool:
i'm linking a video of a ridiculous looking man hooping to Elvis.
http://www.hooping.org/archives/001386.html

and, in case you were wondering, Yes, I am reading about 1990s American foreign policy of containment towards Iran and Iraq.