How not to rage..

that's really a lesson I need to learn. I have been hoping that aikido would help me a little with the whole raging thing I sometimes do, but yesterday was a clear indicator that I've got a ways to go.

Manager calls me around 4:45 telling me that I had made a change to the schedule without informing anyone, so the two people who were supposed to work mid and close both worked a mid. Yeah, they didn't figure this out until nearly 5pm. Sooo my manager tells me I have to come into close. (I didn't change the schedule, the scheduler input it wrong.. but I won't go into that)
Nevermind the fact that it's my day off and I've got class on Thursdays. (I was more angry about missing class than the actually working thing)

Unfortunately, I think I took all the stress from other areas of my life and focused them all on this one minor irritation. While it seemed small (and in retrospect, it was) thing, I used it as an excuse to vent all my recent frustrations upon anyone who got within a 10 foot radius of me. This is not my usual style at work, as most of my fellow co-workers have not seen me really rage.
*sighs* I feel sorry for the few people I snapped at. I even apologized to my manager for snapping at him. Luckily, I've got a great working relationship with the management staff, and they HAVE seen my nasty side and seem to just give me wide berth when it pops up.

I told that manager in question that I wanted away from the service desk, and he seems to like the idea, so he told me he's going to put a bug in my store manager's ear. I said "I doubt it will do any good, he probably thinks I'm incompetent anyway"
His resonse rather surprised me. "actually it's quite the opposite"
Hmmm... because it's always felt to me like nothing I do is good enough for my store manager. He's always pushing me. Perhaps he's pushing me BECAUSE he respects me... I just don't see that attitude with the other dept. heads.

Ahh well, aikido in 8.5 hours. I should probably get some sleep. I really want to be able to enjoy class tomorrow. On the plus side, Scott Sensei is now teaching second class on Saturdays, so maybe I'll feel okay with staying for second, non-beginner's class. *crossing fingers*

Liz

O'Sensei memorial class

Class tonight was HUGE. Probably about 50ish people on the mat. I thought we had a pretty decent sized mat until tonight. HEH. It was really difficult to take ukemi.
Before we began, we sat in seiza for 5 minutes and then Sensei had us stand for a moment of silence to remember O'Sensei. Very peaceful.

Started out with a backstretch exercise with a new 5th kyu.
He seemed a little unfocused, but he was also helping his daughter and the kids who attended tonight (On a sidenote, it's so cool watching the little kids practice, and Sensei is wonderful with the children ) Usually the kids don't practice with the adults, but tonight was an exception for obvious reasons. I'm glad Sensei included them in class.

Katatetori kotegaeshi (ura)
W/Bob. Never practiced with him before, so it was neat. He is usually in class on Tuesdays and some weekends. I was having a really hard time with the tenkan and getting him around me. No Sensei Intervention due to the size of the class, so I muddled through. There has to be a way to bring uke around without muscling through it, but I still haven't figured that out yet. Maybe I'll ask Scott Sensei Thursday when we have a smaller class.

Katatetori ikkyo (omote & ura)
W/a girl who's name escapes me.. (arg! I've practiced with her many times. I am terrible with names) Nothing major to note except ikkyo is making more sense. I tried to keep in mind Steve's pointers from Sunday. Didn't have to think too terribly much about it.

Katatetori shihonage (omote & ura)
W/ a girl MUCH shorter than me.. yet again. I tried really hard to sink down as opposed to stretching her arm out over my head, but it's really hard...especially with my knees. Perhaps it's good for me to practice with people so much smaller than me. She also made me really think more on my entry, entering more at an angle instead of my usual direct entry (which does NOT get uke off balance. O_o)

Sensei then had us practice throws in lines (whee!) We had about six groups, and as usual I gravitated to the smaller group. Roberto (yudansha), two newbies (2-3 classes), one guy with a little more experience than me and a guy who I'd guess to be 4th or 3rd kyu. That was fun! My rolling has improved a little. I didn't injure myself in any way at least, so that's progress. Huzzah! My throwing left a little to be desired, but it always does. The ikkyo throw came much easier tonight. One of the new guys was having a HARD time with the forward rolls. Sensei had to come over and help him several times and then finally told us to stop and let him roll out on his own. All he needs is a few of Scott Sensei's classes, and he should be rolling in no time. O_o
Other new guy did pretty good, and I think he got through class with minimal frustration. Nice guy, but he seemed frustrated this weekend.

Suwari Waza Ikkyo (omote & ura)
W/Oscar. (same guy who said he wanted to practice with me last Thursday.--I made it a point to find him tonight) Much easier today than this weekend. I think it get's easier the more we practice. Much less pain in the knees and ankles.
He really helped me understand movement in suwari waza alot better. Very encouraging partner too. We didn't spend much time on it though before Sensei clapped and called for kokyudosa. He ended class about 30 minutes early, probably due to having so many people attend. Some of the senior students vacuumed the mat. There wasn't much to do in the way of cleanup for us newbies. lol

All in all it was a very relaxing class. After a very tough day at work, I needed it.

Liz

Nautical miles

Practice this morning was fun. I was much more awake than yesterday.

Practiced with Paul first thing. (I always seem to get paired with him on the weekend.) I guess he's getting used to me. LOL He asked me my name again. and here I thought people were getting to know me.
Don't know what we were doing (what's new?) but it's a katatetori.. nage slides in, pivots, extending uke's hand out in front of them and then brings both hands back into uke as you pivot again. Afterwards practiced same technique but ura. Paul told me to start moving before he grabbed my wrist. I had a really hard time with that as uke and nage. I'm just not that cool yet

katatetori shihonage ura
Bob Sensei told us to focus on grabbing uke's hand on the swing up, getting your other hand free. He said not to grab at the wrist but to grab the fleshy part of the hand. Match your arm on the swing up with uke's and don't collapse it. Same entry as above.

katatetori nikkyo
cut down as you slide off the line at a 45 degree angle, bring uke's hand to the shoulder while stepping in and scooping down. (I love nikkyo.. heh) no spectacular breakthrough for me as nage, but my partner did tell me to slide in a little behind him and keep facing him. He said the more I could slide in, the less pain uke feels and he said it's alot safer. I think the instructor who taught yesterday said the same thing about nikkyo. I guess it just didn't click.
Same partner-- katatetori kotegaeshi. Nage slides off the line 45 degree angle, cuts up and reaches underneath nage's hand simultaneously to find kotegaeshi. This is always a difficult technique for me.
On a sidenote, I don't think my partner and I got through the technique once without Sensei interruption. He was trying desperately to find out the definition of a nautical mile. I have no idea where that came from... O_o heh

Kokyudosa.

All in all, not too terribly much to note. Was a good class, wish I could have stayed for second class. Only complaint is I must have gotten an elbow to the chin, because I've got a a bruise. ah well.

I couldn't stay for second class, had work right after. I'm really looking forward to the O'Sensei memorial class on Tuesday.

Liz

Saturday morning

Suwari waza iriminage + Saturday morning= blundering oaf.

Bob Sensei wasn't able to teach this morning, so another one of the yudansha taught. (I've never practiced with him or attended his classes, so I don't know his name... I'm really trying hard with the name thing. O_o)

He started out practice with a quick warm-up, several rolls across the mat, forward and backward. He told us to focus on keeping the unbendable arm throughout the roll and not collapsing it. I had a really hard time with that bit. I tend to roll very slowly when I'm thinking about it Luckily, I'm much less self-conscious about the whole rolling thing. HEH
Shikko, keeping the same foot forward. Sensei told us to move from our center and not rely on the strenght in our legs to move along. He was very graceful, but I don't think I mimicked the moving from the center thing very well. O_o

Suwari waza shomenuchi iriminage
W/Paul. Practicing with Paul is always interesting. He's usually pretty quiet, and will put up with quite a bit of blundering on my part. Usually he ends up guiding me through the technique when I'm nage. After a few times he will correct my entry or my follow-through...etc... The suwari waza part was pretty difficult for me. Afterwards Sensei told us to do the technique standing. I was very tired, so I had low energy for this technique. Paul told me to focus on raising BOTH arms up as nage as I went to slide in behind him. Also, he told me to wait to cut down until I had already pivoted behind him. This seemed to make the tenkan part a lot easier.
Sensei put a big focus on uke trying to come back up after the initial cutdown.

Shomenuchi ikkyo
W/Steve. I've never practiced with him before, so it was fun. He asked if everyone was being nice to me ( If I remember correctly, he was the one who signed me up for my first class... hmm... terrible memory.) Tried really hard to focus on sliding off the line a little bit at a 45 degree angle while blocking the initial strike. Sensei suggested I should mimic a sword strike with a more straight up/down motion while at the same point focusing on my extension before cutting down and grabbing uke's elbow. My partner told me to focus too on keeping the wrist above the elbow and the elbow above the shoulder. Crikey... so much to keep up with.
He also pointed out that the problem I have with my backwards rolls (on a sidenote) is that I try to bring the back leg up instead of throwing it back. It's funny, that's common sense, but it never occurred to me to try it that way. LOL

Finally shomenuchi (insert name of technique I have never done before...heh)
W/Michael. Nage steps off the line and cuts down after blocking the strike and continues the circular motion while sinking down, bring uke's arm down and back up while placing the other hand on his head. Grab the wrist and gently push it away from you, sending uke into a forward roll. Took a couple of weird falls, struggled the entire time... you know, the usual.

I was in a lot of pain, tired..etc.. so I decided not to brave second class just yet.

When I was leaving Sensei said something along the lines of "Scott said you were giving more force with uke... working really hard today." Hmm.. Scott wasn't in class today, and I certainly didn't feel full of energy this morning, but I'll take a compliment. :)

Ahh well, class again in the morning (if I can muster up the energy after closing tonight.

Liz

okay, I know this isn't my pinko-commie blog, but this is just too damn funny

Me and my invalid cat, Secret :)

me and abbie

my brother Michael.. well, sort of

Sake :)

I'm in my happy place. Sitting outside with my brother Mike and friend Dena. We've got sake, the moon is out, and all is good. Ahhhhhhh

Shihonage anyone? or..

Getting to play with the big kids! Huzzah!

Two new guys started tonight. I wasn't able to practice with them, but both of them seemed to enjoy themselves. Scott Sensei led us through a nice warmup, followed by rolling practice, a few undo exercises and then a katatetori shihonage backstretch. I was really limber tonight. My head nearly touched the mat a few times. O_o

Before I go into detail, shihonage was the waza for the night with about a dozen different attacks. Whee! I've developed a real love/hate relationship with shihonage because of tonight. (let's just say my arms are going to HATE me tomorrow..hehe)

Shihonage//

Katatetori
W/Mark. Love practicing with this guy! I practiced with him last Saturday, and we seem to get along great on the mat. We did our backstretch and then took ukemi. No stumbling through the technique. huzzah. He asked me at one point if my wrist was okay (after a loud POP!)..I told him I was "bendy" He said "I like bendy uke's" hehehe

Yokomenuchi
W/Aida & Ron. Wow, I CAN tenshin! While watching those two practice, I finally came to the realization that I am not the only one who struggle with the tenshin. In fact, I looked around the room and saw alot of my dojomates having the same problem. Suddenly I felt alot more confident, and I managed to get a "not bad" from Ron when it was my turn. He told me to focus on getting more distance in the cut down before moving into shihonage--focus on getting uke off balance. Funny, that cut down motion came so easy for me tonight. I also surprised Ron with what he said was a good yokomenuchi strike. He said "I actually thought you were going to hit me... good!"

Ryotetori
W/Aida. Shihonage is really difficult with her because I am about a foot taller than she is. ( and to be honest, I outweigh her by what seems like a million tons... O_o.. okay, maybe it's not THAT bad. I'm not overweight, but she is tiny, and I feel like I could tip her over with a feather ) I tried REALLY hard to sink down lower while keeping my back straight during the technique. We got into a pretty decent rhythm until Sensei came over and pointed out that we weren't *really* doing shihonage but a kokyunage exercise instead. The difference, he said, was that neither of us were grabbing uke's wrist.
After we made that correction, it made a big difference. :)
But I do think I was getting the feeling of the cut up/cut down movement Scott and Bob Sensei always talk about. Hurray for repetition.

Mune Tsuki
W/Klara & a guy who's name I don't know yet (he's never seemed inclined to introduce himself)
He seemed to be very confused about the technique, but I did not offer any clues as he doesn't seem to be the type to listen. Sensei demonstrated on me the opening, and he managed to muddle through. Klara had to leave mid-technique with Sensei's ok because she had to move, so I was left with the guy. He wasn't really putting any effort behind his throw, so I said "it's okay to throw me.. really! I won't break." I proceeded to throw a particularly forceful tsuki and he reacted accordingly, unfortunately he did not continue with that energy throughout the technique. After talking to some of the other women at the dojo, it seems he doesn't like partnering with women. Ahh well, his loss, because we've got some good women practicing. :)

Ushiro Tekubitori
W/Bill. All I can say is WHHEEEEEEEE :rollin Bill and I usually have great energy when we practice, and tonight it was at an all time high. Sensei helped me through it once. (I haven't done this technique more than once or twice) He told me to keep my arms in front of me but to wait to swing up until uke is right about to grab your arms. From there the step back and cut down came easy for me. I surprised Bill with it a few times. hehe We probably did that technique about 40 times, and it got to the point where I was jumping up and immediately grabbing him again. We hit a great rhythm and I looked around briefly realizing that we had the most energy on the mat. I didn't hesitate, I didn't get lost. I just DID it. WOW! It's really hard to describe how awesome it felt to get to finally play with the big kids...so to speak. I started getting really short on breath, and I realized Bill was too. (after class he compared that round to sprinting a few miles) He threw me so hard towards the end that I was actually getting the wind knocked out of me. (that's probably partly due to my poor ukemi, though Sensei did not seem inclined to interrupt.) We got a wide berth on the mat for this one. After what seemed like forever, I thought I was going to collapse on the mat. I kept telling myself "one more fall.. one more fall" finally Sensei clapped and we hustled to the end of the mat, red-faced and out of breath. Sensei demonstrated a katatori shihonage (weird!) and suddenly I felt a wave of relaxation hit me. I went from almost wheezing to being completely refreshed. Whatever tension was left in my body just went away, and I felt amazing. I think I could have done UT again! Wow..

Katatori
W/Mark, again. This was a difficult and strange technique. Scott Sensei opened up by saying "I hate this technique, but you will be tortured with it for the rest of your aikido training, so I may as well be the first to torture you" O_o
Nage grabs uke's arm that is grabbing the shoulder, puts the inside cheek against uke's elbow while stepping in and then pivots and stands up, dropping uke. We all struggled with this one. Sensei didn't really have any pointers beyond just getting us through the technique. I can see why he hates it! lol

Finally kokyudosa. Class ran over about 10 minutes. We swept the mat and then WATER! I've never been so happy to see water in my life. While sitting there recovering, Bill and Ron both said I did very well tonight. Another guy (who I've yet to practice with) said he had tried to partner up with me, but someone beat him to it. :D He asked me if I was coming on Saturday so we could practice. Another one of my dojomates said he was watching me tonight and said I was suddenly taking off. I was grinning ear to ear. I must say after all the stumbling and blundering, it was a great feeling to have all the "big kids" expressing an interest in practicing with me. Bill said "she wore me out!" I told him the feeling was mutual. :p

Told Scott Sensei I really enjoyed the class. He asked me if he had confused me too much tonight.. for once I was able to say no!

Now I'm exhausted. All this on 2.5 hours of sleep and nothing to eat since 11am. I don't know where the energy came from.
Definitely a good aikido night :)

Liz

Random thoughts....

A friend recently pointed out that most of my entries have been aikido-related. Okay, so my attention has really been focused on aikido-- but I'm having too much fun! Scott (manager at work) saw me limp into work on Saturday after our mini-seminar and asked me what was the matter. I grinned and said "I've been playing with the big guys in skirts again"
Now imagine him quirking his brow, a confused look on his face.. "I always knew you were weird" I saw a funny T-shirt on http://www.budowear.com
It's got a big, scary looking blackbelt on the front. The text above it simply says "BLEND!" (for the non-aikidoka, that's blending with the mat. We practice that, alot..)

*chuckles* how appropriate.

Current tally: Bruises/Bumps

Small knot/bruise on my right hand (the blade edge of my tekatana or handsword) most likely due to Sankyo exercise from Tuesday. O_o

Bruise on my knee... only slightly related to aikido. Shikko knee-walking in the grass. Ran over a tree stump. OUCHIE.

Bruised shoulder
(See above post "Rolling just like a brick doesn't" :P)

The knot on my back is no longer the size of a softball... try tangelo sized, but it doesn't hurt anymore.

Sore wrists, though no visible bruises. Maybe I'm toughening up a bit?

I'm really looking forward to class tonight. *yays for Thurdays*

I had to work for a few hours this morning-- Jennifer called out sick, so hurray for not getting a complete day off. I'm noticing a startling trend here. BAH.
On the bright side, I got some issues off my plate this morning. Also, that means I might get to cut OT on Saturday. Coming in later = getting to stay for second class on Saturday. That's definitely worth it :D

Not much else to report other than being broke. BAH I'm soooo glad tomorrow is payday. It'll all go to bills, but it'll be nice to have the illusion of money for a little bit anyway. LOL

ahhh well...

Liz

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

10 days and counting. HUZZAH!

:) Liz

Class tonight

I always have a hard time remembering class the next day, so I'm going to TRY to get more of the details down tonight. (good thing I work late tomorrow, eh?)

Bob Sensei taught tonight. Tuesdays always make me nervous (And here I thought I could never get the hang of Thursdays.) It seems like Tuesday is always a bad aikido day, especially right after work. Tonight was great though.

Katatetori ai hanmi//

shihonage (omote & ura)
Practiced with Bill. We spent alot of time on this one as we had a visitor at the dojo tonight asking a lot of questions of Bob Sensei. Nothing major to note except Bill reminded me to extend a bit more in omote, keep my arms in front of me (nothing new there..lol) and step more to the corner on the entry instead of a direct entry. It definitely made the technique more effective, or so Bill told me on a particularly good throw on my part. *grins* Also tried to focus on getting the fingertips to the shoulder.

Kotegaeshi (omote & ura)
w/Bill. Had a really hard time with the opening. Slide in, pivot while cutting down to get uke off balance while simulaneously facing the same direction. Find kotegaeshi, step back with the forward foot to give yourself more room and then slide in a little when applying the technique. That worked okay with omote. When practicing ura, Bill (and I...lol) kept starting off by stepping into an irimi and then doing the tenkan. O_o
Sensei watched us for a moment and said "that's not how I demonstrated it" *insert classic confuzzled Sensei look here* I told Bill we must be practicing omura (thanks to whoever I stole that from on the board )
After we made the clear definition between omote and ura, it was MUCH easier.

Iriminage
W/Bill. Same entry as Kotegaeshi. Omote (?) was kind of abrupt. After sliding forward and cutting down to get uke off balance, immediately pivot and drop uke as you step through.
The tenkan was much better....hehe I tried to focus on sinking down a little further, and of course keeping uke's head close to my shoulder. Bob Sensei stopped me once to point out that the follow through with the hand should resemble pouring out a glass of water.

Kokyunage
W/Sam. Not terribly much here either. I told him I was still rolling like a brick. (yes!) I took a few decent rolls though. I'm still better on my left side than my right. Go figure. I guess I know what I need to practice on my futon at home.
When practicing the ikkyo exercise, I was having a terrible time throwing him. I have this impending fear of cutting down in ikkyo, plus he was resisting a little. I'm strong, but I refused to muscle my way through it. In retrospect, maybe I should have.

Sankyo
W/Beth. New partner...whee! I've never practiced Sankyo before, but I found it pretty easy (for me anyway...lol) Slide forward while swinging up in towards uke's head like ikkyo, cut down and then find the sankyo hold on uke's hand, trying to push it in towards their armpit. Step around and then grab uke's elbow with the free hand and pull them forward and down to the mat. Minimal Sensei intervention except to point out that I wasn't grabbing her elbow.
"you know, humans evolved with opposable thumbs... you should USE them."
At least Sensei has a sense of humor.

Shomenuchi

Kotegaeshi
W/a guy who's name escapes me. O_o He reminded me to match uke's hand and press more on the knuckles than the fingers themselves. So much to remember... grrr The big problem I had was with the entry... again... heh As uke goes to strike, bring the back foot forward and step the other foot back at a 45 degree angle, blocking the strike with the forward arm while cutting down with the right, taking uke's balance. I like the grabs so much better... I have more time to think. Ahh well, hopefully my reaction time will get better... maybe.

Practiced kokyudosa w/Beth.

Sensei stopped class a few minutes early to explain the kanji for aikido hanging on the wall for us newbies.

I told Sensei after class I really enjoyed it. Again it's always nice to feel like I'm not hindering my dojomates by having to talk my way through techniques in order to make sense of them. My new goal, eliminate the question "Are you ready?" when uke attacks with a strike. O_o

After class and cleanup tonight, we were all leaving the dojo. Beth was in the dressing room. My friend and I were outside talking when we saw Sensei lock the doors and start to leave. I ran up to him and informed him he'd locked Beth inside.. LOL That would have been interesting.

Next Tuesday is an O'Sensei memorial class. I am really looking forward to it.

Liz

Rolling just like a brick doesn't

Okay, sorry for the lame hitchhiker's reference. It's rather

appropriate though after Saturday's mini-seminar. We had teachers from the Dallas area dojos teaching classes Saturday and Sunday.

First class we did a quick warmup, and then spent most of the class in groups practicing throwing exercises. I gravitated towards Scott Sensei's group as it was small and mostly people who attend our Thursday night classes.

After taking a few nasty rolls with the wrong foot forward, Scott asked me "what was that?" *grins* I told him I was having a hard time remembering which side to roll on when being thrown. He reminded me I was in control and could let go...take my own roll.
After a few more clumsy rolls I told one of my dojomates that I was mastering the art of rolling like a brick...yesss! Scott Sensei just chuckled.
I won't even go into my own throws. Needless to say I got a lot of help from visiting Sensei. Scott did remind me on several occasions that we were practicing difficult throws and that I wasn't the only one having problems.

Second class was fun, lots of waza I didn't recognize. huzzah.
The attack for the class was yokomenuchi. Practiced kotegaeshi with Paul.

I had a heck of a time with it, and I'm pretty sure he was basically handing me the falls on a silver platter.

Also practiced a yokomenuchi with an immobilization technique I've never seen. As uke attacks, nage slides forward. One hand blocks the strike while the other hand "takes the mind". Details are sketchy on this one, there's some kind of tenkan (I think? heh) but basically you end up with uke's elbow caught between yours and your ribs, the left hand grasping the wrist and the right hand bending uke's hand back (palms out) keeping the your arm in line with uke's at an angle, then bow until uke drops to one knee and slides out onto the mat.
It felt like a variation of nikyo... but I'm not sure.
I had a bit of a time with this one. I attacked my partner (a blackbelt I've never practiced with before) and was immediately "impressed" by how effective the technique was... lol He slowed the technique down a little bit after my turn as nage.
He did seem rather surprised how quickly I caught onto the slide in while taking the mind (fake strike to the face to switch uke's focus) bit. Perhaps that's why he started out pretty fast.
One thing I did retain was that when striking with yokomenuchi, uke is supposed to step off the line a little. No wonder Bob Sensei said my yokomenuchi looked like shomenuchi...lol Noone ever told me that until Saturday.

We practiced a lot of other stuff, but that's all I can really remember right now. One of my partners said I was picking up on a relatively difficult technique pretty quickly... that was nice. It's strange how I pick up on certain tricky techniques, but really basic stuff I struggle with. I told Scott Sensei (after the 10th time he's had to explain tenshin) I was starting to get deja vu.

I do think that next weekend I might brave the regular class. One of my dojomates said that their classes after beginners are normally like that. I think I can manage the pace now. Maybe I'll ask Bob Sensei tomorrow. I'd love to have the extra classes on Wednesday and on the weekends as an option--especially when I have to miss a beginner's class due to work.

I was dissapointed not to go to the Sunday group of classes, but I had a massive headache that morning. I probably would have been a detriment to myself and others around me.

Ahh well, bedtime for me. I'd like to be somewhat awake for class after work tomorrow.

Liz

More aikido humor

The top 10 reasons Aikido training is like S&M
Taken from http://www.aikidofaq.com/humor

10. You go to a special place, get dressed in special clothes and tell someone how to hurt you

9. You pay to have it done to you

8. The more you do it. The harder and faster you want it.

7. Practitioners of both arts stay up all night looking for their stuff on the internet.

6. It can take your relationship to a new level if you can get you spouse involved.

5. You always say "Thank You" to the person hurting you when they are done.

4. Even if someone gets really hurt, chances are they'll do it again.

3. "The more you relax, the less this will hurt!"

2. No one understands why you do it except other people involved in the activity.

1. You inflict pain in an effort to get your partner horizontal. And then it's your turn. And you're glad!

Belated posting

I neglected to post after Tuesday and Thursday classes. I've been working alot with my operations manager out for a week and RVP walks...etc... so I've been pretty exhausted.

I can't really recall the classes, but both classes I was actually allowed to practice with the brand-newbies. I paired up with a young guy on Tuesday (rather reluctantly, and it was nikkyo to boot) I hesitated, but Charlie said "you two will be okay"

It was strange having Bob Sensei show me the technique so that I could help the new guy. O_o I gave him this "but I'm still a newbie" look, but I muddled through with minimal intervention from Sensei.

We also practiced suwari waza ikkyo again. I was practicing with Charlie and made a comment on how hard it was. He said "that's why Sensei makes us do this, just wait until you practice for three hours like this" O_o I can't even begin to imagine. LOL

Thursday Scott taught, and we had two new people join class. We went to roll accross the mat after warmup, and Scott said tentative rollers could have the right side of the mat. I started to edge that way with my friend, but he looked and us and shook his head. What? I'm not tentative anymore? hehe

While practicing morotetori ikkyo with my friend Klara (again, this is the first time we've been allowed to pair together) apparently we were improvising the technique when we weren't aware (Scott Sensei had to intervene MANY times)
he actually clapped and demonstrated what we were doing and told the rest of the class to practice the technique that way. *looks sheepish* oops

Practiced kokyudosa at the end with the new guy, and I found myself telling him "relax" LOL Sensei threw me once or twice to help him see how kokyudosa was supposed to work.

All in all very fun class.

This weekend was a mini-seminar at the dojo for all the Dallas area dojos. We had instructors from Plano, Mesquite, Fort Worth..etc.. each teaching one hour classes. (three Saturday and three today) I went to the first two classes Saturday before work, but I had a massive headache this morning and did not feel up to attending today.

I'll post later on those in a little more detail. (seeing as they are fresh in my mind)

Liz

Music

I'm sitting here at 2:50 in the am listening to music (god, I love limewire)
and pondering all the music that has some sort personal sentiment attached. For lack of anything better to do, here's just a short list (in no particular order)

Sting:
The Soul Cages
I remember right after moving into our first apartment (after my parents split up)it was Christmas, and I was very sick. I was sleeping on the couch. It was dark, the Christmas tree was turned on. Michael turned on the Soul Cages album, put it on repeat. I slept all night long, and even though I was sick as a dog, I remember being happy. We finally had our own apartment after living with my grandparents for 2 years (a very difficult time in my life)

Vertical Horizon
Everything You Want
I listened to this album alot right around the time I was working for Old Navy. It's funny how I equate music to particular times in my life. This was right after we moved to Fort Worth from E. Texas. I remember feeling at home for the first time in years.

Bryan Adams, Sting & Rod Stewart
All for Love
I was visiting my Dad in Tyler, and I remember him renting "Three Musketeers" That song was playing at the end of the movie. My dad was sitting on the flooring singing this song at the top of his lungs. It was one of the more humorous and memorable moments with my dad.

Ray Stevens
Really anything by Ray Stevens reminds me of my grandmother and my dad.

Sublime:
I'm gonna save the explanation for this one..heh


All well, there's many many more... I'm just tired ~_~ zzzz
I think it's time for more sake. Hai!


"A stone's throw from jerusalem
I walked a lonely mile in the midnight
And though a million stars were shining
my heart was lost on a distant planet
that whirls around the april moon
whirling in an ark of sadness
I'm lost without you, I'm lost without you.
though all my kingdoms turn to sand and fall into the sea
I'm mad about you, I'm mad about you"

Sting and Sake, it's a magical combination *sighs*

Liz

Thursday's class

(a little late)
Bob Sensei taught class tonight. (Switched with Scott Sensei apparently)
I was in a lot of pain due to a large knot on my lower back (probably from a bad fall from Sunday) making ukemi on that side pretty painful.

Ron seemed to notice I was falling strange. He was pointing out that I needed to take a step back in shihonage when he did omote. lol I told him about the knot on my back (which has spread out a little, but will probably be a really nasty bruise in a couple of days.) so he was gracious about my ukemi improvisations... lol
There was one point while praticing shihonage that he told me I could hurt myself resisting the fall. I wasn't resisting, but I kept expecting him to slide forward a little to extend my arm more (that's what I have to do) when I said something about the slide, he asked Sensei over, and I noticed he started sliding forward as he cut down.

Sensei kept the class really interesting tonight with alot of variety focusing on katatetori and katatetori ai hanmi attacks.

In no particular order...

Katatetori ai hanmi//

Iriminage (with Sam)


Katatetori//

Ikkyo & suwari Waza ikkyo (ooo, shiney and new! With a guy I've never practiced with too )

Kotegaeshi but with a different grip applied to uke's hand.

Shihonage w/jo (with Bill)

Shihonage (with Ron)

We also practiced some forward throws empty-handed and with the jo. I think Bob Sensei really likes weapons...lol
There were several other techniques, but I can't remember it all. Suwari waza was interesting. Sensei makes it look so easy, but man! It's hard on the legs. It almost makes the standing technique easy by comparison O_o

It was alot to absorb. I would say it was a good aikido night, despite the pain while taking ukemi. It's nice to feel comfortable practicing. I don't have to ask nearly as many questions, and my partners don't have to guide me step by step through the techniques. If I'm lost, I just try to remember what Sensei called the technique in question, and usually I can figure out where I slide, step, pivot..etc..
It was also nice to note several of my partners focusing on their own technique instead of feeling like they had to guide me.

People also seem to be trying to remember my name.. lol Sam asked "is your name Elizabeth or Lisa?"
I told him "Liz is good... Elizabeth if you're mad at me"

Sensei asked me my name again

"Liz"

"really?"

"Yes"

"really?"

"It's only been my name for 23 years, but I could be wrong"

"really?" For some reason Sensei seemed quite confused about the fact that my name is indeed Liz. O_o Perhaps he noticed I've been training alot when tallying last month's practice and is wondering why I'm still a klutz..heh

In other news, two people in class received their certificates for 5th kyu tonight. (Sam and another guy) We've got testing coming up again in May as well. Testing seems to be on a pretty regular basis.

Anyway, no thoughtful deconstruction of tonight's practice. I've got to be at work early (on my day off even!) to teach a training class. huzzah.
It's definitely bedtime. I'm exhausted.

Liz

One week ukemi-free

ugh... I have been more sore and stiff the last week and a half than when I go to class 2-3 times a week.
I was so tired this morning (I hate time changes), but I made myself wake up for class today.

Bob Sensei was teaching (the first Sunday each month we have a 2nd kyu and up class after beginner's which Bob Sensei teaches).

We went immediately into techniques this morning, so not alot of loosening up time. We practiced a kokyunage technique and the rest of class was devoted to ushiro tekubitori attacks.

Ushiro tekubitori shihonage with a Roberto (black belt). For some reason I could NOT do ura-- strange because shihonage is usually easier for me in ura. No breakthroughs there... lol
though it really helped me to practice raising my hands up (extending my ki through my pinkie finger....as Bob Sensei likes to say) and sliding back behind uke, bringing him around into ai hanmi. I spent most of my time with Roberto practicing that.

Ushiro tekubitori iriminage with Omar (a brown belt from another area dojo) He went really easy on me. For once I wasn't complaining. I worked seven days straight this week in preparation for our ops audit at work, so I was beat.
It's funny, sometimes iriminage is really difficult for me, and other days it just happens. Today it was much easier than last class (which was Thursday before last).
Also practiced ushiro tekubitori kotegaeshi with Omar. I noticed he wasn't really making me FEEL the technique, but he was being very careful with me, so I was okay with it.
Usually I get lots of critique from Sensei on my kotegaeshi, but when he watched me today, he only made a small correction (I was not breaking free with my other hand in the pivot quickly enough)
Sensei clapped and we practiced kokyuho.

After class, Sensei told everyone not to change. One of the members wanted a class picture. I was sitting in the "break" area getting water while they were lining up on the mat for the picture and Sensei looked at me and another student and told us we'd have to move a little closer to get in the picture....lol

"me? in a picture?" hehe I guess even non-kyus are still members. I just can't get over this feeling that I'm merely tolerated. I am always shocked when someone remembers my name.

Ron is now trying to recruit me to get some storage cabinets for the supply closet. I guess being a Home Depot guru has its perks. (it helps that I've got a big pick-em-up truck)

Anyway, now that our audit is over, hopefully I'll be able to get back to my regular schedule. I really hate missing so much class. I was starting to have extreme ukemi withdrawls. My friend was making fun of me for practicing my rolls in her front yard this week. O_o

Liz

I hate audits

Work

I went an entire week aikido-free because of work. *sulks*
Tuesday was Dena's birthday, and I also had to go in to get prepared for an audit.
no aikido.
Got a 91 on my audit though. huzzah.

Dena and I had fun though. We did some shopping, had lunch and pretty much lounged about at her house. Everyone at work thought we went out "carousing"...lol Apparently we've developed a reputation for being a couple of party animals.
(thank you Lizard Lounge.. heh)

Thursday I had to close because of a callout.
no aikido.

I closed tonight... I close tomorrow. Three days straight closing is quite enough to last me the rest of the week. (though closing the last two nights has been interesting to say the least, but that's a long story)

Anyway, I'm beat. I want to get up for aikido in the morning to make up for over a week ukemi-free. heh.

Liz