Its still pouring here in Hawaii. I feel so bad for the tourists who are stuck in their hotel rooms looking out over the beach. It looked promising in the morning. I though I actually saw some sunlight. Met a friend for lunch at Yama's Fishmarket for some Hawaiian food and some poke. We were sitting there enjoying the food, then BAM! The biggest raindrops came down and a flash of lightning crossed the sky. Followed immediately by deafening thunder. I said "that one was really close!" and looked down on the wet ground and hoped my rubbah slippahs could protect me from being electrocuted.
Despite the intense show of nature happening right in the front of us, the food tasted that much better. It was nice and hot on this cold rainy day.
time to get into kendo mode.
Aloha
3.30.2006
So What Den?
The week started off with a bang. Got hooked up with a design project for a local business mag. Pretty stoked. I did the insert last year too. Its was nice to set up the structure - at least I know how it works. Nice to get some design love. I got invited to show some pieces at the Hawaii Filipino centennial Exhibit hosted by TCM. Its a nice way to balance out the 2nd place finish for the Logo design last year. Might have a design gig from the exhibition too. We'll see.
Kendo practice was good last night. It was a lot of working basic things. I've been trying to correct my form by going a little slower to break down my movements. I've been feeling that my Kendo's been changing again. Hopefully for the better. I try to correct myself immediately after I get feedback form the senseis. I can't do it all the time, but when it happens, I feel like I've taken a tiny step forward. Starting to "feel" some subtle things too. Sometimes I ask myself if I'm in over my head with Kendo. Why do I practice? What do I want to achieve in Kendo? Sounds easy but I'm having a hard time trying to come up with a straight answer. All I know for sure is that I enjoy it very much. The whole competitive thing isn't that big of a deal, but they're fun. Sure, I don't like to lose, but at this point I want to fight with a "natural" feel and solid fundamentals.
I do miss learning Eskrima from my uncle. I just don't have the time yet. Lately, I've been doing Kendo 2 times a week and Its been pretty tight. Entering the Eskrima tourney in October has crossed my mind. Maybe it'll be good incentive to start training again.
Kendo practice was good last night. It was a lot of working basic things. I've been trying to correct my form by going a little slower to break down my movements. I've been feeling that my Kendo's been changing again. Hopefully for the better. I try to correct myself immediately after I get feedback form the senseis. I can't do it all the time, but when it happens, I feel like I've taken a tiny step forward. Starting to "feel" some subtle things too. Sometimes I ask myself if I'm in over my head with Kendo. Why do I practice? What do I want to achieve in Kendo? Sounds easy but I'm having a hard time trying to come up with a straight answer. All I know for sure is that I enjoy it very much. The whole competitive thing isn't that big of a deal, but they're fun. Sure, I don't like to lose, but at this point I want to fight with a "natural" feel and solid fundamentals.
I do miss learning Eskrima from my uncle. I just don't have the time yet. Lately, I've been doing Kendo 2 times a week and Its been pretty tight. Entering the Eskrima tourney in October has crossed my mind. Maybe it'll be good incentive to start training again.
3.26.2006
Rain, Rain Go Away...
Its been pouring here on Oahu for the past few weeks. Its been so bad there's flash flood warnings for even the driest parts of the island. At least the past few days the temperature has been much cooler. Really sucked ass when it was really humid and raining. Kendo practice was pretty hard with the humidity. I missed this past Friday's Wahiawa practice and the Hombu keiko this morning. We've been dealing with some hose problems brought by the heavy rain. Our water pipe line in front of our house busted and had to hire a plumber to fix it. Luckily a friend of mine had time to take care of it quickly. Today we've been scrambling to get our kitchen shelves finished. The rain is making it hard for the paint to dry quickly. I wanted to get this done ASAP, because I'll have my hands full this next week with new projects. I hope It can be all done soon.
On an up note, I ordered my Mac Book Pro. It'll be nice to rock some power on a laptop again. My G4 Titanium 400mhz laptop has served me well these past few years. Did some great work on that machine.
On an up note, I ordered my Mac Book Pro. It'll be nice to rock some power on a laptop again. My G4 Titanium 400mhz laptop has served me well these past few years. Did some great work on that machine.
3.21.2006
Takin' Five...
I'm taking a little break to get my morning oatmeal on and to get some bloggin' in. Its been a eventful past couple of days.
On Friday night, SugahDaddy played the St Patty's Day block party in downtown Honolulu. It was packed! All I saw on stage was a sea of heads. It was nice we got some love this year and go the call to play. It was also cool being the only band. Finally Sugahdaddy gets some love. The next gig is on the Big Island at Laupahoeoe Music Fest (Where the tidal wave hit in the 40's). We usually camp out and play on Friday and Saturday nights and fly home on Sunday. Last year was pretty happenin' and our freind, who is a chef, made some killer grinds all weekend. Its nice to be waken u at 2 in the morning to partake in some taragon-butter sauce steak. Yeah, it was insane. We're also in the midst of finishing our next CD. I'm still working on my parts.
On Saturday morning, we had a mini-kendo taikai with the Mililani Dojo at the Wahiawa Hongwanji. It was broken down into 4 five man teams. I dropped my first two matches and got conscripted to another team because they were one short. I won 3 after and tied in the goodwill match. I thought i had a good 1st match. Fought against my classmate Rd. He was really strong. He got my kote. I dropped my second match against Mr.T. I know i could've done way better, I went away from my instincts and over thought everything. I think he got 2 men on me. I felt like i didn't even put up resistance, but learned a good lesson. In the third match i actually got a shinai stuck in my men! It was a little scary. Its was a good time and good to make some new friends.
After the potluck, I raced back into town to get ready and play the Hawaii Music Awards. I was so beat, I felt like sleeping at the dinner table until we played. We finally got to play and finished my dinner afterwards. Went home and crashed out.
I totally overslept and forgot to set my alarm and I missed sunday keiko. I don't think i would've been productive anyway. The rain and thunder was insane!!! I thought about watching the last 20 min of keiko, but fell back asleep.
With the rain relentlessly coming down, i just stayed in bed and watched a John Wayne film. Its the one he goes to Ireland and marries an Irish woman and totally beefs the brother. Great movie, pretty funny. I felt so much better in the afternoon. Not a spring chicken aymore.
Been working on some packaging which i can't wait to be done! Just got a call this morning to a publication job the money is OK, but my plate is almost full. Should i do it? The design whore inside is screaming "yes!" The rational side is saying tread carefully.
What to do...
Hmmm......
On Friday night, SugahDaddy played the St Patty's Day block party in downtown Honolulu. It was packed! All I saw on stage was a sea of heads. It was nice we got some love this year and go the call to play. It was also cool being the only band. Finally Sugahdaddy gets some love. The next gig is on the Big Island at Laupahoeoe Music Fest (Where the tidal wave hit in the 40's). We usually camp out and play on Friday and Saturday nights and fly home on Sunday. Last year was pretty happenin' and our freind, who is a chef, made some killer grinds all weekend. Its nice to be waken u at 2 in the morning to partake in some taragon-butter sauce steak. Yeah, it was insane. We're also in the midst of finishing our next CD. I'm still working on my parts.
On Saturday morning, we had a mini-kendo taikai with the Mililani Dojo at the Wahiawa Hongwanji. It was broken down into 4 five man teams. I dropped my first two matches and got conscripted to another team because they were one short. I won 3 after and tied in the goodwill match. I thought i had a good 1st match. Fought against my classmate Rd. He was really strong. He got my kote. I dropped my second match against Mr.T. I know i could've done way better, I went away from my instincts and over thought everything. I think he got 2 men on me. I felt like i didn't even put up resistance, but learned a good lesson. In the third match i actually got a shinai stuck in my men! It was a little scary. Its was a good time and good to make some new friends.
After the potluck, I raced back into town to get ready and play the Hawaii Music Awards. I was so beat, I felt like sleeping at the dinner table until we played. We finally got to play and finished my dinner afterwards. Went home and crashed out.
I totally overslept and forgot to set my alarm and I missed sunday keiko. I don't think i would've been productive anyway. The rain and thunder was insane!!! I thought about watching the last 20 min of keiko, but fell back asleep.
With the rain relentlessly coming down, i just stayed in bed and watched a John Wayne film. Its the one he goes to Ireland and marries an Irish woman and totally beefs the brother. Great movie, pretty funny. I felt so much better in the afternoon. Not a spring chicken aymore.
Been working on some packaging which i can't wait to be done! Just got a call this morning to a publication job the money is OK, but my plate is almost full. Should i do it? The design whore inside is screaming "yes!" The rational side is saying tread carefully.
What to do...
Hmmm......
3.13.2006
bus' up
Got myself to keiko this morning. I woke up and by whole back was really stiff and sore. Had to hit it with one of those percussion massagers and a lomi stick. It worked pretty good. Once I was in keiko, the circulation was going and it was going well...for a while. Midway through, my right elbow started to get sore. I think I hyper extended it. Was able to practice a little more til the end of keiko. Went home and iced it down. Felt much better and the "pulled" feeling was gone.
My wife and I went to the mall for lunch and I was barely awake. I was so tired.
Haven't finished the shelf we built yesterday, but maybe if I have time I can finish it during the week. I'll see if can post some pics.
Yes, Its a boring entry. Hopefully something interesting will happen in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
m. out
My wife and I went to the mall for lunch and I was barely awake. I was so tired.
Haven't finished the shelf we built yesterday, but maybe if I have time I can finish it during the week. I'll see if can post some pics.
Yes, Its a boring entry. Hopefully something interesting will happen in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
m. out
3.12.2006
No rest for the weary
Its almost 4am and I can't get to sleep. I actually went to bed at 11:30. Just got up. I'm supposed to go to keiko at 10. I'll be hangin' hard. I spent the day building a kitchen shelf I've been planning for weeks. It actually turned out the way I wanted. Just need to finish up tomorrow. My body is so tight, I can't seem to relax. My mind has been out of sorts lately too. Its a combination of work, outside projects, music, friends leaving, etc...
Sometimes I feel extreme things. Like When I'm happy I'm really stoked, when I'm pissed, I could end up in jail (never happened). I'm so bummed my friends are leaving - I can't believe I'm so down! Maybe and I hope I feel a little chipper tomorrow. Its gonna be a struggle in the next couple weeks. I'm probably gonna miss two more Friday keiko because of music gigs. On top of that, I might miss the June Kyu testing because of the SugahDaddy road trip. Might have to wait till November. Totally sucks.
Ce Sera Sera
shet.
Sometimes I feel extreme things. Like When I'm happy I'm really stoked, when I'm pissed, I could end up in jail (never happened). I'm so bummed my friends are leaving - I can't believe I'm so down! Maybe and I hope I feel a little chipper tomorrow. Its gonna be a struggle in the next couple weeks. I'm probably gonna miss two more Friday keiko because of music gigs. On top of that, I might miss the June Kyu testing because of the SugahDaddy road trip. Might have to wait till November. Totally sucks.
Ce Sera Sera
shet.
3.07.2006
Some Musing...
Had a "going away" party last night for our friends from kendo class. It was nice to get together with our dojo mates outside class. I think it helps bond the group. Ended up doin' some karaoke afterwards. Good times.
Waking up this morning, I felt the subtle anxiety of saying goodbye again. I realized that I care about these people and can't shake the thought that we'll never see each other again. Just when you really start to know someone. My head's been a little cloudy since. All I can do is hope that we cross paths again.
Back to the grind...
Waking up this morning, I felt the subtle anxiety of saying goodbye again. I realized that I care about these people and can't shake the thought that we'll never see each other again. Just when you really start to know someone. My head's been a little cloudy since. All I can do is hope that we cross paths again.
Back to the grind...
3.03.2006
It's like a Jungle in here!
Damn, it was humid today. Grey clouds just hovered low and no wind. I was thinking " Just pop already!" It just hung there all day. Went to kendo and it was really humid in Nuuanu. The floor was so sticky. I think my left foot got a little chewed up. I can feel the skin coming off in some spots. I felt like I had a hard time breathing too. It felt like I couldn't get enough oxygen to my lungs. Despite the weather I felt I did OK. I got to work on some tactical things and really trying to relax while in jigeiko. I'd like to have that relaxed, but quick feeling when I do kakarigeiko. Tall order.
Two of my kendo classmates are leaving Hawaii in a few weeks. Thinking about it tonight, I had major flashbacks from my childhood. My dad was in the US Navy and we traveled a bit. I remembered feeling devastated when we had to move to another place. All the friends I made I had to leave - sucked ass. Fortunately, my dad retired in Hawaii and the madness ceased. Albeit, its a different situation, but the feeling was the same.
Just found out SugahDaddy got hooked up with a distributor for our CDs. Its was a little sketchy after our former distributor went under (The owner died. RIP). It seems like a good move and we can get our name out without doing bar/club gigs. We're slated to go on the road in June (Bay area, Half Moon bay, San Jose) I hope I won't miss the kendo gradings, I wanted to try for my ikkyu grade. We'll see. In the near future we have gigs on St. Patty's in downtown o the 17th of march and Laupahoehoe on the 25th. Busy March.
samalamasumalamayeeeaaahhh....Supersonic.
Two of my kendo classmates are leaving Hawaii in a few weeks. Thinking about it tonight, I had major flashbacks from my childhood. My dad was in the US Navy and we traveled a bit. I remembered feeling devastated when we had to move to another place. All the friends I made I had to leave - sucked ass. Fortunately, my dad retired in Hawaii and the madness ceased. Albeit, its a different situation, but the feeling was the same.
Just found out SugahDaddy got hooked up with a distributor for our CDs. Its was a little sketchy after our former distributor went under (The owner died. RIP). It seems like a good move and we can get our name out without doing bar/club gigs. We're slated to go on the road in June (Bay area, Half Moon bay, San Jose) I hope I won't miss the kendo gradings, I wanted to try for my ikkyu grade. We'll see. In the near future we have gigs on St. Patty's in downtown o the 17th of march and Laupahoehoe on the 25th. Busy March.
samalamasumalamayeeeaaahhh....Supersonic.
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