So I've got some news, 2 pieces of news to be exact.  I'll share one now and save the other until a later date.  Last month I entered and lost (by two advantage points) in the NY Open.  It was fun and a good experience.  Although winning a match would have been much more enjoyable, I wasn't dissuaded in my desire to improve and to compete again soon.  Instead of laying around like a bum the next day (I could have, especially with a two hour train delay because of a rock slide) I went in to train the next day at the academy.  This week I went ahead and registered for the IBJJF Boston Summer Open.  

I am kind of excited for this tourney, not that I wasn't for NY.  This time there will be three of us going to compete, me, Pumba and Clobber.  Pumba will be competing in the White Belt Super Heavy with 3 other guys in his division so far.  Clobber will be in the Purple Belt Ultra Heavy with 2 other guys in his division so far.  At this point its looking like I have 10 other guys in my division. Realistically, it doesn't matter how many guys are in your division.  Be it one or one hundred, the denominator is always one since you gotta beat the first guy in front of you before you worry about anything else.  

I always enjoy going to compete with a team.  You go into your match knowing someone has your back and will be there to give you info, like positioning and the time.  After the match, no matter the result, you can point out the good and bad and they can help you remember what you need improve on once you are back at the academy.  I feel we should do well in the competition. We all train hard and put in extra effort.  Not just on the mats, but by asking questions, and film study and private lessons.  Regardless of the outcomes, for me at least, its a win if I show improvement over the last time and I put concepts into practice against a live opponent who doesn't know my game.

Oh and once again I will try to get some pics to post here of our matches and other matches and video of our matches to post to the YouTube page