Kung Fu, Leonard Cohen

Hula: Cancelled today. Drat. I really wanted to finish Ke Ahi O Lonomakua with everyone.

Kung Fu: Tristan wasn't there today, drat it all again. But Erica came in and asked if Iris and I would like to learn some nunchacku stuff, so of course I jumped right on it. Put a weapon in my hand? Hell yes! And it was super fun. Then Sifu came in, all wry smiles and dark sunglasses, and taught us some really cool hand-switchy tricks that look awesome when he does them really fast, but not quite so awesome when I do them at half the speed. But I was able to do the hand-switchy tricks, so I was happy. And then he showed us this really prime form involving a chain with a spike on the end of it. And once again, it looked completely awesome when he did it. Man, someday I've got to get there.

Kids' class is right after ours, but Sifu didn't dismiss the adults, so we just sort of hung around, practicing forms and whatnot. I watched blue-belt-Chris do one of his forms because how can you not, and even Sifu commented to him, "It looks so cool when you do that." Then Chris and Sifu together learned me the jump crescent kick (which I know I was taught once, but it was back in March and I haven't done it since,) which I can't do as high or as fluidly as Chris, but could still manage. (Sifu telling me, "Turn your head quicker. Do it again. Again. Again. Again." My right leg is very surprised by this turn of events.) After class Chris was going over basic crescents with Lee, and when he was done, I remarked to Lee, "that kid is graceful in every way." "Graceful and gracious," Lee added.

Next week is the tournament, you know, the one I mentioned already? With the brutal beating to bloody messes of the fighters and all of that? Tristan is in it. I'll probably be a total girl and hide my eyes. Or not. Actually, I have confidence that Tristan will be the one doing the beating. He clearly knows what he's doing.

On the way home I listened to Leonard Cohen, because I've become addicted to him. I've always half-heartedly been a fan: loved his music when I heard it, but rarely sought it out. I don't know why I didn't, because his "Avalanche" is one of my favorite songs and gives me chills no matter how often I hear it, and his "Hallelujah" is maybe the best thing in the wide world, ever. But I bought his CD Various Positions (I chose that one because of one line in the song "Heart With No Companion",) and have now come to the conclusion that, not only is Leonard Cohen completely sex, he's also one of my favorite poets. And this CD is the soundtrack to the first three books of my crappy fantasy series. Unfortunately for Leonard Cohen, and of course no disrespect intended. "If It Be Your Will" = Krislar, and anyone who knows anything about that particular character, you might even have guessed it.

When I came home, a bunch of guys in a truck (working on my neighbor's house--man, they are really very busy over there with the remodelling I guess,) stared at me as I went up my driveway and to the door. They were kind of whispering to each other. I must look quite the criminal in black Kung Fu pants, black T shirt, and black corderouy jacket (with Bugs Bunny on the back, oh yeah, don't mess with me!) Actually, they were giggling, too. Sheesh, I don't like being stared at, but the giggling is kind of a confidence destroyer if ever there was. (I kid, because it really doesn't bother me. Mostly.)

Maybe I'll go and get my tree today. I dunno. I also want to work on the ornament gifts I'm making for my Hula and training brothers and sisters, and Sifu, Lao Shir and various Sije and Sehing. Balls for everyone this year. ;)

Well, but first I've got to take the dogs out. Malama pono kakou!

---------------------

"I greet you from the other side
Of sorrow and despair
With a love so vast and shattered
It will reach you everywhere

And I sing this for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled

For the heart with no companion
For the soul without a king
For the prima ballerina
Who cannot dance to anything

Through the days of shame that are coming
Through the nights of wild distress
Though your promise count for nothing
You must keep it nonetheless

You must keep it for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled

For the heart with no companion ...

I greet you from the other side ... "

Kung Fu, Leonard Cohen

Hula: Cancelled today. Drat. I really wanted to finish Ke Ahi O Lonomakua with everyone.

Kung Fu: Tristan wasn't there today, drat it all again. But Erica came in and asked if Iris and I would like to learn some nunchacku stuff, so of course I jumped right on it. Put a weapon in my hand? Hell yes! And it was super fun. Then Sifu came in, all wry smiles and dark sunglasses, and taught us some really cool hand-switchy tricks that look awesome when he does them really fast, but not quite so awesome when I do them at half the speed. But I was able to do the hand-switchy tricks, so I was happy. And then he showed us this really prime form involving a chain with a spike on the end of it. And once again, it looked completely awesome when he did it. Man, someday I've got to get there.

Kids' class is right after ours, but Sifu didn't dismiss the adults, so we just sort of hung around, practicing forms and whatnot. I watched blue-belt-Chris do one of his forms because how can you not, and even Sifu commented to him, "It looks so cool when you do that." Then Chris and Sifu together learned me the jump crescent kick (which I know I was taught once, but it was back in March and I haven't done it since,) which I can't do as high or as fluidly as Chris, but could still manage. (Sifu telling me, "Turn your head quicker. Do it again. Again. Again. Again." My right leg is very surprised by this turn of events.) After class Chris was going over basic crescents with Lee, and when he was done, I remarked to Lee, "that kid is graceful in every way." "Graceful and gracious," Lee added.

Next week is the tournament, you know, the one I mentioned already? With the brutal beating to bloody messes of the fighters and all of that? Tristan is in it. I'll probably be a total girl and hide my eyes. Or not. Actually, I have confidence that Tristan will be the one doing the beating. He clearly knows what he's doing.

On the way home I listened to Leonard Cohen, because I've become addicted to him. I've always half-heartedly been a fan: loved his music when I heard it, but rarely sought it out. I don't know why I didn't, because his "Avalanche" is one of my favorite songs and gives me chills no matter how often I hear it, and his "Hallelujah" is maybe the best thing in the wide world, ever. But I bought his CD Various Positions (I chose that one because of one line in the song "Heart With No Companion",) and have now come to the conclusion that, not only is Leonard Cohen completely sex, he's also one of my favorite poets. And this CD is the soundtrack to the first three books of my crappy fantasy series. Unfortunately for Leonard Cohen, and of course no disrespect intended. "If It Be Your Will" = Krislar, and anyone who knows anything about that particular character, you might even have guessed it.

When I came home, a bunch of guys in a truck (working on my neighbor's house--man, they are really very busy over there with the remodelling I guess,) stared at me as I went up my driveway and to the door. They were kind of whispering to each other. I must look quite the criminal in black Kung Fu pants, black T shirt, and black corderouy jacket (with Bugs Bunny on the back, oh yeah, don't mess with me!) Actually, they were giggling, too. Sheesh, I don't like being stared at, but the giggling is kind of a confidence destroyer if ever there was. (I kid, because it really doesn't bother me. Mostly.)

Maybe I'll go and get my tree today. I dunno. I also want to work on the ornament gifts I'm making for my Hula and training brothers and sisters, and Sifu, Lao Shir and various Sije and Sehing. Balls for everyone this year. ;)

Well, but first I've got to take the dogs out. Malama pono kakou!

---------------------

"I greet you from the other side
Of sorrow and despair
With a love so vast and shattered
It will reach you everywhere

And I sing this for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled

For the heart with no companion
For the soul without a king
For the prima ballerina
Who cannot dance to anything

Through the days of shame that are coming
Through the nights of wild distress
Though your promise count for nothing
You must keep it nonetheless

You must keep it for the captain
Whose ship has not been built
For the mother in confusion
Her cradle still unfilled

For the heart with no companion ...

I greet you from the other side ... "