Captain Baron von Awesome's Awesome Blog!

After weeks of not riding, I made the choice to get back in the saddle this weekend. I had great parties both night, but refrained from any booze and left before the people with kids did. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it would be nice to date someone who understands, or at least tolerates this lifestyle. What a 180 from years ago.

At any rate, yesterday was about 30 miles on the road bike, doing the Braes bayou loop from Gessner to UH and back. Construction has been going on there for more than a year just east of the Med Center. There is no good way to get to UH without taking surface streets. This isn't a big deal on the weekends, but it kills the extra trip during the week. I felt okay on the ride, but I can tell it's been a while.

Today was 23 miles on the fixed gear with the group ride from Bike Barn in the Village. Wow. I don't have the stamina I used to (this is fixable), but my speed was good. The interval training I've been doing and Krav have both helped with quick active recovery and getting the mindset to keep pushing. Riding with other people definitely helps, since there is that natural sense of competition. Pity I wound up by myself for the last 1.5 miles, since I completely sandbagged it. Bad, bad Chris. Overall though, I'm happy with my performance.

I've seen some great people this weekend, and for that I am grateful. Off to continue my education for Krav in a natural extension of what we learn in class.  

Posted by superflyc at 09:58 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I love Krav Maga. I respect and admire my instructors. Together these have changed my life in many positive ways. I've learned how to push myself harder and how to be humbled because I know how much further I can go. Seeing the people at the 5AM workout before class on Monday was one example of the latter, and after yesterday's class I joked, "let's go running!" Three people asked "where", and before I knew it, we were running up the parking garage and doing pushups on the flats. Oops.

My one complaint has been and still is the loose nature of the curriculum. In some ways, this is fun, because you never know what you'll do on a particular day. However, it makes getting started difficult. I was lost for the first month or so, trying to get my bearings and not get hurt. It's the new people who are the most dangerous, either through being too timid or too aggressive without control.

I've seen the former a few months ago, and the latter last night. The guy was all pumped up and ran up to throw some punches, elbows, and knees at me. The punches were the first clue that all was not well, because they were flirting with the top edge of the pad, just under my jaw. It was the elbows that almost did me in, because I had to hide behind the pad (discretion and valor, blah blah). If the guy had been doing them right, I would have been defenestrated.

He sat out after that, but it just makes me wish that we had better training for new folks. Maybe it's a sign for all of us to be more vigilant.

Posted by superflyc at 09:23 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

As with many movies of this genre, the outstanding aspects are the set design and outdoor shots. The colors in the former are breathtaking, and the town nestled in the mountains of the latter is a place I want to go.

Lessons learned in this movie (as always, written tongue in cheek):

Most of the Asian films I've seen are heavily, heavily dramatic. I remember the first time I saw "Fireworks" by Beat Takeshi and was moved to tears. Since then, it seems like every movie has similar feature. This is in stark contrast to the usually implacable poise of many of the leads. Perhaps this is intentional and meant to draw one's attention to the inner conflict brought about by the chains of regimented society and culture; therefore, it is best to be a little spastic in order to prevent such over the top climaxes.

Being on drugs or alcohol in an Imperial palace would be a bad idea. The volume of the colors is deafening.

There are *lots* of Chinese, and the bulk of the peons (which in this movie is 99.9%) are exceptionally good at following orders and rules, acting like ants in their uniformity and mindless dedication.

Tight fitting tops squeeze together and accentuate what Mother Nature left out. So much for modesty.

Finally, it is possible to be exceptionally controlling, devious, and demanding. You will get what you want, but no one will like you and the non-peons around you will either kill themselves or each other. 

Posted by superflyc at 09:45 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I've been really slacking about riding the last few months - actually, since the MS150. I used to be good about knocking out 100+ miles a week; now, I'm good to get 20 - 50. I can come up with all sorts of excuses, from rain to band gigs to spending time with friends, but like most things in life, it boils down to choice. I will say that it's hard to socialize with many people who don't buy into the "I wake up at 6 on the weekends to go for rides" mentality. It also makes dating difficult.

I've been trying a new workout, motivated by what we do in Krav. Instead of the dumbbells I've been using for the past 1.5 years, I've switched to a kettlebell workout. A kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a handle on it, and my workout involves 300 reps with the goal of never putting the weight down for the duration. It's hard. :) I'm also doing intervals of 2 or 3 minutes on with a minute rest between them. An interval might be all pushups, or jumping jacks, or squat thrusts - usually body weight exercises, and I'm trying to work in some stretching and static routines like the plank.

So far, it seems to be making a difference, but I was humbled today in Krav. I showed up for the 6AM class, and after punching and mat work and 100+ knees to a bag, I'm scraped, bruised, and tired. Half the class got there at 5AM for an hour of intervals. That's why I feel sucky. :)

Gotta work harder. It's all about choices. 

Posted by superflyc at 06:57 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I'm glad so many friends showed up to my birthday party last night. I had a great time, and felt surprisingly good this morning. I'm surprised that I made it as late as I did; blame it on good company.

I'm sitting in my bedroom writing this, internet radio playing in the background and feeling simultaneously content and a tad melancholic. I can't help but be happy that I got to spend great time with my friends last night, and having an almost finished bedroom and bathroom is a good feeling. After not having a full master bathroom for more than a month now, it's nice to have it back again. I'm also really digging on not having my clothes scattered all over the house while the closet was being worked on.

There's still more to do - decorating and more organizing - but that's all going to come together. I really enjoy the furniture. How I made it this long without really buying furniture is amazing. I suppose it's a combination of living in small places and really hating moving.

But those damn Sunday blues were with me all day. Once I finally motivated myself to get out of the house, that strange yet familiar feeling of being isolated from the rest of the world was along for the ride. I know it passes and don't take it too seriously, but it sure puts a damper on things.

I guess part of it is also that I'm disappointed, but not surprised, by someone. Tomorrow will be telling. I suppose I'll grab a few drinks after Krav. I can't help but feel like I've missed something in life. I'll be 36 tomorrow and wonder what I've actually accomplished. I'm sure many people think about these same things as they get older, so while I'm not terribly down about it, it's still a downer.

I guess I've played a lot of music, always been kept in moderately interesting employment, met lots of great people, and the last few years have seen me go from a couch potato to a decently compentent cyclist and a new interest in Krav has also helped get me in better shape. Still, I never moved overseas, and I still think that would be a good thing. I suppose it's all in my hands, so rather than mope, I should actively participate in shaping things to how I want them. Hm. 

Posted by superflyc at 07:04 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I just came back from the coffeeshop on the third floor of the building. It uses some licensed parts of Starbucks, although not a full fledged retail store.

I know I'm not the only one who complains about this, but can we please call things what they are and not some special name designed to reinforce the brand? A large is a large. It is not "venti". Calling a small "tall" is even more stupid. This is doubly annoying because for the first 2 years that I went there, I'd order a large coffee and wind up with a medium (or whatever the Starbucks word is for it). This is not complicated, or it shouldn't be.

At least I had a good session in Krav last night.  

Posted by superflyc at 07:47 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I played a private party Saturday night with a tight and professional band. We were all in suits and played everything from Dave Brubeck to Sinatra to Sly to Parliament. I love playing in bands like that, where everyone is musically literate and knows how to play well.

At any rate, I was pretty nervous leading up to the show. I had a lot of material to learn in a short time, and I am not a jazz guy. Things went well, though, and I got asked to play some more shows. I'm excited by that, and also a little trepidatious. I have competing passions, and waking up at 6AM on the weekends to go riding isn't something that goes well with getting in after 2AM. Still, I can ride during the week, and have plenty of opportunities for exercise. Also, the money will be good, which will be helpful with the remodeling.

That's the rub, though - money. It's been a long time since I've played just for the fun of playing, outside of the house and all. I remember years ago just being inspired to show up for a gig and wanting to play all night. I still do music because I enjoy doing it, but money is definitely a component of that now.

I'm thinking about that because some former bandmates are wanting me to get in on a project. I like playing original music, but like I told them, I am done with shows that start at midnight, rushed load-ins, shitty sound, and the unevenness that comes with playing those venues. I think about doing original music and imagine something more jazz/groove oriented, or something more acoustic with some good harmonies. I'd be happy to get up on stage with my guitar and a mic with someone else, actually - a few hundred pounds of keyboard equipment is something I could do without one night. :)

Posted by superflyc at 07:51 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)