Moxie

[Moxie]

You always bring a smile to my face.

Did I mention that I got a whopping 140 something when Jeremy, Nate and I went bowling last Tuesday? ...that was after struggling to break 90 the game before. (edit: where Jeremy smoked us both, by the way.) The inconsistency keeps things exciting.

Weekend:

Friday 3/31/06:
-I was feeling bad (tight, sore, pain-ish stuff) starting early on Friday during the day and it lasted into the evening. Maybe I slept funny on Thursday night or something. I don't know. But if this is the worst thing that happens to me, I'm doing much better than some people. It takes me down a notch which, as people who know me know, I need sometimes.
-This lovely creature and I met in the living room in a moment of glory :

-Jeremy and I went to a music event in SF and celebrated a friend's birthday.

Saturday 4/1/06:
-We met up with Lon and Nate in Freemont for an afternoon session.
-Lon and I had a 10 minute session before going to Santa Cruz.
-Checked out a possible event lodging location then went for a walk on a beach.
-Ran over a cat... well, sort of.
-Sushi dinner, yumm.
-Nate, Jeremy, Lon and I played Boggle. I don't think I had played before. I'm really bad but it's pretty fun.
-I crashed before anyone else.

Sunday 4/2/06:
-Roof climbing with Nate.
-Dang... Lon, Nate, Jeremy had a morning session in the garage. I couldn't play so I watched. I was as excited about watching them as I would have been with playing with them. ...maybe.
-Breakfast with the family at the dining table.
-Afternoon session with Lon, Nate, Jeremy and Fletcher (welcome back ) at the Aptos beach-cliff location. It started raining, but they kept playing. I played off and on but mostly had to watch. Again, not a bad thing to have to settle for. I am thankful that I know these people as people, or I would definitely be intimitdated when playing with them. I felt really disappointed in myself when playing. It wasn't fun like I wanted it to be. That's no surprise, really, since I haven't played much recently and I started the session not at my best. Anyway, it rained harder and they kept playing. Rock on, guys. We five went to Trader Joe's and brought back the fixin's for a delicious dinner. Then Nate and Lon took off so we said our goodbyes.



I plan on posting this at a later time, so I'm sure you will have read about some awesome tricks/links/record breaking stuff in Nate, Jeremy, Fletcher and maybe Lon's blog. Have a nice day.

I'm enjoying my "less time on Modified" period. I was getting a little sad when reading it before, because this wave of dispair seemed to hit the fourm. Clavens, Ashley, Johnny, Brad, Bob, and so many other people have expressed their unhappiness with footbag recently. Too many "goodbye footbag/modified" threads recently. There has to be a reason. Do we address it more like a sport than people did 5 years ago? Are people feeling too pressured? I guess I'm thinking of the less experienced players more than the people who have been in the game for years. Is there too much competition? Too much pressure to have footbag be their entire worlds? Not enough support? Maybe people expect footbag to fix their real-life problems when it only takes them away from their real life for two-hour periods a day. Three or four if you include reading/posting on Modified. Yes, some people play video games that long every day, but most people get out of that stage after a while. I don't have any real point to this; I don't have any solutions or suggestions. I haven't even been around long enought to know if this is a common, always present thing. It doesn't seem like "just keep playing, man" or "you're so good, you should keep playing- you'll get over it" would help the person. I know people who have just stopped playing. They became "over it." It always seems sad, since it means they won't be a part of our little world, but I'm always slightly happy for them. Not because I'm jealous and want to quit, because I could if I wanted to. But because if that's what they need, at least for the time being, I'm happy that they're doing it. I'm not a fan of the public announcement of "I'm quitting" because it always seems like if you really wanted to quit, you'd just do it instead of making a thread about it. It just seems like a call for help. And it's good to make a post like that if you feel the need for reinforcement in order to keep kicking. I would want to watch interviews of ex-footbag players conducted by an impartial person. That would be neat. It might also help show the "warning signs" of "footbag depression."

I can understand it, really. Footbag(/Modified) takes you away from the "real world" and takes you into an underground community where you're supported, you have friends, there are competitions, you can make progress, and feel good about something you're doing. But it feels like some people spend too much time on that and ignore their real-life relationships with people. That doesn't feel like it's incredibliy healthy. I'm not really talking about people who have shred crews to kick with. It seems like something that the lone shredder has to deal with.

Off again.

Emily

[ashleyd]

From the pictures and your write up it looks like you all had a lot of fun. Btw: Cute cat.

But it feels like some people spend too much time on that and ignore their real-life relationships with people. That doesn't feel like it's incredibliy healthy. I'm not really talking about people who have shred crews to kick with. It seems like something that the lone shredder has to deal with.

Off again.

Emily

I think you pretty much have an idea of what it is. I have recieved nothing but support from modified. For me it was in my head, thinking I was playing for myself but not really. At one point last year needing the complements to continue. And that mainly has to do with your own depression, not something in footbag/modified. And I've delt with the issue. It was an outlet to boost my self estem. I really do feel like Ive overcome my doubts, and I want to kick.

And your right in that, I didnt have anyone to kick with for a year. Then Sam came and things got a lot better. But then the thoughts came back a month after CSS. Shrug. Now Im confident and itching to play. (although i cant (sick face)). Its alll good though.

Take it easy,

[Bander87]

Hey Mox,

Good post, I enjoyed reading it. It's true that it seems like people "need" to play footbag. I can understand this if the player is just out of tune and truley does enjoy playing footbag, and just needs to be back with it. In this case, helping the person find their joy again with the sport would be a positive thing. People like to try new things, and not all of them will work out for him or her. If a person needs to take a break or truely dosn't want to play anymore, then no point in them doing something they don't want to do. It's kinda like me and running. I loved running at one point, and I was getting pretty decent at it too, being on varisty and all. But after 3 years and being injured for seasons, I just burned out. I can't tell you how happy I am not having to drag my injured self to practice anymore to have bad run. Do I miss running? Definately. Do I feel a lot more freedom and joy? Definately as well.

[Moxie]

I don't expect people to read this, seeing that it's in paragraph form and all. It doesn't contain any shred stories or moves or anything.

I know you're all settled now, Ashley. I was just spouting off names of people who were recently unhappy with footbag in some way. I know all of you as people, which is why you stood out in my mind when thinking about that topic. But again, it was mostly thinking about the newer people and why they sometimes leave when they do. Again, I'll stop talking about this since I haven't been around all that long, and I don't really know what I'm talking about.


Spring Break, Wooo!

I've been on Modified for two hours. Reading other people's posts, making a few of my own, and reading some of my old posts. I feel so different about myself when I see who I was just a year ago. And I'm sure I'll feel that was in a year from now too. Silly Emily. It's funny thinking about the people who I only knew by name and video, and now I know so many as friends.

Even if this is a cult, I am a willing participant.

3:09am, accidentally deleted the last blog entry I was working on 20 minutes ago. So I started again. I used to feel the most comfortable around 2-3am. Now I don't know what the point is of being awake so late. I guess 3am allows plenty of quiet-time, but who needs that?

Footbag is a fun world.

I haven't been playing much footbag recently. 10 minutes each three different times since the last time I talked about playing. On Saturday I was working so Jeremy and Fletch came to my work and played 5 feet from where I was sitting (since there's a tennis court 5 feet from the door). It was kind of like watching a live shred video because I'd be doing paper work, then look up to see footbag, then I'd talk with a customer, then look over to see someone in the middle of a solid string. Jeremy and Fletcher are... the best around, nothing's going to ever keep them down.

I haven't been playing because my body is telling me no. So I will listen. I was taking it easy for a while and only playing when I really felt like it. I thought, "Footbag is fun, I should only play it to have fun" which I believe is true for me. But that wasn't working. During my spring break (this week) there will be no footbag for me. It's fun doing so much other stuff. I feel like I'm on vacation in my own town because in addition to having so much free time from school, I'm also doing all of the things that I don't do because of footbag. I don't want to live this way (footbag free), but it's nice having a time period (that I know will end) to do other stuff.

I think I'm doing something that I didn't want to do for a long time: develop new footbag goals. It's not something I feel like sharing with anyone, because, it's just not. Maybe it's like telling someone a wish and it not coming true. Or maybe I'm just tired. Anyway, it feels good to be thinking about that sort of stuff and thinking that I am still wanting to play in a year, and that I am working on what I'd like to be doing by then.

[Sporatical_Distractions]

I feel so different about myself when I see who I was just a year ago. And I'm sure I'll feel that was in a year from now too. Silly Emily.

I know exactly what you mean.

[Moxie]

Here's a pic from that Saturday when Jeremy and Fletcher came to kick at my job.





I played footbag twice. Sunday near the Boardwalk and Monday at Jeremy's. Both times with Fletcher and Jeremy, both times I didn't work hard= I took it easy.

Sunday I did clipper x5 to op clipper x5 rpt to 52 contacts
Monday I worked on pixies on both sides. I did a little fairy work, but not much. Worked consecutive clippers, mirages, and legovers. Then I ended with a bunch of toe kick practice because I'm pretty bad at them and they're fun to practice. toe kick to op to kick x5. Then 120 consecutive inside kicks.

I remember when I used to kick alone here and I would walk across the street to play in the Mormon's parking lot at night. There was a narrower area and before I would let myself be done with a session, I would start at one side of the driveway/parking lot and try consecutive toe kicks. Wherever the bag landed I would move to. Once I had gone to one side and back I would be done. This particular activity made me feel like I did when I was a little kid who was playing a game or trying something. Not having to count or keep track of anything makes it feel mindless in a good way.

I went on an Easter egg hunt at a family friend's house. How fun? SO fun.

Again, not spending much time online these days. It feels pretty grand.




_ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _/_ _ _ /_ _ _ / _ _ _ _.

[sidekick]

Good stuff, props! Can't wait for the Bday Jam in Santa Cruz!!

[Maraxus]

Hey Emily, whats up. Just wanted to say hi, hit me up some time.

[Moxie]

Done.

I didn't feel well today, but I ended up having a good solo session. I broke a sweat in less than two minutes of playing because my livingroom was so warm already and I couldn't get the windows to open. I used the the Freestyle Reality bag and listened to Cursive.

-within the first few turns I did 20 tiltless ending with a drifter (I feel kind of lame posting that, but I'm doing it anyway because I feel like it)
-spinning inside kick both sides
-flip reverse whirl x2>ss butterfly
-reverse whirl x2>some stuff
-15 pixies
-skooled reverse whirl both sides, mostly flip
-skooled dynos a little
did a few x-body rakes
-flip reverse whirl>pdx mirage>butter>rev whirl>pdx mirage>butter>reverse whirl to a short string of 2's.

During the session I had a berry flavored emergen-c for the first time. Thanks, Lon. I got it from you at CSS and never drank it.

[shreddaily]

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to post even if just to say hello.

James says hello... But not ME

Man, everything's going right for the moment. That's always a little worrisome because usually after a big up there's a big down. But I'll forget about that and just coast for now.

My ability to spend more time playing is a combination of a.) my newly renewed sense of determination and enjoyment of footbag and b.) the overwhelming urge to find anything to do besides homework

So, if I fall asleep on a "date," does that reflect poorly on him or me?

Just some random quotes that I liked...

This post is salad.

[Moxie]

Aww Nate...



You must have been very bored. You're so tolerable sometimes. That made me so happy.

Tell James hello, but not yourself.


Next Sunday we’re having a “learning session” in Santa Cruz. The goal is to get as many inexperienced players out as possible, so the more experienced people can help with basics. It’s open for anyone who wants to come out, but again, Jeremy, Fletcher and I aren’t even going to warm up, really, since we want to give all of our time to anyone who wants any help. It’s nice, because since the three of us are at different levels, I can help someone who’s just starting out and so can the guys, Fletcher can help people who have basics down and want to move on and so can Jeremy, and Jeremy can teach more advanced stuff. Perfect. Not that I think we’ll really have a good turn out. But I’ve wanted to do this for months and months, and if there’s any interest, we could make it a monthly thing or something. I don’t know. I won’t be disappointed or surprised if it doesn’t work out, but I will feel good for trying.

Jeremy and I watched some TOT2. I've never met Kenny, but he seems so great. That sense of humor is so low key and SO funny. I think my favorite kind of humor is the type that seems like the person isn't trying. Just the natural humor, where you might not even laugh, but you get this big smile (inside or out). I like that better than laughing, I think.


I am not feeling good at footbag right now, because I haven’t been able to play much, and when I do it’s not focusing on the right things. But I still love it, and I feel like I’ve had some fun with it over the last few weeks. Everything in short term right now, that’s the way it needs to be. But I still have goals that I’m thinking about, and working on very slowly.



YEAH!!
Dear footbag, I hope we never split up.

On Sunday afternoon, Jeremy, Fletcher and I met at UCSC to practice an assembly we're giving in front on a K-8th grade audience. It's my first school assembly, Fletcher's too.

Earlier, Jeremy and I got breakfast/lunch out and I saw a guy I know, and we talked for a few. Then a woman I don’t know said something to me, just small talk. I told Jeremy, “I love Santa Cruz.” I like the people here. Now.

SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When Jeremy and I were walking to Fletch's room, we walked past the laundry room, I noticed three or so people playing music outside next to another building. I said, "Oh, a drum circle" because I could only hear that sound, but then I heard a guitar too. Anyway, Fletcher, Jeremy and walked back to the laundry room. We decided to rehearse our assembly outside because it was busy in the laundry room since it was a nice Sunday afternoon. OH MY GOSH. It's hard to make sense right now. No, no, I'm sober (Nate). I’m just happy.

We weren't going to really play, but Jeremy and Fletch were waiting for me to change clothes or something, so they were lightly kicking. I walked up and started kicking with them. I did a short string and the music guys walked out of the laundry room and were like "wow, oh man," etc. Just like most hackers. Then I heard the word "hack" then the word "footbag" as I passed the bag. One of them took his loafers off and walked over barefoot and asked if he could join. "Of course,” we would never turn a hacker away, why would we? One of the first things he hit was SMOG. I saw it, but couldn’t really register it, still uh, a bit surprised? Another one of the guys who was in the circle was like, “You can’t just bust smog right away, come one, warm up first. ” or something like that. How incredibly amazingly wonderful is it to have some random hackers walk up, join your circle, hit tricks AND know the names?!?!?!? I didn’t really hear it until two minutes after it was said, but when they walked into the circle, one of the guys was like “oh man, we should have worn our Lave’s.”

Oh man. I don’t know about Jeremy and Fletcher, but that made my month. WOW. Wow. They are all different levels. They live in Grass Valley, so we asked if they know Lon, or they asked us- I don’t remember. But they do. They knew him and Randy Magliocca. They played in high school, but not much since then. But I think it was Alex that said he hit mirage>legover>mirage>legover for the first time a few days before. YES. I love Santa Cruz. One guy said that he had been looking for footbag players to kick with for three years. They decided to get their “Lavers and short shorts.” Real footbag players wear short shorts.

There was a session. They got lavers and there were six of us kicking at one point. Oh man. We told them about our event coming up in June. They would have found out about us anyway, because we are going to put flyers up all over town and campus and everything. But it was more like a present to meet them this way. Fate is not something I believe in. But life is good. If Jeremy hadn’t moved here, I don’t think Fletcher and I would have the gusto to put an event on. If Fletcher hadn’t moved here, we wouldn’t play on campus at that location. Not going anywhere meaningful with this. Just thinking.

This was a footbag fantasy come true. The other one I can think of is being some random out of the area place, and seeing Lavers on someone’s feet… then me asking, “Do you kick?” or “Do you play?” motioning down to their feet. They respond by smiling really big. Yes, I do have too much free time if I think up situations like these.

I am so lucky for so many things, and such special people. I feel overwhelmingly happy, yet disgustingly gleeful, so I’ll stop now.

Edit: I just got sent these pictures from a recent dinner with my friends Cindy, Sue, and Matt.

Matt and me.


These are the two women who tried kicking footbags one day with me and Matt. I love them. Good friends, amazing people.



This hug was brought to you in part by Duncan, because she was giving me a congratulatory hug for being on TV.

[Senor Grommet]

no wonder you get so many views . . gosh!

[Moxie]

I bribe people to pretend to like me.

Jeremy and I had a two person skooling session ust like the good ol' days. It lasted about two hours, but it was mostly him playing.

Hit:
14 pixies
30 contacts of mirage>legover
flip clipper>rev. whirl x3

Practiced: (meaning I can hit it, but suck at it.)
-pixie sets- mostly flip
-fairy sets - mostly flip
-drifters - mostly set from clipper, some toe also.

Tried: (meaning couldn't do it)
-osis>drifter
-osis>stepping


Not interested in playing harder than my body wants me to. Not interested in getting hurt. Interested in starting to playing more often, and to do that I need to get back in shape, start eatting better, drink more water, start stretching a lot/i] more. Get back into a schedule of things.

[funklovesfootbag]

PROPS ON BEING AWESOME EMILY!!! WOOOOOO 500TH POST YEAHHHHHHH WOOOOOO

[pips]

Hey girl! Long time no talk (sorry I haven't replied to your email yet...I'm getting there). Nice stuff. I like osis>drifter strings...anything with osis and tricks ending in osis movements.

[Moxie]

Fletcher:

Thanks Chrissy. Those were suggestions from Jeremy.

I'm sorry, but this post will have no footbag in it. I can't really talk about footbag if I haven't played since the last time I posted in here.


A few days ago:
The good news is: I made a large deposit in my bank account.
The bad news is: I had to take my car in to get more transmission fluid, and that cost way more than it would have to just do it myself.
The good news is: I found out how to check it and add it myself next time.

Yesterday:
Good: I had a short and good day at work
Bad: I was super stressed about a lot of things I had to do for the car place, school, and the event. Just kind of frazzled.
Good: We found two awesome places who want to have us for the Player's Party in June.
Bad: I still had a really bad headache
Good: Jeremy, Fletcher and I got together to rehearse the assembly that's happening soon.
Bad: My car was acting weird starting in the morning, and getting worse through the day... when I put it into reverse it just sat there, and when I pushed on the gas, it would go backward very slowly but not in proper relation with the amount I was pushing on the pedal.
Good: I was smart when I parked at Fletcher's place, and parked in a space that was uphill slightly so that I could put it in reverse when I wanted to leave, and it could just roll back. AND, when I put it into reverse when leaving, it rolled back like I thought it would. "I'm so smart!"
Bad: It wouldn't move when I put it into Drive.
Good: Jeremy was willing to take me to my mechanic last night.
Bad: when I was taking some junk out of my car to take with me, I took the key off of the ring so I could leave it with the mechanic, and I LOST it in my car. Then I kind of lost it and decided to lock the car and leave.


Today:
Good: My roommate dropped an extra key off with the mechanic.
Bad: When I woke up this morning, my mechanic told me that the transmission is dying and it's not worth replacing.
Good: At least I have AAA roadside assistance for when it dies if I'm driving or if I need to to be towed to a junk yard.
Bad: If I replaced my transmission, it would cost about $1,200 if my mechanic did it, or $3,000 if the dealership did it. They both say it's not worth replacing because the rest of the car is slowly going bad too.
Good: At least I didn't replace the windshield (that has a crack in it at a place that couldn't have been fixed). It would have been about $200 down the drain.

I finally got financial stuff almost okay and of course this happened.

Today I thought about that quote Nate posted from my blog:

Man, everything's going right for the moment. That's always a little worrisome because usually after a big up there's a big down. But I'll forget about that and just coast for now.

Today in my public speaking class we all filled out a form that helps up figure out our priorities in relation to money. Sort of.

Some examples are, "How much would you have to be paid to:"
Shave your head, give up TV for a year, spend the night in a haunted house, eat a live worm, etc. A guy noticed that I put $10 for shave your head and offered me $10 to do it. I seriously considered it. Then I thought about the look that would be on Fletcher and Jeremy's faces when they saw me... That stopped me for now. So maybe it would take closer to $50.



My parents say they are sorry.

In previous years, these names were the most favored by American parents:
1990: Michael and Jessica
1991: Michael and Jessica
1992: Michael and Jessica
1993: Michael and Jessica
1994: Michael and Jessica
1995: Michael and Jessica
1996: Michael and Emily
1997: Michael and Emily
1998: Michael and Emily
1999: Jacob and Emily
2000: Jacob and Emily
2001: Jacob and Emily
2002: Jacob and Emily

Oh yeah-
Good: The Sunday session seems like it's going to have an okay turn out of at least 4 people. Maybe more. If it works out, it'll be the largest gathering of random-ish footbag people in town here.
Good: People in one of my classes thought I was smart today.

[funklovesfootbag]

So for the sunday session, have we notified those new guys, and Isaac? I got another recruit for the sunday session also.

1996: Michael and Emily
1997: Michael and Emily
1998: Michael and Emily
1999: Jacob and Emily
2000: Jacob and Emily
2001: Jacob and Emily
2002: Jacob and Emily

Common name, but one of a kind.

[Moxie]

Have I mentioned how awesome it is to run into a footbag player at school???

Yes, I told them all. Dat says some of his friends are going to come, and my friend Matt Marks is coming too.

[Moxie]

P.S. Thanks, Fletch.


1. Read Fletcher or Jeremy's blog for more info on the assembly on Friday. I had fun, they were SUCH a great audience. They kept clapping and cheering for us. I guess it's not hard to please a bunch of grade school kids, but it still feels satisfying. Jeremy talked the most and had to do the hardest tricks. Fletcher and I talked, demonstrated 1,2, and 3's and had a kicking competition. Jeremy asked the audience who they thought would win, "Fletcher or Emily?" I heard my name a lot more than I was expecting, and it was mostly coming from the girls. I was surprised how involved the girls were in the cheering, don't know why. It was mostly boys cheering for their man Fletcher. Jeremy split the crowd in half, where my side was supposed to count my kicks and cheer me on, and Fletcher's was supposed to do the same for him. When Jeremy told the audience who they were supposed to cheer for, I noticed about five girls moving to my side. I felt like it was so huge that a female was there to demonstrate footbag. I felt empowered on stage (not the competition part, but just being in front of them in general) because they cheered me on and supported me so much. That wasn't something I was expecting.

After the assembly was over, the gym teacher invited us to come outside and play with the kids because his gym class has started playing with Hacky Sacks the day before. My teacher friend pointed out that the kids were probably much more impressed with the three of us because they found out how hard just kicking was the day before. We went outside and there were SO many children kicking (or trying.) How fun.

And yeah, we signed like 30 kids' arms. I signed one girl's hand twice! (Now she's twice as cool!)

2. I couldn't think of anything less lame sounding than the "learning session." I guess I could have called it a skooling session or something, but I really wanted it to be clear that the goal was to bring out people who wanted to learn something as opposed to people who wanted to skool together? I don't know. I knew that a ton of people were notified about it, and about four people were supposedly going to come out for sure. But I did think it was a good possibility that more would show up.... and they did! Not counting me, Jeremy, Fletcher or Dat, there were NINE people. How great to go get water and come back to that sight. Most of the time there were two circles, and one of two people kicking by themselves or with one other person mainly giving suggestions. So much new stuff was hit today! Toe stalls for the first time, toe stall>toe stall, clippers, broken kick records, legover, mirage, pickup, links... yeah. And afterwards there was 4-Square. Many of the people hadn't played before, so it was fun seeing them experience it for the first time.

Grey Chadwick (Cammel) came out from Santa Barbara which is about three hours away. It was his first time playing footbag with anyone else, so that was fun. He has a nice style that will only get better, and I was surprised with his range of tricks.

My friend Chad from school came out and worked on toe stall>toe stall. From the start to the end of the day, he seemed a lot more comfortable with the bag, and he picked up on the timing pretty well.

Matt Marks made huge improvements with legover, pickup, butterfly, and Jeremy suggested some linked tricks which he worked on and hit.

Dat introduced his cousin to the basics.

Stretching and some specific exercises are helping with leg problems. I didn't wear shorts because I didn't want to let myself really play, so I wore pants that came just below knee length. Worked well. I hit plo>plo more controlled than I've hit it before and a 27 contact tiltless run. I felt like I did a fair amount of circulating and talking with people. I talked about FreedomFootbags.com and the event here in June. All in all, the afternoon was a success. Oh yeah, and the weather was awesome! It was so sunny and warm out. Yesterday was overcast and kind of gloomy, but today turned out to be great.

I'm not being smart with my sleep schedule. I guess I can say that about a few things that are going on.

Mowser= III in the last three days.

[pips]

That sounds so cute how all the girls were cheering for you and stuff. I bet you felt great about that.

Nice job on the tiltless run, too.