The frisbee bug is a virus. I caught it in summer 2016. I just wanted to play. I worked out four days a week. I learned how to throw a flick farther than 20 yards. How else could I get better? I watched film. I recorded myself and requested more throwing feedback. The grind was sweet and the rewards were sweeter.
I had the bug in 2017 & 2018, and even 2019, but I don't have it anymore. I haven't lifted since a month before regionals. I haven't been throwing more than twice a week since sectionals & I've been feeling like I'm on autopilot since July. I wasn't getting excited for practice & I'm not upset now that the season's over.
I'm not sure how I lost the bug. It's tempting to blame Birdfruit, but that's selfish and doesn't really line up since BF was a real fun team with some real fun ballers. Mixed doesn't seem like a good culprit either since mixed mini & regionals in college was one of my favorite parts about frisbee. Plus mixed teams in Seattle are a competitive bunch.
Work might be to blame. After switching teams, expectations have grown and I'm finding myself spending longer days at work, investing more mental energy into my time in the office, etc. But this is the classic excuse, ('I have too much homework!,'), so it doesn't count either.
My shoulder injury might be the cause. My left shoulder subpluxes or slides on about 3 out of 4 layouts and sometimes while extending upwards quickly. Physical matchups can also knock it loose. I'm laying out less frequently and playing more timidly as a result. This doesn't hold water either, as plenty of other players have suffered worse injuries and retained their passion.
Julia & Kamal still have the bug. Roy might have lost it for a little bit, but he's got it again I think. Dan and Judith don't have the bug anymore, but they've both played since high school & they're already quite accomplished and talented.
Maybe it's just time for new bug. Or maybe I'll catch the frisbee bug again. Kenneth is talking some pretty big game so maybe I'll mess him up.
