Report on the belt test

I was a bit apprehensive coming up to the test. A minor toe injury followed by a nasty bug heavily curtailed my training. I debated holding off until the winter, but decided to go and do it. I asked that the test not be made easier for my sake.

The day of the test I took off from work. I slept in, went to the ophthalmologist, then took another nap. I ate fish protein, real whole grain bread, simple nuts and cranberries. Ninety minutes before the test I got on my bike and cycled the four miles to the gym, taking my time except for one brief period of sprinting through traffic. I arrived feeling not my perfect best, but the best I had been in a long time.

I spent about an hour warming up. So by the time the test began my body was loose and limber. I was ready to go.

The first 30-40 minutes was rough. A really fast paced mix of strikes, movement, and forms. I kept my composure and focused on quality technique rather than speed or ferocity. I messed up a couple combination techniques, but at least the messed up techniques were done correctly, right?

We went to aerial kicks. These are a massive endurance drain. Yet all those endless repetitions paid off, and I fell into an easy rhythm. I felt strong and powerful, and I could have done this forever.

Falling drills make me dizzy to begin with because spinning affects me, add in new contact lenses and recovery from illness and I wondered if I was going to pass out. If you saw me jumping up or down at that part of the test that was me trying to clear my brain.

Forms came next. When I did the 3rd dan form by myself I made a couple minor mistakes but the techniques I executed felt crisp, fast, and strong. My 3rd dan co-tester Dave S did one of the better displays of the 2nd dan form I've ever seen - it exuded raw power. Since the English name of the form is 'Diamond Mountain' that he put so much power into it was awesome.

Self-defense followed, and here I was at a disadvantage. For self-defense I rely on a mix of Eskrima and Muay Thai, and the self-defense here was supposed to be different. You couldn't mix in strikes, just use turns, twists, and locks like in Hapkido (or Aikido). I tossed Dave a bit, and got tossed some as well.

In sparring I couldn't get warmed up. I haven't practiced it enough recently, so it took me a bit to get warmed up. Until the end I fought in pure linear fashion. I got scored against more than I like, but near the end I was starting to mix in much better footwork. I used punches as pushes which is a big no-no, but I did manage to land some nice kicks.

For breaking none of the strikes was a challenge except the first one, a round kick ball of foot strike. And turns out that was pretty easy too. I should have insisted on much more impressive breaks, but didn't handle that part of things so well.

And that was the test. I wish I hadn't been sick right before the test but I think I did fine. As for the others, Dave S did smashingly well, Lila was predictably awesome, and everyone else's effort was strong. I am most proud of my student Henry, because even though he was nervous he kept his composure and looked strong.

Did I pass? I don't know yet, and I am patient about finding out. That I could go and do this and do it well is what was important to me. I will be honored if I succeeded and I will work to improve myself regardless of how my performance was judged. That said, receiving the approval of my teachers, who were the ones who graded me, is no small thing.

Thanks to these people for their support on this whole thing: Mom, Dad, Seth, Joseph, Katie, Dave S, Chris, all my other friends, all my students and their families, my trainers Andrew and Samantha, and my teachers, Dave L, Mohammed, and Master Ron.

Belt test update

First off, I'm getting off being rather sick for nearly a week. My endurance is shot, I've lost some strength, and I didn't get the chance to fine tune some of the techniques. Unlike some places, our high level tests are grueling and hard. So I have serious concerns about testing at this time. Therefore, I reserve the right to not test, and will probably make the call Thursday night.

Second, the time for the start of the test (if I go forward with it) is 6pm. Again, seating is limited so either come a little early or bring your own chair. Senior citizens do get preference, but if there are a lot of senior citizens...

Time: 6:00 pm
Location: 6408 Williamsburg, Blvd, Arlington, VA 22207
Phone: 703-536-9495

update: Oops, corrected title error from 'best' to 'belt'. Ha ha.

Still sick

I felt bad on July 1, maybe even last day of June. Sore throat, fatigued, a bit of headiness. Nearly a week later and I feel the same. Not good.

Not good especially because of my test on Friday. You know, the one where I try to become a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The test is hard enough, but since I'm a teacher there I will have students coming to watch, so I don't have to just pass, I have to look good doing it. And I've had to scale back my training significantly because of this bug.

Very frustrating to be sick right now. Beautiful summer days, lovely weather, and I'm trying get by with a raspy voice and a quarter of my normal stamina. I did rest saturday and sunday, and yet I'm still feeling this way.

Oh well, today going to Doctor to see about antibiotics or something.

Recap of 2008

• I went to Chicago for the first time. The architecture was beautiful. The local food was quite good, nearly as good as the Neapolitan fare I had in 2007.

• Cycled through New York City and reconnected with old family relations.
  

• Kept up with the martial arts. Competed twice.
  

• Almost up to 5 years without a broken bone!!!
  

• Worked another year with Python and Plone. Started to work professionally with Django.

• Stayed with NASA. Managed to see my team evolve into a group that doesn't make me want to pull out my non-existent hair.

• Launched our big project at work (http://nasascience.nasa.gov)
  

• Got my son into physical fitness again.
  

• Shaved my head.

• Got our finances more in order.

• Helped shepherd my students forward for the most part. I'm so proud of them.
  

• Didn't lose anyone close to me.

Update:

• Worked with Alex Clark to launch Take Back the Tap.

• Helped support Food and Water Watch.

• Lasted another year (4 years) at NASA.

• Had a painful kidney ailment in the spring that was a combination of bruising and dehydration.
  

Moving major appliances

On Sunday I did a ton of work around the house.

It started in the morning clearing brush in back of the house. My old clippers are pretty much done so I grabbed one of my kukris and went at it. As a combination hatchet/knife I have to say it worked smashingly well. The kid came out and asked why I wasn't using both at the same time. I laughed, said that only happened in the movies or on the mat, then taught him how to do what I was doing. He liked doing it, but didn't like the bugs. When I was 16 I was more used to bugs and stuff so it was pretty amusing.

Then came in the lifting. The kid was busy so this was all me. Besides moving stuff all around the basement, I took the old water heater out. Alas, not all the water would drain so it weighed about 150 pounds when I took it up the back stairs. That meant I had to dead lift all 150 pounds of it above my head, which tweaked my shoulder a bit.

The old dryer came next. I rolled it up the stairs.

I cleaned up stuff a bit and took a shower to get grunge off of me.

Then it was to the place where we were getting our new washer and dryer. That meant taking both pieces down two flights of stairs and lifting them up into a van. Fortunately I had the kid and this other guy to help there.

We got the pieces home and the kid helped me take the pieces off the van, through the backyard, and down the stairs. I'm proud to say even through that tight back stair nothing got scratched, and most of it was him doing the thinking.

I'm still much stronger than the kid, but if he sticks with this fitness thing we are on he should eclipse me within 6 months, if not sooner. He outweighs me by about 40 pounds and has youth to boot.

There was more labor too but that was the hard stuff worth writing about.

Fitness update

Me

So I started lifting weights again on my birthday after a month-long hiatus. Had to do it because I didn't like my arms feeling rubbery when I did't flex them. I completely changed my routine, focusing mostly on freeweights, starting with as heavy as I can go on something for a full set and then doing secondary and tertiary sets with lighter weights, with the later exercises including auxiliary muscle work. I'm liking the results a lot.

Now that he's started up again, I train in TKD every time the kid trains. Its nice not to be a teacher and just focus on me for a few hours each week. On the plus side, to get a full workout I need to bike from work (12 miles) then train or the class is too easy. This is a good thing especially since...

As of December 2007 I'm eligible to test for my 3rd degree black belt in TKD. I'm not sure I'm going to do it, but I'm thinking about. I plan to make a decision by the end of this month, August 2008.

As for cycling, trying to do it every day except mapbe fridays. My bike has issues, like a seat that won't adjust, so I may have to get a new bike. I've got my eyes open on craiglist for something nearby that is affordable. Next month I do 102 miles in NYC with JSR and my brother.

Kid

He's going to the gym with his mom for treadmill and cycling work. He also rides his bike a lot. And he has decided in TKD he wants to double test in October. He'll have to work hard or that because that he could fail and onl get one belt.

He has a couple pending free personal training sessions he can use. I want him to do these because he ought to be doing weights. But I'm making a point of not pushing him.

Jen

Cycling and treadmilling plus now circuit training. Woot!

Taught my son yesterday

He's been doing a lot more cycling and has started back up with Tae Kwon Do, albeit from the beginning. So far he's gone with me to one of my teacher's classes on monday nights with me. He really enjoys it, although he has trouble with the warm ups, but that will come with time.

So yesterday, on a Tuesday, he came to my teen class. I treated him like any other beginner, which meant a focus for part of the class on falling. My classes have a lot of falling and tumbling, and also get into sparring and a lot of rough contact. It will be months before he will be ready for that stuff in full, but this is the start.

He prefers the other class. That doesn't surprise me, since my class is limited to just 45 minutes and I have to cook in everything I can in that limited amount of time. Also, the falling part is different and a bit uncomfortable for him.

Another reason to dislike P.F. Changs

I dislike them. The quick and dirty:

• Decor that seems to make certain that even mildly busy times are noisy. You are shouting at the people next to you
• Mediocre Chinese-American cuisine made from mediocre ingredients
• Not cheap

So if that isn't enough, here is another reason:

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/20-Worst-Foods/8_Worst_Chinese_Entree.php

Barack Obama versus John McCain

Lets get down to it, a real comparison between Barack Obama and John McCain. A physical comparison!

Last election year (2004) I called the election by comparing Bush and Kerry, and Bush won out because he was an avid exerciser, lifting weights, running, and cycling. Both lost out to Putin, who because of his Judo and Sambo skills could kick both their butts, and so will remain in charge of Russia forever.

John McCain starts out strong. He served for over 20 years in the US Navy as a combat pilot, being wounded several times and surviving as a prisoner of war. He's got a temper that probably lets him clobber anyone in his path. Unfortunately for this candidate he's 72 years old and therein lies his weakness. So I'll give him the edge in combat experience and willingness to follow through on a proper beatdown, but take him to task on his ability to take punishment and last the distance.

Barack Obama has seen no violence outside that of being a politician from the Chicago area. He does seem fit and trim, and supposedly stays that way through a combination of diet and playing basketball. His lack of combat skills and experience hurt him. So I'll give him the physical edge especially with his youth, but take him to task for his ability to really hurt his opponent.

Again Vladimir Putin of Russia wins on his Judo and Sambo skills, and the plain fact that Vladimir is a cool name. Maybe he should get into American politics?

Hu Jintao of China? Well, he excelled in dancing during high school. He stays trim somehow, but its unclear what his methods might be. He is a completely unknown contender, but his slightly awkward posture suggests no relevant physical skills.

Coming up on my week off!

Training this week has been interesting. I know about 80% of the material

What sucks of course is a last minute work problem that is about 50-75% my own fault which might force me to work over this weekend.

Anyway, the fatigue issue is cured. More body minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium have been helping. So has this week where I've not been working out so much, about 25% of normal. My body feels rather recovered now.

I cook for a gathering tomorrow night at a friend's house. I'm thinking fried rice with grilled chinese sausage. We'll see.

Monday I lead my first bike ride! I'm going from my gym to the Smithsonian metro. Its going to be a small group, but future rides will be bigger since they'll be scheduled for the weekend.

Working on the fatigue issue

So on tuesday I talked to a doctor who trains with us at the gym. When we talked the whole thing about electrolytes, and I said I thought I was getting enough, he suggested I really up my intake of potassium, calcium, and even sodium. As he put it, 'putting salt on your food might be bad for most people, but with your volume of physical effort 5 - 6 days a week, it might be what you need to do.'

Now I haven't put any salt on my food yet. But I am drinking more electrolyte water. Eating more bananas and looking to buy some more suppliments. I think I feel better but it might be too early to tell.

The other thing he mentioned is that with my kidney issue I might just be anemic. He said that if upping the body salts doesn't work to try upping my iron intake.

He also said I might want to go to the doctor.

Exhausted for no reason

I don't know why, but since Monday evening I've felt very tired. I'm not sure why. I think I'm getting enough sleep, eat well, and exercise tons. Yet my energy low has dropped precipitously. Very odd.

Cycling in this heat

Riding home it was 96 degrees Fahrenheit and according to weather.com it felt like 101. I've ridden in that before, but yesterday coming home I felt very wiped at the end. So instead of going to the gym I took a shower and languished in our rather chilly basement. So how can I manage this better?

Its not just hydration. I had a carbohydrate heavy breakfast and lunch, which was not ideal. Greens and fish protein seems to work best for me on hot days. So I'm trying to do that today. I'll report later.

I want to get busy!

Normally I'm very physically active. Yet thanks to general fatigue related to my kidney/back problem, whatever it may be, I've been pretty sedate. Well, its catching up to me because sleep is no longer easily forthcoming.

On the plus side, besides feeling like I could sleep another few hours, I feel great. I didn't cycle in to work, but maybe I should have.

More stupid stuff about my health

Over the weekend I took it easy. Not by choice. My energy levels are just plain low thanks to this stupid health issue. My muscles all feel fatigued. Sometimes the area that hurt before aches. I've got a painkiller in case it gets bad. I haven't taken it yet cause it might make me dizzy.

The real concern for me is this weekend. I really, really want to get away. I'll have 10 hours with my work buddy James to work on a side project while we travel. I'll meet my cousin who I haven't seen in about 10-20 years. I might get to see other NYC people I know.

Thats it. You know about as much as I do.

Day after the hospital

I went to our General Practice physician about the lower left kack/kidney pain. After a Q&A and lots of poking and prodding here are the results:

• I definately have a bruised or stress fractured lowest left rib. That actually isn't as bad as it sounds. This sort of thing just happens to me cause I do a lot of contact work. I've got to watch that rib for a week or two and then it should be fine.
• The kidney area pain doesn't add up. I've got some of the symptoms of kidney stones and most of the symptoms of blunt trauma. But not enough of either to be certain. They can trigger the pain again by pressing with force against my kidney though, so the issue is still there.
  

So what does this mean? Well, I have to be careful of taking impact on that area. If it returns when they gave me a muscle relaxant for the pain. And I'm supposed to go back for retests if the pain returns or a week goes by.

How do I feel? Tired from lack of sleep. A bit of nausea. Otherwise am okay. I'll be coming to work tomorrow.

My trip to the hospital

Last night around 10:45 I started to feel an excruciating pain in my lower left back in the approximate area of my kidney scaled around 8 or 9 on the 10 point pain scale. Not to mention periodic fits of nausea. Around 11:30 minutes my son woke up, and at my request called 911 plus a family friend who lives nearby. The EMTs came and took me to Arlington County Hospital which is not far from where we live.

Sometime after midnight the pain faded from a scale of 8 or 9 to about 2 or 3, although the nausea continues to come in slow cycles. I was poked and prodded, CAT scanned and was asked lots of questions. They have hard evidence something is wrong, but the CAT scan is not showing anything. Some suspects include:

• Kidney stones (but these normally show up on CAT scans)
• Blunt trauma to the left lower back (should show up on CAT scans)
• Dehydration (Won't show up on CAT scans but not likely - I drink a lot of water)
• Over-exerscion causing muscle dissolution (Won't show up on CAT scans but I don't think I've been working that hard)
• Pulled/Cramped back muscle (Won't show up on CAT scans)
• Pinched nerve (I'm not feeling any of the loss of mobility this caused on my right side last year)

Since the pain is mostly gone now, they discharged me with a prescription to Skexaline (I think - too tired to go read label).

Anyway, I just got home after being discharged. I've been up all night. I'm going to take a nap, then get my prescription, then log in to work.