Here's where I'm at with my goals:
Workouts Logged: 28. Goal: 300. That's my biggest workout month in almost a year and I'm still adjusting to my work schedule. Really good sign.
MMA Fights: 0. Goal: 3. I'm rebuilding my game. It's gonna be a long road, but I believe in myself and this will happen.
Learn to Surf: No.
Learn to Paint: No.
Learn to Play Chess: No.
Suit Up: Sadly no.
On Work/Life Balance: Didn't get to suit up and haven't been out all month. did get some training in, but not nearly as much as I'd like. Adjusting to the new job and how much work I have wasn't a surprise, but it's been a grind. Things are leveling off and I'm looking for big things in Feb.
Being Social: Haven't been out or really got to talk to my few friends out here with my work schedule. That and with the Ravens losing in the AFC title game, I don't have a reason to watch the Super Bowl. Hoping to find somewhere to go for UFC 143 on Saturday.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Renovator
In nature, certain animals are harbingers about bad fortunes. Maggots, flies, jackals, vultures, buzzards and hyenas are all signs that death has happened or is imminent.
In literature, there are several themes and images that are used as devices to signify trouble.
In life, I think I am 1 of those signs.
Since my first job when I started working in the fitness department of the sheriff's office, I've been charged with either overhauling operations or building them from scratch. I'm fungus on a dead tree, if your company hires me, it means decay has set in.
I'm like Michael Clayton, except I don't have to break laws to hide the laws you've already broken.
Many people would feel bad about this. Think about it, EVERY SINGLE JOB I've been hired for had some major and glaring problem that needed to be fixed. And every time within 1 year, I got put in charge of fixing it.
Before people started hiring me to fix their problems, it would seem that I got hired because the place kinda sucks.
Sure, after that, I started getting brought in to solve problems, but that's not much better. Now, the responsibility to undo the wrongs is mine. It only seems like I've been in the work force for a long time, but I'm not even 30 yet.
Let that sink in: I have under a decade of work experience, I'm 27 years old and I'm on company reconstruction job #4. My ENTIRE career has been overhauling gym businesses.
Where's my reality show on Spike Tv?
Oh, that's right, I got jerked around by their tattoo show...
Don't get me wrong, I'm honored that some many people have trusted me so much at a young age and with little experience to update and upgrade their operations. Maybe there's hope after all. Maybe it's not all about a DOB and how many pages your resume is. Maybe people can just tell if you're smart enough to know how to change things, have the courage to try and if you have the work ethic to see it through.
In literature, there are several themes and images that are used as devices to signify trouble.
In life, I think I am 1 of those signs.
Since my first job when I started working in the fitness department of the sheriff's office, I've been charged with either overhauling operations or building them from scratch. I'm fungus on a dead tree, if your company hires me, it means decay has set in.
I'm like Michael Clayton, except I don't have to break laws to hide the laws you've already broken.
Many people would feel bad about this. Think about it, EVERY SINGLE JOB I've been hired for had some major and glaring problem that needed to be fixed. And every time within 1 year, I got put in charge of fixing it.
Before people started hiring me to fix their problems, it would seem that I got hired because the place kinda sucks.
Sure, after that, I started getting brought in to solve problems, but that's not much better. Now, the responsibility to undo the wrongs is mine. It only seems like I've been in the work force for a long time, but I'm not even 30 yet.
Let that sink in: I have under a decade of work experience, I'm 27 years old and I'm on company reconstruction job #4. My ENTIRE career has been overhauling gym businesses.
Where's my reality show on Spike Tv?
Oh, that's right, I got jerked around by their tattoo show...
Don't get me wrong, I'm honored that some many people have trusted me so much at a young age and with little experience to update and upgrade their operations. Maybe there's hope after all. Maybe it's not all about a DOB and how many pages your resume is. Maybe people can just tell if you're smart enough to know how to change things, have the courage to try and if you have the work ethic to see it through.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Fight Picks for UFC on Fox 2
The 1st real card of the the Fox deal. We get 3 fight on the main card on Fox and all but 1 on Fuel TV, which sucks for Camozzi and Jacoby. Dana promises this is full-scale UFC. Looking at the line up, he's not messing around.
Quick picks: Beltran, Roller, Swanson, Einemo and Dunham. Lotta good, entertaining fights here!
Match Up: Demian Maia vs Chris Wiedman
Storyline: Maia was all set to tango with cardmate Michael Bisping until 11 days before the fight when Mark Munoz got injured and the card had to get shuffled. Now the Brazilian gets Weidman on short notice.
Breakdown: Wiedman has a good wrestling pedigree and some slick submissions, but Maia could be the best BJJ practitioner in the Zuffa family. Yes, that means you Werdum, Jacare, Penn, Mir, Palhares and Diazes. He's also joined Blackhouse and has shown improving striking.
Final Thoughts: I was looking forward to seeing Bisping getting choked, but Maia is a lot of fun to watch.
Pick: Maia 2nd rd sub.
CO-MAIN EVENT
Match Up: Michael Bisping vs Chael Sonnen
Storyline: "The undefeated, undisputed Middleweight champion of the world and the best damn middleweight to ever live" was set to squart off with friend Mark Munoz until a nasty elbow injury happened to the Filipino Wreckin Machine. Now the Oregonian is in a war of words and fists with the brash Brit. This is a fight we've all wanted for over a year. Winner gets the next shot at Anderson Silva for "the pretend belt."
Breakdown: Sick stat, Chael has never been out struck. That in mind, he's going to try to get Bisping to the ground and grind out a win and hope The Count screws up and give him an easy choke. Bisping, who has by far the better striking game of the 2 also has a career 65+% takedown defense.
Final Thoughts: Should be entertaining as hell and either way, the talking in the interview and presser will be GREAT. It would be nice to see both lose to just shut them up.
Pick: Tough call and could go either way. I really think Bisping could do it, but I'll give the nod to Chael in a split decision.
THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING
Match Up: Phil Davis vs Rashad Evans
Storyline: This was originally slated for UFC 133, the Mr Wonderful tore his ACL. Since the announcement, Suga has been talking more trash than normal (somehow). Adding to the interest, we have a MSU Spartan taking on a Penn State Nittany Lion, making this # 1 contender's bout also for the B1G wrestling title.
Breakdown: 2 great wrestlers are gonna fight. Davis has the better pedigee. We saw improved striking out of Evans last time out vs Tito Ortiz. Rashad also has great speed, good size and a lot of experience. Davis does possess a mutant physique. If his striking has improved in the the year he has been out, this could be a stand up war as I project the wrestling to cancel out.
Final Thoughts: Not sure what I'd rather see: Davis KO Evans to shut him up or Evans win and Jones TKO's him and shuts him up.
Pick: Everything points to Rashad winning this one close. Almost to the point I feel like we're underestimating Phil. I'd love to see him win and this is anyone's fight, so he could, but I think Rashad's experience give him a narrow decision win.
Quick picks: Beltran, Roller, Swanson, Einemo and Dunham. Lotta good, entertaining fights here!
Match Up: Demian Maia vs Chris Wiedman
Storyline: Maia was all set to tango with cardmate Michael Bisping until 11 days before the fight when Mark Munoz got injured and the card had to get shuffled. Now the Brazilian gets Weidman on short notice.
Breakdown: Wiedman has a good wrestling pedigree and some slick submissions, but Maia could be the best BJJ practitioner in the Zuffa family. Yes, that means you Werdum, Jacare, Penn, Mir, Palhares and Diazes. He's also joined Blackhouse and has shown improving striking.
Final Thoughts: I was looking forward to seeing Bisping getting choked, but Maia is a lot of fun to watch.
Pick: Maia 2nd rd sub.
CO-MAIN EVENT
Match Up: Michael Bisping vs Chael Sonnen
Storyline: "The undefeated, undisputed Middleweight champion of the world and the best damn middleweight to ever live" was set to squart off with friend Mark Munoz until a nasty elbow injury happened to the Filipino Wreckin Machine. Now the Oregonian is in a war of words and fists with the brash Brit. This is a fight we've all wanted for over a year. Winner gets the next shot at Anderson Silva for "the pretend belt."
Breakdown: Sick stat, Chael has never been out struck. That in mind, he's going to try to get Bisping to the ground and grind out a win and hope The Count screws up and give him an easy choke. Bisping, who has by far the better striking game of the 2 also has a career 65+% takedown defense.
Final Thoughts: Should be entertaining as hell and either way, the talking in the interview and presser will be GREAT. It would be nice to see both lose to just shut them up.
Pick: Tough call and could go either way. I really think Bisping could do it, but I'll give the nod to Chael in a split decision.
THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING
Match Up: Phil Davis vs Rashad Evans
Storyline: This was originally slated for UFC 133, the Mr Wonderful tore his ACL. Since the announcement, Suga has been talking more trash than normal (somehow). Adding to the interest, we have a MSU Spartan taking on a Penn State Nittany Lion, making this # 1 contender's bout also for the B1G wrestling title.
Breakdown: 2 great wrestlers are gonna fight. Davis has the better pedigee. We saw improved striking out of Evans last time out vs Tito Ortiz. Rashad also has great speed, good size and a lot of experience. Davis does possess a mutant physique. If his striking has improved in the the year he has been out, this could be a stand up war as I project the wrestling to cancel out.
Final Thoughts: Not sure what I'd rather see: Davis KO Evans to shut him up or Evans win and Jones TKO's him and shuts him up.
Pick: Everything points to Rashad winning this one close. Almost to the point I feel like we're underestimating Phil. I'd love to see him win and this is anyone's fight, so he could, but I think Rashad's experience give him a narrow decision win.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Rapid Fire Firday 1/27
1. Happy Birthday!
Let me start off by wishing my former client and pretend ex-bodybuilder Cate a very Happy B Day!
2. Bells are ringing
Let me also wish my dear friend Lottie and her husband Thomas the most heart-felt congratulations!
3. 1st week in
Monday started my 1st week of instructing for NPTI-SD. Though, I've been sitting on classes all month and last week I began my full-scale overhaul of the program. Suffice it to say, it's been a massive undertaking.
By and large, my students are really good. There hasn't been nearly as much trouble transitioning from the last instructors to me, which is awesome. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm excite at the opportunity to help these people become damn good coaches and trainers and to make this program as good as it could be...
4. Rewards
...That being said, I have a new appreciating for all the teachers I've had. I've mentored and I've presented, but this is full scale educating on a class-wide level. I get why some of my teachers were worn down and grouchy all the time. The vast minority (unless it's a terrible school) of students are pains in the ass. And the extent to which they are problems more than everyone else combined (80-20 or even 90-10 rule).
On top of that, this overhaul is, well, an overhaul. Just word even sounds like a lot of work. What I'm doing is all new and while it sounds fun and exciting, once people fully grasp what it means, things can get dicey.
If I let all this get to me, I'll never get anything done, these students (the ones who want to learn) won't get better, the program as a whole will stagnate and I'll burn out and wash out. Not good. So my mental state is going to be extremely important. As I go, so goes my classes.
So how do I stay on my A game? Little things that make me happy!
Like sake, Sapporo and sushi at my fave neighborhood place!
The house sake is kinda whack, so I'll be some name stuff next time.
Mmm mmm, delicious.
5. The fall of Rome
Today is the final episode of Jim Rome is Burning on ESPN. I'm pretty shook up about this. Rome has been 1 of my favorite sport journalists since I was in hs and is a major reason I'm where I am today. I'm not sure how I can get The Jungle real radio with work and all. I don't now what happened at ESPN, but I'm pissed. I hope someone else picks up the show, but Rome NEEDS to be on tv.
Let me start off by wishing my former client and pretend ex-bodybuilder Cate a very Happy B Day!
2. Bells are ringing
Let me also wish my dear friend Lottie and her husband Thomas the most heart-felt congratulations!
3. 1st week in
Monday started my 1st week of instructing for NPTI-SD. Though, I've been sitting on classes all month and last week I began my full-scale overhaul of the program. Suffice it to say, it's been a massive undertaking.
By and large, my students are really good. There hasn't been nearly as much trouble transitioning from the last instructors to me, which is awesome. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm excite at the opportunity to help these people become damn good coaches and trainers and to make this program as good as it could be...
4. Rewards
...That being said, I have a new appreciating for all the teachers I've had. I've mentored and I've presented, but this is full scale educating on a class-wide level. I get why some of my teachers were worn down and grouchy all the time. The vast minority (unless it's a terrible school) of students are pains in the ass. And the extent to which they are problems more than everyone else combined (80-20 or even 90-10 rule).
On top of that, this overhaul is, well, an overhaul. Just word even sounds like a lot of work. What I'm doing is all new and while it sounds fun and exciting, once people fully grasp what it means, things can get dicey.
If I let all this get to me, I'll never get anything done, these students (the ones who want to learn) won't get better, the program as a whole will stagnate and I'll burn out and wash out. Not good. So my mental state is going to be extremely important. As I go, so goes my classes.
So how do I stay on my A game? Little things that make me happy!
Like sake, Sapporo and sushi at my fave neighborhood place!
The house sake is kinda whack, so I'll be some name stuff next time.
Mmm mmm, delicious.
5. The fall of Rome
Today is the final episode of Jim Rome is Burning on ESPN. I'm pretty shook up about this. Rome has been 1 of my favorite sport journalists since I was in hs and is a major reason I'm where I am today. I'm not sure how I can get The Jungle real radio with work and all. I don't now what happened at ESPN, but I'm pissed. I hope someone else picks up the show, but Rome NEEDS to be on tv.
Gravity of the Situation
I saw an interesting link on the Internet the other day talking about helping people trying to get in shape (get smaller) hone on what they really want/need.
I've always said, everything has a certain perspective and if you understand where something came from, you can figure out it's perspective and relevance. I learned a couple cool new things and had a lot of what I already knew confirmed.
The article is pretty good and mostly spot on. Basing your perception of your health/fitness on the scale is pretty pointless. I didn't know that classic "Ideal Weight" chart came from the 1950s and was made by Met Life Insurance to give them an easy way to tell if a person would be a risky bet for them to insure. That means they don't care what your actual real health is and aren't even thinking about fitness levels. They needed a quick/easy and moderate objective way to figure out if you would cost them money or not.
We all know the fallacy of basing out health on only the scale: it doesn't consider your composition. The ideal weight says if you're 20% over the chart you're obese and 10% under, you're underweight, but it has no idea what your body fay % is.
So if you're 10% under your "ideal weight" for your height and 40% body fat, you need to gain weight. And if you're 6% body fat, but 20% over what the chart says, you need to lose weight.
That sounds dumb...
The article also blows up the BMI as a baseline for health because it's just a complicated ideal weight for your height chart. It's your weight in kilos divided by your height in meters squared, proving this is just European nerds playing a trick on America.
So, the better indication of your health is your body fat percentage. Now, this too, is a limiting stat. I've written before about the difference between health, fitness and what is safe before. Excess body fat isn't healthy, but it won't hurt you immediately and in some contexts can help you in a certain tasks.
It depends on EXACTLY what you need to accomplish. Specifics and details rule EVERYTHING.
The 1 problem I have with the article is the example they keep using of Fat Albert vs multi-time Mr Olympia, Jay Cutler. They cite both men's stats to show how a hyper-muscular, very lean athlete like Cutler shows the same health stats as the rotund fictional character. They even say this is an extreme example.
That's not my issue. The ideal weight chart and BMI are extreme measures, so an extreme example to refute them is fine, but don't tell me Cutler is healthy. His blood work is probably a nightmare. Also, let's just get this out the way, he uses steroids. Like, a lot of them and huuuuuge dosages. I'm not saying steroids are bad, in fact, I've written how they can be extremely beneficial for regular people just trying to live a normal, healthy life. But the amounts he and every other champion bodybuilder use are dangerous, even to them.
Also, just look at Cutler! You cannot tell me that is what health looks like. I guarantee if he had to run 1 city block to avoid a burning building, he'd tear a hamstring. Walking up a steep hill could induce a heart attack. If he was walking and saw his shoe was untied, he'd had to either get someone to tie it for him and just ignore it until he could sit down, because he ain't bending down to do it himself.
Having an oversized bodybuilder is a great way to bust the valitiy of the BMI, but don't sell me that as the healthy alternative. That sport is predicated by excess to the point of cartoonishness. Health went out the door way before they got on stage.
I've always said, everything has a certain perspective and if you understand where something came from, you can figure out it's perspective and relevance. I learned a couple cool new things and had a lot of what I already knew confirmed.
The article is pretty good and mostly spot on. Basing your perception of your health/fitness on the scale is pretty pointless. I didn't know that classic "Ideal Weight" chart came from the 1950s and was made by Met Life Insurance to give them an easy way to tell if a person would be a risky bet for them to insure. That means they don't care what your actual real health is and aren't even thinking about fitness levels. They needed a quick/easy and moderate objective way to figure out if you would cost them money or not.
We all know the fallacy of basing out health on only the scale: it doesn't consider your composition. The ideal weight says if you're 20% over the chart you're obese and 10% under, you're underweight, but it has no idea what your body fay % is.
So if you're 10% under your "ideal weight" for your height and 40% body fat, you need to gain weight. And if you're 6% body fat, but 20% over what the chart says, you need to lose weight.
That sounds dumb...
The article also blows up the BMI as a baseline for health because it's just a complicated ideal weight for your height chart. It's your weight in kilos divided by your height in meters squared, proving this is just European nerds playing a trick on America.
So, the better indication of your health is your body fat percentage. Now, this too, is a limiting stat. I've written before about the difference between health, fitness and what is safe before. Excess body fat isn't healthy, but it won't hurt you immediately and in some contexts can help you in a certain tasks.
It depends on EXACTLY what you need to accomplish. Specifics and details rule EVERYTHING.
The 1 problem I have with the article is the example they keep using of Fat Albert vs multi-time Mr Olympia, Jay Cutler. They cite both men's stats to show how a hyper-muscular, very lean athlete like Cutler shows the same health stats as the rotund fictional character. They even say this is an extreme example.
That's not my issue. The ideal weight chart and BMI are extreme measures, so an extreme example to refute them is fine, but don't tell me Cutler is healthy. His blood work is probably a nightmare. Also, let's just get this out the way, he uses steroids. Like, a lot of them and huuuuuge dosages. I'm not saying steroids are bad, in fact, I've written how they can be extremely beneficial for regular people just trying to live a normal, healthy life. But the amounts he and every other champion bodybuilder use are dangerous, even to them.
Also, just look at Cutler! You cannot tell me that is what health looks like. I guarantee if he had to run 1 city block to avoid a burning building, he'd tear a hamstring. Walking up a steep hill could induce a heart attack. If he was walking and saw his shoe was untied, he'd had to either get someone to tie it for him and just ignore it until he could sit down, because he ain't bending down to do it himself.
Having an oversized bodybuilder is a great way to bust the valitiy of the BMI, but don't sell me that as the healthy alternative. That sport is predicated by excess to the point of cartoonishness. Health went out the door way before they got on stage.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Rapid Fire Friday 1/20
1. Scary Starts
Norm, I make breakfast, but I had a busy morning on Wed and had to hit up Jack in the Box.
Somehow, my day wasn't cursed and ended up bring nice and mundane.
Dodged a bullet there.
2. Chill Zone
Here's the light poles on Sunset Cliffs. Turns out, it's a major pigeon hang out.
Seagulls OWN the beach!
3. Style biters
Check out the Windows store in the Fashion Valley mall. Looks familiar, right? That's cuz it's a knock off of the Apple Store.
Seriously, guys, STOP IT!
4. Fight Picks
UFC Fight Night on FX is tonight and the Friday card has my week messed up. I'm late, so I don't have prelims, but I was pulling for Rivera.
Pat Barry breaks back in win column, Duane Ludwig keeps his heater going and The not so Young anymore Assassin brings down the house.
5. Grind Time
Monday is my first day of teaching the classes, so I have a lot of work to do this weekend gutting and redoing everything. I'm amped, but it's gonna be a LOOONG weekend.
CAN'T WAIT!
Norm, I make breakfast, but I had a busy morning on Wed and had to hit up Jack in the Box.
Somehow, my day wasn't cursed and ended up bring nice and mundane.
Dodged a bullet there.
2. Chill Zone
Here's the light poles on Sunset Cliffs. Turns out, it's a major pigeon hang out.
Seagulls OWN the beach!
3. Style biters
Check out the Windows store in the Fashion Valley mall. Looks familiar, right? That's cuz it's a knock off of the Apple Store.
Seriously, guys, STOP IT!
4. Fight Picks
UFC Fight Night on FX is tonight and the Friday card has my week messed up. I'm late, so I don't have prelims, but I was pulling for Rivera.
Pat Barry breaks back in win column, Duane Ludwig keeps his heater going and The not so Young anymore Assassin brings down the house.
5. Grind Time
Monday is my first day of teaching the classes, so I have a lot of work to do this weekend gutting and redoing everything. I'm amped, but it's gonna be a LOOONG weekend.
CAN'T WAIT!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Conspiracy Theory: Anthony Johnson
Last night, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson capped off a pretty bad week by getting submitted by Vitor Belfort at UFC Rio then released from the company.The move was not a surprise at all.
Rumble had one of his notorious awful weight cuts (so bad, UFC doctors had to rehydrate him for his own safety) and weighed in at 197, 11 pound over the max for a middleweight bout. He then looked awful and tired in his first round loss to Belfort.
All sounds pretty reasonable for the UFC brass, right?
Let's really examine the last 72 hours. Yes, the "medical issue" hasn't been disclosed and with Rumble's past weight issues at welterweight and the fact that he walks around at 225, we can assume (key word) he was just having another bad cut. When Dana broke the news to Belfort that Rumble would be waaay overweight, he gave The Phenom the option to call the fight and get paid or keep it and get 20% of Rumble's purse. He took door #2.
Here's were it gets interesting.
Somehow, after this, a new stipulation from Belfort's camp/UFC president Dana White came out, Rumble would have to reweigh at noon of fight day and couldn't be over 205. I've touched on weight cuts and the rehydrating process before. Basically, the 24 hour weigh in is a water manipulation trick and the fighters can get back to normal by fight time.
Rumble would not get this opportunity. He was (supposedly) so dehydrated he had to get emergency rehydrated on weigh in day from 187.5 to 197 (still dehydrated, but functioning). The next day, he could only rehydrate to 205 (still 20lbs under his actual weight). Vitor, for making weight, did not have this stipulation and rehydrated to his natural weight of 205. By the time the first fight of the night started, Rumble was reported to weigh 211 (still 14lbs under his normal weight/dehydrated).
Anyone see a problem?
Let's look at the fight itself.
Yes, Vitor and Rumble are monster strikers, but they have ground games. Vitor is a BJJ black belt and Rumble is an accomplished collegiate wrestler. Rumble uses his wrestling to buy guys against the cage, take them down and control them on the ground. It's MMA (MIXED Martial Arts) and the rules allow this.
In fact, In the telecast, commentator Joe Rogan said no fewer than 10 times that "wrestling is the most important skill for MMA." He even said if MMA skills were a pyramid, wrestling is the base, the biggest, widest, most important skill.
*Side Note: Speaking of Rogan, earlier in the night, there was a controversial judgement by a ref leading to a TKO win becoming a DQ loss. Rogan attacked ref Mario Yamasaki for his error. Granted, we only saw the glaring mistake because of replay, something the refs don't get. However, during or even after the fight, Rogan said nothing about the breaks and stand ups.
Why is this important? Because early in the fight (before the full effects of 2 days of serious nutrient and water depletion could take full effect), Rumble successfully took down and controlled or clinched against the fence Vitor and ref Dan Mirgliatta would break them or stand them up.
This is a big deal because this typically and should only happen when this is used as a stall tactic. The breaks occurred after less than 10 seconds in the position.
Conversely, "Lay n Pray" specialist and wrestling juggernaut Jon Fitch is often allowed to dry hump for entire 15 minute fights.
Naturally, Rumble's legs give out, he rapidly fatigues and Vitor dominates him in front of his home crowd.
To recap: Rumble (for an unknown reason) is dehydrated and needs to be given fluids by medical staff and misses weight. He is then restricted from rehydrating further the next day. He is not allowed to use his wrestling advantage in a fight. He is defeated. Then gets fired.
Nothing fishy here...
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