3/30/07

100th Post!

Well, four posts ago, anyway.


Sure, that's not that impressive compared to most blogs out there. But compared to my buddy JP, I'm screaming along. ha ha


Sorry JP, you'll get there eventually. Good luck on the diamond hunting!

Coke Zero

Oh baby! This is the stuff! No calories, no sugar, no problems.


Yeah, darn right it tastes just like Coca-Cola. It also doesn't have that "heavy" feeling you get from Coke Classic (if you mention "New Coke", you lose a finger).


I'm not what you'd call much of a soda drinker - basically, I don't like all the sugar & diet soda (not counting Diet A&W) tastes like crap. This stuff has me drinking more...which probably isn't a good thing on any level.


Fortunately, my 32 year-old frame has seen fit to keep a magnificent set of zero-cavity choppers (knock on wood).



Yeah, Coke Zero. Check this stuff out if you haven't already.

Harmonium

Artist: Vanessa Carlton
Price: $8.50 (Shipping included)
Purchased at: Amazon

I've already listened to this CD a number of times before buying it (one of the advantages of having Rhapsody). It's much darker than her previous work, "Be Not Nobody", though we're not talking a depressing album.


It's very down-to-earth, which is something I like in my music, & most of the songs have something in them that makes each worth a listen. The track, "Annie", is particularly haunting & is obviously someone very important to the writer.


Overall, I'd recommend this CD for the entrancing piano melodies lacing every song. It's a darker album, which may not ring so well with the "Bubblegum Pop" crowd. I never went for that sort of stuff, anyway. I'd at least give it a listen if you're a fan of strong piano players with a bit of edge in their music.

You Had To Be There

Bill, did you get that chip off your shoulder? ha ha ha

3/29/07

Cutting Class

I skipped out on class three of four days this week. Needless to say, that's unusual for me. I'm normally there at least three days.


Tuesday, the one day I went, was fine. My flexibility was excellent in TKD & most of my techniques were OK in HKD. Soreness played a part in my not going to class on Wednesday but it wasn't anything that would have really stopped me.


Tonight, I just didn't feel like getting up. I'm hoping this isn't the start of a trend. I had thought going on vacation would relieve some of the stress I've been feeling. I was right. It alleviated it for two weeks or so. Now things are back to "normal". Boy, you don't ever want that feeling.

Blah!

You ever have one of those days where you don't want to get up?


I started off with a good couple days off - kept busy, got some exercise, etc. After that, I just got lazy. I mean really lazy! I went to class on Tuesday, stopped at the ID for a couple refreshments, went home & was asleep by midnight. I woke up at 7am & (since I work nights) decided to get a nap that afternoon.


Yeah, a 5-hour nap from 3pm to 8pm.


After that, I was up from 8pm to 1am & slept for 2 hours. I decided to go grocery shopping about 6am or so & came back to make breakfast (fruit, yogurt & a couple waffles). I was up until about 1pm & went to sleep (yeah, AGAIN!) until about 8pm.


So, that's about 22 hours of sleep in under two days. Obviously, there's something not quite right about sleeping that much. My guess is it's just wanting to get out of Iowa but being conflicted about it. I'm feeling burned out on just about everything. Not so much martial arts, but my mood is affecting that, too.

3/27/07

Dems Have A Plan For Surrender

But they sure don't want anyone to know what day it'll be...just that they want us to surrender.


Honestly, I have to ask if the Allies would have defeated the Axis in World War II on a "timetable", secret or otherwise. I think the answer's pretty obvious.


War is not managed like a quarterly report. You can't say, "OK. Either we're done by this day or we quit". It doesn't matter if you keep that day secret (yeah, right. "Con"gress can keep a secret.) or tell it to the world. A timetable is nothing more than giving up in the face of adversity.


This is a world dominated by the sitcom - in which every problem is resolved in a cute-ending 30-minute episode.


Reality, sadly, isn't as such. Brave men & women - so much better than this author - offer the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of liberty. The fight is not over in 30 minutes. Truly, the fight for liberty is never over.


Talk of withdrawal is a disservice to every person wearing or who has worn the uniform. Honor their noble efforts for this great nation & support them!


Pretending any timetable - even kept secret - will win the war says our politicians see this fight as they want to...


A 30-minute TV show.

No More Iowa Winters!

Yeah, we should be so lucky.


Nope, looks like this is the latest we've-got-funding-for-an-agenda report. This time from the University of Wisconsin-Madison claiming all the world's climate zones will disappear by 2100.


Of course, there's the pesky fact that few people alive today will be around to say, "I told you so!", in the (incredibly unlikely) event this comes about. Never mind thinking about the real long-term effects, they've got government funding as long as they milk the fear of global warming!

Just A Thought

Maybe it's because I'm in martial arts...or it could be common sense...but why in Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, when Yoda fights the Emperor, does Yoda jump high to attack when the Emperor puts his lightsaber over his head?


If I were three feet tall, 850 or so years-old & a master Jedi, I'm thinking the Emperor just lost his legs.

Crackdown

Platform: X-Box 360
Rating: M (violence, language)
Cost: $59.99
Purchased At: Gamestop


This game is in the "sandbox" - meaning free roaming world - style. Your role is a genetically-engineered "Agent" who is charged with clearing the city of three major gangs.


Throughout the title, you'll focus the largest part of your efforts on leveling up your five key abilities: Agility, Driving, Explosives, Strength & Weapons. Each level grants significant improvement for tackling your challenges. Strength, for example, allows you to lift up to 10 tons at maximum level. Needless to say the abilities are off the chart with regards to your typical "GTA"-style game.


The difficulty ramps up at a smooth level for the first gang & quickly escalates after their defeat. Enemies don't react foolishly & will use numbers to overwhelm you when possible. Cover & agility are your friends in these cases.


I'd recommend this (for the 18 & older crowd) if you like the GTA concept but can't stand the "Mission Failed" screen that pops up all too often with this kind of game. In actuality, you have one mission: to clean up the city. To do so you have to get your hands dirty...but you'll find being on the supply side of Justice is more fun than a life of crime.

3/24/07

CD Challenge

OK, I'm feeling generous today! Here's the deal: Based on the below lyrics, if you can guess the song title, the album & the artist, I'll buy you the CD!


Seriously, no games, no gimmicks, etc. The only "catch" is that you have to be the first person to reply accurately with the song title, album title & artist name (1st & last). Only one person can win per challenge. Only one guess per person...


Here's the lyrics:


"...stumbling on reasons that are far & few/
I'd let it all come down & then some for you..."


If you think you've got the right answer, comment on this post & include your e-mail address so I can get back to you. Good luck!


***UPDATE***
Congratulations to Jim!
Song: "Pretty Baby"
Album: "Be Not Nobody"
Artist: Vanessa Carlton

Check back in every month & I'll post a new challenge.

3/23/07

Well At Least They Can Figure It Out

Should we vote these 6th graders from Trail Ridge Middle School in Longmont,CO into office?


Apparently, a bunch of 12-year olds were able to debate - constructively, I might add - this controversial subject & come to an all too reasonable conclusion:


Man is not responsible for global warming.


They cited all sorts of (often opposing) data. This includes the fact while population rose in the 1960s, the overall global temperature fell.


Does this end the debate on global warming? Not by a long shot. I don't think bleeding-heart liberals are willing to give up a pet cause that generates tons of revenue in the form of federal grants & some private donations. You can bank on the fact they'll keep this snowballing (pardon the pun) as long as possible.

Little Bit of Change

I might be moving back to my old shift! Woo hoo!

Lipton Cranberry Pomegranate Tea

Purchased: Hy-Vee
Cost: About $3.50
Qty: 20 bags


A really nice tea. The flavor has quite a bit of pomegranate that takes the bitterness away from the cranberry. If you like something different in your tea, this is probably for you.


That being said, it's NOT at all like a traditional tea. I doubt you'll even pick up the green tea flavor for the most part. If that's what you're looking for, you may want to stick with your Pickwick!

REALLY Sore!

Wow! My arms are killing me today. Painkillers (in the form of Ibuprofen) are the order of the day.


I guess getting back to TKD & HKD after 2+ weeks off is going to induce a little soreness. It's not a bad thing - at least I can feel the progress of strengthening muscles. I'll stop short of saying I could try out for the cast of 300.


Most of what I did involved punching, blocking, etc. I did work on my arms a bit (mostly shoulders) & even spent some time on the Wii. That bowling game is just addictive! I've also noticed it does a lot to improve your shoulder strength & rotator cuff motion.


Ah, even with the soreness, exercise feels GOOD!

3/22/07

Want To Cut The Pork?

Some employees of Target in Minnesota are refusing to scan pork products because it, by their interpretation, conflicts with their religious beliefs. I'm sorry but these people should be fired. Period.


By their same argument, they shouldn't WORK for Target in the first place because their stores sell pork products, right? Of course that doesn't apply under their "whatever I claim my religion says is for my advantage" rule.


Typically, CAIR & other agenda-pushing organizations come to the "beleaguered" employees' aid.


I don't think it's coincidence this happened in the "flying imam" state - where a few opportunistic individuals are exploiting leftist political correctness to weaken national security by way of airlines.


To illustrate the absurdity of this situation, I'll counter with an equally absurd example. Let's say a devout Christian joins an adult film company. As soon as they tell him to "perform", he objects because it's against his religious beliefs. Well, my hypocritical hypothetical friend, you signed up to do a job. Before you accept it, the responsibility is YOURS to determine if it's not in-line with your religious beliefs.


Likewise, the opportunists "working" at Target should have realized they're going to have to scan the occasional pork product. I find it hard to believe a rational human being wouldn't have that sort of foresight. Therefore, I can only reason they don't want to work.


Note to you slackers there - as I've posted previously, try portraying yourselves in a positive light for a change - silliness like this makes honest, hard-working people (regardless of religious preference, I might add) furious. Get a life & get a different job!

300

I just saw this & have to say every part of the movie was excellent! Normally, you have a few points that drag - it's just to be expected. Well, not in this flick.


The movie centers around the king-god Xerxes & his Persian army laying waste to all kingdoms in his path. His courier presents a message to Sparta: pay us tribute or suffer the consequences. Obviously, being Spartans & dedicated to warrior ideals, they're not so accommodating.


King Leonidas, portrayed by Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera) decides he must prevent the impending invasion of Xerxes, played by Rodrigo Santoro, by massing his army at the "Hot Gates" (Thermopylae) & preventing an onslaught which will murder the first embers of democracy. The problem? Corrupt bureaucrats & oracles prevent him from sending the whole of the Spartan force to counter the invasion.


Leonidas - being the ever-adaptable (almost Marine-like) ruler - assigns, you guessed it, 300 men to accompany him as his "personal guard". What ensues is some of the most impressive action in a movie to date. The images are enhanced by the acceleration/slowing of certain moments. This, magnificently placed, does wonders to highlight the fervor & brutality with which the doomed men fight.


Throughout the lengthy episodes of battle you're witness to all sorts of excellent encounters - from verbal sparring between kings Xerxes & Leonidas, a betrayal & finally a climactic scene where you can only believe the Spartans were proud to place themselves.


As an additional little finish, Leonidas utters perhaps the harshest insult to an enemy that would be a compliment from anyone other than a Spartan. You can feel the shame in the pathetic creature as he winces.


There is notable violence in the film but I have to say it wasn't overdone or ruthlessly gory. Sure, I wouldn't take any kids to see it as there is some nudity as well.


It's a great work that offers a glimpse into the selfless life of those who serve. At all times the Spartans are the very embodiment of their traditions - never wavering, never fearing. In so many ways, this film seems an homage to the men & women who serve this country everyday. Though they may be against terrible forces, derided by wind-changing relativist politicians & receive all too little appreciation for those they protect, never do they fail to do their sworn duty.

3/20/07

Not So Perky

OK, Perkins, here's a note for you: When your store says it's open 24 hours, it SHOULD BE OPEN 24 HOURS!


I went in there tonight to meet a friend who works second shift & was told they're closing for 6 hours to clean vent hoods. Yeah, really nice!


Oh well, we had to cross over to Happy Chef which really isn't that bad, I suppose.


Still, Perkins might want to try closing on, say, Sunday night when there's probably not a darn person in the place...

3/18/07

JKD? I Don't Know...

While on vacation, I went to a Jeet Kun Do (JKD...now the title rhymes!) school my brother uses to work out. I don't know the first thing about JKD so I figured what the heck & gave it a try.


My feelings are mixed. It was an excellent work out. The owner knows his stuff & how to get things moving even in the early morning. He has excellent control & teaches effectively.


On the downside - & this is all opinion. I'd recommend this school to anyone who wants to learn a martial art - I'm not a proponent of the "headbutt" technique. I think the likelihood of knocking yourself out is too high & that's a disaster waiting to happen in a self-defense situation. Again, my opinion. He's not "wrong" in teaching that.


Overall, the school teaches well & offers practical coursework for any student of the martial arts. While I'm content to apply HKD/Arnis for my self-defense needs, JKD is more up your alley if you want to keep a little more distance & allow for strikes. HKD emphasizes close quarters for the most part & Arnis will offer distance in (mostly) armed situations.


All things being equal JKD is a fine art developed by perhaps the finest modern student of the martial arts: Bruce Lee. While there's a lot of hype surrounding his name, my understanding from people I've met who knew him insist he was as great as the legend implies.


I'd encourage any of you interested in the martial arts to get out there & see what's available. There are more "kwons", "ryus", etc out there than I could ever name here & I believe all offer something of value. I, for one, would love to learn traditional "kumdo" (sword). It's not practical for self-defense unless you're the Highlander but fun doesn't have everything to do with practicality, does it? :-)

Reasons I Should Stay In Iowa

1) Friends

2) Hapkido (the art, not me)

Disclaimer: The above are in alphabetical order & do not necessarily reflect HapKiDo's actual views regarding the order of importance. Besides, if you're my friend you know where you stand!

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