Wasabi: M(s)+J = BLAST

Keep a diary of what you're hitting, what's frustrating you, and your goals.
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Wasabi
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Post by Wasabi » 11 Dec 2007 11:48

I've been trying to fight this off for more than a year now, but it is within the past two weeks that my back has just given up on me. My bed definitely feels like the cause of my bad back, but I also think it's the books and supplies I'm bringing with me to University. There two classes that expect me to be fully prepared with works that are part of class discussion and whatever. Anyway, lately, my back is the one part of my body in which I feel the greatest amount of pain, especially around the center of my back. I feel this pain whenever I slep and whenever I wake up every morning. Even when I walk without anything on my back, this is the one spot in which I feel an intense amount of pain.

I don't think I'll be doing much arm stretches, as I think I'm abusing the technique that Matt taught me. Also, I haven't done much stitching due to university, so utilizing the arm stretch for my back alone is ridiculous in a way.

To relieve the pain, what I find surprising is that if I lie on my chest the pain subsides a bit. So really, my bad back is probably due to poor posture and circumstances that involve it. I really need to go see a chiropractor or a doctor about this.

The first order I'm doing as of late is for Katya Sorokina, since she has the simplest order I can think. It's pretty cool too: Montauk pents, Eclipse/Sable hexes 12/8 blur. I'm really digging it, even though I only started one pent.

My New Year plans are up in the air. I've been thinking about going to YEAH 2007-08 at Rochester, but I don't like the idea of having my body ache and playing badly. I just feel that I'm not in the best shape for footbag to travel to a tourney, since my concentration these past few months were on my college classes. This is not to say that I don't want to meet footbaggers or that I'm disappointed in myself (believe me, I've had enough of the latter). I just feel that I would like to make a proper impression when playing footbag, and I haven't prepared myself for this just yet.

Btw, I really like Slam poetry and Spoken Word alot. I think this might become a new hobby of mine after graduating from Hunter College.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Moxie » 11 Dec 2007 12:47

Wasabi wrote:I really need to go see a chiropractor or a doctor about this.
Please see a DOCTOR, not a chiropractor. I know some people have good results from seeing chiropractors, but I've heard so many bad stories, and have had really bad experiences with them myself of different occasions. A chiropractor can sometimes give you a quick fix (or do something that causes great pain for months in my case), but it won't be a long term solution.

I know it sounds silly, but if you think your books/school supplies are adding to the bad back you should get a wheeley backpack. Or at one point what I had to do was get a locker at school (in the gym) and keep my books there and do the reading on campus in the library so I didn't have to lug them from home to class and back several times a week.

See a doctor.
"I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

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Post by Muffinman » 11 Dec 2007 15:32

I've had crazy back pain for years, and had recently realized that it is probably similar things. Bad posture and I carry a bag full of crap EVERYWHERE I go. Like... at least 10lbs all the time. So stupid.

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Post by PegLegHolly » 11 Dec 2007 20:35

you made me think you really broke your back! youre a meanie!!!!


ps. see a doctor for sure. actually, see a back specialist rather than a physician
Holly Mathews
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Post by Asmus » 12 Dec 2007 03:15

My advice:
- See a doctor/or somebody else with proper education.
- Go to somewhere that sell mattress and talk to them about it.
- Work on your back strenght
- Buy a better backpack
Btw, I really like Slam poetry and Spoken Word alot. I think this might become a new hobby of mine after graduating from Hunter College.
Word! Check out Saul Williams, both his music and the movie SLAM.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139615/

I hope you come to prague. (Without any back pain ;))

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Post by Ian Brill » 12 Dec 2007 19:18

Hi, I tried out the bag you gave me. It's pretty incredible. Wasabi bags are no-nonsense kids.

I'll send you the check asap. Thank you again for the time, effort and imagination.

EDIT: Saul Williams was huge inspiration for me in the 90's when I was really into slam. Apparently he is working on a project with Trent Reznor atm.

EDIT: I find that long strings of bop drills in every possible variation are really soothing for my hips and back, provided I stretch first and work up to them before execution. every session.

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Post by Rieferman » 13 Dec 2007 05:29

Geez, I'm on a 'doling out advice from my youth' kick today.

Anyhow, I grew about 10 inches in a year when I was younger and my back muscles couldn't keep up, so I had extremely sore back for years (still have residual from it now even). I have repeatedly found (aside from what you'll learn from your doctor) that getting into a pool helps my body so much. The weightlessness of being submerged allows you to very gently realign. I find it more effective if I do some laps of an easy stroke (e.g. breast stroke rather than freestyle), but it's also been beneficial for me to just tread water for 15 minutes.

But of course, as everyone will tell you, doctor doctor doctor. Good luck :-)
Bob R.

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Post by Pengu » 13 Dec 2007 09:37

Strength train! :twisted:

Planks and bridges are crazy and amazing for helping posture and increasing core strength and stability. Do this regularly.
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Post by Wasabi » 13 Dec 2007 15:15

Title change to help ease out any confusion on my Footblog title. Sorry guys. Especially to Holly. :P

Papers. Papers. Papers. Tuition. :cry:
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Pengu » 13 Dec 2007 15:18

Plank while reading your textbook.

See if you can get to the end of your paragraph before collapsing. ;)
Pengpeng Du

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Post by Wasabi » 16 Dec 2007 13:14

So I have two more papers to tackle. My dealine is this Thursday. I think I can pull it off, since I'm in the library for hours on end (until the place closes, that is). Killer. Although, my back is feeling a lot better, since I don't have to carry so many books with me.

I've been doing more yoga than usual, in a heated room. I think it's helping, but I should really go see a doctor about this, just to be sure.

Joshua Rose is coming into NYC tomorrow, at 10:30 am. We're going shoe shopping. Err, I mean, Laver hunting. Yeah. I'm checking out the prices tonight in Manhattan.

I want to get back into stitching so much now. People are pumping out bags like crazy. Also, Fields has some hot colors that I want. Badly. I have been wanting for a couple of months now, but haven't really admitted it in my blog. I'm a facile fiend.

"Hi modified, I'm a facile-aholic. I have an addiction for ultrasuede light."

I can't wait to get back to playing, even if it's really cold and slippery here in NYC. Sometimes, I find it hard to get really motivated, especially with the same feeling as in Worlds of this year. I got to look within and get enthusiastic about it.

When it comes to indoor play, I think I'll switch back to Unitz. I can't stand not having a stable foundation/traction on my feet while I play. I weigh in at 135-6 atm, so I can't rely on using my weight to grip the ground. This also aluudes to something more: I might sell my modded G-units to somebody that wants them. I think they're a bit too big on me. They're a size 7.5, with the rare black/blue motif and whatever. They're pretty broken-in, but functional. I haven't found a way to expose these babies for sale yet, since I don't know if I want to sell them to modified or to someone at some tournament.

I think I need a size 6 G-unit. I have some freakin' small feet for a guy.

I came close close to hitting dlo and smog during a barefoot run, after warming myself up with a few basic toe strings. My catching foot just seems to kick the bag out at the last minute.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Wasabi » 20 Dec 2007 11:49

I just wanted to post in my blog that I'll be back to stitching on Sunday, Dec. 23rd. I'm so freakin' stoked! I think I'll do orders for Katya Sorokina and Shannon Koontz. After them I'll do Benny Kellman's replacement 32, since he's been waiting very patiently. I'm sure I'll give him a huge discount.

Then it'll be Ken Somolinos. I owe so many orders to people that I have to dedicate to my craft 100%, just for these people. I hate having people to wait on me.

I have one more paper to work on! Classical Greek Philosophy/Ethics! I'm pumped! Gotta kill this paper by tonight; if not, tomorrow afternoon! I got to get it done!

Can't wait to play footbag! Bfjbejkhkwghsk!!!!!!!
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Drew » 20 Dec 2007 12:48

yo Waylon! since you're getting back into stitching, if you free up time, care to trade bags? I'll be doing some stitching over winter break, so let me know if you're interested!

I'm going to try to make it out to nyc for shred soon, prob after school starts up again.

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Post by Wasabi » 21 Dec 2007 11:25

Forgot to add one more thing in my previous post:

Before I seriously start up on any orders, I promised my cousin to sew her a footbag, which I never really got to doing. I have a very cool concept that I want to put into a pattern, and I think it would be totally sick.

I'm thinking of incorporating the Red/White bag that Hania made, that everyone was oggling before, but putting in a little twist. Hania used Colonial Red, Flash Red and Country Cream. I'm thinking of using the same reds, but adding a striped black and white pattern as the divider in the middle. I think that would be cool and simple to do. If not, just a straight black divider. It would be a nice contrast - I just want to be original with all the footbags that I sew.

Sometimes I think I'm the "Jorden Moir of the stitching world." Yeah, I'll stop making titles for myself. :P

Just the other day, I was dissecting patterns to incorporate for the 32, and I think I came up with a 'random floral' pattern for a footbag. I don't know if anyone that reads this understands. I think Pengpeng has a bag like this in her collection, by Marco Hartig. I guess I'll PM her about it whenever I get the chance. Basically, it's just putting floral patterns on a 32. It's essentially like a conformed Dada, but way cool. :P

I got to get going on this paper. I procastinate way too much.

PS: It's Saturday, the 22nd. I am so fucking pissed off. For the entire night last night, I've been trying to find a working copy of Microsoft Office 2003 on shareware. I download, I experiment, I fail. All I need is Microsoft Word 2003, and I'm not afforded that luxury. Something doesn't want me to get this paper finished on time.

And the problem doesn't lie in faulty data. I just can't find a way to initialize set-up! That's what gets me. Yes, I can get a serial online, but trying to start the installation process is a BITCH.

Yes Waylon, way to get Word Perfect 2002 before you entered college in '03. You preeminently screwed yourself a new anus. No one would dare fondle with .wpd files!!!!!!!!!! :evil:

Anyone who reads this and wishes to counter me with a purist post on how ethical and economically reasonable it is to go out and buy the software, at some store, can screw it. I don't have the money, and I certainly don't have any other uses with the other programs other than Microsoft Word 2003. I'm not shelling $40+ for the majority of software that I don't need/use.

I'm going to try to call somebody to mooch a computer off of, and spend the entire day at their place. This is FUCKING RIDICULOUS.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Wasabi » 27 Dec 2007 13:09

Just laying down a few things, so as to update people about my life.

I just read a few threads here on modified, like seriously read them and do some close reading, and I think I've become heavily influenced to dedicate myself more into playing footbag. I'm making preparations for a training regimen for the Spring of '08, and maybe the early months of that year. I've read threads like "if you could start over" under General Footbag" and several things under Health & Injuries to help and improve my form, both physically and mentally. I think this will be a huge help.

I'm also very enthusiastic about Anssi Sundberg's research study for footbag and conformed training sessions for footbag players. This makes me want to scout for a comfortable place to solo, which is a rarity since NYC is such a bustling area and that the weather conditions can hinder comfortable play. It's also hard to find a place to play here at home, since I live in such a small space. Still, this is something that I have to do for myself, and I've always found things that hinder (and I always find excuses) my poor game. I don't want to suffer from this, or from long breaks from playing.

I'm really excited to graduate soon. I don't want to deal with sitting on my ass all day worrying about studying or papers. This is probably another reason why I didn't like stitching a couple of months back, since it required a lot of sitting, and I wanted to do a lot of playing. I feel my body is not in the condition fit for footbag anymore, but I'm not going to let this get to me. I'm being more positive about how I self-identify with footbag.

Regarding stitching, I haven't actually started. This might piss off a lot of people waiting for their orders. I've just been busy with a lot of things, particularly that of my sister visiting us back from Colorado for her Christmas/New Years break. I'm also doing a lot of medical research online that might help with my bad back and I have been co-babysitting my nephew these days. Stress from school is also an influence, so I took some time for myself to relax. Also, about the philosophy paper that I mentioned before; I still haven't really finished it yet because of all of these setbacks (besides relaxing), but I'm reserving time now and tomorrow to finish it and submit it. I'm sure my professor will be upset in me submitting this assignment a week late, but it just can't be helped. Whatever.

I guess that's about it. I haven't played footbag in forever.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Wasabi » 01 Jan 2008 18:48

I had a good session on Sunday, with Brian Damato, Drew Martin and Bruce Dole. I wore my G-units, because I felt kind of sick of not getting a good footing on wooded floors with my Quantums.

These G-units are a size 7.5. They felt like clown shoes. I wear a size 7 Quantum. They feel nice and snug. So... I don't know, really. At the time I was playing in them on Sunday, I had the idea of selling them, or making a trade with them. They're pretty broken in, imo, but the sole is pretty intact and not worn out.

The G-units are all black with the rare blue/black side tag (big whoop!), so they were pretty much a treasure to me before I switched to Quantums. Now, I'm looking into getting a new pair of G-units - ones that are pretty snug to my feet. I found a pair that are the exact same colors, but at a size 5.5 and priced at $79. :? There were red G-units sized at 6.5 and cheaper, but it kind of feels weird when Bruce (and soon Brian) wear their pair to shred. It's like we're matching our shoes (we have the same dilemma with our Quantums - half of NYFA are sporting the same color all grey, which is the primary reason why I got the white/grey at the NYFA Invitational)

If anyone can help me find an affordable pair of G-units below size 7, it would help me out alot.

Well, I also found this shoe. It might be a good replacement for the G-unit imo: Reebok Lifestyle - Classic Set Point T. I'm sure if I looked around, i can find a cheaper price somewhere. I don't mind wearing white shred shoes. In fact, I embrace it, since I'm thinking of wearing G-units for indoor/wood floor shredding, and Quantums on concrete.

I kind of trailed away from what I wanted to post in this topic. My strings were short on Sunday, but sporting in a pair of shoes with more traction, I didn't think I played half bad from my long hiatus out of footbag. The most impressive string was fairy smasher > ss butterfly > pdx mirage > ss butter to infinity > pdx mirage > drop/handcatch? My contacts went really dry after that last pdx. mirage, so I couldn't complete it. It felt really good, even though my shoes felt one size too big. Imagine me with snug G-units!

Oh, and my pixies felt pretty weak in G-units. I don't know how to explain it. I guess I couldn't point my toe up pretty well like with my snug Quantums. Atomics felt so-so. Legovers, atws, mirage (ss muted and regular), illusions felt weak with the spacious toe. My clippers felt alright, but I think I was relying on the clipper rail a bit too much on the shoes. I think I need to mod my Quantums with the Brocka mod now (for awhile, I was trying to follow DC's purist ideal of not relying on the Brocka mod and whatever, but maybe its necessary now? idk).

I have to work on spinning clipper. In the summer, I was hitting spinning clipper to opp toe. Now, I can't keep track of my sets. I think my poor ankle, or my left hamstring for that matter, got a lot tighter over this hiatus, and I can't clipper well anymore. It's a bit hard for me to descend on my supporting leg for my strong side clipper now. However, I think my flip clipper is showing some signs of improvement.

Anyway, I want to part with my G-units now. I think I'll post pics up for anyone interested (at least to those that shred in toewall-less shred shoes).

I got a good tip from Drew about DLO. "Stay over the bag." I need to understand those words. It'll be awhile until I find a good serious shred opportunity for me to actually school that move. I really want to drill basic tiltless, along with butterfly, pdx. mirage and osis.

Need to work on osis. My timing is way off now. I got to remember that short tutorial Matt gave me at Cornell about osis. Spot with my buttcheek?

I wish our indoor shred sessions were longer. 2 hours don't seem enough for me.

I found some funny shred music from my old music library. Some from DDR. Wacky is all that I can really comment. :o :roll:
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Darkshredder » 01 Jan 2008 19:23

some interesting insight in the g-units. I'm going to get a pair of units after my lavers die after I tried Pete Bowler's.

DLOs fun and all but you're definitely smart by drilling and putting it at least on some back burner for now. Hope everything works out for you!
Pat Thomsen
Syracuse, New York - The connecting point to footbaggers in the NE and Canada. We make pancakes and air conditioners.

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Post by Psilocybe » 01 Jan 2008 20:52

For gunits....amazon.com my man.

http://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Mens-Low-0 ... 413&sr=8-2

Less than 40 bucks :)

I guess I've had mine for a year now...wow time flies. They're really durable and pretty much in the exact same condition of when I first got them. I would recommend cutting the toe box down a bit...but not all the way. I also glued the clipper rail against the fabric so it wouldnt help me "cheat" as much.

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Post by Wasabi » 03 Jan 2008 14:02

I played some footbag today, in 14 degree F weather outside of my niece's elementary school. I was there to pick her up, since I was the only one able enough to wait for her in such harsh cold. I sported my G-units, since they were the only pair of shoes big enough to fit feet with two socks in.

I played in a pair of jeans and 5 layers of clothing. I drilled some inside and toe kicks, with a few knee pops here and there. Ducking and diving clippers were a bit hard with so many layers, but I went for BOP and simple tiltless strings. Since I was wearing jeans, my strings only came up to like 3-4 contacts. However, I had one seriously comforting string where I nailed my butterflies and pdx. mirages super clean. Osis still feels a bit funny. Legover still felt wonky and distant from my body.

Parents were watching me as I kicked and sniffed like crazy in the cold. I eventually greeted my niece with the recent 32 I made (red/black/green/white circle pattern) on the tip of my cap. It was a happy footbag day. :)

Oh, and I made a decision. I'm going to buy those overpriced G-units, sized at 5.5. I can't seem to find this shoe in a size smaller than 6.5, that's not red. I already have money saved up and whatever (well, I have to wait for Jacob Raye to transfer me the money for the Red Lavers I gave him). So, that's that, but I might change my mind if I can find something with some more net surfing tonight. We'll see.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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Post by Pengu » 03 Jan 2008 15:26

6.5 aren't small enough? You sure 5.5 is the right size??! Don't get them and find out they are too small. That'd be a disappointment. You're going down 2 whole shoe sizes from what you've got. That's a huge difference. Colour shouldn't matter for shred shoes. Function over fashion.

or just get lavers.
Pengpeng Du

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