Eight things about eight things

November 12, 2007 by Black Belt Mama · 10 Comments
Filed under: Just for Fun

I’ve been tagged again. I won’t mention any names or anything; but I seriously think that some people (a-Andrew-hem) are taking advantage of the fact that I can’t run. I mean, how challenging is a game of tag when one of the players is one leg down? In all seriousness though, thank you Andrew, because this meme is interesting and NaBloPoMo is about to kill me, so without further delay. . .

Eight Things I am Passionate About (in no particular order):

Martial Arts-I know this is rather obvious; but I seriously think about the martial arts all the time. Ask my husband. It’s pretty much all I talk about.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-My Mom is a type 1 Diabetic and has been since I was 4.5 years old. I have watched her persevere through the years, and even joined her a bit when I was a gestational diabetic during my second pregnancy. It is a horrible disease and it needs to be cured NOW!
My Children- I love them so much that it hurts sometimes. For example, when someone picks on my daughter at school, I just want to. . . (I’ll let you use your imagination here, but just know that whatever you’re thinking, I’m thinking something worse). That’s what having kids does to you.
Politics, although you wouldn’t necessarily know it from this blog. You seriously don’t want to get in a debate with me about my candidate, because you will lose and badly.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention- I worked as a public speaker while in college on the issue, wrote tons of materials for the Sexual Assault Services office at my university, and have recently been published in a book called "At Issue: Date Rape." Also along these lines, getting child predators off our streets and out of our neighborhoods is another passion of mine. I sent letters to every politician in my state and hit the national level as well, in hopes of promoting Jessica’s Law.
Fantasy Football- I know, just shh. Sad but true; sad but true.
Reading-I’ll go through these long periods where I don’t read anything and feel like I don’t have time. I’ve found that when I make time to read something (or three things) I’m a much happier person.
Shoes- It amazes me how excited I can get about a new pair of shoes. It’s like love at first sight with certain pairs of shoes. I just have to have them!

Eight Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

I want to get my Shodan and beyond. I don’t just want to learn kata and go through the routine. I want to gain a deeper understanding of all things martial arts.
Get a book published (like one of the eight I started and never finished).
See my kids grow up happy and become successful adults.
Live at the beach.
Go to Okinawa (although I’ll probably have to wait until they create some sort of time machine that can shoot me over there instantly since that many hours in a plane might send me over the edge).
Be on a talk show (not the Jerry Springer variety), maybe to discuss my most recent publication or as an expert on something.
Be able to forgive those I’m currently holding a grudge against-this may be the most difficult thing on the list to do.
Start some kind of outreach program that reaches out to battered women or those at risk, teaching them self defense skills and how to avoid bad situations.

Eight Things I Say Often:

"Dude"
"Na na na na NO!" (Just ask Lil C-she repeats it like a pro).
"Whatever"- I know. I’m practically a valley girl.
"Get OUT of here" (Just like Elaine from Seinfeld. I even hit when I say it sometimes).
"I said NO!" (Just ask Big I-she hears it often).
"Aw MAN!"
"Not cool."
"That’s ENOUGH!" (Lil C and Big I often hear this when they’re having one of their many sisterly wrestling matches).

Eight Books I’ve Read Recently:

Currently reading: "On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society" by Dan Grossman.
Currently reading: "Okinawa: The History of an Island People" by George Kerr.
Currently reading: "Whale Talk" by Chris Crutcher.
"Karate-Do: My Way of Life" by Gilchin Funakoshi.
"Zen in the Martial Arts" by Joe Hyams.
"The Daring Book for Girls" by Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz.
"The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi.
"The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman.

Eight Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over Again:

"Promise" Ciara
"Far Behind" Candle Box
"Showtime" Nelly Furtado
"Rehab" Amy Winehouse
"Wish you were here" Pink Floyd (Yes, I saw that concert live!)
"Hips Don’t Lie" Shakira
"Kiss" Prince (which I can’t find or link to because Prince is having a hissy fit about youtube right now)
"This Love" Maroon 5

Eight Things that Attract Me to My Best Friends:

A good sense of humor-ability to make me laugh.
Honesty.
Reciprocity, as in, I’ll be there for you; but you know, return the favor.
Similar interests.
Intellect-I like smart people, because they’re interesting and usually well read.
Kindness and generosity-not the material kind.
The ability to say just about anything to them, and no matter what, we’ll continue to be friends.
An interest in having fun. I love to go out and do fun new things (karaoke, wind surfing, being the first person on the dance floor, etc.). Stick-in-the-mud’s just won’t do.

Eight Things I Have Learned This Past Year:

You need to do what’s best for you. It may not be the easiest thing, but if it’s the right thing, then do it. You’ll thank yourself later.
I really can’t stand the show ER anymore.
Knee injuries SUCK and so do crutches.
I’m happier during football season when I cheer for the Steelers.
Having a few close friends is markedly better than having a bunch of so-so friends.
Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft are my absolute favorite clothing stores. It’s like their clothes was made just for me.
There are few things as rattling to the psyche as the potential of losing one of your parents before their time. (A year ago, my dad had a craniotomy to repair a bleed in his brain and there were lots of complications. Now he’s fine and actually went hang-gliding again a few weeks ago.)
Not everyone is going to like me, and that is just fine. I need to just be myself.

Eight People Who Should Do This Meme and Not Complain:

Adam because he’s doing this NaBloPoMo thing too and if he’s anything like me, he can use the writing material.
JellyJules herself because she’s the Queen of the Meme and will tackle this with vigor.
Karl because he needs to post more already, and maybe if he sees some incoming traffic from BBM, he’ll get curious, followed by inspired, and one thing will lead to another and he’ll WRITE! YEAH!
Sizzle, because she’s got a cool name and a cool blog.
Heather B. Armstrong, because HA! I tagged Dooce.
Papa Bradstein because I’m feeling like adding insult to injury since I KICKED HIS BUTT THIS WEEK IN FANTASY FOOTBALL! OH YEAH BABY! (And yes, I am one of those types of winners).
IzzyMom because I’d like to see her answers to this one.
Delmer, because he’s a new reader and I like to challenge new readers to defy my insistence that they do a meme.

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Tone Arms the Yamato Way

November 8, 2007 by Black Belt Mama · 7 Comments
Filed under: Just for Fun

I went to see the most amazing show this week. A group from my dojo went to see a performance by Yamato. If you haven’t ever heard of them, they are a Japanese drumming group and they are incredible. If they ever come to an area near you, spend the money on the tickets to go. It is well worth it.

I expected the show to be traditional and rather solemn, but what I got was not that at all. It was downright fun! There were five men and five women who performed; and they got the audience involved every chance they had to do so. The interacting came in the form of making us clap in certain rhythms. They even added some shouts to the repertoire which had me feeling like it was a kiai training camp.

I couldn’t help but notice, while watching the show, how incredibly toned all of the arms were on the drummers. The men and women alike have enviable arms. It got me to thinking that maybe our dojo should look into starting Japanese drumming training. That’s something I could do from a sitting position at least.

I found one advantage to being on crutches when traveling with a group from my dojo. Since I’m unable to climb into the third row, I was able to avoid sitting with the three amigos (If you only would have seen the crazy moustaches I painted onto these guys. . . but then one of them was like "Yeah, sure, you can use my picture BUT NO PHOTO SHOPPING!" Bah! He wrecked all my fun!). Since these guys (in addition to a few others) acted as my body guards and blockers all night so I could maneuver around, (and since two of the three are black belts,) and since they’re all super nice guys as well, I reluctantly post the original squeaky clean smiley version instead.

The similarities are uncanny though, aren’t they?

In all seriousness though, a sincere thanks to the entire "posse" for a very fun and much needed night out!

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The Danger of Recorded Material

November 5, 2007 by Black Belt Mama · 9 Comments
Filed under: Just for Fun

I was reading a post over at J’s place about making mix tapes today. I doubt kids these days even know what that means. These days, kids just make play lists on their MP3 players, something I’m still trying to figure out how to do. They don’t have to worry about missing the beginning or ending of songs, or about some DJ screwing up the last couple lines for you. Making a good mix tape off the radio was a major accomplishment back in my day.

Sometimes, if I was drowning in algebra homework, I’d just put a tape in and record the entire Top 9 at 9 (or something like that) program on my local radio station, while I sat at the dining room table with my dad and rolled my eyes a lot. Sure, the recording had commercials and lots of DJ talking but I could get the top songs, listen to them later, AND get to hear if any random boys were dedicating "Please Don’t Go Girl" (New Kids on the Block) to me. (Just in case you have no clue what I’m talking about, and for your listening pleasure, because I swear it is still a good song. . .)

On one particular occasion, my mix tape was awesome! The Top 9 at 9 had featured all of the coolest songs like "Toy Soldier" for example. I was hanging out in my bedroom, listening to the taped program after school, when the DJ said that it was time for listeners to call in for a chance to win New Kids on the Block tickets. They were looking for the 102nd caller.

I frantically rushed to my parents bedroom and started dialing the radio station’s number. I knew it by heart from requesting stupid New Kids on the Block songs on a regular basis. If speed dial had existed back then, they would have been my #1. When calling during a contest such as this, it was quite common to get a busy signal until the DJ announced there was a winner; but my call went through and before I knew it the DJ had picked up the phone!

"Oh MY GOD!" I screamed. "AM I THE 102ND CALLER?????"

I was leaping for joy and imagining meeting and marrying Donnie Wahlberg when the DJ wrecked my fun.

"What?" he said with complete confusion and a dash of attitude.

"AM I THE 102ND CALLER?" I yelled again.

And it was at that very moment that the tape player in my bedroom next door clicked to signal that I needed to flip the tape over. I needed to flip the tape over, and I really needed to hang up the phone. I slammed down the phone and died a little bit of embarrassment.

Since I wasn’t listening live that day, I’ll never know if I was on the radio live or not. I really hope not. If I was, I’m sure that the DJ and the listeners got quite a treat that day, and I don’t think I ever called into another radio station again.

MP3 Players are society’s way of making sure teenagers don’t suffer any unnecessary blows to the ego. Kids these days don’t know how good they have it.

What’s something dumb that you did as a kid?

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BBM brings you “Pimp My Crutches”

November 3, 2007 by Black Belt Mama · 10 Comments
Filed under: Just for Fun, Tales from the dojo

So I can’t walk. That doesn’t mean I can’t go to observe a Black Belt Workout, and that’s just what I did (Thanks to Mr. BBM who pretty much kicked me out of bed and the house today to make me go, and Hanshi who invited me to come and watch). Unlike when I’m gi’ed up, I arrived a little late. The workout was already in full swing.

I crutched it up the stairs and when one of the Kyoshi’s at our school saw me, she started clapping. She followed that with a shout of "Now THAT’s SPIRIT!" and the entire dojo started clapping and cheering. I wasn’t expecting a standing ovation (o.k. not really a standing ovation since they were already on their feet anyway, but an ovation none-the-less), but that’s just what I got.

I smiled and thanked them and then spent a good part of the workout talking to Kyoshi about good martial arts books, and our soon-to-begin book discussion group. Our first two books which are going to be discussed simultaneously are "Living the Martial Way" by Forrest Morgan (which I’ve already read but will gladly dig into again) and "On Killing" by Dan Grossman. Although I’m sure the idea of a dojo book discussion group has probably been in the works for quite some time, I like to think that it’s Kyoshi’s way of keeping me involved and included even when I’m sidelined, and that makes me feel incredibly good.

Despite only being at my new dojo for a couple months, I can honestly say that I feel a part of the family; and I am honored to be included in such a stellar group of people. But enough about that before I get all teary and sentimental. . .

After the workout, I met Mr. BBM at the local fabric store. I started with ordinary wooden crutches, with uncomfortable rubber grips and armpit rests. After a day, Mr. BBM strapped some Warrior shin guards on the top and that was o.k. My Mom took it a step further by replacing the shin guards with egg crate foam secured with duct tape. But egg crate and duct tape do not a pretty crutch make.

I’m sure most of you have heard of MTV’s "Pimp My Ride" which is a makeover show where professionals take beat up cars and turn them into extraordinary vehicles. Today was my very own version of that show except my "ride" these days are my crutches. Keep in mind that I’ve called in a favor to a friend who owns a Japanese painting kit, who also knows how to write "Nintai" in Japanese. That will be forthcoming to my already pretty awesome crutches.

I give you the before picture. . .

And the after Asian-inspired crutches. . .

Since a girl needs more than one look. . .

In case you’re wondering, Mr. BBM and I made these without the use of a single piece of thread or a needle. The pretty floral covers go over top of the asian fleece covers and it all fits over top of the foam and duct tape concoction. There are also matching hand-grips in case you were too wowed by the top to notice the bottom. Just in case you can’t tell from the photos. . . my new and improved crutches are FAB-U-BBM-LOUS.

If I’m going to have to use them for a while, they might as well be pretty and cool, right?

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Unfinished Business

September 30, 2007 by Black Belt Mama · 16 Comments
Filed under: Just for Fun

Thank you for all of your fabulous guesses as to what Mr. BBM would bring me back from Germany. The man did not disappoint, but apparently he’d like me to be fat and drunk. Mr. BBM brought me back an insanely good box of chocolates from Germany. It’s the kind of chocolate that you can’t stop eating, but if you eat more than two of them at a time you feel incredibly nauseous. Lil C also highly approves. She got a tube full of candy and a fairy backpack and doll, but as soon as I opened up that box of very expensive chocolates, she thrust her hand in there, came out with the biggest one in the whole box, and shoved the entire thing in her mouth. Like mother, like daughter I guess.

Mr. BBM also brought me back a box of chocolate covered cherries. One minor difference between these and your ordinary chocolate covered cherries. . . these are filled, and I mean FILLED, with brandy. I must be honest. I am not a fan. I didn’t realize that I was doing the equivalent of a shot on a Saturday afternoon after a morning full of karate. I think I got a little buzz off that liquor filled chocolate and I don’t think I’ll be eating any more of them. I also need to make sure they stay above little hands because one thrust of the little hands into that box and we’re going to have a problem in the form of a drunken toddler.

Keeping with the drunken theme, Mr. BBM also brought me a box full of four varieties of chocolate liquors. I got on this little kick last year of occasionally having an evening dessert coffee with a drop of Godiva chocolate liquor, and apparently Mr. BBM thinks I should be having more of those. One of the liquors has 87% cocoa. That one’s going to be awesome.

Speaking of awesome, I’ve apparently figured out who one of my lurkers happens to be. . .

Kyle apparently reads my blog "all the time" and tagged me for this meme, "7 Random Things about Me." You already know weird things about me and other random facts so this one was difficult. Hope it holds your interest better than those liquor cherries held mine. . .

1. I am addicted to Webkinz.

Do you know what these things are? If not, then I strongly advise you to go to your local Hallmark store and pick one up. They are these little stuffed animals that are totally adorable; but that’s not the addicting part. They all come with a code. You go to the website, enter the code, "adopt" your pet, name him/her, and then get started having fun. They have games on that site that are more addicting than Tetris (Cash Cow 2 people, it’s awesome!). They also have this tile tower game that I can NOT stop playing. I admit that when Big I is at school, you can frequently find me on there playing a game or two. When you play games, you earn money to buy things for your pet like food, appliances, clothes, and furniture. I can’t afford furniture in my own house right now, but I can totally give Big I’s pets cool digs. SO ADDICTING, but on the record? I’m just playing to help Big I get more money. Totally.

2. I have a problem with "belly rubbers."

Pregnancy. It’s an amazing miracle. It’s exciting when you have this little life growing inside of you. Sure, I spent hours with my hand on my stomach feeling Big I and Lil C kicking and moving all around. But I was NOT a belly rubber. Belly rubbers are those who are CONSTANTLY rubbing their stomachs. ALL. THE. TIME. When I was pregnant with Big I there was another woman who was pregnant and only a week or two ahead of me. At two months (no lie) she would stand there talking to me about her baby and rubbing her stomach. One day, I let her in on the fact that she was just rubbing her distended bowel, and not an actual baby. That didn’t stop her. I guess she enjoyed aiding her own digestion, but it really annoyed me.

3. I am an amusement park nightmare.

If it goes back and forth, or around and round, I am not at all interested. My Dad once made me go on this ride called "The Conestoga Wagon." It’s sort of like one of those pirate ship rides, except instead of just back and forth, it goes up and all the way around. I told my Dad I couldn’t do it but he insisted we all go on as a family. Thinking back, he was probably worried that I would go off chasing some cute boy while the rest of the family was on the ride (He was probably right). Anyway, he spent a couple dollars on a lemonade for me right before we went on the ride. It was completely and totally wasted, as I exited the ride and promptly barfed. Water flume rides, water park slides and Disney-ish rides are all good, but anything else is just not. I’d rather eat my way through a park.

4. I can’t ever find ANYTHING.

At least once a day, I will usually call my husband at work and ask him, "Where is/are . . . ?" You can insert the following words into that sentence: keys, purse, shoes, Lil C’s shoes, Lil C’s tooth brush, that leftover hamburger, Big I’s library book, etc. Half of the blame goes to my brain which can’t remember where anything is, ever. The other half of the blame rests squarely on Mr. BBM who is CONSTANTLY moving things on me. For example, "Oh here’s a hammer. I think I’ll put that in my underwear drawer." GRR. By the way, Mr. BBM will deny this but don’t listen to him.

5. Fellow bloggers are some of my best friends.

My parents think it’s weird. Mr. BBM knows more about you guys than he does about my own family, I swear. But I value my friendships via this blog so insanely much. When Karl wrote about going on a date, I wanted to jump for joy. When Da Mack Daddy and Maniacal Jenn had new arrivals to their families, I squealed with happiness for them. When Scott beat cancer and started attacking life with vigor, I was overjoyed. John is like my big brother in the martial arts world. Papa Bradstein makes me laugh until I cry. When my fellow martial arts bloggers get promotions, injuries, or something else entirely, I am right there with them, cheering them on, virtually or over my dinner table. These links don’t even begin to scratch the surface. I have great commenter buddies too, and I love all of you guys (except for those who flame me over stupid stuff, but that’s a different post. . . ).

6. Fantasy football has ruined cheering for my home team.

This year I was determined to get at least one player from my favorite team on my fantasy football teams. I figured, that way, I would be able to cheer for my favorite team at least every once in a while. It doesn’t help that I chose the wrong player, but I root against my favorite team a whole lot more than I root for them now. For the same reason, I try not to take any players from teams I don’t like (Dallas Cowboys for example). People talk about watching "the game;" but I’m much more interested in planting myself in front of the TV throughout the day Sunday and on Monday night to watch all the games. Two years ago, I considered buying a Ladainian Tomlinson jersey. I’ve never even been to San Diego! Fantasy football has ruined me. Ruined me, I tell you!

7. I’m an "acquired taste."

People who take the time to get to know me, know that I am a very caring and generous person. I’m also a lot of fun. I’m the girl who will step up and sing karaoke when no one else will. I’m the one who will do all of the interactive activities at the wax museum in order for me and my people to have the full experience. However, there are people that I just don’t mesh with well at all. My friend, who passed away last year, used to say that she liked me because she always knew where I stood. She said I "shoot straight from the hip" and that’s very true. I have no problem telling people what I think; I can be brutally honest (especially when it concerns my sister and her boyfriends). I’m the girl who will stick up for someone when no one else will, because it’s the right thing to do (I once stepped into a very unfair fight and physically removed the guy who was getting beat up by three other guys while onlookers much bigger than I, stood there and did nothing to help him.) I may not be everyone’s "cup of tea," but if we’re friends, you can feel pretty secure in the fact that I will always be honest with you and I always have your back.

Who to tag? Who to tag? If I linked you above, you’re it. Have fun!