Redemption

It's good to hear that everyone enjoyed and thrived during Thursday's class. Sifu Brinker is right, you all are so far beyond where the team usually is, we could almost put a demo together now. And you guys will only get better with time.

I think I was the only one not happy with my performance. I realized how badly one year off the team affected me, my performance anxiety hasn't been that bad for years. I didn't think much about a year of no performances but the results were obvious. Coupled with being the last one to perform and performing someone else's form, I lost my head near the beginning and never recovered.

So the main thing on my mind since then is redemption. For the first time I'm wishing for another performance date so I can perform it the way it's supposed to be done, at the level I should be capable of. And perhaps perform snake too. Get over my jitters. Again.

Forms Update

So, how goes it? Me, depends on what you're referring to. I'm making good headway on Sifu K. Csillag's broadsword form. It has proven difficult just because I have been altering it a bit to flow better for how I move. You'd think the would make it easier, but sorting out two very similar sequences is harder than just remembering his sequence. Regardless, you've created a great form Sifu Csillag, and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Thank you.

Tai chi short hasn't been getting the attention it deserves. I'm pleased that I managed to pick it up again in one night after so many years. I knew it once upon a time, so I felt it was about time to get it back. I like it and I don't have an excuse not to do it more frequently considering its significantly shorter than 21 minutes. I owe thanks to Sifu Vantuil for this one.

Snake. Yeah, I'm talking to you, snake. To begin with I was loving this form. Now I love it, but it doesn't love me. I'm finding I'm having a very difficult time doing it justice, moving in a way that satisfies its goals. Sequence is firm, but the subtleties are vast and noticeable if they're missing. This one is proving quite the challenge I daresay. Sifu M. Beckett- thank you. And how do you do it so snakey?!?

Villy

Yesterday marked the last day that my mothers dog Villy was here. I say my moms dog but I considered her my dog too. She lived with me for years before her Houdini ways forced me to give her to my mom where there were no fences to escape. Months ago she had what we believe was a stroke, and has been deteriorating quickly since then. It seemed like she had a second episode about a week ago, leaving her stumbling, confused and scared, so earlier this week we made the decision to let her go. The vet told us it may have been a tumor. I held her as she left us.

Its been a rough week and the last couple days I've been trying to inject a bit of awesome into my world. Little things, like wearing my most awesome cat t-shirt Thursday, taking a bath yesterday, bringing Chloe to class this morning. They work while you're in the moment. Then life returns and I have to put on a different shirt.

How do you make those moments last without just ignoring the rest of life? And without letting the rest run you down?