May2

Surfer Dude has abandoned me

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Surfer Dude has abandoned me

When Surfer Dude (SD) isn’t present and Instructor needs a demonstration partner, he usually scans the faces along the wall before saying, “So-in-so, can I use you, please?” often with a cupped hand beckoning the person onto the mat.

This time we had barely lined up, Instructor was still walking onto the mat, and didn’t even look when he called me out, as though it was a given.

That’s cool, and it’s still an honor, but when I reached the center of the mat, I saw SD standing on the far end.

Normally, I play the part of dutiful partner, staying on script, making myself as unmemorable as possible, but I couldn’t help but look at SD and throw my arms up in a “What the heck?!” fashion. He just smiled broadly then trained his eyes on Instructor.

I did the same because focusing on Instructor made it easier not to think about SD watching me. While I did his job. And he sized me up for competency.

Apparently he was just waiting to get across the mat without interrupting, because he left shortly after that. I breathed a little easier.

I’ve watched SD reprise his role enough times to *mostly* know how the game is played.

When Instructor was doing the Americana on me, he informed the class, “Someone who doesn’t do Jiu-Jitsu wouldn’t know to tap. They would be yelling in pain.” Then to me, “Could you pretend you’re just a regular person on the street?”

So I said, “Ahhhhh!!! I give up! I’ll leave you alone! I promise!”

Pretty sure I heard some snickers.

Another time, Instructor told me, “Go ahead an make fists.” I did so with a smile, thinking, “THIS I know how to do.” (Hat tip to Sensei.)

Then Instructor said, “Punch me in the face.” I knew he didn’t mean it, so I pulled back a little and pretended to punch him.

“Punch me in the face for real.” So, confused, I put my fist against his cheek.

“Not for real, for real. Pull back like you’re taking a big punch.”

Oh. More snickers.

I still have a lot to learn from SD.

Once Instructor had me on the ground and wanted me to block my face so he could easily grab my arm. I was not picking up on this as he repeatedly fake punched me.

“Wow, you are really taking a beating. Wouldn’t you block your face?”

“Oh! Right!” I blocked my face, among more snickers. It wasn’t my intention to become a side show, and yet here we are.

Tossing in an old favored pic from years ago. It pretty much encapsulates my, “Yep, I know what I’m doing,” mood. #sarcasm

After class, a student said, “I like it when you’re here when I’m here.”

“Thank you,” I said. Then, because it seemed a valid question: “Any particular reason?”

“You’re just so cool. And you seem so calm and confident and collected when you’re up there.”

Hahahahaha! What?!

“I can second that,” another woman said.

“I guess I fake it well, then,” I said.

“I just think you’re cool,” the first woman reiterated.

If High School Betsy could see me now…

I’ll likely never be as good as Surfer Dude at this demo partner gig, but maybe he could learn a thing or two from me on entertainment value.

So what if it comes about unintentionally?

And now this, for no reason:

I can’t tell you how happy the sight of this guy with that mustache in this car made me. It just seemed like the perfect combination for optimal randomness.

What’s trivial this week?

Yep, Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde was last post’s trivia answer. Up next, a good blend of sports and literature/history:

If the NFL were in ancient Greece, then Hyperion, Cronus, Crius, and Iapetus could be players for this team.

Before someone spazzes, yes, it’s also spelled Kronos. I’m just writing it like I see it.

Also, what do you think of Mustache Man in his little yellow car? It’s like 1970s Britain.

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52 responses »

  2. I was cool in 1970s Britain. Then I got born and wasn’t so cool any more.
    Now I just want people to leave me alone and have pretty much perfected that vibe. To the point that I can walk up to Mrs B and whoever she’s talking to, and without a look or a word, the other person leaves within a minute or two. The only problem is that I still need to master turning it off 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. ”I give up. I’ll leave you alone” says no attacker ever 🤣🤣🤣 Sorry, but that made me laugh! I love mustache man in the Euro car. He needs a name.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • I figured it was you before I read the next comment!

      To be fair, if you’re about to have your arm broken and you’re feeling that pressure build… And the person doing it to you is giving you the option to leave you alone or break your arm, they might give up. And if they don’t… well, you gave them the out. Sure they could lie and come back at you when you release them, but then the good guy wouldn’t be so nice as to give the attacker an out a second time.

      He does need a name! Any suggestions?

      Like

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  5. I’m chuckling, of course, about your latest martial arts experience and Mustache Man in his little yellow car. Can’t help thinking that photo is from another place and time.

    [I don’t know if you care, but your blog feed is no longer coming through in my Feedly account. It says you’re “Unreachable” and when I click on your blog I see this: Feed not found
    Wrong feed URL or dead feed. Just thought you might want to know. Sorry]

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Huh. I wonder why that is. I’m not even sure what “Feedly” is, but I’m guessing it’s like WP Reader? Huh. I don’t know how to access that to fix it. I guess I could work to figure it out. Thanks for the 411.

      Mustache Man also turned toward me at one point, giving me the full force of that ‘stache. It was magnificent.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Betsy, Feedly is like Reader but much better. It allows you to make folders for the accounts you follow, thereby giving you control over what you read when. In the past it has only shown blogs as being “unreachable” when there hasn’t been a post in 6 months. All I can figure is something inside your WP changed and now WP & Feedly aren’t talking to each other. I’ll use Reader to follow you, but only cause it’s you! Gotta have my Betsy. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      • One, it doesn’t surprise me at all that you would be in the know of this Feedly platform thingy because you are so savvy!

        Two….. aaaaaawwwwwwwwhhhhh, Ally Bean……… shuckies! You made my day. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I like that, and I’ll add a few ideas for Ancient Greece football team names: the Spartans (too obvious?), the Senators (too much?), the Herculeans (way too much? 🙃), and, of course the Naughty Nymphs 😁

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. I could tell that was an older pic of you because your feet aren’t bruised, swollen, twisted, mangled, disjointed, or black and blue. And none of your toes are twisted into weird shapes.

    I love mustachioed ’70s small car guy. In fact, I yearn to be ’70s mustachioed small car guy!

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Well, your blog buddies have always known you’re cool. I’m glad your class buddies are starting to realize it, too. Do you think sensei realizes it?
    And that dude is right outta That 70s Show! (He could do with some shaggier hair, though.)

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Pingback: A story about oranges … but also somewhat Jiu-Jitsu, of course | Motherhood and Martial Arts

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