David
Four years ago today I started something that I didn’t know would take over my life. I’m not sure if this date represents my first lavers or my first actual freestyle findings, but those events are within a week of each other so it doesn’t really matter. You see, I was so hardcore about new things that once I knew about freestyle I basically bought shoes right away.
Perhaps it is wrong to say that today is four years. I did know about freestyle maybe a year before that when I watched a video online of Ryan Mulroney. But I was so into skateboarding then I just wrote it off as a cute talent and that was it. No shoes, no bags. But I did know what freestyle was then, but didn’t play till a year later.
I started playing after I got out of skateboarding. I used to really love skating and I did it with Ashley Danowski, who was my neighbor from ages 0 – 15. It is debated who first suggested we get into footbag, but we both instantly dropped skating and took it up. I can remember modding my skate shoes so they would hold a toe stall better and trying for hours to hit an atw.
My first lavers were silver and I was grounded for modding them. My mom told me I wasn’t valuing money by cutting up the shoes they had bought me. But when I was ungrounded they couldn’t stop me from finishing the job, and I sported my new shoes everywhere I went.
For the first few months I was a standard newb. One sided, boring. I played with sandmen for the first 6 months, which is something everyone should do. Myself and Ashley bought like 6 of them and deciding the colors was the biggest issue of my life.
Some highlights from those first few months include watching ahren gehrmen hit all those torque tricks on footbag.org, telling kids at school about my new hobby, drooling over 32 panel bags online, struggling to get a flip kick, never skooling flip clipper, hitting double atw for the first time, playing footbag in the morning before school, Ashley patio for hours, playing in the garage while it rained outside, juggling soccer and shred.
The next big thing was my first tournament which was Funtastik where I met my first good players. It’s so hard to highlight the good things but I remember doing a routine and dropping like 6 times and everyone was really supportive. I saw jorden moir there for the first time and I don’t think any of us knew what freestyle had in store for us. He was already so good but was still intermediate. He placed second (gasp) to nasty nate that year. I also met suderman, and probably said two words to him the whole time. My parents made me leave the tournament after only one day so even though I made intermediate finals I didn’t get to compete. That tournament is also the first time I met chris kovacs.
I think I skooled really hard for the next few months and went to chill philly and won intermediate shred 30 there. The philly crew hosted it and I had become friends with them over a few sessions my dad would drive me to. I had pretty bad style back then. That was also the first time I ever met alex strassman, who is now one of my two best friends. Chilly Philly was a good experience and I met a lot of solid players including ales and I was just really inspiried to be like them. That was also the first time I met bevier, but I had no clue I would one day live down the street from him.
The spring brought a lot more school sessions and right now I’m thinking that is when Ashley moved. I know it was in the winter because it was right around Christmas, and I’m kind of baffled it was only after a year of playing, but in retrospect it really was. Ashley leaving was a big step for me as a person. I had to branch out and meet new people (which wasn’t very successful) and I had to grasp not seeing my best friend every day. I then became a solo shredder, a new step in my journey.
The spring of that year brought a lot of sessions in New Jersey with my new buds in the Ministry of Silly Walks. Jack keller, jon schiender, chris k, Andrew ivanyo, people who rarely grace this board but represented freestyle so hard. They were awesome. Every last weekend of the month you could find the philly crew and nj boys ripping it up. I tried to make as many sessions as I could and I would always drive home with my dad, my head spinning about drifter or something I had to add to my game.
I think it was at this time I got into modified and started posting a lot. I didn’t have a camera then, but crappy webcam (vids I made with Ashley) had gotten me kind of known (albeit for bad shred with bad style). At this time I developed a great respect for Hackrifice, which posted videos constantly. I learned so much from them and for a long time erik chan and Derek vandal where the men I watched everyday after school.
Summer of 04 brought a lot of action. I went to worlds in montreal with alex and won intermediate worlds which was a big step. I met the big boys of freestyle and was blown away by how nice they were to me. I spent time in a city that was foreign and strange. I grew more as a person than a freestyler that weekend.
As I hit page 2 in word of this little essay I realize if I kept up at this pace this would be a really long long post. So I will highlight the rest of my freestyle days up till now.
- Chilly Philly 05 – lots of great shred and it was really my first time where I felt like I was playing respectably with the bigger players. I met felix again and he just kind of emulated a really chill style of play and acting.
- Winter 04 – shredded a shitload with alex and really improved my game overall. Cut of my walls which I really regret. Learned furious and hit nemesis in February 05 for the first time.
- March Jam – this was this jam saying goodbye to TJ and I played really well at it even though I sprained my ankle. A definite step up in my level.
- February 05 – 2 years playing. Halfway.
- Summer 05 – I went to like, east coasts, funtastiks etc and I think I played well at all of them.
Now its such a blur. I know I went to a lot of tournaments, both spike and shreds etc. I became tighter with Caleb Abraham, people online, and began stitching a little bit. Got units at some funtastiks and started using them on slippery floors, than gradually made them one of my top shoes which I would rotate with lavers.
I went to CSS in february 06 and won. It was crazy meeting Lon who was one of my idols for a long time. I used to watch his video parts before I would go to bed along with vaseks. I played really well at that tournament and it kind of felt like a breakout thing for me.
I became east coast champion in summer of 06, a goal I had wanted for a long time. I swept every event.
I went to US Open in summer 06 and took 1st in routines. It secured my goal to be the best player in the country, even though that is still up for debate, it was nice to win that. I continued to push myself at a high level, reaching new goals and hitting new tricks. I became better friends with Jorden Moir and Penske and really searched to find players I could relate to who were playing on my level. The better you get the harder it is to find players to push you.
In the fall I went to penn state where I am currently enrolled. I am undecided about my major. Scott Bevier lives down the street. He is one of my best friends in freestyle and a great guy to play with. I also enjoy the other club members like Nathan Pipenberg, who adds a great style of play to the overall vibe. I play footbag a lot here.
In the future I want to go to worlds and place well, but sometimes I think about not going. That will be covered in part 2 of reflection.
Part 2:
Part 1 was basically me rattling off events and dates. It is not important. I am sorry you read that. Part 2 will be how I feel about freestyle currently and what the past 4 years have meant to me. I think this will be more beneficial and I hope someone learns something.
The current state of the freestyle community is a weird one. It is easy to take modified and feel like that represents the whole scene. But it does not. But the modified scene does represent the new breed of shredder. When I was a newbie modified was a better place. I challenge anyone who was around 4 years ago to say it wasn’t. It was more supportive and people cared more. People thought before they posted. The level of skill was more balanced and the players were better overall. Perhaps everything is better in hindsight but I don’t think so. I was a newbie and people treated me very nicely. People called me out when I posted shit that was wrong. There was a general level of respect between the members. Tournaments were organized like Shred Zero where it was basically modified members hanging out. Videos were super prevalent.
Now modified is not a fun place. It has it’s good points, but it has a lot of bad. I just think it was better when I was new. Maybe because there were less new players as a whole. Maybe because the good players actually posted. I feel bad that people like honza and felix don’t post here, but then again they never did. But it might help if the best players inputted more. On the other hand, you have people like jorden and Penske posting like once a day, and they are the best you can get. So who knows about that issue.
I think freestyle is gradually growing, but I think by the time people can live off of it I will be washed up. I really wish that wasn’t the case because I would love to live off what I love.
Another problem is people self-serving like it’s their job. I self serve so much when I play with the club here, and that’s fine. But at tournaments its just overkill.
But I guess at the end of the day freestyle is alright. We are all friends at the end of the day I assume. I have a lot of solid people. I like where I am right now for the most part. I think most people consider me one of the best players in the world, and that’s more than I ever thought would come about. I do want to be the best in the world, but sometimes I don’t know if I have the energy or commitment.
Sometimes I want to quit freestyle. I get really mad when I have a bad session because so many good ones have preceeded them. Anything I hit I feel like 10 other people have already done better. I guess im pretty hard on myself. I don’t know how bevier deals with me sometimes. I probably say shit 1000 times a session and stomp on my bags a few times more than that. It’s probably annoying as shit, but hey, I like to do my best, and when I don’t shit goes down.
I kind of feel like people don’t realize upper level players and where they are at sometimes. It’s weird what combos people think are huge and are impressed by. To most, the biggest thing ive ever done is nemesis>nemesis, but I think 20 fearless is an assload harder. Who knows.
I think a lot of people think that the best players got there as a result of talent. That is wrong. Anyone who is good at anything put in hours of sweat and effort, and to say that they just got good naturally is a diss to those people. People try to rationalize why others are better than them by saying “oh, hes just a naturalâ€
Perhaps it is wrong to say that today is four years. I did know about freestyle maybe a year before that when I watched a video online of Ryan Mulroney. But I was so into skateboarding then I just wrote it off as a cute talent and that was it. No shoes, no bags. But I did know what freestyle was then, but didn’t play till a year later.
I started playing after I got out of skateboarding. I used to really love skating and I did it with Ashley Danowski, who was my neighbor from ages 0 – 15. It is debated who first suggested we get into footbag, but we both instantly dropped skating and took it up. I can remember modding my skate shoes so they would hold a toe stall better and trying for hours to hit an atw.
My first lavers were silver and I was grounded for modding them. My mom told me I wasn’t valuing money by cutting up the shoes they had bought me. But when I was ungrounded they couldn’t stop me from finishing the job, and I sported my new shoes everywhere I went.
For the first few months I was a standard newb. One sided, boring. I played with sandmen for the first 6 months, which is something everyone should do. Myself and Ashley bought like 6 of them and deciding the colors was the biggest issue of my life.
Some highlights from those first few months include watching ahren gehrmen hit all those torque tricks on footbag.org, telling kids at school about my new hobby, drooling over 32 panel bags online, struggling to get a flip kick, never skooling flip clipper, hitting double atw for the first time, playing footbag in the morning before school, Ashley patio for hours, playing in the garage while it rained outside, juggling soccer and shred.
The next big thing was my first tournament which was Funtastik where I met my first good players. It’s so hard to highlight the good things but I remember doing a routine and dropping like 6 times and everyone was really supportive. I saw jorden moir there for the first time and I don’t think any of us knew what freestyle had in store for us. He was already so good but was still intermediate. He placed second (gasp) to nasty nate that year. I also met suderman, and probably said two words to him the whole time. My parents made me leave the tournament after only one day so even though I made intermediate finals I didn’t get to compete. That tournament is also the first time I met chris kovacs.
I think I skooled really hard for the next few months and went to chill philly and won intermediate shred 30 there. The philly crew hosted it and I had become friends with them over a few sessions my dad would drive me to. I had pretty bad style back then. That was also the first time I ever met alex strassman, who is now one of my two best friends. Chilly Philly was a good experience and I met a lot of solid players including ales and I was just really inspiried to be like them. That was also the first time I met bevier, but I had no clue I would one day live down the street from him.
The spring brought a lot more school sessions and right now I’m thinking that is when Ashley moved. I know it was in the winter because it was right around Christmas, and I’m kind of baffled it was only after a year of playing, but in retrospect it really was. Ashley leaving was a big step for me as a person. I had to branch out and meet new people (which wasn’t very successful) and I had to grasp not seeing my best friend every day. I then became a solo shredder, a new step in my journey.
The spring of that year brought a lot of sessions in New Jersey with my new buds in the Ministry of Silly Walks. Jack keller, jon schiender, chris k, Andrew ivanyo, people who rarely grace this board but represented freestyle so hard. They were awesome. Every last weekend of the month you could find the philly crew and nj boys ripping it up. I tried to make as many sessions as I could and I would always drive home with my dad, my head spinning about drifter or something I had to add to my game.
I think it was at this time I got into modified and started posting a lot. I didn’t have a camera then, but crappy webcam (vids I made with Ashley) had gotten me kind of known (albeit for bad shred with bad style). At this time I developed a great respect for Hackrifice, which posted videos constantly. I learned so much from them and for a long time erik chan and Derek vandal where the men I watched everyday after school.
Summer of 04 brought a lot of action. I went to worlds in montreal with alex and won intermediate worlds which was a big step. I met the big boys of freestyle and was blown away by how nice they were to me. I spent time in a city that was foreign and strange. I grew more as a person than a freestyler that weekend.
As I hit page 2 in word of this little essay I realize if I kept up at this pace this would be a really long long post. So I will highlight the rest of my freestyle days up till now.
- Chilly Philly 05 – lots of great shred and it was really my first time where I felt like I was playing respectably with the bigger players. I met felix again and he just kind of emulated a really chill style of play and acting.
- Winter 04 – shredded a shitload with alex and really improved my game overall. Cut of my walls which I really regret. Learned furious and hit nemesis in February 05 for the first time.
- March Jam – this was this jam saying goodbye to TJ and I played really well at it even though I sprained my ankle. A definite step up in my level.
- February 05 – 2 years playing. Halfway.
- Summer 05 – I went to like, east coasts, funtastiks etc and I think I played well at all of them.
Now its such a blur. I know I went to a lot of tournaments, both spike and shreds etc. I became tighter with Caleb Abraham, people online, and began stitching a little bit. Got units at some funtastiks and started using them on slippery floors, than gradually made them one of my top shoes which I would rotate with lavers.
I went to CSS in february 06 and won. It was crazy meeting Lon who was one of my idols for a long time. I used to watch his video parts before I would go to bed along with vaseks. I played really well at that tournament and it kind of felt like a breakout thing for me.
I became east coast champion in summer of 06, a goal I had wanted for a long time. I swept every event.
I went to US Open in summer 06 and took 1st in routines. It secured my goal to be the best player in the country, even though that is still up for debate, it was nice to win that. I continued to push myself at a high level, reaching new goals and hitting new tricks. I became better friends with Jorden Moir and Penske and really searched to find players I could relate to who were playing on my level. The better you get the harder it is to find players to push you.
In the fall I went to penn state where I am currently enrolled. I am undecided about my major. Scott Bevier lives down the street. He is one of my best friends in freestyle and a great guy to play with. I also enjoy the other club members like Nathan Pipenberg, who adds a great style of play to the overall vibe. I play footbag a lot here.
In the future I want to go to worlds and place well, but sometimes I think about not going. That will be covered in part 2 of reflection.
Part 2:
Part 1 was basically me rattling off events and dates. It is not important. I am sorry you read that. Part 2 will be how I feel about freestyle currently and what the past 4 years have meant to me. I think this will be more beneficial and I hope someone learns something.
The current state of the freestyle community is a weird one. It is easy to take modified and feel like that represents the whole scene. But it does not. But the modified scene does represent the new breed of shredder. When I was a newbie modified was a better place. I challenge anyone who was around 4 years ago to say it wasn’t. It was more supportive and people cared more. People thought before they posted. The level of skill was more balanced and the players were better overall. Perhaps everything is better in hindsight but I don’t think so. I was a newbie and people treated me very nicely. People called me out when I posted shit that was wrong. There was a general level of respect between the members. Tournaments were organized like Shred Zero where it was basically modified members hanging out. Videos were super prevalent.
Now modified is not a fun place. It has it’s good points, but it has a lot of bad. I just think it was better when I was new. Maybe because there were less new players as a whole. Maybe because the good players actually posted. I feel bad that people like honza and felix don’t post here, but then again they never did. But it might help if the best players inputted more. On the other hand, you have people like jorden and Penske posting like once a day, and they are the best you can get. So who knows about that issue.
I think freestyle is gradually growing, but I think by the time people can live off of it I will be washed up. I really wish that wasn’t the case because I would love to live off what I love.
Another problem is people self-serving like it’s their job. I self serve so much when I play with the club here, and that’s fine. But at tournaments its just overkill.
But I guess at the end of the day freestyle is alright. We are all friends at the end of the day I assume. I have a lot of solid people. I like where I am right now for the most part. I think most people consider me one of the best players in the world, and that’s more than I ever thought would come about. I do want to be the best in the world, but sometimes I don’t know if I have the energy or commitment.
Sometimes I want to quit freestyle. I get really mad when I have a bad session because so many good ones have preceeded them. Anything I hit I feel like 10 other people have already done better. I guess im pretty hard on myself. I don’t know how bevier deals with me sometimes. I probably say shit 1000 times a session and stomp on my bags a few times more than that. It’s probably annoying as shit, but hey, I like to do my best, and when I don’t shit goes down.
I kind of feel like people don’t realize upper level players and where they are at sometimes. It’s weird what combos people think are huge and are impressed by. To most, the biggest thing ive ever done is nemesis>nemesis, but I think 20 fearless is an assload harder. Who knows.
I think a lot of people think that the best players got there as a result of talent. That is wrong. Anyone who is good at anything put in hours of sweat and effort, and to say that they just got good naturally is a diss to those people. People try to rationalize why others are better than them by saying “oh, hes just a naturalâ€
david
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freestyler4life
- BSOS Beast
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Spontaneous Spaz
- Atomsmashasaurus Dex
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Most times I'm too busy/frustrated at trying to get better to have fun, which is probably a bad thing. I tried to take it easy with pressuring myself but I can't not try to get better, so it ends up taking over. How much fun do I have when I play?? Not much. The frustration outweighs the satisfaction, most times. I still love playing.
How much practice does it take to get to the top level? Since I'm not there it must be cuz I don't practice enough. That or I just don't got it, and that's how it feels. So yeah, I'm playing like 5 days a week at least, will it ever be enough? We shall see. My state is not due to a lack of trying though.
I've been playing for a long time, like pre-vasek. I've seen people start from scratch and get better than me. Makes me feel like a loser. Be happy with your success.
I liked modified better before too.
How much practice does it take to get to the top level? Since I'm not there it must be cuz I don't practice enough. That or I just don't got it, and that's how it feels. So yeah, I'm playing like 5 days a week at least, will it ever be enough? We shall see. My state is not due to a lack of trying though.
I've been playing for a long time, like pre-vasek. I've seen people start from scratch and get better than me. Makes me feel like a loser. Be happy with your success.
I liked modified better before too.
James McCullough
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full nelson
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Good read bro. I disagree that talent doesn't have a part though, but you're right in that hard work is most of it. Some people just have more atheletic ability than others. I've seen players put their lives on hold and experience little to no improvement. That's life.
Anyways, way to go on 4 years! You've got to have a lot of heart to last that long and still practice diligently. Most people don't, including myself. I just hang around to see how friends are most of the time. I'm not much better than I was in 2003. The only reason I ever learn anything I believe is from experience. I don't practice at all. Tricks and concepts just click sometimes. I also got injured a lot. Maybe that is from bad form or just bad genetics. Who knows? The point is you have the ability, you work hard and that's why you're one of the best now. The east coast is glad to have you. Also, you're very cool to hang out with which is better in my book than being elite.
Peace
Anyways, way to go on 4 years! You've got to have a lot of heart to last that long and still practice diligently. Most people don't, including myself. I just hang around to see how friends are most of the time. I'm not much better than I was in 2003. The only reason I ever learn anything I believe is from experience. I don't practice at all. Tricks and concepts just click sometimes. I also got injured a lot. Maybe that is from bad form or just bad genetics. Who knows? The point is you have the ability, you work hard and that's why you're one of the best now. The east coast is glad to have you. Also, you're very cool to hang out with which is better in my book than being elite.
Peace
Brad
Nice one Dr. D.
If it makes you feel any better, I think all the top players (including myself) compare themselves to all the other top players, giving the sense of inferiority. We're all inferior compared to top shit of others, because we simply can't encompass all styles at once. It's just part of the "never satisfied" mentality that pushes us to get here in the first place.
Thanks for helping me with the shoes dude.
JM
If it makes you feel any better, I think all the top players (including myself) compare themselves to all the other top players, giving the sense of inferiority. We're all inferior compared to top shit of others, because we simply can't encompass all styles at once. It's just part of the "never satisfied" mentality that pushes us to get here in the first place.
Thanks for helping me with the shoes dude.
JM
Jorden Moir
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QuantumBalance
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You have come far.
I want to say more but I don't know what else to say. I tried to respect you, even if it was in the form of 'just sending you a song every so often' (which I only do for a few people) but then you come out and attack me. But, it was just a test. A stronger man testing a weaker man. I suppose you feel that I have the ability to be stronger than I am. And, I'm sure you want the best for Ashley. But, I feel like you don't care about hurting me in the process. I just thought that after I gave you some of my magic in CSS7 that you would have some respect for me, but I don't know what you respect... maybe I mean: I don't know how you respect. I guess the moral of the story is I rely too heavily upon others. But that reliance upon others has been steadily dropping. It's sad. It means that almost no one will be able to affect me, because almost everyone takes advantage... almost everyone isn't worthy in my eyes. My ideals are too high. My hope for world peace always gets shot down by the cynics.
Whoa, I'm not trying to take over your blog. And, I'm not trying to talk all about myself here... I guess I'm failing. I suck at a lot of things, and it seems like the only way to have some dignity is to keep my mouth shut. That's why a lot of the time I speak throughh my music, which is why it means something to me when my friendship may only consist of sending you links to my unfinished musical compositions.
The last few days you have done things to me that have forever changed how open I will be with you and how much respect I will have for you. You say you were hurt by the things I said but not because they were true? I know in my heart you were hurt by them because they were dead on, but I would be willing to bet that since I hit you where you were soft you will grow stronger in those areas. Just like you hitting me in my heart with my girl (with your e-mail, which I read) will probably do the same. All I know is I delt with you straight on and didn't go through our mutual friend to get to you. I dunno man. You piss me off so much, I guess the problem is that I expect that since you are smart and strong that you will be nice and fair as well. I guess you can only be so much. Arg, I'm not posting this to start any more beef... You are a conundrum to me, definately.
I want to say more but I don't know what else to say. I tried to respect you, even if it was in the form of 'just sending you a song every so often' (which I only do for a few people) but then you come out and attack me. But, it was just a test. A stronger man testing a weaker man. I suppose you feel that I have the ability to be stronger than I am. And, I'm sure you want the best for Ashley. But, I feel like you don't care about hurting me in the process. I just thought that after I gave you some of my magic in CSS7 that you would have some respect for me, but I don't know what you respect... maybe I mean: I don't know how you respect. I guess the moral of the story is I rely too heavily upon others. But that reliance upon others has been steadily dropping. It's sad. It means that almost no one will be able to affect me, because almost everyone takes advantage... almost everyone isn't worthy in my eyes. My ideals are too high. My hope for world peace always gets shot down by the cynics.
Whoa, I'm not trying to take over your blog. And, I'm not trying to talk all about myself here... I guess I'm failing. I suck at a lot of things, and it seems like the only way to have some dignity is to keep my mouth shut. That's why a lot of the time I speak throughh my music, which is why it means something to me when my friendship may only consist of sending you links to my unfinished musical compositions.
The last few days you have done things to me that have forever changed how open I will be with you and how much respect I will have for you. You say you were hurt by the things I said but not because they were true? I know in my heart you were hurt by them because they were dead on, but I would be willing to bet that since I hit you where you were soft you will grow stronger in those areas. Just like you hitting me in my heart with my girl (with your e-mail, which I read) will probably do the same. All I know is I delt with you straight on and didn't go through our mutual friend to get to you. I dunno man. You piss me off so much, I guess the problem is that I expect that since you are smart and strong that you will be nice and fair as well. I guess you can only be so much. Arg, I'm not posting this to start any more beef... You are a conundrum to me, definately.
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shredzilla
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shreddaily
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It wasn't!david wrote:F I challenge anyone who was around 4 years ago to say it wasn’t. It was more supportive and people cared more.
I started reading pt 2 and stopped there. If you are going to say how much you hate modified everyother post why don't you stop reading/posting? You like modified, and maybe even need modified? Thats what I think.
[quote="Dr. D"]
I think a lot of people think that the best players got there as a result of talent. That is wrong. Anyone who is good at anything put in hours of sweat and effort, and to say that they just got good naturally is a diss to those people. People try to rationalize why others are better than them by saying “oh, hes just a naturalâ€
I think a lot of people think that the best players got there as a result of talent. That is wrong. Anyone who is good at anything put in hours of sweat and effort, and to say that they just got good naturally is a diss to those people. People try to rationalize why others are better than them by saying “oh, hes just a naturalâ€
I liked your post, Dr. D, it might be the best blog post I've read, and I didn't even get a headache!
Firstly I think talent IS important if you want to be really good (like Penske, Jorden, ...). Some people will never be as good as you are now, even if they put all their lifes into it.
You aren't the only one who doesn't play for 100% fun. I am hard on myself too and get frustrated on almost every session. no matter what I do, I'm not happy with it. I feel I'm folowing the same path you did, shredding long hours with desire to get on top, that's why it's so cool to know your (someone's experienced) point of view.
I really enjoy reading your blog and expect these 4 years are just a beginning.
Btw, meow! was "pretty crappy", I can't wait for meow 2!
Firstly I think talent IS important if you want to be really good (like Penske, Jorden, ...). Some people will never be as good as you are now, even if they put all their lifes into it.
You aren't the only one who doesn't play for 100% fun. I am hard on myself too and get frustrated on almost every session. no matter what I do, I'm not happy with it. I feel I'm folowing the same path you did, shredding long hours with desire to get on top, that's why it's so cool to know your (someone's experienced) point of view.
I really enjoy reading your blog and expect these 4 years are just a beginning.
Btw, meow! was "pretty crappy", I can't wait for meow 2!
Agreed.david wrote:it would be lame of me to quit modified and just say "screw it".
Olaf Piwowar, My Footblog
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Senor Grommet
- Post Master General
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: 18 Oct 2002 20:25
- Location: Greater Santa Cruz, CA
I read every word.
Interestingly, when I freestyled every day, I think NOW about how many of those hours playing were to impress other people rather than to make myself happy. Sometimes I was playing to challenge myself and to push my limits, but a lot of it was to impress others. Maybe that is why I am not playng right now.
I feel like I must really love hack though because I play net now just as much as I ever played freestyle, and when I'm not playing, I'm thinking about it. It sure is fun. maybe some day we will be US Open Doubles Net Champs Dave.
In any case, its nice to hear that your college life is diversifying. Keep living well!
Interestingly, when I freestyled every day, I think NOW about how many of those hours playing were to impress other people rather than to make myself happy. Sometimes I was playing to challenge myself and to push my limits, but a lot of it was to impress others. Maybe that is why I am not playng right now.
I feel like I must really love hack though because I play net now just as much as I ever played freestyle, and when I'm not playing, I'm thinking about it. It sure is fun. maybe some day we will be US Open Doubles Net Champs Dave.
In any case, its nice to hear that your college life is diversifying. Keep living well!
My name: Jeremy Mirken, AKA Chocolatey Shatner, AKA jerk enemy rim.
I kick it with trunk chef elf and liz luck key my.
I kick it with trunk chef elf and liz luck key my.
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Pyroman924
- Atomsmashasaurus Dex
- Posts: 944
- Joined: 03 Nov 2006 12:26
- Location: Raleigh, NC
Wow man. That's the longest I've sat and read something on modified since I registered. So many points you make are dead on. I can't stand it either when people say that it's just talent or things to that effect. I'm not even 1/100 of your level but I think it's just as frustrating. It hink it's a matter of them not being able to pull off what we do and attempting to minimize the effort so many freestylers put in to get good. I'm sure if they were to try it out for any length of time they'd understand better.
I don't have the time to comment on everything that I want to in that post but one point that I would like to comment on:
Have a spectacular day man.
-Alan
I don't have the time to comment on everything that I want to in that post but one point that I would like to comment on:
There will be plenty of players who will be washed up by the time we can live off of Footbag. But There are many ways in which you can pave the road up to that point. There are even ways in which you can still be a part of what you love when that time comes. For example, there will always be a need for footbags man. ; ) And once your knees and ankles are completely useless, you still have your hands. When you can no longer continue in one area, there will always be another in which you can contribute and excel.I think freestyle is gradually growing, but I think by the time people can live off of it I will be washed up. I really wish that wasn’t the case because I would love to live off what I love.
Have a spectacular day man.
-Alan
Alan Underhill
http://www.myspace.com/pyroman924
"The more you drop, the better you get." -Ben Rinowski
http://www.myspace.com/pyroman924
"The more you drop, the better you get." -Ben Rinowski
Well we talked together for the first time today and I'm still kinda a newbie to the sport. Maybe I don't have too much credibility either, I will at least tell my opinion about your post ( part 2 )
I think we all started playing footbag because we love the sports, it's nice to set high goal and I can understand you because I always been a very competitive person. Footbag does require talents but in the long run I think your right to say it doesn't really mather, not more than 10% of your game for sure. I think you sometime feel like footbag is taking a too big part of your life, maybe that's true, but who can say that having fun with a hobby and having fun to be the best at one thing is stupid, there is ton of hobby that people like. I myself start playing in september and played a bunch since then, sometimes I don't have the time to play enough because I have many friend and other stuffs I like, such as hockey and soccer. I have school too. But I can't be mad at myself for that, neither am I when I pass a week where I play everyday and don't do too much other stuffs. Maybe the problem is you been so much in freestyle during those 4 last years, and the fact of losing your best friend, make you forget important stuffs in life. You need to have an active social life to be happy, I'm sure having more friends outside the footbag world would help you. Maybe meeting a girl would be great ( I believe you don't have gf, or thats what I heard ), get out and have some fun with other people, maybe you'll have more fun and will appreciate more the time you have to shred.
So in summary, what I mean is : Yeah footbag may be a big part of your life, but it doesn't mean forgot the other good things in life, having fun outside of footbag is just a necessity because footbag won't make you happy, and it will make you realize how much you like the sports and the competitive side of it.
Maybe I'm miles away from your situation, and you can tell me, maybe I only have few right thing too. You can diss me about my post if you wan't. Your the only one who really knows where's the problem. That is just my understanding, and I think starting footbag at the age of 21 may has been bad for the level of my game, but it definitely makes me realize what part I wan't footbag to take in my life. I'm still a beginner for now so I guess I don't really know, but I definitely wan't to get good and who knows then?
I think we all started playing footbag because we love the sports, it's nice to set high goal and I can understand you because I always been a very competitive person. Footbag does require talents but in the long run I think your right to say it doesn't really mather, not more than 10% of your game for sure. I think you sometime feel like footbag is taking a too big part of your life, maybe that's true, but who can say that having fun with a hobby and having fun to be the best at one thing is stupid, there is ton of hobby that people like. I myself start playing in september and played a bunch since then, sometimes I don't have the time to play enough because I have many friend and other stuffs I like, such as hockey and soccer. I have school too. But I can't be mad at myself for that, neither am I when I pass a week where I play everyday and don't do too much other stuffs. Maybe the problem is you been so much in freestyle during those 4 last years, and the fact of losing your best friend, make you forget important stuffs in life. You need to have an active social life to be happy, I'm sure having more friends outside the footbag world would help you. Maybe meeting a girl would be great ( I believe you don't have gf, or thats what I heard ), get out and have some fun with other people, maybe you'll have more fun and will appreciate more the time you have to shred.
So in summary, what I mean is : Yeah footbag may be a big part of your life, but it doesn't mean forgot the other good things in life, having fun outside of footbag is just a necessity because footbag won't make you happy, and it will make you realize how much you like the sports and the competitive side of it.
Maybe I'm miles away from your situation, and you can tell me, maybe I only have few right thing too. You can diss me about my post if you wan't. Your the only one who really knows where's the problem. That is just my understanding, and I think starting footbag at the age of 21 may has been bad for the level of my game, but it definitely makes me realize what part I wan't footbag to take in my life. I'm still a beginner for now so I guess I don't really know, but I definitely wan't to get good and who knows then?
Thank you everyone for the comments. They mean a lot.
I had one of the best session of my life with Pipenberg today. It was awesome.
I don't really post highlights but I am only the 3rd person i know of to hit this so I wanted to post.
7>7>7
alpine whirlygig>montage>spinning ducking pdx. blender
witnessed by nathan.
go footbag.
dc
I had one of the best session of my life with Pipenberg today. It was awesome.
I don't really post highlights but I am only the 3rd person i know of to hit this so I wanted to post.
7>7>7
alpine whirlygig>montage>spinning ducking pdx. blender
witnessed by nathan.
go footbag.
dc
david