Yin vs YangThe Battle for Success in Life

photo credit

There were no mats. Just little pieces of rubber flooring on top of cheap carpet. I was the least athletic of the three of us, and we had never heard of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before I got on the ground that very day 4 years ago. Kenny, a top shelf, athletic ex-wrestler I had just been introduced to, mounted me right away. He smothered my face, pushing my body into the ground with his hips. Just as I could take no more, he suddenly slid off my chest, giving me room to gasp for air. However, that momentary relief was immediately replaced with the sharp pain of my arm being hyper extended in an arm bar. I tapped as fast as I could, yelping…

‘TAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!’

 Read more... (1045 words, 2 images, estimated 4:11 mins reading time)

Clerk: “Occupation?”
Comicus: “Standup Philosopher!”
Clerk: “What?”
Comicus: “Standup Philosopher! I coalesce the vapor of human experience into a viable and logical comprehension.”
Clerk: “Oh – a Bullshit Artist!”
Comicus: “Hmmmmmm….”
Clerk: “Did you bullshit last week?”
Comicus: “No.”
Clerk: “Did you try to bullshit last week?”
Comicus: “Yes!”
–From Mel Brook’s History of the World Part I

Have you ever been in the middle of a sentence, when you realize everything you are claiming is 100% complete BS (bullshit)?

Well, I have many times in my life. Sometimes I’m saying something I would like to be true. Sometimes it is something I hope, or wish, is true.  Sometimes, I don’t know what the hell it is or where it came from, but it feels like a veiled attempt to sooth my ego as the words leave. I can feel my facial expression change, and I wonder if the person I’m speaking to realizes it.  Read more... (1226 words, 2 images, estimated 4:54 mins reading time)

YinvsYang is just now entering its 7th month.  I thought that is a good reason to celebrate.  Maybe I am in the celebratory mood as my wife’s birthday is today (happy birthday babe!).  Either way, it’s a great time to look back on the incredible journey that started with a simple idea.

The first 6 months of writing for this blog have taught me an awful lot about myself and the world around me.  Anytime you have consistent communication with people from various places & backgrounds it seems you can’t help but grow as a person.  Read more... (930 words, 2 images, estimated 3:43 mins reading time)