28 Jul 2006

It’s been five days now since my dad suffered a stroke and Meerkat has had time to reflect on what it means to be paralysed. 'Stroke' - it's such a small word that it is easy to not realise that it is such a devastating condition. All the MA knowledge in the world is useless when confronted by something that is more powerful than any punch or kick.
In the stroke ward, I was able to see first hand, how much of a lottery a clot to the brain can be. In some beds, there are people who cannot move at all – they need complete help for feeding, changing and toilet matters. In other beds there are those who can quite happily walk and move – but can’t remember their name and look lost and confused. For my dad, he is paralysed on his left side, but is thankfully not mentally impaired. After five days, he has regained some movement, but not much, and can talk fairly ok. He still needs help with bodily functions and everything else is a zillion times more difficult. It will be a very long haul to recovery with no guaranteed result.
One of the shocking sights on the ward is how young some of the patients are. I would say at least two look like they are in their mid-forties, maybe younger. Smoking, high cholesterol & high salt in diet, high blood pressure, illicit drugs like cocaine – all these things contribute to stroke. Observing the people in the stroke ward is a stark warning to everyone out there – live well, but live sensibly, or you too could be a victim, and sooner than you probably think.

It's a small word

It’s been five days now since my dad suffered a stroke and Meerkat has had time to reflect on what it means to be paralysed. 'Stroke'...

23 Jul 2006

Just had another seminar with Royce Gracie, this was definitely his best so far (I been to 3 now). Royce showed us a technique and then a follow-on and then a defence or counter to it. Some of the moves were again, so simple and yet, it seemed no one realised the possibility that the move existed from that position. My favourite of the night was a calf muscle crush which was achieved by attacking your opponent who was in turtle position- Royce then showed how this very painful technique could be overturned into an armbar by the opponent - sweet!
There were lots of great moves like that but the extreme humidity and warm temperatures (London is currently gripped ina heatwave) inside the Bethnal Green dojo made training almost unbearable. I think I sweated about three gallons. The whole floor was awash with fellow sweat and the mirrors were completely steamed up. The only person without a bead of sweat was Royce - I guess it like just another night in Rio - or California for him.
The session concluded with Royce making us spar. The first spar I had was with blue belt Suzi, who was fast and furious but I had a good weight advantage (hard to believe I know there are actually people smaller than me) so I felt ok with that one. Royce could see me and made me change partners to RGDA member (Adam?) who is a very big guy. Of course I got totally owned and got tapped about four times in a row! Royce looked at me and demanded to know how long I had been training? I thought he was having a go at me - like, Seymour you are so pants, how come this white belt is beating you! - but no he just wanted to assess my experience because he promoted my opponent from white to blue belt 2 stripes! Wow, now I didn;t feel to bad about getting owned. Royce also gave me another stripe (out of pity probably).
After that it was Q&A. He must get asked the same questions time and time again from all his seminars it was like he had an automatic response each time. Especially when asked about his recent Matt Hughes fight (overtraining was the fault in that case). But he was genial enough to answer any Q thrown at him, although he did get a bit touchy at one point - not even sure what the question was, but he tried to say how much Gracie Jiu-Jitsu had contributed to the current MA scene.
Anyway, a great session. I still didn't get to spar with Royce (he didn't offer this time round) but some lovely technques learned. And thanks to Suzi, the lone Leicester BJJ rep, for being a great training partner - come to London again soon!
I'm in bad need of rehydrating now...until next time!

Hot & Steamy in the Baja-de-Bethnal

Just had another seminar with Royce Gracie, this was definitely his best so far (I been to 3 now). Royce showed us a technique and then a f...

12 Jul 2006

Meerkat is pretty chuffed to see the fruits of his labour - under the alter-ego seycat, when perusing through a copy of Fighting Sport Magazine at WHSmiths. I saw that my Royler photos were finally published nice and big. Hoorah!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

To see all the images and read the article, you'll find Fighting Sport Magazine at a 'Smiths near you (tucked with the other martial art mags in the Hobbies and sports section)
Seycat/Meerkat photography is available for weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs...as long as there is a fight to shoot.
Meerkat is pretty chuffed to see the fruits of his labour - under the alter-ego seycat , when perusing through a copy of Fighting Sport Maga...

10 Jul 2006

Everyone who watched the World Cup final of France v Italy will have seen the Zidane headbutt into Italian defender Materazzi. Commentators publicly deplored his violent attack but something inside of me went “WOW!” Call me sadistic, call me irresponsible but when I saw that head strike, all I could think of “Wow! So the head strike to sternum really does work!”
I mean, although players are known for their diving and play acting, there is no way in the world you could tell me that Materazzi faked his injury. That man was floored plain and simple. And our good ole syllabus includes just that very technique (green belt attacking sweeping loins if you must ask).

Sunday was also the day that Meerkat took part in a 3 hour Okinawan tonfa seminar. It was ok I guess. I’m sorry I can’t get too enthusiastic about yet more weapons kata, no matter how authentic. I didn’t give up karate to do jujitsu just so that I could do yet more karate katas – and tonfa work is basically karate in disguise. But it was taught well by a very senior and respected South African instructor, and it was nice to see my JJ buddies from other clubs.
Anyway, enough moaning. Looking forward to our club drinks and curry night. It’ll be a nice way to celebrate the summer.

On me head son!

Everyone who watched the World Cup final of France v Italy will have seen the Zidane headbutt into Italian defender Materazzi. Commentators ...

 

© 2015 - Distributed By Free Blogger Templates | Lyrics | Songs.pk | Download Ringtones | HD Wallpapers For Mobile