Poking the Tiger

April Fools

2011-04-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

Since my sattelite radio is currently out, been listening to alot of local radio. Found some pretty cool new ones on the air locally and got back up to speed with Public Radio for the news.

This one from my teen years was on and it still cracks me up.

Kip Addata - Wet Dream
Not the best audio so listen closely because the words are killer

Sad state of college admissions

2011-03-15T10:44:00.001-04:00

You have no idea how true this is.

State wrestling

2011-03-11T14:49:00.009-05:00

The largest High School tournament in the United States, 896 wrestlers over three days.

Sorry it's taken me a week to post results but it's been a tough weekend to put in persective.

Cole came back for his first quarterfinal match on Friday and had a tough opponent and a tough break.

Midway through the first period his opponent shot for a takedown, Cole stuffed it and dropped to spin around. His jaw caught on his opponents hip as he was coming up and it ended up dislocated.

Naturally he had to forfeit the match. No saying how it would have ended. He was holding his own but the guy did end up taking 2nd eventually (after giving one of Cole's friends a concussion).

Here at 1:27

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2011/03/hollys_shawn_scott_wins_quarte.html

The sports Docs got it to go back in eventually and cleared him to wrestle later.

We all left it to him, no one would expect him to continue or expect any more from him.

His reply? "I have to".

Unbeleivably he came back just 3hrs later and wrestled very hard and very smart. The guy had a good takedown shot but Cole had great defense and strategy. I don't say this much but I'm not too thrilled with the refereeing either. Twice or more Cole had a takedown all but done and he stopped them as out. Another time he was finishing a takedown and the guy called break and gave the other guy a takedown. Not really.

He tied it up right at the end of the third round by getting the guy called for stalling.

Watching the overtime round I don't think he was 100% recovered from the dislocation and the guy snuck in a takedown and just like that, the weekend's wrestling is over and the HS wrestling career is over.

Loosing your third match in overtime, I don't think you can be any closer to medaling and yet not place.

Pretty tough pill to swollow after working so hard and enduring so much during the season.

one broken nose (two last year)

level one shoulder separation

minicus slipped 3 times in practice (it feels like a dislocation)

dislocated jaw

cauliflower ear (which we got drained Tuesday)

and probably more he never mentioned.

Final record 44-10, ranked as high as 5th in the state.

March of Champions at the beginning of tournament

But some others who have put it in perspective had some wisdom to share.

No one makes it to the State finals in just their third year of wrestling

('cept world champion stickfighters one former teammate mentioned, he wrestles in college on a scholarship now btw).

It just isn't done.

The good friend he made during the season who he beat pretty well twice this year had been wrestling for 14 years. You just don't make it to State in such a short time.

And the only wrestlers who wouldn't want to trade places with him (at State) are those who placed 1st through 8th. All the other guys who have been wrestling for years that didn't make it would love to have the opportunity just to be there.

So yeah, a pretty good senior season. Setting a goal a year ago and making it come true through everything that happened. Doing what it took and staying true to the goal when others gave up or took an easier road.

State Wrestling championships

2011-03-03T21:21:00.002-05:00

Just back from round one. Lasted from 2:15 to 8:30!!
Cole one his first match 3-2. Very tough match that ended with another broken nose.
But now he doesn't have to return until 11AM for the round 3 quarterfinals.

Teammate Brandt also won his first match in very dramatic overtime fashion.
Very well done.

'cause I've got a golden ticket!

2011-02-19T19:24:00.005-05:00

State Qualifiers from Hamilton - Cole and Brandt

Preferred ticket order forms

Three good matches today. Winning the first and 2nd and narrowly loosing the final championship match.
A bit frustrating for Cole because he feels he was the better wrestler. The guy just rode him for the 2nd and third round and never got called for stalling. A winner never likes to loose anything, ever. That's what gets them to the point of winning. To Cole, if the guy is better than you, know shame in loosing. Hey, he was better. But if he knows in his head and heart he was better and for a different application of the rules, ect.......

In the end? Whatever.

Going to State!!

Regionals tomorrow

2011-02-18T15:48:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is the Wrestling Regional finals, actually at home this time.
I've agreed to run a clock so time should pass quickly until I get a break and watch Cole Wrestle.

Michigan Grappler now has him ranked #5 in the state and predicts him to take first place!!
Hope it's not a jinx.

171

#5 Cole Van Harm (Hamilton) vs Dan Dykstra (Middleville TK)
#9 Chance Gorby (Allegan) vs Chase Challender (Charlotte)
#6 David McCormick (Forest Hills Northern) vs Wade Schlosser (Lowell)
#10 Derek Nietering (Coopersville) vs Blake Marsh (Eaton Rapids)

Outlook: All four placers from the Coopersville district should have a good chance to advance at this weight. After advancing from their tough district last week Van Harm, McCormick, Gorby and Nietering are all currently ranked top ten at their weight class. However Marsh and Challender are tough as well and should make this a very competitive weight class.

Predicted Finish: Van Harm, McCormick, Gorby, Marsh

Weds was team regionals but he faced two of the guys from tomorrow. The first was one he beat Saturday and the other was a strong, bulky guy predicted to take 3rd tomorrow.

Oh, he beat them both.

So, here's some action from Wed.

Borrowed shoes - District Championship

2011-02-13T16:43:00.013-05:00

Individual Wrestling District Championships were yesterday. Big day for wrestlers. It's the first cut to their quest to qualify and wrestle at the State level, every wrestler's dream.

Cole's started off rather bumpily. Someone stole his wrestling shoes Friday night.

I got stressed calls from him on the team bus ride to the meet asking if his shoes were at home, they weren't. So I did some running around trying to find them amidst dropping off food for them to have after the onsite weigh-in. No luck. So we brought his beat up shoes as back ups just in time by start time.

Fortunatley there's another wrestler on the team with size 12's as well. It was a little dicey time-wise as he was only two weights below Cole but it all worked out.

Huge thanks to him for being generous enough to lend them to Cole.

Cole started off the day seeded in second place due to his record of 36-7 and 1st through 4th seed get a bye in the first round.

Well, you can see things went pretty well.

All three matches wins, beating the #6 and #5 ranked guys in the state and he is now seeded first going into Regionals which will be held at home Saturday. There were only two Regional champions from his team yesterday and 4 others qualified as well (1st through 4th moves on).

Now at Regionals there will only be 8 per weight class and the top four move on to State. Needs to win at least two matches.

One step closer.....

these are the only vids I could upload as the rest were over 100mgs and blogger didn't like them

His second opponent had a rough day. Coming in he was seeded 4th but came in not feeling too well for the day. He and Cole have met before so it was anticipated to be a hot match.

But Cole said he himself was in the zone and really slicing time (thanks Mushtaq) and it was as if he could see everything in slowed motion.

Right after this one the opponent ran off to grab the garbage can (he did come back and wrestle well in his consolation 3rd place match so he recovered fine)

Quick feet, no?

He'd met his finals opponent earlier in the year and lost to 2-1. This time he came back very aggressivly and hooked up hard.

Cole was down 3-0 as a result when he stuck this reversal and wicked neck crank to go up 5-3.

Then kept that pace to end the match winning 8-6 - District Champion.

20sec pin

2011-02-10T10:03:00.003-05:00

Team district action last night.

Hamilton defeated Holland soundly and then Zeeland East to become division 2 district team champions.

Cole had the fastest pin of the night, 20seconds.

Conference Champions

2011-02-06T14:21:00.011-05:00

Saturday was the individual Conference championship. Points earned individually also add up to an overall team conference score. The hawkeyes have defeated every team in the conference dual meets but if one other team won the individual conference meet on individual points, it would be a co-championship. That's what happened last year.

But not this year.

The team pulled it out again and defeated the 2nd ranked team by one final team point, 241 to 240.

Cole also had no problem winning individual Conference at 171. He defeated all three of his oponents in the first round, by pin at an average elapsed time of one minute.

Record 34 and 7

nother tournament

2011-01-30T17:12:00.003-05:00

Another saturday tournament down.
12+ hours makes for a long day, specially when it's 9-5 in a bleacher.
Cole had yet another great day, going undeafeated again.
That's three undefeated tournaments out of four in January, his only loss to a Division 1 ranked team.
So the current record of wins-losses is 31-7, 21-1 in January.
One more Quad on Wednesday and then it's conference action next Saturday for which he should be seeded in first place.
Great to see him having such a great senior season.

nice article from last Saturday too.

http://allegannews.com/articles/2011/01/27/sports/4.txt

HOPKINS—Records are made to be broken and on Saturday, Jan. 22, Jake Arndt of Hopkins set a school record that he hopes is broken.

“My hope and desire is for someone else to break my record,” said the modest Arndt, who set the mark for most career wins in Hopkins. “That’s what records are all about.”

Arndt, who wrestled at 152 and 160 pounds, would like to see the Vikings’ wrestling program make some noise at the state level.

“We’re getting better and better,” Arndt said. “I would love to see wrestling become an elite program at our school like football.”

The Vikings, who finished a close second to Hamilton at their own invitational, are making great strides. “They’ve really gotten a lot better,” said veteran Hawkeyes’ coach Gregg Stoel. “(Hopkins coach) Joel (Eding) has done a great job with that program. We feel fortunate to get out of here with a win.”

Hamilton went 5-0 at the daylong tournament.

The Hawkeyes opened the invite with a 69-6 shellacking of Whitehall. They followed that with a 35-24 win over Edwardsburg, a 63-14 pasting of East Kentwood’s B team and a 40-28 victory over Three Rivers.

The Hawkeyes’ toughest match was a 36-30 decision over the Vikings in round 3.

“I thought we might get them,” Eding said. “We had a great shot.”

Eding was extra fired up for the bout.

“Joel really wanted it,” said his wife, Denise. “He didn’t eat when he left home this morning.”

Eding could almost taste his first triumph against his alma mater.

“This was the closest we’ve come to beating these guys,” Eding said. “A match here or there could have been the difference.”

Another factor might have been the coin toss.

“Winning the coin toss is always very important,” Stoel said. “For me it usually comes down to a match against a certain kid. They got what they wanted when they put up (Elijah) Mack against Cole VanHarn (in the final match).”

Hopkins laid all of its marbles on the floor when they sent out the muscular Mack against the equally well-built VanHarn at 171 pounds. VanHarn ended up winning arguably the day’s most exciting match with so much at stake, 3-1.“That was a great match,” Eding said. “It was a match that could have gone either way.”

This was the fifth time this season that VanHarn, who is ranked 10th in the state, has won a match in the last five seconds.

“I would much rather get it over as quickly as possible,” VanHarn said. “Winning at the end like that is not something I plan on.”Also going 5-0 on the day for the Hawkeyes besides VanHarn were Collin Welcher (103 pounds), Brandt Welcher (130) and Joey Cullen (152).

“We knew this would be a tough tournament,” Stoel said. “We wrestled very well against some very good teams.”

Hopkins’ four team wins came over Three Rivers (48-21), Whitehall (65-18), Edwardsburg (41-31) and East Kentwood’s B unit (66-14).

“This was a fun day,” Arndt said. “It was fun to wrestle five matches.”

Several teams in the past have voided against Arndt, who raised his season record to a perfect 32-0. He has now won 141 career matches and broke Kinion Mack’s previous school mark of 137.

“I’m happy for Jake,” said the classy Mack, working at one of the tables. “He’s a good wrestler, who has good techniques.”

Stoel also had special words for Arndt.

“He’s a very solid wrestler,” Stoel said. “It’s easy to see he has worked hard to get to where he’s at.”

Arndt has another big goal in mind for himself and for the Vikings before the season comes to a close.

“I’d really like to see us win district,” Arndt said. “I believe we have the team to do it.”

Hopkins will host districts Thursday, Feb. 10.

“Ironically, Otsego, the team we last defeated for our lone district championship, is in our district along with Fennville,” Eding said.

Also finishing with 5-0 unbeaten marks for Hopkins along with Arndt were Kyle Cooper (215), Jimmy Renberg (145) and Paul Weber (119-125).

Jack LaLanne - RIP

2011-01-24T09:33:00.004-05:00

Simply put, We're not worthy

•LaLanne's last public stunt was in 1994, when he celebrated his 80th birthday by getting handcuffed and shackled in order to fight strong winds and currents and swim 1.5 miles while towing 80 boats with 80 people from the Queensway Bay Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary.

Wrestling action - undefeated tournament

2011-01-23T20:38:00.010-05:00

Another hot tournament Saturday and yes, two more last second wins!

Cole went 5-0 undefeated (as did the team overall) and two of those were some pretty hottly contested matches on his part.

I was requested to put up a little of the action so here they are.

The first match wasn't too difficult but some interesting action.

Watch how good initial technique below allows him to maintain against the drag and complete the headlock throw.

The second match was another hot one with a pretty aggressive, hot opponent. A particularly nastily coached team that does whatever it takes to win.

He got a point against him for this unnecessary crossface that drew blood, that point would later prove to be crucial.

As you can see here, Cole sorta returned the bloody nose favor ('cept on Cole's part it wasn't due to wrestling "dirty"). He simply hit him with such a hard takedown that his head snapped down and hit Cole's knee (something that actually happened to Cole last year against one of their guys but that's another story).

Lots of headbutting (by the opponent) and hand-fighting.

ultimately this one went to an overtime round, first score wins.

Cole got the takedown at the buzzer.

Completly exhausted, he dropped into his seat after leaving the matt.

But more significantly, after the handshake at center, the other guy actually collapsed and crawled off the matt to lay against the wall for the next 1/2 hour.

The next match was against the host team, the team to beat to win the tournament.

Wouldn't you know it, Cole's was the final deciding match. Team score was 30-27. If he looses, the team score is tied and they'd loose on criteria. They'd moved their 160 guy up to 171 knowing that he was ranked as high as 6th in the state the previous year and had already beaten Cole last year.

A pretty aggressive strong opponent, a tactical match with little scoring going on, none in the first period.

Cole got an excape in second round, now 1-0

Then he got an excape in the 3rd, now 1-1

Once again, Cole scored the takedown at the buzzer, 3-1 final, team wins the match and goes bannanas.

Told him, you just proved you deserve to be state ranked.

The next two matches were somewhat anticlimactic but still some good action.

Watch how he keeps the leg tied up on the reversal. Most guys let it go.

His season record now stands at 25 and 7,

15 and 1 since xmas break

State Ranked

2011-01-17T16:16:00.003-05:00

Directing your attention to the 171 rankings below.
Among high school wrestlers, being state ranked is a pretty big deal. There are something like 100 schools in each of the 4 divisions and you are ranked in the top 10 of all wrestlers at your weight and many schools have multiple guys at a given weight.
The intimidation factor alone is huge.

http://www.michigangrappler.com/files/High_School/HS1011/rankings/jan13_d2.html

Michigan Grappler's High School Rankings
Division 2 Individual Rankings
1/13/2011

103 lbs
1 Zac Hall (St Johns), Fr.
2 Dean Somers (Lapeer West), So.
3 Andrew Betke (Allegan), Sr.
4 Logan Crandall (South Lyon)
5 Tyler Baber (Niles), Sr.
6 Steven Bleise (Dexter), Fr.
7 Brandon Tresemer (Zeeland East), Fr.
8 Collin Welcher (Hamilton), So.
9 Dale Umlor (Coopersville)
10 Michael Schmidt (Greenville), So.
112 lbs
1 Jacob Schmitt (St. Johns), So.
2 Tyler Daniel (Lakeshore), Jr.
3 Joey Golani (Crestwood), Sr.
4 Ryan Carroll (Parma Western), Jr.
5 Tyler Foley (South Lyon East), Sr.
6 Mason Cleaver (Holly), So.
7 Alex Melinn (Coopersville), Jr.
8 Tyler Nietering (Spring Lake), Jr.
9 Adam Nichols (Lapeer West), So.
10 Chase Lewis (Tecumseh), Jr.
119 lbs
1 Conor Youtsey (Mason), Sr.
2 Anthony Gonzales (Holly), So.
3 Tim Lambert (Forest Hills Eastern), Jr.
4 Esteban Gonzales (Holly), Sr.
5 Tyler Frese (Lakeshore), Sr.
6 Brant Schafer (St. Johns), So.
7 Kyle Simaz (Allegan), Fr.
8 Chris Carroll (Riverview), Sr.
9 Collin Lesko (Tecumseh), Sr.
10 Andre Sanders (Farmington Hills Harrison), Sr.
125
1 Josh Pennell (St Johns), So.
2 Mike Shaw (Allegan), Sr.
3 Nikolas Leal (Holland), Jr.
4 Dan Graham (Sparta), Jr.
5 Brendan Cummins (Annapolis)
6 Taylor Trombley (Owosso), Sr.
7 Eric Stock (Orchard Lake St Mary), Sr.
8 Kyle Hurley (Sparta)
9 Joe Ferguson (New Boston Huron), Sr.
10 Cody Vanderhagen (Hazel Park)
130
1 Camryn Jackson (Lansing Eastern), Sr.
2 Nick Trimble (Sparta), Jr.
3 Jeff Jenkins (Tecumseh), Sr.
4 Sam Hanau (Stevensville Lakeshore), Sr.
5 Brandt Welcher (Hamilton), Sr.
6 Collin Burandt (Niles), Sr.
7 Harry Kriger (Spring Lake), Jr.
8 Zak Baumer (Byron Center), Jr.
9 Jake Livingston (Grand Rapids Northview), Sr.
10 Zack Jones (Holly), So.
135
1 Victor Vettese (Avondale), Sr.
2 Taylor Simaz (Allegan), Jr.
3 Joe Johnson (South Lyon), Sr.
4 Cody Stenberg (Muskegon Reeths Puffer), Jr.
5 Taylor Grenawalt (Haslett), So.
6 Jesse Armstrong (Gaylord), Sr.
7 Timothy Scott (Highland Park), Sr.
8 Austin Cottongim (Fowlerville)
9 Ronnie Bechtol (Tecumseh), Jr.
10 Travis Dragomer (Stevensville Lakeshore), Jr.
140
1 Gabe Morse (Lowell), Jr.
2 Payne Hayden (St. Johns), So.
3 Joe Preston (Grand Rapids Northview), Jr.
4 Dallas Blank (Linden), Sr.
5 Shawn Brewer (New Boston Huron)
6 James Roberts (Farmington Hills Harrison), Sr.
7 Chris Hebert (Ogemaw Hts), Sr.
8 Kyle Reinhart (Avondale), Sr.
9 Gabe Stepanovich (Forest Hills Northern), Jr.
10 Travis Kern (Fowlerville), Jr.
145
1 Andrew Morse (Lowell), Jr.
2 Travis Curley (St. Johns), Jr.
3 Nate Zick (Byron Center), Sr.
4 Nick Starzek (Mason), Jr.
5 Dean Vettese (Avondale), So.
6 CJ Tripp (Tecumseh), Sr.
7 Mike Waldon (Vicksburg), Sr.
8 Dakota Gordon (Fruitport), So.
9 Ben Klinkscale (Grand Rapids Northview), So.
10 Marcus Shephard (Farmington Hills Harrison)
152
1 Jordan Wohlfert (St. Johns), Sr.
2 Ryan Burl (Dewitt), Sr.
3 Tim Sims (Milan), Sr.
4 Isaac Joseph (Lapeer East), Sr.
5 Collin Ferguson (Hastings), Sr.
6 Garrett Johnston (Escanaba), Sr.
7 David Tucker (Coldwater), Sr.
8 Drew Barnes (Dexter), Jr.
9 Travis Dadow (Battle Creek Harper Creek), Sr.
10 Matt Galvan (Adrian), Sr.
160
1 Taylor Massa (St Johns), Jr.
2 Adam Bonner (Greenville), Sr.
3 Dan Fleet (Lowell), Sr.
4 Andrew Kelley (Allegan), Jr.
5 Cody Kline (Clio), Sr.
6 James Mondoux (Portage Northern), Sr.
7 RJ Gaskill (Milan), Sr.
8 Jake Stehley (Lowell), Jr.
9 Zach Gnass (Byron Center)
10 Dillon Hunt (Gaylord), Sr.
171
1 Jordan Thomas (Greenville), Jr.
2 Shawn Scott (Holly), Jr.
3 Chevez Ferris (Ferndale), So.
4 Tom Carney (Tecumseh), Sr.
5 David McCormick (Forest Hills Northern), Sr.
6 Derek Nietering (Coopersville), Sr.
7 Jake Haddad (South Lyon East)
8 Nate Knauf (Dewitt), Jr.
9 Eric Strickler (Lapeer East)
10 Cole VanHarn (Hamlton)
189
1 Gabe Dean (Lowell), Jr.
2 Kyle Fisher (Linden), Sr.
3 Paul Dunneback (Sparta), Sr.
4 Jackson Lewis (Madison Hts Lamphere), Sr.
5 Garrett Stehley (Lowell), Fr.
6 Conrado Dominguez (St Johns), Jr.
7 Andrew Hissom (Spring Lake), Jr.
8 Garrett Viehl (Greenville)
9 CJ Spencer (Lapeer East), Sr.
10 Jake Hampton (Haslett), Sr.
215
1 Adam Coon (Fowlerville), So.
2 Kyle Spear (Stevensville Lakeshore), Jr.
3 Matt Schultz (Milan), Sr.
4 Colton Marlette (Hastings), Sr.
5 Brock Neeson (Kenowa Hills), Sr.
5 Dillon Raymond (Hamilton), Sr.
7 Dallas Ratcliff (New Boston Huron), Jr.
8 Brian Moran (Fowlerville), So.
9 Steve Blank (Allegan), Sr.
10 Trey Sweeney (Ypsilanti)
285
1 Quean Smith (Highland Park), Sr.
2 Michael Hooper (Warren Lincoln), Sr.
3 Collin Teff (Portage Northern), Sr.
4 Adam Robinson (Mason), Jr.
5 Jake Lynema (Lowell), Jr.
6 Kyle Carlson (Stevensville Lakeshore)
7 Justin Zimmer (Greenville), Sr.
8 Martaz Churchfield (Highland Park), Jr.
9 Shawn Chamberlain (Dexter), Jr.
10 Deshaun Lee (Marysville), Sr.

And again

2011-01-13T22:46:00.005-05:00

Big conference meet with local rivals last night.

Cole did it again, winning in the last 10 seconds.

Here's the newspaper article.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1958454907/Hamilton-wrestler-gets-tough-win-after-losing-grandfather

Also made 1st team, academic all state for football, it was just announced. Only 24 in the entire state.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x512656390/West-Ottawa-Hamilton-top-Academic-All-State-football-teams

The team also tied for 2nd in the state.

My Personal Moto

2011-01-12T15:52:00.003-05:00

You can search the database for your favorite stip here

http://michaelyingling.com/random/calvin_and_hobbes/

All life's questions can be answered in Calvin and Hobbs

Calvinball anyone?!?!?!

Wrestling goldness

2011-01-10T16:57:00.006-05:00

Haven't given a wrestling update in a while. Season kicked back into full gear this week and Saturday was another all day individual tournament with 12 teams in attendance. They wrestle individually by weight class but also gather points for a team score.
Cole came in ranked 4th for seeding purposes and steadily worked his way through the competition. Wrestled his butt off in fairly aggressive fashion.

This guy was fairly strong he said but he finished him at just around one minute.

When he wrestled the #1 seed the guy was like 3" taller, a new experience because Cole is always the taller one.

The guy was known for a great top game so Cole got him to the ground

and basically manhandled him for three full rounds. Never really let him up.

The Championship round was pretty closely matched. The guy was strong and fairly crafty. He knew how to respond and what was coming. Going into the final 30 seconds of the final round cole was down by like 7 pts. He put hit trust in his take down and it paid of getting 4. In the final 11 seconds he was down by only 1point, needing a 2pt takedown to win.

Her ya go:

Currently sporting a 15-6 record and 5 of the 6 losses are to ranked guys at high level tournaments.

Frog under glass

2011-01-04T10:09:00.003-05:00

Been some interesting weather here lately. One day all the way up to 53, melting most of the snow on New Years Eve (figures, the snowmobile trails open on Jan 1).
Then the next day dropped down to 22 degrees. 31 degree drop in less than 24 hours.

Made for some interesting formations on the surface of my koi pond caused by the pump I leave running to keep the surface open and gasses to escape.

But unfortunately for the frogs, I don't keep all of them open. The small ones out front I leave as much vegetation as possible in if they decide to hibernate there. The surface melted and then refroze leaving a clear view quite a way down.

Unfortunately, they either didn't go deep enough or it froze solid.

That's a clear block of ice there.

How many did you count? I got up to nine and some were quite large but not in a state of suspended animation unfortunately. I'm betting there are more farther down.

Hey! Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T10:31:00.001-05:00

And this is for those of you who don't observe it, :-)

snow update

2010-12-07T14:37:00.003-05:00

How much? 16.5" packed down on the back of the car.

So probably around 20" fell in 36 hours. Not bad. Only plowed the driveway 5 times in 2 days.

I mean, it's not like we live in Buffalo or something!

When I moved out here 10 years ago it was in a bit of a rush.

When I would unload the trailer some stuff was determined could go next to the driveway.

On the final day of moving it started snowing, and snowing, and snowing.

Snowed for 9 of the next 11 days. Some stuff didn't get found for months, LOL

this comes close.

Goodbye Saturday, hello bleachers

2010-12-07T06:59:00.000-05:00

Wrestling season kicked off Weds. night. This means so long to Weds. nights and Saturdays spent in bleachers. Hamilton plans a pretty stiff series of tournaments for Saturdays, Weds being conference dual meets but the Saturdays don't count other than to prepare the guys for the end of the season runs for individual and team State tournaments.

Cole has a good chance at going to state and also at winning his weight for Conference. At least that's one of the personal goals he set. 6-0 for the season so far.

One of the team goals he helped set was winning the Gene Kraai tournament held this past Saturday. That's one down!, They've come in close the past two years so it was nice to see.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x556846348/Hamilton-defeats-West-Ottawa-to-take-first-at-Kraai-invitational

Undefeated Hawkeyes from Saturday.

snowy day

2010-12-05T19:45:00.006-05:00

Winter seemed to start Weds with a decent little snowstorm. Lots of idiots hitting the streets (and ditches). Welcome back to the same state you've always lived in morons. You've lived here all your life but have no memory it seems prior to March. Sigh.

I'll do something here against principle, bitch on my blog.

All summer long I call my H3 Hummer the Inverse Time Machine (That's as snappy as I get when annoyed). No matter the fact that I'm going the speed limit and usually above, no matter what the speedo of the moron behind me says, they must be going much, much slower (some sort of time space quicksand surrounding H3's). Because invariably, they just have to pass me, ASAP. Something about being near an H3 changes their perceptions or something. And it's not just my driving. Many many passengers will attest to the idiots.

So, now that mine is the superior vehicle on the roads,
"hurry up or get the eff off the roads!"

I've had to endure your tailgating, ect all summer. Now that the seasons have turned and I have a vehicle purposeful for winter I guess it's my turn to drive like a dick, right? No, I don't but I sure have no problem leaving them behind.

Headed out to Mushtaq's this morning in the latest lake effect snow storm and immediately decided to turn around. Not because the going was too rough, because of all the morons who just had to be on the roads headed to Church at 30mph (no comment on their misguided attitudes and self-righteousness).

Ah well, what're you gonna do?

It did turn out to be a rather pretty day though.

All told around 8", 6" in the first 4 hours.

(UPDATE, another 5-6" over night, LOL)

The Koi are all tucked in cozy in their beds.

Football banquet

2010-11-27T13:02:00.000-05:00

End of the season banquet was last week. Talk about the team, ect and the awards they won (which aren't out for a few more weeks though). Cole's up for Academic All State, exceeds all the qualifiers and he's the only one on the team so.....

One of the nice things they gave them besides a scrapbook is a disc of pictures the official sideline photog takes. I tried to take some during the year but my camera didn't cost $1000.

Textbook tackle I'd say.

"there was this linebacker, and he was really big see, and....."

"Soon as you get that ball, I'm gonna put a hurtin' on you!"

Happy Thank a Native American Day

2010-11-25T02:57:00.000-05:00

Hope you enjoy your Holiday and don't forget the origins of the day.

Ortho update

2010-11-24T15:40:00.002-05:00

Saw the ortho. Turns out fortunately it wasn't dislocated (despite what the coaches and trainers thought).
Knee is completely stable and fine. Dr. could not find any unstability or cause any pain. Based on Cole's condition in the office, no way it could have been actually dislocated, as major trauma and ligament damage would have resulted and would have still been causing lots of pain and swelling.
Most likely cause was a "hypermobile minuscus".
http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/full/187/2/384
Meaning the minuscus has " a lack of normal meniscocapsular attachments" in the back of the knee. This can allow the minuscus to bulge out of the knee capsule, thereby causing the knee to lock and not move, as like a dislocation. This is especially caused by deep knee squats or kneeling.
Hypermobile Minuscus or The Wrisberg varient occurs in around less than 1% of the population depending on what studies you review.
According to the Dr. it just happens and there's not much that can be done about it other than to avoid the deep squats. Not too sure that's enough of an advice just yet.
We are getting an MRI of the knee on Sunday just to confirm that it really is the case. Dr. really didn't want to, oh well.

Demo time

2010-11-19T10:16:00.004-05:00

A former coworker I still stay in contact with now does martial arts and is also a pack leader for his local cub scouts. Asked if I would be willing to come in and give them a demo to help expose the kids to new stuff. Sure why not. You never know and it's for good fun.
Cole was coming along to assist but 2hrs before we were scheduled to leave, he dislocated his knee in wrestling practice. More on that after we see the Ortho. Never dull with that boy.

Soo change of plans and more solo demo- ing and my freind had to stand in.

Rather funny beginning. Starting out you can never tell the audience and they were a fairly rambunctious group when I started asking for questions.
But never fear, as soon as a pulled a Cold Steel Barung from the scabbard, I had complete, undivided silent attention!

" See the guy with the camera?' World Champion!

"No way, are you lying to us?" LOLZ

This btw, was a showing of INcorrect, not correct examples. We we want to blend and NOT be there instead (see next pic). This was also a nice segway to the general rule of "I don't want to fight you" and "don't be there".

Now I got your attention!

See, it's just a gardening tool.

12 months

2010-11-03T11:57:00.004-04:00

Last week marked twelve months since my most recent (hah) surgery for my shoulder.

The surgeon advised it would be a minimum of 12 months before I could be back doing any sports with normal function and ability. And that would be for a normal recovery on a patient who hadn't developed many adaptive irregularities over the past decade (hah again).

I'd have to say I'm at about 85%. I've been very careful to rehab properly for the long haul. I've said all along the reason I did all this now over the past 4 years is i still want to be kicking ass when I finally get old (hah thrice).

I've tried a few times over the summer to push things and test my recovery, even comtemplated fighting in the PIG tournament. Sparring Cole squashed that (or he was just that fast).

But mostly periodic test cutting of bottles and vegetables.

A few have scoffed at this but training in an art that prefers sharp, long pointy things and only uses sticks for stand-ins, I've found the cutting to be a great training too. Lets you know if your motions/edge are correct, what is really in that power swing, where you end up under speed/stress, how you move with combinations while travelling distance, ect.

It also let me know during the summer how my recovery was progressing.

Some cutting earlier this summer gave me pretty dismal feedback. Vertical cuts weren't bad but horizontal was poor. So I also adjusted my rehab.

Ultimately, we had lots of fun last week! Especially before it gets too cold.

For some reason, Chris has an affinity for short blades.

So, based on this one I feel pretty good

So how good is your kung fu?

2010-10-19T18:18:00.000-04:00

Friday night football

2010-09-21T16:48:00.000-04:00

Cole started playing football in the 2nd grade, before most of the kids on his current team (different school district). It was iffy at the time, you know moms not so sure of their little boy playing football.
But it was love at first tackle. It's been a high point and anchor for him through some very trying years. But something about the controlled anarchy and of course the chance to crush someone within the rules (hmm, stickfighting?).
This will be his 10th and senior year and possibly his last. Yes at Stanford he could be a walk-on but would that be worth it.

Leading the team song after a win

Friday night was a great night for him (#44). Doubleteamed most of the first 1/2 (the other teams watched film and knew already) but he still wreaked havoc. Then in the 2nd 1/2 he really lit them up. Blocked a punt that set up the first score for the team and really changed the course of the game. Then went on to rack up solo and assisted tackles.
Came down to the final 25 seconds and a win. An extremely happy team. The only other two times I can remember seeing him this happy was getting his 34 on ACT's and winning Worlds in the PI.

And, he made the paper the next day too boot.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/footballfever/x1985976034/Hamilton-rallies-past-Byron-Center-with-trick-play

Hamilton rallies past Byron Center with trick play.
By ALAN BABBITT
The Holland Sentinel
Posted Sep 18, 2010 @ 12:30 AM
Hamilton, MI — The Hamilton football team refers to the play as “Z Explosion.”

It can be called a season saver, too.

The Hawkeyes stunned Byron Center with a 14-13 win Friday at home, using a pass off a reverse for a 66-yard gain that set up running back Joey DeGood’s winning 1-yard touchdown plunge with 24.5 seconds remaining.

Hamilton evened its record at 2-2 overall with the thrilling OK Green Conference win. The Hawkeyes also kept their state playoff chances from flickering further.

PRIME PERFORMERS
• Cole Van Harn, Hamilton linebacker. The senior was a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage, blocking a punt to set up Hamilton’s first touchdown and making three tackles for loss.

• Nathaniel White and Mitch Klein, Hamilton receivers. The two executed Hamilton’s desperation trick play to perfection. White is the team’s backup quarterback, while Klein is not a regular on offense but was put there for the play.

• Cody Buresh, Hamilton defensive back. The senior blocked a critical extra point after Byron Center’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with 5:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. It paid big dividends when Skylar Sale kicked the go-ahead PAT five minutes later.

TURNING POINT
Sitting 1st-and-10 at its 25-yard line with 1:51 remaining, Hamilton stood 75 yards from the end zone and had barely produced that much on offense for the entire game. The left-handed White took a pitch, reversed field and tossed a perfect strike down field. Klein caught the ball and was tackled at the Byron Center 9-yard line. Three plays later, DeGood ran in the end zone to tie the score.

KEY STAT
149 — Number of yards Hamilton produced against Byron Center. Half of them came during the Hawkeyes’ final scoring possession.

SCORING SUMMARY

BC 0 7 0 6—13
H 0 0 7 7—14
Second quarter
BC — Derek Sievers 5 run (Charlie Wait kick), 14.7
Third quarter
H — Joey DeGood 4 run (Skylar Sale kick), 7:42
Fourth quarter
BC — Sievers 3 run (kick blocked), 5:34
H — DeGood 1 run (Sale kick), 24.5

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“We said we’re going to go empty, try to chuck it and see if we can get the ball down the field. We really worked at that play. It keeps our season alive.” — Hamilton coach Chris Myers

“We work on blocking kicks a little bit. If we see a point, we try to capitalize on it. It’s just us going hard like we know how to do.” — Hamilton senior Cole VanHarn

“It’s a big turnaround for us.” — Hamilton receiver Mitch Klein

BOTTOM LINE

Hamilton still is struggling to get its offense moving, but the Hawkeyes came up with the clutch play they needed to bounce back from a 42-14 loss to Zeeland East. Hamilton now goes on the road for the first time next week at Wyoming Rogers.

Copyright 2010 The Holland Sentinel. Some rights reserved

And my Dad and Norma were able to be there along with Roberta's dad.
My dad's been in poor health all summer but got some encouraging news from the heart specialist that same day so he was able to make what was a very exciting night.

Mushtaq's Birthday Bash

2010-09-09T13:00:00.002-04:00

Headed off to Mushtaq's for our weekly training and mayhem session Sunday
However this week was a bit different, it being his birthday.
Janet planned for guests to arrive shortly after our training finished so Roberta came along and so did Cole. Cole's pretty busy since College dual enrollment already started but with it being Mushtaq's birthday he would not be denied.
And a birthday is a thin enough excuse to break out the pointy things and execute the water bottles.

Chris also built a throwing apparatus for tomahawk and knife throwing to be used at the tournament in Chicago. It's now installed at Mushtaq's for a while.

This photo would atcually be Roberta's first throwing success.

You can be sure when Mushtaq's friends gather round, the food is phenomenal.

One of the prizes Cole won at the tournament was a Cold Steel Finn Wolf Knife. Figured I might as well try it out.

Mushtaq also taught Cole how to put a good edge on one of his tournament prizes. Pretty good job I'd say.

This one tried to escape so Chris pinned him down first

Now this is a Balisong. Got it back in 04 but never actually cut with it before, LOL

Now hold still

and Cole says "that's all"

Hope College Community day

2010-09-05T21:48:00.003-04:00

What's that Style, you love Dutchmen?

Since Cole could possibly be attending Hope, my alma mater, and playing football for them next fall, we thought it would be fun to take in the annual community day festivities.

For $8 you get tickets to 4 college sporting events and the picnic. the college puts it on every year as a way to build relationships with the community.

And even better, we got tickets free as one of Cole's teammates is the son of one of the coaches and he offered to get free tickets as a recruiting function (yes, they're recruiting him).

They usually hold it in October if I remember but I think they moved it up to September for warmer weather. Who'd know they picked a weekend where blustery low '60s weather would blow in.

It was still good fun.

Chicago 2010 pics

2010-09-02T14:27:00.000-04:00

Thought I had posted these but they didn't come through.
Here's some pics from the tournament previously mentioned.

No hitting below the belt!!

Navadisha is a fairly private system but some things need to be done publically so we figured the tournament was a good place.

Chris receiving his Protector rank in Navadisha

Cole receiving Assistand Instructor Rank. Cole also received a certificate in Krav maga from Chris.

My Senior Instructor rank

Cole and Chris, winners (survivors) of Combat Knife.

Jeepney Buffey at Little Quiapo restuarant

Oh yeah, Halo Halo!

Our seminar portion on Saturday.

Chicago Pacific Island Gathering and Tournament

2010-08-14T08:56:00.004-04:00

Steve Perry whined recently that people just don't post often enough. Sigh...
I could say something like "we're too busy living/training/working (or posting on FB not)" but that would be disrespectful so I won't.
Navadisha clan is heading out shortly with Mushtaq and Cole for the annual slog to Chicago for the tournament. Chris is meeting us there after teaching today.
Would have left even earlier but Cole has a football scrimage this morning, already!
Sure to be a good time as usual.
I made some of the trainer weapon prizes this year as well as procured the rest of them from Cold Steel (barong machetes and rubber knives)

You can see them on the fb event as well.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121114407931356&index=1 Whoever wins should be quite happy.

This is potentially Cole's last attendance as college looms next fall and depending on where the little genius gets accepted, he could be on either coast by this time next year. (Stanford and MIT are looking promising).
So we're also taking him here tonight. http://littlequiapo.com/

Oh man, Halo Halo without the fear of waking up sick the next day!!!

We have an additional suprise for Cole that I can post here in a few days.

Chris just got a new HD video camera so hopefully I'll have more and better pics and vids to post in a few days as well.

2010-08-05T08:26:00.001-04:00

I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some -- Herbert Rappaport

Great 80's advertising

2010-07-27T19:58:00.000-04:00

Funny 80's Ad: You And Your Johnson - Watch more Funny Videos

World Champions

2010-07-27T12:43:00.008-04:00

So yeah yeah, Mariah won another one (OK two)? Blah blah.

Sorry, just kidding!! That's phenomenal!! But seriously, was there any doubt? Not with Dad training her on the side.

So congratulations Mariah!! But Mariah, just so you don't forget where you started, does this bring back any memories?

WEKAF World's 2006, DisneyWorld Florida.

Our family spent pretty much the entire trip hanging out with the Moore's and just having the time of our lives.

Which brings me to my new hero Randy Moore.

I started late in WEKAF, I think I was 34 at the time, starting out fighting 18yr olds. For double stick they never had a senior division until '06 and I was so broken by then I couldn't fight anyway so I always fighting young guys.

But Randy started when already over 40!

AND wins Gold and Silver. My hats off to you Randy (and a feeble thanks for making me feel really old).

Time to raise the bar

2010-06-29T10:01:00.001-04:00

Recently finished some more trainers. The WWII Barung (pictured with the original) is definitely my best work to date.

Sulu Kris

WWII Barung

Also working on a duplicate scabbard to go with the barung.

A sense of humor all his

2010-06-26T09:31:00.003-04:00

When I was growing up, preparing for a career was implied to mean, get a college degree. Once graduated, you then started building your resume. Um, yeah. Hindsight says there was a lack of advice with that.
So Cole has benefited in that he understands that even what you do in high school has a huge impact on what College you get into. And what College you get into has a huge impact on who hires you (or in his case, what grad school you get into). Not to mention ACT scores, ect.

Right away in the 9th grade it's about building that resume. What sports did you play, what classes did you take (in his case dual enrollment and advaced placement classes means he'll be a college sophmore when he graduates HS), were you on the National Honor Society, ect.

One thing that he did this year was enter the regional Chemisty competitive scholarship program. the top 5 qualifiers from each school are invited to take another test at the local university. More importantly, the top 20 winners get cash! 11-20th get $30. 1st is $600, 2nd is $500, and so on.

So as a junior competing against almost entirely seniors and even kids from private science prep schools?
Yep, spanked them all. The prep kids perrenially win every year so his teacher was especially jazzed about it.

Cole and his school's valeditorian this year, who took 9th place.

But listen to Cole's answer here at the end. Most of the kids are coming up expousing on what prestigious college they're going to and what they're studying.

Cole's answer was much more simple *g*

Kia Hamster rap

2010-06-15T06:58:00.000-04:00

I'm not a Kia guy but ya gotta love their latest commercial skilzz.

Latest diversion

2010-06-13T14:45:00.002-04:00

So if you have kids all grown up now, or if you need to be able to realize your's could be alot worse, this makes for a nice diversion. Does bring back some memories though.......

http://shitmykidsruined.com/

The broken toe and the $180k Porsche are my favs so far.

Mother's day

2010-05-09T21:34:00.003-04:00

Happy Mother's Day.
It's been 22 long years now since mine was taken unexpectedly.
Changes everything. I try not to be morose about it but it's a bit hard on a day like today.
So, you've prolly heard it but, if you can, Call Your Mother. It will mean a lot to both of you.

Latest Trainers

2010-04-16T10:29:00.004-04:00

The PT finally released me from Physical Therapy last week to a home program. A bit over the planned timeline but not out of the norm.
So I can lift what I'm comfortable with (not much right now) and do what I want within reason. Will still be another 6months before I'm back to better than new fighting-wise but that's fine.

So one thing I'm slowly getting back into is making trainers. If you'll notice, in the upper right hand corner is a link to my online album of trainers.

Here is some of the latest work:

Kuku Macan with Leopardwood

Mushtaq's Silat Knife design with Bacote wood

Mushtaq's Silat knife made with Osage Orange. Sustainably harvested from a local tree that had died. Beautiful wood, no?

KABAR TDI rig knife for a local LEO to use as a trainer for his rig carry, Burlwood handle

Bankung sword

Spring is here in force

2010-04-15T15:15:00.002-04:00

Spring is here in force.

The new bulbs from last fall are up.

Tulips are definitely a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Tuliptime festival this year could end up being a StemFest.

count day

2010-04-02T11:13:00.002-04:00

So, filled out the census yesterday, it being count day and all.
But something that really struck me everytime I had to fill out "race". Good grief! We're still hung up and classifying by that. The only thing it's used for is affirmative action these days to keep deserving kids out of good colleges and give other kids scholarships based on their race that don't care to go there and didn't work for it. Don't get me wrong, everyone deserves help but those that need it shouldn't be segregated against because they "aren't" on a certain list of diversity.
Every time I saw the blank to fill in race I was tempted to write "HUMAN".
I mean, the term "race" has been up for debate since like forever
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_(classification_of_human_beings)

I also don't recall seeing Caucasoid, Congoid, Capoid, Mongoloid or Australoid listed as choices either.

OK, done ranting. Something I try not to do here.

Monday Morning

2010-03-29T10:45:00.000-04:00

OK, all better now.

Crocus

2010-03-24T13:45:00.003-04:00

The crocus popping out in the spring is definitely one of my favorite parts of a cold Michigan winter ending.
That and being warm with out 3 layers finally and being able to train outside longer than an hour, which Chris and I did last night.

But, if we didn't have that winter, we wouldnt have all the glorious rebirth and renewal in the spring either.

Salute update

2010-03-22T11:48:00.002-04:00

Received the following comment from Randy to the post below.

Way to go guys!!!!

"We are having a great time here in CA.As always got to see alot great people and meet some new ones too.
WEKAFUSA is still strong!!
Mariah took 1st with the team in forms, 1st in double trad forms,1st in double stick and 2nd in single stick.
I got 1st in trad double forms, 2nd in single stick and 3rd in double stick fighting(not to bad for the 1st time).Thank you for all of your support and coaching."

Not too bad for an experience fighter RANDY!

We salute you

2010-03-17T11:48:00.003-04:00

WEKAF Nationals are going on this weekend in California. This will be the first one I haven't attended since my first in SF back in 2000. And wouldn't you know it, this one is back in SF for the first time since. Can't complain though, I was just there in Oct.

But the Moore's are going.

So, GOOD LUCK MARIAH!

But even more exciting is that Mariah's dad (that's often how people know him "Mariahs' dad") RANDY MOORE is competing. In forms and in fighting. Randy was asked to fill an open spot in double stick and told me "hey, it can't hurt". Well Randy, yes it can hurt. Believe me. I'm still finding some spots in physical therapy.

This is one of the few photos I have of Randy because he's usually the one behind the camera.

So Randy, you have my utmost respect for stepping up.

We Salute you!!!!!!

The backstory of this photo is in the above photos at the last Nationals we were pretty sure Mariah broke her ring finger and had a splint on it. She was constantly giving us a finger.

Big Bang

2010-03-14T17:50:00.003-04:00

If your watch Big Bang Theory, something I didn't do until recently, you might catch the vanity cards from Chuck Lorre productions that flash up for about 1second at the end.

Too much about this one is sadly true. Not most but enough.

http://www.chucklorre.com/index-bbt.php?p=280

And this from # 184 is spot on:
"Don't hug men while shaking their hand. Enough already with that. The shake/hug (shug?) is probably something Roman guys did when their empire was in decline."

Snows they are a melting

2010-03-08T11:42:00.005-05:00

Up to 45 degrees on Saturday. The snows are definitely disappearing. In town most of it's gone but by us is tends to linger.

Internet time can be good for some things. I'm not much of a fan of myspace (only useful after the guy shoots up a college campus and journalists can then look up their photos) or facebook, the biggest waster of human productivity in oh, forever.

But there are some things that before, you just had no way to procure.

The closest Asian grocer that carried PI products closed down last year but I've managed to find PhilAm foods and would highly recommmend perusing their selections. they even shipped out free Kalamansi Jelly last month.

http://www.philamfood.com/home.php

The selection is amazing.

Hamilton Wrestling District Champs

2010-02-11T12:05:00.009-05:00

On to Regionals! Exilarating and exhausting.

The team won Districts last night in incredibly exciting fashion.

The final round against a very tough team they had only faced once before and lost by several points due to some guys being out and shifted to different weight classes. So they thought they could beat them.

The other team put out some different guys this time as well though so it was a very tough time. Cole beat his guy in the final 10 seconds to get the points for his team even breaking his face mask in the process and finishing without it (he started wearing it due to the broken nose issues).

As you'll see by the final score, it was down to a matter of 2 points. Some key guys did not win as expected, yet some other guys really stepped up in return. The final match had everyone on their feet cheering on the final wrestler. To win the match he needed to either get a Technical win (spread of 15pts) or a Pin. Not an easy task. Yet he rose to the challenge with a pin in the 2nd round. Quite amazing.

Here's some of the local paper play by plays which tell it better.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-4120126585001745334/hamilton-wrestlers-get-pin-in-final-match-to-nip-otsego-for-district-championship/

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1025057327/9-and-counting-Hamilton-wins-ninth-straight-team-district-wrestling-title

Final round

Wrestling conference finals

2010-02-06T19:43:00.008-05:00

Cole and Joey
Go Hawkeyes

Conference finals today for bragging rights.

Whole team did fantastic. There's 14 weight classes and they had 13 guys in the finals(1st-4th), 10 guys going for championships.

4 earned championships.

Hamilton had the Top overall team score winning conference. They wrestle as individuals but earn points toward the team score.

Cole took 2nd place to a very tough but nice opponent, his pal Joey earned 3rd. The whole team really wrestled fantastic. Now on to team and individual districts.

What I truly enjoy seeing is Cole's display of sportsman ship. If a guy wrestles fair and beats you simply because he is a better wrestler than you, no reason you can be friends and aquaintances and nothing to feel bad about. Something I taught him through stickfighing tournaments. Always try to leave a tournament with at least one new friend. You've tested each other through combat and have learned something together about yourselves. No need to still be enemies.

3rd place guy? Not so happy having gone 0-3 against Cole this season. I suppose I can understand his disappointment. Cole said he had really improved from the last time they met so he wanted it bad too. Of course, Cole improved not just a bit too.

Nice, very nice

2010-01-24T14:12:00.007-05:00

Haven't posted much about the wrestling season of late........

'cause it keeps you pretty busy.

Most of the Saturday tournaments have us dropping him off at school by 7AM, leaving for the tournament at 8 and then not home again till usually around 8PM. Long days in bleachers.

At the individual tournament in allendale 1/9, Cole and his buddy Joey Cullen both placed 6th place in their weight classes out of 18 teams in attendance. (last year I believe he placed 5/6th in JV there).The team total score (based on individual points for wins) garnered them an overal 6th place as well. Quite good considering Hamilton is a division 3 school and there were several division 1 & 2 schools there as well.

More often than not Cole is beginning to win his matches and more than not those wins are by pins.

The coach takes them to some pretty tough tournaments as that will get them prepared for conference finals as that's what really what counts for season records and going to State.

A lot of the local teams will have good records and placings in tournaments but it's because the tournaments they attend are not that tough or only a few teams.

Here is Cole's first match Saturday morning where he performed well showing good techniq and form. the first near pin is his reverse cradle. (we're still working on a name for it, he has a one armed one he calls "The Bleeder"). the final move is a double arm stack that the best wrestler on the team is infamous for doing over and over (that kid is ranked 2nd in the combined 4 divisions for his wt). For Cole to pull it off is pretty Kewl.

"The Bleeder"

The only downside was that in his final match he once again got nailed in the nose (by a knee). Last Saturday this happened twice in two different matches and in Whitehal in Dec it was a crossface that saw him bleed for 10mins. First one last week was a headbut, second one was an elbow when he was puttting a guy in a spladle. I'm telling ya, wrestling is way more injurious than stickfighting!

Oh, and after the injury timeouts, Cole tends to comeback and win the bout anyway which he did again saturday. The headbutt he won with an armbar.

Engerlish

2010-01-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

I don't take credit for this but it is worth posting

Since we're now living in the time of e-mail (and blogs
and texts and Tweets) and the more common use of the written
language, it is time for an English lesson.

So, with tongue firmly in cheek, here are some rules to keep
in mind when using the Queen's Engerlish:

1. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat).
6. Always avoid annoying alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific.
8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually)
unnecessary.
9. Also, too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10. No sentence fragments. No comma splices, run-ons are bad
too.
11. Contractions aren't helpful and shouldn't be used.
12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary;
it's highly superfluous.
14. One should never generalize.
15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
16. Don't use no double negatives.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
18. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical
words however should be enclosed in commas.
22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
23. Kill all exclamation points!!!!
24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
25. Understatement is probably not the best way to propose
earth shattering ideas.
26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when
its not needed.
27. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me
what you know."
28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times:
resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it
correctly.
29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
31. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
32. Who needs rhetorical questions?
33. Exaggeration is a million times worse than understatement.
34. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

Perspective

2010-01-07T11:42:00.002-05:00

What’s that saying about experience is something you don’t get ‘till after you need it?

You could say the same of perspective. It’d be nice to have sooner I suppose.

But I feel l gained some good perspective on something last year.

Growing up I never spent much time around older folks or interacting with them.
Being a rather uptight community with a CR Church around every corner (there’s a joke about spitting in there) there always seemed to be some barriers between kids and adults and elders.
It was very strongly implied (and spoken) “Kids are seen and not heard”
So I never really developed good conversation skills when it came to my elders.
Plus it was always implied that any adult knew what was best for you. That caused a rude awakening when I got my first college summer job working in a factory with lifers.

I’ve always been a bit envious of friends who could instantly develop a relaxed rapport with older adults and knew how to treat them respectfully. Just never developed that as a kid where I grew up.

A) Back this spring when I was recovering from acute appendicitis I had a follow up appt with the surgeon. As usual the office of the urologist had a high concentration of elderly.
By the time of this appointment I had recovered from the collapsed intestine and resulting bloating (caused by the pain meds) but the massive treatment of antibiotics was kicking my ass (found out at the appointment that why I was so exhausted and not hungry was from the Antibiotics).
I can very clearly remember looking at the distance from the truck to the front door and not really being ready to summon up the energy to cover that distance (say 90feet), and just then noticing an elderly gentleman dropping his wife off at the door. Ah yes, an “Aha moment” of shame. See, I will recover before too long (I hoped) but that’s a daily realization for them, it won’t get much better.
Once I made the trek inside, seated at the waiting area, I was in pretty rough shape (comparatively). Out of breath, cold sweats, nausea. I wondered, is this common for them too? And wondered how many of them graciously hide it.
Upon leaving I saw yet more folks making that “long” walk to the door. I resolved later that day during my slow time of convalescence, I would try to remember as often as possible to stop (or race ahead) of the elderly or infirm and geez at least hold the door for them for Pete’s sake. And try to get better at it as time passes. I do think I have managed to keep that resolve for the most part. My old childhood training that created that wall jumps up but I override it as much as I can.

B) Shortly after my shoulder reconstruction, another “Aha Moment” occurred. I had just reached the point of being able to go part of the day without my brace on during the day (about 3.5 weeks post op). That particular day we had gotten one of the first early freezes/light snows and upon arriving home from work the driveway was still covered with a thin layer of snow and some hidden black ice. I was being careful and I still didn’t spot the ice. Now remember, after years of MA training I’d like to think I’ve got pretty good balance and rarely fall. And in those instances where I have fallen, my Hapkido training has saved my ass pretty well.
So, I didn’t fall this time. Caught my balance pretty well but unconsciously jerked my shoulder back pretty fast (not the hand as that would result in a break for certain) to regain balance. Interesting fact is one of the highest incidences of hand breakage is due to snowboarders falling backwards and breaking the metatarsals due to the bad instinct we all have to put that hand down. They actually make wrist braces to prevent it for snowboarders.
But I can tell you that shoulder sure hurt like hell and I was really worried I had hurt something for certain. After the pain subsided with my daily snuggle with the icebag I had another realization. If I had fallen, it would have been REALLY, REALLY BAD despite my previous training. I was really not being as carful as I should have been. And here’s the aha moment. I will get better but to be elderly is to be in fear (or at least conscious) of this possibility at all times, when leaving the house into unfamiliar territory and OH MAN especially during the winter. Talking with my Physical Therapist when there is severe weather predicted, due to his large percentage of elderly clients, he sees a dramatic increase in cancellations, they just don’t want to go out. Oh hell no, I wouldn’t either.

C) Doors that are hard to open. Now that I have the use of both arms, I really don’t have much strength in my primary arm. Surgeon limited me to 5lbs lifting (yeah, I break it). But as I build up the strength through PT to use the arm properly (due to the previous condition I had developed some bad compensations), I’ve become very aware of just how hard to push/pull open a great many doors are. I constantly have to stop midway and switch hands. It’s really something I think many people take for granted. But again, I will get better and stronger. But eventually, I will get weak too(hopefully a long time away). I don’t have a solution for this one but I think my resolution from A is a step in the right directions.

So please remember when you’re rushing up to the door at the store, look around for someone not quite as physically capable as you and just spend the few extra seconds to hold the door or make sure they make it safely inside.
The time spent is really not that significant and the good karma earned sure can’t be a waste. They might not appreciate it (but probably will appreciate the offer) and after all, character is what you do when no one notices (or something like that). Soon enough we’ll all have that same perspective.

Beautiful Buried Bonsai, Batman!

2010-01-02T11:44:00.007-05:00

Attn Steve Perry, THIS is snow.

Since the snowmobile trails here go through the State Game Area, the trails don't open until Jan 1, when the late deer season ends. Since i just spent way too much $$ having one of the sleds tuned up and did some repairs myself, Jan 1 was eagerly anticipated.
Weather guys predicted a heavy snow starting around 10PM New Year's eve. Perfect!
Well, probably not perfect for drunks heading home at 3 AM.
It did start falling around 10PM but didn't really start heavy till much later.

All done we got 8.5" of beautiful powder. No blowing, no ice. Just a nice blanket. No real traffic problems either.

So after a quick breakfast we headed out and hit the trails.
Surprisingly, we were the very first ones on the trails for the year. What an amazing ride to have the trails like they were your own private trails on the back 40.
I let Cole do most of the driving as my shoulder can't steer too well on the larger sled.

My little angel Cole

Happy Holidays blues

2009-12-23T08:08:00.003-05:00

Nope, not those blues, these Blues!

If you have a guitar bent, pick up a copy of Merry Axemas I & II. You won't be disappointed. These always hit the CD changer when company comes for the holidays!

And ya gotta have some bass, by one of the best Stu Hamm

And of course on a holiday side note, if you've never heard his version of Garibaldi's Peanuts theme you need to check it out. This is an older version (live in person is better or on his "The Urge" album) but you get the idea.

2009: A Beer Oddessey

2009-12-11T12:15:00.004-05:00

By far one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. Gravity is not his freind.

Be sure to have the sound on for the music.

I had the actual file but blogger didn't like the format.

And so it begins

2009-12-04T12:02:00.002-05:00

This was the view as I got home yesterday:

The prediction was 4-6" of snow by morning.

Well, they didn't get it right. Which is surprising. Usually we get way more than everyone.

This is what it looked like this morning:

Not much. Does look like Mushtaq got way more on his blog. Hearing from places north of him they got 9-12"!

Yep, I guess it's December in Michigan.

Took the older of the sleds in for a tuneup ($$ youch) and now realize I personally probably won't be able to ride it for another 2 months anyway. This is why I always looked forward to the first good snow the past few year.

Oh well, the boy will have fun.

And speaking of the boy......................

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

First Varsity match of the season and he snagged a starting spot on Varsity in only his 2nd season.

Also listed by the coach in the local paper's prep report on local HS wrestling as one of the key wrestlers on the team. Neither of us saw that coming.

So, saying good bye to free time on Weds. eves and Saturdays until March. We'll emerge then.

This is new

2009-11-16T16:01:00.000-05:00

A friend and former co-worker of mine runs a decent size orchard nearby. Last count around 125acres of apples, pears and peaches.
Tho not just any fruit, some of the best varieties you can find. He used to bring it into work for orders though neither of us works there now. Now I catch up with him at the local farmers market on the weekend.
He grows pears, apples, nectarines and peaches (my favorite? Ambrosia. A large white fleshed variety that smells like purfume).
One more great thing about Michigan is the variety of fruit in the fall. The area we live in is one of the two largest areas in Michigan for apples and grapes and Michigan is one of the top producers of Apples and Cherries in the country.
And if you haven't had a HoneyCrisp apple, you are really missing out on a treat. Brian turned me on to these during a particualarly good year when his were bigger than softballs (it seems HoneyCrisp trees have 1/2 year harvests, One year is great, the next will automatically be lean).
The next thing he turned me on to are Asian pears, long before they or HoneyCrisps were in vogue.
And Brian grows around 8 varieties.
The great thing about Asian pears is they eat like an apple (staying crisp)and keep for twice as long, just getting better with age. I've kept some for three months in the crisper. My favorite variety has a clove smell that just gets stronger the riper it gets and the juice turns into honey.
So last week I was surprised (I shouldn't be) to see something new (and not a variety of something, if it's new, he'll have it first) from him.

Pear Cider!
Not cheap, $3 for 1/2 gallon but it's not like you can shop around.
And that's something else about Brian's stuff, it's not the cheapest but you can be certain it's always the best.
For his, I'm willing to pay.

Great cider by the way, a very unique taste.

2009-11-04T12:28:00.005-05:00

Well, it's been about two weeks now and things seem to be going fairly well. Start PT finally on Tuesday.

I'll have one good day, do a bit too much and then have a fairly bad day the next, kind of a wicked circle. But I can tell you it is maddeningly frustrating having your dominant hand unavailable for most things. Went back to work last Monday and typing and writing were a real challenge. I suppose I could have taken several weeks off as short term disablilty at 2/3 pay but I just couldn't afford that. So i took 4 vacation days.

As for the surgery, went pretty much according to plan about 2.25 hrs. According to the surgeon this time the right side labrum was in even worse shape than the left. If you can see it in the photos below, it pretty much looks like a horse's mane, all shredded. 1st pic across and 1st in 2nd row.

But I think things will go much better this time for recovery.

As I mentioned to Cody:

1. I was mentally prepared for the outcome of this surgery, I was not last time. I asked for this

2. I no longer have a lot of the compensations that I did last time which caused complications in PT

3. I’m able to identify different pains now as being normal or not and can feel confident of how I’m convalescing

4. All the work I’ve put in to stabilizing the shoulders is paying off and I can identify what I feel and the body can now move more normally.

5. despite the pain I’m more positive and not so “why me?”

The second set shows the Labrum Trimmed up and the threads of the repair to tighten it up that were anchored to the Scapula.
Third set shows the work done to begin grinding off the bone spur(last pic).

Pretty Kewl the pics they can take these days. I have glossies from 2.5 yrs ago and the resolution on these is way better in just that short time.

Out of service or Time for Side B

2009-10-28T08:32:00.002-04:00

By the time you read this, I probably won't be blogging for a while.
If you've read my profile you know that a few years ago I "broke".
After 4 months of Physical therapy for loose shoulders, arthritis and trying to correct all the compensations my body created as a result, I elected to have surgery to correct the bone spurs and minor arthritis.
Simple procedure. 30 minutes, 3 days in the sling and a few more weeks of PT. Good to go.
2 hrs later and the doc found that the labrum was almost torn in 1/2 and scarred over. The major pain was the bone popping through the hole in the middle.
So he did what was called a SLAP tear repair,subcromial decompression and ground off the spurs. Drilled an anchor in the bone, stitched it up and did the originally planned work. It's considered major reconstruction apparently.
Now it was 6 weeks in the sling and 8 more months visiting the PT. And it was agonizing.
You're never sure if what you're doing is the right or wrong thing to help the recovery. Is that good pain or bad pain?
Now it's 2.5 yrs later. Is it better? Absolutely. Mechanically better than nature gave me(genetically loose sockets).
Am I pain free? No, but reasonably finally in the past 6 months. And they're much more in place. I still can't lift heavy over my head but I'm slowly getting stronger again.

Well.......now it's time to do the right side the same.
At the time I asked if I'd need to do the right and the advicse was that with good home therapy work (and I have been very diligent since surgery), often the other side will become stable enoug h to not need it.
At the 2yr mark I realized, it's not getting any better. It is much much improved but still considerable (and increasing) pain and in fact limiting my work tocontinue stabilizing the other side.
So since my emergency appendicitis this spring has blown all my medical deductables and out of pocket, what the heck. Time for side B. Actually, I had made up my mind before finding out it was fully covered.

So Tuesday morning we find out just how bad the right side is compared to the left. I'm at least now mentallly prepared going in. Just hoping the recovery will be much better, and it should. Overall most of my compensations are over and the shoulder is stable.
Only 3 months of twice weekly PT.

Since I won't be swinging ablade for a while, we planned out one last day of feasting and cutting for Sunday with Mushtaq, Chris, Cole, Janet and Roberta. Enough to last three months I guess.
Mushtaq made Navaho taco's from Buffalo with frybread and Roberta made seafood chowder.

some but not all the victems.

San Francisco '09

2009-10-27T12:24:00.000-04:00

Just returned on the redeye Weds morning from our bi-annual trip to SF for the Nike Women's marathon my wife runs. Not me, can't run. Had to learn to fight instead I guess.

I'll happily go aolng to carry the bags. SF is definitely one of our favorite places to visit. My 4th trip, her 6th or 7th.
Pretty busy getting caught up and prepared for my next big adventure that will slow my posting even more (more on that in the next post I suppose).

So, little writing but alot of great pics.

Sometimes, ya just gotta have Chinese takeout roadside (great Tshirt John btw).

North Beach is the great little neighborhood near Fisherman's Wharf we stayed near last trip. It's awesome in the early morning. So since we were up early still being on Michigan time, we took a quick trolly ride back for breakfast and exploring.

And of course, a walk through Fishermans Wharf. We got there very early which was a true bonus.

Early in the afternoon one of my favorite locals picked us up and played tour guide.

Cody Fielding is one of those true beacons of light in my life and I can thank him enough for being my friend. A good friend is someone who accepts you for who you are but also makes you want to be a better person by their example. That's exactly Cody. I'll just have to stop there.

Cody took us up to the highest point in the area to get a real sense of proportion and a lay of the land (although hearing that we had already purchase MUNI passes and taken multiple modes of transportation told us we were already 1/2 local).Then in true local guide fashion, took us to a small locals only dockside lunchspot for a great time.
Time with Cody was by far one of the highest points of the trip and over far too soon. Cody was very busy (a testament to his skill as a personal trainer in SF) and it meant so much that he squeezed out the time to spend with us. If you're in the Bay area and looking for a phenomenal trainer, let me know.

Then of course there was the marathon on Sunday Morning. This would be Roberta's third time and it was fairly routine but typically difficult, this is SF after all.

Those Dutch are everywhere. According to Mushtaq they used to use the windmills to irrigate the park

The race follows the bay towards the bridge and out to the coast where Golden Gate park and the weather was fantastic. Not to hot, not too cold.

In the afternoon, one of the people who purchased a puppy from us this spring drove in from just to the south and took us to Chrissy Field near the Presido for some reaqquainting time with the puppy. What fun!

He's a good looking boy now, will look just like his father.

Our hotel was not to far from the Castro District so we spent several hours walking around and gennerally having a great time. Just some fabulous shops and eateries and for a week night the area was hopping!

The Casto district, if you're not aware, is the predominantly Gay area in SF and is just a fantastic place to go. The shops all have a bit of humor in their names and the restuarants are fantastic.

On Tuesday we followed our usual plan and rented a car for the tip to Wine country.

I convinced Roberta to stop off at the Japanese Tea Gardens in GG park as it is such a beautiful place.

And the Wine

Yeah, I was soaking in the sun too.

The dreary ride back to the Airport for the redeye flight home and right to work the next morning.

followed

tagged

2009-10-26T14:40:00.003-04:00

OK, Mushtaq tagged me so I get to play along.

Five random things I love (in no particular order).

5. Michigan weather - If you don't like it, wait 5 minutes, it'll change. I was mentioning this last week. Yeah, Michigan has tough winters but get a Hummer and a Snowmobile and learn to love the beauty of it or move. There's a continual rebirth of nature in one way or another all year.

4. Training with my son. It hasn't always been easy. He was actually my one difficult type of student and alway challenged me to find ways to get to him. I couldn't control him, he had his own plans. It's been a challenging road but it's what makes the current times so, so much more fun to do together.

3. San Francisco. Just got back last week and it's still one of my favorite places to visit. Working on a post now.

2. Friends - Yeah, it's one of the obvious ones but it's true. I value my freinds very highly because good friendships need to be cultivated and it takes two.

1. My Hummer H3- Just mentioned it last week to someone. (figure if it's something I mentioned in just under a week, it fits this list). It's only an H3 (baby hummer as the wife calls it), gets pretty good gas milage, good visibility except for changing lanes, and there is next to NOTHING that it can't do in the winter. We had some pretty bad storms with heavy snow last winter and the confidence that it gave me automatically made me fall in love.

Chicago Pacific Island Gathering and Tournament

2009-10-14T14:19:00.008-04:00

Got back late Sunday from John Bednarski's Gathering and Tournament in Chicago and it was a great time.
I first got involved with it and John back in '06 by fighting and immediately pledged my support in any way I could. We've been involved in constant organizing support of each other every year to make it better and bigger each time and we succeeded again. John works tirelessly all year to make it work and we do everything we can to support him and help make it better.

The tournament started far earlier than last year, the rules vids we put on youtube meant that everyone had a much clearer idea on the scoring and the rules meeting went very quick, everyone had a fantastic attitude and the skill of the fighters displayed was phenomenal. Just outstanding skill and sportsmanship.

We arrived midday on Saturday while the seminars were going on. Currently I'm narrowly focusing my training specifically on Combat KravMaga TacRope and Knife as well as Navadisha. So I choose to respectfully sit out the seminars going on but I know they were some great ones. We did get to meet up with some other Moro Stylists, compare blades and as usual when there's a Bangsamoro gathering, stuff ends up getting cut.
After a great family Style dinner in Chicago's Chinatown, we returned to the dojo to stay up late and try to prepare for the bedlam of the pre-tourney registration.

For awards this year (in keeping with the blade theme) we gave out Balisongs from Batangas, exotic Hardwood flatsticks and a pair of rattan sticks for third place.
i had planned and prepared for fighting in the tournament this year, the first time in 3 years. But there really wasn't anyone in a division for me (I'm not fighting the young guys). So it was best for the tournament that I focused solely on officiating and such. I was feeling fairly ready too which was the real point of the training. Not competing but getting myself in shape and developing my skill set.

One of the kewl things we added this year was Combat Knife division. We used marking knives and lipstick along with plain white T's and let them have at each other for 30 secs only counting the torso hit. Every single competitor after their first fight stated simply that they absolutely LOVED it. So a big hit.
Next year we're hoping to add knife, tomahawk and Special Forces Shovel throwing as a division to further push the blade combat concept of the tournament.
The whole Team Navadisha family was involved with helping run the tournament so I only got a few pictures. Mushtaq judged at least 3/4 of the time. I refereed all the matches but one, Cole was pointkeeper for the point fights (along with competing. He won 1st in adult forms, 1st in youth sword, 1st in lightweight adult point knife and second in combat knife as well as voted 2nd place Grand Champion winner of a custom sansibar) and Chris did all the timekeeping and sponsored/refereed the Combat Knife.

My finest trainer yet delivered to it's new owner

Team Navadisha - Embrace the Chaos

From left Mushtaq Ali aka Dark Alley

Steve Van Harn aka Yeah, that guy

Chris Renfroe aka Disturbed

Cole Van Harn aka Kid Chaos

Honorable mention awards given out by Chris

Grand Champion awards with the judges

Winners of the Combat Knife division

Glen Young of the Backyard Brotherhood declares "I LIKE IT!"

"Yes, it is cold in Chicago in Octoberrrrrr"

"This is for 1st place boy!"

Brother and sister!

Good form!

Childhood

2009-10-05T12:00:00.002-04:00

Saw this on Steve Barnes's blog and had to put it here

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else."

Oh hell-yeah! I'd go to sparring every week a few years back and everyone would have this serious dour expression on their face.
"Smile!" I'd say, "If you're not having fun, why keep coming back every week?"

Salmon

2009-09-15T12:56:00.000-04:00

You'd think growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan I'd have already gone but this was actually my first time on a Salmon Charter. I'm not big on boat or water above by neck so that might explain it. Besides I've spent the last 20 yrs telling my wife I hate the water (to avoid buying a boat), so if she asks, I had a so-so time.
It was a little slow going at first but the charter captain is known for being able to find the fish.
Once the water laid down and the temp dropped, sure enough.
Yeah, I'd sure go again.

Good enough place to save it

2009-09-14T15:55:00.001-04:00

I'd been trying to remember this one and just found it.
This as good a place as another to save it.

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded
for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an
acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates,
do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd
like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of
Three."
"Test of Three?"
"That's right,"Socrates continued "Before you talk to me
about my student let's take a moment to test what you're
going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made
absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's
true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of
Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student
something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad
about him even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there
is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want
to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really..."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is
neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at
all?"

zucchini torture

2009-09-05T20:45:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the mutants won't talk, so we bring in 'Cole the Torturer'.

Seems well suited to his work, doesn't he?

For those who need a flowchart

2009-08-31T12:47:00.001-04:00

Inglorious Basterds

2009-08-24T10:48:00.003-04:00

DO NOT go see this crap. I wouldn't even pay netflix for it.
While I'll admit I was thrilled at the premise knowing some of the history of the actual men who really did do what it is about, I couldn't have been more disappointed with the film.
We cut training short and took a class trip to go see it as we felt it relevant.
It wasn't. The pacing was all wrong. Many scenes dragged on uncomfortably wrong.
On the other hand, Every Scene Brad Pitt was in, he simply lit up the screen like a searchlight. Unfortuantely that wasn't very often. The acting was really all first rate, expecially the main baddie, Christopher Waltz who was brilliant.
And the cinematography was great.
No, this was the director who reportedly spent 4 yrs writing it and must have only had 5 keys on his old typewriter. Either he needed 4 more years or more acid.
What a waste.
At one point I looked over to see if Chris was sleeping and it was right when he was saying to Mushtaq, "what say we go find old Trantino's house and go kick his ass for this Sh**?"

If you must see it, just watch these trailers and send me your $10. Cause almost all the good stuff is in the trailers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sQhTVz5IjQ
No surprise they disabled embedding, I would too from embarassment.

fall down hilarious

2009-08-16T13:17:00.001-04:00

So, if you've been near a movie theater and you're reasonably level headed, your just as equally dreading this release
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnyDdfVgqnQ
(sorry, they disabled embedding). The only interesting thing is the werewolf is played by a kid who used to train at a local Karate school here till his parents moved him to LA to launch his career.

But this "extended trailer" makes it so much better.
Just fall down hilarious. Be sure to watch the first one before.

Chickenfoot

2009-08-14T13:23:00.006-04:00

Headed out to the local balpark (yes it's an odd venue) for a hot concert (yes, it was hot at first) last night by supergroup Chickenfoot.

If you're not aware of who Chickenfoot is check out http://www.chickenfoot.us/news

It's Joe Satriani (guitar god), Sammy Hagar (the Red Rocker), Michael Anthony (long time bassist for Van Halen) and Chad Smith (drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers).

They all met jamming at Hagar's club in Cabo Wabo and enjoyed it enough to throw together a band and put out an album. Let's hope there's more. This one has already been hanging on one of the top 10 bilboard charts for a while.

What a fantastic show, we were right down front as the pics show. The guys just returned from shows in Europe and were well oiled and smooth. Veteran rockers having effortless fun.

I've loved Satriani since 1986 when surfing with the Alien came out and first saw him in '89.

Can't get enough, yes I have every album.

Only time I saw Hagar was back in '86 during the famous "I can't drive 55" tour. I wasn't a fan, came to see the opening band but left a fan.

Again wasn't much of a fan of Smith (or the peppers really) but his years with the Peppers showed. His playing was bombastic and smooth. Just effortless. You could see the drummer from the opening band (no slouch himself) on the side of the stage just mesmerized watching him.

Something that's often been over looked about Michael Anthony is that it was his vocal harmonizing that contibuted alot to VanHalen's sound.

Drummer Chad Smith seems to have a running gig of having a hot chick hold his sticks for the encore. As he throws them she has to strategically position a spare in that conspicuous location.

And she got a lot of action there, I'm guessing stick burn as he must have thrown 200 sticks over the course of the show, 30 on that song.
The boy's haul (yeah we brought Cole)

For the encore Sammy brought out a slide guitar to slide into the motorcycle intro to his very first hit with Montrose "Bad Motor Scooter".

The opening band was "Davey Knowles and Back Door Slam"

http://www.davyknowles.com/

Not a clue who they were but after the first song Joe who was with me said "Damn! I gotta find me that album!"

Young guys from the Ilse of Man that can really play. One of their songs was a cover of Crosby Stills Nash and Young's "I almost cut my hair". A 39 yr old song that sure didn't sound that old when he played it.

Rise of the fallen

2009-08-07T13:22:00.016-04:00

Those darn bottle soldiers keep reanimating.
This time they came at us by twos and threes!

For those who think you need a big blade,

2" Kershaw, 21 in 10sec

Anyone seen Troy with Brad Pitt?

You can find anything in a Cebu Mall

2009-07-30T15:30:00.002-04:00

Next time through, don't forget to check the basement level but there could be a line.

Stuff only Alan Dean Foster or Steve Perry could dream up

2009-07-23T08:14:00.005-04:00

Having just completed a few ADF novels I often marvel at the imagination they employ to create some of the alien creatures that they do. Foster's imagination in Quofum really stands out.

But then you see this seadragon and realize there's actual stuff that you don't need to imagine.

On a recent trip to Chicago we decided to stop by the Shedd Aquarium. Having kept and raised fish for some 25yrs I'm always up for a trip to an aquarium where ever we are. A spur of the moment decision to go to the one in Seattle paid rich dividends some time back. Great place.
Of course one of my past trips to Shedd resulted in the purchase of a 6' 130gal tank so there was some risk.......
It's been a while since I'd personally been to Shedd, in fact it was when the road still went right by the front door which is now a more pedestrian area.

Cole and Megan being cast out by the Penquins

They've added a reef display that depicts a coastal village of Apo in the Phillippines (Apo is actually a volcano). I must say, the display tanks, smells and recordings were really quite well done.

Hey college boy!!

2009-07-15T12:04:00.003-04:00

Cole got registered for his first Dual enrollment College class at my alma mater this week.

He's the first Junior at his HS to take classes at Hope that they can remember. The plan is he will eventually have most of a full years' college credit completed by the end of HS.

So of course when you start college you have to have the sweatshirt.

College boy at 15!

More cutting

2009-07-10T12:08:00.016-04:00

Kampilan!

Kuku Machan

Back cut

Notice the stone killer face

Kuku Bima

Kuku macan

Mushtaq's precision surgery

Off to recycling