tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82510643456920941722024-03-13T14:06:25.730-05:00Steve Austin's Perfect Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu TravelsCheck here to travel with me through my workouts, trials, competitions, ups, and downs on my way to my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu goals of 2010!
If you are looking for <a href="http://www.pbjj.net">World Class BJJ Training Classes</a> in the Dallas Forth Worth Love Field Area look no further. <a href="http://www.pbjj.net">Click here</a> to learn more about our new and exciting kids and adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training classes by Stephen "Pesadelo" Hall, Alliance Bjj Black Belt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-29814715934128375132013-03-27T14:03:00.003-05:002013-03-27T14:03:46.971-05:00Being A Part Of It All - Pan Ams 2013Weight: 217.4<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcOgZW_gdmE/UVNAvBru3YI/AAAAAAAAB0w/X-GNPE4BtTk/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcOgZW_gdmE/UVNAvBru3YI/AAAAAAAAB0w/X-GNPE4BtTk/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFOqdjd4qQ/UVNAvRbg1KI/AAAAAAAAB08/ZjnOAWJ_Tpw/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFOqdjd4qQ/UVNAvRbg1KI/AAAAAAAAB08/ZjnOAWJ_Tpw/s320/IMG_2971.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQT909quUt4/UVNAvGWMDsI/AAAAAAAAB00/SPdIo-YqKFM/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQT909quUt4/UVNAvGWMDsI/AAAAAAAAB00/SPdIo-YqKFM/s320/IMG_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPAyBkWWb7Q/UVNAwIz9eiI/AAAAAAAAB1M/eOCIif7N9wU/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPAyBkWWb7Q/UVNAwIz9eiI/AAAAAAAAB1M/eOCIif7N9wU/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olSjiQ9rcJY/UVNAwF4xPDI/AAAAAAAAB1I/TaO7zrkm-x4/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olSjiQ9rcJY/UVNAwF4xPDI/AAAAAAAAB1I/TaO7zrkm-x4/s320/IMG_2981.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuBj4n-vGMs/UVNAwW1_90I/AAAAAAAAB1c/QnAIje-h0QY/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuBj4n-vGMs/UVNAwW1_90I/AAAAAAAAB1c/QnAIje-h0QY/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjvLqKLginM/UVNAw8NMbrI/AAAAAAAAB1k/r89Sf16BSBw/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjvLqKLginM/UVNAw8NMbrI/AAAAAAAAB1k/r89Sf16BSBw/s320/IMG_2992.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv0yMvfFuKU/UVNAxJn0D3I/AAAAAAAAB10/-atMaO7zmXY/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dv0yMvfFuKU/UVNAxJn0D3I/AAAAAAAAB10/-atMaO7zmXY/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKB9YCDnwZU/UVNAxozyvOI/AAAAAAAAB1w/v-fxtal6zME/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKB9YCDnwZU/UVNAxozyvOI/AAAAAAAAB1w/v-fxtal6zME/s320/IMG_3009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jpgKxheh6s/UVNAxbqHGII/AAAAAAAAB1s/prJSqThqWo8/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jpgKxheh6s/UVNAxbqHGII/AAAAAAAAB1s/prJSqThqWo8/s320/IMG_3022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YrXiihErnI/UVNAyWpwqoI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Vo3FMuZAkxA/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YrXiihErnI/UVNAyWpwqoI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Vo3FMuZAkxA/s320/IMG_3024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr_gvhdKjB0/UVNAySK-zYI/AAAAAAAAB2E/vPhUZrcyuz0/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gr_gvhdKjB0/UVNAySK-zYI/AAAAAAAAB2E/vPhUZrcyuz0/s320/IMG_3025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xX0GkJC4Pcg/UVNCJF7_kiI/AAAAAAAAB2M/hiYdsmVdUIo/s1600/IMG_5175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xX0GkJC4Pcg/UVNCJF7_kiI/AAAAAAAAB2M/hiYdsmVdUIo/s320/IMG_5175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oigo43N2Gsw/UVNCV6fVdRI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/wqehr6aqea4/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oigo43N2Gsw/UVNCV6fVdRI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/wqehr6aqea4/s320/IMG_5145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLlKaDj-Cg4/UVNCWCkWYVI/AAAAAAAAB2c/qRhSgFTA3FE/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLlKaDj-Cg4/UVNCWCkWYVI/AAAAAAAAB2c/qRhSgFTA3FE/s320/IMG_5146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqnyxA6CbuY/UVNCXHqmsmI/AAAAAAAAB2o/sMbed2V46Ks/s1600/IMG_5154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqnyxA6CbuY/UVNCXHqmsmI/AAAAAAAAB2o/sMbed2V46Ks/s320/IMG_5154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxKtulOsZlQ/UVNCXgFc1ZI/AAAAAAAAB2s/4kAW7cRTzWs/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxKtulOsZlQ/UVNCXgFc1ZI/AAAAAAAAB2s/4kAW7cRTzWs/s320/IMG_5144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oigo43N2Gsw/UVNCV6fVdRI/AAAAAAAAB2k/HpwCizr2EhQ/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oigo43N2Gsw/UVNCV6fVdRI/AAAAAAAAB2k/HpwCizr2EhQ/s320/IMG_5145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLlKaDj-Cg4/UVNCWCkWYVI/AAAAAAAAB2g/75GmRPyfgWA/s1600/IMG_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLlKaDj-Cg4/UVNCWCkWYVI/AAAAAAAAB2g/75GmRPyfgWA/s320/IMG_5146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-33158140295194108662012-08-28T11:43:00.002-05:002012-08-28T11:43:55.563-05:00R.A.W. - Back To How It WasOlder post never finished... <br />
Weight: 235.2<br />
<br />
Seems I just can't stay away. Not because I keep coming back, but because the world wishes stasis. to wit, I offer that I was much more salty as a blue belt. The training then, and the hunger was such that I thought I could fight armies alone and win convincingly. Within my Jiu-Jitsu, I slowly have been coming to grips with the fact that I am really just NOT World class by any definition of the word, and will never be. That realization has taken some of the steam from my sails as I've always been a results/goal driven person. Without that goal, it is much harder for me to struggle with the pain of progress and persist as I must to endure trials through to their conclusion. i.e. It's hard as hell for me to just train hard, without having something to shoot for.<br />
All told, I pulled back and starting placing a lot more into my school, and my students. that gave me a bit of a resurgence.<br />
<br />
To be finished later....I fight on... <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-78375987983093582772012-08-28T11:32:00.001-05:002012-08-28T11:32:21.073-05:00Back At It...The Fruit Is In The Labor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG-SJFB1ohE/UDzxp9DA9mI/AAAAAAAABy4/j9jqv0Ae1aA/s1600/221800_10150166756638251_1931671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dG-SJFB1ohE/UDzxp9DA9mI/AAAAAAAABy4/j9jqv0Ae1aA/s320/221800_10150166756638251_1931671_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OVF4KrANuA/UDzxrXH7NuI/AAAAAAAABzA/4gtfi-g-dMg/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OVF4KrANuA/UDzxrXH7NuI/AAAAAAAABzA/4gtfi-g-dMg/s320/IMG_4682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjzhHLYgQYk/UDzxsvXcG0I/AAAAAAAABzI/261rhY-W8MQ/s1600/no-excuses-shut-the-hell-up-and-train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjzhHLYgQYk/UDzxsvXcG0I/AAAAAAAABzI/261rhY-W8MQ/s320/no-excuses-shut-the-hell-up-and-train.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_q_CJB17HQ/UDzySsVKz-I/AAAAAAAABzQ/ipqR3BWB70A/s1600/IMG_0501.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_q_CJB17HQ/UDzySsVKz-I/AAAAAAAABzQ/ipqR3BWB70A/s320/IMG_0501.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxSEXuEZU9M/UDzyTVPTF3I/AAAAAAAABzY/o8_Xm8HAn8U/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxSEXuEZU9M/UDzyTVPTF3I/AAAAAAAABzY/o8_Xm8HAn8U/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt2-AhOrJv0/UDzyTlmuMwI/AAAAAAAABzg/48LxMrKlOAs/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt2-AhOrJv0/UDzyTlmuMwI/AAAAAAAABzg/48LxMrKlOAs/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MeAeq0Kd4k/UDzyUaoZPMI/AAAAAAAABzo/qPzsIy5S11k/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MeAeq0Kd4k/UDzyUaoZPMI/AAAAAAAABzo/qPzsIy5S11k/s320/IMG_0532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Weight: 224.2</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back in the blogging house, and hopefully will stay here and build again often. Also back to the mats after my recent knee surgery/blood clot hospitalization/back surgery...The injuries never really mattered much to me, as I've realized from early on in my pursuit of the gentle art, how blessed I am to be able to walk onto those mats and test my limits. I also knew intimately the struggle of many who could only hope to ever have even a casual normal walk down the street. with this past knee injury, I felt and still somewhat feel helpless as even now towards the end of my recovery/PT period, I cannot really walk fast and normal, much less run. On the mat I have been able to adjust to my infirmity as it were, by focusing much more on placing myself in new positions which do not rely upon my left leg as much. This has a couple effects, one, it takes away some of my options for finishing that I had before, as my personal belief was to chase each and every submission as it presented itself; and two, it has really worked to sharpen my passing again, and top control game. Hoping to return (admittedly perhaps too aggressive in conception) to the rings of competition at the Atlanta Open Sept 15 and then to make my mark at the Master & Senior World championships Oct. 7 barring no major setbacks between then and now. To be able to perform well despite the lingering weakness in my leg among other issues will allow me to prove myself true to the aims of the gentle art. It would be remiss if I thought that my validation would be in the medal at the end of those championships. the fruit is in the actual training...The little tweaks in my game that I have been forced to make, and that have forced me down new paths I may not have come to otherwise.When again I stand on the competition ring, I will already have won through the knowledge gained, and sweat spilled in my journey to get there...<br />
Lots has happened since I left these pages. My students have won championships, I have graduated a few to new belts(one brown, one purple, and one blue), I was promoted to First Degree Black Belt at the Hands of Maestre Jacare', and we received into the gym new mats to help further the training we do at PBJJ. I will make certain to write and document more frequently as I had been before. Hope to see you on the mats...Through the pain though, I fight on...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Though For The Day: </b><i>"Everything you want, is on the other side of fear!"</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-39464462382289644822010-03-15T14:39:00.005-05:002010-03-15T15:37:43.015-05:00Aliveness In The Moment...Negative Energy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S56aEh6S0dI/AAAAAAAABjs/mpQ5dks3DfQ/s1600-h/Athletes+For+Christ+Patch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S56aEh6S0dI/AAAAAAAABjs/mpQ5dks3DfQ/s320/Athletes+For+Christ+Patch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448962001777906130" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 228.6<br /><br />Jiu-Jitsu is a harsh mistress...If you do not remain attentive during the time you are practicing the gentle art, the punishment comes swiftly...To have even a momentary lapse in judgment, assertiveness, or a tiny hesitation in the application of a movement brings you to the point where you are reacting rather than dictating your path...Once you react your are late; when you are late, you use strength; when you use strength, you tire; when you tire, you die!....Yesterday's training session with Marcus was one huge and long brain fart with many periods of being punished for inactivity, hesitation, and incorrect movement...Things I have been taught since my beginner stages, I completely forgot and just really was not there in the moment of training...Aliveness not only means being immersed in the moment and being able to feel rather than think through situations....It also means to see in advance, patterns and movements which will end up at best being a distraction, and at worst being true threats to your performance and well-being...I could not focus, and thus, the work I had planned in my head to attempt to work(securing my weight for passes, opening up my De La Riva game, negating the over under pass) all went by the wayside...It ended up being just an exercise in survival and catch up...that in and of itself is not a bad thing as bad situations must be practiced more than good ones to ensure the calmness of mind needed under adversity to turn a negative into a positive..That said, under the strain of mind and body I have had, seven 10 minute rounds (3min rest) with someone as proficient and assertive as Marcus can be challenging to say the least...anyway, I did do a few things well and realized my in-between and scramble games are very strong, as well as when I set my mind to use my leverage and motion in the passing game as well as attacking am I effective, but when I really needed to move in bad positions or to shut down things coming, I was not in the moment and either shut down or worse, made the diametrically opposite move to what should have been done...the end of this is that I am much more frustrated for having lost the training time on things I needed to work with him on specifically, that I am now jacked up so bad that I can't turn my neck sideways and my low back is locking every 30 min or so(these are result of me not being able to go to the doc to get these fixed prior to training, not to anything he did bad), and I worry that I am not able to control my mental state as I used to be able to do under fire...this in and of itself, against the elite at black belt is something as necessary as good technique and cardio to be successful but really just to be able to survive...I will attempt even hurting as I am, to train tonight to work these things as if I am to not make a complete fool of myself and lose quickly in the Pan Ams, I must work harder to eliminate my deficiencies...Jiu-Jitsu should allow a person to overcome deficiencies and be able to defeat those stronger and bigger than them...I need to get my mind right, and hopefully get the weakness in my hands/arms gone...then I can work through the other pains to be victorious in the battle to improve...I compete with my own inner self...I compete to do better than I did yesterday at a movement or position...Overcoming issues in mind and body, is something that must be done...No excuses...I am tired, and have miles to go before I sleep as the techniques I listed above must have a lot more sharpness (weeks worth at the very least) if they are to become what they must be to ensure my ability to just merely be competitive...I will sleep when I'm dead...<br /><br />Events this week left me really questioning....not even questioning but truly hating the dreams I had of coaching...Amazing how jut a little hesitation, indecision, disingenuous manner can turn into a huge ball of bile making you really dislike things you loved....Even to question yourself...Honestly things I believed were part and parcel of Jiu-Jitsu, were shown to me to be nothing but idealistic folly in the minds of some...I thought nothing could take my joy that I got from training, competing, and teaching...I was mistaken...Whether I like it or not, i am true to what made me...the American values of I am entitled to do whatever I want and the customer is always right really should not apply in a lot of situations...Today people have no loyalty, no honor, and no respect for that which came before them and even made them...I have seen what I feel is the purity of Jiu-Jitsu...It is not always nice or pretty, nor does it always serve our own wants and desires but if followed, it will always serve our NEEDS!...I must be me and have to do things as I see them successful in other places and do what I feel will be for the best...Those who will be with me, will be...Those who will not, do not exist... I did not start to teach other than to get to a point I could train as I liked and give back something to people which has truly saved my life....I did not do it to be rich and thus I treat those who I deemed to be with me as family...Sadly, it seems, that just can;t be done with everyone.<br /><br />My aim is to compete and prove my worth to myself as a black belt in jiu-jitsu in the vein of those I look up to and admire...My game is simply too underdeveloped and dirty for me to feel it is anything worthy of what I feel it should be...I think that is why my teaching isn't valued, and the achievements I have garnered do not weigh enough with sponsors to be able to support materially (other than BJJEdge, Jiu-Jitsuforums, and Athletic Body Care as they have done lots to help me to the best of their abilities and are really supportive of me and have been so) in amounts enough to make the tournaments I need to compete in to be in good championship rhythm a reality...By the way, than you very much to Caleb from TheFightworksPodcast.com for your donation bro! Has been the only one to date to do so through the site and it means a great deal that he did...I am blessed to have close friends and family who have helped and I thank God for them as well as a good job that I can pull from to make sacrifices and have the extra to ptake out of my pocket to go...Thing is, those I have mentioned all have personal interest in me...I want to work that my game is respected and admired by those I teach, those who have taught me, and those who are vendors, fans, and students of the sport...I have much to do to get to that point...I will work harder, I will sacrifice more, and the deficient, shoddy game I have now will improve...No matter what, I will be on the podium at Adult at age 40...I will fight on...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">The victory is in the pain. The fruit is in the labor. Delight in the work, as therein lies payment. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-52672102948861375422010-03-12T15:02:00.004-06:002010-03-12T21:43:09.702-06:00Take It Personal...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q580-JjgI/AAAAAAAABi8/8G6-9JymVUc/s1600-h/4420315379_2e3bbfd013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q580-JjgI/AAAAAAAABi8/8G6-9JymVUc/s320/4420315379_2e3bbfd013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871153920642562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58jNzxII/AAAAAAAABi0/iZnv1fz0Kl4/s1600-h/26074_391905753437_606133437_5051868_4881889_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58jNzxII/AAAAAAAABi0/iZnv1fz0Kl4/s320/26074_391905753437_606133437_5051868_4881889_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871149154485378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58gUiw8I/AAAAAAAABis/xk6HWNNL8ks/s1600-h/26074_391905738437_606133437_5051867_5061711_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58gUiw8I/AAAAAAAABis/xk6HWNNL8ks/s320/26074_391905738437_606133437_5051867_5061711_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871148377424834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58YlSXXI/AAAAAAAABik/SdNiZeKX2JA/s1600-h/26074_391905733437_606133437_5051866_3489627_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58YlSXXI/AAAAAAAABik/SdNiZeKX2JA/s320/26074_391905733437_606133437_5051866_3489627_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871146300169586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58NH8syI/AAAAAAAABic/A-k-Tp_CwRw/s1600-h/26074_391905728437_606133437_5051865_6757745_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q58NH8syI/AAAAAAAABic/A-k-Tp_CwRw/s320/26074_391905728437_606133437_5051865_6757745_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871143224324898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6jM-PW-I/AAAAAAAABjc/8leLWq-eiQI/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2538.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6jM-PW-I/AAAAAAAABjc/8leLWq-eiQI/s320/tn_IMG_2538.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871813198502882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6iyz-EnI/AAAAAAAABjU/GdgNPwcQXnM/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2516.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6iyz-EnI/AAAAAAAABjU/GdgNPwcQXnM/s320/tn_IMG_2516.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871806176105074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6in9aVAI/AAAAAAAABjM/j-yzYL-MMHc/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2515.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6in9aVAI/AAAAAAAABjM/j-yzYL-MMHc/s320/tn_IMG_2515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871803262915586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6iVphmNI/AAAAAAAABjE/9I-YwaFIdDw/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2511.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S5q6iVphmNI/AAAAAAAABjE/9I-YwaFIdDw/s320/tn_IMG_2511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447871798347667666" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 227.2<br /><br />To journey into the land of the elite adult black belts and walk away with hardware, I have much to work on and need to refocus myself...My training will be come more intense and channeled towards being able to do the things I know I can do in other areas of my game and rely on them enough that I have no hesitation in using them...Twice daily, six days per week will be the schedule for my rolling/drilling...and I will concentrate more on my basics when teaching class from here on out...The fact that I will be able to work with Marcus as well as go to the Alliance training camp will be a huge help in progressing...Honestly though things are conspiring to keep me from the Pans...If things continue as they are, I won't make it there to put into practice what I am working on. I don't know what I will do if that comes to pass...Breaking my streak at Sr. 1(won at Purple and Brown), already made me reticent to go, though I am excited to see how I fare against the sports premier athletes in the prime of their lives...But now the thought of not even making it there after what I have done and will do to myself to be able to just stand on par with those guys is disheartening...Perhaps though, if God is willing and I come up with the funds some way, and I can show people that a guy of 39 years old can place or win, then maybe some sponsors will see me differently and this won't be an issue as I plan to test myself at Adult at all but the International Masters & Seniors World championships every tournament until Mundials when I am 40 and I finally say enough of competing with the youngsters...<br /><br />Only a week away from the anniversary of my 39th year upon this planet, things seem foreign to me. The Jiu-Jitsu I know and love abandoned me in need for the first time in a LONG time. There is more that occurred last night and today that take me aback a bit in reference to the gentle art but right now on to the main things as they pertain to me personally. March 6th was the date, and my match for the gold in my weight class was against Bruno Bastos, arguably a top 5 talent in the world at anything over heavy weight. In that match he was very familiar with my game and worked to shut it down before I even started...In the match he had hold of my sleeve and ripped a hole in a brand new Dax Moskito GI...This GI is like a piece of iron and he just ripped it with a mere grab...anyways what I am so upset by in this match is the fact that beyond the ref allowing him to disengage as he did not wish to deal with my guard, I straight up froze as I was not used to being shut down in my game so thoroughly...It was as people say, when God closes a door, He pens a window....There were open windows ALL OVER, and I did not see them b/c I kept staring at the door...You must not become so fixated upon one aspect of your game in any match as it may not be able to be worked...Though this has not happened to me in I don't know how long, I went to my comfort zone and because he took that away, I was dominated that whole match until at about 9min30sec He went for a knee bar...Problem is, I honestly feel like had I struggled a tad more I would have defended and been out...I hate that feeling..I have not had it since a Blue Belt....I will not have it again...I got to meet Bruno again in the semi-finals of the open after a win on points in my first and a win by knee bar in the second...This time, I was positionally dominated but I got to my comfort zone and truly disgusted myself once again b/c I NEVER pulled the trigger! My defense was very good, and I noticed improvement in that area as being disciplined for the entire 10min is a must...This, is something that I had been working on as rolling with students and even some competitors, I could get away with tiny mistakes...At the level I wish to climb to, I can make no tiny mistakes! The only good I take away is my mental focus in the other matches and that my cardio was not shot, though it must be a great deal better...That said, now that I know I can work things to my advantage, I must pull the trigger efficiently, and expeditiously.<br /><br />I must reinvent myself as a coach as well. I travel and see the respect and admiration other students have for their instructors and their instructors' lineage/team origins and I am envious...It seems as if my teaching and leadership skills are sorely lacking. Since I have been a Purple belt I have been teaching classes...Really since Blue I was assisting...Since then, through all the people I have assisted in class and the accomplishments I have done on my own, a grand total of three people sought me out from then until now to gain some insight though private classes...Part of this is because I believe it is right to give your all to the beginners as charging them for privates may not necessarily help them when their fundamental movements haven't been developed...that said, it's disheartening to know that whatever I may be seen as, it is definitely not seen as desirable to learn from me in that light...I have put everything I have into teaching at my school, and believe that if I can firmly implant a foundation of good fundamental movement, good command of the basic principles of the core Jiu-Jitsu techniques, and a knowledge of how the body works in concordance with what the aims of a technique are, that people will be much better off and excel...I hoped to give students even 1/4 of what I gained from Jiu-Jitsu...In as much, I returned every day from class happy as I could be, in the thought that I was respected enough to have them trust that I was leading them in the manner they should be...It really feels bad when you have not what you longed for and saw...How can I miss what I never had? I am always asked, how is your school doing? I am not one to lie so I say its small but I am happy...I am not a good businessman nor am I good at marketing so I am certain all that could be done to grow my school as a viable business is not occurring...I felt that the Jiu-Jitsu would win out. I felt that my passion for what I do, and the love I felt for my team would show through and make it successful in the long run by building a team/family atmosphere...I was reminded though that tings aren't personal...Everyone doesn't want to be part of a team etc...I guess the thing is, I must take someone's advice and be more professional. That is what I never wished to be...I feel it's wrong, but the more I travel, the more I keep meeting resistance in the form of folks wanting to do things their way...I progressed so fast because I trusted in my leadership to the point whatever they told me, I did, trusting that it would work out...And it always did. I have tired to be the person that whatever I sold, would be abel to be backed up...It is appreciated by some but most don't. I have to face that I am not the type of coach/insturctor that students look up to in that light...I am always questioned and it seems I am the one who ends up making the concession as the customer is always right...Right? Well, If I am not who I wish to be, I can only be me. I will train hard, I will teach what I know the way I know it should be taught. I will hold my standards up where I see them necessary to be. Those who choose to follow that, will get where they wish, in the manner they should...Those who don't will merely get techniques, and reach whatever height they will by their hand with some assistance from me...Sad to see it this way because I know for any other instructor, this would not be the case...But, I have work to do to gain more insight on more effectively teaching the techniques without having to place so much of my self into it....<br /><br />There is a lot more to this but honestly, the sting of it makes me not wish to put it down...For those who don't know, there is a lot of detail I keep to myself to be more guarded...I write these to keep in mind what I went through and what I have overcome, that one day my child or students can look and see that if someone as lowly as myself made it, that they could as well...Forgive me for that...<br /><br />I need to work more on my standing pass, and work more on differing attacks and sweeps from guard. as well as better aggression standing...I will work more on being me in my game, in my teaching, and in my life, and being happy with whoever that is...So, in that regard...I Fight On...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Isiah 33:1---</span><a style="font-style: italic;" class="c1">"Woe to you who destroy, but you weren't destroyed; and who betray, but nobody betrayed you! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you have made an end of betrayal, you will be betrayed."</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-5650288576165235022010-03-03T14:56:00.003-06:002010-03-03T15:31:46.124-06:00Today, Nobody Cares...But Tomorrow They Will...They WILL!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47Ufvo-ItI/AAAAAAAABhk/2YeZ8tSEhpI/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47Ufvo-ItI/AAAAAAAABhk/2YeZ8tSEhpI/s320/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444522641366852306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47UfVuh4ZI/AAAAAAAABhc/ynkfoEZi2pQ/s1600-h/0039_jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47UfVuh4ZI/AAAAAAAABhc/ynkfoEZi2pQ/s320/0039_jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444522634410844562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47UfHoENJI/AAAAAAAABhU/CbKx5Qh2Sw8/s1600-h/0032_jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S47UfHoENJI/AAAAAAAABhU/CbKx5Qh2Sw8/s320/0032_jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444522630625637522" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 224.8<br /><br /> Training is draining....(Hey I made a rhyme!:))...but it is in a good way that it drains me...that said, a new hole has opened up in my guard game that it took the passing game of Marcus to detect...Defending the knee through pass, I am having a brain freeze it seems and rotating my hips the wrong way to defend and thus at times giving the pass easily...this is being worked on, but in the state I am in currently as for health and mental focus(or lack thereof), it seems not to be getting solved quickly or efficiently enough...I have a few new goals to shoot for...Not only to medal at this year's Pan and Mundial tournaments at Adult, in addition to defending my title at the Master&Seniors World championships, but to repeat in being a medalist at Adult in Pan and the World Championships next year when I turn 40(Turning 39 in a little more than 2 weeks from today). Even at the prime of one's life and Jiu-Jitsu career, this is something that only a tiny percentage of people ever achieve...In my declining state of physical being, coupled with the inability to focus solely on training, will be made exponentially more difficult...On top of this all, the sponsorship I do have covers registrations for tournaments, but nothing else...Which means any trips say to Brazil, California, etc for these championships comes out of my pocket....My extremely midget-short pockets...So anyways, Jesus bore his cross without lamentation....I have to just suck it up; as my time to be even close to being able to be even remotely competitive is drawing to a close...Whatever must be done to carry through until then, I will do...<br /><br /> Anyways, on to training...preparing for a tournament in the gym is necessary, but to truly get ready for what you will need to do to be victorious in battle is to actually contest matches when and where it counts...That being said, I will be preparing myself for Pans and Mundials at the Adult level starting this coming weekend in Houston...In addition to being able to see my students perform, I will also be making my debut as a referee in the IBJJF as well as competing with the caliber of competitor I will have to face and defeat in order to achieve the goals I have set...With a monster like Bruno Bastos in my division, my task is definitely not easy, also, as I will put my name in the hat for the Absolute division, with such names as Bill Cooper, Raphael Lovato, Jr., Rodrigo Pinheiro, Marcelo Azevedo, Gustavo Pires, Brad Court, etc etc etc, I should get a true and accurate gauge of where my training has placed me as well as what is needed to work more on...My takedown game has become much more solid, as has my pass game, which I am certain will be tested as most competitors I face look to pull guard as they wish to negate my strength of playing guard...I do hope that I get to work stand up to truly see where I am though as I am going to open my game up much more than usual...A lot of the half and open guard sweeps I use in practice, I think need to be tested at the highest level now...The holes in my game should be more evident after this weekend as they have become in my work and training with Marcus...That has yielded so many results as it is comfortable to feel the need to work hard every second,and to truly be able to learn from the little losses in battles as well as know when certain thins work, that they are ready for prime time as if they can work with him, I do not see many out there who they would not work against...<br /><br /> Physically, my lower back is locking up again...The muscles there, in my hips and in my mid-back are in a constant state of flexion, and I am in pain pretty much all the time...My shoulders, especially the left one, have something blocking or grating on my nerves so that my forearms and hands are affected a LOT!...That said, I do have that familiar, good-sore feeling after training again...I relish that feeling, and just knwo that if I can make it through the way I feel health-wise, and deal with the money/emotional/interpersonal problems of every day and still get to where I wish to be, then I can be truly proud of achievements gained....In that vein....I Fight On....<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Ephesians 6:13 - Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-14419753398458739892010-02-26T11:13:00.003-06:002010-02-26T11:46:28.650-06:00I Get Delirious<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGxUNV1vI/AAAAAAAABhM/wqCgbnHbMEU/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGxUNV1vI/AAAAAAAABhM/wqCgbnHbMEU/s320/tn_IMG_6932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442607593985267442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGxIZ3e5I/AAAAAAAABhE/zQ9KgUJTf9A/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGxIZ3e5I/AAAAAAAABhE/zQ9KgUJTf9A/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442607590816578450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGw6mE0VI/AAAAAAAABg8/BCiMczO0Tto/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGw6mE0VI/AAAAAAAABg8/BCiMczO0Tto/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442607587109687634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGwj4bAlI/AAAAAAAABg0/i9HEXVKNPnk/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGwj4bAlI/AAAAAAAABg0/i9HEXVKNPnk/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442607581012623954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGwInY7dI/AAAAAAAABgs/BXVBIMMhbZE/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0062.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4gGwInY7dI/AAAAAAAABgs/BXVBIMMhbZE/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442607573693427154" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 222.2<br /><br />No not the song...But My thought process...In order to go where you have never been, you must do what you have never done...I wish to place not in my age group, but in the adult premier division at Pan Ams and Mundials...Now at Brown belt I have placed at Mundials as well as at Brazilian Nationals so I am confident in my skills to a point, but the Black belt class is a bit different...I am not able to be a full time training competitor as most of the successful(i.e. CHAMPIONS) guys at black belt are...I know I am at a disadvantage because of age as well as my relative age (in experience) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...That said, it does not change what my goal is...There fore I must find a way around the obstacles to get to where I wish to be...My workout yesterday consisted of 12 Ten Minute rounds with 3 minutes rest between...When I got to teach class and participate in our wrestling drills (Led by Coach Nate Schaffer) I was honestly drained, dazed,and confused....I still pushed through, as this class is getting one of my deficiencies (good take downs and take down defense) cleaned up....It's really funny though...As I get better with wrestling and judo and more concise in my guard game...No one wants to stand with me...go figure, they still try to pull guard on me first, because they don't wish to play in my guard...That has forced; probably since Brown belt, me to improve at passing and top submissions as well as position maintenance...The passing game I have has increased in pressure but needs more precise technical detail in it...That said, I am certain I have improved to the point where it will be a big surprise to those who choose not to test what is still the weaker side of my game (take downs)...I hope to make people pay for this error in thinking and look forward to testing it at the highest level...Anyways, my training has to be better and in order to be ready I have to increase what I do in load and focus...That workout the other day though left me wondering if I am over training to the point I am losing the ability to retain the gains from what I did...I do know that I can push through that many matches and be effective for the majority of them...I have a bit of a test coming up...We shall see where I sit, as I will use this to open my game up way beyond what I would do normally...I just hope not to be punished for it and look stupid...God has blessed me imensely, so I have to try to understand that to give Him the glory first, then give my best, and let it fall where it may...I hurt all over, and having to have another back procedure done, but can't (b/c of stupid insurance glitch), is making things very dim for me being able to actually achieve what I have laid out for myself...but...I fight on...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ThoughtS For The Day:</span> (Judges 14:6) - The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands<br /><br /> (1 Timothy 4:8) - For bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-63514683791200441912010-02-23T15:41:00.004-06:002010-02-23T16:20:53.251-06:00You Are Nothing Without Focus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT1pdTJLI/AAAAAAAABgE/yOgXg7Q04n4/s1600-h/IMAG0021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT1pdTJLI/AAAAAAAABgE/yOgXg7Q04n4/s320/IMAG0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441566430897317042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't Remember His Name, But He Competed at a NAGA I Worked In Georgia...<br />He Is Completely Blind and STILL Placed In His Divison!!!<br />He Is A Hero Of Mine...A Real Inspiration<br />He Didn't Complain Nor Make Excuses!</span><br />God Is Great!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT3Pe3_cI/AAAAAAAABgk/joH-e4iR-Rk/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2373.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT3Pe3_cI/AAAAAAAABgk/joH-e4iR-Rk/s320/tn_IMG_2373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441566458284342722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT26mSAXI/AAAAAAAABgc/pMwwuFpGXoM/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2377.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT26mSAXI/AAAAAAAABgc/pMwwuFpGXoM/s320/tn_IMG_2377.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441566452678263154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT2cWceTI/AAAAAAAABgU/0wb7ZMKCYw0/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2367.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT2cWceTI/AAAAAAAABgU/0wb7ZMKCYw0/s320/tn_IMG_2367.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441566444558776626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT2DFfn-I/AAAAAAAABgM/eBkOokDO6lU/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2360.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S4RT2DFfn-I/AAAAAAAABgM/eBkOokDO6lU/s320/tn_IMG_2360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441566437776793570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Weight: 222.6<br /><br />Life comes at you from all directions...Health fails, money leaves, people leave or they stay around and cause chaos and confusion, work...is work...And you must deal with it all. It's amazing how things and negative energy from people can affect your own energy and life and actions in a given discipline....I deal constantly with the realization that God has given me something in Jiu-Jitsu that I am meant to do. Hidden in that is to realize limitations exist, whether or not you choose to break down those barriers is up to you...All the aforementioned ills befall those of us who are not fortunate to have sponsors to allow us to train and teach all the time and this hinders our focus from being finely tuned as it must be to reach certain heights we may wish. Thus, I am in a position to always have some sort of struggle and strife to overcome while attempting to reach for what I wish to accomplish...Though I am blessed immeasurably by having my gym and being able to teach and thus give me peace of mind and a source of calm in my life, I am not a great business man, nor very good at marketing in the sense some do it, so it doesn't afford me the luxury of being able to train as I should to reach the goals I have set...In as much, the goals I have reached and the person that I am seem not to be enough to have a large sponsor be interested as they support other athletes in the sport....That said...The couple that I do have are truly wonderful, and I am happy with them as I understand that they stand behind who I am and who I can be...Just hard to see how I am not enough in other ways...<br /><br />Anyways, on to Jiu-Jitsu...the theme of focus comes in the vein of training...I have been preparing for tournaments and working diligently, or so I thought, towards getting myself to a place where I'd like to be. That said, due to my recent performances, I have seen a tendency to be a bit too error prone in my game...this has come from the way I train, and somewhat due to being able to be sloppy sometimes and still not be threatened...For some time, even back when I was training at Allen's I wasn't really training...I was more teacher, that trainer, as I'd get questions during the time I would have been drilling, working, rolling, etc...It got to be really hard to prepare and focus upon a straightforward plan of attacking the holes in my game as I needed to...This became moreso amplified when I started my own gym as I care so much for the success of my students, that I started feeling as if I could slide by without the full bore, hard core workout sessions I had been accustomed to...that said, I have started back working and training with Marcus more frequently, and the feeling of just training and learning all in the same session is back...I have to be on point the entire time we train or I will get killed, so I work more technically correct, more muscularly forceful, and more mentally aware...I am taught again to be patient, but this time on an elite black belt level so that my game can adapt and be successful...My weaknesses in sweeps and passing are really very minor. In just a few sessions on top of what I already train alone and with my students, my sweep game and passing game has taken off and grown by leaps and bounds...Developing a pressure in the timing and assertiveness of passing as well as once in dominant position is one of the main aims of training now...I am more apt to work sweeps more patiently and have a tad more confidence in opening my game up now as well to include some traps and techniques I have not used in competition before...Being forced to work patiently but diligently and pulling the trigger without thought or wasted motion, as well as feeling the way through positionsis making me advance again...I have a lot to work on, but I am so happy that even through all the pains and struggles in my every day life which were robbing me of the ability to concentrate on my own training and goals has all but disappeared in the wake of starting to actually "train". I still worked out and worked on things harder than alot of folks I know, but to be successful where I wish to be, there had to be more. Well, sweeps, passes, pressure, and pulling the trigger on some new submissions is on the agenda, and it WILL get done...Being on the Podium at Pans and Mundials at Adult is the goal...It can be done...So, I fight on...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Thought for The Day: </span><br /><h2 id="passage_heading"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:arial;" >Genesis 32:24-26 </span><br /></h2> <p> </p><p> 24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-954">25</sup>And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-955">26</sup>And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-14211095471926994242010-02-08T10:43:00.004-06:002010-02-08T10:55:46.502-06:00SAINTS....WORLD CHAMPIONS!.....WHO DAT!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S3BBbssgCmI/AAAAAAAABf8/3bKT6ZwWnGk/s1600-h/l_f5add51e3c0f3af9233b1b000c2dab57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S3BBbssgCmI/AAAAAAAABf8/3bKT6ZwWnGk/s320/l_f5add51e3c0f3af9233b1b000c2dab57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435916694346271330" border="0" /></a>Check The Bicep Baby...<br />WHO DAT!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m20/waxelastik/SaintsLogo.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 408px;" src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m20/waxelastik/SaintsLogo.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.sunherald.com/smedia/2010/02/08/00/20100208-011829-pic-724250235.embedded.prod_affiliate.77.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 443px;" src="http://media.sunherald.com/smedia/2010/02/08/00/20100208-011829-pic-724250235.embedded.prod_affiliate.77.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.timesleader.com/ap/Super_Bowl_Saints_Football_1921168979.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 409px; height: 512px;" src="http://media.timesleader.com/ap/Super_Bowl_Saints_Football_1921168979.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rrstar.com/archive/x1522835065/g1a9190511be6cb673e539a9d3a3d2d380baf3b2de52ca4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 298px;" src="http://www.rrstar.com/archive/x1522835065/g1a9190511be6cb673e539a9d3a3d2d380baf3b2de52ca4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/02/05/brees-get-100124-584.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 584px; height: 329px;" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/02/05/brees-get-100124-584.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Weight: 221.2<br /><br /><br />A day I never thought I would see in my lifetime came last night. The Saints...My favorite team of all time, who stuck with us fans, and whom we stuck by through the lowest of the lows....are the SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!!!! First Our President ...Barack Obama....and Now This!!! Man! What blessings!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Thought For The Day:</span> Not even the most evil of intentions can dull the brightness of God's blessings!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-61415048694555750932010-02-03T11:27:00.005-06:002010-02-04T14:24:26.493-06:00Pesadelo Unplugged...Tournament Day and Trip Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6sesVQkI/AAAAAAAABf0/SwuFhik7WjQ/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2499.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6sesVQkI/AAAAAAAABf0/SwuFhik7WjQ/s320/tn_IMG_2499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079698715230786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6sK5luKI/AAAAAAAABfs/Fti1sbeSCmM/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2465.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6sK5luKI/AAAAAAAABfs/Fti1sbeSCmM/s320/tn_IMG_2465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079693402126498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6r0lYr5I/AAAAAAAABfk/ykUP5S57aEw/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2450.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6r0lYr5I/AAAAAAAABfk/ykUP5S57aEw/s320/tn_IMG_2450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079687411806098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6GLpWEkI/AAAAAAAABfc/CLl46SwbMEE/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6GLpWEkI/AAAAAAAABfc/CLl46SwbMEE/s320/tn_IMG_2493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079040767398466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6F23geAI/AAAAAAAABfU/RTbhDbUvJIc/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6F23geAI/AAAAAAAABfU/RTbhDbUvJIc/s320/tn_IMG_2501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079035189655554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6Fu-EBFI/AAAAAAAABfM/Z2IytsiCKms/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6Fu-EBFI/AAAAAAAABfM/Z2IytsiCKms/s320/tn_IMG_2425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079033069667410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6FcKh0fI/AAAAAAAABfE/qifFSMI4l5s/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2401.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6FcKh0fI/AAAAAAAABfE/qifFSMI4l5s/s320/tn_IMG_2401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079028021678578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6FEjiWSI/AAAAAAAABe8/BpYJsU9-vFw/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2415.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S2m6FEjiWSI/AAAAAAAABe8/BpYJsU9-vFw/s320/tn_IMG_2415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434079021684119842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Weight: 222.2<br /><br />Well I get absolutely NO sleep due to the time change and the normal performance anxiety associated with a big tournament, so I am up and at em on time. I walk into the venue and see the team forming and feel at ease. Not sure why, as I honestly do not feel prepared fully, but I am ok. Drink my red bull I get my sammich (Proscuitto Ham is abundant over here and is the bomb!) and have one of the little cups of coffee...These things are so strong it's ridiculous...Well anyway, in about 10 minutes I am wired! I get my GI on and I am really inspired by seeing all the world class champions on the Alliance team...It's really an honor that they make me feel like such a part of the group...<br />I make my way to the bullpen and get my stretching and warming up in...Due to the fact I am on the first side of the bracket, I get called first...Two matches and two triangles later, I am champion of my weight division!!! The opponent in my gold medal match was jacked...He was a very nice guy and really strong... when I locked the triangle on at the end, even though I had the angle correct, I could not even get my legs connected for it...So I improvised and used the side of my arm to close the choke!...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yRNS_nayP9s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yRNS_nayP9s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div>Anyways, I sat after that to watch some GREAT matches in the adult division! Our guys put on a show and I really was happy to see how well we were doing and even with not a full contingent there! My open weight comes up and I go through my first two opponents triangle and triangle...My passing needs work seriously though...I ended up facing Ramon Jamur in my third match(Quarter finals)...He got the same takedown I had seen him do throughout his weight division and his first open match...I had made my mind up to jump guard, but was still too slow...I have to improve my decision making at this level is I wish to be successful...He worked to pass the entire time but I was confident he could not...My mistake was that I worked to aggressively to finish him from horrible positions...I should have worked and been more confident in my sweep game to get to the point I wished to be..I had more than enough opportunities, even when he tried to hold on to stall, but I did not pull the trigger...at the end, I came to a kneebar attempt as well as a very tight straight ankle lock which he defended only b/c he had about 20 seconds to hold out...I know it was close as he had to attend to it at the medics after, but it was too late, so my lack of preparation and bad decision making kept me from the medal podium in the open weight breaking my streak started at purple belt...:(<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ud5mLZIne_I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ud5mLZIne_I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div>Later that evening, we found out that the Alliance team placed First in Adult, Female, and beginners, and second in Master/Seniors...The masters (Jacare' and Fabio) honored me with giving me the Master/Senior trophy to take home with me. I was told by Fabio I was the type of fighter they could count! Between that and Jacare' telling me he was proud of what I had done and who I was for the team, I really was moved! This meant a lot to me! :)<br /><br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2010%20European%20Championships/af966581.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a><a href="http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2010%20European%20Championships/?action=view&current=af966581.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a></div><br /><br />The team went to a churrscaria and then we drove around a bit through the town seeing the sights before going back into the hotel...I stayed up through the night to be sure to make it to the airport on time...No sleep really is catch up tome and my ribs for the first time are REALLY aching...Especially on the flight from Lisbon to London...Note: British food is freaking horrible!...Cold salmon chunks, green onions and some little black things..capers i think...are NOT supposed to be in a sandwich...anyways...I get to London and I am treated to being able to sit in the Admiral's lounge to make it through my four hr layover! this secret lair has juices, sodas, wine, beer...food and FREE internet....I catch up on good food and emails and get ready for my trip home...Once on the plane, I must reiterate....ANYONE farting on a plane on a trip of longer than 45min, due to the fact planes recycle air, should be stabbed in the neck and/or stomach, and then thrown from the plane! It was so bad, I honestly tuned around, looked in the faces of the two folks behind me and said "REALLY!? Damn...." ...dunno which one it was, but they are dying inside and should see a doctor!...It was almost as bad as the dude who had obviously shat himself, and had the security line in London parting like the red sea as he tried to make it to the AA desk...Ask me about that sometime...But dude smelled like Bagasse (look it up on google...naaaasty)...<br />I arrive home, hurting and tired as I had only slept perhaps two hrs of the flight, but it's on to the gym to teach...I hope I was coherent but I am certain I was not...LOL I felt better after class as my students always work hard and are good folks...Finally it was home to sleep...I hate the length of travel, but even the worst feelings at the beginning, turn into decent trips ....<br />I do have new inspiration from some of the younger guys on my team and Fabio having faith in me and my skills, as well as seeing Helvetio and Megaton as well as The General compete in the Adult division....As I had planned to compete in the Adult division Mundials as well as Master/Senior Worlds, and due to the fact I felt I could have competed well in the Euro Championships Adult division had I done so, I plan to enter Pan Ams at Pessadissimo in the Adult division and I WILL be on that podium...I will use a tournament or two before that as a tune up at adult as well...I have much to work on, but, I should be able to with what God has given me. It is a daunting task but I only have a limited time to be able to reach my goals...So....I fight on....<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Though For The Day:</span> Today, nobody cares; but tomorrow they will.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-35062683196272218462010-01-30T15:47:00.002-06:002010-01-30T16:16:12.785-06:00Pesadelo Unplugged (2010 Euro Championsips Vol1)<em>Pictures to come later...No Internet Access From My Laptop Right Now!</em><br /><em></em><br />Weight: 228<br /><br /> Last week, went to the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials...I subbed my first three opponents, and popped a rib in the semi-final to claim third place...I tried to continue after some medical help but the pain was too great...So I was not able to secure a trip to Abu Dhabi later this year...Honestly, had my jiu-jitsu been on point as it should have, I would have been ok to get tot he top of the podium. that said, my training has worried me. I do not feel I am doing enough, nor am I able to focus on developing my game to the point it needs to be to accomplish my goals for this year nor next. Even when I do train, it does not seem I am putting forth enough effort or perhaps I am just not talented enough to reach my goals...I dunno, but, I have been feeling my age a bit lately...<br /> That said...I left for Portugal a day ago, feeling very anxious and upset for some reason. Honestly felt on the verge of breaking up and giving up. Just the rigors of life and the grind of trying to overcome and adapt to my limitations got to me...And I honestly was 2 seconds from notgetting on the plane...I prayed and pushed and got on the plane...Oh and I´ve said this before...but people who fart on airplanes....ESPECIALLY 9 hour flights should be shot and thrown from the plane! Anyways...took some sominex and made it to London...Was still feeling down but anger at Sprint made me a little better...These asshats sold me a phone...and didn´t tell me that because I have a spending limit on my account, that it could not be activated for use in Europe which was why I bought it in the first place...Anyways...They credit me $100 for the inconvenience and tell me I can return the phone then basically say go jump in a lake...Sprint can eat a fat diseased baby rhinoceros scrotum!<br /> Well the flight to Lisbon was cool...Any I got into my hotel which is in walking distance to the venue for the championships only to find some really snotty treatment...No internet service in the room(it didn´t work), and no alarm clock..normally I wouldn´t care but with the time difference(+6 hours) I am worried about waking up on time...Won´t be staying at the Altis Park again if I come! Should have stuck to the Dom Carlos Park!<br /> I get up the next day to get to the championships to find my weight division and open weight are moved to Sunday...So I watch some good Jiu-Jitsu...Saw Tarsis and Bernardo do very well to be third in the adult black belt open and really thought with some missed referee calls they should have won...Anyways...I get back to the hotel, and had the most succulent veal and sauteed potatoes with proscuitto(sp?) hame ever!!!! Anyways, as I type this I am full as a tick and just worried that I will look stupid tomorrow. I have a tough match for the final of my weight division at about 5am home time! and then around 845 am or so the open weight begins with about 24 people in the bracket...We will see how I do...<br /> It feels really lonely being here and so isolated...Being able to get on the net for a while and now having a calling card helps a bit but it isn´t like home...Beside all that I feel like I am just not where I need to be skills wise and my ribs are killing me still...Through all this, I am praying hard, and having faith...only with God´s help can I make it as I have never felt like this...I fight on...<br /><br /><strong>Though For The Day:</strong> Psalms 23: 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<br /> 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.<br /> 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.<br /> 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.<br /> 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.<br /> 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-26472443485674568582010-01-13T11:26:00.003-06:002010-01-13T12:02:38.438-06:00Learning From the Student...Aha Moment!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04Ks__FWWI/AAAAAAAABe0/YbcPnXIDpH0/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04Ks__FWWI/AAAAAAAABe0/YbcPnXIDpH0/s320/tn_IMG_6265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426286369234573666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KsmuYE1I/AAAAAAAABes/NbfEbqayukw/s1600-h/355792608_fv5Q9-M.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KsmuYE1I/AAAAAAAABes/NbfEbqayukw/s320/355792608_fv5Q9-M.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426286362453611346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KssLxeMI/AAAAAAAABek/hMebq0Sf0og/s1600-h/HPIM0933.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KssLxeMI/AAAAAAAABek/hMebq0Sf0og/s320/HPIM0933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426286363919087810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KsGeBFDI/AAAAAAAABec/MCDsF-MyVko/s1600-h/HPIM1481.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04KsGeBFDI/AAAAAAAABec/MCDsF-MyVko/s320/HPIM1481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426286353795060786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04Kr7Vh-8I/AAAAAAAABeU/Tdw7WNeHgNQ/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/S04Kr7Vh-8I/AAAAAAAABeU/Tdw7WNeHgNQ/s320/tn_IMG_2908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426286350806678466" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 222.4<br /><br />I feel tired...Sore...Banged up...and More alive than I have ever been....In other words, I am back to hard training for the upcoming goals and tournaments. I have really come to the realization that I do not fit anywhere but on the mat. It gives me a way to deal with the problems of everyday life. Even in the difficulties it presents, it does not take the life and joy out of me the way issues of the world, people, and things can do. I do not know why it is this way, but I am happy as at least I do know where I should be. That said I have set about closing up holes in my game which need to be fixed as well as improvement in some areas...I have worked on preventing the sweep from standing in open guard whether by De La Riva or X-Guard or regular push back sweeps...My Balance and stance as well as pressure need to be improved 100 fold to be able to get to where I wish to be...That said...I have also needed to improve on the idea of "aliveness" and not losing position at all...This aliveness is akin to being immersed IN the moment...That allows for the ability to maintain and improve position to give more time to work for the submission, while keeping you safe and preventing yourself being threatened. I have endeavored to work on my safety in closed guard, breaking and passing with extremely heavy pressure while switching from pass to pass relentlessly in order to place pressure upon my opponent until they crack and I take advantage of the end game. Everyone has known me for my guard game and feel they must get to guard before I do to avoid my strong suit. Well through a lot of specific work, I have worked to round out my game to the point the strength of my guard may even be less than the strength of my pass and submit game. With my attributes, I have worked and wished to become able to pass through all of my opponent's defenses (i.e. get to mount), and finish there most often with the palm up/palm up cross choke (eventually working to include the Ezekiel choke), as well as the S-Mount armbar. This not only made necessary an expertise in passing, but also a much better knowledge of the body's mechanics and physiology to be able to exploit leverage to my advantage as this is a very difficult position to hold...I worked diligently on this and felt I was making good progress and through several rolls with very good defensive opponents I have achieved control and the finish on probably 80-90% of the opportunities though this must increase to at least 95%...Well I have found that threatening with both position and varying submission set ups while improving my position allowed me to bring my opponent to the golden decision...This is where they have to give up something...Either give the sub immediately or give better position, then where they are forced to give the choke or the arm but they cannot defend both.<br />I had a student wish to learn to maintain mount and work the cross choke...In preparing to be able to give him good detail and help in private lessons I worked on getting to that position and finishing with just that on everyone...In doing so, I ended up in the position and I had been having problems because of the proper way to finish the technique causes very bad pain in my surgically repaired hand as it is not healed fully...Well during this time, I remembered what I have learned and been told literally hundreds of times in learning the cross choke, as well as what I have taught....but I had an Aha Moment!...I worked to turn my wrists and in doing so worked in perfect harmony with the proper pull of my forearms and elbows and felt that feeling where everything is soooooo easy as BJJ is meant to be that I KNEW I finally did it correct. I had been doing it and finishing it b/c I could basically overwhelm an opponent and they made mistakes enough to give it to me even though it was not technically perfect. I went to repeat this in practice several times and I finally got it. though I will have to work on it more and ask some who know much more than me to help to improve it even further, I know now I can do this on those of my level and feel confident in it. Was a great feeling to get something right after years of trying. I fight on...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer shou</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="text_exposed_show">ld be the first to receive a share of the crops. -2 Timothy 2:3-7</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-71439340416886713812009-12-09T16:01:00.004-06:002009-12-09T16:45:46.422-06:00You Gon' Turn Me Back To The Old Me...The New Me Apparently Isn't Good Enough....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAeggynWOI/AAAAAAAABdY/1Nrjkjcygcc/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2311.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAeggynWOI/AAAAAAAABdY/1Nrjkjcygcc/s320/tn_HPIM2311.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360296006211810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAege7fJII/AAAAAAAABdQ/pAxl98cYSCU/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAege7fJII/AAAAAAAABdQ/pAxl98cYSCU/s320/tn_HPIM2312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360295506551938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAegM6UF6I/AAAAAAAABdI/UNZf4c0raW0/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2313.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAegM6UF6I/AAAAAAAABdI/UNZf4c0raW0/s320/tn_HPIM2313.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360290669795234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAef-LOCvI/AAAAAAAABdA/kl81l6K4C-o/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2314.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAef-LOCvI/AAAAAAAABdA/kl81l6K4C-o/s320/tn_HPIM2314.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360286714170098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAefm74lQI/AAAAAAAABc4/XLtUWGYoBpA/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2315.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAefm74lQI/AAAAAAAABc4/XLtUWGYoBpA/s320/tn_HPIM2315.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360280475833602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe6Wl8j7I/AAAAAAAABeA/ua3NY8-0-mI/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe6Wl8j7I/AAAAAAAABeA/ua3NY8-0-mI/s320/tn_HPIM2317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360739945320370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe5_B2KRI/AAAAAAAABd4/KXWENyrx4nE/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2318.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe5_B2KRI/AAAAAAAABd4/KXWENyrx4nE/s320/tn_HPIM2318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360733619890450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe5GguzmI/AAAAAAAABdg/piawVRO9y2g/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAe5GguzmI/AAAAAAAABdg/piawVRO9y2g/s320/tn_HPIM2319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413360718448610914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Latest Neck Procedure Pics</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks To Dr. Holubec and all the great nurses and assistants there who make this so easy to go through..</span></span>.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAogixiANI/AAAAAAAABeI/oxArseGxW-Q/s1600-h/0032_jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SyAogixiANI/AAAAAAAABeI/oxArseGxW-Q/s320/0032_jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413371291654815954" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 226.4<br /><br />Well This one will be written and updated shortly(perhaps by this Sunday), but suffice it to say, I have a lot to work on. My game is feeling more intuitive as I have been studying a bit more philosophically and existentially the usage and application of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as it is intended to be. Also, through a multitude of issues in personal life which directly affect my progression through the gentle art, I have seen that I am simply not worthy enough as a teacher, competitor, and perhaps even as a person as of yet to have the respect I have worked very hard to command. That said, some things will change...<br />Health-wise, eating better and more stretching, yoga, etc will have to happen...after Procedures on my lower back, cervical spine, and removal of a cyst on my hand I need to make certain that I can meet my goals I have set from now until I turn the big four oh...I have a cyst/fatty tumor deep in the belly of my biceps muscle and under my triceps that may have to be worked on as well as an issue where I may have to have another low back procedure on top of my recurrent headaches again so I need to de-stress and get intelligent training in...<br />As for my style, I have worked hard to implement pressure in every facet of my game. When I was a brown belt and working intently on some direct goals, my aim was to pressure my opponent, improving my position, until they broke both mentally, emotionally, and in their game physically. I got away from that in trying to open up to some things but, it's allowed me to play something that was not me, and is not(IMO) how it should be. Back to the smash. Shutting down, incrementally, parts of the opponents' game even when they feel it to be open, is something necessary for me to get back to...Simplicity and aggression...NOT reaction, as reaction should be felt and done as a tool to cause a reaction from the opposition...anyways...<br />I have to work on not ever losing position, and to impose my will to the point in crushes the will of the opponent...I have allowed myself to not do things in a correct manner b/c to do so correctly would feel itself to be rude or mean to someone without this understanding. No more limitations...I will up my level of training and make sure I seek to sharpen my iron with iron as well as drilling to the level I must, even if I have to pay someone to do so to improve...I would like to have my BJJ be pure...that will take lots of fire to burn away the chaff colected in my being content with just doing enough to get by...<br />That said, as a teacher, it seems I am lacking in providing detail and results to the point that students can feel the value of what I give. I will work to gain a better respect from them in the way I present their steps to their goals and hope they feel finally that what I can bring to them is valuable.<br />Had the occasion to promote my first blue belt about a week ago...I felt even more happy than when I got my own. Will have pictures etc of the occasion soon as well...<br />I am also going to make due where I stand with the sponsors I have...I will work to ensure that going forward from my performance in upcoming tournaments that I can afford to make it to(even though well down from those I could afford to do to date), to my webinar/dvd series with <span style="font-weight: bold;">www.bjjedge.com</span> , to my performance in hopefully more invitational and superfight matches(I got invited to the Pro division at GrapplersQuest This upcoming weekend but cannot make it), I will prove myself both worthy of support that others get, but also that I am fine with what I can do and will do my best to excel at whatever that may be....I fight on...<br /><br /><br />Thought For The Day:<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Only an opponent can test your understanding. Reality will strip away your erroneous ideas. There is NO substitue for victory.</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-84057927047368919492009-11-24T12:21:00.003-06:002009-11-24T12:30:39.932-06:00Conan...What is best in life?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmP5GB5sI/AAAAAAAABcw/oI0vlnbH9bk/s1600/tn_HPIM2300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmP5GB5sI/AAAAAAAABcw/oI0vlnbH9bk/s320/tn_HPIM2300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739307031127746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIzyUVCI/AAAAAAAABco/yQImj9B2sR8/s1600/tn_HPIM2301.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIzyUVCI/AAAAAAAABco/yQImj9B2sR8/s320/tn_HPIM2301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739185347187746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIn2m5PI/AAAAAAAABcg/kTQyPjp2Ydg/s1600/tn_HPIM2302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIn2m5PI/AAAAAAAABcg/kTQyPjp2Ydg/s320/tn_HPIM2302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739182143956210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIjZ9pTI/AAAAAAAABcY/_X1IZLJyO2g/s1600/tn_HPIM2303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIjZ9pTI/AAAAAAAABcY/_X1IZLJyO2g/s320/tn_HPIM2303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739180950070578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIKPxfWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/iZxCNa-c1A0/s1600/tn_HPIM2305.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmIKPxfWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/iZxCNa-c1A0/s320/tn_HPIM2305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739174196444514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmILA1L8I/AAAAAAAABcI/3VXi2Fq9MkQ/s1600/tn_HPIM2306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwwmILA1L8I/AAAAAAAABcI/3VXi2Fq9MkQ/s320/tn_HPIM2306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407739174402207682" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 221.4<br /><br />Had hand surgery yesterday...One more back procedure to go(Dec. 4) and I can get ready for next year! I should have my stitches out in a few days...If someone see's there way clear to sponsor me, I am looking forward to still participating in my first professional division at GrapplersQuest Dec. 12 in Vegas. If I can't find a sponsor by then, I'm out of it. Anyways, I got lots tot ype but my hand is KILLING me...2 shots of morphine yesterday didn't stop it hurting....just made me loopy as hell and I slept from 4pm until 1030 this morning...I am off to take a Lortab to be able to teach class tonight....I fight on...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Psalms 144:1---Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-55832803639014734512009-11-19T10:46:00.004-06:002009-11-19T11:31:32.111-06:00I CHOOSE...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_ujwgz4I/AAAAAAAABbg/GYWUcfYeQSo/s1600/tn_HPIM2284.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_ujwgz4I/AAAAAAAABbg/GYWUcfYeQSo/s320/tn_HPIM2284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405867365577576322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_ugM-kZI/AAAAAAAABbY/_tX84U8hHHg/s1600/tn_HPIM2287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_ugM-kZI/AAAAAAAABbY/_tX84U8hHHg/s320/tn_HPIM2287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405867364623225234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_udcNUgI/AAAAAAAABbQ/n6IXQwHw_QQ/s1600/tn_HPIM2290.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_udcNUgI/AAAAAAAABbQ/n6IXQwHw_QQ/s320/tn_HPIM2290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405867363881800194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_uCisc_I/AAAAAAAABbI/jJVQxYE0AYA/s1600/tn_HPIM2291.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_uCisc_I/AAAAAAAABbI/jJVQxYE0AYA/s320/tn_HPIM2291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405867356661249010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_uAWoS_I/AAAAAAAABbA/9O_64DpMclQ/s1600/tn_HPIM2293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwV_uAWoS_I/AAAAAAAABbA/9O_64DpMclQ/s320/tn_HPIM2293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405867356073774066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pics From My Back Procedure The Week Before No-Gi World's<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAlPiXFOI/AAAAAAAABcA/mead63C2_w0/s1600/0030_jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAlPiXFOI/AAAAAAAABcA/mead63C2_w0/s320/0030_jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405868305042314466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkynr1cI/AAAAAAAABb4/D8T3J9nM-LA/s1600/IMG_6927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkynr1cI/AAAAAAAABb4/D8T3J9nM-LA/s320/IMG_6927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405868297280017858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkhkbKpI/AAAAAAAABbw/fXdp4lHK1MY/s1600/PBJJ_Clas_13OCT2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkhkbKpI/AAAAAAAABbw/fXdp4lHK1MY/s320/PBJJ_Clas_13OCT2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405868292702939794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkZUQJ5I/AAAAAAAABbo/NRjPl5fQh88/s1600/JiuJitsu090901.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SwWAkZUQJ5I/AAAAAAAABbo/NRjPl5fQh88/s320/JiuJitsu090901.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405868290487625618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pics From PBJJ Classes<br /><br /></span></span></div>Weight: 226.8<br /><br />Jiu-Jitsu, like life, is about choices. I have had a lot of high highs, and low lows, in life in the recent months. the thing is though, God has blessed me with something I think few get in life; an occupation that they truly love. Teaching class has been so very rewarding lately it is ridiculous. Through my times where things are not necessarily turning in my favor, I come to class (at times not even sure I want to be around people), but the students there and watching their progress while sharing something which has blessed me so abundantly cheers me up to the point I am really joyous when it's time to leave. In Jiu-Jitsu one of my holes in my game is still to this day, working out of side control to escape and or reverse. I can prevent most from ever even getting to that side, but some like let's say Luiz "Big Mac" Theodoro can make any mistake I put forth into a chance to work from that position. The thing is, when in an c-uncomfortable position, to remember that you have options, what those options are, and to have trained your body to act on them with minimal or no thought is essential to survive and eventually turn the tide in your own favor. I've learned this and put it into my BJJ being to the point I am rarely ever flustered or feel threatened even if I an training and allow myself to start in a precarious position.<br />That said, life has been kicking me the proverbial stones lately. Money, people, work, health all been really just wearing on me. Haven't eaten in a couple days, the job not paying on time, and have to get my wrist operated on on Monday among a few other things happening have put me underneath the 100KG position and are looking to squeeze the breath out of me. The thing is though, I overlook the good things at times. Great students with potential who actually work, great friends who DO care about me and know the person I am today, good results for the most part in my competitions, and a better understanding of how to train and what's important in BJJ, along with a new found understanding of God and how He wishes me to be first and foremost all can give me the pressure release to escape the b.s. The problem with most people is they do not choose to see the door open in front of them because they make a subconscious choice to dwell on and expand on the negative. That energy can be transferred to others easily, but more importantly it can be transferred to other things and situations in your life causing a snowball of bad things to happen.<br />My philosophy of BJJ competition and thought process on how to proceed against an opponent was instilled and cultivated my Marcus Hicks...What I am speaking of is this: "To achieve the submission, I must go forward, and place pressure upon my opponent. I must increase this pressure as I improve my position, until the opponent cracks. Once the opponent cracks, then the end game must come for them swiftly, and in an overwhelming manner. In life, I am making a choice to feel good about myself and about things, though they may not come in an optimum manner. Also, I choose to place pressure upon these things until they crack. I choose to feel ok with who I really am inside and show it. With that, I can always feel good.<br />As for BJJ, at my gym ( http://www.pbjj.net ) I am very happy that I have a few new students. I am extremely fortunate to have students who are pleasant as well as hard working and who listen. They are all improving much and show a lot of promise! Also very happy that we have the first two ladies in our G.A.P. program. More importantly, they both train hard and are really taking to it.<br />I have been today told that I am selected to compete in my first Professional division (i.e. if I win the prize money is $1,000) at GrapplersQuest in Las Vegas in December. I am very honored and flattered to be included in such company. Very very humbled. That said, not only do I have to worry about how fast I can recover from the hand/wrist surgery I am going to have this upcoming Monday, but, with money as it stands, I cannot afford to get a plane ticket/hotel/rental car at all. In fact, it seems I will be missing being able to compete at European championships in for the first time as a black belt Jan in Portugal as well. Just do not have it as I did before, and though I have a sponsor who covers my entry fees into tournaments and does a few other things for me, as well as get products from another, I just seems I have not done enough to warrant anyone to sponsor me like they do the real high-level athletes to travel etc. I will do my best with what I have and God will carry me through to hopefully raise my level enough that someone takes notices and thinks my merits as a competitor enough to sponsor.<br />Also, check out the latest edition of Graciemag (with Braulio Estima and Andre Galvao on the cover) where I have two pictures, a small write up and a picture in advertisement for the sponsor I spoke of above (http://www.bjjedge.com) BJJ EDGE...<br />Anyways, I CHOOSE to be happy and it's making a big difference in my ability to function and focus. I wish you the same.....I fight on<br /><br />Though for The Day: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Please pray for a friend of mine "Brandon 'O-Soul' Medlock, as he lost his mother yesterday. He is a really good guy. I wish him and his family peace!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-13130111939436902782009-11-15T01:02:00.005-06:002009-11-16T00:22:41.633-06:00Campeao Sem Kimono 2009Weight: 228.2<br /><br />In the past few weeks, Had Staples in my head from a removed cyst, I've placed 2nd to Luiz "Big Mac" in Miami, had a back procedure done, Won a World No-Gi Championship(Placed Third in the absolute), had two tires blowout, and found out that I am in the current issue of Graciemag a few times(once mentioned in an article, one picture in an article, and one picture in a sponsor ad (http://www.bjjedge.com)...All in all, life is full, and God is great!...There is much pulling at me, but there is too much fuel to allow that to happen...More to write about all this and I will be adding pictures and video here in the next few days about all of this, but for now....I fight on...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span> "<span style="font-style: italic;">Everything I have ever done, was out of fear of being mediocre.</span>"<br /><br />FINAL, Black Belt, Sr. 1, Pesadissimo<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oe6agVfKpwU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oe6agVfKpwU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Semi-Final, Black Belt, Sr. 1 Absolute<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I lost this match due to the referee not liking the fact I had him in my closed guard. Not much movement at all, for a few reasons I guess, but you be the judge as to who should have gotten the decision.</span></span><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M8AkLZWkikY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M8AkLZWkikY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2009 WORLD NO-GI PICS</span><br /></div><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Miami%20Open/2009%20World%20No-Gi%20Championships/bb3f10d7.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a><a href="http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Miami%20Open/2009%20World%20No-Gi%20Championships/?action=view&current=bb3f10d7.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">2009 MIAMI OPEN PICTURES<br /></div><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Miami%20Open/4573ac4d.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a><a href="http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Miami%20Open/?action=view&current=4573ac4d.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-13520832393625459222009-10-26T15:36:00.005-05:002009-10-26T15:50:04.014-05:00PBJJ Offers the G.A.P. Program - Free BJJ/Self-Defense Training For Women & Children<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuYLIzqn7oI/AAAAAAAABa4/udpbsbQ4Xuk/s1600-h/PesadeloLogo1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuYLIzqn7oI/AAAAAAAABa4/udpbsbQ4Xuk/s320/PesadeloLogo1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397013449385963138" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 230.6<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">G.A.P. Program</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(Gentle Art Protection)</span><br /></div><br />Pesadelo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (PBJJ) believes every woman and child deserves to be safe and secure. Every woman has the right to choose the methods of protection that suit her best, and here at our school she has the option to receive the training necessary to help her secure a more effective role in her own defense. We believe that organized participation in martial arts is a first-line character-building alternative to the destructive forces faced by kids with limited parenting and/or who are growing up in difficult neighborhoods.<br /><br />•<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > Around the world at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family. (John Hopkins School of Public Health 2000)<br />• Annually in the United States, 503,485 women are stalked by an intimate partner. (Patricia Tjaden and Nancy Thoennes, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, National Institute of Justice, 2000)<br />• A woman is beaten every 15 seconds.(Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1991)<br />• 40-60% of men who abuse women also abuse their children. (American Psychology Association. Violence and the Family: Report of the AmericanPsychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family. 1996)<br />• Children exposed to wife abuse suffer low self esteem, depression, poor health, sleep difficulties, post traumatic stress disorder, poor impulse control, and are at higher risk for problems in school, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running away, isolation, loneliness, fear and suicide. (Peter Jaffe, Davis Wolfe & Susan Kaye Wilson, Children of Battered Women, Sage Publications, 1990)<br />• Children who witness domestic violence were found to show more anxiety, depression, traumatic symptoms, and temperamental problems than other children. (Schecter and Edleson, Domestic Violence and Children, Open Society Institute, Center on Crime,Communities and Culture, 2000)</span><br /><br />Our goal is to have success in empowering women to use the techniques they will learn to stop and prevent attacks. It is our objective to make women and their families safer through education and skilled instruction. We also strive to give children the self confidence, and peer-relationship skills needed to survive and excel in today’s turbulent world. Through thorough instruction in the “Gentle Art” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the students in the G.A.P. program will learn to defend themselves, get in great shape, and gain self confidence, while mastering what has been proven to be the most effective self defense art in the world.<br /><br />In the initial program, we will accept ten women and ten children (Ages 7 – 15). Applications are accepted from women from all walks of life, who have experienced or have been subjected to violence in all forms including sexual assault, stalking, mugging, or domestic abuse. The women must be recommended by a clergy member, doctor, social service worker, etc… Applications for the children’s program will be accepted from children from underprivileged, abused, and/or single/no parent or foster homes. The children must also be recommended by a clergy member, doctor, social service worker, etc…<br /><br />Upon acceptance, they will receive one year free instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is tailored to meet their specific need of self-defense, a free uniform, and for the women, a can of mace. The students will be required to maintain at least three-day per week attendance to classes, and will be required to participate in one tournament in the local area within that year of training to exhibit the knowledge they gained in class. All of this will take place in a fun, relaxed, and supportive, family-friendly environment. When the students decide to continue their training, they will be allowed to do so for a drastically reduced rate!<br /><br />We here at PBJJ are committed to making a tangible impact on the lives of those less fortunate, and hope that by providing assistance and encouragement to the underprivileged and abused of our society, we can make the world a little bit better -- for all.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you or your company would like to sponsor a woman or child, please contact Stephen Hall by phone: (214) 264 – 6666 or (214) 630 – 4866 or email: info@pbjj.net. The entire cost to sponsor a woman or child for the program for the entire year is only $150! For your contribution, you will receive a certificate of appreciation and a receipt that verifies your donation for use as a tax deduction.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pesadelo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu</span> is located at 1607 W. Mockingbird, Dallas, TX. 75235 (Inside the DFW Gun Club Building).<br />It is owned and operated by Stephen “Pesadelo” Hall. Professor Hall is a well decorated competitor in the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Among the many titles he holds, he is the current World Black Belt Super Heavyweight, Sr. 1 Champion. He has been teaching the gentle art for several years, and his laid back yet detailed approach to instruction ensures that every student reaches his or her own personal goals. He focuses on teaching techniques that will work in the most serious of self defense situations, as well as in the heat of competition, in the tradition intended by the founders of the art.<br />See Our Website For More Information: http://www.pbjj.net<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Though For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">If you move but one grain of sand, you have changed the entire world.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-25315028897658110422009-10-25T21:04:00.004-05:002009-10-25T22:16:04.116-05:00PESADELO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ON NATIONAL TV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJlghQP8I/AAAAAAAABao/fXt-abS__BE/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJlghQP8I/AAAAAAAABao/fXt-abS__BE/s320/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730268462628802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJZasBOvI/AAAAAAAABag/R2caTF9tZsA/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJZasBOvI/AAAAAAAABag/R2caTF9tZsA/s320/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730060738738930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJZGLwPyI/AAAAAAAABaY/5nU9reQxONk/s1600-h/tn_IMG_3750.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJZGLwPyI/AAAAAAAABaY/5nU9reQxONk/s320/tn_IMG_3750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730055234699042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJY0S32NI/AAAAAAAABaQ/064xW-nVaEQ/s1600-h/tn_IMG_3746.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJY0S32NI/AAAAAAAABaQ/064xW-nVaEQ/s320/tn_IMG_3746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730050432719058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJY9C-UcI/AAAAAAAABaI/LgyHn_87rhI/s1600-h/tn_IMG_3737.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJY9C-UcI/AAAAAAAABaI/LgyHn_87rhI/s320/tn_IMG_3737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730052781953474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJYs30B8I/AAAAAAAABaA/17ODyODHw8I/s1600-h/tn_IMG_3654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SuUJYs30B8I/AAAAAAAABaA/17ODyODHw8I/s320/tn_IMG_3654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396730048440174530" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 230.8<br /><br />Tonight on the Style Network produced reality show, <a href="http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/dallasdivas/index.jsp">Dallas Divas & Daughters</a>, <a href="http://www.pbjj.net/">PBJJ </a>made it's national TV debut! Two members of the cast came to the gym, and took part in a woman's self-defense course! It was a great blessing on the gym, and I look forward to being able to serve the community more by having more women learn the gentle art both for self-defense and for self-confidence, getting in better shape, and fun. You can see highlights from the episode below...If you want to catch it on TV, check your local listings to find out what channel the Style Network is on and the episode will re-air(the times listed below are Central Time...Please adjust for your time zone:<br />Sun - 10/25 - 10PM<br />Mon - 10/26 - 6:30AM<br />Tue - 10/27 - 8PM and 11PM<br />Wed - 10/28 - 2:30PM<br />Thu - 10/29 - 1:30AM<br />Fri - 10/30 - 8AM and 7PM<br />Sat - 10/31 - 10:30AM and 9:30PM<br />Sun - 11/01 - 12:30AM and 7:30PM<br />11/04 - 1PM<br />(many more times to come)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have a special running at PBJJ...Anyone can come in and try a week for free!...Sign up in OCT, and receive 1month free, and a free GI(a $100 value)...Ladies, you also receive $25 off of your tuition in addition to the above! Our kids classes are starting in November! Kids receive a free GI as well when they sign up! Come in and check us out!!!</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><embed flashvars="ID=CEGInBlogPlayer&videoId=46396&playerId=Embed&locId=MS&SWF_URL=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/swf/&onTagClickedRedirectUrl=http://www.eonline.com/videos/?" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" salign="tl" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="CEGInBlogPlayer" id="CEGInBlogPlayer" src="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/swf/CEGInBlogPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="100%" width="100%"></embed><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Do not let the devil chain your mind into believing you cannot get free! God IS enough for ANY problem...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-87079930870838740152009-10-20T10:07:00.003-05:002009-10-20T10:29:52.965-05:00Joy In Repetition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XaPvokkI/AAAAAAAABZ4/dl_If80aYEc/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XaPvokkI/AAAAAAAABZ4/dl_If80aYEc/s320/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704774562615874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XZk3bhHI/AAAAAAAABZw/L7nUyZCL7Ag/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XZk3bhHI/AAAAAAAABZw/L7nUyZCL7Ag/s320/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704763052590194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XZRuRWTI/AAAAAAAABZo/v4-fMmVpkQk/s1600-h/0032_jpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XZRuRWTI/AAAAAAAABZo/v4-fMmVpkQk/s320/0032_jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704757913901362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XY4C8qzI/AAAAAAAABZg/d6k0lBTJbxE/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XY4C8qzI/AAAAAAAABZg/d6k0lBTJbxE/s320/tn_IMG_6909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704751021304626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XYmPZ6fI/AAAAAAAABZY/fIkOkBN9fB0/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3XYmPZ6fI/AAAAAAAABZY/fIkOkBN9fB0/s320/tn_IMG_6934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704746241714674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W1lkIJPI/AAAAAAAABZQ/eEPzQ1GcUDI/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W1lkIJPI/AAAAAAAABZQ/eEPzQ1GcUDI/s320/tn_IMG_6932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704144764773618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W1VHHHwI/AAAAAAAABZI/-HJ2_mBR9Jg/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W1VHHHwI/AAAAAAAABZI/-HJ2_mBR9Jg/s320/tn_IMG_6927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704140348104450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W089RnGI/AAAAAAAABZA/5nLkD8oPd9g/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W089RnGI/AAAAAAAABZA/5nLkD8oPd9g/s320/tn_IMG_6904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704133864397922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W0Q-9S-I/AAAAAAAABY4/KT4lxgz3L5M/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W0Q-9S-I/AAAAAAAABY4/KT4lxgz3L5M/s320/tn_IMG_2908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704122060295138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W0CYOGhI/AAAAAAAABYw/aGyJw5j-zy0/s1600-h/tn_IMG_2940.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/St3W0CYOGhI/AAAAAAAABYw/aGyJw5j-zy0/s320/tn_IMG_2940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394704118139722258" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 231.4<br /><br />I have a LOT to improve upon. My technical skill, really is nowhere even in the same area code with how I wish it and need it to be. My passing is pedestrian, and I have much work to do to sharpen and make more efficient my submissions from the top. My pressure and control on top is much better but needs some drilling as well. Lastly, I need to work on NOT losing positions. Whether I get the sub once that position is lost or not, I need to maintain and improve positions until my opponent cracks. <span style="font-style: italic;">(I have much I am working on specifically but will cover these things as I do them as I will spend a couple months on each separately...)</span><br />I said all that to say, that as I teach, I realize within my own game, how much the depth of experience and knowledge is as opposed to what I truly have a grasp of and have implemented in my game. All that said, I am happy that I can identify, and be able to understand what needs to be done. Honestly, I am so very happy that I have found teaching as it gives me the same or even more happiness than competing at times. I have been blessed with good students who not only work hard, and are dedicated, but also good people. The same stress relieving I get from a good training session, I also get from teaching...Though they may not see it, my students are making GREAT stride in their personal games. I take great pride in being allowed to assist them in reaching their personal goals.<br />In as much, the fundamentals of the pressure game I was taught by Marcus, and the things I have developed on my own about the basics of attacking (even while defending) jiu-jitsu will be more emphasized in the coming months as I prepare my students for their first round of testing(Most will be testing for their first stripe on their white belt...The upper belts will be testing to establish where in their progression they stand....), which is coming the first or second week in November as well as for some upcoming tournaments. Hopefully, we will have some more students in in the coming weeks as I am really working to make this my life's work.<br />On top of all of this, my dream of medalling at the Adult Mundials next year requires that I find my joy, in repetition. The happiness that comes from drilling positions incessantly....The understanding that comes from constantly working to understand the philosophy of position and the ideas necessary to implement to shut down an opponents options until they are forced to present the end game scenario is what I am seeking.<br />Having some sort of cyst in my upper arm is causing me pain, numbness, and loss of strength in my right arm so I am certain it must be removed as will the cysts developing in my right hand which is also causing pain. That said, I received word that my monster in my head(the big C) is in remission and I can only thank God and everyone's prayers for that! No injury, and no hardship will hinder me form my goals. I may be slowed, and I may be held back at times, but I will not be stopped as God is driver!....So....I fight on...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thought For The Day:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Psalms 27 ---</span> <span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15343/trans=KJV.html"> 1 </a>A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15344/trans=KJV.html"> 2 </a>When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15345/trans=KJV.html"> 3 </a>Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15346/trans=KJV.html"> 4 </a>One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15347/trans=KJV.html"> 5 </a>For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15348/trans=KJV.html"> 6 </a>And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15349/trans=KJV.html"> 7 </a>Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15350/trans=KJV.html"> 8 </a>When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15351/trans=KJV.html"> 9 </a>Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15352/trans=KJV.html"> 10 </a>When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15353/trans=KJV.html"> 11 </a>Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15354/trans=KJV.html"> 12 </a>Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15355/trans=KJV.html"> 13 </a>I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="verse"><a class="sup" href="http://www.mybiblescripture.com/Bible/l_op=view-verse/lid=15356/trans=KJV.html"> 14 </a>Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-73766568696979621042009-10-06T15:46:00.005-05:002009-10-08T15:56:35.356-05:00BLACK, GOLD, AND BLUE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SsuuTl67CLI/AAAAAAAABYI/uU8RLJXmL6Q/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SsuuTl67CLI/AAAAAAAABYI/uU8RLJXmL6Q/s320/2009NoGiPanAmAbsSemiFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389593030698928306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SsuuTVvGXwI/AAAAAAAABYA/tuxo1SShpTY/s1600-h/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SsuuTVvGXwI/AAAAAAAABYA/tuxo1SShpTY/s320/2009NoGiPanamAbsFinal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389593026354372354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">PHOTOS BY Luca Atalla(Graciemag.com)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009 NO-GI Pan Ams/2212d343.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">MY PHOTOS</span><br /><br />Weight: 228.8<br /><br />I know I know, I have been lax, but I promise I am back and will be regular once again with the blog! Just putting this up to show what happened this past weekend...Black Eye, Two Gold Medals(Weight-Pessadissimo and Absolute, Sr. 1, Black Belt), and a new outlook on life.<br />When I left, I was only one day out of treatment so it was not the smartest thing to do, but I felt I had to do it. I did not expect much, but with God's grace, I made it through and was very fortunate! I feel like crap, nauseous and weak, and now sore from this weekend, but it was very much so worth it.<br />The last submission I had came from a training session this past week where the 50/50 was the position I started in...Goes to show to drill live positions is the way to go as It was natural even though I have not had much experience with the position at all...Anyways, the weekend itself was really enjoyable despite being lost a few times, but the company and camaraderie with the guys from Alliance and all the other teams as well, was great, the jiu-jitsu was good, and life, no matter how trying, is great!....I fight on...<br /><br /><br />Thought for The Day: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">God is GREAT!<br /><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Videos:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">2nd Match - Absolute - vs. Marcio Silva </span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/TE4-XTKGcqw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/TE4-XTKGcqw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Semi-Final Match - Absolute - vs. Sean Pulizzano</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/WF8kncnvvEw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/WF8kncnvvEw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Final Match - Absolute - vs. Ray Casias</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/EpVF59l7iNU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/EpVF59l7iNU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-48789997917306899712009-08-03T18:19:00.005-05:002009-08-10T12:19:06.656-05:00Blessed To Be On Graciemag.Com Again...Listen to me on BJJEDGE.COM TOO!...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sndyg4MLD8I/AAAAAAAABX4/6xaPmit8vOs/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sndyg4MLD8I/AAAAAAAABX4/6xaPmit8vOs/s320/tn_HPIM2086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365883390200057794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.graciemag.com/data/images/news/categories/cat_51/GM_pesadelonoopen_medalha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 447px; height: 726px;" src="http://www.graciemag.com/data/images/news/categories/cat_51/GM_pesadelonoopen_medalha.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Weight: 217.8<br /><br />Started treatment Friday...Working through my nausea and fatigue but in spite of it all I feel pretty good. Things are still OK! Had to work to day and was hard to focus...b/c on top of the live interview I was blessed with on Http://www.bjjedge.com last night (Go and become a member as there will be a LOT of great things happening there!!!) <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://media.bjjedge.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Interviews-09/StevenHallInterviewGOOD.mp3?AWSAccessKeyId=16Z3ZRSWGGZZ0H1FB902&Expires=1249924703&Signature=zn4G2ifCZheV%2FllQQmu%2BH854zEQ%3D">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW</a></span> I also saw where I have an article that was on the FRONT page of http://www.graciemag.com (thanks and nice meeting you to the reporter Gabriel) ... Here is the link: http://www.graciemag.com/news/144/ARTICLE/15178/2009-08-03.html I am very honored and humbled by this...<br />I meant to say if you guys didn't know, I have been sponsored by GOMGI(www.gomgi.com) for some time now and believe they have the best GIs anywhere...But I picked up a few new sponsors...One of them is Athletic Body Care (www.athleticbodycare.com). I had been a fan of their defense lotion for a while and I am happy to be a representative of their products and I must say the soaps and especially the bath salts are GREAT...Check them out...I am also sponsored by Kelly's Lawn Service and by the great guys over at http://www.jiujitsuforums.com Make certain to go become a member and see the great things going on over there...<br />Will talk more later but have to run for now...I fight on...<br /><br />Thought For The Day: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Do or do not. There is no try!"</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-46734864506100873282009-07-28T15:12:00.015-05:002009-07-30T22:18:30.942-05:00Black Belt Masters & Seniors World Champion!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dGa2WkII/AAAAAAAABXY/FhbEV8laQtI/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dGa2WkII/AAAAAAAABXY/FhbEV8laQtI/s320/tn_IMG_6416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363608046089441410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dGHx2EzI/AAAAAAAABXQ/TVKuszFyOWQ/s1600-h/tn_IMG_6480.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dGHx2EzI/AAAAAAAABXQ/TVKuszFyOWQ/s320/tn_IMG_6480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363608040970261298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dF-AHERI/AAAAAAAABXI/hwUc__d9ixk/s1600-h/tn_IMG_8407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9dF-AHERI/AAAAAAAABXI/hwUc__d9ixk/s320/tn_IMG_8407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363608038345740562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9cpPwuZEI/AAAAAAAABXA/CHWTF8Fnkso/s1600-h/tn_IMG_8004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9cpPwuZEI/AAAAAAAABXA/CHWTF8Fnkso/s320/tn_IMG_8004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363607544896840770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9couPBO1I/AAAAAAAABW4/b7IZsOu4xmY/s1600-h/tn_IMG_8275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9couPBO1I/AAAAAAAABW4/b7IZsOu4xmY/s320/tn_IMG_8275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363607535897099090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9corzq1mI/AAAAAAAABWw/Z50Ge9u2AXU/s1600-h/tn_IMG_1936.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9corzq1mI/AAAAAAAABWw/Z50Ge9u2AXU/s320/tn_IMG_1936.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363607535245514338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9coaJ-KgI/AAAAAAAABWo/FCJAFBbEiXs/s1600-h/tn_HPIM2070.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9coaJ-KgI/AAAAAAAABWo/FCJAFBbEiXs/s320/tn_HPIM2070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363607530507217410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9coN6u0hI/AAAAAAAABWg/bHM27i2U-7s/s1600-h/tn_IMG_1173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Sm9coN6u0hI/AAAAAAAABWg/bHM27i2U-7s/s320/tn_IMG_1173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363607527222071826" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 209.8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >International Masters & Seniors World Championships</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Preta Senior 1 Masculino</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Super Pesado</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Primeiro STEPHEN HALL Alliance</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Segundo PAULO RODRIGUES CURI Peposo Team</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Terceiro NICOLAU MÁRIO Reação</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Terceiro LUCIANO GOULART Ataque Duplo</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Rio International Open</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Preta Adulto Masculino<br />Super Pesado</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Primeiro ANTONIO BRAGA NETO Gordo JJ</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Segundo RODRIGO CAVACA Check Mat Bjj</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Terceiro THIAGO GAIA Nova União</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Terceiro STEPHEN HALL Alliance</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">100 Picture Slide Show</span></span><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Masters%20and%20Seniors%20and%20Rio%20Open/37f56c05.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">MY FIRST MATCH AS A BLACK BELT</span><br />Pesadelo X Rogerio Oliveira<br /></div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6_x2ol7VQI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6_x2ol7VQI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Preta - Sr. 1 - Super Pesado</span><br />Semi- Final And Final<br /></div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6IjEvEbtlXE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6IjEvEbtlXE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wxCSV14qEUg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wxCSV14qEUg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Thought for The Day: <span style="font-weight: bold;">This should be one of the happiest times of my life, but it isn't. </span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-63270808415905551142009-06-13T00:41:00.006-05:002009-06-16T16:26:26.266-05:00PRETA!...Updated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjWchSidqHI/AAAAAAAABWE/DUgDZwTs3a8/s1600-h/tn_DSC00045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjWchSidqHI/AAAAAAAABWE/DUgDZwTs3a8/s320/tn_DSC00045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347352228298336370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjWsTV8VqLI/AAAAAAAABWU/Dg3fP8idAoM/s1600-h/tn_100_0467.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjWsTV8VqLI/AAAAAAAABWU/Dg3fP8idAoM/s320/tn_100_0467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347369580880046258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjM8Zwb1cgI/AAAAAAAABV8/0ekDU9m7mgI/s1600-h/PretaWeb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/SjM8Zwb1cgI/AAAAAAAABV8/0ekDU9m7mgI/s320/PretaWeb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346683595814957570" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 218.4<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Update...</span><br />I honestly have thought of this day, dreamed of this day, and fantasized about what it would be, how it would feel, and what it meant...I honestly still don't know what or how to feel! I am numb. The biggest thing, is that I always held and still hold the wearers of the Faixa Preta in such high esteem as to have them be akin to super heroes in my eyes. As much as I have been confident in my abilities, and confident in my skills, I just never felt I could live up to being seen in that light. Jiu-Jitsu has kept me alive. It has given me incentive to do things that are conducive to living well, healthy, and with good peace of mind. Anyways, Coach Allen and Coach Marcus felt I was worthy and I even had Professor Jacare' tell me that my belt was well deserved, so who am I not to feel that I am?<br />A good and bad thing about milestones in life, is that they present an opportunity to see what people really feel about you. People harbor opinions of you within themselves which become their reality. No matter what you do, say, or how you act, they feel that this is the truth and how it really is, no matter what is evident in the contrary in reality. It is really hurtful to find this out from people you care about. Especially painful is to find out they already were doing things behind your back because of their incorrect ASSumptions and opinions. It's even hurtful when you work really hard to do or be something and find out even total strangers have negative opinions of you. All that said, I guess it is a good thing, because it allows you to rid yourself of those who care not enough to get inside of you to see what is really there. Take the time for someone you claim to care about, to listen and understand what they need or want even if it is not how you think it should be done. This is something Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that every situation can be approached and handled differently...You can see and assume something is a certain way, but until u approach it on it's own terms and merits (NOT under what you ASSUME it to be.) you will most certainly always make the wrong decision about it.<br />Jiu-Jitsu has been a guide in changing my life, in helping me to be a better person, in allowing me to express myself to the world. I'd always believed that between this and my attempting to be a good father to my daughter, I could be at least a decent person. Well, my daughter is gone to be living with her mother now, and I truly feel as lost as I was as a white belt. I can not concentrate, I can not focus, and I can not deal with the things good or bad as they should be dealt with. I hope that I can find focus again. As in jiu-jitsu when things go wrong, even a tad bit, they go horribly wrong in a downhill spiral, but there is always a chance, if you keep fighting, that you could snatch victory from the precipice of defeat at the last minute when you feel you can take no more. I hope that comes back to me.<br />I have a few more goals to add to my list now.....One of which, is to compete two more years (I would be 40 in 2011)at the Mundials. Another is to go down to Masters&Seniors in July and to win my division...The others I will post later but to live up to the trust has been placed in me...I fight on...<br /><br /><br />Thought For The Day: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"One day, I will wake up and no longer be able to do this: Today is NOT that day!"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >- author unknown<br /><br /></span>Thought For The Day2: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Cultivate the poise of a dead man. The samurai should be incapable of being emotionally aroused, particularly by lust, greed, pride, jealousy or anger."<br /><br /></span><span>Thought For The Day 3:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "If you are not with me, you are against me."<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-57665665942391339412009-06-08T22:43:00.005-05:002009-06-09T17:32:51.823-05:003rd and 38.....Updated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYSi9kRI/AAAAAAAABV0/VLCZEAfe0VQ/s1600-h/tn_HPIM1809.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYSi9kRI/AAAAAAAABV0/VLCZEAfe0VQ/s320/tn_HPIM1809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345175040658608402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYHMnXNI/AAAAAAAABVs/SePo4trCKFo/s1600-h/tn_HPIM1802.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYHMnXNI/AAAAAAAABVs/SePo4trCKFo/s320/tn_HPIM1802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345175037612088530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYLZ0m3I/AAAAAAAABVk/t9owAhmS7Cs/s1600-h/tn_HPIM1804.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/Si3gYLZ0m3I/AAAAAAAABVk/t9owAhmS7Cs/s320/tn_HPIM1804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345175038741224306" border="0" /></a><br />Weight: 218.4<br /><br />Life's a bitch sometimes...In the midst of it being at it's most highest point of bitchtivity(yes it's a word cuz I say so), it can really give you the boost you need to keep going!...Oh, and while I think about putting the weekend down into the blog, I'd like to go on record as stating that dog farts are the most horrid thing on earth!!! EWwww...Beneful gives my dog gas, but as she is back to herself, I am happy she is eating...<br />On to the Jiu-Jitsu....I got Third Place at This Weekend's World Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Championships...Brown Belt, Super Heavyweight Division...and the Alliance team won the team championship by a WIDE margin...<br /><br />Day One:<br />Got up about 4am...got to the airport and hit the plane for a smooth flight about 6:10am....Couldn't sleep even though I was exhausted as my knee bothered me badly..haven't said much before the tournament b/c I did not want it out to opponents, but I couldn't bear much weight on my left knee when flexed and it hurt constantly...Gonna have to hit the ortho doc to have it checked...Got in to have the rental company charge a $500 deposit before checking to see that my rental was prepaid which should have been a $50 deposit(They reversed it but even so, it had to wait until it hit my bank to drop off...This would not happen until Monday night as they don't process over the weekend....This, on top of the fact that deductibles from my hospital and from my car being wrecked were taken out a week earlier then they should have which left me with pretty much NO money for the weekend...Anyways...I had snacks etc and needed to work off some weight as I was a few pounds over anyway...got to the hotel and unwound a bit...Then went off to the pyramid at Cal St LB...got there too late to see Sampson's matches so I went up to the stands to join the team...It always feels great to be received as family when I see these guys...they always treat me well and it was great to see all the folks I hadn't in some time...Anyways saw a LOT of great matches including some from some names you will hear for some time to come, David Bass, Johnathan Thomas, and Michel Langhi...The latter two closed out their division with Michel getting his new brown belt on the podium! I also got to see and talk with some friends from http://www.jiujitsuforums.com and got to talk with a lot of folks who read the blog...this was started so I could keep track of what I did, how I felt, and what was memorable through my travels in the art, and several times the notion has struck me to make it private, but to hear so many say this inspires them and that they enjoy reading my boring ranting made me feel great...Meeting these people and being in that atmosphere really made me know that I have found what I was meant to do in life! Thank you all who care enough to take the time to read here!...I spent the day running back and forth to the locker room and the scale trying to make certain I was making weight...Left that night with a headache and about a half pound cushion...Got back to the hotel feeling a tad bit exhausted and weird...Decided to try to do some cardio to sweat off a pound or two to allow me to be able to eat some as I had put some of the little $ I had left aside to do so...Changed into some shorts and went down stairs...b the time I walked across the lobby and into the fitness center, I was having horrible chills and shaking uncontrollably...It was hard to keep from looking like I was on crack as I shook so bad my walking was crooked as I tried to hurry tot he elevator...Then I tried to contain myself so the folks who were staring in the elevator didn't think I had swine flu and call the CDC on me...I get back into my room and jump into a hot shower...The shaking stopped, until I got out when it returned worse...I almost crumpled to the floor, but I got on my shorts and t-shirt and put on the hotel robe and got extra blankets from the closet and got in bed...Took me about an hour to stop shaking and another hour to get to bed as all I could think of was getting choked out early...Only good thing was....<br /><br />Day Two:<br />I woke up about 4 lbs under weight...So I wasn't shaking when I awoke but I was exhausted and a tad bit sore..someone said it might have been from not eating and trying to cut weight...If so, I am going to work on getting my weight up to about 240 now so I don't have to worry about cutting, and I can handle those huge guys at Pessadissimo...Anyways I get to the gym early and make certain I am prepared mentally and as time nears for my match I notice the high level of talent this year...Also notice how much better in shape everyone seems to be than I am as well as how much younger everyone looks! My confidence is really gone about now...I felt that I only wanted to get on the mat, and not look stupid and I would be ok...Well I take my first match by walk over as my opponent does not make weight...My next two matches go arm-bar, then combination arm-bar/triangle...Both in less than one minute...I am through to the semi-finals...Suffice it to say, that in this match, I had pts that were not called for me, pts called against that should not have been, a horribly incorrect re-start position, and a missed submission attempt I should have finished so I was not happy with the calls and feel like that match was taken for me...That said, my opponent ended up winning the title and is a great guy...the ref.........that's all I have to say about thaaat....Besides tearing off half a fingernail and bending up 3 others and hurting my neck a tad bit, I was really ok with my performance and for an old guy of 38, I did put in a decent showing against the young ones at the Mundials...At least I think so...That evening after I cooled off about the reffing, I caught some great black belt matches! I also got a new sponsor http://www.bjjedge.com that will help me to cover reg costs and allow me to do a few things such as write and show some techniques as well...Thanks Pesh!...Will tell you guys more about this in my next post, as I'd like to cover everything that will happen with it first...That said, ANYONE who practices the gentle art, and perhaps in some other areas would be wise to get in on this soon...So I walked out a little dejected but feeling good as I had a few more folks tell me they recognized me from the blog and that they liked and followed it!...So after saying my goodbyes...I got in the car...and knew after that night was ending and I was driving to my hotel late that night, that our brown belt teams put Alliance in place to cruise to victory as a team!<br /><br />Day Three:<br />All I can say is the atmosphere was electric..I got there about 10am...And watched as our black belts put in a clinic...Between having the entire team together and chanting back and forth between us and Gracie Barra/Gracie Humaita/etc the hours flew by...I got to see more good friends, including Big Rick who trains up in Washington and is only six weeks removed from brain tumor removal and therapy who competed this weekend! Needless to say, Again, I was inspired...Watching Jacare' come back after his illness, watching folks overcome their shortcomings and hardships and being int he company of people who had so much good will with one another even int he midst of harsh competition makes me happy I found Jiu-Jitsu...It was wonderful...As we took the team trophy that night it was just the perfect end to a great weekend...Even got a picture with Roger Gracie...He seems so huge on the mats but after standing near him, I am about the same size and actually weigh more than him now...Hope to one day be able to at least match his strength and even half his technique though...I will work on it...I talked at the end of the night to Caleb from http://wwwthefightworkspodcast.com and we shared how he is doing after his injury and about coming back to train as well as had him tell me more about folks who enjoy my blog which lifted my spirits as well...even though I was broke, hungry, hurting, and really down about my real life before I came, and dreaded returning to it as things are only worsening...I knew I made the right decision to do so, and am really glad God decided to bless someone so unworthy with such abundance...If I did not have my daughter and Jiu-Jitsu, I would die, as it seems everything else crumbles...So...the old man continues....I fight on...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Thought For The Day:<br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Who steals my purse steals trash; tis something, nothing;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">twas mine, tis his, and has been slave to thousands</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But he that filches from me my good name</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Robs me of that which not enriches him</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And makes me poor indeed.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">-Iago</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w256.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w256.photobucket.com/albums/hh188/Pesadelo_Triangulo/2009%20Mundials/1bde10a1.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251064345692094172.post-49334037867653673182009-05-23T12:52:00.004-05:002009-05-23T16:58:44.786-05:00I Know that It's Comin'...I Just Hope That I'm Alive For It...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhNK5ZBb6I/AAAAAAAABVM/3FxsX9pJr7Y/s1600-h/tn_IMG_1408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhNK5ZBb6I/AAAAAAAABVM/3FxsX9pJr7Y/s320/tn_IMG_1408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339102207847526306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhNKmB_BnI/AAAAAAAABVE/oeSz-GM9iv0/s1600-h/tn_IMG_1403.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhNKmB_BnI/AAAAAAAABVE/oeSz-GM9iv0/s320/tn_IMG_1403.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339102202650625650" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhPY_vPJOI/AAAAAAAABVc/Q0njk8zygHM/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhPY_vPJOI/AAAAAAAABVc/Q0njk8zygHM/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339104649092736226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">www.peshphoto.com</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhPYvGaCHI/AAAAAAAABVU/qw0EBRgZUVU/s1600-h/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_21uj1-MhlI8/ShhPYvGaCHI/AAAAAAAABVU/qw0EBRgZUVU/s320/tn_StevePanJJ-ALL-0036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339104644626516082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">www.peshphoto.com</span></span></div><br />Weight: 218.2<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">First Of All - R.I.P. Uncle Percy</span><br />There is a concept I have read of called <a href="http://www.aesopian.com/68/what-is-aliveness-by-matt-thornton/">Aliveness</a> <span style="font-size:85%;">(Click Here To Read About It)</span> in BJJ that I have played around with. I took a lot from this article and really sat and thought a lot about how I could expand upon this for myself...The concept says that Aliveness is timing, energy, and motion. For something to truly be alive, it must possess all these three elements. I have been playing around with this idea and added my own philosophy to it lately. In addition to those three things, I think that to be in the Aliveness state in BJJ requires a true state of openness...Meaning to be in the moment at all times...If you are truly IN the moment, and possess all of the other attributes, then you will always be ahead of your opponent...The philosophy of the technique/position you are trying to implement must also be understood...Not merely the mechanics of the technique or position, but the actual objective and aim of it which also gives you ability to tie it in to other techniques/positions without thought...<br /><br />All that said, I have been attempting to use this in my own practices instead of merely drilling/rolling etc...It has paid off great dividends as between the great instruction I hvae been receiving, and the work I DO put in to drilling/rolling, the understanding and ability to be alive within the moment has really been evolving...The last few practice sessions I have had have really been great...I actually allowed myself to triangle someone yesterday... I have purposely pushed myself away from the technique in the recent months...At first it felt like I was really ineffective...That said, with my recent success from the top game in Rio, and with the lessons learned from Coach Marcus and Coach Allen, it was the best thing I could ever do...My passing has become very heavy and crisp, and I still have a LOT I can improve upon...That gives me hope that I can actually one day be close to the level I would like to attain...I still have much work to do to get to the proper body positioning for the half guard/x-guard passes...Especially working to get my knee down properly to prevent the x-guard pass has been problematic, but because of the great understanding I have received from my privates with Coach Marcus on that position, I at least understand the objective, and have been able to adapt and adjust on the fly, even when I don't get to the "perfect" position....Also, with the same info on a couple of my favorite side control submissions (Especially the Paper-Cutter Choke) I got from Coach Allen, I can adjust to ensure success with the position even when I don't quite get there from the beginning...<br /><br />I had gotten some confidence that I would be able to at least win a match or two at Mundials from my performance at the Brazilian Nationals...Also, the practices I have been having have been crisp, while my cardio has been holding up well...This helps me to feel like I can at least be competitive enough not to look silly out there...In short, I felt like my being(and feeling) as old as I am could be over come, at least for a weekend at the World Championships...Also, had Coach Allen ask me the other day after watching me practice, what brand/type Black Belt I wanted, as he wanted me to have the kind I liked...That all depends upon me winning my division, which I am really not too sure I will come anywhere near doing...Well, it's the last few days until the registration deadline (Tuesday, 26 May 2009), and now the plane tickets have jumped from $229 to $449...Would still have to get a hotel room, and a rental car as well...Due to a lot going on in my life...I won't be able to afford to go...Maybe it is for the best, as I don't feel, even with how good I have been doing, that I am near warranting the promotion...I will have to work hard to get a sponsor or two to be able to get to some of these tournaments as things aren't so good as they used to be,where I could handle these type things myself...So if anyone knows any companies/individuals who would be a candidate to be a sponsor, please let me know...<br /><br />Some great news...Coach Allen has made it possible for me and my school to become an official member of the Alliance organization...This will allow for a lot of benefits to the school...This is a really good thing to happen! I look forward to being a very productive member, and living up to the trust instilled in me.<br />Also...congratulations to my good friend Tyler Bosard....He received his Black Belt today from Draculino and Leo Cantu...He has been a great friend and also is my equipment sponsor (www.gomgi.com - best GIs and grappling gear in the world!!!) ...Tyler runs Gracie Barra - RGV...If you are ever down in that area...Make sure to pay his school a visit!...He is a very technical and knowledgeable BJJ artist! Congrats Tyler!!!<br /><br />It seems in BJJ there is a LOT of loss to deal with...It is something that both builds character, and teaches how to overcome adversity within the art itself...Been dealing with a lot of loss of confidence as I really just know enough to be dangerous now...Knowing the things I do, I can see how far I am from being what people think I am on the mat...I really hope to be able to live up to these thoughts of me in the near future and will be on the mat as much as I can, to be able to move forward...It's just humbling to know how much you really don't know...To look at yourself and not see the person everyone else does...That said, BJJ for me is a microcosm of life...Loss sucks ass, but I am trying my best to take it, and hope to make something positive from it if that is at all possible...I never thought that I would still be alive now, much less being able to do anything productive...So...I fight on...<br /><br /><br />Thought For the Day: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Death is not the greatest loss in life...The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."</span><span class="sqq"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0