Hello Balloon Chat!!

Three days ago I came home. Eleven days ago I left...






 I had a road companion, a traveling rainbow family (Hippie) named Storm Clouds....I was on my way to Denver and would drop Storm Clouds off in Albuquerque.Nothing of not about SC just part of my trip.......

  In Denver, In the heart of downtown, over 900 delegates from 53 countries came together, along with vendors, sponsors, and staff. We all had come together for the 3rd Bi-annual World Balloon Convention. Excitement permeated me, fantasies of awards won and respect and friendship from my peers, kept me going the 14 pl;us hours it took to get near my destination.


  Downtown Denver I was soon to find, with its many one way streets and roads that merge and cross at diagonals, traffic lights that go turn first then straight (backwards to me). Is a bit confusing at first to someone used to the wide, straight and grid-like structure of his hometown. Not to mention the prices of parking.Tucson has loads of parking and rarely does it cost to do so.


  Ill spare you the parking woes, a ticket, and some up and downs late at night trying to keep my parking taken care of. 27 dollars a night for the Hotel.....all Im saying wtf......

  No matter I was here to help compete with the best balloon artists in the world. I was part of team USA and we had a plan! We had from Tuesday at 9am until Wendsday 12pm noon. To create our Tiger/Jungle/temple scene. Here are some of the first crew (i was taking pics) to arrive. We would have more balloon artist joining us as their flights came in.




  It was a long day of inflating, double stuffing balloons, building framing, and creating all the pieces we would need to complete our large piece.The large team build lead by Dennis Scott, and including some amazing balloon artist.Dylan Gileans, Jack Mattson, Jason Secoda, Dustin Queary, Ken Stillman, Michael Cryaton, Myself, Diane Cross, Irene and Krystal from Mississippi, Connie Ines-?? Big Don,and others Facebook photos on Dennis's page have names (spelled right) and more info!  As the day wore into evening 3 of us split off to do the Medium build. This team was lead by Jason S. and included myself and another balloon artist. We were going to create a Carnival Girl from Brazil. Which was insane as I was running back and forth helping in both builds. Anytime I had downtime on one I would go and help on the other. The medium build finished up at midnight and it was back to the large. This is all happening in the same room, with all the other teams from all over. And to be honest it was scary the precession and teamwork some of the teams showed (Japan, and Taiwan)


 Unfortunately I was testing at 7 am for my CBA (7am-12:30pm) and then after that had to start one of 4 individual contests I had entered....All that said I was running ragged and went to bed around 3:30am to get back up at 6:30.So I was unable to continue helping with the Large build.... The Testing was crazy 64 people including myself were testing. I thought I did well on the oral areas, and felt just lost when trying to build some of the things asked to build. I knew I got them eventually just struggled (I think due to lack of sleep,forgetting some balloons,and my hands had been going almost nonstop)....We would not find out till the next day if we had passed or not...I was more concerned about getting up and seeing our finished large sculpture, and preparing to build my Deliverable sculpture.


  As I walked into the competition area I was overwhelmed with the art and all the pieces around the room. Ours was in the back corner and as I approached I was impressed with what we had done. Though I knew there was no way we were taking home 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Though I was sure we would get an Achievement Award (based off points). These first three are from the USA team I was on. The rest are from around the Competition room.

 




















  Now I was off to do my first individual competition.I ended up scraping the idea I had sent in and just went with a free flow Yoda design. I was not happy with it at all. I turned in my sculpture after the 2 hours we had to work on it. Got a picture with it, had it entered and set up. I then got my head form for the hat competition which you could work on in your room, no time limits etc.! This is what I made.








 The competitions were done for the day. I was able to relax a bit. There was the WBC Rocks The World costume gala. With buffet, drinks, dancing and many crazy times. It was great hanging out with my hero's and jamming talking and having a great time.(I plan on editing in details/pics later about this) I was able to help Brian Asman a bit with the Huge Denver Bronco I learned alot and felt like I had made up a bit of learning I had not got missing his class


 Morning time rolls around and I jump up, I had missed my next competition I was signed up for...So I joined an amazing artist from Taiwan for a smoke (e-smoke here). My whole plan was ruined as I went back into the lobby....A bus had pulled up....It was the mother fucking Harlem Globetrotters (ive seen a total of 21 times in my life) Plans of taking classes for the day were ruined as I formulated an Idea of building a Harlem globetrotter!! Long story short I hung out with many HG's and had the time of my life...Offered free tickets and vip access for the game Sunday. I had to decline as I had signed up to twist balloons for the public....Bummer...





Myself, Jake Levy (announcer for HG) Scott Nichols(balloon artist lepord hair) Prafiseey (HG tattoo artist/recording artist) Dizzie Ramsey (MC for the HG)

 I was so excited!!!


 The convention was winding down, I entered my hat and then did the 12 minute balloon figure contest. and generally just played and hung out with my balloon, and HG hero's!!

 Awards night I was nervous and excited. I was called up along with all the other people who had Passed the CBA testing!! I earned my pin and card!! Awards were given out and to my surprise!! Our large piece got the Silver Achievement award!! And My Yoda got the Bronze Achievement !!











Out of time ...Ill leave it like this and come back and clean up/ answer questions/ something Hopefully as soon as I can!

Daniel "FuDD" Ravia C.B.A. !!!

  More pics

Arizona People at WBC




Aftermath of the Awards Gala

Takehiro Kai and I (in my opinion the best balloon artist in the world from Japan)
 
A neat peacock column

Part of one of the Medium Taiwan  team builds

Japanese teams large sculpture

A dragon I made while jamming

 My CBA certificate!

Daniel what a great story, thanks for taking the time to share it. Hope all is well and looking forward to meeting up again sometime soon'ish.

Wow! I have never seen anything like these! Really amazing! You have totally inspired me to put down my uni books and do some twisting!

The tiger display is amazing and I really love your hat - it is incredibly beautiful and well designed, the colours are fantastic together.

Well done, it sounds like an incredible experience!

Congratulations Fuddx CBA!

Thank you for the WBC report - good job!

see you in Vegas I hope!

Looking like FSJ and Vegas!! So exciting.

I know its been said before but if you can attend a balloon convention or jam it is well worth the time and money. Even if you do not see it right away you learn and network with some of the most amazing people!!... And sometimes you hang out in the same hotel as your childhood heros!~!!Harlem Globetrotters!!!!!!!

Awesome fudd who won the large sculpture ? Cant wait for vagas : )

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Wow that was a great read,some of those pieces are insane,amazing when creative minds work together!

Some pictures from the world balloon convention, http://www.9news.com/picture-gallery/li ... k/7088279/

WOW! This makes me realise just how much of an amateur I am.  These are brilliant.

Thank you so much for sharing all the pictures and also the story behind them too. And congratulations on all of your achievements over the time you spend there. The Harlem globetrotters!!! Wow