So I was majorly stressing about my kama form. I'm happy with what I have, but I was hoping to lengthen it (ie. go for the entire song) and it can be hit and miss with my timing to the music. But, its kinda cool (I think) thus far.
The Tiger Challenge last weekend was wicked great. It was the scene of my kama form debut. I really thought I could have majorly done better, but I did get a lot of positive feedback. I tried to make it go with the music, and the song was excellent for giving me ideas. The lyrics were descriptive, ie. 'come from behind with a back attack", "strait in your face" and later "down to your feet". Again, it could have been great if I had gone the entire length of the song. I was even planning on switching to sai's near the end. There was a great place to do this.
Congrats to everyone involved, everyone did so awesome it was a room full of wickedness and awesomeness and electrical greatness. Every year I am awed about what we as a group can do and create. Awesome job to all the competitors and all the volunteers and voluntolds.
Several of the students in Onoway now want to maintain and expand on what they have, so we can put together a wicked awesome demo for the summer of wickedness that is approaching. Everyone is invited to join in our awesomeness.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Babbling Mind and Body
So, getting back to tradition, a group of us did an oldschool demo last Saturday. The only prep we had was some minor communication over the net, a (disastrous) run through Friday night, and a couple more choppy runs Saturday before we headed out.
It ran smoothly for the most part. I have to admit one of the two biggest fumbles was mine, but thankfully the act following was on the ball and was able to jump on the stage when I decided it was best to get off. "Decided" is the wrong word. I have a strangely clear memory of my performance, and even more strange is the fact that there were either too many thoughts or no thoughts at all going through my head when I fumbled, recovered, improvised, fumbled, and finally left the stage.
Well, there were thoughts initially. During the first part, I was thinking, this 'ain't so bad, confidence is key, keep moving, no, not really bad at all. Then, I fumbled. I remember realizing all the internal babble was probably to blame. I can babble to myself during my forms only IF I am completely comfortable with them. Ie. if they are ingrained into my body and no brain is required. My kama form is NOT in this category. My fumble was not a pause, ohno-what-do-I-do moment. It was a hey, this isn't what I'm supposta do here moment. Happy to say that although my improv was choppy, sloppy and odd, I didn't stop moving or showed any of my internal thought process on my face (except when I turned to Master Brinker, who was just offstage left, and mouthed the word "Sorry" followed by a sheepish grin, all while the internal babble screamed KEEP MOVING!!!).
So, I recovered and found a spot to jump back into my original form and continue. I attempted to just go through the motions the way I had back at the studio, with my internal cue system running, (flip kamas, both slash, pull back, butt 'em good). However, much to my dismay, I quickly found myself aborting mission and walking off stage. Sad to say that instead of continuing the cue's, my head just shut down. It was like I blanked out, and then I found myself walking off, without my brain giving my body, and specifically my legs, consent. I'm still mad at them.
Well, maybe my body was the smarter of the two. Maybe it realized that it was for the better, instead of attempting a larger section of improv and probably not getting lucky the second time. I guess I'll never know what my body was thinking....
It ran smoothly for the most part. I have to admit one of the two biggest fumbles was mine, but thankfully the act following was on the ball and was able to jump on the stage when I decided it was best to get off. "Decided" is the wrong word. I have a strangely clear memory of my performance, and even more strange is the fact that there were either too many thoughts or no thoughts at all going through my head when I fumbled, recovered, improvised, fumbled, and finally left the stage.
Well, there were thoughts initially. During the first part, I was thinking, this 'ain't so bad, confidence is key, keep moving, no, not really bad at all. Then, I fumbled. I remember realizing all the internal babble was probably to blame. I can babble to myself during my forms only IF I am completely comfortable with them. Ie. if they are ingrained into my body and no brain is required. My kama form is NOT in this category. My fumble was not a pause, ohno-what-do-I-do moment. It was a hey, this isn't what I'm supposta do here moment. Happy to say that although my improv was choppy, sloppy and odd, I didn't stop moving or showed any of my internal thought process on my face (except when I turned to Master Brinker, who was just offstage left, and mouthed the word "Sorry" followed by a sheepish grin, all while the internal babble screamed KEEP MOVING!!!).
So, I recovered and found a spot to jump back into my original form and continue. I attempted to just go through the motions the way I had back at the studio, with my internal cue system running, (flip kamas, both slash, pull back, butt 'em good). However, much to my dismay, I quickly found myself aborting mission and walking off stage. Sad to say that instead of continuing the cue's, my head just shut down. It was like I blanked out, and then I found myself walking off, without my brain giving my body, and specifically my legs, consent. I'm still mad at them.
Well, maybe my body was the smarter of the two. Maybe it realized that it was for the better, instead of attempting a larger section of improv and probably not getting lucky the second time. I guess I'll never know what my body was thinking....
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Be a "Lucky" Person
Constriction and hindrance can only influence you if you allow them to. So many people would argue with me on this, but stop and think honestly for a moment. What is the last thing that 'constricted' you? Your job, your spouse, your schedule? Now, why do you define it as constriction? Because you couldn't do what you wanted, or you couldn't find the time. Are you not in control of every single decision you make, of every single move you make? Even if you have a gun to your head, you have a choice of what to do. You may not feel that way, but its true. Its whether or not you want to make the choice or take the harder road.
I was in an argument this weekend about this mentality. I feel if something isn't going well for you, or if something can use improving, then get to work. The fellow I was arguing with, I'll call him Bob, figured that why stress over anything, live your life, take what comes to you, and move on. Now, I believe this to work to a point. The no stress is good, the live your life is good. But the take what comes..? No. I disagree. I think "luck" and "fate" are created by you. There are no "lucky" and "unlucky" people, there are people who take control and improve a situation, or work for what they want, and people who just "take what comes to you".
I understand if some horrid event befalls you, such as a fatality, you may think there is nothing you can do to improve the situation. I understand mourning, I've had my share. But, I choose to believe that the worse the situation, the more opportunity to learn and improve. When you lose someone you love, don't take it as the end of the world. Instead, take it as a wake up call to make the most of the time you have with those who are left. "Bob" has taken the mentality "if I don't care about anything, nothing can hurt me anymore". I believe nothing that does not have the ability to hurt you or to fail is worth the time. Yes, I may get hurt worse, but I believe my life will be richer and fuller.
So, back to the point. If something hinders you, its because you need to look at the situation differently. If the situation cannot be changed, then create a new situation. If your spouse is constricting, work to understand why and work with them to fix it. If your schedule is too hectic, make the time you need. To do this, define what you need time for. Everyone needs time for family, friends, themselves. Daily. Everything else comes in second. Second. This includes your job, that appointment you have, that money you need to make.
Lately, several people have made comments that I firmly disagree with, not just "Bob". This is in response to said people. I will argue this until the day I die.
I was in an argument this weekend about this mentality. I feel if something isn't going well for you, or if something can use improving, then get to work. The fellow I was arguing with, I'll call him Bob, figured that why stress over anything, live your life, take what comes to you, and move on. Now, I believe this to work to a point. The no stress is good, the live your life is good. But the take what comes..? No. I disagree. I think "luck" and "fate" are created by you. There are no "lucky" and "unlucky" people, there are people who take control and improve a situation, or work for what they want, and people who just "take what comes to you".
I understand if some horrid event befalls you, such as a fatality, you may think there is nothing you can do to improve the situation. I understand mourning, I've had my share. But, I choose to believe that the worse the situation, the more opportunity to learn and improve. When you lose someone you love, don't take it as the end of the world. Instead, take it as a wake up call to make the most of the time you have with those who are left. "Bob" has taken the mentality "if I don't care about anything, nothing can hurt me anymore". I believe nothing that does not have the ability to hurt you or to fail is worth the time. Yes, I may get hurt worse, but I believe my life will be richer and fuller.
So, back to the point. If something hinders you, its because you need to look at the situation differently. If the situation cannot be changed, then create a new situation. If your spouse is constricting, work to understand why and work with them to fix it. If your schedule is too hectic, make the time you need. To do this, define what you need time for. Everyone needs time for family, friends, themselves. Daily. Everything else comes in second. Second. This includes your job, that appointment you have, that money you need to make.
Lately, several people have made comments that I firmly disagree with, not just "Bob". This is in response to said people. I will argue this until the day I die.
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