AMRAYC in 10 mins of: 5 Heavybag Lifts,

Posted on June 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

AMRAYC in 10 mins of: 5 Heavybag Lifts, 10 Pushups, 15 Squats @cabal_fang #WOD

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R.I.P. Richard Matheson

Posted on June 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

Grainy, black and white images flickered across a small TV screen in a dark family room with my parents.  I was perhaps eight or nine years old and I was sucked into the story of man who shrank so small that his basement became his Pellucidar, an inner world filled with horrors and dangers including an ordinary spider made large by his fantastic reduction in stature.   I had trouble sleeping that night, imagining what it would be like to shrink smaller and smaller until I ceased to exist.

There was talk of not letting me watch any more horror or Sci-fi until I was older.

The movie was The Incredible Shrinking Man, and it horrified me.  I would grow up to be frightened and inspired again and again by books and movies that came from the mind of Richard Matheson.

I would later be thrilled by The Omega Man and The Night Stalker would become my favorite TV series (which inspired the creation of The X-Files years later, another one of my favorite shows).  I remember being on a school bus and talking to the other kids about Bram Stoker’s Dracula with the great Jack Palance  and discussing every detail.  Then I’d be blown away by Somewhere in Time, moved to tears by What Dreams May Come, and chilled to the bone by A Stir of Echoes (Kevin Bacon’s best performance in my opinion and a truly outstanding motion picture).

To be as prolific, influential, successful — as truly excellent — as Matheson is every writer’s dream.  I know it’s mine.  I have no idea what kind of man he was, if he was kind or gentle, if he was caring and loving, none of that.  But I think he must have been.  Because at the heart of his work there is always a kernel of redemption, of humanity, of possibility.  As frightening and horrific as his stories are, there is always perseverance and hope.

I hope you rest easy.  You earned a nap you hard-working son-of-a-gun, and you did as well as any man could hope to do in his chosen avocation.  You kicked ass, and your amazing talents will be missed.

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Changing Your Life from the Ground Up

Posted on June 24, 2013 | 1 comment

Awhile back I blogged about working while standing up.  I’ve also talked about changing to minimal footwear.   Trust me.  All of this dovetails.

Some time ago I started writing while standing up at home.  Then, once I got stronger and more accustomed to standing, I made the switch at the office as well.  Standing up changed everything.  My energy level is higher and I feel more in control.  Rather than being cemented to the spot, I am mobile, maneuverable, and unrestricted — and here’s the key — I feel that way both physically and mentally.

As a martial artist I know it all comes down to positioning.  A boxer uses footwork to rule the ring and cut off an opponent, and a wrestler maintains a  guard or ride to control his adversary.  Every technique, whether it’s a punch, hold, throw, trip, shoot, etc., has a spatial requirement.  If you lock yourself into one position you’ve taken all of the other techniques off the table.  But if your position is fluid and your body nimble, allowing you to go in any direction, you can capitalize on openings.

Physical and mental attitude are more connected than I you think.  It’s all about space and position.   Literally.  From the 1913 Websters:

At”ti*tude (#), n. [It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L. aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. Aptitude.]

1. (Paint. & Sculp.) The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue.

2. The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the manner in which the parts of his body are disposed; position assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a threatening attitude; an attitude of entreaty.

And the less you have between you and the ground, the more you can feel it, the more you can adapt to the terrain.  That’s where the minimal shoe idea fits in.  If you’re walking on shoes with soles an inch thick, you’re not walking on the ground.  You’re walking on, well, an inch of foam.  You could be standing on stainless steel, concrete, tile or basalt and you wouldn’t have a clue.

But if you’re standing up in minimal shoes you can feel the bumps the ripples and since you’re on your feet, you can adapt.  Your body and mind can sense the difference in sensory input between being seated and standing up in minimal shoes.  The data that’s coming from your soles makes its way up your legs and into your body, shaping your outlook.

You might even say it’s sole to soul.

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Dirty Dogs 25/side,Jackknifes 25,P/ups u

Posted on June 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

Dirty Dogs 25/side,Jackknifes 25,P/ups uneven 25,Downups 25,50 Yard Dash 4,Wall Touches 100,P/ups finger tip 25 @cabal_fang #WOD

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Don’t Tax My Credit Union! (and why Credit Unions are really cool)

Posted on June 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

Congress is considering an overhaul of the federal tax code that could result in an end to the income tax exemption for credit unions. 

America’s credit unions are in jeopardy.  To send a message to your congressperson, or learn more about this issue, visit DontTaxMyCreditUnion.org.

Why should you care?

Because, from their inception, credit unions have been a way for regular people in a big-money-corporation-dominated society to get reliable and friendly financial services at a reasonable rate.  Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives — which means that dividends are converted back into more affordable rates, lower costs, and improved benefits to members.

Did you know that Credit Unions have fared 3 times better than banks through the financial crisis?  Check out this article.  Then contact your congresspeople and tell them not tax credit unions.

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Lunges 100,Pikes 25,P/ups narrow 25,Bicy

Posted on June 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Lunges 100,Pikes 25,P/ups narrow 25,Bicycles 100,Jump Squats 100,Bear Sprint 100m,P/ups feet elev. 15 @cabal_fang #WOD

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Snapping Turtle Rescue

Posted on June 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Snapper_1 On Friday morning I headed out the door for work and found a common snapper in my front yard.  To keep her from getting mowed straight to hell by my yard guy or one of the neighbors, I gave her a lift down to the pond at the end of the block.

As you can see, she’s a young one.  Could be a male — yes, I admit it, I don’t know how to determine snapping turtle sex — but I’m assuming female because this is the prime breeding season and you often spot them wandering around this time of year trying to find good spots to lay eggs.  Then again, she looks a little immature to be breeding, so maybe she was looking for greener pastures.  Who knows?

Snapper_2You’ll notice I’m wearing gloves.  Being somewhat familiar with these fascinating creatures, I know that (1) they always crap on you as a defense mechanism and (2) they have long, flexible necks and can bite like mad.  My gloves are now in need of a darn good washing — Phew!

Little nipper is safe and sound I hope.

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A Father’s Day Gift

Posted on June 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

image

Thanks Mo, I love it!

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10 min. Solo Ground-fighting Conditioner

Posted on June 17, 2013 | 2 comments

Here’s a short conditioning workout you can use to help keep your body in the game between live sessions with a partner.  It can also be used as a warm-up before you roll.  All you need is a heavy bag and a timer.

First warm-up fully for ten minutes.  Place the heavy bag in the middle of your work-out space.  Set a timer to beep every 2 minutes (no breaks).  There are 5 rounds to this little workout.

Round 1: Place forearms on heavy bag and toes on floor with no other points of contact with anything.  Keeping forearms on the bag, circle the bag using only legs and feet,like the hands of a clock, one full revolution.  Reverse and repeat until the bell rings.
Round 2: Mount the bag.  Strike the bag 10 times AHAYC (elbows, punches, hammerfists).  Body lock the bag and barrel-roll once.  Mount and repeat until the bell rings.
Round 3: Lay on your back with the bag on top of you.  Lower end should be mid-thigh, upper end near top of your head.  Push up the bag with one hand and elbow/punch/hammerfist it five times with the other.  Switch hands and repeat until the bell rings.
Round 4: Side Mount the bag.  Scissor your legs in each direction 3 times.  Scramble over the bag to the other side using technique used in Round 1 and repeat.
Round 5: Lay on your back with the bag perpendicularly ontop of your body.  Roll it up and down across your torso, pushing and pulling it like a rolling pin to strengthen your ribs.  If you are strong and durable enough, push it up and let it drop.

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Bike Ride, Kicks, and Shadowboxing each

Posted on June 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Bike Ride, Kicks, and Shadowboxing each AFAYC 8 mins (total 24 mins), @cabal_fang #WOD

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