Canberra, Australia>Santiago de Chile - Daniel Boyle

[boyle]

Cheers man, how is your internship going?

I hope the same too! There is always so much more that can be done, but if we all just do a little bit every now and then, it can be a great help to the sport.

The title of that newspaper article I linked before basically said "Australian looks for friends to play with his little ball".

I have actually got a few emails already directly after that article, so it was a success in itself.

I did another demonstration yesterday. The municipality in Lo Barnechea was showing the match between Chile and Bolivia in a gym there. A great idea for families etc, particularly as the game was in the afternoon.

I went with the freestyle football guys and we gave a demo before the match was played and some of the other guys during halftime. Some little kids actually recognised me from the tv show I was on.

We will go again to the same place next week, as they are going to be showing Chile vs Venezuela.

With any luck by the time the next home qualifier comes around (in October vs Argentina), then we will have the level and connections to do the demonstration in the middle of the field.

You never know. Sometimes you have to think big...sometimes take small steps.

[boyle]

Have had some friends in town, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to be playing. Did get in one really good session. Hit a new 5>5>5, still haven't got many of them in my list. This one was ripped warrior>spinning ducking osis>tomahawk.

Met with a guy last week who had emailed me after I had that article in the paper. He is just beginning, but very enthusiastic.

I did another demonstration when Venezuela played Chile, at the same place. A bit of a weird vibe at this one, we had to play on the floor instead of the stage, but I played pretty well anyhow.

Next month there will be a freestyle football (Red Bull) competition. I have heard some whispers about this, but I came across some official details today. I would like to organise something like giving a demonstration there etc. At the very least I will go and watch it and write an article about it.

Speaking of organising, I would like to hold a competition here later in the year. I have a few thoughts, but when my birthday comes in September, around then would be great.

I went to the final of a roller derby competition yesterday. My friend who is staying here is very into it. In the future I will probably do some half time demonstrations there, that could be fun.

So I just wrote to the red bull people, see what comes from that. It was more about covering the event for the newspaper, with an aside about footbag.

[boyle]

Did some cool things this week:

Booked tickets to Colombia in December for the South American Championships. I recommend others do the same. I'm not sure of the exact dates yet, but I will go with Francisca from Dec 6-19.

Interviewed a Nobel Prize winner. Of course I wore my Lavers for this occasion. That wasn't really on purpose, I just wear them most days.

I went to TVN, it's a TV station to talk about going on a TV show. So that will film in a couple of months.

I have also been developing some really good links with other people who are writing about South American soccer/football, whatever you want to call it, in English. We have had some good banter going around on Twitter, and then some of those guys are contributing to the website.

I think the I Love Chile page is getting better and better. We have some new writers, which is a great help. You can check it out here: http://www.ilovechile.cl

[boyle]

Met with some other players on the weekend. After I had that article in the newspaper, some guys got in touch with me. These guys are just beginning (they are more advance circle kickers), but they seem keen so I have nurture that.

I have put it into my mind that I will play every day for July. The weather isn't making it easy, the temperature has dropped below zero a few times. I have a place to play inside, although it isn't the best surface, it is sheltered from the elements.

I am going to a breakfast tomorrow with some of Chile's Olympic athletes. That should be pretty good I think. Hopefully they put on a good spread.

In terms of new tricks, not too much new lately - I did hit terraging osis which I have been working on for some time. Another little combo that has really been frustrating me, but I want to get is pixie osis> stepping ss mirage rpt. I have also been trying to work on my toe game because it is not very good, but in reality I am not having that much success.

[boyle]

Have not quite kept up my everyday promise, but have been pretty close to it.

Today I had a good session inside (was pretty cold outside). Was playing with Hatebreed in the background, was feeling energised. Had double spinning osis of my foot a number of times but didn't manage to get it.

There is a Red Bull freestyle football competition on this weekend, will go and check it out, I think it will at least be fun to watch.

Played a game of soccer yesterday. I scored four goals, but we got flogged. Have no idea what the final score was, we played for a long time.

[PoisonTaffy]

A strange thought occurred to me, that you never lived in the north hemisphere!

[boyle]

Not yet! Although I don't really see myself moving to the northern hemisphere anytime soon (probably ever). Funnily enough though, around the time of Berlin worlds, I had a strong idea of applying for a working holiday visa to go to Canada.

Of course I met my dear wife a while after that, so that plan changed a little bit.

Do you have any plans for heading to South America in the next years? Make sure to stop by Chile, you have a place to stay (that goes for all readers of this blog, (yes, the two of you....).

In news of Footbag. I met again with the guys I mentioned previously. Well, the main organiser character, Willy, and a new guy Felipe. Felipe has just started a month or two ago and he already knows a few stalls. I am going to try and meet with these guys at least once a week. We played on this outdoor stage in Parque Balmaceda, great place to play.

However, I have a meeting with the mayor of Providencia next week and I will mention that this stage needs a good sweep!

Today I went to an event with Edgar Davids (played for the Dutch national team and many teams in Europe). He is going to judge the Red Bull Street Style event tomorrow, alongside Ángelo Henríquez, young striker from Universidad de Chile (Manchester United have a pre-accord with him up until 2014), though I'm not so sure about his freestyle skills.

I went as a periodista, but some of the freestyle guys I play with regularly were giving a show as well. The event was not really too much, I was hoping for a bit more of a cocktail event. There was free red bull of course, though I don't really like those energy drinks too much. I was hoping more for some free beer or pisco sour.

I played together with the guys (and girl) afterwards at Santa Lucia, was feeling good (I have been playing every day, so I hit some nice long runs). I came close to hitting spender, and I hit tapping ss dlo (that must have a simpler name), which I hit for the first time a couple of days ago.

Tomorrow is the competition, so hopefully I will play a bit with the guys and spread the word of footbag around a bit.

Speaking of good cocktails, I have been invited to the British ambassador's house for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. That will be a rager.

[boyle]

the previous post was number 666 in this blog, though unfortunately I have not hit any beastly combos to match that.

I broke my streak this weekend. Today I went to an aussie rules training. That was a good run and then they do a bbq at the end. It is a mix of Australians and Chileans, I think I will get down there more often.

I have often said that I have heard about a lot of Australians around, but I haven't actually met too many. As for the training session, I have barely played in my life before, but I went alright.

It wasn't too hard work - I think the club is much more about the social side of everything, and simply having an aussie rules club. They had a pretty good turnout, particularly considering it is a long weekend.

I went to the Red Bull Street Style event yesterday afternoon, just as a spectator. On watching it, I probably should have entered (you entered by sending a one minute video). I wasn't sure if it was only for Chileans etc.

Anyhow, there seems to be a lot of controversy over the winner. As with all sporting events, the loser blames the officials.

It was a good event though, I had fun watching. Of the guys I play with regularly, one made it to the semis. He was pretty devastated when he lost, I think he was hoping to go all the way. He has quite good technique, but not so much showmanship.

One of the other guys went out in the first round, though he did try a triple around the world, didn't hit it, though he was close.

I played some footbag in the foyer as people were leaving. That got a good little crowd around, that was a fun way to finish the event.

[PoisonTaffy]

I definitely have plans to visit south america. Ideally I would also live there for a bit in order to actually have a shot at learning the language. Unfortunately, until that happens, every south america visit will entail a mandatory week in Uruguay, and won't be longer than two weeks due to work, which really limits my prospects of roaming around the continent.

[boyle]

let me know the next time you are headed to Uruguay. I am keen to check it out. Of course, I have know money, but maybe by then that will change.

[boyle]

I had a great session yesterday - hit two tricks I have been trying for a long time, and never had reached until now - double spinning osis was the first that I hit, and then not too long after I hit spender. I also hit quantum ss legover, which I think is new, not too sure on that one. That is a set that gives me a lot of grief.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I have been working on my toe game, which is a long way beyond my clipper based game. I have quite a simple goal, which should be easy to achieve, but it has proved harder than expected - ten unique toe guiltless tricks. Yesterday I hit nine. I have been working on building different links from non-pixie sets and also on getting consistent at the drill off magellan>smear>PLO rpt, which gives six tricks straight away.

Once I achieve this one, the next goal will of course be to increase that level on the toes, but then to also hit a triple dex>triple dex combo.

I have been playing a lot - not quite every day, but I have been quite focused and thinking about footbag a lot. I have also been thinking about some more ways for developing the sport here in Chile. I will be going on TV again also, I have a meeting at the station tomorrow.

In non footbag news, I'm seeing At The Gates on Wednesday. They are one of my few favourite bands that I am yet to see, so that's going to be great. Now we're off for a bbq at Francisca's brother's place. She said I have been getting skinnier...this should change that!

Also, I wish I was going to Worlds. Oh well. That is a key goal for me next year. I hope they announce the next city soon after this year's event ends. I really have no idea where it will be.

[PoisonTaffy]

Due to the new UI, I accidentally read the first page of your blog thinking it's the latest. It says "one day I'll be able to hit phoenix mid-run". Did that day arrive?

Props on spender & double spinning osis. I would pay moneys to hit those!

[boyle]

ha! On my strong side that is no problem, though on the flip I guess that is still some way off.

Those are two tricks that I have been working on for a long time and I am definitely happy to have hit them...now to get them to a consistent level. That's another story...

[boyle]

I got my ten unique toe guiltless tricks. While it is not so much to write home about, it is something that was giving me a lot of trouble, now I have ticked it off the list. Next target will be 15. I would also like to hit a run with every toe set involved. That's another idea.

I can't remember exactly but I think my run was pixie ss pickup>DATW (in)> magellan > plo > magellan> smear > plo > pixie ss mirage > DATW (out) > fear > then I think I repeated a couple more tricks.

Of course to begin with it is too heavy on the pixie set, but I am working on some new combos to throw in...particular some like tap>fear>fairy ss mirage.

I hit DSO again, though I still don't really have a controlled approach to it, which is something to work on.

There is going to be an aussie rules match here in Santiago on Sunday. I am going to give a footbag show at halftime, I think that should be good fun.

[boyle]

Good session today. I have been hungover today so my general aim was to simply get the legs moving and hopefully shred away the hangover (which didn't work too well). But I played well anyway.

The key highlights were flip pdx dlo and pixie blender, which felt super easy. This idea of working on my toe game has already benefited, I am just really thinking about variety of tricks, which I guess is something I have never had a great grasp of. My game has always heavily relied on strong pixie set, spinning and ducking (and combinations of) and more recently stepping. I also hit fairy ss illusion, which I think is new.

Such a huge part of this game is about the mental side of it. The game of footbag and the game of life also. Sometimes I am good at that side of things, sometime not so good - but things have been going well lately.

As I said I'm going to give the demonstration at the Aussie Rules match. I think that's going to be great fun. It seems to be growing bigger and bigger - the Australian ambassador has just confirmed his attendance.

[boyle]

I played today. Had an ok session, considering I was feeling quite exhausted. Both physically and mentally. It has been a fairly big weekend, mainly with the aussie rules game on Saturday. I did a footbag demo at half time. It was a good piece of publicity for footbag, for I Love Chile, and I guess for myself.

Tomorrow I am going to give another demo, at a school not too far from home, with these girls who are running a program about learning English through sports. (Lets Play).

So the session today, I worked a bit on my flip fairy set (practically not existent). I hit fairy op butterfly, which was something. Also came close to fairy ss mirage. Another trick I had on my foot was double spinning mirage, that would have been cool to hit. I have been working a bit more on double spinning but I still don't really have it under control. I should work more on my spinning on the other side first.

[boyle]

Gave a demonstration today. It was good fun. It was with this program that is teaching English through sports. So I got the kids to begin by counting as I kicked - once they got up to 13 or 14 some of the kids began to stray off the mark a bit. 12, 26, 30, etc...

It was good fun though, I think the kids really enjoyed it. I had a good time too.

[boyle]

I really hope to go to Worlds next year. I wonder where they will be. That is going to be one of my key goals for the next year. I set myself a bunch of goals for the next year (from Aug 1)...so hopefully Worlds is not later, that would be a problem for that goal

For this month I am aiming to play every day. Something that is easy to say, not so easy to pull off. I have had two pretty good sessions so far. The other day I hit ripped warrior>spinning ducking butterfly>spinning ducking osis and was close to hitting tomahawak from that. I haven't yet hit a four trick fearless combo. I feel I am getting closer to that.

After working on my toe guiltless tricks, I have decided to also work on toe tiltless. It is actually quite difficult for me to come up with ten unique toe 2 add tricks (not adding in any higher level tricks). Good practice though.

Anyway, it's no fun to hear some vague results about worlds, so next year I will have to go.

[PoisonTaffy]

I am totally planning to go to next year's worlds as well. I also plan on going to south america, so i have no idea how to reconcile the two. We'll see.

[boyle]

Round the world ticket...

I am also hoping to visit Australia next year, so I am thinking of getting some kind of round the world trip, but see what happens...firstly see where the worlds will be!