Category Archives: Jiu Jitsu

Mar6

Let’s pretend I did that on purpose

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Let’s pretend I did that on purpose

Frequently I’m partnered with the kid, whom I’ll call Billy. (Get it?) Even when I’m not the only female, I get matched with Billy. That’s not my favorite, since I’m unlikely to be attacked by a 6th grader, but I get it. I’m closest in size to him, since I, too am built like an 11-year-old boy.

Anyway, one night he did some move which was apparently cool. I didn’t see it, but Instructor asked if he had done it on purpose. Billy said no. (Points for honesty!) Instructor said he shouldn’t admit when he does something cool by mistake.

Later, Instructor told Billy to really make me work for it, which I appreciated. So Billy put up a fight. Instructor: “Whoa, Betsy. You got your knees up behind his back. Pulling out stuff from class 11.” He turned to Surfer Dude. “Did you see that?”

“Yeah.” Surfer Dude nodded appreciatively.

It’s a good thing I had just learned not to admit when I do something cool by accident.

Happily doing an arm bar. Pics compliments of Mrs. Instructor who kindly sent them to me after a different class. (That’s not Billy.)

In another class, we learned a new-to-me way of doing the headlock escape superbase variation, so I had no muscle memory to carry me through on this one. Instructor sat down in front of me to watch, so of course my mind immediately went blank.

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Feb22

Receiving my second first stripe

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Receiving my second first stripe
First first stripe, February 2022
Second first stripe, February 2024. See the stripe on the bottom of my belt, all shiny and new?

I recently hit my 20th class of Betsy’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey: Round Two. During that class, Instructor said to me, “I’ve never given a fifth stripe before. Do you want me to add it to your belt?”

I pointed out that my first, first stripe was falling off anyway, so he might as well replace it.

“Do you want me to just do it after class, or should I call you up in front of everyone and do it then?” The latter is how stripes are normally awarded. I’m not usually one to want attention and fanfare, but this would mean I had just completed my 100th Jiu-Jitsu class.

And, darn it, I wanted some fanfare.

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Feb4

Betsy the Sub

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Betsy the Sub

My kids’ school was desperate, so I was asked to substitute teach high school.

Teacher Betsy. I think the fuzzy sweater really sells it.

But under the long skirt…

I literally dusted off my combat boots for this because that seemed appropriate.

The first class was physics. My mom, not a science/math person, suggested I text her if I had questions. She’s hilarious.

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Feb4

They’re baaaaaack!

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They’re baaaaaack!

I paused mid-hairbrush and smiled.

They’re back, baby!

Jiu-Jitsu bruises! See it near my elbow? (BTW, I have to set a featured image, which then appears in the top left corner of the post, so you may see this picture twice.)
And that one.

Later, I discovered two on my forearm.

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Jan21

The Jiu-Jitsu Diaries: Day Three

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The Jiu-Jitsu Diaries: Day Three

While writing my last post, I had a bit of a revelation: What if partnering with Sensei is the problem?

When in doubt, Sensei is always the problem.

But maybe it’s a combination of me being distracted by my desire to show that man up because I’m so annoyed at him being better at me in everything, and his inability to turn off the teacher switch. Like, dude, stop telling me what to do and let me think for myself a moment. (I’ve since said this to him, and he said, “Sorry,” so we’re cool.)

After this revelation, I considered asking Instructor to put me with someone else. Then I thought better of it and decided to leave the partnering to fate.

As fate would have it, Sensei was late, so Instructor partnered me with someone else. How’d I do?

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Jan19

An unexpected pick-me-up

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An unexpected pick-me-up

I was having an Andy Dwyer moment.

If you haven’t watched Parks and Recreation, Andy is the endearing yet not so smart character played by Chris Pratt. In one episode he’s trying to win over the girl he likes, April. A friend tries to help him formulate a plan by asking, “What are your skills?”

Andy responds, “I’m nice. I’m in a band.” The friend waited for more, but that was the extent of Andy’s CV.

I feel on par with Andy. I’m one of those things. The other, no one in their right mind would have me do.

Side note: I was recently telling a friend I had zero musical ability. “I like to dance, though,” I said.

She perked up. “Really? What kind?”

Evidently she was expecting salsa, swing, ballet, heck, even tap would probably do.

“Uh, just to music I like.”

She turned her attention to someone else.

Probably a good thing I didn’t mention head banging.

So, I’m sticking with “nice,” and some people think I’m funny. That’s two. I have to accept that Jiu-Jitsu is not in my skill list, despite how much I wish it would be.

Here’s an opportunity to use two of those 149 pics I’ve been stockpiling. I spotted this and another t-shirt two years ago and snapped pics in case I ever had cause to mention Parks and Rec. I hope fellow fans will appreciate them.

Mouse Rat just happens to be the name of Andy’s band!

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Jan17

Betsy goes back to Jiu-Jitsu aaaaaaaaannnddd you can probably guess what happened next.

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Betsy goes back to Jiu-Jitsu aaaaaaaaannnddd you can probably guess what happened next.

Okay, so I did that free seminar thing with Sensei back in November, right? And we snagged coupons for two free weeks of class, making plans to use them this month. I eagerly awaited our first class, last night at 8p.m., a time that seemed far too late. I kept watching the clock, trying to find ways to fill the time.

This is taking forever. What should I do? Wash dishes or something?!

Don’t worry, I didn’t stoop that low.

Finally, the hour drew near. Once again I perceived the heavenly choir of angels as I pulled my plastic-wrapped gi from the back of the closet.

Throwback to Little Dude wearing my gi top in July 2022.

It was almost surreal to bid farewell to my family as I went off to war. Or, just, you know, to a martial arts class.

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Nov12

Giddy, y’all. Gi-ddy! (There’s a pun in there.)

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Giddy, y’all. Gi-ddy! (There’s a pun in there.)

First, if you’re new here and don’t want to be lost, read this paragraph. If you’re old hat, feel free to skip along. The brief recap: I did Jiu-Jitsu for nearly a year and was In. Love. Then, in September 2022, when testing for my next belt, I injured my foot and ankle. Things got gnarly, and I spent some time in a wheelchair. I nearly went back this past June but busted my knee before I could. I somewhat convinced myself the universe was against me doing Jiu-Jitsu forevermore.

Then this happened…

I’m still on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s distribution list. So, imagine my excitement when I saw the announcement for a free two-hour self defense seminar. I dug my old gi from the back of my closet, pulling off the plastic cover, singing, “Awwwwwww,” like a heavenly chorus. I tossed the bag aside and held up my beloved uniform, saying, “BEHOLD!”

My daughter, witnessing this, laughed, shook her head, and pushed her glasses farther up her nose.

I signed myself and two of my girls up and spread the word to others. Only one person took me up on it. Any guesses?

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Aug18

On physical therapy and self defense

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Physical therapy for my knee injury went well. It was helpful, but I ran out of sessions before getting to complete mobility. I’m on my own now.

I said my thanks and goodbyes, as I genuinely liked the people at this place. They were amiable and fun to chat with, to the point where I felt we were truly becoming friends.

And I enjoy being friendly and nice to people. I also enjoy the thought of beating someone up.

Humans are complicated beings.

My previous physical therapy place had this little display on the reception desk. I took several pics specifically with you all in mind.

The person I’d most like to show-what-for is, of course, Sensei. Because he’s always got it coming.

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Feb19

You never know, so just, be cool.

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I was running late to meet a friend at her house so we could drive together to some event. Her neighborhood has several speed bumps, and I had the misfortune of being behind someone who was taking each bump at 1 mph. I’ve never claimed to be patient. I will claim to always be cutting it fine when it comes to being somewhere on time. So this added slow-down was extra frustrating.

The car in front of me, probably sensing my irritation, (I suppose I was following too closely) eventually pulled over so I could drive past. I shot a glance at the driver, a dude in his 30s or 40s.

from Rodrigo on Pexels

I told my friend about it, when I eventually made it to her house. “Wasn’t that so weird and annoying?” I asked her.

“He was probably delivering a cake,” she said.

Just like that, my indignation was brought up short. “You think?”

“My mom made and delivered cakes. Sometimes I’d go with her and she always had to be extra cautious over speed bumps.”

And so what a jerk I was, being irritated by some guy who gave me a look as I passed that basically said, “Could you just ease up already?”

Maybe he wasn’t delivering a cake, (then again, maybe he was) but regardless, he undoubtedly had good reason for driving so slowly. Maybe a sick kid in the back?

My friend’s statement made me realize how much easier it is to understand people’s actions, and forgive them, when you’ve been in their position too.

But even if you don’t “get it” from your own personal experience, it’s always best to be patient and kind. You never know what people are dealing with.

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