A Look Back On 2024

First, let’s look at my top posts for this year.

My top posts for 2024.

1. Unveiling the Statistics: Violent Crime in the Durham Region
2. Video of the Week 5: Modern Arnis Slap-Off/Pull-Off
3. Video of the Week 9: Defending Against the Sweep Stroke
4. Video of the Week 10: Pushing/Tulak
5. Video of the Week 8: Single Sinawali Pattern

I am surprised my post on violent crime in the Durham Region got as many views as it did. I suspect it’s because residents of the area read this post in greater numbers than the other posts. Perhaps it’s time for a follow-up on this topic.

On the other hand, I am not exactly surprised that several of my video posts got so many views during the year. If you have any suggestions for future videos, please let me know. I’m open to suggestions!

Push-Up Challenge

The push-up challenge dominated for much of the year leading up to my 60th birthday. I was obsessed with hitting 60 push-ups by September 10th. While I came up short (57), I still set a personal record. However, one thing that held me back from making more progress was my right shoulder.

See this Instagram post from June 13th.

To be clear, I’ve had issues with my right shoulder for years. I would have characterized the issue as minor and resulted only in a dull ache at the end of the day. As explained in previous posts, I had two right shoulder injuries in the 1980s, the last of which was a dislocation in 1987.

Anyway, despite a dull ache, I felt pretty good on my 60th birthday and was disappointed not to reach 60. In hindsight, I wonder if the shoulder issue prevented me from reaching my goal. I also wonder whether the push-up challenge was the straw that broke the camel’s back as far as my shoulder is concerned.

Unexpected Challenge

After the push-up challenge, I did not expect my shoulder to get progressively worse. But it has. An x-ray revealed a “chronic dislocation” and a “disunited fracture at the distal end of the clavicle.” This is clearly from my 1987 injury. The shoulder has progressed to the point where I experience significant pain in specific ranges of motion. I am taking Voltaren at the end of every day to reduce the pain.

I have an appointment with a shoulder doctor on January 17th. Honestly, it feels like a surgical rather than a rehab issue. I know my body well enough to know that direction is most likely. Let’s see what the doctor says. In any case, I want to address this issue immediately rather than let it linger.

All that said, I am still teaching private lessons but find myself spreading the lessons out a bit more. This is necessary to lessen the load on a compromised shoulder.

This development frustrates me for two reasons: (1) I cannot teach my private lessons how I want to. I have had to slow things down to avoid the searing jolts of pain, and (2) just when I feel like I’m hitting my Arnis prime, this comes along. FRUSTRATING.

Modern Arnis Camps

On a positive note, I attended eight seminars/camps this year, and the training was enormously beneficial. I had a phenomenal time at the Houston camp, Steve Stewart’s Triple Threat Seminar, the Small Circle Jiu Jitsu Camp, the annual Michigan Camp, and Arnisfest. In between, I attended private training sessions for Professor Chuck’s students, which were AWESOME. I apologize for not posting about the Small Circle JJ Camp or ArnisFest. I was experiencing issues with the website/blog at that time. Keep your fingers crossed!

A Loss

The Modern Arnis/Small Circle Jiu Jitsu/Dillman Karate International Community suffered a significant loss with the unexpected passing of Professor Will Higginbotham in September. He was a great guy with tremendous knowledge, and he took it to the grave.

One takeaway from this unexpected loss. Take every opportunity to see, train and learn from your senior instructors in any art you train in. Or you will regret it.

Thank You!

Several folks stepped up with recurring monthly donations and one-time donations. Thank you so very much! This helps to defray some of my social media expenses!

Happy New Year to All of You. May 2025 bring you blessings!

Before you venture into the wild jungle of the Internet, might I persuade you to fuel my caffeine addiction ☕️. Your kindness could be the very thing that keeps the keyboard clacking and the ideas flowing!

I need your help defraying the increasing expenses of the blog/website. I’ll recognize you for your contribution. 😉

A huge thank you in advance!