Yesterday afternoon I had my annual checkup. The only number on my chart my doctor said he didn’t like was “2000,” which was the date of my last tetanus shot. So, a nurse gave me one (good job, by the way – I barely felt it), and warned me it would hurt tomorrow.
Instead, it started to hurt about 10 minutes into aikido last night. I didn’t let it stop me, although I did a few fewer rolls than the others. What was interesting was when we started practicing technique, I was forced to not use my shoulder muscles to lift, or I felt some serious pain. It definitely gave me some extra guidance when we practiced tenkan and shihonage.
Everyone should practice aikido with a tetanus shot at least once.
But maybe not more than once…
Book Review: Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
This weekend I burned through Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, “Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion.” Continue reading “Book Review: Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk”
Book Review: The Facebook Era by Clara Shih
Last month, I read The Facebook Era: Tapping Online Social Networks to Build Better Products, Reach New Audiences, and Sell More Stuff. It is somewhat larger and more up to date than “I’m on Facebook Now What???” Although I liked it, like the previous Facebook book, I found that it failed to adequately address the issue of social networking security and, like just about any “guides” to “success,” unless you have your killer product, app, service, etc., already, this book won’t do you any good until you do. Also, due to the recent Facebook redesign, certain aspects of? this book no longer apply or need to be updated.
The Ballad of G.I. Joe
Ever wonder what the Joes and Cobra do when they’re not trying to kill each other? Wonder no more!
School Choice and Consolidation in Vermont
Now that the Vermont Yankee debate has died down, the current hot topic before Vermont’s state government is school choice. Here’s what I think on this. Continue reading “School Choice and Consolidation in Vermont”
Bethel Votes to Withdraw from Windsor Northwest Supervisory Union
Here’s a summary of the highlights of this week’s school budget meeting:
- The chair of the school board announced that the superintendent has been put on administrative leave.
- The school board asked if the taxpayers would borrow $480,000 to pay back, over a period of three years, the debt that has been accumulated.
- Townspeople attempted to get details on both of these points, which was like pulling teeth without Novocaine.
- The board informed the taxpayers that audits have not been complete for at least three years.
- Many people griped, loudly. Included in this crowd, I informed them that, while I realize they are volunteers, the board has a responsibility to look after these things.
- The two board members whose terms were up for renewal were unanimously re-elected.
- The taxpayers voted to withdraw from the Titanic known as Windsor Northwest Supervisory Union. Continue reading “Bethel Votes to Withdraw from Windsor Northwest Supervisory Union”
There's ESL, and Then There's Plain Ridiculous
I’ll let this voicemail I received speak for itself, although, on second thought, someone else really should be doing the speaking… I had a similar message yesterday.
Commentary on FailPoint
This little gem is from my colleague. It clearly illustrates the present status of telecommunications in Vermont, and probably the rest of northern New England.
Shoulder Tension
Why do humans have a tendency to “get into our shoulders?” I’ve been pondering this for a while now. When I first started practicing aikido, my sensei told me that I was “very much in my head.” These days, I feel like I’ve settled down from being in my head to more “in my shoulders.” Continue reading “Shoulder Tension”