It finally happened. After Jiu-Jitsu last night I felt old.
We were doing a really spectacular technique where the guy on the bottom picks the guy on top with his legs and flips him over and lands on top.
Lot of effort when one is on the bottom, and a hard landing when one is on the top.
I did it all fine, but there are plenty of aches and pains now. Some are over-worked muscles, and some are pains from thump-down landings.
It would be no sweat, except I go again tonight, and tomorrow.
Luckily, tonight it will be low effort, and low impact. I can do that.
At least I think I can.
I am a 68 year old retired teacher living on the west coast of Canada. I spent over 30 years as a student of Karate until my knees stopped liking it. My current passionate activity is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which I've been at for about 13 years.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Goalie
When I started Karate, my first goal was to pass that first belt test. I didn't really see anything beyond that. There kept being short-term belt goals being thrown up.
I started leading half the club's classes (can I call that teaching?) when I was a lowly Green Belt. I felt I had to keep testing as quickly as I could to prevent any confusion. I was one rank above the next club members, and if they'd caught me it might have gotten in the way. Maybe not, but I kept it from happening.
There are 3 ranks of Brown Belt. Nobody can tell your rank within Brown. Many like slowing down at that time to solidify their confidence in their technique. I couldn't. My Sensei moved to Japan, and our club needed a Black Belt. I became Sensei and needed to keep gaining rank as quickly as I could.
After Black Belt I didn't feel any pressure to continue the rank game, and didn't face an opportunity to test even if I wanted to for the next few decades. Back then, we didn't get such exams in BC, and to get one would have involved major travel. Now we have high-belt exams frequently, but I feel no pressure.
As a Shodan, I have access to all the training available. No advantage to a higher rank.
In Jiu-Jitsu, I am climbing the ladder once again. Every ten weeks of attendance earns the White Belts a spiffy black stripe on their belt. The students covet them the same as I once did my Yellow Belt. I find the stripes irrelevant, but would never say so.
After 23 weeks of classes, one is permitted to attend an extra, slightly more advanced class held on Saturdays. I want to get into that. Goal one.
After 35 weeks of training one is theoretically able to test for Blue Belt. I don't care much about the Blue Belt, but getting one gets access to two evening classes with more advanced training. I want to get to that, too. Goal two.
To speed my way towards my two goals, I've been taking extra private lessons. These count towards the 23 and 35 week totals. They also count DOUBLE towards belt stripe totals, too. Don't care about that.
The White Belt in our class closest to testing for Blue was talking to another girl a few nights ago. She was excited to think that if she passed, she would become the 5th female Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt in Canada EVER. I thought, "Cool."
If I reach my goals, I will become the oldest person EVER to earn a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt in Canada.
How's that for cool?
I started leading half the club's classes (can I call that teaching?) when I was a lowly Green Belt. I felt I had to keep testing as quickly as I could to prevent any confusion. I was one rank above the next club members, and if they'd caught me it might have gotten in the way. Maybe not, but I kept it from happening.
There are 3 ranks of Brown Belt. Nobody can tell your rank within Brown. Many like slowing down at that time to solidify their confidence in their technique. I couldn't. My Sensei moved to Japan, and our club needed a Black Belt. I became Sensei and needed to keep gaining rank as quickly as I could.
After Black Belt I didn't feel any pressure to continue the rank game, and didn't face an opportunity to test even if I wanted to for the next few decades. Back then, we didn't get such exams in BC, and to get one would have involved major travel. Now we have high-belt exams frequently, but I feel no pressure.
As a Shodan, I have access to all the training available. No advantage to a higher rank.
In Jiu-Jitsu, I am climbing the ladder once again. Every ten weeks of attendance earns the White Belts a spiffy black stripe on their belt. The students covet them the same as I once did my Yellow Belt. I find the stripes irrelevant, but would never say so.
After 23 weeks of classes, one is permitted to attend an extra, slightly more advanced class held on Saturdays. I want to get into that. Goal one.
After 35 weeks of training one is theoretically able to test for Blue Belt. I don't care much about the Blue Belt, but getting one gets access to two evening classes with more advanced training. I want to get to that, too. Goal two.
To speed my way towards my two goals, I've been taking extra private lessons. These count towards the 23 and 35 week totals. They also count DOUBLE towards belt stripe totals, too. Don't care about that.
The White Belt in our class closest to testing for Blue was talking to another girl a few nights ago. She was excited to think that if she passed, she would become the 5th female Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt in Canada EVER. I thought, "Cool."
If I reach my goals, I will become the oldest person EVER to earn a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt in Canada.
How's that for cool?
Spending
Getting political. Feel free to ignore this one. No running, or Karate, or bikes at all.
1 USA 698.105billion
2 China 114
3 France 61.285
4 UK 57.424
5 Russia 52.586
6 Japan 51.42
7 Germany 46.848
8 Saudi Arabia 39.2
9 Italy 38.303
10 India 36.03
11 Brazil 27.12
12 Australia 26.9
13 S Korea 26.55
14 Spain 25.507
15 Canada 21.8
16 Israel 16
17 UAE 15.749
18 Turkey 15.634
19 Netherlands 11.604
20 Afghanistan 11.6
The above is a list of the top 20 countries in the world in terms of military spending in billions of dollars.
Back in the 1800s Britain was the premier world power. They had a policy that they would always keep their Navy powerful enough to match the second and third greatest powers should conflict ever occur. Perhaps the US should adopt something like this.
Clearly from the above chart they are overspending. In fact, if you add up all the others in the top 20, their total comes to 695.56, which is less than the USA's 698.195. You may also notice that Israel and Afghanistan are top-spending countries, too. A big part of their war chest is provided as "aid" from the USA.
Let's lower the USA from first place at 698.195 down to 175.285. This would match the spending of China and France combined. The USA would still be the number one super power by far.
This single act would cut US government spending by 15% without laying a glove on Social Security, Health Care, or Veterans Benefits.
Madness, you say? What about all the defence workers thrown out of work?
OK, if you're so worried about the resulting massive unemployment how about this? Don't cut spending. Take it from the military and spend it on things that actually generate wealth. In the 1950s and early 1960s the government spent its surpluses on things like building the freeway system. Remember rural electrification in the 1930s?
Take your pick.
1 USA 698.105billion
2 China 114
3 France 61.285
4 UK 57.424
5 Russia 52.586
6 Japan 51.42
7 Germany 46.848
8 Saudi Arabia 39.2
9 Italy 38.303
10 India 36.03
11 Brazil 27.12
12 Australia 26.9
13 S Korea 26.55
14 Spain 25.507
15 Canada 21.8
16 Israel 16
17 UAE 15.749
18 Turkey 15.634
19 Netherlands 11.604
20 Afghanistan 11.6
The above is a list of the top 20 countries in the world in terms of military spending in billions of dollars.
Back in the 1800s Britain was the premier world power. They had a policy that they would always keep their Navy powerful enough to match the second and third greatest powers should conflict ever occur. Perhaps the US should adopt something like this.
Clearly from the above chart they are overspending. In fact, if you add up all the others in the top 20, their total comes to 695.56, which is less than the USA's 698.195. You may also notice that Israel and Afghanistan are top-spending countries, too. A big part of their war chest is provided as "aid" from the USA.
Let's lower the USA from first place at 698.195 down to 175.285. This would match the spending of China and France combined. The USA would still be the number one super power by far.
This single act would cut US government spending by 15% without laying a glove on Social Security, Health Care, or Veterans Benefits.
Madness, you say? What about all the defence workers thrown out of work?
OK, if you're so worried about the resulting massive unemployment how about this? Don't cut spending. Take it from the military and spend it on things that actually generate wealth. In the 1950s and early 1960s the government spent its surpluses on things like building the freeway system. Remember rural electrification in the 1930s?
Take your pick.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Dark
It is 7:30am and Saturday. I am sitting in my chair, looking out into the pitch black. On a weekday I'd just be arriving at work now, after a lovely ride in the total dark.
Daylight Savings Time is about to end for the year, and we get back a bit of morning light. It makes a world of difference to me. It will vanish again slowly over about the next two weeks.
Then it is all black again.
The cold I can handle. The rain is not sweet, but acceptable.
I hate the black ride.
Daylight Savings Time is about to end for the year, and we get back a bit of morning light. It makes a world of difference to me. It will vanish again slowly over about the next two weeks.
Then it is all black again.
The cold I can handle. The rain is not sweet, but acceptable.
I hate the black ride.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Runtime
It looks like a run-on-both-days weekend. Haven't had one of those in a while.
When something comes up, like a seminar, or like next week's visit to Victoria, I often let running slide.
Nothing special is happening, so I shall run to maintain my svelte figure. I'm doing pretty good on that front, as my weight is down to 177lbs. Anything under 180 is fine, but I'm shooting to crack 175.
That should happen soon.
Especially if I keep running.
When something comes up, like a seminar, or like next week's visit to Victoria, I often let running slide.
Nothing special is happening, so I shall run to maintain my svelte figure. I'm doing pretty good on that front, as my weight is down to 177lbs. Anything under 180 is fine, but I'm shooting to crack 175.
That should happen soon.
Especially if I keep running.
Fold
Helen and I both really like our electric bikes. The ride is wonderful, but we have something new in mind.
We love to travel, and would like to have folding bikes to take along. There are millions of makes and models, and the shopping has begun.
It is hard to find a bike that fits Helen well. She has a shoulder problem that requires a very upright posture. Compounding this, she is not very tall. Most of the bikes we try cannot be adjusted to her needs.
She has tried many, and none worked until last weekend. We went to a big store in Vancouver that has many models. She looked them all over. I saw one that was by far the best for being upright. She finally got to that one after checking the entire inventory. She was dubious, as it was the cheapest one in the place.
When she got on, it was perfect. Nothing fancy about it, but the components are acceptable. It has eight gears, and is even a colour she likes.
Helen doesn't like to decide these things in haste, and might have left the bike in the store. I put whatever influence I have into the discussion. We bought it and brought that baby home. It was only $350, after all.
Now, I'm on the lookout for a folder of my own. I am easy to fit, so can get whatever model I fancy. A store near our home sells a fine bike, and I'll go try it again. I’ll buy one if it feels like I remember.
Then we need cases for air travel or cruises, and we're all set.
We might start a trend, especially with the cruise ship crowd.
We love to travel, and would like to have folding bikes to take along. There are millions of makes and models, and the shopping has begun.
It is hard to find a bike that fits Helen well. She has a shoulder problem that requires a very upright posture. Compounding this, she is not very tall. Most of the bikes we try cannot be adjusted to her needs.
She has tried many, and none worked until last weekend. We went to a big store in Vancouver that has many models. She looked them all over. I saw one that was by far the best for being upright. She finally got to that one after checking the entire inventory. She was dubious, as it was the cheapest one in the place.
When she got on, it was perfect. Nothing fancy about it, but the components are acceptable. It has eight gears, and is even a colour she likes.
Helen doesn't like to decide these things in haste, and might have left the bike in the store. I put whatever influence I have into the discussion. We bought it and brought that baby home. It was only $350, after all.
Now, I'm on the lookout for a folder of my own. I am easy to fit, so can get whatever model I fancy. A store near our home sells a fine bike, and I'll go try it again. I’ll buy one if it feels like I remember.
Then we need cases for air travel or cruises, and we're all set.
We might start a trend, especially with the cruise ship crowd.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Cheater with a goal
I'm cheating in Jiu-Jitsu. They have a system of rank for White Belts. Every 20 classes completed earns a stripe on the belt. That should take 10 weeks per stripe. By Christmas, I'll have completed 8 weeks of training, and will have earned my second stripe. How? I've been taking extra, private lessons.
I am not nuts, paying for extra lessons just for pieces of tape on my belt. I am trying to get to my Blue Belt. Blue Belts are allowed to attend advanced classes. I want to get to the advanced classes.
One must complete 69 specific lessons to be allowed to test. By Xmas, I'll be a little less than halfway there. In the new year, I may just stick to the regular lessons, and finish my total off in 5 months or so. I also might stay with the extra training and be done in 3 months. Could also do something in between.
None of this guarantees an exam pass, but it does get one the right to try.
I would like to be Blue Belt before summer. Two reasons.
One, I can start next fall in the advanced classes. I plan on training in Judo this summer in Victoria. Judo and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are quite similar. It is possible that mixing the two while preparing for an exam could be detrimental. If I'm already tested, I don't need to worry about it. I can relax and let the Judo people toss me around.
Two, if we decide to do a Disneyland vacation at all this summer, I'd like to train at the main Gracie school, which is nearby. This is unlikely as we have not considered it a vacation possibility, but sometimes we do stuff like that on short notice. If it happened, I'd want to go as a Blue and not a White.
An injury could render this all moot. I'm doing fine in that respect. No new pinky toe injuries this week, although one big toe took a bash. What's with Jiu-Jitsu and my toes?
The instructor seems to think my summer Blue goal is realistic. He was talking about a big Gracie seminar in May, and talked about how suitable it would be for Blue Belts. When he said it he was looking directly at me. Not that teachers can take time off in May, but he doesn't know that.
Funny, but if I make it and anybody asks me my martial arts rank I can say, "Black and Blue."
Cute, eh?
I am not nuts, paying for extra lessons just for pieces of tape on my belt. I am trying to get to my Blue Belt. Blue Belts are allowed to attend advanced classes. I want to get to the advanced classes.
One must complete 69 specific lessons to be allowed to test. By Xmas, I'll be a little less than halfway there. In the new year, I may just stick to the regular lessons, and finish my total off in 5 months or so. I also might stay with the extra training and be done in 3 months. Could also do something in between.
None of this guarantees an exam pass, but it does get one the right to try.
I would like to be Blue Belt before summer. Two reasons.
One, I can start next fall in the advanced classes. I plan on training in Judo this summer in Victoria. Judo and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are quite similar. It is possible that mixing the two while preparing for an exam could be detrimental. If I'm already tested, I don't need to worry about it. I can relax and let the Judo people toss me around.
Two, if we decide to do a Disneyland vacation at all this summer, I'd like to train at the main Gracie school, which is nearby. This is unlikely as we have not considered it a vacation possibility, but sometimes we do stuff like that on short notice. If it happened, I'd want to go as a Blue and not a White.
An injury could render this all moot. I'm doing fine in that respect. No new pinky toe injuries this week, although one big toe took a bash. What's with Jiu-Jitsu and my toes?
The instructor seems to think my summer Blue goal is realistic. He was talking about a big Gracie seminar in May, and talked about how suitable it would be for Blue Belts. When he said it he was looking directly at me. Not that teachers can take time off in May, but he doesn't know that.
Funny, but if I make it and anybody asks me my martial arts rank I can say, "Black and Blue."
Cute, eh?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)