I save coupons from packets of tea

Tuesday was a marginal evening: if I’d felt any worse, I would not have gone to jiu-jitsu. As it is, I still ended up taking an open-handed biff to the head and a shot to the gut in the course of scrapping that evening. Not to mention the eight to ten chokes that were demonstrated [...]

it doesn’t matter; put your fists up and instigate it

Every night after jiu-jitsu, as I stagger into the tiny curtained room that two dozen men change in, I play the where-am-I-bleeding game. We practice at a kids gymnasium; our practice space is four inches of foam rubber, atop flexible plywood, atop another four inches of foam rubber, the whole affair covered by a thousand [...]

where, only there; when, only then

Two blocks from the school where I study (and teach) jiu-jitsu is a bar called 21 Nickels. It’s built in the low, narrow style of urban bars: bar running from entrance to bathroom, row of bar stools, aisle and a row of tables. This makes sense in the heart of a city, where square footage [...]

everybody’s at disadvantage speaking with their second language

So I’m at a bar on Saturday with the other jiu-jitsu students after one of our own promoted to nidan, or second degree black belt. We rented the back room in one of the nightclubs on Boylston St, less than a block from where I work. The outside’s full of scheming scenesters with unbuttoned shirts; [...]

I’m in love; what’s that song; I’m in love with that song

Last week. Monday “I’m just not sure if I’m doing the right thing,” she said, shrugging. I thought for a moment, settling back into the couch. Then: “What’s the one thing you could do right now that would make you feel in control?” “Driving somewhere.” “Where?” “The beach.” A pause. “Salem. That would do it.” [...]

don’t get me wrong

Games People Play I hadn’t seen Melissa and John in too long, so they obliged me for a drink at Drink, where Aaron served us a variety of historical cocktails. Mine were all whiskey-based; Melissa and John’s were primarily gin-oriented, if I’m not mistaken. We talked about Chicago and reminisced on the virtues of Boston. [...]

everybody’s going nowhere slowly, they’re all fighting for the chance to be last

Holly over at Pervocracy (NSFW text but image free) wrote an interesting post a week ago about the one safety class that every woman ought to take, but nobody offers yet: I’ve seen a couple dozen assaults in my day, and about two of them were between complete strangers. (Both of those, incidentally, weren’t in [...]

I heard somebody say burn, baby, burn

Working out on Tuesday, the instructor really kicked my ass. We worked our core harder than I think I’ve ever worked it, though in a way that didn’t feel strained the next morning. I stumbled out of class with my legs loose and my arms glowing with warmth. And this was half an hour before [...]

breathe in, breathe out

As an atheist, rationalist and all-around humorless asshole, I don’t go in for a lot of Eastern mysticism. I don’t think much of reiki. I don’t believe in the healing power of crystals, or cranio-sacral touch, or reflexology. I think ear candling’s a dangerous fraud. I don’t trust acupuncturists or chiropractors. So you wouldn’t think [...]

out on the road today I saw a deadhead sticker on a cadillac

But seasons must be challenged or they totter Into a chiming quarter Where, punctual as death, we ring the stars – Dylan Thomas, “I See the Boys of Summer” For as long as I can consciously remember I’ve feared death. But I’ve also feared aging just as much. At least in death you’re asleep for [...]