Actually kicked at Posvar today by myself. I had to get a haircut in Oakland and brought my old camo's in case Pitt was penetrable.
So, it was my first time in a reasonable space to kick in weeks.
My session was cut short by a random lower back pain. I suppose it's because I was using a newer, tighter form (that I thought of while schooling off-side swirls) after not kicking in a while.
The best things to come of this session were related to my new approach at this sport. I started out practicing consecutive tilt-less moves with the intention of mastery over basic components. And working my way up. At least when I start out. From now on, at least half the time. This means that I will most likely have to kick twice as much now, as I like kicking with others, but find that it is easier to do this when I kick alone.
So examples were:
Consecutive ducking clippers: (discovered that the priority was to get my delay foot out sooner, so all I had to do was aim it under the bag while dropping with the support leg.)
Off-side mirages: got to a point where I was hitting them about as consistently (number-wise) as my good side. I need to gradually start bringing these tricks in, closer to my body. I also need to learn how to slow down and patiently wait till the bag is low enough to clear my dexes (this is important for swirls, rev. swirls, twirls, DLO's, drifters, and torques as well.)
Swirls: Came up with new ways of hitting them on both sides, but I still get these different methods confused. Especially when I am warming up.
I find that intermittently schooling swirls and twirls on the same side really helps me understand both the set and the wait time before the dex. If I set, pretending to go for twirl and I then execute a swirl dex instead, I find that my sets are far superior. So I am going to really practice both moves on each side.
Stepping sets on my weak side seem good, but I worry they may have hurt my lower back. Stepping sets have done this in my past.
Can't wait to play again!
Steel City Freestyle
I got an email from the artist whose work I have been running. Saying that they would like to work with me in the future. I got kind of overwhelmed. I am doing my best. Made up a CV/resume and added some supplemental information. My heart has been beating since I got the email. I celebrate my birthday tomorrow (and tonight 
) but I am consumed by the upcoming phone conversation next week.
It's strange. I almost don't know how to act. If I was younger I would feel like my favorite rock star just asked me to be in their band. Actually, that is sort of how I feel. I guess it's just sort of hard to feel worthy right now since I just got spit out by the holidays, and the obligatory, artificial, birthday-related, delusion-of-importance seems like more of an albatross than anything else.
Just trying to keep it real.
I have an unexpected performance in two weeks. I have so little time to prepare. I just recovered my HD and now I need to restructure and practice material for it.
I miss playing footbag so much.
At least my life is picking up. Things are getting very real, very fast.
Thank you for listening.
Happy new year.
) but I am consumed by the upcoming phone conversation next week. It's strange. I almost don't know how to act. If I was younger I would feel like my favorite rock star just asked me to be in their band. Actually, that is sort of how I feel. I guess it's just sort of hard to feel worthy right now since I just got spit out by the holidays, and the obligatory, artificial, birthday-related, delusion-of-importance seems like more of an albatross than anything else.
Just trying to keep it real.
I have an unexpected performance in two weeks. I have so little time to prepare. I just recovered my HD and now I need to restructure and practice material for it.
I miss playing footbag so much.
At least my life is picking up. Things are getting very real, very fast.
Thank you for listening.
Happy new year.
Kicked with Matt
Freezing cold
bags falling apart
sort as hell from work
still pretty good
Spinning set is so much better now on both sides
Footed stepping butterfly swirl
fairy butterfly
footed toe blur twice
couple strong tripwalks
stepping sets are much better on both sides
one run had both swirls and paradox whirl
I might get a chance to play this weekend but aside from that I have no time. Have to practice for a performance next weekend.
Freezing cold
bags falling apart
sort as hell from work
still pretty good
Spinning set is so much better now on both sides
Footed stepping butterfly swirl
fairy butterfly
footed toe blur twice
couple strong tripwalks
stepping sets are much better on both sides
one run had both swirls and paradox whirl
I might get a chance to play this weekend but aside from that I have no time. Have to practice for a performance next weekend.
Dude, props on that artist thing. That's rad! I think I was too distracted by drunkenly trying to play Daft Punk on the jukebox Saturday night to really understand what you were talking about, but yeah that rocks. Best of Luck!
Hopefully you'll be around for the March 14 event, but if not I understand. I might be 12 hours jetlagged from just having returned from Ethiopia on the 13th, but I'll find a way to hold it together.
If I haven't posted the event up on Journies to Tourneys soon, call me up and yell at me.
thank you
Hopefully you'll be around for the March 14 event, but if not I understand. I might be 12 hours jetlagged from just having returned from Ethiopia on the 13th, but I'll find a way to hold it together.
If I haven't posted the event up on Journies to Tourneys soon, call me up and yell at me.
thank you
Jake Milofsky
Steel City Freestyle [ex officio]
Steel City Freestyle [ex officio]
I need to remember to call Jake, since I don't believe we posted anything yet.
I am just sitting here at the moment thinking about how to do paradon. I think I figured it out. Set. Plant, absorb, lift other foot off ground by raising knee. Hop sideways a tiny bit. Time the hop so that the bag is coming down the same time you are, and while it is in the sweet spot. So, I suppose that means either set low-move fast or set medium height and be patient. Hmm. I can't wait to try out this method.
I am just sitting here at the moment thinking about how to do paradon. I think I figured it out. Set. Plant, absorb, lift other foot off ground by raising knee. Hop sideways a tiny bit. Time the hop so that the bag is coming down the same time you are, and while it is in the sweet spot. So, I suppose that means either set low-move fast or set medium height and be patient. Hmm. I can't wait to try out this method.
Last time I saw you, I believe we discussed the "windows" for moves. As I explained them, some tricks have a large window of execution, which means you can hit them many different ways. Mirage for example, has a big window of execution. You can set very low, and dex very quickly downtime. You can also set very high and dex more slowly. You can set it completely uptime, or you can hit it completely downtime. You can set anywhere from ankle to above your head and still hit it.
More complicated tricks have narrower windows for execution. Most 4 dex tricks, for example, can only be hit one way. You MUST set it at a particular height, in a particular place, and move your legs with a set rhythm otherwise you won't hit the trick.
Paradon is a middle of the road trick. They can be done completely downtime (any ducking double down for example), they can be mid time, and they can even theoretically be uptime (delusional set, though this is rare).
The reason I mention this, is that your description of paradon is an example of a completely downtime paradon. There's nothing wrong with learning downtime paradon; indeed, it can be useful for tricks like scorpion's tail. However, in order to learn proper double down form, I suggest you learn midtime paradon first. Not only is it easier, I think it trains your muscles to move in the correct manner.
Here is downtime paradon, in your words:
Hop off your support leg like you would during a legover, only with a bit more bounce for height. The bag should be peaking just as your ankle completes the first dex. Follow through on the motion as you fall into the clipper. This will complete your second dex.
Over time, the 2 dexes will meld and become tighter.
This midtime method for paradon is very energy efficient and easy, and will be less frustrating and strenuous than learning downtime paradon. Good luck, and feel free to call me if this is unclear.
More complicated tricks have narrower windows for execution. Most 4 dex tricks, for example, can only be hit one way. You MUST set it at a particular height, in a particular place, and move your legs with a set rhythm otherwise you won't hit the trick.
Paradon is a middle of the road trick. They can be done completely downtime (any ducking double down for example), they can be mid time, and they can even theoretically be uptime (delusional set, though this is rare).
The reason I mention this, is that your description of paradon is an example of a completely downtime paradon. There's nothing wrong with learning downtime paradon; indeed, it can be useful for tricks like scorpion's tail. However, in order to learn proper double down form, I suggest you learn midtime paradon first. Not only is it easier, I think it trains your muscles to move in the correct manner.
Here is downtime paradon, in your words:
Midtime paradon would look more like this:Ian Brill wrote: Set. Plant, absorb, lift other foot off ground by raising knee. Hop sideways a tiny bit. Time the hop so that the bag is coming down the same time you are, and while it is in the sweet spot. So, I suppose that means either set low-move fast or set medium height and be patient. Hmm. I can't wait to try out this method.
Hop off your support leg like you would during a legover, only with a bit more bounce for height. The bag should be peaking just as your ankle completes the first dex. Follow through on the motion as you fall into the clipper. This will complete your second dex.
Over time, the 2 dexes will meld and become tighter.
This midtime method for paradon is very energy efficient and easy, and will be less frustrating and strenuous than learning downtime paradon. Good luck, and feel free to call me if this is unclear.
session
Hey guys,
I'm in town visiting Aidan and Grisabelle. Are you having a session saturday? Aidan is going to the climbing gym ~8 pm, she said I could find space there if nothing else.
I'll check back in tomorrow but in here's my # in case, 8won for 880. nine440.
I'm in town visiting Aidan and Grisabelle. Are you having a session saturday? Aidan is going to the climbing gym ~8 pm, she said I could find space there if nothing else.
I'll check back in tomorrow but in here's my # in case, 8won for 880. nine440.
Gordon Scott Bevier
Maybe I will play footbag tomorrow. It would be nice. But, I have decided that I have a more important hobby. Cleaning up my house and staying on top of my responsibilities.
Today my gf gave me this totally harsh but completely appropriate lecture. It seems that she really does do more around the house than I. Somehow, despite the fact that I bust my ass to the point of exhaustion, every day, I have forgotten that it is still my responsibility to contribute in my relationship on a equal level.
I know, I know- TMI. Fuck it. This is life. If ever I have written anything worth posting it is now. Life never seems fair. You can always be more tired. Though I do hope to play footbag tomorrow, it will be contingent upon me cleaning a whole lot of stuff. And, that's life.
On a more positive note:
My favorite software and object-based programming language manufacturer just unveiled a heinous partnership (ableton and cycling74). Similarly, my favorite new media artist just emailed me about it, as we are negotiating the possibility of me working as his assistant. So that's cool. Just having dialogue with this cat is enough for me, but it would be an unbelievable treat and honor to work for/with him. So we will see.
I am focused on two things at the moment. Improving my domestic situation and making this new opportunity happen. If I happen to clean my house and start busting quantums, stepping sets and hippy atomics with authority that is an added bonus.
Oh yeah, and my "DJ" gig went well tonight. I received some generous compliments and only recall one subtle blunder (why is the solo button so close to the channel off button in Ableton Live, anyway?). Hah. I even got paid!
Today my gf gave me this totally harsh but completely appropriate lecture. It seems that she really does do more around the house than I. Somehow, despite the fact that I bust my ass to the point of exhaustion, every day, I have forgotten that it is still my responsibility to contribute in my relationship on a equal level.
I know, I know- TMI. Fuck it. This is life. If ever I have written anything worth posting it is now. Life never seems fair. You can always be more tired. Though I do hope to play footbag tomorrow, it will be contingent upon me cleaning a whole lot of stuff. And, that's life.
On a more positive note:
My favorite software and object-based programming language manufacturer just unveiled a heinous partnership (ableton and cycling74). Similarly, my favorite new media artist just emailed me about it, as we are negotiating the possibility of me working as his assistant. So that's cool. Just having dialogue with this cat is enough for me, but it would be an unbelievable treat and honor to work for/with him. So we will see.
I am focused on two things at the moment. Improving my domestic situation and making this new opportunity happen. If I happen to clean my house and start busting quantums, stepping sets and hippy atomics with authority that is an added bonus.
Oh yeah, and my "DJ" gig went well tonight. I received some generous compliments and only recall one subtle blunder (why is the solo button so close to the channel off button in Ableton Live, anyway?). Hah. I even got paid!
Kicked with Matt and Jake.
Matt hit some cool stuff as usual. Atomic DOD looked really cool.
Jake kicked only briefly but hung out and did bizarre, unpromted table slides which made up for his lack of kicking
I hit 2 new moves:
right side toe blur
left sided wonton butterfly
highlights:
swirl bsos, three different strings
strong right side quantum sets
decent atomics
right sided symposium leg beater
My stamina is pretty bad. I would like to kick more if I can find the time.
Matt hit some cool stuff as usual. Atomic DOD looked really cool.
Jake kicked only briefly but hung out and did bizarre, unpromted table slides which made up for his lack of kicking
I hit 2 new moves:
right side toe blur
left sided wonton butterfly
highlights:
swirl bsos, three different strings
strong right side quantum sets
decent atomics
right sided symposium leg beater
My stamina is pretty bad. I would like to kick more if I can find the time.
Kicked with Matt
Room we kicked in had bad air, so after a bit we relocated. My stamina was not so good and Matt is trying not to get sick.
I kicked in my size 11.5 G-Units again. I am starting to finally feel comfortable in them.
Highlights:
Blender-string
spinning clipper-ducking clipper-spinning clipper- pm
right side blur- string
solid ripwalks on left side
rev. whirl bsos,
5 consecutive rev whirls and three other side
Far butterfly swirl BSOS (it was my first time hitting it on my weak side too, so: new move)
EDIT: Toed another new move: Gyro Mirage (without putting my foot down)
Holding the bag longer after catching and before setting made a big difference in my game today.
I was just tired and sore the whole time. I still want to kick more often but it's very hard. Work is demanding and I may have some great additional work coming in.
Room we kicked in had bad air, so after a bit we relocated. My stamina was not so good and Matt is trying not to get sick.
I kicked in my size 11.5 G-Units again. I am starting to finally feel comfortable in them.
Highlights:
Blender-string
spinning clipper-ducking clipper-spinning clipper- pm
right side blur- string
solid ripwalks on left side
rev. whirl bsos,
5 consecutive rev whirls and three other side
Far butterfly swirl BSOS (it was my first time hitting it on my weak side too, so: new move)
EDIT: Toed another new move: Gyro Mirage (without putting my foot down)
Holding the bag longer after catching and before setting made a big difference in my game today.
I was just tired and sore the whole time. I still want to kick more often but it's very hard. Work is demanding and I may have some great additional work coming in.
Might not have another session in a while. Busy.
I keep my Cod bags around for when I am at bus stops. I practice swirls with them. My knees ache when I do them. It's a tricky balance to learn without damaging myself permanently.
Today I hit a mess of swirls and a few reverse ones in Sambas. On Saturday I did the same with Campers (cold where I was working and I had to stay warm.) The move still does not feel right, but I know it's teaching me plenty. It's teaching me how to be more observant of my weaknesses.
I work for the two most important people I should be working for right now. Wish me luck, guys!
I keep my Cod bags around for when I am at bus stops. I practice swirls with them. My knees ache when I do them. It's a tricky balance to learn without damaging myself permanently.
Today I hit a mess of swirls and a few reverse ones in Sambas. On Saturday I did the same with Campers (cold where I was working and I had to stay warm.) The move still does not feel right, but I know it's teaching me plenty. It's teaching me how to be more observant of my weaknesses.
I work for the two most important people I should be working for right now. Wish me luck, guys!
STEELERS!!!
I was never really that into football, but I did have the good fortune of going to the home opener this year at Heinz Field.
And for the rest of the season, I had the good fortune of watching many of the games with friends who were enthusiastic and caring enough to patiently answer all of my annoying questions about the minutia of the game. I have to say that by the time the playoffs rolled around, I was beginning to feel like a fan.
And on Sunday night after the Super Bowl, I was standing on top of a pay phone just screaming for like a half hour while East Carson street was completely filled from side to side with people waving Terrible Towels for as far as I could see in both directions. Awesome.
I was never really that into football, but I did have the good fortune of going to the home opener this year at Heinz Field.
And for the rest of the season, I had the good fortune of watching many of the games with friends who were enthusiastic and caring enough to patiently answer all of my annoying questions about the minutia of the game. I have to say that by the time the playoffs rolled around, I was beginning to feel like a fan.
And on Sunday night after the Super Bowl, I was standing on top of a pay phone just screaming for like a half hour while East Carson street was completely filled from side to side with people waving Terrible Towels for as far as I could see in both directions. Awesome.
Jake Milofsky
Steel City Freestyle [ex officio]
Steel City Freestyle [ex officio]
Been practicing swirls at work in sambas and campers.
Muted clippers seem like the best drill ever. They demand such good form and balance. I am going to school these so long and hard.
Keeping my opposite hand close in and near my head seems make it a lot easier extend my body while operating cross-body maneuvers. This is helping me with my left side swirls.
Twirl with Sambas felt good. So did mid-time paradon (first try in months in any sneaker).
Busting my ass on a technical rider for the artist I am working with. If he is happy with what I sent him so far I will reward myself with some shred.
T.V. on the radio is on SNL... sooooooooo stoked. Their "New Health Rock" is one of my favorite rock songs of modern days. Their "wolf-related" track is pretty nifty too, though a bit derivative of early Bloc Party (in a good way though ). I love how the dude sounds like Peter Gabriel, but the tracks have a more youthful energy. Peter Gabriel is The Man though.
Modern music would be puny without him. Just so you know. 'Cause now you know. Don't you?
Perogies at midnight. I'm just saying.
Muted clippers seem like the best drill ever. They demand such good form and balance. I am going to school these so long and hard.
Keeping my opposite hand close in and near my head seems make it a lot easier extend my body while operating cross-body maneuvers. This is helping me with my left side swirls.
Twirl with Sambas felt good. So did mid-time paradon (first try in months in any sneaker).
Busting my ass on a technical rider for the artist I am working with. If he is happy with what I sent him so far I will reward myself with some shred.
T.V. on the radio is on SNL... sooooooooo stoked. Their "New Health Rock" is one of my favorite rock songs of modern days. Their "wolf-related" track is pretty nifty too, though a bit derivative of early Bloc Party (in a good way though
). I love how the dude sounds like Peter Gabriel, but the tracks have a more youthful energy. Peter Gabriel is The Man though.Modern music would be puny without him. Just so you know. 'Cause now you know. Don't you?
Perogies at midnight. I'm just saying.
Kicked.
Far butterfly swirl on the new side about 6 times or more
I could not hit it b2b.
New Move Hit gyro mirage ("muted" style) on my other side.
I just missed the toe on gyro mirage-inf.-gyro mirage. Anyway, it's a new favorite move and will certainly help with learning gyros/spins
Pounded a few stepping sets on both sides (ripwalks). Find that raising my arm, and elbow on the respective side helps me gain height (duh.) My left side is particularly hot at the moment.
hit spinning clipper-spinning clipper. Felt good.
Swirls on both sides. Feeling much better on my newer, right side.
Hit some deliberately late-to-dex, hippy atomic sets. Helped with perspective. I am learning from quantum sets that it is the dex can come later in favor of a deeper, controlled set (and still happen).
Love the footbag. The nice thing about an occasional solo session is no one gives you junk while you are schooling consecutive mirages or longish bop strings.
I think I will hit swirling set on my week side when I get time to school it. The swirl is so much closer in now, so all I need it the timing of my support leg's hop.
There was no quantum or whirl activity in my session at all. That will be dessert once I finish my vegetables.
Far butterfly swirl on the new side about 6 times or more
I could not hit it b2b.
New Move Hit gyro mirage ("muted" style) on my other side.
I just missed the toe on gyro mirage-inf.-gyro mirage. Anyway, it's a new favorite move and will certainly help with learning gyros/spins
Pounded a few stepping sets on both sides (ripwalks). Find that raising my arm, and elbow on the respective side helps me gain height (duh.) My left side is particularly hot at the moment.
hit spinning clipper-spinning clipper. Felt good.
Swirls on both sides. Feeling much better on my newer, right side.
Hit some deliberately late-to-dex, hippy atomic sets. Helped with perspective. I am learning from quantum sets that it is the dex can come later in favor of a deeper, controlled set (and still happen).
Love the footbag. The nice thing about an occasional solo session is no one gives you junk while you are schooling consecutive mirages or longish bop strings.
I think I will hit swirling set on my week side when I get time to school it. The swirl is so much closer in now, so all I need it the timing of my support leg's hop.
There was no quantum or whirl activity in my session at all. That will be dessert once I finish my vegetables.