Greetings everyone… I mean, when I say everyone, the zero to few people that may read this blog. I mean… why on earth would one read this… well… why on earth would I write anything for that matter. Eventually, I’m sure someone will stumble upon it with the click click click www dot google thing that’s going around the internet.

I must admit, that I’ve been ignoring this thing lately. I got real busy with Aikido for a while, but now I’m on an early shift at work, and by the time Aikido comes around, I’m tired. Getting up at 3 in the morning and having to show up to Aikido at 6:30 until 8… well… I choose not to do that. I mean, by 7pm, I’m ready for bed, I’m in bed by 8pm. Asleep before 8:30pm. It really bothers me that I’m missing my Aikido classes. I thought things were going rather well, even though I still need help with my ukemi.

Here in Northern Japan, winter is creeping up on us. Temperatures drop to mid to low 50’s (13C) early in the morning on my way to work. The locals are predicting a harsh winter this year. Last year was unusually light. Not much snow at all… of course for a Floridian like myself, it was a ton of snow. The snow was deep enough in places, that I had to put the Pajero in 4×4 just to get through it [ See Here ]. Of course, we had a ton of fun playing in it. Yes, I’m 32 years old and I played in it. I can remember when I was a kid, it snowed once in Florida. Didn’t last very long, but it did snow. Wasn’t very deep but it was snow. Last year I had to shovel snow a bit, and put salt down on the door-steps. This year will probably be pretty deep. Let’s see. The Japanese are predicting a harsh winter, I say NO. There will be another mild winter. I shouldn’t get started, but what the heck… When I was a kid, 20 years go, in Northern Florida, I remember buckets of water freezing outside. I remember we had to wrap our pipes up to keep them from bursting. Those days are over. Winters aren’t as harsh as the used to be are they? Hmmm… I wonder if this Global Warming thing is real? Hmmm… makes you think huh?

Well… I think that’s about enough for now. It’s getting late, and I need to shower and get ready for bed. I mean, it is just after 7 in the PM. The chickens are already in the bed I think.

Blog has been a bit quiet lately.  Things have been rather crazy both at work and at home.  Haven’t had much Time for Aikido lately… which sucks — but I’ll just have to play catch-up on the weekends.

Japan is going OK.  Weather is starting to cool off, and it’s been raining for 2 days, supposed to keep raining throughout the night tonight.  I’m tired, I have to get up no later than 3:30 am to be at work at 4am.  That sux profusely.  But what can I do? (don’t answer that)

Seems that the road that leads to my future may be a bit muddy… not impassable, just muddy… nothing a good 4×4 can’t fix.  Hopefully things will dry up and the country will pave it, so it will be nice and smooth.

Last Wednesday I took a pretty good fall… bruised my side… & got my wrist bruised when I was being pinned… wasn’t a good night… so I skipped the Friday class.  Today was ok, I did more Ukemi practice… did little better today.

Aikido

Today we had a good practice session at the Sumo dojo again. I’m definately improving on my unkemi. Well… atleast when I do ukemi by myself. But, when someone was throwing me, I’m having a hard time. Sensei Matsumoto-san showed me a trick today… I wasn’t taking a step… I take a wide step, then roll… I was just trying to roll… and that wasn’t working out for me.

I feel like I have improved drastically! I’m sorry I will miss Monday & possible Wednesday’s class due to work.

Aikido

We had a good session tonight.  I’m really sore, but I really need to work on my Ukemi.  If I practice my ukemi by myself, I’m fine.  However, someone is throwing me, then I mess it all up for some reason.  Geez… it’s a bit embarrasing.  I don’t know why.  I really need to visit an Onsen… think I’ll try to fit that in tomorrow…

Aikido

Sensei Motsomoto-san offered up his weekends again, so I eagerly accepted.  Today was great, I feel like I’m making progress with my ukemi (forward at least).  Need more practice with my “Ninja walk.”

I asked Matsomoto-san if I was getting better, (lol) he said no… that maybe after 30 years he may tell me that I’m getting better.  He said that he’s been practicing for 30 years, and he still needs more better…

I have another session in the Morning… I will probably be pretty sore tomorrow… we’ll see…

Aikido

I had a good Aikido session tonight. We had more people there & Sensei offered to teach again on Saturday & Sunday. that’s awsome, so that will be 5 sessions a week. I’m sure I’ll be sore again, I had quite a good workout tonight.

Aikido

Today, we a good workout… worked on lots of moves & I practiced my rolls.  Sensei said I really needed more practice, and I agreed.  Our normal dojo (Misawa Gymnasium) was closed for a basketball tournament so we ended up having our meeting at another Dojo.  Sensei said it was a Sumo dojo.  Their mats were softer than standard totami mats.

I really must be out of shape, because after this practice and the practice on Friday, my muscles were exausted.  Monday is a Japanese Holiday, so they’ll be no practice on that day.

Aikido