I’ve heard rumors….but damn, check out the link:

http://wiiweightlossplan.com/?q=node/178

Testing went very well. I only had 2 small mistakes, and the owner of the school didn’t notice, so I’m good with it.

I’ve said it before, but maybe not so like this. The martial arts are perceived to be a children’s activity. Even though they are anything, but it is weird. Of the 67 people testing, 5 could legally drive (3 without an adult in the car). It is strange enough getting up in front of a group of people and going through all your requirements. It’s even more weird when the other people that are doing it with you are essentially a third of your age.

Anyway, I still kicked ass. My forms were essentially on, as were my footworks and kicking combinations. After that we sparred with black belts from other schools and unfortunately, mine ended up on his butt a few times (Sorry Michael). After that all my self defense went very well. So with this behind me, it is time to get ready for the US OPEN…WOOT WOOT. Hopefully I’ll get video from the test up soon.

Later peoples!

You know,Ii’ve realized two things recently…If end a title in an ellipsis, I’m going to bitch. Today I’m bitching about what most parents don’t know how to do…and that is their goddamn job.

Working at the taekwondo school I’ve got to meet a whole bunch of parents. I’d say 20% have the balls enough to see their kids mis behaving and put a stop to it. I’ve been in class with kids that can’t behave to save their life. You know what their parents do, sit back and watch. Every once and a while they will shake their heads. That is not right. That is not how you parent. That is how you take a break.

Example: Yesterday, I’m observing a class of high belts (kids that have been doing this long enough to figure out how to act) and one kid grabs a styrofoam noodle and starts beating the ever loving crap out of another kid. Now, although I found this completely hilarious, had this child been my kid, I would have gotten my ass out of my seat, walked up thrown him in the bathroom and made sure the people outside would have heard a scream or two.

Example (this is of good parenting): I’m teaching a class and a kid starts mis behaving, not listening. Parent comes to the door of the classroom, asks me if they can see their son, calls their son over and in the quietest way I’ve ever seen, lets their child know there ass will be red after class if they don’t wise up. And to this day that child has never acted up again.

Now I realize that these are 2 different extremes of competing ideologies of parenting…but I know which I prefer…

I’m starting to get really excited about the US Open. I can’t wait to compete. I love the surge of adrenaline that you get as you enter the demo surface. It is insane.

Now all I have to do is get good for the tournament. I’m learning a new form today that will hopefully be my primary form. I’ll have a back-up just in case cus…well that would just be prudent.

ANyway, just wanted to drop this note really quickly. And I’m out…

P.S. - I got a Wii.

I wake up in the mornings and slowly try to get out of bed. Once my feet hit the ground, I bend over and here the rat-tat-tat-tat-tat of my spine stretching out. The sink calls my name as I sleep walk to the bathroom and my shoulders need to be massaged. That was me 2 and a half years ago.

Now I wake up with only a rat-tat-tat. 8) I slide out of bed and the day starts a little bit smoother. @ and a half years of stretching will do that for ya.

I’d like to think of this as a step up from what I used to be/act/live. Now its a little bit better and I like it that way. I aim to keep it improving. Getting to the next level is a natural need, want desire for us all. Tonight I worked with 4 kids from the age of 10 to 15 who all improved a little bit today. One can throw a better knock-out kick while another improved a form. The other 2 improved on a jumping triple kick that we work on.

Its not just them that get better. Every time I remind one of them of something, I’m cementing that same property in me. Whats even better is that it makes me feel better to see them improve. Even though I’m essentially on the DL, it gives me great solace and incomparable joy to be able to assist them. As long as they keep improving, I’m more than glad to not be able to train like I want.