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Countdown to Black Belt Test – Day Minus 2

Published on 2010-05-06 07:10:46

Xiao Ye and myself arrived Shanghai shortly before 1100am, checked in our hotel and walked to the dojo; thanks to Mrs. inChina that, on short notice, managed to find us a nice and inexpensive accommodation 5 minutes away. It is not the same dojo as t > read more

Stuck, Unstuck, Onwards

Published on 2010-05-04 07:38:53

Have you noticed how sometimes small things seem to hold you back? I’ve been stuck in between things for a week or so, but since I mentioned Scotland to my eldest son last Sunday, the plans are shaping up quite nicely; I’ve also cleared s > read more

Like A Mexican In Texas

Published on 2010-04-28 09:14:47

Last Friday evening karate class in Shanghai was great & a good workout; If you do not want to read the detailed recount in my online workout journal, I give you here a brief highlight of the class before telling you what happened last Saturday d > read more

Mid April 2010: Update On Karate Journey

Published on 2010-04-22 09:00:57

Osu, here is where I am at: Heading to Shanghai tomorrow with Alex and Sempai Yu to train in Shihan’s dojo over the week end. We’ll go by bus; I let Alex organize where we’ll stay, etc… I’ve been a control freak in my pr > read more

The Perfect Octopus

Published on 2010-04-20 01:19:38

Most of you have seen this beautiful video that is currently making the rounds on internet… Great video, music & story… However, I am not sure it happened the way the video is sequenced… In fact, I am sure it did not! Also, You > read more

Workout Journals

Published on 2010-04-19 03:16:43

There are 3 great things I noticed about keeping a workout journal for my karate journey: It keeps me “on task” and eliminates the delusion that the work got done when I actually skipped a session – (yes, it also happens to me). It > read more

Self Protection Against Distant Volcanoes

Published on 2010-04-18 05:02:54

In spite of the rumor, I do not think the volcano eruption in Iceland was meant as a retaliation against the money changers that bankrupted the country two years ago. Governments can create and print trillions in a hurry to keep your bank open, decla > read more

Choosing One Path

Published on 2010-04-17 03:52:03

A comment from Sensei Bob H on my recent introspective Grading For 8th Kyu post got me thinking about what path I am on. In that article, I explain how expectations misguided me and the lesson I learned. Sensei Bob’s comment reveals the shiftin > read more

Understanding Karate Jargon

Published on 2010-04-16 04:08:04

Although many are, not all of you, Dear Readers, are hard core karatekas. To fully enjoy my previous post, Blue And A Half, the understanding of a few concepts is necessary: this article intends to bring a little bit of clarity into the jargon. The i > read more

Blue And A Half

Published on 2010-04-16 03:59:20

It took the best part of 8 minutes to examine, approve, confirm and stamp the abilities and progress displayed by the 7 of us taking the leap from 9th to 8th kyu. Osu! Sanchin dachi! Yoi! Kihon (4 or 5 reps on the count); Pinan Sono San! Yoi!… > read more