I should also note that, when I sent the link to H-G, I acknowledged that it wasn't typical unfogged-fare, and came dangerously close to falling into the "cute internet videos" category.

In fact, had I just been sent this as a link I probably wouldn't have ended up watching the whole thing. But I ended up watching it (with a small group of people) at a Mother's Day gathering, and I was glad that I did and I thought it was worth passing along.

This exact bit was a part of a recent Cirque du Soleil show (different performer). I think it's more intense and interesting in person. I did have an argument about whether there are notches on the pieces to guide the performer. I thought not, but other more skeptical folks said yes.

I find it interesting that at this point Heebie and Caroline H-C have basically the same taste in music. Heebie's musical links used to be updates from a foreign land.

I thought not, but other more skeptical folks said yes.

Two thoughts: (1) that still wouldn't make it any easier to balance all of it on one's head, which is impressive. (2) I wonder how much the fronds change shape or weight based on changes in temperature or humidity? I doubt it's very much, but it might be enough that notches wouldn't be helpful.

I skipped to the end. I missed where she added the glue.

that still wouldn't make it any easier to balance all of it on one's head, which is impressive

I'm pretty sure notches would make it easier.

Not notches, but tiny little super magnets.

Love that tune. Macklemore hasn't really made a splash in the UK. I'm now listening to the Heist, and so far I like.

It's so great! I love how the first few seconds almost sound like The Supremes or something.

I enjoyed the Thrift Shop song, but I totally love this song.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Cirque performer used notches (since s/he needs to do it perfectly every night, twice on Wednesdays), but I saw no evidence of notches in the video, and furthermore felt pretty sure I could see her locating the balance point* with each piece, which would be unnecessary with notches. Furthermore, 4.2 is almost certainly correct, unless the notches were big enough to be obvious.

I actually watched this twice, once at my desk last Friday, and then with the whole family during Family TV Night (Malcolm in the Middle has totally held up, and the kids adore it).I really enjoyed the reaction of the woman judge, who was in utter awe as it was happening, and even at the end wore a mixture of pleasure and incredulity on her face.

*not feeling for notches, cynics

It wouldn't surprise me if the Cirque performer used notches (since s/he needs to do it perfectly every night, twice on Wednesdays), but I saw no evidence of notches in the video, and furthermore felt pretty sure I could see her locating the balance point* with each piece, which would be unnecessary with notches. Furthermore, 4.2 is almost certainly correct, unless the notches were big enough to be obvious.

I actually watched this twice, once at my desk last Friday, and then with the whole family during Family TV Night (Malcolm in the Middle has totally held up, and the kids adore it).I really enjoyed the reaction of the woman judge, who was in utter awe as it was happening, and even at the end wore a mixture of pleasure and incredulity on her face.

*not feeling for notches, cynics

I was delighted when she knocked the feather off at the end.

Holy shit. That was really cool--especially the last stand-up. Wow.

I actually watched this twice, once at my desk last Friday, and then with the whole family during Family TV Night

Woo hoo! I'd been feeling somewhat apologetic for sending it in as a guest post.

I only watched it in a group, and thought it benefited from that setting -- it was easier to avoid feeling impatient* than it would have been if I'd been watching at my desk. Did you noticed a difference between watching alone and with others?

* As I said in the post, I felt a little bit impatient at the beginning, but found the last half very compelling.

In high school I made a mobile with similar principles. It was a little less pretty, being ultimately counterbalanced by a milk jug filled with sand. The light end wandered around in a very satisfying autonomous manner.

15.1: I did the same, a Calder knockoff via this book, but the counterweight was a ball of wire. What she does in the video looks to me like Alexander Calder meets Andy Goldsworthy. I showed it to my daughters, who were dutifully impressed; one said she wanted to do that for her school talent show.

Did you noticed a difference between watching alone and with others?

Yes. Even though I was watching it the second time, it seemed to go more quickly. It helped that I was watching it with my kids, who were duly impressed.

Word choice in 17 uninformed by 16.last.