Muffinman

[Muffinman]

Yeah, srsly, right?? That's a trick that I'm pretty much resigned to never hit. I could probably hit revstein if I tried enough though. I've been really close before.



Amazing session today. Just me and Mike. 3 hours, though we had a lot of breaks, but for a 2-man, that's so nuts.
I hit my 20x20 and then did some fun stuff but also just kept doing longer runs. In order, I had a 37, a 27, a 47.. and then another 30-something after? Then I wanted to go for a hundred. I've done it a few times before, but not in a while. Got 91 on my first try. Dropped on a ducking clipper of all things... One of my strongest tricks... Then I just didn't wanna do it again for the rest of the session. Oh may have also had a 60-ish-some run..

Hit some nice things after that to though:
-spin DLO + gyro DLO BSOS first try, dropped BSOSing mobius
-lots of BSOS mobiuses
-a 20-ish with wetdream BSOS
-scorpion BSOS without really meaning to
-blurrier and blurriest BSOS without really meaning to
-some other funner things... Also more 20-ish runs. Probably got close to 30x20 contact runs

It was a session where it went for so long and I played so well that by a certain point there just wasn't anything else left that I wanted to hit. I'd hit it all. Hahaha. Felt good.



EDIT: Top post, so here's a gem I've been rewatching lately. Appropriate too since I tried some big apples a few times today -- felt close but focused more on longer runs especially since lots of people stopped to watch:

[Muffinman]

POST-SHRED HANGOUTS
After reading Asmus' latest blog post, I was reminded to appreciate FAT's most recent post-footbag hangouts. It's actually usually just me and Mike. But back in Winnipeg we never hung out after Hackrifice sessions and that always really bummed me out. Recently Mike and I have been getting bubble tea after ever session. A new place opened up right by our new regular spot and it has the most amazing pineapple green tea -- chunks of what must be orange or maybe pomello(?) in addition to the tapioca. They also customize sugar and ice levels, which my usual places don't generally offer. Alex isn't big on bubble tea. Though the first time my gf came to watch she brought everyone bubble tea, to which Alex's comment was "When your girlfriend comes to sessions she brings everyone bubble tea, when mine comes I have less beer for everyone"

After weekend sessions Mike and also have been grabbing food on a patio, of which there are a bunch since we play right on the waterfront in Toronto. Last session I had ribs, fries, and a peach cider. Session before that I had shrimp and scallops on mashed potatoes and I've been craving it again ever since! We usually talk about comics, video games, board games, and other amazingly nerdy things.

Prior to Mike joining us a few months back Alex and I would just hang out and chat for a while afterward and he would always bring beers. I'm glad we have this tradition of post-shred hangout in Toronto. Footbaggers are the best and I enjoy being able to spend more time with everyone!



INCOMING MAIL
Oh, also I've ordered a bunch more stuff in addition to those Kickstarters I mentioned before:
-New Ashley Wood art book, Fat Kuntsler (which I hope comes in discreet packaging to my work address...)
-128GB iPhone 7 Plus! (I've never had a current gen smart phone! Plus my current phone is 8GB, so... Excited!)
-iPhone case and tripod with phone attachment (I've never used a case before, but really want to protect this one -- researched for both of these items to get the best of each...)
-4TB harddrive for footbag video editing and for videos I make on this comic art channel I also run: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPCDyk ... 7cw/videos
-a new pilates ball that I'm going to try to prevent my cat from destroying immediately



WORK
Since I'm writing about everything non-footbag...
Work is good. I'm really fortunate to have the job that I do. I work in one of the tops law firms in Canada, in the tallest building in Canada, on Canada's equivalent of Wall Street, Bay Street. We eat a lot of cake. I think more later this week? This friday we're doing a library hangout -- all going to a baseball game (I don't know that any of us are actually into baseball...), but also inviting partners/guests. So I will get to finally meet my colleagues partners, and they can meet mine! Also my gf will get to come up to my office and see where I work since we'll have a pizza dinner here first. Then a couple weeks after we're having our firm social which will be a boat cruise at sunset -- not open bar, but we each get a few drink vouchers, so that will probably be nice. Last year we had an axe throwing tournament that I got second place in -- my awesome manager made me a Silver medal out of tinfoil and ribbon My coworkers are amazing and my manager is the best that you could ever imagine or wish for!



LIFE
Otherwise things are all good. Been super stoked on the new GOT season! We rewatched the end of the most recent episode because WOW! Also we watched the first episode of Rick and Morty since we'd both heard so much praise about it... Eh. I'll give it 3-5 episodes and see if it can maintain my interest. We also recreated our first date over the long weekend by playing Pokemon Go and eating Canadian foods that you probably haven't heard of. Also played some board games and saw Dunkirk, which was good, but not really what I expected -- kinda confusing like most of Christopher Nolan's films...
That's about it...

[boyle]

Those post-shred hangouts can be such great times. Haven't been able to do that so much recently. Sounds like everything's going pretty well for you at the moment, that's great to hear.

[Asmus]

Post shred-hangouts is one of the top reasons I still play. Hehe.

Feeling the comics YouTube channel. That Akira Club book looks drop dead gorgeous. I still remember the day my dad bought me the first (international) issue of Akira. I read it over and over and over.. What is your top 5 art books?

Stoked to hear life is going so well for you at the moment. Hope we get too hang in a not toooooo distant future.

[Muffinman]

Decent session today, but forgot my sweat towel which was so much more of a pain than it should've been. It limited how much I could spin with people around... And it meant I took longer breaks to not only regain breath but to air dry... For those of you who know how I sweaty I get... Was struggling with my 20x20, so did drill-y 20s for a handful of them to get them out of the way, since I had 6 to do after Mike had finished playing. Nothing super notable. Also last session I was super beat and only did 10x20. Still, I'm at 4 sessions of 20x20 and counting.

Oh yeah and I made some videos since last post:


And a bonus video:


And then I'll do a couple videos of Mike and Alex too, but did this stand-alone clip of Alex's first Rubberman:




Yeah, things are going well.
And I totally appreciate that I have other people to play with and hang with, especially this week with Alex gone at Worlds. But hopefully, also, we may have a 5-man regularly soon! Alex will be back, Adam should be back, and we'll have Maciek back from Poland around September again! And, yeah, Asmus, it would be good to see you again. Maybe Worlds in Europe in the near future...

Yeah, Akira is amazing.
Hmm... top art books is tricky because often I prefer an artist's sequentials over their pinups. Depends on the art book too though because I'm more interested in rougher pencil work than finished inked and coloured work most of the time. So while I tried to put together a list of my favourite art books that I own, for almost each one there is a comic that I would choose over it:

1) Ashley Wood (don't know which -- Fuck It Omnipuss? Art of MGS?)
2) Encore, Eric Canete
3) Via Lactea, Kent Williams
4) Adam Hughes sketchbook? -- here's an example of where I prefer his rougher stuff over the cover art from his Cover Run book
5) Art of Hellboy? From the Vault -- again, I'd prefer to just look at some of his more recent sequentials, though the sketchbook I prefer over, again, Mignola's cover art compilations

And then 2 runners-up:
6) Art of Blade of the Immortal, by Hiroaki Samura
7) Swallow 5, which is a line of art books by Ashley Wood, highlighting other artists that he likes
(All of these except the last one are on my channel so far.)

Also, here's a video of my collection from earlier in the year (I've probably added about 20 books since?):

[Muffinman]

Hmm.. some thoughts on recent events on the Facebook group:

1) Female players should be held to the same standards as male. Rather than pandering to the entire gender and giving them their own events, make them stand up to the best players, regardless of gender, and push them to the same levels as male players. Giving out medals or BAP inductions because "you're the best woman" doesn't mean anything if you're the best woman of 4 women total... Especially if the level of top female shred is at or below the universally recognized BASIC standard of difficulty. BAP players should be hitting 10+ fearless, not bailing to 2 adds. My two cents anyway.

2) You're free to disregard BAP to whatever degree you choose. You don't have to recognize or respect BAP. But don't take that away from others just because you choose a different path for yourself. You're entitled to your own opinion, but don't mistake your opinion for universal fact. It just makes you come off as a pompous ass.

3) This one's a bit trickier because I have to name a name. I respect Nick completely, and ever since he was a newb, I was convinced that he would be BAP if he continued at the rate of progression he's always been on. I said that often on the Facebook group. And, disclaimer, I wasn't at Worlds this year and can't say how he did or didn't play there. But I feel, personally, that this induction was a bit premature. He said it himself leading up to Worlds, "Sometimes I feel like BAP-level, sometimes I don't" (paraphrased). I feel that in a year or two if he continues at his current rate he will be that level, but I think the best example I can think of is that Byrin didn't make BAP in 2007 and even though that was a DECADE ago and standards have increased, Byrin would blow Nick out of the water. There are many players at BAP level that are a higher level than Nick. That's all. I feel that he is close, but not quite there.

[C-Fan]

Lots of interesting thoughts in that post. A couple quick responses off the top of my head:

Hmm.. some thoughts on recent events on the Facebook group:

I like that our thoughts here on Modified have a bit more permanence. Yeah, fewer people post/read here, and yeah the conversations aren't as immediate. But on the other hand, all the interesting conversation happening on the Facebook group will be lost for eternity starting in a few months. I like that there's some permanence to the record here.

1) Female players should be held to the same standards as male.

Do you feel this way about all sports, or just footbag? Like, do you think Serena Williams should be allowed to compete against men? Or WNBA players in NBA games? I'm not sure how I feel about it myself, I'm just trying to ask questions to help us figure out what's at the crux of the issue. Similarly, what about sports which are based more around skill than physical ability, such as archery?

2) You're free to disregard BAP to whatever degree you choose. You don't have to recognize or respect BAP..

I think two factors make BAP so contentious for so many people. First, is that they've never been clear on the standards for induction. Some years many people get in. Others, nobody gets in. Some years, players get in on potential. Others, players with potential are given honorable mention and told they'd get in only once they realize that potential. This irregularity is understandably confusing and frustrating for a lot of BAP hopefuls and observers alike. Which dovetails with your overall point here, that nobody has the ultimate, correct opinion about BAP...since it does not exist.

3) I feel, personally, that Nick's induction was a bit premature. I feel that in a year or two if he continues at his current rate he will be that level, but I think the best example I can think of is that Byrin didn't make BAP in 2007 and even though that was a DECADE ago and standards have increased, Byrin would blow Nick out of the water. There are many players at BAP level that are a higher level than Nick. That's all. I feel that he is close, but not quite there.

Part of this goes to the point I made above, that BAP has not always been consistent about inducting players with potential (PWP) who may not have quite reached that level yet. The 4 common outcomes have been:

1. PWP gets an honorable mention, then gets BAP sometime in the future. This is usually because they get motivated to try harder for their goal, and consequently improve as a player. Example player: Brian MacKenzie in 97. Came back stronger in 98 and made BAP, was one of the 2 best players at Worlds 99.
2. PWP gets honorable mention, never makes BAP in the future. Could be they got discouraged by not making BAP (Forrest Schrodt). Could be they never get the chance to go to Worlds again but continue playing (Rafal Kaleta). Could be they improve, but not at the rate to keep up with BAP standards (Taishi so far). Could be they get injured (Byrin Wylie).
3. PWP gets inducted into BAP, does not improve or disappears. This has happened a few times, and probably is why BAP has often been gunshy about inducting PWP too early. Toby Robinson, Nick LaRoche and Lasse Salmenhaara are examples.
4. PWP gets inducted into BAP, shows improvement over ensuing years to the point that people forget they were inducted maybe a bit premature. Penske is a great example, where he got in as a teenager still growing into his body in 02, and then really blossomed over the next 2 years into a strong member of BAP.

Looking at these 4 outcomes, you can see the risks/rewards of inducting PWP on the bubble. You don't want to frustrate players into quitting because they can't make BAP, but you also don't want to water BAP down by inducting PWP every year only to see them leave or bring the level down. I'd personally err on the side of not inducting PWP, as the ones who are inclined to keep improving probably will anyway, and that way you encourage people to keep pushing. But I get the complications that also come with Worlds being hard to get to for many players, and therefore having fewer bites at the apple.

Back on topic, I believe you are right that much of the controversy over Nick's induction stems from the perception he's not quite at BAP level yet. I think a lot of that controversy disappears if he continues improving and we get to outcome 4. If he stays at his current level and future BAP are at a higher level, then the perception of outcome 3 will likely increase.

[Muffinman]

Do you feel this way about all sports, or just footbag?

I was referring specifically to footbag. And my rationale, though I haven't put a ton of thought into it, is that footbag is essentially a dance/martial art/gymnastics, in which female athletes generally perform equally or better than men.

Thanks for the thoughtful response, Ken!
I do believe that Nick will keep pushing and reach that level, despite having already been inducted. Though, having said that I am a little concerned about his attitude around BAP being that it's a primary motivator for his progress. It's super weird saying these things knowing that at some point he will probably read this though. Full transparency is also good for the sport though. And we're all friends anyway, so I hope voicing my opinion doesn't change that.


PS: It bothers me more than it should when people say "BAPped" instead of "BAPtized:
So many missed opportunities...

[boyle]

I agree with you two fellows, I think he's on the path to that level, but Nick is not quite there yet, even though he has the induction. I was watching the post-finals circle, as the live stream stayed on. The circle was something like Olav, Lon (replaced later by Jim), David Clavens, Nick Polini and Nathan Bonslaver. I thought Nick was coming to the level sometimes, but too many attempts at certain tricks, and not enough hitting of other things, though he did hit some things that I imagine those guys either couldn't hit at all, or would have some trouble getting those tricks on the first go. Master Bonslaver is another player with potential, but I thought he looked a long way off in that particular circle, which is obviously not the only thing they go on.

Personally I think tournament play, particular at a major event like Worlds, should have more influence. That way Taishi would be straight in, because every year he is beating BAP players.

I think hopefully we will see what Ken mentioned, which is in a couple of years time, Nick will probably be at that high level.

I guess the interesting thing is who are the contenders for future BAP - there were a whole bunch of honourable mentions in there this year, but I don't see really any of them going in for the coming year or too. One would hope Taishi will get in there one day, I didn't realise he has had four honourable mentions in a row, I thought it was 3. I think it will be a Europe Worlds next year, so you would think Mariusz Wilk could be in with a shot, Mr Pawel world champion could get a gig if he keeps playing like that.

Erik - you mentioned the attitude and I can see some comments on the Facebook that are right in that mark, it's really important to be gracious in victory, though this is not an actual competition and doesn't actually have any rules.

Actually reading back on Ken's post, I think Rafal Kaleta is probably another contender, though he's probably a bit past it now, but maybe he would win sick 1 anyway. I think he has been to at least 4 Worlds (fun fact, he's been to 6, beginning in 2006). What year did he get honourable mention? Was that 2010 or maybe 09? Seems to be a bit of a sick 1/sick 3 specialist and I believe he has won Worlds in Sick 1 at least once.

Part of me also thinks there is a bit of reaction to Nathan Pipenberg not going into BAP after Worlds in Canada - which the complaints were purely based on performance results, which we have seen in recent years have nothing to do with entrance into the club. I know there was a lot of anger from US players, though I think he himself didn't really care so much.

[Muffinman]

I don't feel that Taishi or Nathan are close to BAP level. I don't think Rafael is quite there either, though he's super good! Mariusz I think is maybe there or almost there. I haven't seen enough recent footage of him, I don't think.

[boyle]

Taishi is a tricky one though because he keeps beating BAP players year after year across various competitions. Which I really think should count for something.

People were really mad that Jindra went in and not Nathan because of circle results, but just one event is not enough to base it on.

I think Rafal probably is, but needs more consistency, which is probably the same I would say for Nick. The big tricks are there but I don't think they are all the time.

[C-Fan]

If I ever get a chance to blog about Worlds, I'll put in some good convos I had with BAP and non-BAP players about what should be BAP criteria. Some people said comp results shouldn't factor in at all, while others said things like beating BAP members in comp should help your case, but not make your case. Like if you were borderline, but you beat a bunch of BAP over the years in comps, that should push you over...but if you were just a consistently good routine player who beats BAP in routines but doesn't intimidate people in casual circles, that shouldn't vault you into the BAP convo either.

[Muffinman]

If I ever get a chance to blog about Worlds, I'll put in some good convos I had with BAP and non-BAP players about what should be BAP criteria. Some people said comp results shouldn't factor in at all, while others said things like beating BAP members in comp should help your case, but not make your case. Like if you were borderline, but you beat a bunch of BAP over the years in comps, that should push you over...but if you were just a consistently good routine player who beats BAP in routines but doesn't intimidate people in casual circles, that shouldn't vault you into the BAP convo either.

Yes, that's exactly how I feel. Taishi is an exceptionally consistent player and good at shows and competition, but I don't feel he is very strong in circles. The trick repertoire that he displays is quite limited and not high difficulty. Just because he beat BAP players in competition doesn't mean he can "beat" BAP players in shred. In my opinion BAP technical level should be ridiculously high -- pushing boundaries, and Taishi and Nathan just aren't there.

Rafael does push in some areas like symp torques -- who else can do consecutive symp torques, backside gauntlet, whisk > symp torque repeat, etc? By the same token, Nick does also push in some areas -- non-symp twist tricks. Who else can hit revup > far revup repeat? Or something like moby dick x2 > pdx torquescrew (was that the combo?)

[Tjuggles]

I think that BAP members should be able to bust fat. Beating other BAP players may help the case, but shouldn't be a main factor. I mean, I beat a couple of BAP members to make it to routine finals, but it's not like I shredded harder than them; they dropped a lot.

Big Add Posse I think should be those who can throw Big Adds, and perhaps additionally unique, fairly uncommon adds.

[Muffinman]

Agreed.



20x20 session #5:
Session yesterday started out pretty weak. Halfway through the session I was still super behind and couldn't string very well for a good chunk. Then I did some easier things and the end of the session ended really strong. That felt good to bounce back and to feel like I controlled it. Big apple first try -- I'm not sure which is good side, but I sat down and didn't try the other side more than like once. A run with 20 spinning clippers one side and 17 on the other? Some 20 runs with some bigger tricks later in the contacts. Nothing super great. Except we did have a 5-man! Mike, Alex, Alex's gf, and another "new" player, Cody. So that was cool, but also meant I needed even more consistency than usual because it took longer for me to get the back per rotation. Nothing much else to say. Mostly just counting the session # for my own records.

[boyle]

Big Add Posse I think should be those who can throw Big Adds, and perhaps additionally unique, fairly uncommon adds.

I think on this category Nick fits the bill for sure. And I think that should be the criteria, more or less, though there is some "mystique" around what has to be done to get in and I think some people go not necessarily on hitting huge tricks - and also if it's based on huge tricks then Rafal Kaleta is long overdue.

[Tjuggles]

Big Add Posse I think should be those who can throw Big Adds, and perhaps additionally unique, fairly uncommon adds.

I think on this category Nick fits the bill for sure. And I think that should be the criteria, more or less, though there is some "mystique" around what has to be done to get in and I think some people go not necessarily on hitting huge tricks - and also if it's based on huge tricks then Rafal Kaleta is long overdue.

I agree that Nick fits the bill. I'm not sure how overdue Rafal Kaleta is, but off the top of my head, sure he can hit symp torques, but to me that seems to be it. Not down-playing his game at all, plus I am out of the loop so he may have been posting videos on FB that I haven't seen, but other than the symp torques, nothing comes to mind.

[Muffinman]

Rafal is a strong player though. I still agree not quite BAP level, but very, very good. Though I feel like he's had a hiatus off and on(?) since he was much stronger and putting out more videos like 5+ years ago? I dunno. Hard to gauge from the internet...


Anyway.
Had my 5x20x20 session yesterday -- 1/4 of the way to 20x20x20.
Session started really strong. I filmed, so I guess that'll be in a video. I don't remember what. Something cool from the Level 3 video is that it taught me symp swirls. Hahaha. So I can do like far symp swirl pretty consistently. Like, not consistently, but in comparison to before... very well. What else... I don't remember... I have been playing harder than I thought I could the last handful of sessions without pain stopping me from continuing. So that feels amazing. Not too far back I was saying that I would have to alternate cool tricks one session and then just easy the next because of pain, but been feeling strong for a good number of sessions now!

Can't wait for next session <3

[Tjuggles]

Great to see you posting again homie. It's like you never left, except now you don't have braces and can play without pain!

Also, just wanted to make sure I make it known that I agree with you that Rafal is a strong player

[Muffinman]

Thanks TJ!

Yesterday was a weak 20x20 -- #6. Legs felt super sore, like shinsplits, but also other muscular pain. Not bad just overuse. So a few 20s were actually long, easy 40s. One 60 also, to knock off 3 at once.

Here's a video from the previous session:


And then we decided to do one-shots yesterday (first video with my iPhone 7 Plus):