Life, as the old 80′s song insists, is what you make it.. which is a somewhat sobering thought as I look out over a rain drenched Abington Park.
There are many things that both friends and family will quote at you, in wordishly wise ways, and sometimes with a zen-like look on their face and voice; but however much you shake a stick at it, and this is probably age related (another year, another candle to burn), sometimes you just need to drop back, find your own space, crank up the music that defines your here-and-now and…..
…and? Well you’ll know what works for you, as for me, I am still mid “and…’ing”.
The large yellow glowing object, so very foreign to these shores, has made an appearance in the large blue expanse above our heads. The birds are out, feathered variety I hasten to add, flowers are blooming and all around are more pale skinny legs than you could shake a proverbial stick at – yes, summer has arrived! In an uncomfortably sticky way.
I like Summer, I really do, however anything above 18c and I really *REALLY* begin to suffer. Unfortunately, for some of my colleagues, adding Karate to this “uncomfort” has the frankly undesirable effect of me producing copious amounts of sweat.
This past week has been full on with Karate; a Seminar weekend, teaching classes and attending senior training. I think I may have lost twice my body weight in delicate perspiration.. or at least that’s what I tell myself.
Ah well, as a great philosopher once intoned, “The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the devils own satanic herd”… although he probably never had to wrestle with a fragrantly soaked 16oz heavyweight Gi whilst trying to air it.
..and it is this sweatiness that I shall use as an excuse for the black eye I received at the seminar, that or ninjas! Lots and lots of Ninjas! That’ll keep my students quiet and not asking why I didn’t “block” the offending punch.
I think this Summer is gonna be a long and steamy one from a karate perspective. Which’ll be fun, especially at grading time – running around trying to catch wilting students before they face-plant the dojo floor. I also have the slightly uncomfortable feeling that this coming July grading shares the same space as one’s day of birth.
*sigh*… ok, time to go and practise my kicks (which are woeful at the moment) and think of some more excuses as to why I’ve gotten the shiner before my students asks any hard questions.
Oh, and a *HUGE* Big Up and best wishes to Libby, Darren, Jackie, Paul and Roy who are off to the Black Belt Grading on Sunday.. You’ll storm it guys!
