California

Ok so, every year there is a Jujitsu convention in the West Coast. This year it was in Santa Ana. I had been hoping and planning to go this year, and made sure to write the dates in my calendar before making my school schedule. Then the bookstore went out of business so I wasn't sure if I should go or not, but anyway bottom line is several people convinced me to go, and I really needed to get away from school for a short time. My school doesn't believe in spring break.

Anyway, my teacher has been teaching us the difference between good and bad business names (so that we can work on our business projects). I saw this one and decided I really needed to preserve it for memory. Here Jim, this one's for you:


On the lines of a good and memorable name (and also good and memorable food), I found this:


Unfortunately, our hotel was surrounded by nothing but Asian food, and one Pollo Loco (Crazy Chicken in Spanish). Don't get me wrong, I love Asian food, but after eating it breakfast lunch and dinner for 5 days straight... I need something new and exciting.

Here, Steve successfully lands a fighter jet on the playground.


The beach. We bus hopped for most of the day to see where our wanderings would take us. The buses are much better on the East Coast, but fortunately, God saw fit to bring the correct bus when we needed it and never spent too much time waiting.


This picture is for my brother, whose plan for Iraq involves bringing the soldiers home and employing them to shoot pedestrians who disregard common sidewalk ettiquette.


In the evening, we made our way to the neighborhood of Knott's Berry Farm, where we had dinner on board a pirate ship. For anyone familiar with the concept of Medieval Times, its that, but cooler. We were rooting for the red pirate, Cutthroat Jack, whose colors Steve is proudly wearing on his armband.


The cool thing about pirates is you never know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. There were so many twists and turns in the plot that I can't tell you what's going on here, except that I think Sebastian the Black is fighting someone, perhaps the yellow pirate Antonio or the traitorous First Mate Andre the Orange or the privateer trying to rescue Princess Anita and the Gypsy. I am not sure because there were so many people fighting each other.

**Edit: Steve says its a picture of Antonio fighting Benjamin. But it could be Andre fighting Benjamin. Not sure. Everyone fights everyone else by the end of the show.**

Here, the blue pirate Benjamin, Treasure (Sebastian's wife), Mr. Magee, Jack, and all the pirate squabbles are stopped in their tracks by the British army, who happens to be all children from the audience (yes, they gave GUNS to children- clearly we are no longer in New Jersey).


Steve and I are joined by the red pirate, Cutthroat Jack.


After the show, I got a few pictures, mostly of the ship with a few abs thrown in for good measure. I think thats the purple pirate Saxon, and either Jose or Antonio (green or yellow). Interesting to note is that everyone picked on the purple pirate. That would be ok except that the actor playing him happened to be black. More evidence that we're no longer in NJ. The place would be shut down for racism if it opened in NJ with him playing the picked-on character.


The show was amazing, and musical, so not only do these pirates have to perform gymnastic feats, stage fighting, and acting, they also have to carry a tune, dance a little, interact with the audience, and flex their muscles.

Speaking of muscles, I found a review of this place online. While many people bashed the food (I thought it was great, so perhaps they have improved it recently), I liked what this person had to say: "The best part, of the night, of course, is when the three 'good' pirates decide to throw down for the women they love, and STRIP SHIRTLESS to fight the 'bad' pirates. Yes, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen: Fifteen minutes of shirts-on-skins pirate naughty swordplay. I found it hilarious. I think quite a few of the people around me were drooling. It was, in a word, hilariouslyawesometasticallyuncomfortablelicious."

So after our one day of sightseeing, the convention commenced. In the next couple of pictures, you will see the competition. Competitors demonstrate their techniques by being attacked, with a judge watching. Judges award points based on creativity, effectiveness, safety, etc. Here, Steve B. has dropped his crutches (he has little ability to use his legs) and is demonstrating his defense techniques from the ground.


Steve breaking an arm while his second attacker reaches for the gun. Oh I forgot to tell you. In the blackbelt divisions, there are weapons involved and in the third round, its two attackers per competitor.


Cara on the far right defending against two attackers, shortly before my camera died. I had the flash turned off, and there's no sport setting on my camera, so many shots came out blurry.


The blackbelt competitors posing with their judges.


Steve showing off because he is allowed to have a flower now.


An awesome dessert.


Barb killing someone.


The centerpiece. A fish etched into the glass, and a real fish suffocating inside (no oxygen bubble maker).


Random person in a class throwing someone. It was a cool shot.


Jake discovers Green Tea Mochi.