I have been so excited to get back to Judo since my last practice on Friday. But you will not believe the crap I just went through! I have included a picture here, just to make sure all of my Judo buddies believe that I didn’t in fact wuss out.

Okay, so here’s the horrible story: I want to the dentist because I needed crowns on my four front teeth on the bottom. He tried to convince me to do the teeth to either side of those (anyone know what the heck those are called?) based on the fact that they looked “worn.” What the heck does that mean anyway? You don’t crown a tooth because it looks worn for hell sakes!!

Anyway, I told him no. So I go back, get my shots, he drills for a few hours (as you can see in the picture), and they put on my temporaries until the crowns arrive. As I am making a followup appointment, he mentions that it will need to be a bit over an hour, as he doesn’t think he can do all six in an hour… six??!!

I correct him, and inform him that we only did four crowns. He corrects me, and in fact I find that they have done six!!! Then, he graciously offers to just have me pay for the lab work, so my cost will only be about $500 that I neither needed to, nor intended to spend!

I storm out, and start to drive away… just fuming. I call my wife, and just get madder as I tell her what happened. I get so mad, that I turn around and go back. By this time the office has closed. The lights are out, and most everyone has left. I storm in and confront him. He is not a very big guy, and I am not overly small (6′1″ 250 lbs), and I immediately see on is face that he is spooked…. he’s got that, “Oh my hell, he waited for everyone to leave, then came in to get me,” look in his eye. Long story short, he is eating the cost of the two extra crowns.

So, I am ina bit of pain, and need to take it easy for a couple of weeks with the temps. I’ll be at practice tomorrow, but unfortunately will likely not be breaking anyone’s bones or anything. Also unfortunately, I didn’t get to use any throws on the dentist… maybe next time.

A bit on Judo however, lest I just spend the whole time on Dental issues… I found a couple of moves that I liked in practice on saturday. It seems that most people don’t protect well enough against when you shoot in for the legs. Judo tends to do trips and throws so much, that it seems most people aren’t really drilled on sprawls. I am curious if others have found this to be true in competition? I love to tug the head down, and then shoot for a double leg when they pull back up.

Additionally, I have had some good luck with the Soto Makikomi. This is a great “second effor” move. If you shoot in for a trip, a head throw, or what have you, and realize it isn’t going to work, spinning into this move can be really easy. I think part of the reason might be that this was one of my favorite ways to get someone flipped over me in wrestling when I was down on all fours, and they were in a mount position. Hooking that arm and spinning can be really easy.

One last thought: I am (as readers here will well know) a huge MMA fan. I am curious: It seems in Judo like it would be possible to yank down the head, and throw someone into a standing guillotine choke. Anyone seen that done in Judo? Am I foolish to think that people seem susceptible to it?

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