Approaching Warning Signs

There is a possibility that I may have an adult boxing class full of Chicago's finest soon.  Sahia was approached by a police officer who was looking for a gym where he and his co-workers could box.  The officer said he used to box out of Lafollette 15 years ago.  The officers are looking for a group rate which I don't believe the park district offers.  However, I told Sahia to have them talk to Steve.  Maybe they could get a discount because they work for the city.

In light of all the crime that takes place inside and outside of the field house, I would appreciate having a bunch of boxers at LaFollette who are also cops.  Summer is coming, and the signs of approaching mayhem are already present.  I had to check some kids who had propped open the back crash door that leads down to the entrance of the gym.  The kids had an attitude because I locked and closed the door as I was leaving for the day.  That crash door leads directly to the parking lot and the park.  When a man was killed a few months ago in the park, I have no doubt that the person holding the gun ran into the building via that door.  Thankfully, the person didn't take the steps down to the boxing gym nor fired off shots elsewhere in the field house.  Unfortunately, most people around the field house have no respect for boundaries nor care about safety issues.  

Dexter tried to run a game on Sahia.  He asked her help in getting back into the boxing program, but Dexter told the same lies to her that were told to me.  Sahia pointed out that she was only the volunteer and that Dexter had to make amends to me as well as get his story straight.  I'm waiting for him to step to me -- which I doubt will happen -- so I can ask him what happened to that so-called rap career he claimed was going to "blow up" and keep him out of boxing anyway.  

My coach's bag is packed and ready for tomorrow's boxing show at Fosco Park.  It doesn't appear that I'm going to have anyone fighting at that show, however, so I probably won't need it.  Several didn't qualify to compete mostly because of non-attendance issues as well as lack of focus and motivation.  I keep repeating that those who don't train won't get to fight, but I'm not listened to until I actually forbid some from fighting which is what happened.  Some others who acted as if they wanted to fight can't make up their minds whether they will or not.  A few have said they won't.  Unfortunately, it has also come to my attention that a few of the youths are being pushed to box and are unfairly being compared to some of the other youths whom the parents/guardians believe are doing better.  

I'll probably end up judging fights at Fosco which is what usually happens when I have no fighters participating in a boxing show.  The spring session started off so well, but mid-point everything collapsed.  I don't have good feelings about the upcoming summer session.

Dexter's Non-Existent (C)Rap Career

Dexter had the nerve to stroll into the boxing gym after the teen class had ended.  I informed him that he wasn't in the class anymore.  I had dropped Dexter after not showing up for the class for two weeks.  I couldn't call his house to let his parents/guardians know because of false information that Dexter had put on the paper registration form I gave him.  That was the second reason why I withdrew Dexter from class.

Once again, I was subjected to a series of sob stories, including the claim that he had been locked up for a couple of weeks.  Allegedly, the cops pulled Dexter over, but as far as I know, he doesn't have a car or knows how to drive.  I didn't get an explanation about exactly why a lock down took place.  "Someone at home should have called here and left a message for me as to why you couldn't be here," I pointed out.  Dexter tried to make like I was crazy and misinformed when I told him the phone numbers he gave me were not valid.

I can't go for that, especially out of some kid.  I would have been knocked on my behind by my late parents for lying to them like Dexter lied to me.  "I'm not giving out any more paper registration forms, Dexter.  If you want to sign up for the summer class, I need to talk to your parent or guardian face-to-face," I curtly said.  I went on to explain how Dexter's actions could have got me in trouble with my supervisor and caused further trouble for the program in general.  I wasted my breath.  Dexter showed zero respect for me, the program, and the park district.

In what he thought was a parting shot before walking out, Dexter told me, "My rap career is going to take off in a couple of weeks anyway, so I don't think I'll have time to box."  I would have laughed in the kid's face if I wasn't so steamed.  If I had a dollar for every kid who's come through that gym announcing they were going to be a rapper, I could have retired a few years ago.  

The summer boxing class for those 12-years-old and under is full as of today.  Kayla was the last one to make it in.  Unfortunately, that doesn't bode well for some of the other kids currently in the spring session.  Tyvell and Terrance were allowed to return to class by their parent/guardian, but they aren't registered for the summer class.  Neither is Diego, Yamira, or Fabian.  If they want to be in the class, they'll have to go onto the wait list and hope that someone drops out of class (or, when I put someone out of class for non-attendance).  Now if only the teen and adult classes would fill up as fast.

Punch To The Music

I'm the one who usually turns on the radio in the gym.  Most of the time, it is tuned to WGCI-FM, a local urban contemporary station.  I assume that's one of the favorite stations of the kids who use the gym on Tuesdays an Thursdays.  WGCI caters to the under 30 crowd who like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Ciara, and the like.

Seldom do I change the dial.  First of all, it's the community radio, so all have an opportunity to switch the station (and play CDs or cassettes, if they want).  The coach has the option of not allowing the radio on at all, so the boxers can hear his instructions while they are sparring.  Also, many of the younger guys who come into the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays would rather hear the current hip-hop/rap that is in heavy rotation on WGCI.  I tend to tune it out while I'm working out.  I don't listen to that station elsewhere because I'm not crazy about most of the stuff on their play list. 

When I walk to the gym, I usually play my drug-store MP3 player on the way there.  There are over 200 songs on it at the moment.  The music mix consists of various genres.  Right now it's top heavy with a lot of slow songs.  I skip those during my journey to the gym, and play the dance, fast soul music, and rap songs to get in the mood for my workout.  I'm always playing, "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J, "Tic Toc" by the Lords of the Underground, and "Move Bitch" by Ludacris.  I'll throw in Otis Redding's version of "Satisfaction", "What You See Is What You Get", by the Dramatics, and "You Can Have Watergate" by James Brown and the JB's.  "I Ain't Leaving Without You" by Jaheim, is probably the newest song among the 200 on the MP3. 

There's a company that insists that slower and quieter music is better for working out.  They produce CDs with such music.  I tried that one day when I was alone in the gym for awhile.  I think I tuned the radio to a classical station.  Didn't do it for me.  I had to hear something harder, faster and with a beat.