modified

mc · Post by mc » 17 Jul 2006 07:32

I finished a new footbag the other day, number #28. It is orange and green bipolar. It is filled with lead, plastic, and a little bit of facile. It is stitched with double floss. It has little gather (too little; a few of the little stitches are showing through, especially if you squeeze the bag). I like it, it reminds me of my dead Marco Hartig footbag, except that it is a bit bigger.

I think it's going to play well. If it doesn't get holes in a month, I'm going to start selling footbags again (to answer the person who asked above).

I'm listening to Jeff Buckley for the first time in a LONG while. I am also drinking coffee and fantasizing about songwriting. I want to write a rock song. I'm not sure if I've announced this on modified; the Matt Cross World Domination Campaign begins this fall in Fredonia. I'm starting a band when I get back, and we're going to rock. I need more high energy songs, though.

Anyway, the reason I mention Jeff Buckley was because I used to hold him on the highest of pedestals, and hopefully, if I listen to a bunch of him while drinking my morning coffee, I can put some inspiration together with some artificial energy, and make a song.

I think I will write a song about smoking my plane ticket to worlds over the course of the past year. Worlds is on my mind constantly. I've been thinking about footbag so much more in the past few days. It's almost like the amount of psychic energy being dedicated to footbag on this planet has shot up because of this event, and I can't get it off my mind. I can't stop thinking of it. I sit with my friends and smoke a joint, and it reminds me of the joints Lise and Tom taught me to roll last summer. I look at my shorts, and they're the ones I wore every day for a month. The air feels hot and sweet, and it reminds me of hot, sweet air in Helsinki. I must say, it's been nice to be back to that wonderful place in my mind so much. woe is me, bittersweet memory. Plus, worlds this year has the most badass logo EVER!!! I love that pdx blender with the wings! I wish I was going so I had a shirt.

It's not so bad, I just have a bit of an apocalyptic attitude these days, so I'm just hoping this planet makes it to summer next year so I can go to worlds, wherever it's going to be... I sure hope it's not fucking disney in florida. TOO HOT!!!

At least music is going well. I played a cute little democratic fundraiser yesterday with my friend Alex on bass. It was on a country farm in the rolling hills of Cazenovia, New York. We did some jazzy improvisations and a few fun covers and the political apathy blues, and they paid us $40 each plus a keg of Saranac Pale Ale that didn't get drank. It was all foam, though, and you had to wait five minutes every time you poured a beer for most of it to settle. We might get another gig or two out of it. What a good time.

After the gig, we went to see a Society for New Music event. It was a band from New York with an afro-cuban influence, and some rock-fusion style coming from the guitar player. they also had a tap dancer with them doing percussion. he was incredible. It seemed like he was just jamming along with them when the time was right. He did lots of great body noises, like hand claps and pops by making a tube with his fingers of one hand, and smacking the tube at his thumb with the palm of his other hand and POP! it sounded neat, I'm going to use all his tricks. It makes me want to put some taps on a set of lavers and do hoofing shred.

Then Alex and our friends and I went and smoked a spliff by a beautiful water fall and skipped rocks and talked about going over falls in barrels. After an hour of that or so, we made it back to alex's house where his dad was preparing an incredible huge meal of swordfish, rice, and salad. WOW, I ate so much. More than I've eaten at once in a long while. Hopefully, all that food will give me energy for some days to come.

Then, I drove home. And that was my day yesterday. Maybe I'll play footbag today.

sen · Post by **sen** » 17 Jul 2006 10:55

Now I know why I can't think of anything but Footbag lately!

That's kinda creepy.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 17 Jul 2006 15:32

You're not the only one who wishes they were at world's. If only flights were cheaper. I too have been thinking about footbag a lot and playing a lot. I've seen a lot of improvement in my own game lately and I can't wait to show you. You're one of my first friends in footbag and I still think of you highly. I hope to see you again soon! ^^

I'm glad you're stitching again. Even though your bags had that one little flaw, they were nice nonetheless. You know about that flaw now and must have fixed it so they shouldn't fall apart in a month.

Come visit Tom and I again sometime and we'll hit the Vapir and not worry about our lungs and our game as we get stoned and shred and stitch footbags. Perhaps Kickasser? Perhaps before then? Maybe you and Josiah and Willie could come visit us for a chill time come August. Kickass 2 is going to be great. I've been working hard on getting sponsors to do everything from catering the event to monetary support. Nothing's set in stone yet but that's not important. We all know that footbag events, no matter how big or small are the best because footbag people are the best. Have faith Matt. Your time to be great will come. In many of our eyes, you already are great.

Pengpeng

mc · Post by mc » 17 Jul 2006 18:02

just had a session with #28. It played okay, too rolly, though, and it feels like it's more of a fill issue than a non-breakin issue. The bag already passes the blow test. I was still able to hit all my shit with it. The floppiness of it made it set funny, though. #29 is half done, and I'm using significantly more gather. I'm looking forward to playing with it. #28 definitely plays just like my marco hartig with the same colors and light gather and emptyish fill, so I have hope for it yet, being that the marco bag was my prime shred bag for a while.

I didn't play so well, but I did hit blur > fear > atom > leg > blur > fear > atomic set, so I'm coming closer to rubberman with fears, and I hit blur > fear > atom > leg both sides, so almost there. I also hit vortex bsos for the first time, but it's still way out of control. not an easy move for me. I think I'm getting the technique a little better, though.

Willie and I are talking about making the flight out to Portland. i'm going to make phone calls tomorrow. I believe I can get round trip tickets for significantly less than $400, which would be sweet. I hope we can make it. We're also planning on doing moe.down late in August. Life is good.

Thanks Peng

I'll make it up with the boys as soon as I can. Willie and I are planning on going to Portland in a few weeks, that will be a nice consolation prize for the summer

I want a Vapir now, I loved the one you guys have. Not that expensive, either. I'm glad your game is getting better; it becomes SO much more fun when you can consistently link a few tricks, and you're able to make advances each session. I look forward to playing with you again soon. I had a tip for your clippers in Montreal, but Paul was doing such a comprehensive job of teaching you that I didn't want to overwhelm you with more constructive critical input

but maybe next time. It was just one little thing, really... Can't wait for KICKASS 2, have you had any luck with Red Bull? I can hook up up with their info. They just throw the stuff around; you'll get it no problem.

okay, enough 1-to-1 writing for the blog... Thanks for reading. Goodnight hackyland.

mc · Post by mc » 18 Jul 2006 15:02

I JUST BOUGHT MY TICKETS FOR PORTLAND!!!! with my dad's credit card, i should tell him soon. I'll tell him this weekend when I can pay him back. Willie and I are going on the same flights at the same days, and it looks like we're probably crashing with noah jay-bonn. I can't wait.

I washed #28 after my session yesterday, and it's feeling really sweet today. i was going to play again today, but I didn't want to overdo it, and dinner was coming soon, so I decided to wait until tomorrow. #29 is still half done, but I've had a few beers, and I'm not sure if I want to put the time into it tonight. maybe I'll bring it with me to the bar. No, I definitely won't do that. I'll just save it tomorrow for when I'm sober. I just have to get gigs tonight. That is my priority. Wish me luck.

footbag <3

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 18 Jul 2006 15:57

I'm still working out the details.. but I hope to see you in Portland.

Jdigges · Post by **Jdigges** » 18 Jul 2006 17:02

im glad to hear your stitching again. I think i'll start back up soon. I haven't stitched in over two months

its nice to take a break sometimes. We should definitley work out a trip up to peng and tom's place. you made me want to start playin' baggyball more, thanks man. you guys will have a blast in Portland!

mc · Post by mc » 19 Jul 2006 14:08

oooo, johnny superman in portland!! Could we be any luckier! you must come!!!

Josiah, I'm super glad you're stitching again. your bags are incredible. i want another one. I'm also glad you said you're playing more. you're super talented. We're gonna rip it at moe.down.

I played at work today. hit both DATWs BSOS, in different strings, vortex BSOS again (in a string that ended pdx whirl > pdx whirl > ps whirl > ps whirl), some muted pixie same foot gyro toes BS, both fairy ss drifters (flip might be new), clip set ducking far gyro toe BS (with the bag spotted after the duck and before the spin on both) and many contacts of pdx mirage > slapdown. Also, both inside tripwalk with the inside delays done on the outside of the support leg. Lon Smith does this from rev walkover in Sam Colclough's CSS3 video.

It was too hot for tricks today, i think I got some kind of heat sickness and now I don't feel so hot. I am going to go put some work in on #29 right now and maybe even finish it. bye modified.

mc · Post by mc » 19 Jul 2006 17:55

I'm feeling better, albeit slightly congested. a few beers and some awesome dinner (thanks dad) will cure anything. I have finished #29! I did it in 2 sittings over 3 days. That's a good pace, but 2 sittings over 2 days would be better. It is quite round, and 53.5 grams or so. I used the 3 arm spiral pattern that i love so much. I'm pretty sure I'll keep it. It's still a tester for me. I believe the next one I make will be for waylon, and then one for cameron (beer barter!!!!!). I have work to do, then, I guess... I'm going to go cut out the panels for footbag #30.

mc · Post by mc » 20 Jul 2006 16:21

Josh Lewis has been playing with #27 every day except one for 1-2 hours since July 3rd. he says it's getting softer and softer, and has no holes. He can do all his moves with it. I am pleased.

I played with #28 and #29 today. I did lots of kicks with #29, and hit vortex BSOS with it. it is feeling a little more playable already. However, it was being frustrating during the session after a while, so i switched to #28, which is very playable now, although it's a bit floppy to be my choicest bag, being that I like my footbags a little sharp.

I hit vortex BSOS twice today. The second time, they felt comfortable. My mobiuses were not feeling strong. I also hit ducking butter > diving whirl repeat and ducking butter > ducking butter > rip > rip > blurry whirl > blurry whirl > ps whirl > ps whirl attempt, far gyro toe BSOS, and rake > DOD BS. I ended the session with barfly gyro toe BS.

My muscles were feeling tired and slow today. I really exert a lot when I play, especially when I drill... still no rubberman with fears, so i decided to try rubberman, which I hit after a while. During the first few times at it, I felt this incredible tenseness and exertion. After a few tries, however, my legs learned when to relax in the middle of the trick so I didn't have to be strained the whole time, which was nice. In general, unfortunately, i was feeling weak, which wasn't pleasant, but at least I got an hour and some change out of myself, and at least I was able to play through it to hit some good stuff. i want to be strong for portland. I also want to have some bags to sell. Better get going as soon as I finish this post.

I think up the craziest moves and combos when I drink my morning coffee. today, outside smoke ending on dragon osis > repeat was on the brain. I remember a few months ago during school, I did a lot of obsessing over blurry symp flurry... that kind of thing seems so doable when you're not actually shredding

At least outside smoke was kinda close during the session today. wasn't even close with the dragon osis, though :/

Can't wait to see some of your shining faces in portland...

mc · Post by mc » 23 Jul 2006 08:06

footbag #30 is done. I did a pattern on it I'd never done before, but it's definitely basic, was no problem. I'm looking forward to making others like it. I'd describe the footbag, but it's for waylon, and I want him to be surprised when he gets it. Not that it's anything extraordinary. You know how it is.

I guess I better get going on my next one if I want to have any ready for portland!

I played footbag at the falcon ridge folk festival yesterday, and I met this 17 year old kid named keenan with some ratty dreadlocks. he played barefoot, and he could do repeating pixies back and forth, around the world, pixie clipper, some really weird and cool rake tricks that I'd only seen jorden try before, and some cool sole stalls, and he had taught them all to himself. Super clean and super talented. I kind of meant to give him #28, but I didn't end up meeting back up with him later last night, and I didn't get the chance. Hopefully I'll see him out at a tournament some day. He loved freestyle. We were playing in the dance tent, and the music that was going was perfect for playing right to the beat. So that was sweet. Had some good, long dancy strings. I'm the next steve blough

later hackyland.

mc · Post by mc » 24 Jul 2006 18:08

my cat loves having his ass scratched. Not literally his ass. like, his haunches. I've got the best cat ever. his name is The Cat. We got him from a shelter some years ago. His name was Dart, then, but we decided to rename him, and then, we all stopped trying when we started to see how cool he is. Cats don't give a damn about names. they know when you're talking to them. So, we decided not to give a damn either. He's easily my favorite pet of any of the pets we've had.

anyway...

I went back to the festival and I saw that kid, and gave him that bag. I think he'll put it to good use. Had some more delicious vegan food and then went back to my friends' house for the night. I woke up this morning and finished stitching #31. Then, I drove home. about 40 minutes into the trip, I had to turn around and go back for my wallet

then I drove home uneventfully. It was a quick drive. After all the footbag tournaments I've been to, 2.5 hours of highway driving is no problem. Since I've been home, I've stitched half of #32, and now my left arm hurts. typing doesn't help. Stretching does. so will Ibu.

I bought an awesome little dark brown leather man purse thing with no strap at a garage sale, and I made a big fat spiral hemp strap for it, and it looks awesome. I'm going to keep my bags for sale in the front pouch, and I believe even sew some facile panels on the front in a spot or two. we'll see. I'm excited about it.

Maybe I will play tomorrow. I feel good. Playing lightly at the festival was fun. I've been playing without pain for a while now. What a blessing. Something was always wrong; hips, knee, groin... I guess it's about knowing what it feels like when it's time to move on to something else before you get hurt, and I'm starting to figure that out.

Will Digges · Post by **Will Digges** » 25 Jul 2006 08:49

Yoyo matt cross, cool shit, havent read modified blogs in forever, I have hit some new stuff recently i cant remember it all because i dont post regularly anymore. But are you coming down to shred this weekend? you got crash space at my dads if you want, its 10 mins from amsterdam.

I'm stoked for The US champs, almost 2 weeks

heres some new stuff:

Alpine Blurry whirl > Food processor

Spinnig whirl > tomahawk Rpt.

pdx blender > blurry whirl > blurriest > blurry whirl

spinning whirl > blurry whirl > tomahawk > tomahawk > blurry whirl > spinning drop

Blurriest > bedwetter bsos

6x spinning whirl

thats all i can remember, i gotta start writing some stuff down.

Can't wait to shred man, i hope you come up this weekend, leave me a PM or a message on my blog. PEace!!!

mc · Post by mc » 26 Jul 2006 15:57

it's always great to hear from you, willie. Phat new shit! thanks for posting. See you on friday, I hope!!

been getting more datws BSOS, I'm glad for that. had a very tired, weak feeling session today, but I did manage a new move, that being swirling vortex. I believe only myself, slick, and maybe vasek have hit that. vasek could no problem. I was pretty proud of it.

I also hit vortex BSOS again a few times, void, pdx blender > pdx whirl repeat, and some other shit. Gyro is starting to come more and more. I just wish I hadn't felt so weak. I played yesterday at work, and I hit flip void midstring first try, first time hitting it. that was gratifying. All these moves and combos have been done with #29. #32 has 3 more pents to go on, then it's done. That bag is going to... hmmm... forgot his name. But it's on my paypal record. I had promised bags to waylon and cameron, but those will have to wait until after US open, as I need to sell bags for money between now and then.

anyway, that's my short update. footbag is tiring!

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 26 Jul 2006 16:08

Nice stuff! Vortex is one of my favorite looking moves. When you say vortex swirl, do you mean like a swirling gyro set or is the swirl on the end? Either way sounds pretty sweet. Video? ^_^

mc · Post by mc » 26 Jul 2006 22:11

hey, thanks for asking, when I said swirling vortex, I meant a swirl then a gyro drifter. Gyro swifter is totally out of my range right now. maybe chris dean could hit it.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 27 Jul 2006 19:38

I'm-using-another-computer-right-now-with-a-broken-spacebar-so-bear-with-me.

Swirling-Vortex!!!-Right-on!

I-love-all-these-moves-you-and-Wllie-are-hitting!-I-really-need-to-step-up-my-game-much-more!-Matt,-don't-worry-about-me-and-the-bag-you-made-for-me.-When-it-comes-down-to-it,-we-all-need-to-focus-what-is-most-important-to-us-right-now.-Personally,-my-health-has-been-pretty-bad,-but-that-hasn't-stopped-me-from-hitting-some-Neo-moves.-I-just-hit-a-few-Neo-Smashers,-and-hopefully-Neo-Beater-and-Neo-Swirls!-I'll-be-schooling-on-some-basics-sometime-tomorrow-as-a-warm-up.

You-go-have-fun-at-Portland!-You'll-need-the-funds-to-enjoy-yourself.-:)

mc · Post by mc » 28 Jul 2006 17:59

I am at Will Digges's dad / stepmom's house. They're not home. We just had a fun session in Hagaman NY with Andy Banewicz. He posts as JrStubs. Unfortunately, we didn't get to play long enough to really get warmed up, because the sun went down, and even after we tried to find a lit spot, we decided to keep our energy for the vision journies tonight. I hit atomic zulu mirage 2nd try (footed first try), and I hit a fun combo first try, frontside legbeater > blurry whirl > food processor > ps whirl. I think that's my best fearless so far, and I could have done more. pushing fearless will be fun. I'm also going to push hard tripless in my combos. We played mostly with footbag #29.

It was fun playing with Andy. He's new to the game, but he's really persistent, and consistent with his toe stalls, and can do good control kicks, and he's only been playing a month. He's also a good stitcher; he sent me his first 32, and it plays well. I had no idea it was his first one. It's great to see new players showing up in NY.

Hopefully we'll get in a session tomorrow and we can post some cool stuff about it.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » 28 Jul 2006 18:27

Matt, where will you be playing tomorrow?

mc · Post by mc » 29 Jul 2006 17:14

I had good good fun playing footbag this morning with the diggeses and pat, and had good good fun last night partying. Will and Josiah's step brother has an awesome frisbee that has glowing points of light that make rings when you throw it. We tossed it around last night. we couldn't see each other, so we would clap and use sonar to find our targets. that thing was a blast, we must have tossed it around for a half hour in the dark before giving up on it. Then, we smoked a giant bong, and will hit smog barefoot holding a banana and a beer, and TATW. He's too frickin good. I saw him hit pixie mofly rake first try today, it was nuts.

we had a blast playing poolside today. I hit a new move, that being toe flurry. I also hit fairy symp swirling pixie butterfly, a move that I haven't tried (hit?) in about a year. I might have done it before, but cleanliness was questionable then. not today. it was very clean and solid today, and it was first try right into a string. holy crap, so gratifying. Unfortunately, my back (which has been troubled lately) was feeling kind of tight and strained in parts, but I took ibuprofin and felt okay. hopefully it won't be a wreck tomorrow. I <3 tiger balm.

That was a great jam with my buddies. It's so great to see all them. I love east coast freestyle.

Looking forward to portland........