Many years ago as yo-yos were being released; a certain yo-yo really caught my attention. It was called the Handquake. The Company was called HSPIN. The main contact person was a guy by the name of Christopher Kayatz. He was an Engineer from Switzerland.
I was doing a lot of modding way back then. And the Handquake was totally different than anything I was messing with🧐.
I got in touch with the guy and pretty much became instant friends.
I remember when the Pyro was first released. It sure was something; way back then.
I was getting stuff directly from HSPIN.
Then things changed slightly. Chris announced a limited release of Black Pyros. About 10; I think. Period. No second batch… 10 and out—>
He told me that they would be auctioned off at the 2006 World Yo-yo Contest in Florida. No direct sales to individuals.
Well; I don’t collect to display anyways. But to have no chance to get a black Pyro; seemed sort of sad to me.
A few weeks later; Chris contacted me. He told me that he had a challenge. He said that if I could make it to World’s 2006; that he would give me a black Pyro the moment he saw me.
That sounded amazingly nice… but I wasn’t going to Worlds; so my smile melted away and I just shook my head.
Within the next week or so; Dale from Yoyojam; was discussing a whole lotta Yoyojam related material; with me on the phone. I decided we could discuss things in more depth in person. So I booked a flight to Worlds.
When I got to Florida; I went directly to the Rosen Plaza Convention center to check in.
A whole bunch of folks were doing the standard meet and greet; in the lobby of the Hotel.
Within an hour of meeting a legion of people; while talking in a small group; I noticed a person approaching me directly. He stopped right next to me and said,’ this is for you’.
He handed me a tube. I opened the tube and there was a black Pyro inside. #1089.
He reminded me about stating he would give me a Black Pyro if he saw me at Worlds.
Since my mission was more business related; I hadn’t given the Pyro challenge much thought; since my mind was engaged elsewhere.
So to get such a nice surprise; was an instant way to make that Pyro very special.
I still have it; brand new in the tube and in the Safe.
The End