Getting Back In The Swing... Plus a "Knife Nut" Update

Still recovering from Mom's passing (as well as the death of a former teacher and local music icon, and a family friend over in Kenya)-- March has indeed "Come in like a Lion," but so far, no lamb. Then again, Easter is on the way (so is Spring, I hear, but don't tell any Buffalonians; it's been snowing and in the 20's for weeks). I've been trying to struggle through what some of our African friends call "dead body business," as well as dealing with slow recovery from injury, working a new job, and the Carb-Night Solution diet/life-style/what-have-you taking a bit longer than I had hoped to produce the physique I'm going for... All this stuff has slowed down my martial arts progress as well as overall training, but I decided enough is enough. I got back into the gym yesterday after several weeks off, and did some calisthenics, biking, light cardio, weight training, a little blade work with my saber, some bag rounds, and weapon and empty hand drills and kata for MA practice. It felt great (once I forced myself to kick-start my body into workout mode again). I missed Judo and fencing class this week, but I'm determined to get back into a proper rhythm from now on, even if I have to modify my schedule a bit and not put as much time into training as I'd like to right now. I've had to drop Systema class for the time being, due to my new night job and other commitments.

Saturday night was my fourth or fifth carb night. I've lost track at this point, but I really do look forward to it, and so do my kids. They are celebrating along with me, as they know that when Saturday night rolls along, we are going to get down with some goodies. My nine year old daughter has been waking up on Saturday morning and exclaiming loudly-- "Yay!! It's Carb Night!!" I went to the store and picked-up some good stuff, and I personally ingested: 5 Hostess Ho-Ho's, 2 chocolate chip cookies (home made, LARGE cookies), a plate of rice with butter and salt, two hamburgers (with hand-selected rolls this time!), 2 glasses of Coke, a small bowl of raspberries and blackberries, a large bowl of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, 3 slices of cinnamon-raisin toast with butter, 7 saltine crackers, a small (side-salad size) bowl of Honeycomb cereal (with regular milk), plus my usual Whey protein shake and a couple of glasses of diet Snapple half & half (which I thought was regular/sugar-filled when I bought it...). I'm really digging carb night, and today I didn't even feel any real let-down/crash, although that may be simply because I had the opportunity to just lay around (mostly) today. It's getting easier to get right back on the low-carb diet the next day as well. I can tell that the program is working by my body shape. I did get on the scale the other day (even though I've been warned not to), and I noted that I lost five pounds. Only five, but it was fat, not muscle, so things are going in the right direction sloooowwly but surely. Onward and upward...

I've been checking my site stats, and it seems a large portion of my (relatively tiny) international readership is gravitating towards not the fitness posts, or the martial arts-specific posts, or even the personal stories; no, they are really into the "Blade Enthusiast or Knife Nut?" features. So to completely pander to the audience in every way, here is another installment. It just so happens that I went a bit crazy with new knife purchases for the collection this past month, so enjoy these photos and captions, my illustrious readers from France, Germany, Brazil and Belgium.


Here are a few "classic" pocket knives; the top is from Boker, the middle is an Irish fisherman's knife from Sabre, and the last one is a vintage "Kamp King" I grabbed at an antique store in Springville.


Some modern variations on the classic pocket knife. Three are from Frost Cutlery's "Steel Warrior" line; all nice blades with real horn or bone handle scales and some nice detailing. The larger one in the middle is cool because the master blade is a lock-back. You don't find that feature on a lot of traditional pocket knives. The other two on the bottom are from Elk Ridge. The scales are synthetic, but they do a nice job of simulating jigged/burnt horn. Unfortunately one of them has some real blade issues; I think quality control at Elk Ridge could be improved quite a bit.


Some nifty folders. On top we have a Cold Steel "Kudu," which I could see becoming one of my favorite folding knives. The design is based on a popular one used in South Africa, with some improvements and panache added by Cold Steel. Definitely a fine and sturdy blade that is aesthetically pleasing as well. Kudu-type folding knives are the primary implement of the South African-based martial art known as Piper Knife Fighting (or the Piper System). Underneath that is Frost Cutlery's "Avenger" tactical folder, featuring some colorful wood handles (dubbed "Frostwood"). Next is the Sheffield "Haze" I posted about in an earlier entry (except at that time I used a stock photo; this one is actually mine). The one on the bottom I got at the Army/Navy store; it is by Tac-Force, and it's a spring-assisted straight-razor called the "Hot Rod."


A few views of two of my new favorite fixed blades. One is an older Imperial oddity that I added my own paracord handle to, the other is by Boker and is called (surprise!) the "Twister."


Finally, a few pieces of Militaria; the bayonet on the bottom I've already posted about, but now it has a new reissue/replica scabbard from Solingen, Germany. A very accurate re-creation. The one on top is a vintage U.S. Navy Camillus Steel Mark 1 fighting knife. The sheath, as far as I can tell, is not original, just one the person that sold it to me had on-hand. But the knife is the real deal; a bit worn, but what do you expect for a WWII item? It's actually in quite decent (if not "mint") shape.

Well, I suppose that's it for now. Keeping on keeping on, fighting the good fight; yadda-yadda-yadda. More later. If all goes well, the next "Knife Nut" update will feature a lovely little Sykes-Fairbairn fighting knife that I've got my eye on. Until then...

White Belt Out

Transition...

Well.

As has been reported quite a bit by me recently, there's not a lot going on-- training-wise, that is. In addition to the extra work I've picked-up and the usual craziness of life, a major and impactful event occurred last Friday night that we have been recovering from and dealing with for the past week. After a long illness, my Mom passed away at Sister's Hospital at 9:30pm on the 20th. She was having difficulty breathing and had other major indicators, so the home called and said they were sending her to the hospital. That was prior to 8:00 am in the morning. By the afternoon, after consultation with the medical team and in accordance with her wishes, she was admitted from the ER directly to a hospice room. Our children and my mother-in-law came up to say goodbye, and a conference call was arranged with our family across the country, so that everyone we could get in contact with would have the same opportunity. It happened very quickly, if you consider the 12-13 hours that she was acute. But it has been a long decade, and my family and I find ourselves in a very strange place between grief and relief.

I know the above story may seem out-of-place here, but I needed to share it nonetheless. As part of the journey of life, if not that of martial arts and fitness. Not much more to say; will get back with more info when I can. For now...

White Belt Out

And the beat goes on...

It's been awhile since I've logged-in, I know. Training has been slow, due to my taking-on a new 2nd shift job (got to shoe the children, y'all). But I'm at least getting some weight training in when I can. It's also really tough keeping a serious and varied exercise program and martial arts regimen intact with family commitments. I had every intention of going to Judo last Friday, but my 9-year old daughter wanted me to stay home. You should see this face. You try saying "No."

Still working the Carb-Night Solution. Last Saturday was my second Carb Night, and a grand one it was. I consumed-- two slices of cinnamon-raisin bread, another box of Girl Scout cookies, a medium ice cream sundae, some chicken nuggets, a plate of mozzarella sticks, a bottle of Coke, several biscuits with dinner (St. Paddy's corned-beef), a piece of chocolate cake, about seven chocolate chip cookies, several glasses of ("fully-leaded") milk, and a box of blackberries. MMMmmmmmmm. That was a great night. Back on the program Sunday and all this week. I crashed again Sunday; I've got to figure-out how to deal with that better, as life will not stand still just because Carb Night is Saturday... I even went for a workout with my son, thinking that it might "snap me out of it," but to little avail. This plan better work!!

More to come when there's more to report. I did go a little crazy on some new knife expenditures over the last month, so stay-tuned for a "Blade Enthusiast or Knife Nut?" update coming soon.

Until then, White Belt Out...

Another Day...

So, yesterday, due to circumstances beyond my control, I didn't do the workout I expected (nobody showed-up for class except me). But, I did spend about 1 & 1/2 hours doing stretching, cals (getting back into the stuff I've been avoiding for weeks due to knee issues), free and Hoist weights, and several 3-minute bag rounds. The knee braces are working, so that's a good thing; I feel more confident getting a little more movement going... I also have been doing some low-impact stationary bike work. I thought yesterday was going to be back into the "hot & heavy," but it's good that I've had so much time to recuperate and work my way back in slowly. Going to Judo tomorrow night, and will participate carefully (taking it easy on the shoulders and the knees!).

Carb-Night is coming. Getting excited and planning the menu.

So, back to martial arts issues, I've been thinking about some of the best (and worst) websites and videos/DVDs that I've seen, so I'm going to be compiling a list to post here; kind of like a companion piece to the earlier post about martial arts books-- a "martial arts media round-up" of sorts. Check back in a few days; I need a little time to not only collate all of the info I've been collecting so far, but also to do some short reviewing (some sites and DVDs are awesome, some stink, and some are really good but their marketing is so over-the-top it's beyond belief!).

Until next time,

White Belt Out

A New Week...

So a new Carb-Night cycle started on Monday (technically Sunday, so this is Day 4 of the new cycle, Day 18 on the plan as a whole, if my calculations are correct). I had a doctor's appointment on Monday, and he's cool with the plan, and I was happy with my weigh-in. But things move a lot slower than I'd like. People keep telling me how great I look, which is wonderful, but I see everyday how much I have to lose still. Hopefully things will kick into a higher gear as I get back into more serious workouts. Going to lift again today, hit the bag, then do my first major "Corey Norman Workout" (tm) in a long time this afternoon.

I tried out the knee braces yesterday with some stretching, cals, bike and bag work, and they worked fine. A little constricting, but better than having no support. I'm going to try Judo this week with the braces and see how it goes.

Mini "Knife-Nut?" update this week-- I picked-up a Sheffield "Haze" folder from Walmart. I like the odd-looking or unique pieces, and this one was only $5, so well worth it. Mine is more of a blue and purple hue than green. Some guy on Youtube gave the knife a bad review, but mine works fine, so I'm not sure what he's going on about...


White Belt Out

The Day After

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed last night! But I'm paying for it a bit today. Definitely a bit lethargic, with an overall "malaise" feel in the nether regions.


Laying low today and getting back on the plan until next Saturday (Carb-Night II). Hamburger with no bread for dinner tonight...

White Belt Out

Diet Update and "Blade Enthusiast or 'Knife Nut?'" IV/mini-update

CARB-NIGHT IS HERE!!!!

Finally. I started at exactly 4:35 pm. It's now 9:12 pm and I have eaten/drank (_so far_): a box of Girl Scout Peanut Butter Patties, a bottle of Coke, two large bowls of spaghetti and meatballs, several chocolate chip cookies, and a number of glasses of milk (plus my skim milk with whey protein). I have until 12:00 am to jam a bunch more carbs in, but I've got to pace myself. I might like this diet plan a lot...

I got a fairly decent workout today; went to fencing class and hit the heavy bag for three rounds too. Didn't do much yesterday except some free weight curls and the Hoist machines. I did start adding legs to the routine, as I'm trying to rehab my knees a bit. To that end, I purchased a couple of knee braces today so I can hit things a little harder next week. I saw some of the guys at the dojo today working on mixing some Judo throws in with their BJJ techniques. I'm pretty itchy to get back to full martial arts participation!

Here are a few more blades and blade gadgets that I have that didn't make the first three installments(!). A short survival hunter (Camillus Steel) complete with para-cord handle, a neat little snake-skin folder, two vintage pocket knives (one is an Imperial; not sure about the other), and a couple of views of a cool mini multi-tool that I keep for EDC ("every-day carry"). It even has a flash light-- how cool is that?


Also, here's that Shrade masquerading as a classic Buck that I got from my father, alluded to in an earlier post. If it is a Shrade, that is. It has a Shrade case, but there's no tang mark on the knife or handle indicating that, and he must have picked it up at a garage sale or something, because someone scratched the initial "M" on two of the bolsters on either side of the knife ("M" was not one of my dad's initials):

I cleaned it up a bit and oiled it, but it needs some Brasso on those tarnished bolsters. Silver polish just didn't cut it.

Going to chill on the couch and watch Star Trek (TOS-- "The Devil in the Dark;" long-live Leonard Nimoy), after I have a piece of chocolate cake. Back to the 30-40 grams of carbs per day tomorrow... Tonight, We Dance! (or... eat a bunch more carb-loaded foods, I can't remember which).

White Belt Out

Day 12

TOMORROW IS MY FIRST CARB-NIGHT!

Right now, I think that I'm going to have a pizza, two bowls of spaghetti, a few boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and myriad other stuff I've been craving (mostly mentally really; more like a "longing") for two weeks. But Jaye said it's actually highly unlikely, and that from here on in it'll be "eyes bigger than stomach" territory (I'd like them both appropriately proportioned, thank you).

We shall see. Yes, we shall see... (Cue: maniacal laughter-- "MuHuHuHuHaHahahahahahaaaaaaaa...").

Probably skipping Judo tonight to be with the family. Bad Judoka. Fencing tomorrow morning though. Slowly getting back to heavy duty workout capacity...

White Belt Out

Quick Carb-Night Day 10 Update

Like the guy who jumped out the window of a 25-story building said as he passed the window of each floor on the way down-- "So far, so good!"

Feeling good, looking forward to Carb-Night, getting back to working-out today (judiciously and cautiously of course).
Coach Jaye said I might start to get a bit grumpy by now, on a scale range from irritable to enraged, but I really feel pretty good, and if I look at the past week, there definitely have been a number of opportunities to "lose it" if I were so inclined (kids broke the laptop, for instance). But I'm feeling downright "even-keeled" at this point.

So anyway, "So far, so good."


White Belt Out

Day 8 on the Carb-Nite-Tip...

See how I did that? Like an O.G.?? That's how I roll...

So anyway, Day 8 and things are getting easier still (that was archaic; I guess I could have said "even easier"). I did just receive the Girl Scout cookies I ordered from a friend today, so guess what's going to be on the menu for my first Carb-Night extravaganza? Will I share with the kids? You never know (although that seems like a very remote possibility right now).

Full-on workouts/training still stalled a bit. My knee is much better but it keeps "tricking" out on me; it feels normal and then I walk or move a certain way and "woops," no support. I'm going to start training again this week (it's a must), but I've got to proceed cautiously. Other than the diet, all I've been doing is some upper-body weight training (free weight curls, upper-body on the Hoist machines). Going down for a second set this afternoon.

One issue I foresee with intense aerobic/calisthenic exercise? If Jaye told me about the strange gastro-intestinal function responses before starting Carb-Night, I guess I wasn't listening. But to be fair to the rest of my workout companions, I'm going to need to be Skyping from another gym several miles away. That, or they have to look into these (cut and paste to view; still can't get the link embedding to work!!!): http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/Russian-Anti-Fog-Safety-Gas-Mask-Fan-p/66625.htm

If you see me go by chanting-- Vin Diesel by July, Vin Diesel by July, Vin Diesel by July, just ignore the weirdness...

GJ