First night back in a muay thai class in a long while. New coach, Pat Cross out of Roughhouse MMA. It was just me and one other guy tonight so it was practically a private lesson. Cross definitely knows his stuff and has some solid kicks. He was able to point out some bad habits of mine and give me some advice on what I need to work on right away.
Snap it out and pull it back
I'm a little lazy after my punches and kick land and I don't pull them back right away fast enough. I need to snap the punches out and pull them right back to my temple. When I kick, I need to land the kick straight back. I need to consciously think of my punches and kick as a full complete motion, throwing the punch out and pulling it back, not just throwing the punch to the target. Snap it out and pull it back.
Footwork after a kick
When I throw a kick, especially my lead left switch kick, I land with my feet right next to each other and not in my stance. I need to land into a side step, or land in a pendulum step (simultaneously replace my standing leg with my lead while shifting my standing back into it's rear position).
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Halloween a Go Go!
Halloween is coming up. When I was younger, Halloween was just an excuse to eat candy, which was exciting in itself back then. Now Halloween is an excuse to live out my childhood fantasies of pretending to be a superhero or a comic book character. It's silly but I get excited about dressing up. As is my tradition, I only dress up as comic book or video game superheroes that are usually pretty obscure and now it's time to decide which costume I'm going to be wearing this year. So here's a few ideas.
The Immortal Iron Fist
Danny Rand challenged the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying and won. He thrusts his hands into the brazier containing Shou-Lao's molten heart and from that point on, his hands became "like unto a thing of iron" becoming the next Iron Fist. Originally created by Marvel to cash in on the kung fu craze of the 70's, Iron Fist has seen a revival of late due to Marvel's Civil War and the subsequent New Avengers as well as the incredibly well done Immortal Iron Fist book of recent.
The Costume: This wouldn't be too difficult to pull off. A yellow kung fu sash is easy enough to order online and a yellow bandana can easily be ordered but because the bandana is also a mask it has to be larger than your average bandana. Again, I could probably just go to a fabric shop and make my own bandana. The biggest thing would be deciding how to go about the green outfit. Creepily enough, you can buy full suit spandex rather easily online, but that means I would be wearing spandex. The other route is to get a two piece of under armor/thermal type clothing.
Clark Kent/Superman
Mild mannered Clark Kent is the secret identity to the last son of Krypton, the greatest superhero of the DC universe: Superman.
The Costume: This is my super lazy idea. Essentially me with some classes a business suit, and a superman t shirt underneath, that which I would reveal whenever asked who I am or when posing for pictures.
Asian Conan from Late Night with Conan O' Brien
Asian Conan fights to protect late night television, after all, he is with Team CoCo. Above all else, Asian Conan hates cynicism!
The Costume: This breaks my video game/comic book theme that I usually go with and as funny as Asian Conan was, it's really not my most favorite costume idea...but probably the funniest. Pretty easy to pull off too.
Evil ex from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I loved this movie, so why not? If I do, I would probably go as Todd. I could be a Katanayagi twin but without a corresponding twin it would seem silly. Not to mention they weren't featured very much in the film. *Shrugs*
The Costume: Not very difficult, would either have to get a wig or dye my hair blonde. Would also need a hot date to be Envy Addams.
Terra from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Terra is the tragic protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts birth by sleep video game for the psp. He is a strong keyblade wielder who wishes to become a keyblade master but struggles against his own darkness.
The Costume: Medium difficulty. My hair's not quite long enough for the side bangs but definitely long enough for the faux hawk. He pretty much wears an under armor shirt and some kendo hakama pants. Building/buying a keyblad would be tough, as would his shoulder pad though.
Ryu from Street Fighter
Ryu is the well known protagonist of the legendary fighting game series Street Fighter. With the release of Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV, Ryu is as popular as ever.
The Costume: This is my lazy costume. It's an easy costume to make and one I can make on the fly at the last minute if I can't get a costume together in time.
The Immortal Iron Fist
Danny Rand challenged the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying and won. He thrusts his hands into the brazier containing Shou-Lao's molten heart and from that point on, his hands became "like unto a thing of iron" becoming the next Iron Fist. Originally created by Marvel to cash in on the kung fu craze of the 70's, Iron Fist has seen a revival of late due to Marvel's Civil War and the subsequent New Avengers as well as the incredibly well done Immortal Iron Fist book of recent.
The Costume: This wouldn't be too difficult to pull off. A yellow kung fu sash is easy enough to order online and a yellow bandana can easily be ordered but because the bandana is also a mask it has to be larger than your average bandana. Again, I could probably just go to a fabric shop and make my own bandana. The biggest thing would be deciding how to go about the green outfit. Creepily enough, you can buy full suit spandex rather easily online, but that means I would be wearing spandex. The other route is to get a two piece of under armor/thermal type clothing.
Clark Kent/Superman
Mild mannered Clark Kent is the secret identity to the last son of Krypton, the greatest superhero of the DC universe: Superman.
The Costume: This is my super lazy idea. Essentially me with some classes a business suit, and a superman t shirt underneath, that which I would reveal whenever asked who I am or when posing for pictures.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcPtAKB2A1IwX3lLiRPDzQ6thFrVwK6nXUxhMVGkQ4Z0RE5Mo&t=1&usg=__Jb1rJBu7xP7tEhpBHDsto371K7w=Asian Conan from Late Night with Conan O' Brien
Asian Conan fights to protect late night television, after all, he is with Team CoCo. Above all else, Asian Conan hates cynicism!
The Costume: This breaks my video game/comic book theme that I usually go with and as funny as Asian Conan was, it's really not my most favorite costume idea...but probably the funniest. Pretty easy to pull off too.
tEvil ex from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I loved this movie, so why not? If I do, I would probably go as Todd. I could be a Katanayagi twin but without a corresponding twin it would seem silly. Not to mention they weren't featured very much in the film. *Shrugs*
The Costume: Not very difficult, would either have to get a wig or dye my hair blonde. Would also need a hot date to be Envy Addams.
Terra from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Terra is the tragic protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts birth by sleep video game for the psp. He is a strong keyblade wielder who wishes to become a keyblade master but struggles against his own darkness.
The Costume: Medium difficulty. My hair's not quite long enough for the side bangs but definitely long enough for the faux hawk. He pretty much wears an under armor shirt and some kendo hakama pants. Building/buying a keyblad would be tough, as would his shoulder pad though.
TRyu from Street Fighter
Ryu is the well known protagonist of the legendary fighting game series Street Fighter. With the release of Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV, Ryu is as popular as ever.
Captain America
Steve Rogers is the subject of an experimental Super Soldier serum that transforms his frail body into the perfect human specimen. He fights the Nazis of WWII along with his sidekick, Bucky Barnes. Not too long ago, Steve Rogers was assassinated at the end of Marvel's Civil War. Bucky Barnes, who had been kidnapped at the end of WWII and turned into a Russian assassin, The Winter Soldier, now dons the mantle of Captain America.
The Costume: I love Cap and I really dig Bucky's version a lot, it seems much more realistic than the completely blue costume of old. But this one might prove a little difficult. I can order a decent CA mask, the shield I can buy a round shield and paint over or even buy a CA shield (but I think those are expensive). I can get some black army boots probably at an army surplus store, as well as some black cargo pants easy enough. The trick part will come in the form of the top. One idea I can do is buy a black long sleeve shirt then buy a white shirt and some fabric paint or something. Not sure exactly yet.
Ken the Eagle from Gatchaman/G-Force/Battle of the Planets
Most people won't recognize this one since it's from a japanese cartoon in the 70s but recently the show has received some attention with the release of Tatsuneko vs. Capcom and the planned cgi film being made by Imagi studios (the guys that did Astroboy and the new TMNT). Ken the Eagle led a five man team of bird like ninjas who fought robots and evil aliens.
The Costume: I actually grew up watching reruns of Gatchaman in Korea and so this one has some special childhood nostalgia attached to it. This would usually be an impossible costume for me to put together because it is but then there is this:
http://www.milanoo.com/PVC-Gatchaman-Costume-with-White-Cape-p3141.html###
A premade costume is pretty lame but honestly I'm feeling a little lazy and apathetic this year. This costume is also made out of PVC, which I have no idea what it would be like to wear. It's shiny too, don't know about that. I would however have to make the helmet. I think if I bought a motorcycle helmet and just modify it then I think it would look close enough (the beak visor wouldn't be completely right). Apprehensions aside, this would be a crazy costume to pull off and it's something that's right up my alley as far as costumes go.
So there you have it, those are the costumes I have in mind. If there are any other costumes I'm open to suggestions. Would be interested to hear what my friends think.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Physical Therapy: Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic Headache
What is it?: A headache or cephalagia originating from the cervical spine (neck).
What causes it?: Tension in the cervical spine, whether it's from chronic overuse (neck flexion usually), a whiplash type of injury, arthritis in the facet joints of the vertebrae, or even intervertebral disc disease. Muscular trigger points in the shoulder blade (peri-scapular region) are also notably culpable. The pain is referred so it suggests CNS.
Where does it occur?: In the forefront or base (sub-occipital) of the skull
Treatment?: Cortisone injections can reduce the tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as x-ray guided facet joint blocks in the vertebrae. If the disc is degenerated then surgery is a possible option. Physical therapy options include manipulation and mobilization techniques (MET), ice and stimulation from a TENS unit. Postural exercises and neck flexions and extensions.
What is it?: A headache or cephalagia originating from the cervical spine (neck).
What causes it?: Tension in the cervical spine, whether it's from chronic overuse (neck flexion usually), a whiplash type of injury, arthritis in the facet joints of the vertebrae, or even intervertebral disc disease. Muscular trigger points in the shoulder blade (peri-scapular region) are also notably culpable. The pain is referred so it suggests CNS.
Where does it occur?: In the forefront or base (sub-occipital) of the skull
Treatment?: Cortisone injections can reduce the tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as x-ray guided facet joint blocks in the vertebrae. If the disc is degenerated then surgery is a possible option. Physical therapy options include manipulation and mobilization techniques (MET), ice and stimulation from a TENS unit. Postural exercises and neck flexions and extensions.
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