The Galvao Seminar

Who has two thumbs and stubs his little toe so hard it breaks right before two Andre Galvao seminars? This guy!

Pain a side I pushed forward on this faithful day when Andre Galvao graced our shores for one gi and one no gi seminar. I have had seminars before with Ryron Gracie and James Smart but they were both from the Gracie Academy so I had no idea what to expect from someone more sports jiu jitsu focused. I had flashes of me heaving and puffing, trying not to throw up as the author of Drill to Win was standing over me saying AGAIN.

Instead I was greeted before the start of the seminar by a friendly smiling face saying thanks for coming. Andre Galvao made a note of shaking everyone's hands before lining us all (+- 50 people) up for a group photo in a matter of seconds in a way that would leave any school photographers everywhere baffled by the simplicity.

Andre Galvao started talking about what we should expect from the seminar and I think it helped a lot to calm everyone's nerves. Or maybe I was the only nervous one. I was amazed at how we had a eight time world champion in front of us talking about basic bjj things. It was like he wanted to start the seminar at white belt level moving its way through the ranks as we progressed.  I think everyone learned something new and even though there was one move I couldn't pull off (that ass in the air sweep from butterfly guard one) most techniques were simple yet not something you see everyday. They all linked from each other meaning we all left with more than just techniques, we left with game plans.

I don't want to bore anyone with the details of the seminar, mostly cause I paid for it so the secrets are all mine (evil laughter time). But I will say that I learned a lot of things. Not all technique focused either. I learned we have a pretty sweet bjj community here in Cape Town, seeing new faces and a few I have seen before when while traveling to other clubs for their open mats. Something I want to do more off in the coming months. 

Thanks to West Coast bjj for organising the seminars. The lunch was great and everyone was freaked out proper by the black water. Now I need to go find ice for this toe. 

Post by West Coast Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Atos JJ.

Turns out I have Asthma

So the other day I was training Jiu Jitsu as I do now, and it came to me with a bit of a shock. I suffer from asthma. No idea why it should come to me as a shock as it is something I have had since I was a seven. Yet, I have never really given much thought about it in my adult life.

OOO PURPLE!

Asthma was a big reason why I never really tried any sport. I would run for a minute and then fall over wheezing and coughing like I am about to die. Now that I am an adult trying to do my best in a very physically demanding sport, I am not even giving the episodes that much though. They still happen, Asthma is incurable after all.

So why am I not giving this illness the attention and care it needs? I should be reading up on it, researching which pumps are the best. Know when not to go too hard and so on. The latter not being a problem since being lazy means I never really go too hard.

Anyway, will have a look at getting an asthma pump. Some articles I have read says they can help when used 20 minutes before going to practice. Maybe it even improves my jits. Who knows. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

In an attempt to blog more...

I am sitting here streaming the Xbox event at e3 this year. I remember last year upon seeing Conan play Mario Kart 8 knowing that I need to get this game. Now where is my wii u sale?

I need to blog more. I have things to sigh but struggle to find the motivation. It's not like my life is boring right?

Well not that boring. Just different.  Less partying,  more buying a house. Yip, I bought a house. Just waiting on it to get build first.

I have also been doing a lot more jiu jitsu which is good. Especially now that my hand has healed fully from the break.

That is all for now. I will blog more... promise.

When a procrastinator gets things DONE!

Yeah, call it lazy, call it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, depression, lazyness, whatever... I am a procrastinator. 

Which is weird. In my professional life I get things done all the time. What is that? The boss just gave me three weeks of work to do in the next two hours? DONE. That was easy. What is next? Get a roadworthy certificate for the car you have been driving for the last two years... Uh... I will get to that... maybe... someday.

Well, today is that day motherfuckers!

Yes, Twoish years ago my uncle died and left me his car. So somehow my aunt got this car on my name but you see, the South African traffic department is as easy to explain as "Why does your earphones always tangle so badly when you just put it into your pocket?". Actually, the latter can be explained by SCIENCE!

Say Motherfucker, one more time!

Where was I? OH yes... for the last two years I have basically been driving a car with a license disc that is past due. Which has cost me one R500 fine. Also, in the last two days... close to three grand. Actually, in the last four months, my car has cost me on average 2.5 grand a month. Which is INSANE! I have just been fixing all the things. Bearings, breaks, cooling system and what nots. It has been a crazy journey to get one piece of document. The illusive roadworthy certificate.

See, when you change owner ship of a car, you need to roadworthy that motherfucker. Which sounds easy. But it isn't. I have been to malmesbury, milnerton and goodwood. Most of those was just yesterday. Today I went to montague gardens to get my roadworthy certificate. Five hours and R1500 later I finally got it. I am so broke right now I probably can't even afford this internet I am using to post this post.

But hey, it is done. Credits Cards will get paid off. Right now though, I just want to drink all the beer in the world. I feel so good. Honestly, it is a schlept to force yourself to get things done. But once they are done however, BOOM, party time.

I need more beer right now...

What will my Tattoos look like when I am old?

Do you like tattoos? I do. I love tattoos. The only reason I don't have more is because well...

• Money
• which artist to choose
• what to choose
• more money

Now if you like tattoos and you have hung out with a few peeps that have a lot of tattoos you might have come across this question. 

"But what will your tattoos look like when you are old?"

Add Moobs

Here is the answer. Saggy, all over  the place and no one will want to look at it. Pretty much the same as the rest of your skin. Only difference is, your skin will be all colorful and shit and people might actually want to look at it. 

But what is this big issue with people worried about "what if you are old?". Firstly, you only get one life. One, ever. Or even if you believe in reincarnation, you will only get this one life that you will remember. Secondly, Life mostly sucks. Let's face it. We are all working to make one thing. Enough money to retire on one day. The retirement age at the moment is 65. So for at least 40 years of your live you are working so that one day you will have saved enough money in RA so that you can exist for next ten years (assuming you die at 75 and don't live to 95 to be leach of your own children). So after all this, all that daily stress your biggest worry is how a batman logo tattoo will look on your bicep two years after retirement? 

You my friend, have some weird priorities. 

But what do you mean Gluten Free?

Yes... I am blogging again. If you don't make this awkward it won't be... Okay? Let's get right into it.

A few months ago a new thing surfaced its head in my twitter feed. People made it known that they had a wheat intolerance. What is this crazy thing I wondered for all of five minutes

As time went passed another craze hit the world. Gluten Free. I have never even heard of the term "gluten" before that. What is Gluten anyway? What does that have to do with my bread and pasta? Why is everyone in my twitter feed a hipster?

Well, after some research on Wikipedia like a professional I discovered that gluten is what is used in wheat products to give it, it's elasticity. I always thought that was just the water... should not have skipped those science classes in school. Anyway, let us get back on topic.

So to further fight my epic war on my own ignorance, I thought I would change my diet to Gluten Free for a month and see what this is all about. So for the month of July I will try to keep gluten free. So far I have learned that I can't have anymore sandwiches. Unless I find a place that sells gluten free bread or maybe even bake my own (HAHAHA). Also pasta? that is out. Granted it seems easier to get gluten free pasta. But what would that taste like? I have been told that gluten free pizza's taste like "cardboard". But seriously, even cardboard must be tasty with melted cheese all over it?

So really, how hard can it be?

(Probably easier than blogging regularly)

Movember 21st

Remember, it is not a mustache, it is an activator.

Movember 7th

First week of Movember is over and what is widely known as fluff week is at its end. And this is what I have to show.

It is not a lot, but it is mine. All naturally grown. No steroids used. Promise...

Now I have to go get ready for the week. Btw, have you donated yet?

Click this link http://uk.movember.com/donate/your-details/member_id/767780/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account .

Movember 3rd

Day two, need to do something about the rest of the stubble on my face. And don't ask me about the spots on my nose. Feels like i got sunburned, which is impossible cause i have been inside my room for the better part of two days now. At least today is the last of my antibiotics so this flu should be gone soon, right? That is how it works?

I leave you with this, ninja's on beards.

Movember 2nd

So I never posted a picture for movember 1st. Sue me. I came down with a type of summer flu that knocked me out cold. Went to the doc and got some anti biotics so the flu is getting my counter punches at least. In the meantime, you guys will just have to be happy with snotty photos of me looking all sick and stuff.

See, i even attempted a smile especially for you peeps.

So what is Movember? It is about raising awareness about men's health issues. Which gives me a great opportunity to post a picture of a men's health magazine and talk about it in a funny way, but I can't really think right now.

more next time!

Oh btw, click this link http://uk.movember.com/donate/your-details/member_id/767780/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account .

The Great Pizza

Like the great Gatsby just pizza instead of Gatsby? Get it?

Neither do I. I have never read that book and the picture below shows what I think a Gatsby is.

Anyway, I got a recipe from a friend for pizza dough. This shocked me as I had no idea that said friend was a cook in his spare time. So I thought what the hell, time to step up to the challenge. If millions of Italian women can do it, then I can as well.

So as the Saturday arrived that my Girlfriend and I were going to experiment with pizza baking, I realized that I have left the, oh so important, dough recipe at work. Silly me… No worries though, I quickly clicked onto my favorite cooking website and got my hands on a replacement recipe. This one calling for honey instead of sugar. “Hey!” I thought, “Honey is healthier? Let’s do it!” So on we went on our perfect dough quest.

And what a quest it was. Kneading and folding and rolling. Hard work I tell you. But the end result was worth it. A few yum delicious topics later and our pizza was ready for the oven. It came out great, far better than those store bought pizza bases you get that never go crispy and are all soggy (or maybe I just don’t make them right). These were crispy and since it was fresh, I could make some proper pizza pies.

Needless to say it was a great success and I shall be making more pizzas in the future.

Veggie Month

I love meat. Adore it. I think it is the best invention since sliced bread. Even though, evidence suggests that meat came way before sliced bread. That just proofs how amazing meat is.

From a ripe young age my lifestyle was basically displayed in front of me. Meat is good, veggies is a side. I am a Afrikaner and eating meat is part of our culture. I use to life in a little town called Kimberley where the Afrikaner culture is overwhelming. We use to have braais three times a week. And then Sunday Leg of Lamb would be prepared. A couple of years ago I moved to a bigger city called Cape Town. Now, it is not that the Afrikaner Culture isn’t available here. It is just a bit different. Here braais happen few and far between, and the fact that most of my friends are English means, I don’t get invited to many braais.

But that is enough about braaing. Lately I have adventured into the land of cooking. Reading cookbooks, trying new recipes, that sort of thing. Nothing too hectic, I am no chef Ramsey. Hell for that matter, I am no chef, period. I am just doing it for fun. Also, I am trying to live healthier and making your own food trumps takeaways every time. So what I kept on realizing was that all the dishes I make were meat heavy. And when it came to cooking vegetables I did not know what to do. So I decided to go on a month long vegetable quest. The Rules?

Well, there are none. If someone offers me meat I am not going to turn it away. I am no vegetarian and will never EVER be one. All I am going to do is make vegetable heavy food when I cook for myself and others. If others cook and there is meat, that’s okay.

So far, so good. It is day two of the month and I have not had any meat yet. Tonight I made an Italian style sauce with spaghetti. It was delicious. Plus there is leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Everything works out nicely. And what am I making tomorrow night…?

I have no idea. Wish me luck!