Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Missing the point...

I think I have been missing the point the whole time I have been training. Tonight I had a bit of a revelation after training. My instructor offered up some advice with a particular takedown, sumi gaeshi (?). Having long legs, this takedown seems to suit me well.

Well, I had been hitting this takedown defending against single and double legs against lower belts, but against higher belts I was having much less success as they would drop their weight on to my feet and kill my leverage. I wondered what I was doing wrong. Or was it just that the higher belts were doing things right that the lower belts were doing wrong?

A buddy of mine asked me how I do that takedown after he saw me use it a few times to land comfortably in mount. I really don't know that technique that well, to be honest. I might have been taught it once, but I don't really practice my takedowns often. So I told him that I was not sure, and that I sort of just hook his thigh and pull him over me...as I shrugged. It really just seems instinctive to me to try and flip someone over me like that. Maybe I just played too much Mortal Kombat when I was a kid, I dunno.

So my instructor taught me the technique after class and I saw what I was doing wrong. I wasn't shooting my hips underneath my opponents hips. With the lower belts I have been catching them off guard and inadvertently getting my hips underneath theirs, but not because I shot under there on purpose. Then when I tried to do the same on the higher belts they would stuff me because I was not really attempting to do the technique correctly in the first place.

Now I come to realize that I may have the complete wrong mindset. I have been just going with what works. It shows in the way that I responded to my friend. I don't think Jiu Jitsu is just about getting the job done. I think its more than that. It seems to be more about getting it done easily. I know this is a basic fundamental of jiu jitsu and judo, and they teach it from day one. But I don't think it ever really REALLY clicked for me. I really need to rebuild my game from scratch to make sure that it is real jiu jitsu and not just 'submission grappling.'

I have been programming my body to perform techniques decently. No more. Each and every technique will 100%. Every tech will be done properly, not half-assed. I owe it to myself to take this seriously...and I think I have mostly just been having fun.

I am starting to realize that real jiu jitsu is even more fun when its done the right way.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Delicious burger and margarita @ Cabo Cantina Marina Del Rey, California

The day was a scorcher, a good 15 degrees hotter than normal, and I had no intentions of being out in the sun. I don't know what is going on. Is it Spring still? Or is it Summer already? It's not supposed to be like this! Not yet, anyways. I guess it's a sign of what's to come, weather-wise.

The pool was busier than a flower shop on Valentine's Day. People of all ages and sizes were out sun-bathing and splashing around in the water. It looked incredible. I really wanted to join them, but my day had other plans for me.

I decided to hop on my scooter and ride down Washington Blvd. to Venice Beach. I was all geared up for my ride in my Reef sandals, t-shirt and beach shorts. Now, I love regular motorcycles, but you can't really ride them like you can with my little Yamaha Zuma. That little bike is the best purchase I have made in a long time. I was zooming through all the traffic that comes along with the hustle and bustle of West L.A.

The beach was alive with people. Short one, fat ones, tall ones, and skinny ones. Rich ones, poor ones, young ones and old ones, too. Ah yes, this is Venice. I cruised up Pacific Ave. past all the dawdling cars looking for that jackpot parking spot. I could not for the life of me decide what to eat. I thought that the ride would help me decide, but so far, no luck. As I passed through the Windward Circle, I decided I wanted a really good burger. I instantly knew where I was going to go, Hinano's! The burgers there are with out a doubt delicious. So back down Pacific, I went.

As I parked my trusty moped in a tiny spot that would make even a Smart Car look big, I remembered I only had two bucks in my wallet. Typical. I would have to use my credit card. No big deal, right? Well actually, it is if I want Hinano's, since they don't accept them.
Ok. Time to reevaluate the situation. Where else could I go? "The nachos were good at Cabo Cantina," I thought to myself. Cabo Cantina, it is, then!

I walked up the sidewalk and had to cut through the line coming out the door of the Cow's End coffee-shop and went into Cabo. "I'll take the Patron Margarita, please," I said almost immediately. The waitress smiled and asked me if I wanted the Mega-Margarita. "What's that?" I asked her. Apparantly, it's a 36 ounce margarita for $18. I laughed and told her I would be fine with the regular one. It was quite the offer, but I had to refuse. I was just there to enjoy a bite to eat and yes, a cold drink on a hot day.

And enjoy it I did. The drink was good and strong. The burger, delicious. I had ordered the Tres Quesos burger and was very satisfied with it. I'm no food connoseur, but I know what I like. Good lettuce like that Romaine stuff, and a really fresh-looking red tomato with big grilled onions falling out the sides of it, I was in heaven when this burger arrived. Cheese and jalapenos were covering it all on this interesting bread roll. Lightly-seasoned steak fries, mmmm. I grubbed.

I was sitting outside, but I had completely forgotten how hot it was. My bike ride, margarita, and food all distracted me from the skyrocketting temperatures. So what did I do while I ate? I watched the people.

We are an interesting breed, humans. So many different types of people. So many different faces and body types. So many different personalities and identities. The possibilities are endless for us. We are all alike and yet completely unique. The world is a fascinating place and I am thankful to be a part of it.