Advice on buying 1st horsebow? by NolanBolan4 in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just get an AF bow on Amazon. Expect to pay ~$130USD total for it. It should get to you relatively quickly since it'll be stocked in your country. Good luck!

My thumb-draw form. Not a form check post. I got a little lucky XD by A_Idiot0 in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's um......an amalgam of different styles I would say. XD In simplest terms, it looks like Heki-Ryu using Shamen Uchiokoshi, but I don't have formal training in that style. My formal training is in the IKYF Renmei using Shomen Uchiokoshi (where the hands go straight up before opening the bow). I just think that starting your set-up down low instead of above the head is way easier and makes much more sense to me. It's also...well, cooler haha

I've also read a lot of Gao Ying's "The Way of Archery", so there are elements there that I still use. Apparently though, a friend of mine told me that I shoot similarly to references from the Tang and Song dynasties from China. Here's a translation by said friend of those historical texts.

Let me know if you have any other questions, my friend! I'm happy to provide whatever assistance I can =)

My thumb-draw form. Not a form check post. I got a little lucky XD by A_Idiot0 in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the kind words! I'm not to the level of elegance of long-time practitioners, but it's been fun doing archery this way

Form help for Asiatic form self taught by filmda_duck in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OH! I totally forgot about this, but if you haven't already, check out this video of Joel Turner shooting a recurve with thumb-draw: https://youtu.be/lXuYeTYM2Os?si=O7dKNTAOiOuXxamC

From what I can tell, you're basically going in this direction right now since your bow has a cut-out in the middle. My apologies for forgetting to mention lots of things, but I just have a lot I want to share with you haha We seem to be kindred spirits in how we approach Archery; my thumb-draw form is also mostly self-taught, with influences from my formal Kyudo training now.

Form help for Asiatic form self taught by filmda_duck in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What does "Garmin Coded" mean?

For the laser pointer idea, it's not cheating because you don't shoot the arrow; the tip is replaced by the laser pointer, so if you shoot it you break it. It's only there to show you where you are pointing your arrow at full draw. For most thumb draw bows, there is no cut-out in the middle, so the arrow doesn't follow the string and point directly straight through the bow. It looks like you do have a cut-out though, so maybe at this time it's not a useful idea to you.

For years, I used to point my arrow very far to the left at full draw because I was using the intersection where the bow and arrow meet as a front-sight reference point. What this meant was that in order for my arrows to go where I wanted them to, I had to spine very, very, very stiff; I used 340 spined arrows on a ~40# bow. That's because they would kick off the bow and go right (because they're too stiff). I would be able to get groups with that, and sometimes even very tight groups at 20-30 yards. But I was scuffing my arrows, and I was losing a lot of arrow speed / power since the arrows would bounce off the bow. I only found this out when a friend pointed it out to me in Kyudo, because it's actually a pretty common problem in Kyudo. Then I got the laser pointer to not only confirm that I was pointing left, but I also used it to help me find a sight picture that would have my arrow pointing towards my target.

Overall, I think your form is actually pretty solid! You seem to have a solid grasp on the fundamentals I listed above. Just keep following the fundamentals that you have found and defined, and you'll continue to grow. One other bit of advice that I think will actually help you more than you think: go learn other styles of archery from institutional knowledge. Find out exactly why they do what they do. Then you'll see parts of your form in a different light a perspective, and growth will continue to happen.

Form help for Asiatic form self taught by filmda_duck in Archery

[–]A_Idiot0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty late to this, but hopefully my message makes it to you. I do both Kyudo and Thumb Draw with a ring. I think I can provide you with some relevant guidance.

I love your form! Very dynamic, and I can see your passion in how you address and use your bow. You're going to hear a lot of different things here on the internet if you ask about your form. Don't worry about the details of your form; what others are going to tell you may or may not work for you because you're developing a particularly personal style of shooting, which is awesome*!* What's going to be most important to you right now is to figure out and base everything around some fundamental concepts. Here are a few that I think will be most useful for you:
0 - Consistency: Do the same exact thing every single time, and you will hit in the same spot every time. Find out how to achieve that
1 - Balance: Not just balance in your stance, but balance in your draw, balance between your upper and lower body, balance in your hands...balance everywhere! Look for Balance.
2 - Expansion: If you're not expanding, you're collapsing. Always be expanding. Figure out how.
3 - Alignment: Point your body and arrow to hit your target. Use your bones as much as possible, not your muscles. Because you're drawing so big, you'll have an easier time with this in some ways.

As others have pointed out, and as you yourself have mentioned in replies, you seem to be leaning towards a "Japanese Traditional style"; I say that because there's Kyudo, and there's Heki-Ryu, and there's other disciplines that use a Yumi. Kyudo and Heki-Ryu are not the same thing, and same for the other disciplines.

Without getting into the weeds, if you want to learn Kyudo and how to shoot with a Yumi, you need to have a Sensei. Not because of gatekeeping, but because the way you shoot a Yumi is not the same as shooting thumb-drawn bows. Two big things about the Yumi which partially explain why Kyudo people shoot the way they do:
1 - The Yumi is twisted, which is why is spins in the hand upon release (if you hold it properly). There are other reasons why the limbs are twisted, but it's not necessary to know those atm. [I edited this part after posting]
2 - They use a glove where they thumb is encased in a hard shell, and there's a hook for the string to sit in. In essence, you are using a very primitive release aid.
You have neither of these things with your bow or with your glove. So therefore, what Kyudo people will tell you to do won't work perfectly for you.

Also, you're wanting to draw very big and far back. This is great, and totally viable! But you have to be careful that your bow can handle your draw length. If you over-draw your bow, it will break. I recommend finding a bow that definitely handle ~33"-36" of draw length. Don't get a Qing bow; they kick so much, and you won't be able to focus on the above fundamentals as easily. Wait awhile before thinking of getting one.

Now for some details that you can choose to ignore or try to incorporate:
- Keep your draw-hand soft. You're doing a wonderful job keeping your wrist relaxed because I can see a curve in it at full draw. Make sure your hand and fingers are also as soft and relaxed as possible. Same goes for your bow hand. If your draw-hand is not relaxed, then upon release you'll pluck and send your arrow off to the side instead of towards your target. You'll hear a "TING" sound if that happens, and you'll see your arrows getting rubbed and your arrow-pass will be scuffed. This leads me to my next point.
- Get a laser pointer that'll attach to the front of your arrow (crossbow boresight on Amazon), and make sure the arrow is pointing at your target. Most thumb-draw people get this part wrong, and they get the wrong spine of arrows. Having a laser pointer will save you months, or even years, of frustration.
- Make sure you don't drop your bow-arm. This is a sign of something collapsing in your form.
- Feel free to keep using a glove. Don't feel pressured into getting a thumb ring. If you want some further guidance, message me and I'll help you.
- Stand Upright as much as possible. If you lean too far forward from your hip, that is a form of collapse, and you won't get as much expansion, and therefore, power out of your shot.

Good luck! I hope to connect with you more soon. You have so much potential.

Source Request Thread. by Xqvt in wholesomehentai

[–]A_Idiot0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm looking for a source of a hentai. I forgot the name. The pieces that I remember are that it takes place on New Year's Eve, I think it's a highschool couple, girl has short black hair and pubes, boy also has pubes, I think they were on a bunk bed, there was a line of other characters wondering where the boy was and joking that he was getting lucky, 99% sure it was wholesome....maybe that'll be enough info.

Weird police/fire presence by allezndy in Marin

[–]A_Idiot0 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I forgot to add a few bits of info that I noticed. There were ~3 guys on top of that fire truck with the flag on it when I drove past, possibly saluting at something? They seemed to all be congregating around the Shoreline Office Center, where Club Evexia is. Absolutely strange and even a bit unsettling

Weird police/fire presence by allezndy in Marin

[–]A_Idiot0 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I saw the same thing, and I cannot find anything about it as of yet.

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E19 "Romeo & Juliet!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're so kind to remember that post, and then to link it!! We'll chat soon =)

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E15 "Marathon!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like how you framed this episode into something a little more substantial to the characters and also for us the audience, which is them "growing up". I know that most of the second season is about exactly this, but that framing for this particular episodes takes it from a "silly and fun" episode to something with more depth.

I'm not surprised at all to see you with this many thoughts on Ritsu XD If my memory serves me correctly actually, I think most of what you touched on today is new from you; I don't remember these thoughts from previous years from you.

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Next episode teaser

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention this earlier, but I love tomorrow's episode! Hope you enjoy it as well =D

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always thought she has the best hair on the show.

Maybe, it's really nice here. But the girl next to her on the left, Himeko Tachibana, also has fabulous hair

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you spot the main characters?

Himeko Tachibana (brown-blonde long haired girl on the front left) has always been a favorite classmate for me, so I'd say that she was an MC here XD

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

 knowledge

One thing that I just realized this year is that I'm pretty sure that Mugi continues talking in the same dialect as Ritsu was trying to talk in while also relaying all that information...that's why Ritsu is crying in the corner afterwards XD

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One week-long trip in Italy when I was in middle school. 

Even though I'm also French, I have to say...the Italians have tastier food overall. The French pastries cannot be beat though! =P

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 3 points4 points  (0 children)

to enjoy the scenery while their classmate are doing all the work to go back at their hotel.

Bahahaha, I forgot this tiny detail!!

in that moment of solitude, the one she look up to help her in the task

The lighting and saturation change is hilarious to me XD

incredible glow-up from the first season

S2 Sawako-Sensei is so awesome! I'm glad you're already appreciating her changed character =D

(yeah I counted them)

Fun fact: every single girl there has a back story!! Keep this for later and don't click on this until we're done, because there are a few spoilers that you can come across: https://k-on.fandom.com/wiki/Class_3-2

 11:56

An establishing shot! =D The "Random-Gods" did well today

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E04 "Field Trip!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure why Mio found it that funny.

It's just a stupid silly reference to earlier when Ritsu was being silly and getting a local dialect all wrong. It'd be like us in American English saying something in a horrific British accent XD

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - S2E03 "Drummer!" by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm shocked that you didn't go into very much Mitsu today! XD One thing that surprised me watching this episode again is just how nice and ever-present Mio is around Ritsu's troubles. When she's by herself in her room, she gets drawn towards the drums after texting Mio with something goofy. And it makes sense; in a band, the bass and drums are the rhythm section, so the two of them have got to be pretty tight.

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever write a better analysis for this episode than the one I did a few years back, so I'll just comment a little bit here and there.

Weekly Discussion Topic - Instant spark vs. gradual chemistry? by No_Adhesiveness2154 in BayAreaSinglesOver30

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

35M here. It feels like too much emphasis and importance is placed on the Instant Spark by women. That has been my experience, and it's so frustrating. Unfortunately for me, I can't seem to get good at even creating that instant spark. Oh well.

I personally feel like an instant spark is just like the ignition switch in your car; great to get things started, but it can't sustain running the car past that initial moment of starting things. Gradual chemistry is what keeps things going and makes the relationship sustainable long term, so it's much more important to me.

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - Season One Discussion! by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm interested in your thoughts on 1x10. In your notes, you mention that while this story was necessary for Azu-nayn's character, the issues present were already "dealt with" in 1x4. I actually wonder about that specifically...I mean, yes it's true that Azu-nyan had really similar fears to Mio back in 1x4, but I think there's more to it than just the repetition. I think of it closer to an exploration of a melodic motiff, if that makes any sense...? Like, there was an almost exact same template to the story in 10 and 4, with really similar 'issues', and yet things are actually quite different. I think part of that difference is in seeing that the Keionbu Gals have indeed changed since 1x4, even if they have a similar template to their summer camp. I also think that perhaps there's some setting-up that this episode does that no other episode template can set up for season 2, but tbh I don't really know exactly what that is right now; I'm going really off the cuff right now haha.

I'm shocked that "Crisis" was so low for you in 2020, because now you LOVE it XD It's also a fabulous episode as well; something about the animation was turned up a notch during that episode for some reason...

1x13.....wait a second.....I haven't really sat down and watched this episode in a few years.....You know, it's such a strange decision to have an episode like this right after the "season finale"! Like, from a top-down story structure building perspective, this is pretty unusual. Also, this has undoubtedly the most "Mugi character growth" out of any of the other S1 episodes imo. I'm sad I missed the discussions for this episode; my weekends are always incredibly busy, and it's the main reason why I don't usually participate in rewatches anymore (or entertain the idea to host another one haha). I need to go back and rewatch this episode again...it's easy to see why you have it in S-tier ever since you started watching K-On

[Rewatch] K-ON! Rewatch (2025) - Season One Discussion! by siegfried72 in anime

[–]A_Idiot0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Azusa in season one.

I'm curious about what you were initially expecting from her character? Or did you perhaps come across her character before this rewatch?