Ground Defense

This week is ground fighting in Krav Maga. Ground fighting always leaves me black and blue, since it requires all kinds of force pushing you in all kinds of places.

Today we learned how to defend a headlock while mounted, and my sparring partner was a man who was at least twice my weight.

At least. I mean, when I was the attacker, straddling his stomach, my knees didn't quite touch the ground.

I didn't mind too much though, since ground fighting is the one instance where the instructors like you to practice with someone who is bigger than you, since another name for "ground defense" could be "rape defense."

It was much more difficult to flip him though. Possible, but much more difficult. It required explosive bursts and twists off the ground, plus quick recovery and attack in order to make it work. It was good experience though, since I learned some physics tricks to help in that situation. But I am black and blue all over.

I was going to stay an extra hour today and take the Level 1 class, but my right leg (which took the brunt of the class) informed me that it was a bad idea.

So now I'm home, with a bowl of cereal and ice pack. Life is good.

Monday AMV Late

Ugh, sorry things have been slow. Work's been insane.

Science!

I really need to find a way to incorporate zombies into my research.

Krav Maga Hybrid

There were only 3 of us that attended the fit class Sat morning, so the instructor had us finish up with something new. Something he called, "The Krav Maga Hybrid."

The three of us ran behind his car, pushing it around the building.

Twice.

Why does any building need three speed bumps anyway?

Monday AMV

I finished XXXholic over the weekend. I'm sad there's only one season, I was starting to really like it. I have a friend that's going to let me borrow the manga though.

Krav Report

Last night, we learned how to head butt.

Head freaking butt.

It was fun, but if its done properly and full force, you can only rep 4 or 5 of them before you start getting loopy.

I have to admit that the streak of mad scientist in me finds the thought of breaking someone's nose with my massive cranium very satisfying. In fact, I think this calls for some evil laughter.

Mwa ha ha ha.

We also learned a defense to being grabbed from behind. In an effort to make it more realistic, we had to stand with our eyes closed and wait for random attacks, because the defense is meant to work when you are off balance. If you're anticipating the attack, you don't get off balance.

Well, I definitely wasn't anticipating because I got pulled to the ground and found myself fighting from an awkward kneeling position. But the instructor was pleased, since a mess up showed that I was training properly.

When it was my turn to be a roving attacker, I actually managed to take a big guy to the ground.
I had to jump to even reach his neck, and figured he would probably just shake me off but what figured, "Why not?"

I jumped, grabbed and next thing I know he was on his butt on the ground.

Usually the attacker grabs the neck and pulls back, but since I jumped all the pull went straight down and he lost his balance.

Judging by the amount of times he came to thank me for giving him "good training" I'm guessing he doesn't get taken down very often. But he was grateful because he never thought about dealing with a jumper and, quite frankly, that's about how 80% of people would have to attack him.

Monday AMV

I'm totally enjoying Soul Eater.

GI Joe

Not as bad as Batman and Robin. But its pretty bad. Some of the dialogue is laugh out loud awful, and most of the time the story line is pretty silly, but the action scenes are cool if you don't think about them too much (how are they screaming under water? And, for that matter, how are so many things burning? Under water? Don't think about it. Just don't think about it.) Anytime the ninjas were on screen it was cool. Snake eyes was awesome, and his fight scenes with Storm Shadow were intense. The rest...well, try not to think about it too much, or you'll find yourself wondering just how someone becomes a low level maintenance tech on a sonic pulse cannon hidden on a secret evil base deep in the arctic ocean. Seriously, did they place a want ad? Craig's list? Evil Merchant Marine? Also, if you eject while the plane is currently out of the atmosphere don't you just...die? Float and die? These are just some of the questions I pondered during the course of the movie, despite my attempts at trying not to think about it. Also, that whole, "I was forced to do it by the millions of tiny, evil, nano machines in my brain" is like the oldest line in the book. Its up there with the twinkie defense.

SYTYCD Finale

I've been trying not to write too much about television, but tonight is the big finale!! I want anyone who's not Evan to win. I like Evan, he's cute and all, but the other three are all better dancers than he.

I loved the Matrix Paso Doble.

Workplace Fun

I got into a Sound of Music lyric quoting contest with a friend at work.

Unfortunately, I lost when I couldn't remember the stinking line that ends in "Schnitzels with Noodles."

Sad, I know.

WARNING: Extended focus and concentration on Sound of Music lyrics will create a brainworm that only Britney Spears can kill.

Random Comic Post

Wolverine has always had crazy hair.

But now, it's anime crazy.

Monday AMV

I had a big presentation today at work which, fortunately, went very well. Since I was too nervous to eat lunch I stopped at Chili's for steak and mashed potatoes. Judging by the odd looks I was getting, they don't get very many people in suits there.

Let's sit back and relax with some Soul Eater, which I've been watching online.

Ow

It was sparring today at Krav. With 4 minutes round.


But instead of focusing on how many times I got hit in the face, lets focus on more pleasant thoughts.

Thoughts of Deadpool:


Thoughts of Big, Curtainy Dresses:


Whatever the crap this thing is:




More Deadpool:


And ninja guys who thought I was hot:

Monday AMV

Temari says, Let's watch some anime!

The convention was awesome, and I got to see some cool new anime. Like this one, Soul Eater.

Harry Potter

So my work friends AND my roommates are all going to midnight showings of HP7. (Not together)

Basically, all my social groups are going to see it and I can't go. I simply can't. I have so much to do at work and I can't do it on 3 hours of sleep.

But it is KILLING me.




Stupid grown-up responsibility.

Hope its awesome. :)

Monday AMV

Otakon is this weekend!

Otakon is an anime convention in Baltimore, and I will be there as Temari from Naruto.



The girl with the enormous fan.

Which means I have spent the better part of the weekend prepping and spray painting. Actual construction of the enormous battle fan is being handled by my awesome roommate, The Starving Artist.

Jump Rope, the Infernal Device

I went to the Krav aerobic workout this morning. Today, part of the workout included some intensive jump rope work, that I told the instructor that I couldn't do. "Nonsense." He said, "If I can do it anyone can do it." I couldn't do it. So he spent quite a bit of time during the workout teaching me how to jump a rope. I got pretty good at it by the end, although I still couldn't manage the jump I was supposed to do.

Videogames at Wolftrap

During the summer, the National Symphony Orchestra puts on some fun concerts at Wolftrap, an outdoor venue maintained by the park service. They play various movies, and the symphony and choir provide a live soundtrack. I love it. It sounds so amazing. We've been to their Looney Tunes show, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Last night we went to VideoGames Live, and in a few weeks we have tickets to Wizard of Oz. We like to take picnics and sit on the lawn.

Except for Wizard of Oz. We bought seats to make sure we'd have a good few of the movie. I can't wait!

But last night we were on the lawn, so I stopped in at Wegmans. Wegmans is a grocery store that's a lot like Whole Foods, except its about the size of Kansas, and they only ask for an arm, instead of an arm and a leg at checkout. But they have all kinds of fun prepared goodies, so its a really good place to stock up for a picnic.

We were a little late, so most of the lawn was already filled. We found some seats right around the big screen, but we could see the little screen on the inside, where the seats are.

On the screen they played montages, cut scenes and game play from video games while the NSO and choir played the soundtrack.

It was awesome.

They started out with a classic game montage that had everything from Pong to Dragon's Lair. Donkey Kong never sounded so good.

After that they had montages from modern games, some of which had really impressive soundtracks. God of War had an operatic solo, and I'm actually thinking of looking for the soundtrack to Final Fantasy 7. It was really fun to watch, even for the games I had never heard of.

They also had this guy:



He was amazing. He played for us blindfolded, but even when he wasn't blindfolded he was still wicked fast and amazing to watch.

There was also a video of a live action Ms. Pac Man being chased by the three ghosts through the streets of New York that was hilarious.

Lets see, they had some 20 yr old kid play space invaders while the symphony played the soundtrack in real time to his game, but he was HORRIBLE and didn't last very long. As a consolation prize they give him a home version of space invaders so he could practice.

They also had a guitar hero competition. The guy who won then played Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion on expert while they symphony played behind him, and the thousands of people in the crowd cheered him on. He was awesome! Even on expert he had a 609 note streak, scored over 300,000 points, and won a free laptop.

Videogames live is touring, so if it comes to town near you, I recommend seeing it.

Status Report

So its been three days since I've been back and I'm over jet lag and any day now I'm going to make it to the grocery store.

But Monday morning, 5 am came awfully early.

I've been trying to get a schedule change at work since December, and it was supposed to go in effect the Monday I got back. However, no one seemed to remember this but me. It wasn't on any of my emails, it wasn't in the time system, and no one in admin seemed to know what I was talking about, so I just worked a normal schedule.

Tuesday I got an email that said, basically "Congrats! You're schedule change has been approved. You owe us an hour." So I've had to work late for the past two days. Its alright though, because I finally have my schedule change.

Tonight I worked until 5, and then drove straight to Krav. It was a sparring day, and I felt everyone of the 14 days since I'd been there last.

And the onion rings I had for lunch.

During the push ups I could feel my arms whimpering something along the lines of "I thought we weren't doing this anymore! We've gone all weak and wobbly!"

On the upside, there was a really good looking guy there tonight. On the downside, I accidentally kneed him in the groin during mass attacker drill.

Hard, judging by the amount of time he spent in the bathroom.

I feel really bad about it.

Monday AMV - Jet Lag Edition

First full day of work after vacation + 2 hours time difference = zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.


While I was at home my little sister lent me her King Quest's collection. We used to play those games all the time as a kid, and I can't wait to play them again.

Even though you die constantly and the only thing I really remember is that you defeat the Yeti by throwing a custard pie at it.

In honor of King Quest, one of the best parts of King's Quest 6.