Good Quote For Writing and Life

This Saturday, I'm finally taking my second degree black belt test.  At my school, ETO, one requirement is to write an essay.  Since I'm testing for second degree, my topic was how a black belt turns to back into a white belt.  A friend of mine gave me a good quote from author Louis L'Amour that fit this perfectly:

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.  That will be the beginning."

Obviously this relates easily to writing and editing and how often do we, as writers, hear that?  I've heard other versions, like "When you think you're done editing, you're half way there."  It really is similar in concept to martial arts.  Getting my first black belt was great, but I knew I still had so much I could learn.  And more importantly, I wanted to learn more.  Writers have to carry that same hunger.  Once the story is written, you must WANT to go back through it over and over and over again to make the manuscript sparkle like the brightest diamond.  Then, take a step back, rest and start again.

I Thought Those Holes In My Belt Were Just Decorative (Off-Topic: Training Mode)

Since I was first pre-tested for my second degree black belt, I've lost about 10-12 pounds, my SUV spare tire has been replaced by one for a subcompact, and my man-boobs have shrunk from about a C cup to about an A.  The test hasn't been formally scheduled, but I could have another 3 or more weeks to prepare.

Since I'm in "training mode" I am attending more classes, but when the test is over, I'll go back to my normal 2 - 3 classes per week (rest of the weeks is family time).  So how do I maintain when my training routine goes down?  Early losses are typically fastest and taking more classes helps definitely, but some things that have helped included some changes in eating and more cardio work.

Late night snacks/eating after my Tae Kwon Do class are a tough habit to break.  I'm hoping I'll be able to continue avoiding them after the test.

It also seems to help that I changed my lunch habits at work.  I use to bring nothing but stuff you'd find on a fruit/veggie platter (grapes, baby carrots, apples, bananas...).  Unfortunately I never really felt full, so I'd turn to snacks.  Now I take a bit more.  My new favorite at lunch is grilled chicken caesar salads or grilled chicken caesar wraps.   Much more satisfying, so I don't want to snack as much.

Hopefully, by the time I post again, I'll be locked in below 200 pounds.

Acceptable SyFy

I don't know if someone at SyFy was listening to me or not.  Probably not, but I noticed this morning that SyFy is airing Merlin Marathon.  Personally, that series hasn't exactly drawn me in.  No surprise, I'm not big on the series, but it is at least part of the genre that built up SyFy.  While the marathon will be unfortunately interrupted by WWE wrestling, immediately following that action-based sitcom will air the season premier of Merlin.

Sunday, I just found out, is TrekDay on SyFy.  If they air some of the good stuff, I'll forgive them for showing Star Trek:  Nemesis.

After I made my first post about SyFy vs. History Channel, I was contacted by an old friend who said that BBC also has some good stuff.  SyFy is apparently checking them out also - January 17, SyFy airs Being Human.  Based on a critically acclaimed BBC series, SyFy places three 20-something roommates - a ghost, vampire and werewolf - trying to keep their secrets and help each other.  Sounds a little like an urban fantasy Melrose Place (the original one).  I'm willing to give it a chance.  I love the werewolf's line in the advertisements - "We'll have full moon parties.  We'll invite the neighbors over and eat them."  Funny, but I don't know if the ghost eats.

And for the retro and Bruce Lee fans, I saw a commercial that SyFy will air a Green Hornet Marathon Tuesday, January 11.  That's right, the original Green Hornet and Kato will be back.  It will be fun to see Kato kick some @ss.

It's nice timing.  Seeing some of the greats is inspirational as I kick my own Tae Kwon Do training into a higher gear as I practice routines for my next black belt test.  I've lost about 3 pounds and I tried to make my sparring in regular class more intense.

Training Day 1

Looks like I have another New Year Goal and something new to blog about.  At my Tae Kwon Do class (can't believe the newsletter tab still has a picture from my black belt test - I'm the bald guy on the left side) last night, I went through some pre-testing drills with another black belt and some advanced red belts.  So it looks like I'm going to be testing for my second degree black belt some time in February and that means that I've got to go into training mode!

Just for fun, and to keep me accountable, I'm going to include blog entries dedicated to training for this test.  My first degree test was the most grueling thing I've ever gone through and this will be even tougher.  The toughest parts were the three sparring sessions.  Each spaced out between testing on techniques, and forms/katas.  The first was just regular sparring.  Nice warm-up. 

The next was round-robin sparring.  A group of helpers (mostly black belts) lined up and sparred me one at a time for about 30 seconds.  Every 30 seconds I'd face a fresh opponent.  I ended up sparring each person twice.  Those taking their second degree test sparred their opponents three times.  Definitely lots of cardio.

The last sparring session was multiples.  I faced off against two black belts whose combined age was probably still less than mine (a 3rd and a 4th degree).  Next time, I'll have to face three.

Other things are similar.  Everybody works techniques and forms starting with white belt and working their way up.  All black belts have to know the weapons forms.  The simple one is with an escrima stick, but the more complicated (my favorite) is the bo form. 

I need to take some time to polish my forms, and weapon techniques, but the most important thing to do is work on my cardio.  This morning, I spent about 25 minutes warming up with a medicine ball workout and then going to the clubhouse gym for about 40 minutes on an elliptical.  Since I'm working from home, I might practice some forms at lunch.

If you think it's out of place to talk about training for a martial arts test on a writer blog, don't worry.  This is one of those things that I like to think goes to credible writing.  Hopefully, if people see that on my book bio sections, they'll appreciate my fighting scenes that much more.  Also, I have to write an essay - test of wisdom basically before the test.

So, be healthy, enjoy the new year and

Write On.