Extramural Activities, Hidden Talents and Hobbies...

[Dedman]

I used to build model planes but being a weirdo I gave them hot rod paint jobs and decals and used their decals on hot rod models.

[Zandit75]

I've recently taken the midlife decision to get myself back into some form of shape, not just round and squishy in places!
A little bit of history first!
When I first met my wife to be, she had been taking kickboxing lessons for around 12mths. I'd had a fascination with martial arts from a very young age thanks to cheesy ninja movies and novels.
I started going to classes as well and fell in love with Viet Vo Doa, a Vietnamese style of martial arts that started as a result of Ghengis Khan. According to our Vo Su(Master), Vietnam and Japan were the only two countries to defeat him.
I practiced VVD for about 10yrs overall, with a small break in the middle. I eventually got my black belt, and started training for my red sash(similar to a 1st Dan in karate) when I was transferred to a different branch at work. This included a lot of travel and stopped me from being able to attend classes. Eventually it became permanent when we moved house and my wife also changed jobs.
Thanks to the transfer and promotion, I had no chance to train and the "executive spread" started!
I've tried occasionally to get back into shape, even tried another style of martial arts near where we were living after I changed jobs but I didn't like the instructors way of teaching, so I stopped completely.
Fast forward 10yrs or so, and we're back to the present, and I'm feeling bored with my life, and needing something to spice things back up.
Aside from suggesting things to the missus that raised some eyebrows a friend on Facebook posted up a short video of one of her club members doing some kicks, so I started doing some checking. The club is only 10mins from home, and they mix things up between Kung Fu, Brazilian Jujitsu and MMA cage fighting techniques.
Wow, what a group! It's been so fun getting back into things and everyone is so supportive and encouraging. I'm surprised at how many people I know who attend that I went to School with, and the new style and techniques are surprisingly similar and feel pretty natural to transition to.
During my first lesson, I started learning arm bars and grapple style take downs, something I'd never done before, and even though it's been 10yrs since doing anything similar, I think they are impressed with what I'm remembering through muscle memory. While my aerobic capacity leaves alot to be desired, my technique and control is something I've particularly happy with.
Here's a couple of photos from tonight's session.

[wazkelly]

Ahhh, very nice, grasshopper.

[FrankenWashie]

On ya Z. I used to do Chen style tai chi, keep meaning to pick it up again but never find the time.

[Zandit75]

Ahhh, very nice, grasshopper.

You know, I haven't been called that one before! I keep getting Daniel-san

On ya Z. I used to do Chen style tai chi, keep meaning to pick it up again but never find the time.

Yep, that's the killer, finding the time. It's a great way to clear the head, and just release any tensions and frustrations throughout the session!

[Dedman]

I do Ti-Shu. That is, I bend over and tie my laces, that's my work out done.

[Zandit75]

I do Ti-Shu. That is, I bend over and tie my laces, that's my work out done.

Bahahaha!!!!! Love it!!

[wazkelly]

I do Ti-Shu. That is, I bend over and tie my laces, that's my work out done.

And how about the other one that sounds similar but requires sitting down???

Presume you do that workout on a regular basis too? (Pun intended)

[Simon Barden]

There's also my pastime of winding and tying up bits of string until they resemble a small cute breed of toy dog. Yes, I Shih Tzu knot.

[Dedman]

all this black and white stuff is killin me (had to add some extra hair to keep with the General rating for here and FB)