New Craze On The Block!

Ok, so my brother and I decided to do something physical rather than play xbox all day (among other things). And why not re-visit a craze at the same time? I found a long-forgotten play toy when I was tidying up my room the other day, and the next thing you know, we're trying to haggy this little thing around in the living-room (it was pouring with rain at the time.)

Believe me, it's WAY harder than it looks, and ALOT more hard work. Ok, so I'm not exactly an athlete but I walk to town and work whenever it's not raining. So I consider myself not totally out of the realms of fitness (even of I do say so myself) and after about 20 minutes, I'm sitting on the couch and I've had about three huge glasses of water (which I later regretted). And may I add, that at this time, most of my energy was being consumed by the constant to-ing and fro-ing to pick up the hacky (yes, I am using two different terminologies for all you people out there that think they've spotted a mistake in my accout) from the ground. My Brother and I had great trouble in simply getting a proper volley or rally going. And after about 1 hour I was fatigued beyond belief but could successfully hit it once (with my foot). 'Some achievement' you may think with some sarcasm, but alas- I had won my first battle with the game.

Day two, and I awake without aching muscles and a strong determination to pass my next obstacle- the double-bounce. Once you get a sort of technique, all it takes is practice, failure and finally a mild tickle of success. Until some know-it-all comes along and tells you the way they play the game, and you have to do it their way for as long as you amuse them (don't worry, meddlesome humanoid- you will remain anonymous. For the time being, at least). So anyway, by the end of my practice session I can safely say that 80% of the time I can hit the haggy twice (in a row).

Third day. Now we're into stuff like the backwards kick and the double-hacky-and-pass. But like, I said, a little practice goes a long way and it beats playing Xbox. Well, it's healthier anyway and we've all seen the '30 minute a day' ads on tv. I can say, however, that I have a personal best of five hits in a row, and my brother and I can get some reasonably good volleys in.

Yes, I am proud.

I'll never forget the day I was in Wellington on a family holiday. I must have been...ooohh...9? At the time. And we're walking up (Cuba Street, I believe?) and there's this group of 5 or 6 guys busking. Not with talented or talentless music playing. No, they were playing a very watchable and intriguing game of hacky sack. And Man, it was awesome! Now, 8 years on, I can finally begin to bring this much underestimated sport back into my life, and I may even get a bit healthier on the way. Hopefully with time, I'll be the coolest kid on the block with my amazing skills (yes, I just said amazing skills) although I have a while to go yet. Seriously, though, 3 days on and there's already been a dramatic improvement in what I can do. I'd love to picture myself in a week, or a month, or a year- if I have the willpower to keep going. 

It's apparently a 'Hippie' sport, but that almost makes it even cooler. I can wear cargo pants and a floppy hat to go with it. In all seriousness, this thing we've got going here has huge potential for re-starting the craze. Just imagine our little town a couple of months on, there'll be circles of kids bobbing up and down playing the game, and all the local stores will be fresh out of haggi sacks. I mean, it's pretty much recognized in all generations except mine. How LAME is that?! I can even chuck (what a horrible word) it over dad's way and he can join in. And it's sooo addictive! 

Can't wait for day four. Oh, what excitement lies around the corner!