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Anyone watch this? I manage to catch it now and then and it's a great show - basically contestants are tasked with creating common and legendary weapons from knives, swords, katanas to even scythes and these are then pitted off against each other in a form of strength and durability tests. You get to see how the weapons are crafted and how they would perform in certain situations. Well worth a look and here's a snippet from one of the episodes

Yup. We, @TurboR56Mini and I, have watched a bunch of it. I love watching Doug Marcaida just judge and annihilate blades... yes, because he's a Filipino, and if it's one thing we know, it's how to kill people with sharp objects if necessary. He's a Kali expert (the knife fighting part of Filipino Martial Arts). These are the types of reality TV I enjoy.. Things about skill. Not really drama lol. But, skill.

3/20/2021 Workout Back Squat Workshop (last day) Find 1 rep max Thoughts: New PR --> 265lbs back squat (original all time PR was 260lbs. This cycle, I started at 225lbs 1 rep max) So, that was fun. I did not think I would get to 265lbs. I thought, "Let's just hit 235lbs." Why? Because i'm down 14lbs from the start of the workshop, and weight loss tends to affect strength gains... so I wanted to keep my expectations at a place where I wouldn't be so disappointed with myself. When I got to 235lbs and did it, Coach James said, "Let's throw on 15lbs plates. That looked too easy like you could jump squat it." I said, "You want a 30lb jump between sets? Are you trying to kill me?" He said, "It will make me feel better. You said your original PR was 260lbs. Let's see if we can set a new one." I said, "260lbs was like 5 years ago. This year is 225lb. And you want me to go to 265lbs for the next rep?" He said, "It's not a true 1 rep max until you fail." Mmkay. That was... challenging. I haven't sort of scream through a rep in a long time. But, it got done. Coach James wanted me to put on the 2.5lb plates next. I said, "Let's take the win at 265lbs. You and I both know that was difficult." Coach Liz said, "We should have video'ed that. It looked so bad ass with your colored hair." (Yes, I colored my hair red and blue this week in celebration of not needing to go back into the office until September) Now, we have 2 weeks off until the squat clean workshop. This is where I will need to do a lot of work. Squats are easy. Cleans... cleans are a different game. Also, in celebration of an all-time new PR, I bought some St. Joseph's cakes and split one with darling husband. I partially regret it.. But, it's something I have been looking for for years (because I had no clue what they were called until someone showed me a photo of them.. and I went, "That's what they are called??!! I have been trying to figure it out for YEARS!") Good times.

Man, great share mate. Loved that, might check out some more!

Periodically I really get into horse racing , esp if I’m not too busy, as Finding the time to study the form is tough . Look forward to all the big race meetings although I’m more into flat than jumps. Go to the derby every year (Covid permitting ) , just love Epsom on derby day , probably my favourite day of the year . Statt of the flat season in a couple of weeks I always find super interesting , all the hype and the classic trials. Watched a load of Cheltenham as well (as I’m WFH ) but not much luck ! Think I backed that lady jockey every time she didn’t win !

I looked at Big Green Egg as well, but went with the Kamado Joe for a few reasons. You get more for your money and the available accessories are better and more options for KJ. I really agonized over this decision. I also considered "The Good One" offset smoker/grill. My wife is enamored with the idea of doing pizzas outside for some reason, though, and that pushed me into the kamado. I don't know if I told the story here already, but I tried a pellet grill from Green Mountain Grills and, while the company was great, the grill was shit.

You know what I kept looking at while being amazed at the graphics and movement? Her sneakers. Like.. She gets a cape thing... but keeps the sneakers. Gonna tell me that there's nothing more durable and fitting for her battles and acrobats than her fashion tennis shoes? But yeah, totally excited to play this.

I knew I would eventually need to replace my Fitbit. So, I spent some time looking at a whole bunch of alternatives. Almost got the Whoop. But, there are aspects within Fitbit that kept me coming back. And, Whoop has a steep monthly membership. So, yesterday, being a touch more salty than normal, @TurboR56Mini asked me why. I said it was because I didn't sleep well out of fear of missing my gym class since the replacement Fitbit (originally his) broke. I use the alarm on the Fitbit to avoid waking Carl up at 4:30AM when I get up for the gym. He decided that enough of me procrastinating and also lack of proper alarm affecting my sleep, he just went and bought me a new Fitbit. I actually didn't want a smartwatch at all. But, this has a few more sensors that I would like to have, like the EKG and the O2.

I have been going back and forth on what I really want when it comes to the outdoor kitchen (whenever we finally get to do it). For the longest time, I wanted a big green egg. Would love to properly smoke delicious things. Glad you are loving your Kamado! What a treat! I think all I really want to smoke is brisket.. all the time. Hahaha.

My wife has been after me to buy a smoker/grill I can use in shit weather. I know, the opposite problem most guys have. I finally sprung for a Kamado Joe "Big Joe II" ceramic egg style grill. It's the tits. It's expensive, best price I could find was $1499 shipped, but it's proving to be worth it. 1) Temperature control is very easy. There are no air leaks, so you have full control of air flow in and out. If you shut both vents, it'll actually kill the fire and save the rest of your charcoal for next time. 2) The ceramic has a lot of thermal mass. Once it's up to temp it'll stay hot for hours, even if the fire is out, if you don't open it much. 3) It's very efficient with fuel. See above two points. 4) It's a clean burn. You get smoke but very little 'dirty' smoke. I made 2 full racks of ribs, 10 lbs of various sorts of chicken, then let the temp come up from smoking range to grilling range and did 5 flat iron steaks and 3 lbs of party wings (lemon pepper). That's enough meat to get us through the week, which is probably why my wife likes me to have it so much. She cooks less, just makes sides to go with the meats. The ribs were, by far, the tenderest I've done. Literally fall apart tender. No dealing with temperature spikes, no dealing with adding fuel during the cook, no dirty smoke from adding cold wood, just easy cooking.

202.8 lbs is my lowest so far, so getting close to the magic <200. I jogged 10.1 miles in 1:39 day before yesterday to get a 15km challenge from Garmin done. Rested yesterday with a 5 mile walk but no jogging. 5 mile jog today, but on the treadmill since weather is shit.