Getting the hang of it …

Slowly but surely.

RECYCLING!

The rules have changed a lot since I was a child in Alberta.  It used to be so simple.  Separate your:

• corrugated cardboard
• cardboard/papers
• magazines/glossy
• metal cans/lids
• glass jars
• refundables

Plastic at that time wasn’t accepted, the same with milk jugs/cartons etc.
Then the rules changed to allow plastics, but only one or two types.  Then three or four types.  Then it was also organic vs. inorganic.  And then I moved to B.C.
I’m thankful that the recycling bags they provide list what each bag takes and what isn’t taken.  The only thing I can’t figure out are the Styrofoam egg cartons.  I’ll get the hang of it eventually though … I just don’t know when.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?

 

Bon Anniversaire!

A rather momentous occasion here:

I celebrate my 1-year anniversary with my love today!  This is a large milestone for me, and I can’t put it all into words.  Suffice it to say, we recreated our first date of ice skating and eating at the Frog Stone Grill in Maple Ridge on Thursday.  Public skate ended too early to skate on the actual anniversary day.  Of course, it’s spring break for schools in Maple Ridge, so it was fairly busy, but still quite enjoyable.  Frog Stone was an improvement from our first time there, seeing as we were able to order in far less than four hours, and were able to maintain eye contact.

Time is an odd thing, it’s incredible we’ve been together for a whole year already – feels like just a few months have passed – but at the same time with how well we’ve gotten to know each other and how many of our goals and ideas line up, it feels like a lot longer – and in a good way.

All wibbly-wobbly aside, I love you babe, and here’s to many more years together!

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?

P.S. This is also my 52nd post, which would be one for each week had I been updating regularly last year.

Tournament Schedule

Here is a list of my upcoming tournaments:

• May 10: CBJJF Western Canadian Championships (Burnaby, BC)
• June 14: CBJJF Okanagan Summer Classic (Kelowna, BC)
• July 5: Katana BJJ Roots BJJ Challenge (Richmond, BC)
• October 4: Katana BJJ Vancouver BJJ Championships (Richmond, BC)
• November 8: CBJJF B.C. Provincial Championships (Burnaby, BC)

And potential tournaments:

• July 26: LEAP The Revolution (Seattle or Tacoma, WA)
• November 16: LEAP The Revolution (Seattle or Tacoma, WA)

And just to explain all of the acronyms from above:

• CBJJF: Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
• LEAP: Liberty Events and Promotions

Now, there may or may not be a quiz on those, so I hope you paid attention!

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?

P.S. I hope you enjoyed some Irish luck today!

Review: Chome Industries Sotnik Duffle

In my Datsusara review a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was hard on my duffle bags.  Well, I decided to replace my dying duffle bag with a Chrome Industries Sotnik.

I had to do some research, they have an extensive line of bags to choose from.  After a few e-mails with a Chrome rep, I settled on the Sotnik.  A few of its features:

• up to 65L cargo capacity
• weatherproof cordura nylon exterior
• made in Chico, California
• only one zipper to worry about
• meets most airline carry-on size requirements

I got it a few weeks ago after my Datsusara review, and in the middle of the moving process, but I finally put it through some solid paces over the past two weekends.  It has definitely been tested with two tournaments in rapid succession, and one that required some travel time.  And I am happy to say that it has raised the standard of what to look for.  It’s held:

• two BJJ Gis
• two BJJ belts
• a pair of No-Gi shorts and a No-Gi rashguard
• a pair of knee-pads
• two shirts
• two rolls of tape
• a mouthguard
• a small pill container
• a bag of various fruits to snack on
• a shaker cup
• a few other various things

I also rigged a shoulder strap onto the bag with a pair of carabiners, now I have the option of slinging it over one shoulder or wearing it like a backpack with its main carry straps.  Its olive green colour and fairly unique design means I won’t lose it at the gym or a tournament (unlike, say, my shoes), and they have their logo – a gryphon – in a few subtle places.  Of course, now they have a black version with a subtle black-on-black digi-camo interior, but I’m perfectly alright with my olive green version.

The downside is the price.  Chrome Industries does things in high quality, nothing spared, and this means you pay the price for it (and customs/duties if you live outside of the States).  But they have a lifetime guarantee, and coupled with their high manufacturers standards, means you’ll have a bag that can take wear, tear, use, and abuse in style for years longer than your average bag.  These suckers have been tested in every weather condition North America can muster, and in some of the busiest cities.

Now I think I have a full range of bags to suit my needs.  If you’re interested, you can find Chrome Industries here:

• Chrome Industries
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Vimeo

Give their site a browse!

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?

Katana BJJ Presents: Copa Katana III

Another weekend, another tournament.

March 1st was the Copa Katana III, hosted by Katana BJJ in Richmond.  I entered in the Gi Lightweight blue belt division, and became part of an 11-man bracket.
We managed to find parking right away, all of the kids were done and the juveniles were just finished as we arrived at 1:30.  The tournament was running behind, but only by about 30 minutes.  They called my division to weigh in around 2:30, and I definitely made weight at 164 pounds with my Gi on.  Granted, it was my lightest Gi that I have, but one day it’s going to get called out on how short the sleeves are getting – which is why I take a spare Gi that’s a little heavier.  Don’t have to weigh in twice after all.

I had a by for the first round which pushed me to the last match of the second round, so I had to wait for all of them to go before my first.  I competed against a guy from Powell River BJJ, a team that I’ve had mixed success against in the past.  He was fast, but didn’t hold down positions for long, instead, he went for several submission attempts.  Eventually he locked in a triangle and eventually enough blood was restricted to my head to make me tap, but he was a little undecided on his technique.  I did try and stand up too quickly after the choke, and immediately sat back down.  Nothing serious, just low blood pressure for that couple of seconds.

Overall, while I was tapped out, I was happy with my weight management and my cardio, but unhappy with my activation levels.  I started this match too comfortably, and paid the price.  Just another thing to work on.

–Kiyoshi “The Prototype”
Your #1 Canadian eh?