HOBBIES
Backto 1997 EDUCATIONAL LINKS... by Nanis
http://www.kellfire.com/fireworks.html
Kellner have been in the fireworks game for almost fiftyyears and will ship to anywhere in the world. You can order itscatalogue online, but not its products. Although if you reallywant to save money, you might be better off sourcing themdirectly from China.
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http://www.blacksteel.com/~yossie/hcs.html
Yossie's collection suggests he has more on his mind than alove of police work and all manner of restraining devices likeleg irons, head cages and belly chains feature alongside an arrayof shiny handcuffs. An explanation is almost forthcoming if youvisit Yossie's own home page as he has a penchant for leather, amoustache and includes some family snaps of his boyf Mel.Escapology it is not, but it's actually rather absorbingcomparing names, designs and manufacturers, and you can bet yourlife looking at this site always draws a crowd.
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http://www.where-to-fish.com
As someone who would rather pull out her own toenails than gofishing, I was pleasantly surprised by this site. It's lovely tolook at and is packed with information about where to fish(including a huge database on rivers in the country), including ahuge database, to which you can add your own information. Thedatabase covers England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, NorthernIreland and various locations abroad. There are also plenty oflinks to other fish-related sites to help you get the rest ofyour tackle sorted out.
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http://www.mja.net/yoodoovoodoo/
From the country that brought you the pet rock, here comes ananatomically-correct voodoo doll. Yoodoovoodoo will help you getback at the ones you love to hate. Is this site for real? Youdecide, with its digital equivalent of bad-taste junkmail, usingnone of the technology. The doll itself is heralded as a genuineproduct of revenge and the 90s, implements of torture and nooseincluded in the $18.99 price tag. Illustrated by two of theworld's unphotogenic models, (probably the marketing boss's nieceand nephew) who somehow manage to convey bad acting in a stillphotograph. The Addams Family lives!
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http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Martin_Nicholson/
If stamps are yer thang hang out at this site brought to youby Martin Nicholson. This no-nonsense home page brings you anextensive contact list of stamp clubs and philatelic study groupsthroughout the UK (no links just addresses though).
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http://www.stonehenge-association.co.uk/stonehenge/
Bog standard site more concerned with getting you into thegift shop than providing enlightenment on dippy druidpre-historic stones. A shoddy excuse for selling visitorinformation and access to 'world heritage'. Leave well alone.
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http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~nnac/
Tony Hancock Ü comedy genius, sitcom pioneer, a man of greatpathos or an overrated drunk? All except the latter according tothe members of this society, which was founded to promote,publicise and keep alive Hancock's work, as well as to collectand classify it all for the benefit of members. Highlightsinclude an online version of the society's newsletter, calledInternet Ham, which brings news of rediscovered Galt and Simpsonscripts, Paul Merton's Hancock remakes (his wife Caroline Quentinplays the part of Sid James!) and a Hancock statue to beunveiled, rather aptly, outside a blood transfusion centre inBirmingham. Other areas are for talking about favourite Hancockepisodes or documenting the work of other actors he collaboratedwith. Details of scripts, books and THAS and BBC cassettes canalso be accessed. It's all appropiately dour and rather downbeat.
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If the wind ain't right, visit this well wicked site, loadedwith info on competitions, festivals, FAQs, archives and news.The top pages are pretty texty, but there are unusual kitedesigns and flying tips, plus lots of links. Who said you needchemicals to get high?
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http://bobross.com/
A Nancy Kaminsky for the Nineties, this is the home page forTV's art class past master, Mr Bob Ross. Here's how to paint amountain or some scrawny looking sunflowers using Bob's very ownwet-on-wet painting technique. Here are three different ways topaint rocks and stones. All you need is the desire to makebeautiful things happen on canvas, he says. This man is sopopular they've even declared a Bob Ross Day in Virginia andFlorida. Patronising by numbers, chocolate box pap is what wecall itƒ but s'pose it takes all sorts.
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http://www.gold.net/users/dt89/
Why spend time sandwiching yourself between rockie outcropsand nooks and crannies in out of the way places, poring over theossified remains of something millions of years old, when you canbuy it straight from a catalogue? Here the amateur geologist hasplenty of rocks, fossils, minerals, crystals and gemstones toperuse, from the more familiar ammonites and fossilised fishes tosphalerite from Cumbria, calcite from Morocco, a Corumdum var,ruby from Madagascar or quartz from Brazil.
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http://www.aloha.com/~randym/action_figures/
Only view if obsessed with action figures because highlightsinclude hundreds of pictures of Hans Solos and Darth Vaders, withmore Marvel Superheros, Batmen, Supermen, Aliens, Predators,Droids and Ewoks than you can shake a stick at. For informationon the latest Cyberforce figures release (to include Ripclaw,Ballistic, Megawatt, Killjoy and Psychotron), for example, checkthe news and rumours section for updates from Kenner, McFarlaneToys and of course Mattel. It's very difficult to judge this page(it seems fairly mediocre) unless, as with the action figures,you truly appreciate their appeal.
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http://www.80s.com/
If you like to spend your time dressing up in frilly-shirted,manfully-skirted, flicky-fringed nonsense with a bit of peachblusher and a spot of glittery eyeshadow, then this is definitelyfor you. Spin off to a random 80s URL or match names to faces inthe big 80s band trivia quiz. There's also stuff on films andyour favourite 80s icons. At the moment, you may tire after justone visit, so there's plenty of room for this to develop further.Make like the Human League.
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http://www.hahnemann.edu/tap/ITAhome.htm
No messing with Hollywood glitz and Fred Astaire-typefinesse, this is a basic but pretty comprehensive page of toptap-type information. From a glossary that defines the differencebetween your average shuffle and scuff, cramp roll or ballchange, to examples of step annotation, terminology, books,reference and a who's who in the tap world, this is an alwaysup-to-date, accurate and lovingly crafted resource that'll keeptap dance lovers on their toes.
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http://www.virtual-pc.com/brianh
It's not difficult to imagine Brian Hayes compiling thesefantastic pages sat amongst the loose screws, burned outbatteries and rusty hinges of his favourite old robots and brokenwind-up toys. The pages are as lovingly put together - includingsome good use of frames - as the robots he restores. For anyoneat all interested in the subject, Brian has compiled practicalinformation on hunting them down, repairing them and buyingreplacement parts. There's also a brief history and a listing ofsome of the more collected space toys (including pictures).
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http://www.fred.net/karina/vent.html
Who'd have thought it Ü a ventriloquist's home page?However, it's one in real need of some UK input. Amongst theexplanations, recommended books to read, listed organisations andjump off points to other puppet pages, where is there a mentionof some of the greatest dummies of all time - Ray Allen and LordCharles or Keith Harris and that stupid duck Orville?
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http://www.his.com/~judy/reamer.html
Just to get things straight, a reamer is what we in the UKcall an orange squeezer. In the States, however, reamers arebeing touted as the ""great American kitchencollectable"
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http://www2.ari.net/home/kholcomb/lunch.html
Sandwiches safely stowed in a shiny lunch box with Hong KongPhooey, Penelope Pitstop or the Hair Bear Bunch on the front.Land of... is pure 70s school break nostalgia...like dinnerladies, scabby knees, 'three and in' and kiss chase.
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http://www.u-net.com/~moonweb/jive.html
If you fancy indulging in some 50s throw-back fun and games,JiveNet is a jumpin' guide to the British lindyhop, jive andswing scene. Along with the excellent SwingTime newsletter,there's a rundown of all the latest glittering party-time events,the odd rock 'n' roll weekender and various retro nights goingunder the names of Stompin' and The Hep Cat Club. Currentlydancin' to a London tune, Paul and Steph Smith are aiming tostrengthen coverage for the rest of the UK and, boy, when thathappens, it'll really swing.
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http://www.magician.org/
Hey Presto! For those that thought that IBM was that bigmonolithic computer company you're in for a surprise. TheInternational Brotherhood of Magicians has 14,000 PaulDaniels-wannabes worldwide. Although there are no big secretshere, there are details on getting your IBM MasterCard. I'm moreinterested in getting my hands on the latest issue of theirmagazine which has Cori and Channing Pollock on the cover, whoare apparently 'great magicians and dove manipulators'.Abracadabra and all that.
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http://homearts.com/depts/fresh/newhome.htm
Offering a charming, post-War feel to problem-solving aroundthe house, this magazine publisher has developed a trulyrefreshing platform for showcasing the combined expertise of GoodHousekeeping, Country Living and Popular Mechanics. Let's playhouse.
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http://www.u-net.com/~andyhunt/hwa1.htm
Graphology Ü the inner secrets revealed. Into closed loopsand multi-directional slants? Then here's the site for you.Submit online forms by answering set questions about yourhandwriting, and presumably revelation comes winging back like aboomerang with attitude. Okay, I know some corporations rely onthis stuff and I'm not gonna knock itƒ but, hey, the page iscrap too. No graphics, a couple of handwriting examples, sitelayered like an onion, and the only access was via Andy Hunt'sHome Page. Begs the question... in this computer era, who's doingkeyboard analysis?
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http://www.hy.com
Handwriting can, apparently, reveal many things about you,your life and even your most intimate thoughts. This site revealswhat your handwriting says about you and more to the point, howyou can detect qualities in others through their scribblings.There's also an analysis of celebrity handwriting. The likes ofSting, USPresident Clinton and Ernest Hemmingway all havetheir writing read.Other features at the site include how yourhandwriting can provide insights into your relationships, andcareer choices. It's not all analysis though, you'll also find anonline game in which you guess a person's character from samplesof their handwriting. That does it for me, I'm typing all myletters from now on!
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http://heartfire.com/firewalk/homefire.html
Having established that skin chars at a temperature of 325degrees Fahrenheit, the next question is firewalking Ü why? Ashit hot site on the lunatic pastime of hot coal hopping. Build abonfire. Watch it burn. Rake out. Then run like buggery withoutgoing 'ooh-ooh, Mr Peevley' and 'ouch'. This has the full 'out ofthe frying pan' philosophy Ü basically it's a breeze, you justput your mind to it. Having said that, the instructors stressthat this site is for information only and please don't try it athome. Adding a whole new meaning to the word 'hotlinks' Ü phewwhat a scorcher of a site!
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If you've got more than enough home movies of granny'sbirthday (not to mention the embarrassing barbeque that you'dlike to forget) and you feel it's time to stretch your talentsfurther, then take a look at this site. It's dedicated tocamcorder enthusiasts and includes hints, tips and articles onmovie-making. There's a list of organisations to contact,information on film and video festivals, video editing advice,book reviews and music copyright advice. Cut!
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http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/joTCBuk/
Especially for fans of both the King and philately, JosephineWoodward of Canterbury has listed Elvis commemorative issuestamps from 23 countries. It's a commendable effort butunfortunately she doesn't cater for fans of the visual image andthe shortage of graphics on this site inevitably forces one tomark it 'return to sender'.
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If you indulge in the odd spot of mumming and hoodening, thenthis is the page for you. The be-handkerchiefed ones have prancedtheir way across the Channel in a ferry, in the Channel on theGoodwin Sands and under it in the Tunnel. Their latest aim is todance over the Channel in a plane. There are links to otherMorris sites and details of forthcoming events, which all seem torevolve around pubs! Sounds good to me...I'll just go raid thehankie drawer.
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http://www.rose.com/~claw/webpage/index.html
I want something exciting and a toy and somechocolate."" ""But that's three things - it'sjust not possible!"" Oh yes it is, with this tribute toKinder surprise toys. Who hasn't felt that exciting rush onceyou've eaten the chocolate egg and are just about to prise openthe little plastic capsule? You can swap toys with other visitorsto the site and even get spare parts for toys that are slightlythe worse for wear. Need a new undercarriage for your violetcamper? No problem.
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http://www.cheerleader.com/
Welcoming passers-by with come-on pictures of lasses inscanty panties, Cheerleader Central is dedicated to the talentedand beautiful women of professional cheerleading, but actuallyit's a shamelessly commercial site punting US football fangearƒ sweatshirts, leotards, and, yes, calendars.
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http://www.neosoft.com/~sneakers/
Fuelled by the recent old school revival, everyone isstarting to take an interest in sports shoes' recent past.Trainers will soon be a specialist subject on Mastermind asovercome with nostalgia we all fondly recall the peer-pressuredpurchases of our early teen years. There's lots to look back onat Charlie's dappy looking site, for example Converse ChuckTaylors, the Adidas Superstar, the first Nike Air Jordan andhorrid LA Gear hi-tops. But Charlie is into his subject and triesto provide a well-rounded approach. You can jump off to sneakersites from others, as well as the present-day styles featured oncompany sites like Planet Reebok.
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http://ds.dial.pipex.com/town/plaza/rbc88/brass.htm
A pic of an original rubbing taken from a monumental brass ofan early14th century knight sets the scene for this Britishheritage page-o-brass. There's simply not enough info here forthose already hooked on lifting images from tombstones andthere's not enough of an enticement of the joys of rubbing tolure in the uninitiated.
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http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~erebecca/
Freakish masonic behaviour with perforated metal struts isthe stock in trade of the International Society of Meccanomen,which put together this site. A bit wordy, lacking in diagramsand instructions, but well engineered nevertheless. This hardlychallenges the boys-with-toys stereotype, but what does thatmatter? The most fun to be had with a screwdriver and a spannerÜ not!
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http://www.usa.net/~rfinn/gameshlf/gameshf.htm
Trainspotter selection of American board game collectiblesconsisting mainly of overlarge box lid graphics and obscuredescriptions of game play (usually involving paper and pencils).On show are practically antique versions of Bagatelle, Cowboysand Indians, The Toonerville Trolley and National League BallGame. Purely specialist interest and with a puzzling page aboutjigsaws, as in why? Also a few experimental Java applets Ü aword search puzzle and little board game. Be big and brave Üthey crashed my machine.
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A must-see site for camcorder enthusiasts and home moviemakers that includes a masterclass for novices as well as moreadvanced articles on technique. It has advice on copyrightclearance, reviews of reference books and a list of venues thatmight be interested in showing your work. There's even an item onthe much maligned reputation and dodgy image of the amateur moviemaker Ü seedy serial killer types with a penchant for homemadeporn Ü not!
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http://www.homearts.com/homepage.htm
Offering a charming, post-War feel to problem-solving aroundthe house, this magazine publisher has developed a trulyrefreshing platform for showcasing the combined expertise of GoodHousekeeping, Country Living and Popular Mechanics. Let's playhouse.
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http://www.nra.org
It's actually a revelation to see just how this organisationworks. OK, so it's not a hobby, it's a political crusade, butthere are hundreds of files relating to stories of a citizen'sright to bear arms. Scary stuff.
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http://www.access.digex.net/~rburgess/
Fancy rescuing a merry-go-round? This site is for those whoare into restoring old fair ground rides. Ultimately it willbuild into a centre for the appreciation of carousel history andart but for now there are some nice pictures and links to magicroundabouts elsewhere.
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http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/~nowen/index.html
Defying easy categorisation, the Web of Lost Souls is theofficial page for horror hellraiser Clive Barker. A model exampleof everything a fan-based site should be, it includes informationon the books, the films, the fan club, comics, artwork andcollectors items...just about everything discussed in DREADnet,the Barker boy's own discussion group.
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http://www.ftech.net/~cockrell/index.html
It seems sort of strange that the extremely old is beingflogged by the ultra hi-tech. This is a UK firm dealing inantique furniture, books and records. All stock is pictured,priced and can even be shipped overseas. If you live in London orthe South East, they'll clear your house for you. But compared tothis, browsing round markets will never lose its charm.
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http://www.elks.org/
The Elks are an established American, male-bastion-typeinstitution, kind of like the Masons meet the Round Table.There's lots of information on what exactly they do and whichlucky charities get their patronage. No pictures of men in funnyhorn-shaped hats. Shame.
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http://www.uslink.net/TW/kathy.html
Far from being the frumpy essential for every '50s Americanhousewife, Tupperware is currently the ultimate in contemporarynineties catering. Go see!
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http://eleceng.ukc.ac.uk/~pm1/seacadet.html
Extensive adventure information for marine boys and girls.
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http://www.echonyc.com/~dne/Rollercoaster!
An inviting B-movie graphic gets you into this smart andscary Rollercoaster site. From the Spleen Shredder to the CrystalBeach Cyclone, all the information here was acquired in the questfor the most terrifying ride.
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Lovingly crafted pages for paper folders with ham-fistedfingers. History, tips...more pictures to come and the sweetestever origami gift that Edward made for his wife.
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http://deepthought.armory.com/~zenugirl/barbie.html
An online zine for adult fashion doll collectors devoted tothe plastic beige babe herself, Barbie. Worshipped worldwide forher kitsch collectibility, there is, apparently, a very healthycollector's market for fans of Ms Mattel. Seen here in her manymanifestations, like Medieval Lady Barbie and Dorothy Doll withToto, the accompanying articles are also unmissable - 'Barbieunder Fatwah' and 'Barbie: the lesbian exposÚ'.
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http://www.teleport.com/~shojo/View/vm.html
A celebration of a great American pastime and invention Üthose slide viewer things where all the pictures came on acircular disc of card. In later years the Viewmaster became moreof a throwaway child's toy but this site contains an archive ofthe original educational and informative National Geographic-typereels.
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http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jmilne/pooh.html
A few copyright problems have hit Winnie the Pooh fans on theNet, as contrary to popular belief, the copyright has not yet runout. Everyone has been severely told off and are rebuilding theirpages. However, if you fancy a game of poohsticks this place isas good as any to start. Links to newsgroups, a mailing list andFAQ on the subject of the Bear with Little Brain.
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http://www.emoticon.com/emoticon/astro
Enthusiastic amateur astronomists have long enjoyed anestablished bulletin board network in the UK. The development ofan organised Web presence means top links for fledgling spacecadets eager to train their telescopes on local clubs andsocieties, popular periodicals and all things sky at night.
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This should perhaps find its way into the music section. Itis, however, an upbeat (boom boom) collection of articles,interviews and small ads for people who are passionate aboutdrums and percussion. Look in the section for flogging equipmentif you're searching for a set of congas or desperate to buy MickFleetwood's drums.
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http://www.easynet.co.uk/pages/worldchess/home.htm
If chess makes you think of moody Eastern Europeans or dweebymisfits in specs, think again! Witty, accessible andwide-ranging, this site caters for the grandmaster as well as thenovice. It's got up-to-date media coverage of competitions,features on game play and how to write a chess book and makeloads of dosh. Its off-beat editorial covers sexy chess openingsand celebrity challenge contests. If you play chess, check itout.
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http://www.dungeon.com/~deltatango/homepage.html
Terry Cooper's home page gets its name from the Delta TangoSidebanders Club, a kind of late 70s pirate radio thing going onbefore CB was licensed in the UK. Strangely, this fact bears norelation to what's up here. Terry is a man obsessed by genealogy,amongst other things, and includes various tips and links forthose finding family trees.
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http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/sociology/fun/stobart/
Haulier, Eddie Stobart, is a cult hero to those who spot hisbig green trucks on the open road, but what started out as aninnocent game of i-spy has all gone horribly wrong.
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http://www.easynet.co.uk/stampworks/home.htm
This site brings you the crazy world of rubber stamping forall your rubber stamping needs. A complete catalogue of life'sspecial moments in My Little Pony graphics and Partridge familyspeak.
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http://www.lava.net/~goodin/astral.html
Don't go out of your mind, go out of your body. Here's how todo it, and get back in one piece.
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http://www.webshop.com/collectors/cards/dealers/
Find that elusive baseball, soccer or phone card using thisUS dealer directory.
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http://www.hal.com/services/juggle/
If you're one of those people who think that, along with fireeating, juggling as a pavement pastime should be banned then goon to the next review. Just about every conceivible link andpiece of information on juggling is parked here, includingteach-yourself tips, clubs, societies and festival information,as well as where to buy balls, clubs, torches and spinningplates.
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