Random tidbits from DC

Okay, you may have noticed that some of the pictures are posted and others aren't. I was getting some good wireless at Rick and Anahi's yesterday and then it went out on me. And now I'm getting no wireless at all (posting from Julie and Patrick's computer). So I'll post the rest of the pics later.

Meantime, a couple things:

1. I forgot to mention that when I was sparring with Little Tony the other night, he asked me if I'm a wrestler because when he was trying to take me down, I spontaneously did a "shin whizzer." Here's a description of a whizzer: Imagine you are facing your opponent and he scoops under your right arm with his left arm. That's a bad position for you because your opponent can lift you up, off balance you, and take you over. You can neutralize that bad position somewhat by turning your right shoulder down and putting your weight on your opponent so he can't lift you up. That's a whizzer. A shin whizzer is when your opponent has scooped under your leg and you grab your own shin, turning your shoulder down and putting all your weight on your leg.

I am not a wrestler. I just did the shin whizzer without thinking. It makes me happy that it was a good thing to do. Hot damn. My stand-up/takedowns still suck donkey butt, but they are better than they used to be!

2. I have left Philly. I loved it there and had a ball with Anahi, Rick, Jared, Sharon, and the people I met there, especially Heather/Balance Babe, who is my new best friend. (Not really, because we've known each other for about 48 hours and that would be creepy, but we got along great and cracked each other up. Good sign! Another good sign is that I made Rick Migliarese laugh by pretending to propose to Anahi the way Rocky Balboa did to Adrian: "I wondered if you wouldn't mind marrying me too much" and I made Phil M. laugh by describing Carlson Sr.'s "Gracie diet": Chipotle and Starbucks brownie frappucinos) I still have no idea whether I belong there long term, but the people I met and trained with were so welcoming and I know I could be happy there.

3. I am now in DC in my friends Julie and Patrick's place in Silver Spring, MD. Julie gave me clear instructions on how to get into the house and turn off the alarm. I managed to not be able to do it, so the alarm sounded and eventually the police came to make sure I am not a criminal. I am a good houseguest.

4. The tentative plan tonight is to train with Dave Jacobs at the Yamasaki in Rockville. In addition to Dave, the other draw is Fredson Paixao, who is in town to do a seminar tomorrow. Fredson is amazing, and Dave has a man crush on him. It's funny to hear him talk about him and will be hilarious to see him interact with him.

So I'm back in DC for the time being. Still questing, I suppose, and working on what my plan will be once this trip is over. More on pictures, etc, later.