The Inshredible Bulk: Not Trending, Not Roll Spiking Either

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 16 Jul 2007 14:49

My right hamstring is really sore from Net on Sunday. I'm seriously considering putting more effort into this. It seems like there's a growing scene here in the city and I would like to take advantage of any sessions in the area. I'll need a net bag to practice the basics. It's frustrating not being able to set the fucking thing where I want it to go. I think I can get to a decent level if I keep playing. Hopefully Steve Richardsons offer to play net in doors in the winter is still good...

Edit:
Playing with Vince was absolute blast. We were both very frustrated at times but we could laugh at each other about it. Hanging out with the net guys was fun too. I've known (of) Cory Current, Steve Smith and Ted Martin for years but this might have been the first time I've really been able to interact with them as just people, as oposed to the Net Gods. Actually, I've talked to Ted quite a bit but it was still great to feel like I was part of their little group. It's funny, I've been playing some form of footbag for almost 17 years now and Net has brought back some of that magic and awe I felt when I first saw freestyle in real life.

This should be an interesting time in my footbag career as I try and remake a name for myself in a new discipline.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 19 Jul 2007 11:32

Damn near pulled a muscle in my thigh taking down that goddamn useless piece of shit monitor! Mutha fucker! Fuck! Shit!

<sigh> I got an owie

crazylegs32 · Post by **crazylegs32** » 20 Jul 2007 21:00

Road bikes have higher pressure. I think Zekes is still a fat tired mountain bike. The best way to get better at net is to go to worlds and compete.

quadgun · Post by **quadgun** » 21 Jul 2007 09:37

crazylegs32 wrote:The best way to get better at net is to go to worlds and compete.

Is that what you did?

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 21 Jul 2007 19:30

Saw my nieces this morning

Spent most of the day indoors and decided last minute to jump on my bike and ride. I was planning on going as far as Montrose near the lake but the weather was so nice and I had the wind behind me. I ended up at Oak Street Beach. I spoke with Tony the juggler for about 45 minute before finally heading home. Against the wind but with all the traffic lights miraculously tuning green on me I made it from the beach to La RAZA in exactly 30 minutes.

Left knee hurts a little.

QuantumBalance · Post by **QuantumBalance** » 21 Jul 2007 21:40

Hello

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 26 Jul 2007 21:50

W'sup, Sam!

Zeke wrote:Brad put up a very interesting question in General Footbag.

Do You Actually Try To Get Better?

Back when I used to freestyle. I did try to some degree. I've never pushed myself, though. I often wonder how good I could have been had I actually focused and practiced diligently. So why did I not practice? Simple, I can't fucking stand playing alone. When I first learned to hack there were always plenty of people to play with at school. Socializing was just as much a part of playing as kicking the bag around. Sure, I probably could have drilled with others instead of playing solo but it would still seem like I'm not kicking for the fun of it. 4-square is no different. It's rare that I would just go outside and practice a trick shot or what have you.

It seems everything I do regarding this sport is for my own personal pleasure, not necessarily for the sport itself. I gather players so that I have people to kick with. I've switched to a "discipline" that's easier to attract new players. I schedule jams and make dozens of phone calls every weekend to make sure I'm not the only one at the session.

So I'm forced to wonder if I've ever had a passion for footbag. Was it all a desperate need to ensure that I had an escape from my real life? And if that's the case, is it a bad thing? Does it seem selfish or self-centered?

So what if I had a great career instead of just a job and life was perfect, would I have needed footbag at all? Would there still be something to attract me and keep me playing?

I don't know.

I do know that because of footbag, I've got a colorful and diverse set of close friends that I, in all likelihood, never would have met otherwise. I can't even begin to comprehend how terribly boring my life could be without them. I'd like to think that I'm definitely a better person for having know them all. Maybe that's a good enough reason to have started playing.

Did anyone else shudder at the thought of me being a total shitbag of a person if it wasn't for woodpeck?

So... after this weekend will I try to get better at Net? I had a few practice attempts at a roll spike... very scary, but I like it!

funklovesfootbag · Post by **funklovesfootbag** » 27 Jul 2007 00:49

There's a net event in Chicago like this weekend. Check .org. You should go. I've got money on Mirken kicking your ass at net anytime within the next year.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 27 Jul 2007 06:16

Yeah, I've been giddy about it for the past couple weeks, actually

He was close to beating me playing squares at NYJ. Don't think Id ever be a good match at Net.

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 27 Jul 2007 12:07

Was wondering if I could get your permission to put that top picture onto a t-shirt

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 30 Jul 2007 09:21

I've given it a lot of thought but I'm will have to say no. Sorry. Thank you for asking, though.

So... after this weekend will I try to get better at Net?

Yes. Hell-fucking-yeah!

This week:
Tuesday afternoon is a tentatively scheduled net drill session with the roomie and maybe one or 2 of the other net players. If its just me and Reile it will most likely just be at LaRAZA. Welles or somewhere else on the northside would be a possibility if the others come.

Thursday early evening downtown should be a full blown net session. Unless it rains.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 30 Jul 2007 19:36

This past weekend was so much fun. Way more fun than I thought possible at a net event. I had played a few games in previous years but never found it so addicting until recently. I met Patrick from Oakland and Elliot from Nashville. Bob was a new local player that I hadn't met before. I was disappointed that more people from the list never came. I think I could have done well in an intermediate comp.

Patrick is about my height but stockier and is deceptively agile for his size and build. Watching him play was amazing! He came all the way out west to practice with Cory Current. They'll be doubles partners for Worlds. Pat seems to be a very good teacher, he gave out out great advice and tips in a very straight forward and to-the-point manner.

Elliot is just slightly taller than me but with a thin and lanky build. For what he lacked in aerial maneuvers he made up for with speed and flexibility. He was one of the first people I talked to at the event and was very friendly and easy going. I could see him being a good close friend if he lived around here.

Bob was helpful explaining and reminding me of the rules and was over all very knowledgeable. Like me he had a hard time transferring that knowledge to his feet and to the bag. He was very aggressive around the net and looked to spike at every opportunity. We played quite a bit together on Saturday but he spent most of of Sunday reading a book.

Played with and against Steve Smith. He still seems very withdrawn and closed. I mean, he'll still say 'hi' when I greet him and do the bare minimum chit chat but there's very little interacting with him outside of that. Very intense player, though. Always focused. I kind of got the feeling that he wasn't too thrilled to be partnered up with me. I don't know, I don't think he hates me, I'm probably just not his type

Ted Martin, the world record holder for consecutive kicks is one of my favorite footbaggers. He looks like a gruff old man but is very lively and great fun to talk to and hang out with. He hosts the best parties! He was even gracious enough to invite us back to his house for the after party. Those of you at the pool table at his place in 2005 know what I'm talking about

I felt most comfortable playing with him of all the partners I was assigned. Very encouraging and just plain fun to play with.

I've known Scot Hansen and Cory since '99. I was in full freestyle mode back then but we would always chat whenever we saw each other at events. Our clubs ran Windy City Open together. I kinda feel like a younger brother to them even though we're all about the same age. I teamed with Scot (Chicago Inner Rectangle

) several times and was very patient while I fumbled through our matches. He was giving me great sets that I just could not connect with. Only played against Cory and managed to dig a couple of his spikes. He may have been going easy on me though. They've been trying to get me to play net for a while now and I sometimes wish I had done it sooner. They're a great pair of guys and I look forward to kicking and hanging out with them more often.

brinard · Post by **brinard** » 30 Jul 2007 19:47

glad you had fun, and good to see nashville getting around

i suck at net. i just fuck it up, and i feel like they are better off without me on the net field.

cya soon i hope

brian

PegLegHolly · Post by **PegLegHolly** » 30 Jul 2007 19:57

im so glad you got to meet elliot. he truely is an awesome guy and really easy to get along with. maybe thatll give you a reason to travel south.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 01 Aug 2007 09:28

Hey you two!

Yeah, Elliot is pretty cool. You probably won't be seeing me until NYJ if you guys decide to come back. I just don't like to travel much.

If anyone is interested:

Hey All!

A Net session is planned for Thursday, August 2nd, around 5:30pm, in the downtown Chicago area.

we'll play @ the park in front of Bob's building.

For anyone unfamiliar with where Bob lives, throw this address into google maps
E Southwater St
Chicago, IL 60601

The park is technically the square block, just below where the green arrow appears on the map. (Don't be fooled, if you view the satellite or hybrid map, it looks like there's a golf course there, but it has since been demilished and replaced with high rises and a park in the middle.) (also, don't be fooled by using Mapquest or some other mapping program. google maps will show you right where it is (LSD & Wacker, south of the river)....other programs may show the address as being NORTH of the river.)

I'll arrive @ the park shortly after 5pm. Confirmed attendees so far are myself, bebob, Scot Hansen, Cruz, Zeke, Vince?

I would LOVE nothing more than to get more people there so I can set up 2 different nets, but I really don't want to haul both net sets down on the train if we won't need them.

So, PLEASE shoot me an email and let me if you can or can't make it, either way.

Thanks, and hope to see you Thursday.
-Cory
cdcurrent at yahoo dot com

I'm planning on riding into the loop first and picking up lunch then heading to the spot.

CIC flurry · Post by **CIC flurry** » 01 Aug 2007 17:46

What do you think of Zeke?

Cuba:
the dude could probably kick most ppls asses, believe me i have seen him get jumped from behind...he will rip your ankle off! But other then that he is an awesome dude who i can talk with about all my sci-fi fan mania with and movie references/ song references. Plus he's hilarious, and got mad skillz.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 01 Aug 2007 20:26

To Cuba:
Wait, you saw me get jumped from behind and all you did was watch?!?!?!

Cock Taster!
LOL

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 02 Aug 2007 20:15

I woke up, stretched out, ate then took a long nap. I made sure to stay hydrated and got ready for todays session. I was waiting all week for today to come and now I was like a kid on Christmas eve. Biked 10 miles to downtown against the wind. Forty minutes. Got there and volleyed for a bit before stretching out. They made it clear that there would be less games and more drilling today. I was very eager to get started. We started with some spike drills. I practiced scuffs, sweeps sole pushes and toe jams. I felt very confident with scuffs since I had practiced it earlier in the week. Sweeps felt very awkward and most never got over the net. I might just try to adapt using my toe instead of my insole.

Then we moved on to a drill called Monster. A server with x amount of net bags stands in the middle of one side of the court. Another player standing past the back line on the other half of the court and runs toward the net and gets in a ready stance. The server lobs a bag over the net so that the player can bump then bang the bag over then runs to the net and the drill repeats itself until all bags have been used. Then we rotate. Grueling. Fucking Grueling! Despite having biked all the way over to the park I felt pretty good after the first 3 reps. By the 4th I was breathing a little heavier but ready for another round. All that jogging has payed off again! I connected with pretty much every toss and was able to kick about half of them over but only one or two stayed in bounds.

Then we played a few games and did one more round of spike drills. Scot and Cory gave me plenty of tips and advice and I was able to utilize them right away. My sets were much improved since last weekend. I'm very pleased with my progress today and can't wait for the next session.

Edit:
33 minutes to get back home. Wanted my life to end while climbing 3 flights with the bike.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 04 Aug 2007 09:23

Many years ago we were treating an asian family at the dental office where I work. One of the kids in his late teens tried asking me where was the closest place he could go shopping for shoes. He spoke broken english with a thick chinese-ish accent. He must have seen the puzzled look on my face because he explained, "Sorry, I'm not from here."

"Where are you from?" I ask.

"Texas"