Sunday,Circle Finals
Last year in Portland, I knew I blew it in routine finals, even before results were announced. The only positive to come from that, was I was able to channel my frustration into my circle comp performance, which paid off with a win. At this year's USO, I told my fiancee ahead of time that I expected to perform well in circle finals regardless of what happened in routines, because either I'd be in the same situation as last year, or I'd be so happy that I won routines that I'd ride that high with a strong performance. As it turned out, neither of these situations occurred. While I was happy that I didn't blow it in routines, I also wasn't sure if I had won either, so I entered Circle comp finals unable to channel either emotion.
I'm glad Circle came shortly after Routines. Not only was I still pretty warm (since I was the #2 seed in routines), but it helped distract me until routine results were announced. Circle Finals were comprised of Brian, Chris Dean, myself, and Landes seeded in that order. Given that I like all their styles, and hadn't played much with them through the weekend, I was pretty excited for it. Going in, my only goal was to medal. I figured I had a slim (but existent) chance of beating Landes, and that either Brian or Chris could beat me, but that it was unlikely (but certainly possible) for both to do so on the same day. So my expectation was to finish 2nd or 3rd, but I knew I had to play as hard as possible for that to happen.
I don't remember much from Circle finals. I mostly made it a point to hit strong opening combos, and avoid short turns. For the most part I did this, but Nick was on fire and crushed us all. I remember one turn he had in the density round where he dropped his first combo. I expected him to go conservative after that, but instead he ripped off something like 5-7 fearless. Wow. I also remember watching Brian play, and thinking to myself how hard it is to judge him. He'd start turns off with mobius-gyro dyno-mobius and other links I couldn't hit if I tried them for a week, but since it was Brian they looked normal. Meanwhile, a trick like ripwalk would stand out, even though it's boring and normal for most players, its rare in his selection, so it stood out. Circle wraps up, and I congratulate everybody on making it through all the comp for the weekend.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxpTGLYlfHI[/youtube]
Unlike the previous year, I still have energy to play after comp, so I make a point to seek people out and play some. The highlight for me is playing with Alex Zerbe, whom I had not seen in quite a while, and I hadn't played with in probably 10 years. It was fun reminiscing a bit. I reminded him that in 99 Worlds we both competed intermediate, but while he won 1st, I finished 6th. He had a good time razzing me about that, reminding me that he'll always have that over me.
I play with some intermediates for a bit, but then I listen to my body and start stretching down and eating bananas. I was really hoping there'd be 4square at this point, but the people who I'd imagine being most keen for it were already playing 2 square, and I was kinda mentally wiped at this point. I wait around to hear results for a bit, when Justin Dale calls me over. He's got a sheet in his hand, and says he wants my opinion on something. When I realize it's comp results, I tell him I can't do that for an event I was in, because of the moral hazard involved. He tells me that 1st and second place are already locked in, and he just wants my opinion on a tie breaker. I assumed he means for Circle, so I look at the sheet...but he wanted my opinion on routines. I tell him that the only routine I saw (in third person) was Landes, so I'm no help there. But in the process I learned I won routines, which Justin confirms. He congratulates me, and I tell him I'll keep it a secret until the awards ceremony. Inwardly I throw a little fist pump, and chuckle to myself that for the second year in a row I found out I won a USO event by looking at a sheet of paper before the ceremonies.
I go back and sit with my fiancee Haley, until they start the awards ceremony. When routine results are announced, Justin gives a little speech about how there have been very few US champs since USO was started up in the mid-2000s. My eyes immediately go to Flash, the only former champ in attendance. Then I look at Landes, who I feel can and will win a lot of these titles in the years to come. Then I think about Penske, who couldn't make it this year. But when Justin calls out my name, I force all thoughts out of my head and just soak in the applause. The moment is less dramatic than I'd expected, but there's no doubt about it: it feels good. I won the US Open.
I take some pictures, then start trying to round people up to get dinner and drinks. Most of Stanford is leaving, so I do my goodbyes with them. In the process I learn that a bunch of the top Euro players aren't going to Worlds. It's been less than an hour since I've won USO, and already I'm thinking about Worlds, and readjusting my goals and expectations. I try and push it out of my head, but already I'm excited to hear my chances at Worlds may be better than I expected.
Getting people to move at the end of a footbag tourney is harder than herding cats. I eventually get some of the Portland crew to head in the same direction as me, and I let the others know where we're going. We go to a tap house a couple blocks away, which is very good. It ends up being me, Haley, Landes, Evan Lovely, and Chris Dean. We share some beers, and I eat a good seared ahi sandwich. Our conversations flow from ones where all five of us are engaged, to side conversations between various people, to discussions criss crossing each other. Eventually they have to hit the road to get back to Portland, so I buy them a round of drinks before we say our farewells.
Back outside I'm surprised its still light out. Reilley is finally out of the WAC, so we walk down to the international district. It's a nice walk, and it feels great to be outside for a change. It's also nice to walk someplace in Seattle and no longer care about how my legs will feel the next day. I wear my medal around my neck half as a joke, but half because I need a tangible reminder to convince me I actually won. The medal ends up attracting some unwanted attention though. As we're waiting at a crosswalk to cross a street, I feel a wet hot sticky mess on my arm. It startles me, and I'm disoriented by the fact that Haley and Reilley seem unaffected. It takes me a minute to realize a bird just pooped on me...I think the medal around my neck made me a target for him.
We have some good conversation and I get an almond smoothie. It's nice to catch up some with Reilley, especially with the tourney over. We cab home, and I saw bye to Reilley. For the first time since Wednesday of the previous week, I sleep like a baby.
Next: Reflections
In 1996 the Chicago Bulls set an NBA record by winning 72 of 82 regular season games. At the time, many people pointed out that this record was achieved in a very diluted league...the Raptors and Grizzlies were expansion teams in their first year of existence, and the Bulls also got to pad their record by playing some woeful Eastern teams like the 76ers (18-64) and Bucks (25-57). Was winning 72/82 games in 1996 easier than winning 68/82 games in 1967 (as the 76ers did) in a much more talented league? Almost certainly. But when they asked Michael Jordan about this, his response was something to the effect of: "I don't make the schedule. I play the games on the schedule." 
In all seriousness, it was great to finally meet you too. I was impressed by your drive to play as much as possible during the week. It reminded me of doing the same back at my first Worlds, waaaaaay back in 1999. Of course, I didn't win the title that year like you did though. 
Awesome that I got to kick it (referring to the hoodlum/hoodrat term for "hang out" or "pass time with another") with you, but bummed I never got to kick it (referring to "da bag") with you. Looking forward to the next jam we both attend. Catch ya later dude.