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.