what's going on.

The past few weeks have been beyond hectic.  Training hard having to learn 8 in less than 2 weeks.

Inculcating a lot of fluidity and move chains as well as working on hip and leg motion to cut down on energy used.

Considering some changes to my routine, regimen and how I report that here.  Once I get a clearer picture of that this will reflect it.  Starting to train kettlebells this summer as well.

Made some progress with 7. Focusing on full speed footwork.
Was beyond out of it Sunday but had a great session Tues.
Hoping to learn 8 in a couple of weeks and have time before the test to get it down.

Consecutive Days: 2
Forms: 1-5: 1x
6: 10x
7: 30x

Trying to put the full speed to practice is much more difficult than I had previously imagined.  Mostly because the way I naturally wanted to do it as my body suggested was the exact opposite of the real practice ha!  Always nice for a little ego demoralizer.

Got some good suggestions for hip movement in all forms with turn arounds tonight and focused on 7 extensively.  Still very awkward but the motions are coming together somewhat more fluidly.  Learned some of the deeper meaning behind form 1 as well which is always cool when those sorts of things just pop into a class.

Forms: 1-6: 10x
Form 7: 5x

Did several exercises to focus on full speed motion.  Very informative class.

After an unfortunate trainingless weekend back to the grind today.
Knees started off good but my left one was definitely biting when I bent it by the end of the session.  I'm not sure what exactly is setting it off but it's definitely something within 7.

Forms:
1-5: 1x
6: 20x
7: 40x

Avalt KJN helped me a bit tonight and gave me some points for continuing to perfect the form.  Focusing mostly on feet positioning and maintaining a straight line back and forth as the forms is very linear.  Still haven't had anyone show me the 'fast' method but have been practicing it on my own.  It's just more natural and my body wants to do it without me even thinking about it half the time anyways so I'm not really going to fight it anymore I'll just take the hit if there is one for practicing something I shouldn't be ahead of time.

Other than that... still debating what I want to study for my lifetime art barring the option of staying in Boston another 4-5 years so I can get high enough to open my own Shim Gum Do school down the road.  Which would be nice but I think Meghan and I are both ready for a change and while I'll carry the lessons and forms of SGD with me for the rest of my life I'm thinking of taking up Judo or traditional juijitsu.  Still considering the idea of BJJ but I think by the time I'd start is (29) I wouldn't have the left over athleticism for that much ground game to stick with it for good.  I like the complements of Judo very well as well as the broad base which should allow me to find a suitable teacher regardless of where I live presuming it's an urban environment.

Other than that just back to workin on trainin everyday and tryin to focus on increasing my caloric intake as I think I've slimmed down even more which is getting to the point where I would like to put a stop to it.  

So out of it this morning I could barely focus.  7 is definitely putting strains on my body  in my shoulder and my knee. 

This morning.
1-6:2x
7: 30x

 Not to much exciting leading up to the test. Trained the 12th, 14th, 15th, and tested on the 16th.

Test day was surprisingly an off mindset day for me and I am still a little surprised how well my muscle memory took over.

Did not train the 17th and learned my new form yesterday.

Did 7 about 40 times after warmups and had the choreography down within 2 shows.  It's a pretty interesting form and potentially difficult on my knees as I turn a lot but it gives a lot of insight for breathing I believe as well as teaches the 'fast' method of Shim Gum Do which I know about but since I haven't technically been taught it can't apply yet.  That said I might still play around with it in my spare time.

3-19
1-6: 1x
7: 30x
Fighting Forms: 1-3: 5x

Fighting forms are always interesting.  I have a bit of trouble maintaining my distancing and letting everything flow.  Definitely have to work on keep my head defenses up when my arm mis tired so I'm not just swinging my wrist around blindly.

Also been researching different styles as I presume when I move from Boston I will need to find another one and settle on that one for life.
So far I'm looking at Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun and Chow Le Fut Kung Fu.  I'll find somethin I swear haha.  I've crossed off Brazilian Juijitsu however as I just don't have that much interest in glorified wrestling no matter how apparently useful.  Not to mention the ranking system in BJJ is ridiculously overdone.

Yes I trained last week.  No I didn't have internet.

Now down to less than a week before the test and still making minor adjustments to a few moves.  Had a correction on a head defense in 6 but getting very smooth and focusing almost primarily on making it faster and smoother.  When I go slowly I hit everything basically perfectly just a matter of pressing the gas slowly and pulling it up.

Forms:
1-5: 1x
6: 40+x

Tuesday:

Small class led by Dailey KJN and it was great.
Consecutive Days: 1
Forms:
1-5: 5x
6: 50x
Fighting Forms 1-3: 10x

DKJN gave me some very solid pointers on the opening moves of 6 which had not been addressed before.  A bit to work on but worth it.  Got a ton of work in and still sore from this class ha.  Did a lot with fighting forms then did some sparring attacks was a lot of fun but learned how not to hold my grip on a head attack block when I smacked myself in the head with the back of my bokken....

Wednesday:
Bigger class by Brother james, got a lot of feedback from Kyle and James as well as SBN's form check.  Consistently having issues with my thrusts which I'm trying to remedy by lifting my wrist slightly and keeping my arm more in line with my shoulders.  The combination of the two has straightened it out as well as lowered it so hopefully I'm in better shape.  Kyle helped with some of my more fluid motions to help conserve wasted energy.  Was an issue on one of the openings to 6 however that will have to be verified with SBN.

Consecutive Days: 2
Forms: 1-5: 3x
6: 70x

Too foggy headed and too tired at 7am to really get myself focused the way I want to.

Consecutive Days: 1
Forms:
1-5: 2x
6: 40+x

Lookin to get more in the swing this week leadin up to the test on the 16th.

Soooo foggy this morning.  Went through ritual and slogged through training but still made some progress:

Consecutive Days: 5

Forms:
1-5: 2x
6: 45x

Still need to work on my thrusts, I think I'm not being strong enough with my wrist when I do and it's allowing the sword to waver on thrusts.  Focusing on 2 and 6 to hopefully correct it as well as going over basic forms more.  May try the setup Shell Sabom Nim showed us the other day to practice in a square around the training room.

Trained on my own midday.  Was a bit lazy before I did but stuck it through. Warmups then forms.

Consecutive Days: 4

Forms:
1-5: 4x
6: 20x

Made some progress on 4-5.  The problem is definitely in my legs as I'm not getting low enough often enough to stay balanced.  Need to focus on exaggerating my drop down when I'm practicing Tai Chi style so I am better weighted when I go at full speed.  When I go full I definitely can feel myself wobble early in 4 and late in 5.

Starting to wonder where and what I'll train after I make the next step in my life.  Hopefully I can end up somewhere that a master lives who will be willing to teach me.

Had a lot of energy before class last night.  Translated well and put a lot of energy into my training.
Forms:
1-5: 5x
6: 50+
Fighting Forms:
1-3: 8x

Initially hated Fighting forms but that was probably just because knowing only 1 or 2 is extremely boring for me.  Adjusting a bit as I learn 3, the first head defense is a little awkward feeling as I always want to turn the opposite way. 

Sa Bu Nim did form checks.
Comment: Need to lower and straighten my thrusts. 

Chong Kwan Jong Nim described the thrust motion as 'enlightenment' in this system and given the talks by Sa Bu Nim in which he suggests one must see his own mind before they can attain enlightenment I started trying to picture myself in front of me so I would thrust at the correct spot.  Not really fluid yet but I think it's helping me a bit. 

Have found a lot of weakness in Forms 4 and 5 lately.  Mostly from balance and adjusting for speed.  Since I have nonSGD class this evening I'll be training on my own this afternoon and will post how my work on 4 and 5 goes then. 

Well in case anyone I know still checks these I'm converting this over to a training log.  I moved into the Zen Sword Temple and it's amazing learning a ton and only had 1 small bout with training burnout to speak of.  In an effort to build a deeper commitment to my training I've decided I will log what I do both inside and outside of class and comment on any 'breakthroughs' or just realizations so I can essentially laugh at my self later on when it's second nature.

Consecutive Days Training: 2
Total Forms Learned: 5 - Shim Gum Do (Sword) / 0 Shin Boep (weaponless)

Tuesday:
Class 7-8:
Forms 1-5: 3 times (2: 10 times)
Form 6: 50+

Made some adjustments to the first attack in 6 today that will hopefully allow it to be more fluid.  One of the Masters filled me in on some footwork I'm not supposed to learn til 7 and every day I have to try NOT to apply it.  It just makes so much more sense and creates a much more fluid form.  Allowing for more efficient footwork and breathe work.  I can't wait to get through March and learn the next form for the sole purpose of adjusting my forms from before to now with this knowledge.

Also realized I've been a little lazy in my stance, blocks, and thrusts lately as I've been more concerned with the opening in 6 and the ending (both newer movements) but focused on 2 to help straighten up my thrust and bring in my neck defenses.   That's it for today.  More tomorrow.

I know it's been forever and a day since I last posted but for those who still care here's what's up.

I've been working a delivery service in Boston the past month gettin enough cash for upcoming trips and expenses.  Doin some tanning and reading a lot.  I've discovered a strong interest in Zen Buddhism the past 4 months that I've channeled into readin in re mediation and the religion itself, not because I feel like converting but because I think the methods of learning to live in each moment and appreciate it for what it is are immeasurable no matter your faith.

That said... at the end of this month the whirlwind starts.

1st I'm moving to NYC and living with my friend Devon. - worked with her for a year at blockbuster before she moved to NYC.  Anyways I'm really looking forward to it cuz I love her.  Both platonically and romantically but I have to settle for just platonic but that's cool I still can't wait.  Anyways.... gonna be in NYC for 2 weeks then I'm hitchin a rideshare down to Bonnaroo in Tennessee June 14th - 17th.

So far my itinerary is pretty stocked with the likes of Kings of Leon, The Roots, Widespread Panic, Mute Math, Lilly Allen, The Police, and more than I can remember now.  So yah bonnaroo is gonna rule and i can't wait.  After bonnaroo I'm debating... I'm either gonna hitchhike home to texas (if i can get there and back before the next step of my adventure this summer that is) or somewhere else, or just go back to NYC.

July I'm flying out to Amsterdam.  My roommate who's husband is an Officer in Army Airborne and stationed in Iraq has decided to move there semi-permanently.  So... being as I don't have any 'can't miss' committments this summer I'm going with.  Gonna scope it out. Play a lil poker, etc etc.  Do things I already do here without fear of getting arrested... oh wait I'm already not afraid of getting arrested =p

After that... well here's where it gets fun.  If I can get my room in the apt sublet for the upcoming year then I'm moving into a Zen Buddhist Sword Karate dojo.  www.shimgumdo.org.  It's an opportunity to work and live under the tutelage of the master to which over 700 forms of both Sword and weaponless martial arts were revealed to him on a 100 day meditation retreat in Korea.  So... we'll see it's only about $100 more than I'd pay rent for anyway and that includes all meals and training daily.   I figure it would be an excellent opportunity as I go back to school to help hone and maintain my physical and mental focus.

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
[1] Sales/Equipment/Handyman/Helper guy - Wool & Mohair Warehouse
[2] Law Firm Library Clerk
[3] Princeton Review LSAT Instructor
[4] Blockbuster Video Duder

FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD (AND DO!) WATCH OVER AND OVER:
[1] Amadeus
[2] Big Lebowski
[3] Swingers
[4] American History X

FOUR CITIES YOU'VE LIVED IN: (I don't move around much)
[1] El Paso, TX
[2] Menard, TX (pop. 1606 so not really a 'city'
[3] San Antonio, TX
[4] Boston, MA

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH:
[1] The Boondocks
[2] Robot Chicken
[3] ------------
[4] ------------

FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION:
[1] Disney World
[2] New Mexico
[3] Colorado
[4] De La Cuna

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY (besides LJ):
[1] myyahoo.com
[2] valor
[3] titanicus.com
[4] boards.ign.com

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
[1] Mac 'n Cheese
[2] Steak
[3] Sweet 'n Sour Pork
[4] Lamb 'n beef Gyro

FOUR PLACES YOU'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
[1] In bed w/ a woman
[2] Vancouver
[3] Amsterdam
[4] Ibiza

well.. not much going on here
endless saga that is RL
friend in town this weekend comin to visit harvard, smart bastard got a fulbright for polish history and now he's goin for his PhD at harvard, it's so awesome to see friends accomplish their lifelong dreams. Must be nice to have them, that's all I've gotta say lol.

Hmmm haven't been playing enough, need to get sea still, hoping to push through 6-4 by sunday and see from there. also on xfire now - novadog - yes ceph i'm gangsta watch out! i cut j00

anyways, geared up for the NCAAs finalizing my bracket now that the playin is done w/ some friends, I've got UConn pegged. Despite the loss to 'cuse b/c I think UConn played half that game and 'cuse could barely squeak it out by 1 in OT... that's tough. My surprise team for the Final 4 is bc, and yah I'm sure it's because I live in boston but I just don't see Nova or Ohio State as daunting as Duke or UConn and after watching BC play duke in the ACC final I think they've got the tools to dominate any team methodically. That said, it's hugely clear that if they get in a running game they'll get burned so we'll see how composed they can play at the big dance.

Can you name 21 people, right off the top of your head? Don't read the questions underneath until you write the names of all 21 people.

Ready, Start!

1.Eric
2.Ben
3.Joe
4.Liz
5.Beth
6.K
7.Sinath
8.Ryan
9.James
10.Devon
11.Adam
12.boka
13.leroy
14.blake
15.jay
16.matt
17.alexis
18.coby
19.Mom
20.dad
21.tom

Now answer the questions according to the names listed above.
THE QUESTIONS:

How did you meet 14?
He was my roommate's friend from his mentor group freshman y ear's roommate lol.

What would you do if you had never met 6?
Probably continue to not know anyone from Cambodia that use 1 letter for their name.

Would 4 and 12 make a good couple?
lol nah, I think she's too high maintenance for joey/boka lol

Describe 8?
Buddy I work with, he's 19 and lives as freely as one could hope to, in a rock band with a big tatoo of flamingos on his neck. He's a bit of a lazy stoner but he's really nice and one of the coolest people to hang out with.

Do you think 13 is funny?
Yah, he cracks me up.

Tell me something about 17?
Her dad told me it was ok and expected to be prejudiced against other races, just not racist.  He had this whole schpiel about how it was a personal pride thing or something, we didn't date much longer after meeting her folks.

What's 21's favorite color?
Shit I haven't talked to tom regularly enough to know lol.

On a scale of 1-10, how hot is 10?
8

What would you say if 18 just confessed they liked you?
Now that's eerily brokeback considering we used to work goats and shit on his ranch in jr high 'n high school lol.

What language does 20 speak?
english - sorta pretty heavy texas accent

Who is 9 going out with?
Jill

When is the last time you saw number 15?
Hmm... prolly 3 years ago.

What grade is 16 in?
In his first year of med school, I think that's past the 'grade' stage lol

When's the last time you talked to 19?
Couple weeks ago O_O just realizing this lol
guess I'll call tonight.

What is 2's favorite band/singer?
Good question, I don't think he has an immediate #1.

Would you ever date number 7?
Prolly not.

Would you ever date 3?
Homey don't play dat sorry.

Is 11 single?
I think so.

what is 4's last name?
Aron

Would you ever want to be in a serious relationship with 5?
Nah, too crazy for me.

Do you find 12 friendly?
Yah when he's not being a lil bitch.

What school does 3 go to?
BC Law

Are number 7 & 8 friends???
Coworkers but they don't hang out past that.

How do you feel about number 1?
Helped me through some rough times.  Maybe my closest and best friend in Boston.  

RL - got some situations to sort out and so forth but not too terribly bad
New Posters! - jarhead, rent, chonic-wut!-les of narnia
my dryer sucks donkey dick... fucking thing will start blowing cold air after like 2 loads have been dried...

game: gettin to endgame with boka is sweet

last night after getting stuck at work I got on to see Askew 'n them gettin ready to go do some af3 fights. I was tired and it was late, and it was that or lfp on nin so I just said screw it and went to help. Got 3 of 'em done, grats to them, then I passed right the fuck out.

Brokedy broke broke broke:
No plants in my garden. No stuff on my mules. No desire to farm. Hmmm... needa do that lachesis orb 'n a ks99 sometime methinks.

Been a while but that's about it for me atm. oh and got my yagudo hat :D

flatulence

now that's a funny word