New Wishlist

For after my wrist heals completely:
Pro Slide Gloves by Gravity Skateboards. Elbow pads would be fantastic, maybe knee pads.

Samba longboard from Lush Longboards. Oh the carving.

2 Holey trucks, 2 spacers, 2 sets of hardware, 4 hard (slide) wheels Lush Cannonball Wheels, size 60mm. Everything but the board, really. I have a regular skateboard deck that I'd like to convert to a sliding board, so I can finally practice stopping.

I want to wish you all a merry Xmas, happy Chanukah, delightful Kwanzaa, excellent Solstice, and a fantastic Saturnalia!

Interview, Jogging

First, I just finished a huge jogging routine:
5 minute warmup walk
5 minute jog, 3 minute walk.
5 minute jog, 3 minute walk.
5 minute jog.

Ouch. I need running shoes, my back is killing me.

As for the interview, it was excellent. I'm very excited about the job.

Interview

The phone interview I had on Wednesday was excellent. I have a real interview tomorrow. I am immensely excited. I'll be earning 1/3, nearly 1/2, more than I'm presently making. Rock on.

Jobs

One of my friends from work, T___, notified me of a job opening in his department. It's regarding Unix/Linux and Perl, and the pay is exactly what I'm looking for. I have a phone interview Wednesday.
I'm so excited!

Busy

I've been busy.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Work has been manic and the rest of my life has followed suit.

I even forgot to invite part of my family to thanksgiving. I am ashamed.

I am having a wonderful life, by the way. L___ and T___ and I went jogging last night, together, and though L___ is not fond of jogging in the slightest, she's powering through. I'm very proud of her.

We have a new team at work. Techline India. I'm happy because they're taking some of the calls. Also I'm learning a new process, electronic tickets. So far I feel slow and awkward.

Christmas is just around the corner. I'm lucky it hasn't snowed, as my tires are bald. I could sum it all up and say "i've been busy"

Goodnight

Special

When was the last time you were enchanted?

Goethe quote

"Incidentally, I despise everything which merely instructs me without increasing or immediately enlivening my activity." -Goethe

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family, as always. Without their shoulders to stand on I could not ever hope to reach for the stars.

I am thankful for my girlfriend. She is as smart as she is beautiful, and graceful , too!

I am thankful for my health. I cannot stress this enough.

I am thankful for my friends, they have helped me through my toughest times and will help me through the rest, too.

The Jog

5 min walk to warm up.
Jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds.
Jog 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes.
Jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds.
Jog 5 minutes.

I did it!

Jogging, Kung fu

On Sunday morning I started the second week of jogging.

5 minute walk then
90 seconds jogging
2 minutes walking
for 20 minutes

However, I did not finish. I realized I was going to be late and decided to run home. Not a dead run, but at least jog back to my door. I jogged for 8 minutes without stopping.
I am very proud. I'll skip to week 4 (week 5 ends with a 20 minute jog.)

Kung fu means "to practice".
Sunday evening was spent in Boston with my girlfriend. L__ studies Boabom, a Tibetan martial art. I had asked L__ to watch me run my forms as I enjoy showing off, and L__ has a test soon, and wanted to practice.

I was very impressed by L__'s technique, she was very strong and clearly knew what she was doing. However attractive I find the martial arts, I will always be more impressed by competence. L__ was impressed with my forms and techniques, also. We both had a good time comparing notes and styles.

Jogging

Today I started my jogging routine.

I did 75 crunches (yes, I stopped working out after I sprained my wrist)
100 side crunches,
75 crunches.
Still can't do pushups on this wrist.

5 minute walk then
60 seconds of running,
90 seconds of walking,
for 20 minutes.

It was a cakewalk. I finished with a 60 second dead run. I'll skip a week in the routine and move on to

5 minute walk then
90 seconds jogging
2 minutes walking
for 20 minutes.

The routine is 9 weeks long. At the end I should be able to jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes) without stopping

Now I just need running shoes, a battery in my watch, and sweatpants.

Dreams

Remember your dreams, forget your paycheck.

Step exam

I passed my exam

Duty

Have you voted today?

Values

What do I do?
Should I hold to my values and accept the possibility of pain?
Or should I try this new thing that goes against my ideals?

I've chosen to stand by my values
I've accepted the possibility of pain. Pain itself is never frightening, only the fear of pain, the idea of pain.

I may have to stand for my decision and show what kind of a person I am.
I'm scared but I will stand tall and face whatever pain comes head on.

To heal or not to heal

I am making a mental list of the things that hurt my wrist in a given day. It's not even 10am yet, and I lost track at "pulling hair from collar." The most embarrasing so far: hurting my wrist and other thumb while removing the ace wrap. (I stubbed my right thumb trying to slide toe-side a few weeks before I sprained my wrist.) I haven't healed yet, and at this pace I'm certain I will not be healed in time for the test on 11/11. My step exam.

Still no pushups and I was sick last week. Picking up the jogging routine will be particularly difficult, but I'm certain I can make it happen.

Sorry for the radio silence, by the way, I've been having connectivity issues.

Goals

[-] 100 pushups without stopping, every day [on hold, injury]
[X] 100 crunches without stopping, every day
[-] One hour of Kenpo every day
[-] Instructor's Certificate (beginner)
[-] Live closer to Boston
[-] Third Degree Black Belt in one year's time
[-] Masters in Math or Art (maybe both?)

[Edit]
I spoke with my instructor last night and again this morning. I have to pass six step exams in order to test for my Third Degree Black Belt. Step exams are held every six months. I have passed one already. I need to pass five more. It will take two and a half years more.

Spill

On Sunday I took my longboard to the same old hill and practiced the Coleman Slide. There is a medium sized parking lot at the top, slopped enough to practice this very wide turn. I could almost slide this way on command. I've been sliding, just not the Coleman. I took the hill and got bored.

North Manchester has some beautiful houses and empty streets... and hills. I found one hill that would have killed me, it was long and wide and very rough. I found another nice wide hill, a bit steeper than I was used to, and started practicing my slide. Every 10 feet or so I was sliding to slow down.

Then I went over the edge of a very steep hill and sped up dramatically. I must have been doing 25mph. My board wobbled and I landed on my right elbow, right hip, and left wrist, apparently. I've scraped up my right arm, but that's no big deal. I put a gouge in my leg where my thigh and the pavement destroyed my keys (bent, broke keys; mangled the ring beyond repair), again, no big deal. I walked back to my car, bent my car key back to working (I was lucky) and drove to buy an ice pack.

I'm certain I've sprained my left wrist. I've been wearing a wrist brace. I can still punch but I'm taking it easy in that department. My workout has been suffering. I'll have to look into the gym at work. $20 a month, and I'd still have problems with my wrist. I'm very frustrated about this sprain. I have a step exam in 5 weeks. I won't know what to do if this hasn't healed by then.

Side Note

I was told last night, by one of my teachers, that I could have my Third Degree Black Belt in one year, if I adequatly prepare.

Two years is much more likely, giving me a year with the material to put all the odds and ends together.... Or I could step up and start now.

New England Kenpo Camp

The New England Kenpo Camp was amazing. Mr. Wedlake received his 9th degree Black Belt. Dian Tanaka-Whitson is a sweetheart and amazing teacher. She and her husband Zack Whitson taught an amazing class on close range stick fighting. Mr. White (my teacher) gave a seminar on picking up attacks during a technique, sometimes staying with the same technique and sometimes branching into other techniques. I've seen that one before, but it was still my favorite of the camp. Last, Mr. Wedlake gave a seminar on thesis forms and techniques; this was humbling and inspiring.

I met excellent people and enjoyed my time thoroughly.

Tango

Last night's Tango was astonishing. I was in awe once I started watching the people who had more experiance than I did; which is to say, any. I was learning Argentinean Tango, so it was very freeform, and this was not ballroom.

The most difficult parts were (of course) re-learning things I already knew. In Kenpo, you never broadcast your motion. In Tango, you always do. In Kenpo, as a rule, you never stand with both feet together. In Tango you're always standing with your feet together (ok, unless you're moving which should be all the time...). Then there's walking. Let's just say I could walk before I got there, but now I need to practice.

I loved it. I watched, I danced, I lead, I followed, I enjoyed it all. Now I must wait 2 weeks.

*sigh*

Name Changed to Protect the Innocent

As you may have noticed, I've changed the name of this blog. Please do not think I am being pretentious, I'm just removing my name. Mr. Karate was recommended here

Soiling the Constitution

Please read this: Torture Bill States Non-Allegiance To Bush Is Terrorism

“Buried amongst the untold affronts to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the very spirit of America, the torture bill contains a definition of ‘wrongfully aiding the enemy’ which labels all American citizens who breach their ‘allegiance’ to President Bush and the actions of his government as terrorists subject to possible arrest, torture and conviction in front of a military tribunal.”

In the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which you can access at The Library of Congress is this terrible line (see section 950j):

(b) Provisions of Chapter Sole Basis for Review of Military Commission Procedures and Actions- Except as otherwise provided in this chapter and notwithstanding any other provision of law (including section 2241 of title 28 or any other habeas corpus provision), no court, justice, or judge shall have jurisdiction to hear or consider any claim or cause of action whatsoever, including any action pending on or filed after the date of the enactment of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, relating to the prosecution, trial, or judgment of a military commission under this chapter, including challenges to the lawfulness of procedures of military commissions under this chapter.

Plateau

I've reached a plateau in my longboarding skills. Up until yesterday,
every time I went out to carve, I felt much better than the most
previous time. I knew this would happen, but I did not expect it so
soon. I can do two things:

Find a new hill,
or slide more.

I'm not saying I've mastered the longboard, but I know I'm
not going to improve riding this same hill over and over. I'm looking
for a longer road, maybe steeper, and similarly vacant of cars.

There is no reason I can't study sliding -and- carving. There is much more opportunity for sliding than carving here, however I would need new wheels and slide gloves. Knee and elbow pads wouldn't hurt.

I've also been having trouble with my workout lately. Namely, if I don't eat enough, I won't have energy to work out. Also, the wrist and thumb injuries I sustained last weekend learning to slide have made regular pushups painful. I've been doing them on my knuckles to make up for it.

[Update] I just did my workout and accomplished one of my summer goals:
100 pushups in a row!
I did my regular workout, 200 pushups, 200 crunches, and free weights for my arms and shoulders.

First day back

My first day back was not nearly as bad as I expected. It's true, the calls were back to back all day, the customers were not as polite as the Boston customers, and I missed my Boston people. I was overjoyed to see my Merrimack people, my computer was much better setup for taking (48) calls, and I rocked. All day.

I came home and called Linksys and after running all their fixes they decided that the router was actually broken and needed replacing. My roommate bought it, so we'll have to find the receipt.

I had been planning on taking my longboard out on the now dry pavement and practice stopping, but instead I had a long conversation with my best friend M. Long. I wouldn't have traded that for anything. I learned something vital about my current situation, and spoke with an old friend for a long time.

Then I taught my two favorite classes at Kenpo. I taught the class my aunt and cousin take (the black belt preperation class), and the beginner class. The former because my actual family is now part of my Kenpo family, in addition to being the highest level class I teach; the latter because... there is so so much energy. The students in the beginner class work tremendously hard; they make me so very proud. I love to teach.

Sushi, wine, and the internet

My network is broken. I will need to replace my router, as it is malfunctioning.

I took my mother out for sushi and we ordered all our favorite maki. Thank you Gift Check!*

I learned to stop on my longboard today. I spent hours walking up this small hill and riding back down, then turning as sharply as possible, eventually sliding the wheels out into a skid, and stopping abruptly. Usually I would propel myself into the air. I didn't leave until I had injured myself doing a toe-side skid, I landed on my thumb. Ow.

Now, after re-loading the firmware on my router 3 times, and resetting the factory defaults 4 times, I am able to access the internet. My roommate, wireless, cannot. I will call Linksys tomorrow.

Also tomorrow: The Peabody Essex Museum

*My co-workers in Boston brought me cake and a gift check and a laptop bag. They are sweet and I miss them already. I must go back to Boston soon.

Adventure!

Last night, I worked the late shift. My train was to leave North Station at 7:35pm. My shift ended at 6:55pm. That means I had to FLY from 200 Seaport to North Station, about 2 miles, in less than 40 minutes. The Subway takes about that much time, and the next train is an hour later. In short, I had to move.

I travelled light, jumped on my longboard, and pushed hard. I arrived at 7:08, feeling like I'd conquered the streets of Boston!

Wednesday night I only did half my workout because I felt ill. Only 100 pushups and 100 crunches.

Today is my last day in Boston. I feel sad to leave, like I've failed. I had this image of moving to Boston and somehow still maintaining active Kenpo training in Manchester. It's a dream that nobody seems to think I can accomplish. I feel at home in Boston. I feel empty without Kenpo.

Winner

I win. I had a most amazing date, and I haven't let anything bring me down all day. Not even the getting sick part. Or the sudden incredible added workload. Yes, the date was that wonderful.

I want you all to take careful note of this: Seize the moment. If you ever have the chance to kiss in the rain, take it. Dance. Smell the roses. Carpe Diem. You only live once, don't let it slip by.

Now I will go and enjoy the remaining sunlight. I'll workout after dark.

Beautiful Day

It is a beautiful day and I have a date this evening.
Next week I'll be back in Manchester teaching, making up the classes I've missed while in Boston.
I love this city, but I love Kenpo more.

The Workout

Tonight's workout:
75 pushups
50 crunches
50 pushups
100 side crunches (50 each side)
shoulder workout:
20 lateral raises 12lbs each hand
20 rear raises 30lbs each hand (bent over, working the back of the shoulder, lifting straight up)
20 front raises 12lbs each hand
20 bicept curls 15lbs each hand
20 tricept lifts 24lbs
50 crunches
75 pushups
--
200 total crunches
200 total pushups
--
My next step is to include some kind of back workout. I'm leaving my legs to longboarding and Kenpo forms, though I should probably start running, or doing more squats.

Introductory Post

Welcome to my Blog. I'm sorry I haven't set everything up yet. That will come with time. Really, I created this 5 seconds ago.

Hello World.