The good news...

So now for the good news I was talking about.  First a little background... Recently, I've slipped back to some of my unhealthy habits; eating wrong and not exercising consistently. Since I injured my ribs a few months ago, I was never really the same.  As I was healing, I laid off jiu-jitsu, weight training and cardio.  I thought I would take a couple weeks off to completely heal but that progressed into laying on the couch, eating donuts.  It was great for my ribs but I gained some of my weight back... About 10lbs.  I'm still 35lbs down from when I started but I wanted to stop the upward weight gain trend.

Fast forward to Friday, October 14.  I was browsing the internet when a website popped up... The North American BJJ Federation.  They were advertising a local San Diego tournament in November.  I said to myself, "That would get me motivated to train." but I realized, there was no way to be ready in a month.  However, it turns out there will be another tournament in February.  They had the perfect division for me... Senior II (46 years+), Novice, White Belt, Super Heavy (207lbs - 221lbs).  Plus, I would have four months to prepare, which meant, I'd have to get back to a healthy lifestyle.  The next day, I asked some jiu-jitsu friends and they all said, "Do it!"  Eventually, I ended up talking to my BJJ professor for his thoughts.  His answer was neither yes or no as he was never one to tell me what I should do. That decision is always up to me. Instead, he gave me insights on what to expect, suggestions on training and highly recommended that I compete in the next lowest weight class.  As he put it, "You're going to be fighting fucking monsters."  Point taken coach... and so eloquently put.

Now I had to tell the wife of my "great idea."  She was initially skeptical.  "Why are you doing this again?"  After I flashed my sexy smile and told her my reasons for doing a tournament,  she eventually gave me a reluctant thumbs up.  She worries I would get hurt but I reminded her, it's not MMA, I won't get punched or kicked.  I always have the option to tap out. Beside, I'll have the guys from the academy watching my back.  

With the next of kin notified and the jiu-jitsu guys cheering me on, it was now up to me.  Like with any important decision, my stomach started to rumble and I had to go poop.  Maybe it's parts of the decision making process.  After washing my hands, I jumped into bed with iPad in hand to start the registration process.  However, like any other time I've relieve myself, I felt so cleansed and relax that I fell asleep.  Registration will have to wait until the morning.  

Not to worry. I did register for the event.  No refunds or transfers so there's no turning back.  I also told a few more people just to keep me in check.  I can't chicken out if friends and family are cheering me on.  So there you have it.  I'm doing my first jiu-jitsu tournament on Sunday, February 26 at the San Diego Community College.  Now the training begins...

Sunday rest day... Another one of my crazy ideas... A loving, supportive wife...

So much for a daily post.  I started this blog on Saturday and already skipped Sunday.  But ha... that was by design.  Sunday is a day of rest.  If God did it... I can do it.  I'm not a super religious person, more of a work in progress, but I do cherish my time at church and the idea that Sunday... You relax, review the last six days and plan for the new week.

I've actually had a lot to think about this weekend.  I had "one of them crazy ideas" come up.  It's in line with "Hey, I should run a marathon.", "Hey, I should drink that entire bottle of tequila", "Hey, let's have another kid."  All things I've done but during the process, realized... "What the hell did I get my self into?"... But in the end, I don't regret ever having the experience.  I always believe that it's not the end result of the goal but the journey that defines success.

I came in dead last in both the 2008 Carlsbad Marathon and the 2009 Long Beach Marathon.  Seriously, look it up.  My time on both averaged 8+ hours.  The 70 year old, blind, heart transplant recipient, double amputee, beat me by an hour but that's because her deaf service dog had to take a shit three times. Regardless, I completed two marathons within a year.  The tequila thing is better saved for a later post and obviously, the kid thing is my proudest ball wrenching moment.  I'm not quite ready to tell you the great (or not so great) news but in due time.  I talked to a few close confidants for some input, as well as, had the discussion with my wife.  She supports me 99%.  It's usually 100% but this time around, I think I have her worried.  Apparently, me being 46 years old (47 in 2 months), a tad overweight and injury prone, has her anxious.  However, like I told her, "What can go wrong?"  With a forced smile and a supportive hug, she sighs, "I love you."  Almost like she was giving me a final hug.  Hmmm... Does she know something I don't know?  So I'm just tying up a few loose ends, figuring out my schedule and doing a couple more rosaries before I officially commit to this "crazy idea."  Happy Monday!

First day at blogging...

My very first blog post.  I've always thought about blogging about my experiences but never thought I had anything interesting to say.  I've been told "I'm funny as shit" but I always took that as an insult.  How is feces funny?  I dabble with posts here and there on Facebook but nothing too serious.  Just my attempt at middle school humor.  Some of the people who know me in person and not just my FB stalkers, find my post funny.  Others just think I'm a freak with an affinity for high heels and women's legs.  I do enjoy making people laugh so hopefully this glimpse into my fairly average life, will put a smile or two on a couple readers.

Today, was just about setting up the site and learning how to use it.  I hope to be consistent and diligent enough to keep up a daily post.  I still haven't figured out the direction or audience this blog is for but I'm looking to gear it towards fatherhood, marriage, jiujitsu or any other crap that pops in my head.  So bare with me as I fumble through this new phase of my social media life.  So get in... buckle up... and enjoy the ride, bitches.