Several of you have PM'd me as I was approaching post #2000. Well, this was post 2,001. it has been a Space Odyssey of sorts and perhaps a milestone. First, let me say this forum is not, and has never been, about me. It is about US and our love for all things speed bag. It is also about this unique band of baggers that come and join. Some stay, some cruise, some post and probably much more lurk, but no matter - We are here, and this forum works because EVERYONE makes a contribution. I wrote The Speed Bag Bible in hopes that some folks that loved the speed bag, lurking somewhere around the world, would want a program dedicated to them, that could teach them more than they knew. I really believed they were out there. That desire didn't start with me, there were many before, such as Showtime Johnny Pal, my coach Roy Schroeder, Ernie Oriente, George Kam, etc., personally teaching well before I did. I just completed my own dream of it by putting it in writing. That was before the massive expansion of the 'net, and youtube, and a forum like this.
Now, over the course of the past 2000 posts, I have met some of THE BEST PEOPLE in the world, the BEST BAGGERS in the world, and have lived to see others doing things (combinations..) on the speed bag I never imagined, at speeds far beyond mine, and those with Punch Drumming skills that have me clapping and screaming for more. Several members will soon be laying down punch drumming tracks and performances that will also find me in their rear views. It's not hard to see that coming or understand why. Jack Nicholas smiled and winked as Tiger Woods passed him by, just as my teacher smiled with a nod as I passed him by. That's fine with me, and the natural order of things. Every teacher prays that one of his own may eclipse them and carry their teachings foreward. I can sleep well knowing that is happening, and it has been an honor to read and type among you. I hope some of it has been instructive, or at least the reading of it a cure for your insomnia.
Think a moment what the posts on this forum has done for us all. It's bringing many of us together, Personally - inside the legendary Speed Bag Truck at Foreigner concerts, inside the House of Blues, inside boxing gyms, our own garages and perhaps to a grand gathering in one location. It's bringing the speed baggers OF THE WORLD together. We've got members and friends throughout the USA, Europe, England, Asia, Australia, China and points beyond. We're sharing pictures of our kids and lives. We're sending each other equipment. We've got Spoofers, Punch drummers, Real Drummers, Psycho baggers, Skunks, Godzilla's, Dogtokes, Ph.Ds, M.D. Engineers, scuba divers, Tatoo artists, and probably a partridge in a pear tree lurking under a keyboard somewhere. Is that great or what??
I have gained many things from my nightly visits here, most importantly the sense of Belonging - being one with a group who either DO understand why we're here and want to learn the ways of the bag. For those that want to learn I have typed long and hard on occassion, and perhaps obsessively, but I confess I have never been one for moderation. I really believe everyone can learn, or at least understand how the bag works, or some technique or combo.. IF they can just hear or read an explanation they can understand.
But I just wanted to thank you all for making this forum what it is. Tim for handling the forum as he does, Always online and quietly eliminating the spam and junk behind the scenes that reduces most forums to crap. The video posters for taking the shot to bare it all and post your vids for review, and the forum members for keeping their comments respectful, insightful, hopeful and spam free. Many have learned much because of "our" efforts, and I'm hoping my next 2000 will be as fun as these past ones have been.
OK. thanks for reading. Now get back under your board....
Now, over the course of the past 2000 posts, I have met some of THE BEST PEOPLE in the world, the BEST BAGGERS in the world, and have lived to see others doing things (combinations..) on the speed bag I never imagined, at speeds far beyond mine, and those with Punch Drumming skills that have me clapping and screaming for more. Several members will soon be laying down punch drumming tracks and performances that will also find me in their rear views. It's not hard to see that coming or understand why. Jack Nicholas smiled and winked as Tiger Woods passed him by, just as my teacher smiled with a nod as I passed him by. That's fine with me, and the natural order of things. Every teacher prays that one of his own may eclipse them and carry their teachings foreward. I can sleep well knowing that is happening, and it has been an honor to read and type among you. I hope some of it has been instructive, or at least the reading of it a cure for your insomnia.
Think a moment what the posts on this forum has done for us all. It's bringing many of us together, Personally - inside the legendary Speed Bag Truck at Foreigner concerts, inside the House of Blues, inside boxing gyms, our own garages and perhaps to a grand gathering in one location. It's bringing the speed baggers OF THE WORLD together. We've got members and friends throughout the USA, Europe, England, Asia, Australia, China and points beyond. We're sharing pictures of our kids and lives. We're sending each other equipment. We've got Spoofers, Punch drummers, Real Drummers, Psycho baggers, Skunks, Godzilla's, Dogtokes, Ph.Ds, M.D. Engineers, scuba divers, Tatoo artists, and probably a partridge in a pear tree lurking under a keyboard somewhere. Is that great or what??
I have gained many things from my nightly visits here, most importantly the sense of Belonging - being one with a group who either DO understand why we're here and want to learn the ways of the bag. For those that want to learn I have typed long and hard on occassion, and perhaps obsessively, but I confess I have never been one for moderation. I really believe everyone can learn, or at least understand how the bag works, or some technique or combo.. IF they can just hear or read an explanation they can understand.
But I just wanted to thank you all for making this forum what it is. Tim for handling the forum as he does, Always online and quietly eliminating the spam and junk behind the scenes that reduces most forums to crap. The video posters for taking the shot to bare it all and post your vids for review, and the forum members for keeping their comments respectful, insightful, hopeful and spam free. Many have learned much because of "our" efforts, and I'm hoping my next 2000 will be as fun as these past ones have been.
OK. thanks for reading. Now get back under your board....
Comment