All Star Thursday

Whaaaaaaasssssuuuuuuup!!!!!

Things have been a bit crazed for your intrepid reporter given my Left Coast adventure and an incredible A*T which left me at a loss for words. Imagine that–the big blabbermouth could not find his voice??? That has to be the most stunning news of all.
Before anything else: Rob Fried, Jammer extraordinaire (and one of my best friends in this life) is on the DL with a separated shoulder. He will heal and come back shredfully but please keep him in your thoughts. He’s been a true inspiration and excellent Jam-mentor for many years. Hey Rob–I’m huntin’ Gitis for you.

LA, CA
My first full day in California was Thursday August 9th and I earned my wearing of the Yella Jersey by going to Universal Studios with Carina and my hosts from Thousand Oaks. While I knew I was missing a killer session back in NYC, I had already made arrangements to make a pilgrimage to La Jolla to Jam with the San Diego Crew on Sunday. Lucky for me Dan Cameranesi lives in Thousand Oaks and he was kind enough to slide into the brief window of opportunity I had for a local Jam on Saturday. He in turn invited Tita (Ugalde?–please forgive me if that is incorrect) who folks may recall is putting together a ‘Freestyle Camp’ in LA in December which every Left Coaster should support in order to Spread the Jam. We had a nice Jam on a field that serves as the home of a 15 year old pick-up Ultimate game. The breeze was great as we put on quite a show for our run ‘n gun cousins.

The drive down the 405 from LA was a giant pain in the a** but I was serene as I looked at the ocean from time to time thinking of the hein breeze and ZZZZ’s to come. When I was dropped off on Calle Frescoda as instructed I started walking west towards the beach. La Jolla has got to be disc heaven–the sky was blue with some high cirrus clouds, the hills surrounding the beach were filled with the homes of (wealthy) folks who know a great view when the see it, and the beach was simply amazing. There were a zillion people everywhere and I was wondering how I was gonna find my plastic peeps. Just then I saw a green Skystyler zoom into the sky, followed by another as it descended. Whoosh–whoosh–whoosh–the discs just kept flying up in rhythm and the same exact flight path indicating some very serious wind knowledge and control. Some guy was doing this crazy MTA juggling act featuring 2 and then 3 discs, launching them 35 feet in the air again and again. Thus I found a kindred spirit in the form of Dave Murphy. Murf is a cat who I only knew through video and Freestyle lore who I really was geeked up to Jam with.
I was so excited I wanted to jump out of my skin as we introduced ourselves and I got nailed up. Murf is a big dude with a linebacker’s attacking style featuring much groundwork and precise control. On several occasions he did front somersaults into the delay off of MY THROW as well as hitting a couple sweet ‘instant’ Gitis seals. My favorite moves were a quadruple spinning backroll/brush and a roll straight off of one of those MTA throws–WOW! We went at it long enough to break a serious sweat and then Peter Lau-BEAR arrived and the three of us got going. The Jam was loads of fun, especially as PL and Murf worked the wind together doing multiple two-man rolls. I have to say the conditions (which of course, I have no need of) were almost too perfect. There were several times where the disc stayed up exactly where I set it and I blew the play because I just am not used to playing in a plastic paradise.

I took a hydration break and a moment to de-hydrate. As I returned from the ‘room of rest’, I ran into Tommy L. and Amy Schillz and they were followed in short order by The Sheriff himself, Mike Cronin (GREAT to meet you!), and a special appearance by Joel Rogers who is almost ready to come off of the DL. I really wish I could share more but things became a huge blur at this point. I got into several mob-ops but as soon as I got the chance to get loose with Schillz and Tommy, my ride came with the news I had to split NOW???!!!

ARRRGGGGHHH!!!! It took me 20 minutes to become civil when I got in the car.
I can share a couple of things with the world: 1) La Jolla is absolutely perfect for Freestyle and every Jammer must make their way there. It is beautiful and the players are as skilled as they are fun to hang with; 2) The Sheriff and Tommy looked like they are ready to make some noise next year’s tourneys; 3) I am really grateful that folks showed up in SD and gave me a taste of what everyone talks about; 4) Hey Murf and all y’all–You gotta come East for an A*T so we can share our hospitality.

Hey Folks,

After last week’s shift to alternative locations due to the laying of pesticides, followed by that big All*Star TUESDAY (Hey Jake–sorry I neglected to mention your victorious turn as well), I was all amped up for some plastic play. The weather forecast reverted to form with afternoon thundershowers expected to begin at 5:37pm. This was a drag but wha’cha gonna do?

I headed to my car (yes, some Noo Yawkuhs are crazy enough to drive in NYC) after work and started making my way downtown when the rain started pouring down. This stunk but looking to the west, there was plenty of sunshine so I kept moving toward our Green Beach. I found parking on my lucky block and headed into the park through the 69th Street entrance. When I got to the Meadow it appeared to be empty at first glance but then I saw three discs in the air above an unfamiliar face Jammin’, and another guy taking pictures. Who is IS that? As I got closer I see former locals Jamie C. and Danzo who interrupted their US Tour for an A*T fill-up. At that same moment Mighty Heaver Dan Weiss

came out so I knew I’d have an ambiDISCerous good time.

While changing into into my gear The Roginator entered from the East followed shortly thereafter by Quinn-O from the Southwest so I took advantage and got me some o’ that distance game I love so well. Dan W. was nominated last year for the Ultimate Players Hall of Fame and has an amazing array of throws including a 70 degree angled backhand that he throws for strikes at distance. It took me 3 years to figure that bad boy out, but I was finally able to return one in kind so I was very geeked up. We had the field to ourselves so I was able to stretch my legs as well as my arm making me a very happy camper.

When it was time to hydrate, I noticed something odd. There were a total of 4 Jammers out and nobody was on the horizon. Roger–looking just swell in the Cowardly Coverlet–boldly stated that HE was going to have a wide variety of choices to bestow the Yella rag upon next week. Since it was just the 4 of us, we just went at it. We actually got hot pretty quick with Jambo adjusting to the NYC passing game without too much of the ‘Bogartistry’ that has manifested itself over the years. His energy was high and tightly focused so we all were inspired to go for the gusto. Quinn-O displayed his normal range of amazing moves including a very sweet blind take of a Spanish Inquisition behind the back Clock UD throw from me. Roger was on fire generally speaking but his best combo was a Spinning Triple Fake bullseye take which he then converted into a double spinning Triple Fake seal. The move of the Day without a doubt belonged to Jamco himself. I can’t recall the sequence which led to this but he did a “BIG AIR–Oh is this gonna hurt when I land…Look Ma’, I’m Flyin’–Gitis” with a full body crash and burn seal. BRAVO!!!!!!!

Jam of the Day Honors go to, well, the ONLY Jam of the Day. Yella Designees for this week? EVERYBODY except me, Quinn-O, and The Reliable One should wear it for a few minutes with the Oracle getting it last so he can put some Joey Juice on it for the return of Fearless Lou (T.U.T.W…)

Lastly, I have a significant announcement from The Board: We are awaiting the confirmation of his dates but let it be know that a certain reigning World Champion Freestyler from Italy whose name starts with a Fabio has been invited to be our All*Star Thursday Guest Jammer initiative Invitee for August 2007.

Congratulations Fabio!!!! We can’t wait to shred with you.

Peace out, Yo!

Paul

The EZ Funk Quiz: “Once I was a Boogie Singer, playin’ in a Rock ‘n Roll Baaaand…” Title and Artist?

Hey Plastic Peeps,

I hope that the post-AmsterJam/Worlds adrenaline crash hasn’t done any serious damage to our Eurobrethren, one fellow in particular whom I neglected to mention last week: IWAN, YOU RULE BABY!!!!! Good job! Big Ups to everyone who worked, volunteered, lent a hand, participated, competed, Jammed, or just hung out.

This past week’s A*T was odd in that the threat of a thunderstorm nearly dissuaded the Hard Corps of the Big Apple from our appointed rounds. The weather forecast was bleak and the radar images unforgiving, but the thought of the grief I’d take if I was Yella because it MIGHT rain led me to the subway and onward to my Green Beach. The Meadow was almost empty other than our little Band of Gypsies which including Jaime-TJH, Jestin Heaver, Rob, The Oracle, The Ageless Trevor Brown, and wait, do my eyes deceive me? A Guest Jammer from the North in the form of Mr. Alan Caplin. EXCELLENT! If the weather cooperated, this would be a good one. Looking skyward we could see the front moving through at 20+ mph (38kph?) with black clouds right behind so everyone kind of got up and played. I went out and Heaved with Jaime and Rob, The Oracle, Alan went at it.

I was pretty happy to be tossing with some Mighty Heavers and we got it going good. Our Guest Jammer was going at it pretty hard with Rob and Joey when the dark clouds rolled in and thunder rumbled. I busted the Jam wanting to get some before the deluge but when I saw lightning in the distance and Trevor packin’ it in that was it for me. Jam of the Day honors go to Joey and AC because they kept playing while I high-tailed it eastward. Naturally, it didn’t really rain for about 40 minutes so I kicked myself all the way home but wha’cha gonna do?

Oh, an nobody wore the Yella Joisey because all the designees are still outta
town. I’m thinking Quinn-O is gonna look great in that bad boy. 😉

That’s it for this week’s A*T doings. I can tell you we had an beautiful weekend and the Jams were as shredful as they were plentiful with Alan in on Saturday and TO making a rare weekend appearance. Gotta mention Barak who really is a tremendous Heaver to go with having amazing Jam-thletic skills. I got him and TO for an Extended Play session yesterday and that was really awesome.

Peace out, Yo!

TP = TJH

Hail and Well Met to All Y’all,

Before all else, let me express my extreme gratitude to the Reliable One himself, Mr. Roger Meier, for picking up the slack while I was away. I read the “Faux” Chronicles (nothin’ faux ‘bout ‘em!!!!) Saturday morning in Las Vegas and I was really thrilled to hear about his Jams with Peter Lau-BEAR, the surprise appearance of Gary Auerbach (Hey Man, sorry I missed you!!) and of course the inaugural A*T Guest Jammer, Bill Wright. It was almost as if I were there on the Meadow with The Tribe. How very cool!!!!!!!

This gathering was a little smaller than the previous week. The sky was a tad overcast but there was no rain in the forecast. I arrived from the Northwest spotting Richie Regs in street clothes (“tired” groin) and Jaime-TJH. I had nailed up already so I changed quickly and got into a Heave with Jaime. While this was going on, folks started rolling in including TO & The Lovely Chrissy, Mary-Mary, The Ageless Trevor Brown, Quinn-O, Stump E. Fresh, The Roginator, The Oracle, and Ben Heaver of the Mighty Overhand.

My absence from A*T was quite eventful for me and I came back hungering for some of that which we all adore. My first Heaving session was nothing short of outstanding. I started by testing out my injured thumb and the air was very lively though there was almost no breeze. This may sound like an oxymoron but were you to see the flights (and the Jams later) you’d know this was a lucky day for us to Bee out there. I felt as if every throw of my deep purple UV 175 was on target with touch of telekinetic control. This in turn made me hustle my old carcass after one particular heave of Jaime’s where I was forced to turn on the afterburners. Trust me, engaging the jets these days requires much more thought than it used to, but I had managed to lose some o’ dat winter weight so I survived. I knew right then it was gonna be a good day.

When I broke for water I spotted TO all by his lonesome just waiting for someone to drag him out to our great green Jam-floor. This was to be a fine contrast for me as I was presented with the Cowardly Coverlet for bein’ Yella and bein’ delinquent in my duties as a journalist. 😉 I was pretty geeked up when we got going with some basic throws and catches to assess what throws were in my arsenal. This was cool because it made both of us more conscious of what we were doing which led to a much deeper than usual flow. We went dropless for long stretches and the Hein-eocity meter must have gotten pinned in the red because up jumped The Mighty Quinn to bust us. And justice was well served by this bust because we really got hot together. QO’s nasty lefty overhands, mac-throws, and sick behind the head roll seal (as a bail move??!!) pushed me to go for and hit a Gitis off of TO’s set. We were even joined, albeit briefly by Stump E. Fresh for an awesome foursome but he set off to give The Roginator some. That Jam ended prematurely due to the loss of yet another Styler in the prime of flight (Yoo hoooo, Discraft…er um, whassupwitdat?) but this didn’t slow us down for long. We got us some other plastic and went at it harder.

Now the Jam on the other side o’ town with Fresh, Roger, and The Oracle heckling/assisting was equally shredful as ours. As the evening wore on, Rog sat down for his requisite Marghie and Stump n’ The Oracle jumped in with us folks. The latter announced this was to be his “mannequin” Jam and we had to throw strikes and work around him. Stump liked this a lot. He immediately said “Hey, Spanakin Skywalker..spat this!” setting Joey up perfectly and we were off to the races. Even standing still, that Joey is a baaaad %$^%^* and with Fresh, TO, QO, as my wing men, I knew this was goin’ outta control fast. Fresh’s vertical work, Quinn-O’s dexterity, TO’s artistry, and The Oracle’s sheer presence kept the disc moving in ways subtle, not so subtle, and often surprising. I subbed out when an overzealous guy (me!) took a whack at the disc with said injured thumb but Rog eased in without missing a beat. This wound up being the Jam of the Day because every body got in and the disc just kept going and going and going around to a very Hein consensus “Beer” finish. Having done the right thing by tearing it up this week, I will be presenting the Jaundiced Jersey to Rob who was a shoo in for Yella next time out. This is where I usually say “Peace Out, Yo!” but no, there’s more! Drum roll please…

And now a word from our sponsors:

The Hard Corps of the Big Apple is pleased to announce the 2007 ALL*STAR THURSDAY GUEST JAMMER INITIATIVE. Inaugurated last week when the Board brought in Disc Legend and entrepreneur Bill Wright from Colorado, this program is designed to primarily to inspire fun, creativity, and the Spreading of the Jam. The Board shall be extending special invitations to select Jammers which shall include the following perqs:

Round Trip Flight to NYC; Limousine transportation to and from the airport; room and board (better than any stinkin’ hotel!); a Commemorative Special Edition All*Star Thursday Disc and T-Shirt; a party with The Oracle; and most important–THE JAM OF LIFE!!!!!!!

Now how can we promise the Jam of a lifetime experience? Let me count the ways. Unlike tournaments where even when the best of sportsmanship reigns, there is an element of competition which often prevents one from going absolutely nuts. The best of the best—and you all know what I am talking about—will play with passion to the point of being at the edge of the abyss, but must continue with a controlled fury if they are to succeed. Here, EVERYONE is on YOUR TEAM and has your back. There’s no one looking for execution points…well maybe the peanut gallery is, but only because they want to encourage more shredful behavior. 😉 Oh, BTW-did I mention that we’ve got The Oracle, Ted Oberhaus, Doug E. Fresh, Rob Fried, The Roginator (Hey Rog, REPRESENT!!!!!) and an ever-ready band of merrymakers insuring that your every Jam fantasy is fulfilled.

Can the news get any better? Hell Yeah!!!!!!! I take great pleasure in sharing with the Jammers of the universe as they prepare for the World Championships in AmsterJam (that is the name of the city, right?) that the recipient of the July Guest Jammer invitation will be none other than…

SKIPPY JAMMER!!!!!!! This is a man whose reputation precedes him and the idea that I’ll have my first chance to meet n’ Jam with him really is an honor. The date has yet to be set but I will keep you posted when it is finalized. The Board just came to a decision on the August designee but I have been enjoined from sharing this information at this time. If I were pressed to offer a hint, said person might be traveling to NYC from a few time zone to the east. Hmmmmm…

Peace out, Yo!

TP, TJH

OOOOOOOOOOOO-WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I sit down at the computer intent on sharing more tales of plastic heroics but find myself reading about the German Championships (Congrats to Bo & Hartmut plus all the participants) and then about a Hammer-Gitosis (If it seems impossible then my vote goes to NYC’s own TO–I’m pretty certain he hit that move in a Jam once early last season, though he’s probably too modest to say so). Now I am really hyped up because this was a very special All*Star Thursday though it started innocently enough.

The day was warm as I entered the Meadow from my traditional Northwest with the familiar Central Park South skyline as a backdrop. A little humid maybe but not too hot for shredding. There were already a few folks out there with Guest Jammer Peter Laubert (he swears its pronounced “LauBEAR”), Richie Regs, and a surprise appearance by Bill Doobs to start us out along with Jamie-TJH, and Jestin Heaver. This was a good omen for me because it meant I could get my Heave on before Jamming which is ‘zackly the way I like it. Filling out the crowd were The Oracle, Quinn-O (poor fella was draped in in Yella this week), The Roginator & Tricia, Brad, Barb Heaver, Mary-Mary, TO and the Lovely Chrissy, Stump E. Fresh with BenJAMin ‘n Claire, Damion (Mighty Heaver and Godfather to my Carina, in from Paris), and finally, Jonathan Willett with his family in tow from Colorado. Another full house ready to REPRESENT!

I need to indulge the my passion for the basic throw and catch for a moment. As you all know I prefer to start play with Heaving because throwing long get the muscles loose and my internal tracking system properly calibrated. Jestin, Jaime-TJH, Damion and I are part of the Hard Corps of the Big Apple’s Original Heaver Division born in the 80’s and have not all been together on the field in close to 10-years. It started with J, J-TJH, and TP and we were locked in instantaneously. Jestin threw 5 straight 60 yard strikes to me and I mean I didn’t have to take a step to make the catch. In turn, I was firing forehands with impunity down to at distance Jaime and he launched high arcing flights of fancy that settled into Jestin’s waiting hands. When Damion joined in, a nice toss was transformed into the highest form of Hein. We paired up with two discs and the four of us went into a zone that was indescribable. Just two pairs of guys standing about 50-70 yards apart and throw everything in our respective arsenals. The best sequence came when several pairs of throws flew as if in formation without a word being spoken to coordinate their launch. It was great! Big hooks, knife edges, and one fine helix flight that just made my day. All of that and as we broke to hydrate, I looked over to see Willett crossing the field to join the fray at the Jam.

With the crowd we had, the Jams were plentiful and fluid with folks mixing and matching at will. My first Jam was a inspired by the sight of The Roginator and Peter L. tearin’ it up. I jumped up requesting permission to bust which was answered by a high-Z overhand counter just right for the TP express elevator set which I was able to work a bit, seal, and move along seamlessly. Peter’s rolls, mac throws and deft touch remain intact and it was a true Blessing to have our buddy back in town. We broke for fluids and next up for me was Rob who was revving his engines in the pits. He and I started hot and just as it was gettin’ good to us, a simple tap ended the life of yet another Urban Legends disc (If anybody at Discraft is listening: these things are expiring pre-prime too dang much!!!). What to do, what to do? My one disc is not broken-in and warped and that was Rob’s only one of the day. Hmmmm…

And who is it that Rob and I see chatting away with Willett while self-setting a chippy fresh A*T green disc? Why that would Ted Shred…”Say Teddy, are you just gonna stand there playing with, er, yourself?” 😉 He gladly passed it to Rob and I giggled like a kid eating purloined chocolate because we went huntin’ plastic, bagged that with TO to boot! What’s not to like??? This Jam was notable because any Jam featuring the artistry of TO and the incredibly precise disc knowledge and athleticism of Rob is gonna be quite the ride. There was no time for watching though because I ain’t no passenger in this journey. It was intense to start with and then like a bolt from the blue came Willett and the Heinometer went into the red. Yet another Blessing to have this man back in town (and with his family too!) to share in what is turning into an incredible A*T season.

Later on there were our Counter boys Bill Doobs and Richie Regs just goin’ nuts with TO and then came the seed for what became the Jam of the Day. The Oracle, The Rog-Man, Stump E. Fresh, and Rob got up together and this particular combination never ceases to amaze because everything is in play, no quarter is given, and no prisoners taken. Okay, the manly metaphor might be cliche, but if you saw the Jam you’d know what I mean. Stump’s vertical work, Roger flat out ambushing a Gitis, Rob hitting breathtaking combinations, and as for The Oracle…that &^$^$$# was a study in controlled chaos. Any move could happen at any time and you knew he was orchestrating it in advance so the next play, pass or seal, would push the state of the Jam higher. I dream of this level of understanding and continue to climb that mountain every time out.

Returning to the festivities – a bunch of people rotated in and out of that Jam and it morphed into a racing the dusk mob-op of legendary proportions. No mere listing of moves seems adequate when describing what we do so let me just say that what keeps us going, and people coming on in to my hometown is a never ending river of Flow. That and a peanut gallery ready to keep heads from swelling, LOL! Ah yes, speaking of which, Quinn-O the Yella continued the tradition of outstanding play attached to the Jaundiced Jersey. Next week’s designee is yet to be chosen since even Bradford T. was out so stay tuned for that one next week.

Speaking of next week–We are guaranteed a Guest Jammer as Bill Wright will be gracing us with his presence. This wonderful news for Hard Corps of the Big Apple. Unfortunately for me I will be out of town and The Board has not yet rendered judgement on my plea for leniency regarding my sojourn so I am prepared to feel the wrath if necessary. That is it for this week–I’m OUT!!!

TP, TJH

P.S. There’s an All*Star Sunday rain or shine and a even and A*Monday in honor of Fearless Lou who will be hitting the road. Be vewy, vewy quiet…he’s huntin’ Gitis. Hehehehehehehehe…

Hola mis amigos del plastico,

Even the best of runs comes to an end eventually. For the first time in 2007 there was nary a Guest Jammer in sight carrying that fresh blood to incite our weekly Phlauding frenzy. The day was warm and I arrived partially prepared as I nailed up in my office much to the bemusement of my boss who asked “WHAT are you doing????” The Tribe included The Ageless Trevor Brown, the officially Yella-gible Richie Regs, the consecutively Yella Rob (who acquitted himself admirably), TO and the Lovely Chrissy, Mary-Mary (Happy belated Birthday!!!), Doug E. Stump, our Martial Artist-in-Residence Phil Cruse, Jaime-TJH and Barb, along with the Roginator.

I changed into my gear and got into a quick heave with Jaime to loosen up and that was excellent though it didn’t match the one he and I shared on A*W (more on that later) where I was so locked in it felt like each throw was a mystical journey of flight. After tweaking my dang chronic elbow and breaking for hydration, I got up with Roger and then we were joined by Richie. We really got going after we swapped out a brand new disc for some sweet Urban Legends plastic. This Jam was interesting because Richie and Roger both play with such a high level of Frisbee intelligence that once we got into it there were special moments all over like Richie hitting a scraecrow brush set which I managed to seal with a flying under the leg catch or Roger with an amazing ‘instant’ Gitis off of a self set that at first glance seemed impossible. Next stop for me was a Margarita break where I espied my boy Fearless Lou and Ted Shred having at it.

I was thrilled to be able to bust this Jam because due to some good fortune on the acting biz front, this was to be Fearless’ last A*T for the next couple of month since he’s going outta town to perform. We all went at it hard with an assist from the Ageless Trevor Brown. Honestly this Jam is a complete blur to me. All I know is, it was Hein and I kept going until I literally dropped to the floor exausted and watched an inspired Mr. Lou and TO whacking away at it until the darkness overtook us. Please forgive the lack of details of this or other Jams, but truth be told I was so zoned into what I was doing I have had trouble even pulling this together.

I won’t be offering Jam of the Day honors this week because instead I’d like to bestow the Jammer of the Day moniker on Fearless Lou Sumrall. The Oracle’s return to NYC changed the dynamic in the NYC Jam scene and then TO ‘n Chrissy came marching into the Meadow bearing that big black bag full of All*Star Thursday shirts and discs to start our tradition. But I call Fearless the Soul of the Tribe due to his dedication, attack the disc/fun lovin’ attitude, and of course his endless ability to lead the peanut gallery in their chorus of good natured derision. I will miss him saying “That was great…until that last part” or calling me on spiking the disc in frustration right after I had gently admonished him for the same behavior. “Break a Leg” Fearless!!!!!! See you 6/3-4 for that pitstop.

The passing of the Yella Joisey this week had so many potential designees that coming to a decision was very difficult indeed. It appears that Bradford T. beat out Mark Sebastian and Quinn-O by a nose. Separately – There are some rumblings of a number of Guest Jammers coming to NYC including a certain former Noo Yawkuh with whom I played in my only tournament of this life, and another who has the Wright name to be recalled by anyone who loves flight. This is obviously good news and I hope it inspires thoughts of a NYC migration in all of you. Until next time…

TP, TJH

P.S. Much to my chagrin, not only did I go o-fer Gitis Day, but I missed my two best attempts by hitting the disc with my big fat hands…ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s off to Jam We Go…

We’re doubling up on the A*T Chronicles this week, but don’t fret. The news from NYC is good. We are in the midst of what has become a remarkable run on All*Star Thursdays because Guest Jammers just keep popping up from all over the place.

May 10th – This was a special day on many levels. Your intrepid reporter was double booked—I had All*Star Thursday and a special reception at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for work (a private tour of the new Greco-Roman Sculpture exhibition—FANCY!). I almost bailed but could not bear the thought because I knew Tommy L. and the ever patient and sweet Ilaria were back for their second and final appearance.

As I strolled across the Meadow (looking quite dapper in my shirt and tie) coming in from the Northeast, with the sun shining brightly and blue skies forever, I saw a huge crowd by the manhole. There was The Ageless Trevor Brown, Fearless Lou, Doug E. Fresh, Rob, TO and the Lovely Chrissy (bearer of the Sublime Beverage), Brad, Richie Regs, Bill Doobs, Mary-Mary, Susan, Barb & Jaime/TJH, Mighty Heaver, Dan Weiss, Sean Heaver, and The Oracle. This was as close to 100% attendance as we have ever had! The toughest part for me was I knew I could not really play having left my gear at home to prevent me from doing something irresponsible. So, I took of my shirt and did a quick Heave to loosen up and quick Jam to break a sweat and make certain I would not be Yella-gible for the next week. Since I had to split early, I can only share with you what I saw, which has been supplemented by Rob’s recollections.

Let your imagination run free for a moment as I describe the combination of players comprising our Jam of the Day. Fresh was looking for a “B” Jam because he has a torn Brevis tendon in his ankle so he got Rob up to play and they were immediately joined by the “better at 75% than most of us are at 110%, Ted Shred.” For NYC this is a normal combination—talented and intense, but not terribly unique. As they begin to get some rhythm, Tommy stepped in and as Rob put it “That was that, for the “B” Jam.”

The shredding began in earnest now so when The Oracle stepped up, “…it went to ELEVEN!!!” What I saw was really something to behold. The disc knowledge, energy, Flow, and plain fun were really just amazing. It was at this point that I had to leave but here are two critical observations for you:

The Oracle – “Tommy was playing out of his mind! He did a Clock UD tip/brush combo which led to a kick-brush turnover to a Counter delay which he in turn crushed into a scarecrow seal”

Rob – “I stepped out and Roger stepped in. At one point they hit 3 co-ops in a row, all Hein, ALL ENDING IN GITIS: One by Ted, one by Doug, and one by Tommy… even Joey was hitting rare Joey Gitis in that jam. I’m glad I was part of that as I usually don’t get involved in the best jam on Thursday”

Mr. Fried, acquitted himself quite nicely in the Cowardly Coverlet which he wore under mild protest, showing once again that being a good sport does count among our brethren. We were not entirely certain who should be wearin’ the Yella rag next since we had 100% attendance but that became a non-issue as you shall see.

May 17th – The weather was cooler when I arrived at the Meadow with dark clouds to the North, but that didn’t slow down the Hard Corps of The Big Apple. The crew was considerable smaller this week with Fearless, Richie Regs (who is now Yella-gible for the first time), Quinn-O, The Ageless Trevor Brown, TO and the Lovely Chrissy, Jill, Claire, and BenJAMin along with one unfamiliar face.

Craig Simon came in from Florida making it 4 straight weeks with an out-of-town Jammer in the House. This was excellent news of course. Nothing like a little more Fresh Blood to get folks amped up.

I played pretty much from the moment I got there until the end of the last Jam so I could really watch too much. The first Jam was Roger, Richie, and Quinn-O which ended abruptly when Richie tapped the disc using his mighty strength and cracked it in half. Craig, Trevor and I got up to get loose and had much fun until we too experience the awful loss of plastic in the prime of flight. Craig’s way of attacking the disc and making plays in the Flow of the game was awesome. Later on he said he was nervous playing with me because he thought I’d be watching with my journalist’s hat on, keeping an eye out for drops or something.

Puh-LEEEZE! No judgments from this corner—I’m just a happy observer of the art.

I have a slight dilemma in sharing the A*T story today. I don’t like to talk about me or my own play much because: 1) Who wants to hear about ‘Triple A’ players when the Major Leaguers are around?; 2) I’d rather talk about others who have talents and abilities I aspire to achieve. So, I was involved in what became the Jam of the Day.

It started innocently enough with Shreddy Teddy and I getting up and having my boy Fearless join in shortly thereafter. Ted noticed that the three of us seem to get together for the late Jam a lot and with that, we were off and running. We had a nice stretch where the disc moved around like a pinball with barely a moment of delaying. It was move-move-pass, move-move-pass, move-move-seal time and time again. In the background I could hear The Oracle leading the peanut gallery as we got hotter. Then TO threw a nasty Counter UD in my direction for which I had only on possible play: Throw a limb at it! I went for and nailed a right-footed kick-brush that went straight, flat, and true to TO, who of course finished with a crazy combination and even more unbelievable seal. The Oracle just went nuts on the sideline saying “Paul, that was incredible! You took it to 11 right there!” I was too busy playing to be floored but the smile on my face as I heard his voice echoing through my mostly empty cranium could not be knocked off with a sledgehammer. This spectacle inspired Craig to come and get him some and then Stump Mitchell (aka Fresh) got up as well. This 5-man mob-op just kept dialing it up until all heck broke loose. I can’t recall too many more sequences but I know I saw me a Doug Mug on Stump’s face and TO did this crazy pretzel looking delay which he then dropped down to catch as a Gitis by his ankle. Shucks, I sprained my back just looking at him move and this continued until it got dark.

You might have noticed that I didn’t mention the Jaundiced Jersey so far. You see, Rob has a very big problem—he washed an folded it up in preparation for sharing it with the Board’s designee. It looked so nice sitting there by his bed that he figured he’d leave it there as a decoration.

This of course means that there was no big decision to make after our 100% attendance day. Mr. Fried volunteered to wear the rag for the rest of the summer which the Board took under advisement but given his record of Hein behavior, decided to hold to the current procedures. That’s it for now…

Peace Out, Yo!

TP, TJH



Whassup to all the People of Plastic across our small world!

Really cool to hear all the talk about hard pack vs. carpet in preparation for the Worlds. The sense of anticipation is quite evident in all the postings so I suspect there will be some ground shaking stuff regardless of the conditions.

Which of course we don’t need here. 😉

Last week on April 19th we broke in the 2007 season with a small but intense tribal gathering. The day began as many other had ’round these parts of late–overcast and chilly. But just as I was considering alternative thoughts, the clarion call went out among the Hard Corps of the Big Apple. I was actually first to arrive to and empty meadow which was unusually lush and verdant due to the record 8″ of rain Central Park received while VA’s shredfest was being driven indoors. I was followed in short order by Quinn-O and Fearless Lou. We got moving first to get warmed up and then because it was fun! Fresh, Joey, Ted with the Lovely Chrissy toting a batch of that Nectar, and Mary-Mary rounded out our field. It was really a mix and match type of day with everyone rotating and ending in a nice mob-op. The Oracle himself was Yella from our last gathering of ’06 but he acquitted himself quite nicely resplendent in La Camisa Amarilla and Rob was voted the most Yella of dem all for the next week’s gathering.

Now the April 26th edition was notable because we had our first official Guest Jammers as Bethany and Rodney Sanchez came in from Milwaukee to represent. Bill Doobs (elder child in tow) and Richie Regs (newly returned from Miami for his daughter’s wedding), Roger Ramjet, Joey, Fresh, Rob, Quinn-O, Fearless Lou, Teddy-O with Double Batch Chrissy, and Barak coming in for the late shift. I was too busy Jamming to do much watching but here are the Jams I was in for a taste of what we done did…

I started with Roger to loosen up the limbs. We had a real sweet green Urban Legends disc which lasted about 10 minutes after Fearless joined us causing its untimely demise with an application of his prodigious foot-bone. It was okay though because we at least broke a sweat along with the plastic. My next Jam was with Rodney and Bethany which was smooth as silk. They both understood flow so with the former’s dainty Tea-Bags ‘n brushes and the latter’s tight throws n’ seals, we had a blast. Rob, celebrating his birthday in style, rotated between us and a Jam with Joey, Fresh, and Roger while Ted, Quinn-O and Regs were doing damage elsewhere. It was during his second shift with us that things got special. We all got into a groove where the there was much movement with few drops. At one point Bethany fired a 25 yard low line drive towards me after a nice roaming brush/roll combo. I really only had one play which was to throw a limb at it. I managed to do a kick brush which sent the disc on a 90 degree correction straight for Rob with ZZZZZZ’s to spare which he converted with a crazy combo and spinning behind the head seal. I was stoked!! Always remember: Ya’ Gotta Go For It in order to make the play!

There were many other shredful moments during that Jam and after we broke for some liquids, I joined in with Fresh, Joey, and Roger. This Jam had all the ingredients for supreme hein-iosity and there was no disappointment. Fresh, though hobbled by an ugly ankle, was his normal insane self drawing applause when he did an ‘Around an Extremely Small World’ which covered 8 square feet but was accomplished with such a deft touch as to be amazing. Roger was just terrific, with his reliable self getting in perfect position for seal after monsterous seal. The Oracle was a completely different story. Last season Fresh mentioned that in each Jam they played in together there would always be a “He’s Joey and I’m not” moment. Yesterday HE WENT OFF!!! I won’t even try to describe all of the various combinations because my words (and you know I have plenty of adjectives) just can’t do justice to what I witnessed and participated in. My favorite sequence came when Roger threw a wicked Counter UD which I followed with another miracle kick–this time a right foot inside foot brush which I sent straight over to Joey who played it into a Mon Veneris (UD roll to the delay) combo seal. Right after that Barak, who was a late arrival joined us for our Last Licks and his energy got us revved up to an even higher level. This guy is an amazing athlete with great Disc instincts and he plays with a hunger that will help keep the NYC scene amped up for as long as he’s here. During our last sequence of the day Joey hit a roll up the arm to a behind the head seal, I followed with a lumbering big air under the leg catch and Barak went for and nailed the biggest Gitis of the day to seal the deal. I wish all y’all could’ve been here to share in the fun!!!

Jam of the Day Honors go to…drum roll please…EVERY ^$%% ONE!!!!!!! It was all good in the grand NYC flow-filled tradition. Now while Rob was supposed to wear the Jaundiced Jersey this week and even offered to wear it dirty (Yuck!!!)

Unfortunately, a certain rag-bearer noted for his play earlier neglected to bring the thing out because it was in the laundry basket. This will make next week’s hazing that much more gleeful for us all. Fearless is already sharpening his quips for the occasion so The Oracle better wear kevlar under that thing.

Keep it Heinous everybody!!!

Tall Paul, The Jammin’ Heaver

Hello to all,

I’ve been quiet the past few weeks but the doesn’t mean the A*T action here in NYC has been any less heinous. We have had consistantly high turnouts and the level of play has been just as lofty.

The Yella Designees since the last report were the Ageless Trevor Brown, who did his penance with dignity and Joey who protested vehemently at his dishonor. You see, he was sorta on the DL but apparently made some comments which the Board took as a challenge. Ultimately he said “I’ll wear that damn thing next Spring but I ain’t puttin’ it on now” (he might have added a Harumph, but I could hear that over the catcalls led by Fearless Lou). The Final wearer of the Canary Coverlet this past week was the originator, Teddy O himself. He was in attendance last week but I think he wanted the additional inspiration for the last A*T Jam of the season.

One of the toughest things to do when writing up the Chronicles is recall all of the pairings/combinations of players and the manner in which the often disparate elements come together. This week the hard Corps of the Big Apple was put to the test as we had a real Fall afternoon. The high temperature of the day was about 50 dgrees and the sun had already dropped behind the TimeWarner Center on Columbus Circle and that other monstrosity under construction on the site of the old Mayflower Hotel. I was first on hand followed by Bradford Tiberius Keller and then Fearless Lou. Fresh was next to arrive, then TO with the Lovely Chrissy, Quinn-O, Roger, The Ageless Trevor Brown, Joey (serving as the peanut gallery) along with Eddie Elkin, a founding member of the SUNY @ Binghamton Ultimate team and a friend of mine from the old neighborhood. Brad and I got up first–really to stay warm and we got going pretty good, though I gotta admit my hands never really warmed up so I was not able to throw any forehands and those bashes and brushes were rather painful. It was still fun of course. When it was time to hydrate I chose to indulge by visiting the portable Margaritaville provided by the Lovely Chrissy which we all have been extremely grateful for.

Since there was still a chill in the air and the light was rapidly fading everyone got moving quickly. Quinn, Fresh, and Roger got into a very nice flow while Brad and Trevor did some semi-heaving. My next Jam was with TO and Fearless Lou, a combination which always is interesting. The latter has been practicing all types of new stuff and has added a mean Scarecrow seal to go with the rest of his new and improved skills. The former, well, what can I say about TO at this point? Hmmm, how about Joey complaining that the Gitis Mallet was idle for far too long and within a minute there’s Teddy Ballgame nailing a Gitis PULL into an otherworldly combination and a double spinning barrelroll seal? Not quite enough for you? There was a double leg-over followed by a what seemed like a Baker’s Dozen roll combo sealed with a crazy Phlaud. This got me ‘n Lou all het up and the three of us got the fires blazing. We had two O’Malley sequences including one where Lou chomped down on a Scarecrow and I came thisclose to hittin’ that long hoped for Gitis off the set. Fresh and Quinn-O came in for the last of the last Jams and we all turned it up a notch since we knew the coming of Eastern Standard Time meant the end of the 2006 Sheeps Meadow A*T Season.

Jam of the Day Honors go to…EVERY DAMN JAM OF THIS DAY!!!!!!!! There ain’t nothin’ quite like the Hard Corp of the Big Apple getting together to do that Voodoo that WE ALL do so well! The 1st Yella Jersey Designee for Spring ’07 is Joey and TO is gonna keep it nice and warm for him.

I’m going to put together an 2006 All*Star Thursday Year Ender so if anyone out there was a Guest Jammer (Jan, Phillip, Schillz, Gary A. and so many more) or has their own A*T story from their own hometown and would like to share it, drop me a line. In the meantime…KEEP SPREADING THE JAM WHERE EVER U B AT!!!!!!!

TP, TJH