Help me figure this one out

I’ve had a couple more elbow escape classes. You know, that one move I’m good at? In one of these classes, Instructor told me I was “on fire,” and said, “No point deductions,” which are my three favorite words.

Surfer Dude said, “That was so quick, I didn’t have a chance to commentate.” Poor guy.

In a slightly different elbow escape class, my partner said, “She’s got that down.”

“Yes. She. Does,” Instructor said as he walked away to watch another pairing.

“Those four stripes aren’t just for show,” Surfer Dude said.

I don’t know what it is with me and this particular move. Not only did I do it with my eyes closed, but I was even humming! Not intentionally to be a punk, mind you. It was just… happening.

Meanwhile, I hate to break this to you, but in the most recent triangle choke class, Instructor told us to lift our head and smile at our partner if they forgot to keep head control.

My partner smiled at me a lot.

Sort of like this, but I’m smiling because I’m so official now with my name on my lapel. (It works when you read it not in a mirror, okay?)

After telling you all about finally having a triangle choke class in which I maintained head control, I yet again lost my metaphorical balloons. I mean, how hard is it to remember to cup your hand around the back of your opponent’s neck? Yet elbow escape, with it’s roughly 12 steps, is easy-peasy?

The weird thing is, I don’t even know how I do the escape so fluidly.

Instructor gave the class a mini speech about not going too fast, conserving your energy, pausing between the steps, and I felt like he was directing that at me.

I’m like, “So you want me to think? That’s too big of a challenge.”

If I were to do so, I’d probably mess the moves up. But this technique doesn’t tire me out anyway. It’s like breathing.

So what gives?

If only all the moves could be so easy for me. (Blasted triangle choke. What did I ever do to you?)

If not the triangle, at least I have the rear naked choke (RNC) down.

Just calmly putting this nice young woman to sleep. Kidding. We tap before that happens. And presumably I ultimately got better elbow/chin alignment than this. What am I, a two striper?

At the end of an RNC class, we were told to avoid getting choked at all costs. I was up first to do the choking, and though my partner at that time (different from the one above) definitely made me work for it, I ultimately sunk the choke in. On her turn, we rolled over, which was fun, but she had to give up.

“Nice job tonight, Betsy. Very well done,” Instructor said. Will I ever tire of hearing those words?

No, people. The answer is no.

Then there was the time I was walking back to the wall to line up with everyone else and crossed Instructor’s path.

So, of course, he grabbed me in a guillotine choke.

“Ach!” I said and panicked to do the defense for this quickly.

“Break my posture,” he said. I complied and finished the move. “Wasn’t that easier that way?” he asked, as I walked the rest of the way to the wall, where everybody else was standing, watching. Judging.

“Yes,” I said.

Maybe just once when I’m on display in front of the whole class, I’ll do something correctly? Maybe?

But until I figure that out…

Trivia Time!

THE QUESTION: Freezing, sinking, or smacking are three ways to separate the edible seeds from the inedible pulp of this fruit.

My random commentary: I had no idea there were multiple methods to, presumably, easily extract these seeds. The only way I know is by staining your fingers and swearing. If anyone is good at any of the above proper techniques, please share details!