west of philly - bob

[janis]

I though your latest vid was good.

My only thought was that the "no 2 add" mindset is counter-productive when trying to improve sting length. Mix in some twos and go long, your stings will get longer. Really teach yourself not to drop, get used to going long.

The drilling you have been doing will be beneficial in the long term, keep at it

[Rieferman]

Hey Janis, Thanks again for commenting. I really like to look at two adds as you noted below >> as a way to "teach yourself not to drop" (instead of looking at it as though I'm doing easier tricks than I used to).

With that mindset, I had a good practice last night. I'd say 75% guiltless, 25% allowing 2 adds either to catch balance, or catch air in my lungs so I could continue on.

I also really concentrated on what Ken was saying about "catch, set, dex" on my weakside pixie (and in general) and I had far more success playing pdx mirage to a weak pixie trick.

I'm going to capture vid again on Saturday (that's usually my best day of the week because I'm best rested that day) and put out another vid for everyone to critique. I think these vids are a little better representatives of my level of play - better/longer links is the main difference (though I have made a point of capturing weakside attempts/hits of tricks not seen in first vid)

Again >> I'm very happy for everyone's comments.

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On weight loss: I'm down to single digits to reach my goal. Only 9 pounds left. That felt really really nice to see. I think my current weight loss plan is to continue doing what I'm doing (eating right, no beers during the week, pushups/situps/chinups, footbag) and see where my body ends up. I'm getting the feeling that my body might naturally land at 190 instead of 200 when it's all said and done because my weight loss has been accelerating again (note: when weight loss includes muscle building activities, you generally lose a lot real fast, then plateau, then gain a few pounds as muscle replaces fat, and then lose again.. I'm at this last step)

edit: Although I might land at 190 ultimately, 200 is still my goal. Once attained, I'll pat myself on the back, and set a new goal. I need new clothes. For example, in that last vid that I put out, I look kind of fat because the shirt I'm wearing is huge on me. When I actually wear something fitting, my stomach is flat, and my chest and arms look strong. In the next vid that I put out you'll see what I mean because I have on more fitting shirts.
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On the job at Sungard: Supposedly, I'm supposed to hear about whether I got the job today. It's been a rough week waiting for their decision. It's between me and one other guy as I mentioned before. I'm doing my best to maintain positive thinking. I honestly think I'd kick ass at this job, and it would be a great career step. I REALLY want that job. Please send me any positive energy that you have to spare.

[Rieferman]

didn't get the fucking job. so bummed right now

[Frank_Sinatra]

I'm sorry man.

[C-Fan]

I'm sorry Bob, that really sucks. When I suffer a disappointment like that I go have a session and really attack the bag. It helps get it out of my system. Then go have some beer.

[Rieferman]

Thanks fellas, I'm bummed, but I'll look on the bright side:

- I was willing to take only a small jump forward in salary for this particular position.. Other jobs on the horizon are likely to be a large financial step forwards, so it could be for the best financially.

- I currently am 10-15 minutes from home, so I have an easy commute and eat lunch with my wife and kids every day. That's an awesome thing to have for awhile longer.

- At about 25% effort, I am the strongest manager in the company, so that leaves me 75% to job hunt while at work.

- The 25% that I do is actually interesting, so it's not a must leave situation.

Then go have some beer.

I'm going to do this part tonight, attack the bag tomorrow. I need it.

Sigh, later on, I'll look back and think that the right thing happened. That's the way it usually works.

[Rieferman]

This vid is a little more realistic than the last one. String length is still too short, but I think you'll be able to see that my left ankle is about back to 100% so I shouldn't be dropping stuff on that side as much soon. I haven't been taping ducking/diving/spinning really because I can't get the camera far enough away for you to be able to see upper body. Once weather is warmer and I can come out from my shred tent, I'll get some of that. Oh, and I notice the double planting on some butterflies. I don't like it either. Will try to make it go away. Comments please

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7WMhrK6kOM


http://youtube.com/watch?v=O7WMhrK6kOM&fmt=18

[janis]

I liked that video much more than the first one, it looks like your flip pixie is going better.

[Rieferman]

Hey Janis, Thanks for continuing to check back in on me, much appreciated! Thanks Ben and David for comments on the youtube page too. Will definitely try to get some flip DLO's on the next tape. They're almost ready for midrun instead of run starter, so that will be more interesting to put on there.

If anyone has pointers on form (things I'm doing correctly and should continue to do, or things I should improve) please let me know. Much appreciated.

Ken, I think my head is angled that way (too far forward) for a reason. When I try to straighten up any more than I am already, I can't see the bag. I can keep my shoulders back more, and my back straighter, but my head seems to need to be looking down this way. Maybe I'm attempting to take your advice incorrectly, can you explain again?

Practiced drills yesterday mostly. But "string-like" drills really. Blur > atom smasher, a few cool spinning combos (e.g. spinning clipper > ripwalk > repeat etc.), more consistency on both paradons, several footed attempts at stepping ss DLO (only on one side right now), a bunch of midrun weak DLO's (though they still need improvement), midrun blurs on both sides a bunch of times.

I'll try to tape Thursday's session. Playing with Brian on Sunday. He'll be surprised at the changes that have ocurred in just a week or so I think (considering most of you were surprised at the differences between vid 1 and vid 2).

[janis]

I'm not a good player when it comes to stepping set and clipper moves in general, but if you want any advice on pixie and toe stuff(dlo especially included), give me a pm.

[Ian Brill]

Hey Bob,

I checked out your videos the other day and I was really impressed by how fast you are improving your game. It seems like you are making some great strides these days all around. Like you have a really good attitude or something and it's paying off. It's really great to see your success. It's motivating and encouraging. It's too bad about the job, but it really is their loss.

[Rieferman]

LOFA wrote:

I checked out your videos the other day and I was really impressed by how fast you are improving your game. It seems like you are making some great strides these days all around.

Thanks Ian! It's funny because I feel like it takes me forever to get anywhere, and especially so because I'm not even really up to the level I had once attained. Then again, I can do 95% of my tricks on both sides now (vs. 50% back then) so that's a big difference.

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Had a 2.5 hour session with Brian yesterday. My shitty desktop computer won't let me capture vid anymore, so I'll have to wait until my firewire card for my laptop arrives to do that. Should be within the next week or two.

Highlights
- That nervousness, inability to shred problem that I had before was solved by my recent shred practices. I was able to hit all my stuff on command, and though the runs were too short (and I saw on vid that I hunch too much) I was general pretty happy with my play and how my play looked.
- Stepping DLO to start a nice run (1st time!)
- Pixie op whirl
- Lots of midrun stepping/blurry
- Some pretty decent pixie shuffle (Janis, when I post the vid, I'm looking forward to your pointers to take all of that to the next level)
- Pixie ducking pdx mirage off my foot (was really just stupid that I missed it).
- Good midrun paradons
- Hit a barrage > paradon a few times, though I can't tell cleanliness of barrage on the vid.
- Got some decent spinning on tape finally. Though I hit tricks, my center of balance is messed up, so once vid is posted, I'd love tips from modified folks.
- I like my ducks and dives
- Weak drifter is midrunnable now
- Weak DLO is still a run starter
- Footed blurry whirl at the end of practice while tired. I think that's actually easier than pdx whirl.
- Some nice strong side atomics as run starters. Need to give that set some attention, I think my body is ready to do it now.

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edit, and here's a nice picture of the family from St. Patty's day.

[Rieferman]

vid # 3 from 03-16-08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE-mT6kMLrg

besides hunching (posture) and double planting when it's really not needed, what else can you all help me with?

[janis]

Awesome!
props, really liking the improvement from other videos.
Your pixies are looking better, the only piece of advice I'd give is to keep your toes up while doing the pixie set and try to keep your knee low as possible. Also you might like to try doing some pixie same side clippers, they will help your pixie set out.

[Muffinman]

You seem to have good form and control and that, aside from the hunching which you mentioned. Like, watching you is fun because you don't look out of control, or one-sided, or anything.

I would suggest trying to relax more though. I find tricks become way easier when I concentrate on relaxing -- letting my arms hang lifelessly, dropping my shoulders helps me breathe well, and relaxing while shredding will help you bust longer runs. Try doing some runs of only BOPs, or even BOP drills or something where you concentrate on relaxing and breathing while you play. You need tricks that are so easy for you that you can regain regular breathing and give yourself a boost mid-run!

I don't know what tips to give for hunching. When I started playing I hunched badly, and I think for me it just went away eventually. I see lots of players that have been playing for a long time, though, who've hunched their whole "career". Maybe try doing what Ben Benilus did and post a video in the Video forum asking for help like you just did. You may get more advice there, especially from more talented players.



Oh, I also made this note while watching your video:
Try to relax your arms and hands during alternating inside kicks as practice (you seem tense while kicking).

[Rieferman]

Janis, thanks a million once again for helping me here and with the PM's you've sent me! I'll be trying those pointers this evening and this weekend and will let you know how it goes. Also, I'm very glad you can see an improvement between this latest vid and the first 2. I think I'll give it a few weeks before I post another just so that changes are a little easier to see (more dramatic).

Erik, Thanks for watching and commenting. I took your advice and posted in the vids section too. Got a couple good pointers over there. Glad I'm fun to watch, that's the whole point . The other night, I consciously tried to relax more, and was able to achieve it in certain areas. It's hard to do, but I'm going to keep focusing on that.

[slapdash21]

your family looks so chill and happy

i got your email (and the pm heh heh) i'll respond with all the necessary info as soon as i get a chance (sometime tonight)

peace-

[Rieferman]

Hey Pete, Thanks for the family props. We are chill and happy See you this weekend in Boston!

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I've changed my schedule up a bit. I used to play Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues/Thursday. That's too much. So now I don't do the Monday session. It makes it so my legs can recover and all my other sessions are stronger as a result.

edit: I've really been focusing on posture. Still, I'm dropping too much as a result of changing something that's been part of me for 10+ years, but still, I'm also finding that tricks are sooooo much easier to hit with good posture. I mean, it's like night and day. It will take a few weeks to be natural, but this could be the thing that helps me break through.

I read two things this morning that I thought were helpful.
Dan Ednie wrote in someone's blog (I'm paraphrasing) "try to hit one new trick every practice, even if it's something odd and kind of easy".

And Yacob wrote "talking in between strings in shred circle isn't good". I couldn't agree more. A little chat is ok, but I like 3-person circles with minimal pass backs (what I mean here is: if someone drops after 2-3 tricks, give them a pass back, but after that, just wait til it's their turn again). Keep the bag moving, keep the long stories for after you're done playing, keep everyone's legs warm.

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hmmmm what else? Oh, I hired the paving contractor this weekend. My basketball court will be ready in time for warm weather. I'll also have a new front walk, and a newly gravelled area for parking our cars. And, we hired a different contractor to put our new roof on. Old one is ugly, and will fail sometime soon, so this is a needed step.

Also, instead of new barn (can't afford it.. and neighborhood can't support it [meaning, my house's upper limit in terms of resale value is limited such that a new barn doesn't make sense]) we're going to attempt to rehab the existing barn to a sensible point. Mostly stuff I can do myself, or hire out for cheap. Goal is to have a shred room by next winter. My heat tent has worked thus far, but just barely.

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while we're at it, here are some pics from Easter weekend

from left to right, cousin shannon, cousin marykate, emi


mommy with keegs and emi


good dog (Piggy) and emi


and this is how keegs really feels about his sister

[Rieferman]

Well, I can't write it anywhere else without causing a flame war, so I'll do it here in the safety of my barely-read blog. ha ha. Call me a coward.

Seems that the shred for savvy should win the 'most melodramatic event ever' award. Drunkenness, foolishness, big important post-event writeups about quitting this and that and the other thing, surprise attendees suddenly healed from horrible injuries etc. If something bad did happen, for that I am sorry. But otherwise, it's all sort of over the top for me.

All of which is a big part of the reason why I don't really go to events anymore. I like to play hacky sack. After that connection, much of the rest is awfully lost on me.

edit3, clarification: Though I still find the drunkenness and foolishness and all the rest to be too much for me (therefore my lack of interest in events etc.) I want this sentence to stand out from above "If something bad did happen, for that I am sorry." Truly, I don't want anyone to be hurt, or to feel that I'm trivializing in any way. Without knowing details of this weekend, I can only comment in a broad way.

Actually, and this also ties into the "old players unite" thread nicely. "you know you're an old player if footbag is the most fun part of an event, and if your melodrama days are well behind you"

Now, don't get me wrong.. I've caused plenty of melodrama in my day, and I've had plenty of angst as a result of our silly little sport. I'm just happy to be on *this* side of all that.


edit2: This is not on this same topic really, but it's another mini-rant/musing I've been wanting off my chest. What is it about footbag that causes so much "looook atttt meeeeee" syndrome in people? I have it too to some degree - I mean, I want people to respond to my blog once in awhile, and I want pointers when I post a vid. But I have a mild case. Maybe it wasn't as mild once. But everywhere I look there are these big pronouncements and overt attempts at attention getting. Why? I don't remember seeing this in basketball, or music, or really anywhere to the level I see it here. My wife and I have a good laugh about it when I point out a particularly good example of this. Ok, I'm done posting this too-honest assessment - remember, you're in my blog so no haters allowed in here.


edit: aside from my pointless musings above, I did want to note that I'm proud of Ken Som. for working hard and accomplishing a nice routine when it counted - I didn't see it, but I hear from many that it was a great routine. It's harder to do that (and by "that" I mean the planning ahead, practicing, and then executing) than many would realize.

[Rieferman]

great weekend in Boston. I went solo, so I missed the kids/wife, but it was fun to be without responsibility for the first time in a few years.

Flew in Friday night and caught a Celtics game. Considering I was born in CT and spent my first 19 years there idolizing the Celtics, this was a great treat. We had beers and dinner before, beers during, beers after. Yeah, so I felt crappy on Saturday morning.

So, we decided the only way to heal was to do a self styled pub crawl. We hit 6 bars all over the city, all while sight seeing along the way. I even drank in the place that the TV show Cheers was styled after. Got to bed at an OK hour because we started early.

Sunday, went and got breakfast. Got an amazing organic smoothie which helped bring life into me again. Eventually headed to Northeaster to meet up with the Boston shred crew. The entire group is super nice and fun to hang with. And I felt good that I could say 'wicked' without getting weird looks.

I played about as good as I've been playing lately. Stayed away from some less consistent weakside stuff, but was overall pretty nicely both sided. Had several nice strings up around the 20 contacts number. Overall, I was satisfied with my play, but feel like things are close to taking off to even better play soon.

Pete was injured, so he was just chilling.

Which leaves Doug as their strongest player. He's going to be really really good. I told him that, and I hope it helps pump him up. So smooth, such a natural, very well built for footbag (athletic, thin, naturally good posture and balance). I predict he'll be total sickness real soon.

Also, the bag we were using was sweet. I forget who they said stitched it, but I want one.

And then to top it all off, I got home and my kids were so 120% pumped to see me that it was just really validating and heart warming. I had such a good night with the kids. Now I'm tired and will sit with Meg on the couch.