Kat in a Tree

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 25 Oct 2010 13:36

Day 1

Actually, I think it is more like Day 189. But who is really counting? Not me.
Still feels like day 1.

I found out about footbag through Rory (whom you all already know and love, i'm sure.) He got me kicking back in April, with a pair of his old, but still in awesome condition, red lavers. (yes, we have the same size feet, and yes he sometimes tries to wear my shoes, but I digress)
I started with playing maybe once a week, but as it was final exam time, then spring course time, it very much fell by the wayside.
This summer I got to come along to Oakland for Worlds, and it totally pumped me up to really learn to play.
With school starting again I totally lost my practice schedule, and I still haven't made it over the beginners hump, so I still am struggling to get my footing (pun completely intended). I am currently getting in only one practice a week with Rory until I feel comfortable enough to tackle it on my own, and not get supremely aggravated. Hopefully at that point I can pick it up to twice a week, because it can be flexible with the rest of my hectic schedule.
Basically, i'm at 5 or so kicks on each side and can do the basic stalls. There's nowhere to go from here but up!

That's my footbag history, other than that I am a third year student studying clothing and textiles at the University of Alberta, hoping to maybe go into textile surface design (but who really knows, my aspirations usually change bi-monthly). I wait tables at a restaurant as a part time job and love the free food perks the most. My free time includes not doing homework, video games and television.

I hope in the future to actually update this with actual progress. Lets see how it goes

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 01 Nov 2010 13:12

Day 7

Last weeks practice gave way to pumpkin carving and candy eating. Not that i'm complaining, chocolate is goooood.

No Progress

(I have a feeling you will be seeing a bunch of those. School is planning on killing me this month. but I will PERSEVERE!)

On another note, potential new shoes. Have to see how they fit. I really do like 'my' lavers though. We shall see.

PegLegHolly · Post by **PegLegHolly** » 02 Nov 2010 03:22

What size do ya wear? If you wear size 8 womens, size 6 mens, i have some you could have

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 02 Nov 2010 18:22

haha I am a big foot. Size 10 womens, size 8 mens. Thanks for the offer though.

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 10 Nov 2010 16:48

Day 17

Two practices this week! Finally

Lessons learned:
I am - Stubborn
- A perfectionist
and I throw things.

A difficult combination I suppose when trying to learn something. Once I conquer my mental state, especially in frustration hopefully I can take it a lot further. I guess its all in the name of progress.

at the end of my especially frustrating first practice this week, Rory suggested we try something different, so we tried a few of the basic doubles passes, which was pretty cool. To be successful at something, even the most simplistic of things, was almost an indication that I was going somewhere.
By the end of that practice we were basically goofing off, and Rory decided to show me how to do a pendulum. Only in socks, I attempted it. After about 15 minutes and countless tosses down the stairs, I managed to get it. It is highly inconsistant, and I never know quite where it is, so I haven't been able to complete it, but hey, I am happy.

Rory ordered me in a pair of contessa Quantum 3s, on sale from the 'defective' batch, so now I have a pair at his place, and my red lavers back at home, so hopefully this will allow me a bit more freedom in when I practice, so I can kick the feeling that I am just moving backwards.

In other news, I am quite surprised that we have no snow yet, Its almost unnerving. Like, its teasing us all. One day we're going to wake up to 12 feet of snow or something. Actually...that'd be awesome.

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 10 Nov 2010 18:34

heh heh.. throw things.. we all do. I consider it healthy even. Keep with it, you'll be surprised how fast the brain and body learns.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 18 Nov 2010 13:45

When I need to throw a hissy fit in a session, I kick a plastic water bottle. It absorbs a lot of energy and you don't hurt yourself. I used to throw footbags, but that deforms them and gives them holes. If you have to throw something, don't throw a footbag.

SlashC · Post by **SlashC** » 18 Nov 2010 23:11

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 20 Nov 2010 19:29

Thank you for that photo representation.

Day 26

I hit my first trick today! (er...two days ago!...whatever!)
If you hadn't guessed, I hit an orbit. And on my flipside to boot. I had nearly got it on my right foot, but after a while my leg got kind of tired and it was getting further from actual progress. Though I was running out of time in my session I decided to just attempt it on the left, and man ol' lefty came through for me for once.

Rest of practice has been continuing as normal. No major breakthroughs, just constant, (slow) but steady improvement.

I am very intrigued by the possibility of now actually moving to doing tricks. After many months of kicking and basic stalls its an exciting element to add to my practice. And it is a very surreal feeling thinking that at one point I could barely manage a single toe stall.

Also, I got two new mr sandbags this week for my birthday. They are funky colors, and still shiny. I can't help but toss them around, and somewhat juggle with them. It is just too irresistible.

Mother Nature must have read my last post cause finally we have glorious snow! All of a sudden every one is happy, singing carols and have forgotten how to drive! Tis the season.
One project left before finals, and I couldn't be happier. Even this far into the semester my professors have been finding ways to make me angry at school and I cannot wait to have it over with and have my fun semester begin! (Everyone feels about school this way you say, well I bet you haven't had to sit through 4 lectures so far about detergents and washing clothes and look at your notes and seeing that there are at least two more left....)

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 28 Nov 2010 18:32

Day 33

In my last practice I was kind of pressed for time, but I think I got some good stuff in, and I used the time well.
After my usual kicks and stall practice I got to learn a few transitions. First from toe to inside on both sides. To visa versa, inside to toe. And finally onto toe, inside, toe. I really need to focus on practicing my inside stalls more often. They are so easy to forget about when most of my time is being spent on toes and kicks. Its amazing how quickly you can lose stretch and balance by not practicing it every so often.
I love that every practice I am learning something new. Its like dessert after a good meal.

In other news
I am pretty sure I sprained my wrist or something at work today. Ow buggery ow.

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 06 Dec 2010 13:07

Day 40

Unfortunately, no practices this week, or next most likely. Its that joyous time of year! Essays! Reports! Exams! Oh my!

It is really sucky though, since for the last few days my legs have been UNBELIEVABLY restless. Like I'm talkin' practically dancing in my seat just to keep my legs moving. Theres only so much stretching one can do while sitting at a desk. I might have to take the long route between my class buildings again today, get a little bit more movement in.

Will I forget everything I have learned so far during this likely three week hiatus? I hope not. But probably.

To all those also going through exam week now and in the near future, I wish you best of luck!! and for the rest of you....well um...have some good luck anyways. Everyone likes a bit of good luck.

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 18 Dec 2010 10:33

Day 52

I smell like stew, apparently

Finally got a practice in since this month started. I wish I could say I have been doing it every single day and now have this huge impressive list of improvements, but alas, not this week.
day 2 of playing in the quantum 3's. Not sure if I am convinced yet. They are definitely lighter and easier for kicks, but my foot sits at an odd place and makes toes a bit more difficult. Also I am stubborn and get attached to things so maybe that is making it a bit more difficult to get over the lavers.
It was a slow but steady practice I suppose. Rory started to teach me mirage, but my legs were already quite tired from the hula hooping session we had maybe an hour before. I am at the point where it isn't really 'forgetting' how to do things, but losing strength in them. I need to find the motivation and time to get out and just do it, even for just an hour. I make excuses a lot. I probably do have the time, I just don't think I do.

I am not out of the finals fog yet, one more on Monday, then its basically Christmas, so I don't expect another practice for at least a week and a half, but hopefully with a few weeks of free time before school starts again I can get multiple sessions in.

In other news, it is a total winter wonderland. We've probably had close to 30 cm of snow fall and drift and make a mess this last week. It is so absolutely wonderful. If it wouldn't be leg numbingly cold and ruin the shoes, I think it would be so much fun to do a snow kick.

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 21 Dec 2010 20:46

Day 55

With exams all over and done with, I found myself with an uncanny abundance of time on my hands, so I figured I would squeeze in a little solo session before the holiday madness begins. It was a little weird getting into the groove of trying to focus myself to practice by my lonesome. Overall though, it was quite successful, a record amount of kicks on my left side, which usually refuses to co-operate, and hitting orbit on both feet this time. I was very satisfied with myself and it was the crown on an awesome day

I probably won't have a chance to play in the coming week, due to my being at my grandparent's place that maybe has 3x3 square feet of playing space

So I hope everyone has a great holiday break! "Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, a crazy Kwanzaa, a tip-top Tet, and a solemn, dignified Ramadan"

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 02 Jan 2011 21:23

Day 66

Had a practice a few days ago. It sucked. and thus didn't happen.

Happy New Year.

Chelsea Dagger · Post by **Chelsea Dagger** » 08 Jan 2011 11:03

Day 71

I had a little bit of free time this week, so I fit a practice in on Wednesday. It was alright, same old routine. My left foot has once again resorted to being an uncooperative pest, so we really need to work on that. Once school starts and I figure out a new rhythm I will try to fit in more frequent sessions. I think my biggest problem is consistency. I have too many breaks in between my learning that I am pretty much just taking one step forward, one step back. Trying to work on my inside stalls has revealed I have the balance of a drunk person.

I might try and get one more practice in before school starts, seeing as we are practically snowed in.

In other news, a new semester is starting on Monday and I am super stoked, unlike last semester which was just filler for credits, I actually get to do what I love ahaha! To top it all off wonderfully I get to go to Winnipeg next weekend for a conference. It'll be pretty sweet to see people I haven't really talked to for a year. I've also never been to Winnipeg so it will be a cool experience I am sure.