Jazzkid's Blog

[Jazzkid]

Just an update...Ive been playing every other day with only one exception..

I have been working my shuffle and geniune strings....also some density,


I have been putting time into my music...Next week Ill spend two days in the recording studio...one day for my band and one day solo... I have been listening to alot of Mark Turner, John Coltrane, and Joe Henderson....
I have been involving myself in the New Orleans Music scene and need a disk to promote myself.....I have also today found out that I have been fired from my cover band gig that helps pay my bills...so the search to find work overides footbag and working out,....its a good thing to be out of the cover band scene but I need a new door to open ....I am still looking forward to open , but my focus has been on music....I hope to have a disk ready to present to people in portland...

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Damn Mark. That's harsh. Sorry to hear about that. You should start street performing with simultaneous footbag/horn playing... Could work? I hope you figure something out. Best wishes man. Sending positive vibes. Take care man.

[androo]

Hey, I contacted you once a while back but I guess I have a tendency to be flakey at times, and shortly after I injured myself, so I really don't play much footbag anymore. I know what trying to find work around here is like, can be really frustrating. I might be able to pass some music along to the people at simple play productions and some other local promoters. Hope I might be of some help, I've always enjoyed your game, and its always cool to help out fellow musicians.

[Jazzkid]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlW6myyn0SA&feature=related[/youtube]


at 321 Vasek get spit on wtf

[Asmus]

That's Dexter. Czech legend, friend of Vasek and aa asshole in the best possible meaning of the word.

[Jazzkid]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE4FVdr6t8w&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

[Jazzkid]

Well ....I haven't posted in a while ...so here is my update ....
For the last two weeks I have done nothing but work and find work .. I haven't spent enough time with my family , not enough time sleeping , and no time playing footbag ...
Open is in less than two weeks ...at best ...I am hoping that I can get in enough sessions to get my legs ready to shred for three straight days ... I am not in any way prepared for open but couldn't be any more ready to go to Portland ... This competition was supposed to be my big showing at a major comp and now it's gonna be my footbag outlet of fun and shred .
The routine is not in any way complete ....so i don't even know if I should compete in it, but I will definitely be in circle ..
Worse comes to worse I will have a blast

[Jazzkid]

My job situation has been resolved ...and I'm glad it has happened before open ...
I have acquired a teaching gig and also become a part of a band with Damion Neville as the leader .
I played yesterday , super sore today ... I sucked at almost everything but hit fusion , and vortex a bunch ..I never use either of those tricks ... Im super excited to go to Portland even thought game is not where I wanted it to be ... I'm sure Ill hit something cool over the weekend though . This is going to be more of a vacation than a comp to me ... I can't wait to meet everybody and see players that can shred better than me

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Just have fun and be glad your legs work

Compete in Routines... Just dance to the music with a footbag.

Good luck, Mark. Hope to kick with you again sometime in the nearer'ish future.

[Jazzkid]

today I play for an hour..

worked on basics


ripwalk>sidewalk repeat...15+ contacts
reverse swirl>ripwalk repeat 10 + contacts
whirl>rev whirl>osis repeat 15 + contacts
ducking p mirage>tow ducking butterfly repeat 8 contacts
smear> pixie legover repeat....couldnt barely get 4 ....I probably wont be in gunits because of this...qs tomorrow
ducking clipper>spinning clipper repeat 20 + contacts... I can do this till I get tired
osis 50+ contacts during warm up
dimwalk>ripwalk>bw
dyno>torque>barfly repeat 15 contacts first try..
spinning clipper>spinning osis repeat.... 4 contacts....thought it would be easier
dlo>ss dlo> repeat 4 contacts
mobius>p torque bsos
spinning ducking legover, ducking legover both bsos
swirling rev up >run
ducking rake stuff
phonex>BW>p torque
ripstein bsos
spinning ducking clipper>vortex bs

[Jazzkid]

US OPEN WRITE UP

friday, I woke up at 5 to go to the airport ....I was super tired from staying up too late to pack, but I knew I could make up the sleep on the plane....I arrived in Portland around 1130am . Nate Linscott Picked me up from the airport. It was super cool that a musician picked me up from the airport. After talking to him for a second we realized we had alot in common....working out, eating healthy , footbag , and music. WE rode in his bmw to his house to hang before the registration party . First we picked up a snack so we wouldnt shred hungry. After arriving at his place , we went downstairs to shred. Basically this was the start of me getting my ass handed to me in footbag. Nate's style is great and he is a really good player. It was cool that he took pictures of us doing ps whirl at the same time...we also did p torques. after the session we went back to his place to play some music. THis was great. He fixed some chicken with onions and salssa and avocado . Nate's music room had guitars and basses all over the room. I was alredy super glad I brought my saxophone . WE played some jazz tunes out the real book, learned some new tunes, and played some hendrix. One hour of footbag and 2 to 3 hours of music down.
We went to the store and ate sushi off of a conveor belt before going to Flashs . I was excited to go the the registration party and meet everybody. Walking in to Flash;s was cool . I immeditatly met larry workman and Flash . I already bought a bottle of crown reserve for the party . Nate and I would go through it easily . Flash was cool and seemed like a funny guy right away . There were party favors and they were fun Soon everybody would arrive. I love this moment ....when you see guys you know on the internet in person for the first time. In walked the crew ... Seeing Justin Dale , Nick Landes , Boats, Reiley , and I cant remember who I saw this night as opposed to the next day but it was awesome. Nick and I became the party intertainment. Guitar/ saxophone duo was fun. I had more than a few drinks and had a blast talking to everyone. Later Justin, reiley, taylor , and some others went to pita pit ....I was a messy eater and it was obvious. I bought Just Dale a cookie and stuck an I love Pita Pit sticker on him . AFter going back to Flash's , Chris Dean and I drove back to his place. He was nice to let me stay in his basement.
oh I forgot ...taylor and I went outside and played for about 30 min ..his was my second session that day
End of day one

Woke up and went upstairs. After stretching and washing my face ,Chris and I went to breakfast ... It was fun and I really enjoyed taking to Chris Sean who is super smart and really easy to get along with . Showing up at the sight reminded me of when I went to east coast and John and I showed up first . We met Evan lovely and started setting up and speakers and everyhing ... Soon the Guys starting showing up and of course I started kicking early which would later prove to work against me but I was goin to open with the plan to get my ass kicked , try my best , have fun ad at as much as possible ...right away I started using this bag that Justin dale had that I wound up buying . Liz stitched it . I played a little with everybody . It was awesome to see Boats and meet Reiley and the rest of the crew....Stanford crew was also there and cool . Watch routines and took alot of footage of routines ... This comp showed me that comps can put an unessary amount of pressure on the competitors . Most players had planned to do one round but then found out that we had to go two . I didn't even want to do a routine and scratched .. Right after , Steve Goldberg came up to me and said I should compete so I picked a tunea and did an unplanned routine attempt . So Bear and I "prepared" for routines I was off... Which even though I sucked I can now say I placed 9th in the USA and I super happy about that . Nick landed had the best first round routine by far .. Second round was a debate between flash ( dropless with the only thing hat would have made it Better was a final cool trick ) and Jim who had drops ... It is ashame the way it works out ...I definitely congratulate Jim and he is the champ ..but it seems that the top three got screwed out of something ..some think Jim should. It have won , and I'm sure flash felt not awesome, and landes too .. I feel that the results should reward the top players ...ken did an awesome job in circle but had landes competed I feel that he would have taken it easily ... His dropless round one routine was not rewarded and neither was flash's second round ..
As far as my circle , I was ready at four to play but when I found out I had to either cool down and rewarm or stay warm I choose to keep playig which I cramped up bad right before circle ...ken and I were playing together right before we competed and he fixed my barflys...I was asking him advice all the way up to circle ... I got my ass handed to me ..Justin dale was tryin to help me but it was too late ... I had fun , learned alot

After comp was over , Jim stayed and was trying crazy tricks and links for fun , it was first time I saw him freestyle live ..swirling p whirl, motions everywhere , furious p torque attempts .
Chris and I then left and went to eat . we went to this place close to where we were....I ate the bast damn thing ever.....a half pork half duck hamburger with fries . This was a little different than Chris's vegetarian meal , but was thankfyl to him that we was willing to put up with me eating meat around him. the after party was at chris's house. After eating a big meal and having the sorest legs ever....I laid on the bed and called my wife Michelle.
AFter going upstairs , the party hadnt really started yet so I sat down on the massage chair and rubbed tiber balm on my legs (which would later smell up the house ) . Then the party arrived. I love seeing everyone at a footbag party. Pimpke and his crew showed up first. I was glad I got to talk to him about routines and ask some questions that I was curious about. I knew a bunch of bullshit would take place on the net about how the results turned out, but I wanted to tell him what I thought and ask his opinion . Later talking to jim , I realized we have some stuff in common. He was really cool to chill with and a really cool guy. one of favorite moments at the party was being on the swing outside with Nick , and just talking about life, work, and everything else. His girlfriend liked to sing and after a little while , me , Nate , and her played music for the party. I loved playing music. It was cool to do what I do best in front of the best footbag players in the country . I didnt want to seem like an ass , but after realizing that it would have been easy to play music all nights both nights ....I told nick that I really just wanted to go hang, drink crown , and meet the people I have watch on video so much ...Everyone was super cool . Again I drank alot of crown and enjoy the party to the fullest. It was also awesome to finally meet Sunny and see Daryl again. ....they are both so cool .....oh yeah and I remember Larry workman being super cool....and trying to put the video from us playing music on my phone... Being really hungry Bear, me and the rest of Stanford went to the stands for food.... I got some bog ass quesedillas and ate some of bears fries.....Got a ride there and back was cool .....we talked about how women and men should be in the same sports because guys are girls are the same strength AFter the end of the night I went to bed and got some rest for TEMPLE>.

Last day .....

Woke up ....ate awesome vegetarian breakfast....He finally got me ...Thanks chris.. We went and picked up some coffee and went to WATER TEMPLE>>>>>HOLY SHIT >>>WATER TEMPLE LIVE AND IN PERSON....this is the coolest thing ever.....
I told everybody hey....its a hell of a sight to look at temple and see the guys you have only seen on video THERE >>>LIVE>>>>!!!
I didnt know if my legs would work , but after lighty warming up and strecthing.....Nick Landes came up to me and starting kicking...Within five min I could tell that not only was nick a good coach but really enjoyed teaching....he told me he appreciated my enthusiasm and I defintely appreciated his tips. He basically told me that there is a difference betweem a stall and a delay ...and he trys to delay the bag....his speed of play is defintely slower than all of the other players....he can speed up and sometimes does..but mostly focuses on staying upright , delaying the bag , and staying on the ground as much as possible. In a short mount of time , my game went from looking like shit, to SOMEWHAT controlled.....this was the biggest influence on my overall form . Later saw him hit like 13-14 fearless LIVE AT WATER TEMPLE... He also was taking requests....and killing it .... Justin Dale was a HUGE help with my whirls.....he told me I was jamming my windows...which is something Ive heard before but needed him to show me in person what I was doing wrong....I was leaning away and setting the bag to close, instead of giving myself more room and leaning in ....the trick is also mostly set up not dex. He also told me my big feet and loose shoes were not the way to go so ....I relaced my shoes and pulled the tongue up and BAM felt like a shredder. Got to play with basically everyone that day.. Also met Arron Orton which was super cool ....Everybody was awesome....The bags do go in the water alot and its cold but felt great after a day of shred. A couple of us ...Justin, Taylor, myself, and Chris Dean sat and watch Landes hit the coolest shit of the day then more great stuff. .....If I remeber ....plasticman>blubberman>rubberman>rubberman 2 stuff......Maeltrom>Blurry torque....OH AND I SAW HIM HIT FAIRY ATOMIC BUTTERFLY LIVE AT WATER TEMPLE. ... Taylor and I went to the store for some poweraid ....Thanks Taylor for being my watch while I pissed on a bush.

I took one last look and left temple..... the last part to be continued

[Muffinman]

Awesome
You and Nate have a similar shred style too, I feel. Similar shuffle feel and lots of styley, unique tricks and swirls. That's awesome that you guys got on so well and were able to jam! I look forward to the rest of your write-up. I'd also love to see the PS whirl pictures.

[g00d33]

Really glad you got to make it to another tournament and had a good time!

[C-Fan]

...ken did an awesome job in circle but had landes competed I feel that he would have taken it easily ... .

Debated whether or not to respond to this, since I didn't want to seem defensive. That said, this statement really stood out to me, not because it mentioned me, so much as how bad an assessment it is of how competition actually works.

My argument essentially boils down to this: a player's skill level and a player's results in competition are not related. Obviously, being the strongest player at a tournament gives you an advantage in terms of getting good results. But it certainly doesn't guarantee it. Let me give 3 examples to illustrate:

1. At 2011 USO, I would have argued that Nick Landes was either the strongest player there, or the second strongest player there closely behind Jorden Moir. I even made a short vid of Landes' Fearless. Anyway, at 2011 USO Landes did compete, and he didn't make it out of semifinals, as Justin beat him. 2011 USO circle semis also provided another good example: Penske was a better shredder than I was at that tournament, but for whatever reason I beat him in qualifiers. So in both of these examples from the same tournament, players who were considered stronger shredders lost in quals of circle comp. Is Landes better in comp in 2012 than in 2011? We don't know, since he didn't compete. That said, it's not a good bet or a fair assumption to say he would have "won easily" had he played.

2. At NYJ 2010, I warmed up with Milan before circle. I clearly remember him hitting high plains swifter and other insane things. He was clearly the strongest player at the tournament. I then proceeded to beat him in semis, and then again in finals, largely on the strength of doing more variety in the variety rounds. Was I a better player than Milan in 2009? Hell no. Was he favored in Circle? Yes. Did he win circle? No.

3. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Chad Devlahovich and Ahren Gehrman were considered two of the strongest players in the world. But for the most part, they did not compete, partially due to bad comp results. On the flip of that, Forest Schrodt was considered an intermediate player but beat several BAP members in Shred 45 (yes, 45) at 2000 worlds. You could also look at Brett Campbell from Canada, who beat several people in Shred30 at Worlds 2004, finishing in 4th place? But yeah, in some cases people who are very good at shred don't finish with great results, and on the flip of that some people who arent' considered great shredders turn out to be great competitors.

All I'm saying is that comps happen for a reason, and people go through the trouble of competing in as many rounds as happen for a reason. Upsets happen. Choking happens. We compete for a reason. Every year in the NBA there are teams that are favorites to win the championship, and people think it's a foregone conclusion. But it's not. So while somebody might be the best player at a tournament, you really can't say they'd have won if they didn't compete.

[Jazzkid]

^..... I honestly shouldnt have writen or even thought what I wrote...when I re read it ..I felt silly for implying that he would have beat you even though he didnt compete.....Sorry Ken, you are defintely right.....

I honestly should have put that it would have been nice to see him also compete. You competed, you killed us , and you deserve it ...of course. I just feel that it sucks when some of the top players at a comp are not even motivated to showcase in all events. could you have beaten Nick...sure , could he have done well ...sure.......I just simply meant that the best game at the comp would have been cool to see against you in circle ....

sorry to offend..Im actually super happy for you that you won USO CIRCLE and was humbeled and lucky to get your tips on my game. ... I simply wrote the wrong thing.

[Jazzkid]

ITs been a while . I have been playing 3 times a week for the most part. Form is feeling better. Tomorrow is going to be exciting. Mathias is coming to stay at my house for the next three days. I am going to pick him up from the airtport and bring him downtown. The next day we will have a session at the school that I teach at. I will defintely film. GO FOOTBAG !! IT feels good to have the inspiration from us open and now this dude who is fucking sick is coming to my house . Sweet .

[Zjeezy]

Assuming the world does not end in December, It is my New Years Resolution to play footbag with you. Lets make this happen

[C-Fan]

I'd still love to go to a jam in New Orleans. Even if there's no comp. But a jam with like, 6 people attending could be fun even. Busking, tourism, shred. I got to play with Mark at USO, but we were both exhausted at that point, so it didn't feel like a "real" session.

Alternately (and this is a weird place to post it), if I held a jam or tourney in Denver, would either of you guys come?

[Jazzkid]

Hey
been a while .

Zach and Ken , I would definitely like to host a jam. Ill have to see what month I could actually do this in and Ill get back to yall about it. Ken, It would be cool to hang and shred more, since portland felt super short, and I was sucking all over the place. Zach , THANKS man....Im in , that would be great.

AS far as going to denver , its always the same thing with me , my schedule usually get in the way but of course I would like to and if at all possible I will......It is more likely however for me to host a jam....we could even have an unofficial comp.


I have been playing about 2 times a week.....mainly working on consistency in execution. Worked barflys and blurriest the most the last three sessions... I really want to be able to hit this cleanly. Im also still focusing on delaying the footbag in a way that I can slow down or speed up the run if I want to rather than the footbag playing me. Abshire have me a challenge of atomic ripwalk so I may try it next session.



ill post a video next session

[Jazzkid]