GRASS 2008
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Spontaneous Spaz
- Atomsmashasaurus Dex
- Posts: 938
- Joined: 15 May 2006 17:57
- Location: Centerport, NY
- Contact:
had a great time, one of the best jams I had in a while (By that I exclude worlds and chicago that I consider big events).
The temperature was awesome, hotel next to the event site, competitions where on time. A lot of people showed up, and some had a really good level.
Matt Kemer impressed me the most, he improved so much. I'm jaelous
The temperature was awesome, hotel next to the event site, competitions where on time. A lot of people showed up, and some had a really good level.
Matt Kemer impressed me the most, he improved so much. I'm jaelous
Mathieu Gauthier
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mikeanello
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: 14 Aug 2002 07:53
- Location: Rochester, NY, USA
- Contact:
I have 3 Large GRASS 2008 Tshirts left. $10.00 each. Send me a PM.
Peace.
Peace.
Mike Anello
http://www.rochesterfootbag.com
Never give up, unless up is what the customer really wants.
http://www.rochesterfootbag.com
Never give up, unless up is what the customer really wants.
I had a wicked good time.
The juggling show was great. The juggle-in and GRASS was simply amazing!
The juggling show was great. The juggle-in and GRASS was simply amazing!
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
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
So, I shall do a write up of the event, as I enjoy reading others.
Friday.
So, I wake up at 9:00, rather, wake up at 6:00 in excitement and tell myself I have to get a good sleep to be playable for Grass. So I toss and turn for a couple hours, and am happy that I didn't have to go to school because I had to be at Tom Mosher's house for 1:00. I watch inspirational videos, listen to my routine song a couple of times, and hope to god my prize bag is accepted well by the community.
Packing aside, and a relaxing car ride with my Dad, who was giving me competition advice later I got to Toms. SUCH A nice day, at least 25 degrees. I walk up to the door, remembering the last few times I did as well, and knock.
No answer..
No answer..
Anne, his sister, answers the door and says that he is going to pick up Jorden from the train station, and that it was an hour ago. I am invited to his beloved household, and then feel awkward so I went outside to kick. I walked across 25 (larger than normal) sidewalk tiles with just toe kicks, big thing for me. Sweating occured, and I went to his back porch to read.
Tom Johnny and Jorden walk in, and we wonder what we will do for the next hour or three, as we wait for his "fork" (bike part) to come in the mail. Before suspense starts building up in anyone, it never came. So, we stalled by watching Eli's new Aggressive Grounds/Ripwalk Ends commentary release, and it was such good quality. I never saw any Chad or Sunil footage of any, large amount, and it was cool. Eli's perspective on everything is neat, and I like how in Ripwalk he gives alot more personal commentary on the sport. Being in the sport when Ryan was king shit would have been neat, too bad I would have been 10 years old...
Inspired, we were determined to do handstands. Well, I wasn't, as I haven't practised them and I wasn't going to risk ruining myself right before I tournament. They invented many a trick, one being "moishers tail" which was, acrobatic to say the least. Tom then remembered that we were supposed to go to a footbag tournament, and we got in a car and started driving. Tom is a good driver, not that I am surprised, well, yeah, since accroding to some definitions one would claim him insane, he is a very good driver. We listened to 1984, and Jorden/Johnny played with Rubiks cubes.
Jorden: I've been doing it for a couple months, and my fastest time is (something over 1 minute). What was your fastest time Johnny?
Johnny: Um, (30 some) seconds.
Jorden:
, how long did you do it?
Johnny: Two weeks.
Turns out Johnny didn't eat or sleep for those two weeks, but whatever.
We talked a bit about footbag, and before we (I?) knew it we arrived at the Gym. Much like Cornell, we walk in and there is a 1/204i2394 ratio of jugglers to footbaggers, and we were tucked in a corner with some Energy Drinks [blackcherry cola was the best]. I met up with Matt Kemmer and Zac Miley, two young lads just as old as I am, and we played some footbag. They were beat, and I was still car-ride-ee, so the session was ok. I saw Mike Anello playing out of the corner of my eye, but I wished I had of paid attention, because I have heard he is pretty good. It looked like Mr.Cleaver wasn't going to attend, and I was a bit bummed, and then Matt Cross was only supposed to show up for the next two days, an I was bummed too. However, footbag was at hand and everyone was still in the "polite/awkward/you're my friend" stage.
We went to Pauls, where I learned that certain substances are far more expensive in America, which, even though I don't bother with any substances was just odd. There was a random fool around session in Paul's living room, and Zac ended up playing the most probably. On a Zac note, Zac F. did his routine (air shred) a couple of times, which offered itself to some bad news, Johnny AND Zac M. Were NOT doing routines. That sucked! I wanted to see both of their routines, but zac "forgot his music" and Johnny simply wasn't prepaired. Rats. (;))
At like, 3:00 AM, shit,
Saturday.
At 3:01 AM we started back to the Hotel, which Paul generously gave us a ride to. We got to the room and went to bed, on the "sleep number" beds. Ben Roscoe has multiple numbers, and we concluded the numbers have a direct correlation between the sleeper and his/her personality. Which also reminds me, Zac F. brought his photographer girlfriend along, with a "5" camera, which, apparently is amazing because usually cameras are "20" or "40".... I completely forget what that measures... Paul would know, or better, she would know.
So yeah, I hate those wretched creatures. At 7:00 AM the frisky little buggers wouldn't SHUT THE HELL up, in the room near us. The window was also un-curtained, but Johnny slep under it and, in the "still sleepy" mode I didn't logically conclude that I could have reached over him and closed it. Then again, I didn't want to wake him up... So, after about 3-4 hours of sleep, we talked footbag video's. Sick 03 is probably going to be my next dvd purchase, and I am excited
Some people at Grass said they liked Vasek in 2002 better than Feet on Fire, and this in my mind, clearly didn't make sense. Seriously, 2002? I haven't seen the DVD in question, but I must not understand his godly-ness.
We walk to the event, (15 minutes?) and there aren't many footbaggers there. I was semi-shitting myself, as I had to compete and since the day before I had NO time to eat, except some Tim Horton's on the way to Tom's house, at, 12:00. Starving, and now on a FULL stomach full of buffet YOGHURT sent from the gods, of, Danone, I took it easy. Some jugglers were intent on learning some footbag tricks, and I taught and saw a guy hit is first legover. That was cool, but I wasn't sure how to feel about it. On one hand, I am a total noob who should have sent him to someone more experienced to learn legover, but then again I've hit thousands of them and the only way I can get experience, is to do stuff like that. The judges got ready, and I went into the back part of the gym, closed off, and warmed up. Jorden was next to me, which, I wasn't sure if he was distracted or annoyed that I was there. I didn't want to ask, as he was in the "I'm getting ready" mode, and I didn't want to throw him off. People LOVED his skipping rope footbag stuff in the Gym, and I was thoroughly impressed as well. I was nervous as ever, mostly because my mind was thinking of my physical state.
I thought of my dad's competition advice, and couldn't get rid of it, so I drank some of those energy drinks I was talking about before. Who knows if they helped me, but they were certainly a placebo of sorts. I hung around Matt/Zac M. a bit, and they made me feel more at ease.
I get out into the routine area, and felt, suddenly normal. I cued my music (like a mental patient, ) and the music was really low. I remembered my entire routine of course, but sometimes I wonder if ANYONE could hear my cues, and the corresponding trick. I couldn't hear when my juggling bit started, as I had a distinct change in the music
Did I mention I made my song on Fruityloops?
so that I knew when to Juggle. I shittily picked up my second bag and rushed the juggle, which I think I dropped when I tried to handcatch the bag or something stupid. Meh. I finished the routine with, 6 drops, which was, not to be unexpected. I was doing it ~3 drops in practise, so I wasn't thinking I would do better than that. I got applause, and felt so normal. At worlds when I did my routine, I got the "EXTREME ROUTINE BUTTON" pushed, and I didn't know the rest of the world existed. This time I paid attention, and more or less just, danced around for 2 minutes. I would like some insight into how better players feel when they perform, for, curiosities sake.
The rest of the competition was cool, I was sad Dave didn't compete though. Will is such a master as footbag, and his sick 3/10 certainly showed it. Jorden took sick 1, with his signature spinning flux, which his foot with a Gunit laced upon it snagged quite nicely. Matt Kemmer hit a bunch of cool tricks, and Zac M. Hit a bunch of smears for sick 10. Eric Macintosh is obsessed with frantic, and he did it most of the time which, since no one really does frantic, was cool I guess.
After competition it didn't feel that special, again, like how I didn't go into that mode. A bunch of people took advantage of the weather and played footbag outside, where Dave played like Dave. 22 whirrs, all, super controlled? What? I have some of his runs on camera, along with Johnny hitting an insane 2 trick combo, which I will give to him.
Matt Cross also invented something crazy, dragon reverse swirling stepping infinity. I was happy I could get it on camera for him, and that he was soooooo happy about it. Matt Cross is a cool cat. Damn, I shouldn't have used those words to describe him, because he has a bit more of a "sly motherf***er" side to him too. Ordering dinner with him that night was awesome. Johnny, Chris Dean, Matt and another fellow footbagger went to a restaurant/bar, and discussed the patterns a plate could make if you happened to be on acid. A waitress came by to supply us with food, and Matt's slyness went through, in STRONG comparison to Chris.
Matt and Chris are talking for a bit about beer, and the waitress looks at him, he looks at her, and she says "Would you like this, this, or this sauce" and Chris says
Fuck Yeah!
...So awkward, but I think he stuttered and corrected himself. I ate the best BLT wrap in existence, and everyone else got really good looking burgers and sandwhiches. Johnny's Waffle Fries made me jealous, as, they were waffle fries. I don't think I have went into any Johnny-detail yet, so I shall explain.
Johnny is super cool. His personality makes me so much happier that he is the owner of Johnny Suderman style, and even though I think I may have annoyed him all weekend by being a 17 year old who didn't shut up, he was really nice to me. I just can't stress enough that he is a really respectable character, and everyone should praise him as much as they can, because he deserves it. He has decent crank in work boots, steel toe and all, which says something. Actually, it doesn't, I just wanted to throw that in there. Moving on..
We went back to Pauls, sometime, SHIT THE SHOW! JORDEN did SOOO good! We stood in line, the dinner group and some other footbaggers. The anticipation for Jorden was pretty high, as none of us knew how the crowd would take his performance. Matt Cross also distributed my "Vote For Jay" buttons, which he thought I should make for GRASS. Mosher/Mrs. Du (pengpeng) and Matt said at NYJ that they thought I would do a good job representing Southern Canada in the years to come, footbagging, stitching and organizing tournaments, and that I should make buttons to show this. A bunch of people wore them, but I wasn't at all sure if it was out of "Cool a button!" or "Will it be awkward not to wear them" or "What a lame dude, making buttons of himself"....Matt handed them out, so I guess they had the choice of saying no or not wearing them, but my lack of self confidence still plagues me.
We got in, and there was a performance to be had. The MC was SO good, and apparently Jorden had one of his books before he even knew him (Included so that people respected the fact that he is REALLY good...Book publishing worthy) and 99.9% of everyone [outisde of one individual] loved him. The hoola-hoop girl went over well, and she was talented in the ways of hoola hooping also. Jorden was the second last act, and before he started a bunch of us shouted his name, I know that I was on the edge of my seat. He came out with a song [no lyrics] and with his VERY visible bags started blowing our minds. He juggled more balls than anyone in a JUGGLING show did, which got his respect from the rest of the audience as well...
Suspense..
Skip rope...
BOO yah! He didn't drop the part! I don't want to say anything more than what he has posted on modified, for, respect reasons (perhaps I am to precautious?) but he also wowed everyone with true, technical footbag for about 30 seconds that lasted a LIFEtime.
STANDING ovation, fuck Jorden Moir is good at performing! It was so awesome to see that since he quit school for performing, that he destroys it as well. We walked out and it smelled quite tasty, and johhny assured me it mut have been him (recall, I was sitting next to him). We then went to pauls, where EVERYONE was watching feet on fire. Multiple times. Zac Matt, Zac F+girlfriend and I played playstation, Bully to be exact. People partied (well, depending on your definition of Party) and we went to the hotel at a reasonable hour. A big thanks to Chris Dean for driving me home, where as I would have had NO ways home otherwise. Before sleep, I'm sure we talked about something but I was so tired that I think my heart stopped on my pillow.
Sunday we woke up, went to the breakfast buffet and had a Youtube conversation. Whitest kids you know (slow jerk), The Office, Turrets guy, are ones we discussed. Yoghurt again was awesome, and the waffles just absorbed ALL of the food Waylon/I ate. Weird. Dave/Bowler were eating there too, and when we were walking along (talking about weeeird things...Sculpting odd body parts?) and they looked at us as they drove by. Surely enough, five minutes later some lunatic drove back and did a u-turn, and rolled down a window. Boom, Pete Bowler turned back just to pick us up, which was GENUINELY awesome. THings like that make me remember that footbag is the best thing ever.
We got to the Gym again, but it was closed. Crappy. SO we walked around inside and Clavens, Waylon, and some others had already beat us there. We discussed Mr.Petricks (sp?) bunny suit, which brought many a laugh. Badass. We also talked a bit more about funny videos and video games, as near-nerds I was surprised more of us didn't play video games. I guess we realize that becoming awesome at footbag is more rewarding than video games. I meandered outside, only to notice the montrealers playing some footpack, and I sat down to observe some 2 square. Matthieu was actually playing footbag, so I joined him, where eventually Ianke, Matthieu and I made a circle under a big art statue. We all picked off ideas from one another, and I mostly stole stuff / motivation for a weird trick from Ianek of course. Ianek is getting crazy consistent with some of his weird stuff now, and that makes me happy. His strings before were awesome of course, but consistent awesome is even better. He hit some big, traditional stuff too, like ripped warrior bsos (easily,) and motions/pdx blenders etc, Matthieu hit alot of really good spinning/osis runs, zooming I guess is implied. His style is poetic, and with glasses he looks like such a damn scholar, perhaps he got them just to look professional when he judges competitions.
I played then with Will Diggs, what a smooth set of knee's and tendons he has hidden under his knee cap. I examined his Whirr's and I guess I will forfit the notion of Dave or Vasek whirrs, because his "spring" style whirr just looks so, ocean-motion like. Seriously, go to your collection of footbag videos that I know you have and watch him hit one, and then take special note of his support leg. Perhaps Dave does the same thing, but I am too amazed by the swirl and then blurry whirling swirl afterwards to think. Diggs is also really nice, and, dare I say thoughtful? Before this tournament I only saw him as one of the best who just said a word or two for polite conversation, and then hit some crazy stuff. I was always to shy to say anything, and turns out when I did he is just a badass. Very humble, which I guess all footbaggers are, I am just clouded by the rest of the world and forget about it.
Matt Cross did a bunch of interviews I am excited to see, and Chris Dean threw down crazy stuff all over the place. Fairy torque midstring, like nothing happened. Perhaps fairy torque isn't massive, but that is exactly the point, it was like, mid-shuffle. Bevier played well too, fuck, his footbag is so much better in real life, because you can thoroughly grasp how weird it would be go twist and rake stuff or pop and dex stuff like he does. The award ceremony came, when Mike arrived, and Bevier had first choice at a prize. He fondled my bag and the Hania for a few moments, which made me happy that my bag was considered. I got the "ooh" look from some unnamed people, which made me feel special for a moment. Turns out Jorden got the bag though, which is perhaps better since I can get feedback from him. I still feel like shit, because, what if it turns out to be a horrible bag? He could have taken any bag and played well with it, but it would be worse for him to just not like the bag and feel bad about telling me it was shit. Then the next time I see him, he might just politely say it is good, to not hurt my feelings. Then again, the bag could break in and Jorden would be dropless for the rest of his life. Who knows.
I took a shirt and a towel, because it would be cool to wipe footbag sweat off of your footbag soaked tshirt with your footbag towel. I have enough bags, and it would be selfish for me to take on as a prize. Will Diggs won sick 3 and 10 I guess, which his blurry whirls and super style. He got called first for a combo he didn't seal, which when he mentioned his combo that he DID hit he STILL won the competition anyway
Cow, I just placed in my first footbag tournament. Sucks because, I didn't deserve to place, I didn't do anything awesome. Lets say that Jorden and Dave competed in routines, like they should have, immediate non-placement, and lets say the judges didn't favour my sick 10, from something that should have beat me, there goes another place. Meh, I can look back and learn of how to prepare better for next time. If anyone is reading at this point, this is 3552 words long, so, you've read 6 pages...
So, we played foursquare, Jorden Zac Erik Colin and I, and it was fun. erik and Jorden had a thing against eachother, which was funny considering they were the two best players there. Tom Johnny and Skippy finished their healthy business and we started the trek home, and walking away from the tournament campus I got the satisfied feeling. Everyone at GRASS was great, everything anyone needed was provided, and the weather could NOT have been better. April my ass. I saw some really good stuff hit, and other than Paul ruining his ankle, and roscoe, everyone seemed to have a good time as well. Thanks a bunch Rochester Crew for holding the fourth annual, I look forward to seeing you all again. That goes for everyone else too, even smokie.
There is no smokie.
-Jay
Thank you Tom Mosher, above all, for allowing me to attend this event. Without Tom, I would have never been able to come. Seriously, Cornell, Whakahakee, GRASS, three events that shaped the life around me are solely because of him. Clap a little, I'm sure he'll hear it.
Friday.
So, I wake up at 9:00, rather, wake up at 6:00 in excitement and tell myself I have to get a good sleep to be playable for Grass. So I toss and turn for a couple hours, and am happy that I didn't have to go to school because I had to be at Tom Mosher's house for 1:00. I watch inspirational videos, listen to my routine song a couple of times, and hope to god my prize bag is accepted well by the community.
Packing aside, and a relaxing car ride with my Dad, who was giving me competition advice later I got to Toms. SUCH A nice day, at least 25 degrees. I walk up to the door, remembering the last few times I did as well, and knock.
No answer..
No answer..
Anne, his sister, answers the door and says that he is going to pick up Jorden from the train station, and that it was an hour ago. I am invited to his beloved household, and then feel awkward so I went outside to kick. I walked across 25 (larger than normal) sidewalk tiles with just toe kicks, big thing for me. Sweating occured, and I went to his back porch to read.
Tom Johnny and Jorden walk in, and we wonder what we will do for the next hour or three, as we wait for his "fork" (bike part) to come in the mail. Before suspense starts building up in anyone, it never came. So, we stalled by watching Eli's new Aggressive Grounds/Ripwalk Ends commentary release, and it was such good quality. I never saw any Chad or Sunil footage of any, large amount, and it was cool. Eli's perspective on everything is neat, and I like how in Ripwalk he gives alot more personal commentary on the sport. Being in the sport when Ryan was king shit would have been neat, too bad I would have been 10 years old...
Inspired, we were determined to do handstands. Well, I wasn't, as I haven't practised them and I wasn't going to risk ruining myself right before I tournament. They invented many a trick, one being "moishers tail" which was, acrobatic to say the least. Tom then remembered that we were supposed to go to a footbag tournament, and we got in a car and started driving. Tom is a good driver, not that I am surprised, well, yeah, since accroding to some definitions one would claim him insane, he is a very good driver. We listened to 1984, and Jorden/Johnny played with Rubiks cubes.
Jorden: I've been doing it for a couple months, and my fastest time is (something over 1 minute). What was your fastest time Johnny?
Johnny: Um, (30 some) seconds.
Jorden:
, how long did you do it?Johnny: Two weeks.
Turns out Johnny didn't eat or sleep for those two weeks, but whatever.
We talked a bit about footbag, and before we (I?) knew it we arrived at the Gym. Much like Cornell, we walk in and there is a 1/204i2394 ratio of jugglers to footbaggers, and we were tucked in a corner with some Energy Drinks [blackcherry cola was the best]. I met up with Matt Kemmer and Zac Miley, two young lads just as old as I am, and we played some footbag. They were beat, and I was still car-ride-ee, so the session was ok. I saw Mike Anello playing out of the corner of my eye, but I wished I had of paid attention, because I have heard he is pretty good. It looked like Mr.Cleaver wasn't going to attend, and I was a bit bummed, and then Matt Cross was only supposed to show up for the next two days, an I was bummed too. However, footbag was at hand and everyone was still in the "polite/awkward/you're my friend" stage.
We went to Pauls, where I learned that certain substances are far more expensive in America, which, even though I don't bother with any substances was just odd. There was a random fool around session in Paul's living room, and Zac ended up playing the most probably. On a Zac note, Zac F. did his routine (air shred) a couple of times, which offered itself to some bad news, Johnny AND Zac M. Were NOT doing routines. That sucked! I wanted to see both of their routines, but zac "forgot his music" and Johnny simply wasn't prepaired. Rats. (;))
At like, 3:00 AM, shit,
Saturday.
At 3:01 AM we started back to the Hotel, which Paul generously gave us a ride to. We got to the room and went to bed, on the "sleep number" beds. Ben Roscoe has multiple numbers, and we concluded the numbers have a direct correlation between the sleeper and his/her personality. Which also reminds me, Zac F. brought his photographer girlfriend along, with a "5" camera, which, apparently is amazing because usually cameras are "20" or "40".... I completely forget what that measures... Paul would know, or better, she would know.
So yeah, I hate those wretched creatures. At 7:00 AM the frisky little buggers wouldn't SHUT THE HELL up, in the room near us. The window was also un-curtained, but Johnny slep under it and, in the "still sleepy" mode I didn't logically conclude that I could have reached over him and closed it. Then again, I didn't want to wake him up... So, after about 3-4 hours of sleep, we talked footbag video's. Sick 03 is probably going to be my next dvd purchase, and I am excited
Some people at Grass said they liked Vasek in 2002 better than Feet on Fire, and this in my mind, clearly didn't make sense. Seriously, 2002? I haven't seen the DVD in question, but I must not understand his godly-ness. We walk to the event, (15 minutes?) and there aren't many footbaggers there. I was semi-shitting myself, as I had to compete and since the day before I had NO time to eat, except some Tim Horton's on the way to Tom's house, at, 12:00. Starving, and now on a FULL stomach full of buffet YOGHURT sent from the gods, of, Danone, I took it easy. Some jugglers were intent on learning some footbag tricks, and I taught and saw a guy hit is first legover. That was cool, but I wasn't sure how to feel about it. On one hand, I am a total noob who should have sent him to someone more experienced to learn legover, but then again I've hit thousands of them and the only way I can get experience, is to do stuff like that. The judges got ready, and I went into the back part of the gym, closed off, and warmed up. Jorden was next to me, which, I wasn't sure if he was distracted or annoyed that I was there. I didn't want to ask, as he was in the "I'm getting ready" mode, and I didn't want to throw him off. People LOVED his skipping rope footbag stuff in the Gym, and I was thoroughly impressed as well. I was nervous as ever, mostly because my mind was thinking of my physical state.
I thought of my dad's competition advice, and couldn't get rid of it, so I drank some of those energy drinks I was talking about before. Who knows if they helped me, but they were certainly a placebo of sorts. I hung around Matt/Zac M. a bit, and they made me feel more at ease.
I get out into the routine area, and felt, suddenly normal. I cued my music (like a mental patient,
) and the music was really low. I remembered my entire routine of course, but sometimes I wonder if ANYONE could hear my cues, and the corresponding trick. I couldn't hear when my juggling bit started, as I had a distinct change in the musicDid I mention I made my song on Fruityloops?
so that I knew when to Juggle. I shittily picked up my second bag and rushed the juggle, which I think I dropped when I tried to handcatch the bag or something stupid. Meh. I finished the routine with, 6 drops, which was, not to be unexpected. I was doing it ~3 drops in practise, so I wasn't thinking I would do better than that. I got applause, and felt so normal. At worlds when I did my routine, I got the "EXTREME ROUTINE BUTTON" pushed, and I didn't know the rest of the world existed. This time I paid attention, and more or less just, danced around for 2 minutes. I would like some insight into how better players feel when they perform, for, curiosities sake.
The rest of the competition was cool, I was sad Dave didn't compete though. Will is such a master as footbag, and his sick 3/10 certainly showed it. Jorden took sick 1, with his signature spinning flux, which his foot with a Gunit laced upon it snagged quite nicely. Matt Kemmer hit a bunch of cool tricks, and Zac M. Hit a bunch of smears for sick 10. Eric Macintosh is obsessed with frantic, and he did it most of the time which, since no one really does frantic, was cool I guess.
After competition it didn't feel that special, again, like how I didn't go into that mode. A bunch of people took advantage of the weather and played footbag outside, where Dave played like Dave. 22 whirrs, all, super controlled? What? I have some of his runs on camera, along with Johnny hitting an insane 2 trick combo, which I will give to him.
Matt Cross also invented something crazy, dragon reverse swirling stepping infinity. I was happy I could get it on camera for him, and that he was soooooo happy about it. Matt Cross is a cool cat. Damn, I shouldn't have used those words to describe him, because he has a bit more of a "sly motherf***er" side to him too. Ordering dinner with him that night was awesome. Johnny, Chris Dean, Matt and another fellow footbagger went to a restaurant/bar, and discussed the patterns a plate could make if you happened to be on acid. A waitress came by to supply us with food, and Matt's slyness went through, in STRONG comparison to Chris.
Matt and Chris are talking for a bit about beer, and the waitress looks at him, he looks at her, and she says "Would you like this, this, or this sauce" and Chris says
Fuck Yeah!
...So awkward, but I think he stuttered and corrected himself. I ate the best BLT wrap in existence, and everyone else got really good looking burgers and sandwhiches. Johnny's Waffle Fries made me jealous, as, they were waffle fries. I don't think I have went into any Johnny-detail yet, so I shall explain.
Johnny is super cool. His personality makes me so much happier that he is the owner of Johnny Suderman style, and even though I think I may have annoyed him all weekend by being a 17 year old who didn't shut up, he was really nice to me. I just can't stress enough that he is a really respectable character, and everyone should praise him as much as they can, because he deserves it. He has decent crank in work boots, steel toe and all, which says something. Actually, it doesn't, I just wanted to throw that in there. Moving on..
We went back to Pauls, sometime, SHIT THE SHOW! JORDEN did SOOO good! We stood in line, the dinner group and some other footbaggers. The anticipation for Jorden was pretty high, as none of us knew how the crowd would take his performance. Matt Cross also distributed my "Vote For Jay" buttons, which he thought I should make for GRASS. Mosher/Mrs. Du (pengpeng) and Matt said at NYJ that they thought I would do a good job representing Southern Canada in the years to come, footbagging, stitching and organizing tournaments, and that I should make buttons to show this. A bunch of people wore them, but I wasn't at all sure if it was out of "Cool a button!" or "Will it be awkward not to wear them" or "What a lame dude, making buttons of himself"....Matt handed them out, so I guess they had the choice of saying no or not wearing them, but my lack of self confidence still plagues me.
We got in, and there was a performance to be had. The MC was SO good, and apparently Jorden had one of his books before he even knew him (Included so that people respected the fact that he is REALLY good...Book publishing worthy) and 99.9% of everyone [outisde of one individual] loved him. The hoola-hoop girl went over well, and she was talented in the ways of hoola hooping also. Jorden was the second last act, and before he started a bunch of us shouted his name, I know that I was on the edge of my seat. He came out with a song [no lyrics] and with his VERY visible bags started blowing our minds. He juggled more balls than anyone in a JUGGLING show did, which got his respect from the rest of the audience as well...
Suspense..
Skip rope...
BOO yah! He didn't drop the part! I don't want to say anything more than what he has posted on modified, for, respect reasons (perhaps I am to precautious?) but he also wowed everyone with true, technical footbag for about 30 seconds that lasted a LIFEtime.
STANDING ovation, fuck Jorden Moir is good at performing! It was so awesome to see that since he quit school for performing, that he destroys it as well. We walked out and it smelled quite tasty, and johhny assured me it mut have been him (recall, I was sitting next to him). We then went to pauls, where EVERYONE was watching feet on fire. Multiple times. Zac Matt, Zac F+girlfriend and I played playstation, Bully to be exact. People partied (well, depending on your definition of Party) and we went to the hotel at a reasonable hour. A big thanks to Chris Dean for driving me home, where as I would have had NO ways home otherwise. Before sleep, I'm sure we talked about something but I was so tired that I think my heart stopped on my pillow.
Sunday we woke up, went to the breakfast buffet and had a Youtube conversation. Whitest kids you know (slow jerk), The Office, Turrets guy, are ones we discussed. Yoghurt again was awesome, and the waffles just absorbed ALL of the food Waylon/I ate. Weird. Dave/Bowler were eating there too, and when we were walking along (talking about weeeird things...Sculpting odd body parts?) and they looked at us as they drove by. Surely enough, five minutes later some lunatic drove back and did a u-turn, and rolled down a window. Boom, Pete Bowler turned back just to pick us up, which was GENUINELY awesome. THings like that make me remember that footbag is the best thing ever.
We got to the Gym again, but it was closed. Crappy. SO we walked around inside and Clavens, Waylon, and some others had already beat us there. We discussed Mr.Petricks (sp?) bunny suit, which brought many a laugh. Badass. We also talked a bit more about funny videos and video games, as near-nerds I was surprised more of us didn't play video games. I guess we realize that becoming awesome at footbag is more rewarding than video games. I meandered outside, only to notice the montrealers playing some footpack, and I sat down to observe some 2 square. Matthieu was actually playing footbag, so I joined him, where eventually Ianke, Matthieu and I made a circle under a big art statue. We all picked off ideas from one another, and I mostly stole stuff / motivation for a weird trick from Ianek of course. Ianek is getting crazy consistent with some of his weird stuff now, and that makes me happy. His strings before were awesome of course, but consistent awesome is even better. He hit some big, traditional stuff too, like ripped warrior bsos (easily,) and motions/pdx blenders etc, Matthieu hit alot of really good spinning/osis runs, zooming I guess is implied. His style is poetic, and with glasses he looks like such a damn scholar, perhaps he got them just to look professional when he judges competitions.
I played then with Will Diggs, what a smooth set of knee's and tendons he has hidden under his knee cap. I examined his Whirr's and I guess I will forfit the notion of Dave or Vasek whirrs, because his "spring" style whirr just looks so, ocean-motion like. Seriously, go to your collection of footbag videos that I know you have and watch him hit one, and then take special note of his support leg. Perhaps Dave does the same thing, but I am too amazed by the swirl and then blurry whirling swirl afterwards to think. Diggs is also really nice, and, dare I say thoughtful? Before this tournament I only saw him as one of the best who just said a word or two for polite conversation, and then hit some crazy stuff. I was always to shy to say anything, and turns out when I did he is just a badass. Very humble, which I guess all footbaggers are, I am just clouded by the rest of the world and forget about it.
Matt Cross did a bunch of interviews I am excited to see, and Chris Dean threw down crazy stuff all over the place. Fairy torque midstring, like nothing happened. Perhaps fairy torque isn't massive, but that is exactly the point, it was like, mid-shuffle. Bevier played well too, fuck, his footbag is so much better in real life, because you can thoroughly grasp how weird it would be go twist and rake stuff or pop and dex stuff like he does. The award ceremony came, when Mike arrived, and Bevier had first choice at a prize. He fondled my bag and the Hania for a few moments, which made me happy that my bag was considered. I got the "ooh" look from some unnamed people, which made me feel special for a moment. Turns out Jorden got the bag though, which is perhaps better since I can get feedback from him. I still feel like shit, because, what if it turns out to be a horrible bag? He could have taken any bag and played well with it, but it would be worse for him to just not like the bag and feel bad about telling me it was shit. Then the next time I see him, he might just politely say it is good, to not hurt my feelings. Then again, the bag could break in and Jorden would be dropless for the rest of his life. Who knows.
I took a shirt and a towel, because it would be cool to wipe footbag sweat off of your footbag soaked tshirt with your footbag towel. I have enough bags, and it would be selfish for me to take on as a prize. Will Diggs won sick 3 and 10 I guess, which his blurry whirls and super style. He got called first for a combo he didn't seal, which when he mentioned his combo that he DID hit he STILL won the competition anyway
Cow, I just placed in my first footbag tournament. Sucks because, I didn't deserve to place, I didn't do anything awesome. Lets say that Jorden and Dave competed in routines, like they should have, immediate non-placement, and lets say the judges didn't favour my sick 10, from something that should have beat me, there goes another place. Meh, I can look back and learn of how to prepare better for next time. If anyone is reading at this point, this is 3552 words long, so, you've read 6 pages...So, we played foursquare, Jorden Zac Erik Colin and I, and it was fun. erik and Jorden had a thing against eachother, which was funny considering they were the two best players there. Tom Johnny and Skippy finished their healthy business and we started the trek home, and walking away from the tournament campus I got the satisfied feeling. Everyone at GRASS was great, everything anyone needed was provided, and the weather could NOT have been better. April my ass. I saw some really good stuff hit, and other than Paul ruining his ankle, and roscoe, everyone seemed to have a good time as well. Thanks a bunch Rochester Crew for holding the fourth annual, I look forward to seeing you all again. That goes for everyone else too, even smokie.
There is no smokie.
-Jay
Thank you Tom Mosher, above all, for allowing me to attend this event. Without Tom, I would have never been able to come. Seriously, Cornell, Whakahakee, GRASS, three events that shaped the life around me are solely because of him. Clap a little, I'm sure he'll hear it.
Jay Boychuk
good idea, Jay. I'm in the mood to write one too. Prolly not as thourough...
Got up at 6:30am (on pourpose), picked up Jamie McTeague at his house, got dropped off at the bus station and whent in to buy our tickets. We had planned our route via the internet the day before, but at the station we were able to reroute and buy return tickets and get everything done up front. It took over an hour and we missed the bus we had intended on embarking, but with the new route, we would arrive in Buffalo at the same time. I'm so glad that we took the time to re-route. We saved money and time. Anyway, I did my homework during the bus ride, sat around...
(jump ahead) We're in Buffalo! We spent hours getting what we needed for the show and watched the concert. Collin Melloy was RAD!! AMAZING singer/songwriter. The girl that opened for him was really good too. Laura Gibson. Unique, calming, neutral sound to her. Good show. Then we walk back to the bus station and I'm playing hackysack, waiting for the bus. I noticed people watching so I wanted to show off (:(), I attempt some huge moves like clipper and pdx illusion -- toe catches on my shoe, over goes my balance, and my ankles rolled. I start laughing like "haha! Wouldn't it suck if I just sprained my ankle!" .... "Oh man, I'm gonna be pissed if I just hurt my ankle" ............ "Fuck..." Anyway, I was drowsy enough not to be overly concerned... happens all the time.
Paul picked us up once we hit Rochester, with Willie Diggs, and we high-five for having both just hurt our ankles. At some point during that car ride, he told me that I looked like Jorden.
. Anyway, party was good at Paul's house. I was SO glad to see everyone again. Did some handstands, got reaquainted, chilled... good stuff.
Got back to the hotel room and everyone except Jay refused to share a bed with me. My sleeping number was apperantly 100, Jay. I adjusted it to 100 and then it refused to change... the bed knew what I needed. Anyway, breakfast was heavy and good. Quick jaunt over to the tournament venue... I played barefoot for a while, my ankle actually wasn't thaat bad; I just didn't want to hurt it again, and I didn't want to risk bigger tricks. Johnny and I whent out to do some handstands on the grass and I learned some new things to work on; thanks, Johnny. (I got 4 arm taps today, btw... I'll keep drilling). Tournament was good. I was surprised not to see very many compeditors in Routines. I really wish that I had been able to do mine... but it needed work anyway. I prolly would have dropped alot. I filmed nearly the whole competition using Zach F.'s camera from the top of the bleachers. I hope you upload lots of the competition footage, Zach; people did really well. I was bummed that Dave didn't compete, but when I found out that he was shredding outside, I decided to head that way in hopes of getting a glimpse.
Outside, I shred with Pat a bunch (CRAZY cool style. super flowy, like liquid. Really easy to watch). I played barefoot all weekend to decrease the chances of hurting my ankle again. Matt Cross invented a new head mod, involving a strap (from Paul's head) withwhich to hold one's hat in place while in handstand position. He hit hat-catching handstand with the helps of this mod. Very cool. After shred, some of us whent to get ice cream. Good call, Waylon! Then we shred some more until the show. I was blown away by Matt K.'s skill level. He was playing in, what I would consider, POS shoes and he hit janiwalker on both sides and a bunch of crazy stuff. I hit alpine eggplant for the first time (my first attomic ducking trick
). The show was good. There were balloons for the crowd to play with before the show started; that was a cool idea. The hoola-hoop girl was SO good. She was like the Veela from 4th Harry Potter book (:oops: I'm such a nerd). Everyone loved Jorden.
Back at Paul's, I had a good time. After watching the Vasek DVD, we had to go out for munchies (Jamie McTeague, Pete Bowler, Pat Thomsen and Dug Tank). We hit the Wegman's and bought a full chicken which was consumed upon the hood of Pete's car in the parking lot. We were still hungry, so we got some Taco Bell and feasted in a similarly barbaric way. Whent back to Paul's, hung out, watched Matt K. and Zach M. play Bully. What a wierd game! But we imagined the main characted being Jim Penske before he found footbag, so it was funny.
Eventually, Jamie and Pat and I left to go back to the hotel. We sat around in the lobby until we got kicked out, so we woke up Zach and his girlfriend (as they were leaving on the same bus as us at 5am). Sorry to everyone else in the room ('specially Way way) who we woke up. Anyway, we got to the bus station in time (Thanks Pat!! Really appreciate the ride). There was a bus leaving around the same time as ours, so just to make sure we weren't missing the one to Toronto, I asked one of the ladies who was standing in line for said bus. It was awkward though because she admitted that it was a bus to Correctional Facilities. Good thing we didn't get on that one. I slept the whole way to Buffalo. When we were going through customs, Zach gave the lady at the desk a footbag demo, which was very funny. Then we kicked around the shuttlecock outside (Thanks alot, Tom! I've had tons of fun with that thing already). The new bus driver was a dink. Once we were all sitting on the bus he thought he was funny and that we wanted to listen to him... tool. I wanted SLEEP! Everntually he shut up and I put my head down. *bang* "Wow, we're in Toronto." Jamie and I said our goodbyes to Zach. It was so good getting together again. Can't wait 'till next time.
Jamie whent home to work and I whent to a family reunion. Bummer, I was so tierd.
Great tournament (good fitting shirt too, btw). Thanks to everyone! I had a great time.
Got up at 6:30am (on pourpose), picked up Jamie McTeague at his house, got dropped off at the bus station and whent in to buy our tickets. We had planned our route via the internet the day before, but at the station we were able to reroute and buy return tickets and get everything done up front. It took over an hour and we missed the bus we had intended on embarking, but with the new route, we would arrive in Buffalo at the same time. I'm so glad that we took the time to re-route. We saved money and time. Anyway, I did my homework during the bus ride, sat around...
(jump ahead) We're in Buffalo! We spent hours getting what we needed for the show and watched the concert. Collin Melloy was RAD!! AMAZING singer/songwriter. The girl that opened for him was really good too. Laura Gibson. Unique, calming, neutral sound to her. Good show. Then we walk back to the bus station and I'm playing hackysack, waiting for the bus. I noticed people watching so I wanted to show off (:(), I attempt some huge moves like clipper and pdx illusion -- toe catches on my shoe, over goes my balance, and my ankles rolled. I start laughing like "haha! Wouldn't it suck if I just sprained my ankle!" .... "Oh man, I'm gonna be pissed if I just hurt my ankle" ............ "Fuck..." Anyway, I was drowsy enough not to be overly concerned... happens all the time.
Paul picked us up once we hit Rochester, with Willie Diggs, and we high-five for having both just hurt our ankles. At some point during that car ride, he told me that I looked like Jorden.
. Anyway, party was good at Paul's house. I was SO glad to see everyone again. Did some handstands, got reaquainted, chilled... good stuff. Got back to the hotel room and everyone except Jay refused to share a bed with me. My sleeping number was apperantly 100, Jay. I adjusted it to 100 and then it refused to change... the bed knew what I needed. Anyway, breakfast was heavy and good. Quick jaunt over to the tournament venue... I played barefoot for a while, my ankle actually wasn't thaat bad; I just didn't want to hurt it again, and I didn't want to risk bigger tricks. Johnny and I whent out to do some handstands on the grass and I learned some new things to work on; thanks, Johnny. (I got 4 arm taps today, btw... I'll keep drilling). Tournament was good. I was surprised not to see very many compeditors in Routines. I really wish that I had been able to do mine... but it needed work anyway. I prolly would have dropped alot. I filmed nearly the whole competition using Zach F.'s camera from the top of the bleachers. I hope you upload lots of the competition footage, Zach; people did really well. I was bummed that Dave didn't compete, but when I found out that he was shredding outside, I decided to head that way in hopes of getting a glimpse.
Outside, I shred with Pat a bunch (CRAZY cool style. super flowy, like liquid. Really easy to watch). I played barefoot all weekend to decrease the chances of hurting my ankle again. Matt Cross invented a new head mod, involving a strap (from Paul's head) withwhich to hold one's hat in place while in handstand position. He hit hat-catching handstand with the helps of this mod. Very cool. After shred, some of us whent to get ice cream. Good call, Waylon! Then we shred some more until the show. I was blown away by Matt K.'s skill level. He was playing in, what I would consider, POS shoes and he hit janiwalker on both sides and a bunch of crazy stuff. I hit alpine eggplant for the first time (my first attomic ducking trick
). The show was good. There were balloons for the crowd to play with before the show started; that was a cool idea. The hoola-hoop girl was SO good. She was like the Veela from 4th Harry Potter book (:oops: I'm such a nerd). Everyone loved Jorden.Back at Paul's, I had a good time. After watching the Vasek DVD, we had to go out for munchies (Jamie McTeague, Pete Bowler, Pat Thomsen and Dug Tank). We hit the Wegman's and bought a full chicken which was consumed upon the hood of Pete's car in the parking lot. We were still hungry, so we got some Taco Bell and feasted in a similarly barbaric way. Whent back to Paul's, hung out, watched Matt K. and Zach M. play Bully. What a wierd game! But we imagined the main characted being Jim Penske before he found footbag, so it was funny.
Eventually, Jamie and Pat and I left to go back to the hotel. We sat around in the lobby until we got kicked out, so we woke up Zach and his girlfriend (as they were leaving on the same bus as us at 5am). Sorry to everyone else in the room ('specially Way way) who we woke up. Anyway, we got to the bus station in time (Thanks Pat!! Really appreciate the ride). There was a bus leaving around the same time as ours, so just to make sure we weren't missing the one to Toronto, I asked one of the ladies who was standing in line for said bus. It was awkward though because she admitted that it was a bus to Correctional Facilities. Good thing we didn't get on that one. I slept the whole way to Buffalo. When we were going through customs, Zach gave the lady at the desk a footbag demo, which was very funny. Then we kicked around the shuttlecock outside (Thanks alot, Tom! I've had tons of fun with that thing already). The new bus driver was a dink. Once we were all sitting on the bus he thought he was funny and that we wanted to listen to him... tool. I wanted SLEEP! Everntually he shut up and I put my head down. *bang* "Wow, we're in Toronto." Jamie and I said our goodbyes to Zach. It was so good getting together again. Can't wait 'till next time.
Jamie whent home to work and I whent to a family reunion. Bummer, I was so tierd.
Great tournament (good fitting shirt too, btw). Thanks to everyone! I had a great time.
Ben Roscoe
-
Skippy!
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1260
- Joined: 08 Aug 2005 15:54
- Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Uhhh
Wasn't weed march on the 4/20 weekend?
Pretty sure that already happened, dude...
EDIT: Not positive, but pretty sure.
Wasn't weed march on the 4/20 weekend?
Pretty sure that already happened, dude...
EDIT: Not positive, but pretty sure.
dan cyr
Skippy:
Skip Hard
Skip Hard 2: Skip Harder
Skip Hard With A Vengeance
Coming soon. Yippee-kieaye-eh?
Skip-blog
Skippy:
Skip Hard
Skip Hard 2: Skip Harder
Skip Hard With A Vengeance
Coming soon. Yippee-kieaye-eh?
Skip-blog
Matt Cross' write-up with video interviews is up here:
www.shamble.notlong.com
Looks like it was a blast!
www.shamble.notlong.com
Looks like it was a blast!
-
mikeanello
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: 14 Aug 2002 07:53
- Location: Rochester, NY, USA
- Contact:
RESULTS:
Routines:
1 - Gordon Bevier
2 - Jay Boychuk
3 - Zach Forth
Sick 1:
1 - Jorden Moir (Reverse Marius)
2 - Will Digges (Pixie Paradon Swirl)
3 - Zack Forth (Stepping Same Side Eggbeater)
Sick 3:
1 - Will Digges (Alpine Blurry Whirl > Janiwalker > Whirlygig)
2 - Jorden Moir (Janiwalker > Bedwetter > Paradon Swirl)
3 - Matt Kemmer (Spinning Paradox Mirage > Toe Blur > Symposium Whirl)
TEN:
1 - Will Digges (Blurry Whirl)
2 - Tom Mosher (Flying Toe)
3 - Jay Boychuk (Ripwalk)
Circle:
1 - Jorden Moir
2 - Gordon Bevier
3 - Ianek Regimbald
Routines:
1 - Gordon Bevier
2 - Jay Boychuk
3 - Zach Forth
Sick 1:
1 - Jorden Moir (Reverse Marius)
2 - Will Digges (Pixie Paradon Swirl)
3 - Zack Forth (Stepping Same Side Eggbeater)
Sick 3:
1 - Will Digges (Alpine Blurry Whirl > Janiwalker > Whirlygig)
2 - Jorden Moir (Janiwalker > Bedwetter > Paradon Swirl)
3 - Matt Kemmer (Spinning Paradox Mirage > Toe Blur > Symposium Whirl)
TEN:
1 - Will Digges (Blurry Whirl)
2 - Tom Mosher (Flying Toe)
3 - Jay Boychuk (Ripwalk)
Circle:
1 - Jorden Moir
2 - Gordon Bevier
3 - Ianek Regimbald
Last edited by mikeanello on 24 Apr 2008 05:58, edited 2 times in total.
Mike Anello
http://www.rochesterfootbag.com
Never give up, unless up is what the customer really wants.
http://www.rochesterfootbag.com
Never give up, unless up is what the customer really wants.