August 5, 2009
Blog Her 2010, I’m SO There!
I did it. I bought my ticket for the Blog Her conference in NYC next summer and I am already excited. For years, I've been watching the pictures roll in, reading the posts about it, and wishing so badly I could be there. Next year it finally happens. This girl is afraid of flying so I had to wait until it came to the East Coast. New York City, here I come!
I'm a little nervous that after four years of conferences, people already have their "groups" to hang with and that I'll be hanging out solo, so I'd like to ask a couple questions. Who else is planning on going? Can I convince some awesome readers/bloggers to go? Anyone want to split the cost of a limo to drive us there? Think I should volunteer to teach a "Self Defense Class for Bloggers"? Should I wear my gi so I'm recognizable?
(I'm totally kidding about that last question.)
August 3, 2009
Exhaustion Equals Photo Post
I've been completely exhausted after spending almost the entire weekend and all last week working on the patio. Fortunately, we had some good help from my in-laws and also from some awesome neighbors who showed up with gloves on to work in the rain with us on Friday. I hadn't even promised them beer or anything, although I have told them they can be our first guests on the new patio. Let me just tell you that it was a lot more fun to play the role of director than having to lift rocks that weighed way more than I do.
Today I spent the entire day working on the planter that is in the interior of the patio. I'm too tired to be funny or to write much of anything. Plus, I have to catch up on The Next Food Network finale and the new Design Star episodes (if I can stay awake), so consider this a photo essay.
Enjoy.
The rock garden walkway. . .
The patio entrance. . .
The patio. . . (ignore the graffiti-like Bilco door. The painters still owe us some work.)
The planter I worked on all day long is in this picture, to the right. . .
I can't even tell you how happy I am that it is finished. From concept to creation, we did much of it ourselves (with help from some awesome hardscapers to dig out the foundation, grade, level and build us our step).
Now I just need some very on sale tiki torches.
As requested below. . .
July 29, 2009
The Ultimate Patio Work-Out
Last night, Mr. BBM and I started laying the stone for our flagstone patio. My parents came to help for a while and we also had the assistance of my neighbor's dad who's like a visual tetris master. The most challenging part of laying the patio is that the big rocks are ridiculously heavy.
Today I am paying for it big time. Legs, arms, fingers, shoulders and my back are all hurting. Something tells me it will all be worth it when it's over. When I called Mr. BBM at work this morning to ask him how he's feeling, he said he's "fine." He also said, "I've been working out" to explain why he's not sore like I am. Yeah, because his work-outs obviously involve lifting rocks that are hundreds of pounds. He's lucky he was at work when I asked him or else I think I would have given him something to be sore about.
The Classic Landscape guys dug out the foundation and put gravel and sand down. They also did a great job building the step. Now the rest is up to us.
We think we're about 40% finished. Some of the larger joints will get smaller pieces as we find or break ones to fit. Then the joints get filled in with polymeric sand which hardens up after it's wet and then dries. We hope to finish over the weekend (by the weekend would be even more fantastic).
I also spent part of the day yesterday creating a mosaic tile pattern on our old patio table. It's turning out really cool. Today is grout day so we'll see how that goes. I'm thinking much of my back soreness has to do with bending over that table all afternoon.
By the end of the weekend, I hope I can show you my new and improved table on my newly completed patio.
July 28, 2009
My Daughter Rocks
I have an entirely new appreciation and respect for my daughter. After five years of karate, she quit and started Danzan Ryu Ju-Jutsu, and I have spent the past couple months watching her in class. I honestly didn't think she was going to like it. When the most important component to your training is how to fall properly, you know you're going to be hitting the ground frequently. Yet she has taken it all in stride.
Her most challenging ju-jutsu move to date has been the forward roll fall. Many of you may remember our little incident at tumbling class last summer, so it came as no surprise to me that she was having issues. Her Sensei however, was persistent, along with the other students, and they found ways to get her to learn how to do it properly.
When starting from kneeling wasn't really working, they broke out a giant exercise ball and taught her proper technique by rolling on top of the ball. After slamming her face one night which brought her to tears, I never thought I'd see the day that she would get it.
Last night, she needed no ball for her right side forward roll. She finally has it. She was absolutely beaming.
When Big I's class was over, the Okinawan Kenpo group showed up to have a ju-jutsu session. There were nine of us in attendance, and three ju-jutsu students. We worked on basic break falls first, then roll falls and then moved into throws and some ground-fighting.
During the side-fall, I actually skipped the first one. As I went to bend my left knee, my body had a mind of its own and I just couldn't do it. I've had this problem in karate class too. Sometimes my knee just decides it's not going to cooperate. Once the instructor showed me at a slower pace I was ok, but while doing it, I couldn't help but be in awe of how effortless Big I makes it seem now.
She's also really good at off-balancing. I worked with one of the guys she usually works with, who gives you nothing unless you really have the technique right, and I was absolutely amazed, knowing how I've seen her throw him around and sweep his feet sometimes.
The best part of the night, for me, was learning some of the ground-fighting techniques. I'm going to be helping with a women's self defense class that starts this week, and I know that's a frequent question. "What do you do when you're pinned down?" Last night I was able to put a couple more techniques in my pocket for such a scenario and I'm really excited about them.
I came home last night and told Big I how proud I am of her for finding the martial art that suits her best. I have a feeling she's going to be doing ju-jutsu for a lifetime, and I am so excited to watch her grow and learn. After all, it's only been a few months and she's already pretty awesome.
July 27, 2009
Stupid Feet
You know you've had a good work-out when your toes hurt.
On Saturday morning, I attended a black belt work-out at the dojo. We usually have visitors from other dojo's come, but I was especially delighted to see Sensei Carla Molinaro attending this one. She is a Goju-Ryu practitioner and she is intense. During summer training camp, I attended a Sanchin seminar with her and I was impressed.
Although a good foot shorter than many of the men she used as uke, she was doing an excellent job of pushing them around. She explained that the Goju style is sort of like a gnat. In your face, constantly bothering and pushing you around. I'll tell you right now that after watching her for a while, I can think of many more men I'd want to tangle with before I'd ever think about making her upset with me.
Hanshi asked Sensei Molinaro to run the warm-ups on Saturday morning and I've never experienced anything like it. The warm-ups combined stretching with striking and conditioning and there wasn't a person who wasn't drenched when we were finished.
One of the things she had us do was a real challenge. She talked about the importance of gripping the floor with your feet and then had us do some foot exercises. We took turns lifting up our big toes while gripping the floor with our other four toes. Then we'd switch and grip with our big toes while lifting the other four toes up. When she noticed some of us were having a bit of trouble (it was quite challenging), she laughed and told us that putting our feet in sneakers makes our feet "stupid."
Next she had us move our bodies forward using only our toes to crawl us along. I happen to have finger-toes so I was ok with this exercise, but each and every one of the warm-ups made your body "think" and work to coordinate and then add power.
I am definitely intrigued by the Goju-Ryu style. The conditioning drills are excellent and watching Sensei Molinaro, there is no doubt they work and work quite well. I am thankful to be part of an organization that incorporates many different styles. Exposure to different styles and new ways of making your body stronger and smarter is something I absolutely love.
Now if someone could just please tell me how to stretch out my toes properly, I'd really appreciate it.
***If you'd like to win some free Chex Mix Bars, go leave a comment at The BBM Review pronto!
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