Sep
27
Yesterday I spoke at Ithaca College, and boy was it Gorges! That’s a little upstate NY joke for ya. They love their gorge. And they are some rockin’ feminists to boot. See the poster they made at left…how cool is that?
I meet many students in a given year, all of them incredible and doing great things to improve their campus communities. But these Ithaca cats were just jaw-dropping at how much they do…with little to no advisement. The IC Feminists specifically are really doing great work to re-wire people’s perceptions when it comes to feminism…they are giving it a makeover! They are also doing proactive things like making magnets for bathroom stalls, which include important phone numbers and websites for staying safe on campus.
A great visit…thanks for bringing GFB to your beautiful campus.
Sep
25
Wake Forest University – Winston Salem, NC
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Yesterday I flew to Charlotte, NC and spoke at Wake Forest. There were a few firsts on this trip. My 2 SGB’s (Scary Bad Guys = male assistants) were both RAD instructors and came to the program with a full suit of armor. This is rather unusual for me, and a total treat! So this time as I demonstrated the strikes, it’s was full-on. Awesome. Even better, women came up on-stage after the presentation and Jeff and Sergio were kind enough to let these lovely co-eds take some good whacks at their groin. I love wonderful men who are willing to sacrifice anything, even the safety of their prized nether-region, for the sake of women’s safety. After the program I drove back to Charlotte, and looked for a gas station to fill my tank before returning to my hotel. Do you remember that move “The Day After?” It’s about the day after a nuclear war, which was popular in the 90s. That’s kinda what Charlotte reminded me of, because NO GAS could be found anywhere. There was one gas station that still had fuel, and the line was over a mile long to get it. Cops were everywhere, I suppose to thwart any gas riots that might ensue. Just crazy. Word on the streets said this happened as a result of Hurricane Ike. Kinda makes you re-think our dependence on oil…
Sep
22
Heroes
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All I can say is…holy information overload! Heroes is the greatest show on television, and I don’t usually make statements like that. Tonight did not disappoint, packing in a LOT of information in a very small window of time. I think I need to watch it 3 more times to get my head around the new developments. There was a question during a commercial of “What super power would you want and my choice would be teleporting. Not so much for time travel, but moreso in an attempt to avoid airports, security lines and cranky business people. Beam me up, Scottie!
Sep
21
Weekend Today
Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog, Girls Fight Back!, Safety & Self-Defense | 1 Comment
Early this morning I was a guest on WNBC’s Weekend Today in New York. I woke up at 4:30 am and was out the hotel door by 5:30. Since it was so early on a Sunday, New York was like a ghost town. In my 7 years of living out here (2000 – 2007), I’ve never seen it that dead before. It was kind of nice to see the city in such a different light. I had to hoof it two avenues to Rockefeller Center since there were no cabs around and it was a relatively short walk. (Less than 10 mintutes) I was about halfway there, right past David Letterman’s theatre, when a man approached me from behind. I sensed him coming about a second before he grabbed my left arm as it swung back with my confident stride. He was tall and foreign and wearing a black shirt and gray pants. I couldn’t hear exactly what he said through his thick accent, but it sounded like, “Come with me, lady.” That arm grab was all I needed. Who the hell did he think he was, grabbing a woman’s arm, traveling alone at 5:30 am on a desolate New York street? Oh no you didn’t…
I ripped my arm from him, and swung deliberately into my ready position with hands up and feet planted in a strong stance. Simultaneously, in a deep voice that I didn’t even know I had, I barked, “BACK OFF.” I kinda sounded like Satan. Or maybe more like the evil Ursula in the Little Mermaid movie. Regardless, it was throaty and beast-like and quite powerful. The man’s eyes got really wide – not sure if it was fear or surprise. Either way, he did an about face and walked away. I stayed in my stance until I felt he was a comfortable distance away. I then went on to my destination of NBC studios. Perhaps because of all my adrenal stress training with Bill Kipp at the Creepy Barn, my fear state vanished pretty quickly and I was back to my happy self in a matter of minutes.
When I got to Rockefeller Center, I was greeted by the show producer. She put me in a dressing room, but before doing so, she made me wait outside. She said, “This was a Saturday Night Live dressing room last night. Let me do a quick check…umm, you never know.” After that, I was off to hair and make-up. By 6:40 I was live on the air with Carolyn Gusoff teaching her how to do my ready position with the, “Stop. Leave me alone. I don’t want any problems.” I’ve never taught this with more conviction, mostly because I had effectively used it just minutes before.
After the live broadcast, I roamed the streets of New York for awhile, mostly in search of a cell phone charger. (which I left at home) No luck, since it was still too early. So I hit up some tasty brunch at a local french bistro and sipped strong coffee. A good day, and it’s only 9:30 am! Now off to play more in the Big Apple before catching my next flight…
Sep
16
Could you do me a huge favor? My self-defense mentor, Bill Kipp, is up for a very prestigious award for Best Self Defense Instructor of the Year by Black Belt Magazine. I feel he is very deserving of this title, and I’d be so appreciative if you took a minute to vote for him. He’s been in the business 20 years, and has started an international network of qualified instructors who teach his system called FAST Defense. You may recognize him as the poor soul in the video posted below, who was victim of my stick beatings this past weekend. The man deserves this!
To vote, please go here: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/surveys/48
Just fill in Bill Kipp in the last field for “Self-Defense Instructor of the Year.” Leave the rest blank. Thanks for supporting the great people teaching this life-saving information.
Sep
14
Stick Fighting
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Sep
11
September 11
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Seven years ago today, our American world went up in flames…and then tumbled down. Yesterday I was discussing this with my personal trainer, Bob, since we were both living in the area at the time. He was in high school English class in upstate New York. I was right across the Hudson River in my Hoboken apartment. My husband watched the towers fall from his office in New Jersey. Everyone recalls their whereabouts at that moment; it’s forever etched in our memories.
For me, it was the second major blow in regards to violence that year. I had lost Shannon McNamara just 3 months prior, and was still gripped by the fears, anxieties and new reality that appears when you kneel in front of your murdered friend’s open casket. Violence changes you. September 11th further solidified this new violent reality in my mind, but it took awhile. After the first plane hit, I still thought I’d go to work…and I actually commuted to the World Trade Center at the time! But that’s just New York…people used to be immune to crazy stuff like planes flying into buildings. Even the most bizarre stuff gives off a feeling of normalcy in the Big Apple. But not after 9/11/01.
At the time I was working as a temp at Miramax Films just blocks from the World Trade Center. Very easily, I could have been in the building at the time of the explosion, but I was going into work late in order to pick up the brand new Girls Fight Back t-shirts for an upcoming fundraiser. Maybe my angel was looking over me. Maybe even then, the GFB mission simply need to happen.
Right now I am packing a bag, and will soon be on an airplane bound for New York. Every year since 2002, I have flown either into or out of NYC, so it’s become kind of normal for me. But it always makes me think, remember and send up prayers to those we lost on September 11th. And today is no exception.
Sep
3
Muhlenberg College – PA
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Yesterday I was flying at 6am to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I was pretty set on getting myself a philly cheesesteak, but alas, time did not permit. And nor did my stomach, because I had picked up a nasty virus on Monday which left me threatening the poor old man next to me with the possibility of having to witness me toss my cookies. This marked the first time in my 7 years of avid travel that I had to reach in the seat back pocket for the barf bag. Upon landing I congratulated myself on not hurling, snagged my rental car and was on my way to lovely Muhlenberg, Pennsylvania. I spoke to about 100 college women, mostly in sororities, about personal safety and self-defense. I referred to these classy lasses as Muhlenbergians. After the program, I ignored all signs of sleep deprivation to hang out with my good friend and fellow speaker, Mark Sterner. Mark is one of the best speakers I have ever witnessed, and educates on the dangers of drinking and driving. Overall summary: Good flights. Good program. Good friends. Good Muhlenbergians.
Sep
1
Boulder Falls
Filed Under Erin Weed's Blog, Peace & Happiness | Leave a Comment
Today we recovered from a non-stop weekend of family wedding madness by visiting the beautiful Boulder Falls. Just a 10 minute drive from Boulder, it’s pretty unbelievable how you’re so quickly transported to such a gorgeous and magical place. The icy water flows from 70 feet high, and cascades down a series of rocks, boulders and other natural formations. The sound is beautiful and serene. Sometimes I can’t believe I live so close to such beauty, and am grateful for the reminder to breathe, relax and enjoy all life has to offer. I also can’t believe that some climbers attempt to scale the nearby mountain faces, literally hundreds of feet high! Click here to check out pics of our little adventure.