An Adventure ended...A Life Renewed.

FuDDx

United States5018 Posts

April 03 2014 17:31 GMT

Hello Teamliquidians!!

Many moons have passed since last I rambled here, in blog. Most may not even know who I am...I'm still trying to figure that one out...Ill let ya all know asap though...When I find the time to do so.

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. 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. 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 procession 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. 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.

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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)

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 !!

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Brian Asman (Of the Unpopables tv show on TLC) and I worked on this Denver Bronco on and off for 2 1/2 days to be ready for the Festival Of Balloons on Sunday the 30th

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!

+ Show Spoiler +

Winner list!
Large Sculpture Competition
3rd place - Cheng-Hao Lee, CBA from Taiwan - Temple
2nd place - Masako Nomura, CBA from Japan - Owl
1st place - Olga Baranova, CBA from Russia - Turtle

Medium Sculpture Competition
3rd place - Megumi Honne, CBA from Japan - Pelican
2nd place - Takehiro Kai - Kabuki
1st place - Kao Wen-Hsiang from Taiwan - Elephant sailing

Balloon Fashion
3rd place - Fumiko Yamashita, CBA - White flowing dress and flowers
2nd place - Nandor Schreiter, CBA - Black with red trim
1st place - Jie Sun - Black, orange trim and hat

Deliverable sculpture
3rd place - Lee Cheng Feng - Girl sitting
2nd place - Po Hsun Liao, CBA - Nutcracker on horse
1st place - Takehiro Kai - Kangaroo with cupcake

Table arrangement
3rd place - Fumiko Yamashita, CBA=20
2nd place - Jie Sun=20
1st place - Hitomi Nakayama, CBA

Delivery bouquet
3rd place - Raquel Reynolds, CBA - girl holding balloons
2nd place - Valter Saladino, CBA - couple hugging
1st place - Federico Onida, CBA - Mickey Mouse

Balloon Hat
3rd place - Teri Stokes, CBA - Native American Headdress=20
2nd place - Kowk Cheong Wong=20
1st place - Hitomi Nakayama, CBA

Balloon Column
3rd place - Daigo Sugata
2nd place - Edward Munoz, CBA
1st place - Valter Saladino, CBA

Balloon Figure
3rd place - Kowk Cheong Wong - Snowman
2nd place - Rob Balchunas - Fox
1st place - Takehiro Kai - Bunny

New Artist of the Year - Federico Onida

WBC 2014 Master Designer - Federico Onida

Golden Light Award - Norma Roberts

Ru ba

Serbia1812 Posts

April 03 2014 17:36 GMT

lol your blogs always bring a smile to my face ^^

InspiredFrog

Finland522 Posts

April 03 2014 18:04 GMT

FuDD blogs are always a treat. ^_^

The tiger looks pretty badass!

Mothra

United States1448 Posts

April 03 2014 18:07 GMT

This is so cool.

y0su

Finland7871 Posts

April 03 2014 18:14 GMT

Grats!

always awesome to read/see!

intrigue

Washington, D.C9935 Posts

April 03 2014 18:21 GMT

wow, yeah. USA's looked amazing imo, not just the tiger. how'd you guys split up the work? also i really like balloon column entry #22, the yoshi with the tongue going straight up

Eti307

Canada3442 Posts

April 03 2014 18:34 GMT

FuDD you are the coolest <3

Those balloons are amazing!!

jubil

United States2602 Posts

April 03 2014 18:39 GMT

Wow! That tiger looked really impressive, the jungle background too, very bold, they really "leap" out at you.

The Yoda is a nice contrast, I'm amazed at the level of detail of his head and lightsabre, and that it was done so quick.

I got to see the Globetrotters once with a friend for his birthday (courtside, even!), it must have been awesome to hang out with them.

MavivaM

1535 Posts

April 03 2014 18:40 GMT

Usually on the internet "awesome" is a overused term, but the moment I saw the jungle+tiger picture I was with my mouth open wide.
Wow... really awesome.

SigmaoctanusIV

United States3313 Posts

April 03 2014 19:04 GMT

#10

These are incredible if only I didn't have a fear of balloons

Kleinmuuhg

Vanuatu4091 Posts

April 03 2014 19:18 GMT

#11

you are just the best guy ever. much love

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

April 03 2014 19:27 GMT

#12

This is amazing!

Thanks for sharing!

fusefuse

Estonia4644 Posts

April 03 2014 19:45 GMT

#13

so amazing fudd :D

nunez

Norway4003 Posts

April 03 2014 20:16 GMT

#14

dam that's one hot spice girl.
sick stuff.

FuDDx

United States5018 Posts

April 03 2014 20:25 GMT

#15

Yeah 5 of the USA team (all guys) decided to dress as the spice girls.... was fun!!

Oh and just in case Yes Rekrul I have new shoes with my suit!!! hahah