It's Pronounced: Kra-hv Ma-GAH

So I threw a few punches last night, skinning a couple of knuckles in the process. Totally destroyed my opponent, of course.

No, really, it's not as exciting as all that. I didn't actually get into a fight, though that would make a good story. The "opponent" I so soundly defeated were actually a couple of pads held by my friend and punching partner. And by destroyed, I mean something more along the lines of "tapped".

I did go to a Krav Maga class, though, and had the most fun practicing two punching combinations, one of which involved using my elbows. For anyone who doesn't want to read through the website in the link, the short history is that it was invented by a Jewish Bratislavan who fought to create the independent state of Israel. Currently it's the official self-defense system practiced by the Israeli Defense Forces. Anyone watch NCIS? :P

We started off with an intensive workout that involved at least seven different kinds of push-ups, all of them more complicated and difficult than normal push-ups, during which I discovered how weak my core "strength" actually is. Wall-sits were next, and we stretched. I've never participated in a workout that difficult before, but even though I couldn't keep up it was exhilirating all the same. I can't wait until I can keep up.

Then began the fun part: Learning how to punch. The first punching combination our instructor called "combination 2" which begs the question, what's combination 1? Getting the hip-twisting and bringing the force up from the balls of one's feet was more difficult than throwing the punches. Although at one point I did keep getting my left and right mixed up. The second combination we learned involved elbows, too. Those are fun to throw around...

I'll be useless tomorrow, considering that I'm already having trouble lifting my arms today. I don't think I knew I had muscles right above my elbows that could ache like they do, but I'm certainly aware of them now!

Before you get the wrong idea, that I love violence and causing GBH, I don't. In fact I have trouble even imagining causing people harm. But I will feel more powerful than ever before when I finally master the techniques. Furthermore, I'll be prepared to defend myself well if the need arises (PTB willing, I'll never need to use these skills in a real self-defense situation). Not as motivating, but still important, is that this is a fun, practical way of staying fit and getting fitter.

Pretty soon, I'll be kicking butt.

Goshdarn Heater.

I would use stronger language but I try not to these days. You can be sure I used stronger language last night, when I found out my heater died on me. ONE MONTH EARLY. And I mean that only in the sense that there's still about a month of 50 degree weather left here (thank god I don't live in a colder locale). It lasted about oh, three, four months tops. Ridiculous. Absofrickinlootely ridiculous.

It took me awhile to find the information pamphlets, because I hadn't included them in my handy new filing system (it's a glorified box). When I did, I discovered that the warranty lasts a generous 3 years (and mine broke in three months, why?). Sure, that sounds great. But in order to use the warranty I have to not have "abused" the product - and who says what was outside normal usage, anyway? Not only that, I have to ship it to Tennessee, I believe. On my own dime. The think is at least a foot tall and half a foot wide. It's not heavy, but for shipping purposes I certainly wouldn't call it light. FURTHERMORE it's up to ME to provide return shipping and handling, etc, at about $10-$15 which should be included in the shipping, from what I understand.

And for those who told me not to research, just to go to Target to pick up a cheap one... after all my research, I went to Target. I didn't buy the cheapest one because I thought (obviously incorrectly) that if I bought a mid-range heater it might last longer than the cheapest. I dont' know how long the cheapest ones last, but if it's proportionate to the money spent on it, they shouldn't even be making them. Not that they should have made this one, either.

I'm never buying a Honeywell product again. Fool me once... why should I make the same mistake again, thinking I'm getting a quality product when really it's a Piece.Of.Junk.

So I have four or so more weeks of 50 degree weather - INDOORS - to look forward to. Forgive me if I'm grumpy all the time.

Another Green Website

I can't remember exactly how I found myself at The Good Human, but it appears to be well-researched website with similar concerns and interests to this blog. So I've decided to put a link here so I'm less likely to lose the address.

Unfortunately there isn't much information on the site's creator, but there is an informal "mission statement" of sorts, which seems genuine.

The article that brought me to the website has a global perspective and concerns cars - specifically, amazingly fuel efficient cars manufactured in Europe and other parts of the world that aren't the United States of America, that run on newer, cleaner diesel fuel technology and get from 50-61.8mpg. Granted, there's no link to the source of the information, but he does mention Top Gear, and I've found some stats on the two cars Good Human mentions. For more info on the VW Polo BlueMotion, click here. Well, and I didn't find further info on the Subaru Legacy. The first though, seems to

At any rate, take a glance, let me know what you think, if you're interested.

And for a POW! of a finish, read this funny article about the most optimal vehicle ever.

Giving Life

I gave life today. And no, not in the pregnant/giving birth sort of way. Not that. By "Give Life" I mean the (new?) ad campaign the Red Cross is using for donating blood.

It was my first time. So I worried a lot beforehand, because I do that about things I don't know/understand. I like to know the procedures before I actually commit. Kind of like my sister when she was a toddler or a little older, who freaked out at the hospital until the doctor told her he was going to stitch her forehead back together. Once she knew what was going to happen, she calmed down and even helped strap herself to the cot.

Lots of friendly people at the donation site. The health history part was amusing because the ... volunteer? medic? helping me kept cracking jokes through his stuffed up nose. "Where is your blood pressure?" (how does one answer that question?) Oh and my favorite: "Can I just see your other arm to make sure you're not shooting drugs".

The whole watching-your-blood-drain-out-of-your-arm-into-a-plastic-bag is very surreal. But aside from the needle prick and the pressure from the arm band, not too unpleasant. I didn't get a blanket though. Good thing I had my puffer vest on, otherwise that would have been a problem. It didn't take very long to actually bleed a pint of blood, though the whole process took me two hours.

At the end, they practically pushed orange juice into my hand, told me to sit and wait for fifteen minutes, which I had trouble doing, because I was anxious to find out if they were still offering Caps tickets. Which I totally scored. WOOT! Double the reward. Oh, I almost forgot about my Peter Bondra bobblehead. He's cute. He even came with a hockey stick. The guy in front of me chose an autographed bobblehead instead of the tickets. Silly man. What's an autograph to the game?

Went to the pub to watch the Caps defeat the Bruins in OT in Boston this afternoon. Though we're still behind them in the Eastern Conference, and Jersey's coming up fast, I see a glass half full.

But enough random rambling.

Space Heaters and How Mine Failed Me

Okay, before you get the wrong idea, the heater still heats. It still has two heat settings, low and high. It still has a timer and a temperature gauge, so it turns off at a specified temp (if I so specify).

And yet.

All the safety features I looked into, which were very important to me because I'm actually a little afraid of the electric heating devices which can start fires in the home ... ARE NOT THERE. I stand directly in front of it some mornings, due to the cold temperature of the room (65 if the heater's been working hard all night) and it DOESN'T TURN OFF. One of the safety features listed on the "safety features list" was that it would be able to detect close proximity to other objects, and if said near object was not removed within a certain, short, period of time, it would automatically shut off. Hrmph. I have not accidentally knocked the machine over yet, because I'm not that clumsy... but I have tested it. Result: There is NO automatic shut-off feature for tip-overs. And yup, you guessed it! That was also listed on the fabulous, mendacious "safety features list".

Gotta love it. Actually if it didn't heat my room in a remarkable, lovable (that's to say, I love the heat) way, I would throw it out. And I wouldn't just throw it out, I would have a copier-destroying-style party to bust it to bits before consigning it to the dump.

And I'll never again buy a Honeywell product. That'll teach those lying manufacturers of dangerous electric appliances. Cross your fingers I don't burn before then.