Tonight

I plan to try some light rolling during class. This will be the first time since the injury. Hopefully I can find someone who is willing to go at less than full force. I want to get in there and roll a bit, but I don't want to aggravate it. I am hoping for the best. I will report back later.

This weekend should be an interesting weekend, MMA-wise. Tomorrow night is the Elite XC show on CBS. I am interested to see this Kimbo Slice guy fight. I have watched some of the videos of his "backyard" bare knuckle fights on Youtube, and looking at the guys he has beat up, honestly I think a trained fighter with technique is going to hand him his head. The guy seems to be just a brawler and a thug. I would love to see a skilled jiu-jitsu fighter take him to the ground and make him tap. Here's hoping it happens.

Sunday night is the Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver fight for the WEC featherweight title. I am pulling for Pulver on this one. Pulver is a good guy and willing to be open about his Christian beliefs. The fight is in Sacramento, which is Faber country, so I dunno what will happen. Should be a good fight. If it goes to the ground it is likely to be Faber's fight. If Pulver can keep it standing, he stands a good chance at knocking Faber out. I'll pick Pulver by knockout.

Last night was a good night

We had a good time at Hooters last night for UFC 84. It was definitely crowded, but we got there early enough to get a good seat near a TV. On my main card predictions, I went 2-1. I had predicted Tito Ortiz to beat Machida, but Machida got a unanimous decision over Ortiz, which he deserved. Tito looked less than impressive in this fight. Wanderlei Silva went through Keith Jardine in 36 seconds, knocking him down and then pouncing on him for a referee stoppage/TKO. The Penn/Sherk fight was stopped at the end of round 3 after Penn caught Sherk with a knee and pounced on him. The horn went off, but the ref declared Sherk unable to continue and stopped the fight.
See below for the end of Penn/Sherk:

Vegetables and other things

This morning, we went to Home Depot and got tomato, cucumber, and pepper plants. We had experimented in past years with tomatoes and peppers and had had limited success because we were growing them in pots under our back deck, where they weren't getting as much sunlight as might be optimal. This year we decided to designate part of the back yard near our fence as the vegetable garden. The veggies are planted and watered and time will tell how they do. We then came into the house and did some baking together. We baked a Caribbean pineapple rum cake that we are going to be taking with us when we go to my folks' house tomorrow to do Mother's Day. We also baked 2 loaves of banana bread. Yum!

I went to class again last night and again did technique work, working on the armbar, the variaton on the Ezekiel Choke, and the Von Flue Choke again. The ribs are at about 70-75% I think. Going to give it at least another week before I roll with anyone, though. It is tough sitting there watching the others roll, though. I am looking forward to getting back in there soon.

Julia and I are going to go to the Hooters in Lawrenceville this evening to watch UFC 84: Ill Will. It should be a good card.

The headline fight is BJ Penn Vs. Sean Sherk. I think it is going to be a good fight, but will predict BJ to win by submission in the second round.

Another fight will be Tito Ortiz Vs. Lyoto Machida. Pundits on the web are predicting Machida to beat Ortiz decisively. That may very well be true. However, I think that Ortiz wants to go out of UFC with a victory and be able to rub Dana White's nose in it, so I will go with Ortiz as the winner here. I will say TKO by strikes in round 3.

Another fight on the card is Wanderlei Silva Vs. Keith Jardine. Jardine has some interesting and unexpected wins (Forrest Griffin, Chuck Lidell), but he is up against a nasty opponent here. I will say Silva wins here. Not going to predict how or when.

I am interested to see how my predictions work out.

Ribs, Gas, and life

I just returned from another visit to see Dr. Dave at Dacula Chiropractic. I had debated canceling the appointment and not going, but I am glad I went ahead and went. He only adjusted the anterior (front), which is where my pain is centered at this point. He just used the activator device so it is an easy, "finesse" adjustment, not a brute force crackle-pop fest. I am going to go to class again tomorrow night and see how it goes. Probably will hold off one more week before trying to roll, but I think things are moving in a productive direction

This morning, on the way in to work, I went to QuikTrip at 85 and Chamblee-Tucker to gas up the Honda. $3.80 a gallon, adding up to over 50 dollars to fill the tank. I am really not sure how people who are only making minimum wage are doing it. If gas prices continue to rise, and they say that they are going to, there is going to come a point where those people will be LOSING money by going to work. What happens then? I don't know.

Life is good. I am in a very happy place. I have a great life, a wonderful wife, a great home, good job, incredible dogs, hobbies that I am passionate about. Things are really coming together nicely. And ya know, even when things are temporarily tough, they will get better, you'll learn from them, and come out better and stronger. As our boy Forrest Griffin said so wisely, "the juice is worth the squeeze"



Drink up, my friends!

Things are looking up

The pain is slowly fading. It is definitely still a bit tender, but not as bad anymore. I went to the gym this morning and ran 3.4 miles and have plans this coming Monday to run the Memorial Day 5K in Dacula Park. I am planning to go to class tomorrow and Friday evening. I am probably not going to roll, but will do technique drilling and such. Below are two more techniques Frank taught us last Friday night. The first one is a variation of the Americana, done from side control. The second is the ankle lock. The Americana I feel pretty comfortable with. The ankle lock is interesting in that you are strongly encouraged to tap early with that hold. You'll feel pressure, but if you start to feel legitimate pain, damage has been done. If someone sinks it in good on you, it is a good idea to call it a match and not end up with a damaged knee.

Arm Triangle from Mount

This is a demonstration of the arm triangle from the mount that I learned last night. This gets very tight very quick.

Tales From The Spinebuster

Well, I am feeling a bit better. I went to class last night and told Frank that it was not one, but three ribs that were out. He sympathized a bit, but not too much. It is, after all, part of the jiu-jitsu game---and, I can accept that. Karl was the only other one there besides me. We did a short class where Frank showed us some techniques that really didn't put any stress or pressure on the chest. We did an arm triangle from the mount, a triangle choke from the mount, an Americana from side control, and the ankle lock. I really like the arm triangle. I think that one is one I am going to try to really become very proficient with. That hold is very much based upon leverage. It is in no way a strength-related hold. Once you are positioned right and put the squeeze on, the lights will start to go out pretty quick without a tap. Good stuff. I will try to post videos of the techniques later today.

I went back to the chiropractor this morning and they hooked me up to an electro-stim machine, which runs low-level current through your muscles, while icepacks are applied. It felt HEAVENLY. Then I got adjusted again. That was less than heavenly but I do think it is helping. The acute pain area is definitely the left front ribs. But, all is well.

In pain

I am hurting this morning. The pain is actually a bit worse now than it was prior to seeing the chiropractor. I hope I did the right thing by going. We will see. Hopefully it is going to start to feel better.

Double Under Hook Guard Pass

This was one of the first guard passes I learned and the one I feel the most competent with thus far.

Back from the Chiropractor

I went to Dr. Dave this afternoon. I told him what had happened, in some detail so he could have a picture of the mechanics and forces that were at play. He then had me lie prone (facedown) on the adjustment table and palpated down my ribs. THREE ribheads were out! He told me "this is gonna hurt like a sonuvagun" and then proceeded to adjust them, popping them back into proper alignment. He also said it is possible I may have some slight cartilage damage in the front. He advised me to keep icing the areas and taking Aleve. I have 2 more appointments to make sure (one on Saturday morning, 1 more on Monday afternoon). I am going to go to class tomorrow night, but have no plans to roll. Just observe and try to pick up some technique. I am still sore, but it is different, and I feel like I am (hopefully) on the mend.

Rib Injury

This pas week, I have been nursing a rib injury sustained as a result of BJJ. I was at class on Friday evening. I was the only one who showed up, so it was just me and Frank. He was showing me some general theory and some guard passing and such. I had him in my guard. He went to pass, put pressure on my chest, and we both felt something pop. He thinks he popped a rib head out. I have been in mild to moderate pain from this for the last week. I have done some research and have found out that with this type of injury, chiropractic care can sometimes assist. I have made an appointment with Dr. Dave in Dacula this afternoon and will report later on what happens.

Rear Naked Choke

This one is also very effective and works very quickly if it is sunk in deep. It quickly becomes a choice of tap or go to sleep

Americana From The Mount

This was the first submission I learned. Very effective. Definitely feel it when applied properly.

Blog Resurrection!

Matt here again! I am going to make a strong effort to update this blog much more frequently than I have in the past. I am going to use this space to talk about my interests and things going on in my life.

I have been continuing to run on a frequent basis and am trying to get in 15-20 miles a week on a general basis. I am training for the Peachtree Road Race, which is a 10k (6.2 miles) on July 4th and am also going to be running a half-marathon (13.1 miles) by the end of the year. I am also continuing to work on my Masters degree in Emergency Management through Jacksonville State University near Anniston, Alabama. I have also very recently begun studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Tomekichi Martial Arts here in Dacula, under Frank Maryska.

BJJ has been an interesting experience so far. I am feeling a bit banged up but am enjoying it. I am learning a lot, but it is a pretty steep learning curve. I enjoy the technique demonstrations and drills, but am getting the most out of "rolling" or sparring with other students as that is how you learn in a "real world" situation and build experience. In these past few weeks, I have been caught in innumerable predicaments and submission holds by Frank and the other students. I am beginning to recognize by the movements of my opponent when they are wanting to attempt something and am starting to be able to anticipate and defend a little bit. I have yet to tap anyone else out, but that day will come. In this blog, I will list what skills we have gone over each week and try to embed a video link to a demo of the skill.

Thus far, I have learned (more or less :-) ) the following holds or moves:

Aussie Floyd Rocked!

Julia and I had a great time at the Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Fox Theatre last night. We rode MARTA down and got off at the North Avenue station, which, it turns out, is right behind the Fox. Who knew? We walked over and had dinner at Mary Mac's Tea Room nearby on Ponce. The food was pretty good and it was a cool place to try for dinner.

The concert itself was a nice cross section of the music of Pink Floyd. They opened the show with "Shine On (You Crazy Diamond)", with a nice image of Syd Barrett coming up on the screen at the end of the song. The first set was a mix of some well-known stuff ("Money", "Time") and some of their more obscure work ("Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun"). The show began at 7:30 and they played until 9:00. At that point, they took a 20 minute break. When they resumed, the stage went dark and the keyboard player began to noodle around, fittingly, with the tune of "Waltzing Matilda". Suddenly, without warning, the entire band kicks into "In The Flesh" The rest of the show was a mix of cuts off THE WALL and DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. When they did "Great Gig In The Sky", the female background vocalist who did the wailing solo just blew the roof off the joint. They closed the main show with "Comfortably Numb" and then encored with "Hey You" and "Run Like Hell". A really great concert. Highly recommend TAPFS.

This weekend

This weekend, so far, has been tough. I have been fighting a sinus infection since October 20th. I thought I had it licked. I went through one round of antibiotics back in late October and had it pretty much knocked. The only thing I had left was a lingering cough. Well, the last couple of days, the cough began to worsen and on Friday afternoon, I decided to go back to the doctor. I am glad I did. The doc took a look at my throat and asked if it hurt to swallow. I said a little, but not a whole lot. Well, long story short, I have an upper respiratory infection. She even discovered that one of my lymph nodes on the left side of my neck was a bit swollen. She gave me another round of antibiotics and a different decongestant to try. Hopefully this will finally, really get it. Being sick sucks. I have felt marginally lousy today and have been a jerk to be around. We are starting to paint what will be Emma's room this coming week and that involved taking everything out of the room. Because Julia's back is still recovering, I did most of the heavy work, which is as it should be. I was not fun to be around while doing it, though.
Julia's having a tough weekend too. Her grandmother, Granny, is in the hospital in Chattanooga with sepsis and is being moved to hospice care. Chances are pretty good that this is probably the end. Our plan is to go up to Chattanooga on Tuesday to say our goodbyes. Tomorrow afternoon/evening, we are celebrating our 8th anniversary by going to dinner and to see the Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Fox Theatre. Hopefully it will be a good show.

After 32 years, an Atlanta Institution is Over

This morning, at 9am, Atlanta's venerable 96Rock, WKLS, changed formats, moving from a classic rock format to an "active rock" format. A little bit of cool synergy to it is that, when 96Rock went on the air in 1974, they did so by playing "Baba O'Riley" by The Who. Well, this morning, they signed off the same way. They are now Project 961. The format is kind of a mix of a little bit of the stuff they were playing (Metallica, Guns 'n' Roses, Zeppelin), mixed with a lot of 99X type stuff (Buckcherry, Slipknot, etc). The jury is definitely out from my perspective. The new format came in playing "Enter Sandman", which was a nice start, but...I don't know. After 32 years, this sucks. Plus, the entire 96Rock staff was fired too, which sucks for them. Oh well. Maybe more later.

Saturday was good

I dropped Julia off at Archivers to scrapbook for the day. D (CacheOnly75) and I got out there early (9am or so). I met him at the Norcross Park/Ride lot at 85 and Indian Trail. Our first stop was the nearby Pirkle Creek Cache. This one involved a bit of climbing/sliding down a hill. Cache was an ammo box which we found under a log. Next one on the docket was Historic Hooters. This was an easily found skirtlifter micro. This was the first skirtlifter D had seen, so that was a good thing. Onward from there to Elizabeth's Sentimental Common Micro. This one was a nano that was hiding in plain sight on the back of a sign. This was also D's first nano and he was amazed that this was actually the container. After this, we moved further into the old-town part of Norcross to Thrasher Park and did the Historic Norcross multi. This one involved finding some historical information on a plaque and then doing a bit of simple math to come up with the coordinates of the container. The container itself was well-hidden, particularly with the leaves on the ground. Took a bit of pawing around but we eventually found it. We then trotted onward to Welcome To Norcross III This one, D spotted lurking in a hideyhole in an elaborate Welcome To Norcross sign in the Peachtree Corners area. After this cache, I had to pee desperately...So, we took a break at a nearby Publix. And then moved on to another nearby cache, Publix Enemy Takes Centre Stage This is one that I had been out on before with no success. We looked around a bit and D finally spotted it (an Altoid's container), hidden in a crack in the concrete. From there, we moved on to the final one of the day Pony Express At Soggy Grass Stop Cache While there, we ran into Benatic, another cacher. Benatic actually found the cache. It was a good day.

Preparing to head out caching

Julia's going to Archivers for a day of scrapbooking (hope her back holds out), so I am hooking up with Daniel (CacheOnly75) for some caching. There are supposed to be thunderstorms moving in this afternoon, so hopefully we can dodge them. We're going to go and do the Norcross area, so we're meeting at the Park/Ride on Indian Trail. I went out to Snellville yesterday and had some lousy luck. I attempted 5 and found 2. Did one of Doug and Linda's caches that was a pretty neat variation on a common hiding style (fence-post cap). DNF'ed another of theirs. Also went out for the 4th time on one that I just cannot put my hands on. It is definitely there because other folks are finding it. Frustrating. Oh well. Hopefully luck will be with us today. Typically after a crappy day, luck-wise, the next time you go out you're unstoppable. Today should be the day to break 650. Only need 7 to hit it. I'll do another entry with results later and will talk about other stuff too.

In the meantime, I will leave you with the following nuggets of joy:

If England can do this, why can't we?


The caption speaks for itself


Nice Haircut!

Might try to do some caching on Saturday

This week has been tough...between the election results, Julia's back having problems, Rumsfeld resigning, work being crazy-busy...Going to try to get out and do some caching on Saturday. Thinking about the Snellville/Lilburn area possibly. Pretty excited. This weekend, if all goes well, I should break 650 finds. I am at 641 right now. Snellville has quite a few, so I think it will be an appropriate area to go to.