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Here ye, here ye…Weed’s book tour is extended through October!

Due to popular demand, nearly every single night in the month of September is reserved for me to speak at a college/university for the book tour. I am so psyched that you all seem to be as excited as I am for this month ‘o book-a-palooza. So because September is about filled, we thought it might be a good idea to extend the tour through October. So if you go to a college and are interested in bringing me to speak, $200 off the speaking fee, free tour t-shirts, your college name on the shirts, free books and a book signing after the program…please contact us.

TOUR SO FAR: (only 3 nights left in September – 9/5, 9/11, 9/13)
September 6: Clarion University – Clarion, PA
September 7: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Rensselaer, NY
September 12: Virginia Polytechnic & State University – Blacksburg, VA
September 14: University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ
September 18: Iowa State University – Ames, IA
September 19: Eastern Illinois University – Charleston, IL
September 20: Miami University of Ohio – Oxford, OH
September 21: Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester, MA
September 25: Western Illinois University – Macomb, IL
September 26: Indiana University – Bloomington, IN
September 27: College of Mt. Saint Joseph – Cincinnati, OH
September 28: Baylor University – Waco, TX

I was recently speaking with a friend who was a cop for many years. I was telling him about the overwhelming amount of email I receive from women who have been flashed, rubbed up on or ejaculated upon in some sort of mass trasit. (Bus, train, subway, etc.) He didn’t quite understand why women felt victimized by this…and upon thinking about it, I’m not totally sure why we are either. Maybe it’s the loss of control, or just the shock of the lewd act…but nearly every woman has a story about it. Finally, people and the media are starting to give it the proper attention it deserves. Recently I saw a news story on TV about a girl who snapped a shot of a guy masturbating on the train, and proceeded to circulate it across the internet. (The sicko got caught because of this.) There are so many ways we can fight back against all the gross, violating stuff people think they have a right to do to you. The article below was sent to me by a student that came through the Hoboken studio a few weeks ago…thanks for bringing it to my attention!

Read The New York Times article

Yesterday would have been Shannon McNamara’s 27th birthday. June is such a hard month for the Mac family, and everyone who loved her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Yesterday I spoke to the employees at the Schaumburg Library in Schaumburg, IL. It had special meaning to me, since this was the library where I went to reading circles as a kid, and where I studied in high school. It’s always nice to go back to your roots. I have so many supporters there, especially Kathy Bruski. (Pictured above.) She’s been one of my biggest fans, back from the very beginning of GFB. Thanks to all the awesome women who came out, learned to fight and bought books!

Ever have one of those days where so much carnage happens so early in the day that you wish you could just start over? That was today for me. So I drive to the airport at 10am to catch a flight to Chicago to speak at the Schaumburg Library. I get to the parking lot, unload my luggage and a big box o’ books and hop on the bus to the terminal. As I’m waiting on the bus for another couple, I start to dig for my wallet so I could tip the little guy who helps with the bags. I search. And search. And search. I check my bag once, twice and thrice…then the same with my car. Finally I must face the reality that the Unsavvy Traveler has indeed returned.

Accepting defeat, I put all my bags back in my car to drive home for the wallet. I get inside, and go to put down the top on my convertible, only to discover I had not closed it all the way in the first place! This series of events starts begging the very introspective question of, “What the hell is wrong with me?!” Instead of self-diagnosing, I just decided that today was a do-over and I’d try to start the day again later. The good news is that the second time around was way less stressful.

Pictured above is my dad, Wyman, busting open a bottle of wine at the GFB studio grand opening. He’s not big on words, but has always supported me in everything I’ve done. He shows his love by his actions. A few months ago I was home for a visit, and had a bunch of the GFB euro stickers with me. He asked if he could have one, and I said sure. Most people want a bumper sticker just because it’s free, and something fun to have. But my dad took a sticker and marched directly outside and put it on the bumper of his shiny red Sebring. Happy father’s day to my Dad, and to all you other wonderful fathers out there who support women.

Violent Crime Up for 1st Time in 5 Years
By MARK SHERMAN – The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Murders, robberies and aggravated assaults in the United States increased last year, spurring an overall rise in violent crime for the first time since 2001, according to FBI data. Murders rose 4.8 percent, meaning there were more than 16,900 victims in 2005. That would be the most since 1998 and the largest percentage increase in 15 years. Murders jumped from 272 to 334 in Houston, a 23 percent spike; from 330 to 377 in Philadelphia, a 14 percent rise; and from 131 to 144 in Las Vegas, a 10 percent increase.

Despite the national numbers, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York were among several large cities that saw the number of murders drop. The overall increase in violent crime was modest, 2.5 percent, which equates to more than 1.4 million crimes. Nevertheless, that was the largest percentage increase since 1991. The FBI data, compiled from reports by more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies, does not contain overall crime numbers in any category nor does it offer any explanation for the changes. The FBI’s final annual crime report comes out in the fall.

Criminal justice experts said the statistics reflect the nation’s complacency in fighting crime, a product of dramatic declines in the 1990s and the abandonment of effective programs that emphasized prevention, putting more police officers on the street and controlling the spread of guns. “We see that budgets for policing are being slashed and the federal government has gotten out of that business,” said James Alan Fox, a criminal justice professor at Northeastern University in Boston.” Funding for prevention at the federal level and many localities are down and the (National Rifle Association) has renewed strength.”

I found out last week that my friend and Executive Director of my speakers bureau (CAMPUSPEAK) named Tracy Maxwell was diagnosed with Stage I ovarian cancer. (See her pictured above.) Tracy is a young gal in her early 30’s, so this was a huge shock to everyone. Since getting the initial news, Tracy underwent a procedure to help the doctors understand what they were dealing with, and it was discovered that she actually has Stage II cancer. This means she will have to undergo several months of chemotherapy and treatment.

Tracy asked that nobody else send flowers or gifts, but to instead make a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. I would greatly appreciate it if you would click on the link below to donate to Team Tracy, in honor of a real fight girl. No gift is too small…we need to show Tracy she’s not alone as she battles this thing. Our goal is to raise $5,000 by September 1st. Please help achieve our goal!

Donate here: http://www.active.com/donate/TeamTracy

Last night was a big event in my life…I became an officially inducted Rotarian. I’ve been going to Rotary Club meetings for the past few months, and have really met some awesome people. Rotary is an organization dedicated to serving others in the community and around the world, and one that I’m psyched to get more involved with. I am a Rotarian, hear me roar! (See pic above of myself with the Rotary president Mike and membership chair, Laura.)

For everyone who pre-ordered a book, I am happy to say they have been officially sent to each of you via the U.S. Postal Service! I didn’t have a big box to take all the packages to the post office in, so I had to improvise. For the grand opening party we had a keg tub filled with ice to keep the cocktails chilly, and today it served a dual purpose. I hauled it to the post office in my convertible, with a big ol’ tub sitting in the back seat. Then I lugged it inside the post office, amidst stares and pointing fingers. I asked the lady behind the counter if anyone had ever brought all their packages to be mailed in a keg tub, and she said, “No.” I suppose I made history today. (See pic above of me loading up the tub)

Today is June 12, exactly 5 years from the day Shannon McNamara was murdered. It was the day her life ended senselessly, and so many other lives were changed forever…mine included.

All day today I’ve been packing, autographing and shipping out the book pre-orders. It’s such a full-circle day, for me to be sending out the book exactly 5 years after Shannon’s death. Tonight I will be giving a one hour class on the Hoboken waterfront, with the New York skyline behind me. It is the same area of Hoboken where I was jogging 5 years ago, and first had the idea to start GFB.

Recently I was chatting with Cindy, Shannon’s mom. I was telling her about all the wild stuff happening with the studio and the book. She said to me, “I’m taking this as a sign that Shannon wants us to be celebrating now, not grieving.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Today Girls Fight Back is featured in the Hoboken Reporter, including 2 color pictures! Read it online.

As many of you know, we are quickly approaching June 12, which will mark five years from the day my lovely friend, Shannon McNamara was murdered. Around this time every year, all of us who were close to her seem to feel a particularly heavy sadness. This on top of a recent story that has been in the news of the murder of Tiffany Souers, it becomes all the more difficult. It’s a reminder that homicide against innocent women is still happening.

So many times people want to blame victims for being attacked, raped or murdered. They may say, “She was too drunk, too flirty or wearing a short skirt.” But in Tiffany’s case, the reason this guy chose her was because she was sitting on her front porch. He saw her. He thought she was pretty. He chose her. He attacked her like an animal, while she was sleeping, strangling her with her own bikini top. I suppose some would recommend she should have been inside, with all the windows closed and the lights off to avoid such a fate.

I’d like to commend all the police and investigators involved in this murder investigation, which resulted in the swift capture of her killer. (A sex offender, serial rapist and former inmate in a Florida prison for 16 years for other offenses.) Cops often get a bad rap, but I’ve been really honored to know many compassionate and dedicated law enforcement professionals since I started GFB almost 5 years ago.

I posted Tiffany’s picture above in an attempt for people to remember how she lived, not how she died. All of us here at GFB are sending her friends and family our thoughts & prayers during this tragic time.

Just added today….2 brand spankin’ new t-shirts from ShopGFB! To get your very own tank top or fitted tee, please visit us at www.shopGFB.com.

Yesterday our studio was visited by 6 girls from the Hudson School in Hoboken. What a fabulous group of girls! Myself and my assistant instructor, Lori, had a great time teaching the girls eye jabs, palm strikes and kicks on the ground galore! We busted out the pads too, so the girls could have the full contact experience. We’re hoping this is the first of many high schools in the area who recognize the need to send girls our way. My ultimate dream is that no girl goes to college without knowing how to defend herself!

Yesterday GFB was the featured establishment on Hoboken’s best website, hoboken411.com. A big thanks to Perry, the website founder and editor, for coming out and writing such an awesome review. (and for also sharing with me the joys of Ginkgo Biloba.) See pic above of me and Perry when he visited the studio.

Read the review & see pics: http://www.hoboken411.com/

Today we held the very first Self-Defense 101 workshop. It’s an hour class that’s open to the public which teaches the basics of GFB women’s self-defense. We had 22 fabulous women from all walks of life show up. Afterwards we hung out and had snacks. For me, it was crazy to be teaching a class, and have it be in my own studio. I gotta say, it felt good. Looking forward to many more!

Well this is it…today is the Grand Opening for the Hoboken self-defense studio. It’s kinda like your wedding day. You plan, you obsess, you look for the most perfect cocktail napkins…and then WHAM! The day arrives and you’re like, it’s so surreal. Here are a few photos of the big event. We partied like it was 2006…or something like that.

Myself, Kevin Lockwood (instructor) & Tiffany Loertscher (GFB Program Coordinator)

Brooke Fox, our live music for the event. www.brookefox.com

Party people surrounded by Hollywood estrogen.

My dad, Wyman, busting open a bottle o’ wine.

What professional speaker can turn down an opportunity in front of the mic? Apparantly not I. Towards the end of this particular speech, I even did the “I might cry scrunchy face and voice quiver” thing. Didn’t go over the ledge, though, since I forced thoughts of oompa loompas. They make me smile. (Phew, good save Weed!)

Me with Lauren Jonik, one of my favorite fight girls. She was attacked in a Brooklyn elevator and beat the guys ass. Her story concludes my book in the Epilogue. Buy the book!

Overall, a good time was had by all. Looking forward to many more good times, good friends and good ol’ fashioned girlfighting.

Here are a few pics of the studio. Those who read my blog get the sneak peek! Grand Opening party is tomorrow. Thanks to Perry at www.hoboken411.com for the photos.

Tall shot of the mat area.

Our office area. Great views.

Pictured here is ShopGFB. We’ll be selling the new shirts pictured here online at www.shopGFB.com if you aren’t a local. If you are a Hobokenite, feel free to drop by and shop around.

The first women’s self-defense studio in the state of New Jersey…coming this weekend!