John Foss
2002-01-21, 08:12 PM
> (it took me abt 2 yrs to convince them to let me buy my first uni)
What worked on the first uni? Have your parents seen any personal growth
on your part as a result of learning that one? If you are a new rider, it
may not yet be apparent. But it'll be there.
> 1) you already have a unicycle
You don't already have a giraffe unicycle. It's the "next level."
> 2) how would you get on it?
I don't think they really care, they just don't want you to get hurt.
Emphasize that the pedals are only 3' or so off the ground. You can step
on from a picnic table or other low platform, or further increase your
personal skills by learning to freemount. Unlike a (more dangerous)
bicycle, you can fall off a giraffe in any direction and always land on
your feet. It's hard to land on your feet in a bike fall, in any
direction.
> 3) it's too expensive (how much would it cost?)
You want *them* to pay for it? I never asked my parents to buy me a
unicycle. I didn't really learn until I was 17, but then I bought my own.
> 4) we won't have room to keep it
If this is true, you have bigger problems than getting a giraffe. A
giraffe and your existing unicycle can fit into half the space of a bike.
A giraffe will probably fit under your bed (you might have to take off the
pedals), or can hang from a pair of hooks and be overhead.
> 5) you won't be able to take it to college next year
My Schwinn 6' disassembles to a frame which is 4' long and very light &
narrow. Tie it on top of the car. In your room, stand it in the corner.
Don't people bring *bicycles* to college? They take up tons of room if you
don't hang them up. If you leave them outside they get just as ruined as
anything else you leave outside.
> 6) you'll look like a goon
Riding a giraffe does not increase one's gooniness. You will look the
same, only higher up. People on unicycles don't look any less frivolous on
standard unicycles, so I don't think the height really matters. For a more
detailed response I would need your parents' definition of "goon." Are you
already a goon to them?
> and they want to know WHY i want it.
Harley Davidson owners say "If you have to explain, they won't
understand." But since you're trying to convince them, this won't work.
You could try saying you want a motorcycle, then work your way down to a
chain-driven unicycle. Then they might be happier. It's real hard to get
killed riding a unicycle.
Your parents should be proud of you for doing this and not other things.
You are not asking them for a bong, or a refrigerator that's big enough to
fit a keg inside. You are not asking for a Playstation 2 or an X Box,
which is all (most of) my nephews seem to care about. They are sitting in
darkened rooms, *pretending* to do things (like beat the crap out of each
other or run each other over), while developing zero physical skills and
zero physical fitness.
You, on the other hand, are outside exercising, and learning physical
skills you will keep forever, and that will come in handy in every aspect
of your physical life. Slip and fall injuries will be much less likely for
you until you're too old to react. Your fitness level will make you a
healthier person as long as you continue to ride. You are developing
balance, poise, and self-confidence, which are things generally not taught
in school but are important in life.
Back to the confidence. Self esteem. You can do something few people
around you can. So what if it's a little silly. It's *HARD*! Think about
that, mom and dad. Look what your daughter can do. Try it. You know it's
hard. You should be proud! There are so many other things she could be
involved in that are less good for her, and few that could be better. The
only thing unicycling doesn't have is a direct path to a useful and
long-term career. But neither does riding a horse, though lots of rich
people do it for fun anyway.
Which one should you buy? If the budget is limited, you'll probably have
to stay with the cheaper ones. I'm not sure what's available where you
are, but if you're in the UK Roger Davies can help you out.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com (http://www.unicycling.com/)
"You're not supposed to wash your Roach armor" - Nathan Hoover, bragging
about his safety equipment cleaning methods
What worked on the first uni? Have your parents seen any personal growth
on your part as a result of learning that one? If you are a new rider, it
may not yet be apparent. But it'll be there.
> 1) you already have a unicycle
You don't already have a giraffe unicycle. It's the "next level."
> 2) how would you get on it?
I don't think they really care, they just don't want you to get hurt.
Emphasize that the pedals are only 3' or so off the ground. You can step
on from a picnic table or other low platform, or further increase your
personal skills by learning to freemount. Unlike a (more dangerous)
bicycle, you can fall off a giraffe in any direction and always land on
your feet. It's hard to land on your feet in a bike fall, in any
direction.
> 3) it's too expensive (how much would it cost?)
You want *them* to pay for it? I never asked my parents to buy me a
unicycle. I didn't really learn until I was 17, but then I bought my own.
> 4) we won't have room to keep it
If this is true, you have bigger problems than getting a giraffe. A
giraffe and your existing unicycle can fit into half the space of a bike.
A giraffe will probably fit under your bed (you might have to take off the
pedals), or can hang from a pair of hooks and be overhead.
> 5) you won't be able to take it to college next year
My Schwinn 6' disassembles to a frame which is 4' long and very light &
narrow. Tie it on top of the car. In your room, stand it in the corner.
Don't people bring *bicycles* to college? They take up tons of room if you
don't hang them up. If you leave them outside they get just as ruined as
anything else you leave outside.
> 6) you'll look like a goon
Riding a giraffe does not increase one's gooniness. You will look the
same, only higher up. People on unicycles don't look any less frivolous on
standard unicycles, so I don't think the height really matters. For a more
detailed response I would need your parents' definition of "goon." Are you
already a goon to them?
> and they want to know WHY i want it.
Harley Davidson owners say "If you have to explain, they won't
understand." But since you're trying to convince them, this won't work.
You could try saying you want a motorcycle, then work your way down to a
chain-driven unicycle. Then they might be happier. It's real hard to get
killed riding a unicycle.
Your parents should be proud of you for doing this and not other things.
You are not asking them for a bong, or a refrigerator that's big enough to
fit a keg inside. You are not asking for a Playstation 2 or an X Box,
which is all (most of) my nephews seem to care about. They are sitting in
darkened rooms, *pretending* to do things (like beat the crap out of each
other or run each other over), while developing zero physical skills and
zero physical fitness.
You, on the other hand, are outside exercising, and learning physical
skills you will keep forever, and that will come in handy in every aspect
of your physical life. Slip and fall injuries will be much less likely for
you until you're too old to react. Your fitness level will make you a
healthier person as long as you continue to ride. You are developing
balance, poise, and self-confidence, which are things generally not taught
in school but are important in life.
Back to the confidence. Self esteem. You can do something few people
around you can. So what if it's a little silly. It's *HARD*! Think about
that, mom and dad. Look what your daughter can do. Try it. You know it's
hard. You should be proud! There are so many other things she could be
involved in that are less good for her, and few that could be better. The
only thing unicycling doesn't have is a direct path to a useful and
long-term career. But neither does riding a horse, though lots of rich
people do it for fun anyway.
Which one should you buy? If the budget is limited, you'll probably have
to stay with the cheaper ones. I'm not sure what's available where you
are, but if you're in the UK Roger Davies can help you out.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com (http://www.unicycling.com/)
"You're not supposed to wash your Roach armor" - Nathan Hoover, bragging
about his safety equipment cleaning methods