Hard CMU Practice Before They Leave
Pretty cool practice. Kev, Dan, Devon, Hiro and I were holdin it down and coming up with and training new movement. I hit a good amount of power, lots of being tired and crashing though. I hit the nutgrab coindrop > nutgrab headspin but I crashed out of it and went into it a bit too slow. I battled a couple rounds with Devon and Kevin each. I think we should be doing more of that, keeping it fun but really trying to hit moves tired.
Casino
Rocking at the casino with Selecta on the tables. Ron, Teena and I cutting up some. There was this bomb Indian woman there and I know she was feeling the dancing but her man was there so I was vexed. Fun times though, I would've rather not danced with Liana a second time. The first time was on point, I think I was drunk the second time.
Finally something to post about!
There was a 2v2 lottery battle in Pittsburgh thrown by Glyde. I was paired up with Stealf from VA, has a dance studio and crew of his own. Dope cat, threw some serious moves during the battle. We faced Extrav and Jose, then Toys and BDC, then Domkey and this girl JuJu. And we won! $2000 cash prize split two ways. Bank.
But really I need to see the footage. I switched up my battle style a bit and allowed the footwork to ride a little bit more. Also for some reason I was throwing burns. They weren't great, but they were fast and then I evaded back into my set before reaction. Power wasn't at full capacity (flares, airflares) but what I did hit was most of my flips, swipe > mill > halos x3, butterfly twist > coin drop > headspin x5 > icey ice > freeze! The range of movement was a blessing considering my back was still a little funny. Great night, makes me want to practice and get air power.
There was a trip to Vegas between now and my last post. Mess. But this is a complete 180 from my performance there. Lost of fun things happened in Vegas, big fun.
Tuesday
Another tight CMU practice. Focus air power and power in general.
Still doing the in general instead of getting mad air power reps. Need to get those in. Was a good day rocking, I hit some beat stuff and lot of power. Really sore and tired now. Some new movement, I can't quite get the push for that feet slide > headpose I've been dreaming about from it's intended start position. In normal footwork I can do the feet slide thing a little bit and Kev gave me props on it. No excuse to slack though. Prabu said something about being free Weds and Sun. Really need to get that new practice spot jumping.
Still doing the in general instead of getting mad air power reps. Need to get those in. Was a good day rocking, I hit some beat stuff and lot of power. Really sore and tired now. Some new movement, I can't quite get the push for that feet slide > headpose I've been dreaming about from it's intended start position. In normal footwork I can do the feet slide thing a little bit and Kev gave me props on it. No excuse to slack though. Prabu said something about being free Weds and Sun. Really need to get that new practice spot jumping.
Monday
Need to find a new indoor space open during the evenings. We need real studio / rec center access. Focus for today if I can practice: get air power attempts up, work on new step flow.
Nah busy.
Nah busy.
CMU => Casino Saturday
Light practice on some power technique. Casino later to finally hit up Selecta, it's been a minute!
It was cool, no GDG but they danced late last night. Not the best practice but I'm coming away with some hints and helping the CMU heads.
Shit was kinda real. I mean a casino can be the most fake place on earth, but with us and Selecta we brought the real party vibe. We were dancing in a tight space on carpet but there vibe was good. Chuck, Matt and I were dancing. Stealth is all fucked up, but definitely nice to chill with him. I could hit my flips in that space, but I wasn't feeling too funky. Biffed elbow > 2000, I got scared so no power. Some bright spots, I hit a burn pose on beat and lyrics. Most of my sets ended cleanly, repeated some tops (not funky). Chuck and Matt are good. Chuck went a level higher than normal (because Matt was around), very good stuff from both. The casino is beautiful. If I gambled it might be over. Definitely an adult playground.
It was cool, no GDG but they danced late last night. Not the best practice but I'm coming away with some hints and helping the CMU heads.
Shit was kinda real. I mean a casino can be the most fake place on earth, but with us and Selecta we brought the real party vibe. We were dancing in a tight space on carpet but there vibe was good. Chuck, Matt and I were dancing. Stealth is all fucked up, but definitely nice to chill with him. I could hit my flips in that space, but I wasn't feeling too funky. Biffed elbow > 2000, I got scared so no power. Some bright spots, I hit a burn pose on beat and lyrics. Most of my sets ended cleanly, repeated some tops (not funky). Chuck and Matt are good. Chuck went a level higher than normal (because Matt was around), very good stuff from both. The casino is beautiful. If I gambled it might be over. Definitely an adult playground.
Friday
I want to try to get a session together somewhere, anywhere. More footwork and kenjustu!
Grr to tired after work. Need to get my rest!
Grr to tired after work. Need to get my rest!
Whim Again
Damn man, I hurt my back stretching too deeply. It's a small muscle back there, but it was enough to thoroughly screw up my sleep last night. I'm going to try to take it easy today and do a complete warm up. Time to forsee changes in the music.
I missed my man BDC not by much. Sucks no one else could make it. I had a pretty good solo session. The fact that my back wasn't 100% made me change up footwork. I crushed a couple songs, hitting percussion, bass, gimmicks and lyrics. I hit 90 > swipe > mill > swipe > halo > mill > side flip... like easily. When my back gets better I'm going to try to devote most of my power runs to air power. Flares are a bit hard, but not having as much whip makes me air them out more. Need to be combining those forces! Serious Sirius Space Party. ;)
I missed my man BDC not by much. Sucks no one else could make it. I had a pretty good solo session. The fact that my back wasn't 100% made me change up footwork. I crushed a couple songs, hitting percussion, bass, gimmicks and lyrics. I hit 90 > swipe > mill > swipe > halo > mill > side flip... like easily. When my back gets better I'm going to try to devote most of my power runs to air power. Flares are a bit hard, but not having as much whip makes me air them out more. Need to be combining those forces! Serious Sirius Space Party. ;)
CMU Tuesday
I rocked in the jeans today, not nearly enough room in my crotch. Plus I was hella tired... excuses.
Man what a lame practice. I think I hit some footwork, but no power was really popping off. I got a new go down, but I fell trying to reproduce it! :P Devon and Prabu are looking good, I'm mad Stealth is hurt cause I feel like it's going to be a good couple weeks for practice. Even if this past practice was bad, I haven't had a bad practice in a while. I'm due. Argh, I need to get back into some kind of sleep pattern for work. I also need to crush work. Dancing will not take a backseat either! My focus has been power for quite a while now, footwork feels a bit awkward. I need transitions so I can work them both and complete the hungry style. Must not forget skate style.
Man what a lame practice. I think I hit some footwork, but no power was really popping off. I got a new go down, but I fell trying to reproduce it! :P Devon and Prabu are looking good, I'm mad Stealth is hurt cause I feel like it's going to be a good couple weeks for practice. Even if this past practice was bad, I haven't had a bad practice in a while. I'm due. Argh, I need to get back into some kind of sleep pattern for work. I also need to crush work. Dancing will not take a backseat either! My focus has been power for quite a while now, footwork feels a bit awkward. I need transitions so I can work them both and complete the hungry style. Must not forget skate style.
Classic Material Tonight
Going to rock out at Shadow Lounge fairly soon. Kinda want to catch a cab or bus or something; the wait will be terrible. Will be a dope time. Going for cleanliness and short combo execution. Hoping I can get into a rhythm to pull off bigger combos.
My car got blocked in, no bus, no cab, no dancing.
My car got blocked in, no bus, no cab, no dancing.
Whim Thursday?
Owner or manager really appreciates the dance; he thanked me for coming through when it was just me. I just wanted to get a tough practice in.
Was pretty tight by the end. I got there early so I did a few runs. Put some power together and super clean footwork early so I thought it was going to be a crazy practice. When everyone else showed up I was a step behind where I was, but it was still a great practice. Heads going hard, Prabu looking better and better! 2000 > headstop was real shaky. My 2000 balance overall was shaky. Definitely put in some work footwork wise, a couple sets I felt inspired like in sophomore/junior year at CMU. Will hopefully be starting work soon, need to keep the intensity while holding business down.
Was pretty tight by the end. I got there early so I did a few runs. Put some power together and super clean footwork early so I thought it was going to be a crazy practice. When everyone else showed up I was a step behind where I was, but it was still a great practice. Heads going hard, Prabu looking better and better! 2000 > headstop was real shaky. My 2000 balance overall was shaky. Definitely put in some work footwork wise, a couple sets I felt inspired like in sophomore/junior year at CMU. Will hopefully be starting work soon, need to keep the intensity while holding business down.
Tuesday
Focus is what I was trying to get at yesterday. Plus air power attempts. Yay for CMU practice!
Really hard not to prep flips, I was trying to do thread > loser and I had to take a step first all the time. I got back somersault to front flip, I had forgot I had it. I did the side flip but same issues even though make some progress. I keep forgetting to try to push myself up from footwork with my arms. I tried elbow airflare from standing and Jose is telling me my form is right so I'm going to start pursuing that move hard now. Colorado was like the hyperbaric (sp?) chamber in Dragon Ball Z. Now I can out rock practice time. It's different now, like I'm tired but the quick 2min breaks get me to a level now where I can throw down good power or quick sets. Man I feel a lot more control over my power. Even when fucking up my hand spin moves, I just calmed down and noticed that I wasn't taking the time to balance myself before committing. Real good practice.
Really hard not to prep flips, I was trying to do thread > loser and I had to take a step first all the time. I got back somersault to front flip, I had forgot I had it. I did the side flip but same issues even though make some progress. I keep forgetting to try to push myself up from footwork with my arms. I tried elbow airflare from standing and Jose is telling me my form is right so I'm going to start pursuing that move hard now. Colorado was like the hyperbaric (sp?) chamber in Dragon Ball Z. Now I can out rock practice time. It's different now, like I'm tired but the quick 2min breaks get me to a level now where I can throw down good power or quick sets. Man I feel a lot more control over my power. Even when fucking up my hand spin moves, I just calmed down and noticed that I wasn't taking the time to balance myself before committing. Real good practice.
Back in Pittsburgh
It was a great trip and I got to meet a lot of Colorado heads! The battle didn't go so well, not passing showcase prelims. I don't care too much though. I went and did my set and cyphered hard in some altitude. Some ideas for tonight:
1. flares > pushback to head bridge > jump to stab > jump toe touch > thread > loser > slow step
2. new and improved! side round off > exploding side flip
3. try stepping into flips instead of prepping them
4. use arms to push when standing up
I am so bad! I tried 2 but the round off was too long and didn't shoot me up. Forgot to do the rest. The practice was super ill though. I really feel the fruits of my Colorado training in that I have a bit more wind in me. :) GDG and DWG showed up to practice today. Some musicians rolled through too and we danced to their music. It was quite organic, but the cello made it sound like a cheezy Microsoft commercial. Fun times and some good moves.
1. flares > pushback to head bridge > jump to stab > jump toe touch > thread > loser > slow step
2. new and improved! side round off > exploding side flip
3. try stepping into flips instead of prepping them
4. use arms to push when standing up
I am so bad! I tried 2 but the round off was too long and didn't shoot me up. Forgot to do the rest. The practice was super ill though. I really feel the fruits of my Colorado training in that I have a bit more wind in me. :) GDG and DWG showed up to practice today. Some musicians rolled through too and we danced to their music. It was quite organic, but the cello made it sound like a cheezy Microsoft commercial. Fun times and some good moves.
Colorado - Day 5
Yesterday I stayed awake and went tricking with this kid Luis. Unfortunately I couldn't gather myself to go to the session later that night. Today the crew had their last practice before the jam, so I tagged along to go over my tricks.
I just practiced pretty light. Still not hitting the 90 or hollowback from the mill holding my leg. My power is fairly on except for 2000 > headpose > halos. For some reason I'm not dropping down into the pose balanced. Not too confident about those moves, but I think I have enough to put on a show. Speaking of show, the battle may come down to rocking a showcase to make it to another crew. There's alot up in the air about the team I'm supposed to be a part of. The point of this trip was to gain experience and see a new scene. So I won't be too upset not to battle, but I need more experience. Goodnight.
I just practiced pretty light. Still not hitting the 90 or hollowback from the mill holding my leg. My power is fairly on except for 2000 > headpose > halos. For some reason I'm not dropping down into the pose balanced. Not too confident about those moves, but I think I have enough to put on a show. Speaking of show, the battle may come down to rocking a showcase to make it to another crew. There's alot up in the air about the team I'm supposed to be a part of. The point of this trip was to gain experience and see a new scene. So I won't be too upset not to battle, but I need more experience. Goodnight.
Colorado - Day 3
Super fun out here and getting to know the inner workings of Soul Mechanincs. Vee and I were sessioning right quick in his crib on some carpet. :) No shoes on, but I only hurt myself minimally. It felt like a good warm up for the practice later tonight. I hope to get alot of power in today and clean it up. I'm going to look over my notes and see what tricks I can dig up and clean up.
Ok so alot went on today. I hit the studio practice and it went well. The A squad for Soul Mechanics was practicing routines through a mock battle and I took the opportunity to join the opposing side. I wanted to show my stuff and get front row seating on their routines. Later that night (tomorrow morning) I sessioned with Cuba and Future for a good while in his parent's mansion. We danced for a good hour and a half before we waited for the sun to come up. Highlights: flares (on beat) > flare drop back > swipe > halo.
Ok so alot went on today. I hit the studio practice and it went well. The A squad for Soul Mechanics was practicing routines through a mock battle and I took the opportunity to join the opposing side. I wanted to show my stuff and get front row seating on their routines. Later that night (tomorrow morning) I sessioned with Cuba and Future for a good while in his parent's mansion. We danced for a good hour and a half before we waited for the sun to come up. Highlights: flares (on beat) > flare drop back > swipe > halo.
Colorado - Day 2
Hiked a mountain, ate, napped then sessioned at the studio of soul mechanics crew.
Unrealated: Had a rib from Texas Steakhouse after waking up in the middle of the night, then went back to sleep and promptly had a dream I was in a situation akin to Yagami Light at the end of Death Note. Less killing, but I was slinging drugs as well. A compelling tragedy set mainly in my apartment that has me feeling ashamed and awake.
The hiking was super fun and it cost nothing but some sweat. They call the route I went up the Incline and then I went back down the Barr Trail. So much natural scenery, I had to rethink my love affair with urban landscape. Ate ribs at Texas Steakhouse, but I wasn't very hungry and I felt like I overate a bit. So the itis set in and I wound up being late to their rehearsal. I hit a little bit of stuff but I certainly didn't pop off like I usually do. I think we need to listen to different music. I knew like zero of the tracks they played and I didn't think alot of them were very good. In their defense, I did arrive late and they were lightly practicing routines.
Colorado - Day 1
Cyphering at this bar with some Colorado heads.
Fun times, the DJ played a good amount of breaks and there were some heads with skill there. Cuba and Vee were there and I met Anthony and this black dude whose name I'm blanking on right now. The altitude makes it feel like for every 4 breaths I've only taken 3. That kills my recovery; I think that I've rested long enough, but my body hasn't recouped the oxygen lost. I wanted to try to hit the mountain trail that Vee was telling me about but he fell back asleep and I didn't want to wake him. The next practice here is supposed to be a serious one, so I hope this mini strain in my groin goes away with a good warm up.
Fun times, the DJ played a good amount of breaks and there were some heads with skill there. Cuba and Vee were there and I met Anthony and this black dude whose name I'm blanking on right now. The altitude makes it feel like for every 4 breaths I've only taken 3. That kills my recovery; I think that I've rested long enough, but my body hasn't recouped the oxygen lost. I wanted to try to hit the mountain trail that Vee was telling me about but he fell back asleep and I didn't want to wake him. The next practice here is supposed to be a serious one, so I hope this mini strain in my groin goes away with a good warm up.
New Am Wednesday
We are at New Am so focus is on footwork. Need to remember to try that front to back thread > flare > freeze. That's nice and tight combo. Also going to alternate filler steps and try to use them more as a reset. Tired of doing the same ass 6 step, 3 step, 12 step and techs. Going to go through making up some steps on the spot earlier in the day and get a good stretch in preparation.
Sleep.
First IFS Practice
I got there an hour late. Didn't want to go at all due to my ridic lifestyle / sleep schedule. Went anyway, truly glad I did yadda yadda blah.
An ok practice. I went hard yesterday, so this was more about saying "hi" to everyone and light practice. I have swipe > halo > freeze down cold so I need to do multiple halos out of it or run it like swipe mill a bunch of times. I wish there were more poppers so Chuck would have someone to dance with. Maybe I should stop wishing and be that person myself. Fuck it. If I'm going to go to Colorado I need to make sure I'm going to win with them. That means I need to get all my tricks in order and to music. That and airflare practice should be my goal. And a plane ticket.
An ok practice. I went hard yesterday, so this was more about saying "hi" to everyone and light practice. I have swipe > halo > freeze down cold so I need to do multiple halos out of it or run it like swipe mill a bunch of times. I wish there were more poppers so Chuck would have someone to dance with. Maybe I should stop wishing and be that person myself. Fuck it. If I'm going to go to Colorado I need to make sure I'm going to win with them. That means I need to get all my tricks in order and to music. That and airflare practice should be my goal. And a plane ticket.
Hiro Is Pretty Doep
Went to CMU to scope out a practice, get back with Randal since he's been training and find out who the mysterious Japanese dancer is.
Hiro is his name. He's got the J-style and has a good amount of power. His dance style is cool, lots of pirouette kind of spins with the back bent. Really good energy in the room today. I was having a super practice today. I was back on home turf, the Aerobics Room. Close to getting headspin > 90 cleanly. My 2000s and mill > headspin were on. I almost hit swipe > mill > 90, so I'm going to resume practicing that. Air flares are coming along, still low on the return. My logic is if I can do them in and out of swipe then I can be in a better position to do continuous. If not I'll be able to link them into my current power. I need to get 2000 > drop > halos faster. But training is on the up and up!
Hiro is his name. He's got the J-style and has a good amount of power. His dance style is cool, lots of pirouette kind of spins with the back bent. Really good energy in the room today. I was having a super practice today. I was back on home turf, the Aerobics Room. Close to getting headspin > 90 cleanly. My 2000s and mill > headspin were on. I almost hit swipe > mill > 90, so I'm going to resume practicing that. Air flares are coming along, still low on the return. My logic is if I can do them in and out of swipe then I can be in a better position to do continuous. If not I'll be able to link them into my current power. I need to get 2000 > drop > halos faster. But training is on the up and up!
Wednesday
Practice at New Am? Wasn't sure what to expect so I planned on footwork and small power.
It was pretty cool, glad Warren and Streets were out. Everyone was looking good and Stealth commented on it. So glad we practice almost daily now, you can really put some work together. I think I have regained all my control from sophomore year. With some new vocab and good shape, I'm excited to rock straight footwork at practice now. Hit swipes > headspin > freeze, I need to focus on getting into an out of power now. I wouldn't mind a CMU practice or David Lawrence (whoops forgot to set that practice up!). With a bit of rest need to tackle the hard stuffs again.
It was pretty cool, glad Warren and Streets were out. Everyone was looking good and Stealth commented on it. So glad we practice almost daily now, you can really put some work together. I think I have regained all my control from sophomore year. With some new vocab and good shape, I'm excited to rock straight footwork at practice now. Hit swipes > headspin > freeze, I need to focus on getting into an out of power now. I wouldn't mind a CMU practice or David Lawrence (whoops forgot to set that practice up!). With a bit of rest need to tackle the hard stuffs again.
Monday
Practice @ Stealth's crib.
I didn't have much of a plan going in. Just wanted to work up a sweat and rest from all the power practice. Did some footwork and got a new footwork combo that goes into a head freeze. I'm going to see if I can get a rotation out of that icey ice. Resting tomorrow.
I didn't have much of a plan going in. Just wanted to work up a sweat and rest from all the power practice. Did some footwork and got a new footwork combo that goes into a head freeze. I'm going to see if I can get a rotation out of that icey ice. Resting tomorrow.
Outside in Oakland
Trying to think of things moving forward:
Warm up: hollowbacks and headspin combos
Drill: flare > 90 and airflare
Lab: backrock > tech > jump right > roll to elbow > 2000
shoulder bounce > air power
Get back: halo (x3) > pose and halo (x2) > spinout / headspin drill
Really fatigued today, I could push past that for the first hour of practice. The second hour was pretty lame. Was able to practice inverts / hollowbacks and a few headspins. The ground was uneven so headspins and halos weren't too easy. Tried flare > 90, I really need to come at this with more quickness to get my weight to shift and get my legs up. Next practice is at David Lawrence so hopefully I can go hard and get halos back.
Warm up: hollowbacks and headspin combos
Drill: flare > 90 and airflare
Lab: backrock > tech > jump right > roll to elbow > 2000
shoulder bounce > air power
Get back: halo (x3) > pose and halo (x2) > spinout / headspin drill
Really fatigued today, I could push past that for the first hour of practice. The second hour was pretty lame. Was able to practice inverts / hollowbacks and a few headspins. The ground was uneven so headspins and halos weren't too easy. Tried flare > 90, I really need to come at this with more quickness to get my weight to shift and get my legs up. Next practice is at David Lawrence so hopefully I can go hard and get halos back.
Been a min
Well since the last post there's been the Gallery Crawl show 3 15min sets over 3 hours (the last set was 30min due to some confusion over start time). I was gassed. Many cool practices outside at 12th and Carson. Got alot of practice refining alot of the moves I've already had. Got my partner dance skills up a bit and really got loose at this house party. So now it's back to the lab at CMU.
Pretty good practice. Warmed up with some hollowbacks and throwing headspin in different combinations. My headspin from standing needs work, but I was able to hit mill > headspin (1x) > pose knees bent grabbing feet but I kept rotating so it was almost a 90. Taps are still elusive and even when I get three or four taps I can't control what do to do out of them. Really close to 90 > baby freeze. It feels like I've forgotten some of what I was working on previously. Just got to get it back.
Pretty good practice. Warmed up with some hollowbacks and throwing headspin in different combinations. My headspin from standing needs work, but I was able to hit mill > headspin (1x) > pose knees bent grabbing feet but I kept rotating so it was almost a 90. Taps are still elusive and even when I get three or four taps I can't control what do to do out of them. Really close to 90 > baby freeze. It feels like I've forgotten some of what I was working on previously. Just got to get it back.
Warren is back
Didn't think I'd practice today.
I thought it may have been just Devon, Kyle and I, but Warren came through later and so did Prabu. Warren consistently teaches me the value of more. Constantly adding complexity should be what we strive for. As long as it's on the music. Highlight: flare > mill > flare > swipe > mill > halo > baby freeze (clean).
I thought it may have been just Devon, Kyle and I, but Warren came through later and so did Prabu. Warren consistently teaches me the value of more. Constantly adding complexity should be what we strive for. As long as it's on the music. Highlight: flare > mill > flare > swipe > mill > halo > baby freeze (clean).
Thursday
Thumb still jacked, the plan for next practice is to work on one armed power going the opposite way. So only working: swipes, mills, headspins and halo if I'm feeling like a bboy deity. Might use my right palm for taps and steadying myself in headspin, shit's still dangerous.
Considering the hype, it was a pretty bum practice. I never realized how much I use the off-hand for power. Not too much energy for me that day. I left half an hour early because I was tired of being skiddish about doing anything on my right hand. Kind of sucked, kind of didn't really practice much. Was cool to see the crew hash out some of their differences. Sad to know that people will be leaving Pittsburgh to go on to better things. Just means that we need to use our time wisely.
Considering the hype, it was a pretty bum practice. I never realized how much I use the off-hand for power. Not too much energy for me that day. I left half an hour early because I was tired of being skiddish about doing anything on my right hand. Kind of sucked, kind of didn't really practice much. Was cool to see the crew hash out some of their differences. Sad to know that people will be leaving Pittsburgh to go on to better things. Just means that we need to use our time wisely.
Wednesday
How my thumb feels tomorrow will dictate whether I try airflares or elbow airflares. I should probably buy that lino tomorrow so we can get it in at Gymsport.
No Gymsport, regular practice in Rangos. More gimp styles. It is improving my one handed footwork and no handed steps. In addition I'm focusing more on endurance and the quality of my movement. Matt Limm was at practice and I realized fully that he makes sacrifice every time he comes out music-wise. I was glad that he put on some popping jams and Teena and I joined him for a little bit. I keep thinking of elbow airflares as being out of the question when I'm on a normal floor. Instead I need to man up, I'm starting to notice my crutches more in dancing and in life in general. Walking tall is my goal now in all endeavors. In dancing, for me, that means expanding in all directions at once and not sticking to one type or style of motion for more than two practices in a row. It means definitely not doing moves that I'm comfortable with and if I do those moves I should damn well be doing them in difficult combination. Also glad that Teena and I went over that commando I wanted to try, even though I ate it hard butterfly twisting under my extended arm lol.
No Gymsport, regular practice in Rangos. More gimp styles. It is improving my one handed footwork and no handed steps. In addition I'm focusing more on endurance and the quality of my movement. Matt Limm was at practice and I realized fully that he makes sacrifice every time he comes out music-wise. I was glad that he put on some popping jams and Teena and I joined him for a little bit. I keep thinking of elbow airflares as being out of the question when I'm on a normal floor. Instead I need to man up, I'm starting to notice my crutches more in dancing and in life in general. Walking tall is my goal now in all endeavors. In dancing, for me, that means expanding in all directions at once and not sticking to one type or style of motion for more than two practices in a row. It means definitely not doing moves that I'm comfortable with and if I do those moves I should damn well be doing them in difficult combination. Also glad that Teena and I went over that commando I wanted to try, even though I ate it hard butterfly twisting under my extended arm lol.
Tuesday
I hope to get a harder workout in today. Kind of been bullshiting my personal development to get with this Gallery Crawl choreography. I think I'll do power combos of three to a pose and focus on throwing airflares. When tired I can lay that routine I wanted to on Stealth and Teena. Also see what kinds of duo routines they have!
This practice turned to shit quick. Stealth and Teena got stuck in traffic and couldn't make practice. I started strong with the combos of three to pose, but I tried to just do an air thread after one combo and jammed my thumb against my leg. I tried to continue just doing one armed footwork but I got tired of that and left a bit early. Highlights: mill > flare > air turtles (clean); doing one armed swipes starting with the trail arm (hard but doable as a normal powermove)
This practice turned to shit quick. Stealth and Teena got stuck in traffic and couldn't make practice. I started strong with the combos of three to pose, but I tried to just do an air thread after one combo and jammed my thumb against my leg. I tried to continue just doing one armed footwork but I got tired of that and left a bit early. Highlights: mill > flare > air turtles (clean); doing one armed swipes starting with the trail arm (hard but doable as a normal powermove)
Monday
Practice in Rangos today.
Ming and Kyle were already there, heads are hungry. Ming told me so as well :) Pretty light practice today, just drilling handstand walkovers and those stab things that Prabu does. Devon showed up so we got a chance to run through all the routines we have. We hit all of them perfect a couple times despite a good number of foul ups. Also Devon came up with most of the choreography for a new routine bringing the total number of ideas to 4. We are making good progress on that front, but there needs to be much more done in order to be ready how I want to be for the gallery crawl. I know I wanted to have both popping and bboying interchange to eat time, but I'm not sure if house should be added. Right now I'm thinking no and I think maybe we could add that for a longer showcase. All in all a good productive practice.
Ming and Kyle were already there, heads are hungry. Ming told me so as well :) Pretty light practice today, just drilling handstand walkovers and those stab things that Prabu does. Devon showed up so we got a chance to run through all the routines we have. We hit all of them perfect a couple times despite a good number of foul ups. Also Devon came up with most of the choreography for a new routine bringing the total number of ideas to 4. We are making good progress on that front, but there needs to be much more done in order to be ready how I want to be for the gallery crawl. I know I wanted to have both popping and bboying interchange to eat time, but I'm not sure if house should be added. Right now I'm thinking no and I think maybe we could add that for a longer showcase. All in all a good productive practice.
Friday
Practice in Rangos again.
Sike naw, shit was apparently reserved for Aerobics Rm. Win! Practice was hype as hell. Anytime Devon and I are at practice together it will be hype shit. We both really want to get good, period. As for the actual practice, I got there on time so I changed my warm up. Started with handstands, trying to work on my balance so I can utilize freezes more (not chairs and babies). I got invert elbow poses back on my left side. Inverts on my right side are still shit. Devon got a camera so we took a few vids. We need to post those joints! My headspins are getting better, but it's not a move that I can do readily. Really the only power moves I can do on command are swipes and windmills :P Mainly because it's hard to fall out of them. I came up with a new way to drill airflares: 1. start in handstand with legs open, hips down and head not looking at the ground 2. do the normal whip whilst keeping your push off hand on the ground 3. Place your other hand on the ground then release the push off hand whilst keeping your legs spread and head in place. This is so I can drill airflare like windmill: 1. maintaining an idea of your body's relationship to the ground 2. doing a motion from zero momentum and returning to the starting point. At least now I have a plan, instead of just throwing myself around.
Sike naw, shit was apparently reserved for Aerobics Rm. Win! Practice was hype as hell. Anytime Devon and I are at practice together it will be hype shit. We both really want to get good, period. As for the actual practice, I got there on time so I changed my warm up. Started with handstands, trying to work on my balance so I can utilize freezes more (not chairs and babies). I got invert elbow poses back on my left side. Inverts on my right side are still shit. Devon got a camera so we took a few vids. We need to post those joints! My headspins are getting better, but it's not a move that I can do readily. Really the only power moves I can do on command are swipes and windmills :P Mainly because it's hard to fall out of them. I came up with a new way to drill airflares: 1. start in handstand with legs open, hips down and head not looking at the ground 2. do the normal whip whilst keeping your push off hand on the ground 3. Place your other hand on the ground then release the push off hand whilst keeping your legs spread and head in place. This is so I can drill airflare like windmill: 1. maintaining an idea of your body's relationship to the ground 2. doing a motion from zero momentum and returning to the starting point. At least now I have a plan, instead of just throwing myself around.
Thursday
Practice in Rangos 3.
Not too much going on here. Still fucking up mill > 90. I slow down waaay too much when doing mill > headspin > 90, but my feet aren't touching anymore. Practiced poses on my right hand a bit. Did some taps that felt good but it was 2/6 so I need to make that automatic. We stopped practice early, but I got a sweat on so it was cool. Highlight: this one run I did elbow > 2000 x2 > footwork > swipe > mill > headspin x3 (halo start) > chair freeze (no feet touching).
Not too much going on here. Still fucking up mill > 90. I slow down waaay too much when doing mill > headspin > 90, but my feet aren't touching anymore. Practiced poses on my right hand a bit. Did some taps that felt good but it was 2/6 so I need to make that automatic. We stopped practice early, but I got a sweat on so it was cool. Highlight: this one run I did elbow > 2000 x2 > footwork > swipe > mill > headspin x3 (halo start) > chair freeze (no feet touching).
Tuesday
Practice somewhere? My memory is horrible, gotta keep writing these right after practice.
Oh this was the one where Teena, Stealth, Kyle, Chuck and I did this ad-lib circle exercise. So there's one person inside the circle dancing and all the people on the outside are calling out moves. It's super fun! I think the idea is to do things you haven't done before and in different combination. It was fun because we called out themes instead of moves and got to see people act them out while dancing.
Oh this was the one where Teena, Stealth, Kyle, Chuck and I did this ad-lib circle exercise. So there's one person inside the circle dancing and all the people on the outside are calling out moves. It's super fun! I think the idea is to do things you haven't done before and in different combination. It was fun because we called out themes instead of moves and got to see people act them out while dancing.
Sunday
Practicing outside with crew hopefully! Such a nice day!
People stopped by and moved on, I love that going on in the background! The space is like 16 x 16 brick squares with cement running along the sides and benches on the side. The benches are like perfect viewing distance for the space. I want this spot to be the Sunday practice spot.
Me and Devon getting good by ourselves again. I thought I was tired of practicing with Devon, but the outdoor spot is soooo refreshing. We both were forced into moves by the concrete but the only thing it really stopped us from doing was head power. The real reason you practice on concrete is so you don't crash. I never thought about it like that before, but if you practice in an environment that discourages crashing you will crash less. I crashed once today. :) Sloppy technique means skinned knees and bruises.
I saw something in Devon's footwork and based a style around it. I'll call it lazy leg style. You keep your legs as close as possible to the ground at all times (mostly talking about techs and footwork in back). Whenever you want to hit a beat your step completion always needs to arrive to that point in the music. No sharp movements. To exaggerate the movement more, make sure each step covers more ground than you do normally.
Friday
CMU practice. I'm tired from last night.
Me, Devon, Daiji and Kyle. Devon came later so before he arrived we were drilling power moves. I got a chance to show both of them a few things so that was pretty cool. I think Daiji is starting to get it. There's less and less hesitation to ask advice of anyone. :) I had a breakthrough personally in headspins (since I couldn't do anything else). My hand positioning for taps was waaay too wide. I found when bring my hands together (condensing mass, like all balance related power duh) that it was easier to do multiple taps. Kyle started doing some slow headspins, his balance is quite good. He'll have those soon. Devon and I finished a routine and fleshed out another. Glad that we really started on this. It gives me hope that we'll be ready for the gallery crawl!
Me, Devon, Daiji and Kyle. Devon came later so before he arrived we were drilling power moves. I got a chance to show both of them a few things so that was pretty cool. I think Daiji is starting to get it. There's less and less hesitation to ask advice of anyone. :) I had a breakthrough personally in headspins (since I couldn't do anything else). My hand positioning for taps was waaay too wide. I found when bring my hands together (condensing mass, like all balance related power duh) that it was easier to do multiple taps. Kyle started doing some slow headspins, his balance is quite good. He'll have those soon. Devon and I finished a routine and fleshed out another. Glad that we really started on this. It gives me hope that we'll be ready for the gallery crawl!
Danny Krivit
Should be a paaaartae!
Nah, Pittsburgh is still wack. The people that mattered were there (GDG and a fly breezie). So much good music, what do you do? Dance as much as possible in as many different styles as possible (and appropriate). Much of what the djs were playing transcends multiple styles so that wasn't too hard. Danced for a good 4 hours. That's the best extended performance I've had. I took breaks when burned out then kept at it. I'm glad that I'm able to cypher a bit with Matt and have him teach me things. I think fundamentally that encapsulates the relationship between crew members. I think crew should be a collective intellectual enterprise. As such all members are students and teachers beholden to one another. Right now I sense a "duh" moment coming on, but that's not how people act. People crave stratification and all too often the reason to be in a group becomes finding themselves through comparison.
Wednesday
Gymsport with Stealth.
I'm behind on writing this shizz down. Not too much happened this practice. I tried airflares until my body wouldn't take commands anymore. One thing I learned from that though was the positioning of my throw hand needs to be more on point. I also need to stop getting lost during the throw and keep my angle. I feel like if I can master those two elements I will be able to land so I can do another attempt. The Gymsport people like us.
I'm behind on writing this shizz down. Not too much happened this practice. I tried airflares until my body wouldn't take commands anymore. One thing I learned from that though was the positioning of my throw hand needs to be more on point. I also need to stop getting lost during the throw and keep my angle. I feel like if I can master those two elements I will be able to land so I can do another attempt. The Gymsport people like us.
Tuesday
There's 45 minutes to practice and no one brought music. What do you do?
I decided to drill the power combos giving me the most trouble: airflare, mill > flare, mill > 90, flare > 90, flare > halo, headspin > 90. It was fun, Xtrav sure talks alot. I think I'm going to try to practice 5 hours a day and try to beef up this blog. I feel like I need repetitious practice of certain moves in order to achieve the muscle memory I need to get to the next level. Also with 5 hours a day I can get in the aerobic practice I need. The only drawback is that I'm spread thinner, but I'm not making dramatic enough progress to get to where I need to be. Injuries may also occur, I'm doing moves that require all my attention so being fatigued means being less careful. I think I can account for that though... well let's see what will happen.
Saturday
I don't want to go to practice.
Had a really good time today! Stealth and Devon were hitting moves and we were cyphering for a bit. Stealth's tombstones are coming along. My flares were on today (wearing sweats) and I almost hit halo > stab jump through > rollback. Lots of power but no airflares. Next time.
Friday
Yay for the UC! Back to airflares and shoulder halos. :( I'm going to tryout some aerials and see if I can't put a twist on it and land (slight pose) into no handed footwork. Gah, need to try to get gainer thread :( So much work, I got lazy in a few days.
I have not been sticking to my game plans! But I did get alot of basic power in and fun things.
I have not been sticking to my game plans! But I did get alot of basic power in and fun things.
Thursday
Last practice at Morewood this week.
Just having a good time and trying to ease back into practice. My halos were terrible, but style and 2000s were on. Extrav's building-mate came to practice with Mad Dog. I think it's time to get back to the work of it (increasing staminia and trick power vocabulary). It was nice to chill and mess around for a couple days after taking that four days off. I didn't mean to take that long off, so I'm rested but a bit out of the loop. Good practice though.
Wednesday
Practice whut?
Pretty cool, I crashed alot and was tired from no sleep (which apparently means blog it and get trill on Jameson in the process). Stealth was looking good and the overall vibe was good. Practice today was fun, but not productive at all for me. Did feel like crew with the GDG that were there. :)
Pretty cool, I crashed alot and was tired from no sleep (which apparently means blog it and get trill on Jameson in the process). Stealth was looking good and the overall vibe was good. Practice today was fun, but not productive at all for me. Did feel like crew with the GDG that were there. :)
Tuesday
Go have fun and go hard.
Fail not on my part. Daiji didn't set up the CMU practice and Edgar Um was spinning the "let's have a drink" reggae mix at Ava. So this time, it's not me being lazy.
Fail not on my part. Daiji didn't set up the CMU practice and Edgar Um was spinning the "let's have a drink" reggae mix at Ava. So this time, it's not me being lazy.
Thursday
This is going to be a righteous day in general. Going to this new Loft party, which is exactly what I've wanted in this city. So for practice today I see how I feel. If I can fly then I'll try the plan for last time. If I can't then I'll try to do a chill practice focusing on varied step and inversion and work on introducing freezes (roll backs, from shoulder bump, footwork).
Or I can over sleep and not make an attempt to go to practice. Not so righteous today. Yeah, I feel like shit today.
Or I can over sleep and not make an attempt to go to practice. Not so righteous today. Yeah, I feel like shit today.
Wednesday
Pretty much the same focus as yesterday. I might shorten the warm up a bit since I danced so much last night and start into the all the flips I have. The key being present during the air time in the flips I have so it might be easier to be present doing the thread. Then I'll take a rest and run some gainer thread attempts.
Wow, none of this happened. I was struggling to get out of bed and go to practice at all. Definitely been working hard so I guess I underestimated my fatigue. I was able to run some short power and decent footwork. Even did some flips, but my legs are pretty tired so I wasn't getting the kind of air I needed. Highlights: corkscrew > coin drop > headspin drill x5, swipe > halo > so instead of a freeze my body hung halfway and my elbow was buckling in and out and then I fell. It felt weird, but no ill effects. Dunno what's in store for tomorrow.
Wow, none of this happened. I was struggling to get out of bed and go to practice at all. Definitely been working hard so I guess I underestimated my fatigue. I was able to run some short power and decent footwork. Even did some flips, but my legs are pretty tired so I wasn't getting the kind of air I needed. Highlights: corkscrew > coin drop > headspin drill x5, swipe > halo > so instead of a freeze my body hung halfway and my elbow was buckling in and out and then I fell. It felt weird, but no ill effects. Dunno what's in store for tomorrow.
Tuesday
The UC for a week! So much to do! I think I'm going to split this time (hour for new moves, hour to train aerobically)
1. thread gainer (first half)
2. shoulder halo
3. airflares
4. keep moving (second half)
Then Stealth was talkin about this funk night with Selecta at Ava. Selecta played a lot of burners but I would've arranged them differently. He's the man for having half of the good songs I heard. Good stuff along the jazz funk lines too. So we went after a quick change and/or food and had a really good time. I was pretty doneski after practice and recovered a bit when I came home to change. Really need to do laundry. Everyone was looking pretty good, but I could tell Teena and Stealth were tired from practice, as was I. Some cool kenjutsu, doing some footwork to "I'm Coming" J Brown and get in some cock blasts on the four reoccurring horn blows near the end to end my set. Need more of that.
1. thread gainer (first half)
2. shoulder halo
3. airflares
4. keep moving (second half)
Not too much thread gainer action even though it's the only original move out of the three. Shoulder halo I'm not getting enough height on to keep in halo position. I think I need to extend my legs more and trust in my hips instead of closing my legs to get around. Airflare is getting better, I still look down when I land the airflare which is pushing my hips and feet to the ground. Wow the aerobic part was pretty much impossible. I did however go straight for 20 minutes and hit more than half of my sets clean and good tops in the rest periods. I was at that point where it's like, "You can either keep going or keep what's in your stomach." A little light-headed also so that pretty much did it for me. So I just got some sets in with full recovery afterwards.
Sunday
We pulled together a practice at Stealth's crib.
Was a pretty good practice Teena and Dave were there. Stealth was hitting some good drills and close to the one handed stop and head freeze. Today I didn't really have a focus. I started out kenjutsu, then switched to trying to come up with new movement. The thing is that at Stealth's crib I can only do balanced moves stepping lightly or else it'll skip the record. Which doesn't seem to be a big problem, but still bboy no-no #15. I felt a bit tired but strong, definitely did not slow my pace down. Did crash a couple times just being tired, but that's when you know you're putting enough effort in. *note* I noticed that when I got tired I kept repeating this slow down step in the front of my footwork. That's actually counter productive, the energy it takes to stop myself is definitely greater than what I save in a quick Russian step. It would be better for me just to continue to a stopping point and raise up. I also need to do a practice where I can't stop moving, so I can train myself to get as close as I can to full recovery while delivering a quality step.
Was a pretty good practice Teena and Dave were there. Stealth was hitting some good drills and close to the one handed stop and head freeze. Today I didn't really have a focus. I started out kenjutsu, then switched to trying to come up with new movement. The thing is that at Stealth's crib I can only do balanced moves stepping lightly or else it'll skip the record. Which doesn't seem to be a big problem, but still bboy no-no #15. I felt a bit tired but strong, definitely did not slow my pace down. Did crash a couple times just being tired, but that's when you know you're putting enough effort in. *note* I noticed that when I got tired I kept repeating this slow down step in the front of my footwork. That's actually counter productive, the energy it takes to stop myself is definitely greater than what I save in a quick Russian step. It would be better for me just to continue to a stopping point and raise up. I also need to do a practice where I can't stop moving, so I can train myself to get as close as I can to full recovery while delivering a quality step.
Friday
Went to New Amsterdam to chill with the homies.
This turned out to be awesome. Selecta played great 90's cuts plus source material. We rocked considerably hard given it was new am. It was all Bad Boy and Death Row, so a good amount of time was spent dancing to the lyrics. Prabu and Warren fuckin shit up hahah the dj table and an old man respectively. Devon not looking all that hurt, so kudos to him. Moves are coming along easier like trying to think on the spot. I got caught a couple times, but most of my runs were clean.
This turned out to be awesome. Selecta played great 90's cuts plus source material. We rocked considerably hard given it was new am. It was all Bad Boy and Death Row, so a good amount of time was spent dancing to the lyrics. Prabu and Warren fuckin shit up hahah the dj table and an old man respectively. Devon not looking all that hurt, so kudos to him. Moves are coming along easier like trying to think on the spot. I got caught a couple times, but most of my runs were clean.
Wednesday Gymsport
Need to pick up the lino from Devon argh. So the things to work on this practice:
1. Air power: in the form of airflare, mill airflare, mill elbow airflare
2. Gainer thread: Got a good warm up today and I think I can visualize everything that needs to happen
3. Double corkscrew: I can definitely rock this move if I practice
4. 90 > halo: If I tap too hard hopefully it won't be too hard
Boo allergies, I guess I'll take this as an opportunity to do some work.
1. Air power: in the form of airflare, mill airflare, mill elbow airflare
2. Gainer thread: Got a good warm up today and I think I can visualize everything that needs to happen
3. Double corkscrew: I can definitely rock this move if I practice
4. 90 > halo: If I tap too hard hopefully it won't be too hard
Boo allergies, I guess I'll take this as an opportunity to do some work.
Tuesday
I get some time at CMU today! 7:30 it is. I've been seeing a lot of ill movements recently between the jam and bboyworld vids. I guess I should set some goals.
1. thread gainer: Yea been gabbing with no action on this. I'm going to get this today!
2. shoulder halo consistently: If I can do it consistently in drills then comboing to it will be easier.
3. more than one shakey airflare: Just gotta practice this and stop cyphering all the time.
I accomplished none of my goals today, so I guess they are good goals. I only really tried thread gainer once, I had to get used to flipping and holding a leg and landing on one foot. I'm going to keep at it until I'm not fearful anymore. Only did one shoulder halo today and missed the following halo, but people see the bump now. Last and probably least I still have only one shakey airflare. Didn't really learn anything, the whole practice I never shifted my weight fully to my right hand so any attempt would be hampered. Highlights: swipe > halo > head stop pose, somehow swipe > mill > flare > 90 with minimal drag on that left leg, close to 90 > baby freeze. It was a good practice.
1. thread gainer: Yea been gabbing with no action on this. I'm going to get this today!
2. shoulder halo consistently: If I can do it consistently in drills then comboing to it will be easier.
3. more than one shakey airflare: Just gotta practice this and stop cyphering all the time.
I accomplished none of my goals today, so I guess they are good goals. I only really tried thread gainer once, I had to get used to flipping and holding a leg and landing on one foot. I'm going to keep at it until I'm not fearful anymore. Only did one shoulder halo today and missed the following halo, but people see the bump now. Last and probably least I still have only one shakey airflare. Didn't really learn anything, the whole practice I never shifted my weight fully to my right hand so any attempt would be hampered. Highlights: swipe > halo > head stop pose, somehow swipe > mill > flare > 90 with minimal drag on that left leg, close to 90 > baby freeze. It was a good practice.
Sunday
Session where?
My house, all footwork we were constrained due to space. This however was one of the more productive practices. Really practiced listening and step variation and control. I got Lays and an Arizona and was able to chill at home. Prabu turned his game on today as well as Devon. I think we got in a good hour and a half of straight cypher. Pretty good aerobically for me, especially after going hard in NY. Real kenjutsu, I can also lay the basis for a certain step and put some added funk on it. If I can join that with the music related knowledge regularly that would be the next step. Ended most of my sets clean and coming up in different poses. I had a couple decent get downs, but way better on the way up. Kinda random, but my crib is a natural footwork spot. And we can always session here cause I live here. Holla.
My house, all footwork we were constrained due to space. This however was one of the more productive practices. Really practiced listening and step variation and control. I got Lays and an Arizona and was able to chill at home. Prabu turned his game on today as well as Devon. I think we got in a good hour and a half of straight cypher. Pretty good aerobically for me, especially after going hard in NY. Real kenjutsu, I can also lay the basis for a certain step and put some added funk on it. If I can join that with the music related knowledge regularly that would be the next step. Ended most of my sets clean and coming up in different poses. I had a couple decent get downs, but way better on the way up. Kinda random, but my crib is a natural footwork spot. And we can always session here cause I live here. Holla.
Chicken and Beer
The title says it all. Celebrating Kaki and Kevin's bday too!
Fun jam, shit starting late is getting real old. I expected my chicken and beer prompt. It was an ok event, I could probably throw a better one and hope to do so soon. I hit some cool sets early, but I'm still ways away technically and power wise from some of these cats. DJs were on point, but the sound was plagued with problems (mics cutting out and shakey levels). The battles ran so long I said fuck it and started boozin. I may have been 6 deep when we got called for the exhibition.
Thursday
I'm going to try to address everything I didn't in the previous practice. Prabu talking about Town Tavern, I dunno. I keep blowing off his Faded Industry shit, but I think I need to concentrate on getting to NY.
It was a great practice to roll to NY on. I just started trying shit again. It felt great, I've been in the lab on the basic power tip but the creative trick lab is way more interesting. I hit mill > shoulder halo > halo > pose cleanly. Working on some other applications for shoulder bouncing up.
It was a great practice to roll to NY on. I just started trying shit again. It felt great, I've been in the lab on the basic power tip but the creative trick lab is way more interesting. I hit mill > shoulder halo > halo > pose cleanly. Working on some other applications for shoulder bouncing up.
Tuesday
Three parts of my practice today:
1. Dre Live breakdown step creation / variation or switching steps in a number step pattern and drill both ways. I think this is the best way for me now to drill footwork.
2. Run routines whenever all necessary players are there. I have a couple in the book and may make some more tonight. I should run the stunt first then dance leading up to / after it.
3. Practice power moves cleanly. Rest a bit more each combo, if a combo is missed in the slightest I have two more turns to make it right. If I make a combo, take half rest and go one to the next one.
I totally missed 2 and 3, just totally. Vee came through to practice! and it was all cypher like but I was still able to think about my footwork in terms of the first note. Not as much step reversal as I would have liked, but I was able to think clearly about move patterns and repeat segments without running them. Prabu came mad late, but that was actually a good look because he's fresh and we need to keep up with him. This practice was hella fun and relevant even though I didn't get to follow my agenda. Everyone looking really good by the way, Vee was proper and Stealth and Warren surprised me mad times with power sets extended and clean. Some interesting flow and move decisions going on.
1. Dre Live breakdown step creation / variation or switching steps in a number step pattern and drill both ways. I think this is the best way for me now to drill footwork.
2. Run routines whenever all necessary players are there. I have a couple in the book and may make some more tonight. I should run the stunt first then dance leading up to / after it.
3. Practice power moves cleanly. Rest a bit more each combo, if a combo is missed in the slightest I have two more turns to make it right. If I make a combo, take half rest and go one to the next one.
I totally missed 2 and 3, just totally. Vee came through to practice! and it was all cypher like but I was still able to think about my footwork in terms of the first note. Not as much step reversal as I would have liked, but I was able to think clearly about move patterns and repeat segments without running them. Prabu came mad late, but that was actually a good look because he's fresh and we need to keep up with him. This practice was hella fun and relevant even though I didn't get to follow my agenda. Everyone looking really good by the way, Vee was proper and Stealth and Warren surprised me mad times with power sets extended and clean. Some interesting flow and move decisions going on.
Sunday
Going to practice today and applying Dre Live's drill mentality to footwork and try my damnedest to end power cleanly and on beat.
No power, my hamstring is still kinda hurt up from that stupid split. I kept it light and rolled through some tops and footwork drills with Lillian and Florentin. That was good, I don't normally chill with them during practice. Lillian is a pretty quick study, not sure how much Kim taught her. She's also small, so that's going to help her big time. Honestly, she could throw some ill moves in time. Florentin knows how to dance and is starting to find his own way in bboying. I've spent so much time being a student, learning and drilling as a teacher can be equally if not more beneficial. You get to go over things you already know, but it's not as stale as when you're drilling by yourself. I came up with some genuinely new steps for me: freakin a 4 step, but the last 4 steps in a 6 step then sweep. Other things too, Flo obviously been looking at Storm fundamentals so it was good to adlib using his steez. Fun light practice.
No power, my hamstring is still kinda hurt up from that stupid split. I kept it light and rolled through some tops and footwork drills with Lillian and Florentin. That was good, I don't normally chill with them during practice. Lillian is a pretty quick study, not sure how much Kim taught her. She's also small, so that's going to help her big time. Honestly, she could throw some ill moves in time. Florentin knows how to dance and is starting to find his own way in bboying. I've spent so much time being a student, learning and drilling as a teacher can be equally if not more beneficial. You get to go over things you already know, but it's not as stale as when you're drilling by yourself. I came up with some genuinely new steps for me: freakin a 4 step, but the last 4 steps in a 6 step then sweep. Other things too, Flo obviously been looking at Storm fundamentals so it was good to adlib using his steez. Fun light practice.
Title Town with Get'em Gump
Cool DJ, so I am summoned. Hopefully the crew comes through. What to wear, what to wear?
Get'em Gump didn't play (just chillin at the event), but Jay Malls was there to hold it down on the decks. Dre Live was there and he was doing what he does. Had a good deal of fun dancing and got waaaay too sweaty. Dre Live still rocking hard and imparted some knowledge to us about training. He also invited us to chill with him for a min in Ohio. Dre talks a lot, but unlike most people that talk a lot there's so much substance and gab driven wit I didn't bounce on him. I'm really tired.
Thursday with an Early Show
Rocking a show with Extra and Stealth. Hope to rock out some new power I've acquired. I came up with two easy commando routines (Stealth in, X in). I hope the space is dope! After the show it's practice time son, hopefully. If I get back in time, I'd work on mainly mill > shoulder > halo, airflares and popping. Yes!
Oh man, the show was terrible. I mean so bad that I needed to go immediately to practice without passing go; however I did collect $50. If there wasn't a UC practice after that I would've been stewing for a while. Practice was fun, because of my ill advised split at the show no air flare practice. I did do mill > shoulder > halo, but I can't do it on command yet. There was a good deal of popping too! Matt Limm told me to get more out of each hit by maintaining the pose for a bit longer. He also said for practice I double up on hits in the same pose and think primarily about the pose.
Oh man, the show was terrible. I mean so bad that I needed to go immediately to practice without passing go; however I did collect $50. If there wasn't a UC practice after that I would've been stewing for a while. Practice was fun, because of my ill advised split at the show no air flare practice. I did do mill > shoulder > halo, but I can't do it on command yet. There was a good deal of popping too! Matt Limm told me to get more out of each hit by maintaining the pose for a bit longer. He also said for practice I double up on hits in the same pose and think primarily about the pose.
Gymsport Returns For Real
Stealth and yours truly hit the gymnasium.
I had a bit of fun there! I did feel extra black and suspect there, but hey it's a mostly white establishment and we are strangers to them. The skills always speak for themselves, mid way the lady was more or less speaking at us putting feelers out on if we would teach bboying at the spot. I looked into ground with the, "nigga i'm trying to practice" face. Highlights: cartwheel > side flip (limbs extended), mill > elbow (couldn't pop it to the 2000 but i'm almost in the right position!). Having no shoes kinda messed me up until I got use to it, but Puma Baskets please!
I had a bit of fun there! I did feel extra black and suspect there, but hey it's a mostly white establishment and we are strangers to them. The skills always speak for themselves, mid way the lady was more or less speaking at us putting feelers out on if we would teach bboying at the spot. I looked into ground with the, "nigga i'm trying to practice" face. Highlights: cartwheel > side flip (limbs extended), mill > elbow (couldn't pop it to the 2000 but i'm almost in the right position!). Having no shoes kinda messed me up until I got use to it, but Puma Baskets please!
Tuesday
I want to get a hard practice in. Whatever.
Pretty good practice, I hit some moves but I crashed nearly 80% of my sets :( Plus we had some photo shoot thing with this journalist sitting in. Just distractions, but that made it hard to dance for a while. Highlight: close to shoulder bump > halo (need to keep the legs wide)
Saturday
Fadeski. Got some moves in at Classic Material. Participated in a soul train line. Stabbed a bunch of people, shook off my knife and put it back in the left leg sheath. Went to the after hours and chilled for a hot minute. Good times, nothing too crazy.
Salsa perhaps? Maybe a power hour? Definitely Newtron party late.
If it ends up being too much I'll just cut out the power hour. I'm taking a new stance on lessons. I always thought since I had no teachers early in bboying you had to go it alone in other styles too. Whatever, so hopefully this will be the first of more regular classes. Need to peep what Ollie is doing, I enjoyed his Sweat set.
I missed my man Ollie, but there were mad heads at his party so it was ok. I finally got some fundamentals of salsa and merengue. Now that I got some confidence about the vocabulary I can interject some latin ideas into my tops. Good fun and good dancing.
Thursday
CMU session to go over routines!
No one there but Lillian, SwifD, Bowser and I. Then Chuck brought some of his heads. I had a really good practice. Warmed up with some tops and then went into further defining my routine ideas. I'm really glad heads weren't there, it prevented me from teaching the material prematurely. When I put my ideas into motion I realized that Devon can't yet do the movement required and that Teena is the logical choice as partner. Really have my ideas together. I got one full routine, a few commando ideas and an outline. OMG halo > headbridge tap > halo, an idea to keep. But at practice, I focused on headspins and trying to get that shoulder > halo move. I think I can get into headspins regularly from standing and that is helping with my headspin > 90 attempts. I did it pretty decently today like headspin x2 > 90 :). Still having problems with mill > headspin, I thought I had it down pat doing drills? Good stuff though.
No one there but Lillian, SwifD, Bowser and I. Then Chuck brought some of his heads. I had a really good practice. Warmed up with some tops and then went into further defining my routine ideas. I'm really glad heads weren't there, it prevented me from teaching the material prematurely. When I put my ideas into motion I realized that Devon can't yet do the movement required and that Teena is the logical choice as partner. Really have my ideas together. I got one full routine, a few commando ideas and an outline. OMG halo > headbridge tap > halo, an idea to keep. But at practice, I focused on headspins and trying to get that shoulder > halo move. I think I can get into headspins regularly from standing and that is helping with my headspin > 90 attempts. I did it pretty decently today like headspin x2 > 90 :). Still having problems with mill > headspin, I thought I had it down pat doing drills? Good stuff though.
Sweat before Heat
Fun on a Wednesday at Club P and with Streetz.
This was cool cool. The special popping addition of Sweat Wednesdays was fun. Not too many heads showed up, but you know Get Down Gang showed up. In full force, I wasn't even there most of the time. My homie was fucking me up so I got there hella late, very niggardly of me. It's ok to be a little late, because it's a party. Then you can rep hard and everything's cool. But my man had me waiting on him for hours. That meant I was an idiot for trusting him with my time and delayed me hours. Not cool at all.
So rant aside, I tried popping for real and cyphered with Matt some, but really with Chuck when heads left. We switched between bboying and popping and krumping (i didn't do any :)). Devon, Barry and Florentin was there too cyphering. We were rolling like you needed to do a zulu spin variation in your set. Good fun, Chuck helped clean up my popping. He cleaned up his footwork and Florentin learned zulu spins and freaked them a couple times. And we just jamming with the DJ. I think I understand the point of a jam now a bit more. Chilled with Streetz at Heat, even though the rap ranged from unoriginal to wack to down right offensive, shit still got done. Told Street and Jerome to come by practice and chill with the rest of the gang at CMU. They say they are coming through and Streetz is down with travelling for jams! Kinda geeked cause the United Styles in NYC has a 1 v 1 popping battle! Niggas ain't ready :)
This was cool cool. The special popping addition of Sweat Wednesdays was fun. Not too many heads showed up, but you know Get Down Gang showed up. In full force, I wasn't even there most of the time. My homie was fucking me up so I got there hella late, very niggardly of me. It's ok to be a little late, because it's a party. Then you can rep hard and everything's cool. But my man had me waiting on him for hours. That meant I was an idiot for trusting him with my time and delayed me hours. Not cool at all.
So rant aside, I tried popping for real and cyphered with Matt some, but really with Chuck when heads left. We switched between bboying and popping and krumping (i didn't do any :)). Devon, Barry and Florentin was there too cyphering. We were rolling like you needed to do a zulu spin variation in your set. Good fun, Chuck helped clean up my popping. He cleaned up his footwork and Florentin learned zulu spins and freaked them a couple times. And we just jamming with the DJ. I think I understand the point of a jam now a bit more. Chilled with Streetz at Heat, even though the rap ranged from unoriginal to wack to down right offensive, shit still got done. Told Street and Jerome to come by practice and chill with the rest of the gang at CMU. They say they are coming through and Streetz is down with travelling for jams! Kinda geeked cause the United Styles in NYC has a 1 v 1 popping battle! Niggas ain't ready :)
Tuesday
Session at CMU. Do something interesting.
Highlight: Backspin double ankle grab > thread right leg in to head and right leg down > mill thread right leg out > cross legged handstand ... I'll come up with a better finish. Most likely something piked.
Highlight: Backspin double ankle grab > thread right leg in to head and right leg down > mill thread right leg out > cross legged handstand ... I'll come up with a better finish. Most likely something piked.
Erik Rico and Ibiza
Went to this jam/show at Shadow Lounge per Selecta's request through Ron. Selecta played a bunch of house tracks in addition to the bboy/hiphop anthems. I got open in a way I never have. Straight all styles fool: house, african via house, bboying, hustle, some popping. I have always been a bboy purist, out of fear I couldn't do something without fully committing to it. That is bullshit and I now stand corrected. Fun is fun and as long as you aren't pretending like you are repping a style when you aren't, no one is hurt. Speaking of fun, Get Down Gang is turning into a community of people really repping truth through dance and music. Just goes to show that the best thing in life is finding/being with like-minded individuals. You can't even argue that. I then went to Ibiza and hung out with Heather, Liana and met Anna (sp?). All hot girls that know anything about music in Pittsburgh know each other. It's a real problem for me, I hope I just come off looking like a weirdo and not confused by the incestuous situation. Strobe's set was pretty dec and Bonics' set was quite good. I got there around 12:30 so I probably missed a lot of burners.
Saturday
Really this begins last night at Devon's crib, we got the heavy drink on and Matt Limm and I got fadski fresh. Matt Limm got wild on the funk and Charles and I tried to outsmart each other. Can't tell you how fun chilling with them is. Devon and I went ten rounds on a really ill tops battle. Musicality son, we knew most of the songs or we could guess. The session outside was not nearly as good. I thought it would be a bit cooler out, but whatever. I was supremely hungover. So I didn't do too much. Couldn't hit power runs completely but I had fun chilling with the homies. Kim and Ming came through that was tough.
Got a chance to vibe with DJ Selecta. Shit was official at New Amsterdam. I got to hustle/partner dance with two fine ladies! Liana is sooo fine. But anyways, really good dancing. I think I'm ready to pull the dancing where girl and guy are back to back. It's real simple from the holding both hands position. I wish I didn't have to be faded to realize it :) I mean really, it got serious. Don't care the level of my partner, we dancing as best we can with a few drinks in us. I wish I could dance with Teena Marie, but she can groove soooo ill on her own. Just nasty stuff, she's on the same tip I am and better. I mean that's really all you can ask for! The other girl Ruthie wasn't on the same tip, but she was very mallable. But with her I was able to get my groove on to Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine. FUN!!!! Straight fun nigga, I definitely tried the "I'll lead into a forceful lead, then you adlib out of it" and it was cool. Teena Marie might murder me on that, but it may be heaven. If I was dancing with Liana on that track it would've been magic. This is probably all to say that Selecta and his homie from San Fran were on the decks in a full way. More partner dancing!!!
Got a chance to vibe with DJ Selecta. Shit was official at New Amsterdam. I got to hustle/partner dance with two fine ladies! Liana is sooo fine. But anyways, really good dancing. I think I'm ready to pull the dancing where girl and guy are back to back. It's real simple from the holding both hands position. I wish I didn't have to be faded to realize it :) I mean really, it got serious. Don't care the level of my partner, we dancing as best we can with a few drinks in us. I wish I could dance with Teena Marie, but she can groove soooo ill on her own. Just nasty stuff, she's on the same tip I am and better. I mean that's really all you can ask for! The other girl Ruthie wasn't on the same tip, but she was very mallable. But with her I was able to get my groove on to Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine. FUN!!!! Straight fun nigga, I definitely tried the "I'll lead into a forceful lead, then you adlib out of it" and it was cool. Teena Marie might murder me on that, but it may be heaven. If I was dancing with Liana on that track it would've been magic. This is probably all to say that Selecta and his homie from San Fran were on the decks in a full way. More partner dancing!!!
Friday
Well I thought Selecta would be there, but maybe I missed him. The K-OS show was pretty tight, local heads were showing some good stuff. Billy Pilgrim and the very first dude were tight. Alas, no dancing. :( I am determined to go hard today. I'm not going to go into this practice with a real plan.
Gymsport Returns
Going out to Bridgeville to the gym. I guess it's air power time. I'm so tired after prac (Tuesday) shit doesn't even sound appealing hah.
1. airflare x2
2. pick up some elbow airflare
3. round off > backflip with twist
4. pick up flips grabbing an ankle or two (that's what she said)
5. pick up continuous flips
Well, I guess this will get tabled until people are less busy. Probably a win for my body since been going daily for a while, but still weaksauce on my part for going along with taking a day.
1. airflare x2
2. pick up some elbow airflare
3. round off > backflip with twist
4. pick up flips grabbing an ankle or two (that's what she said)
5. pick up continuous flips
Well, I guess this will get tabled until people are less busy. Probably a win for my body since been going daily for a while, but still weaksauce on my part for going along with taking a day.
Tuesday
Jazz is to popular music as being faded is to normal existence. Everything is sooo much slower and predictable. Ummm, ok so I got some power and I'm in shape what now. Well, I will work on air power, but I need to close the gap in movement between footwork and power.
1. applejack > applejack 180 (to stab) > flare
2. shoulder roll > (pop to) headspin drill
3. back handspring > mill
4. step under step through > headbridge > 90 *
5. side flip > applejack > 90 > mill ... why can't I get this?
6. out in spin > (rollback to) head left foot down right in hand > mill > 90 **
* movements predicated on the small jump style
** need to stop bullshiting and get this.
Pretty dope practice. I did 1 clean once and dirty 2 times. The problem with 2 is keeping composure when trying to drill from no momentum. I forgot 3, but I can pretty much do that one. 4 is never ever clean, I did headspin drill instead of 90. 5 and 6 have the same problem, I'm thinking waaaaay to much once I push into handstand. Which is a similar problem to 2's, not being focused in a no momentum situation. If I'm relatively fresh I have swipe > flare and mill > flare down pat. Same thing with halos, did a couple halos > halo spin out like it was nothing. I need to sure up mill > 90, and learn flare > 90. Good vibe this practice too, both Warren and I were not faded for once. That's like some planets in alignment shit lol, I'm taking the month off to cake up.
1. applejack > applejack 180 (to stab) > flare
2. shoulder roll > (pop to) headspin drill
3. back handspring > mill
4. step under step through > headbridge > 90 *
5. side flip > applejack > 90 > mill ... why can't I get this?
6. out in spin > (rollback to) head left foot down right in hand > mill > 90 **
* movements predicated on the small jump style
** need to stop bullshiting and get this.
Pretty dope practice. I did 1 clean once and dirty 2 times. The problem with 2 is keeping composure when trying to drill from no momentum. I forgot 3, but I can pretty much do that one. 4 is never ever clean, I did headspin drill instead of 90. 5 and 6 have the same problem, I'm thinking waaaaay to much once I push into handstand. Which is a similar problem to 2's, not being focused in a no momentum situation. If I'm relatively fresh I have swipe > flare and mill > flare down pat. Same thing with halos, did a couple halos > halo spin out like it was nothing. I need to sure up mill > 90, and learn flare > 90. Good vibe this practice too, both Warren and I were not faded for once. That's like some planets in alignment shit lol, I'm taking the month off to cake up.
Monday
Yeah, there was sessioning and shows all weekend, some drunk bboying too! So now it's like repetitively smashing through bricks, body is getting calloused up n shit.
I just wanted to get loose and hit some footworks since it's been alot about power. Sooo much easier to kenjutsu in the tops with music I really don't know. It's a struggle for me to put together meaningful combinations in footwork. *note* What that really means is my footwork vocabulary is limited. So I tried doing radically different things and trying to keep in time. That translated into peppering footwork with freezes and trying to come out of them in footwork combinations ending on parts of the music (most often in a fake split or leg gimmick, eh). Not quite kenjutsu, but I was glad to be doing something a bit different. Stealth turned me onto some new jams and sessioning at his crib this time was cozy instead of claustrophobic. Let me get off this computer, Jay Malls be spinning jazz and musicians sometimes appear at Ava. First time trying it out, holla! Oh yeah, gotta remember applejack > applejack 180 (to low stab) > flares.
I just wanted to get loose and hit some footworks since it's been alot about power. Sooo much easier to kenjutsu in the tops with music I really don't know. It's a struggle for me to put together meaningful combinations in footwork. *note* What that really means is my footwork vocabulary is limited. So I tried doing radically different things and trying to keep in time. That translated into peppering footwork with freezes and trying to come out of them in footwork combinations ending on parts of the music (most often in a fake split or leg gimmick, eh). Not quite kenjutsu, but I was glad to be doing something a bit different. Stealth turned me onto some new jams and sessioning at his crib this time was cozy instead of claustrophobic. Let me get off this computer, Jay Malls be spinning jazz and musicians sometimes appear at Ava. First time trying it out, holla! Oh yeah, gotta remember applejack > applejack 180 (to low stab) > flares.
Thursday
Airflares! Power and tricks! Flying through the air. Fuck it, I'm not even going to pretend I'm dancing.
1. Warm up - time to man up, I can handle warming up with tops and then going straight into combinations of three to pose.
2. Drill - do power combinations in sets of five (i.e. flare x5 > swipes x5 > halo x5).
3. New flips! - I need to be able to twist from normal flips (not gainers, try it with round off). Also need to wholeheartedly try that super wicked reverse swipe > head bridge!
That may be all my body can handle. Completion no matter what, crash? Keep going fool. Try: halos > fakeout baby pose shoulder spin > pop to halo
Aww man, sooo much crashing in David Lawrence. Got punked hard by Ming for April Fools. Hit some good stuff and came up with shoulder spin > 90.
1. Warm up - time to man up, I can handle warming up with tops and then going straight into combinations of three to pose.
2. Drill - do power combinations in sets of five (i.e. flare x5 > swipes x5 > halo x5).
3. New flips! - I need to be able to twist from normal flips (not gainers, try it with round off). Also need to wholeheartedly try that super wicked reverse swipe > head bridge!
That may be all my body can handle. Completion no matter what, crash? Keep going fool. Try: halos > fakeout baby pose shoulder spin > pop to halo
Aww man, sooo much crashing in David Lawrence. Got punked hard by Ming for April Fools. Hit some good stuff and came up with shoulder spin > 90.
Sweat Wednesdays
I hope this all goes smoothly. I'd like for people to meet up at Club P and not sure what kind of turn out but I'll remind people tomorrow around 12. I'm just gonna focus on footwork and some ground freezes since I didn't at last practice. Some ideas:
1. Step inversion - like if you are doing 4 step (steps front, out back) then hit a combination to out front and then do the inverted 4 step (steps back, out front)
2. Chair freeze right side > head invert > chair freeze left side
3. Make slow look good. I think it's about selling an intention of movement as opposed to the movement itself. If I can figure it out physically then I'll dedicate a page to it. This is inspired by Matt Limm showing me Don Campbell (sp?) doing that style in popping. I would think the bboy equivalent would be Abstrak, but I wanna freak it in a Ynot style/Roxrite speed + bounce. Haha yeah I like disco music so what.
Haha so I didn't do 2, but tried to do poses and pose changes on beat. Teena Marie is a beast, an expressive beast. I did 1 a couple times, but like all footwork I'd need to drill it. 3 really didn't work as well as I thought it would. I got more thoughtful movement sometimes but I was still a bit lost out there. Maintaining my style is becoming more natural, riding the rhythm in different ways.
Pretty much just fun, we played our music 6 - 8pm and Thickframes took over and the music was great, heard some Haven't You Heard! Lots of other jams. I had a fun time, played massive amounts of pool. It was kinda ridiculous, but I got to chill with the homies. Not too faded, but faded enough to do some poppin. My hits are flacid.
1. Step inversion - like if you are doing 4 step (steps front, out back) then hit a combination to out front and then do the inverted 4 step (steps back, out front)
2. Chair freeze right side > head invert > chair freeze left side
3. Make slow look good. I think it's about selling an intention of movement as opposed to the movement itself. If I can figure it out physically then I'll dedicate a page to it. This is inspired by Matt Limm showing me Don Campbell (sp?) doing that style in popping. I would think the bboy equivalent would be Abstrak, but I wanna freak it in a Ynot style/Roxrite speed + bounce. Haha yeah I like disco music so what.
Haha so I didn't do 2, but tried to do poses and pose changes on beat. Teena Marie is a beast, an expressive beast. I did 1 a couple times, but like all footwork I'd need to drill it. 3 really didn't work as well as I thought it would. I got more thoughtful movement sometimes but I was still a bit lost out there. Maintaining my style is becoming more natural, riding the rhythm in different ways.
Pretty much just fun, we played our music 6 - 8pm and Thickframes took over and the music was great, heard some Haven't You Heard! Lots of other jams. I had a fun time, played massive amounts of pool. It was kinda ridiculous, but I got to chill with the homies. Not too faded, but faded enough to do some poppin. My hits are flacid.
Tuesday
Pumped after Boston hit me with this funk blog. So what do I need to do:
1. airflare... still no excuse, i'll just try to combo it in and out of the regular
2. all previously mentioned get downs
3. work on ground freezes going both ways
This may be my focus for the week. Damn, this mix is good.
Werd, another bomb practice. Kept messing up the get downs but I got to the 90 in the rollback > headpose one. Also got to the mill in the sideflip > applejack > 90 > mill > [something]. I should have both of these, but my body is out of position in one or more of the previous steps so finishing the combo is tough. Couldn't combo out of air flare but I could get into it from swipe. I can keep my legs together now when doing baby mills so I can use them now (after adjusting the height of my bounce).
We went over the choreography for the SuperCrew show. Fun to learn some of the LG set.
1. airflare... still no excuse, i'll just try to combo it in and out of the regular
2. all previously mentioned get downs
3. work on ground freezes going both ways
This may be my focus for the week. Damn, this mix is good.
Werd, another bomb practice. Kept messing up the get downs but I got to the 90 in the rollback > headpose one. Also got to the mill in the sideflip > applejack > 90 > mill > [something]. I should have both of these, but my body is out of position in one or more of the previous steps so finishing the combo is tough. Couldn't combo out of air flare but I could get into it from swipe. I can keep my legs together now when doing baby mills so I can use them now (after adjusting the height of my bounce).
We went over the choreography for the SuperCrew show. Fun to learn some of the LG set.
Sunday Dolce
Going to practice, my achillies is sore. Doing too many damned flips, wack.
Got a good hour of practice in. I learned that I can't count my windmills while doing them haha. Did this drill doing increasing number of windmills > backspin > freeze (phat drill, i know). My achillies was even affecting my windup for power. Decided to go hard on my sets. If it wasn't a drill then I was going to do the set to completion. Get up clean! It hit some cool shit, pretty good practice really. Highlight: halo x5 > freeze.
Me and Dev forgot about Mr Streets performance, but he reminded us with an hour till. That's good enough for me, I'm out. Apparently I cooked and ate a steak in 15min. No raw job either, it was done medium. Plus a salad while it's cooking and I'm out the door. We had to be there at 10pm for a tab that was one drink long. Then, we waited an hour for a DJ not to play our music and not give a cue for the ending. Well whatever, I hit some sets. Smiles, Streets, Mike, Chuck, [insert random dude], Tommy were there. Some good wholesome fun on a Sunday. Ending on measure is the shit, especially with DJ sets cause that's when they do the fast cut in.
Got a good hour of practice in. I learned that I can't count my windmills while doing them haha. Did this drill doing increasing number of windmills > backspin > freeze (phat drill, i know). My achillies was even affecting my windup for power. Decided to go hard on my sets. If it wasn't a drill then I was going to do the set to completion. Get up clean! It hit some cool shit, pretty good practice really. Highlight: halo x5 > freeze.
Me and Dev forgot about Mr Streets performance, but he reminded us with an hour till. That's good enough for me, I'm out. Apparently I cooked and ate a steak in 15min. No raw job either, it was done medium. Plus a salad while it's cooking and I'm out the door. We had to be there at 10pm for a tab that was one drink long. Then, we waited an hour for a DJ not to play our music and not give a cue for the ending. Well whatever, I hit some sets. Smiles, Streets, Mike, Chuck, [insert random dude], Tommy were there. Some good wholesome fun on a Sunday. Ending on measure is the shit, especially with DJ sets cause that's when they do the fast cut in.
Circles
Going to Circles to rep and battle.
Fun times. I got alot of cyphering in with a Vagabond head and people who are where I want to be power-wise. I dunno, Stealth wasn't feeling the jam at all. Admittedly, Skeme was spinning repetitive breaks and the other DJs almost had no concept of maintaining proper sound levels. *note* You always control how you approach a situation. If something is a bit wack, work with the good in the situation and flip it so that the situation serves you. In this situation the music wasn't so great during the battles, but there were some gems in the cypher material (when the sound was correct :P).
For example; RAH Band - Messages From The Stars was played. The song is my second favorite from RAH Band. So the song is nowhere near danceable as a break, but you can sure as hell hustle to it. So I found this cute girl Hannah that did tops like she knew house dancing at least. Much fun, dance-wise she is on my level or above it. First of all, when I was clearly going too fast she said, "Are we doing salsa? [The steps should interchange] What style are we doing?". (that's a lday) So we dance and at some point out of a turn I fuck up the count (doing a 3-step to electrofunk I think of in 4 fucks me up). She remained poised, that goes really wrong normally.
At one point there was five people including me in a cypher. One guy is nice with it (flare > airflare x2 shit but mostly air power and some ok style). So I start going hard with him, like trying to best his last set or at least throw down something serious and kenjutsu. More people join in and I still try to go hard, now with whoever throws down. Then it's a cool cypher and I'm tired. Sorry I'm late to the game, but that is repping. Repping isn't paying your entrance fee and getting ousted in the first round. *note* If you can't make it to the semi-finals, help build a cypher or keep one going. Teena reminisced about the times when you didn't need a cash prize to get anyone to come to your shit. A jam was a jam and not a competition with judges. She made a good point, "[If it's a jam] then you're really being moved by the music [as opposed to the cash]."
Fun times. I got alot of cyphering in with a Vagabond head and people who are where I want to be power-wise. I dunno, Stealth wasn't feeling the jam at all. Admittedly, Skeme was spinning repetitive breaks and the other DJs almost had no concept of maintaining proper sound levels. *note* You always control how you approach a situation. If something is a bit wack, work with the good in the situation and flip it so that the situation serves you. In this situation the music wasn't so great during the battles, but there were some gems in the cypher material (when the sound was correct :P).
For example; RAH Band - Messages From The Stars was played. The song is my second favorite from RAH Band. So the song is nowhere near danceable as a break, but you can sure as hell hustle to it. So I found this cute girl Hannah that did tops like she knew house dancing at least. Much fun, dance-wise she is on my level or above it. First of all, when I was clearly going too fast she said, "Are we doing salsa? [The steps should interchange] What style are we doing?". (that's a lday) So we dance and at some point out of a turn I fuck up the count (doing a 3-step to electrofunk I think of in 4 fucks me up). She remained poised, that goes really wrong normally.
At one point there was five people including me in a cypher. One guy is nice with it (flare > airflare x2 shit but mostly air power and some ok style). So I start going hard with him, like trying to best his last set or at least throw down something serious and kenjutsu. More people join in and I still try to go hard, now with whoever throws down. Then it's a cool cypher and I'm tired. Sorry I'm late to the game, but that is repping. Repping isn't paying your entrance fee and getting ousted in the first round. *note* If you can't make it to the semi-finals, help build a cypher or keep one going. Teena reminisced about the times when you didn't need a cash prize to get anyone to come to your shit. A jam was a jam and not a competition with judges. She made a good point, "[If it's a jam] then you're really being moved by the music [as opposed to the cash]."
Thursday
Ahh last practice before Circles! The key being not to push my groin too much whilst practicing all my get downs and combos:
1. pose out > pose in > spin > rollback headpose > mill > (90 or pose) (get down)
2. foot on outside of knee > spin > foot on inside of knee (get down)
3. (sideways shuffle tops) > knee drop > butterfly twist > coin drop > headspin drills (get down)
4. side flip > applejack > 90 > mill > headspin variation
Oh man, what a God send! Got in an hour with Devon before practice! It was a hard hour, I think we were both posturing for the girls. Well I was fadskifresh, so I didn't give a damn and actually came out with footwork looking good and feeling good. Kenjutsu all over the place, i mean really embodying it. There were several instances where I found myself in the music and also just plain riding rythyms and beats. By the time practice rolled around I was pretty tired. But I was mentally prepared for some reason. The first hour was solid even if wasn't hitting 4. I think I have 3, but that's just a bunch of easy moves together. 2 is easy, gotta remember to do it though. For 1 I get to the mill easy enough, but the push up is rough. Speaking off pushups Randall and I hit some drill 6 step > pushups x5. I didn't even hit like half of the third one. That's also when my mental concentration faded. Even still, got some more moves in. I learned roll back > headspin drill today, sweet. Time to sip water for an hour :/
1. pose out > pose in > spin > rollback headpose > mill > (90 or pose) (get down)
2. foot on outside of knee > spin > foot on inside of knee (get down)
3. (sideways shuffle tops) > knee drop > butterfly twist > coin drop > headspin drills (get down)
4. side flip > applejack > 90 > mill > headspin variation
Oh man, what a God send! Got in an hour with Devon before practice! It was a hard hour, I think we were both posturing for the girls. Well I was fadskifresh, so I didn't give a damn and actually came out with footwork looking good and feeling good. Kenjutsu all over the place, i mean really embodying it. There were several instances where I found myself in the music and also just plain riding rythyms and beats. By the time practice rolled around I was pretty tired. But I was mentally prepared for some reason. The first hour was solid even if wasn't hitting 4. I think I have 3, but that's just a bunch of easy moves together. 2 is easy, gotta remember to do it though. For 1 I get to the mill easy enough, but the push up is rough. Speaking off pushups Randall and I hit some drill 6 step > pushups x5. I didn't even hit like half of the third one. That's also when my mental concentration faded. Even still, got some more moves in. I learned roll back > headspin drill today, sweet. Time to sip water for an hour :/
Wednesday
This practice is pretty much determined by how my groin feels but I need to go over the things I missed yesterday:
1. airflare > mill/swipe combinations (many of them)
2. speedy footworks (probably in drill form unless the music helps me out)
3. power going up
Blah, nobody was there and my groin still hurts. I did some speedy footworks and danced without a break for a while a couple times. Just dancing today. Got two new get downs. So that's sweet for an hours work.
1. airflare > mill/swipe combinations (many of them)
2. speedy footworks (probably in drill form unless the music helps me out)
3. power going up
Blah, nobody was there and my groin still hurts. I did some speedy footworks and danced without a break for a while a couple times. Just dancing today. Got two new get downs. So that's sweet for an hours work.
Tuesday
I need a murderous practice today and tomorrow. Clean up Thursday. Then get my rest on. Wasn't sure if chilling Sunday was the righteous move, but what's done is done. The plan:
1. airflare > mill ... and swipe > airflare ... combos
2. work the kenjutsu at all times (throw in flips as footwork techs).
3. speed speed speed in footwork! I haven't worked this and shit looks a tad slower than I want.
4. emphasis on going up in power sets.
5. NO CRASHING!
Well ok. I got a pretty decent practice in. I definitely hit airflare > mill > (crash halo) but when I got tired I couldn't muster the energy to keep trying them. Grrr next time. Not too many flips but some decent footwork, some of it didn't make sense. It was the lazy beat hitting creeping in. That because I wasn't coming up with interesting things to do because I was too focused on the music. Like I said my style is to allow me to think ahead. So that wasn't too good. Forgot about the speed thing, but there was some jazz music so I tried staying on the drums. Yay jazz, not really for bboying. Didn't really focus on going up! Must do that next practice!! I also kind of strained my groin a bit, so I just need to warm up better. It's not like I've been dancing days in a row, a bit tight.
1. airflare > mill ... and swipe > airflare ... combos
2. work the kenjutsu at all times (throw in flips as footwork techs).
3. speed speed speed in footwork! I haven't worked this and shit looks a tad slower than I want.
4. emphasis on going up in power sets.
5. NO CRASHING!
Well ok. I got a pretty decent practice in. I definitely hit airflare > mill > (crash halo) but when I got tired I couldn't muster the energy to keep trying them. Grrr next time. Not too many flips but some decent footwork, some of it didn't make sense. It was the lazy beat hitting creeping in. That because I wasn't coming up with interesting things to do because I was too focused on the music. Like I said my style is to allow me to think ahead. So that wasn't too good. Forgot about the speed thing, but there was some jazz music so I tried staying on the drums. Yay jazz, not really for bboying. Didn't really focus on going up! Must do that next practice!! I also kind of strained my groin a bit, so I just need to warm up better. It's not like I've been dancing days in a row, a bit tight.
E Carson Outside The Crib
It's nice out why not?
Lots of good footwork. I wanted to switch it up a little, we put the cardboard down in the spot next my apt (the plus of living on a corner). This one dude said he was a bboy years ago. I said, "Dope never goes out of style." I hope he didn't think I was some sort of cokehead. Devon really popped today and Prabu too. Extra needs to get over his insecurties and just keep on rocking. Same thing to a lesser extent with Boston. Rest of yall is sleepin, with the exception of Ollie who's DJing the party I'm going to after I blog this out right quick. Mucho fun and getting better. Not enough crazy / offensive people, even though it was only 6 - 8pm it still is E Carson c'mon. Damn, I mean he should know what dope means.
Lots of good footwork. I wanted to switch it up a little, we put the cardboard down in the spot next my apt (the plus of living on a corner). This one dude said he was a bboy years ago. I said, "Dope never goes out of style." I hope he didn't think I was some sort of cokehead. Devon really popped today and Prabu too. Extra needs to get over his insecurties and just keep on rocking. Same thing to a lesser extent with Boston. Rest of yall is sleepin, with the exception of Ollie who's DJing the party I'm going to after I blog this out right quick. Mucho fun and getting better. Not enough crazy / offensive people, even though it was only 6 - 8pm it still is E Carson c'mon. Damn, I mean he should know what dope means.
Friday
Finally realized my dream of hitting two practices. Kim and Ming @ 6, Prabu and Devon @ 8.
Everyone is looking sooo good. Very proud of the four people I mentioned earlier, straight improvement. Nothing really changed, I just had two pretty decent practices with some cheap sushi and an Arizona Lemonade. It was a really good time. Devon and I danced for two toddlers and a baby. The bald father awkwardly gave me props as they left. Props to you my friend for having three children and taking care of them. Hit a good deal of good footwork within my style.
Everyone is looking sooo good. Very proud of the four people I mentioned earlier, straight improvement. Nothing really changed, I just had two pretty decent practices with some cheap sushi and an Arizona Lemonade. It was a really good time. Devon and I danced for two toddlers and a baby. The bald father awkwardly gave me props as they left. Props to you my friend for having three children and taking care of them. Hit a good deal of good footwork within my style.
Thursday
There was a practice at CMU on the good floor.
Wasn't really feeling this one hella tired and sore from all the practices. Still got some work in.
Wasn't really feeling this one hella tired and sore from all the practices. Still got some work in.
Wednesday
Was jazzed to get an extra bit of practice when Devon hit me up about a 9pm. I was making arrangements to hit the Morewood practice at 7pm.
Fail. I got to Morewood around 8:35pm and there was some dude taking pictures. So fuck it, went over to the UC and looked for space. Janitor with thick Russian accent lent me Rangos 2 for the night, so long as I didn't mess up the chairs around the table.
Mainly did footwork, some back rock sets, lots and lots of tops. Since nobody was around and I was kinda tired I started to try to figure this style I was thinking of. I guess it would be approaching footwork as a series of small jumps. It's inspired from when some people (Domkey?) jump from a step to do flares. I think it would be way nastier to incorporate some kind of slide to footwork or just no handed footwork.
Good practice.
Fail. I got to Morewood around 8:35pm and there was some dude taking pictures. So fuck it, went over to the UC and looked for space. Janitor with thick Russian accent lent me Rangos 2 for the night, so long as I didn't mess up the chairs around the table.
Mainly did footwork, some back rock sets, lots and lots of tops. Since nobody was around and I was kinda tired I started to try to figure this style I was thinking of. I guess it would be approaching footwork as a series of small jumps. It's inspired from when some people (Domkey?) jump from a step to do flares. I think it would be way nastier to incorporate some kind of slide to footwork or just no handed footwork.
Good practice.
Tuesday +5
Got in a meeting at work and wore my magic green shoes. Two j on some beast stuff :/ but it works as dense as it is; :/ again.
This was the hardest practice I've ever been to. *note* Fatigue is only mental if you can still physically execute. *note* With proper training execution is a decision. It's all just orders to your body. *note* People hate on tricks/power, but it's an easy way to get the whole of your body to follow specific orders. Man, I was laid out several times and I was able to get up and do some runs and some tops.
Kim and Ming held down the drills, that's how you really get good. Repeatedly putting yourself in planned situations. I only did a couple because I went supremely hard with some good results some eh. Like it was battle worthy stuff (i hope!). But really it was the only point in the practice were I failed mentally. This practice felt like a good cross country practice.
This was the hardest practice I've ever been to. *note* Fatigue is only mental if you can still physically execute. *note* With proper training execution is a decision. It's all just orders to your body. *note* People hate on tricks/power, but it's an easy way to get the whole of your body to follow specific orders. Man, I was laid out several times and I was able to get up and do some runs and some tops.
Kim and Ming held down the drills, that's how you really get good. Repeatedly putting yourself in planned situations. I only did a couple because I went supremely hard with some good results some eh. Like it was battle worthy stuff (i hope!). But really it was the only point in the practice were I failed mentally. This practice felt like a good cross country practice.
Kim And Ming Are Back!
Was a bit faded and thought to myself, I really really need to go to practice.
I was pretty much fire all way round. Seeing Lancelot at Ava, watching Ynot (the real one) in a tops battle, and something else got me really excited about clean, thoughtful tops. I tried some flat step and patterns into combination back to pattern stuff. A bit difficult to keep it all in time while guessing but it'll get there. Power was on today! I pretty much have halos, sometimes I bend my leg but there's no reason I shouldn't be able to crank out 5 - 8. So close to airflare > mill, I did a crummy one at practice. The problem isn't as much the airflare now as it is finding where I am and being able to whip. Highlights!:
1. flares > swipes > flares > mill (x2 :P ) > halos x2 (crash, the leg bending thing)
2. 90 > mill > headspin drill (i got maybe 5 or 6)
3. airflare > mill (it was shitty, but it was the first time I could execute it)
4. flares > mill > halo suicide (clean!)
I was pretty much fire all way round. Seeing Lancelot at Ava, watching Ynot (the real one) in a tops battle, and something else got me really excited about clean, thoughtful tops. I tried some flat step and patterns into combination back to pattern stuff. A bit difficult to keep it all in time while guessing but it'll get there. Power was on today! I pretty much have halos, sometimes I bend my leg but there's no reason I shouldn't be able to crank out 5 - 8. So close to airflare > mill, I did a crummy one at practice. The problem isn't as much the airflare now as it is finding where I am and being able to whip. Highlights!:
1. flares > swipes > flares > mill (x2 :P ) > halos x2 (crash, the leg bending thing)
2. 90 > mill > headspin drill (i got maybe 5 or 6)
3. airflare > mill (it was shitty, but it was the first time I could execute it)
4. flares > mill > halo suicide (clean!)
Skeme On Deck
Not sure what kind of space I'll get. I'm considering not going, but I should to hear some tunes. I have tunes at the crib though and this bed is pretty comfortable. That's really lazy though, I've been doing well with the dancing so I should keep it up before I start fucking up. To be honest, I don't want to drive on Saint Patty's Eve or whatever people are drinking in droves for. I want to try things, but I don't want to have my heart set on something and then not be able to do tops. This bed is really comfortable.
Oh man, i am pretty much faded hard. Going out was right though, to see Lancelot dumb down his steps to dance with regular heads was enough for me to see. Rocking never felt more in place out of place. Life is definitely only perspective and what you choose to be truth. I don't even feel like explaining.. ask me about it.
Oh man, i am pretty much faded hard. Going out was right though, to see Lancelot dumb down his steps to dance with regular heads was enough for me to see. Rocking never felt more in place out of place. Life is definitely only perspective and what you choose to be truth. I don't even feel like explaining.. ask me about it.
Hittin style at the club and at practice!
Gotta practice today before Katie's and then at Katie's.
Dude, shit was serious. I hit my style in several sets, really feeling the movements in the music. Granted they were all songs I was well versed in, but I was hitting the music in anticipation! Killing power too like in there I hit (flare > mill > halo > swipe) x2. I think I am closer to air flare > mill and back bending into a 90. Holla!
Much props to my nigga Devon (D Smiles), we were doing those hard moves at the club. No bullshit is the standard! We were crushing, I had some weak moments but flare > mill > halo x2 > halo spin out kind of sets were the norm. Holding it down with Ollie. Then the music got wack. And my date was wack! Sorry she was. But Jay Malls delivered, if women were like an ill Jay Malls set then man wouldn't need worry.
Dude, shit was serious. I hit my style in several sets, really feeling the movements in the music. Granted they were all songs I was well versed in, but I was hitting the music in anticipation! Killing power too like in there I hit (flare > mill > halo > swipe) x2. I think I am closer to air flare > mill and back bending into a 90. Holla!
Much props to my nigga Devon (D Smiles), we were doing those hard moves at the club. No bullshit is the standard! We were crushing, I had some weak moments but flare > mill > halo x2 > halo spin out kind of sets were the norm. Holding it down with Ollie. Then the music got wack. And my date was wack! Sorry she was. But Jay Malls delivered, if women were like an ill Jay Malls set then man wouldn't need worry.
Thursday
Went hella hard with Cody drinking and playing pool on Weds. So practice at CMU!
An interesting opportunity to see how long I could go. About 2:30. So, I went with the ideas I was supposed to on Monday. I forgot a couple, but I can do that next practice.
1. walkovers and back bending: I think I'm close to being able to pull the walkover stopping in handstand regularly. doing it in the close legged position is another feat.
2. flare > headspin: The exercise is good, but my foot still draggin! Hit it pretty regularly.
3. airflare > mill: My airflare was low today. Fail.
4. halos!: On fucking fire. I went swipe > mill > halo x4 > two poses (the second one was kinda wack tho)
An interesting opportunity to see how long I could go. About 2:30. So, I went with the ideas I was supposed to on Monday. I forgot a couple, but I can do that next practice.
1. walkovers and back bending: I think I'm close to being able to pull the walkover stopping in handstand regularly. doing it in the close legged position is another feat.
2. flare > headspin: The exercise is good, but my foot still draggin! Hit it pretty regularly.
3. airflare > mill: My airflare was low today. Fail.
4. halos!: On fucking fire. I went swipe > mill > halo x4 > two poses (the second one was kinda wack tho)
Tuesday
Wanted to practice today.
Practiced at CMU on the first floor of the UC. Was OK, was more fun to see heads there than to dance really. Hit my style in a couple sets and felt good about that. Devon hit a nice power run, making the come up!
Practiced at CMU on the first floor of the UC. Was OK, was more fun to see heads there than to dance really. Hit my style in a couple sets and felt good about that. Devon hit a nice power run, making the come up!
Monday
Read through the blog and trying to remember old ideas for practice today:
1. walk over from a cross legged swipe
2. opposite direction mills and swipes
3. flare > headspin
4. umm air flare > mill... why am I not practicing this!
5. polishing an open and a combo so why not combine them sideflip > applejack > 90 > mill > headspin variation
6. gainer thread
Fail. I think I didn't manage my work correctly and I couldn't prac.
1. walk over from a cross legged swipe
2. opposite direction mills and swipes
3. flare > headspin
4. umm air flare > mill... why am I not practicing this!
5. polishing an open and a combo so why not combine them sideflip > applejack > 90 > mill > headspin variation
6. gainer thread
Fail. I think I didn't manage my work correctly and I couldn't prac.
Sunday
Practice at some point in the late afternoon. There's some kind of show at club Heat.
Not quite, called for a practice at Stealth's crib... so it was me and Stealth rocking. He had to double on DJ duty, but that was cool. I need to build up my stamina anyways. Some good footwork and tops, really working my style. Stealth was a bit hurt (shoulder again) so he had been focusing on get downs. Some real good ideas there.
So I kept fucking up swipe > mill > halo. I wasn't realeasing from the stab position because my weight wasn't forward, but my leg was still coming through with mad speed. That gave me an idea; I can use that whip and make it directional by stopping my momentum abruptly. Ergo, swipe > (mill or halo) > air time > flip I don't use too often > swipe > halo > freeze.
Heat was fun, Mr. Street called me up to help him with his performance. Met his homie Ron, new popper. The venue was amateur hour, one of the "freestyle djs" played our music. No, not actually the music Mr. Street gave to him, some bullshit hip hop and at some point Will Smith bit it just for the look he didn't light it. Nana na na na! I hit some stuff in 6 or 7 sets, Mr. Street killed it, no one really cared, some niggas krumped at us (which really isn't their fault, I mean krumping music was on).
Highlight: sometimes when I 90 I land in one of those reverse worms. I usually try to head hollow out of that. This time I didn't fall. I'm so cool.
Not quite, called for a practice at Stealth's crib... so it was me and Stealth rocking. He had to double on DJ duty, but that was cool. I need to build up my stamina anyways. Some good footwork and tops, really working my style. Stealth was a bit hurt (shoulder again) so he had been focusing on get downs. Some real good ideas there.
So I kept fucking up swipe > mill > halo. I wasn't realeasing from the stab position because my weight wasn't forward, but my leg was still coming through with mad speed. That gave me an idea; I can use that whip and make it directional by stopping my momentum abruptly. Ergo, swipe > (mill or halo) > air time > flip I don't use too often > swipe > halo > freeze.
Heat was fun, Mr. Street called me up to help him with his performance. Met his homie Ron, new popper. The venue was amateur hour, one of the "freestyle djs" played our music. No, not actually the music Mr. Street gave to him, some bullshit hip hop and at some point Will Smith bit it just for the look he didn't light it. Nana na na na! I hit some stuff in 6 or 7 sets, Mr. Street killed it, no one really cared, some niggas krumped at us (which really isn't their fault, I mean krumping music was on).
Highlight: sometimes when I 90 I land in one of those reverse worms. I usually try to head hollow out of that. This time I didn't fall. I'm so cool.
Mujushin Kenjutsu
This is the basic philosophy behind how I bboy. Really it is a sword technique that can translate to "sword of no abiding mind". Normal elements of kenjutsu include use of tactics, speed, strength or any combination of those to defeat your enemy. The translation can be interpreted as a precognitive or instinctual method of swordfighting. My style is a combination of those two methodologies.
In practice, the first step is the quick identification of the core percussive and/or bass repetitions. The next step is to mirror those repetitions in your dance. Oh, so you mean "beathitting". No, that's absolutely wrong. Think of it like the jack in house. Mostly your movement is to *suggest* the music your listening to, not duplicate it. I try to reserve duplication for the most climactic points in the music, not the most recognizable.
Ok, so aren't you still guessing when those most climactic points are? For worse, to follow the style, guessing in a sense even when you know the music? Pretty much. As a purely mental exercise without prior knowledge of the music you can't do much else. Taken within the context of dance and more importantly this style, it becomes more of an educated guess. *note* If you have identified the core repetitions and essentially are moving with the music, you can use your body movement to keep in time. *note* If you aren't mentally keeping time that frees you listen with an ear to where you will be, not where you are.
This quote also rang true to me, "the Mujuu taught that one should not even react to one's opponent; that to treat the art of swordfighting as a mode of combat was a corruption of its purity". Ask me about it. This sword technique is so completely analogous to my thoughts on bboying it's a bit ridiculous. If you bite my shit I will battle you and win, because I was never really battling you in the first place, I just hit all my moves and you happened to be there.
In practice, the first step is the quick identification of the core percussive and/or bass repetitions. The next step is to mirror those repetitions in your dance. Oh, so you mean "beathitting". No, that's absolutely wrong. Think of it like the jack in house. Mostly your movement is to *suggest* the music your listening to, not duplicate it. I try to reserve duplication for the most climactic points in the music, not the most recognizable.
Ok, so aren't you still guessing when those most climactic points are? For worse, to follow the style, guessing in a sense even when you know the music? Pretty much. As a purely mental exercise without prior knowledge of the music you can't do much else. Taken within the context of dance and more importantly this style, it becomes more of an educated guess. *note* If you have identified the core repetitions and essentially are moving with the music, you can use your body movement to keep in time. *note* If you aren't mentally keeping time that frees you listen with an ear to where you will be, not where you are.
This quote also rang true to me, "the Mujuu taught that one should not even react to one's opponent; that to treat the art of swordfighting as a mode of combat was a corruption of its purity". Ask me about it. This sword technique is so completely analogous to my thoughts on bboying it's a bit ridiculous. If you bite my shit I will battle you and win, because I was never really battling you in the first place, I just hit all my moves and you happened to be there.
Saturday +2
Going to have practice sometime during the day.
Did a little partying early so I needed to even out a bit! LOL. So I told Dev and Prabu to hit Shadow Lounge to get down since SMI and Vex were doing something. Cody and I arrive and there's no one there. That seemed cool since we were like right at the beginning so we chilled until some tunes came on. I asked Cody to give me a combo...
1. 90 : complete
2. t flare > headspin : complete (2nd try)
3. swipes > mill > swipe > mill ... : complete
4. footwork > freeze > freeze > turtles > flare > swipe > 90 : sike nah
The thing about the last one is that it's definitely doable if I get my balance and speed on the turtles. Then I met this dude Chai ...
1. flare > headspin > mill : just kidding (flare > headspin > crash)
I believe this is a really important one. *note* I can practice quickly straightening my torso quickly out of the tail end of a flare without needing to worry about pushing myself into a handstand. Obvious implications for moves coming out of flare that require being on your hands (air power, 90s and halos especially). Then Dev showed up ...
1. Muujushin Kenjustu!
2. 90s > mills > headspin variation
Well the first one is my true style (probably will be explained later). I hit the second one like I wanted to advance to the semi finals; multiple 90s, 2 mills (kinda fucked that), about 6 rotations headspin with my arm cradling my head and other arm extended, and then I walked out of it clean.
Did a little partying early so I needed to even out a bit! LOL. So I told Dev and Prabu to hit Shadow Lounge to get down since SMI and Vex were doing something. Cody and I arrive and there's no one there. That seemed cool since we were like right at the beginning so we chilled until some tunes came on. I asked Cody to give me a combo...
1. 90 : complete
2. t flare > headspin : complete (2nd try)
3. swipes > mill > swipe > mill ... : complete
4. footwork > freeze > freeze > turtles > flare > swipe > 90 : sike nah
The thing about the last one is that it's definitely doable if I get my balance and speed on the turtles. Then I met this dude Chai ...
1. flare > headspin > mill : just kidding (flare > headspin > crash)
I believe this is a really important one. *note* I can practice quickly straightening my torso quickly out of the tail end of a flare without needing to worry about pushing myself into a handstand. Obvious implications for moves coming out of flare that require being on your hands (air power, 90s and halos especially). Then Dev showed up ...
1. Muujushin Kenjustu!
2. 90s > mills > headspin variation
Well the first one is my true style (probably will be explained later). I hit the second one like I wanted to advance to the semi finals; multiple 90s, 2 mills (kinda fucked that), about 6 rotations headspin with my arm cradling my head and other arm extended, and then I walked out of it clean.
Practice and Zen Performance
Pretty much what I want to do today at practice is some light footwork. Get a little aerobic in and then roll out to the spot. Zen gives me a chance to practice execution whilst on the spot. I really can't expect good music at jams. I mean the kind of funk I need to naturally pop is only at those big jams. So I'm needing to force myself to come off hard even on shit music.
Pretty much missed the practice but did go to Zen. It was alright, felt a bit claustrophobic. Less of a show and more of a cypher and I hit some rounds standard bboying nothing great. However Selecta was spinning anything I wanted to hear genre-wise. That was some fantastic music, Dev was killing it; hitting good moves and footwork in kind of a tight place. I tried to keep up with him but I couldn't realize my style in footwork. Pretty much made up for practice I was drenched at the end (thought I'd get sick again outside in the cold). We saw Stealth's crib; it's dope and he has practice space and records. That bastard!
Pretty much missed the practice but did go to Zen. It was alright, felt a bit claustrophobic. Less of a show and more of a cypher and I hit some rounds standard bboying nothing great. However Selecta was spinning anything I wanted to hear genre-wise. That was some fantastic music, Dev was killing it; hitting good moves and footwork in kind of a tight place. I tried to keep up with him but I couldn't realize my style in footwork. Pretty much made up for practice I was drenched at the end (thought I'd get sick again outside in the cold). We saw Stealth's crib; it's dope and he has practice space and records. That bastard!
Thursday
I feel good again and getting plenty of sleep. I noticed I was eating a bit more than 1 meal every 24 hour period (no sleep schedule fucks your eating a bit). So trying to do everything I can so I can get back on.
My focus this practice is to bring intensity to my sets and hopefully that will help me realize my style. I'm throwing hella power with variations and trying to tap into as much of my vocab and improvisation as I can. Let's go!
By improvisation I meant back handspring all over the place haha. Nah, it was a pretty decent practice; mill > 90 came back for some reason. I'm tacking on a butterfly twist on the front of it. I was so taken aback I forgot to practice the other way (didn't really matter, the headspin variation was super shakey. Actually, I couldn't do more than one halo cleanly. I'm a chalk that up to not practicing in a while.
I felt like when I was doing footwork I was dancing so that's good. I was including non standard moves and steps so that's good. None of it really popped though. I know I need footage (I'm on it); when I get an SD card that works I'll be good. Hopefully I can knock that out tomorrow.
My focus this practice is to bring intensity to my sets and hopefully that will help me realize my style. I'm throwing hella power with variations and trying to tap into as much of my vocab and improvisation as I can. Let's go!
By improvisation I meant back handspring all over the place haha. Nah, it was a pretty decent practice; mill > 90 came back for some reason. I'm tacking on a butterfly twist on the front of it. I was so taken aback I forgot to practice the other way (didn't really matter, the headspin variation was super shakey. Actually, I couldn't do more than one halo cleanly. I'm a chalk that up to not practicing in a while.
I felt like when I was doing footwork I was dancing so that's good. I was including non standard moves and steps so that's good. None of it really popped though. I know I need footage (I'm on it); when I get an SD card that works I'll be good. Hopefully I can knock that out tomorrow.
Tuesday
I gave myself another day to rest. Will be testing the air maxes proper this time. Last night Matt Limm was asking about house dancing and the conversation later spilled over into I guess dance theory. It was good to explain myself so I could hear it. Putting your thoughts into words for others is pretty much the best tool for self-examination in my opinion.
Forgot there's no practice on Monday. Really need to do some work so I can be prepped for the meeting, eat, slide off to practice. The UC!
Yeah yet another failure to attend practice. I was doing so well before starting this blog/getting sick. Fucking lame.
Forgot there's no practice on Monday. Really need to do some work so I can be prepped for the meeting, eat, slide off to practice. The UC!
Yeah yet another failure to attend practice. I was doing so well before starting this blog/getting sick. Fucking lame.
Secret UC Practice
It's not on the schedule and it's another opportunity to dance. I wanted to go yesterday and go to Vice at New Am, but I was too ill. I'll try to get a workout in. Had some interesting dreams last night; I hope they make it on here in the near future.
Wow what a fantastic dud of a practice. I dunno, I guess I get credit for being there. I didn't change out of my tight designer jeans and was testing out a pair of air maxes. With fail on the test and fail on practice it seemed pretty bleak. That's why I was glad Devon had a good practice, hitting the mill > halo regularly, good footwork, freezes on beat.
Wow what a fantastic dud of a practice. I dunno, I guess I get credit for being there. I didn't change out of my tight designer jeans and was testing out a pair of air maxes. With fail on the test and fail on practice it seemed pretty bleak. That's why I was glad Devon had a good practice, hitting the mill > halo regularly, good footwork, freezes on beat.
Morewood Sweat Locker
Well, I need to be prepared. Not because I'm a shmohawk, I can live with being sub par even irrelevant. I would like to represent this art form to my fullest. Sorry, I need to use the "do your best" cop out (my fullest). Only because if I am a true ambassador then I contradict myself for then I am both on par and relevant. Maybe I can't live with being irrelevant, but you came here to see me dance. :)
Getting better, was quite sick this week so that put a damper on some of my plans. Must get a hard workout in, not do some tricks every 5 minutes while pretending to ponder something in the off time. So we'll see.
Pretty much failure all around, I decided to sweat in my bed instead. I stayed up a bit late last night so that might have not helped being ill. Stupid.
Getting better, was quite sick this week so that put a damper on some of my plans. Must get a hard workout in, not do some tricks every 5 minutes while pretending to ponder something in the off time. So we'll see.
Pretty much failure all around, I decided to sweat in my bed instead. I stayed up a bit late last night so that might have not helped being ill. Stupid.
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