The musings of a weary mind. Conversations on aikido, gardening, cooking, travel and, maybe, woodworking.
Friday:
Lunch at Hubcap
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Close up the dojo
Mow the rental
Dinner at El Centinela
Texas Hold 'Em with D, C, and K
Sunday:
Lots of sleep catching up from Sasquan
Baseball
Football
Re-arrange some paintings
Aikido players:
Tim, Phillip, Dan, and John
The Walk:
Once.
Releases:
Not today
Techniques:
Not today.
Commentary:
We had to clean out the dojo space as the building had been sold. The owner, Curtis, had been losing money for a while and put the building on the market without letting us know. We probably could have come up with the money to purchase it, had we known. Whether we would have wanted to is a good question as it had all sorts of water issues.
Where we go from here is an open questions. We're looking for space to lease or buy. I'm not certain a lease is financially viable. With a purchase, at least we'd have something of our own at the end. Got to figure out finances.
Our first date at this location was 12/14/07, so we spent a total of 7 years, 8 months and 15 days at the Bonin Dojo. My first day of aikido was 1/17/2006. I thought I'd spent more time at the League City dojo.
Aikido players:
Tim, Dan, and John
Ukemi:
None tonight
The Walk:
Twice
Releases:
Dan and John worked together most of the evening
Techniques:
Dan and John worked on Shomen-ate
Commentary:
Found out our building has been sold (I wish I'd been told it was for sale, I'd probably have bought it), now we have to find a new place to practice.
Opponent: Like We Give a Hit, 9 p.m.
First game we won handily. Second by about 3 points. Lost the third by about 4
Tuesday:
Up at 3:55 a.m. for an early flight on Southwest.
1st leg to Denver, got the extra leg room seat. Second leg to Spokane, for the extra legroom seat.
In Spokane, grabbed my checked bag and hopped the city bus to the Davenport Grand Hotel. They were able to check me in around 11 a.m. I then headed over to the convention center to help the Art Show set up. All of the spines were set up, so I helped organize the control area.
Picked up my registration packet.
Dinner was at the Saranac, nice beer, good food.
Wednesday:
Breakfast at Frank's Doodle a decent walk from the hotel.
Back to the convention center
Dinner at Hill's with Tomi and Kerry
Thursday:
Breakfast at the Satellite Diner. Ben Yalow was eating there before the DH meeting.
Back to the convention center
Afternoon trip on foot to PaperPlus for some cardstock. About a 3 mi round trip.
Changed into my Steampunk Samurai outfit
Chesley awards, where I presented the Gaming Illustration. I also received a Hero award from LSC3. The award is a bronze sculpture by Vincent Villafranca. Gorgeous.
Grabbed some food at the reception
Stopped by the Texas party afterwards. Couldn't stay too long. Too bloody warm in the room.
Friday:
Breakfast at the Satellite Diner. Ben Yalow was eating there before the DH meeting.
Back to the convention center
Dinner at the Steelhead Bar with Kerry, Tomi, Gretchen, Jessica, and Dennis (Darrell? I'm not certain I ever got his non-fannish name). Did not enjoy the dessert, gave up halfway through.
Stopped by the New Orleans party. Too hot, but had a nice conversation in the hall with Debbie Hodgkinson. Found out she lived in El Lago for a while
Saturday:
Breakfast at the Grand. Satellite opened at 8 and that was too late for my schedule.
Back to the convention center
Auction Day aka Hell on Credit Cards
We managed to get out of there around 7:15 and managed to get the Bid Sheets sorted by then.
Dinner with the rest of the staff at O'Doherty's
Sunday:
Breakfast at the Grand. Satellite opened at 8 and that was too late for my schedule.
Checked out of the hotel and reserved a shuttle to the airport
Back to the convention center for more sales. Today was a steady pace, but no horrid rush.
Shuttle to the airport.
1st leg to Las Vegas, second leg home. Arrived at 1 a.m.
Home at 1:30 a.m.
Up for work at 5 a.m.
Friday:
Lunch at Andiamo
Dinner with K. at 888
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Haircut
Banking
Off to Gill's to try to get a part - fail
Aikido
Military surplus for camo pants
Meeting with person about ASH usage
Back to Gill's for part
Dinner at El Centinela with K.
Sunday:
Repair mower
Load/unload at rental
Nap
Work on kolaches
Golf
Baseball
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, Dan, and John
The Walk:
Twice, as usual
Releases:
Not today
Techniques:
We started off with Shomen-ate. We did not get very far before we diverted into an afternoon about movement and falling instead of walking.
Commentary:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Mario, Dan, John, Mavin, and Kim
Techniques:
Shomen-ate: John/Me.
Ushiro-ate: Kim/Mario
Oshi taoshi: Marvin/Mario
Commentary:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Tim, Mario, Marvin, Dan, and John
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Twice
Releases:
Marvin and Mario, Dan and John worked together
Techniques:
Mario and Marvin worked on 6 and 4.
Dan and John worked on Shomen-ate
Commentary:
John's back from his summer in Florida.
Friday:
Lunch at Springbok
Dinner at Joe's with K.
No aikido. Changed the schedule so there was no regular class for the first time in about 6 years.
Mailed ArmadilloCon checks
Paid bills
Refreshed sourdough starter
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Retrieved riding lawnmower from Gill's
Fixed Flex's light
Sourdough bread
Pet store
Aikido
Framing
Dinner at El Centinela with K.
Sunday:
Sourdough bread
Updated aikido website
Work on John's Nikkyu video
Nap
Dinner with the in-laws
Dropped cupcakes off at Val's
Aikido players:
Tim, Mario, and Dan
Ukemi:
Took none today. Very bruised arm from Thursday
The Walk:
Not today.
Releases:
Mario and Dan worked on them for about an hour and a half
Techniques:
Mario worked on Gedan-ate
Dan worked on Ushir-ate
Commentary:
An awful long time spent on the releases..
Aikido players:
Mario, Dan, Mavin, Gale, and Kim
Techniques:
Ushiro-ate. Marvin/Me, Dan/Gale, Kim/Mario.
Switched off to Mario/Me, Gale/Marvin, Kim/Dan.
Switched off to Dan/Me, Gale/Mario, Kim/Marvin.
Commentary:
Toward the end of the evening I was having a tough time attacking. My forearm took so much abuse from everyone contacting it with their wrist bone instead of the flat of their forearm. I'm going to have some nice bruises for a while. That area is tender to the touch this morning.
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, Marvin, and Dan
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Twice
Releases:
I worked with Mario. Dan and Marvin worked together
Techniques:
Mario, Marvin and Dan worked on 1-5, I think.
Trey and I worked some more on Ushiro Kubi Shimi. (This is a counter, or interception, of a rear naked choke) I nailed it once, but generally had the tendency to drop my hands at the end. If the hands stay in my center and my waist bends, that's ok. If my hands drop out of my center, not as good.
We need to work with Trey as tori and see if there is something causing me to take back falls instead of front falls.
Keys:
Do the 5th release properly
Stretch but shrink
Arm nearest uke - curved shoulder
Maintain connection as you drop your center a long distance along the leading edge of uke's leading foot.
Commentary:
We've made a schedule switch. We were Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Since the judo folks did not pay their bill, we have access to more nights. We did not take more nights, just different ones. We are now Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We dropped Friday and picked up Wednesday.
I'll have my first Friday with no class on the schedule in about 7 years this week.
Friday:
Lunch at Flying Saucer
Aikido
Started refreshing sourdough starter
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Refresh sourdough starter
Aikido
Work on ASH
Dinner at El Centinela with K.
Refresh sourdough starter
Sunday:
Refresh sourdough starter
Replace faulty board on the deck
Nap
Baseball
Work on ASH
Refresh sourdough starter
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, and Marvin
Ukemi:
Got in just a portion of my set
The Walk:
Twice
Releases:
Mario and Marvin worked on them for about 45 minutes
Techniques:
Mario and Marvin worked on Ushiro-ate
Trey and I worked on Ushiro Kubi Shimi from Koryu Dai San.
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, Marvin, and Dan
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Twice
Releases:
Circular between the 3 folks
Techniques:
Mario, Marvin and Dan worked on Gedanate
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Mario, Mavin, Gale, and Kim
Techniques:
Ushiro-ate. Marvin/Gale, Kim/Mario. Switched off to Mario/Marvin, Gale/Kim towards the end.
Aftermath:
None of note
Thursday:
Up at 4:30 a.m.
On the road at 5:30 a.m.
Stop at Buc ee's in Giddings
In Taylor to pick up Kolaches around 8:30
In Austin around 9:45
Check in to hotel
Off to Central Market for root beer
Aikido of Austin's noon class
Chilling by the pool
Miss the pre-con dinner, dinner with Kimm instead
Set up the Art show, in bed around midnight
Friday:
Breakfast at Kerbey Lane, mildly disappointing
In the art show setting up, hanging art
Discover a bug in ASH selling prints
Dinner ?????
Back at the Art Show during meet the pros, disappointing traffic
Saturday:
Breakfast in hotel
Up early to solve s/w problem, solved in about 30 minutes
Back in Art Show
Noon interview with Rocky and John
Art Auction
Visit Montreal Bid party
Sunday:
Breakfast in hotel
In Art Show
Teardown
Dinner at County Line
Brief appearance at Dead Dog
Monday:
No breakfast
Stop at FedEx, Office Depot and Post Office to mail packages on the way out of town
Fill up gas and grab a snack
On the road home by 9
Home around noon
Paperwork
Opponent : Practice Safe Sets
First game was close, we lost 22-23.
Second game was a disaster, we were down 1-15 at one point.
Third game was 15-11, I think.
That's the season for us. The next season starts the second week of August.
Friday:
Lunch at Bovine and Barley
Aikido
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Flex inspection
Banking
Car wash
Aikido
Drove to La Porte to look at possible dojo property
Dinner with K at El Centinela
Texas Hold 'em with Dylan, K and C.
Sunday:
Tour de France
British Open
Nap
Ceiling fan at rental
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, and Marvin
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Not tonight
Releases:
Not tonight
Techniques:
Worked with Marvin on Gedanate
Trey and I worked on standing Koryu Dai San. 1, 2, 3, and 5
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, Kim, and Dan
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Not tonight
Releases:
Not tonight
Techniques:
I worked with Dan on Gedanate
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Mario, Mavin, Dan, Gale, and Kim
Techniques:
Back to Gedanate. Worked with Dan and then Mario, providing a bit of a seminar on the technique.
Aftermath:
None of note
Opponent: Passing Out
5-21, 15-21, 11-15
We were a disaster in the first game, and played better the last two. I think they also eased up on us.
I did manage to get at least 2 blocks on their big hitter, so there were a couple of bright spots on the night.
Friday:
Lunch at Batanga
Aikido
Saturday:
Aikido
Drove by a possible dojo property in Pasadena
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Blueberry muffins
Wimbledon
Tour de France
Nap
Installed ceiling fan at rental
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, and Marvin
Ukemi:
Got in about a third of my set, watched over others
The Walk:
Not today
Releases:
Not today
Techniques:
Mario and Marvin worked on 3 and 4
Trey and I worked on 1 and 2 of the kneeling portion of Koryu Dai San.
Aftermath:
Knees and ankles were quite sore after all of the kneeling work.
Aikido players:
Tim, Mario, Marvin, Gale, and Kim
Ukemi:
Got in my now regular set
The Walk:
Not tonight
Releases:
Not tonight
Techniques:
Kim and Mario worked on 13, 14 and others.
Marvin and Gale worked on 11 and 1
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Mario, Mavin, Dan, and Kim
Techniques:
Took a break from remedial work on the earlier techniques and moved on to 15, 16, and 17.
Issues with footwork on 17 and the spot to throw to on 16. Also, use of the hip for 15.
Aftermath:
None of note
Thursday:
Lunch at Bombay Indian Grill with Upstream
Started work on Blackberry/Peach Trifle
Aikido
Friday:
Grocery shopping
More work on the trifle
Work on ArmadilloCon Art Show
Homemade teriyaki sauce as marinade for T-Bones
Aikido
Dinner at King's Bier Garten with K.
Saturday:
Tour de France
Work on Cafeteria Lady Rolls
Work on King's Hawaiian Rolls
More work on the trifle
Wimbledon
Grilled out steaks
Read newest Liad novel
Sunday:
Tour de France
Nap
Burned some DVDs
Worked on ASH
Shark Week
Aikido players:
Tim, Russell, Trey, Mario, Marvin, Kim, Dan, and Diego
Ukemi:
None for me, watched over others
The Walk:
Twice, as usual.
Releases:
Worked with Marvin on his
Techniques:
Worked with Marvin on 2, 3, and 4
Aftermath:
Sensei Russell gave me one of his clay aikido sculptures.
31 books read in the past 6 months. I've finally finished off all of the books I've received by attending World Fantasy Conventions in the past. I now have to purchase books. My next set of books are going to be Nebula award winning novels. Darwin's Radio is the first of those.
As you can tell from the list below, I'm catching up on some series: Campbell and McCaffrey
Asimov, Isaac - Adventures of Science Fiction
Asimov, Isaac - New World Science Fiction
Bear, Greg - Darwin's Radio
Brust, Steven - Hawk
Burroughs, Edgar Rice - The Cave Girl
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Stars: Imperfect Sword
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Stars: Perilous Shield
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Steadfast
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier:Guardian
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier:Dreadnaught
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier:Invincible
Campbell, Jack - The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier:Leviathan
de Lint, Charles - The Dungeon : Volume 3
Dowling, Terry - Antique Futures
Durant, Alan - Vampire and Werewolf Stories
Gould, Steven - Exo
McCaffrey, Todd - Dragon Harper
McCaffrey, Todd - The Skies of Pern
McCaffrey, Todd - Dragon Girl
McCaffrey, Todd - Dragon's Time
Portis, Charles - True Grit
Roberson, Jennifer - The Lion Throne
Scalzi, John - Redshirts
Stross, Charles - Equoid
Turtledove, Harry - Upsetting the Balance
Turtledove, Harry - Tilting the Balance
Willis, Connie - Blackout/All Clear
Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Sustenance
Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro -Night Pilgrims
Aikido players:
Mario, Mavin, and Kim
Techniques:
Shomenate was the technique for the evening. I spent 20 minutes with each person, correcting minor details.
Aftermath:
None of note
Played Recreational Buffet in a close match, but lost all 3 games. 19-21, 18-21, and 13-15. The last two games we had a lead, but blew the last 3 or 4 points in a row.
Friday:
Lunch at Table 7 Bistro
Aikido
Made Chicken and Sausage gumbo for the reunion
Made cheesecake for the reunion
Made rolls for the reunion
To bed around 1 a.m.
Saturday:
Up around 5:45 a.m.
On the road for New Corn Hill at 7:10
Arrive at New Corn Hill at 11 a.m.
Left reunion at 3:30
Arrive home at 7 p.m.
Sleep
Sunday:
Awake at 8 a.m.
Back to sleep at 11
Up at 4
Aikido players:
Tim, Trey, Mario, Marvin, and Dan
Ukemi:
Got in my full set
The Walk:
Three times.
Releases:
Worked on releases 5 and 6, as based on the Walk, all evening.
Techniques:
None tonight
Aftermath:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Mario, Mavin, Gail, and Dan
Techniques:
1 - 4 were the techniques for the evening.
Aftermath:
None of note
Played last night at 7:00 p.m. (finally a non 9:00 p.m. game)against "Fun Size". We lost the first game, probably 13-21 or something similar. We won the second game 22-20 and lost the third 14-16, I think. We played pretty well, overall.
I managed to get my first decent spike in a couple of seasons. No issues jumping, or raising my right arm. It's nice to be fully functional again.
Thursday:
Lunch at Hubcap Grill
Travel to Memorial City Westin for ApolloCon
Help set up Con Suite
Friday:
Set up Art Show
Convention
Saturday:
Art Show
Sunday:
Tear down Art Show, Con Suite and the rest of the convention
Pack up vehicles
Monday:
Up early, to hed home. K. stayed behind to do some final cleaning and move stuff to storage
Friday:
Lunch at Andiamo's
Aikido
Saturday:
Blueberry pancakes
Banking
Aikido
Sunday:
Blueberry muffins
Mowing the rental
Aikido players:
Tim, Mario, Marvin, John, and Dan
Ukemi:
Just warm-up slaps today
The Walk:
Not today
Releases:
Not today
Techniques:
Today was John's Nikkyu demonstration. He and Mario warmed up a bit and then went on to the full demonstration. Nicely done!
After that, open mat for questions comments, etc.
Aftermath:
None of note.
Posted by Scott Zrubek at 10:31 AM 1 comments
Labels: aikido, clear creek aikido, demonstration, tomiki
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