The truck that hit me ...

Not literally (although it was a close call earlier). Christmas started much as many have in the past. Roll out of bed, lots of presents, breakfast, etc. The only big difference was that I told the Mrs. that I didn't feel great. Not bad, just not great. Fast forward to 4:30. This cough keeps nagging me, and why do I feel cold? I'm never cold. I'm going to go take a quick nap. Fast forward another 4 hours. sweats, chills, coughing, 103 fever? That sucks. Dehydrated leg cramps? doh, push fluids.

Apparently I caught some nasty upper respiratory infection, and that is going to make training difficult. Oh well, forced rest and lots of water should take care of it. Plus they gave me cough medicine with codeine, so I get to have weird dreams also. Being sick while on holiday sucks.

Traveling and the jits

BJJ skills are perishable. If you take even a little time off you will notice some "mat rust". It might be your wind, it might be your sub defense is a little off, or it could be a simple lack of flow. One of the easiest way to keep up with it, is to train everyplace you can. This gives you the added benefit of rolling with people you have never rolled with before.

One thing I have found, is that most schools are cool about letting you join an open mat (provided that you are cool also). I will save the etiquette lesson for another post, but we can probably leave it at "Don't be an asshole" (which translates to alot of other things in life).

This weekend I had to go to Corpus Christi for a wedding. Because I had to miss class on Saturday, and the upcoming holiday I wanted to take every opportunity I had to roll. To that end, I contact the guys at Paragon BJJ. Aurelio Gallegos (BJJ Blackbelt under Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller), and he said they usually have open mats on Saturday and to come on out.

I grabbed my gi and hit the mats. As expected, attendance was light 5 days before Christmas, but he did have two guys alternating between working the bags and rolling in the cage. Aurelio and I rolled for roughly 3 15 minute rounds, and then called it a day. With warmup I got a good hour roll in (effectively lubricating the joints), and met some good guys.

If you are traveling to Corpus Christi, or looking for BJJ in the area I would give them a call.

Jits Happens

Two things. I added a link to a new BJJ Blog, Jits Happens. Jits Happens is one of the brain children of Dave Thomas, my BJJ coach. Along with the new blog, Dave also maintains a BJJ video technique website, and recently received his Blackbelt from Travis Tooke.

Welcome Dave, and congratulations on the new promotion. Not everyone can say they routinely get beaten up by a BJJ Blackbelt!

A quick funny before the storm

I have a rant brewing. Here's a hint ... Christmas is canceled!

51 of 100 - not too bad

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity. More then I could afford at that time, but it wasn't much more then I could afford.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning. Pastrami - the most sensual of the smoked meats.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice. In Vegas yes, in Venice, no.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. On the same day even!
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. Hopefully this Summer.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. Not sure why, but this sounds ominous.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant. Indirectly, I had people walk tickets while I was waiting tables.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing. Puked my guts out also.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China. One of my goals
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason. Got as in purchased or got as in received?
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

The ground, she is not stable ...

Layoff rumors abound. It happens in my industry, but is never fun. Rumors say it will happen tomorrow, but you can never tell. Rumors also say nobody in my group will be affected, but you can never trust rumors.

Good thoughts. Good thoughts. Good thoughts. =)