Tag Archives: grading

Borrowed Time

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Today is an unusual day, it’s that one day we get every four years, Leap Day. It’s not often I’ll get a chance to post on February 29th so I think I ought to, just for the archives. We only get the day because of some maths nonsense which means a year is actually 365.25 days long, and rather than trying to fit an extra hour in here or there this makes much more sense. I think I remember reading somewhere the years are getting longer by a second or so each year – I know, I’m so interesting ;) . I bet there more than a few commitment-phobic men in hiding today, hoping their other halves aren’t going to try to make the most of the day when women are traditionally allowed to propose to men.

I was reminded today that I only have four weeks left in my job, which is a frighteningly short length of time. Once that’s up, one of two things will be happening around here in the land of blog; 1) Less frequent posting, and then in the evenings. I can’t see me landing on my feet two jobs in a row when it comes to un-moderated internet access (or being sysadmin at the very least), or 2) an abundance of posts when I have nothing better to do with my days. I’m sure something will happen, in fact I know it will because I have to make it happen, but it’s scary all the same.

Training’s pretty much on the go at the moment, I’ve a grading in 9 days time which could see the last of my green belt wearing days, and see me pretty much officially being a Senior at the club. It doesn’t feel like 10 minutes ago I was just starting, I remember my first classes vividly. It’s something I’m going to take very seriously while I have the chance though, I could be helping to teach and will be representing the club, something I intend to do well. I’m looking forward to the grading, I’m keen to see what happens and how well I perform. Despite being ill far more than I’d like, I’ve worked very hard on correcting a lot of my more obvious faults, albeit silently. They’re not all gone – I’m no miracle worker – but I’m happier about some things. Next week I’m going to start road running with my fellow runners, I don’t think it’ll be long before I’m watching their heels from the comfort of a pavement, my lungs in a neat pile in front of me, but I’m relishing the challenge.

The weekend starts here, and I’m determined to finish my damn book before Monday. For now, here’s comedy gold. Take heed Father Dougal’s warnings, the beast is at large….

[youtube Ey2KNrkMS30]

Busy Times (And The Not-So-Busy Times)

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There are so many things happening and things I have to remember lately that it’s beginning to make my head spin. Fortunately I’m trying to stay true to my resolution of making myself that little more organised this year, currently with the help of Google Calendar. It’s nothing outlandish or bleeding-edge as I’d normally go for, but I think something simple is just what I need. I’m terrible for procrastinating, and gadgets and gizmos would mean I’d never actually use the thing, I’d just end up faffing about with it.

This month has been fairly exciting in terms of our own club, as it’s been the first time we’ve actually put a formal bid in for a unit which would become our full-time Dojang. It’s a small industrial unit nearby, but perfectly sized and ample for what we’d need to get going with. It’s just a case of playing the waiting game now and seeing what happens.

Once February comes we have some of the senior members of the EMTF (and some of their students by the sounds of things) coming down to give a weekend of seminars and teaching. This is their first visit to see us since becoming a member of the federation, so we want to put on a really good show and make sure they’re taken care of as much as is possible. Roll forward to March now and somehow it’s time for another grading! I’m sure I can still feel the last one in my bones. It’ll be a big step for me, should I pass, as the red belt I’d receive is the last one I’d be given before becoming a Dan grade. That’s an ominous thought.

With the serious business of the grading out of the way April presents us with the Seni show, which I’m really looking forward to again. I have no doubt that I’ll spend way too much on things I don’t really need, but just being there is infectious. It was beginning to look like May might be the first month without something going on in it, but that’s been seen to now with the invitation we’ve had to compete at the European championships in Poland. The Polish take their TSD seriously and by all accounts are very good at it too, so what happens to us will be an education no matter what it is. Still, a long weekend away with some seriously talented martial artists who know how to enjoy a drink or two should be excellent, and just before my birthday too.

There’s other stuff carrying on into the year, but I’m going to call it quits there, this post would get even more boring than it is already (seriously!).

Moving on to the not-so-busy times mentioned in the post title, I thought I’d record my non-training activity for posterity. At the moment there’s mostly two things occupying those quiet times indoors, waiting for the Spring to come.

Firstly games. As anyone who knows me knows, I likes me some games. I’ve been quite addicted to Call Of Duty 4, the multiplayer in particular. Not since Counter-Strike circa version 1.5 have I played a ‘realistic’ shooter for so long. The mix of action, tactics and the brilliant use of unlockables and challenges introduced to the online mix is a breath of fresh air, and guaranteed “one more go” fodder. I still enjoy Skate too, although I’m terrible at spotting lines and working them. On the Wii I’ve been lapping up every second of Super Mario Galaxy, and enjoying reliving the good ol’ Track & Field type competition which seems to come around every generation. Button mashing sports games will have to go some way to top International Track & Field for the original PlayStation, but Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games gives a decent account of itself.

I also picked up a book I bought for myself while I was out Christmas shopping a couple of months ago. I’d read about Hyperion before, but never thought any more if it until I saw the unusual cover at a stall in a shopping village. I’m so glad I took a chance on it, so far it’s been utterly captivating and the first book I’ve read in a long time which I found almost impossible to put down. I guess you’d call it Sci-Fi, in fact it obviously is, but it’s done very well and creates a very easily imagined universe. This one may even make it past the pile of half-finished books on my shelf.

Seni banner

Three Inches Of Electrical Tape

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That’s what I put myself through hell for yesterday, or at least that’s how some people see it.  The tape is used as a tag on my belt, denoting the fact that I did indeed pass my 4th Gup grading!

It was a great day as it was the first time we had students from our new Falmouth University club grading, so there were loads of people in attendance. I was expecting a tough one, and I really got what I was expecting! The most disconcerting part of the whole thing was when just before my group were due to take the floor and test, one of the seniors went outside and came back in with a bucket. Despite us all trying to justify why it might be there with something nonsensical like “maybe it’s for one of the kids to stand on for something”, we all knew why it was there, and luckily it wasn’t used!

I won’t go into the specifics of the day, but it’s safe to say it was the hardest grading I’ve ever had by far, and the Chinese meal that evening tasted all that much better for having worked so hard for it. We went out to a local nightspot afterwards and the Cheeky Girls of all people were there! Personally I found my pint of ale far more entertaining and paid it more attention :) .

Running On Empty

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That’s what it felt like last night at training, I felt like I had nothing in the tank at all and it was disconcerting. The warm-up/physical to start the class was quite a tiring one, there’s no mistaking that, but afterwards I found my lower ribs around my back were aching, I can only assume it’s because I was breathing so hard. There was a couple of times where I thought ‘I feel like crap, I’m going to have to stop’, but I made myself carry on yet again, and happily made it through.

What got to me though was the fact that it felt like my fitness had almost taken a step backwards, I was gasping and thankful we didn’t have kicking drills which would probably have finished me off. I learned last week that I have my 4th Gup grading in December, and a combination of that and last night’s shock have given me a big kick up the arse to do some serious work now. I’ve been slack when it comes to eating properly lately, and that’s the first thing to be rectified. I notice a marked difference in my energy levels if I don’t eat well, but still ignore it sometimes. Not a good idea when you’re trying to lose weight at the same time!

As I said before my last grading, I want to give a good account of myself this time around, I don’t want there to be any excuses, no failing at something because I simply don’t have the energy. I don’t mind being put through my own personal miniature hell at the start with the physical, but not managing something I know full well I can do is unacceptable now.

Bit of a serious and down post that one I know, It doesn’t happen often and I like seeing it down in words, it’s a good reminder :)

Plus my new venture means that my mind is going to be even more martial arts focused than ever, it’d be hypocritical of me to slack off. More about that another time though.