Hello forum-folk!
I'm Matt, and I first met a kendama November 2007 when my mate Tim brought back one from a rollerblading competition in Germany from the guys who were in the early Kendama USA videos. So I scoured the internet for my first TK16; and then it spiraled out of control...
Well not out of control, but I loved the idea of a similar thing to the COTT, except I wasn't allowing myself to go to a lecture until I landed a trick.
So many late lectures later I was playing with it everyday, smashing glasses and chipping paint off the walls, whilst introducing it to as many friends as possible, including my Northern housemate Rich, who can jumping stick like no man. Spring 2008 I started making videos of little kendama edits, mostly to show my mum how I was occupying my time at University in between the pub and the library as I didn't really go back to the hometown much. We started then messing about with stringless kendamas, and before long we were throwing them over garden fences, out of windows, setting fire to the damas (and whilst cycling...very dangerous that one).
When I stumbled across kendama uk site I really wanted to go the first BKO, but gutted that I had to work, so I reluctantly stayed in Cambridgeshire and had a kendama/beer drinking game instead (typical students eh?..)
I went in 2010 to the BKO and came second after my nerves got the better of me and a 4 hour car journey which I got horrendously lost and arrived as it was just starting.. ( Void was definitely on the ball that day too, so credit where credit is due, and his directions certainly helped!).
I then took part in the global kendama edit which I thought was absolutely amazing to have players from across the globe all in one wee video, certainly tried to up my game for that one..
In April 2011 I made sure to leave my house early and bring a sat-nav (and co-driver girlfriend) so I arrived at the competition, met some great peeps, smoked far too much tobacco, came 1st (very surprised considering I thought Jeff would be taking me down without breaking a sweat), then had to dash the juggling fest to say ello to some old Uni friends who have amazing Derby accents.
Will be going to Munich this year for the EKO after plenty of cuppas, so fingers X'd.
My new lil' project is going to be buying natural TK16s and attempting to paint things onto them, I always thought the eyeball kendama looked amazing (cant remember where I saw it), and I especially like the designs which wrap around the handles. I would love to get them into the student galleries we have over here, and have some demo ones available for passing folk to click with!
And finally I hope (cash-pending) that my next foreign visit after Munich will be Japan and to hopefully compete/marvel over there, I am currently I think at a level 5 dan ( think that is what it is called), if my patience holds out anyway for moshi kame - it rarely does
Much Love, drink tea, play kendama,
Matt.
