lol.  Episode 1 is on youtube.  They didn't mute that video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3PRAdH9Jqc&feature=channel_page
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My computer died (blue screen =  ).  I'm typing this on my new one.  So, those are now the only versions of these two videos.  Sorry guys.

Last week's jam video:

Youtube hated me, so I posted it on blip and embedded it here:

http://www.standingbynight.com-a.googlepages.com/kcsouthlandparkour

Lol.  I meant in the general term, like "huMANity."  Heh.  But thanks, Eli.  It's so hard to be politically correct these days.

Wow.  Envy.  I would kill for a spot like there here in KC... *sigh*

Done and done!

Thanks for the question about the description of parkour.  I get asked all the time, but I've never actually sat down and thought out an answer before.  I write much better than I talk, and I'm pleased with what I hammered out:


[Parkour is...] A physical discipline in which your goal is to master how your body is capable of interacting with the environment around you, by training a combination of creative and efficient movements as a means of overcoming obstacles and taking a more direct path.  The underlying ideal is "to be strong to be useful" and careful, diligent progress is emphasized.  Strength, balance, coordination, and improvisation are all essential skills for success in parkour training.  Were one to witness a practitioner of parkour (called a "traceur") in action, they would observe a man running, vaulting, rolling, climbing, and even crawling at times in a clear direction.  The idea is to move fluidly and maintain momentum in the desired direction, without being slowed or stopped by obstacles in the path (be they stairs, a wall, a railing, a gap, etc.).

That is parkour in a nutshell.

Awesome job!  I think mine is still around 8, with ideal conditions.

Can't wait to hear about your progress by the end of the summer!  Do you have any specific goals?

Two things:

1) I ran out of money.  And I'm getting laid off in a few months.

2) My mom surprised me that she's coming down next weekend.

After driving all the way from Chicago to see me, I doubt she'll be up for driving for three hours for a BBQ...

Sorry, Eli.  I was really looking forward to seeing you guys again.  We'll have to wait until later in the summer or something.  Hope I can see you on your way out of town.  Or until I get a real motorcycle and can drive down and visit.  Not gonna make it on my moped (as funny and "Dumb and Dumber" as that would be...).

Next week. May 9. 11am. Loose Park (off Wornall).  Be there. 

Wait, it's a big place... Well, specifically, I think we're meeting/parking in the lot near the little pond/stream/fountain place.  There's also a concrete overhang place with oversized picnic tables at the top of the hill.  Don't turn on 59th and head towards the rose garden.  Stay on Wornall and it should be your next left (if you're heading north).  Little driveway/entrance.  Can't miss it.

I'm free on Mondays! Like, all day! Until evening.

Sorry you can't make it.  And be kind to your knee. Hope it heals well and fast.  We'll let you know how it goes.  Keep training and see you next week?

Thanks for coming, guys! I'm sorry sorry I was late. And it sucks that the place turned out to be such a flop. I was hoping we could train on the campus.  Oh well.

Here's a (very late and last minute) update on this week's training.  Since that spot wasn't very good, I thought we could try something a little different.  Here's the info (under "MO Jams").

Last week was a blast, considering the spots we found were majorly lame.  Sorry about that, guys.  I didn't realize how off limits the campus was going to be.  I had really set my hopes on it.


Well, I did some more scoping out for this week (tomorrow).  Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. It's *hard* to find good spots around here! :-/

But I did! :-D

I present to you... Swope Park!  Admittedly, it's a rather spread out area.  I went cruising around there yesterday afternoon, taking advantage of the nice weather, and observed the following possibilites:

-Rocks, boulders, and curbs for precisions
-Benches, tables, and rocks for vaults
-Structures for vaulting and climbups
-Creeks and ditches for gaps/precisions/climbups
-Shelters for rain cover if needed
-Plenty of grass and cement for roll drills
-Open land for sprint drills

In other words: Nature parkour galore, and the best game of tag EVER.  This place would be great for getting some really good quality training in.  Not only can we get some great conditioning in, but there's something for everyone, no matter what you want to work on.  And the scenery is beautiful.

It is a big place, so here's a more specific address to meet at: 5900 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO, United States

Look it up on Google Maps, and then check out the street view.  You'll need to turn around from the direction "street view" will first face you.  Behind the garbage truck? That's the shelter where we can meet. It's by the Lake of the Woods.

10:30 seemed like a good time last week, so let's try it again (and I won't be late this time *fingers crossed*).


SUMMARY:

Where? 5900 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO, United States (Google Maps--> street view--> the shelter behind the garbage truck)
When? 10:30AM Saturday until.... *shrug*
What? Parkour training, conditioning, camaraderie, jamming
Who? All South KC traceurs/traceuses/freerunners/etc.
What to bring? Water, sunscreen, snack? Up to you.

Maybe pack a small lunch or we could have a small BBQ or something?  That may be much easier to work out with more planning...


EDIT:  My cell number: 847-873-2353

I know I'm not local, but I could only come Saturday the 9th, then. Would it be possible to have a place to crash that night and leave Sunday?

So, about the south KC training this Saturday... Yes, it's still on.  But can we make it 10:30, instead of 10?  Even with coffee, every extra minute to sleep in on Saturday is helpful.

Win! Plus one from the Pun Queen for that one.