If you want to get better, roll with those better than you....stupid!

Yeah, this ones directed at me. Lately, and I say that loosely because its been for the last two months, I've been choosing my rolls based on the fact that I know that I can get away with more with a certain person versus another. Why you aks? Because I've wanted to try getting to back from any position on the mat and then work some cool stuff that I've been watching from back control. Have I been able to get more comfortable taking back control - yes - HOWEVER, there has been one very bad side effect of this. I haven't rolled with the scary 7 (as my buddy Dev puts it). These are guys that scare the crap out of me and I know are better than me. When I've always hit a roll or three with them during a night I come up bruised, batter and beatup....but WAY better off than before I was when I walked in. And my jits got progressively better.

So, Monday and tonight I got a reminder of why I should always roll with the scary 7. I got my @ss handed to me by one of them (Rob) and then barely survived the other (Willy). Good times. So, no more "skeet shooting" with the young guys. Its all out until I leave in three months. I will not give up another opportunity like that again. Then, when I leave, I can honestly say that I had nothing left to give because I left it all on the mat in Monterey :)

The beginning of the end

It occurred to me yesterday that May is the beginning of the end for me here in Monterey. I only say Monterey because I plan to stay firmly connected to Coach Daniel long after I've left California. I've been fortunate enough in my martial arts career to train with some really amazing instructors, and I have to say that Coach D is at the very top. I don't want to turn this into a love-fest for fear that you guys will start laughing or puking....or both :) BUT, seriously he is a mentor for me that can not be replaced.

So, tonight I'll to class again and try to soak up everything that I can. I plan on rolling with every scary dude in class (which always includes Dev!) and take my bruises with pride :) July will be a tough month for Chelle and I knowing that we're leaving. I don't get emontional about very many things, but I'm pretty sure this one is going to be tough.

Sometimes its just not your week...

Wouldn't you know it, just when my school schedule clears and I start hitting regular classes on the mat my son brings home some kind of mutant flu strain that kicks the living dog crap out of me. So, here I sit at home with a head and chest full of green snot lamenting about the matches I could have rolled this week :) I always get annoyed when I see, or hear, someone on the mat that is obviously under the weather so I swore I'd never be "that guy." I've lived by, and preached to those that train with me, if you're sick or have ring worm stay the hell away from the mat. No matter how BAD you want to be there, its always appreciated when you don't share your strain of ebola with the group. I hate it though. I know that everyone is learning super cool stuff from coach that I'm going to get smacked with next week when I drag my recovering arse back on the mat. Good times....goooood times :)