Don't get your undies in a twist, this isn't a gender bashing blog. It's one about self awareness. Something happened at work yesterday that gave me conflicted emotions. Well not really emotions, more conflicted reaction, way of thinking. Kinda hard to explain, but I'll try.
First of all I don't consider myself a feminist. Stop laughing... seriously, you can quit any time now.
I really don't see myself that way. I was once told I was the good kind of feminist, what ever that means. But regardless I don't see myself as someone who feels the need to "fight for equality" or what ever it is feminists do. I'm just a person who was raised to work hard and get the job done. As a matter of fact, I very much like old fashioned manners. Having the door held for me, or having someone offer to help me with something heavy is a nice treat. I rather enjoy it, if it is done out of politeness. When done out of the assumption that I can't lift something because I'm physically inferior, I tend to get a little miffed.
Gender had very little to do with work load on the farm. As a child I was throwing hay and straw bales that weighed the same as I did over a fence that was pretty much as tall as I was. The cattle were hungary, and all five of us pitched in to get them fed, every night. My brothers, sisters, and I just got the job done together, summer or winter, end of discussion. There was no "can't" about it. Get it done, and move onto the next task, what ever that was. Be it lifting rollers up to their place when my father was working on the round bailer, or holding up the break system on the D4, driving the tractor & working the front end loader, using the hydraulic lift, working the grain auger, ect. Be it using or fixing heavy equipment or doing the dinner dishes, the work came first. Having fun was for after the work was done.
So back to what happened at my job. I work for a general contractor, as a lead hand supervising several divisions. Part of my job is training new staff. We hired a new guy that I have been training to run the truck mount, as well as anything else I can throw at him. He's really been a gem. Smart, easy going, and a very hard worker. He's 5'5" and has forearms about the size of my calf. Built like a brick out house for sure.
So anyway, I've been training him on theses different machines. One of which is pretty heavy, 100+ lbs, and I'm lifting it in and out of the back of the truck to go from job site to job site. "Big D" (as the boss calls him), would always grab a side and help me with the lifting in and out. No big deal. Yesterday he asked me how I was transporting it when on my own. So I showed him. I picked it up and put it in the truck, and then I picked it up again and lifted it out of the truck. I have a bit of a technique to make sure I'm not straining myself (well too bad anyway). He was still impressed with my upper body strength, but understood the concept of the technique.
He then said "okay, I'll do it from now on so you don't have to lift it anymore". BAM! instant collision of thoughts. Part of me was like "that's really nice of him" and part of me was like "what ever Sparky, I've been lifting this thing long before you showed up on the scene". Some guys would get a nasty look for saying that to me, but I really don't think he meant anything by it.
This has been causing me to think, and rethink a lot of things. Guys in general, have been put into a very harsh situation. If they try to show old school manners, they are chauvinists, and if they don't, they are jerks. Nothing new here, I've always empathized with that particular double standard. Darned if they do, darned if they don't.
What I didn't really expect was the conflict in myself. I'm a quick judge of character. I didn't say a good judge, just a quick judge. I decide very quickly who I like and who I don't . I like "Big D", and don't take him for the type who looks down on women. It's obvious that he is unused to working with women in a labor intensive job, and having them keep up with him, but he always presents himself respectfully. Even if he is surprised at the things I am capable of.
It's just for the first time, I kinda felt like a feminist. Against someone who did nothing wrong toward me. It surprised me to feel that conflict of emotions. I felt like I was in no man's land and opted to give an non commitment response of "yah what ever". What else was I to say? "Take off you harry little troll, I can do it myself". Not the response that would have been optimal.
So I just said okay, and continued on with the work. It was all good, and I'm enjoying working with him. I'll have to do some more soul searching though. Figure out what makes me tick and all that. Meh, work in progress.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Time & Theories
Time just speeds by. I am feeling the crunch especially pronounced this weekend. UBBT has been an aggressive journey, and like all journeys, this one has a conclusion. Sadly, it's intended conclusion races closer, and I find myself with an entire list of things still unaccomplished.
My JM certification in one of the big reasons I'm feeling the pressure. Our season ends October 31, and that is the last opportunity to finish off my student dispatch requirements. The problem is, the past 4 weeks in a row have been garbage weather. Low ceilings, high winds, and snow this week just to make it interesting. I have until April of 2010 to complete my IAD's, but our season doesn't start up again until May 2010. You guessed it, I'm trying for an extension. Perhaps Fate will smile on me in a good way, as opposed to her twisted sense of humor kinda way.
One of my other requirements is to write a thesis on technique evolution. So since it's not sunny and +15 out there (like it was supposed to be) I'll put the short version up here.
Basically, as has been said so many times before, there are 18 basic concepts of motion in our style. The first 17 are the ability to properly align and snap and therefore transfer power.
Control (in a physical sense) is depth of penetration into one's target. The ability to adjust motion, target, and force dynamically is crucial to control. An ability developed over years of practice and repetition.
Through out the martial arts, it is important to fully UNDERSTAND a complete style/system. Having the ability to regurgitate technique on command is not the same as comprehension. With out proper understanding of a complete system, it is extremely difficult to adapt to another system. One can dabble, even become proficient, but one will never be truly great if their body is not trained along with their mind. Go ahead and disagree, and feel free to cram your argument where ever you traditionally cram things. I'm really not interested in debating the issue.
Moving on, the first phase of technique evolution is of course understanding your system, what ever system that is. Understanding where power is generated from, path or vector your technique follows, and how it will affect the intended target. Choreography is weakest when it lacks realism. One can have great ideas for technique, but if buddy just stands there like a fence post while you whack the stuffing out of him, it just doesn't look right. It is no different when you are applying technique. If you are attempting a wrist lock, and do not understand how that relates and translates to other areas of the body, how can you identify when you have achieved the lock? Not all people feel pain the same way, nor do all people have equal flexibility. If you are only relying on the "tap" to tell you when you have achieved the lock, you are missing the biggest part of the technique.
Not all techniques release power from the same area. To be clear, all power generates from the centre (in our style), but the point of release of said technique varies. There are hinged techniques, core techniques, extended techniques, and so on up to and including internal/external rotations. For example, a thrust punch is an internal rotation, and an inverted back fist is an external rotation. A round house is a hinged technique, as is a back fist. Where as a stiff swinging back kick is both a hinged techniques as well as an extended technique. Cannon punches are also extended techniques.
Once you understand your style/system, you can build upon the principles. This is where we get into follow up techniques and climbing techniques. Creativity is then brought into play. Technique follows a basic principle in our style. Deal with the attack, soften opponent to extend time, finish opponent. This can be simultaneous, or progressive. Intent behind the initial movement will determine this. It will also determine what the options available to you will be. Calming the Ocean is a great example. There are limitless combinations of follow through techniques with this one movement. They are all related to each other, and flow with in each other. Again the intent when begun dictates the initial response. Have you opened or closed your opponent? Are you utilizing soft or hard blocking? Are you using a simultaneous or progressive counter? Each application of initial movement directly relates to the finish.
Evolution of technique is how one builds on to basics. Moving from wrist lock, to shoulder lock, to neck submission. Taking the same initial movement and turning it into multiple variations of results. Results that may not remotely resemble each other at their conclusion, but are related in their fundamental mechanics.
Evolution also comes from building techniques together. Beginning with one technique and flowing into others. Understanding alignment and positioning come into play here. When does it become important to close/increase distance? Physics behind balance of your opponent in relation to the natural hinges of the body will affect what techniques will flow together. Is your opponent grounded, or extended and off balance? Are you touching your opponent allowing a sticky hands application, or are you at an increased distance, requiring another approach?
Where you build from is as important as what you build. And no, the relationship between techniques in our style is not written down somewhere for study. That would defeat the purpose. One has to learn evolution of technique by DOING the system/style. It is not something you can learn from a book or article. Muscle memory and ability are not something that come from reading. They come from sweat, focus, and passion. Like it or not, it's the only way to accomplish understanding. One has to think, apply, and train. It's not rocket science, but that doesn't make it easy. Course it wouldn't be worth doing if is was easy.
My JM certification in one of the big reasons I'm feeling the pressure. Our season ends October 31, and that is the last opportunity to finish off my student dispatch requirements. The problem is, the past 4 weeks in a row have been garbage weather. Low ceilings, high winds, and snow this week just to make it interesting. I have until April of 2010 to complete my IAD's, but our season doesn't start up again until May 2010. You guessed it, I'm trying for an extension. Perhaps Fate will smile on me in a good way, as opposed to her twisted sense of humor kinda way.
One of my other requirements is to write a thesis on technique evolution. So since it's not sunny and +15 out there (like it was supposed to be) I'll put the short version up here.
Basically, as has been said so many times before, there are 18 basic concepts of motion in our style. The first 17 are the ability to properly align and snap and therefore transfer power.
Control (in a physical sense) is depth of penetration into one's target. The ability to adjust motion, target, and force dynamically is crucial to control. An ability developed over years of practice and repetition.
Through out the martial arts, it is important to fully UNDERSTAND a complete style/system. Having the ability to regurgitate technique on command is not the same as comprehension. With out proper understanding of a complete system, it is extremely difficult to adapt to another system. One can dabble, even become proficient, but one will never be truly great if their body is not trained along with their mind. Go ahead and disagree, and feel free to cram your argument where ever you traditionally cram things. I'm really not interested in debating the issue.
Moving on, the first phase of technique evolution is of course understanding your system, what ever system that is. Understanding where power is generated from, path or vector your technique follows, and how it will affect the intended target. Choreography is weakest when it lacks realism. One can have great ideas for technique, but if buddy just stands there like a fence post while you whack the stuffing out of him, it just doesn't look right. It is no different when you are applying technique. If you are attempting a wrist lock, and do not understand how that relates and translates to other areas of the body, how can you identify when you have achieved the lock? Not all people feel pain the same way, nor do all people have equal flexibility. If you are only relying on the "tap" to tell you when you have achieved the lock, you are missing the biggest part of the technique.
Not all techniques release power from the same area. To be clear, all power generates from the centre (in our style), but the point of release of said technique varies. There are hinged techniques, core techniques, extended techniques, and so on up to and including internal/external rotations. For example, a thrust punch is an internal rotation, and an inverted back fist is an external rotation. A round house is a hinged technique, as is a back fist. Where as a stiff swinging back kick is both a hinged techniques as well as an extended technique. Cannon punches are also extended techniques.
Once you understand your style/system, you can build upon the principles. This is where we get into follow up techniques and climbing techniques. Creativity is then brought into play. Technique follows a basic principle in our style. Deal with the attack, soften opponent to extend time, finish opponent. This can be simultaneous, or progressive. Intent behind the initial movement will determine this. It will also determine what the options available to you will be. Calming the Ocean is a great example. There are limitless combinations of follow through techniques with this one movement. They are all related to each other, and flow with in each other. Again the intent when begun dictates the initial response. Have you opened or closed your opponent? Are you utilizing soft or hard blocking? Are you using a simultaneous or progressive counter? Each application of initial movement directly relates to the finish.
Evolution of technique is how one builds on to basics. Moving from wrist lock, to shoulder lock, to neck submission. Taking the same initial movement and turning it into multiple variations of results. Results that may not remotely resemble each other at their conclusion, but are related in their fundamental mechanics.
Evolution also comes from building techniques together. Beginning with one technique and flowing into others. Understanding alignment and positioning come into play here. When does it become important to close/increase distance? Physics behind balance of your opponent in relation to the natural hinges of the body will affect what techniques will flow together. Is your opponent grounded, or extended and off balance? Are you touching your opponent allowing a sticky hands application, or are you at an increased distance, requiring another approach?
Where you build from is as important as what you build. And no, the relationship between techniques in our style is not written down somewhere for study. That would defeat the purpose. One has to learn evolution of technique by DOING the system/style. It is not something you can learn from a book or article. Muscle memory and ability are not something that come from reading. They come from sweat, focus, and passion. Like it or not, it's the only way to accomplish understanding. One has to think, apply, and train. It's not rocket science, but that doesn't make it easy. Course it wouldn't be worth doing if is was easy.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Cerebral Palsy
I have a cousin with a severe form of Cerebral Palsy. He is in a full body wheel chair, unable to move more than spasms of the extremities, cannot speak or communicate in any form save for shrieks and noises, and has the mental maturity of an infant. He's 28 years old. This has been his entire life.
Cerebral Palsy is not a disease, it is brain damage. In the case of my cousin, completely preventable. Due to doctor error during his birth, the side of his head was caved in and caused massive damage. His entire life could have been vastly different if his mother has received the C-section she had required. The doctor in question elected not to preform the surgery she has been booked for, and instead had her deliver naturally. He (the doctor) only knows why he chose to do so, and there in take away any chance of life and growth my cousin could have had.
A quick definition of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive,[1] motor,[2] non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability in human development.[3]
Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, which is the affected area of the brain (although the disorder most likely involves connections between the cortex and other parts of the brain such as the cerebellum), and palsy refers to disorder of movement. CP is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy (about 75 percent), during childbirth (about 5 percent) or after birth (about 15 percent) up to about age three.[4][5] Further research is needed on adults with CP as the current literature is highly focused on the pediatric patient.
Cerebral palsy describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to nonprogressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behaviour, by epilepsy, and by secondary musculoskeletal problems.[6]
There is no known cure for CP. Medical intervention is limited to the treatment and prevention of complications arising from CP's effects.
Cerebral Palsy is not a disease, it is brain damage. In the case of my cousin, completely preventable. Due to doctor error during his birth, the side of his head was caved in and caused massive damage. His entire life could have been vastly different if his mother has received the C-section she had required. The doctor in question elected not to preform the surgery she has been booked for, and instead had her deliver naturally. He (the doctor) only knows why he chose to do so, and there in take away any chance of life and growth my cousin could have had.
A quick definition of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive,[1] motor,[2] non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability in human development.[3]
Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, which is the affected area of the brain (although the disorder most likely involves connections between the cortex and other parts of the brain such as the cerebellum), and palsy refers to disorder of movement. CP is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy (about 75 percent), during childbirth (about 5 percent) or after birth (about 15 percent) up to about age three.[4][5] Further research is needed on adults with CP as the current literature is highly focused on the pediatric patient.
Cerebral palsy describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to nonprogressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behaviour, by epilepsy, and by secondary musculoskeletal problems.[6]
There is no known cure for CP. Medical intervention is limited to the treatment and prevention of complications arising from CP's effects.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Frogs, Frogs, Croaking on the Logs, and There's No Silence in the Night
Remember Red Skeleton? One of my favorite skits of his was the poem he wrote and read "Frogs"
It was classic. He was a family comedian who is going to be remembered not only for his wit, but for his family friendly approach to entertainment.
He was the best.
It was classic. He was a family comedian who is going to be remembered not only for his wit, but for his family friendly approach to entertainment.
He was the best.
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