Ha!
Haven’t been able to train or workout this week due to other commitments so between laundry loads I did a quick Crossfit “Cindy”. As many sets as possible in 20 minutes of:
- 5 pullups
- 10 pushups
- 15 squats
I stranded 7 seconds at the end so it was close. Of note: I managed to do the pullups without stopping all the way up to set 12. Around set 16 I had to slow down or throw up.
20 sets in all. 1 better than last time and 6 better than when I started using it as a test again. Good form. That’s a record. Now 21 is calling my name. Yuck.
I wonder if all that time off helped.
Not bad for a guy in his mid 40’s.
A-n-d GO!
Gotta get the housework done in record time so I can do a decent workout today! Was supposed to work and it got cancelled so now I can get caught up.
I’ll shoot for a Crossfit “Cindy” record. Haven’t been able to get past 19 sets in 20 minutes of 5 pullups, 10 pushups and 15 squats. Today feels like the day.
Tonight…Chili. Annette is bringing over chili and we’ll all watch a movie.
Back to BJJ tomorrow. I feel like I’ve been away forever.
So connecting with teenagers is a 24/7 thing.
I believe that parenting, finances, relationships and communication should be taught in school. I have never…read NEVER, used my geography, French lit, history, social studies, or phys-ed in ANY useful fashion.
Yet I HAVE struggled with those meat and potato skills that no one seems to feel need to be taught.
Parenting in particular is a trial and error effort. I make so many darn mistakes. I have heard that anyone can learn from their own mistakes but that it takes someone exceptional to learn from the mistakes of others. Well I fall squarely in the company of the former group. Not to say that things are going badly because they aren’t. My boys are good guys.
My biggest lessons?
- Don’t battle for anything that isn’t very important. If I am arbitrary, they lose confidence in me. Kids don’t need to be controlled. I think it is harmful. Eventually they realize that they don’t have to do what I say. I have had a few times when I needed them to take my advice (desperately), and when my explanations and arguments haven’t sufficed, and yet they have chosen to listen. I have a reservoir of faith built up I guess.
- Talk to them. About anything. Everything. All the time. Take interest in their stuff. Do things together. Ask them questions. Just be interested. It’s not complicated. Just be there and be present. No agenda. No influence. And LISTEN. Listen. They notice when you do.
- Keep your word. Always. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Boasting is similar to breaking your word. So is false praise. Kids see through it and I think it’s harmful. Really, they measure us by our actions and not our words. They notice when we are hypocrites. So keep your word. Drive the speed limit. Deal with people honestly. Speak positively of others. They DO notice.
It’s a work in progress. Today we worked on some school volunteer opportunities and had a coffee and a long talk. Now we are watching “The Day The Earth Stood Still”.
Life is good.
You are what you eat. Hmmmm.
Had a super supper at Annette’s tonight. I’m taking a page out of her book and trying to eat “clean”. Fewer carbs, no sugar. Eat all meals and snacks. I prepared breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack ahead of time so I have no excuse in the morning. Plus I’ll take a green tea for the drive in my thermos. Annette has had tremendous success with this strategy so I’m game.
Also, I managed to find some Arnica Gel. Wikipedia tells me “Arnica is a genus with about 30, perennial herbaceous species, belonging to the sunflower family. The thymol derivatives concentrated in the plants roots have been clinically shown to be effective vasodilators of subcutaneous blood capillaries. Arnica preparations used topically have been demonstrated to act as an anti-inflammatory and assist normal healing processes by facilitating transport of blood and fluid accumulations through a dilating action of subcutaneous blood capillaries”. My fingers are still quite stiff and swollen at the joints from my BJJ mishap so maybe this will help. Chris suggested it. Fingers crossed (figuratively).
Spring is coming. With it will be more daylight, warmer weather and the opportunity to get outside a bit more.
Good feedback this morning…”Suck it up Princess”. Too true.
Starbuck’s Grande Latte on the way to work. Expensive and so tasty.
Yes, you heard it right. Off to get my older son a haircut. I just use clippers on mine a couple of times a week. I must admit that once you’ve lost a bit of your hair, shaving off the rest is a relief. We’ll grab a burger on the way home.
Fingers are still mostly useless. I’ll maybe row tonight. Easy on the hand. Easy on the body.
wake, shower, eat, drive, work, drive, eat, drive, roll, drive, shower, talk, dishes, dogs, sleep
AND
do it again
bought a lotto ticket today.
If I win
I’ll replace “work” with “fun”
and
replace “sleep” with “lots of sleep”
I’m not asking for much
“Sharpening the Saw” is Covey’s term for improving your skill level. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, aside from the obvious route of logging heavy mat time, there is also the option to do your research while you recover. For me this is a crucial aspect of my game because recovery days at the tender age of 46, are not discretionary.
My latest inspiration comes from two sources:
First, is Eddie Bravo’s “Mastering the Rubber Guard“. I have heard Eddie’s name mentioned a number of times in online forums. There seems to be a fair amount of controversy over the efficacy of his methods and over his advocacy of cannabis use. Wherever there is such controversy, I find there is a whole segment of the population that will reject someone like Eddie out of hand without checking out his technique. As much because I am a contrarian as for any other reason, I have started reading his book before bed. The omoplata from rubber guard was my first read and yes, it works well on some of the other white belts. I like the clarity of the book and the fact that it is a style that features a tight guard system that favours old guys like me who don’t like to get smashed. It DOES require a high level of flexibility but I am working on that anyway.
Second is my friend Chris’ link to Cane Provost’s Blog “The Gentle Art“. I had trouble navigating his site at first because it didn’t seem that he had any recent posts. NOT TRUE. I persevered and linked (check out the link in the sidebar) to some more recent stuff and his videos are very clear and simple. So now I have to find the time to watch them. Again, perfect task for a recovery day when my body is feeling broken.
There is no substitute for rolling with a live partner. But all things being equal, there is MUCH to be gained by investigating old techniques, new techniques, and the unique spin that other players put on their game.
Keep your saw sharp!
My fingers held together. Taped them together and was careful.
We worked on top game, quarter position,with Chris teaching. I was careful and still managed to grind Aidan’s lip into his nose by mistake.
Everyone hung out for a bit and talked while they stretched afterwards. It’s a good bunch of people. A good place to be. Makes me realize that life is good right now.
Bed time.
I took a few days off when I hurt my fingers. It freaked me out a little how quickly it happened and I am embarrassed that I freaked when I had to pop them back into their sockets.
Tonight I’ll tape them up and take it easy. Nothing to prove and I want to get as much time in training as possible. We are what we repeatedly do. So I hear.
Looking forward to hearing about the tournament in Toronto.
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