Aug22

Surfer Dude has it coming

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Surfer Dude has it coming

While I was doing triangle chokes in Reflex Development with Iceberg, Surfer Dude was watching.

“Where do you have your foot?” he asked me.

I looked. “Oh, it’s on his knee. It should be on his hip. Sorry. That was lazy of me.”

“You’re in Master Cycle now,” he reminded me, and continued reminding me as he pulled no punches when we rolled together later. “I want you to be as good at triangles as I am.”

“Whoa,” I said, kind of flattered at his apparent faith in me, since he is the king of triangles. “New life goal.”

Next SD helped Iceberg properly triangle choke me.

“When her face starts turning red like that, you know you’re getting it,” SD told him.

“Thanks, man. Appreciate it,” I said. He smiled.

Screenshot from a video I took in Betsy’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey Part 1, when SD’s blonde hair helped him live up to the name. The unfortunate man stuck sniffing his arm pit is Blue Belt, once called Mustache, if we’re trying to keep track. I asked them to do this video for me because I struggled most with triangle set up. I *think* I’ve finally gotten in down. 😉

Later, when rolling with SD, he said… something.

“What?” I asked.

He mumbled it again.

“What?”

Mumble mumble.

“What are you saying to me?”

“Don’t let me triangle you,” I finally heard.

“Oh. My. Gosh. All the while I’ve been trying to hear you say, ‘Don’t let me triangle you,’ you’ve been casually locking me up in a triangle.” But he smiled and let me go before the actual choke.

Remember that time I tried to cross choke him and almost had it (which he later confirmed) before time ran out? Now was the time to try again. I grabbed the lapel on either side of his neck, crossed my forearms and squeezed.

I could hear him taking measured breaths, pacing himself.

“Don’t gas your arms out,” he said.

I squeezed tighter. My arms were fine. Many ridiculous seconds passed. I squeezed tighter still. More seconds. Tighter again.

Surely he can’t hold out much longer.

Instructor, who had been rolling elsewhere on the mat, called, “Time!”

Other students started laughing. Apparently I had had an audience during this eternal struggle with SD. I let him go, and he laughed too.

Ooooooohhhh. That punk!

“I almost had you though, right?”

He nodded with a smile.

As I was about to leave after class, I told Instructor, “Next time, don’t call time until I finish choking SD.”

“But, was it time?” Instructor said.

“For him.” I pointed at SD standing next to Instructor. Then I sliced my finger across my neck in a threatening fashion, marred only by my huge grin.

SD was smiling too as I swept out the door.

Have I mentioned how much fun I have with these people?

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46 responses »

    • Very true on the lapel. If he was wearing a jacket or sweatshirt, or something, I’d be okay. If a T-shirt, I’d have to employ a different technique.

      And I have to admit, for the record, that if SD didn’t want me choking him, he could totally have gotten away. Perhaps he just wanted to show off how long he can hold out. 😛

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. I bet SD can hold his breath a long time because the waves in Hawaii can take several minutes to go over you. Or is this the kind of choke where you are cutting off the blood flow back down from his head?

    Like

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  8. Oh. My. Goodness.

    My sole reason for getting through today was so that I could answer the trivia question, before anyone else. And look what happens. I have been crying inconsolably for the past (checks watch), 10 seconds! However will I go?

    SD must have a neck of steel, like those action hero guys in the movie, where you see their tendons or whatever standing out from their neck.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Man, oh man. I forget the trivia ONE TIME and there’s a virtual revolt on my hands!

      Okay! Okay! Next time, TWO trivia questions. Sheesh, people. And here I assumed my faithful followers were in it for my entertaining stories.

      Pish. You only like me for my trivia. Now the truth comes out!

      And about SD, I can’t see his bulging neck tendons because I have to drop my head to the mat next to his to perfect the choke, but you’re probably right. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      • * trumpets in the background
        armies assemble
        THIS MEANS WAR!!!!

        Well, ok, 2 trivia questions might help ease the sting of disappoint.

        And the truth shall set you free 😉

        We’ll just assume so. Better safe than sorry….

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I was concerned reading the last two posts. Now I’m worried. You’re so busy chocking each other out you forgot the trivia question. Here you go: Where does the term I’m throwing in the towel come from? No googling! Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

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