Set Phasers To Love Me! [April's Footblog (PSU)]

[akprice]

props on weakside drifter. pretty weird... today i was watching david clavens tutorial on drifter. not sure if i'm ready for that yet, but def looks cool.

[bluevampire101]

Aaron: Thanks! ...I still need to watch that video.


Today I had a really good session with Ben and Khoa. Ben and I got to the session first, and we were sort of just taking turns drilling. But that turned out pretty good! When Khoa arrived, the atmosphere brightened, as per usual of Khoa's appearances. Everyone seemed to be hitting cool stuff today, but I'll let them talk about themselves.
Highlights:
New Legover record: 8
New Pickup record: 5
New Mirage records: strong side: 5 ; weak side: 3
Whirl midstring
Infinity midstring
Footed PLO

[bluevampire101]

It's awesome to see a lot of people posting in Modified I had to scroll down to get to my blog-topic.

Friday Highlight:
NEWer Pickup record: 8

Today, I also kicked. Derek, Kat, Ivan, Ryan, Ben, Khoa, and new member Jovanni were there. It was an okay day for me. My legs are getting tired. I've been trying to work on flip Whirl, without much progress, in that I haven't hit it yet, but my legs are getting down the motion. I've also been working on weak side Infinity, and almost hit Infinity x2. And also, working on Clippers. Yay for solidifying basics!

Highlights:
Hit PLO strong side
Had a decent string

[bluevampire101]

Footbag has struck again!

...meaning I kicked again today.
Ben, Kat, Ivan, and Khoa showed up to the session. It was raining, so we kicked in the squash courts, which, I don't mind and might actually like. It's comfortable to me I think because I started kicking there and am used to kicking there.

It's cool because I'm starting to incorporate more tricks into my game, rather than awkwardly trying to hit it. Well, I'm still doing that, but my body is starting to get used to the motions. I am also starting to think more about how to hit such tricks and really appreciate the tips from everyone (lots of thanks to Ivan and Ben for the help and encouragement in particular). I've been practicing Infinities and Clippers more to get used to them. And stuff and stuff.

Highlights:
Symp Butterfly
A weird rooted butterfly?
Osis>ss Mirage
Clipper>Near Legover

I think that's pretty much it. Although they might not really be highlights, they're new things I've been working on (sorry, my progress is slow).

[bluevampire101]

I kicked again yesterday with Ben, Jovanni, Derek, Khoa, and Marc. Jovanni is improving quickly! It's awesome to have fresh meat in the club, especially one that seems enthusiastic and will stick with it. I found myself mostly practicing Infinities, which I am starting to like more. I've also been slowly trying to work on my weak Osis because weak Osis is weak. I've also been trying to hit 2-adds out of Clipper and Osis that I normally don't (ex: Far Legover, Far Pickup, ss Mirage).

Highlights:
Osis b2b - not new, but I haven't done in a while
Infinity b2b - awesome! I was working on it for like half the session
Playing around with Butterfly-based tricks (Rooted, Symp)

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Holy crap, April. You're really improving quicker than I realized. Cant wait to shred again.

Nice job on Infinity b2b! Great milestone for any player!

[bluevampire101]

Nick: Thanks! I also cannot wait to shred together again!


I kicked with everyone when Vince came over on Friday. I forgot to post that at the time, but I didn't really hit anything new. Just practiced Infinities at the end of it. They're starting to get easier for me, but I have problems with one side. I could hit Infinity b2b starting on (what is now) my strong side. But starting from my weak side, the set is always weird. Working on that.


I also kicked yesterday (Sunday) with Ryan and Ben. Ben and I arrived first, and I practiced Infinities some more. I realized that I rock back on my foot on my weak side a lot. I was realizing a lot of things that I did when I was kicking in general (being more analytic!).
Highlights:
New Record: Osis x4
A good string - although I had a few too many Toe Stalls than I would have liked, I had Osis b2b, BSOS'd Legover and Pickup, and even had an Infinity in there

[bluevampire101]

Kicked today! Finals week! Some people will be leaving soon. Others will still be here. Summer!
A lot of people actually showed up today which was cool. Ivan, Ben, Kat, Ryan, Khoa, Derek, Jovanni, Marc, and George!
It was cool because George hit Drifter bs today. I think that was his first time for both. He should get a footblog.
Highlights:
Clipper>Far Legover bs
Worked on Atomic set

[bluevampire101]

Yay! I kicked today with Ben and Khoa! It was late, but it was good. We all got work done.

First off, I am not going to go further into the session, but rather talk about the long week I've had, and an even longer day. I KNOW THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. But it does! Finals week - long, of course. (haha, Ben pointed out, pun. class. pun. hehe.). Anywho, I had a paper to write, homework to finish up and meet up with a professor, as well as a final exam at 8AM in the morning (today), and an online exam that I also took today. Finals are over for me. Now to wait for my score for the 8AM...

Other than school, I had a lot of other stuff to get done. Ben and I went to get free lunch because my money was put on hold. There was a finals week event from Dickey's BBQ, where they gave away full lunches for the first 100 people in line, as well as coupons for free sandwiches with the purchase of a large drink.
We went through a long conversation with the bank to get the hold worked out, which was exhausting. Luckily, everything got hashed out and my money is no longer on hold - I needed it to pay rent for my summer sublet, as well as tuition. So, no more worrying about those things for now!

We also finalized plans for Ben's cousin's wedding. Although we are unable to attend the concert we had planned to go to (Foxy Shazam), we figured out the transportation and housing situation. I also believe that Ben's roommates are willing to go to the concert for us, so it's not a waste

I am also excited for the Metronomy concert that we will be attending next week. It is in NYC, and we should hopefully be kicking with NYFA! We printed out the tickets for the bus ride and concert already, so cool! Just gotta notify NYFA now... Remind them*


FINALLY, the session!
At the beginning of the session, I was helping Ben film for the online competition. I had planned to practice Drifters (because I finally watched the Dave Clavens tutorial) and such, but no problem. Khoa hadn't even arrived yet, so it was a good time to film, if any. When Khoa arrived, Ben was finishing up filming his stuff. We all warmed up and circled then.
I didn't really do anything spectacular, but I did start trying Clipper>Far Legover more, as well as attempts at Osis>Far Guay and Osis>Far Rev Guay. I thought up Sick 3 links of my own, after hearing and seeing some of Ben's. My legs were too tired... But before then, I did hit my FIRST 4 ADD, which is going to be my Sick 1 for the online comp, so you'll have to wait to find out what it is then.
At the end of the session, Khoa attempted Magellan with a soccer ball, and footed it! Awesome Khoa! After that, Ben tried weak side Magellan. And I made some joking attempts, then real attempts at Magellan. Keeping in mind that I'm not very good at Pixies to begin with, I feel like I made great strides in just trying. Soon!
....Maybe I'll try Smear first. Or something.

Yay footbag!

EDIT: NEW: After writing this post, I called my mom to thank her for paying for my school. My parents are super duper supportive and nice, and talking to her (and my aunt) - even if it's just about food - made me realize that it's nice to talk to them. I should call them more than I do now... We all love each other. Yay for family too!

[bluevampire101]

Hey there! So I hadn't written up in a while. I've been kicking once in a while. I am hoping to kick more though. I think I've mostly just been thinking about how I've been kicking, as well as considering how others kick (and the like - write in blogs, video, etc.). I'm planning on making some changes to how I've been kicking by starting to film at least part of my sessions. I also hope to focus on certain tricks, like Illusion, Mirage, Butterfly, etc.

I suppose one reason why I hadn't kicked much recently has been the ending of school, which of course, is no real excuse. Also, in more recent times, this week was the start of more school - summer session at PSU. I currently have three classes, and am still settling in. I also recently received an iPhone 5S from my family (they upgraded my phone) and need to figure out how I want to switch my phones. I want to get a phone case for it before using it since I feel like I will break it if I start using it before. This will also be when I will be starting to film my sessions - what better way than with a new phone, right?

Uhm, in previous sessions I had - NYC, PSU - I hadn't been hitting anything new, that I remember. Otherwise I probably would have posted about it. I feel like I've been kicking poorly, and not to mention that my hip flexor area (I think it might be specifically be my pectineus muscle) has been sporadically hurting even when I'm not kicking. But anyway, I have been making some attempts at flip Whirl, and flip Guay.

Mid-weekend for Ben and me: NYC Minivacation
The bus was late for our arrival into New York. We ended up getting there two hours late, and got to Mikie's place at around 3AM. We got situated and slept. In the morning, Ben and I went to brunch at a place called Rabbithole. I got Eggs Benedict, and he got an omelette I believe. Afterwards, we headed to the park where we met up with Mikie and Boatz to kick. Afterwards, we ate at Williamsburger. Then we went back to Mikie's place where everyone showered. Then, Ben and I headed to Webster Hall to see Metronomy. Really, really good and awesome show. They had a disco ball in the venue! Afterwards, we headed back to Mikie's place, and went to sleep. The next day, Ben and I went to a crepe place with Mikie and Alyssa. It was very good. I also got a fancy-named hot chocolate with whipped cream - yum! Then we went to a mini-museum where it was NY as told by the people who lived there. Then, Mikie, Ben, and I kicked nearby from Mikie's place. After that, Ben and I went to Manhattan to catch our bus, but before then also get food, check out the Adidas store, and get cupcakes.

Catwalk - reminded us of Adam Greenwood as we were coming into the city on the bus. Brunch at Rabbithole. Graffiti we saw on the way to the park.

Opening band for Metronomy: Cloud Control. Prep stage for Metronomy. Metronomy.

The cat Mikie has at his place: Toby. Artwork from the museum we visited.

[boyle]

Cloud control are Australian, aren't they? Name sounds familiar. It can be hard to keep kicking once you get into a new schedule, and I guess the key to fixing that is just to force footbag into the schedule somewhere, whether it be saying: "I'm going to kick every day at 4pm", or that you'll kick at any moment when you have a free space, there's always time that can go into kicking, but it can be really hard to get it on to the schedule to begin with.

[bluevampire101]

Daniel: I looked into it and Cloud Control are indeed Australian.
And yeah! I agree completely. I just figured that I prefer kicking during the day rather than evening, which I will do more or less with the exception of group sessions.


I kicked today! Twice! The first time didn't really count, but I mostly practiced Osis today. Working on slowly improving my foundations, so I'm planning to have days where I focus on a trick or two, and string a bit if asked to (or if taking a break from the focus).
Highlight from today: Paradox Mirage bs

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Props!!!! Awesome job on Pdx Mirage bs! Killin it, April.

[krustykrakk]

Props on pdx mirage bs!!! Sorry I didn't see flip (that just means you'll have to do it more!) I know mirages don't come as easily as they should for you given your proficiency with other related tricks. I hope this video helps:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPYHZ0PaWIA[/youtube]

[bluevampire101]

Ben: Thanks! Yes!

So, I'm finally writing in my blog because I feel like I've had one of my better sessions yet than since I last posted. Ivan came back to State College and came out to watch Ben and I kick, which was cool. One of Ben's friend was planning to show up, but that didn't happen. But no matter. It was a good session anyway. Yay!

I beat my Legover record today. Cool, towards the end of the session too. -> Hit Legover x9

My pdx Mirages are looking better? Ivan was giving me some pointers on them. I only hit pdx Mirage bs x1 today I think, but the form/timing/etc. is looking better...?
Also, I had hit pdx Mirage bs at a previous session when Khoa had suggested I try it since I hadn't in a while, but I didn't feel it was highlight-y enough to post, as my kick had been not good.

My infinities looked and felt better after pdx Mirage attempts. I finally broke the barrier to get Infinity x2 bs (starting on both sides, different times). I feel like I can have an actual record soon

I also worked a bit on Illusions with some tips from Ivan. I didn't hit any, but slowly and surely will hit them (more) soon.

Also, made some (2) 32s for USO, just sent them out today, along with some (2) 14s that Ben made.

Also, also, not to mention strings in general. Stringing with Butterflies, lots of Legovers and Pickups, occasional Osis and Mirages, also trying to get used to Clipper>Far Legover and Clipper>Far Pickup.

TL;DR: I feel better about kicking especially after today, since today was a good day.

[bluevampire101]

Today I kicked with Ben for a bit. I had set out working on pdx Mirages, Illusions, and Infinities.
I started off re-filming for Marco's weird link competition before working on my Infinities.
I first made some attempts at pdx Mirage, but ended up sticking with Infinities.

Highlights:
Infinity x3 bs (starting from each side) New Record for me

After that, I tried working on my Legovers and Pickups, but for some reason my right knee started hurting, so I decided to stop, rather than push it. It wasn't exactly my knee though, but more-so right below it. It might've been because of the motion of Legover/Pickup, but I'm not sure.
I plan to kick again tomorrow, since Marc's coming to town and wants to kick for a bit with everyone.

Hopefully the knee pain is not too bad. I like kick.

[isirc10]

I know I had some weird knee pains slightly under my knee cap after doing whirls, and it was because I was landing pretty flat with them. That might be the cause of your troubles. I must say that you really impressed me with your runs. Keep doing whatever you have been doing, it's working.

[akprice]

it's def jumpers knee. i have that as well. hurts right below the knee cap. make sure to stretch quite a bit (hamstrings especially) and be sure to land on toes. that's helped me. game is coming right along!

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Can't wait for arts fest! Your game is sounding tight. However, I think I might know exactly what you're experiencing with your knee pain... If you've been doing dragons lately. When I was pulling off lots of dragons, my knee started to tweak out and even hurt during my clippers. I iced for a week, wore a knee brace for a week, and stopped doing dragons for a week or so. That will take care of it.

Sent from my C6916 using Tapatalk

[bluevampire101]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the tips and stuff. I have decided to put a hold on both Whirls and Dragons since they aren't too imperative to my game right now.

Anywho, today I kicked again since Marc was passing through town. Ivan, Ryan, Ben, Caz, and Khoa were also there. I felt like I didn't really do too well today since I was trying to not make my knee-area hurt again. It didn't feel that bad, but I think while I was practicing Infinities, the right side of my lower back was hurting a bit - perhaps too much of a strain. (I believe it was because of the Infinities at least). Meh. We'll see how this kind of thing goes. Might've just been a today thing.
Working on improving Infinities, as well as work on Pdx Mirages pretty much. Thinking of sending Matt K. video of my Infinities.

One Highlight for Today:
ss Clipper>Infinity>ss Clipper (bs) - - Thanks for the challenge, Ben!