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!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
44 Odd Things About Me...
Just another silly little survey. Sometimes, they amuse me, so here we go.
1. Do you like blue cheese? Not in the least.
2. Have you ever smoked? No, not at all.
3. Do you own a gun? Yup...a 12 gauge pump shotgun with pistol grips.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I never really liked the stuff.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nope.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them better with turkey meat.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's A Wonderful Life...I watch it every year, and usually get all teary-eyed.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water, orange juice, and an occasional orange Monster.
9. Can you do push ups? Yes, I can usually do about 65 in a row before passing out.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring, without a doubt. I used to have a gold-plated Chinese coin necklace, a gift from my dear friend Larry. I really liked it, but lost it during a lacrosse game in Austin.
11. Favorite hobby? Reading, watching movies, playing lacrosse. I've been known to write short stories here and there.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? Not officially, no.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I have trouble with keeping track of stuff I said I'd do.
14. Middle name? Whitsitt.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Uhhhhhh...I need a shower? That's all I can come up with.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly consume. See question 8.
17. Current worry? Taxes approach!!
18. Current hate right now? Did I mention taxes?
19. Favorite place to be? I have several...in bed with my wife, at my school, at Pho Mai, and on any lacrosse field.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I think my wife and I just stayed home and watched movies..
21. Where would you like to go? I wouldn't mind seeing Scotland and Australia.
22. Name three people who will complete this? Whomever wishes to.
23. Do you own slippers? Nope.
24 What shirt are you wearing? Rex Kwon Do...Bow to your Sensei!
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never slept on those, so I don't have the foggiest.
26. Can you whistle? Yup.
27. Favorite color? Green
28. Would you be a pirate? Only if I could be a 'nice' pirate.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? "If I Only Had A Brain" from the Wizard of Oz.
30. Favorite girl's name? Kelly Clarkson
31. Favorite boy's name? The one I gave my son.
32. What's in your pocket right now? I don't have pockets in my underwear.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? One of the computer marines from Halo 2 said something funny that cracked us both up.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Disney's Robin Hood.
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Been pretty lucky...two broken toes, stretched ligaments in my knee, twisted ankles, a laceration here and there, and countless bruises. That's about it.
36. Do you love where you live? Yep, I dig it here...though I'd enjoy a house in the country.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? I don't have any that I think of as 'the loud one'.
39. How many dogs do you have? None. Used to have two pugs, whom we adored.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Just my wife, as far as I know.
41. What is your favorite book(s)? Far too many to list. Martial arts instructionals, fantasy fiction, detective novels, the list goes on.
42. What is your favorite candy? I'm quite partial to Hershey's Milk Chocolate.
43. Favorite Sports Team? Bayou City Lacrosse Club.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Something upbeat...I'd rather folks have a great time celebrating my life than mourning my death.
1. Do you like blue cheese? Not in the least.
2. Have you ever smoked? No, not at all.
3. Do you own a gun? Yup...a 12 gauge pump shotgun with pistol grips.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I never really liked the stuff.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nope.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them better with turkey meat.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's A Wonderful Life...I watch it every year, and usually get all teary-eyed.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water, orange juice, and an occasional orange Monster.
9. Can you do push ups? Yes, I can usually do about 65 in a row before passing out.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring, without a doubt. I used to have a gold-plated Chinese coin necklace, a gift from my dear friend Larry. I really liked it, but lost it during a lacrosse game in Austin.
11. Favorite hobby? Reading, watching movies, playing lacrosse. I've been known to write short stories here and there.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? Not officially, no.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I have trouble with keeping track of stuff I said I'd do.
14. Middle name? Whitsitt.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Uhhhhhh...I need a shower? That's all I can come up with.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly consume. See question 8.
17. Current worry? Taxes approach!!
18. Current hate right now? Did I mention taxes?
19. Favorite place to be? I have several...in bed with my wife, at my school, at Pho Mai, and on any lacrosse field.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I think my wife and I just stayed home and watched movies..
21. Where would you like to go? I wouldn't mind seeing Scotland and Australia.
22. Name three people who will complete this? Whomever wishes to.
23. Do you own slippers? Nope.
24 What shirt are you wearing? Rex Kwon Do...Bow to your Sensei!
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never slept on those, so I don't have the foggiest.
26. Can you whistle? Yup.
27. Favorite color? Green
28. Would you be a pirate? Only if I could be a 'nice' pirate.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? "If I Only Had A Brain" from the Wizard of Oz.
30. Favorite girl's name? Kelly Clarkson
31. Favorite boy's name? The one I gave my son.
32. What's in your pocket right now? I don't have pockets in my underwear.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? One of the computer marines from Halo 2 said something funny that cracked us both up.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Disney's Robin Hood.
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Been pretty lucky...two broken toes, stretched ligaments in my knee, twisted ankles, a laceration here and there, and countless bruises. That's about it.
36. Do you love where you live? Yep, I dig it here...though I'd enjoy a house in the country.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? I don't have any that I think of as 'the loud one'.
39. How many dogs do you have? None. Used to have two pugs, whom we adored.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Just my wife, as far as I know.
41. What is your favorite book(s)? Far too many to list. Martial arts instructionals, fantasy fiction, detective novels, the list goes on.
42. What is your favorite candy? I'm quite partial to Hershey's Milk Chocolate.
43. Favorite Sports Team? Bayou City Lacrosse Club.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Something upbeat...I'd rather folks have a great time celebrating my life than mourning my death.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Where's my Bliss...whoops...THERE it is!
Actually, I know where my Bliss is, and I'm following it daily. I've wanted to be a martial arts instructor since I was about 12 years old, and that's exactly what I am. I spend my days training, learning, teaching, and attempting to help others live better lives in some way through martial arts. I totally dig it.
When I was still working at an engineering firm in Houston a few years ago, I was in hot pursuit of this awesome martial arts career, and I noticed that folks around me complained about the work we were doing, about the pressure, or the lack of recognition, the usual corporate stuff. Don't get me wrong, my former place of employment was a pretty decent place to work as far as engineering firms go, but it was obvious that my life was meant for other things. Since this was so deeply true for me, and since I heard an awful lot of complaining from my coworkers, I wondered if other folks around me were meant for other careers as well. So I started asking around.
"Hey, if you could make the exact same amount of money that you make right now, but were able to do anything in the world that you wanted to do to make that money, what would you do?"
The answers were quite varied, as one might expect. But I learned something interesting over time...not one of the folks I asked this question ever answered by saying that they would stay right where they were, continuing in their current career.
Not. One.
It often took a moment or two for people to shift their thinking when I asked the question, as if they had to allow themselves the luxury of imagining their dream job, and it was just hard to do. But when they did, their faces would change, would absolutely light up, and a faraway look would come into their eyes. It didn't matter if they were young, old, male, or female. Once they allowed themselves to dream of their blissful, fabulous career in some imaginary life, it seemed that a sense of joy blossomed inside them.
"I'd sing...yes, I'd definitely sing!"
"Me? Why...I'd make fishing lures. Yeah...that'd be great!"
"I'd open a little bar. I've talked about it for years..."
"I've always wanted to live on the coast...operate a little charter fishing boat."
"Honestly? Don't laugh...I'd love to be a full-time dog walker."
It never mattered to me what folks wanted to do or be. No, what I never was able to understand was why didn't they DO something about it? The thing that gets me is that each person who would like to be doing something else, may very well be wasting precious hours, days, even years of their life in a career that holds no joy, no thrill, no true sense of self-expression. What a waste.
I know that making your way through this world of ours without a steady paycheck from a big company might be scary. And challenging. What if you fail? What if you can't make it? What if you screw up?
Sure...you might fail. And you might screw up. But it's highly likely that the sun will still rise tomorrow, no matter what you do. And you might learn something, something that allows you to do better that next day.
But what if you succeed? What if you persevere, you learn along the way, and you actually make it? WOW!! Imagine that!!
Each new day brings a new opportunity for you to succeed, doesn't it? I think it does. And why not follow your dream, chase down that Bliss? Maybe find someone who is already living that dream life, working in that dream career, and then find out how they did it?
How many hours do you spend doing something that holds no meaning for you? Why is it easier to do that, instead of doing something that you love doing? You can have a steady paycheck doing something else! Really!!! If you hate your job, then do something about it. Figure out what you love to do, something that calls you, that brings meaning into your life...then find a way to make that your career. Chances are that someone has already done it, and you might be able to learn from them.
When I look back on my life near the end, I will know that I spent my precious hours on Earth doing the things that were the most meaningful. I'll know that I spent time with my family, I helped others, and I had a blast along the way. I won't be saying, "Man, if only I hadn't spent so much time at the office!"
So, dear reader, open your mind for a bit. Allow yourself to consider some possibilities. What if you really could make a change in your career? What if you could really LOVE what you do at work each day? And what if you could be just as successful, if not more so, by doing what you love?
Think about it for awhile. Discover where your Bliss is hiding. Be brave...and go find it.
When I was still working at an engineering firm in Houston a few years ago, I was in hot pursuit of this awesome martial arts career, and I noticed that folks around me complained about the work we were doing, about the pressure, or the lack of recognition, the usual corporate stuff. Don't get me wrong, my former place of employment was a pretty decent place to work as far as engineering firms go, but it was obvious that my life was meant for other things. Since this was so deeply true for me, and since I heard an awful lot of complaining from my coworkers, I wondered if other folks around me were meant for other careers as well. So I started asking around.
"Hey, if you could make the exact same amount of money that you make right now, but were able to do anything in the world that you wanted to do to make that money, what would you do?"
The answers were quite varied, as one might expect. But I learned something interesting over time...not one of the folks I asked this question ever answered by saying that they would stay right where they were, continuing in their current career.
Not. One.
It often took a moment or two for people to shift their thinking when I asked the question, as if they had to allow themselves the luxury of imagining their dream job, and it was just hard to do. But when they did, their faces would change, would absolutely light up, and a faraway look would come into their eyes. It didn't matter if they were young, old, male, or female. Once they allowed themselves to dream of their blissful, fabulous career in some imaginary life, it seemed that a sense of joy blossomed inside them.
"I'd sing...yes, I'd definitely sing!"
"Me? Why...I'd make fishing lures. Yeah...that'd be great!"
"I'd open a little bar. I've talked about it for years..."
"I've always wanted to live on the coast...operate a little charter fishing boat."
"Honestly? Don't laugh...I'd love to be a full-time dog walker."
It never mattered to me what folks wanted to do or be. No, what I never was able to understand was why didn't they DO something about it? The thing that gets me is that each person who would like to be doing something else, may very well be wasting precious hours, days, even years of their life in a career that holds no joy, no thrill, no true sense of self-expression. What a waste.
I know that making your way through this world of ours without a steady paycheck from a big company might be scary. And challenging. What if you fail? What if you can't make it? What if you screw up?
Sure...you might fail. And you might screw up. But it's highly likely that the sun will still rise tomorrow, no matter what you do. And you might learn something, something that allows you to do better that next day.
But what if you succeed? What if you persevere, you learn along the way, and you actually make it? WOW!! Imagine that!!
Each new day brings a new opportunity for you to succeed, doesn't it? I think it does. And why not follow your dream, chase down that Bliss? Maybe find someone who is already living that dream life, working in that dream career, and then find out how they did it?
How many hours do you spend doing something that holds no meaning for you? Why is it easier to do that, instead of doing something that you love doing? You can have a steady paycheck doing something else! Really!!! If you hate your job, then do something about it. Figure out what you love to do, something that calls you, that brings meaning into your life...then find a way to make that your career. Chances are that someone has already done it, and you might be able to learn from them.
When I look back on my life near the end, I will know that I spent my precious hours on Earth doing the things that were the most meaningful. I'll know that I spent time with my family, I helped others, and I had a blast along the way. I won't be saying, "Man, if only I hadn't spent so much time at the office!"
So, dear reader, open your mind for a bit. Allow yourself to consider some possibilities. What if you really could make a change in your career? What if you could really LOVE what you do at work each day? And what if you could be just as successful, if not more so, by doing what you love?
Think about it for awhile. Discover where your Bliss is hiding. Be brave...and go find it.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Update and Survey
It's Good Friday today, and I've got one class left before taking a little holiday break. Things have been pretty cool here during Spring Break...having Monkey sleep in has been fabulous! Going to bed at 2am and waking up at 9am seems to agree with me somewhat. Now, I just have to shift that bedtime back a bit for next week when Monkey goes back to school.
Lots of little things running through my mind today...plans, hopes, and a lot of wondering. Don't know that I'm ready to articulate much of it, though. For now, I'm content to just 'be', enjoy my day, and see what shows up.
Here's another silly little survey.
1. If someone looked ON your bed, what would they find?
Rumpled covers, pillows, and my wife.
2. Last person you drove with?
Christina and the Monkey
3. Where did you go today?
Nowhere yet, but I'm planning to hit Jade Mountain, the bank, and Wal Mart.
4. Sleep on your back or stomach?
Side and back
5. Are you a cuddler?
Mostly...I occasionally need to stretch out, though
6. What would someone find UNDER your bed?
Books and plastic bins of clothes
7. Something that happened today that made you angry?
Hmmm.....nope. Not a thing.
8. What were you doing before this survey?
Ordering some new elbow pads from the 'net.
9. What will you do after the survey?
Get dressed and head to Jade Mountain.
10. Last really funny thing you laughed at?
Pros vs. Joes.
11. What shirt are you wearing now?
White undershirt. I know...sexy, right?
12. Do you sing?
In the shower, baby...in the shower.
13. Who will you see the most this weekend besides family?
Aliens and Charlton Heston...I plan to play Halo 2 until I puke, and watch Ben Hur.
14. Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?
I'm pretty open with those close to me.
15. Is there something you regret and wish you could take back?
Oh my goodness, yes. Living means learning, which usually means making mistakes. I've made my share, to be sure.
16. First thing you do when you wake up?
Try to get one eye open and figure out what the heck is going on.
17. Ever had surgery?
Just on my right wrist...had a cyst removed back in my early 20's.
18. What do you want to be?
Actually, I already am what I want to be. I'm loved, happy, relatively successful, and in good health. And I get to wear pajamas to work.
19. What do you think about the person who commented you last?
He's one of my best friends in the world (and I don't have many), and I think he's a fantastic guy. He's smart, funny, multi-talented, thoughtful, and lots of other great things. And he has the uncanny ability to put up with my crap.
20. How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?
Not as long as it used to...I'm usually about to drop when I finally lay down.
21. Is there a meaning behind the song on your myspace?
It's just one of my favorites. And I can sing it in the shower. May change it today, though.
22. When you shut off your alarm clock, do you tend to fall back asleep?
I may snooze once, but when the alarm goes off, I usually need to get moving.
23. Does anyone like you?
I certainly hope so.
24. What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
Continuing my martial arts education in a couple of key areas.
25. It's midnight, who are you texting?
I'm probably hassling BB to do some workout or other.
26. It's Wednesday night, where are you usually?
Teaching class 'til 8:30 or 8:45, then home.
27. Do you run stop signs?
Not at all...our local police are quite vigilant.
28. Do you play an instrument?
I play the clarinet astonishingly well. Er, at least that's what my Mom says.
27. What's something you dislike?
Taxes. Definitely taxes.
28. You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first?
Uh...I haven't actually purchased a new pair of jeans in years. Who sells Levi's nowadays?
29. How do you feel about your hair?
It's still there, just not as much as before. I miss my old hairline!
30. If you could move away, no questions asked, where would you move?
And do what? With whom? How much money is involved? Silly question. I like it here in Katy, although I'd love to have a small ranch somewhere in Texas as a retreat.
31. Last person you talked to on aim?
Uh...I don't use AIM.
32. What's the greatest thing that happened to you today?
I slept late, enjoyed breakfast with my son, and ordered some new elbow pads
--------Ok, 33-39 were missing, so I'm making them up myself.----
33. What have you always wanted to do but haven't quite accomplished?
I'd like to finish and publish a novel. I love to write, but never finished that trilogy I started over a decade ago.
34. If you had to choose another job, what would it be?
Probably a college professor. I truly love teaching, whatever the subject.
35. So which would you choose...love, money, or fame?
Love. Without a doubt, love. You can always make more money, and fame brings its own set of problems...but with the right person beside you, you can do anything.
36. Whom do you take after more, your Mom or your Dad?
I tend to remember Mom's words and Dad's quiet example, and live by a combination of them both. I think I got my tenacity from Mom and my work ethic from Dad.
37. What's your favorite junk food?
Chocolate pie, Froot Loops, and Coke. Not all at the same time, though.
38. Favorite place for lunch?
Pho Mai in Katy. Man, I could go for some noodles right now!
39. If you could go back in time to when you were 21, what would you tell yourself?
"There will be ups and downs ahead. You will experience both tragedy and joy. There will be hard decisions to make. Above all, be patient, follow your heart and dreams, and there will come a day that you realize that you absolutely adore your life."
-------And now, back to the original survey----------------------
40. How many TRUE best friends do you have?I have a very, very small group of friends with whom I'd trust my life and everything that it entails. They are treasures, each and every one.
Lots of little things running through my mind today...plans, hopes, and a lot of wondering. Don't know that I'm ready to articulate much of it, though. For now, I'm content to just 'be', enjoy my day, and see what shows up.
Here's another silly little survey.
1. If someone looked ON your bed, what would they find?
Rumpled covers, pillows, and my wife.
2. Last person you drove with?
Christina and the Monkey
3. Where did you go today?
Nowhere yet, but I'm planning to hit Jade Mountain, the bank, and Wal Mart.
4. Sleep on your back or stomach?
Side and back
5. Are you a cuddler?
Mostly...I occasionally need to stretch out, though
6. What would someone find UNDER your bed?
Books and plastic bins of clothes
7. Something that happened today that made you angry?
Hmmm.....nope. Not a thing.
8. What were you doing before this survey?
Ordering some new elbow pads from the 'net.
9. What will you do after the survey?
Get dressed and head to Jade Mountain.
10. Last really funny thing you laughed at?
Pros vs. Joes.
11. What shirt are you wearing now?
White undershirt. I know...sexy, right?
12. Do you sing?
In the shower, baby...in the shower.
13. Who will you see the most this weekend besides family?
Aliens and Charlton Heston...I plan to play Halo 2 until I puke, and watch Ben Hur.
14. Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?
I'm pretty open with those close to me.
15. Is there something you regret and wish you could take back?
Oh my goodness, yes. Living means learning, which usually means making mistakes. I've made my share, to be sure.
16. First thing you do when you wake up?
Try to get one eye open and figure out what the heck is going on.
17. Ever had surgery?
Just on my right wrist...had a cyst removed back in my early 20's.
18. What do you want to be?
Actually, I already am what I want to be. I'm loved, happy, relatively successful, and in good health. And I get to wear pajamas to work.
19. What do you think about the person who commented you last?
He's one of my best friends in the world (and I don't have many), and I think he's a fantastic guy. He's smart, funny, multi-talented, thoughtful, and lots of other great things. And he has the uncanny ability to put up with my crap.
20. How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?
Not as long as it used to...I'm usually about to drop when I finally lay down.
21. Is there a meaning behind the song on your myspace?
It's just one of my favorites. And I can sing it in the shower. May change it today, though.
22. When you shut off your alarm clock, do you tend to fall back asleep?
I may snooze once, but when the alarm goes off, I usually need to get moving.
23. Does anyone like you?
I certainly hope so.
24. What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
Continuing my martial arts education in a couple of key areas.
25. It's midnight, who are you texting?
I'm probably hassling BB to do some workout or other.
26. It's Wednesday night, where are you usually?
Teaching class 'til 8:30 or 8:45, then home.
27. Do you run stop signs?
Not at all...our local police are quite vigilant.
28. Do you play an instrument?
I play the clarinet astonishingly well. Er, at least that's what my Mom says.
27. What's something you dislike?
Taxes. Definitely taxes.
28. You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first?
Uh...I haven't actually purchased a new pair of jeans in years. Who sells Levi's nowadays?
29. How do you feel about your hair?
It's still there, just not as much as before. I miss my old hairline!
30. If you could move away, no questions asked, where would you move?
And do what? With whom? How much money is involved? Silly question. I like it here in Katy, although I'd love to have a small ranch somewhere in Texas as a retreat.
31. Last person you talked to on aim?
Uh...I don't use AIM.
32. What's the greatest thing that happened to you today?
I slept late, enjoyed breakfast with my son, and ordered some new elbow pads
--------Ok, 33-39 were missing, so I'm making them up myself.----
33. What have you always wanted to do but haven't quite accomplished?
I'd like to finish and publish a novel. I love to write, but never finished that trilogy I started over a decade ago.
34. If you had to choose another job, what would it be?
Probably a college professor. I truly love teaching, whatever the subject.
35. So which would you choose...love, money, or fame?
Love. Without a doubt, love. You can always make more money, and fame brings its own set of problems...but with the right person beside you, you can do anything.
36. Whom do you take after more, your Mom or your Dad?
I tend to remember Mom's words and Dad's quiet example, and live by a combination of them both. I think I got my tenacity from Mom and my work ethic from Dad.
37. What's your favorite junk food?
Chocolate pie, Froot Loops, and Coke. Not all at the same time, though.
38. Favorite place for lunch?
Pho Mai in Katy. Man, I could go for some noodles right now!
39. If you could go back in time to when you were 21, what would you tell yourself?
"There will be ups and downs ahead. You will experience both tragedy and joy. There will be hard decisions to make. Above all, be patient, follow your heart and dreams, and there will come a day that you realize that you absolutely adore your life."
-------And now, back to the original survey----------------------
40. How many TRUE best friends do you have?I have a very, very small group of friends with whom I'd trust my life and everything that it entails. They are treasures, each and every one.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
We won, we won!!!
And after a rather slow start, the Bayou City Lacrosse Club has finally won a game this season! Yay! We picked up a few new players recently, and many of our absent regulars showed up for the game as well, so we finally had a handful of subs on the sidelines today. The score was something like 10-4.
In addition, I've been running windsprints and interval drills almost every day for the last two weeks, so I'm pleased to report that I was hauling my big ol' butt up and down the field with more enthusiasm than ever. I managed to knock another opponent off his feet, and I also scored a goal with my 'Bugs Bunny Slowball' shooting style. I'm guessing that the goalie thought it would be coming at him WAY faster than it actually did. And the weird bounce my shot took helped as well.
And so, I'm already looking forward to the next game, which will be in Beaumont. Haven't been there in years, but I'm planning to knock 'em dead upon my arrival. I've got another two weeks to do more windsprints. ;-)
In addition, I've been running windsprints and interval drills almost every day for the last two weeks, so I'm pleased to report that I was hauling my big ol' butt up and down the field with more enthusiasm than ever. I managed to knock another opponent off his feet, and I also scored a goal with my 'Bugs Bunny Slowball' shooting style. I'm guessing that the goalie thought it would be coming at him WAY faster than it actually did. And the weird bounce my shot took helped as well.
And so, I'm already looking forward to the next game, which will be in Beaumont. Haven't been there in years, but I'm planning to knock 'em dead upon my arrival. I've got another two weeks to do more windsprints. ;-)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Goodbye, Pinkeye!
Nasty thing, that pinkeye. We noticed that Monkey had a touch of it on Sunday. We started drops on him right away, and it cleared up before day's end. Of course, I woke up with it on Monday. DRAT! I HATE pinkeye! It itches, it's nasty, and until the drops start working, it's quite communicable. Many drops and a day later, pinkeye has beat a hasty retreat under the antibiotic beatdown of whatever drops we were given. Glad that's over with.
As if a little pinkeye isn't enough, poor Monkey went to bed with a fever last night. He woke up without it, but was still listless and had a cough, so we kept him home today. He's been a great kid, took his medicine without a fuss, and generally just rested and got his strength back. Back to school tomorrow for him. Did I mention that he got three awards last week? Perfect Attendance, the Principals Award, and something else I can't recall. Go Monkey!!
My darling wife is on an overnight babysitting job, watching two adorable little girls until late tomorrow evening, so I have some quiet time to myself. And now, I don't really know what to do with it. Most likely, I'll watch some BJJ videos, read a bit, or just get to bed before midnight for a change.
My workouts are going well, though I need to spend more time on certain aspects of my training. In martial arts, there is always something to learn, practice, and eventually master...that's why I love my job! It never gets old to me.
I'm sure there's something funny I could write about tonight, or some statement I'd like to make, but sometimes, it's probably enough to just say 'Howdy'. So have a great night, and I'll do my best to write something interesting next time.
As if a little pinkeye isn't enough, poor Monkey went to bed with a fever last night. He woke up without it, but was still listless and had a cough, so we kept him home today. He's been a great kid, took his medicine without a fuss, and generally just rested and got his strength back. Back to school tomorrow for him. Did I mention that he got three awards last week? Perfect Attendance, the Principals Award, and something else I can't recall. Go Monkey!!
My darling wife is on an overnight babysitting job, watching two adorable little girls until late tomorrow evening, so I have some quiet time to myself. And now, I don't really know what to do with it. Most likely, I'll watch some BJJ videos, read a bit, or just get to bed before midnight for a change.
My workouts are going well, though I need to spend more time on certain aspects of my training. In martial arts, there is always something to learn, practice, and eventually master...that's why I love my job! It never gets old to me.
I'm sure there's something funny I could write about tonight, or some statement I'd like to make, but sometimes, it's probably enough to just say 'Howdy'. So have a great night, and I'll do my best to write something interesting next time.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Too old for this? Nah.
So by the end of last years lacrosse season, I was one of the 'hitters' on our team. Somehow, I had just improved a ton in that area, and quite frankly, I enjoyed it. This year, I worked on my sprints and footwork so that I could do even better on the field this season...and it has not exactly gone the way I planned.
I've had a couple of hits so far. Two, to be exact. But that's it. I've bounced off of several folks, though, if that counts for anything. Hmmm. Time to change tactics.
Earlier this season, we ended up playing Ironman again (that's when you only have 10 players...no substitutes to allow your guys to rest), and I ended up facing off. I haven't faced off in years. The team we were playing against was extremely good at faceoffs. Dang. Our team captain suggested that I just slam my opponent as soon as the whistle blows, drive him off the ball, and try to turn around and pick it up. I figured that was a better plan than I brought with me, so I tried it....and it worked! Not foolproof, mind you, but I managed to frustrate the other guys just a bit, and even won some of those faceoffs for my team. Yay!
I have not become the team's official faceoff guy as a result. I'm not the official anything, really. To be honest, I'm just thrilled to be able to get out there and play the game in any capacity that I'm able. I love hauling my butt across the field, chasing and being chased, dodging between defenders as I try desperately to fight my way through to pass or shoot, and yes, knocking someone off their feet when I get the chance. I love it, and I'm going to keep playing as long as they'll let me.
Recently, I attended a party immediately following one of my games, and a younger brother-in-law heard me mention that I had just played that day. He asked how it went, and I responded with some colorful stories from the game, gleefully describing the hits, the running, the whole bit.
"How old are you, Whit?" he asked.
"Huh? I'm 38." I didn't see the relevance of the question at the time.
"Wow...still playing lacrosse at 38." He shook his head in disbelief that an old fogey like me could still play a contact sport.
My thought on the matter is this...all my body parts are working. No, I'm not 20 anymore. In fact, I'll never be 20 again, or 25, or even 30. But I can still run, walk, stagger, and crawl. I can still make use of this body of mine, and I plan to do so until I can't anymore. And the amazing thing about the human body is that it generally adapts to your activity level.
A word about my Dad...he's almost 80. Years ago, two of my uncles decided to challenge him to a tennis match (He had a tendency to beat them at tennis, bowling, and golf), and he happily accepted. They had a plan, though...they would tag-team him. One brother would play him for awhile and tire him out, then the other brother would step in and finish him off. It seemed like a great idea.
My Dad has never been the prettiest athlete. He's tall, and kind of gangly in motion. When my uncle hit the ball to Dad's far side, he just barely made it over there to return it...but he did. My uncle ran my Dad all over the court, but Dad somehow made it each time.
Uncle #1 started to get tired. He played as long as he could before calling in Uncle #2, and finally dragged off to the shade to rest. Dad stood there, dripping sweat...and ready. I can still hear his raspy, twangy voice saying, "Well, get on with it!" Uncle #2 had a wide smile as he got ready to serve...which disappeared when the ball came flying back to his far side, unreachable.
"Hey, I thought you were supposed to tire Willie out?!" he called back to his brother in the shade.
A feeble voice came from the lawn chair in the shade. "I did the best I could!"
And I remember my Dad laughing, happy to feel the joy in being active, the sun on his skin, the breeze in his face, happy to be playing a game just for the fun of it...and getting a kick out of beating my uncles.
Back then, my uncles were 30 years old, or so.
My Dad was 50 at the time.
So at 38, I've still got a lot of years of playing ahead of me. Heck, I'm just a kid, by my Dad's standards. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some wind sprints to run. And thanks, Dad...for setting a great example.
William W. McClendon Jr.
Or as I know him, "Dad."
I've had a couple of hits so far. Two, to be exact. But that's it. I've bounced off of several folks, though, if that counts for anything. Hmmm. Time to change tactics.
Earlier this season, we ended up playing Ironman again (that's when you only have 10 players...no substitutes to allow your guys to rest), and I ended up facing off. I haven't faced off in years. The team we were playing against was extremely good at faceoffs. Dang. Our team captain suggested that I just slam my opponent as soon as the whistle blows, drive him off the ball, and try to turn around and pick it up. I figured that was a better plan than I brought with me, so I tried it....and it worked! Not foolproof, mind you, but I managed to frustrate the other guys just a bit, and even won some of those faceoffs for my team. Yay!
I have not become the team's official faceoff guy as a result. I'm not the official anything, really. To be honest, I'm just thrilled to be able to get out there and play the game in any capacity that I'm able. I love hauling my butt across the field, chasing and being chased, dodging between defenders as I try desperately to fight my way through to pass or shoot, and yes, knocking someone off their feet when I get the chance. I love it, and I'm going to keep playing as long as they'll let me.
Recently, I attended a party immediately following one of my games, and a younger brother-in-law heard me mention that I had just played that day. He asked how it went, and I responded with some colorful stories from the game, gleefully describing the hits, the running, the whole bit.
"How old are you, Whit?" he asked.
"Huh? I'm 38." I didn't see the relevance of the question at the time.
"Wow...still playing lacrosse at 38." He shook his head in disbelief that an old fogey like me could still play a contact sport.
My thought on the matter is this...all my body parts are working. No, I'm not 20 anymore. In fact, I'll never be 20 again, or 25, or even 30. But I can still run, walk, stagger, and crawl. I can still make use of this body of mine, and I plan to do so until I can't anymore. And the amazing thing about the human body is that it generally adapts to your activity level.
A word about my Dad...he's almost 80. Years ago, two of my uncles decided to challenge him to a tennis match (He had a tendency to beat them at tennis, bowling, and golf), and he happily accepted. They had a plan, though...they would tag-team him. One brother would play him for awhile and tire him out, then the other brother would step in and finish him off. It seemed like a great idea.
My Dad has never been the prettiest athlete. He's tall, and kind of gangly in motion. When my uncle hit the ball to Dad's far side, he just barely made it over there to return it...but he did. My uncle ran my Dad all over the court, but Dad somehow made it each time.
Uncle #1 started to get tired. He played as long as he could before calling in Uncle #2, and finally dragged off to the shade to rest. Dad stood there, dripping sweat...and ready. I can still hear his raspy, twangy voice saying, "Well, get on with it!" Uncle #2 had a wide smile as he got ready to serve...which disappeared when the ball came flying back to his far side, unreachable.
"Hey, I thought you were supposed to tire Willie out?!" he called back to his brother in the shade.
A feeble voice came from the lawn chair in the shade. "I did the best I could!"
And I remember my Dad laughing, happy to feel the joy in being active, the sun on his skin, the breeze in his face, happy to be playing a game just for the fun of it...and getting a kick out of beating my uncles.
Back then, my uncles were 30 years old, or so.
My Dad was 50 at the time.
So at 38, I've still got a lot of years of playing ahead of me. Heck, I'm just a kid, by my Dad's standards. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some wind sprints to run. And thanks, Dad...for setting a great example.
William W. McClendon Jr.
Or as I know him, "Dad."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
70 Questions
1. Would you bang your neighbor?
That would be a 'no.'
2. What describes your last relationship?
Tragic.
4. What's the last movie you saw?
Spiderwick Chronicles
5. I've come to realize the last person who held my hand:
is a wonderful little guy...he's my son, by the way.
6. What is your middle name?
Whitsitt
7. Who have you talked to most today?
Larry.
8. Do you carve pumpkins every year?
Not every year, no.
10. Color of your shirt?
White.
11. I'm always...
looking forward to the next workout...and next meal!!
12. Who's on speed dial 2? 4? 6?
Don't do speed dial.
14. Whats your favorite season?
Toss up between Fall and Spring
15. How do you feel right now?
Extremely happy about my life.
16. Are you a bad influence?
No, I really do try to be a good one.
19. Would you do anything for someone else?
Depends on who it is and what it is.
20. Have you ever been called a bitch?
Only by a fellow with whom I don't speak anymore.
22. What is your ringtone?
Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson. Stop that laughing!
23. What song is on?
None
24. Are your grades good?
I've been out of school for years, but I was a very good student.
25. Do you hate anyone/anything?
Getting mellow in my pre-middle-aged years, so no.
26. Does your best friend have a myspace?
Yes
28. Last time you went out to lunch?
Yesterday...yay Pho Mai!
33. Do you have one or more Britney Spears cds?
Hell no!!!
34. What did you do last night ?
Taught Kung Fu class, and stayed up late talking to Larry.
35. Are you a "Lost" fanatic?
Nope.
36. Say you were given a drug test right now. Would you pass or fail?
Definitely pass.
37. Do you have a song by Ozzy Osbourne in your library?
Don't think so.
42. What's the last thing you bought?
Gas for the hybrid.
43. What's the last thing someone bought you?
Vivi bought me popcorn...how sweet!
44. Do you ever sing in the shower?
Always.
44. Whats your favorite movie?
To name a few...Galaxy Quest, Princess Bride, and 300.
48. Do you believe everyone has a soulmate?
All I know is that I found mine.
49.Can you sing well?
Hmmmm....not well enough to sing in public, but my wife likes my singing.
53. Are you ever a freak about cleanliness or organization?
Uh, no.
54. Have you ever been to South America or Africa?
Nope.
55. Do you know how to knit?
What? No.
56. Do you have a job?
Yep...and I love it!!!
58. What are you doing right now besides this survey?
Looking forward to a shower...I stink from this morning's run.
60. Baskin Robbins or Coldstone?
Not much for ice cream.
61. Physics or chemistry?
Physics, I guess.
62. Facebook or Myspace?
Myspace.
63. Do you wear any jewelery?
Occasionally, I wear my wedding ring.
66. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars?
Star Wars, then LotR, then HP.
67. Fly or road trip?
Fly.
68. Batman, Spiderman, or Superman?
Spiderman. He's got good Kung Fu.
69. What's your favorite Disney movie?
Shoot, I forget which is from Disney...Toy Story was great, though.
70. Plans for tonight?
Teach class, do my core workout, and pick up my fabulous wife from the airport!!
That would be a 'no.'
2. What describes your last relationship?
Tragic.
4. What's the last movie you saw?
Spiderwick Chronicles
5. I've come to realize the last person who held my hand:
is a wonderful little guy...he's my son, by the way.
6. What is your middle name?
Whitsitt
7. Who have you talked to most today?
Larry.
8. Do you carve pumpkins every year?
Not every year, no.
10. Color of your shirt?
White.
11. I'm always...
looking forward to the next workout...and next meal!!
12. Who's on speed dial 2? 4? 6?
Don't do speed dial.
14. Whats your favorite season?
Toss up between Fall and Spring
15. How do you feel right now?
Extremely happy about my life.
16. Are you a bad influence?
No, I really do try to be a good one.
19. Would you do anything for someone else?
Depends on who it is and what it is.
20. Have you ever been called a bitch?
Only by a fellow with whom I don't speak anymore.
22. What is your ringtone?
Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson. Stop that laughing!
23. What song is on?
None
24. Are your grades good?
I've been out of school for years, but I was a very good student.
25. Do you hate anyone/anything?
Getting mellow in my pre-middle-aged years, so no.
26. Does your best friend have a myspace?
Yes
28. Last time you went out to lunch?
Yesterday...yay Pho Mai!
33. Do you have one or more Britney Spears cds?
Hell no!!!
34. What did you do last night ?
Taught Kung Fu class, and stayed up late talking to Larry.
35. Are you a "Lost" fanatic?
Nope.
36. Say you were given a drug test right now. Would you pass or fail?
Definitely pass.
37. Do you have a song by Ozzy Osbourne in your library?
Don't think so.
42. What's the last thing you bought?
Gas for the hybrid.
43. What's the last thing someone bought you?
Vivi bought me popcorn...how sweet!
44. Do you ever sing in the shower?
Always.
44. Whats your favorite movie?
To name a few...Galaxy Quest, Princess Bride, and 300.
48. Do you believe everyone has a soulmate?
All I know is that I found mine.
49.Can you sing well?
Hmmmm....not well enough to sing in public, but my wife likes my singing.
53. Are you ever a freak about cleanliness or organization?
Uh, no.
54. Have you ever been to South America or Africa?
Nope.
55. Do you know how to knit?
What? No.
56. Do you have a job?
Yep...and I love it!!!
58. What are you doing right now besides this survey?
Looking forward to a shower...I stink from this morning's run.
60. Baskin Robbins or Coldstone?
Not much for ice cream.
61. Physics or chemistry?
Physics, I guess.
62. Facebook or Myspace?
Myspace.
63. Do you wear any jewelery?
Occasionally, I wear my wedding ring.
66. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars?
Star Wars, then LotR, then HP.
67. Fly or road trip?
Fly.
68. Batman, Spiderman, or Superman?
Spiderman. He's got good Kung Fu.
69. What's your favorite Disney movie?
Shoot, I forget which is from Disney...Toy Story was great, though.
70. Plans for tonight?
Teach class, do my core workout, and pick up my fabulous wife from the airport!!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Potential...
There's usually more in us than we ever imagine. All of us have the potential to go farther, reach higher, and achieve more than most folks ever dream.
Here's little vid for inspiration. Watch the whole thing for the full effect.
Here's little vid for inspiration. Watch the whole thing for the full effect.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Excuses, excuses...
I love this commercial. I've heard about every excuse in the book, and even used a few myself...but I know that in the end, the excuses are meaningless. Only the effort you were willing to put into reaching your goals is what truly matters. Be sure to watch the whole thing to get the full effect....
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Legend of Cliff Young
Ok, I love stuff like this. Honestly, this guy reminds me of my Dad a bit. It's a really inspirational story, so check it out...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Another Half-Marathon
January is here, and that means another Houston Aramco Half-Marathon for me!! I look forward to this race every year, and love every minute of it. Now, that doesn’t mean that I actually train for this race, but I run it anyway. Here’s the report:
My dear friend Brian again drove down here from Hurst, Tx to support me during the race, and he showed up late Friday night. My other super-awesome bud, Larry, was here as well, and both of those guys acted as my pit crew for most of the weekend. Friday night, we just hung out and watched American Gladiators…man, I’m glad the new season finally started!
Saturday, I was still fighting off the allergies, sinus infection, or whatever it might have been that kept my head full of snot for most of the week. Brian came to my classes that morning, and we had a good bit of fun sparring once class time was over. He’s got a mean little Thai clinch going on, and I must say that I’m thrilled with his progress in martial arts. Now, if I could just get him to stop kicking me in the butt, rather than the thigh, he’ll be on his way to superstardom.
A quick note on Brian…he’s a much different man now that he’s had two years of martial arts training. He’s calmer, stronger, carries himself with much more authority, and seems to know who he is and what’s he’s about. Cool.
Anyhow, Larry came in just after we finished sparring, and then we all trotted off to Pho Mai for lunch. Man, I just can’t get enough pho! From there, we headed off to the George R. Brown to pick up my race packet, while Larry headed off to Wah Nan’s to pick up some kung fu stuff. I had my confirmation card tucked firmly in the passenger seat visor, right next to last year’s card. And you know, we almost made it to our destination without getting lost. Almost. Seems we forgot to take a left turn once we got downtown. Drat.
We pulled into a gas station and debated a new course when Larry pulled up next to us and offered to guide us back. Thanks Larry! After that, it wasn’t a problem. We strolled in and I picked up my race number and t-shirt, we wandered around looking at all the booths, and I picked up some orange Gu for the race. As we walked back out to the car, I remember thinking what a fabulous time I was having. I was excited about the race, the weather was perfect, I was feeling better after the long, snotty week, and I was spending time with close friends…wow, what a day.
Later that night, we had a nice dinner at Hasta La Pasta, and then I spent entirely too long making sure that my mp3 player was loaded properly, my clothes were laid out, and everything was in place for our early morning departure. Backpack with dry clothes, water bottle, fruit, Gu, gloves, hat, new headphones, new shoes (thanks, Amy!), timing chip, stopwatch, my list was complete. My darling Christina, saint that she is, stayed up until nearly midnight to make another race shirt for me. This one has my name on the front (so spectators can yell at me during the race), her and Monkey’s names on my sleeves (to remind me of their love and support) and NEVER GIVE UP on the back. It’s an official Jade Mountain shirt, so I had to REPRESENT! I thought I had covered everything this time. Really.
5am rolls around, and we’re up and out the door without a hitch. On time, feeling great. Then we go to pass a car on I-10, and I notice that it’s making a horribly loud noise. I wondered, “Now, why in the world would any fool buy a muffler that makes their car sound like THAT?” Then I discovered that it was MY car making the noise. My left front tire was apparently flat, and in the process of being shredded for recycling. We pulled over and whipped out the donut spare.
I really should check that spare more often. You know…in case it gets flat. Yeeargh!!!
We made it another 100 yards on the flat spare before pulling into parking lot of a Jason’s Deli. It was 6am. The race started at 7am. We were in trouble. I called my fabulous, amazing, spectacular wife and said, “You’ll have to come get us, or else I’ll miss the race.” She replied, “I’m on it!” Not a half-hour later, she buzzed up to get us with a sleepy Monkey in the back seat, and we were on our way again, still pretty much on time.
I was somewhat unceremoniously dumped near the starting line with about 10 minutes to spare…plenty of time to hit the Port-a-Pottie, get into the corral and wait for the start. Weather was perfect, I was surrounded by 17,000 excited, happy people, and I felt on top of the world.
The first wave left at 7am to the sound of the cannon. My wave left 10 minutes later, and as always, we ambled towards the starting line at a sort of walk-shuffle-jog. I recall hearing ‘These Are The Days’ by 10,000 Maniacs on my player, and I found it fitting…that’s one of my favorite happy songs. I started the race at an easy lope, running on the balls of my feet as usual, and just enjoying everything. So many people!!! It was pretty crowded, but not too much so. I had planned for a 12 minute mile pace, and was thrilled to discover that my ‘easy lope’ was actually closer to an 11 minute pace, so I kept it up. My music was good (a change from last year), and everything was great.
I’ll spare you the step-by-step of the entire 13.1 miles. Here are the salient points: I walked at the water stations so I wouldn’t drown myself. I switched to heel-to-toe running at mile 6. I chuckled at all the guys relieving themselves in full view of everyone at the giant bush just past the bridge. I started ‘seeing’ the finish line at mile 8, and imagined myself crossing it, feeling great. And at mile 9, I decided that I would not, could not, stop to walk again unless I was getting water. My shirt said ‘NEVER GIVE UP’, and to walk would be giving up. So I kept running, kept picking up my feet, and refused to give up. I only walked at the water stations this year, nowhere else.
When I finally turned that corner to see the finish line, it didn’t seem as far away as it did last year. I was moving better, feeling better, and for a change, I wanted to finish this race strongly. Last year, I was a wreck with 1.5 miles to go. This year, in spite of being sick, in spite of running a total of only 6 miles in the last month in preparation for this race, I felt like I still had something in the tank to get me across that line. I kept moving, picked up my pace as much as I could, and finished with a thrilled yell. Then I tried not to puke. My time: 2:19:05, which beat my times from 2007 and 2006.
By the way, I finished the race to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’. Say what you will, it made me laugh.
It took me forever to find Brian after the race, and I was doing my best imitation of a zombie at that point, but I still felt better than I had for both of my last finishes, and wasn’t quite as bad walking to the car afterwards.
Larry showed up soon afterwards, and we all headed to Fuddrucker’s for a post-race burger before my massage that afternoon. Brian headed home, Larry did some shopping before hanging out with us that evening, and it was a great end to a great weekend.
Things I learned from this year’s Half-Marathon:
1. Check your tires. And your spare.
2. Good shoes are really, really, really important!
3. A shot of Gu at mile 8 was a great idea.
4. All the conditioning and strength work I’ve done this year has made a huge difference!
5. Nothing new in this, but my wife is the most spectacular and amazing woman. Wow!
6. I may run without tights next year. I loved my new race shirt, but I still looked like a dork. And I need a new, highly visible hat.
7. Next year, I’ll finish with a happy ‘WOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!’ rather than an angry-sounding ‘YEEAAARGH!!!” I sounded like the Sasquatch that folks are messin’ with lately.
8. I love my friends Brian and Larry very much. It means the world to me that they would come out and support me like they did.
It’s Wednesday now, and my legs are just starting to return to something resembling normal. I have a lacrosse game on Saturday, and I’m hoping to still be able to crush the opposition. That’ll be another story altogether….
My dear friend Brian again drove down here from Hurst, Tx to support me during the race, and he showed up late Friday night. My other super-awesome bud, Larry, was here as well, and both of those guys acted as my pit crew for most of the weekend. Friday night, we just hung out and watched American Gladiators…man, I’m glad the new season finally started!
Saturday, I was still fighting off the allergies, sinus infection, or whatever it might have been that kept my head full of snot for most of the week. Brian came to my classes that morning, and we had a good bit of fun sparring once class time was over. He’s got a mean little Thai clinch going on, and I must say that I’m thrilled with his progress in martial arts. Now, if I could just get him to stop kicking me in the butt, rather than the thigh, he’ll be on his way to superstardom.
A quick note on Brian…he’s a much different man now that he’s had two years of martial arts training. He’s calmer, stronger, carries himself with much more authority, and seems to know who he is and what’s he’s about. Cool.
Anyhow, Larry came in just after we finished sparring, and then we all trotted off to Pho Mai for lunch. Man, I just can’t get enough pho! From there, we headed off to the George R. Brown to pick up my race packet, while Larry headed off to Wah Nan’s to pick up some kung fu stuff. I had my confirmation card tucked firmly in the passenger seat visor, right next to last year’s card. And you know, we almost made it to our destination without getting lost. Almost. Seems we forgot to take a left turn once we got downtown. Drat.
We pulled into a gas station and debated a new course when Larry pulled up next to us and offered to guide us back. Thanks Larry! After that, it wasn’t a problem. We strolled in and I picked up my race number and t-shirt, we wandered around looking at all the booths, and I picked up some orange Gu for the race. As we walked back out to the car, I remember thinking what a fabulous time I was having. I was excited about the race, the weather was perfect, I was feeling better after the long, snotty week, and I was spending time with close friends…wow, what a day.
Later that night, we had a nice dinner at Hasta La Pasta, and then I spent entirely too long making sure that my mp3 player was loaded properly, my clothes were laid out, and everything was in place for our early morning departure. Backpack with dry clothes, water bottle, fruit, Gu, gloves, hat, new headphones, new shoes (thanks, Amy!), timing chip, stopwatch, my list was complete. My darling Christina, saint that she is, stayed up until nearly midnight to make another race shirt for me. This one has my name on the front (so spectators can yell at me during the race), her and Monkey’s names on my sleeves (to remind me of their love and support) and NEVER GIVE UP on the back. It’s an official Jade Mountain shirt, so I had to REPRESENT! I thought I had covered everything this time. Really.
5am rolls around, and we’re up and out the door without a hitch. On time, feeling great. Then we go to pass a car on I-10, and I notice that it’s making a horribly loud noise. I wondered, “Now, why in the world would any fool buy a muffler that makes their car sound like THAT?” Then I discovered that it was MY car making the noise. My left front tire was apparently flat, and in the process of being shredded for recycling. We pulled over and whipped out the donut spare.
I really should check that spare more often. You know…in case it gets flat. Yeeargh!!!
We made it another 100 yards on the flat spare before pulling into parking lot of a Jason’s Deli. It was 6am. The race started at 7am. We were in trouble. I called my fabulous, amazing, spectacular wife and said, “You’ll have to come get us, or else I’ll miss the race.” She replied, “I’m on it!” Not a half-hour later, she buzzed up to get us with a sleepy Monkey in the back seat, and we were on our way again, still pretty much on time.
I was somewhat unceremoniously dumped near the starting line with about 10 minutes to spare…plenty of time to hit the Port-a-Pottie, get into the corral and wait for the start. Weather was perfect, I was surrounded by 17,000 excited, happy people, and I felt on top of the world.
The first wave left at 7am to the sound of the cannon. My wave left 10 minutes later, and as always, we ambled towards the starting line at a sort of walk-shuffle-jog. I recall hearing ‘These Are The Days’ by 10,000 Maniacs on my player, and I found it fitting…that’s one of my favorite happy songs. I started the race at an easy lope, running on the balls of my feet as usual, and just enjoying everything. So many people!!! It was pretty crowded, but not too much so. I had planned for a 12 minute mile pace, and was thrilled to discover that my ‘easy lope’ was actually closer to an 11 minute pace, so I kept it up. My music was good (a change from last year), and everything was great.
I’ll spare you the step-by-step of the entire 13.1 miles. Here are the salient points: I walked at the water stations so I wouldn’t drown myself. I switched to heel-to-toe running at mile 6. I chuckled at all the guys relieving themselves in full view of everyone at the giant bush just past the bridge. I started ‘seeing’ the finish line at mile 8, and imagined myself crossing it, feeling great. And at mile 9, I decided that I would not, could not, stop to walk again unless I was getting water. My shirt said ‘NEVER GIVE UP’, and to walk would be giving up. So I kept running, kept picking up my feet, and refused to give up. I only walked at the water stations this year, nowhere else.
When I finally turned that corner to see the finish line, it didn’t seem as far away as it did last year. I was moving better, feeling better, and for a change, I wanted to finish this race strongly. Last year, I was a wreck with 1.5 miles to go. This year, in spite of being sick, in spite of running a total of only 6 miles in the last month in preparation for this race, I felt like I still had something in the tank to get me across that line. I kept moving, picked up my pace as much as I could, and finished with a thrilled yell. Then I tried not to puke. My time: 2:19:05, which beat my times from 2007 and 2006.
By the way, I finished the race to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’. Say what you will, it made me laugh.
It took me forever to find Brian after the race, and I was doing my best imitation of a zombie at that point, but I still felt better than I had for both of my last finishes, and wasn’t quite as bad walking to the car afterwards.
Larry showed up soon afterwards, and we all headed to Fuddrucker’s for a post-race burger before my massage that afternoon. Brian headed home, Larry did some shopping before hanging out with us that evening, and it was a great end to a great weekend.
Things I learned from this year’s Half-Marathon:
1. Check your tires. And your spare.
2. Good shoes are really, really, really important!
3. A shot of Gu at mile 8 was a great idea.
4. All the conditioning and strength work I’ve done this year has made a huge difference!
5. Nothing new in this, but my wife is the most spectacular and amazing woman. Wow!
6. I may run without tights next year. I loved my new race shirt, but I still looked like a dork. And I need a new, highly visible hat.
7. Next year, I’ll finish with a happy ‘WOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!’ rather than an angry-sounding ‘YEEAAARGH!!!” I sounded like the Sasquatch that folks are messin’ with lately.
8. I love my friends Brian and Larry very much. It means the world to me that they would come out and support me like they did.
It’s Wednesday now, and my legs are just starting to return to something resembling normal. I have a lacrosse game on Saturday, and I’m hoping to still be able to crush the opposition. That’ll be another story altogether….
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Ouch! And a survey.
I knew that it wasn’t going to be a good day when my brother said on the phone, “I need to tell you that Mom’s OK…but she was in a car wreck this morning.”
Holy Crap!
As it turns out, she was on an icy overpass, about to exit, and a semi rear-ended her, sending her slamming into a concrete divider and flipping her car. She suffered three fractures to her left arm (the word ‘shattered’ was used), one in the shoulder, one in the forearm, and one in the wrist. Other than these minor inconveniences, she escaped with minor cuts and bruises.
To say that she was lucky isn’t really accurate. I mean, if she were lucky, the semi would have missed her, right? However, she was very fortunate to have not suffered major injuries, or even death, at the hands of a stupid truck driver who was going a bit too fast.
She’s still around, though. And as you might expect, I’m thrilled that she’s going to be OK. I’m also glad that it wasn’t her right arm that was broken…doing certain things really requires your dominant arm sometimes, and she’s already frustrated enough with one arm out of action.
So we’re glad to be heading up north to give her a hand for awhile. It’ll be good to see my family again, and Christina and I both need a rest from some things here at home. I’ve even written up some workouts that I can do in Mom’s basement (where we’ll be staying for the duration of the trip).
There’s more to talk about, including our Graduation Ceremony yesterday, and the SWAT party that Amy and Shawn held at their house today, but I’m actually kind of tired. I did a killer workout today that involved pull-ups, pushups, box jumps, deadlifts, kettlebell clean-n-presses, and the like, and I’m just whipped. Later.
40 Questions
1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
At Amy and Shawn’s house…they had a great party for the Jade Mountain instructors.
2. Who will be your next kiss?
That would be my wife.
3. Do you kiss a lot of people?
Nope.
4. Are you wearing socks right now?
Lemme check….yep.
5. When was the last time you went out of state?
That would be last Christmas, when we went to Indiana to see my folks.
6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No, but we did see The Golden Compass last week.
7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
A Coca-Cola at the party.
8. What are you wearing right now?
Amazingly, I’m still wearing jeans, socks, shoes, and a red shirt. I usually strip immediately upon returning home at night.
9. What was your last purchase?
I picked up some Subway sandwiches for lunch.
10. Last food you ate?
Probably some of Renee’s fabulous stuffed mushrooms.
11. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Brian.
12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Nope…but I’m planning on using Amy and Shawn’s generous gift to get some new running shoes!
13. Do you have a pet?
Just one little Beta fish named Willie.
14. What did you do last night?
We had a Graduation Ceremony at Jade Mountain, then we ate at Pho Mai, courtesy of Amy and Shawn. Man, they’re just awesome!
15. Are you a vampire?
What? Um…not really, no.
16. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
To be honest, I’d love to be asleep on the couch. And that’s where I’m headed after I’m done here.
17. What is the last thing you purchased online?
Ross Enamait’s new conditioning book and dvd, Full Throttle Conditioning. It’s really great!
18. One thing you hate about yourself?
My lack of self-discipline. As a martial arts instructor, I hold myself to a very high ideal, both in my training, in my relationships, and in my life in general. Even so, I must constantly keep myself on track to do the things I know that I should do. I’m just as human as the next guy.
19. What's your favorite soup?
Pho Mai’s pho tai, without a doubt.
20. Do you miss anyone?
Why yes, I have many friends and family that I don’t see very often.
21. Last movie you saw?
Stardust.
22. What are your plans for the day?
My day is nearly done…resting on the couch, then cleaning the kitchen and maybe some laundry before bed.
23. Did you have fun today?
As a matter of fact, yes I did. And had a fantastic workout as well!
24. Who is your last text message from?
Christina
25. Were you an honor roll student in school?
Yup. Graduated in the top ten percent of my class.
26. What do you know about the future?
I know that it’s approaching rapidly…and I know that it has the potential to be wonderful.
27. Who rode in a car with you last?
Monkey.
28. What is your all time favorite band?
I still have a huge crush on Cathy Dennis, but I love lots of music.
30. How old do you want to be when you have kids?
I was 32 when Monkey came along. I may be nearly 40 when and if we have another.
31. Did you meet anyone new today?
Yes, a new fellow came by to visit the school.
32. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Nope.
33. How do you like your soda?
Coke over ice with lime wedges.
34. Do you like hot sauce?
Yes, in spite of the hot-potty issues that come with the hot sauce.
35. What are you doing tomorrow?
Cleaning house and preparing for a trip.
36. What day is tomorrow?
Sunday
37. What is your current mood?
Cheerful, but a bit tired.
38. Are you someone's best friend?
Yup. I have some really great friends.
39. What did you get for Valentines day?
I’m sorry to say that I have no idea. My hippocampus is simply not big enough to hold that kind of info for very long.
40. Someone who last bought you something?
Christina, Amy, and Mark. Thanks!
***
Happy Holidays to you, everyone!
Holy Crap!
As it turns out, she was on an icy overpass, about to exit, and a semi rear-ended her, sending her slamming into a concrete divider and flipping her car. She suffered three fractures to her left arm (the word ‘shattered’ was used), one in the shoulder, one in the forearm, and one in the wrist. Other than these minor inconveniences, she escaped with minor cuts and bruises.
To say that she was lucky isn’t really accurate. I mean, if she were lucky, the semi would have missed her, right? However, she was very fortunate to have not suffered major injuries, or even death, at the hands of a stupid truck driver who was going a bit too fast.
She’s still around, though. And as you might expect, I’m thrilled that she’s going to be OK. I’m also glad that it wasn’t her right arm that was broken…doing certain things really requires your dominant arm sometimes, and she’s already frustrated enough with one arm out of action.
So we’re glad to be heading up north to give her a hand for awhile. It’ll be good to see my family again, and Christina and I both need a rest from some things here at home. I’ve even written up some workouts that I can do in Mom’s basement (where we’ll be staying for the duration of the trip).
There’s more to talk about, including our Graduation Ceremony yesterday, and the SWAT party that Amy and Shawn held at their house today, but I’m actually kind of tired. I did a killer workout today that involved pull-ups, pushups, box jumps, deadlifts, kettlebell clean-n-presses, and the like, and I’m just whipped. Later.
40 Questions
1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
At Amy and Shawn’s house…they had a great party for the Jade Mountain instructors.
2. Who will be your next kiss?
That would be my wife.
3. Do you kiss a lot of people?
Nope.
4. Are you wearing socks right now?
Lemme check….yep.
5. When was the last time you went out of state?
That would be last Christmas, when we went to Indiana to see my folks.
6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No, but we did see The Golden Compass last week.
7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
A Coca-Cola at the party.
8. What are you wearing right now?
Amazingly, I’m still wearing jeans, socks, shoes, and a red shirt. I usually strip immediately upon returning home at night.
9. What was your last purchase?
I picked up some Subway sandwiches for lunch.
10. Last food you ate?
Probably some of Renee’s fabulous stuffed mushrooms.
11. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Brian.
12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Nope…but I’m planning on using Amy and Shawn’s generous gift to get some new running shoes!
13. Do you have a pet?
Just one little Beta fish named Willie.
14. What did you do last night?
We had a Graduation Ceremony at Jade Mountain, then we ate at Pho Mai, courtesy of Amy and Shawn. Man, they’re just awesome!
15. Are you a vampire?
What? Um…not really, no.
16. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
To be honest, I’d love to be asleep on the couch. And that’s where I’m headed after I’m done here.
17. What is the last thing you purchased online?
Ross Enamait’s new conditioning book and dvd, Full Throttle Conditioning. It’s really great!
18. One thing you hate about yourself?
My lack of self-discipline. As a martial arts instructor, I hold myself to a very high ideal, both in my training, in my relationships, and in my life in general. Even so, I must constantly keep myself on track to do the things I know that I should do. I’m just as human as the next guy.
19. What's your favorite soup?
Pho Mai’s pho tai, without a doubt.
20. Do you miss anyone?
Why yes, I have many friends and family that I don’t see very often.
21. Last movie you saw?
Stardust.
22. What are your plans for the day?
My day is nearly done…resting on the couch, then cleaning the kitchen and maybe some laundry before bed.
23. Did you have fun today?
As a matter of fact, yes I did. And had a fantastic workout as well!
24. Who is your last text message from?
Christina
25. Were you an honor roll student in school?
Yup. Graduated in the top ten percent of my class.
26. What do you know about the future?
I know that it’s approaching rapidly…and I know that it has the potential to be wonderful.
27. Who rode in a car with you last?
Monkey.
28. What is your all time favorite band?
I still have a huge crush on Cathy Dennis, but I love lots of music.
30. How old do you want to be when you have kids?
I was 32 when Monkey came along. I may be nearly 40 when and if we have another.
31. Did you meet anyone new today?
Yes, a new fellow came by to visit the school.
32. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Nope.
33. How do you like your soda?
Coke over ice with lime wedges.
34. Do you like hot sauce?
Yes, in spite of the hot-potty issues that come with the hot sauce.
35. What are you doing tomorrow?
Cleaning house and preparing for a trip.
36. What day is tomorrow?
Sunday
37. What is your current mood?
Cheerful, but a bit tired.
38. Are you someone's best friend?
Yup. I have some really great friends.
39. What did you get for Valentines day?
I’m sorry to say that I have no idea. My hippocampus is simply not big enough to hold that kind of info for very long.
40. Someone who last bought you something?
Christina, Amy, and Mark. Thanks!
***
Happy Holidays to you, everyone!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
20 Deep Questions
1. What is more difficult for you, looking into someones eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someones eyes when they are telling you how they feel? I don't shy away from eye contact when talking to someone, but if I had to choose, I'd say the first one.
2. Think of the last time you were REALLY angry. Why were you angry? When we went to help my wife clean out her things from her former workplace. It is only because I have a responsibility to set a good example for my students that I did not punch her former boss in his smug little face.
3. You are on a flight from Honolulu to Chicago non-stop. There is a fire in the back of the plane. You get ONE phone call. Who would you call?The in-air fire department? Traffic control? The moron next to the sink in the rear calling his wife and doing nothing? I'd be frantically trying to put the fire out...come on, SOMEONE needs to step up! Didn't anyone read those safety cards?
4. You are at the doctor's office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. (1) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? (2) What do you do with your remaining days? (3) Would you be afraid?
1) I'd tell a few close friends and my family.
2) I'd get my affairs in order, spend time with my family and loved ones, and also spend time meditating and finding peace in my situation. Oh, and I'd still be training.
3) I'm sure I'd have moments of concern, not so much for myself, but for my family.
5. You can have one of the following two things- trust/love. Which do you choose? I think trust. Love can be created, and nurtured, but without trust, it won't work.
6. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. Do you save the dog? I am the boss. I'd save the dog.
7. If you could tell one person how you really felt about them right now would you? Sure.
8. If you could go back and be with your first love, would you? Although I have fond memories of my first girlfriend, I'm certain that we'd be a horrible match nowadays.
9. Think of the last person who you know that died. You have the chance to give them 1 hour of life back, but you have to give one year of your life. Do you do it? As much as I'd like to be generous, an hour just isn't worth it. I'd give them that whole year, though. And they'd damn well better make good use of it.
10. Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend? Yup. At least, I think so!
11. Does love = sex? There are far too many types of love for this to be true. I have many friends, whom I love dearly, and I don't have any desire to have sex with them.
12. Your boss tells your co-worker that they have to let them go because of work shortage, and they are the newest employee. You have been there much longer. Your co-worker has a family to support and no other means of income. Do you go to your boss and offer to leave the company? Again, I'm the boss.
13. When was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you feel? My darling wife and I had a heartfelt discussion last night, but that's commonplace for us. We share our feelings very openly.
14. What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or tell them you hate them?It would definitely be harder to tell someone I hate them.
15. What do you think would be/is the hardest thing for you to give up? My family. Everything else can be replaced, one way or another. My job would be a close second.
16. Excluding family love, when was the last time you told someone you love them? Probably to one of my best friends a week or so ago.
17. If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be? Man, I go round and round about this sometimes. In the end, I have to think that my entire lifepath has led me to this moment, and this particular situation. It's where I want to be, so I wouldn't want to jeopardize that.
18. It is a dark night, you are alone, it is raining outside. What are you doing? Reading, surfing the net, or watching training DVD's.
19. Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying? Sure.
20. If you could do anything OR wish anything, what would it be? I'd give my wife the power to grant wishes!
2. Think of the last time you were REALLY angry. Why were you angry? When we went to help my wife clean out her things from her former workplace. It is only because I have a responsibility to set a good example for my students that I did not punch her former boss in his smug little face.
3. You are on a flight from Honolulu to Chicago non-stop. There is a fire in the back of the plane. You get ONE phone call. Who would you call?The in-air fire department? Traffic control? The moron next to the sink in the rear calling his wife and doing nothing? I'd be frantically trying to put the fire out...come on, SOMEONE needs to step up! Didn't anyone read those safety cards?
4. You are at the doctor's office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. (1) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? (2) What do you do with your remaining days? (3) Would you be afraid?
1) I'd tell a few close friends and my family.
2) I'd get my affairs in order, spend time with my family and loved ones, and also spend time meditating and finding peace in my situation. Oh, and I'd still be training.
3) I'm sure I'd have moments of concern, not so much for myself, but for my family.
5. You can have one of the following two things- trust/love. Which do you choose? I think trust. Love can be created, and nurtured, but without trust, it won't work.
6. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. Do you save the dog? I am the boss. I'd save the dog.
7. If you could tell one person how you really felt about them right now would you? Sure.
8. If you could go back and be with your first love, would you? Although I have fond memories of my first girlfriend, I'm certain that we'd be a horrible match nowadays.
9. Think of the last person who you know that died. You have the chance to give them 1 hour of life back, but you have to give one year of your life. Do you do it? As much as I'd like to be generous, an hour just isn't worth it. I'd give them that whole year, though. And they'd damn well better make good use of it.
10. Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend? Yup. At least, I think so!
11. Does love = sex? There are far too many types of love for this to be true. I have many friends, whom I love dearly, and I don't have any desire to have sex with them.
12. Your boss tells your co-worker that they have to let them go because of work shortage, and they are the newest employee. You have been there much longer. Your co-worker has a family to support and no other means of income. Do you go to your boss and offer to leave the company? Again, I'm the boss.
13. When was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you feel? My darling wife and I had a heartfelt discussion last night, but that's commonplace for us. We share our feelings very openly.
14. What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or tell them you hate them?It would definitely be harder to tell someone I hate them.
15. What do you think would be/is the hardest thing for you to give up? My family. Everything else can be replaced, one way or another. My job would be a close second.
16. Excluding family love, when was the last time you told someone you love them? Probably to one of my best friends a week or so ago.
17. If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be? Man, I go round and round about this sometimes. In the end, I have to think that my entire lifepath has led me to this moment, and this particular situation. It's where I want to be, so I wouldn't want to jeopardize that.
18. It is a dark night, you are alone, it is raining outside. What are you doing? Reading, surfing the net, or watching training DVD's.
19. Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying? Sure.
20. If you could do anything OR wish anything, what would it be? I'd give my wife the power to grant wishes!
Ho, ho, ho...
And the holidays are here! Christina's got the lights up, and we found a nice tree, which is decorated very nicely. Monkey picked out the tree, and I must say that it's a good one. It does lean a bit to one side, but otherwise, it's great!
There's been much turmoil around here lately, and it's unfortunate that I can't really get into it here. Suffice to say that my wife's former employer was not at all what he purported to be. He, and others in his employ, proved themselves to be petty, manipulative, underhanded, and mean, and they have caused my family a lot of sleepless nights, frustration, anger, and despair. And so we enter our holiday season shaking our heads, and wondering how some people can live with themselves. It's truly amazing.
So, on a brighter note, it's been great having my wife home all day. She's been super-busy while she's organizing the house and trying to sort through the clutter around here. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and help out where I can. We get to hang out together and watch shows that we enjoy, and just enjoy each others company. She'll most likely be working again in January, so I'm enjoying her while I can!
So now that we're recovering from things, we're able to look ahead to our trip up North. I always enjoy heading up there to see my parents, brother, and extended family, and this year is no exception. When we're there, we stay in Mom's lower level (she's got a three-level home plus a basement), so we can nap anytime we like, and I'm really looking forward to that! They used to have a parakeet down there that enjoyed squawking at us every chance it got, but I hear that he's moved on to a better place. I'm surprised to find that I'll miss him a bit, even though I'm almost certain that he'd have enjoyed trying to peck me to death, given half a chance. At least there's still Rico, my Dad's little dog. He's a silly little thing, and spoiled rotten.
So that's about all for now. I'm planning to rest on the couch while I review some technique videos before heading out to class. I hope I don't strain myself. ;-)
There's been much turmoil around here lately, and it's unfortunate that I can't really get into it here. Suffice to say that my wife's former employer was not at all what he purported to be. He, and others in his employ, proved themselves to be petty, manipulative, underhanded, and mean, and they have caused my family a lot of sleepless nights, frustration, anger, and despair. And so we enter our holiday season shaking our heads, and wondering how some people can live with themselves. It's truly amazing.
So, on a brighter note, it's been great having my wife home all day. She's been super-busy while she's organizing the house and trying to sort through the clutter around here. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and help out where I can. We get to hang out together and watch shows that we enjoy, and just enjoy each others company. She'll most likely be working again in January, so I'm enjoying her while I can!
So now that we're recovering from things, we're able to look ahead to our trip up North. I always enjoy heading up there to see my parents, brother, and extended family, and this year is no exception. When we're there, we stay in Mom's lower level (she's got a three-level home plus a basement), so we can nap anytime we like, and I'm really looking forward to that! They used to have a parakeet down there that enjoyed squawking at us every chance it got, but I hear that he's moved on to a better place. I'm surprised to find that I'll miss him a bit, even though I'm almost certain that he'd have enjoyed trying to peck me to death, given half a chance. At least there's still Rico, my Dad's little dog. He's a silly little thing, and spoiled rotten.
So that's about all for now. I'm planning to rest on the couch while I review some technique videos before heading out to class. I hope I don't strain myself. ;-)
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Two Things.
Two names you're known by
1. Sifu
2. Whit
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Underwear
2. Bad hair
Two Things You Would Want (or have) in a Relationship:
1. Communication
2. Attraction
Two of Your Favorite Things to do:
1 Teach martial arts
2 Hang out with my family
Two Things You Want Very Badly At This Moment:
1. To improve my conditioning
2. To organize our home
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Watched ‘Human Weapon’
2. Ate dinner…twice.
Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Eggs
2. Orange Juice
Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Christina
2. My Mom
Your Longest Car Ride OR Other Trips:
1. Elkhart, IN to Angleton, TX
2. Katy, TX to Pharr, TX
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving
Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Orange Juice
2. Coca Cola (yes, I know it’s bad for me.)
Things About Me That Are Interesting:
1. I know kung fu. Really.
2. I’ve written two and a half novels of a fantasy trilogy.
Two Jobs I Have Had In My Life:
1. McDonald’s grill and drive-thru
2. CAD drafter
Two places I have lived:
1. Angleton, TX
2. Katy, TX
Two of my Favorite Foods:
1. Pho
2. Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls)
Two Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
1. Actually, I’m pretty happy right here.
Two Things I'd Like to Accomplish Before I Die:
1. I'd like to see a student of mine open another Jade Mountain.
2. I'd like to run the 1/2 marathon in less than 2 hours.
--------------------------------------------------------
By the way, how many folks actually read my blog? Drop me an email or leave me a comment...I'd love to know who's out there.
1. Sifu
2. Whit
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Underwear
2. Bad hair
Two Things You Would Want (or have) in a Relationship:
1. Communication
2. Attraction
Two of Your Favorite Things to do:
1 Teach martial arts
2 Hang out with my family
Two Things You Want Very Badly At This Moment:
1. To improve my conditioning
2. To organize our home
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Watched ‘Human Weapon’
2. Ate dinner…twice.
Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Eggs
2. Orange Juice
Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Christina
2. My Mom
Your Longest Car Ride OR Other Trips:
1. Elkhart, IN to Angleton, TX
2. Katy, TX to Pharr, TX
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving
Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Orange Juice
2. Coca Cola (yes, I know it’s bad for me.)
Things About Me That Are Interesting:
1. I know kung fu. Really.
2. I’ve written two and a half novels of a fantasy trilogy.
Two Jobs I Have Had In My Life:
1. McDonald’s grill and drive-thru
2. CAD drafter
Two places I have lived:
1. Angleton, TX
2. Katy, TX
Two of my Favorite Foods:
1. Pho
2. Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls)
Two Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
1. Actually, I’m pretty happy right here.
Two Things I'd Like to Accomplish Before I Die:
1. I'd like to see a student of mine open another Jade Mountain.
2. I'd like to run the 1/2 marathon in less than 2 hours.
--------------------------------------------------------
By the way, how many folks actually read my blog? Drop me an email or leave me a comment...I'd love to know who's out there.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
38. That much closer to 40.
Today's my birthday. I'm torn between heading out to the park with a notepad in hand to sit and contemplate this past year and what I want to accomplish this year, or playing Mechwarrior II until I puke. Honestly, it's a toss-up at this point. I'll probably do both.
I've always loved having a Halloween birthday. I have great memories of the birthday parties my parents threw for me back in Angleton, where we'd invite my whole elementary school class, everyone would dress up, and we'd play games and cause trouble. That was a ton of fun! My 40th birthday will be on a Friday night...maybe we can do that again. ;-) It's always fun to have Frankenstein, Dracula, and other costumed ghouls involved in a competitive sack race!
Remember the old bow and arrow sets with the suction cups on the arrows? One year, Mom attached balloons to the wall in our 'toy room', and stuck nails into the suction cups so we could pop the balloons...that was cool! Maybe we can use throwing knives next time...
In looking at this past year, I'm pretty pleased in many areas. My school is doing well, we've got a fabulous group of assistant instructors and a great family atmosphere of which I'm very proud. Our Monkey is doing well in his new kindergarten. My fabulous wife's new job has finally taken a turn for the better after a rough start, and she's also lost over 30 pounds since the summer. All in all, it's been a pretty decent year.
As I get closer to 40, the value of discipline becomes more and more apparent. I can't eat like I did when I was younger...if I eat junk, I feel junky almost immediately. If I don't train, I lose speed, strength, and stamina right away. If I don't exercise my brain, I suddenly can't remember where my pants are...and I'm wearing them. So it seems that I'll focus this year on maintaining the habits necessary to keep me healthy, strong, and moving in a positive direction. And maybe set some goals in which I can become emotionally involved. Training just for training is great, but I want to accomplish something this year...I just don't know what, yet.
So today, I think I'll play, contemplate, teach class (only the early one), train, eat a fabulous pho lunch, and then we'll take Monkey out to Trick or Treat somewhere...just another birthday for me.
I've always loved having a Halloween birthday. I have great memories of the birthday parties my parents threw for me back in Angleton, where we'd invite my whole elementary school class, everyone would dress up, and we'd play games and cause trouble. That was a ton of fun! My 40th birthday will be on a Friday night...maybe we can do that again. ;-) It's always fun to have Frankenstein, Dracula, and other costumed ghouls involved in a competitive sack race!
Remember the old bow and arrow sets with the suction cups on the arrows? One year, Mom attached balloons to the wall in our 'toy room', and stuck nails into the suction cups so we could pop the balloons...that was cool! Maybe we can use throwing knives next time...
In looking at this past year, I'm pretty pleased in many areas. My school is doing well, we've got a fabulous group of assistant instructors and a great family atmosphere of which I'm very proud. Our Monkey is doing well in his new kindergarten. My fabulous wife's new job has finally taken a turn for the better after a rough start, and she's also lost over 30 pounds since the summer. All in all, it's been a pretty decent year.
As I get closer to 40, the value of discipline becomes more and more apparent. I can't eat like I did when I was younger...if I eat junk, I feel junky almost immediately. If I don't train, I lose speed, strength, and stamina right away. If I don't exercise my brain, I suddenly can't remember where my pants are...and I'm wearing them. So it seems that I'll focus this year on maintaining the habits necessary to keep me healthy, strong, and moving in a positive direction. And maybe set some goals in which I can become emotionally involved. Training just for training is great, but I want to accomplish something this year...I just don't know what, yet.
So today, I think I'll play, contemplate, teach class (only the early one), train, eat a fabulous pho lunch, and then we'll take Monkey out to Trick or Treat somewhere...just another birthday for me.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
It's Tuesday...just Tuesday.
Monkey came home with a bit of a fever yesterday, so he's home 'recuperating' today. By 'recuperating', I mean playing video games with me, watching American Gladiators and Pokemon, and general hanging out. He's not had any fever today, but there's that pesky 24 hour rule at school, so he's home.
Lots has happened since I last blogged...there was the Florida trip (where I learned how to replace a toilet), an early Halloween party(I was one of the 300 Spartans), UFC night (poor Rich Franklin)...that kind of thing.
Honestly, I don't have much to blog about just now, but I have the time, so here I am. An old friend of mine from high school should be coming by to see us this evening, and I'm looking forward to that...I haven't seen Saldivar for nearly a decade. When we talk, we're always discussing the merits of burpees and kettlebell swings...I'm hoping he'll stay for the grappling class tonight!
So...does anyone else out there still have a ridiculous crush on some singer from their youth? I joke about Kelly Clarkson all the time (I'm just SURE that she wants me to spank her), and Olivia Newton-John is still a total sweetheart, but I'm stuck on Cathy Dennis. She's a British singer/songwriter that rose to popularity in the early 90's with some great dance tunes, and has spent most of the intervening years writing catchy tunes for other female singers. And I can't get her outta my head (which is also one of the songs she wrote for Kylie Minogue). I mean, it's just silly. She's not even performing anymore, for goodness sake! Even so, if Ms. Dennis showed up somewhere I happened to be, I think I'd suddenly do an Oscar-worthy imitation of the village idiot, and would probably trip over my own two feet if I tried to talk to her. It's just ridiculous.
Ah well...a dear friend told me that, as long as I wasn't missing work to sit around and watch her videos, I'm probably fine. Really.
Since Monkey's having fun watching something or other, and the laundry is in progress, I'm going to do some burpees. Have a fabulous day, everyone.
Lots has happened since I last blogged...there was the Florida trip (where I learned how to replace a toilet), an early Halloween party(I was one of the 300 Spartans), UFC night (poor Rich Franklin)...that kind of thing.
Honestly, I don't have much to blog about just now, but I have the time, so here I am. An old friend of mine from high school should be coming by to see us this evening, and I'm looking forward to that...I haven't seen Saldivar for nearly a decade. When we talk, we're always discussing the merits of burpees and kettlebell swings...I'm hoping he'll stay for the grappling class tonight!
So...does anyone else out there still have a ridiculous crush on some singer from their youth? I joke about Kelly Clarkson all the time (I'm just SURE that she wants me to spank her), and Olivia Newton-John is still a total sweetheart, but I'm stuck on Cathy Dennis. She's a British singer/songwriter that rose to popularity in the early 90's with some great dance tunes, and has spent most of the intervening years writing catchy tunes for other female singers. And I can't get her outta my head (which is also one of the songs she wrote for Kylie Minogue). I mean, it's just silly. She's not even performing anymore, for goodness sake! Even so, if Ms. Dennis showed up somewhere I happened to be, I think I'd suddenly do an Oscar-worthy imitation of the village idiot, and would probably trip over my own two feet if I tried to talk to her. It's just ridiculous.
Ah well...a dear friend told me that, as long as I wasn't missing work to sit around and watch her videos, I'm probably fine. Really.
Since Monkey's having fun watching something or other, and the laundry is in progress, I'm going to do some burpees. Have a fabulous day, everyone.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
...and you know whose birthday THAT is??
Yesterday was my darling wife's birthday. Many times in years past, we would wait until the weekend to celebrate her special day, but not this year. I mean, we are going to a weekend getaway this weekend, but this year, I wanted 9-26 to be a bit sweeter for my sweetie.
After my classes were over, I hustled out and got flowers, balloons, and a card, and stopped by her work to present them to her. Ah, her beautiful, surprised smile was wondrous to behold! Kiss, kiss, and then I rushed off again.
Did you know that Party City has a ton of cool stuff? And the Halloween costumes are already out! Sorry, I digress...I picked up a big Happy Birthday banner and a tiara before picking up Monkey from school, and then heading home.
I was on the phone with her when she actually pulled up into the driveway and saw the banner...I think she liked it! And she wore the tiara before passing out on the couch.
A note from our first meeting...we were discussing personal information, likes and dislikes, birthdays, and such. In case you didn't know it, I've always been a huge Olivia Newton-John fan. I told her my birthday was on Halloween, and she agreed that that was pretty cool. Then she says, "Mine's on September 26...and you know whose birthday that is??"
Well, I was probably the only person for 100 square miles to know that 9-26 is Olivia's birthday. I thought "There's no way she could know that..." so I replied that I didn't know.
Of course, she immediately reminded me that it was, indeed, ON-J's birthday as well. I laughed, and told her that I did already know that, and that I was a big fan...a member of the fan club and everything.
She just smiled, and we kept walking. She told me later that she thought I was just fibbing to her in an attempt to look good. But then we walked by my truck, and I pointed it out...along with the ON-J Fan Club stickers on the tailgate. Her eyes widened, and then she looked back at me with a big smile. And the rest, as they say, is history.
After my classes were over, I hustled out and got flowers, balloons, and a card, and stopped by her work to present them to her. Ah, her beautiful, surprised smile was wondrous to behold! Kiss, kiss, and then I rushed off again.
Did you know that Party City has a ton of cool stuff? And the Halloween costumes are already out! Sorry, I digress...I picked up a big Happy Birthday banner and a tiara before picking up Monkey from school, and then heading home.
I was on the phone with her when she actually pulled up into the driveway and saw the banner...I think she liked it! And she wore the tiara before passing out on the couch.
A note from our first meeting...we were discussing personal information, likes and dislikes, birthdays, and such. In case you didn't know it, I've always been a huge Olivia Newton-John fan. I told her my birthday was on Halloween, and she agreed that that was pretty cool. Then she says, "Mine's on September 26...and you know whose birthday that is??"
Well, I was probably the only person for 100 square miles to know that 9-26 is Olivia's birthday. I thought "There's no way she could know that..." so I replied that I didn't know.
Of course, she immediately reminded me that it was, indeed, ON-J's birthday as well. I laughed, and told her that I did already know that, and that I was a big fan...a member of the fan club and everything.
She just smiled, and we kept walking. She told me later that she thought I was just fibbing to her in an attempt to look good. But then we walked by my truck, and I pointed it out...along with the ON-J Fan Club stickers on the tailgate. Her eyes widened, and then she looked back at me with a big smile. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Catching Up
Well, Mom has finally gotten after me for not writing in my blog. So I’m back. Ta daa! Actually, there has been quite a bit going on, and that’s why I’m not writing much…too busy out doing the stuff to write about it. Let me ‘splain…no, let me sum up:
We took a team to the Austin AAU tournament…13 competitors won a total of 20 medals. We swept the beginner push-hands competition, and many of our first-time competitors won gold medals in several events. Jorge Peraza had to compete in the adult division instead of the 14-18 division, and against folks who were much more experienced in Chinese broadsword…and he got a silver medal out of the 6 competitors. Beth Boyd got first place in her first tournament, and so it went. I even won a silver medal in Shuai-Chiao.
Sifu Dave Pickens of Round Rock, TX was the tournament director, and he was great to work with. Thanks a ton, Sifu Dave!
I was amused to see all of our young tough teens next to the few others in the continuous sparring division…they all had MMA gear on (we had cleaned the blood off of it beforehand) as opposed to the usual foam-dipped gear. It was supposed to be light-contact, and I admonished my students repeatedly to that effect…but when they were fighting each other, the judges seemed content to let them fight a bit harder than expected. It was a blast! All of our guys really enjoyed the experience, and I enjoyed the fighting spirit they displayed on the mat.
It was kind of a long day for us…when we arrived at 7:30am to check in, we were told that the internal events were to start at 8am…that included push-hands! None of us had our gear or clothes with us, so we dashed back to the hotel, changed, grabbed our gear, and hauled back to the tournament…only to wait until around noon for our first competitions. After that, it was a long day of ‘hurry up and wait’, and we really didn’t feel that we could leave for fear of missing one of our events. Felix, bless him, offered to go get us some food late in the afternoon…I was actually still chewing my chicken sandwich as I walked up to meet my final opponent on the mat. After I got quickly thrown twice by Matt (the black belt from NY), we got out of there around 8:30pm. We showered and changed, and headed to Hooters to watch the UFC fights.
I must say that, seated there and watching all of my students talking excitedly about the days events, laughing loudly and hooting at the screen where the fights were in full swing, I felt proud…and humbled. All of these folks were part of our Jade Mountain family, and their dedication and spirit truly moved me. It was a wonderful feeling.
All in all, we had a great time, and we’re already planning ahead to Labor Day weekend in 2008. Look out, Austin…Jade Mountain’s coming atcha!
That was two weekends ago. This past weekend, my Sifu, Arthur D’Agostino, came out for a seminar and to do some training with me. It was a really productive weekend, and now we’re looking forward to our Instructor Training event in Florida next month. That should be a blast! I don’t know that I’m looking forward to the firewalk, though…once was enough for me.
And so things have been rocking along pretty well of late. My darling wife has lost 25 pounds since the start of the summer, and she’s feeling fine and sassy…and I think she’s trying to kill me with affection. Not that I mind, of course! She’s feeling fabulous, and so am I. Monkey’s having a good time in kindergarten, and although he still gets notes sent home every so often, he seems to be assimilating fairly well. He’s a happy kid, and if we can get him to quit bugging the other kids, he’ll be fine.
One particularly sad thing happened last week…one of our assistant instructors suddenly lost her 11 year old son. We were all shocked to hear that he’d passed away, and our hearts are breaking for Renee B. and her family. Her son, Jason Alen Mathew Nankivel Jr., will be greatly missed. At Renee’s request, we are accepting donations at Jade Mountain to be forwarded to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in JJ’s name.
So…that’s what’s going on around here. Oh, one final note: I went to the dentist today.
Weeks ago, I was eating my breakfast and suddenly I found my eggs to be somewhat crunchy. Thinking I had left shells in my eggs, I did some checking and discovered that one of my wisdom teeth had broken. Nothing hurt, but it was certainly eroding back there. Hmph. Fine. Didn’t need that chunk of tooth anyhow.
But then I was chewing gum during our seminars on Saturday, and suddenly found another, larger piece of debris…from a different tooth. I figured I’d better get my butt to the dentist. So I followed my darling wife’s advice, and went to hers.
“Trust me,” she said. “You’ll love it there.”
When I first entered, I found a nice young woman at the front desk. Cutie. As I filled out the necessary forms, she even offered me some ice water. When she brought it, I could see that there were blueberries and pieces of orange in the ice cubes. Cool! Another cutie came to the door and called my name. “Follow me, please.” Yes, ma’am!! She was the dental assistant, who got me situated in a comfy dentist’s chair, got the bib around my neck, and chatted about my reasons for being there. After the Doc came in and discussed my situation, we decided on some x-rays and fillings…and here comes a gorgeous x-ray tech to take pics of my teeth! My wife wasn’t kidding! And then came the accountant to discuss payment methods! Cutie! I mentioned that it must be a prerequisite for working there…being gorgeous and all.
I’m scheduled for a follow-up tomorrow. And a cleaning on Tuesday. And a root canal on Friday. And a follow-up on Monday after that. OK, not really…but I can say, without a doubt, that I will enjoy my next trips to the dentist.
We took a team to the Austin AAU tournament…13 competitors won a total of 20 medals. We swept the beginner push-hands competition, and many of our first-time competitors won gold medals in several events. Jorge Peraza had to compete in the adult division instead of the 14-18 division, and against folks who were much more experienced in Chinese broadsword…and he got a silver medal out of the 6 competitors. Beth Boyd got first place in her first tournament, and so it went. I even won a silver medal in Shuai-Chiao.
Sifu Dave Pickens of Round Rock, TX was the tournament director, and he was great to work with. Thanks a ton, Sifu Dave!
I was amused to see all of our young tough teens next to the few others in the continuous sparring division…they all had MMA gear on (we had cleaned the blood off of it beforehand) as opposed to the usual foam-dipped gear. It was supposed to be light-contact, and I admonished my students repeatedly to that effect…but when they were fighting each other, the judges seemed content to let them fight a bit harder than expected. It was a blast! All of our guys really enjoyed the experience, and I enjoyed the fighting spirit they displayed on the mat.
It was kind of a long day for us…when we arrived at 7:30am to check in, we were told that the internal events were to start at 8am…that included push-hands! None of us had our gear or clothes with us, so we dashed back to the hotel, changed, grabbed our gear, and hauled back to the tournament…only to wait until around noon for our first competitions. After that, it was a long day of ‘hurry up and wait’, and we really didn’t feel that we could leave for fear of missing one of our events. Felix, bless him, offered to go get us some food late in the afternoon…I was actually still chewing my chicken sandwich as I walked up to meet my final opponent on the mat. After I got quickly thrown twice by Matt (the black belt from NY), we got out of there around 8:30pm. We showered and changed, and headed to Hooters to watch the UFC fights.
I must say that, seated there and watching all of my students talking excitedly about the days events, laughing loudly and hooting at the screen where the fights were in full swing, I felt proud…and humbled. All of these folks were part of our Jade Mountain family, and their dedication and spirit truly moved me. It was a wonderful feeling.
All in all, we had a great time, and we’re already planning ahead to Labor Day weekend in 2008. Look out, Austin…Jade Mountain’s coming atcha!
That was two weekends ago. This past weekend, my Sifu, Arthur D’Agostino, came out for a seminar and to do some training with me. It was a really productive weekend, and now we’re looking forward to our Instructor Training event in Florida next month. That should be a blast! I don’t know that I’m looking forward to the firewalk, though…once was enough for me.
And so things have been rocking along pretty well of late. My darling wife has lost 25 pounds since the start of the summer, and she’s feeling fine and sassy…and I think she’s trying to kill me with affection. Not that I mind, of course! She’s feeling fabulous, and so am I. Monkey’s having a good time in kindergarten, and although he still gets notes sent home every so often, he seems to be assimilating fairly well. He’s a happy kid, and if we can get him to quit bugging the other kids, he’ll be fine.
One particularly sad thing happened last week…one of our assistant instructors suddenly lost her 11 year old son. We were all shocked to hear that he’d passed away, and our hearts are breaking for Renee B. and her family. Her son, Jason Alen Mathew Nankivel Jr., will be greatly missed. At Renee’s request, we are accepting donations at Jade Mountain to be forwarded to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in JJ’s name.
So…that’s what’s going on around here. Oh, one final note: I went to the dentist today.
Weeks ago, I was eating my breakfast and suddenly I found my eggs to be somewhat crunchy. Thinking I had left shells in my eggs, I did some checking and discovered that one of my wisdom teeth had broken. Nothing hurt, but it was certainly eroding back there. Hmph. Fine. Didn’t need that chunk of tooth anyhow.
But then I was chewing gum during our seminars on Saturday, and suddenly found another, larger piece of debris…from a different tooth. I figured I’d better get my butt to the dentist. So I followed my darling wife’s advice, and went to hers.
“Trust me,” she said. “You’ll love it there.”
When I first entered, I found a nice young woman at the front desk. Cutie. As I filled out the necessary forms, she even offered me some ice water. When she brought it, I could see that there were blueberries and pieces of orange in the ice cubes. Cool! Another cutie came to the door and called my name. “Follow me, please.” Yes, ma’am!! She was the dental assistant, who got me situated in a comfy dentist’s chair, got the bib around my neck, and chatted about my reasons for being there. After the Doc came in and discussed my situation, we decided on some x-rays and fillings…and here comes a gorgeous x-ray tech to take pics of my teeth! My wife wasn’t kidding! And then came the accountant to discuss payment methods! Cutie! I mentioned that it must be a prerequisite for working there…being gorgeous and all.
I’m scheduled for a follow-up tomorrow. And a cleaning on Tuesday. And a root canal on Friday. And a follow-up on Monday after that. OK, not really…but I can say, without a doubt, that I will enjoy my next trips to the dentist.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Tournament, new couches.
We're all fired up for the upcoming AAU Chinese Kung Fu tournament this weekend! A big crew from JMMA will be heading out there for a ton of sparring, pushhands, and some Shuai Chiao. What's that, you ask? Shuai Chiao is a style of Kung Fu that incorporates a lot of throwing techniques. Many skills are similar to those in Judo, but other throws are unique to the style. I've seen a few SC competitions in the past, and they looked like fun, so we're planning to participate this time around using the rudimentary throws and counters we've picked up along the way (thanks Paul!).
And it really is a big crew! Let's see...Shaun, Mark, Kevin, Beth, Eric, Leonard, Charlie, George, JP, Jorge, Jonathan, myself...I know I'm leaving someone out, but that's a great start! We're planning to enjoy ourselves, win, lose, or draw, and have fun with the whole experience. Look out, Austin, here we come! And yes, we'll be doing our best to keep Mr. Lawler from racing down the street wearing nothing but his lime-green thong of victory.
In other news, we finally got new furniture! After over 5 years with no furniture to speak of, we finally headed out to Gallery Furniture in Houston to see what they had. We got a 100% leather sofa, loveseat, chair, and a huge Ottoman. The set wasn't the cheapest, and it wasn't the most pricey, but it was PERFECT for us! And we're just thrilled to be able to sit comfortably for a change. I discovered that I can fall asleep in the chair in at least 5 different positions, and I haven't even really tested the sofa or loveseat yet. I have some time before classes today...I think I'll try the sofa.
That's it for now. I know, it's nothing terribly witty this time...no amusing stories, no odd commentary...but I just got in from running my sprints, and I'm pooped, so I'll do better next time. Have a fabulous Thursday!
And it really is a big crew! Let's see...Shaun, Mark, Kevin, Beth, Eric, Leonard, Charlie, George, JP, Jorge, Jonathan, myself...I know I'm leaving someone out, but that's a great start! We're planning to enjoy ourselves, win, lose, or draw, and have fun with the whole experience. Look out, Austin, here we come! And yes, we'll be doing our best to keep Mr. Lawler from racing down the street wearing nothing but his lime-green thong of victory.
In other news, we finally got new furniture! After over 5 years with no furniture to speak of, we finally headed out to Gallery Furniture in Houston to see what they had. We got a 100% leather sofa, loveseat, chair, and a huge Ottoman. The set wasn't the cheapest, and it wasn't the most pricey, but it was PERFECT for us! And we're just thrilled to be able to sit comfortably for a change. I discovered that I can fall asleep in the chair in at least 5 different positions, and I haven't even really tested the sofa or loveseat yet. I have some time before classes today...I think I'll try the sofa.
That's it for now. I know, it's nothing terribly witty this time...no amusing stories, no odd commentary...but I just got in from running my sprints, and I'm pooped, so I'll do better next time. Have a fabulous Thursday!
Monday, August 27, 2007
mice, kindergarten, Randy Couture, and blind bowling.
Finally....I ordered a new mouse. Not the kind that eat cheese (although my old mouse did somehow manage to chew up a few files here and there), but an optical mouse that lights up in red and blue while I work. Oooooh....aaaaah....it's way cool. My old one had a habit of totally wigging out on me every so often, clicking, double-clicking, and triple-clicking all over the screen, closing programs, opening programs, and generally being a huge pain in my butt. That's all over now, and I'm digging the new mouse.
It's the first day of school for both Connor and Christina. She's been busting her tail with 18-hour days all last week to prepare her room for today, and it appears to have paid off. She's stepped into her role as the lead teacher in her school's biggest classroom, and is doing wonderfully.
I just picked Connor up from his first day of kindergarten at a nearby elementary school...he appears to have had a blast. He's still wearing the same clothes that he had on this morning, and he still has his backpack, and both shoes. So far, so good. We're talking about having him ride the bus to save me an hour of waiting in line to pick him up, but honestly, I don't mind...the wait gives me time to make calls that I seldom have time to make.
Randy Couture...that's one tough old man. On Saturday night, he kicked the crap out of an opponent 16 years younger than he. Gabe Gonzaga is no joke (although he does closely resemble a large monkey), and after watching him knock the crap out of CroCop, I was concerned for Randy's life. But it turned out just fine, and Randy whupped Gonzaga. Go Randy!
Speaking of old men, I just spoke to my tough-as-nails father. The man's nearly 80, half-blind, one-handed, and has no butt at all (I got mine from Mom's side of the family...thanks, I think). However, until recently, he still kicked everyone's tail at just about everything. Golf, tennis, bowling, whatever. Since his eyesight isn't what it once was, he hasn't competed much lately, but Mom mentioned that I should ask him about their recent bowling outing.
"Bowling? But...Dad can't see worth crap!"
"I know...just ask him."
Fine. I called today, and here's the story:
"I heard you went bowling last week...how'd that go?"
"Well, you know I can't see the arrows on the lane anymore...but I still beat everybody. I never looked at the pins, noways."
Dad also mentioned that he had tried to let my brother borrow his bowling ball...but Dad's was too heavy. Go figure.
If I'm half as tough as that old bastard when I'm that old, I'll be doing just fine.
It's the first day of school for both Connor and Christina. She's been busting her tail with 18-hour days all last week to prepare her room for today, and it appears to have paid off. She's stepped into her role as the lead teacher in her school's biggest classroom, and is doing wonderfully.
I just picked Connor up from his first day of kindergarten at a nearby elementary school...he appears to have had a blast. He's still wearing the same clothes that he had on this morning, and he still has his backpack, and both shoes. So far, so good. We're talking about having him ride the bus to save me an hour of waiting in line to pick him up, but honestly, I don't mind...the wait gives me time to make calls that I seldom have time to make.
Randy Couture...that's one tough old man. On Saturday night, he kicked the crap out of an opponent 16 years younger than he. Gabe Gonzaga is no joke (although he does closely resemble a large monkey), and after watching him knock the crap out of CroCop, I was concerned for Randy's life. But it turned out just fine, and Randy whupped Gonzaga. Go Randy!
Speaking of old men, I just spoke to my tough-as-nails father. The man's nearly 80, half-blind, one-handed, and has no butt at all (I got mine from Mom's side of the family...thanks, I think). However, until recently, he still kicked everyone's tail at just about everything. Golf, tennis, bowling, whatever. Since his eyesight isn't what it once was, he hasn't competed much lately, but Mom mentioned that I should ask him about their recent bowling outing.
"Bowling? But...Dad can't see worth crap!"
"I know...just ask him."
Fine. I called today, and here's the story:
"I heard you went bowling last week...how'd that go?"
"Well, you know I can't see the arrows on the lane anymore...but I still beat everybody. I never looked at the pins, noways."
Dad also mentioned that he had tried to let my brother borrow his bowling ball...but Dad's was too heavy. Go figure.
If I'm half as tough as that old bastard when I'm that old, I'll be doing just fine.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Jarboofie.
Yes, I know that it's currently 93 degrees out there. Running in that heat is rather foolish, I know that, too. However, my workout plan states that I'm supposed to run 10 100m sprints and 5 50m sprints today. Also foolish was our plan to stay up until nearly 2am watching Disturbia before Christina was to attempt an early departure for work a mere 4.5 hours later.
What this means is that I just got back from running my intervals, completely exhausted, drenched in sweat, and having trouble with my fine motor skills. Yes, I'm typing this with my face, and the backspaces are killing me. Jarboofie, Brian...jarboofie.
I have a full day ahead...cleaning house, visit to WalMart, a visit to the Alamo Drafthouse in Katy to address a bothersome issue. And I can't forget the massage scheduled at 3pm, no sir! I'm in dire need of some body work.
And that's about all that my sweatlogged brain can come up with for now. Oh, I did talk to my dear friend, Jason, about joining us for the Half Marathon in January...that promises to be a fun weekend! Anyhow, get back to what you were doing. And do some pushups or squats while you're at it.
What this means is that I just got back from running my intervals, completely exhausted, drenched in sweat, and having trouble with my fine motor skills. Yes, I'm typing this with my face, and the backspaces are killing me. Jarboofie, Brian...jarboofie.
I have a full day ahead...cleaning house, visit to WalMart, a visit to the Alamo Drafthouse in Katy to address a bothersome issue. And I can't forget the massage scheduled at 3pm, no sir! I'm in dire need of some body work.
And that's about all that my sweatlogged brain can come up with for now. Oh, I did talk to my dear friend, Jason, about joining us for the Half Marathon in January...that promises to be a fun weekend! Anyhow, get back to what you were doing. And do some pushups or squats while you're at it.
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