Stuff n Junk w/ Crowley

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 26 May 2008 14:57

Collin and I are talking about a trip to come see you over the summer Riley! You are greatly missed

ARRGGHHH!!! Every time that I shred with the intent of making a video for modified, something happens. People rarely come visit me at our house, except for the times I decide to film. Was playing really well yesterday but 5 minutes into filming, people started coming out of the wood works to say "Hey!"

I might try again today but don't feel too motivated to play footbag

hilight:
-mindbender>gyro clip almost bsos

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 27 May 2008 18:28

Been feeling the homeless lately. I was at work today wearing pants from a dumpster dive and in my groggy rush to work forgot to put socks on. So once my feet were nice and sweaty, I fashioned some socks out of paper towels. They stick to the feet when they are sweaty and very form-fitting. I was sitting outside having a smoke break in my dumpster pants and paper towel socks when this lady gave me a bunch of fried chicken because I looked in need.

And this homeless paraplegic that I've been chatting with daily needs a place to live temporarily and so we're letting him set up tarps in the backyard. He has a fucked up story including mercury poisoning and he's probably 26. it's crazy! He even used to race bikes and has a great plan for a new business involving creating a market for hand-cranked paraplegic bicycles in which there is only one company currently with a monopoly on the whole business!

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 30 May 2008 07:05

James Randall will be visiting in a week. We're gonna throw down some tracks for our experimental electronic band 'they die fighting...'. Can't wait!

Super SICK link by Ken Somolinos:
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=EGpOkoZu5ik[/youtube]

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 04 Jun 2008 13:00

Was in Seattle from saturday evening to tuesday morning. Didn't get a chance to kick with any RCS members which was too bad but found a new pair of lavers at an Adidas outlet mall. They fit perfectly until I ripped the crappy insoles out. Now they are 3/4-1" too big and so I won't be able to use them as shred shoes

What a waste of money. You'd think that after 5 years of footbag I would have thought about that. but oh well, life goes on.

professor · Post by **professor** » 04 Jun 2008 13:19

Did you put new insoles in?

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 04 Jun 2008 13:40

professor wrote:Did you put new insoles in?

I have not. I held them up to my quantum2s and the lavers are much larger. James Randall is in dire need of some shred shoes and he's visiting on friday, so I may end up just handing them off to him along with a 32 panel because he is out of footbags as well.

professor · Post by **professor** » 04 Jun 2008 14:02

Wouldn't they fit with new insoles though?

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 05 Jun 2008 02:50

Hey man. I don't think there is any way I can make it. I completely forgot gas was like $4/gallon. And every time I plan a visit, it's bill time. I have $10 after bills, which is definitely not enough for a trip, even to Missoula. I have been making shit for money recently (well, the past month or so really) and most of my extra money has been going to beer since I'm 21 now. I'm that guy now.

Life is boring? I have been working on this track, they die fighting style. I think you need to take some cracks at it. But it wouldn't be possible over the internet because there are too many clips, vsts, blah blah shit used in it. Next time man, it's going to be sweet.

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 05 Jun 2008 08:28

That's too bad James! I was really looking forward to another 'they die fighting...' recording session. Maybe we can make it work over the internet if you e-mail me those samples/vsts/etc?

I realized something today. I was listening to B.B. King's "The Thrill is Gone" and footbag was in my head the whole time

Maybe it's because I feel like I've once again plateau'd (sp?), maybe it's because I don't enjoy footbag like I used to, maybe it's because I don't play as much as I used to (I often feel like I should play footbag, but have no motivation), maybe it's the egos of some of the top players that has always bothered me, maybe it's because people that started at the same time or after me are much more skilled than I am (that sounds really selfish), maybe it's because my wrist-cranking when I play really bothers me and I've been working on it for several years with absolutely no progress, maybe it's because my only footbag goal atm is to hit my first 6>6>6 which I've footed several times (whirlygig>food>marius), maybe it's because I miss the old times when footbag was about style and neat links while now it's about massive combos, self-seves, maybe it's that when I often play with others, the energy of the circle is non-existent as they don't pay attention to anyone's strings but their own (looking away as they pass until their up again -- no offense to Evan Lovely, but that's why I can't stand playing with him. I may as well just be playing by myself), or maybe it's because every thread on modified contains bickering. I loved the cohesiveness of the footbag community on this site a few years ago and now it's full of disdain, coarse language, and it's not the footbag utility that it once was imo. Back then one of the only trouble-makers was FlexThis (Damon Matthews)--I almost wrote Matt Damon

granted that there was another generation of this site before my time. I really appreciate those that are trying to keep it in the old vain such as Matt Cross, Ken Somolinos, Ben Skaggs, Erik Chan, Max, and some others.

But maybe it's just a stage I'm going through. I keep making vows to quit modified, and find myself the next day looking over various topics. Which shows me that it's still a big part of my life.

After sending Ken a message about how I admire his ideals, I realized that my ideals are in flux. I used to think that I only played for myself, but after getting no responses in 'new tricks' for hitting a true symposium atw, I was bothered. Only the big tricks get props. Does that mean that I am actually seeking acknowledgment contrary to what I used to believe? This became a stressor for my own character and causes me to question myself.

Jorden and David gave me good advice on what to do with the game that I have after requesting that they analyze my KevinCrowley4 video and I hope that helps me overcome this plateau. But I also got a statement from each which conflict. One says that I delay too long, and the other says that I need to delay longer. What do you think?

professor · Post by **professor** » 05 Jun 2008 08:54

We love you Kevin! Don't leave! Just stick to the good topics.

Do you have a webcam or digital camera that can work as a webcam? If you do, we should play online sometime. Maybe that'll help your motivation. We're pretty much equal in footbag and I think it'd be good motivation and practice for both of us!

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 05 Jun 2008 09:16

In a paragraph you described what took me a few years and many pages of blog entry to really explain to myself. In a nutshell, footbag community is like any community - there are amazing parts of the community, and parts of the community that won't be in synch with you. And, truly getting to the place where you really (mostly) play for your self and your own goals is a hard jouney, but you'll know when you're there (close to there). I consistently love playing footbag now, but I wonder if I'll ever go to another event or go out of my way to make it to a shred session. It just doesn't matter to me. But getting better and knowing that I'm getting better (despite very little in the way of response/pointers/feedback/props even from key players that I'm "good friends" with) is still a fun challenge. When it's not fun anymore, I'll start wood working or golf or something.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 06 Jun 2008 06:31

It's so weird that almost every player goes through that stage at some point or another. I've been stuck in it for years now haha, but you are actually good. I already told you how I feel at the double front. Being the invisible shredder is about the worst thing in the world. Then, you feel selfish for thinking that way. It's lame.

Anyone who says anything about your style is a fuck, including you. I find it original and interesting, you make it seem like you do an extreme monkey claw all the time, which is not the case. I would say don't compare yourself to others, but I really need to take that advice myself. The idea of style/flow vs. big tricks/technical shred has basically ruined all my confidence in my shred, so I can definitely feel you there. But, it's really the case and shouldn't be taken accordingly.

I consider you the best friend I have ever made in footbag and I REALLY enjoy playing with you and I guarantee anyone else who has agrees. Things in footbag may seem slowing down progress wise, but maybe you are getting better at other things in life. Who knows? Maybe your dick is growing. Maybe my dick is growing.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 06 Jun 2008 21:49

habitat wrote:Anyone who says anything about your style is a fuck, including you. I find it original and interesting

I agree. Watching you (Kevin) play makes me want to play.

True symposium ATW is awesome. I would never have known you hit that because I rarely check Shred Symposium anymore. It's mental masturbation.

Everyone goes through funks with footbag. You'll get over it. Try having a session where you don't "try" anything. You just play. It's kind of a zen koan. When you can pull it off, it's great.

Modified can be a real buzzkill. You have to be able to just ignore 95% of the BS posts on here and only read the good stuff. That is the key.

Have a good jam session this weekend guys. I really wish I could just show up and hang out too.

2B

StyleeRiley · Post by **StyleeRiley** » 07 Jun 2008 10:35

That's too bad to hear that footbag is not as exciting for you as it once was, Kevin. I feel like it's good to take breaks sometimes. I haven't kicked in two weeks now. The last time I tried was in Nampa with Sunny and Zeb and I wasn't really feeling it. I have been hiking at least ten miles almost every day for work and recreation, leaving my legs too sore to play at all.

Digging trail has been pretty fun, but oftentimes it gets a litttle bit dreary. for the past two weeks, I have been living on top of a mountain, getting rained on. The Payette National Forest is beautiful. I saw a gray wolf last Wednesday, a first for me.

Now I'm in Boise, layin' low with the girlfriend and her family. They've adopted me as their second son. It feels kinda weird to have a second family like this, but it's really nice since I don't know that many other people in the area.

I really enjoyed visiting the shredquarters last week. I think that I'm going to help out Sunny with her political campaign in the fall. She said that she knows some people that can help me become a conscientious objector (pascifist). I like Sunny and Daryl a lot. They're great people.

Next week I have chainsaw training in New Meadows, ID. I get paid to sit through videos and cut apart random things in the woods. I'll be in civilization for a few more days than normal, so if anyone wants to chat. I need familiar people to talk to. And if a visit is in order, just let me know so we can coordinate something.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 11 Jun 2008 14:56

Been way too busy lately to reply, so I apologize for how long it took me to respond.

The cliffs note version of what I want to tell you is:

1. Try your hardest not to care what others think. This is definitely easier said than done, but for me it's been the best path to happiness in footbag. The key word is try.

2. If you need a break from modified, take it. You won't be missing too much, but some of us will miss your blog entries and especially your videos. If you need a break from footbag, take it. There is nothing wrong with taking time off (of anything) to step back, re-evaluate your priorities, and figure out what you want from footbag/life/anything. You may come back with a stronger love of footbag (like I did after taking off 6 months in 2000) or you may decide to move on. Either option is OK. You need to do what will make you happiest. If footbag isn't making you happy right now, you need to evaluate why.

Other random notes which aren't as important:

-I wouldn't worry too much about your hands. Very few people like their own style, including many excellent players. Ales and Felix at points in their career come to mind. I don't think your hands look bad at all really.

-Many times when you post something on modified, it takes a long time before other people get around to seeing it. When I post something in "new tripless combos" or "new sick 3s," I know that very few people will see it, and it may be a while before people comment, if ever. That doesn't mean that people don't like it or appreciate it, it just means that people's viewing and posting habits have a particular rhythm.

-Try not to put stock into opinions on modified, especially those of people you never met in real life. The other day somebody I've never met, spoken to, or spoken about attacked me out of nowhere on modified, insulting my game and saying I was the worst thing to happen to footbag. It was hard for me to take it seriously, because I never met the guy. While this is an extreme example, the general lesson remains the same: don't put stock in negative/indifferent opinions on these forums. The true value of footbag relationships happens in real life.

-On a personal note, I thought you were real cool when I met you at Worlds. The Thriller routine solidified the opinion, but in general I thought you were a nice guy.

-On a footbag note, I also think you should be real proud of your progress. It's easy for us to forget how good we've gotten, because we are constantly striving to be better. That doesn't mean you should forget that you are currently better than you ever thought you could be. Hell, you've done a bunch of stuff I'll probably never hit before retiring (nemesis, nearly a beast, etc.). Sometimes when I'm having a bad session I like to think: "if I retired right now, I had a great career." And then I just have fun playing, because it all feels like a bonus round to me then.

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 16 Jun 2008 10:11

Thanks for the support everyone.

Haven't been playing much lately. here are some hilights from over a week ago when James Randall was in town. It was one of my best sessions:

-rubberman>blurry whirl>stepping whirl>blurry whirl>spinning whirl>gyro osis>infinity>mobius>symple mindbender (drop)

-footed rubberman with fusions starting on blur

hacksterbator · Post by **hacksterbator** » 17 Jun 2008 05:56

Sporatical_Distractions wrote:-rubberman>blurry whirl>stepping whirl>blurry whirl>spinning whirl>gyro osis>infinity>mobius>symple mindbender (drop)

-footed rubberman with fusions starting on blur

Sick highlights! That first one is a great string, hard shuffle linked with big spinning and ducking tricks. a good mix of every thing! tight.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 17 Jun 2008 19:33

I really shouldn't have taken your shoes or your bag. I have yet to even think about using them and it looks to probably stay that way. I just can't play by myself, it's pointless. Whenever you want them back, tell me. I'll send them or something.

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 18 Jun 2008 05:34

Maybe try just wearing them around instead of playing in them? That's too bad James. Maybe you can get Tim to play

It's been a pretty brutal week. I had a severe migraine from friday-sunday. started getting the chills sunday night, and ran a 103.9F fever monday night

I still don't feel better, I'm all twacked out on day/nyquil

B_Man · Post by **B_Man** » 20 Jun 2008 23:33

Get better soon friend