KarateKen

Happy New Year

Congrats!

We are allowed to use them in training but I also think they are decent for an around the house shoe. I wear them as indoor only.

Eating and shopping for food has become so stressful for me. Anytime I shop for anything I feel like I am only seeing what is wrong with the food. This has too many carbs, this has too much fat, this has too much sugar, this is healthy but I don't like the taste. I have become so stressed about food because it seems almost all of the stuff I like is unhealthy. The junk food industry wants us to get addicted to their products so we will be repeat customers, and I am struggling to break away from the sodas, processed meats, and high carb meals.

Crazy Monday night game where the Lions hold on the beat the 49ers 40-34. We saw a little bit of everything in that game, except for the punter! This was the first time since 1937 when an NFL game had 10 or more touchdowns and no punts. The Lions defensive problems continue in both yards and points. This has been a theme for a while now, and I don't see them winning the big game this year unless they can improve. They were able to make some plays, a couple interceptions, but come playoff time one poor offensive half will end their season if they play defense like this. The game on Sunday between the Lions and Vikings will decide the NFC North Champion, and the top seed in the NFC. Vikings are playing great and not getting much attention. The game is in Detroit. The Lions won the first matchup, so a tie is as good as a win for the Lions. LA Rams have locked up the West and Washington is in the playoffs, so are the LA Chargers in the AFC. KC has the top seed, Buffalo locked in at #2. Denver can make the playoffs if they win and either Miami or Cincinatti lose. Ravens and Steelers are both in the playoffs and competing for the division, Ravens win and they get the division, Steelers need to win and have the Ravens lose. Both teams play on Saturday with the Ravens having the earlier game, so the Steelers should know by kickoff if they are playing for the division or not. Whoever wins the North with be the 3 seed, Houston will be 4th. Either Tampa or Atlanta will win the NFC South. If your team is out of the playoff picture and already getting ready for next season...due to recent wins by the Raiders, Jaguars, and Giants, going into the final week the team with the top pick is now the New England Patriots. All the Patriots need to do is lose to Buffalo this week and they will be on the clock for the top draft choice. The last time the Patriots had the top draft choice they picked...trivia anyone?...QB Drew Bledsoe, back in 1993. Today is December 31st so Happy New Year everyone! Hope you have a fun, memorable, and safe night!

The Champs - Tequila

An ugly loss for the Patriots on Saturday and after the 40-7 blowout at home against the Chargers some of the players echoed that there needs to be changes made. I question how long Robert Kraft will tolerate these embarrassing performances and lousy seasons. This is an owner that is used to winning and in the last two seasons the team has seven wins. They were competitive against the Bills but then imploded in the 4th quarter, having four turnovers in the second half. They have a first year head coach and a rookie QB, so this is the first year of a rebuild for this team after 24 years will Belichick, that is why I think Mayo's job is safe for now, but he won't survive next season if they don't improve. Big game on Sunday between the Vikings and the Packers, the Packers need to prove they can beat the top teams in the league. While Green Bay has a good record, 11-4, the four losses are twice to the Lions, at home to the Vikings, and against Eagles. On Christmas day the Ravens beat the Texans 31-2. In all my years of watching the NFL I don't recall ever seeing a game end 31-2. I did not watch any of the games on Christmas, from what I heard they were not great games and Netflix had streaming issues again.

Twisted Sister - Heavy Metal Christmas

Winners on Friday were Utah, Toronto, Montreal, Washington, NY Rangers, Colorado, and Florida beat St. Louis in OT, 2-1.

It is common to feel overwhelmed when starting Karate, or any martial art, or anything new in life really. Did you enjoy training? Keep in mind martial arts are not for everyone, there is no shame in trying it for three months and then deciding it is not for you. I often times still get frustrated when I am not improving at the rate I wish I was and can get frustrated. There were many times I took my frustration home with me. If you want to learn the only way to do it is to keep working at it. Remember it takes years of practice to get some of these things down fully. Each class you attend, you improve. Sometimes the improvement is tough to see, others it is clear, but you will improve every time you go to class.

I think most of us have been there, the trip that got ruined because of a nightmare at the airport, and/or a miserable flight. I have several, including this summer when I was stranded during that computer error by Microsoft which caused flight problems all across the country. I spent two and a half days in Salt Lake City trying to get a flight out of there. I am currently on a streak of 15 consecutive flights that were either delayed or cancelled. Let's hear about your worst travel experiences, just in time for Christmas!

The Karate Kid movies (all four), Kickboxer 2, Fight Club, 8 Mile, 21, 42, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Major League, White Men Can't Jump, and Good Will Hunting all come to mind.

Several OT games on Thursday with the Penguins beating the Preds, the Senators over the Flames and the Oilers topped the Bruins. Other winners were the Golden Knights, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Kings, and Lightning. The Sharks are ahead of the Avalanche 2-1 after two.

I will take it!

The Chiefs have removed Mahomes from the injury report and he will be starting on Saturday. Not a surprise.

I've never been into boxing or followed it, so I don't really know, but many have said that the sport is dying and that the rise of MMA is a big part of it. Is there still a large interest in boxing? Is it more popular in the USA than anywhere else? Does anyone here follow boxing? Seems the only thing anyone watches is these gimmick fights like Jake Paul vs Tyson. Let's discuss it.

Elmo & Pasty - Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer

If I was a Raiders fan, I would want them to keep losing at this point and lock up that #1 draft choice. The team might as well clean house and rebuild anyway, so no better way to do that than with the #1 overall pick. I agree with your previous comments; coach Pierce will be fired. I don't know if you consider this a positive or a negative, but the Raiders have a chance to end their losing streak this week when they host the hapless Jaguars who are 3-11 and without Trevor Lawrence. Filling in for Lawrence will be former Patriots QB Mac Jones, who has a couple of losses in Las Vegas already.

Karaoke night

Bon Jovi - Keep the Faith

Chandler called out McGregor at the UFC fight but now reports are that McGregor's next fight will be against Logan Paul. McGregor announced "I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon."

I'm not sure, just the normal way I guess, though I do not put my knee all the way to the ground when I do it. I think I am putting pressure on the back knee that is going to the ground somehow, because that is where I feel things going wrong. The front leg has been OK.

The Things You Don't Know You Don't Know by Harland Williams

I don't watch trailers of movies I know I am going to see, so I didn't watch it, but I love that it is out! Thanks for posting.

Once again, I have to settle for the participation trophy. Can I get one of those @Patrick ?