Me+free time+Google images+Paint=lolz!!

Me+free time+Google images+Paint=lolz

Accessories for a Rowdy life.

I like most things in my life to have a little "extra". Hot chocolate has to have whipped cream and vanilla. Motorcycles have to have sticky tires and an exhaust and be dyno tuned. I think you get the idea.

Putting my money where my mouth is and after all isn't the whole point of this to share my Rowdy ways with you, here are some recent rowdy accessories.
Off the rack Banana Republic suit, navy with pinstripes.
and sterling cuff links

Express men, Gap and Steve Madden.
and J Crew wool pea coat.

It really isn't a funky bracelet...
it keeps my pants clean at work...
where I use the cutest, tiniest wrench.

The Flu Shot Song

(Sung to the tune of "If You're Happy And You Know It")

Verse 1:If you got the flu shot and you know it,
numb your hands. (3 times)
[make action of shaking limp hands in front of you]

Chorus:If you got the flu shot and you know it,
then your face will surely show it.
If you got the flu shot and you know it Guillain-Barre!
[mime giving yourself a shot in the arm]

Verse 2: If you got the flu shot and you know it,
stop your feet. (3 times)
[stare downward at your paralyzed legs]

Chorus

Verse 3: If you got the flu shot at you know it,
shout "I'm not OK!" (3 times)
[make an exaggerated angry or confused facial expression]

Chorus

Verse 4: If you got the flu shot and you know it,
do all three. (3 times)
[shake your limp hands/wrists while looking down at your legs making an angry or confused face]

Chorus!

Ugh

It's time for my Remicade infusion again....

And now that my brother and his family left, it seems strangely quiet at my house. Odd. Though it will only last a day as K returns tomorrow.

I'm off to the hospital now. Fun. Not.

Thanksgiving

Family and friends were over, the weather was beautiful. The food was traditional but still every bit a feast. Fun, family, feasting. Fabulous.

While the meal was beginning we went around the table and each said at least three things we were thankful for in our lives.

Mine were one, being thankful that I am still alive. An intestinal disease that has given me much trouble through the years, working in a war zone and having more than a few potentially dangerous hobbies. If just a few things had changed here or there through life well, let's just say I really do have reason to be thankful to be alive at this time.

Secondly I am thankful for the times I have been able to use my talents to help others or myself. Whether it is giving the Heimlich maneuver to a choking child in a restaurant, speaking in a foreign language, providing good care to patients, teaching new skills to people or just listening and understanding. While not a comprehensive list, you get the idea. If you have a talent you've developed it really is satisfying to use, helping someone else.

Third I'm thankful for the time and place I live in. Living in a modern first world Western country allows me to have a college degree, choose my own religion and also practice it, receive medical care that keeps me alive, have an income that then allows me to live far above the subsistence level. All these things give me great enjoyment in life and just make it pleasant. I know what life is like for other, just simply in a change in geography.

What are you thankful for?

A new chapter in life, a good one.

smilez

genetics>mortons toe

As I have blogged before here I "suffer" from Morton's toe. This is where your second toe is considerably longer than your great (first or big) toe.

Thankfully I am not a girl who has to deal with open toe shoes, but I am a guy who has broken this toe multiple times on the mat. Once this caused me to miss a hiking trip to the Grand Canyon and Havasu Pi area. That I of course had non refundable tickets for.

Another area this has hampered me is in rock climbing. Wearing the correct size climbing shoe puts a serious hurt on that toe. And I can't even think about crack climbing unless I am in a shoe that basically is no good for face climbing. No good!

I rarely rock climb anymore and not at the level I used to so this isn't really an issue anymore. I also have broken toes in jiu jitsu in the past two years but it had nothing to do with it being too long and everything to do with bad technique. The only real reason now to get it cut off is for aesthetics and a sort of perverse enjoyment of only having 9 toe nails.

I can get the surgery done for free and the recovery would only be a month or two at the most. No big deal. But I have been reluctant to do so.....

Now I think I know a better, more interesting elective health care procedure to follow.

Genetic testing.

www.23andme.com seems to be the leader in this field. Just spit in a tube and wait a few weeks then BAM! You can find out everything you wanted to know about your 'genetic' self from ancestry to health issues. It is simply amazing and right now it totally fascinates me!!

Downside? It's $500................

Check it out here!!

1st timer no more but hardly a pro...

So I went to Disneyland for my first time today. I have lived in California since 2001 and have never been. Wow. Why did I carry a deprived childhood into a deprived adulthood? I guess I was just having too much fun doing other things. So really, you should have no pity for me. But I will understand your amazement at my late timing in making a first visit to "the happiest place on earth".

I had a great time overall. I was in the park exactly 2 hours after leaving my house. The lines at entry were no worse than Sea World. The $72 for a single day single park ticket took me aback though.

Let me back up. One, who carries any cash around with them anymore? Can't anything and everything be taken care of with plastic? I roll up to park and they want $14. I tell the lady "I only have plastic..." and she just smiles and says "ok, well here ya go, just go park anyways" and hands me a validated pass.

My next interaction is at the ticket booth. The girl looks at my drivers license and says, "wow, you are really smiling in your pic. were you happy then?"

To which my reply was, "I'm always happy when I am able to get my drivers license"

"Well, do you think you will be smiling like that now that you get to go to Disney Land?", she said.

"Uhhh, I guess so," and I took my ticket and went in the park.

So pretty much right after I walk in an older guy asks me where I am visiting from and I just rattle off my zip, 92120 and he gives a quick reply "Well then! We would love to have you work here then." Dude, it's a San Diego zipcode! It would take Walt Disney money to get me to drive that far to work. Either that or I better get to be in a cool costume and be a character right off the bat. (Donald Duck being my first choice)

So I got to park free, was questioned about my smiling ability and then quasi offered a job. Magical? I am not sure, mysterious yes.

I do have to say I was very impressed with just the overall vibe. I was smiling and happy. I really liked just 'being there'. Things were easy to find and the rides I went on were fun. I was with my hermano and his familia so it was cool to watch his little ninos having a great time. Their parents had been to DL before but it was all new to their kids. I am sure they had a great time, especially since they are taking two days to do the park.

Things I didn't like? Waiting in line for over a hour for a two minute ride. I am not sure that is entirely worth it at all. It was hard to find a place to sit and eat. Too permissive parents letting their grubby little ankle biters anywhere near me. And I got some odd looks the times I was just walking around by myself, like I had broken some rule but not being part of a 'couple' or whatever. No single men allowed in Disney Land!

So I got to be with kids during their first time. I got a pair of classic MM ears. I saw Donald Duck. (whom I am actually taller than. surprised me....) I rode Star Tours, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion (a let down). I saw the big Xmas parade through the park. Hmmm... I can't remember what else.

But it was a fine time!! I am soo glad I went. All of the memories I had of Disney stuff as a kid and all the time that went by without going to the park, well none of that detracted from it. Will I go again, sure. Is it something I like better than a Slurpee and a handful of licorice... tough call.

Now for some pics!

random pics of late

neice and nephew
nephew
what happens when you take a vietmanese cooking class. shrimp spring roll and banana flower salad
sinclair dino in st george on a sunday (alliterative?)

curses!

A friend of mine has a hook up to get me piranhas. Fun! Until I researched just how much money, time and effort goes into setting up and maintaining a tank. Ugh, no thanks.

I would love to have fish. I find fish sooo soothing to watch. Their behavior fascinates me. And piranha would be the epitome of a fun visual fish to keep. But I think it honestly is too much work for my level of knowledge about keeping fish, which is 100% novice.

So a little searching led me to Russian tortoises. They seem pretty easy to keep. And while not really a pet you can play with I think would provide me with some pet owning satisfaction.

What I really would like though is a German Shepard. Sadly, I would want it to live outside all the time and I have no yard at all.

Oh well...

movie premiere

This is the movie I was supposed to be in, but couldn't make it to filming as it was on Sunday for the segment I was invited to be in. (Thanks for the chance RH!!)

I will be attending the premiere in Poway on December 2nd at 830pm. And dressed sharp!!
Think Global, Race Local.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

As you have read I am dropping down to 134lbs for this next jiu jitsu tournament here in San Diego in two weeks. 140lbs is a pretty comfortable weight for me and I can hit 137 easily. But this time I have to go from 140 down to 134, at the most, 133 would be better so as to have a cushion if OTM's scale is off...

I am not really reckless in my diet normally, but to loose a legitimate 6 or 7 lbs, 5% of my body weight takes some work. A similar loss would be someone going from 185 down to 175. When you are already fit and thin, it is tough to do.

I am strictly counting my calories, I weigh myself twice daily, I have a chart tracking my progress on the wall near the scale and am making sure to exercise in one way or another 6 days a week.

So I end up having lunches like today's where I eat a handful of spinach leaves, one can of tuna, Dijon mustard, green onion all stirred together and then 8 low-fat Ritz crackers. Water to drink of course. A "snack" now is a mini whole wheat bagel. Or 5 raw almonds. Or a Fresca....

I have hunger pains. I want candy! I want a CA burrito. But......

I want to win. I spend about 15 minutes a day just picturing myself winning matches, standing on the podium. I look at past medals from other competitions. My wall paper is changed me on the Pan-Am podium.

Yes, on Thanksgiving I am going to eat whatever I want as much as I want. But that is it. The feeling of getting the gold will be better than the feeling of eating a PayDay candy bar or drinking soda right now.

Where there is will power, there is a way to accomplish your goal.

So interesting!

I am watching a Japanese documentary right now about the special effects artists who worked on all the Toho monster movies.

It is soooooo interesting! I love it. "Bringing Godzilla Down to Size"

No lie! My pants are totally NOT on fire.

Next week I am going to Disneyland for my VERY first time. How did I get to be an adult and never have been to Mickey Mouse's house??

Oh wait, I have also never been to Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Theaters, 6 Flags or anything like that.

Next Tuesday though I'll be in the "Magic Kingdom" for the first time and with some of my nephews and a niece.

FUN!

Tournament Dilemma....

For the Grapplers Quest tournament in Vegas I am kinda stuck with a weight class of 149lbs or under. I will be giving up 9 to 10 lbs on people but I think I can overcome that just fine.

The OTM tournament here in San Diego on December 5th provides me with a dilemma though.
I can compete in my age group or I can compete in a catch all 'adult' class. Normally I just do my age group if it is offered. But the lowest weight class for my age group is 159lbs or less. I am only 138lbs.... So I am giving up 20lbs.

Or even more as they allow you to weigh in without your gi the day before. Which also could play into an advantage for me as well.

In the adult class their is a weight class that tops out at 134lbs. Meaning I would have to loose about 5lbs.

My dilemma is this:

Fight in my age group but against heavier people and not have to do anything about my weight.

Or fight guys 10 years younger than me but having to weigh in the day before at 134lbs.

I can see advantages to both, just not sure which is the most advantageous to me. What do you think?

money out, things in

Ugh, today is a day where I have to spend some money. Entering the tournament on Dec 5th here in San Diego is $60. Pre-registering for the tournament in Las Vegas on the 12th is $80. T-shirts for the event are $20 each I think.

The wool coat I want is $230. I HAVE to order it today to use my 30% off coupon.

Then I also need to buy gasoline for the truck, as it is almost empty. $50.

I also am joining a group where the membership is $50 a year, so that will go out as well.

Finally I need to buy some new wood chips for the smoker so that I can start on everyone's Xmas gifts. That's right, if you are getting a present from me you are probably getting smoked fish and/or beef jerky. Those chips will be about $20.

There ya go, a grand total of a little over $500, and for what?
To fight with someone.
To be warm and look good.
To drive around.
To do something new.
To make presents.

It should be worth it............

Nightmares and Vertigo

Why do I have vertigo? It happens only rarely and is much milder than when it originated, but still why do I have it?
-a concussion or two? or three?
-electrolyte imbalance?
-mild Mineire's?
It also seems to be coupled with a growing fear of heights. Riding an escalator or going down stairs that are high off the ground and exposed on either side give me the willies and set of my internal panic mode. This is in no way debilitating but at this stage just annoying!! Normally breathing and focusing and making a joke about it and I am good. But that fact that I even sense this bugs the crap out of me.

And of course as you have read about here often, my freaking nightmare issue. They say you can't die in your dreams. Well I am here to tell you that is a lie. I have been murdered, died and committed suicide to total completion in my dreams. I don't wake up before hand, I wake up after screaming, panting, sweaty and thrashing around in the bed.
I don't watch scary movies, I don't listen to sad music, I am not morose by nature. I have a life others consider amazingly easy. This may not have been true my whole life, but it is now.
So why the horrid, vivid continual nightmares?
-concussions?
-a big of undigested potato?
-having a chronic illness?
-too many high fevers?
-being in Iraq?
-I'm psycho?

I rarely get a cold or cough. I am totally immune to strep it seems. It takes a lot to bruise me. I can't think of the last time I was sick in any way that didn't relate to my guts.

But yet I have these chinks in my armor that are driving me more and more crazy. So if you wanted to know my kryptonite then here you go. I get vertigo sometimes, especially related to heights. I have horrible nightmares that make sleeping unpleasant. And my connective tissue (tendons and ligaments) seems easily damaged.

Taking my own words to heart though, 'action is the best response to misfortune' and trying to have an attitude to gratitude I will still be thankful for what I do have and where I am strong.

Thank you God, for everything.

clothes

I want some new clothes. I like the current Edwardian, huntsman style that is available for men. Think Sherlock Holmes I guess...

If it looks like a character would have worn it in a PBS show set in England in the 19th century I think I would like it. I need like $3,000 to totally reset my "style"! Or actually gain a cohesive style. *edit-I just wore the same jiu jitsu t-shirt and baggy jeans for 3 days in a row*

Before I go to Utah for Xmas I want this wool coat from J Crew. Charcoal, thinsulate, size small. FYI *edit-I just got a coupon for 20% off on this coat, so I am ordering it soon*

Snobby? Or smart? **Edited 11-16-09**

I was talking with one of my buddies who is almost done with law school and he was mentioning how law school has ruined the idea of reading for pleasure. So we were still talking about what types of books we like to read and I said, "if you can buy the book at the grocery store it is crap and I won't read it."

They kind of took affront to my statement, if only just a teeny tiny bit and have sense teased me about my book snobbery.

I think I feel this way about more than books though, restaurants are pretty much the same thing for me as well.

RESTAURANTS I WILL NEVER EAT IN AGAIN (if given a choice)
-Applebee's
-Jack in the Box
-Carls Junior
-Marrie Calendars
-TGI Fridays
-Chillis
-Claim Jumper
-Denny's
-Outback
-Sizzler
-Olive Garden
-Red Lobster
And so on and so on. But like all rules there are exceptions and I seem to have found one last Friday.

One of the guys at jiu jitsu who I also mountain bike with works at Black Angus and has always said, "come on in and eat sometime, I'll take care of you." This past Friday I finally took him up on that. I wish I had sooner!
Appetizer, sodas and 3 steak and shrimp 'Sizzling Somethingorothers' later we were all very full and pleasantly surprised.

The GM was outside and helped us find a place to park. The hostess was nice and friendly. The waitress/server did a great job of all she should do and my friend gave me a GREAT discount on the meal!

I am not a big steak eater, or even large portions (outside of a few things like sweet cereal, pumpkin pie etc) so I was not sure if I would like it or not. I did.

If you ever want American food and you want it "good", like you are a real meat and potatoes kind of guy (not frou frou like some other "steak" houses) I would suggest going to Black Angus, specifically the one in the Kearny Mesa part of San Diego.

Thanks A!!

**EDIT** "Molly" left a comment below asking me why I would limit myself in not eating at the above listed places. When you live in a county with 3 million people next to a different country you aren't limited by avoiding the above chains. You are freed to choose other things. Better things. In San Diego you can go to these other places instead and have a wayyyyy better meal:
The Fishery on Cass St
Blue Water on India
Crab Hut on Convoy
Taco Fiesta on Mission Gorge
Tender Greens in Point Loma
The Linkery
Alchemy
Crazy Burger
Starlite Lounge
Burger Lounge
Marrakech
Hane
San Diego Blenders
Oggi's Pizza
Pizza Port
(sorry if I gave too much local good food knowledge away)

me?

If I could grow a white beard and paint my ears black, I would look just like a fox!

SE Asia Rowdiness

Cooking class at the Sofitel Hanoi
badminton in the park
I swear I saw a dragon
I wore this hat for 10 seconds then realized it's not my look
photo op
the quiet American
black & white and red all over?
park in Putrajaya
MotoGP!!

Call him what he is..........

An Islamic terrorist.

Maj. Hasan should not be described as mentally ill, an aberration, a lone gunman or anything else but an Islamic terrorist.

To do so is a grave misstatement that detracts from what really happened.

1. The dichotomy between his job and where he was employed were fueled by his religious belief. Specifically.

2. In the classic definition of a terror act he committed this violence to further a political agenda. In this age we have changed the definition of terrorism to include acts committed to further a religious change as well. The discordance he felt between US military policy and his religion was the motivator.

3. And finally and most strongly, his terrorist act is being proclaimed as such my Muslims in other parts of the world as an act of Islamic terror.

Things are what they are and this type of denial and deception should be seen through.

Would you expect any less??

-Thursday-
rock climbing with R and A
jiu jitsu class

-Friday-
mountain biking all day at Vail Lake with friends
go out for dinner?

-Saturday-
shooting clay pigeons with the guys
watching the WEC fights with friends

Splender in the....astroturf? ezturf? "grass?" synthetic fantastic?