On a more positive note... Parkour

[jeffg]

Any other Parkour fans here on AW? Founded by David Belle in Paris, it's fast becoming a comprehensive attitude toward life (similar to Daoism) from its roots as a mere sport.

With nearly 3.2 million downloads I doubt anyone hasn't seen this, but just in case...

The boy's name is Oleg Vorslav, a Russian who was raised in Latvia.

Don't try this at home kids.

 

[frigilux]

I found out about Parkour a couple of years ago, and it's completely fascinating! I've never seen the video in your link before, and the first minute-and-a-half really just stunt-work (impressive as it is, don't get me wrong!). The true Parkour (where the Latvian lad becomes a Tracer) begins at about 2:18 in the vid, when he actually uses an obstacle (the building) to get from point A to point B.

My understanding of Parkour is that it is always purpose-driven; You use your body and the objects/obstacles around you to get from one place to another. Stunts and acrobatics for the sake of themselves aren't Parkour.

Unfortunately, I am far too old and out of shape to be a Tracer, although I did hurl myself over a couch that was in my way backstage at a community theater a few months ago, LOL!

Very cool that you're into Parkour, Jeff! I'm impressed that anyone else around here has even heard of it.

 

[jeffg]

What I love about Vorslav's style is that it's not strict Parkour. Belle is certainly fun to watch, but he's more like a gymnast on a world-sized set of gym equipment. Watching Vorslav is like watching a wild animal attack his prey. He has an urgency and focus toward his running that Belle doesn't seem to share, and he appears to be having a lot more fun at it.