a new post...
well... jim and alex are posting like mad men.
but I have some thoughts.
recently, I played 2 tournaments, and was sucessful, as an individual. not, as the title indicates, as a team.
and here is what I think.
Based on the philosophy of jim, I
1) took what was there
In a tie game w/ portland, my mark turned his head twice. The first time, I suddenly realized an advantage. I'd like to think that if I were 'on my game' I would have immediately struck... but I recognized an advantage... and the 2nd time... I caught a goal.
Lesson... You can be 'first step fast' if you wait for your defender to look aside.
Lesson... if mom had raised me faster... dammit mom.
2) moved them
I would wait for the play to set up. This is a problem if you are away from the disc. Sometimes your 'handlers' are helpfully closing off all lanes. To make it happen... move around. Vertically. So I would go upfield, by a step, jab, feint, etc. All the while... seeing the disc. And often, the opponent would look askance, and at the same time the space would be there. Big gainer.
Some times, the space and timing was there, but the thrower was not...
don't panic. move to another spot.
go eat faster food.
3) do what you have to do.
sometimes, it comes down to a catch... a diving continuation.
make the play.
It seems that a key to winning the game is to make 'jordanesque' plays ... and no, jordan, i'm not talking about you... unless that was your role...
just don't have to make them often.
unless you are jordan...
of course, in addition to being a supremely gifted athlete, he also had a sweet jumper that made defenders have to come out on him... leading to posters.
so can it be argued that the less often you have to make plays, the more you win.
pointless ramble over.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
here's the rsd post for potlatch.
in what is likely to ruin Idris' day, here is the content from rsd repotlatch...
just so I can have a copy for editing later...
day 1) roadtrip to redmond. a caravan of three cars, one w/ a baby. a gazillion stops are made. arrive in redmond, jump out of car, as will and joanne pull in literally behind them. off to seattle.
day 2) discover that we have a 2 game bye. very happy. most of the team gets the memo, but not blaine. but we TELL him we're at the fields... and entertain ourselves when he calls by yelling out in the back ground... throw me that frisbee... etc. Pretend that the kid is there by yelling 'bwah WAH wah blah wah wah' in the background. If you know kid, you can imagine that it would be very possible to convince someone that that was kid yelling in the background. Arrive at fields, learn that blaine DID in fact believe that kid was in washington, and at fields. And had been telling every member of the team he could find that kid's here.
Success.
Bandwagon, wearing yellow jerseys and cycling shorts (for the most part) goes 3-0 on day one. We watched the 2nd half of USA vs. Candada after chilling out for an hour after our last game. It was a good game. The weather had been misty, so a bunch of us went back into the city for sleeping.
Annecdote of day: Apparently, someone from SanDiego got so drunk that they couldn't find their tent. Also, they couldn't keep the contents of their stomach where they belong... so, at 5:00 a.m. the rough equivalent of a small bear was alternately vomiting near, on, and in a variety of other people's tents. Then, the guy would claw his way into a tent, and pass out. Leading to people yelling, "GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT! THIS IS NOT FUNNY, ASSHOLE! GET OUT" Apparently this went on for some time.
This type of thing is why I generally prefer to lame out, and return to the city.
Day 3) In a dramatic contrast from day 2 (which was day 1 of play), we found out that we had to play at 9, not 9:30 against the Brownish/Padaeiaish team. It ended up being 9:30 any way. And it was not against them. We had them in round 5. Highlights, down 7-5 vs. some team, we went on a 10-2 run.
We then played booty rumpin snoopy w/ Hector and Kyle, and Misha, and SRV and a few other players I didn't know as well... Nip and tuck until 10-10, and then we won 15-10.
The Bus ride to the Party. Apparently, 85% of the Bus thinks I'm an asshole. 10% thought I was a good guy. 3% undecided. 2% margin of error. I know this because I took a vote. I'd like to point out the high degree of voter participation/ candidate recognition.
We had to serve food for the tournament, which involved breaking in line, since we were late getting there. I'd like to think that those who voted 'asshole' were perhaps chagrinned when it came time to have the server decide how much salmon to dish out.
Then at some point someone pulled the fire alarm. Since I work in a school, I have a pretty good idea of what a modern annunciator sounds like, in contrast to the old 'school bell' type alarms. I can only hope that idiots who pull said alarms are legitimately ignorant of the pain of a ginormous shrieking decibel count... aside from the tremendous inconvenience of what it takes to turn the things off (like firefighters, and shit).
There seemed to be some people still partying at the fields. I was pretty wiped out, so I went to sleep. However, my sleeping bag was this thin, THIN sleeping bag liner, so I spent several fitful hours freezing my ass off/ alternating w/ massive muscle cramps.
Day 4) Sunday dawns. Ate a large breakfast. Played Humbolt early. Turned out to be a little easier than I thought it would be: they can put together some good games. I think the 3 day tournament hurts things. I pulled up lame w/ some kind of groin cramp. I'm thinking now that it was actually that I dislocated my pubic symphisis. Yes, this is real. We won the first game, though, and then lost to Sleveless in Seattle (like a So-cal-ish) team by 3.
Left in the middle of the semis, w/ USA down 11-10 to vagabonds, Canada crushing Sleveless. Stayed awake long enough to choke down 2 whoppers, and a jr. whopper, and some onion rings, and then slept for the next 250 miles.
Day 5) Technically trip over, but woke up at 8 to go get the highschool XC kids started playing frisbee, so I got few throws in. Walked home went to sleep for 4 hours.
Hip cracked, so I think the groin pull is cured.
40 seconds to my library time ends.
the end.
nothing original to add...
groin is healing nicely, coreworkout and 5 mile run this morning. found 10 bucks on the ground. muscle spasm in leg, unrelated. might be time to put veggies on the menu...
maybe an easy road ride today...
or just read a book...
haven't eaten. I think I'm going to go convert that cash into mexican food from the super burrito.
just so I can have a copy for editing later...
day 1) roadtrip to redmond. a caravan of three cars, one w/ a baby. a gazillion stops are made. arrive in redmond, jump out of car, as will and joanne pull in literally behind them. off to seattle.
day 2) discover that we have a 2 game bye. very happy. most of the team gets the memo, but not blaine. but we TELL him we're at the fields... and entertain ourselves when he calls by yelling out in the back ground... throw me that frisbee... etc. Pretend that the kid is there by yelling 'bwah WAH wah blah wah wah' in the background. If you know kid, you can imagine that it would be very possible to convince someone that that was kid yelling in the background. Arrive at fields, learn that blaine DID in fact believe that kid was in washington, and at fields. And had been telling every member of the team he could find that kid's here.
Success.
Bandwagon, wearing yellow jerseys and cycling shorts (for the most part) goes 3-0 on day one. We watched the 2nd half of USA vs. Candada after chilling out for an hour after our last game. It was a good game. The weather had been misty, so a bunch of us went back into the city for sleeping.
Annecdote of day: Apparently, someone from SanDiego got so drunk that they couldn't find their tent. Also, they couldn't keep the contents of their stomach where they belong... so, at 5:00 a.m. the rough equivalent of a small bear was alternately vomiting near, on, and in a variety of other people's tents. Then, the guy would claw his way into a tent, and pass out. Leading to people yelling, "GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT! THIS IS NOT FUNNY, ASSHOLE! GET OUT" Apparently this went on for some time.
This type of thing is why I generally prefer to lame out, and return to the city.
Day 3) In a dramatic contrast from day 2 (which was day 1 of play), we found out that we had to play at 9, not 9:30 against the Brownish/Padaeiaish team. It ended up being 9:30 any way. And it was not against them. We had them in round 5. Highlights, down 7-5 vs. some team, we went on a 10-2 run.
We then played booty rumpin snoopy w/ Hector and Kyle, and Misha, and SRV and a few other players I didn't know as well... Nip and tuck until 10-10, and then we won 15-10.
The Bus ride to the Party. Apparently, 85% of the Bus thinks I'm an asshole. 10% thought I was a good guy. 3% undecided. 2% margin of error. I know this because I took a vote. I'd like to point out the high degree of voter participation/ candidate recognition.
We had to serve food for the tournament, which involved breaking in line, since we were late getting there. I'd like to think that those who voted 'asshole' were perhaps chagrinned when it came time to have the server decide how much salmon to dish out.
Then at some point someone pulled the fire alarm. Since I work in a school, I have a pretty good idea of what a modern annunciator sounds like, in contrast to the old 'school bell' type alarms. I can only hope that idiots who pull said alarms are legitimately ignorant of the pain of a ginormous shrieking decibel count... aside from the tremendous inconvenience of what it takes to turn the things off (like firefighters, and shit).
There seemed to be some people still partying at the fields. I was pretty wiped out, so I went to sleep. However, my sleeping bag was this thin, THIN sleeping bag liner, so I spent several fitful hours freezing my ass off/ alternating w/ massive muscle cramps.
Day 4) Sunday dawns. Ate a large breakfast. Played Humbolt early. Turned out to be a little easier than I thought it would be: they can put together some good games. I think the 3 day tournament hurts things. I pulled up lame w/ some kind of groin cramp. I'm thinking now that it was actually that I dislocated my pubic symphisis. Yes, this is real. We won the first game, though, and then lost to Sleveless in Seattle (like a So-cal-ish) team by 3.
Left in the middle of the semis, w/ USA down 11-10 to vagabonds, Canada crushing Sleveless. Stayed awake long enough to choke down 2 whoppers, and a jr. whopper, and some onion rings, and then slept for the next 250 miles.
Day 5) Technically trip over, but woke up at 8 to go get the highschool XC kids started playing frisbee, so I got few throws in. Walked home went to sleep for 4 hours.
Hip cracked, so I think the groin pull is cured.
40 seconds to my library time ends.
the end.
nothing original to add...
groin is healing nicely, coreworkout and 5 mile run this morning. found 10 bucks on the ground. muscle spasm in leg, unrelated. might be time to put veggies on the menu...
maybe an easy road ride today...
or just read a book...
haven't eaten. I think I'm going to go convert that cash into mexican food from the super burrito.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
potlatch... 1
nice luck tonight. my ride turned into a caravan... which means, a stop anytime anyone in 3 cars has too pee. a 5 hour drive turned into a 7 hour drive. but...
the nice thing was, as my ride to seattle dropped me off... my seattle connection literally pulled into the pancake house parking lot in redmond... right behind them.
well there were a few cell phone calls involved. but the nice thing was, my ride from bend was 1 mile from their hotel, and my ride into town was coming off a sucessful thrift venture that netted appropriate lance armstrong style bike jerseys for our team...
bandwagon 05. we are lance.
although, we probably should be ullrich.
the nice thing was, as my ride to seattle dropped me off... my seattle connection literally pulled into the pancake house parking lot in redmond... right behind them.
well there were a few cell phone calls involved. but the nice thing was, my ride from bend was 1 mile from their hotel, and my ride into town was coming off a sucessful thrift venture that netted appropriate lance armstrong style bike jerseys for our team...
bandwagon 05. we are lance.
although, we probably should be ullrich.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
upcoming content
Stories deserving of being told.
Doing nothing. All day long, and all day strong. How I eat, sleep, sleep, and eat, and turn a 24 hour day into the blink of an eye.
My favorite foods. Eggs. Beans. MacandCheese. Mix and Match.
Preferred Content Stories: For subscribers only.
Never Been Convicted!!!
The time I saved a prominent blogger from, at the very least, having a fake mustache drawn on his face. And at worst, some kind of hoffa-esque fate.
Probably, the really interesting stuff will have to wait another year.
when I get my tenure.
In other news, recently read,
The Long Emergency dealing w/ oil issues... Yesterday I read Book One of the Tripods series, The White Mountains, took a good hour or so, but I like escapist fiction...
More to follow.
Doing nothing. All day long, and all day strong. How I eat, sleep, sleep, and eat, and turn a 24 hour day into the blink of an eye.
My favorite foods. Eggs. Beans. MacandCheese. Mix and Match.
Preferred Content Stories: For subscribers only.
Never Been Convicted!!!
The time I saved a prominent blogger from, at the very least, having a fake mustache drawn on his face. And at worst, some kind of hoffa-esque fate.
Probably, the really interesting stuff will have to wait another year.
when I get my tenure.
In other news, recently read,
The Long Emergency dealing w/ oil issues... Yesterday I read Book One of the Tripods series, The White Mountains, took a good hour or so, but I like escapist fiction...
More to follow.
Monday, June 27, 2005
photo album of BUCL League championships
I might provide the dry play by play of the one game 4 day tournament tommorrow... but for now, here are some photos...
general stats
11-3, 11-8, 11-9, 13-9. Played 63/75 points, which is a whole lot for me. Frankly I don't like it, I can't keep running anywhere near what constitutes fast at that point... butwhatever...
The pictures: right now they are on a website. soon i'll put them on flickr or something (i'm open to suggestions for that type of scrapbook utillity).
We were 9-1 going into the tournament. Missing a lot of my team for various reasons (family, wedding, flakiness), the TD let me pick up 3 high school players (only one of whom had been to a tournament, the others brand new). The team also had 2 just graduated dudes who had played for a year. So our ages ranged were like, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 25, 30, 30, 32, 35, 36. In the finals, we played a team w/ approx 75 years of exp between their top 4 players...
Our plan, bring the game down to our level. And win it in the end. And we did, before a very hostile crowd... winning for the 2nd time in 2 years...
Love that trophy.
anyway, my photo essay, photos curtesy of Bill Benson, father of Ben Benson, BUCL Rookie of Year.
Here I am, just having thought about letting someone else pull.
"Mom, MOM! Could you put the food over THERE"
"Brett, karate chop, NOW"
flick, FORCE FLICK, hey, where did my guy go...
dance party usa
i think this is going to be a swing pass. or maybe just a poopy face.
hamma, hamma, hamma, hamma
one of our hs kids, applying the force forehand. hasn't learned to cheat yet.
it's a trick brian, they are on the other teammmm.....
I literally picked this guy because his name was mike TEAM. Good call.
Fine. We'll play with 6.
Gooder! More Honester! Harder! Marker!
Franchise player / athletic trainer and his bizarre contract requests...
Annie holding the mark...
Maura using hypno-glasses.
general stats
11-3, 11-8, 11-9, 13-9. Played 63/75 points, which is a whole lot for me. Frankly I don't like it, I can't keep running anywhere near what constitutes fast at that point... butwhatever...
The pictures: right now they are on a website. soon i'll put them on flickr or something (i'm open to suggestions for that type of scrapbook utillity).
We were 9-1 going into the tournament. Missing a lot of my team for various reasons (family, wedding, flakiness), the TD let me pick up 3 high school players (only one of whom had been to a tournament, the others brand new). The team also had 2 just graduated dudes who had played for a year. So our ages ranged were like, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 25, 30, 30, 32, 35, 36. In the finals, we played a team w/ approx 75 years of exp between their top 4 players...
Our plan, bring the game down to our level. And win it in the end. And we did, before a very hostile crowd... winning for the 2nd time in 2 years...
Love that trophy.
anyway, my photo essay, photos curtesy of Bill Benson, father of Ben Benson, BUCL Rookie of Year.
Here I am, just having thought about letting someone else pull.
"Mom, MOM! Could you put the food over THERE"
"Brett, karate chop, NOW"
flick, FORCE FLICK, hey, where did my guy go...
dance party usa
i think this is going to be a swing pass. or maybe just a poopy face.
hamma, hamma, hamma, hamma
one of our hs kids, applying the force forehand. hasn't learned to cheat yet.
it's a trick brian, they are on the other teammmm.....
I literally picked this guy because his name was mike TEAM. Good call.
Fine. We'll play with 6.
Gooder! More Honester! Harder! Marker!
Franchise player / athletic trainer and his bizarre contract requests...
Annie holding the mark...
Maura using hypno-glasses.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
sweeps week?
according to Jim, it's sweeps week. And I'm looking for ways to drive hit count. Jim is killing me, but my daily counts have surpassed Alex, probably do to his visit to the way south. Jim's use of the 'read more' has driven up readership, but that exceeds my current levels of energy (or desire or ability to wade through html and figure out how to do it)...
i'd considered linking to some internet gambling or some other adult entertainment... but only the 'classy' stuff. Like the classy beautiful ladies of baccarat. Is that URL taken.
I'm training like a madman, and I feel like my calves are about to pop... a nap is clearly in order.
And my hour of library time is about to go off...
I guess I'll just have a kid write a script to view my site.
i'd considered linking to some internet gambling or some other adult entertainment... but only the 'classy' stuff. Like the classy beautiful ladies of baccarat. Is that URL taken.
I'm training like a madman, and I feel like my calves are about to pop... a nap is clearly in order.
And my hour of library time is about to go off...
I guess I'll just have a kid write a script to view my site.
Monday, June 13, 2005
daily blah-g
beauty of summer off for me: constant posting. for you: constant crap. I presume that the frequency of my posts will inversely correspond to the quality. I.e., when you have all day to go deposit a check, or spend 3 hours to go buy a single serv of yogurt... well imagine the posibillity of increased drivel...
i've decided on this bike pedal. this morning, went for a 5 mile run, and tidied up a bit. not much. This afternoon, back up to Phil's trail for a little ride...
current weather, 66 degrees, pc.
i've decided on this bike pedal. this morning, went for a 5 mile run, and tidied up a bit. not much. This afternoon, back up to Phil's trail for a little ride...
current weather, 66 degrees, pc.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
summertime -- day 1.
first moutain bike ride of '05. Hand seems to be fine, albeit a little achy... 9 mile loop, plus the 4 mile ride up... so 16 or so total. I'm thinking i'm going to head over to webcyclery and pick up my first pair of clipless pedals... so expect my next entry to be something like... so anywhere there i was, tooling around town when BLAMO, a light turned yellow, i slowed down, and was unable to clip-out. So make a long story short...
Hopefully not. I'll practice a little.
Outstanding game of mini on Friday evening... 6 kids, 4 adults, so a good opportunity to get a little sprint on... w/o getting too much sprint on... now the XC kids are demanding morning runs, alternating w/ morning ultimate, plus the normal evening clubbish stuff... i'm going to be in the best shape of my career for... sunday b-pool at regionals... yee haw.
'coaching thought.' This summer, since I have a bunch of '2 year' players, plus I'm getting some help from a couple good players w/ club experience, the new players are getting the chance to learn w/o being forced to throw lots of turnovers. They can start their careers as goal scorers and defenders, which allows them to remain confident, and contribute.
we also spend time playing short field games that give them LOTS of touch opportunities, hotbox, etc... but it seems to boost their funocity when they can catch goals, rip around the field, etc... instead of constantly being trapped on the forehand side...
recent reads...
Riley, Ace of Spies... marginally interesting history of an influence of Flemings Bond... and a bunch of kids Essays on Vietnam.
Hopefully not. I'll practice a little.
Outstanding game of mini on Friday evening... 6 kids, 4 adults, so a good opportunity to get a little sprint on... w/o getting too much sprint on... now the XC kids are demanding morning runs, alternating w/ morning ultimate, plus the normal evening clubbish stuff... i'm going to be in the best shape of my career for... sunday b-pool at regionals... yee haw.
'coaching thought.' This summer, since I have a bunch of '2 year' players, plus I'm getting some help from a couple good players w/ club experience, the new players are getting the chance to learn w/o being forced to throw lots of turnovers. They can start their careers as goal scorers and defenders, which allows them to remain confident, and contribute.
we also spend time playing short field games that give them LOTS of touch opportunities, hotbox, etc... but it seems to boost their funocity when they can catch goals, rip around the field, etc... instead of constantly being trapped on the forehand side...
recent reads...
Riley, Ace of Spies... marginally interesting history of an influence of Flemings Bond... and a bunch of kids Essays on Vietnam.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
feeling peppy.
the darthside.blogspot.com is a very funny mock blog by darth vader. I recommend 'Christmas on Hoth' (the entry, not the vacation paradise). If you proclaim to not be a nerd, please forgive. If you are reading 'Luke Smith's Blog, and think you are not a nerd, perhaps a series of intensive counseling is in order.
Today, feeling peppy. The last day w/ kids of my first year as a teacher. 35 years young, w/ a bright future behind me, I'm ready for the rest of my life. At least I'm in bend.
Some thoughts. Vaguely inspired by today's events, and other blogs.
1) It's not the kids. It's the parents. Kids don't buy kids xboxes (xboxi?), allow themselves wild freedom with no responsibillity, etc, park infants in front of a tv... etc.
2) No one reads anymore. I tell them I read a book this weekend, they look at me like I'm daft.
3) Teaching is a great job. Pay sucks. Eh. I get paid in 'your mom' jokes.
4) Video has ruined their brains. I've shown a total of about 120 minutes of video over the year. But the effect is amazing. They go completely inert. Also, somewhere along the line, they were taught, if there is paper in front of me, it means shut the hell up (i.e., stupid, numbing worksheets). But if anyone is talking EVERYONE can talk. That means, that trying to hold meaningful relevant opinionated discussions with 40 15 year olds (in a group where the top 20% are in a special place) is occasionally maddening.
Rest of the day, I think I'm going to go buy a board game. Just for grins. I have delusions of creating relevant, engaging gaming simulations as learning tools. Also, time for new cleats. The Speed TD's have blown out, and I'm not sure that I can get anything like that here. Rats. I do have a pair of those Vapor soccer cleats somewhere...
The Cruel Shoes. Light. Grabby. Made to extract information...
Beyond that the summer of my content (I hope).
Mornings, 3x per week, run w/ the summit XC team... Coach frisbee a couple days/week, pick-up a couple days / week... hopefully my slowly healing hand will let me mt. bike, and maybe do some paddling...
A couple seminars (literacy, and teaching AP Government)... beyond that...
slept til' 7:30. cup of coffee and a slice of toast. went for run. big breakfast, smoothie, more coffee. napped a bit.
then I puttered about the house/paddled/ rode a bit/ slept/read/ went to library.
playing a little frisbee this evening.
repeat.
Today, feeling peppy. The last day w/ kids of my first year as a teacher. 35 years young, w/ a bright future behind me, I'm ready for the rest of my life. At least I'm in bend.
Some thoughts. Vaguely inspired by today's events, and other blogs.
1) It's not the kids. It's the parents. Kids don't buy kids xboxes (xboxi?), allow themselves wild freedom with no responsibillity, etc, park infants in front of a tv... etc.
2) No one reads anymore. I tell them I read a book this weekend, they look at me like I'm daft.
3) Teaching is a great job. Pay sucks. Eh. I get paid in 'your mom' jokes.
4) Video has ruined their brains. I've shown a total of about 120 minutes of video over the year. But the effect is amazing. They go completely inert. Also, somewhere along the line, they were taught, if there is paper in front of me, it means shut the hell up (i.e., stupid, numbing worksheets). But if anyone is talking EVERYONE can talk. That means, that trying to hold meaningful relevant opinionated discussions with 40 15 year olds (in a group where the top 20% are in a special place) is occasionally maddening.
Rest of the day, I think I'm going to go buy a board game. Just for grins. I have delusions of creating relevant, engaging gaming simulations as learning tools. Also, time for new cleats. The Speed TD's have blown out, and I'm not sure that I can get anything like that here. Rats. I do have a pair of those Vapor soccer cleats somewhere...
The Cruel Shoes. Light. Grabby. Made to extract information...
Beyond that the summer of my content (I hope).
Mornings, 3x per week, run w/ the summit XC team... Coach frisbee a couple days/week, pick-up a couple days / week... hopefully my slowly healing hand will let me mt. bike, and maybe do some paddling...
A couple seminars (literacy, and teaching AP Government)... beyond that...
slept til' 7:30. cup of coffee and a slice of toast. went for run. big breakfast, smoothie, more coffee. napped a bit.
then I puttered about the house/paddled/ rode a bit/ slept/read/ went to library.
playing a little frisbee this evening.
repeat.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
state of new instruction
thesis, antithesis, synthesis. led to the rise and fall of communism. but whatever the way self reflection works, the past few weeks have led to a lot of thinking about stuff...
a new crop of summer kids are coming out, and so i get to apply a whole new bag of tricks. this year i'm exclusively using a cross between crazy franks z-boys iconoclasticity, and bobby knight chair throwing.
just kidding. i've definitely found a lot more value in the bloggery('paranelloh', idris (who's output seems to have dropped off dramatically since purchasing a 55" TV), and goff. Alex kind of blew up w/ a weeklong tirade about coed... then drifted into maudlin musings about the wonder years and lambada...) than R.S.D. (ex: coedSter@gmail...i get in shape for frisbee by doing 20 deep kneebends really fast, then running 4 by 1 mile sprints. i also have a ripped meniscus that limits my range of motion to 30 degrees, and causes excruciating pain when... well, all the time... should I play more than the 6 days a week I play at work? (I'll throw in some links to R.S.D. posts that actually say stuff like this. very humorous)).
from reading the blogs, and given the opportunity to start w/ fresh produce, i've added some new thoughts. the hammer is not a vertical flick, but teaching blades right away (good suggestion idris) does improve flick (the concept of follow through comes more naturally on the blade); having them throw under my arm to learn extension also provides more meaning, and skips a step... these have helped a couple kids make rapid strides... it is more difficult for me to initially teach extended flicks.
also, teaching them to throw blades right away has the advantage of making the hotbox games MUCH more competetive
on how to cut, or clear, or mark...
general: if you are teaching one new player, have them cover an experienced player. if they are a fundamental athlete (which mainly means kinetic learning style), and they chase, are marked by, mark, etc... good players, they will learn good habits. then in conversation, especially while watching a point or two, you may get the opportunity to observe a good player, and relate it to things that the new player has done (much more valuable to say, do you see that, that cut i made when you covered me, see how it works, the timing... less valuable to say, see that, don't do that). I believe surgery has the maxim, see one, do one, teach one... in sports its maybe see one, do one, see one, do one... or something like that...
specific: marking... w/ new players, i usually mix up a no arm marking drill w/ an 'armed' marking drill. seems to work. but the players who got better fastest are the ones I marked, so they got used to a 'style' that is more effective by mimicry, rather than creating their style in an adhoc manner.
cutting: again. if you want your newest player to learn how to cut, put them on your best player. if you have the inclination, do it at a tournament (fast tracking). for REALLY new players, having the brand new kid cover the other brand new kid only serves to create unusual portions of space. or lack there of.
clearing. take the time to say, hey sparky (try that one Jim, instead of dude, or new guy), give me an honest effort on 'd', and I'm going to try to 1) keep you far from the disc, 2) keep you from ever seeing (with their eyes) the disc, and 3) create tons of space for my team mates 4) punish you severely if you leave me, or look away from me. Then make an effort to do it, honestly. Then deconstruct (preferably w/ video) soon after...
the challenges. fast tracking still requires field time. W/o any other considerations, or any real effort to develop specialized coaching plans for each kid, the kids that came to practice the most made the most improvement, relative to themselves (i don't know how to quantify that)...
that's all for now.
a new crop of summer kids are coming out, and so i get to apply a whole new bag of tricks. this year i'm exclusively using a cross between crazy franks z-boys iconoclasticity, and bobby knight chair throwing.
just kidding. i've definitely found a lot more value in the bloggery('paranelloh', idris (who's output seems to have dropped off dramatically since purchasing a 55" TV), and goff. Alex kind of blew up w/ a weeklong tirade about coed... then drifted into maudlin musings about the wonder years and lambada...) than R.S.D. (ex: coedSter@gmail...i get in shape for frisbee by doing 20 deep kneebends really fast, then running 4 by 1 mile sprints. i also have a ripped meniscus that limits my range of motion to 30 degrees, and causes excruciating pain when... well, all the time... should I play more than the 6 days a week I play at work? (I'll throw in some links to R.S.D. posts that actually say stuff like this. very humorous)).
from reading the blogs, and given the opportunity to start w/ fresh produce, i've added some new thoughts. the hammer is not a vertical flick, but teaching blades right away (good suggestion idris) does improve flick (the concept of follow through comes more naturally on the blade); having them throw under my arm to learn extension also provides more meaning, and skips a step... these have helped a couple kids make rapid strides... it is more difficult for me to initially teach extended flicks.
also, teaching them to throw blades right away has the advantage of making the hotbox games MUCH more competetive
on how to cut, or clear, or mark...
general: if you are teaching one new player, have them cover an experienced player. if they are a fundamental athlete (which mainly means kinetic learning style), and they chase, are marked by, mark, etc... good players, they will learn good habits. then in conversation, especially while watching a point or two, you may get the opportunity to observe a good player, and relate it to things that the new player has done (much more valuable to say, do you see that, that cut i made when you covered me, see how it works, the timing... less valuable to say, see that, don't do that). I believe surgery has the maxim, see one, do one, teach one... in sports its maybe see one, do one, see one, do one... or something like that...
specific: marking... w/ new players, i usually mix up a no arm marking drill w/ an 'armed' marking drill. seems to work. but the players who got better fastest are the ones I marked, so they got used to a 'style' that is more effective by mimicry, rather than creating their style in an adhoc manner.
cutting: again. if you want your newest player to learn how to cut, put them on your best player. if you have the inclination, do it at a tournament (fast tracking). for REALLY new players, having the brand new kid cover the other brand new kid only serves to create unusual portions of space. or lack there of.
clearing. take the time to say, hey sparky (try that one Jim, instead of dude, or new guy), give me an honest effort on 'd', and I'm going to try to 1) keep you far from the disc, 2) keep you from ever seeing (with their eyes) the disc, and 3) create tons of space for my team mates 4) punish you severely if you leave me, or look away from me. Then make an effort to do it, honestly. Then deconstruct (preferably w/ video) soon after...
the challenges. fast tracking still requires field time. W/o any other considerations, or any real effort to develop specialized coaching plans for each kid, the kids that came to practice the most made the most improvement, relative to themselves (i don't know how to quantify that)...
that's all for now.
Friday, June 03, 2005
league night 7-0
Team ASAP defeats Orange Colored Shirts 13-5 to push our record to 7 and 0, alone atop the leader board. 1 word. Strategery. I was concerned that we would let the game slip away, and I urged the team to greatness when it was 5-2. It turned out it was actually 6-1.
Warm-up. Them: Drills, chalk talk. Us, people kindof threw and ran. I set up the 4 fields, and marked them with paint so that we wouldn't have to pace them off again. They are perfect, of course.
The day: Mid -60's. Sunny. Steady wind of 20+ mph (est). Strategery: We won the flip, took wind. one pass downwind, turnover. Several turnovers later, we score. 1-0. They receive, turf a swing pass, one pass later, 2-0, up a break. Strategery.
We will be losing 4 good players for the tournament. It may or may not matter.
Warm-up. Them: Drills, chalk talk. Us, people kindof threw and ran. I set up the 4 fields, and marked them with paint so that we wouldn't have to pace them off again. They are perfect, of course.
The day: Mid -60's. Sunny. Steady wind of 20+ mph (est). Strategery: We won the flip, took wind. one pass downwind, turnover. Several turnovers later, we score. 1-0. They receive, turf a swing pass, one pass later, 2-0, up a break. Strategery.
We will be losing 4 good players for the tournament. It may or may not matter.
Friday, May 27, 2005
drills i like
don't like:
that box drill thing. i'm not sure what exactly it is working on.
the 'weave'. although i haven't seen anyone do that in years...
do:
dutch drill. a box of varying size. anywhere from 10yds square to almost a full field. team size up to like 6 on 6. 10 passes is a point. it accomplishes what i think the 'weave' is supposed to. good conditioning too...
two lines, 'go to' drill, take a jab step away from the thrower before cutting back. they should be learning to look out for someone elses cut before coming in, a little change of direction... i prefer it w/ a nice flat marker on the thrower, but most of my hs kids can't consistently beat that enough to allow fluidity...
we bring the lines in, and instead of comeback it's a deke and then a more lateral cut (like handler initiation/swing off the front of the stack).
a huck drill... everyone likes a good huck drill
a comeback based on the huck, cutter starts earlier, and comes back to the throwers, there are a couple ways to set this one up that i like...
2v2 trapped drill, w/ another pair as a deep to come in or go deep off the first pass...
a dump drill...
when it's really windy (frequently it blows like 30mph or more here) and/or i've got some really new kids, we mainly do the shorter passing stuff, or play hotbox, mini, dutch drill, or schtique.
i'm kind of ambivalent about that endzone drill... i think it's better to just run 3 lines (thrower, handler, scorer) so that it looks the same the whole time for better processing...
that box drill thing. i'm not sure what exactly it is working on.
the 'weave'. although i haven't seen anyone do that in years...
do:
dutch drill. a box of varying size. anywhere from 10yds square to almost a full field. team size up to like 6 on 6. 10 passes is a point. it accomplishes what i think the 'weave' is supposed to. good conditioning too...
two lines, 'go to' drill, take a jab step away from the thrower before cutting back. they should be learning to look out for someone elses cut before coming in, a little change of direction... i prefer it w/ a nice flat marker on the thrower, but most of my hs kids can't consistently beat that enough to allow fluidity...
we bring the lines in, and instead of comeback it's a deke and then a more lateral cut (like handler initiation/swing off the front of the stack).
a huck drill... everyone likes a good huck drill
a comeback based on the huck, cutter starts earlier, and comes back to the throwers, there are a couple ways to set this one up that i like...
2v2 trapped drill, w/ another pair as a deep to come in or go deep off the first pass...
a dump drill...
when it's really windy (frequently it blows like 30mph or more here) and/or i've got some really new kids, we mainly do the shorter passing stuff, or play hotbox, mini, dutch drill, or schtique.
i'm kind of ambivalent about that endzone drill... i think it's better to just run 3 lines (thrower, handler, scorer) so that it looks the same the whole time for better processing...
teaching new throwers
This year has caused me to think a lot about the basics of throwing. I broke my hand, so I had to throw exclusively with the righty for about 2 months. Also, I've been teaching a lot of youngsters to throw. Between the two, I've had to really analyze what goes into the basics.
Teaching them to throw low is a hard thing. I'm getting some javelin throwers, and people with a baseball background, so the get low to throw thing is tough. I think that throwing low is not the end all be all of throwing technique, but it helps in the wind.
This is what my current thinking is when i work one on one with a brand new player.
I start w/ the backhand. They always have the forefinger on the rim. I show the power grip, and have them throw a few. Then switch to...
Forehand:
I show the 2 on the rim grip, but I also show the 'split finger.' I tell them the split finger is a training wheel, but use it if they need it. I stress that they need to make sure to get the frisbee down into the webbing. I think Darrell N. called it getting it behind the 1st metacarpal/phalangeal joint. I then have them throw short flips out to about 10-20 feet. I then have them fake backhand, throw forehand, concentrating on learning the pivot, and changing the grip over to forehand. Holding the pivot, and changing the grip are stressed over speed. I show them what a mark looks like at this point, so that they see the value of this pivot.
(then the same, forehand fake to backhand).
Then I have them throw the forehand on a bended knee. I'm thinking it will make them think of throwing lower.
Then I have them throw with knees bent, pivoting...
What have I learned from throwing Right handed?
It's actually pretty hard to throw a forehand with a lot of hyser when you are learning to throw. Maybe that's just me.
An offhand backhand is kind of a useful throw. It's pretty nice where my other choice is the 5 foot push or forehand.
The offhand forehand, i've not found it to be useful. But perhaps I lack vision.
The offhand thumber is my favorite throw in the world.
Throwing everyday is very important when learning to throw. Concentrating on the activity is important. The kids who have improved throwingwise the fastest are the ones who 1) make the most practices, 2) throw the same basic way almost every time, 3) are more competetive personalities.
I thought I was '100%' healed (not pain free, but strong enough) until yesterday. It was pretty breezy at league night, and the distance, accuracy, release angle etc. were all off. So it seems like anything else, it's 10% of the effort to achieve 90% of the results, and 90% of the effort for the lastest, bestest 10%.
someone should write a book about this stuff.
Teaching them to throw low is a hard thing. I'm getting some javelin throwers, and people with a baseball background, so the get low to throw thing is tough. I think that throwing low is not the end all be all of throwing technique, but it helps in the wind.
This is what my current thinking is when i work one on one with a brand new player.
I start w/ the backhand. They always have the forefinger on the rim. I show the power grip, and have them throw a few. Then switch to...
Forehand:
I show the 2 on the rim grip, but I also show the 'split finger.' I tell them the split finger is a training wheel, but use it if they need it. I stress that they need to make sure to get the frisbee down into the webbing. I think Darrell N. called it getting it behind the 1st metacarpal/phalangeal joint. I then have them throw short flips out to about 10-20 feet. I then have them fake backhand, throw forehand, concentrating on learning the pivot, and changing the grip over to forehand. Holding the pivot, and changing the grip are stressed over speed. I show them what a mark looks like at this point, so that they see the value of this pivot.
(then the same, forehand fake to backhand).
Then I have them throw the forehand on a bended knee. I'm thinking it will make them think of throwing lower.
Then I have them throw with knees bent, pivoting...
What have I learned from throwing Right handed?
It's actually pretty hard to throw a forehand with a lot of hyser when you are learning to throw. Maybe that's just me.
An offhand backhand is kind of a useful throw. It's pretty nice where my other choice is the 5 foot push or forehand.
The offhand forehand, i've not found it to be useful. But perhaps I lack vision.
The offhand thumber is my favorite throw in the world.
Throwing everyday is very important when learning to throw. Concentrating on the activity is important. The kids who have improved throwingwise the fastest are the ones who 1) make the most practices, 2) throw the same basic way almost every time, 3) are more competetive personalities.
I thought I was '100%' healed (not pain free, but strong enough) until yesterday. It was pretty breezy at league night, and the distance, accuracy, release angle etc. were all off. So it seems like anything else, it's 10% of the effort to achieve 90% of the results, and 90% of the effort for the lastest, bestest 10%.
someone should write a book about this stuff.
bowling night
6-0.
The much beloved bend city league (100% draft) continues. My draft strategy (fastest person left on list) and game strategery (let's get lucky) continues to be successful... (21 game run). There is only one reason for this, and it's not that i'm any good. My co-captain Alicia is clearly the league mvp. Her absence at the final tournament will no doubt lead to an early exit.
Yet again we beat a team that was better than us, better prepared, and intesely motivated.
Meeting of undefeated teams for 'unofficial midseason something or another'
Them: 40 minutes of 'box drill', 15 minute chalk talk. Discussion of individual players.
Us: 5 minutes of a partially attended 'endzone' drill, upwinder to start game.
The end. 13-10.
League Strategy vs. Open Strategy.
League: Throw it as far as you can the moment you get it. Trust in other team to dink it around and make an error on their half of field.
Open: Varies. Preferably tends towards the don't screw up very much.
League: Don't make any calls. Until they start browbeating the new players. Then get 'all up ons'.
Open: Always a callfest. Unless one team is gracefully wilting. Games against HighSchool teams are always good for bringing out the 'spirit.' See 'refs' at someone elses blog. Maybe this one too. Can't remember.
League: Beer after.
Open: Same. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
League: No one knows rules. Everyone thinks they are a saint, and takes advantage of anything that they can. You should never dispute their right to do this.
This is spirit.
Open: Same.
League: 8 gazillion turnovers per point. See 'training for 5 k racing'. Speed, per se, is not necessarily important, because by point 7 gazillion, no one is that fast.
Open: Better. W/ some exceptions.
League: Bad marks. But plenty physical. No one can defend the open side of the field.
Open: Faster. Better.
May edit later.
The much beloved bend city league (100% draft) continues. My draft strategy (fastest person left on list) and game strategery (let's get lucky) continues to be successful... (21 game run). There is only one reason for this, and it's not that i'm any good. My co-captain Alicia is clearly the league mvp. Her absence at the final tournament will no doubt lead to an early exit.
Yet again we beat a team that was better than us, better prepared, and intesely motivated.
Meeting of undefeated teams for 'unofficial midseason something or another'
Them: 40 minutes of 'box drill', 15 minute chalk talk. Discussion of individual players.
Us: 5 minutes of a partially attended 'endzone' drill, upwinder to start game.
The end. 13-10.
League Strategy vs. Open Strategy.
League: Throw it as far as you can the moment you get it. Trust in other team to dink it around and make an error on their half of field.
Open: Varies. Preferably tends towards the don't screw up very much.
League: Don't make any calls. Until they start browbeating the new players. Then get 'all up ons'.
Open: Always a callfest. Unless one team is gracefully wilting. Games against HighSchool teams are always good for bringing out the 'spirit.' See 'refs' at someone elses blog. Maybe this one too. Can't remember.
League: Beer after.
Open: Same. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
League: No one knows rules. Everyone thinks they are a saint, and takes advantage of anything that they can. You should never dispute their right to do this.
This is spirit.
Open: Same.
League: 8 gazillion turnovers per point. See 'training for 5 k racing'. Speed, per se, is not necessarily important, because by point 7 gazillion, no one is that fast.
Open: Better. W/ some exceptions.
League: Bad marks. But plenty physical. No one can defend the open side of the field.
Open: Faster. Better.
May edit later.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Oregon State Games
The Season is over, the dust has settled, and Summit emerges 3-4 as a #6 team. Decent improvement from last years 0-6 finish. Friday, left from school in loaned Suburban w/ about 1/3 of team. Stopped off for Ben's stuff. Grabbed travel scrabble (the plastic entertainer). Rolled out. Made it to Eugene, fandangoed some StarWars tickets, went to get in line. completely unecessary, as it turned out.
Note: StarWars was awesome.
Day 1, 11-9 hard cap loss to Vacaville. Team had disk, on goal line, to tie and force golden goal. Vacaville went on to Finals. Saturday loss to other Finalist, churchill, like 15-7, but rested the starters for the 'must win' pool play game. Which we won, 12 - 8.
Sunday: Quarterfinals. 4 point loss. Slow start, but the first 'big game' experience for any of team... Down by a few, made a late rally. had disk to score down 2. Would have been nice. Got some good plays out of a kid (nate crabtree) who had anchored the 4x400 (#1 in state), and also medaled in 200m and 400m.
Originally bracketed to go straight to the 5/6 game, they had added some 'play in' game to make it to the 5/6 game, which the team won. I then benched my best player, and just let the kids sub themselves (out of set groups, so that there would always be some 'balance'). Basically, just get some playing time for the guys who 'took one for the team.' As in playing time.
Thoughts. I still think Consolation games are stupid.
They had this rule, you had to alternate 'guy pull'/'girl pull.' I think this is stupid. I also thought it was pretty cheap to spring this new rule at the captains meeting. I basically was not even working on hucking until late in the season, so the only people who had much pulling practice were the guys who played last year. Several exciting moments occurred, and it really served to skew the game, make it difficult to go on runs, etc.
With the hard cap already on in the quarters, and summit down 3, the opposing coach said (in a not unfriendly tone), "you know the game is over." and offered his hand.
I did not punch him. Should I have? I just said, 'i'll shake your hand later' (did). He had already pulled the classic 'are you taking a time out' when I was setting the team up. I initially responded w/ a 'no, are you?' but had to continue w/ the 'we get 20 seconds after your 70 seconds. If you're gonna take 2 minutes, then you're gonna wait longer'. I suspect, based on the behavior of his team (pretty good) that he's basically a good guy, just w/ some kind of misguided desire to establish some friendly ribbing.
jackass.
Next year, should have enough personnel for a 'guys team' and 'girls team', with separate state tournaments for both, and combine for a 'mixed states.'
Drive home. Told the story of the wallet to the kids in the Suburban on the drive back. I gave Kody money to top off the tank shortly there after. We had just dropped off the rest of the team, and were leaving the HS to the last stop when he realizes that he had lost the money. Stopped truck, searched, nothing. I suggested that he had dropped $ in trash. Returned to school, where money was in trash.
Is this Jungian Synchronicity? Power of Persuasion? Coincidence? Or just funny, ha ha.
Now, off to see sin city at the McMenamins pub/theater. $3. Sweet.
Note: StarWars was awesome.
Day 1, 11-9 hard cap loss to Vacaville. Team had disk, on goal line, to tie and force golden goal. Vacaville went on to Finals. Saturday loss to other Finalist, churchill, like 15-7, but rested the starters for the 'must win' pool play game. Which we won, 12 - 8.
Sunday: Quarterfinals. 4 point loss. Slow start, but the first 'big game' experience for any of team... Down by a few, made a late rally. had disk to score down 2. Would have been nice. Got some good plays out of a kid (nate crabtree) who had anchored the 4x400 (#1 in state), and also medaled in 200m and 400m.
Originally bracketed to go straight to the 5/6 game, they had added some 'play in' game to make it to the 5/6 game, which the team won. I then benched my best player, and just let the kids sub themselves (out of set groups, so that there would always be some 'balance'). Basically, just get some playing time for the guys who 'took one for the team.' As in playing time.
Thoughts. I still think Consolation games are stupid.
They had this rule, you had to alternate 'guy pull'/'girl pull.' I think this is stupid. I also thought it was pretty cheap to spring this new rule at the captains meeting. I basically was not even working on hucking until late in the season, so the only people who had much pulling practice were the guys who played last year. Several exciting moments occurred, and it really served to skew the game, make it difficult to go on runs, etc.
With the hard cap already on in the quarters, and summit down 3, the opposing coach said (in a not unfriendly tone), "you know the game is over." and offered his hand.
I did not punch him. Should I have? I just said, 'i'll shake your hand later' (did). He had already pulled the classic 'are you taking a time out' when I was setting the team up. I initially responded w/ a 'no, are you?' but had to continue w/ the 'we get 20 seconds after your 70 seconds. If you're gonna take 2 minutes, then you're gonna wait longer'. I suspect, based on the behavior of his team (pretty good) that he's basically a good guy, just w/ some kind of misguided desire to establish some friendly ribbing.
jackass.
Next year, should have enough personnel for a 'guys team' and 'girls team', with separate state tournaments for both, and combine for a 'mixed states.'
Drive home. Told the story of the wallet to the kids in the Suburban on the drive back. I gave Kody money to top off the tank shortly there after. We had just dropped off the rest of the team, and were leaving the HS to the last stop when he realizes that he had lost the money. Stopped truck, searched, nothing. I suggested that he had dropped $ in trash. Returned to school, where money was in trash.
Is this Jungian Synchronicity? Power of Persuasion? Coincidence? Or just funny, ha ha.
Now, off to see sin city at the McMenamins pub/theater. $3. Sweet.
Friday, May 20, 2005
downing street memo
Ever since good old r.s.d. was spammed by a GregPalast article about the Downing street memo, I've been mistakenly waiting for the media to address the issue. Today the NYTimes published an article about it... but I don't know where it appeared in the print edition. Online, click Washington News, then 'All Headlines' then 'British Memo on Us Plans for Iraq War Fuels Critics.' It's prominence on the website can only lead me to believe that it appeared over the fold. That's sarcasm. I learned it from my students. That and how to debate.
"Your Mom"
According to the Palast site, they were hacked, leading to the dissemination of the article (from BBC, I think).
The CSM has a nice article with links to a variety of perspectives, if you want to see some different opinions on the issue.
The historical lesson of 'meddlin' is visible in the conflict w/ radical muslim fundamentalism. Wait. Isn't that an oxymoron? Anyway. We are complicit in the creation of this tarbaby -- or at least it's growth. Our support of the Mujahaddeen vs. the Soviets created a motivated confident force, not to mention directly leading to the installation of the Taliban.
And while the US may not have been involved with the Coup that led to Saddam's rise to power, there was a long relationship prior to and after the coup. Which leaves us here. Now.
The real nut of the issue is this. Bush and Co. despite the rantings of many, are not in fact idiots. They ARE ideologues. Zealots. They want to change the region, believe with a religious fervor that they should (literally, perhaps, but that is not the main reason of neocon), and are willing to pay the price. My biggest fear is what climate will result from prolonged military occupation... Particularly for the one real democracy in the region. However, I certainly don't claim to be able to predict the ramifications, I'll just say bad. We're not in a position to make a new Marshall plan. It's not necessary that Iraq be 'Vietnam' or Afghanistan, or whatever.
Might it not have been enough to destroy their ability to wage war and threaten isreal? (done, and done), offer humanitarian financial assistance to the new regime, and get the hell out? Maybe that's still the plan, and it's just going to take time... I'm not convinced.
Serious digression.
Back on point. What are the legal ramifications of the 'downing street memo' if any? Is this significant? If so, what is the meaning of the 21 day (or so) period of non-reportage?
Monday: Recap of HS State Tournament.
"Your Mom"
According to the Palast site, they were hacked, leading to the dissemination of the article (from BBC, I think).
The CSM has a nice article with links to a variety of perspectives, if you want to see some different opinions on the issue.
The historical lesson of 'meddlin' is visible in the conflict w/ radical muslim fundamentalism. Wait. Isn't that an oxymoron? Anyway. We are complicit in the creation of this tarbaby -- or at least it's growth. Our support of the Mujahaddeen vs. the Soviets created a motivated confident force, not to mention directly leading to the installation of the Taliban.
And while the US may not have been involved with the Coup that led to Saddam's rise to power, there was a long relationship prior to and after the coup. Which leaves us here. Now.
The real nut of the issue is this. Bush and Co. despite the rantings of many, are not in fact idiots. They ARE ideologues. Zealots. They want to change the region, believe with a religious fervor that they should (literally, perhaps, but that is not the main reason of neocon), and are willing to pay the price. My biggest fear is what climate will result from prolonged military occupation... Particularly for the one real democracy in the region. However, I certainly don't claim to be able to predict the ramifications, I'll just say bad. We're not in a position to make a new Marshall plan. It's not necessary that Iraq be 'Vietnam' or Afghanistan, or whatever.
Might it not have been enough to destroy their ability to wage war and threaten isreal? (done, and done), offer humanitarian financial assistance to the new regime, and get the hell out? Maybe that's still the plan, and it's just going to take time... I'm not convinced.
Serious digression.
Back on point. What are the legal ramifications of the 'downing street memo' if any? Is this significant? If so, what is the meaning of the 21 day (or so) period of non-reportage?
Monday: Recap of HS State Tournament.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
dead horse
So I've got to post my thoughts here, rather than in replies only.
I think that the appeal of co-ed, leaguer, spirit spouting, no-ref frisbee players is that it's a secret club for them. Despite the fact that I throw every day, and am a massive frisbee nerd, I do actually have non-frisbee playing friends. And the feedback I get from the community as a whole, is that frisbee players are pompous self-absorbed arrogant pricks.
True.
I think it stems from this.
Oh, you play frisbee. Like with a dog.
(frisbee player immediately huffs)
No, it's fast, it's like a combination of all the best things about soccer, hockey, team handball, football, quidditch and nascar. But the best thing is that there are no refs. We play by the spirit of the game.
(What listener hears is. We're better than other people, and if you don't share my vision, you're a loser).
What about, 'it's like keep away, on a really big field. and we got observers, like 'refs' only for the big games. it's fun'
Or am I hung up that SI runs a huge article about Lacrosse, and ultimate is still the butt of jokes on Sports Center.
I'd really like to see the game on TV. But it's not going to happen as long as it's hackey sack. The common perception is that it's a stoner sport. Guess what. NBA basketball is reportedly a 'Stoner Sport' but the commish and the players have the sense to keep it under wraps.
Yes, 2 portland trailblazers doing 90 in a hummer w/ 2 pounds of pot in the back smoking dope out of can is keeping it under wraps.
I recently played a tournament-- Big news for me these days. I played a club co-ed tournament w/ my co-ed HS team. I played right handed (broken good hand), so I was smarter, but my throws were so-so.
I actually don't remember seeing any men in dresses. Maybe i've blocked it. But there were all sorts of 'theme attire' and stuff. These people don't WANT the sport to be 'mainstream'. They want it to be the sport for iconoclasts...
Another subset of people playing like to have a beer, or smoke some dope when they play. This goes on at city softball games and stuff, although people outside the insular world of ultimate frisbee tend to be a little more circumspect about illegal behavior. You know, consideration for other peoples views on illegal behavior etc...(an aside, for i don't actually care what other people do at a tournament, or anywhere for that matter, but nude beaches are nude beaches and not nude malls for a reason)
A final interesting group, that i think makes up the overlap of the two previously listed groups, combines 'ostensibly not being serious' w/ 'a lack of knowledge of the rules' into the worst type of ultimate player.
A team dressed in matching skirts, unable to get anything done, mildly inebriated, making bad call after bad call, complaining about elitist behavior.
Any way. It's league night. So I'm just getting pumped up for the fans tonight.
Next week: Frisbee Players. Buy a watch.
I think that the appeal of co-ed, leaguer, spirit spouting, no-ref frisbee players is that it's a secret club for them. Despite the fact that I throw every day, and am a massive frisbee nerd, I do actually have non-frisbee playing friends. And the feedback I get from the community as a whole, is that frisbee players are pompous self-absorbed arrogant pricks.
True.
I think it stems from this.
Oh, you play frisbee. Like with a dog.
(frisbee player immediately huffs)
No, it's fast, it's like a combination of all the best things about soccer, hockey, team handball, football, quidditch and nascar. But the best thing is that there are no refs. We play by the spirit of the game.
(What listener hears is. We're better than other people, and if you don't share my vision, you're a loser).
What about, 'it's like keep away, on a really big field. and we got observers, like 'refs' only for the big games. it's fun'
Or am I hung up that SI runs a huge article about Lacrosse, and ultimate is still the butt of jokes on Sports Center.
I'd really like to see the game on TV. But it's not going to happen as long as it's hackey sack. The common perception is that it's a stoner sport. Guess what. NBA basketball is reportedly a 'Stoner Sport' but the commish and the players have the sense to keep it under wraps.
Yes, 2 portland trailblazers doing 90 in a hummer w/ 2 pounds of pot in the back smoking dope out of can is keeping it under wraps.
I recently played a tournament-- Big news for me these days. I played a club co-ed tournament w/ my co-ed HS team. I played right handed (broken good hand), so I was smarter, but my throws were so-so.
I actually don't remember seeing any men in dresses. Maybe i've blocked it. But there were all sorts of 'theme attire' and stuff. These people don't WANT the sport to be 'mainstream'. They want it to be the sport for iconoclasts...
Another subset of people playing like to have a beer, or smoke some dope when they play. This goes on at city softball games and stuff, although people outside the insular world of ultimate frisbee tend to be a little more circumspect about illegal behavior. You know, consideration for other peoples views on illegal behavior etc...(an aside, for i don't actually care what other people do at a tournament, or anywhere for that matter, but nude beaches are nude beaches and not nude malls for a reason)
A final interesting group, that i think makes up the overlap of the two previously listed groups, combines 'ostensibly not being serious' w/ 'a lack of knowledge of the rules' into the worst type of ultimate player.
A team dressed in matching skirts, unable to get anything done, mildly inebriated, making bad call after bad call, complaining about elitist behavior.
Any way. It's league night. So I'm just getting pumped up for the fans tonight.
Next week: Frisbee Players. Buy a watch.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
the world bank
the state of the world games, co-ed, and cheating is getting great airplay at 1, 2, and 3.
I have a more significant question.
Given current challenges to the World Bank from both the left and the right (free market failure vs. failure as social institution), has this institution run it's course? Discuss the challenges from both sides, and present your case for the future of the World Bank.
in other news, nice breakfast, brisk walk to work, hand coming around, might be able to start biking in earnest soon. looking forward to finishing up the high school season, not to mention having the summer off. Today, a little 1-3-3 discussion (and trap), some run throughs, then do some man to man 'd' drills, and flow drills, then warm-bodies allowing, scrimmage (any 'd' allowed).
I have a more significant question.
Given current challenges to the World Bank from both the left and the right (free market failure vs. failure as social institution), has this institution run it's course? Discuss the challenges from both sides, and present your case for the future of the World Bank.
in other news, nice breakfast, brisk walk to work, hand coming around, might be able to start biking in earnest soon. looking forward to finishing up the high school season, not to mention having the summer off. Today, a little 1-3-3 discussion (and trap), some run throughs, then do some man to man 'd' drills, and flow drills, then warm-bodies allowing, scrimmage (any 'd' allowed).
Monday, May 02, 2005
teaching kids zone
i'm torn. i've always liked zone 'o'. walking around seems to work pretty good (until you break it), good decisions are rewarded... etc. but now, in teaching my kids, i'm torn. obviously the 'throw a zillion passes, we can work it, old college try approach' is doomed.' but i don't have a 6'7 guy either. so it's usually 3-4 passes, get to the popper, bring in the deep, bombs away to the wing.
and hope that we can get it back, and get them out of zone. coaching has come down to hoping my bad zone 'o' is better than their bad zone 'd'.
i think i'm getting an ulcer.
ahh, their getting better, a lot better, but, for real.
i think i'm getting an ulcer
and hope that we can get it back, and get them out of zone. coaching has come down to hoping my bad zone 'o' is better than their bad zone 'd'.
i think i'm getting an ulcer.
ahh, their getting better, a lot better, but, for real.
i think i'm getting an ulcer
back to life...
rather than the 'one post at a time' complete narrative of other blogs, i'm going to rough in the outline... and then fill in details.
today, the 3 year adventure of leisure jet set draws to a close. i think that when i go back and write my memoirs, the period from 5/10/02 - 5/2/04 will be known as the 'golden age.' 3 long years of blissful relative unemployment, with all that that entails -- mainly, lots of sleep. there was a year of grad school thrown in there, but i mean, schools just not that stressful. especially not working on a masters in teaching...
i digress. today, i've finally been offered full time employment at Summit High School. 1/2 time has kept me fairly busy, but offered me a little extra time for skiing, and well, sleeping in. but those days will soon be gone (well, september)...
of course the upside is that i might be able to afford, uh, to put gas in my car, go to tournaments, etc...
so it's been lean times, but frankly, not to bad. some highlights.
5/10/4 Laid off, shortly after informing the firm that i'd be starting graduate school that summer. We were a little to slow, and they didn't really want to have me just on 'bench time'... so much for 'think of us as a family...' but the 2002 world cup started shortly thereafter, and that was a blissful few weeks of staying up all night, sleeping late, biking, and playing frisbee.
Mid July-Early August... 3 weeks of grad school in LaGrande. I guess it might have been hard... but mainly it was long (one of those 3 weeks, for 8 hours a day things, then off to Bend for actual class learning)... and I got to spend my weekends in the Wallowas, and my evenings RoadBiking, playing a little frisbee...
August, 2002... Worlds. Hawaii. Bronze. At game point, deked towards the cone. Oscar grabbed me. Turned and said, calmly, man, don't do tha-- and broke to the cone. Caught goal and just stayed in endzone... fish win. stuck disc down pants. shook hands. wasn't really a taunt, so much, as i wasn't letting that disc out of sight.
I mean, its a free disc.
Fall o2. Communted 7 hours per weekend to play w/ sockeye. Each way. It was a fun season. Lost in Semis to Ring of Fire.
Winter 02-03. Bunch of Ski days. Maybe 70ish?
Sockeye 03. Managed to string out my first appearance until August. Didn't deserve it. Lived in Seattle, on the last of my loans, and savings. 'Pro' Ultimate, in it's current state, I guess. Stayed in seattle until season ended...
Winter 03-04. 80 plus days. Tons of midweek skiing. Started Substitute teaching. Assistant coach XC skiing. Know nothing about it. Head coaches are former olympians. Girls win, boys 2nd, combined #1.
Spring 03 -- coach HS ultimate. 0-6.
Summer, 04 Lose 1st game in the all draft city league, Win next 14, championship. Offered a teaching job in Bend, 1/2 time, for 04-05 school year.
If it seems crazy to take a 1/2 time job, just to live in bend, well, if you don't know, you should go ask someone. although, i kind of miss competetive ultimate.
04-05. Asst Coach XC running, girls 3rd in state, asst coach xc skiing, boys/girls state title (only contribution to either success is that i'm 'lucky'). Coach HS ultimate (7-2 this season)... get job.
will expand on this later... suffice to say, lots of nothing, for lots of time, for lots of fun.
today, the 3 year adventure of leisure jet set draws to a close. i think that when i go back and write my memoirs, the period from 5/10/02 - 5/2/04 will be known as the 'golden age.' 3 long years of blissful relative unemployment, with all that that entails -- mainly, lots of sleep. there was a year of grad school thrown in there, but i mean, schools just not that stressful. especially not working on a masters in teaching...
i digress. today, i've finally been offered full time employment at Summit High School. 1/2 time has kept me fairly busy, but offered me a little extra time for skiing, and well, sleeping in. but those days will soon be gone (well, september)...
of course the upside is that i might be able to afford, uh, to put gas in my car, go to tournaments, etc...
so it's been lean times, but frankly, not to bad. some highlights.
5/10/4 Laid off, shortly after informing the firm that i'd be starting graduate school that summer. We were a little to slow, and they didn't really want to have me just on 'bench time'... so much for 'think of us as a family...' but the 2002 world cup started shortly thereafter, and that was a blissful few weeks of staying up all night, sleeping late, biking, and playing frisbee.
Mid July-Early August... 3 weeks of grad school in LaGrande. I guess it might have been hard... but mainly it was long (one of those 3 weeks, for 8 hours a day things, then off to Bend for actual class learning)... and I got to spend my weekends in the Wallowas, and my evenings RoadBiking, playing a little frisbee...
August, 2002... Worlds. Hawaii. Bronze. At game point, deked towards the cone. Oscar grabbed me. Turned and said, calmly, man, don't do tha-- and broke to the cone. Caught goal and just stayed in endzone... fish win. stuck disc down pants. shook hands. wasn't really a taunt, so much, as i wasn't letting that disc out of sight.
I mean, its a free disc.
Fall o2. Communted 7 hours per weekend to play w/ sockeye. Each way. It was a fun season. Lost in Semis to Ring of Fire.
Winter 02-03. Bunch of Ski days. Maybe 70ish?
Sockeye 03. Managed to string out my first appearance until August. Didn't deserve it. Lived in Seattle, on the last of my loans, and savings. 'Pro' Ultimate, in it's current state, I guess. Stayed in seattle until season ended...
Winter 03-04. 80 plus days. Tons of midweek skiing. Started Substitute teaching. Assistant coach XC skiing. Know nothing about it. Head coaches are former olympians. Girls win, boys 2nd, combined #1.
Spring 03 -- coach HS ultimate. 0-6.
Summer, 04 Lose 1st game in the all draft city league, Win next 14, championship. Offered a teaching job in Bend, 1/2 time, for 04-05 school year.
If it seems crazy to take a 1/2 time job, just to live in bend, well, if you don't know, you should go ask someone. although, i kind of miss competetive ultimate.
04-05. Asst Coach XC running, girls 3rd in state, asst coach xc skiing, boys/girls state title (only contribution to either success is that i'm 'lucky'). Coach HS ultimate (7-2 this season)... get job.
will expand on this later... suffice to say, lots of nothing, for lots of time, for lots of fun.
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