west of philly - bob
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slapdash21
- Futureless
- Posts: 4681
- Joined: 29 Sep 2004 14:50
- Location: Beantown, kidd
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Frank_Sinatra
- Avenging Disco Godfather
- Posts: 1660
- Joined: 09 Jan 2007 12:43
- Location: Chicago, IL
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slapdash21
- Futureless
- Posts: 4681
- Joined: 29 Sep 2004 14:50
- Location: Beantown, kidd
pete, if you come visit this summer, i promise a fire pit with marshmallows
brian and I played last weekend for about an hour. he was kind enough to put some clips together. i think he did a pretty nice job other than he accidentally left some clips on the end without music, and some random unwarranted slo mo.
i'd be happy to hear comments, but I know brian would really love some, so if you can comment on the actual you tube page (he doesn't read here) - and I mean on the shred, not the vid editing - that'd be excellent
edit: I mean, comment on some of his shred if you could.. you can comment on mine if you want, but it's not necessary. FYI, I'm the one with the tattoo on the leg, he's the one in white shirt
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a4xellRPyU[/youtube]
brian and I played last weekend for about an hour. he was kind enough to put some clips together. i think he did a pretty nice job other than he accidentally left some clips on the end without music, and some random unwarranted slo mo.
i'd be happy to hear comments, but I know brian would really love some, so if you can comment on the actual you tube page (he doesn't read here) - and I mean on the shred, not the vid editing - that'd be excellent
edit: I mean, comment on some of his shred if you could.. you can comment on mine if you want, but it's not necessary. FYI, I'm the one with the tattoo on the leg, he's the one in white shirt
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a4xellRPyU[/youtube]
Bob R.
Good stuff guys.
I love the pixie stuff, Bob. My toe bias. Always good to see pixie set tricks in succession. And pigbeater. Hell yes! You have cool looking eggbeaters. Also some really nice strings with lots of spin components. Stylish.
I don't think I've ever seen Brian before. I'm always a fan of people hitting blizzards; they're like the way cooler older brother of blur. Haha. I dig the atomic set too, it looks nice and tight to me. Some stealthy paradons in there too. You definitely have a good handle on a number of concepts, which, to me, is what makes footbag look the coolest. Not hitting a huge trick or having one particular concept drilled into the ground, but being able to string in a way that works the different concepts in and out.
If Brian hasn't hit atomic illusion, he should. I bet he could get it in one session if he hasn't already. I think that's a cool move.
I love the pixie stuff, Bob. My toe bias. Always good to see pixie set tricks in succession. And pigbeater. Hell yes! You have cool looking eggbeaters. Also some really nice strings with lots of spin components. Stylish.
I don't think I've ever seen Brian before. I'm always a fan of people hitting blizzards; they're like the way cooler older brother of blur. Haha. I dig the atomic set too, it looks nice and tight to me. Some stealthy paradons in there too. You definitely have a good handle on a number of concepts, which, to me, is what makes footbag look the coolest. Not hitting a huge trick or having one particular concept drilled into the ground, but being able to string in a way that works the different concepts in and out.
If Brian hasn't hit atomic illusion, he should. I bet he could get it in one session if he hasn't already. I think that's a cool move.
hey matt! been wondering what you've been up to these days. how's everything?
thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it!
I'll definitely give Brian the feedback. He's got a lot of potential - his stepping and atomic set are very natural for him, and he's developing a great spin too. He's very athletic. Can you believe he's 35?
Also, I'm happy you noticed my spins. That style of building a string was brand new to that day. For some reason, spins just mentally make sense to incorporate into runs now and I'm really psyched about that. Lots of stuff just seems to be clicking lately and I'm having fun with the runs I'm able to put together.
thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it!
I'll definitely give Brian the feedback. He's got a lot of potential - his stepping and atomic set are very natural for him, and he's developing a great spin too. He's very athletic. Can you believe he's 35?
Also, I'm happy you noticed my spins. That style of building a string was brand new to that day. For some reason, spins just mentally make sense to incorporate into runs now and I'm really psyched about that. Lots of stuff just seems to be clicking lately and I'm having fun with the runs I'm able to put together.
Bob R.
hooked up the first come along in the barn last night, added some tension and let it sit overnight - so far so good, everything is holding up etc.
would have hooked up all three, but I burned through the drill bit that I'm using to install the anchors. 100 year old wood is HARD to drill through. Anyhow, got two more bits today from work (employee pricing rocks) so I should be able to finish the install of those come alongs tonight... and then, see if I can move the building or not. Very nerve wracking. I'm sick to my stomach right now just thinking of it. Sweating a little. And I'm not even kidding.
To break the stress up, I'll go footbag a little before barn work tonight.
beer has been my friend on project nights. I was shaking last night by the time I came in, so it was a necessary evil. I can't do that regularly if I plan to stay thin, but this is an extreme point in the project so keeping myself sane is just as important as being svelte. To my credit, I did wake up and lift weights this morning even though I'm sore as fuck from moving heavy shit in the barn.
barn barn barn.. fucking A. I'm really looking forward to being past this first stage. after this, it's still a lot of work, but it's not nearly as stressful and dangerous.
would have hooked up all three, but I burned through the drill bit that I'm using to install the anchors. 100 year old wood is HARD to drill through. Anyhow, got two more bits today from work (employee pricing rocks) so I should be able to finish the install of those come alongs tonight... and then, see if I can move the building or not. Very nerve wracking. I'm sick to my stomach right now just thinking of it. Sweating a little. And I'm not even kidding.
To break the stress up, I'll go footbag a little before barn work tonight.
beer has been my friend on project nights. I was shaking last night by the time I came in, so it was a necessary evil. I can't do that regularly if I plan to stay thin, but this is an extreme point in the project so keeping myself sane is just as important as being svelte. To my credit, I did wake up and lift weights this morning even though I'm sore as fuck from moving heavy shit in the barn.
barn barn barn.. fucking A. I'm really looking forward to being past this first stage. after this, it's still a lot of work, but it's not nearly as stressful and dangerous.
Bob R.
played some hacky last night. i was exhausted but has some fun progress anyways. Nothing exciting, just practice
when I got home, I finished hooking up the other 2 (3 total) come alongs in the barn. So far I've moved the barn 1/4 of an inch or so. Maybe 1/2 inch including the couple cranks on the winches that I did this morning before I left for work.
I think I need to add a fourth come along. It's so hard to tell. There's not really a formula for figuring it out (like, how much does the building weigh? what's the strength of the cross bracing? how strong is the post that you're attaching to?) so that's why it's so stressful. My gut is telling me that the come alongs are close to maxed out right now and need a little help. So tonight I'll do 2 things. One, all stuff stored on 2nd floor of barn is going to be moved to the same side, the side opposite of where I'm trying to pull the building square. This should move about 1000+ pounds and help my leverage. Two, I have a fourth come along that I'll link up from roof all the way to opposite sill plate. I didn't want to hook up all the come alongs in this fashion for fear of snapping the building in half - but since I have the majority of the pulling happening from a central position of strength, I think the added leverage of this fourth come along is acceptable/useful. I might also use a HUGE tree next to the barn for assistance... It's lined up with a central post, so I could set a jack between it and the post horizontally and give myself some help that way as well. We'll only go there as needed.
So I've been sleeping like shit. The thought of a come along snapping and ripping my arm off, or slashing an eye out.. or allowing the building to gain momentum and fall right over... they're all terrifying thoughts. I've really done my homework, but like I said, there's not really a good formula available to account for all the variables in this process. Gut feel is scary.
when I got home, I finished hooking up the other 2 (3 total) come alongs in the barn. So far I've moved the barn 1/4 of an inch or so. Maybe 1/2 inch including the couple cranks on the winches that I did this morning before I left for work.
I think I need to add a fourth come along. It's so hard to tell. There's not really a formula for figuring it out (like, how much does the building weigh? what's the strength of the cross bracing? how strong is the post that you're attaching to?) so that's why it's so stressful. My gut is telling me that the come alongs are close to maxed out right now and need a little help. So tonight I'll do 2 things. One, all stuff stored on 2nd floor of barn is going to be moved to the same side, the side opposite of where I'm trying to pull the building square. This should move about 1000+ pounds and help my leverage. Two, I have a fourth come along that I'll link up from roof all the way to opposite sill plate. I didn't want to hook up all the come alongs in this fashion for fear of snapping the building in half - but since I have the majority of the pulling happening from a central position of strength, I think the added leverage of this fourth come along is acceptable/useful. I might also use a HUGE tree next to the barn for assistance... It's lined up with a central post, so I could set a jack between it and the post horizontally and give myself some help that way as well. We'll only go there as needed.
So I've been sleeping like shit. The thought of a come along snapping and ripping my arm off, or slashing an eye out.. or allowing the building to gain momentum and fall right over... they're all terrifying thoughts. I've really done my homework, but like I said, there's not really a good formula available to account for all the variables in this process. Gut feel is scary.
Bob R.
exhausted shred sesh today. kids were up ALL NIGHT with stomach bug.. plus I work in the barn etc. last night before I knew what I was in store for. no sleep. kids are luckily fairly ok today.
anyhow, it's like 70 degrees today
had sesh. bleh, i was lucky I could even play. did hit pixie paradon. long overdue, but I was happy about that.
barn project shifting strategies a bit. too lengthy to write here, but i'm feeling better.
anyhow, it's like 70 degrees today
had sesh. bleh, i was lucky I could even play. did hit pixie paradon. long overdue, but I was happy about that.
barn project shifting strategies a bit. too lengthy to write here, but i'm feeling better.
Bob R.
wife got the stomach bug last night.. she was one hurting pup. kids are better.. only lasted a night for them really. emi still doesn't want to eat really, but she's mostly ok.
then, i've been sort of not sick at all, but kind of not 100% healthy either.. but i decided i didn't want to burn a vacation day on a stomach bug. so i'm at the office now.. and thinking more and more that it migth have been a mistake.. it's possible the bug just hasn't attacked me yet, because I'm feeling a little queasy. ugh.
yesterday before sickness set in for meg, i played outside for a long time with keegan while emi was napping. so fun to be outside. got he b-ball court cleaned up for the year, got his trike out and balls pumped up etc.
picked at the barn a little.. i'm in a time consuming, not a lot of progress phase right now. i'm taking the sag out of one of the main beams (or taking out as much sag as I can) so it's sort of a "jack it up, wait for a couple days, jack it up some more" type of process. And I can't really move too far on other steps until this is finished. Oh well, slow and steady
then, i've been sort of not sick at all, but kind of not 100% healthy either.. but i decided i didn't want to burn a vacation day on a stomach bug. so i'm at the office now.. and thinking more and more that it migth have been a mistake.. it's possible the bug just hasn't attacked me yet, because I'm feeling a little queasy. ugh.
yesterday before sickness set in for meg, i played outside for a long time with keegan while emi was napping. so fun to be outside. got he b-ball court cleaned up for the year, got his trike out and balls pumped up etc.
picked at the barn a little.. i'm in a time consuming, not a lot of progress phase right now. i'm taking the sag out of one of the main beams (or taking out as much sag as I can) so it's sort of a "jack it up, wait for a couple days, jack it up some more" type of process. And I can't really move too far on other steps until this is finished. Oh well, slow and steady
Bob R.
Don't worry, I check your blog every other day or so for barn updates. I helped my dad build a big shed when I was younger. I remember many (at the time) nauseating trips to home depot for wood and paint and nails and other things. Haha, at the time I kind of hated it, but now it's a fond memory.
If I lived in the area I'd definitely help out, and we'd get in like a billion frustrated arguments and call each other names and stuff. Haha. It would be sweet.
If I lived in the area I'd definitely help out, and we'd get in like a billion frustrated arguments and call each other names and stuff. Haha. It would be sweet.
I'm a nice guy so I'm going to post this vid even though it was a horrible session for yours truly. In my defense (wait for it... here comes the excuse!) I got 2 hours sleep the night before (aforementioned situation with kids puking all night) and was coming down with the stomach bug myself (I didn't know it then, but I knew it later that night?!?!).
Anyhow, I wanted to post this because it's the best Brian's (shaved head) played since I've known him, and Drew (tall guy, lots of dynos etc.) is really showing his improvement nicely in this vid. Plus, BONUS, first known footage of Charlie (the muscled freak that shows up near end of vid. (side note: he plays like once per year.. had he been AT ALL interested, he could be world class). And then there's my bull shit runs. But ignore those and you'll like the rest
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43O2p2q-jQ8[/youtube]
Anyhow, I wanted to post this because it's the best Brian's (shaved head) played since I've known him, and Drew (tall guy, lots of dynos etc.) is really showing his improvement nicely in this vid. Plus, BONUS, first known footage of Charlie (the muscled freak that shows up near end of vid. (side note: he plays like once per year.. had he been AT ALL interested, he could be world class). And then there's my bull shit runs. But ignore those and you'll like the rest
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43O2p2q-jQ8[/youtube]
Bob R.
i got good advice from a knowledgeable source the other day
- flip toe, c'mon
- good start on being more shreddy with 2 trick links, build on this
that's so true.. as much as I've worked to make my flip toe less dumb, it's still really dumb. Part of me doesn't care because there's a lot of stuff I *can* do, and I'm both sided on a lot of other components (spins, ducks, stepping, pixie is getting there etc.). But part of me realizes it would be pretty easy to hide that deficiency just by adding simple stuff like weakside pdx mirage > weakside pixie butterfly in as a bail combo. I just don't do it, and I could/should.
The other is true too. I have been pretty focused on string length and flow and form that I kinda forgot about link difficulty for the most part. Like the vid that's up further (not immediately above).. I like how my game looks there, and I don't think I'm crazy to feel that way - I mean, sure, I'll never be BAP or anything like it, but I think I've improved to a pretty skilled level at this stage. Smooth, controlled, good energy/pop, etc. I'm pretty happy with it.
BUT......... then I see trick > butter > pdx mirage > butter > trick > butter > pdx mirage > butter > osis. or some other similar bull shit (footbag t-shirt concept.. "bull shit.. the other BS" or maybe it should be "Both Sides.. the other BS".. or maybe just "Matt Beal can hit crazy tricks".. wait, that has nothing to do with the other ideas.. whatever)
ha ha, damn that should be easy enough to fix.
So, I worked on both of those things last night and it was fun/good.
Also happy to report that strong side atomic is more make than miss these days, and is less dependant on high energy level. Weakside, not so much. Whatever.
I can't hit DATW anymore for some reason. That's usually a stand by that I love to pull out when people are watching. Whatever.
Barn tonight - borrowed some mega-come alongs from the neighbor. I'll have 6 hooked up now instead of 3. That should allow me to finish straightening out the building. Sag in beam is also down to 4 inches (from 8 inches previously) - not sure if I can get it truly straight without causing other headaches in the building, but we'll see. I'm really looking forward to the point when posts are re-set on new concrete piers and I can have the new concrete floor poured. Then it will all start to feel worth it. So far it just feels like lots and lots of work.
company meeting this morning.. I think it's to set expectations regarding the layoffs that (the managers know) are coming at the end of the week. 15% layoffs. urgh.
- flip toe, c'mon
- good start on being more shreddy with 2 trick links, build on this
that's so true.. as much as I've worked to make my flip toe less dumb, it's still really dumb. Part of me doesn't care because there's a lot of stuff I *can* do, and I'm both sided on a lot of other components (spins, ducks, stepping, pixie is getting there etc.). But part of me realizes it would be pretty easy to hide that deficiency just by adding simple stuff like weakside pdx mirage > weakside pixie butterfly in as a bail combo. I just don't do it, and I could/should.
The other is true too. I have been pretty focused on string length and flow and form that I kinda forgot about link difficulty for the most part. Like the vid that's up further (not immediately above).. I like how my game looks there, and I don't think I'm crazy to feel that way - I mean, sure, I'll never be BAP or anything like it, but I think I've improved to a pretty skilled level at this stage. Smooth, controlled, good energy/pop, etc. I'm pretty happy with it.
BUT......... then I see trick > butter > pdx mirage > butter > trick > butter > pdx mirage > butter > osis. or some other similar bull shit (footbag t-shirt concept.. "bull shit.. the other BS" or maybe it should be "Both Sides.. the other BS".. or maybe just "Matt Beal can hit crazy tricks".. wait, that has nothing to do with the other ideas.. whatever)
ha ha, damn that should be easy enough to fix.
So, I worked on both of those things last night and it was fun/good.
Also happy to report that strong side atomic is more make than miss these days, and is less dependant on high energy level. Weakside, not so much. Whatever.
I can't hit DATW anymore for some reason. That's usually a stand by that I love to pull out when people are watching. Whatever.
Barn tonight - borrowed some mega-come alongs from the neighbor. I'll have 6 hooked up now instead of 3. That should allow me to finish straightening out the building. Sag in beam is also down to 4 inches (from 8 inches previously) - not sure if I can get it truly straight without causing other headaches in the building, but we'll see. I'm really looking forward to the point when posts are re-set on new concrete piers and I can have the new concrete floor poured. Then it will all start to feel worth it. So far it just feels like lots and lots of work.
company meeting this morning.. I think it's to set expectations regarding the layoffs that (the managers know) are coming at the end of the week. 15% layoffs. urgh.
Bob R.
good news, none of my direct reports are being canned. still a rough day coming up, but a little less rough for me specifically.
last night, I had my first "success" in the barn. I mean, there's been lots of things that will ultimately be successful, but last night was the first thing I was actually able to completely finish all at one time.
I'm tightening up the 2nd story right now in preparation for finishing pulling the building to square/plumb. I have to do this because otherwise, when I pull on things in the 2nd story, it could make joint spreading (etc.) worse. So I attached a come along between two posts where the cross beam was loose (2 inches gap where there should be none), loosened the cross braces with a sledge, and pull those beams right the eff together. Tight as hell. Then I used metal straps with huge 1/2" thick lag screws to hold it together. When I let the come along go, everything stayed nice and tight.
So now, for the next couple nights, I have to repeat the process throughout the entire 2nd story until everything is super tight (including pulling roof rafters together in one spot). Then, I have to cut holes through the floor so I can run come alongs from second story beam to the sill plate on first floor. Then, it's time to finish pulling the building square.
Once it's square (or as close as we can get without causing worse problems) I'll add cross bracing etc.
Then, onto fixing posts.
Then concrete floor can be poured, siding can go on, re-wiring electric etc. etc. etc.
---
kicking with dc this weekend will be fun
the following weekend, i have tickets to the first two rounds of march madness which is freaking amazing. I'm seeing 6 games live. First 4 with my brothers in law and nephew. Last two with the same brothers in law and my buddy.
last night, I had my first "success" in the barn. I mean, there's been lots of things that will ultimately be successful, but last night was the first thing I was actually able to completely finish all at one time.
I'm tightening up the 2nd story right now in preparation for finishing pulling the building to square/plumb. I have to do this because otherwise, when I pull on things in the 2nd story, it could make joint spreading (etc.) worse. So I attached a come along between two posts where the cross beam was loose (2 inches gap where there should be none), loosened the cross braces with a sledge, and pull those beams right the eff together. Tight as hell. Then I used metal straps with huge 1/2" thick lag screws to hold it together. When I let the come along go, everything stayed nice and tight.
So now, for the next couple nights, I have to repeat the process throughout the entire 2nd story until everything is super tight (including pulling roof rafters together in one spot). Then, I have to cut holes through the floor so I can run come alongs from second story beam to the sill plate on first floor. Then, it's time to finish pulling the building square.
Once it's square (or as close as we can get without causing worse problems) I'll add cross bracing etc.
Then, onto fixing posts.
Then concrete floor can be poured, siding can go on, re-wiring electric etc. etc. etc.
---
kicking with dc this weekend will be fun
the following weekend, i have tickets to the first two rounds of march madness which is freaking amazing. I'm seeing 6 games live. First 4 with my brothers in law and nephew. Last two with the same brothers in law and my buddy.
Bob R.
the carnage is over.. 25 people less work at my company now. It sounds small compared with the thousands of job losses that you you read in the paper everyday, but it affects you nevertheless. considering the company is only 200 people total, you tend to know everyone and have at least a little bit of a personal connection. I'm just kind of mellow and drained right now. Feeling the economy and how it's really hurting people. Feeling lucky that it isn't me right now.
Bob R.
almost had a serious barn accident last night. got the BIG come along hooked up from first floor sill plate, to 2nd story tie beam. cranked it up some, cranked the others too, cranked the big one up real tight.. REAL tight. and the 1/2 inch thick eye bolt (a BIG eye bolt.. you could hang a car from a couple of these) started to bend OPEN. The eye part of the bolt uncurled like a scared pug's tail. Luckily I immediately noticed this issue else it could have completely uncurled, thus allowing the HUGE come along to slip off the hook and fire off under tension towards its opposite point. And of course, I'm standing with my hand on this thing.
So yeah, close call.
I moved the building a couple inches in total (between 2 and 3) and that's going to have to be good enough because if 10 tons of total pressure can't move it further (3 two ton come alongs and 1 four ton come along) it doesn't want to move. It still looks crooked from the outside, but that's going to have to add to the "charm" of the finished product. I TRUST that it ain't falling at this point based on how hard it was to move it a few inches.
Drives me nuts not to get it perfect, but 105 years of neglect is tough to undo without really breaking the bank. Not worth it.
So yeah, close call.
I moved the building a couple inches in total (between 2 and 3) and that's going to have to be good enough because if 10 tons of total pressure can't move it further (3 two ton come alongs and 1 four ton come along) it doesn't want to move. It still looks crooked from the outside, but that's going to have to add to the "charm" of the finished product. I TRUST that it ain't falling at this point based on how hard it was to move it a few inches.
Drives me nuts not to get it perfect, but 105 years of neglect is tough to undo without really breaking the bank. Not worth it.
Bob R.