Saturday I went to cheer on 5 people from my school testing for black belt. All 5 were awarded thier black belts, and I'm very proud of their efforts!
I decided to hang out and catch the fights on Monday night. I was pleasantly surprised to see all 5 of our new black belts show up for their ritual beating (except one, who doesn't spar due to low back complications.)
Each fresh black belt faced off against everyone else present, from under-belts to 2nd degree's, finishing with our head instructor. That was a blast to watch!
I plan to make Monday nights a regular thing. It's karate-related activity that will keep my spirits elevated, I can keep connected with that particular group of folks regularly, and very importantly, I can study my opponents and plan strategy!
Now this all sounds somehow underhanded or sinister, but I'm a visual learner and will absorb anything I can while laid up and rehabilitating my knee. One guy in particular, John, has always been a wonderful partner and a particular challenge to me. He's an inside fighter, and I prefer to keep guys like that at a distance with kicks, which are my stronger weapon.
I hate when he gets inside my kicking range!!!
However, even in the short down time I've had I can see massive improvements in John's technique. He's putting more kicks out there, and is developing a wicked-sharp reflex for getting his head out of the way of punches. I'll have to keep an eye on him for certain, and really look forward to getting back in the ring with him in June.
Four more days; Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday.
To be honest, I'm ready for this. My left knee has gotten progressively weirder and unreliable, with more "tricks" than I care for. I want my predictability back.
Sing it with me, folks:
All I want for Christmas is my A-C-L,
My A-C-L, just my A-C-L
Gee, if I could only have my A-C-L,
Then I could wish you Merry Kicks-mas!!!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Nesting Instinct
Being a father, I've seen this sort of thing before but never experienced it quite as much as I have lately.
The Nesting Instinct.
It's a phenomenon which occurs among pregnant women nearing birth. They get this burst of energy and seem driven to 'get the nest ready' for the new arrival.
In my case, I've been tackling not only the necessary details for surgery (PT, pre-op physical, follow-up appointments, FSA funds) but also a number of other projects around the house. I had a trim job on the stairs that I've buttoned up before Winter arrived. Gotta re-organize the garage and swap the lawnmower for the snowblower so it's ready for Mrs. G when that first big storm arrives. Buying some comfy, large pillows for leg padding. Gift-wrapping my sparring gear and uniforms.
And very importantly, getting my studio cleaned up and organized so I can perhaps do some music writing while I'm laid up!
I have no other way to describe it other than a nesting instinct. I'm making sure all I'll need those first few weeks following surgery will be at-hand without any fuss.
On a side note, please welcome Wei who is in late stages of ACL reconstruction PT as of this writing. She's a student of Tae Kwon Do, and a worthy read. Plus, I discovered the cool new gadget for blog links you can now see!
The Nesting Instinct.
It's a phenomenon which occurs among pregnant women nearing birth. They get this burst of energy and seem driven to 'get the nest ready' for the new arrival.
In my case, I've been tackling not only the necessary details for surgery (PT, pre-op physical, follow-up appointments, FSA funds) but also a number of other projects around the house. I had a trim job on the stairs that I've buttoned up before Winter arrived. Gotta re-organize the garage and swap the lawnmower for the snowblower so it's ready for Mrs. G when that first big storm arrives. Buying some comfy, large pillows for leg padding. Gift-wrapping my sparring gear and uniforms.
And very importantly, getting my studio cleaned up and organized so I can perhaps do some music writing while I'm laid up!
I have no other way to describe it other than a nesting instinct. I'm making sure all I'll need those first few weeks following surgery will be at-hand without any fuss.
On a side note, please welcome Wei who is in late stages of ACL reconstruction PT as of this writing. She's a student of Tae Kwon Do, and a worthy read. Plus, I discovered the cool new gadget for blog links you can now see!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Opportunity
My Karate school is remodeling which presented me with a golden opportunity:
Purchase several 40" X 40" squares of interlocking floor mat squares for $5 each!
Since I have plans to add a major addition to the house, which includes a workout area for Karate, I snagged 25 tiles--enough to make a 16 X 16 sparring area. These premium mats usually go for $20-22 each, so it's an easy choice to make.
As for Karate, things are going fantastic. I'm still enjoying Monday night sparring, and look forward to my first tournament on September 14th. It'll be my first time sparring in a tournament, and first tournament since last November!
Also, my band will be performing an acoustic show in October that'll broadcast live over the Internet. I'll be sure to post a link.
Meanwhile the knee is holding up just great, and I pretty much give it no thought these days.
Be good. Keep smiling at those opponents!!!
Purchase several 40" X 40" squares of interlocking floor mat squares for $5 each!
Since I have plans to add a major addition to the house, which includes a workout area for Karate, I snagged 25 tiles--enough to make a 16 X 16 sparring area. These premium mats usually go for $20-22 each, so it's an easy choice to make.
As for Karate, things are going fantastic. I'm still enjoying Monday night sparring, and look forward to my first tournament on September 14th. It'll be my first time sparring in a tournament, and first tournament since last November!
Also, my band will be performing an acoustic show in October that'll broadcast live over the Internet. I'll be sure to post a link.
Meanwhile the knee is holding up just great, and I pretty much give it no thought these days.
Be good. Keep smiling at those opponents!!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Just for fun!
Here's a Karate demo video of my school I created from the local main street art festival a few weeks ago.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Hi. My name is...
Allow me to drift a bit off the usual topics of Martial Arts and ACL reconstruction.
The nickname Hack Shaft has a cute story behind it.
Several years ago, my band was having a bit of an identity crisis; we'd left the old name behind, along with the old drummer (who absolutely insisted that HE owned the name, though we were 4-to-1 in majority against him) and needed something new to call ourselves.
So I did what any entrepreneurial punk would and hit up the Internet, looking for the perfect name. I came across a variety of random band name generators and took one for a spin.
The funniest one that popped up was Explosive Nutrition. GNC stores pop into my head every time I remember THAT one!
Hack Shaft just showed up in one list, and kinda stuck in my head. I mentioned it to my co-guitarist at the time, and his first reaction was "Ow!!!"
Anyhow, it's unique enough that I began to use it regularly for home recording and video production. Hack Shaft. I like it.
Oh, and since being called "Hack" in comments sounds a little harsh...my name is Paul.
The nickname Hack Shaft has a cute story behind it.
Several years ago, my band was having a bit of an identity crisis; we'd left the old name behind, along with the old drummer (who absolutely insisted that HE owned the name, though we were 4-to-1 in majority against him) and needed something new to call ourselves.
So I did what any entrepreneurial punk would and hit up the Internet, looking for the perfect name. I came across a variety of random band name generators and took one for a spin.
The funniest one that popped up was Explosive Nutrition. GNC stores pop into my head every time I remember THAT one!
Hack Shaft just showed up in one list, and kinda stuck in my head. I mentioned it to my co-guitarist at the time, and his first reaction was "Ow!!!"
Anyhow, it's unique enough that I began to use it regularly for home recording and video production. Hack Shaft. I like it.
Oh, and since being called "Hack" in comments sounds a little harsh...my name is Paul.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Ah, that familiar feeling returns.
Rehearsal Saturday went well with the band, and so did the show late last night at a local club. The knee held up well.
Today I tried to go without my usual neoprene support velcroed around the knee, I didn't like it. I could really tell just how much slop there was in the joint just sitting at my office desk! Even with the irritation of occasional Velcro hooks rubbing on the back of my thigh, going with is tons better than doing without.
Black Belt Mama is recovering from her ACL reconstruction currently. Stop by and give her your positive thoughts and good wishes.
I haven't felt any normal 'pop' in my right knee since the adventure began last week. Generally there's a bit of resistance and discomfort while bending the knee, but no pop.
One jumped out of the joint this morning as I was going through some PT exercises.
It's amazing how nice that can feel!
Today I tried to go without my usual neoprene support velcroed around the knee, I didn't like it. I could really tell just how much slop there was in the joint just sitting at my office desk! Even with the irritation of occasional Velcro hooks rubbing on the back of my thigh, going with is tons better than doing without.
Black Belt Mama is recovering from her ACL reconstruction currently. Stop by and give her your positive thoughts and good wishes.
I haven't felt any normal 'pop' in my right knee since the adventure began last week. Generally there's a bit of resistance and discomfort while bending the knee, but no pop.
One jumped out of the joint this morning as I was going through some PT exercises.
It's amazing how nice that can feel!
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