I named Julia!

I'm late with this, but I'm totally hyped that I won Georgette's "Name Your Julia" contest with the entry "Jiu-Jiu". Julia's a great blogger and I was glad she picked my entry...SO much of her journey is similar to mine...from inflexibility to thicker builds to not being athletic. Thanks to both of you!

I think I have a mascot.

I can't explain why, but I'm in love with this spider. Maybe because I like spider guard. Maybe because I like walking paradoxes. Not quite sure how to incorporate him and his friend "Sad Spider" into the page, but I just got permission from the image creator Thomas Shahan to use the images. Thanks Thomas!

*Thomas informed me that Happy Spider is, indeed an image of his that was photoshopped without his knowledge. The second is the natural appearance of Phidippus mystaceus jumping spiders.

I LOVE conceptual jiu jitsu...love.

Before I came in for my first real class, I went on a Google-quest to understand levers and added this page to my favorites. I was determined to learn as much as possible behind this leverage based martial art. 

There are multiple reasons that I love this video over at The Part Time Grappler. The first is that I'm a conceptual learner. Drilling is great for getting my muscle memory going, but as far as understanding jiu jitsu? I need the big picture stuff.



I get that I need to "look into the ear" when finishing a triangle, but I always want to know why I'm doing something and I've seldom heard this addressed specifically from the perspective of leverage.

I absolutely love the armbar escape...if anyone knows how to modify it to get out of a situation where both legs are across the body (that move counts for about 50% of the instances I get submitted)...PLEASE let me know. 

Compliments

Happy spider is happy.

When I started college, I started keeping a page in my journal of my favorite compliments. Not just the superficial "you've got nice legs" types, but genuine, heart-felt compliments. The ones you don't hear often. The ones people give you when it's just you and them, being human, together. I want to start doing the same in some way in jiu jitsu because compliments here come from people who've seen so much of the long hidden parts of me.


"The guys really have some respect for you. I've heard them."
"You've got anaconda legs!"

Ok, that last one isn't very deep, but for anyone to notice anything positive about me in this sport, it means a ton to me.

I hate musicals, but I had to do it.

So last night was my first night back training in two weeks. It could just be not being sick for the first time in a while, but I don't think so. I've noticed that I actually feel prettier when I'm training. That's despite the thicker neck, broader back and rougher hands. I looked at myself this morning and realized I had my BJJ glow back. Yays:)

I've developed gi taste!

OK...so before now, I had my starter gi. When it got torn up and I started shopping for a new one, I scoured blogs and forums...was really drawn in by the raves of the softness of Fenom's (and owner Triin being super helpful), but nothing they had would fit my 6', 200lb frame. After talking to a few taller guys, I ordered a new gold weave from Padilla and Sons. Well, one day last week I didn't have time to wash it and I ended up picking up my Honor gi. It's a lighter weave and this time, it felt great...tattered though it may be. That really surprised me since I remember the Padilla initially feeling lighter.

So yes, I think this is the beginning of the quest for my third gi, and I think it's going to be a light weave. I'm going to have to pay very close attention to shrinkage and whatnot. My pants are back to being capris. Not sure why, but I like a longer skirt. Curious about rubberized lapels.