Welcome to CAP's SHS Strongman Training

If you want to come down and flip tires with the "old man"... do so at your own risk, I am not your mommies (even if I am prettier than some of them). If I tell you to scram--do so. We all help each other and WE ALL CLEAN UP. Bring water and an indomitable will. Check the blog 1 hour before you come down if there is foul weather or just in case--stuff happens. Subscribe by email or blog-reader to get updates (so I don't get 50 texts everyday). And, P.S. Meditate...It is the true Strongman Training.



Monday, October 31, 2011

Pro Monster Mini Short Band Deadlift Tutorial

 
Pro Mini Band Monster...Short...Thingie Deadlift tutorial. It had Monster and Deadlift in it so I thought it would be good for Halloween. Slip em on the bar and rip up your low back, hams, and glutes baby. (315 on the bar plus bands) Enjoy.

$4.75
EFS Pro Short Monster Mini Band
Great for building speed and lockout strength in the bench press and deadlift.
EFS Pro Bands A-12MMBAND
Add To Cart    View Details

Cap's HALLOWEEN FACTS #1,2,3

 WARNING! One of my 3 viewers may be offended by these scary facts...so DO NOT READ ON!
 (I Warned You...)
 
1. The term Witch acctually comes from the first transgender women who were born with...man parts and the New England Tea Party Villagers chased them out of town screaming, "Uuunatural! Which one is it, man or woman?" And then of course all the male Right-Wing senators and Pony Express Evangalists "had relations" with them in public restrooms (secretly promising them equal time on dance shows though never intending to carry out their promises). When caught the Preachers' and Senators' wives called them something else... (Burnt at the stake used to have a different meaning as well.) ...Mixing "Wich" with the term for a female dog and we got: "Sarah Palin" which was later shortened to "Witch."


Muuuhahahahaha! Are you scared? I am. This WITCH was very close to being in the White House.
       2. "Trick or Treat?" came from an unpublished Hans Christian Anderson tale he wrote after drinking too much "spooky" punch at the Brother's Grimm Halloween Bash: His drunken fable was entitled: "TorT?" and was about two squirrel prostitutes--one had stored nuts, the other a lazy eye and they would knock on the doors of Racoon businessmen and ask, "Trick or Treat?"
(Lose-lose either way back then.)

        3. Wearing Costumes came from Roman times: the tradition was put forth so Roman Governors and Senators could wear their fish-nets and pasties in public once a year.

Happy Halloween... CAP


Back to the regularly scheduled blog.
Boo.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Post Oct. Ice Storm Ocean Swim

What better way to spend the morning after an October Ice Storm than...a swim in the ocean? Anyone? Come on...hey where are you going? It's not thaat cold...come on.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Seminar at City WingTsun w Sifu Haw

A rousing good time in NYC at the seminar with Sifu Haw. My first trip in to the Wing Tsun school in NYC was tons of fun. Sifu Haw and a cast of others turned out to show us CT. Wing Tsun-ers a really good time! Much education and socialization. Many new friends and techniques learned and made. "The circle is not complete without others to help you connect the dots." Seeing through other master's eyes is a wonderful thing. I am a babe in the woods in the Wing Tsun world and to learn from the best of the best (other than my teacher who is in Hong Kong training to bring us back even more goodies) is quite an honor. No other words to describe it than an HONOR. Hope to see all of you again soon. Big shout out to my Si Jei Nichole! My dear friend (from last seminar as well) who lead me through the snow back to the train, as well as broke bread with me at lunch in the city. Hope we get to train together more next time I see you. Tien and Ming and Dallas and the others...thanks for training with me. Si-Hing Jimmy and Dom and Si Jei Carol and Si-Dai's Tyler and Po-Po Joe thanks for playin. Sifu...rousing good time, school is awesome. You made us all feel so at home. Love the new banner!  Thanks for having me and I hope to see you out there flipping with Eugene and I! Anyone from City Wing Tsun wants to come down to Stamford, CT...please feel free to tag along with Eugene or give me a shout. Love to have you. Hope everyone made it home in the snow. All the best to the "Spirits of Wing Tsun" as well for all the insights... Cap.

Yeah (sigh) Winterstorm tonight No Strongman Sunday 10/30

Okay...I love snow! But not on Strongman days.
NO STRONGMAN Sunday 10/30
due to Winter Storm rollin in unless it well doesn't...For now NO. Wish me luck at my seminar... Cap

(Cover your nuts.)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Sunday 10:30 Strongman unless posted otherwise

Have my first Wing Tsun Seminar in the NYC. tomorrow. Very excited. So Sunday morning I might be a bit tired but none the less if you goons show up I will be there to flip! So Let's get it on!

Human Body: Pushing the Limits and THE HUMAN WILL

If you haven't seen this video: Human Body: Pushing the Limits on the Discovery Channel...you should. Very interesting commentary on the Human Eye and Human Strength potential. Great special effects, cross-cuts of the human body etc. Most of the body's emergency potential is driven by an intricate dance of Mind and Body and millions of years of evolution and is only released in deadly situations. As all kids are (yes, I am still a kid) and athletes of all kinds we are fascinated with unleashing this stored potential during our normal athletic everyday. "Hulking Out" as it were. I have found in my years of training that many factors can have profound effects on performance and amping up to meet challenges. Music, diet, training, but the best tool to find deep reserves is the mind--for me anyway. It is gathering will like a super pill in the mind and then "willing" yourself to the task: ie. dead lifting 500lbs. Power Cleaning 315lbs. running a 4.5 40 yard dash, lifting the Atlas stone, sparring in Martial Arts, etc. Fury and rage are not enough, you need focus, and discipline and a "big pair" as we like to say. The big pair is really just will. The will triggers the brain to unleash body potential on command as it does instinctually in a life-or-death situation. Just getting in the saddle is part of the equation, stepping under the weight as we say for a squat; stepping under 500 pounds, putting it on your back and stepping away from the safety of the rack. But then upon feeling that grat mass pressing you, trying to force you into oblivion, you have to focus your fear and adrenaline into will and squat down, knowing the weight could easily blow your knee caps off--and then press the weight back up. Awesome. Liberating. The Atlas Stone requires slapping "tacky” on your hands and arms: a glue like substance: and bending down in an impossible position and then lifting a massive round cement and rebar stone off the ground. The process is not only muscle and mental intensive but tears the skin off of your arms and stomach and legs. Big Pair exercise. Will. Maybe focused insanity too, but it truly makes you feel alive. The will to put yourself in a situation that normally the body only wants to happen a few times in your life...it stores magnitudes of energy for just such emergencies. But that is just the body trying to survive--Genes trying to protect themselves in order to procreate and spread. Your Body-Mind. But we are more than the Body-Mind. We exist separate from that creature and yet are a part of it as well. We are the driver of the car, and this driver likes the excitement of what I can push my body-mind to do. Okay, go have a sam'mich and consider what makes you feel alive. Consider if you are living to your fullest. If your car is driven by a desire to see all the sights...or you are just a passenger on someone else’s ride.

Lou Ferrigno was the original Hulk...he was deaf and a world champion bodybuilder and TV Star...Serious Will. (Yes Jones, I know what Arnold did to him in the Arnold movie: Pumping Iron. Arnold's a bit of an arse.)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Green Strongman T

If you guys don't want to wait for us to reach like 20 people for the orange strongman shirt you can single order this one from Customink.com. Any problems let me know.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Supplements for Kids?

Can't tell you how many times kids at SHS come up to me and ask me if I take supplements and then the follow up is always "what should I (they) take?"

And I tell them the same thing every time: if you are not done growing don't take supplements. You youngsters should get what you need from food. When I was in high school we didn't take supplements at all. Back in 1985-86 we finally got a real weight room and I went from 185 my Junior year to 240 lb. Senior year (and still ran a 4.5 40 by the way) just by eating and lifting. Of course we drank like 2 gallons of milk with raw eggs, and 5 hamburgers a day, etc. but it was all done with JUST eating and lifting. When you are young your body is making its own creatine, etc. so there is no need to load up on extra. I am not a doctor and other people may have different opinions but that is mine. The voice of Cap. Eat, Lift, Sleep, Flip! When you become an old fart like me you need extra protein and vitamins to help a bit on recovery because my old ass doesn't make all the chems you youngsters do. So eat a freakin cheeseburger and drink some milkshakes to old-school gain weight. If you are already a big kid, cut the fat and add in fish and veggies instead of meat and eggs, etc. easy enough to find good diets online.     And Steroids.... NO. DON'T. I have NEVER taken juice... so if you respect my insane arse and want to come flip with me... lay off the juice. It's cheating. For medicinal purposes it's great. For old guys who want to keep lifting into their later years studies have showed it helps... (I ain't there yet and will just stop lifting if I ever get to that point and do more Wing Tsun! when I get too old). So NO ROIDS!  Anyway. LIFT AND EAT, PUSKAS. No better feeling than doing it yourself.     See you out there... CAP.

Tire Flippin this Sunday... if I am not too tired from...

Okay. Should be some flippin this Sunday 10/30/11. Of course I have a WT Seminar in NYC on Saturday so if I am shot... For now let's say its a go.

I Must Break You...

"I must break you..." Ha! This is my boy Jim from Wing Tsun. Wanted to take a Rocky-esque pic. Don't judge the size, Jim is a black belt in Shidokan and a 4th rank in WT. Boy can kick some arse. That's why he's ma boy. He almost poked my eye out this summer...my wife still wants to kill him, so Jim... it's not me you have to worry about:)

New: Strongman T for 2012 Sign Up NOW!

http://www.customink.com/signup/eaairaz

Use the above link to SIGN Up for the 2012 Strongman T. Cost will be between 30-40 dollars depending how many guys sign up. So get your puska friends to buy one so we can lower the price! I would like to have all names in the next 3 weeks and cash the following week when we know the price. It's a performance t. Never ordered one of these from custom ink but should be groovy.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fabian & Ben First Tries at the 270 Stone on my Birthday

Fabian and Ben came down to celebrate my Birthday this Sunday. Their present to me was trying the 270 lb. Atlas Stone. For those of you who don't know what this is... it is a 270 pound round ball of rebar and cement. A big stone ball... You need to put "Tacky" on your hands just to pick up the perfectly smooth big stone ball. The tacky is like maple syurup from the tree mixed with glue and pine-tar. It tears your skin and takes like a 1/2 hour to get off. So this exersise is basically....THE BEST THING EVER! Anyway... Fabian got the stone up and joined the only like 9 guys ever at SHS to do so in 4 years. And Ben who only weighs 145 got it into his lap...but will be the lightest guy to lift this big stone ball. Wrestlers have big stone... that's why they are so good at this lift. Thanks for the present fellas.

Flipping Today Tuesday 10/25

Be there 2:30 PM

If you think I am nuts...

Wim Hof AKA the Iceman. Owes it all to Yoga and Meditation
Can you say "pee-pee-cicle"?

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Birthday Sunrise Swim

Before the stones I indulged my Zen side with a fall morning swim. 6:30 am. Air Temp bout 48 degrees. Poor Susanne filming. I am blessed with a wonderful life, I hope all my friends know joy. Live! (What's with the freakin bells?!)

Happy Birthday to Me 270lb. Atlas Stone Lift

How did you spend your 43rd Birthday?
After a nice walk with my lovely wife Susanne and swim in the ocean this morning at Sunrise... I decided to go Stone Lifting (275lb. Atlas Stone) with the boys.  Thanks to Fabian, Ben, Ron W, and Wes who visited all the way from DC. (Eugene we missed you, his car blew up. Ezra was sick.) Best presents I got were Fabian getting the stone up on his first try, Ben at 145 almost got it up too... and Ron and Wes both flipped the 650 tire on their first day! (Videos to follow). For now listen to me celebrate...

Enjoy.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Get yer arse there SUNDAY Flippin! 10/23/11

Okay. Let me make myself clear! I AM FLIPPIN' ON MY BIRTHDAY! So get yer candy arses to trainin' and you can sing to me while we get after it! 10:30 AM on the SHS field. Bring cake in your girl pants if that gets you there!

Let's go!

I went swimmin' today in the sound at 7:00 am -no wetsuit... you think I need a break for my Birthday?!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Flippin on Sunday 10/23 me Burp'sday!

Okay, Sunday I was gonna take off Strongman,but Eugene T from NYC convinced me not to by saying,
"What better way to celebrate refusing to get old!"
So take off your girl pants and be there: SUNDAY 10/23/11 at 10:30 am.
 

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tire Flippin' TODAY 10/20 Thursday

Tire flipping today! Thursday, freaks! 2:25. See you out there.
Should still be goin on Sunday 10:30 on my B-Day. Will let you know for sure.

Cap
 
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow,
Learn as if you were to live forever."
--Gandhi
  Cap-ism # 8
Yes, But learn to make a sam'mich...lift a weight too. Mind AND body!  (Hell, I love Gandhi...he's one of my heroes--a hero of will...but dang, I would love to get him to play in  the yard. Maybe pick up the Atlas Stone... Who am I kidding...that little guy moved the WORLD!)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Minibands from EliteFTS for Deadlifting

The EliteFTS mini bands for deadlifting are awesome!!!! I will post a video of me using them when I can, but the steady resistance kicks the junk out of your hammies and glutes with half the weight. Checkout the EliteFTS site to see excellent workout videos.

No Strongman Wed. 10/19 Called for Rain

Sorry flippers of heavy round rubber apperati...that didn't sound good. Anyway. Nor'easter blowin in so no flippin today. Let's shoot for tomorrow Thursday 10/20. If not on Friday. And though it is my Birthday on Sunday, (grumble...Old Fart) we should be good for 10:30 on 10/23. Will keep you posted.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Passed to Level 2 Wing Tsun

Passed. Kicked arse but punked the speed round... So close to Chi Sao, I can taste it... 2 more levels. Going to sleep. Adrenaline wearing off. Thank you to all my fellow students. I couldn't do it without you. Dom, Ian, Tyler, Flo, Mei—Congrats! Si Hing, never be here without you. Thanks. Good luck in Hong Kong.

"We walk on the path, one step at a time. Each step different than the last. All steps heading back to when I knew nothing."

Cap-ism #7 Wood and Sam'miches

Cap-ism #7 :
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.”  --Zen Proverb

"Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; Flip Tires, swing big hammer, eat a nice sam'mich...

(same (BLEEP), different training day...just have a nice sam'mich now.)”

Wing Tsun Test for Level 2 Today

Bodhidarma
Wing Tsun Kung Fu Test for Level 2 today. I have been taking Wing Tsun since March 2011 when they closed the football field and I couldn't do Strongman. I have been hooked ever since. Wing Tsun Kung Fu is Bruce Lee's original Martial art that he trained in before coming to the states and inventing his own Jeet Kun Do. It is a short cut past all other styles, linear, yet adaptive, brutal, yet soft, and quite engaging for the mind and body. The style was invented by women to overcome bigger stronger opponents. A great workout as well. My School is Club Kung Fu - CT Wing Tsun in Springdale, CT. My teacher's name is Si-Hing Elliot Leung. If you met the guy on the street you would never know he could kick your arse six-ways to Sunday in under 7 seconds and then go have a burrito without thinking twice about it. Well, today is test day for level 2 which means I am a NOVICE. There is so much to know even at Level 2 but I think I am up for it. When I took my Level One 3 months back it was the first test I had taken since grad school in 1990. Very nerve wracking. Hopefully there will be less butterflies this time. I have a good crew of Si-Hing and Si-Dai and Si-Je and Si-Mui who help me to overcome my "old-manisms", (you can't do well in the art without good partners to train with) not to mention my instructor is first rate so if anything goes wrong and I do not pass... the fault will be mine. Well faithful readers, (all 3 of you jobless beauticians in Starbucks) I will let you know how it went tonight or tomorrow.

"The greatest test is a man's knowledge of himself."
(Cap-ism #5: Never touch yourself during said test or you will be removed from the class forcefully.)

Monday, October 17, 2011

How To Use a 16 Lb. Hammer for Strongman

Yes, this is one of my favorites. HAMMER TUTORIAL. When using a sledge hammer, use the hips please so you don't hurt your back. And hit the freakin tire like it owes you money! Jump up in the air and growl and snarl and break wind as you do it. It is very meditative and clears the mind. Now watch and be calm.

Friends Make You Strong

"A man can be known, just by knowing his friends..."
Brian Miske has been one of my best friends since my Syracuse University days. We caused all kinds of trouble as bouncers at Faegan's Pub and even more living in our Hell's Kitchen apartment when we were in grad school for toy design at F.I.T. -- We used to heckle drug dealers at 4 am with our bull-horn off the 14th floor of our building. We've driven across the country together (he almost killed me falling asleep at the wheel and hitting 15 parking cones and we almost died together in the Grand Canyon) and we've been lifting together for just as long as I have known him. We've both taken very different career paths as we have moved on in life (Brian has a real job) but always stayed very close, supporting each other in the good times and bad. And it's just good to have him coming down and enjoying strongman training with me now. He travels up from New Jersey to play in the yard and swims in the Sound with me though it's October. And the best part is he brings his son, Brendan whom I adore, with him. He's 12 and one of the funniest and brightest kids I know. (See video of the kid's heart in my last post). (When Brendan was three-years-old, I taught him how to say, "Ree-Row, Low Tide!" to warn me when he cuts the cheese, of course he would do this in game stores and public places of all kinds as well; and still does it to this day. We've been laughing together ever since.) (I am such a role-model.) To have such good friends share in your lunacy, and allow his kids to share in it as well, just keeps you young and strong.
Of course child services might want to have a word with him when they see his kid flipping the 250 pound tire. But they'll have to get through me first. And of course the Child Services people will just wind up flipping tires with us as well...so...

I can only hope you all cherish your friends as I do and have one's worth cherishing. Just another Cap-secret to life and youth and lunacy on this little blue marble. No go lift something! Street-punks. BALLS!
Plus I just wanted you to see my shoulder-hair patch in this photo. His name is Fred.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Cap Strongman Tutorials: Tire Flippin' #1

Okay. So Susanne said Blogs should not just be about the person writing them. I have been trying to be informational, so there is a reason to read this rag other than to find dates for flippin and my latest koan ramblings. Here, girls, is a tutorial on how to flip a reeeealy big tire. Take it or leave it this is how we do it. You don't like it I don't care. Don't watch. But dang it is fun! Anyway... on with the tutorial.

Eugene, Miske, Bren at Sunday Flippin

Okay, Sunday's strongman was (as always) awesome. Fabian (who is now officially one of my coaches--doing a great job with the younger kids) Ben, Mike from SHS and Ian from WT in CT were in attendance. Eugene (level 9 in WT--sheesh) came down from City Wing Tsun again to play in the yard. Week 2 and he's already flippin the 650lb. tire like a pro (dang whippersnappers).

And Bren and his pops, Brian (one of my best friends on the planet came down as well to have some fun.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Don't forget About SUNDAY!

This Sunday we are FLIPPIN' babies. 10/16 at SHS. (Address on RIGHT side bar event thingie.)We should have people from NY and NJ visiting as well as a bunch of locals. Maaaybe Sifu? Hmmm? So be there at 10:30 and stay to help clean up so we don't kick your lazy, dirty, beh-toot! Bring water and a reeealy big pair of cahones!

Oatmeal of DOOM!

Okay, so I am in a rush to get out the door this morning. I am showering, cooking my oatmeal on the stove, finding workout clothes and making egg sam'iches all at once and trying not to wake Susanne (it's raining so we are going to pass on the walk this AM). Nuts. Any-way. So I like to mix a protein shake with my oatmeal to take to school for a nutritious low cal, low sugar snack-right-I've done it before, mix up a protein shake and dump it into my Tupperware (Chinese soup take-out container) and take it to work-easy. Snack on it all day. This morning I am in a furry to get out the door and decide to just poor my protein powder right into the Tupperware then pour the hot off the stove stone-cut oatmeal in with it, close it and...shake it up.

BOOM! It explodes! Made a loud noise and everything. (I think I heard a squirrel outside the window drop it's nuts.) Piping-hot oatmeal over my stomach, my hands, my shorts, legs, the walls, the sink. HA! Was so cool! 'Cept for my second degree burns and the fact that if it hit my face I'd be blind. (Try telling that to an emergency room doc without him filming you for youtube.) GO TRAIN!

Moral of the story... Next time I do it I will have one of my friends shake it without telling him what will happen and I will somehow do this while wearing safety glasses ---- CAP

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Cap-Zen Meditation #2: Thoughts Like Clouds

Zen Meditation #2: Okay, So we covered: sit in a quiet place, shut up, count your breath, back straight. Next: let all thoughts that go through your head, pass like clouds and then go back to the counting of your breath. Work on that.
(If you are having trouble read on: Do not focus on your thoughts. Let them drift by. Do not jump into the murky puddles of your mind's tickertape or create scenarios based on events of the day like: a guy took your lunch money today because you don't take Wing Tsun or flip tires -- and as your mind reviews the situation you create a fantasy of you hulking-out and smashing his goddies with a wiffle ball bat. Your mind is an organ like your heart. It does what it does; it problem solves and reviews and plans, etc. But your true self is separate from it. For example: If you get a text, (I know this is hard) you do NOT have to answer it (especially while driving, puskas!). You are not your cell phone! You control your mind. You do not have to jump when it reacts. Be still, let your mind be still. Then pick up a 275 pound Atlas Stone to reward yourself for making it a full 10 minutes!)

No Flipping Today (Thursday) 10/13

Okay, (grumble) dang weather has foiled our plans. BUT that doesn't mean you shouldn't workout, girls! So go to WT or press your Great Dane or lift a Bob's Big Boy... but get after it!

Sunday still looks good! I will see you all then! These old ladies lift more than you! Get to training!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Thursday Strongman 10/12

Okay, should be a 2:30 Strongman tomorrow (Thursday) weather permitting.

Also, this Sunday at 10:30 am, girls. Bring your ca-hones and som'n to drink and come on out.

Might break out the stone... Might. I have a WT test Tuesday and... we'll see. I also am going to start putting up instructional videos, how to flip a tire...how to catch a fish with a 2x4. How to push a sled. None of it will be "right" but how we do it so if you don't like the videos, piss-off. Go critique your mom's Scooby-doo skivvies collection, she cares what you have to say, puska.

Sunrise Swim and Silence

 What is it about a swim at the beach at sunrise by yourself? I woke this morning exhausted at 5:30 waiting for a job. None came and Susanne had to go to work early today so I was on my own. I could have slept in, I could have just sat and watched the cartoons and ate some egg and foo sam'iches. But the sunrise and cold waters of Tod's point called to me. I had to go despite my desire to just rub my belly and be lazy. I arrived, greeted by a brisk October wind and the glorious pink and orange glow of morning over the water. I kicked off my flips , took off my shirt, let my hair out and ran down the beach, ran back and waded out into the low-tide surf. Into the quiet. The quiet of the morning wind, the slushing waves, the seagulls telling me to beat it they were still sleeping. And me. No one else is there swimming or walking on the beach. No wet suit, no goggles nor rubber cap. Just a hairpatch, bathing shorts and October air. There are some others out walking and jogging on the road. But not here and I am left alone with my thoughts and the quiet morning as I begin to wade and then swim out to the buoy some 50 yards away. At first its the usual, "Okay, if I catch a cramp or gulp water, what do I do? Relax, lay on your back and start creeping back in. But Reeelax. No panic". Then thoughts of: "Okay, if I DID die now, at least I died doing what I love, that's what the eulogies would say. I'd look so cool to all six people who came to my funeral. Though Susanne would kick my ass even after death for going first, probably bury me in a Hello Kitty dress, gum boots and a tiara with an open casket. Draw a mustache and Petey eye circle on me with a Sharpie too". I laugh out loud with no one to hear but me and the sea. Okay that covered, I start to just notice the silence. The nothingness and nature. It calls me out past the buoys into open waters. Not too far but past all warnings to the contrary. Where only boats and fish are supposed to venture. The silence says "Keep going." I do. It says, "Stop swimming and treading. Let go." Scary. but...I do. And my big arse doesn't sink. I bob down and then...come right back up. Miracle. 232 lbs. of Cap and I just bob back up. Fascinating. Safe in the bosom of the morning Sound no matter the troubles if I just "Let go." The water is warmer than the 50 degree air. Quiet. Who is this voice telling me to let go, it will be alright? (The wind wooshing against my wet face.) To just be quiet in the waves with the sun cresting over the distant horizon? Who is it that whispers in my ear, my mind, and says, "You are the storm and it's peaceful eye"? Strange you say? Not to me...I do this every morning if I can. Seek stillness and silence in the cold waters of sunrise. You might hear this voice too.

(Of course it could just be hypothermia setting in: I hear when your nuts freeze you begin to get visions. Damn, I still want that sam'ich. Go away so I can eat, puskas. I'm cold and hungry from swimming in freakin October at 6:00 am!)

(Still here? Try this one on...Sometimes when I strain too hard flipping tires I fart, but that's a different voice. That's a S.B.D. Different kind of silent.)

(There never was anyone here, was there? Well I think I'm funny so foo on you. Or me. Sam'ich. Make sam'ich.)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Big Strongman THIS SUNDAY 10/16 Be there!

Big Strongman this Sunday at 10:30 am SHS Football field. Bring friends, bring water and a BIG PAIR.

Wing Tsun Kung Fu Part-Ay Baby

Thanks everyone from Club Kung Fu for the wonderful day. We had perfect weather, tons of awesome food, beer, and of course... Wing Tsun Baby!  Tyler and Chris showed up at my house first with fishing poles in tow. Flow and Mai and Jimmy and his brother next. Then Si Hing and his troop showed up. Brendan and Justin as always--- need their own cartoon show on Nickelodeon. Jason brought tons of ice and nice. Wendy arrived with goodies under arm. Carol and her pal were last but not least.
The Day started with a lot of car wrangling to get everyone in. Carol and her friend rode their bikes, though there was a slight accident and Carol had to Wing Tsun someone's Labrador retriever or something. I almost ran poor Wendy over with my car, she wedged my door... I am sending you the bill, lady!
And after a shaky start the party went off without a hitch. My lovely wife Susanne and her friend Kelsey from NYC helped chauffeur and prep. Then we had to phone-navigate Dom on his Old Greenwich adventure to get him to the party... Next, the reason this merry band comes together everyday in the first place... Si Hing Elliot lead us in a sweet Wing Tsun class in the sunshine and whispering trees of Tod's Point. Very picturesque. Si Jei, almost chopped my throat, (she likes to let us all know who is really in charge). When we were done Tony and his family rolled in. Justin crying out: "The British are coming...the British are coming..." Brendan replied, "then I guess the food won't be so good this year." Oh, we all laughed. Harry proceeded to chase the two jokesters up a tree.

Anyway, then on to the food...which was grrreat. We had burgers and turkey burgers and veggie burgers and hot dogs and snausages (smoked hot beef sausages). Carol made these AMAZING chili shrimp kabobs. We had roast peppers and veggies, tons of salad, tons of beer (right Dom), tons of gooood eatin. My favorites were the snausage on a New England hot dog bun with cheese and fried onions and garlic and Carol's shrimp sticks...I must have eaten 200 of them... Oy my girlish figure.

Following round one of the food... there was swimming, Well I swam. Jason got in a bit too. Si Hing and Dom and Jim just hid when I told them they were all getting in with me. I don't blame them, I look like something that should stay in the sea when I swim, not come out on dry land. Ron with Baccardi in hand and Green Lantern ring on finger, took Si Jei, Wendy and the boys and Flow and Mai for a walk around Tod's Point to his secret garden. I was too scared to go. Dom and Jimmy and his bro went for a walk on the beach to try and get the bro's some ladiesssss. Dom scared them all away, most had never seen a black man before and they kept asking him to get them drinks or they just clutched their purses and shook. Tony and his Euro-crew of course played football...echem...soccer to us "across the ponders". Si Hing kept us in stitches with his stories. And the day was geeeorgous. Tyler and Chris fought a 2 foot bass for 4 hours that they nick-named "Gad-dangit" because it took all their bait, flipped them off with its fin and then the fish came to eat with us while they still hunted for it down by the water, screaming: of course, "Gad-dangit!" We had desert and round two of food after that, cakes and pies. There was more Wing Tsun, Dom worked on his Pak Da defense—a lot. I showed him how the beach looks upside-down. Wendy's hubby Jerry showed up for the final hour and helped me learn the fine art of taking the bag off the charcoal before you put it in the grill. Brendan, Justin, Harry and I went for a final dip in the ocean. Justin got in just far enough in the chilly October waters to scream out "My nuts!" And it was time to go before the Old Greenwich police started checking all the Asian's green cards... and Dom's rap sheet.
Then it was back to hacienda CAP with all of our food and bodies stuffed into our few cars like something you would see at the circus. We had a few more pops on my front lawn by candlelight.

The last sight I saw as the night came to a close... from out of my second-story den window was Dom slapped on the hood of a squad car while Jimmy and his brother strolled away with a few of the Old Greenwich dance troop Carol and her friend riding their bikes merrily into a parked car, Wendy avoiding mine, and Si Hing and his crew laughing and shaking their heads as they drove away.



The End (Thanks everyone...it was fun!) Gad-dangit we forgot to flip tires! Okay everyone back here! No seriously! Get back here! Where's everyone going?

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Friday, October 7, 2011

Oct. 7 Flippin Baby!

Flippin TODAY! Get there Puskas!

Great video from elitefts:
http://train.elitefts.com/training-compilations/its-not-about-luck/

Cap-ism #3

Cap-ism #3

Pick up som'n heavy...there might be a sam'ich under there. And we all love sam'iches, hell who doesn't love a good sam'ich.
(What did you want me to say, there might be a diamond under there? Enlightenment? I ain't the freakin Buddha, I'm Cap! And who needs diamonds when you have a SAM'ICH!)

Life

If you haven't seen the movie "Life" you should. It is very "Ron Howard" but makes you wake up a bit if you aren't. Death will get us all some day. And we can either piss away our lives on anger and banality or we can love and suck the very marrow from life, try new things all the time, and of course make ourselves the best we can be at all times: From breathing to just being nice to strangers to our everyday whatevers_____ make them all count. Tomorrow you too could be dead. I am not saying loot and rob because who cares... I am saying sculpt, refine and break free of fear.

Now get to TRAINING you BIG...HAIRY-BACKED...GIRLS!

Cap

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Friday Strongman 10/7/11

Great day today (Thursday). Guess what fans... Friday we are flipping again! I have to coach Ezra so jump in boys. 2:30 on the field...get your flip on before the long weekend. See you out there.

Sifu Tassos

Okay, here is the little engine that could...kick your arse with Wing Tsun.

Cap-isms

A Cap-ism: Webster's Dictionary defines a Cap-ism as a profound piece of wisdom taken by said "Cap" and kicked in the arse until it can do the dang rep! (Like Masterpiece Theater only with a 225 lb. Keg of sand strapped to Nigel Wrathbone's fat can.) Do Enjoy.
Cap-ism #1

The only way to get there...is to go there.
                                                                                        - Master Yoarashi
(And if you flip a big freakin tire while going there, you will be able to take over the town and make everyone eat your favorite flavor of pudding on your birthday! Hell YEAH! Which of course you can pretty much make any day you want now, because you, um, run the joint... O, and be nice to your serfs...they might know Wing Tsun Kung Fu baby!)
(Um, PS. I like tapioca pudding with protein powder in it--so get me a damn bowl before I go all medieval!)

(Oh, and um, PSS. my birthday is on 10/23 so just shove the pudding through the mail slot if I am out flipping tires.)

Tire Flippin TODAY Thursday 10/6 @ 2:25

Yes, it's time again. Today at 2:25ish on the field.
It will be as quick as possible because I have 2 Kung Fu classes tonight so get down there quick!

Cap

Eddie Z Keeps it Strong in NYC

My good friend Eddy Z. set a good example on how to stay strong as you get over 40 (like me or at any age). He and his band Under Siege debuted last night in SOHO at a bennefit for New Orleans musicians...they were jammin. Played a ton of great songs from my era (Mad Season tribute was my favorite). Eddy is an insanely busy guy, 2 kids, and a wife, my age and still finds time to train but more importantly follow his adventure, his passion of music...and these chittlens are the things that make us strong. Always do what drives you. And then FLIP BIG FREAKIN TIRES! (So now get your arse down and join us Eddy. You can play your bass to motivate the troops. Learn some Korn will ya:)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Cap-Zen Meditation Part 1

Cap's Zen Meditation: Sit still, shut up, and count your breaths... start there. More to come.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Great Workout Yesterday (PUSKA: Defined)

Great workout yesterday. Ben from the wrestling team came down, he weighs 150 lbs. and flips the 650 tire--animal. Love to see more wrestlers out there with us. Ian from Club Kung Fu was there and Mike from SHS and Eric Garcia who graduated from SHS last year (who kindly donated our 16lb. hammer). Great to see you kid. So nice to be back in the yard after too long off.

Next Training session will be Thursday at 2:15ish 10/6/11.
get out there and get some puskas.

Cap

PS. (For you sensitive readers: PUSKA means "gun" in Croatian. We call each other that because if you ain't man enough to get it done without a gun... you are not worthy of Strongman.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Soul Sword: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior by Vernon Kitabu Turner

Quotes from the book on Zen:
Zen Transcends all references and gives the mind nothing to grab hold of, not even itself. In the Zen approach, the false mind is made to collapse under its own weight. The Zen mind-spiritual mind manifests on its own, instinctively wise, instinctively correct. It knows nothing of its origin; it simply is, functioning in harmony with the world around.
(Cap-ism: #2:
When my tires were gone, I found Wing Tsun Kung Fu : When I empty my mind, I find a small black squirrel in there dressed in Yoda Underoos and a cheese hat who knows stuff I would NEVER know.)

Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman

Photobucket Image Hosting
If you have never seen the Zatoichi series about a blind swordsman from Ancient Japan... you are missing out. Shintaro Katsu the lead is brilliant; both in the role and as a swordsman. They can be a bit over the top...well way over at times but so worth the trip. The series and all of the films can be found on Netflix.

Back to the Strongman... today at 2:30ish SHS

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Battlefield 3 BITES

For those of you who are gamers... Battlefield 3 Beta BITES. Bad Graphics, clunky, can't spot enemies. Doesn't hold a candle to Battlefield Bad Companies at all. Big Big disappointment. Again, Flipping Monday at 2:30 ish.

Strongman Oct. 3rd and Thursday October 6th

Hey Fans. Yes. Cape Cod was amazing. Swam in icy waters with seals under the threat of shark attack. Very strong-manish. And I must add our house had an outdoor shower. Awesome! Coming out of frigid Cape Cod waters and taking a hot shower outdoors was very enlightening. I recommend it.


Now to important matters. Strongman will be Monday and thursday after school. Be there or be... um un-strong. Trying to get a weekend date but I have a Wing Tsun Cookout this Sunday I am running with Si Hing so maybe not. STAY TUNED. Above see pictures of mmm... Lobster Roll and Me scaring the sharks.