Every year, I run the Houston Half-Marathon in January. It's become a rather big deal for me. I look forward to it every year, in spite of my almost total lack of marathon training. Each year, I get out there and run my guts out to prove the following to myself and others:
1. The human body is capable of amazing things.
2. Age is just a number. I'm only 38, and many folks think that's old.
3. Determination and optimism count for a lot.
4. Martial arts training is a fabulous all-around training method.
5. On a personal note, when I put my mind to something, I really can make it happen.
Aside from the things I'm trying to prove, the entire experience is a massive amount of fun. I love the energy, the happiness, the laughing, and the overall humor of the day. It's a HUGE number of people all coming together to enjoy an athletic event, and I love every minute of it. And I love being able to tell stories about the race for the rest of the year.
But for 2009, I won't have stories to tell. Well, I'll have wedding stories, I guess. My fantastic brother-in-law and his fiancee (who is a world class runner, I might add), are getting married in Arizona that weekend. I love them both dearly, and I don't think I can attend their wedding AND run the race the next day. In fact, my loving wife has emphatically stated that I would be severely injured if I even tried to get out of going to the wedding. So there goes my race for 2009.
However...
I know there are other races out there. And even other kinds of competitions. Maybe I can use this apparent setback as an opportunity. There's got to be some kind of intense event that I can use to take the place of my usual race in January. Hmmmmm. This could be a blessing in disguise. New experiences could lie in wait for me.
So if you know of anything else I could compete in for the month of January, let me know. And if you know someone who wants a spot in the Houston Half-Marathon, send 'em my way.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
A General Update
So we're finally back from all that traveling! The trip, which I talked about in a previous post, was fabulous. I still need to discuss my thoughts on Carlsbad Caverns, but that's going to take a while, so be patient...I'll get to it eventually. As much as we loved the trip, I was totally thrilled to get home.
And two days later, I was on a plane, headed to Florida.
I had long since scheduled a weekend intensive with my Sifu (teacher), who lives out there. Arthur D'Agostino, a world-class taiji and mantis kung fu instructor, lives on a horse farm outside of Tampa, Florida, and he also runs a nutritional store. My good friend and colleague, Israel Flores from Pharr, TX, met me at the airport for the flight, and we were off for a weekend of training.
We didn't waste any time once we got there. Our teacher took us straight from the airport to his store, where he had recently rearranged the shelves to allow for a large training space. We got to it right away, going over the Chen taiji form, Yilu, and its applications. Over the course of the weekend, we did a lot more taiji, and some mantis kung fu as well.
And I have to say that, this time, I think I finally got it. I've been training in Chen taijiquan for some years now, and certain movements were still beyond me...but this time, I think I finally understood everything on a much deeper level. It may not be a big deal to you, but to me, it's a real thrill! It's as though I had been riding a bicycle for years using only one foot, and then suddenly discovered that I could use them both. This knowledge makes the application of the techniques a lot easier and more intuitive. Again, a big deal for me.
So I returned home on Sunday, enthused about being a kung fu/taiji guy and having new stuff to practice.
Also over the weekend, two of my assistant instructors and two other students went to Waxahachie to train with Brandon Quick, one of Eddie Bravo's 10thPJJ brown belts. They came back with lots of video, new moves, new enthusiasm for grappling, and a whole slew of sore spots and minor injuries. Eh, goes with the territory. We're already integrating the seminar information into our classes, and taking it all one step at a time. We're not ready to take the grappling world by storm, to say the least, but I really enjoy grappling. And in today's world, it's a foolish martial artist who doesn't learn something about groundfighting and grappling. I want our students to be educated in traditional martial arts, as well as be able to apply their skills in a real situation.
Anyway, that's what's rolling around in my head lately. Workouts are going well (I did a mile today in 7:18), our 6.5 year old son is swimming like a fish thanks to the Houston Swim Club and Mr. Rudy, and my darling wife is trying to beat the xbox game Psychonaut. Life is good!
And two days later, I was on a plane, headed to Florida.
I had long since scheduled a weekend intensive with my Sifu (teacher), who lives out there. Arthur D'Agostino, a world-class taiji and mantis kung fu instructor, lives on a horse farm outside of Tampa, Florida, and he also runs a nutritional store. My good friend and colleague, Israel Flores from Pharr, TX, met me at the airport for the flight, and we were off for a weekend of training.
We didn't waste any time once we got there. Our teacher took us straight from the airport to his store, where he had recently rearranged the shelves to allow for a large training space. We got to it right away, going over the Chen taiji form, Yilu, and its applications. Over the course of the weekend, we did a lot more taiji, and some mantis kung fu as well.
And I have to say that, this time, I think I finally got it. I've been training in Chen taijiquan for some years now, and certain movements were still beyond me...but this time, I think I finally understood everything on a much deeper level. It may not be a big deal to you, but to me, it's a real thrill! It's as though I had been riding a bicycle for years using only one foot, and then suddenly discovered that I could use them both. This knowledge makes the application of the techniques a lot easier and more intuitive. Again, a big deal for me.
So I returned home on Sunday, enthused about being a kung fu/taiji guy and having new stuff to practice.
Also over the weekend, two of my assistant instructors and two other students went to Waxahachie to train with Brandon Quick, one of Eddie Bravo's 10thPJJ brown belts. They came back with lots of video, new moves, new enthusiasm for grappling, and a whole slew of sore spots and minor injuries. Eh, goes with the territory. We're already integrating the seminar information into our classes, and taking it all one step at a time. We're not ready to take the grappling world by storm, to say the least, but I really enjoy grappling. And in today's world, it's a foolish martial artist who doesn't learn something about groundfighting and grappling. I want our students to be educated in traditional martial arts, as well as be able to apply their skills in a real situation.
Anyway, that's what's rolling around in my head lately. Workouts are going well (I did a mile today in 7:18), our 6.5 year old son is swimming like a fish thanks to the Houston Swim Club and Mr. Rudy, and my darling wife is trying to beat the xbox game Psychonaut. Life is good!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Jade Mountain Grapplers
This past Saturday, I spent much of the time clutching my phone, awaiting updates from my dear friend, Larry. He was with several of our Jade Mountain students at a Houston grappling tournament, their first. Although we really enjoy grappling, it's not our main focus, but our guys were still eager to get out and compete, gain some experience, and have some fun.
From what I hear, everyone gave a good account of themselves, and a couple managed to win their divisions!
Shaun Lawler won 1st in Master's Gi, Heavyweight
Mark Dong won 1st in Master's No-Gi, Lightweight
Other competitors were Kevin Hall, Daniel Loree, and David Mordente, and they all fought their tails off. Several matches went to the scorecards, and we're looking for these guys to bring home some medals in the near future.
Not bad for a bunch of Kung Fu guys! I'm quite proud of all of them.
From what I hear, everyone gave a good account of themselves, and a couple managed to win their divisions!
Shaun Lawler won 1st in Master's Gi, Heavyweight
Mark Dong won 1st in Master's No-Gi, Lightweight
Other competitors were Kevin Hall, Daniel Loree, and David Mordente, and they all fought their tails off. Several matches went to the scorecards, and we're looking for these guys to bring home some medals in the near future.
Not bad for a bunch of Kung Fu guys! I'm quite proud of all of them.
Firsts, and Traveling.
We are currently on vacation. I've never taken a real vacation before. We made travel plans, reservations, rented a car, packed it near to bursting, and hit the road. That was last Saturday. Since then, I've experienced many firsts. For simplicity, I'll just list a few.
I can now say that I've done the following:
1. visited Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
2. taken the subway in Hollywood.
3. walked along Hollywood Blvd, and the Walk of Fame.
4. seen Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
5. stumbled across the premiere of the new X-Files movie, and saw David Duchovny walk the red carpet.
6. got lost in Hollywood.
7. visited Legends MMA Gym.
8. seen many kinds of cactus.
9. climbed a small mountain in Arizona.
10. seen "The Thing".
11. visited Hurricane Harbor.
12. spent some training time with Scott Epstein, a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt.
13. completed Halo 3.
...and we're not quite finished yet. We're in Carlsbad, NM, tonight, and we're hitting Carlsbad Caverns in the morning before heading home. I've never been there either. If you think that I haven't done much traveling, you're absolutely right.
Of course, we have had the pleasure of staying with family along the way, and that was fabulous. Gordon and Jen put us up in Hollywood, and it was wonderful to see them and their little nugget, Harrison. Cute baby, that one. And then we saw Doug and Julie, and Kim and Gayla in Arizona, and were treated to some good times there, as well.
This trip has been an eye-opener for me. Most of my life, I've stayed very close to home, and been leery of travel. "It costs too much," I used to say. "I don't need to see that stuff," or "I'm doing just fine where I am." Well, I've discovered that I love seeing different parts of the country. It's something that I want to do again, and again. "Without change, something sleeps inside us. The sleeper must awaken." That quote from Frank Herbert's Dune really fits right now. The wonderful, fabulous feeling I experienced on the side of that mountain in Arizona, that's something I'd never have felt if I had never left Katy, TX.
I didn't make it all the way to the top. The footing was a bit tricky, and it was somewhat steep. As I got higher, I could see the rain and lightning that was approaching from the west, and I figured that it might be prudent to get back to Kim and Gayla's house before that stuff got any closer. But before I started back down, I treated myself to a nice, long look around. I could see Phoenix, AZ in the distance, and other mountains all around me. The wind was picking up, but otherwise, there was a wonderful sense of peace and silence, and also a sense of vastness, of wide open space. I loved that. I want more of it. I feel different having experienced it, and it's good.
As I've said, we visit the Caverns tomorrow. I've seen pictures, but I know that they don't do much to depict the true majesty of what's down there. This will be another awe-inspiring event for me, and I'm looking forward to it.
Honestly, this trip wasn't cheap, but it also wasn't crazy-expensive. We packed snacks and sandwiches in a cooler, and ate from it each day rather than stopping to eat at fast-food places, or other restaurants. That saved us a ton of time and money. Special thanks to those relatives who let us crash at their homes for days on end...that saved us a ton as well. It showed me that you most certainly can enjoy seeing new things and new places if you just budget for the trip, and plan carefully.
So I'm already looking forward to another trip, even though this one's not even finished. I've been inspired, refreshed, renewed, and I'm ready to get home and barrel back into my everyday life with fresh enthusiasm.
I can now say that I've done the following:
1. visited Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
2. taken the subway in Hollywood.
3. walked along Hollywood Blvd, and the Walk of Fame.
4. seen Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
5. stumbled across the premiere of the new X-Files movie, and saw David Duchovny walk the red carpet.
6. got lost in Hollywood.
7. visited Legends MMA Gym.
8. seen many kinds of cactus.
9. climbed a small mountain in Arizona.
10. seen "The Thing".
11. visited Hurricane Harbor.
12. spent some training time with Scott Epstein, a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt.
13. completed Halo 3.
...and we're not quite finished yet. We're in Carlsbad, NM, tonight, and we're hitting Carlsbad Caverns in the morning before heading home. I've never been there either. If you think that I haven't done much traveling, you're absolutely right.
Of course, we have had the pleasure of staying with family along the way, and that was fabulous. Gordon and Jen put us up in Hollywood, and it was wonderful to see them and their little nugget, Harrison. Cute baby, that one. And then we saw Doug and Julie, and Kim and Gayla in Arizona, and were treated to some good times there, as well.
This trip has been an eye-opener for me. Most of my life, I've stayed very close to home, and been leery of travel. "It costs too much," I used to say. "I don't need to see that stuff," or "I'm doing just fine where I am." Well, I've discovered that I love seeing different parts of the country. It's something that I want to do again, and again. "Without change, something sleeps inside us. The sleeper must awaken." That quote from Frank Herbert's Dune really fits right now. The wonderful, fabulous feeling I experienced on the side of that mountain in Arizona, that's something I'd never have felt if I had never left Katy, TX.
I didn't make it all the way to the top. The footing was a bit tricky, and it was somewhat steep. As I got higher, I could see the rain and lightning that was approaching from the west, and I figured that it might be prudent to get back to Kim and Gayla's house before that stuff got any closer. But before I started back down, I treated myself to a nice, long look around. I could see Phoenix, AZ in the distance, and other mountains all around me. The wind was picking up, but otherwise, there was a wonderful sense of peace and silence, and also a sense of vastness, of wide open space. I loved that. I want more of it. I feel different having experienced it, and it's good.
As I've said, we visit the Caverns tomorrow. I've seen pictures, but I know that they don't do much to depict the true majesty of what's down there. This will be another awe-inspiring event for me, and I'm looking forward to it.
Honestly, this trip wasn't cheap, but it also wasn't crazy-expensive. We packed snacks and sandwiches in a cooler, and ate from it each day rather than stopping to eat at fast-food places, or other restaurants. That saved us a ton of time and money. Special thanks to those relatives who let us crash at their homes for days on end...that saved us a ton as well. It showed me that you most certainly can enjoy seeing new things and new places if you just budget for the trip, and plan carefully.
So I'm already looking forward to another trip, even though this one's not even finished. I've been inspired, refreshed, renewed, and I'm ready to get home and barrel back into my everyday life with fresh enthusiasm.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Two Surveys
A = Age: 38
B = Bed size: King
C = Chores you hate: Painting. I don’t like painting.
D = Dessert you love: Chocolate pie!
E = Essential start your day item: uh…several bathroom items, I suppose
F = Favorite actor(s): I love movies, but don’t really have a favorite actor.
G = Gold or Silver: silver
H = Height: 5'-8ish"
I = Instruments you play: clarinet
J = Job title: Sifu (teacher of Chinese martial arts)
L = Living arrangements: House in Katy with Christina and Monkey.
M= My name is: William W. McClendon III
N = Nicknames: Whit
O = Overnight hospital stay: None I can recall, though I was burned badly as a toddler.
P = Favorite quote: "What the French, Toast?”
R = Right or left handed: Right
S = Siblings: 1 brother
T = Time you woke up today: 9:30
U = Unique about you: You've never met another like me, that’s for sure.
V = Vegetable you hate: eggplant can be a bit yucky
W = Worst habit: probably drinking Monster. Not into bad habits much.
X = X-Rays you've had: Just a few…ankle, knee, wrist
Y = Yummy food you make: I’m a whiz with eggs.
Z = ZODIAC SIGN. Scorpio.
------------------------------------
What is a difference between the last two people you kissed?
size, age, and sex. (Wife and son, silly!)
Who was the last person you were under the covers with?
My wife. No wait, there was a huge, laughing tickle fight between my son and me this afternoon, so I think that might count.
Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes?
Much to everyone’s shock…yes. If you feel compelled to do so as well, please be my guest.
Do you ever keep arguing when you know you're wrong?
Now, why would I want to do that? I don’t even like to argue!
How is your hair?
Uh…short. And silly. It ignores most of my attempts at style.
Do you like your first name?
I go by my nickname, but I like my first name quite a bit.
Does the person you like like you back ?
Oh, how cute. I would hope that my wife ‘likes’ me back. I’ll ask her.
Have you ever met someone who is amazing?
Oh, yes. I take inspiration from quite a few amazing folks.
How many different people of the opposite sex have you ever really cried to?
Recently? Just my wife. Over the years (especially in high school), probably quite a few.
Who was the last person's voice you heard?
My wife’s.
Do you like your life as of now?
Wow, yes I do!
Regret doing anything in the past week?
There were some chocolate bars that went missing, and I’m pretty sure that I had something to do with that.
How many kids do you want?
We’ve got one…maybe one more. But that’s it!!!
When did you last cry?
I’ve got a blog post about this…probably within the last few days.
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with M?
Lemme think….uh…...no?
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with H?
Yes.
Do you drink coffee?
That would be a ‘no’.
Do you crack your knuckles?
Nope.
Last thing you drank?
Water
When is your birthday?
October 31…I’m a Boo-Baby!!
Did you kiss or hug anyone today?
Yep.
Ever told someone you loved them and meant it?
Yes, absolutely.
Ever thought about getting your nose pierced?
Nope.
Have you ever broken a bone?
For a guy with my job and hobbies, I’ve been extremely fortunate thus far. Just my pinky toes have been broken.
Who are you talking to right now?
My wife just came home.
Have your parents ever smoked?
Unfortunately, yes. For decades.
Do you want someone back in your life?
Um…sure?
What did you last eat?
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Made it myself!
Has anyone told you they missed you lately?
Yep…a friend just did on Myspace.
Are you wearing any clothes that don't belong to you?
I’m pretty sure these underwear are mine.
If you could seek revenge on someone would you?
In my younger days, maybe, but certainly not now.
Is there anyone who holds your heart at the moment?
Yup.
What is your all time favorite memory?
Geez, I have quite a few.
How many grandmas do you have living?
Sadly, both are elsewhere.
Do you prefer saying 'f#ck' or 'fudge'?
Um…as much as I might enjoy fudge, its effectiveness as a curse word is somewhat limited.
Have you ever kissed anyone with the name starting with A, B, C, D, E, F, or G?
Yes. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
What did you do today?
Amazingly, I did a whole bunch of nuthin’. I get to do that one day a week, and I excel at it.
Had any interesting conversations today?
A few, both verbal and written.
When was the last time you had a sleepover?
BB visited to watch the UFC fights during the weekend of the 4th of July, and we stayed up ‘til 3am or so.
Have you ever loved someone so much it made you cry?
Oh, yes.
Whats the first things you notice about the opposite sex?
Smile, body, and style of movement.
Hugs or kisses?
I’ll take both, please.
How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two.
Do you think (any of) your ex(s) miss you?
My only real ex has passed away.
You know, I think I’m going to sit around one day soon and make up my own survey. Just for fun. I’ll keep you posted.
B = Bed size: King
C = Chores you hate: Painting. I don’t like painting.
D = Dessert you love: Chocolate pie!
E = Essential start your day item: uh…several bathroom items, I suppose
F = Favorite actor(s): I love movies, but don’t really have a favorite actor.
G = Gold or Silver: silver
H = Height: 5'-8ish"
I = Instruments you play: clarinet
J = Job title: Sifu (teacher of Chinese martial arts)
L = Living arrangements: House in Katy with Christina and Monkey.
M= My name is: William W. McClendon III
N = Nicknames: Whit
O = Overnight hospital stay: None I can recall, though I was burned badly as a toddler.
P = Favorite quote: "What the French, Toast?”
R = Right or left handed: Right
S = Siblings: 1 brother
T = Time you woke up today: 9:30
U = Unique about you: You've never met another like me, that’s for sure.
V = Vegetable you hate: eggplant can be a bit yucky
W = Worst habit: probably drinking Monster. Not into bad habits much.
X = X-Rays you've had: Just a few…ankle, knee, wrist
Y = Yummy food you make: I’m a whiz with eggs.
Z = ZODIAC SIGN. Scorpio.
------------------------------------
What is a difference between the last two people you kissed?
size, age, and sex. (Wife and son, silly!)
Who was the last person you were under the covers with?
My wife. No wait, there was a huge, laughing tickle fight between my son and me this afternoon, so I think that might count.
Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes?
Much to everyone’s shock…yes. If you feel compelled to do so as well, please be my guest.
Do you ever keep arguing when you know you're wrong?
Now, why would I want to do that? I don’t even like to argue!
How is your hair?
Uh…short. And silly. It ignores most of my attempts at style.
Do you like your first name?
I go by my nickname, but I like my first name quite a bit.
Does the person you like like you back ?
Oh, how cute. I would hope that my wife ‘likes’ me back. I’ll ask her.
Have you ever met someone who is amazing?
Oh, yes. I take inspiration from quite a few amazing folks.
How many different people of the opposite sex have you ever really cried to?
Recently? Just my wife. Over the years (especially in high school), probably quite a few.
Who was the last person's voice you heard?
My wife’s.
Do you like your life as of now?
Wow, yes I do!
Regret doing anything in the past week?
There were some chocolate bars that went missing, and I’m pretty sure that I had something to do with that.
How many kids do you want?
We’ve got one…maybe one more. But that’s it!!!
When did you last cry?
I’ve got a blog post about this…probably within the last few days.
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with M?
Lemme think….uh…...no?
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with H?
Yes.
Do you drink coffee?
That would be a ‘no’.
Do you crack your knuckles?
Nope.
Last thing you drank?
Water
When is your birthday?
October 31…I’m a Boo-Baby!!
Did you kiss or hug anyone today?
Yep.
Ever told someone you loved them and meant it?
Yes, absolutely.
Ever thought about getting your nose pierced?
Nope.
Have you ever broken a bone?
For a guy with my job and hobbies, I’ve been extremely fortunate thus far. Just my pinky toes have been broken.
Who are you talking to right now?
My wife just came home.
Have your parents ever smoked?
Unfortunately, yes. For decades.
Do you want someone back in your life?
Um…sure?
What did you last eat?
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Made it myself!
Has anyone told you they missed you lately?
Yep…a friend just did on Myspace.
Are you wearing any clothes that don't belong to you?
I’m pretty sure these underwear are mine.
If you could seek revenge on someone would you?
In my younger days, maybe, but certainly not now.
Is there anyone who holds your heart at the moment?
Yup.
What is your all time favorite memory?
Geez, I have quite a few.
How many grandmas do you have living?
Sadly, both are elsewhere.
Do you prefer saying 'f#ck' or 'fudge'?
Um…as much as I might enjoy fudge, its effectiveness as a curse word is somewhat limited.
Have you ever kissed anyone with the name starting with A, B, C, D, E, F, or G?
Yes. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
What did you do today?
Amazingly, I did a whole bunch of nuthin’. I get to do that one day a week, and I excel at it.
Had any interesting conversations today?
A few, both verbal and written.
When was the last time you had a sleepover?
BB visited to watch the UFC fights during the weekend of the 4th of July, and we stayed up ‘til 3am or so.
Have you ever loved someone so much it made you cry?
Oh, yes.
Whats the first things you notice about the opposite sex?
Smile, body, and style of movement.
Hugs or kisses?
I’ll take both, please.
How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two.
Do you think (any of) your ex(s) miss you?
My only real ex has passed away.
You know, I think I’m going to sit around one day soon and make up my own survey. Just for fun. I’ll keep you posted.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Swimming, Car Trouble, and Grappling
So we've enrolled our 6.5 yr-old Monkey in a 2 week intensive swim program. The first day did NOT go well. When asked if he liked the teacher, Monkey replied "Yeah...I'll miss him, 'cause I'm NEVER going back." We did our best to simply listen to his complaints and acknowledge his feelings of frustration, nervousness, and anxiety. And we quietly planned to take him back the next day, regardless.
Day two started better than we expected. He still had a bit of trouble, but by the end of class, he was 'gliding' with his arms outstretched and his face underwater. And he even managed to pull a ring from the bottom of the pool (with his teachers judicious assistance)! He was so proud! He even decided to accept the token sucker offered to all the kids upon completion of each class (he had loudly refused any such treat the day before).
Today, the boy decided he's destined to follow in the wake of world champion swimmer Michael Phelps. He's got some snazzy new goggles, and he's swimming his fool head off. He went down the big slide, and swam freestyle all the way to the instructor. The Houston Swim Club is just awesome, folks. If you need to teach your kid to swim, I'd say to take them there for sure. We are soooooo proud of our little Monkey. Once he's finished with his two weeks of daily training, we're planning a trip to a Waterpark to celebrate...which means I might need to get in the sun a bit beforehand so that my pasty whiteness doesn't frighten the locals.
---------------------------
Today wasn't the best day for my car. I knew something was up a day or so ago when the power steering went out. The power steering reservoir was full, so I called our trusty mechanic to schedule a checkup. Thursday morning was the soonest we could come in, so I kept driving. Then the A/C went out. And the battery light came on. And then today, right in the middle of Mason Road, the poor thing just died. Happily, it's just the serpentine belt (that's what you call it, right?) that's blown. Several years ago, I'd have found that problem a lot sooner, but when I popped the hood to check, I just plain missed the fact that the belt was looking pretty bad. It apparently disintegrated, the A/C and alternator stopped working, and the car sucked the battery dry. Result: a dead car that should be pretty easy to fix. Let's hope it won't cost an arm and a leg.
---------------------------
Classes have been wonderful lately. Attendance is up, and we're covering a lot of fun stuff. I have some folks competing in an upcoming Kung Fu tournament, and some are even going to a local Grappling tournament. I know that it might seem odd to some that a traditional Kung Fu guy like me would enjoy the grappling arts, but I feel that they are a perfect compliment to the stand-up fighting arts in which I've trained. Plus, grappling is a ton of fun. I like the fact that you can train full power with respectful partners and not end up with black eyes, broken noses, and various other impact injuries. It's rough, but so extremely tactical at the same time that it appeals to my intellectual side even as I'm trying to strangle someone. It's often likened to an extremely physical chess game, and certainly agree with that comparison. So I practice my taiji, and also work to perfect my half-guard game. Diversity is good.
---------------------------
It's getting late, so I'm off to bed. Have a fabulous day.
Day two started better than we expected. He still had a bit of trouble, but by the end of class, he was 'gliding' with his arms outstretched and his face underwater. And he even managed to pull a ring from the bottom of the pool (with his teachers judicious assistance)! He was so proud! He even decided to accept the token sucker offered to all the kids upon completion of each class (he had loudly refused any such treat the day before).
Today, the boy decided he's destined to follow in the wake of world champion swimmer Michael Phelps. He's got some snazzy new goggles, and he's swimming his fool head off. He went down the big slide, and swam freestyle all the way to the instructor. The Houston Swim Club is just awesome, folks. If you need to teach your kid to swim, I'd say to take them there for sure. We are soooooo proud of our little Monkey. Once he's finished with his two weeks of daily training, we're planning a trip to a Waterpark to celebrate...which means I might need to get in the sun a bit beforehand so that my pasty whiteness doesn't frighten the locals.
---------------------------
Today wasn't the best day for my car. I knew something was up a day or so ago when the power steering went out. The power steering reservoir was full, so I called our trusty mechanic to schedule a checkup. Thursday morning was the soonest we could come in, so I kept driving. Then the A/C went out. And the battery light came on. And then today, right in the middle of Mason Road, the poor thing just died. Happily, it's just the serpentine belt (that's what you call it, right?) that's blown. Several years ago, I'd have found that problem a lot sooner, but when I popped the hood to check, I just plain missed the fact that the belt was looking pretty bad. It apparently disintegrated, the A/C and alternator stopped working, and the car sucked the battery dry. Result: a dead car that should be pretty easy to fix. Let's hope it won't cost an arm and a leg.
---------------------------
Classes have been wonderful lately. Attendance is up, and we're covering a lot of fun stuff. I have some folks competing in an upcoming Kung Fu tournament, and some are even going to a local Grappling tournament. I know that it might seem odd to some that a traditional Kung Fu guy like me would enjoy the grappling arts, but I feel that they are a perfect compliment to the stand-up fighting arts in which I've trained. Plus, grappling is a ton of fun. I like the fact that you can train full power with respectful partners and not end up with black eyes, broken noses, and various other impact injuries. It's rough, but so extremely tactical at the same time that it appeals to my intellectual side even as I'm trying to strangle someone. It's often likened to an extremely physical chess game, and certainly agree with that comparison. So I practice my taiji, and also work to perfect my half-guard game. Diversity is good.
---------------------------
It's getting late, so I'm off to bed. Have a fabulous day.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
About this Crying...
When I was a younger man, I never thought I could be moved to tears. It wasn't that I was such a tough guy...my emotions just didn't seem to work that way. I certainly didn't understand how a person could cry for joy, or because they were inspired somehow. Even the untimely and tragic passing of my first wife only brought me to tears twice, even though the pain I felt was bone-deep.
But as I said, I was a younger man back then. I'm nearly 40 now, and I've experienced not only tragedy, but unbridled joy. I've felt the thrill of goals met, and the disappointment of failed attempts. I've spent over a decade with my soulmate, and most of that as a devoted father. And so I've slowly entered the world of manhood and established my place in it...and now I cry all the friggin' time.
Apparently comfortable with the expression of such emotions, I cry at movies, tv shows, and commercials. I cry when I'm reading books,and when I'm relating events that are particularly meaningful to me. I cry when I read of an athlete that overcomes overwhelming odds to reach the Olympic podium. And I cry when I watch So You Think You Can Dance. So sue me.
I never expected to enjoy watching dance performances. I never really had paid attention to that sort of thing before, I suppose, but we started watching So You Think You Can Dance when it first came on, and I've been hooked ever since. I've learned a little bit about dance since I started watching the show. I enjoy the ballroom numbers and the hiphop dances as well. The Waltz isn't my favorite, but I enjoy it if it's done well. My favorites are the contemporary and lyrical pieces, and that's where the crying comes in. Sometimes, a performance will reach me on a deep and emotional level, and I find myself crying at the beauty unfolding before my eyes. Wow.
One number that never fails to move me is this one from last season. It was choreographed by Mia Michaels, and I have absolutely no clue what it's supposed to mean, or what story it's trying to tell, but something in it ALWAYS moves me.
If anyone has any idea what Mia was trying to express here, please feel free to enlighten me.
And here's a dance routine that moves me on a completely different level. It's H-O-T. Hubba hubba!!
And with that, I bid you good day. And I hope that you are inspired, touched, or moved to tears sometime soon.
But as I said, I was a younger man back then. I'm nearly 40 now, and I've experienced not only tragedy, but unbridled joy. I've felt the thrill of goals met, and the disappointment of failed attempts. I've spent over a decade with my soulmate, and most of that as a devoted father. And so I've slowly entered the world of manhood and established my place in it...and now I cry all the friggin' time.
Apparently comfortable with the expression of such emotions, I cry at movies, tv shows, and commercials. I cry when I'm reading books,and when I'm relating events that are particularly meaningful to me. I cry when I read of an athlete that overcomes overwhelming odds to reach the Olympic podium. And I cry when I watch So You Think You Can Dance. So sue me.
I never expected to enjoy watching dance performances. I never really had paid attention to that sort of thing before, I suppose, but we started watching So You Think You Can Dance when it first came on, and I've been hooked ever since. I've learned a little bit about dance since I started watching the show. I enjoy the ballroom numbers and the hiphop dances as well. The Waltz isn't my favorite, but I enjoy it if it's done well. My favorites are the contemporary and lyrical pieces, and that's where the crying comes in. Sometimes, a performance will reach me on a deep and emotional level, and I find myself crying at the beauty unfolding before my eyes. Wow.
One number that never fails to move me is this one from last season. It was choreographed by Mia Michaels, and I have absolutely no clue what it's supposed to mean, or what story it's trying to tell, but something in it ALWAYS moves me.
If anyone has any idea what Mia was trying to express here, please feel free to enlighten me.
And here's a dance routine that moves me on a completely different level. It's H-O-T. Hubba hubba!!
And with that, I bid you good day. And I hope that you are inspired, touched, or moved to tears sometime soon.
Friday, June 27, 2008
What a Week!
Wow! This week has turned out to be a pretty good one! My darling wife and son returned from their trip on Tuesday, and it's just wonderful to have them home again. It seems like Monkey's grown an inch at least in the week they've been gone, and Christina was certainly a sight for sore eyes. I had a chance to do some training with BB as well, and somehow managed to avoid his takedown attempts. It's always great to see him, to say the least.
The incomparable Larry Escher is also making an appearance, and we're enjoying the pleasure of his company. So my family's home, my two best friends were here, martial arts playtime, and fun...I'm having a blast.
Got some new toys this week...new laptop, a new mp3 player, and some way cool Bluetooth headphones. I think that's my toy allotment for the next two years, but it's worth it. Now my wife and I don't have to fight over our desktop computer...she can do Webkinz anywhere! And I can now carry my entire supply of crappy, girly, 80's music with me wherever I go.
We're currently planning another family trip, but I'm going on this one. Details are sketchy, but we may end up on the road for a few days, seeing the sights and enjoying visits with family. However, our road trip will be a decidedly lazy one, most unlike the ones I remember from my youth. My folks apparently come from the "Drive 'till you get there, and only stop for police and roadblocks!" school of travel, and I'm just not made for those kind of trips. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way, stop driving well before midnight, and enjoy the process rather than just get to the destination ASAP. Not totally sure where we're going, but I'm really looking forward to it, regardless.
Today's Friday. It's a good day. Go enjoy it!!
The incomparable Larry Escher is also making an appearance, and we're enjoying the pleasure of his company. So my family's home, my two best friends were here, martial arts playtime, and fun...I'm having a blast.
Got some new toys this week...new laptop, a new mp3 player, and some way cool Bluetooth headphones. I think that's my toy allotment for the next two years, but it's worth it. Now my wife and I don't have to fight over our desktop computer...she can do Webkinz anywhere! And I can now carry my entire supply of crappy, girly, 80's music with me wherever I go.
We're currently planning another family trip, but I'm going on this one. Details are sketchy, but we may end up on the road for a few days, seeing the sights and enjoying visits with family. However, our road trip will be a decidedly lazy one, most unlike the ones I remember from my youth. My folks apparently come from the "Drive 'till you get there, and only stop for police and roadblocks!" school of travel, and I'm just not made for those kind of trips. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way, stop driving well before midnight, and enjoy the process rather than just get to the destination ASAP. Not totally sure where we're going, but I'm really looking forward to it, regardless.
Today's Friday. It's a good day. Go enjoy it!!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Busy, busy, busy....
It seems that my fabulous wife and son won't be in until sometime Tuesday, so I'm here alone for a few more days. That's OK...I've been using the time to get some stuff done that has really needed doing.
Here's a short list of stuff I've managed to accomplish:
Get the oil changed in the car.
Stuff two punching bags at JMMA.
Get my new mp3 player up and running. Yay! ( got mine off Ebay for $80!)
Update the JMMA website...it's not totally done yet, but there's progress.
Wash, fold, and put away 98% of the laundry in the house.
Clean the kitchen. Including the junk drawers...WOW, there was a lot of crap in there!
Rearrange the dining room.
There still remains the rain gutters I'm planning to install, but that'll wait until Tuesday or so. I miss my family a ton, but I figure it's better for me to be happily busy than to mope around and get nothing done. Hey, that rhymes.
Now, I'm going to go finish the laundry, get some dinner, and read the new Eddie Bravo book I just bought, Mastering the Twister. I've been working on his Rubber Guard techniques for a while now, and although I'm far from a master, I'm really enjoying the process. Thanks to my friend and BJJ instructor, Paul Thomas, I had the chance to participate in a seminar with Eddie a few years back, and I was really impressed with his technique. Now that I've progressed a bit in my own grappling training, I can appreciate even more what kind of innovations he's brought to the world of grappling and BJJ. I'm looking forward to continuing my study of his system.
So now I'd better get back to work. I figure I've got around six hours before I should get to bed, and that's a lot of time to get stuff done!
Here's a short list of stuff I've managed to accomplish:
Get the oil changed in the car.
Stuff two punching bags at JMMA.
Get my new mp3 player up and running. Yay! ( got mine off Ebay for $80!)
Update the JMMA website...it's not totally done yet, but there's progress.
Wash, fold, and put away 98% of the laundry in the house.
Clean the kitchen. Including the junk drawers...WOW, there was a lot of crap in there!
Rearrange the dining room.
There still remains the rain gutters I'm planning to install, but that'll wait until Tuesday or so. I miss my family a ton, but I figure it's better for me to be happily busy than to mope around and get nothing done. Hey, that rhymes.
Now, I'm going to go finish the laundry, get some dinner, and read the new Eddie Bravo book I just bought, Mastering the Twister. I've been working on his Rubber Guard techniques for a while now, and although I'm far from a master, I'm really enjoying the process. Thanks to my friend and BJJ instructor, Paul Thomas, I had the chance to participate in a seminar with Eddie a few years back, and I was really impressed with his technique. Now that I've progressed a bit in my own grappling training, I can appreciate even more what kind of innovations he's brought to the world of grappling and BJJ. I'm looking forward to continuing my study of his system.
So now I'd better get back to work. I figure I've got around six hours before I should get to bed, and that's a lot of time to get stuff done!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
It's awfully quiet over here...
My wife and son are away on a trip with her Mom, Dad, Sisters, Brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces. They're all in a huge van, trekking their way to Utah for a family reunion. It sounds like they're having big fun, and I'm thrilled for them. There were some possible issues that could have made trouble on this trip, but happily, things are working out quite well so far.
Some folks are asking why I didn't go on this trip, and I don't mind saying that I don't like being enclosed in tight spaces for days on end with seven adults and six children, even when they are all on good behavior. I get a little twitchy, to say the least. Also, we are planning a family trip later this summer, and I'd rather not ask my fabulous assistant instructors to take over for me at my school for weeks and weeks. And someone has to feed Julie's fish and water her tomato plants, right?
And so, until Monday or Tuesday, I'm home alone. Wow, it's quiet here. I'm getting some things done that I usually don't...filling new punching bags, installing a rain gutter at the front door, working on the garage...stuff like that. I've got all the time in the world to train, read, surf the 'net, write, fix the JMMA website, pretty much whatever I want to do. But wow, it's just really quiet here.
I'm planning to go run some intervals in a bit, and then I need to go meet the air conditioner guy at my school. Not an especially thrilling day, considering that my wife and son have seen Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, NM in the last couple of days...but just the same, I'm happy to be here.
So feel free to call or write. I've probably got time to chat.
Some folks are asking why I didn't go on this trip, and I don't mind saying that I don't like being enclosed in tight spaces for days on end with seven adults and six children, even when they are all on good behavior. I get a little twitchy, to say the least. Also, we are planning a family trip later this summer, and I'd rather not ask my fabulous assistant instructors to take over for me at my school for weeks and weeks. And someone has to feed Julie's fish and water her tomato plants, right?
And so, until Monday or Tuesday, I'm home alone. Wow, it's quiet here. I'm getting some things done that I usually don't...filling new punching bags, installing a rain gutter at the front door, working on the garage...stuff like that. I've got all the time in the world to train, read, surf the 'net, write, fix the JMMA website, pretty much whatever I want to do. But wow, it's just really quiet here.
I'm planning to go run some intervals in a bit, and then I need to go meet the air conditioner guy at my school. Not an especially thrilling day, considering that my wife and son have seen Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, NM in the last couple of days...but just the same, I'm happy to be here.
So feel free to call or write. I've probably got time to chat.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Yet another Survey.
How many bathing suits do you own?
Just one, and it looks downright silly on me.
What woke you up this morning?
Not sure...I woke up before my alarm went off, and I have no idea why.
Have you ever stolen a sign from a street?
No...that's just plain ridiculous.
What is the weirdest pet you have ever owned?
My cousin gave me a rat for my birthday once.
Do you own a gun?
Just one shotgun.
When is the last time you went fishing?
Probably a Christmas or two ago. We were visiting Jason's parents on their houseboat, and they offered to let me show Connor how to fish. Didn't catch a thing, but had a lot of fun.
Are your toenails painted?
Do I have to answer that?
Name 3 things you drink regularly?
Water, Orange Juice, and Orange Monster
What is in your pocket right now?
I'm not wearing pants, and my shirt has no pockets.
What is the last thing that made you laugh?
We watched one of those funny home video shows last night, and it was hilarious!
Who is in the bathroom right now?
No one.
Who did you hang out with last night?
My students, and Amy, Mark, and Misty. Then my family.
What year did/do you graduate high school?
1988
When are you going to bed tonight?
Probably between 11pm and 1am.
Have you ever shut someone's fingers in a door?
Yeah...my own. Yee-owtch!!
Do you know how to change a tire?
Of course. I have the video to prove it.
Where did your last hug take place?
Somewhere in my house.
Do daddy long legs freak you out?
Not at all. I mean, unless I wake up from a nap and find one sitting on my chest. Did you know that I can teleport in an emergency?
What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Reading a book and eating breakfast.
Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?
On occasion. ;-)
Where is your mom right now?
Elkhart, Indiana.
Look to your left, what do you see?
A fencing foil, an ironing board, a pile of fake vegetation, and an open door.
What do you think of when you think of Australia?
The Australian wilderness...wow, I'd like to go out there sometime!
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
BB
How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
39, and reveling in my youth.
When was the last time you went swimming in a pool?
I think it was during a trip to see Doug and Julie in Galveston.
Do you currently have a hickey?
Do mat-burns count?
What was the last reason you cried?
I watched the Bucket List.
What are you seriously wearing?
A shirt. Hey, I just got out of bed awhile ago...you expect me to put on a three-piece suit to eat breakfast and surf the 'net?
Have you ever talked to someone when they were high?
It's possible.
How many red lights have you ran?
Not many...our Katy police are quite vigilant.
Is there anything that you are craving right now?
Oh, goodness, yes!
Do you drink tea?
Nope.
Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Hmmmm...only one person comes to mind. Wait, no...two.
What jewelry are you wearing?
Look, I said I'm wearing a shirt. That's it. No jewelry, no shoes, no hats...a shirt.
Do you clean when you’re upset?
Funny you should ask, but yes, I do.
What are you listening to?
The staccato clicking of the keyboard as my fingers fly over the keys.
Has anybody on your top friends ever admitted to liking you?
I should hope so!
What's the one thing that always gets you through a bad day?
If you've only got one thing to get you through a bad day, I'd suggest you look for more things. Seriously, though, my wife and son do a lot for my good mood, and I enjoy listening to happy music when necessary.
What are you doing right now?
Thinking that it might be time to put on some pants.
Do you usually tell people when they hurt your feelings?
Yes, usually by kicking them in the crotch. No, that's a joke. Really.
Do your initials spell out a word?
Nope.
How often do you give high fives?
I prefer to run a victory lap while making whooping noises.
Where is the last place you went to go eat?
My living room. That place is always open, and the service is fabulous.
Have you bought any clothing items in the past week?
No, unless you count those clown shoes I picked up.
Do you sing in the shower?
Like a virtuoso.
Where is the last place you went shopping for clothes?
I think I bought some underwear at Wal Mart.
Do you prefer a call or a text?
Usually a call, but I text all the time.
Have you ever been on television?
Actually, I've been in a movie! An independent film made by my Sis- and Bro-in-law, it's called Eve of Understanding. I was an extra in an AA meeting.
Do you trust people easily?
Sometimes, too easily.
Who was the first person you talked to today?
That will be my fabulous wife. She's still asleep, but I'll kiss her when I leave for work.
Looking forward to something this weekend?
The sky's the limit! Maybe we'll see a movie, or go out to eat, or rent a movie, or go to the bookstore, or ride bikes...heck, I'll even enjoy a nap. I love the weekends!
Just one, and it looks downright silly on me.
What woke you up this morning?
Not sure...I woke up before my alarm went off, and I have no idea why.
Have you ever stolen a sign from a street?
No...that's just plain ridiculous.
What is the weirdest pet you have ever owned?
My cousin gave me a rat for my birthday once.
Do you own a gun?
Just one shotgun.
When is the last time you went fishing?
Probably a Christmas or two ago. We were visiting Jason's parents on their houseboat, and they offered to let me show Connor how to fish. Didn't catch a thing, but had a lot of fun.
Are your toenails painted?
Do I have to answer that?
Name 3 things you drink regularly?
Water, Orange Juice, and Orange Monster
What is in your pocket right now?
I'm not wearing pants, and my shirt has no pockets.
What is the last thing that made you laugh?
We watched one of those funny home video shows last night, and it was hilarious!
Who is in the bathroom right now?
No one.
Who did you hang out with last night?
My students, and Amy, Mark, and Misty. Then my family.
What year did/do you graduate high school?
1988
When are you going to bed tonight?
Probably between 11pm and 1am.
Have you ever shut someone's fingers in a door?
Yeah...my own. Yee-owtch!!
Do you know how to change a tire?
Of course. I have the video to prove it.
Where did your last hug take place?
Somewhere in my house.
Do daddy long legs freak you out?
Not at all. I mean, unless I wake up from a nap and find one sitting on my chest. Did you know that I can teleport in an emergency?
What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Reading a book and eating breakfast.
Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?
On occasion. ;-)
Where is your mom right now?
Elkhart, Indiana.
Look to your left, what do you see?
A fencing foil, an ironing board, a pile of fake vegetation, and an open door.
What do you think of when you think of Australia?
The Australian wilderness...wow, I'd like to go out there sometime!
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
BB
How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
39, and reveling in my youth.
When was the last time you went swimming in a pool?
I think it was during a trip to see Doug and Julie in Galveston.
Do you currently have a hickey?
Do mat-burns count?
What was the last reason you cried?
I watched the Bucket List.
What are you seriously wearing?
A shirt. Hey, I just got out of bed awhile ago...you expect me to put on a three-piece suit to eat breakfast and surf the 'net?
Have you ever talked to someone when they were high?
It's possible.
How many red lights have you ran?
Not many...our Katy police are quite vigilant.
Is there anything that you are craving right now?
Oh, goodness, yes!
Do you drink tea?
Nope.
Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Hmmmm...only one person comes to mind. Wait, no...two.
What jewelry are you wearing?
Look, I said I'm wearing a shirt. That's it. No jewelry, no shoes, no hats...a shirt.
Do you clean when you’re upset?
Funny you should ask, but yes, I do.
What are you listening to?
The staccato clicking of the keyboard as my fingers fly over the keys.
Has anybody on your top friends ever admitted to liking you?
I should hope so!
What's the one thing that always gets you through a bad day?
If you've only got one thing to get you through a bad day, I'd suggest you look for more things. Seriously, though, my wife and son do a lot for my good mood, and I enjoy listening to happy music when necessary.
What are you doing right now?
Thinking that it might be time to put on some pants.
Do you usually tell people when they hurt your feelings?
Yes, usually by kicking them in the crotch. No, that's a joke. Really.
Do your initials spell out a word?
Nope.
How often do you give high fives?
I prefer to run a victory lap while making whooping noises.
Where is the last place you went to go eat?
My living room. That place is always open, and the service is fabulous.
Have you bought any clothing items in the past week?
No, unless you count those clown shoes I picked up.
Do you sing in the shower?
Like a virtuoso.
Where is the last place you went shopping for clothes?
I think I bought some underwear at Wal Mart.
Do you prefer a call or a text?
Usually a call, but I text all the time.
Have you ever been on television?
Actually, I've been in a movie! An independent film made by my Sis- and Bro-in-law, it's called Eve of Understanding. I was an extra in an AA meeting.
Do you trust people easily?
Sometimes, too easily.
Who was the first person you talked to today?
That will be my fabulous wife. She's still asleep, but I'll kiss her when I leave for work.
Looking forward to something this weekend?
The sky's the limit! Maybe we'll see a movie, or go out to eat, or rent a movie, or go to the bookstore, or ride bikes...heck, I'll even enjoy a nap. I love the weekends!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Fun Weekend.
My in-laws have a timeshare in several places around Texas, and we had the pleasure of joining them in Conroe this past weekend. We had a blast doing little but playing boardgames, watching tv and napping. Sometimes you need weekends like that. I did manage to squeeze in a bit of archery practice (although the available equipment was pretty thoroughly junked up) with my Mom-in-law, and a bit of mini-golf with my son. All in all, just a nice, relaxing time. I admit that I didn't sleep as well as I'd have liked, but sleeping in our own bed last night more than made up for it. Special thanks to my fabulous in-laws for inviting us along!
Not much of a thought-provoking entry today...I don't really have any points to make or stories to tell. I may have something of import later, though, but for now, it's just time for some food.
Have a happy day, everyone!
Not much of a thought-provoking entry today...I don't really have any points to make or stories to tell. I may have something of import later, though, but for now, it's just time for some food.
Have a happy day, everyone!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Another little survey...
Are you tan?
I’ve got a huge Farmer Tan going on. Head, neck, arms, and lower legs are pretty brown, but the rest of me is amazingly, shockingly pale.
Do you have unlimited texting?
Oh, yes.
How old will you be in 13 months?
39, and reveling in my youth.
Where did you get the underwear you are wearing right now?
I’m wearing underwear? Oh, yes, I am…probably Wal Mart or Target.
What are you looking forward to in the next months?
Family vacations.
Are you easily confused?
Who…me? What?
Do you think you would make a good wife/husband?
Actually, yes. Mistakes are made on occasion, but I’m a fabulous hubby.
What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Have you ever liked someone who treated you badly?
Back in High School.
What color are your socks?
Whoa! I didn’t realize that I’m barefoot ‘til just now!
Do you fall for people easily?
No, not really.
Everything happens for a reason?
No, not everything. I do think you can learn from just about everything that happens if you so choose.
Have you ever dated someone more than once?
Uh….geez, I’ve been married twice since I was in my early 20’s…what’s “dating?”
When is the last time you talked to number 1 on your top friends?
Less than an hour ago.
What are you listening to right now?
The hum of the computer, and blissful silence…I have the house to myself for a change.
Who was the last person to send you a message on MySpace?
That was Amanda, Brian’s sis.
Last person you said I love you to?
My ridiculously tall 6-yr-old son.
What is it you truly want right now?
A moped/scooter. Truly.
Are you wearing jeans right now?
No, I threw on some really ugly shorts.
What is the wallpaper on your computer?
Blue, and an Elvgren painting that reminds me of my wife. It’s called ‘Bedside Manner’, and it’s HOT!
How many 20 dollar bills do you have on you right now?
Not a one.
Do you dance in the car?
No…well, maybe. I do sing, and do Chan Su Jinn circles, though.
Do you smile a lot?
I have a rather scary, stone-faced expression when I’m not smiling, so I try to smile as often as possible.
Do you prefer call or text?
I LOVE to talk on the phone. So sue me.
Who is at your house right now?
Just me.
Where did you get the shirt you're wearing?
From the clean clothes pile.
What's the last movie you saw in the theater?
Can you live without the computer?
Sure. But I won’t like it, nope, not at all.
When was the last time you got flowers?
My darling wife has bought me flowers a few times, and I just love it. A dear friend of mine also got me flowers many years ago, and I’ve never forgotten her kindness.
Do you have a tattoo?
Do scars count?
Are you hiding something from someone?
Within everyone’s heart of hearts, there’s something they would prefer to keep hidden. Some things are frightening, some are tragic, and some are only embarrassing. I’m no different.
Are there things you can't live without?
Of course. Food, oxygen, water, love…
What was your first thought when you looked in the mirror this morning?
I actually haven’t seen myself yet today.
Do you like to have long hair or short hair?
Short. I’ve a limited repertoire of styles with my hairline, so I keep it simple.
Have you memorized your social security number?
Yup.
Who is your number two top friend?
Larry “The Awesome” Escher
What's your favorite thing to have on your bed?
My wife and myself.
Do you think you'll be married in 10 years?
Oh, yes.
What happened at 10:00 am today?
I was probably gathering up the breakfast dishes.
Is your family just a bundle of fun?
I laugh every single day…they both just crack me up.
When did you last cry?
I probably got emotional over some movie or other. I’m such a sap.
When did you last smile?
Just now…I thought of something funny. ;-)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Dang it.
So there I was, sitting in my car, feeling like a complete moron. What could I do but laugh?
Here's the brief tale...
I had been wandering around Home Depot for nearly an hour, looking for odds and ends. I had casually greeted the occasional passerby, and smiled at pretty much everyone I saw...I was in a good mood. Enjoyed a brief chat with the checkout guy before heading out to my car. My wallet dropped out of my pocket when I pulled out my keys, so I squatted down, picked it up, then sat in my car.
As I clicked my seatbelt closed, I realized that my zipper was down. Way down. Like down-to-my-ankles down. I had worn the one pair of shorts that has that particular flaw (its zipper is unstable), and it had done its dirty work.
For a moment, I thought, "Well, it probably unzipped when I squatted down to get my wallet...yeah, that's what happened!" I had one blissful moment of relief before remembering that I had also squatted down for some time in the store as I examined different types of pliers. So it had most likely been unzipped for the rest of the time I was in there.
Dang. Must have looked like an idiot.
Guys, if you see some poor fool wandering around with his barn door open, please have the common decency to let him know. Really.
Have a nice day.
Here's the brief tale...
I had been wandering around Home Depot for nearly an hour, looking for odds and ends. I had casually greeted the occasional passerby, and smiled at pretty much everyone I saw...I was in a good mood. Enjoyed a brief chat with the checkout guy before heading out to my car. My wallet dropped out of my pocket when I pulled out my keys, so I squatted down, picked it up, then sat in my car.
As I clicked my seatbelt closed, I realized that my zipper was down. Way down. Like down-to-my-ankles down. I had worn the one pair of shorts that has that particular flaw (its zipper is unstable), and it had done its dirty work.
For a moment, I thought, "Well, it probably unzipped when I squatted down to get my wallet...yeah, that's what happened!" I had one blissful moment of relief before remembering that I had also squatted down for some time in the store as I examined different types of pliers. So it had most likely been unzipped for the rest of the time I was in there.
Dang. Must have looked like an idiot.
Guys, if you see some poor fool wandering around with his barn door open, please have the common decency to let him know. Really.
Have a nice day.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Harvey Korman, we'll miss you.
I'm up way past my bedtime. I thought this might happen, having had a Monster energy drink far later in the evening than I should have, so I figured I'd do a little surfing to pass the time until exhaustion finally claims me.
And now I'm crying because I just discovered that Comic Powerhouse Harvey Korman dies at 81
"Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday, May 29, 2008. He was 81."
I love to laugh, and I grew up watching The Carol Burnett Show and all of Mel Brooks' movies, so I have laughed often at Harvey over the years. I feel as though I have lost a friend, somehow.
Farewell, Mr. Korman. Thanks for all the laughter, and Godspeed.
And now I'm crying because I just discovered that Comic Powerhouse Harvey Korman dies at 81
"Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday, May 29, 2008. He was 81."
I love to laugh, and I grew up watching The Carol Burnett Show and all of Mel Brooks' movies, so I have laughed often at Harvey over the years. I feel as though I have lost a friend, somehow.
Farewell, Mr. Korman. Thanks for all the laughter, and Godspeed.
Harvey Herschel Korman
Feb. 15, 1927 - May 29, 2008
Feb. 15, 1927 - May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Retraction
I'm currently on the phone getting chewed out by my Mom. She has indicated that she's not 'frail', as described in my last post. So there it is.
Mom's not frail. In her words, 'Frail can not shake that booty!"
Have a good day.
Mom's not frail. In her words, 'Frail can not shake that booty!"
Have a good day.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thoughts on Taking Action, Updates, and my Mom.
Something I've known about myself for some time is that I can get in a rut, a funk, a downward spiral, get the blues, and other depressing maladies just the same as other folks can. I'm amazingly human, and therefore subject to many human foibles. I can get in a sour mood even though my life is good, family's fine, my school is running great, and so on.
So how do I fix that? Well, my best cure seems to be one word: ACTION.
The times I tend to feel the most down on myself are when I feel as though I'm becoming stagnant, not making progress. I enjoy a nap even more than the next guy, but I don't like feeling as though I'm not moving forward in some area of my life. There are lots of areas in which I'd like to improve, such as skill in martial arts, business prosperity, physical capability, financial capability...you get the idea. I like to make progress in some or all of these areas as often as possible, but I still occasionally hit the doldrums. Usually, it's because of a lack of planning or organization.
So it's a holiday weekend, and we've enjoyed spending family time together, and doing various activities separately. I watched the Division I NCAA lacrosse finals today (the one sport I'll actually watch in its entirety on TV other than MMA fighting), and then felt a bit down. Cranky, even. The holiday weekend was nearly over, and I felt as if I had accomplished nearly nothing. Hmph! My darling wife and son were playing games in the back room, so I was left to my own devices. What to do, what to do?
I decided to clean the garage.
You have to understand what a monumental undertaking this was. The garage used to be my school, many years ago. Once I opened the doors of Jade Mountain, we started using it for 'storage'. This meant that if we didn't know what to do with something, we chucked in in the garage. Years of chucking stuff, and not ever throwing any of it away, has filled that once clean and organized training space into something resembling...well...a big pile of junk.
So I put on my rattiest clothes and went to work. In the process of figuring out what to throw out, what to donate, what to keep, and what to put up on Ebay, I found some cool stuff (pictures, martial arts notes, some extremely sentimental cards and pics, and some ketchup). I cleaned and oiled our bicycles (I knew we had them, I had just forgotten where). I fixed the speedbag platform. I cleaned and oiled the entire dumbbell rack and weight bench.
It took me around 4 hours. Approximately 1/4 of the garage is now usable, and I'm thrilled. Amazingly, I'm also re-motivated! I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow with some running and strength training, more cleaning, and a visit to my son's school for his kindergarten 'graduation'. As usual, taking positive action has vastly improved my mood.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuff that has happened lately:
We enjoyed watching the UFC fights on Saturday. I was disappointed to see Sean Sherk lose, but it was an honest fight, and there were other good fights on the card as well.
My fantastic wife is preparing for a dance recital this weekend. I'm so excited to see her on stage! And no, she will not be using a pole.
There's a chance I may be getting a moped/scooter soon, thanks to my fabulous parents. They happen to have one that they aren't using. As soon as we figure out how to wrap the thing and fit it in the mailbox, we're set.
BB came out for a visit recently, and we enjoyed pho, hanging out, and some groundfighting while he was here. He did a pretty good job! I'm thrilled that he's graduated with his Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Not only is he following his calling, his bliss, but he'll finally have time to get back into shape now that his classes are over. You go, man!
I changed one of my workouts recently and practically destroyed my legs for a week. Honestly, the workout LOOKED harmless enough...I thought it would be fine. I'm doing it again next week, just to torture myself.
I recently purchased a cheap pair of powered speakers for my computer. WOW!!! I had no idea that something so inexpensive could make such a difference!!!! COOL!! Now, I don't have to hold the speakers directly to my ears to hear the Youtube videos!
------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere around Mother's Day, I had a nice long chat with my Mom. Some may recall that she was in a nasty car wreck last December that shattered her left arm in several places. She ended up with two long plates in that arm (we tell her it's bionic now), and a rather dreary prognosis...'You'll never have full use of that arm again, Mrs. McClendon. And you can forget about making that touchdown signal." He actually said that. No touchdown signal.
Mom dutifully went to physical therapy, just as the doctor ordered. I didn't hear much about her rehab, only that she was going and working hard. She sounded relieved when her mandatory therapy was over, but she was still unhappy about her progress. She still couldn't make the touchdown signal.
No, Mom's not a football referee...she just doesn't like being told that she 'can't' do something.
Here's what I was surprised and thrilled to learn during our chat: after her rehab was over, she had started going to the gym three days a week. She'd start with the treadmill as a warmup, then hit the weight machines for a simple circuit workout for an hour, then the jacuzzi, saunas, and then the showers. Mom had become something of a gym rat.
Let me explain a bit more about Mom. She's 60 years old. She's a petite woman, much shorter than I. She looks kind of frail on first glance. One would not think about 'iron determination' when you first looked at her, but having seen it in her my whole life, I was surprised to suddenly realize how out of the ordinary her drive might seem to other people.
Many folks in her position would have just said, ' Well, I never wanted to raise my arm up that high anyhow.' Not my Mom. She dug her heels in and told the doctor, 'Just watch me!'
When she first started out, she couldn't curl a 2 pound dumbbell in her left arm. Not one time. However, she never gave up. Soon, she curled it. Then again. Then again. Then it was 4 lbs. Then 6 lbs. By now, she's up to 8 or possibly 10 lb dumbbells. Recall that her left arm was s-h-a-t-t-e-r-e-d in that wreck. But she hasn't given up. I don't think she knows how.
Honestly, I don't think Mom is making any statement with her continued training. She's not trying to set an example, or trying to inspire others. No, she likes to keep things simple. She just wants to be able to raise her arm over her head if she so chooses. And to me, that's the most inspiring thing of all.
So how do I fix that? Well, my best cure seems to be one word: ACTION.
The times I tend to feel the most down on myself are when I feel as though I'm becoming stagnant, not making progress. I enjoy a nap even more than the next guy, but I don't like feeling as though I'm not moving forward in some area of my life. There are lots of areas in which I'd like to improve, such as skill in martial arts, business prosperity, physical capability, financial capability...you get the idea. I like to make progress in some or all of these areas as often as possible, but I still occasionally hit the doldrums. Usually, it's because of a lack of planning or organization.
So it's a holiday weekend, and we've enjoyed spending family time together, and doing various activities separately. I watched the Division I NCAA lacrosse finals today (the one sport I'll actually watch in its entirety on TV other than MMA fighting), and then felt a bit down. Cranky, even. The holiday weekend was nearly over, and I felt as if I had accomplished nearly nothing. Hmph! My darling wife and son were playing games in the back room, so I was left to my own devices. What to do, what to do?
I decided to clean the garage.
You have to understand what a monumental undertaking this was. The garage used to be my school, many years ago. Once I opened the doors of Jade Mountain, we started using it for 'storage'. This meant that if we didn't know what to do with something, we chucked in in the garage. Years of chucking stuff, and not ever throwing any of it away, has filled that once clean and organized training space into something resembling...well...a big pile of junk.
So I put on my rattiest clothes and went to work. In the process of figuring out what to throw out, what to donate, what to keep, and what to put up on Ebay, I found some cool stuff (pictures, martial arts notes, some extremely sentimental cards and pics, and some ketchup). I cleaned and oiled our bicycles (I knew we had them, I had just forgotten where). I fixed the speedbag platform. I cleaned and oiled the entire dumbbell rack and weight bench.
It took me around 4 hours. Approximately 1/4 of the garage is now usable, and I'm thrilled. Amazingly, I'm also re-motivated! I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow with some running and strength training, more cleaning, and a visit to my son's school for his kindergarten 'graduation'. As usual, taking positive action has vastly improved my mood.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuff that has happened lately:
We enjoyed watching the UFC fights on Saturday. I was disappointed to see Sean Sherk lose, but it was an honest fight, and there were other good fights on the card as well.
My fantastic wife is preparing for a dance recital this weekend. I'm so excited to see her on stage! And no, she will not be using a pole.
There's a chance I may be getting a moped/scooter soon, thanks to my fabulous parents. They happen to have one that they aren't using. As soon as we figure out how to wrap the thing and fit it in the mailbox, we're set.
BB came out for a visit recently, and we enjoyed pho, hanging out, and some groundfighting while he was here. He did a pretty good job! I'm thrilled that he's graduated with his Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Not only is he following his calling, his bliss, but he'll finally have time to get back into shape now that his classes are over. You go, man!
I changed one of my workouts recently and practically destroyed my legs for a week. Honestly, the workout LOOKED harmless enough...I thought it would be fine. I'm doing it again next week, just to torture myself.
I recently purchased a cheap pair of powered speakers for my computer. WOW!!! I had no idea that something so inexpensive could make such a difference!!!! COOL!! Now, I don't have to hold the speakers directly to my ears to hear the Youtube videos!
------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere around Mother's Day, I had a nice long chat with my Mom. Some may recall that she was in a nasty car wreck last December that shattered her left arm in several places. She ended up with two long plates in that arm (we tell her it's bionic now), and a rather dreary prognosis...'You'll never have full use of that arm again, Mrs. McClendon. And you can forget about making that touchdown signal." He actually said that. No touchdown signal.
Mom dutifully went to physical therapy, just as the doctor ordered. I didn't hear much about her rehab, only that she was going and working hard. She sounded relieved when her mandatory therapy was over, but she was still unhappy about her progress. She still couldn't make the touchdown signal.
No, Mom's not a football referee...she just doesn't like being told that she 'can't' do something.
Here's what I was surprised and thrilled to learn during our chat: after her rehab was over, she had started going to the gym three days a week. She'd start with the treadmill as a warmup, then hit the weight machines for a simple circuit workout for an hour, then the jacuzzi, saunas, and then the showers. Mom had become something of a gym rat.
Let me explain a bit more about Mom. She's 60 years old. She's a petite woman, much shorter than I. She looks kind of frail on first glance. One would not think about 'iron determination' when you first looked at her, but having seen it in her my whole life, I was surprised to suddenly realize how out of the ordinary her drive might seem to other people.
Many folks in her position would have just said, ' Well, I never wanted to raise my arm up that high anyhow.' Not my Mom. She dug her heels in and told the doctor, 'Just watch me!'
When she first started out, she couldn't curl a 2 pound dumbbell in her left arm. Not one time. However, she never gave up. Soon, she curled it. Then again. Then again. Then it was 4 lbs. Then 6 lbs. By now, she's up to 8 or possibly 10 lb dumbbells. Recall that her left arm was s-h-a-t-t-e-r-e-d in that wreck. But she hasn't given up. I don't think she knows how.
Honestly, I don't think Mom is making any statement with her continued training. She's not trying to set an example, or trying to inspire others. No, she likes to keep things simple. She just wants to be able to raise her arm over her head if she so chooses. And to me, that's the most inspiring thing of all.
Love you, Mom!
Friday, May 02, 2008
Iron Man and Bruce Lee
Iron Man is AWESOME!!! Thanks to my fabulous wife, I was able to hit the midnight showing of Iron Man tonight at our local Alamo Drafthouse. Wow! What a fabulously cool movie! The audience was great, and we laughed and hooted and clapped at all the right places, especially at the cameo appearance of Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee. Robert Downey, Jr. was a perfect Tony Stark. It was well worth the lost sleep.
--------------------------
So why is it that I'm always most inspired, creative, and ambitious when I'm up far past my bedtime? I'm about to drop from exhaustion, but what I want to be doing is making workout plans, cleaning the house, organizing the garage, and writing short stories, all at the same time. Any plans I make are going to look rather silly in the morning, and anything I write is going to seem awfully odd when read by the light of day. And the other stuff makes too much noise. I wish I could feel like this in the mornings instead!
---------------------------
We're on our way to buying a new location for Jade Mountain. A new facility could be quite a long ways off, but a long journey starts with a single step, so we've started the process. Financing is a tricky thing, and we'll just have to see what obstacles are in the way, and how we can go around, over, under, or through them. Several things happened recently that suggested that it might be time.
I'm a pretty down-to-earth kind of guy. I like things I can see and touch. Facts are good to have when moving forward with any project, as are well-laid plans. However, I'm still in touch with my feelings (Yoda taught me well), and when I get such a strong gut instinct that it's time, then my friends, it's time.
One of our students, who works in real estate, brought in a property listing for me to see. I drove out there that very night after class, and got a really good feeling about the place. On my way home, I heard a song on the radio that really seemed to fit at the time, something that made me optimistic about the possibilities. Then when I got home and turned on the TV, I got the final sign. Let me explain...
We watch a lot of movies...high-brow, low-brow, foreign films, popcorn- and chick-flicks, action, drama, horror, you name it, we watch it. We saw Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story with Jason Scott Lee long before we opened my school. In it, there was a scene in which Bruce took his future bride to an old building and explained to her that it would be the location of his first school. The influence of his school, and his martial arts, would affect the world much like ripples from a pebble dropped in a pond. We know this to be true, for his influence is still felt today. He handed her a pebble, and asked her to drop it to the floor of the school, thereby starting the ripples. It was a very symbolic gesture, and whether it truly happened, or no, the scene stuck with me.
The day we signed the lease on our school, I had a pebble in my pocket. I took my darling wife Christina into our new school and reminded her of the scene. I told her that without her support and love, I would never have been able to open the doors of Jade Mountain. I asked her to drop the pebble...and she refused. With sweet tears in her eyes, she insisted that we had to do it together. So we did.
...and THAT was the scene that popped up on the TV when I turned the power on that night.
Whether we are able to actually get the place we're hoping for is irrelevant. What's important is that we've started the process. However long it takes, we will find the right place for Jade Mountain.
And now, I'm headed to bed. Happy Friday, all.
--------------------------
So why is it that I'm always most inspired, creative, and ambitious when I'm up far past my bedtime? I'm about to drop from exhaustion, but what I want to be doing is making workout plans, cleaning the house, organizing the garage, and writing short stories, all at the same time. Any plans I make are going to look rather silly in the morning, and anything I write is going to seem awfully odd when read by the light of day. And the other stuff makes too much noise. I wish I could feel like this in the mornings instead!
---------------------------
We're on our way to buying a new location for Jade Mountain. A new facility could be quite a long ways off, but a long journey starts with a single step, so we've started the process. Financing is a tricky thing, and we'll just have to see what obstacles are in the way, and how we can go around, over, under, or through them. Several things happened recently that suggested that it might be time.
I'm a pretty down-to-earth kind of guy. I like things I can see and touch. Facts are good to have when moving forward with any project, as are well-laid plans. However, I'm still in touch with my feelings (Yoda taught me well), and when I get such a strong gut instinct that it's time, then my friends, it's time.
One of our students, who works in real estate, brought in a property listing for me to see. I drove out there that very night after class, and got a really good feeling about the place. On my way home, I heard a song on the radio that really seemed to fit at the time, something that made me optimistic about the possibilities. Then when I got home and turned on the TV, I got the final sign. Let me explain...
We watch a lot of movies...high-brow, low-brow, foreign films, popcorn- and chick-flicks, action, drama, horror, you name it, we watch it. We saw Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story with Jason Scott Lee long before we opened my school. In it, there was a scene in which Bruce took his future bride to an old building and explained to her that it would be the location of his first school. The influence of his school, and his martial arts, would affect the world much like ripples from a pebble dropped in a pond. We know this to be true, for his influence is still felt today. He handed her a pebble, and asked her to drop it to the floor of the school, thereby starting the ripples. It was a very symbolic gesture, and whether it truly happened, or no, the scene stuck with me.
The day we signed the lease on our school, I had a pebble in my pocket. I took my darling wife Christina into our new school and reminded her of the scene. I told her that without her support and love, I would never have been able to open the doors of Jade Mountain. I asked her to drop the pebble...and she refused. With sweet tears in her eyes, she insisted that we had to do it together. So we did.
...and THAT was the scene that popped up on the TV when I turned the power on that night.
Whether we are able to actually get the place we're hoping for is irrelevant. What's important is that we've started the process. However long it takes, we will find the right place for Jade Mountain.
And now, I'm headed to bed. Happy Friday, all.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
TaDaaaaa!!!!!!!
We still have some skills to refine...riding on the sidewalk is still a work in progress, as is stopping the bike without the 'dive and roll' dismount.
Before, he was just terrified of the whole process. Now, he just needs a little help to get started, and then he's off riding around like it's no big thing. I figure we'll just keep practicing every chance we get, and he'll keep improving and getting more confident each time.
I'm pretty danged proud of my son. I wonder if he'll ever know just how my heart bursts with joy every time I hear him laugh out there as I watch him ride unassisted?
--------------------------------------------------
In other news, I've got another lacrosse game tomorrow...we're playing a tough team, but we've picked up a few new players that have kicked our talent level up a notch. My training this week was not quite as consistent as I'd like, but I think I'll be ready for the game.
Most of the time, we play to a crowd of about..lessee...carry the one...maybe 6 or 8 people. That includes fans for the opposing team, by the way. These folks are usually spouses of the players, or maybe a buddy or two who enjoy seeing their friends get knocked around.
I must be honest...I love when friends and family come out to watch me play. Not because I want them to see me being an awesome player on the field, though. I'm just not that good. Mostly it's because I love to laugh with them about my gaffs and goofs afterwards...of those, I have plenty. Sure, I occasionally score a goal or two, and maybe I make a decent hit on an opponent now and then, and hearing a "GO WHIT!!" cheer from the sidelines is really fabulous. But more often, I'm looking for a reason to laugh and say, "Hey, did you see that guy knock the crap out of me?"
When I play, I play as hard as I possibly can. I do everything I can to help my team win, every single time I step on the field...but losing doesn't really bother me. I compete as though I plan to win, as though I absolutely intend to win...but if we don't, I accept the outcome and just delight in the fact that I LOVE this game. I LOVE being able to play it, and I LOVE being able to share it with others, whether I was the "Most Valuable Player", or the 'Guy Who Got Knocked Down Most Often." It's all fun to me.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Ride, boy, ride!
Well, the time has finally come...I've decided to teach my boy to ride his bike without training wheels. Being the sweet, sensitive soul that he is, he wasn't too thrilled about the idea at first. There are times when he is completely fearless, but this is not one of those times. My gorgeous wife was babysitting most of the day on Sunday, so I took that opportunity to take off those training wheels, lace up my running shoes, and get things underway.
Did I mention that Sunday is usually my "Doughnuts and Couch" Day? I didn't realize that this day's training would involve me running behind and alongside Monkey's bike for approximately six miles, which is in direct conflict with said "D and C" activities. Wow.
We started off going back and forth down our street...it's a dead-end, so there's not much traffic. At first, I tried to hold onto the back of his bicycle seat like my Dad did, but running up and down the block hunched over started to make me pray for death, so I tried grabbing a handful of Monkey's shirt instead...BINGO! That worked like a charm. I ran alongside his bike while he pedaled and tried to get his balance.
After a dozen or so trips up and down the street, we headed for the nearby Junior High, and all its sidewalks, parking lots, and practice fields. Things fell apart soon after, as we both got tired, and decided to call it a day. But there was definitely progress!
Tuesday afternoon, we geared up and went at it again. This time, we went straight to the practice field so that he could fall in the grass. It took us quite a few tries, but before too long, the boy was riding all by himself! Granted, his steering skills were non-existent, and the only way he knew how to stop was by flinging himself over the handlebars, but he was riding! I'll never forget that moment when I finally let go of his shirt, and saw him wobble, wobble...and keep on riding. He laughed then, from pure joy, and I did too. "You're doing it! You're riding all by yourself!!" I yelled encouragement while he rode. I'll treasure that memory forever.
And then he pitched over the handlebars to land in the grass. (Sigh) "OK, boy, let's get back on and do it again!"
He was a pretty good sport about it, and had a blast on that field. The sidewalk home was another matter, since he was thoroughly spent by then, but his fabulous mother had seen us as she had come home from babysitting, and walked out to meet us. We all walked home together, Monkey pushing his bike along, and we celebrated our little victories. We'll hit it again on Friday, when he's got a holiday from school.
I've really enjoyed this minor adventure, and it's not over yet. I know that before too long, he'll be riding that Spider-Man bike all over the place, popping wheelies, jumping curbs, and who knows what else? The biggest lesson I want him to learn is that it's OK to be afraid...as long as we don't let our fear keep us from doing things. Seems like he's learning.
Did I mention that Sunday is usually my "Doughnuts and Couch" Day? I didn't realize that this day's training would involve me running behind and alongside Monkey's bike for approximately six miles, which is in direct conflict with said "D and C" activities. Wow.
We started off going back and forth down our street...it's a dead-end, so there's not much traffic. At first, I tried to hold onto the back of his bicycle seat like my Dad did, but running up and down the block hunched over started to make me pray for death, so I tried grabbing a handful of Monkey's shirt instead...BINGO! That worked like a charm. I ran alongside his bike while he pedaled and tried to get his balance.
After a dozen or so trips up and down the street, we headed for the nearby Junior High, and all its sidewalks, parking lots, and practice fields. Things fell apart soon after, as we both got tired, and decided to call it a day. But there was definitely progress!
Tuesday afternoon, we geared up and went at it again. This time, we went straight to the practice field so that he could fall in the grass. It took us quite a few tries, but before too long, the boy was riding all by himself! Granted, his steering skills were non-existent, and the only way he knew how to stop was by flinging himself over the handlebars, but he was riding! I'll never forget that moment when I finally let go of his shirt, and saw him wobble, wobble...and keep on riding. He laughed then, from pure joy, and I did too. "You're doing it! You're riding all by yourself!!" I yelled encouragement while he rode. I'll treasure that memory forever.
And then he pitched over the handlebars to land in the grass. (Sigh) "OK, boy, let's get back on and do it again!"
He was a pretty good sport about it, and had a blast on that field. The sidewalk home was another matter, since he was thoroughly spent by then, but his fabulous mother had seen us as she had come home from babysitting, and walked out to meet us. We all walked home together, Monkey pushing his bike along, and we celebrated our little victories. We'll hit it again on Friday, when he's got a holiday from school.
I've really enjoyed this minor adventure, and it's not over yet. I know that before too long, he'll be riding that Spider-Man bike all over the place, popping wheelies, jumping curbs, and who knows what else? The biggest lesson I want him to learn is that it's OK to be afraid...as long as we don't let our fear keep us from doing things. Seems like he's learning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)