Hoop Hoop Hurray

So, crazy as it seems, last night was the last Saturday night before WINTER BREAK!  We decided to start getting into the holiday spirit by going to an ugly sweater Christmas Party.  Didn’t really know many people there, or who even owned the house, but when we went upstairs to find the bathroom, we found something even better… hula hoops!

Naturally, we couldn’t resist taking them for a spin :]

So thank you, home owners, not only for allowing us to come to your humble abode for Saturday night shenanigans, but for being the kind of badass ladies who leave their hula hoops lying around.  

It’s finally happening, people! That’s right… SNOW IN SYRACUSE!  I’m genuinely amazed that it took this long, and I can’t pretend that I’m not secretly super excited (as much as I might complain about it on the outside).  Here’s one of the problems with the colder weather though: a much colder house.  See, as poor college kids who barely have enough for rent, let alone utilities, we don’t really crank the heat as much i would like us to (I’m perpetually wearing slippers, sweaters, and a blanket around my shoulders…and still shivering).  

One thing this reminded me of though was that once while I was interviewing another hooper who lives on my street (sadly, I lost the sound file, which is why it never got published on here), she mentioned that she and her roommates would save money on heat because every time that they were tempted to turn it up, they would all just pick up a hoop for ten minutes instead!  I love that.  And, well, out of necessity it might just become my new daily reality.  HURRAY FOR HOOPING!

So, it’s a common misconception that hula hooping is sort of a “girl thing.”  95% of the images that come up when you Google search hula hooping depict ladies partaking in the joys of hula-ing.  But, gentlemen, I want to assure you that you too can wield and appreciate the power of the hoop!  

Take my friend Daniel here.  Was he afraid to take a whack at whirling around a hoop?  Of course not!  And check out how successful he was :]  

Although some boys may find that the hooping motion doesn’t come as naturally at first (what can I say, in general we women are more used to moving our hips in a hula-hooping-fashion when we’re dancing etc.), anyone can learn how to use a weighted hoop.  I’ve known a boy or two who refused to even attempt hooping for fear of “looking stupid.”  Really though, even if you struggle, proving that you’re not afraid to potentially look a little silly at first shows that you’re the kind of person that’s probably more fun to hang out with anyway. 

So… You!

Yes, you sir!  I want you to try out hooping today.  Chances are, you’ll fall in love :]

PS. For an additional good read, check out this article about masculine hoopin’