Monday night I brought my weapons for a night of a 1,000 bokken cuts. As I was walking up to Escalante Fitness Center, I drank in the beautiful evening as the sun was setting behind the West Elk Mountains. I dressed out and as I was finishing setting up the mats, Jake and I agreed to go and practice outside on the grass. We put away the mats and as we were walking outside, Joey stopped us and asked about Aikido. I told him we practiced Monday and Wednesday night and he decided to join us.
Starting a beginner during a more advanced weapons class was a good teaching challenge. We started off with learning how to the basic shomen bokken cut. We stopped and I taught until we finished off with a 100 cuts. We then practiced doing tai no tenkan first without the bokken and then with the bokken. We then practiced happundo exercise with the bokken that also allowed us to practice our turns. Next we practiced kose-dori katate-dori ikkyo omote with nage holding the bokken. We then practiced rolling on the grass both with and without the bokken. We then kokyu-ho omote with the bokken. To demonstrate how moving your center to throw is what this technique is about, both Jake and I grabbed Joey, Joey was able to move us enough to throw us. It was fun. On Wednesday, we'll be practicing inside again.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
David Foster Wallace
I haven't written about the recent hanging suicide of David Foster Wallace because others have written about it better and with more passion1. I felt connected to Wallace as a person for a couple of reasons. The first, is that I lived in Champaign, Illinois for over six years and recognized his common Central Illinois reference points; from playing on some of the same tennis courts in Champaign-Urbana, to an intellectual attitude and openness that is common to many of the people I still know and love in the area. The second reason I felt connected to him is that when my brother Jake was taking classes at Parkland Community College, his English professor was Wallace's mother. When I saw Jake this past weekend, he was shocked as I was about David Foster Wallace's suicide.
Besides loving Infinite Jest as one of my favorite books, (My first attempt at reading the novel failed, with everything I had going on in my life right after my divorce). My second attempt was in 2002 after a term off in library school , I started reading Infinite Jest and was able to immerse myself during a slow summer in Champaign. I read for days at a time, not moving too fast as the heavy damp heat settled in the apartment despite the AC. I need to go back and purchase the rest of his books that I don't own but now will with a sad heart.
1 Mimi Smartypant's reactions and links followed by Sam Anderson's piece and these articles from the Arts and Letters Daily from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
I'll miss his footnotes and explanatory thoroughness they provided in enriching the main text. He showed these techniques worked for both his fiction and non-fiction.
Besides loving Infinite Jest as one of my favorite books, (My first attempt at reading the novel failed, with everything I had going on in my life right after my divorce). My second attempt was in 2002 after a term off in library school , I started reading Infinite Jest and was able to immerse myself during a slow summer in Champaign. I read for days at a time, not moving too fast as the heavy damp heat settled in the apartment despite the AC. I need to go back and purchase the rest of his books that I don't own but now will with a sad heart.
1 Mimi Smartypant's reactions and links followed by Sam Anderson's piece and these articles from the Arts and Letters Daily from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
I'll miss his footnotes and explanatory thoroughness they provided in enriching the main text. He showed these techniques worked for both his fiction and non-fiction.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Aikido for 09/24/2008
Jake and I were the only ones for class. From this class we worked on breath throws and maintaining a constant flow and speed in the techniques.
From suwari-waza, I had us shikyo (knee-walking) around the edge of the mat while alternating foward and backward rolls. We then practiced our tai no tenkan while in suwari-waza. We then stood up and practiced tai no tenkan, starting from suwari-waza does reinforce the balance and ending stance for tai no tenkan. By starting on tai no tenkan from suwari-waza, the rest of Aikido techniques flowed for the remainder of the class. Jake and I worked on kokyu-nages from a variety of attacks.
From suwari-waza, I had us shikyo (knee-walking) around the edge of the mat while alternating foward and backward rolls. We then practiced our tai no tenkan while in suwari-waza. We then stood up and practiced tai no tenkan, starting from suwari-waza does reinforce the balance and ending stance for tai no tenkan. By starting on tai no tenkan from suwari-waza, the rest of Aikido techniques flowed for the remainder of the class. Jake and I worked on kokyu-nages from a variety of attacks.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Las Vegas - Part III, "Trip Home"
Here is part of the fountain show, this is the best of the photos I was able to take:
Here is a photo of the Statue of Liberty in front of the New York, New York Casino:
The next morning, we got stuck in traffic trying to leave Las Vegas. In Utah we stopped for a rest break. Here is a photo of Jesse and Jarrett.
Jesse took this photo of Jarrett and I.
Happy Birthday Jarrett and Jesse! I had a great time in Las Vegas and I hope we can return sometime this winter.
Here is a photo of the Statue of Liberty in front of the New York, New York Casino:
The next morning, we got stuck in traffic trying to leave Las Vegas. In Utah we stopped for a rest break. Here is a photo of Jesse and Jarrett.
Jesse took this photo of Jarrett and I.
Happy Birthday Jarrett and Jesse! I had a great time in Las Vegas and I hope we can return sometime this winter.
Las Vegas Part II - "Accommodation"
Sunday morning we all passed out after our first night in Las Vegas. On Sunday, Jarrett and I both bet $50 on the the Denver Broncos beating the Saints by 5.5 points. The Broncos did beat New Orleans but not by enough to cover the spread so we lost our bets.
Jarrett and I went on a drive, down the strip and then we drove downtown Las Vegas.
That night, Jarrett and I walked back down the strip. I took this photo from the first night but walking down the strip is encountering Las Vegas icons, crowding each other for your attention.
Monday morning Jarrett and I went to a Gun Store where you can shoot fully automatic machine guns. Here is Jarrett waiting in line.
Here is Jarrett shooting the 9mm version of the M-4.
I first shot a .45 ACP Thompson Sub-machine gun, the classic gangster gun and WWII infantry weapon. It was so fun to fire this weapon. The second weapon I fired in fully automatic was the .223 M-4. Here is a photo after I had shot two clips of ammunition.
Monday evening, Jesse, Jarrett, and I took a cab and I took this photo in one of the casinos.
Jarrett and I went on a drive, down the strip and then we drove downtown Las Vegas.
That night, Jarrett and I walked back down the strip. I took this photo from the first night but walking down the strip is encountering Las Vegas icons, crowding each other for your attention.
Monday morning Jarrett and I went to a Gun Store where you can shoot fully automatic machine guns. Here is Jarrett waiting in line.
Here is Jarrett shooting the 9mm version of the M-4.
I first shot a .45 ACP Thompson Sub-machine gun, the classic gangster gun and WWII infantry weapon. It was so fun to fire this weapon. The second weapon I fired in fully automatic was the .223 M-4. Here is a photo after I had shot two clips of ammunition.
Monday evening, Jesse, Jarrett, and I took a cab and I took this photo in one of the casinos.
Las Vegas - Part 1, "The Anticipation"
On Thursday night I started to develop a cold. On Friday I went to work so I could release a draft version of a new library home-page for staff review and comment. I went home early and took a nap before leaving for Grand Junction. When I arrived in Grand Junction, I stopped by and saw my brother Jake, his wife Lisa and my nieces Ememy and Aura. I then picked up Jarrett and we drove to visit my brother Judd. We saw Keegan and his mother Devon before going back to Jarrett's and Jesse's. After having a low-key party we woke up Saturday morning and after Judd and Devon dropped me off at the airport, I picked up our rental car before driving back and getting Jarrett up. This is a photo of Jarrett Saturday morning.
This photo of Jesse and Jarrett was taken at Folsom National Park in Utah
We arrived in Las Vegas and after checking in, I took this photo of Stratosphere, our hotel.
This photo is Jarrett as we counted down until midnight Pacific Daylight Time when Jarrett will turn 21.
We walked down the strip and I tool this photo:
After Midnight, Jarrett and I went out and I didn't take any more photos for the fun but very expensive night. Jesse went back to our hotel.
This photo of Jesse and Jarrett was taken at Folsom National Park in Utah
We arrived in Las Vegas and after checking in, I took this photo of Stratosphere, our hotel.
This photo is Jarrett as we counted down until midnight Pacific Daylight Time when Jarrett will turn 21.
We walked down the strip and I tool this photo:
After Midnight, Jarrett and I went out and I didn't take any more photos for the fun but very expensive night. Jesse went back to our hotel.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Aikido for 09/17/2008
Jake and I focused on footwork and keeping a continuous motion through-out each technique. Here are the techniques we practiced last night:
- Mortetori juji-nage (omote and ura)
- Mortetori ikkyo (omote and ura)
- Shomen uchi ikkyo (omote and ura)
- Shomen uchi kotegaeshi
Monday, September 15, 2008
Aikido on 09/15/2008
Jake and I were the only ones at practice tonight. He had a cold so we didn't practice too hard and ended class fifteen minutes early.
The techniques we practiced included:
The techniques we practiced included:
- Katate-dori kotegaeshi
- Katate-dori sankyo (gyaku-hanmi) (omote and ura)
- Katate-dori sankyo kosadora (omote and ura)
- Katate-dori dai-yonkyo omote
- Katate-dori dai-gokyo
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Aikido for 9/10/2008
No one came to Aikido tonight: BT had to work and Jake had a meeting. I set-up the mats and did some ukemi, tenkan exercises, and waited for twenty minutes before stowing the mats. Next Monday we'll back to regular classes.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Aikido for 09/08/2008
Tonight's Aikido class started at 6:30, Jake and I warmed up and then BT showed up. While BT dressed, Jake and I practiced a yokomen-uchi randori. After warming up, we practiced ukemi both forward and backward.
We then focused on these techniques:
We then focused on these techniques:
- katate-dori Irimi-nage (ai-hanmi)
- katate-dori Shiho-nage (ai-hanmi) (omote)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Aikido for 09/03/2008
When I arrived at the Escalante Fitness Center this evening, I noticed on a new activity board that the Aikido Class had been moved from 7:30 to 6:30 on both Monday and Wednesdays. I now need to contact Jake and others about the time change. I dressed out in my gi and hakama waiting for anybody to show up (Jake e-mailed me earlier in the day and said he couldn't make it). A group of dancers started assembling (they were the new class that runs from 7:30 on Wednesdays). I dressed back into my street clothes and as I was walking downstairs, I noticed BT was walking up. We talked about the time change and we waited for a few minutes to see if anybody else was going to show up. We walked out back and I showed BT Shomenuchi irminage but without the final throw because we were practicing on the grass. I also showed him the straight through variation as well as a front kick irminage (the first I have really done, I actually saw a variation on my new Ikeda Sensei's DVD)
Next Monday the class will start at 6:30 and BT thinks Tank will show up as well.
Next Monday the class will start at 6:30 and BT thinks Tank will show up as well.
Double Dylan Part 2
On Sunday, Floyd and I got up at ate breakfast buffet at the Hotel Colorado. We left after ten and drove to Rifle where we turned off I-70 and drove North towards Meeker. It started raining and continued to rain off and on the entire trip to Park City.
Here is a rough outline of the entire trip using Google's Maps:
View Larger Map
This first picture I took from my Rodeo while outside Vernal. I liked how the cliffs curved around a central point.
When we arrived in Park City at around five o'clock, we parked in the third lot and got into the long line next to the road. Here is Floyd camped out and waiting in line. The second photo is of the line while we waited to enter Deer Valley Resort for the concert.
While waiting in line, the rain started again and turned into lightening and thunder. When the gates opened for the concert, we all scrambled for space. Floyd and I ended up at this location and I took this photo during a heavy downpour. We were huddled under a brown tarp.
When the concert the started, the rain let up and I took a lot of photos, trying to get a good one of Bob Dylan while he was planning. This photo is of the crowd and all of us Dylan fans (and after my third concert I gladly add my name to that list) enjoying the concert.
After trying all sorts of shots, I finally got a this photo of Bob Dylan.
During the encore, the rain started falling heavily again. After the concert, Floyd and I waited for about an hour for the traffic to clear. We made it back to Salt Lake City after some scary driving from Park City on I-80. Monday morning I drove from Salt Lake to Grand Junction and saw my dad, Jesse, and Jarrett. I left and drove onto Gunnison. All total, I drove about 1,000 miles on this road trip following Dylan from Aspen to Park City.
Here is a rough outline of the entire trip using Google's Maps:
View Larger Map
This first picture I took from my Rodeo while outside Vernal. I liked how the cliffs curved around a central point.
When we arrived in Park City at around five o'clock, we parked in the third lot and got into the long line next to the road. Here is Floyd camped out and waiting in line. The second photo is of the line while we waited to enter Deer Valley Resort for the concert.
While waiting in line, the rain started again and turned into lightening and thunder. When the gates opened for the concert, we all scrambled for space. Floyd and I ended up at this location and I took this photo during a heavy downpour. We were huddled under a brown tarp.
When the concert the started, the rain let up and I took a lot of photos, trying to get a good one of Bob Dylan while he was planning. This photo is of the crowd and all of us Dylan fans (and after my third concert I gladly add my name to that list) enjoying the concert.
After trying all sorts of shots, I finally got a this photo of Bob Dylan.
During the encore, the rain started falling heavily again. After the concert, Floyd and I waited for about an hour for the traffic to clear. We made it back to Salt Lake City after some scary driving from Park City on I-80. Monday morning I drove from Salt Lake to Grand Junction and saw my dad, Jesse, and Jarrett. I left and drove onto Gunnison. All total, I drove about 1,000 miles on this road trip following Dylan from Aspen to Park City.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Double Dylan Part 1
Saturday morning I drove through Crested Butte to Kebler Pass. Here are some photos I took from the road.
I met up with Floyd in Glenwood Springs, and we drove together to Snowmass. We stopped and ate at a El Pollo Rico in Carbondale. I ordered the green chile relleo and corn tamale. I noticed many of the all native Spanish Speakers who were eating at El Pollo Rico ordered the roast chicken. Floyd and I arrived in Snowmass and were directed to the $10 upper lot. We caught a shuttle to the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival. I left my camera in my truck (stupid move). We walked into the festival and set-up in an area that off the left of the stage. Floyd went and purchased two beers and then not too much later Ziggy Marley opened up at 5:00. Ziggy Marley played his own and his father's music and I found his song, "Love is my religion" to be new to me and one I appreciated. After Ziggy Marley finished playing, I went and got two margaritas.
Bob Dylan and his band came out around 7:00 and after about three songs, Floyd and I packed up and left for a different vantage point to enjoy Dylan. Concert goers vary at different venues. The trappings of wealth were obvious at this concert and the group next to us were ignoring the concert to network and snark about who gives a shit. Floyd and I ended up to the right of the central control booth where we could see Bob Dylan better and the crowd were dancing and connecting to the music and being present with this opportunity for Dylan's classics and modern music.
After the concert, Floyd and I caught the shuttle back to my truck. We then drove to Glenwood Spring to our hotel, Hotel Colorado. Our rooms were on the second floor, past the Roosevelt Suite. The accommodations are historic and I recommend staying there in the later fall or winter as our room did not have air conditioning. Floyd and I went to the beautiful bar with the marble bar top. I drank two vodka tonics and then went to sleep in my bed.
I met up with Floyd in Glenwood Springs, and we drove together to Snowmass. We stopped and ate at a El Pollo Rico in Carbondale. I ordered the green chile relleo and corn tamale. I noticed many of the all native Spanish Speakers who were eating at El Pollo Rico ordered the roast chicken. Floyd and I arrived in Snowmass and were directed to the $10 upper lot. We caught a shuttle to the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival. I left my camera in my truck (stupid move). We walked into the festival and set-up in an area that off the left of the stage. Floyd went and purchased two beers and then not too much later Ziggy Marley opened up at 5:00. Ziggy Marley played his own and his father's music and I found his song, "Love is my religion" to be new to me and one I appreciated. After Ziggy Marley finished playing, I went and got two margaritas.
Bob Dylan and his band came out around 7:00 and after about three songs, Floyd and I packed up and left for a different vantage point to enjoy Dylan. Concert goers vary at different venues. The trappings of wealth were obvious at this concert and the group next to us were ignoring the concert to network and snark about who gives a shit. Floyd and I ended up to the right of the central control booth where we could see Bob Dylan better and the crowd were dancing and connecting to the music and being present with this opportunity for Dylan's classics and modern music.
After the concert, Floyd and I caught the shuttle back to my truck. We then drove to Glenwood Spring to our hotel, Hotel Colorado. Our rooms were on the second floor, past the Roosevelt Suite. The accommodations are historic and I recommend staying there in the later fall or winter as our room did not have air conditioning. Floyd and I went to the beautiful bar with the marble bar top. I drank two vodka tonics and then went to sleep in my bed.
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