Happy Halloween

The rest of the Aiki Buddies are getting here tonight so the two day seminar can commence. Don't hate me, but with the scheduling of when they're getting here and when Pat's rugrats are going trick or treating, I can't put up pictures until tomorrow...because there won't be any until then. I'll post something though, even if I have to take pics on my phone and post them that way. My shodan test is Saturday (tomorrow) as well and all should go well on it. More info to follow...

Aiki Buddy Gathering update

Taking my Shodan test on Saturday. Lots of Nijusan practise with Patrick and for those of you who keep asking (one in particulair) I will put up pics tomorrow night. The throws are getting easier and I'm confident I'll pass my test with flying colors.

First Day at Week Mokuren

Well the first day of training went well. We had two Aikido classes and a Judo class. Pat's showing us general motions to improve our overall demo for rank tests at the end of the week. I'm learning lot, but man I'm sore. I have no idea how but I ended up with mat burn on my eyelid so it stings when I blink and a swollen hand. First days are always full of surprises. Me and Andy are sleeping out in the dojo. I would say it's cold, but I brought a feather comforter so I've actually been sweating at night. We played with the kids a few hours yesterday as well and I can't say which is more exhausting, 5-6 hours of martial arts training or 2-3 hours of kid play time.

Going to Aikido Week

I'm off to Pat's today so there will be no posting for a week, but anyone reading my blog should be used to that by now :) Originally the plan was for me to test for my Shodan this week, hopefully nothing's changed. If all goes well, by the end of the week I'll be a black belt in Fugakukai Aikido and on my way to Seattle, WA to live with a close friend in one fell swoop. Wish me luck. I'll post as soon as I get to Washington for an update of what happened at Pat's Aiki Buddy Gathering. Andy will also be there, so be sure to check out Pat's and Andy's blogs too to get the whole story.

An update from home

Since expanding my blog to my weekly (or bi-weekly with how often I've been posting) activites, I thought I could let everyone in on what's been going on since getting back to Mississippi. It's been a whirlwind of fishing, riding four-wheelers, gambling on the coast, eating home cooked meals, and helping my uncle repair leaf blowers and weed wackers (his at-home buisness). On the not so great side, I finally had "the talk" with Beleek, the girl I was seeing in Orlando. I knew we couldn't realistically keep a relationship going cross country, it's just a subject I was hoping to avoid for, I dunno, a year or so. It's the Aikido in me, avoid or redirect, never confront :) Anyway in other news, our comic artist in LA has been having trouble with his moving arrangements so the comic pages won't be started till Nov 1st, much to the detriment of my many fan. I did however solve my car problem. That uncle I mentioned also has a hobby or repairing old cars and he's got a 1965 ford mustang that just needs a little more work and he only wants what he put into it to get it fixed, so I've got quite the road trip ahead of me in a few months going cross country. Next week is Pat's Aiki Buddy gathering and I'm supposed to be tested for my shodan. Wish me luck everyone...I'll need it :) I will say one thing has come STARKLY into view this week. I have some wonderful friends. I don't think I tell them enough how much better my life is with them in it. If while reading this anyone just instantly pops to mind and you say to yourself "Yeah, my life would've turned out differently if ___ and I never met", take the time to let them know.