VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison

I prefer to stand while recording because it allows better breathing capacity. But after 20 minutes or so, standing on an unyielding flat surface begins to take its toll on my back. However, I have just found marvelous relief.

It's an anti-fatigue mat called Topo, and it is not simply a cushion for the feet, it's almost a playground for the feet.

My Topo arrived the other day, and it is pure joy... sort of like memory foam for the feet, but better. It is wonderful. I brought it to my Chiropractor, who tried it and gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Read about Topo here. http://ergodriven.com/topo/
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Bish · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:59 am Post subject:

Looks like a comfortable mat. I agree that getting the right surface under your feet can make a world of difference to posture & stamina.

However... that website was absolutely hilarious! Even more so because they didn't intend it to be. The style, language and the overall wonderful... nay, mystical attributes (of course you can strike a yoga pose on it!) will amaze you! We've re-inveted standing!

I will admit, that I'm not the target demographic for the website (I'm not an internet entrepreneur, yoga master or ballet dancer with a hipster beard, odd-socks and a manual typewriter). They have chosen their audience... my fear is that it's so ridiculous that it might actually alienate a much bigger one.

I'm going to look at it again so I can giggle some more.

Seriously... I want a mat, but I would be very reluctant to buy anything from these pretentious eejits.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
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I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Mike Harrison · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:17 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'll agree the website does go too far that way. However, there's no one more skeptical of a new "whiz-bang" product and leery of dealing with the pompous than I. And my Chiropractor was initially doubtful, too. But the bios of the two guys behind this were pretty convincing to me (both are Mechanical Engineers; one having a PhD).

I was concerned, as a foam product, that in a short time the foam would lose viscosity. They pledged to me that the foam they use is very different from foams that do that. Additionally, they currently offer a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects (which they say they'll extend to seven years when they're able), and they will take the thing back without question from those who just don't care for it, although no time limit was stated.

This is one time I'm willing to gamble (especially because I haven't consulted a medical specialist which, for other issues, resulted in my taking medications I didn't need – and which made my condition worse – and wasting money besides).
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Matto · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:52 am Post subject:

Mine is on the way! Damn you, Canadian-American border...

I'm going to bring my Topo to the next Faffcon and spend all my time doing Virabhadrasana pose right next to Bish. In odd-socks, of course.

Laugh

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Bish · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:05 am Post subject:

Kim Fuller · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:13 am Post subject:

Apparently, it almost makes you climb trees.

DougVox · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:50 am Post subject:

Rumor has it that the pad's resilience and sustained viscosity are due to its main ingredients: granola, tofu and hipster beard trimmings.
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
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Matto · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:53 am Post subject:

You also have to let it percolate in a macchiato while a Mills Brothers vinyl is playing on the record player.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:22 am Post subject:

todd ellis · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:20 am Post subject:

does it relieve the problem of my skinny jeans cutting off the blood flow to my knees?
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WillMWatt · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:40 am Post subject:

I'm really interested in this. I'm tall and don't exercise as much as I should (running is haaaaaard...and boooooring!) so have lots of back problems. Sitting in a chair all day does me no favours at all in this area.

FinMac · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:59 am Post subject:

Matto, in Finnish, means carpet. So a mat is quite appropriate Smile

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Matto · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:33 am Post subject:

I had rubbish posture sitting in a chair and actually developed some TMJ issues that could arguably be attributed to said posture.

I've switched to a full standing workstation i.e. I'm standing when I'm recording, emailing, marketing etc. etc. The change has been HUGE. I have more focus and discipline when working, more energy throughout my day, more reasons to take those short little breaks for yoga, situps, pushups (anything to get off my feet for a few minutes!) and I've also seen a boost in my general fitness and activity.

I highly recommend it. I'm not a health professional so I would say that if you've been sitting in a chair forever, it might be better to ease into it and perhaps get one of those standing workstation hybrids.

I'm a cheapskate, so I improvised a standing desk by stacking some old school speakers on top of a desk. I love it! The Topo will go at my desk. I may buy another for the booth if it's a success.

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:13 am Post subject:

I didn't see any specs on the website. What are the dimensions of this mat? I have a feeling it would be too big for my space.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
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Rick Riley · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:31 am Post subject:

Matto, you have THAT home in Vancouver BC? I'm just down the road in Portland. Could I come up and do a couple VO's... for about a month?
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