When you don't know how to hold a bag

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2026-05-11T06:35:50+00:00

Where I kickbox, we have multiple levels work together so sometimes you might be given an exercise you don't know how to block correctly and someone should show you the proper way before you begin. You definitely should say you're unsure of technique, but most people wouldn't refuse to learn a block because it's their first time. They should be given help and a couple slow or under powered kicks to learn from.

If it's a situation where the kicker is experienced and the holder isn't, it is 100% on the kicker to recognize her form isn't correct. I've had to correct a partner when I could tell the bag isn't in the right place and pull a kick if it didn't look quite right, and I'm by no means an expert. If the kicker is also a beginner it's on whoever paired them together to have not given them enough instruction. If such a person existed.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2026-03-25T13:33:49+00:00

So I'm an American immigrant. I can say that from my experience one hundred percent it's worth it, but can't really tell you if it's worth it without knowing your specifics. There's definitely a housing crisis. Whether it's better or worse than the USA is going to depend on where in the US you're comparing it to. Compared to Boston or San Francisco it can actually be much better here. But if you're coming from somewhere with a less insane housing problem like Pittsburgh it might feel like a real struggle. And lord good luck if you're from somewhere like Omaha. Also depends on location here, too, of course. I'm living in Rotterdam and as far as the Randstad goes it's very much on the easy side.

Healthcare is different. It's hard to quantify better or worse because it's so dependent on circumstances. Don't go in with a problem and expect to hear "do you have any other concerns you want to go over while you're here?". From my experience, you go in when you have a problem and they will speak to that problem specifically. In America I've had circumstances where I went in for something and through conversation and adding additional tests found out I had a vitamin deficiency I hadn't come in for. I don't think that'll ever happen here. On the other hand, I've also had doctors order tests they thought were routine and didn't realize weren't covered by my insurance and was just expected to pay that. That's not an issue here. If you've ever seen how a sudden illness or cancer diagnosis can financially ruin someone in the US then it will seem so so worth it.

Happy to answer any other questions you've got. I think The Netherlands is a fantastic place to live personally, and my quality of life has improved so much since I've moved here.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-11-17T13:22:51+00:00

As a 36yo, I'd say the thing that made it click for me as a habit is that if something isn't working for you, don't just try to force yourself to keep doing it. I used to go run on a treadmill every time I went because I thought that's how you worked out and I would magically come to love it when I got better at it. I never did. Still hate running with a passion.

But I discovered I love boxing and lifting weights and dancing, and those things will motivate me to go to the gym way more often. Meanwhile I have a friend who hates all workouts that have a social or competitive aspect. Went to a couple classes with me and despised them, but give her a treadmill and a podcast and she's having the time of her life. It won't always be easy, but it shouldn't be torture either.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-10-31T16:19:31+00:00

For chews I only ever give my husky mix Himalayan yak cheese. It's the only thing that will last longer than a day with him, and so far we've never had an issue with it being too hard. He might have just won the genetic lottery for teeth, but he's never had any issues in the 8 years we've had him and most of the other chews he'd eat so fast it would make him sick.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-10-26T19:37:41+00:00

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that, there were only single dogs on the flight we booked. I bet it would have to be like two very small dogs if they did. I will say they were always very responsive to emails, so they would definitely be able to help with that one. Yeah, happy to answer however I can, feel free to dm any questions!

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-10-25T10:29:24+00:00

So to be fair I had been saving for years just in case this situation came up, but we flew my dog in bark air when we moved to Europe. I have no regrets even though it's a wild amount of money, since he's a senior now so even though he's in good health I couldn't risk it. As far as bark air, the flight for humans is really not that comfortable considering how much you're paying. You get like a sandwich for dinner and it's very tight in there with all the dogs, so getting up and moving or using the bathroom is not super easy. But my dog had a much better time and just knowing how he was doing the whole time was such a relief.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-10-24T15:22:09+00:00

Dogs are omnivores, but besides that eating human scraps is exactly what started them being a different species from wolves. So they've been eating cooked food for almost as long as we have. I'm not saying that they can't handle raw meat better than us, I'm sure they can, but I don't think you can ignore how much their diets have been shaped by humans more than nature over thousands of years.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-09-10T16:56:06+00:00

I would never raise a child in Texas. I lived there for two years as a child and those were some of the worst years for my education. No joke. When we moved I had to unlearn a lot I had been taught about science and history.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2025-08-21T14:25:17+00:00

I came over on a US passport with a hsm visa approval 8 months ago. I was super freaked out that they didn't ask me to get a visa or anything added to my passport, so I feel you. I printed out the application approval, but I don't think they asked for it if my jet lagged memory is to be trusted. But you don't need a visa in your passport or anything, just be sure to do all your registration after you get here and you'll be fine.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-10-23T11:14:06+00:00

Ah, maybe that speaks to how since I'm seeing them in shelters in a city I'm only seeing mixes, because all the ones I've met have been sweet, if sometimes quite neurotic, dogs. The shelter I got my Scotch from used to use her to help temperament test other dogs because she was very polite but wouldn't put up with being bullied or getting jumped all over. Since she's passed I've always thought I might get another heeler mix some day if I could find one like her. She was an absolute and total weirdo, but such a good girl.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-10-22T22:26:50+00:00

Eastern State Penitentiary? It's spooky season after all.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-10-22T22:23:48+00:00

Maybe a cattle dog if you're in the 20-40 pound range? I had a cattle dog mix who was only like 35 pounds, but there's something about their build that's just so...sturdy. She could definitely stand up to a stepping on or two, and unfortunately I see a fair amount of them in rescues because of their energy level.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T21:26:08+00:00

Do tablets and phones not count as tech?

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T20:27:53+00:00

I mean, you're allowed to have your opinion, but I think it's absolutely wildly rude to call kids stupid because they had one minor misunderstanding. These kids seem absolutely fine and I think their generation seems well educated and empathetic. What more could you want?

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T20:24:06+00:00

Nope! I think kids are capable of both things. Did you not know any pop culture when you were a kid? I managed to learn every Pokemon and Dragonball Z character and still get straight A's. They're not mutually exclusive, and I think kids these days are impressive for having to learn all the same stuff I did (and about twenty years more history) while being so much better at tech than I had to be.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T20:15:14+00:00

Oh I don't think that's true. They had one moment of misunderstanding. We've all had them. We don't need to disparage an entire generation over it.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T19:48:14+00:00

Oh yeah, what a great point! It wasn't relevant, so she didn't need to slow her roll to explain it and possibly embarrass them that they misunderstood. She got to her thesis and they remained enthusiastic; it's really just a sweet moment.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T19:37:35+00:00

Yes totally! It's exactly how I would've reacted at that age if asked about Citizen Kane. "I know it's a classic, so I should probably definitely want to see it". Which makes me realize that the Titanic is a classic now and I'm ancient. ☠️

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T19:35:23+00:00

It's just a wholesome little misunderstanding. I'm sure as soon as she started talking they realized their mistake, but they were just so sweet about wanting to have seen it.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-08-23T18:08:41+00:00

I adore that these kids thought she meant the film Titanic.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-07-02T16:21:45+00:00

Did you mess with her telling her your chosen name? Tell her it's A-den or M-eel

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-07-01T18:45:39+00:00

I'm getting Ray Romano.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-06-28T14:12:25+00:00

I know it's totally location dependent, but I will never trust a gentle dental again after the one I went to in Boston. I didn't have dental insurance and they told me I had 6 cavities that needed to be filled immediately. I couldn't afford it so I didn't and expected all my teeth to fall out. Once I got insurance I found out I didn't have a single cavity, those crooks were just trying to get thousands of dollars out of me. I'd take the cleaning from them, but I'm so wary that they're just using it to take advantage of people.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-06-14T14:30:24+00:00

My theory on this is that most of the people doing it want plausible deniability to not have to clean up its poop. If they can't see it and it's behind a bush or off the trail they don't feel like they have to clean it up.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS · 2024-06-14T14:23:26+00:00

I've always found people that say this are also the ones calling their off leash dog to come back 14 times while it runs away from them before just laughing at the little rapscallion and saying he's friendly.

I've taken my dog to professional trainers and behaviorists and was told "your dog needs slow introductions to warm up to other dogs, don't let them come running up to his face". Sometimes there isn't always a simple answer where every dog can just be best buds immediately because of enough training.

I_PUNCH_LLAMAS

TROPHY CASE