This is Luca, Willie Monroe's little boy who had a great time throwing this sculpture about, the bubble balloon had helium inside and so it just floated and Luca was throwing it around and even got it stuck up in a tree. He was laughing away and it was a joy to see him having so much fun with, this is what balloons are about!!

Balloons from Robbie Firman's class and his tak weave heart;

more;

No matter what Tony was always smiling  

This is David Brennon, 3Ring and Danny with his sheep.

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If anyone looked via the webcam then this is the webcam;

I'm hoping that I only have the competition pictures to sort out now;

Great !!!! On page 24 above ! The little 160 sheep is so cute ! I want to twist that by myself if anyone can help please ?!

I'm in a hotel room in Weinheim, Germany and also wanted to add my voice to all those who attended Mjam. If you didn't come and you don't have an excuse apart from money or time worries, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MISSED! I drove from Ireland to attend, some people came from Russia, Japan or Mexico having to pay for their trips (obviously I'm not counting teachers) and that should show you how important this event is for your creative juices to flow and to show you things you didn't believe possible with balloons. Although I didn't win any awards (no surprise) just attending it's a prize on itself for your business and your attitude to this wonderful latex thing we're blessed to work with.

Graham, we talked about the 'green army' in private and you know what I said already. But for me the most important thing is that if you're representing a company, your own actions will speak for that company and frankly, those actions have put me off attending Baci for a while. I spoke to a group from Lithuania who went to Mjam and took part in the fairytale dress competition. They have over 20 shops in that country and the people who attended were a the owner couple, their child and the employee who almost single-handedly weaved the tinkerbell costume (an incredible piece of art whose bad luck was having to compete for just one prize with Rie & Sophie's joint piece). I'm now sure that these people will show new techniques and ideas to the rest of their employees. These other company should have done the same, since many of their work colleagues were not interested in twisting or mingling with any others than themselves, and they prevented a very talented twister of winning one of the most coveted competitions in our industry.

Thelma, I was not aware of your injury since I left the jam room earlier. I hope you get back soon to delight us with your designs. Now I'm on my way to Stuttgart for the Autumn fair, where I hope to relive some great moments with other great balloon modellers. I hope I can take some pictures and post them in your forum.

God bless you all x
Victor aka Moonshine
http://www.facebook.com/MoonshineBM

All re-sized and ready to post tomorrow the last 87 pictures.

I got back home ok on Friday.  I had to stop at a service station on the way because I got drowsey so I bought a coffee.  I fell flat on my face twice in the short distance from my car to the costa coffee and once in the actual coffee place.  Someone actually stepped over me.  I wonder if they thought I was drunk.  Anyway it was embarassing and painful.  I had to go home because I had two parties today.  I told the clients that I would still come if they brought all my stuff in for me and lifted anything I needed such as my music equipment.  I told the children that I was walking funny due to an incident involving a balloon and an elephant and three clowns with a pump.  It made them laugh anyway.  I think when I arrived and my clients saw the state of me they didnt expect a good party so when they did get one they were very pleased.  Trust me to do this on a busy weekend!!!!  

It was nice to see Tony Twist always smiling from ear to ear and Roger always looking excited and happy.  It was also nice to meet Neil who is a gentleman.  Dave is a total chatterbox.  I also met Olivia.  Olivia it was very nice to meet you.  

About the green mob.  I think they were a disgrace to their company.  If I had people bearing the name of my company acting the way they did I would be furious.  Also I would like to point out that they have soiled the spirit of the event.  For all the years that this particular competition has been run there has never been any bias to anyone solely on the fact of where they come from and who they represent.  All that political crap is left behind when people enter the millennium jam.  In the MJ all nationalities are friends and are one community.  Or am I being nieve?  If people like this are allowed to carry on in this way it will be like that stupid eurovision song contest where the vote is never about the quality of the act but about which country is in good favour with its neighbours.  Shame on anyone who would make a mockery of the Millennium Jam.  There were some lovely models produced in that competion - it is a pity non of them won.

As for the lack of respect in the workshops from these people - well I think that is just another indication of the mentality of these people.

I am always in awe of the quality of the work produced by Ria and Sofie and it was great to see them working together on the mian competion piece.  It was stunning
   The quality of many of the other entries was also wonderful,.  I just oooed and ahhhed my way round it.

Completely agree, Thelma - and very well said.

I'm glad that you were able to make your shows, despite the obvious pain you are in.  Many congratulations on your thoroughly deserved honour, and thank you for your compliment  :oops:

Here's a pic Roger took of me and Dave 'Hungry Chicken' Hickory in the Jam room at about 2.00am...  Just this one picture alone is making me sad it's all over    we had such a laugh, the 'boys chalet'

--Neil

My feet haven't hit the ground yet but wanted to say that this MJ was amazing , it was great to meet old friends and make new, I have also learnt so much over the week.
I have already put some off the stuff I learnt into my parties and it went down really well.
A big thank you to Graham for sorting everything out and making the whole thing as stress free as possible.
Will sort out photo's on Thursday when I finally get time.
Thelma how your feeling better x