Nick "Houdini" Polini

[Allan]

I've been giving this a fair amount of thought and I think I've come up with two points that, had Nick done them, would have made this a non-issue.

1) Fair warning. If you're going to link to potentially offensive content, then warn people. NSFW or whatever; give context. Content like this, completely out of context, can be surprising and magnify the offensive nature of things. Nobody likes surprises like that.

2) Do not embed videos that have this sort of content. If Nick had just pasted the link in and, as above, put in a warning that the content was graphic and offensive, then we likely would have been fine. However, I believe that when you use that embed tag and the video appears directly on the page, you're essentially making the content of the video the content of your post; as such, you become responsible for it. If you took a transcript of that video and pasted the text into your post, you'd see very quickly how it breaks the rules.

Vojta, I think I see what you're saying, and I think my point #2 there addresses you. I don't think we should be policing or censoring what people watch on YouTube at all. And that was not my intent here. But when you take YouTube.com and put in into modified.in, that's where my problem arises and where your analogy falls apart, or at least becomes blurry.

Embed responsibly, people!!

I do hope we're good here and that this doesn't need to go much further. It's been suggested we move the topic to another thread. This is probably a good idea if we want to debate the issue more. Whoever might do this, put it in meta.

[krustykrakk]

Pdx torque to vortex sounds curvaceous and awesome! Please video! Can't wait until jamps, mango!

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Just want to say a few things..

Cassy, I feel that the only reason you commented in my blog today was to publicly bring me down out of a history of personal spite. "'Getting offended' is just a way for people to get more than their fair share of attention, that concept is purely destructive". Vojta hit the nail on the head with that one, too. I can't think of another reason why you would have posted that comment. However, If you had been reading my blog and COMMENTING all along and conversing with me and others in here about my footbag stuff (which is what it's for, after all), I would think differently. Launching a random attack like that when you've finally found a vulnerable patch on me.. well, that just seems too suspicious. A mature action would have been to send Allan a private message and let him know that there was an offensive video on my blog. He would have edited it or asked me to remove it and people could have saved their breaths and not had to be disrupted by this storm of shit. As Vojta said about the hateful pm's.. I stand with him on all of that, because I was also in those same shoes receiving similar pm's. I respect you as a footbag player, but I do not want anything to do with you as a person ever again... We used to be friends, but you've shown me your dark side too many times. If you're burning to reply, reply in pm. But I really hope you're content with just staying out of my life and I'll stay out of yours.

Allan, no hard feelings. You're just doing your job and I understand that the video I posted touched points that may not have been clearly described in the rules of Modified. You're right, I should have given fair warning and not imbedded it. Honestly, after watching some videos of comedians who bomb on stage, I ended on this video around 3 am and sleepily decided to post it. I did not find the "comic" funny. I posted it because I thought the video was funny, as a whole. I thought that since the audience owned him and clearly the audience won, that this would be looked at in a more comedic manner. Like, a drunk, sexist scumbag went on stage and the audience tore him apart. I can definitely see how the video is offensive to some, and I definitely should have given fair warning for younger/easily offended viewers. But since this video wasn't directed at anyone in particular, I didn't think it would be offensive to anyone on Modified.

Kevin and Vojta, thanks for having my back on this topic. Offending people with the video was not my intention at all. It didn't even cross my mind. But you guys saw through to that, so thank you.

TJ: I never had a problem with you. You have some good points there, too.

Ben: Thanks for getting it back into a footbag groove. Looking forward to hanging out and kicking with you again, man.

Please no more mention of any of this. Everyone said their points, I said mine. It was a fun little conversation, but now the video of conflict has been obliterated, so there's really nothing left to do but play footbag.

Blogging hardly seems worth it now. But here it goes.

I had a short but fun session with Bonslaver and Ivan tonight. Ivan did some cool tricks. Oh and Nathan also did some cool tricks.

Highlights:

Mobius> Blurry Whirl> Blurry Whirl> Mobius... second time I've ever hit it. Hardly had to think about it this time. I guess that's improvement.
Flipside Cloud> Stepping Ducking Butterfly. Hit it on strong side this summer. Nice to have that both sides now.
Blurry Whirl> Blurriest almost BSOS
Coolest save of my life: Tombstone> Vortex attempt, except it ended up being Tombstone> Gyro Pincher> Swirl. Improv wins.

Good night.

[krustykrakk]

I want to pick a favorite highlight from your last post but I can't. I'm going to go with the groovy bail haha. I love accidental weird, improvised stuff. Keep kicking, see you soon.

[h0ag3yb3atZ]

sweet combos dude. the mobius>bw>bw drill was cool in person. i'd like to see the same with a stepping whirl after the mobius.

last one is my fav too good stuff mane

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

I'm back.

A crazy whole lot has happened since I last posted here. I hadn't played footbag for around 4 weeks. One or two very quick basics sessions in there, just to test my knee. Anyway, here's all the life stuff that has happened...

Highlife'ts:

Quit that soul-crushing warehouse job, finally. This really aided in my recovery, I think. I don't have to run about on the cement floors day-in-day-out anymore. My knees thanked me. But I quit that job because...
I got a new job! I'm a fish technician now. I work at a hydroelectric dam and I sort out different species of fish, specifically American Shad, since their populations are drastically decreasing. I'm helping with this big American Shad restoration project, basically. It hasn't officially started yet, because the water is too high currently, and also they have seen 0 fish come through the fish lift.. which is... bad. Hopefully, fish come through soon and I can start the job..
I am now officially a stand-up comedian. I have done 2 shows now and I've done well at both. Treating it like footbag... Small improvements in timing, delivery, and material every time I practice. If you're planning on going to PSU Jamps, I will be performing at one of the after-parties. Trying to throw together a footbag comedy set, as well as my "normal people" comedy set. I'm excited to share this with all of you guys and be part of the entertainment for the after-party. It'll be fun and interesting performing strictly for friends.
Here's the big one... Around June or July, there is a good chance that I will no longer be living in PA. I've basically been I've pretty much been guaranteed a full-time (benefits and health insurance included) job as either Avian Biologist or Herpetologist in Miami, FL. Turns out, it's all about the people you know. I happened to become friends with this one kid in my Mammalogy class, named Marcus. We didn't really have many other friends in our Wildlife Biology major, so we hung out every now and then and worked on projects and stuff. Turns out, he's been the head Herpetologist at this museum/conservation center in Miami for like 2 years. He messaged me the other day and basically offered me a job, since they just lost a few people and they are expanding the conservation center soon. He told me that he's in charge of hiring people and his boss told him to be on the lookout for people who fit the bill... and I fit the bill. His boss on on vacation til April 26th, so I will have a definite answer by then.. but Marcus said that I'm in. I will keep the blog updated on this job. It's literally a dream job, no matter which one I end up with. I love herps and birds equally.

I know some people might be upset to hear I'll probably be leaving PA, specifically Bonslaver & PSU, but I'd rather say it now than a week before I leave. April, Ben, Bonslaver, Greg, Ivan, Khoa, Ryan, you've all learned so much from my time here. I'm really glad we have been able to shred so much and that you all got so good. You've become both my friends and shred partners. I hope you all stick with it. I'm glad I'll be able to see you all at Jamps this weekend.

If/when I move to Florida, I still intend on attending jams a few times a year.

Big boy time is hitting me hard right now, but I'm mostly stoked for the new changes.

To end on a happy note.. I played today and got a pretty cool video from it:

[bluevampire101]

Highlife'ts:

Quit that soul-crushing warehouse job, finally. This really aided in my recovery, I think. I don't have to run about on the cement floors day-in-day-out anymore. My knees thanked me. But I quit that job because...
I got a new job! I'm a fish technician now. I work at a hydroelectric dam and I sort out different species of fish, specifically American Shad, since their populations are drastically decreasing. I'm helping with this big American Shad restoration project, basically. It hasn't officially started yet, because the water is too high currently, and also they have seen 0 fish come through the fish lift.. which is... bad. Hopefully, fish come through soon and I can start the job..
I am now officially a stand-up comedian. I have done 2 shows now and I've done well at both. Treating it like footbag... Small improvements in timing, delivery, and material every time I practice. If you're planning on going to PSU Jamps, I will be performing at one of the after-parties. Trying to throw together a footbag comedy set, as well as my "normal people" comedy set. I'm excited to share this with all of you guys and be part of the entertainment for the after-party. It'll be fun and interesting performing strictly for friends.
Here's the big one... Around June or July, there is a good chance that I will no longer be living in PA. I've basically been I've pretty much been guaranteed a full-time (benefits and health insurance included) job as either Avian Biologist or Herpetologist in Miami, FL. Turns out, it's all about the people you know. I happened to become friends with this one kid in my Mammalogy class, named Marcus. We didn't really have many other friends in our Wildlife Biology major, so we hung out every now and then and worked on projects and stuff. Turns out, he's been the head Herpetologist at this museum/conservation center in Miami for like 2 years. He messaged me the other day and basically offered me a job, since they just lost a few people and they are expanding the conservation center soon. He told me that he's in charge of hiring people and his boss told him to be on the lookout for people who fit the bill... and I fit the bill. His boss on on vacation til April 26th, so I will have a definite answer by then.. but Marcus said that I'm in. I will keep the blog updated on this job. It's literally a dream job, no matter which one I end up with. I love herps and birds equally.

Congrats Congrats Congratulations! That sounds very exciting. Although, I'm sure most of us will be/are upset about the news, but I think we (not that I can speak for the others), I, am more excited that you're getting a dream job. Do what you want to do, not what you have to do, right? And get paid for it. That's super awesome.

Perhaps besides Jamps, we'll all get to kick more often before then. Even then, perhaps you can start a scene where you're at and host a jam and stuff, plus the other jams. Or even just on the off times, perhaps Ben and I can visit at some point. I've never been to Florida

Also good luck, just in case (doubt you need it).

Hype! Jamps! Soon!
Kicky stuff!

[Add Block]

Welcome back

Someone's been watching Lon's tutorial.

Nice Spikehammers

[Kylescook]

Props on everything. Life is awesome for you. Chase dreams.

[h0ag3yb3atZ]

you deserve it nick.

love watching the shred theeze days. spinning ducking osis>inspin osis drill is still amazing to me lol

[bobgreen]

You kids these days and your shad and herps. Congrats on all of the life stuff!!!

Looking forward to kicking with you this weekend. I'm catching up on the tutorials you released, but maybe I can get some torque tips from you in person this weekend too.

[boyle]

Good job on packing it in at the warehouse. Working those mind numbing soul crushing jobs is no fun. Good luck with the Florida stuff too.

[Derek]

Warehouse jobs are my favorite, but it does drain the soul. Big ol' props on knowing the right peeps, cause Herpetology in Florida is gonna be so sweet! Hope it pulls through for ya.

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Thanks all, I've been excited for the things to come.

Jamps was awesome. It ignited my passion for footbag again. I was getting pretty down on it before Jamps, because of my injury, but my knee is back to maybe 98%. I played today for the first time after Jamps and I didn't use a knee brace for the first time in a while. Nice to be free again.

At Jamps, Nick gave me a challenge during Renegade, which I didn't manage to hit then, but I hit it 2 times after Renegade, which pleased me. Whirling Cloud Kick> ss Whirl> Drifter *rpt... This drill made me reanalyze my game and realize what I wanted to be good at.

Highlights from Jamps:

Whirling Cloud> Stepping Butterfly *rpt x6 contacts (new record)
Whirling Cloud Kick> ss Whirl> Drifter *rpt (2 separate times)
Whirling Cloud Kick> ss Whirl> Ripwalk *rpt
R.I.P. (Ripstein Career Ender... first time on film... pretty sure Ianek filmed it) Finally, an invention on film.
Fairy Muted Far Revup
Pixie Far Muted Blink b2b
Alpine Blurry Whirl> Mobius
Double Spinning Cloud> Stepping set drop
Some really nice runs.

On a separate note, I presented my comedy set to little more than half of the attendees. I had a great response. People said I reminded them of Jim Gaffigan, which was the best compliment I've received in comedy, so far. Ivan filmed that, so I'm assuming that will be posted sooner or later.

Today:

Whirling Cloud Kick> ss Reverse Swirl bs
Clipper> ss Cloud Kick> ss Whirl> ss Cloud Kick> ss Legover/ss Pickup bs, several times each to drill
New trick: Bling-Blang (one side.. meh)

I had my first day at the fish lift today. It's pretty awesome. I helped build a giant fish tank today, then went to count fishes at the other lift, which was awesome. There's this giant window and you can see all the fish that swim by. Didn't see a lot today, but saw a few Gizzard Shad, some American Shad (the species of concern for this project), and a Channel Catfish. Slow day for the lift, but they said I'm going to see hundreds soon. So yeah, first day was a success.

There might be a really fucking crazy cool thing that might just happen on Friday. I'll keep this updated for that. Crossing my fingers.

Big props to the PSU Club for continuing Pipenberg's and my legacy and running a 5th year of footbag fun. Great jamp, guys/gals.

Good night.

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Hi. Happy Modified day. 11 people was the most people online at the same time... I wasn't one of them. I couldn't get online all day because of my new job. I don't regret it though, because the experience was incredible. Maybe I'll post some pictures soon, but I don't feel like it right now.

Basically, I helped some biologists set up a radio telemetry study on Gizzard Shad. Lots of heavy moving and stuff but it was a really fun experience and I learned a ton. The breakdown of it is that we set up 8 antennae on this big island, 4 on both points. On Wednesday, I'm going to start catching shad and tagging them with a small radio transmitter. When those tagged fish swim through the area where the antennae are pointing, the telemetry equipment picks it up and we can track our tagged fish that way, to monitor their population. It may sound boring, but this is what I went to school for, so I'm pretty stoked on the experience.

Anyway, footbag stuff. I kicked with Bonslaver yesterday... basically all day. We had a really fun session. Tried filming, but everything good was off camera. We had a blast with filming other stuff though. We filmed a brutal Infinity race up his driveway. That was hilarious the whole way through. Footage of that will come out eventually, I think. Oh god, then we played HORSE. One of Nate's tricks was Superfly. First try. I was kinda baffled. I hit it though We extended HORSE into HORSEY... then to HORSEYGLUE. Fun/funny session.

Highlights:

Whirr> Mobius bs
Whirling Cloud Kick> ss Legover> Pixie op Clipper *rpt
Most of a crazy cloud drill (on video..might be released. might not)
Merkon> Far Reverse Swirl *rpt


On a side note, I started skateboarding again. I kinda missed it. I'm not going to risk my bones with gaps and stairs anymore, but flip tricks are still fun to mess around with.

Been writing some new jokes. I have one about potatoes. It's fucking hilarious.

That's all. Happy modified day/420/Hitler's birthday.

*disclaimer* The above is a joke. Marijuana makes you violent and Hitler wasn't very nice to minorities.

[Nathan8]

I laughed when reading about that session you had yesterday with that kid still funny. In other news, I got that performance spot at the car show secured for us today. We can perform from 11:15 to 1:15 (roughly). It sounds like a lot of fun, but I think we should have a session before then to prepare, if your cool with that. The fish tracking system sounds cool too. More efficient than catching and releasing them to estimate how many tagged ones there are in a given area.

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Hi, quick update...

I played with Bonslaver and his new student, Carter (who is already impressing with his solid toe stall b2b x40). We did a demo at a carnival, raising money for Nathan's boy scout troop. I think we pulled in a solid 7 bucks

Anyway, I had one cool highlight...

I guess Carter had checked out my YouTube channel because he saw me do a Flapper and immediately said "Don't you hold the world record for that?" Wow. I forgot for a second, but he was right. That was pretty cool. So, I tried to set a new world record on Far Flapper and I hit it first try. Beat my old record by 2 and hit 18. I just thought it was cool doing that right after he mentioned it. I hope that got him more stoked on footage.

I tried to sell my longboard to one of Nate's friends, who used to footbag, until he got into longboarding. I was talking to him about the board I was trying to sell, then he asked me why I was selling it and I replied "I used to longboard but then I realized it was stupid and that footbag is way cooler and way more fun." Then I dropped the bag on my clipper and hit a pretty awesome run lol Needless to say, I lost that sale, not that I gave a shit Nathan backed me up.. "Its ok, you were just telling it like it is" XD cracked me up.

Fun session.

I'd like to try to play tomorrow. Doing an open Mic after that to test out some new jokes that I haven't performed yet.

Oh. I hid my first geocache today! Made it a difficulty 3, terrain 5. Should get reviewed and posted sometime tomorrow.

Night.

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

Fun session last night.

Highlights:

Toe Near Blink>Atomsmasher *rpt
Gyro DLO> Far Reverse Swirl *rpt
Far Symp Swirl> Stepping Clipper *rpt (once on each side)
Diving Butter> Pdx Whirl *rpt> Pdx Whirl> Reverse Swirl *rpt
Messed With PS Reverse Swirl too. Figured them out a lot better on both sides.

Did 2 open mics the night before. Hit one, then another, one after the other. Felt great. Got a good bag of laughs from that crowd. Second place was so dead. Everyone had left before we went up, basically. Had a great time with my comedy posse. Possibly hitting another tomorrow. Starting to dabble with a funnier persona, which is awesome. Exciting stuff, all around.

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSGOSkCshR8[/youtube]

[F[uns]tylin' Eclectic]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbO2_Yp8Pk0[/youtube]

Big milestone.