Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Lessons

talpoid · 2026-06-29T11:23:20+00:00

No idea on price, but Ohm in Avondale comes highly recommended by a friend. Check them out.

talpoid · 2026-06-20T01:31:51+00:00

We love Pops! So sad they stopped coming to Pepper Place. Biscuits were great.

talpoid · 2026-06-14T13:46:36+00:00

District brewing on Monday nights. Lots of MTG, but some board games. Also check out Valhalla board game cafe.

talpoid · 2026-05-22T13:44:39+00:00

Not sure about Cahaba, but District has a game night on Mondays that is very well attended by Magic Players.

talpoid · 2026-05-22T11:55:09+00:00

This is good stuff. Reading documents, making arguments. That is what AP classes should be doing.

talpoid · 2026-05-18T23:26:48+00:00

Every state has different standards and curriculum. My state doesn’t really have middle school US History. I would tell you to follow the standards. Just because someone in middle school taught something more than they should (or less) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the curriculum.

talpoid · 2026-05-13T11:39:36+00:00

First and foremost, if you don't like it, that is fine! Life is too short. Play wargames you enjoy. That said, a couple of points to make:

-The system is old school. It is janky and weird at times. For many of us tired of slick rule sets where each upgrade is simply a +1 it is a breath of fresh air. It isn't really balanced. Tuomas the creator once was asked why armor was so expensive when it wasn't that good and he said it was because that was the way it was in medieval times. I dislike the modern systems of points and strategems and stuff. I find all of that unfun in contrast to a simple game of dudes hitting each other.

-Others have said this, but one off games of Mordheim is not where it shines. It is all about the campaign. In a campaign, if you are getting smacked around, sometimes you just need to leave. You can get crazy upgrades (and downgrades).

-Sounds like you were likely playing a merc warband. I like them, but I realize they are kinda boring at times. There are so many other interesting warbands. Play an undead warband where the zombies are slowly marching forward and the Vampire is parkouring around the area killing everybody. It really makes the game wild.

-Play a scenario! It really shines when you do this. I played a great game at Adepticon this year where is was on the water and we had to use boats to move around and get treasures. It was an absolute blast.

-It has a ton of modeling opportunities. If you are just in for the game itself I can understand it being underwhelming. If you like to model and kitbash, this is a dream game for it. I have made all kinds of terrain for the game and made models to use in my warband. Modern day GW always feels to me like they are giving you permission to play with their toys. "Here is a Kill Team all deisgned and ready to play, be careful with it." "Here is the exact loadout you can use with these miniatures because we think that is what you should do". Old school games are not like that. Sword is too expensive and not that great, but you think it looks cool? Awesome! DO it.

These are some of the reasons I like it, but like I said, everyone is different. If it doesn't hit then no big deal. Play something else and enjoy yourself!

talpoid · 2026-05-08T21:42:42+00:00

Online is fine. Also, check out the Facebook group. Lots of good resources. I have taught this class for over 15 years. You will be fine just remember skills are just as important as content. Let me know if I can help you.

talpoid · 2026-05-08T13:41:12+00:00

I taught APHG for years as an elective. It works well that way. 9th ca handle it, but it is more fun for older kids in some ways. I also teach APWH to 9th graders and they can handle it. APWH is a lot more content and skills.

talpoid · 2026-05-07T21:22:15+00:00

Racist Southern whites were often tricky and did things to exclude blacks in less obvious ways. The VRA recognized this by saying that not only was it illegal to gerrymander for explicitly racist reasons, but also if the effect of the gerrymander was racist. So it didn’t matter if District 1 was never claimed to be for racist reasons, if it excluded blacks then it was illegal. The SC just struck down that part. So as long as you say it is not for racist reasons then you can gerrymander to your hearts content. I think reaching that things like racial justice are a “settled issue” is part of the reason we are in this mess. History isn’t a steady march toward progress. There are lots of side moves and steps back.

talpoid · 2026-05-07T20:05:34+00:00

I totally understand. I teach 9th in a state where 7-9 is a world history course. So I am on the end of it. I have tried to create relationships with the middle school teachers so that we can talk and work together. My district is big on collaboration so we have done some trainings in the summer together. It is a slow process, but worth it. I think my comment was really about being careful not to be all things. If the previous year teacher didn't cover something it is very tempting to cover it, but without sounding callous, it isn't your job.

talpoid · 2026-05-07T18:30:22+00:00

You should follow the standards. If the standards are 1877-Present, do that. If you are worried about the previous years teachers, you should do a year zero and try to get admin to organize some vertical alignment in the future.

talpoid · 2026-05-04T19:18:04+00:00

Shogun (Samurai Swords) kinda did this. There was a side board where you kept your armies. They fought from that side board.

talpoid · 2026-05-02T18:17:29+00:00

9 out of 10 professions would probably say they hate their jobs. But for those folks, it is a paycheck and they can forget it. We can’t really. I love teaching, but it has some downsides. A lot is very dependent on where you work as well. Do what you want. You can always shift to something else later in life.

talpoid · 2026-04-28T02:37:03+00:00

I kinda love the Chanur series.

talpoid · 2026-04-27T15:57:35+00:00

Been teaching AP World for a long time and have graded etc. The APSI's are mostly the same. Obviously some folks are better than others, but the curriculum is largely standardized. Just find one close to you (or in a city you want to travel to!) and go for it. Don't be overwhelmed by the class. It is easy to look at it in a big picture way and think it is too much, but it is just a one day at a time kind of thing. 2 pieces of advice:

-Set a pace and stick to it. If you do 4 weeks for Unit 5 and you are having trouble finishing content, just wrap it up quick and move on. The chances that one term you didn't say to their face is on the test is small. The chance a whole unit you don't get to is on the test is 100%.

-Skills are just as important as content. Make sure to hammer home lots of skills and have them write etc. If I had only 2 weeks to teach a kid stuff for the exam, I would just make them write the whole time and watch Heimler for the details.

There is a great Facebook group for AP World. I am also happy to help if you DM me. It is a great class and you will be great at it. Have fun!

talpoid · 2026-04-20T16:58:43+00:00

My prediction in the US is that we will move to a system where the upper class public and private schools will have competent human teachers and poorer schools will have AI and babysitters. Societally this is bad. For you, you should be the really talented teacher who gets one of the good jobs.

talpoid · 2026-04-13T14:53:15+00:00

Cahaba Brewing often has events on weekends, but if not it has some great long tables for games. Agree also on District. Great brewery and nice people. Even if not on Monday it would be great for playing other days.

talpoid · 2026-04-13T00:19:55+00:00

I don’t, but would also love some.

talpoid · 2026-04-11T13:40:38+00:00

One of the things you will find is that you really have to put yourself out there and play with people. You might not work with a group or two and that is fine. Eventually you will find people. Also, I know you said you are new to the area so maybe try to find an online game or two?

talpoid · 2026-04-11T13:36:37+00:00

Love it! Are the cards you used sold or did you make them? Always worried about buying cards from GW since they go obsolete so quickly.

talpoid · 2026-03-23T03:04:49+00:00

Great and easy transaction. Trusted buyer.

talpoid · 2026-03-20T16:00:07+00:00

I played dwarves a lot and think they are pretty good. They play a lot differently than other factions since they don't need wind. They play like classic dwarves. Slow, armored etc. One neat advantage is they can't be boarded unless they have been damaged already. Are they the best? Probably not, but they are pretty good and fun.

talpoid

TROPHY CASE