I paused mid-hairbrush and smiled.
They’re back, baby!
Later, I discovered two on my forearm.
Feb4
They’re baaaaaack!
Tag Archives: Jiu Jitsu
Jan21
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?
Jan19
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.
Jan17
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.
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.
Nov12
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?
Aug18
On physical therapy and self defense
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.
The person I’d most like to show-what-for is, of course, Sensei. Because he’s always got it coming.
Feb19
You never know, so just, be cool.
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.
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.
Feb11
The one about physical therapy
I’ve been doing physical therapy twice a week, and it seems mostly pointless to me. Can’t I just get better at walking by, oh, I don’t know… walking?
I finally asked the lady at the front desk of the gym if she cared if I hopped on an exercise bike after PT. Her lips formed a tight line. “You’d need a membership,” she said and chased me out with daggers shot from her eyes.
That answers that question. Brrr. On my next visit, I’ll wear jeans so she’ll know I’m not planning to stay for an ill-gotten workout. Otherwise, I imagine her whispering to a colleague, “Keep an eye on that one.”
On my latest visit, I decided to make friends with my fellow PT inmates by saying to one, “So, what are you in for?”
She had had a tumor in her spine! Her entire spinal column is now titanium, and she’s learning to walk again after five years in a wheelchair.
I wanted to hide my lowly “bruised-boned” foot behind my leg.
A third woman was doing breathing exercises in a chair facing away from us. “I feel like I’ve been put in the corner,” she said. We chuckled genially. Then the titanium lady had to literally stand in the corner, one hand on each wall to do… something. I didn’t hear the instructions. Naturally I pointed out that she was now in the corner, to which Titanium responded in a plaintive tone to her imaginary accuser, “I’m sorry!”
Doing our best to make our mutual pain more fun.
The most challenging thing I have to do is lift my big toe–only. Lifting all my toes together, sure, but the big one separately? Not so much. It’s a different muscle, I was told, so I should be able to do it. I don’t know if it’s muscle damage or muscle coordination that’s the culprit here. I sent a picture to Hubby of my latest attempt.
Jan6
Hey, Ma, look what I can do!
No, not wear mismatched socks; although, yes, that. My right foot can wear normal socks; the left requires larger fluffier socks. And doesn’t it deserve that?
For the first time since I was… what?… seven months? When do kids stand for the first time? I should know this. Anyway, I discovered I can put my foot down.
And keep it there.
I’m standing on my own two feet again.
For a few seconds before it starts hurting. But still! Progress!
Several of you have inquired how my healing is going, and my answer has pretty much been: it’s not. Since many of you also comment that I’m great at keeping my chin up, I haven’t wanted to talk about my struggles and let you down.
It’s really not so bad, but maybe the worst is when I dream that I can walk and then within my dream am like, “Oh. Wait.”
Or when watching something and thinking, “Wow. That person can walk!” Or seeing pics of my younger self as, “back in the good ol’ days when I could walk.”
Which is sort of dumb since it’s only been months, not years. And these are not complaints or “where are my tissues?” thoughts. They’re just a shift in perspective that makes me sooooo not take walking for granted. When I can actually do so again, it’s going to be uh-mazing!
On our recent family trip to the zoo, I saw an old lady also in a wheelchair. As we rolled past each other, I wanted to double tap my chest and extend a peace sign in solidarity. But she probably would’ve thought/discovered what a weirdo I am.
Before Christmas, we went to a shopping center that had a huge Christmas tree strung with lights that impressively changed color in time with festive music. There was also a machine blowing bubbles for kids, including mine, to prance around in and pop.
I sat nearby in my wheelchair, remarking to Hubs that I felt like a 90-year-old watching her great grandchildren. All I needed was a quilt across my lap.
Actually, that would’ve been nice. It was kind of chilly.
Dec31
2022 Photo Dump
Throughout the year I’ve stockpiled random photos to eventually use on my blog. Many of them never made it. Today seems as good a day as any to finally post them.
Writing and Martial Arts 