Unbridled Martial Arts

During my journey through India in 2008, I visited the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where the Bodhi Tree stands. It is a direct descendant of the tree beneath which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

The tree itself is fenced off, and visitors aren't allowed to approach its trunk. Monks, however, are permitted inside the enclosure.

While I sat quietly observing, one monk caught my eye and motioned for me to come closer. Without saying a word, and without asking for anything in return, I watched as he gently plucked a few small pieces of bark from the tree. Reaching through the fence, he placed them in my hand, gave a slight nod, and returned to his meditation.

There was nothing special about me, and nothing remarkable I was doing. I had simply been sitting there for quite a while. During all the time I spent at the temple, I never saw anyone else receive the same gesture.

These are the small pieces of bark he gave me. It's funny how a few tiny pieces of tree bark seem so insignificant and would mean nothing to anyone else. Yet to me, they remain an unexpected and meaningful moment from my month-long journey through Nepal and India.

Tremendous rounds of grappling yesterday. While running classes, I keep forgetting to snap some photos to share on the FB page -Bouts were to too good to be distracted by a camera.
Major props to Dyllon and Noel, who put in work. Iron sharpens iron!

Where will serial killers go for a pint?

Bellingham’s Waterfront Tavern has never exactly tried to be the city’s most polished establishment, and that has always been part of its charm. The property (Not the business) has now been sold to the owners of Gruff Brewing.

Located at 521 W. Holly Street, the tavern is one of those old-school bars that feels like it has collected decades of stories, spilled beer, and questionable decisions. It is also known for one of Bellingham’s darker bits of local lore: over the years, several infamous serial killers are said to have passed through the place. Rumors of Bundy, Bianchi, Ridgeway, and Kinney, and more recently, Muhammad.

So, with the property recently changing hands, it is hard to know where that niche clientele will go for a beverage between murders. All jokes aside, the Waterfront Tavern has multiple years on a lease and doesn't plan to close down anytime soon. Even after that, it is not clear what Gruff has in its plans.

Edit: clarity

Super proud of all my Western students; passing with flying colors!

Something super satisfying about using these stamps when paying bills.

Had to take off the month of April.
Back to booking appointments.