Got a mop?

"It's not 'I get a turn and then you get a turn'... it's all my space and it's always my turn" - Greg Hamilton


Today's FOD is the Dance Of Life.

I have continued this week to play around with Bung Bo In the Mirror, Five Animals In the Mirror, Little Red Dragon In the Mirror, Leopard Three In the Mirror. Those four are approaching proficiency. There are only a couple of spots in each one where I have to think about what I'm doing- and even in those spots, It is usually not slowing me down perceptably. Today I also worked on Leopard Fist In the Mirror. I haven't done that one in a while, and was pleased to see that it is actually in pretty good shape. Not as comfortable as these other four, yet, but decent. Soon I need to revisit Five Points Of the Star In the Mirror.

Lunchtime BJJ at Gracie Seattle. Prof. Carlos came around shaking hands while I was standing there stretching my arms up; so instead of shaking my hand, he took it and pirouetted around me. "Your turn," So I then pirouetted around him. He is such a goofball.

You are in turtle, opponent side-by side with 2 lapel grips.

1)Grab a handful of pants at his far knee, hip out (That's important), then get full or half guard.

2)Grab a handful of pants at his far knee, Stand up with your NEAR leg, place the shin and hip of your FAR leg beside opponent's leg, sweep. I have seen this sweep before and liked it a lot, but haven't as of yet been able to fully internalize all the correct steps in the correct order.... so I often fumble around trying to do it in live rolling and never succeeding. Hopefully with this latest go-round, it will sink in. Carlos had to come over and correct me because it was taking me too many steps to get situated. ONE to put the near leg up, ONE to get the far leg in position, then sweep. No ditzing around.

Third drill: You are in opponent's guard, he goes for kimura sweep. You press his leg down, swing around him, and get his back. This was also useful because for the bonus practice of setting up the kimura sweep.

I wanted to do some sparring, but Carlos closed out the drill portion of class with one of those wicked cardio-blast thingies (with SPRAWLS!), and it knocked me out.



Evening BJJ at Sleeper. Same setup as the last few classes: closed guard, yank the elbows out, get a whizzer and a back-of-the-neck grip. This time, we did a few more complicated sub options... probably too complicated for me to try to integrate yet, but interesting and fun all the same. We also did some of the chokes where you get the second grip with a handful of the gi at the back of the shoulder. I really like those, so it was great to get a chance to work on them some more. Still having some trouble with the broken finger when it comes to grips, though- especially gi chokes.

Note that Cindy thinks one of the reasons I continue to struggle with triangles is that I might be hipping out too far when I go to get the angle and tighten it up. My leg is so short that when I hip out, the knee starts travelling down the side of the guy's neck. She wants me to try to rotate UNDER the opponent and try to keep the knee on the back of his neck, instead of hipping out too far to the side.

Also note that when I underhook a leg to sweep, it is usually advantageous to just hang onto that leg. For some reason I tend to want to let go as soon as I get the guy over.

Some positional sparring, then free sparring. I got to go a long time with Cindy, which is always educational. I tried to pay attention to when she repeatedly caught me with the same things, and not keep putting myself right back in those same positions repeatedly. I still was doing it to some degree.

At one point I had bottom half guard (surprise surprise) and she was digging her knee into my bladder. Eventually she paused and asked, "Doesn't that hurt?" "Yes." "Then open your half guard!" "Actually I was just thinking that I hope you have a mop in here."

As of tomorrow, I will again be an official student there, which is great. I think I'm going to really like having it in Bellevue.

Cannon Fist

"I've had 56 students win gunfights in the past 5 years. I also had two students that died because they were unarmed when they were attacked. Carry your f***in' gun." - Tom Givens (Rangemaster)


Today's FOD is Tiger Versus Crane.

Finished Cannon Fist transcription, fixed the directional errors in the Chen Dao transcription, got the bulk of the Jian transcription done.

After finishing the Cannon Fist transcription, I realized that somehow- three quarters of the way through the form- I was facing south when I should have been facing north. It took a long time to track down the error, and then I had to go through that last piece and fix all the directional notations.

Although- once I finish transcribing the straight sword form- I don't ever intend to find myself transcribing forms from scratch again, it is a good lesson to double-check at regular intervals and make sure one is facing the correct direction. Visons of Bugs Bunny saying, "I *KNEW* we should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque...."



+Cannon Fist


(Part 1- the part that is like the short form.)

Begin standing straight facing north. Arms are at sides.

Three medium-sized openings and closings.

Slowly transfer weight to rt foot.

Lift left foot and deliberately step out to left (toe down first) in high horse.

Slowly equalize weight. Pause.

Bring arms up slowly in front ("zombie" pose). Shoulders are relaxed, hands loose and palms facing floor. When hands reach chest level, pause. Then press fingers gently to north.

Let arms gently fall to fronts of thighs. Pause.

Turn torso to northwest. Scoop in front of your groin with right hand, moving it left. Rt hand is floating above it, palm turned towards it, as if you are holding a basketball.

Move the basketball to chest level on your centerline.

Switch the hands so that right is on top (palm down) and left on bottom (palm up). Turn the torso to face northeast. Rt toe turns east. Shift into a front stance facing northeast, rt foot in front. As you turn, the hands pull the basketball across so that it stays on your centerline.

Lift rt knee to stand on left leg. You are facing east with the basketball at your chest. Pause.

Step out with left leg to northwest. Heel down first. As you step, both hands drop to groin and then do a spreading motion "smoothing your skirt" to end at 45 degree angles off your hips. Most of your weight shifts forward onto left foot.

Turn torso to front (north) and pull rt foot to left, then push it out front into a cat stance. Left hand turns palm-up to up at belly button. As foot moves forward, rt hand moves with it to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level. Rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Turn torso northwest. Stance shifts so that you are in a shallow lunge with rt leg straight. Left hand remains cupped at belly button. Rt hand (loosely cupped, palm up) reaches toward northwest on an upward diagonal. As this hand reaches, the left palm slides down the forearm to cup elbow. At the apex of the reach, rt palm turns to face northwest. Rt knee comes up so that you are standing on left foot.

Slowly Turn torso northeast, placing rt foot back on the ground and shifting stance so that your lunge transfers to a left-leg-straight one. Rt palm (facing north) travels across at face level with you as you turn. Rt elbow is bent and dropped. Left palm remains cradling elbow.

Turn torso north and settle into horse. Left hand, palm up, drops to cup under belly button. Rt hand turns palm outward (toward northeast) at face level. Rt elbow is still bent and dropped. Pause.

Drop left hand to left hip, then let it float (palm upward, elbow bent and dropped) up to shoulder level, northwesterly. It then turns palm east, pushes past face and meets up with rt hand as your torso turns slightly northeast and your horse stance shifts into a gentle lunge (left leg straight).

Both hands (palms east, elbows bent and dropped) drop from rt shoulder to rt hip.

Turn torso north and shift into horse as hands move to groin level on centerline.

Turn torso northwest and shift into gentle lunge (rt leg straight) as both hands (elbows bent and dropped, palms toward ground and fingers hanging loosely) continue the curve from groin to left shoulder.

Settle weight back on rt foot and pull left foot back so that you are in a narrow cat. Simultaneously, pull both hands (elbows bent and dropped, wrists hanging loose and palms toward you) to your solar plex.

Turn torso northeast. Do not move feet. Turn palms diagonally downward toward floor and push both hands down to your rt hip. Pause.

Turning your torso a bit more to east, form a Tiger's mouth with your left hand and push it overtop of the right hand to reach eastward at hip level (palm down). Then pull it back to cup beneath belly button as torso turns north again. As torso turns north, your rt hand forms a loose Crane's beak (beak down) and lifts up (almost at arm's extension, but elbow remains slightly bent) to northeast. Pause. This sequence comprises "Single Whip".

Turn torso northeast, lifting left knee to stand on rt leg. Step left foot (heel first) out to west and shift into horse, turning torso northwest, then north.

Turn torso northeast and lift left palm to cross rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

(Note that up until this point, Cannon Fist is identical to the short form. This is where Cannon Fist begins to deviate.)

Draw left foot in to rt foot and then lift left knee to stand on rt foot. Form blade hands. Left is at left thigh (palm in) Rt is at rt cheek (palm in).

Two quick scissoring slashes with blade hands. Left goes to left cheek, rt goes to thigh. Then back again.

Do not put foot down. Turn torso west and step out with left foot to southwest (heel first) in a front stance. Left palm stays at left thigh. Rt blade hand pushes rt-to-left past face as you step.

Rt palm continues the circle down to left knee, then rt knee (wrist flexed, palm down). As it reaches left hip, left palm curves up and pushes across face from left to right.

Left palm continues the circle down to rt knee. As it reaches rt hip, it covers the rt fist, which is coming up from the rt hip in an uppercut. End with rt fist (palm toward you) chin level, left hand (palm in) at rt hip.

Lift rt knee to stand on left leg. Both hands (side by side, palms out) sweep in a circular motion from rt shoulder to end with left palm at left thigh and rt hand continuing circle to end with palm at rt cheek.

One quick scissoring motion. Rt palm goes to rt thigh. left palm goes to left cheek.

Step rt foot out to west in a front stance. Left palm pushes across face left-to-rt and then continues the circle down to rt hip, then rt knee, then left knee. At left knee, it forms a Crane's beak. Rt hand (palm toward you) circles back and around to brush rt cheek, then presses forward to west in a chest-level blade hand strike (thumb toward you, fingers up, palm to south).

Bring left Crane's beak up to meet rt blade hand in front, chest level.

Spread both hands out to sides, chest level, not quite fully extended. Rt hand is now palm out. Pause.

Reach both hands down toward ground in a grabbing motion in front of left knee.

Turn torso northwest. Press left palm hard across centerline to end at rt shoulder (palm facing north). Rt hand is palm-to-ground (wrist bent) at groin.

Turn rt toe as far around to the right toward east as you can. Let the left foot swing around and turn a full circle to your rt to face north again, ending in a cat with rt toe forward. Arms stretch out almost to extension and circle clockwise, opposite each other. Rt hand starts at 1 o'clock, left hand starts at 7 o'clock. When left hand gets to 12 o'clock, let it fall down centerline to end horiz across waist, palm up. When rt hand gets to 6 'oclock, it comes up centerline palm-up with elbow against belly button.

Rt hand continues to move up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above bow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Both hands separate and come out and down in a "smoothing the skirt" motion while rt foot steps to east (heel down first) in a much lower horse stance. As you settle into the stance, hands reach chest height and come in front to centerline to cross at wrists.

Turn torso northwest, shift most of the weight to left foot as stance changes to a lunge (rt leg straight). The crossed wrists stay on your centerline, so it looks like you are pushing them to your left- but they are really just staying with the torso as the torso turns to the left.

Drop rt palm to left thigh (palm facing east) and sweep across to your rt knee. left hand (palm also facing east) pushes from your left to your rt across chest at the same time. Torso turns northeast, stance shifts to a lunge with left leg straight, most of the balance goes rt.

Switch arms. Left hand (palm facing west) drops to rt thigh. Rt hand (palm facing west) is now at rt shoulder.

Reverse the previous motion. Left hand sweeps across to left knee. Rt hand pushes across chest from your rt to your left. Torso turns northwest, stance shifts to a lunge with rt leg straight, most of the weight shifts left.

Place left fist on left hip. Roll rt hand out toward little finger so that palm is out, fist it, and pull it back to rt ear. Shift left hip and shoulder to the north and downward a bit as you pull, opening the chest up.

Remove left hand from hip, fist it, and bring both fists up to your temples like the Donkey Kong gorilla. Your torso is still facing northwest, you are bent over a bit at the waist toward west.

Little hop to the west with rt foot. Bring left foot to cross behind rt. End in a low scissor stance facing south, rt foot in front. Left palm pushes past forehead left-to-rt and continues the circle down to rt shoulder, then rt hip. Ends palm-down at rt hip. Rt first gathers to chest, then circular-backfists chest level overtop of the left forearm.

Unwind legs with a hop and spin to your left to end in a deep horse facing west. As you spin, fisted arms come up in the "Donkey Kong" pose again. As you land, left fist chambers at waist and rt fist punches to gound between your feet.

Turn to northwest in horse, cover with left hand and puch waist level rt fist to northwest.

Step out with rt foot, turning to south and reaching out with rt arm at waist level.

Push left arm out to south at waist level while Pulling rt arm against waist.

Bring bottom of rt elbow (arm is bent so that fist is on chest) sharply around to slap into palm of left hand. The elbow strike should be powered by the turn-and-step.

Complete the turn of the torso to east. Drop left hand to left hip. Rt hand (palm out,elbow bent and dropped) goes to left cheekbone.

One and a half Wave-Hands-Like Clouds: Step out to south with rt foot to make an east-facing horse. Pull both hands across in front of you from your left to your rt.

Step left foot to south behind rt foot to make a scissor. Switch hands so that left hand is now at rt cheek, rt hand is at rt hip. Pull both hands across in front of you from your rt to your left.

Step rt foot out to south in horse again. Switch hands. Pull both hands across in front of you from left to rt. As you complete the pull, bring left foot in beside rt.

One and a half Wave-Hands-Like Clouds the other way: Switch hands so that left hand is at rt cheekbone, rt hand is at rt hip. Step out to north with left foot to make a west-facing horse. Pull both hands across in front of you from your rt to your left.

Step rt foot to north behind left foot to make a scissor. Switch hands so that rt hand is now at left cheek, left hand is at left hip. Pull both hands across in front of you from your left to your rt.

Step left foot out to north in horse again. Switch hands. Pull both hands across in front of you from rt to left. As you complete the pull, bring rt foot in beside left. You end with left hand at left cheekbone and rt hand at rt hip.

Turn to your rt 180 degrees to face west. You are in a cat with rt toe fwd. As you turn, bring both blade-hands over your head and then down in front of chest in a standard "karate guard" pose, with left hand closest to your body.

Step out west with rt foot, immediately bringing left foot up behind it in a quick shuffle-step. Do three of these shuffle-steps total.

Cross left hand overtop of rt wrist in a grabbing motion, then close that hand into a Crane's beak and sweep it around your left hip to end palm-up with the beak pointing behind you. Rt hand remains at chest, palm toward centerline, fingers up and thumb toward you. As you grab, kick left toe out in front and turn to your rt 180 degrees on your rt toe to face east in a cat with rt toe in front.

Three more shuffle-steps, to east.

Turn south and sink into horse. Rt elbow strike chest level as you complete the turn. rt hand is fisted. Left palm presses on top of it to support.

Lift rt knee and Turn to your right to finish northeast in horse. Drop both hands down and then out in a "spreading-your-skirt" motion. When they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet. Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso north and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level northeast. Torso turns northeast again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Lift rt knee and turn 180 degrees to your rt to face south, in horse. Bring both fists to your chest, palms down and knuckles touching elbows out horiz.

As your left foot comes down to complete the turn and stance shift into horse, bring both fists up-and-out and backfist downwards to the sides at chest level. This should be a snappy motion, and not too big- the arms shouldn't move much above the elbows.

Step rt foot to the rt and then step left foot to the rt to end in horse again. You are still facing south. As you step, bring both fists to chest again as before. After the left foot settles, another double-backfist.

Repeat once more, for three total "fireworks".

Lift rt knee and turn 180 degrees to your rt to face north. Do three more "fireworks".

Draw rt forearm to chest and pull rt foot in, then back to west as you lift left toe to make an east-facing cat. left fist guards groin, left fist goes above brow (palm out) in White Crane Spreads Its Wings.

Switch arms in a centrifugal motion to top-fist head level to your left (north) and simultaneously hammerfist hip level to your rt (south). Put your heel down as you strike, for stability.

Little hop to face north in horse. As you hop, bring both arms up in "Donkey Kong" pose so that as you descend, you canpuch downward with rt hand.

Little hop to face south in horse. Ams are still in Donkey Kong position. As you descend, elbow-strike downward with rt elbow.

Cover rt forearm with left hand, then bring left hand (palm down) to rt hip as rt fist punches overtop of it to soutwest (waist level).

"Stirring the Cauldron": Turn torso a bit further west as you draw rt forearm to stomach and then pull rt fist back to rt hip. Left forearm then circles in to be drawn toward stomach and then fist drops to guard groin. Drop into Snake-Creeps-Down: Squat as low as possible on rt leg, left leg straight to west, torso facing southwest. Left fist is still guarding groin, rt fist (palm out) is above brow in a ward-off.

Stand up and step out to west with rt foot, turning body north and reaching out with rt arm at waist level.

Pull rt arm against waist, while reaching out at waist level with left arm.

Palm-heel strike north chest level rt hand. Left hand chambers.

Turn torso east. Place left hand on left hip. Bring rt hand (palm out) up above left temple and let it circle around clockwise to rt temple, down to rt hip. Draw left foot in to rt.

Continue the rt arm circle to left hip, then back up to left temple. Step out to south with left foot, then cross rt foot behind left for a scissor.

Turn torso to north. Place rt hand on rt hip. Now you do *COUNTER*clockwise circles with the left hand instead. Start at rt temple. Step out to east with left foot, then cross rt foot behind left for a scissor.

Continue the counterclockwise arm circle to 12 o'clock. Rt arm comes up centerline to join left at 12 o'clock. Step out to west with left foot, as both hands spread out to the sides above your head.

Pull left knee up to stand on rt leg. Arms circle around-down-and-in to be drawn up to your chest, fisted and palms-up, knuckles touching.

Left foot side kick waist level to west, with double hammerfists to either side at waist level.

Rechamber left foot and set it down with toe pointed as far around to your rt as possible. Rechamber both fists at chest.

Turn torso to south and lift rt knee to stand on left leg.

Rt foot side kick waist level to west, with double hammer fists to either side at waist level.

Rechamber foot but do not set it down. Turn torso northeast. Hands make blades and make a scissoring slash as you complete the turn: Rt goes to the outside of your rt thigh (palm in) Left is at left cheek (palm in).

Set rt foot down to make a northeast-facing horse. Both arms drop and spread ("smoothing out your skirt" motion); when they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet.

Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso north and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level northeast. Torso turns northeast again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Sweep to west with front of left leg: Drop to a squat on the rt thigh, turning hard to your rt 180 degrees to end facing south, left leg circling out straight.

Sweep again, with back of rt leg: Transfer weight so that you are squatting on left thigh, then turn hard to your rt to end facing north, rt leg circling out straight.

Stand up and turn to southwest in horse. Cover punch with left hand, punch to southwest rt fist waist level.

Face west. Do two "tug and toss" motions: Lift rt knee to stand on left leg while you reach up with both hands (left on top) and make a grabbing motion to northwest above your left temple as if siezing a rope. Stomp rt foot down as you tug your fisted hands to your rt hip. Then lift left knee halfway and stomp it back down again as you bring your fisted hands out from the hip a a bit in a curve and "throw" the rope diagonally off your left shoulder as if tossing it back where you got it. This is a forceful motion.

"Tug and toss" in the opposite direction to south: Lift left knee to stand on rt leg while you reach up with both hands (rt on top) and make a grabbing motion to south above your rt temple as if siezing a rope. Stomp left foot down as you tug your fisted hands to your left hip. Then lift rt knee halfway and stomp it back down again as you bring your fisted hands out from the hip a a bit in a curve and "throw" the rope diagonally off your rt shoulder as if tossing it back where you got it. This is a forceful motion.

Turn to your rt, torso to south, and set left foot down to make a south-facing horse. Both arms drop and spread ("smoothing out your skirt" motion); when they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet.

Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso southeast and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level south. Torso turns south again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Left hand turns palm-up at belly button. Rt hand moves forward to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level. Rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Chamber left hand at waist. Rt fist swings down to hammerfist to east, thigh level.

Turn torso east and step out with left foot to make a front stance. Backfist waist level to north with left hand as you step out. Chamber rt hand.

Step east with rt foot to make a front stance. Chamber left hand, forward punch to east chest level with rt fist.

Step east with left foot to make a front stance. 3 quick forward punches to east chest level, left-rt-left. Chamber the hand not punching.

Two "tug, twirl and toss" motions: Lift rt knee to stand on left leg while you reach up with both hands (left on top) and make a grabbing motion to east above your left temple as if siezing a rope. Stomp rt foot down and then skip a full circle to your rt as you tug your fisted hands to your rt hip. Then lift left knee halfway and stomp it back down again as you bring your fisted hands out from the hip a a bit in a curve and "throw" the rope diagonally off your left shoulder as if tossing it back where you got it. This is a forceful motion.

"Tug and toss" in the opposite direction to west: Lift left knee to stand on rt leg while you reach up with both hands (rt on top) and make a grabbing motion to west above your rt temple as if siezing a rope. Stomp left foot down and then skip a full circle to your left as you tug your fisted hands to your left hip. Then lift rt knee halfway and stomp it back down again as you bring your fisted hands out from the hip a a bit in a curve and "throw" the rope diagonally off your rt shoulder as if tossing it back where you got it. This is a forceful motion.

Step west with rt foot, dragging left foot over a bit with it in a shuffle-step. Torso remains facing north. As you step, bring rt elbow up to strike forward to south at chest level (forearm horiz. at shoulders) and slap it with left palm.

Step west with rt foot, dragging left foot over a bit with it in a shuffle-step. Both forearms are held horiz across chest (rt on top) in "Jeannie" pose. As you step, jab both elbows out to the sides. This is a small but forceful motion.

Step west with rt foot, dragging left foot over a bit with it in a shuffle-step. As you step, place left palm on top of rt fist and jab to your rt (west) with the elbow (chest level).

Step west with rt foot, then cross left foot in front for a scissor, then another step with rt foot so that you are in horse. You are still facing north. Arms extend and circle opposite each other, out-up-and-in. Left starts are 9 o'clock (clockwise) and rt starts at 3 o'clock (counterclockwise). Left hand ends chambered at waist, rt finishes in a hammerfist to your rt (west) at thigh level.

Turn rt toe as far to the right as possible. Turn to your rt and bring both hands up to chest level (palms out). Swing left foot around and turn an entire circle to face south again. End in a front stance with left foot fwd. You are facing north. Fisted hands (palms down, knuckles touching) are at chest. Throw elbows forward at chest level to north. This is a small but forceful motion.

Turn torso to west and bring both hands (palms out) up to chest level. Drop hands to rt hip, Then turn torso to north again.

Turn left toe east. Rt hand remains at rt hip (palm toward ground) while left hand continues the circle. Hands do a spreading motion "smoothing your skirt" to end at 45 degree angles off your hips. Pull rt foot to left, then push it out front into a cat stance. Left hand turns palm-up to cup at belly button. As foot moves forward, rt hand moves with it to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above brow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Drop both arms in a "smoothing the skirt" motion. As arms come out to the sides horizontally, they move to the front (palm down) and are pulled in to the belly side by side. Press palms to floor at groin, wrists bent 90 degrees.

Step left foot in to stand straight.

Three medium-sized openings and closings.

Salute.

Monday

If you sometimes feel a little inferior... Always remember that YOU were once the

fastest and most victorious little sperm out of millions.




Monday's FOD is Spear Hand. Sunday's was Catherine Dao.

I didn't go to Kung Fu again Sunday. I did, however, turn down a Sunday evening workshift for September... which tells me that at least some part of me is hoping to be back before too long.

Worked some more on Bung Bo Kuen In the Mirror; a little Five Animals In the Mirror. Got a lot of the Cannon Fist transcription done; there are just the three stumbly bits that I need to scour the vid on. Today I started the transcription of the Jian form.

Hope to get to BJJ tomorrow evening.... These 5am workdays, by the time I get home at 4:30 in the afternoon, I just have no gas left and don't feel like doing anything but falling into bed early. Tomorrow will be my 5th one in a row. Things may be looking up in that regard, though. It's looking more and more hopeful that I may score a full-time position on the midnight shift. It would be a more regular schedule- less shift-hopping at all hours of the day and night- and health insurance (which would be really really nice).

My diet's been sloppy lately, and that combined with infrequent training had me up to 128 this morning.

I like this picture. The three folks lurking right in the front row are Prof. Carlos (hollering, as usual), Rodrigo, and Miriam.

Friday

Friday's FOD was Cannon Fist, so I started transcribing it, it being one of the only two forms I have yet to transcribe. I had to stop after a while, though, because I ran into one area where it seemed to switch direction a few too many times. I want to review the vid before I go further. Once I'm facing the wrong direction, all the ensuing directional cues in the transcription will be messed up. That's what happened in the Chen Dao form (I still have yet to go back and clean that one up after discovering that I inserted a half-turn too many about a third of the way through).

Feeling preoccupied with Bung Bo Kuen In the Mirror. The tricky arm sequence right after the knee slap- I have practiced that a lot, and it is coming smoother. The section after that, when I ventured into trying it, is a train wreck. The first part of the form is feeling pretty good off the "wrong" side, though. I never would have thought I'd be this comfortable with Bung Bo Kuen even off the RIGHT side.


Friday evening no-gi at Cindy's. You really notice the extra mat space when it comes time for warm-ups, especially the Dead Bugs.

Triangles and armbars from guard. I am getting more comfortable with the techniques (at least as long as I'm not trying to work on my retarded side), but I still feel very tentative about them. There are so many places in the sequence where it just feels like the guy ought to be able to power out. I spend so much time having guys power out of everything I'm trying to do; and it makes me afraid to try (or feeling like I might as well not bother to try). I kept stopping and asking SK, "Can you get your arm out of there? Really? Try to sit up. Are you sure you can't get out of that?"

Spars with him, Cindy, and George. I tapped SK out and was really excited about it. I can't remember the last time I tapped him out. Although, to be fair, he had just finished getting stomped by both George and Cindy in succession, so he was pretty exhausted.

Saturday's FOD is Wood Monkey.

Meeeeeeeeeeeelting

Never forget that self defense is about not being there, using awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation to eliminate the need to fight. Fighting is what you do when you’ve totally screwed up your self defense. Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder, The Little Black Book Of Violence


Today's FOD is Bung Bo Kuen. Yesterday's was the Southern mantis Long Form fragment.

I didn't go to Kung Fu tonight.

I did end up telling SK that I needed to skip some classes, and why, although I had seriously considered just saying that I had to be at work. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a long break- or a permanent one- but if it does, sooner or later I'd have to admit the truth, so might as well be up front. To my relief, if he was mad or disappointed, he hid it well. I had him take his bo and Nemesis' out of my car where they usually live between classes, so they'd have them for Sundays. I'm not happy about this, but I think it was the best of a poor set of choices.

Instead, I went to evening BJJ at Gracie Bellevue.

North-south escapes, then escape from top half guard. A little positional sparring starting from north-south.

I skipped sparring because it was hot enough to bake a chicken in the gym, and I just have no energy in that kind of heat, especially wearing a heavy coat. I was making my classmates laugh by stage-whispering, "I'm meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeltingggggg!" in the line.

Tai Chi Long Open-Hands form

+Tai Chi Long Empty-Hands Form

(Part 1- the part that is like the short form.)

Begin standing straight facing north. Arms are at sides.

Three medium-sized openings and closings.

Slowly transfer weight to rt foot.

Lift left foot and deliberately step out to left (toe down first) in high horse.

Slowly equalize weight. Pause.

Bring arms up slowly in front ("zombie" pose). Shoulders are relaxed, hands loose and palms facing floor. When hands reach chest level, pause. Then press fingers gently to north.

Let arms gently fall to fronts of thighs. Pause.

Turn torso to northwest. Scoop in front of your groin with right hand, moving it left. Rt hand is floating above it, palm turned towards it, as if you are holding a basketball.

Move the basketball to chest level on your centerline.

Switch the hands so that right is on top (palm down) and left on bottom (palm up). Turn the torso to face northeast. Rt toe turns east. Shift into a front stance facing northeast, rt foot in front. As you turn, the hands pull the basketball across so that it stays on your centerline.

Lift rt knee to stand on left leg. You are facing east with the basketball at your chest. Pause.

Step out with left leg to northwest. Heel down first. As you step, both hands drop to groin and then do a spreading motion "smoothing your skirt" to end at 45 degree angles off your hips. Most of your weight shifts forward onto left foot.

Turn torso to front (north) and pull rt foot to left, then push it out front into a cat stance. Left hand turns palm-up to up at belly button. As foot moves forward, rt hand moves with it to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above bow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse. (This sequence comprises "Golden Warrior Pounds the Mortar".)

Turn torso northwest. Stance shifts so that you are in a shallow lunge with rt leg straight. Left hand remains cupped at belly button. Rt hand (loosely cupped, palm up) reaches toward northwest on an upward diagonal. As this hand reaches, the left palm slides down the forearm to cup elbow. At the apex of the reach, rt palm turns to face northwest. Rt knee comes up so that you are standing on left foot.

Slowly Turn torso northeast, placing rt foot back on the ground and shifting stance so that your lunge transfers to a left-leg-straight one. Rt palm (facing north) travels across at face level with you as you turn. Rt elbow is bent and dropped. Left palm remains cradling elbow.

Turn torso north and settle into horse. Left hand, palm up, drops to cup under belly button. Rt hand turns palm outward (toward northeast) at face level. Rt elbow is still bent and dropped. Pause.

Drop left hand to left hip, then let it float (palm upward, elbow bent and dropped) up to shoulder level, northwesterly. It then turns palm east, pushes past face and meets up with rt hand as your torso turns slightly northeast and your horse stance shifts into a gentle lunge (left leg straight).

Both hands (palms east, elbows bent and dropped) drop from rt shoulder to rt hip.

Turn torso north and shift into horse as hands move to groin level on centerline.

Turn torso northwest and shift into gentle lunge (rt leg straight) as both hands (elbows bent and dropped, palms toward ground and fingers hanging loosely) continue the curve from groin to left shoulder.

Settle weight back on rt foot and pull left foot back so that you are in a narrow cat. Simultaneously, pull both hands (elbows bent and dropped, wrists hanging loose and palms toward you) to your solar plex.

Turn torso northeast. Do not move feet. Turn palms diagonally downward toward floor and push both hands down to your rt hip. Pause.

Turning your torso a bit more to east, form a Tiger's mouth with your left hand and push it overtop of the right hand to reach eastward at hip level (palm down). Then pull it back to cup beneath belly button as torso turns north again. As torso turns north, your rt hand forms a loose Crane's beak (beak down) and lifts up (almost at arm's extension, but elbow remains slightly bent) to northeast. Pause. This sequence comprises "Single Whip".

Turn torso northeast, lifting left knee to stand on rt leg. Step left foot (heel first) out to west and shift into horse, turning torso northwest, then north.

Turn torso northeast and lift left palm to cross rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

(Note that up until this point, the long form is identical to the short form. This is where the long form begins to deviate.)
(Part 2)

Drop rt hand to groin, continue the circle around till it is beside the left hand (palms out, fingers up, thumbs facing each other).

Pull both hands to your right till the reach the right shoulder. Drop them both down to rt hip.

Turn left toe west. As your hands reach the rt hip, you turn body west and shift into a front stance (left foot fwd). Rt hand remains at rt hip (palm toward ground) while left hand continues the circle. Hands do a spreading motion "smoothing your skirt" to end at 45 degree angles off your hips. Pull rt foot to left, then push it out front into a cat stance. Left hand turns palm-up to cup at belly button. As foot moves forward, rt hand moves with it to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above bow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Turn torso southwest, bringing rt hand (palm in) up to left shoulder while left hand slides along forearm to elbow. Weight shifts slightly left.

Turn torso west, equalizing weight again. Rt hand turns palm-out and circles from left shoulder to pass in front of face from your left to your rt. Left hand (palm down) is dropping to your left thigh. The two arms circle clockwise, opposite each other, till they reach centerline (Left at 12 o'clock). Then torso turns southwest again as left palm closes to your rt shoulder and rt arm moves to horiz across belly (rt hand at left elbow).

Step back with rt foot, you are now in cat stance with rt toe fwd, facing west. Arms split. Left drops to rt hip and then brushes left thigh before ending just outside of rt knee. Rt hand goes palm-out at left shoulder, then arcs over head to end above rt temple, palm out. Pause.

Turn torso slightly southwest as rt palm (facing south) passes in front of face, curves down to left hip, then moves to rt hip. Then turn torso slightly northwest as left palm (facing north) moves from left hip to curve slightly out and move across face, curving down to also end at right hip.

As left hand passes across face, turn rt toe and torso to northwest. As left hand reaches rt hip, bring rt palm up to cover right ear, and lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Pause.

Step out west with left foot (heel first) into a fairly deep fwd stance facing west. As you step and your weight shifts to the left foot, left hand (fingers down and palm south) sweeps from rt hip to cover groin and sweep around left thigh to form Crane's beak at outside of left thigh. Simultanously, rt hand pushes forward in a blade hand strike forward to west at chin level. Thumb toward you, fingers up.

Bring left Crane's beak up to meet rt blade hand in front, chest level.

Spread both hands out to sides, chest level, not quite fully extended. Rt hand is now palm out. Pause.

Bring both hands down to meet and grab in front of groin. After you grab, Shift back into a cat stance with left toe in front, weight on rt leg. Bring both hands up to chest level and push them out to west in double blade hand strikes. Thumbs toward you, fingers up, palms facing centerline. Rt is in front of left. Pause.

Lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Drop both hands to rt hip, then bring them both up to rt ear (palms together).

Step left foot into fwd stance west, both hands move from ear to blade-hand strike chin level to west (palms to centerline, fingers up). Left hand is in front, almost to extention, rt is behind it with elbow bent. The step fwd (weight shift) helps power the strike.

Step rt foot into fwd stance west, dropping left hand to left hip. Rt hand extends for a second blade-hand strike, powered partially by the step and weight shift.

Step left foot fwd into front stance west. Rt hand drops to waist, then comes up to cover rt ear with rt palm. Left hand brushes across face from your left to your right, then drops (fingers down and palm south) and sweeps from rt hip to cover groin, then sweep around left thigh to form Crane's beak at outside of left thigh. Simultanously, rt hand pushes forward in a blade hand strike forward to west at chin level. Thumb toward you, fingers up.

Bring left Crane's beak up to meet rt blade hand in front, chest level.

Spread both hands out to sides, chest level, not quite fully extended. Rt hand is now palm out. Pause.

Bring both hands down to meet and grab in front of groin. After you grab, Shift back into a cat stance with left toe in front, weight on rt leg. Bring both hands up to chest level and push them out to west in double blade hand strikes. Thumbs toward you, fingers up, palms facing centerline. Rt is in front of left. Pause.

Lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Drop both hands to rt hip, then bring them both up to rt ear (palms together).

Step left foot into fwd stance west, both hands move from ear to blade-hand strike chin level to west (palms to centerline, fingers up). Left hand is in front, almost to extention, rt is behind it with elbow bent. The step fwd (weight shift) helps power the strike.

Step rt foot into fwd stance west, dropping left hand to left hip. Rt hand extends for a second blade-hand strike, powered partially by the step and weight shift.

Bring left foot fwd and turn northwest, dropping into horse stance. Bring rt fist to solar plex, left hand starts at left hip and swing out at extention in a big circle to end with palm down, covering rt fist.

Both arms drop and spread ("smoothing out your skirt" motion); when they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet.

Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso northeast and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level northwest. Torso turns northwest again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Turn torso to your left as you bring left hand to rt shoulder (palm in) and weight shifts to left foot. Rt fist drops to groin, then makes a large circle clockwise almost at arm extention until it gets back to rt thigh. As the rt hand gets to 12 o'clocK, left hand drops to six o'clock and circles opposite. Weight equalizes again and torso turns north. When left hand reaches noon and rt hand is at 6 o'clock, left hand drops straight down centerline and cups below belly button. Pull rt foot to left, then push it out front into a cat stance. As foot moves forward, rt hand moves with it to scoop (palm fwd) from rt hip all the way forward and then up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above bow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Both hands separate and come out and down in a "smoothing the skirt" motion while rt foot steps to east (heel down first) in a much lower horse stance. As you settle into the stance, hands reach chest height and come in front to centerline to cross at wrists.

Turn torso northwest, shift most of the weight to left foot as stance changes to a lunge (rt leg straight). The crossed wrists stay on your centerline, so it looks like you are pushing them to your left- but they are really just staying with the torso as the torso turns to the left.

Drop rt palm to left thigh (palm facing east) and sweep across to your rt knee. left hand (palm also facing east) pushes from your left to your rt across chest at the same time. Torso turns northeast, stance shifts to a lunge with left leg straight, most of the balance goes rt.

Switch arms. Left hand (palm facing west) drops to rt thigh. Rt hand (palm facing west) is now at rt shoulder.

Reverse the previous motion. Left hand sweeps across to left knee. Rt hand pushes across chest from your rt to your left. Torso turns northwest, stance shifts to a lunge with rt leg straight, most of the weight shifts left.

Place left fist on left hip. Roll rt hand out toward little finger so that palm is out, fist it, and pull it back to rt ear. Shift left hip and shoulder to the north and downward a bit as you pull, opening the chest up.

Turn torso north and shift back into horse stance. Drop rt forearm northeast for backfist to ground.

Turn torso northeast and place left heel of hand (fingers up) on rt inside-of-elbow. Push with left hand and pull with rt. Rt hand chambers.

Chamber left fist and punch waist level northeast rt fist. Torso turns almost all the way north again with the punch.

Use both hands to catch an imaginary basketball chest level from northwest.

Turn left to west in a cat with rt toe fwd. As you turn, bring the energy ball curving down to groin and then up to hold it in front of your chest as if you were about to shoot for a basket.

Step forward to west with rt foot, then bring left toe fwd for a cat stance. With palms out, fingers up and thumbs side by side, push the ball out to almost arm extension chest level as you step.

Turn rt hand palm up, turn torso to southwest, and drop left hand to left thigh. Continue the circle all the way around almost at arm extension till left arm reaches 12 o'clock and torso turns west again.

Fist the left hand, and bring the elbow down to hover just above rt palm. Left forearm is vertical.

Turn torso northwest, drop rt hand to rt thigh, continuing the curve up to chest level. Then position palm facing west (wrist bent 90 degrees, fingers up) and push past chest to west. As you reach chest, left palm brushes rt palm and then pulls back to chamber. As you push and pull, the left foot retreats diagonally backward (to southeast). Weight shifts back ato this foot, rt toe comes up for a cat stance. This technique comprises "Repulse the Monkey".

Repulse 4 monkeys total, alternating sides.

On the fifth rep, the footwork is the same, but both hands (palms out, fingers up) reach up to almost arm extention above rt temple and pull diagonally down and across to left hip. Torso turns slightly southwest.

Bring rt foot straight back to east and lift left toe for a west-facing cat stance. Left arm folds inward at elbow and left palm goes to rt inside-of-elbow. Torso turns west. Arms split. Left drops to rt hip and then brushes left thigh before ending just outside of rt knee. Rt hand goes palm-out at left
shoulder, then arcs over head to end above rt temple, palm out. Pause.

Turn torso slightly southwest as rt palm (facing south) passes in front of face, curves down to left hip, then moves to rt hip. Then turn torso slightly northwest as left palm (facing north) moves from left hip to curve slightly out and move across face, curving down to also end at right hip.

As left hand passes across face, turn rt toe and torso to northwest. As left hand reaches rt hip, bring rt palm up to cover right ear, and lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Pause.

Step out west with left foot (heel first) into a fairly deep fwd stance facing west. As you step and your weight shifts to the left foot, left hand (fingers down and palm south) sweeps from rt hip to cover groin and sweep around left thigh to form Crane's beak at outside of left thigh. Simultanously, rt hand pushes forward in a blade hand strike forward to west at chin level. Thumb toward you, fingers up.

Bring left Crane's beak up to meet rt blade hand in front, chest level.

Spread both hands out to sides, chest level, not quite fully extended. Rt hand is now palm out. Pause.

Drop rt hand to rt knee, curve it down and around till it is above left hand. Shift weight back onto rt foot and lift left toe to make a cat stance. Pull both hands across from your left to your right, chest level. (Both palms facing north).

Switch hands so that left is on top. Turn both palms south. Pull both hands across from your rt to your left, chest level.

Switch hands so that rt is on top. Turn both palms north. Pull both hands across from your left to your rt, chest level.

Lift left knee so that you are standing on rt foot. Rt arm at side, wrist 90 degree angle, palm to floor (fingers to front). Left arm bent with elbow glued to ribs, palm up at rt shoulder, fingers forward.

Turn rt hand palm-up and bring to rt shoulder, then stab the palm-up spear hand to west shoulder level. Turn left hand palm up, form into a Crane's beak, and drop to left hip (beak pointing behind you to east). Step into a west-facing fwd stance with left foot fwd. The spear hand should strike as you step.

Lift rt foot and turn to your rt, setting down in horse facing southeast. Fist rt hand. Bring left hand curving down, out and around to place left palm on top of rt fist (which is vertical in front of chest). As you settle into the horse stance, hands drop and spread in a "smoothing your skirt" motion. When they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet. Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso southwest and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level southeast. Torso turns southeast again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Reach out with both hands (palms toward each other) in front of your rt shoulder to catch an imaginary basketball.

Turn left toe out and turn to your left, stepping in with rt foot to make a narrow cat stance (rt toe fwd) facing northeast. Pull the energy ball to your rt hip, then up and hold in front of chest as you turn.

Small step to northeast with rt foot, followed by small step with left foot. You are still in a cat with rt toe up. Push the energy ball diagonally, with both palms, to floor beyond rt hip.

Turn torso east while you form a Tiger's Mouth with left hand and push it toward east over top of rt hand. Rt hand pulls back slightly as you do this.

Turn torso north as you turn left hand palm up and pull it back to sit just below belly button. Rt hand forms Crane's beak (beak pointing down, wrist kinked upward) and floats up to chest level toward northeast. elbow is bent at not quite 90 degrees, elbow dropped. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, shifting into a gentle lunge (left leg straight) as your left hand floats palm-up to touch your rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

(Part 3- the kicks section)

Drop rt hand to rt knee, draw across to left knee, then up to sit beside left hand (in front of left shoulder). Drop left hand to waist, palm east.

Draw both hands across body from your left to your right. rt hand is at chest level, palm north. Left hand is at waist level, palm east, fingers down.

When both hands reach rt shoulder line, switch hands. Now rt hand is at waist, palm west. Left hand is at rt shoulder, palm north.

Pull hands across body from your rt to your left. As you do this, step rt foot in to left.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot in to left.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot in to left.

Step left foot out to west while bringing crossed wrists to brow and then opening the arms out to reflect the feet.

Turn torso west and step rt toe west in a cat stance. Bring rt wrist to cross left wrist in front of throat.

Step rt foot backward to east. Transfer weight to rt foot.

Rock weight fwd onto left foot, then back onto rt. As weight goes rt, pull left foot back to step behind rt, and turn to south. As you turn, rt palm brushes left palm at chest level. Settle into south-facing horse with left hand chambered at waist and right hand palm-out near rt shoulder (elbow bent and dropped).

Rt hand rolls to little-finger side in a wrist release.

Cross left foot in front of rt for a scissor stance and bring left wrist to cross right wrist in front of chest as torso turns southwest and stance drops into scissor.

Rt ball-of-the-foot snap kick to west. Elbows both straighten so that arms are in a "cheerleader" position. Slap kicking foot with rt hand.

Rechamber leg. Set the rt foot down with the toe pointing northwest. Elbows fold again so that you are doing a "Jeannie" pose with arms folded in front of your throat. Your body is now facing north with rt leg crossed in front of left.

Left ball-of-the-foot snap kick west. Elbows both straighten so that arms are in a "cheerleader" position. Slap kicking foot with left hand.

Rechamber leg and turn body south. Touch left toe to ground on the end of straight leg. Hands move in "smoothing the skirt" motion.

Lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Let hands curve back down and in to meet and pull up centerline to chest, fisted with knuckles touching (palm up)

Side kick left leg to east, waist height. At the same time, double hammerfist to the sides at chest level.

Rechamber the leg but do not set it down. Turn body to east. Set left foot down in a forward stance facing east. Drop both hands to rt hip, then bring them both up to rt ear (palms together). Press the left blade-hand forward at face level to east, little finger first, fingers up, palm to south.

Step rt foot into fwd stance west, dropping left hand to left hip. Rt hand extends for a second blade-hand strike, powered partially by the step and weight shift.

Step left foot fwd into front stance. Left arm circles from 7 0'clock all the way around clockwise. When it reaches 6 o'clock, this arm comes up centerline to ward fisted (palm-out) at brow. Rt arm drops to rt hip, then circles up and around to punch to ground from the shoulder. The punch to the ground is going down at the same time that the warding forearm is going up.

Rock weight back onto rt foot. Switch arms so that left fist is in front of groin and right is warding brow. Elbows are out.

Turn to your rt 180 degrees to face west in a cat with rt toe in front. Switch arms again so that rt fist is in front of groin and left is warding borw, elbows out.

Jumping ball-of-the-foot snap kick to west with rt foot. Slap the kicking leg with rt palm at the apex of the jump.

Land in horse facing west. Pull both hands (palms out) across chest from left shoulder to rt shoulder.

Bring rt fist up from rt hip in an uppercut ending at chest level (palm of fist facing you). Left hand covers the rt fist as it comes up, then ends palm-down at left hip.

Step rt foot to northwest, but with the toe facing north. Turn torso north, dropping into a scissor. Drop both arms in a curtseying pose, then bring them up and around to finish folded across your chest in a "Jeannie" pose.

Ball-of-the-foot snap kick left foot to northwest, then spin 180 to face south before putting the foot down. Elbows both straighten so that arms are in a "cheerleader" position. Slap the kicking foot with left hand. As you finish the turn to south, bring both fists (palm up) to chest with knuckles touching.

Set left foot down and lift rt knee to stand on left foot.

Side kick left leg to east, waist height. At the same time, double hammerfist to the sides at chest level.

Rechamber leg. Do not set foot down. Bring fists back to chest.

Use rt toe to turn your body northwest. Hands make blades and make a scissoring slash as you complete the turn: Rt goes to the outside of your rt thigh (palm in) Left is at left cheek (palm in).

Set left foot down, turn rt toe so that you can sink into horse facing northwest. Bring both hands together at belly and then down-and-out in "smoothing the skirt" motion. When they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet. Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso northeast and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level northwest. Torso turns northwest again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Let straight rt arm drop to rt knee, then to left knee, then continue the circle all the way up, bending at elbow to end warding brow (palm out). Bring up left arm behind it so that wrists are crossed. Step rt foot in front of left to southwest in a scissor.

Step left foot out to southwest and make a front stance. Joined-wrist, almost-extended arms continue the large clockwise circle all the way from 12 to 9 o'clock. Uncross wrists and reach out to southwest with both hands (palms down and fingers limp), chest level and arms almost at extension.

Rock weight back on rt foot for a cat stance, pulling hands (side by side and palm in) almost to solar plex.

Transfer back into the front stance. left forearm is horiz at chest, palm out and fingers west. Rt palm (fingers up) is held just under left hand as if you were pushing something as you shift the stance weight.

Step rt foot in to left in a very narrow cat and drop both hands in a "smoothing the skirt" pose.

As hands come down-out-and-up, turn to the right 180 to face northeast. You are now in a narrow cat with left toe up. Bring both hands up to chest (palms out), and as you settle into the cat, push both palms diagonally at the ground near your rt knee.

bring both hands up to your left shoulder (palms down) and pull them in toward your chest, then divert to push the palms diagonally at the ground again near rt knee.

Turning your torso a bit more to east, form a Tiger's mouth with your left hand and push it overtop of the right hand to reach eastward at hip level (palm down). Then pull it back to cup beneath belly button as torso turns north again. As torso turns north, your rt hand forms a loose Crane's beak (beak down) and lifts up (almost at arm's extension, but elbow remains slightly bent) to northeast. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, lifting left knee to stand on your rt foot. Turn body north and Step west with left foot (heel first). Turn torso northwest, then northeast again as left hand floats up to touch rt wrist. Turn torso north again, then keep going to slightly northwest. Left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

Drop rt hand to rt knee, then bring it to left knee, then up to left shoulder. Left hand drops to left thigh. Transfer weight to rt foot. Turn rt toe east.

Pull both hands (palms facing south) across body from left to right as you sweep left foot out in a crescent step. End facing east in a cat with left toe forward.

Switch hands. Now left is on top and palms are facing north. Pull both hands across body from right to left as you sweep rt foot in an east-moving crescent step. End facing east in a cat with rt toe forward.

Do two more Wave-Hands-Like-Clouds motions, arms only- left to right, then back to left.

Lift rt knee and bring heel of rt hand (palm up) to chin. Chamber left hand.

Step forward with rt foot to east in a forward stance, pushing rt hand forward in a palm-up spear hand chin level to east.

Step forward with left foot to east in a forward stance, chambering rt hand and bringing heel of left hand (palm up) to chin. Push left hand forward in a palm-up spear hand chin level to east.

With both hands, make a grabbing/catching motion in front of your left eye.

Pull both hands to rt hip, rocking weight back on rt foot.

Transfer weight to left foot, Step forward with rt foot and turn body northeast in a hill-climbing stance (left leg straight, weight on rt foot). Both hands continue the circular motion from rt hip, making a throwing motion toward northeast.

Bring both hands to rt hip, then turn northwest and reach out northwest beyond left shoulder with both hands.

Pull left foot in to make a cat with left toe in front. Simultaneously, pull both hands (elbows bent and dropped, wrists hanging loose and palms toward you) to your solar plex.

Turn torso northeast. Do not move feet. Turn palms diagonally downward toward floor and push both hands down to your rt hip. Pause.

Turning your torso a bit more to east, form a Tiger's mouth with your left hand and push it overtop of the right hand to reach eastward at hip level (palm down). Then pull it back to cup beneath belly button as torso turns north again. As torso turns north, your rt hand forms a loose Crane's beak (beak down) and lifts up (almost at arm's extension, but elbow remains slightly bent) to northeast. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, lifting left knee to stand on rt leg. Step left foot (heel first) out to west and shift into horse, turning torso northwest, then north.

Turn torso northeast and lift left palm to cross rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

Turn east in a cat with rt toe in front. Us an overhead throwing motion, bring both hands into a standard "karate guard" pose at chest (left on top).

Turn both hands palm-up and lift to chest level, while drawing rt knee up to stand on left leg.

Turn both hands palm-down and press back down to waist, while firmly pressing rt foot back to ground slightly ahead of left foot.

Turn both hands palm-up and bring both hands back up to chest, while lifting rt knee to stand on left leg.

Thrust kick waist level rt foot to east, while palm-heel striking rt hand to east chest level (fingers up) and lifting left elbow to left ear, palm up at temple, to ward.

Set left foot down just in front of rt with toe pointed northeast. Draw both hands to chest, palm out.

Palm-heel strike lft hand to east, chest level. Step east with left foot. Turn 360 degrees to the right (this may be done as a step or as a jump). Step east with rt foot. As you begin the turn, bring rt hand above rt temple, palm out. Left hand is at chest level, palm to centerline, thumb toward you. Both elbows are slightly bent. As you turn, the hands follow, keeping their orientations. End in a shallow lunge, rt foot in front and left leg straight, torso facing southeast. Hands are palm-out to east, elbows bent, right hand on top at brow level, left at chin level. Pause.

Pull both arms down to left hip, then up to left shoulder, then back out to the previous pose.

Turn body to northwest, dropping both hands to rt hip. Transfer weight to rt foot. You are now in a narrow cat with left toe up.

Bring both hands up to your left shoulder (palms down) and pull them in toward your chest, then divert to push the palms diagonally at the ground again near rt knee.

Turning your torso a bit more to east, form a Tiger's mouth with your left hand and push it overtop of the right hand to reach eastward at hip level (palm down). Then pull it back to cup beneath belly button as torso turns north again. As torso turns north, your rt hand forms a loose Crane's beak (beak down) and lifts up (almost at arm's extension, but elbow remains slightly bent) to northeast. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, lifting left knee to stand on your rt foot. Turn body north and Step west with left foot (heel first). Turn torso northwest, then northeast again as left hand floats up to touch rt wrist. Turn torso north again, then keep going to slightly northwest. Left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

(Part 4- the Golden Rooster section)

Drop rt hand to rt knee, draw across to left knee, then up to sit beside left hand (in front of left shoulder). Drop left hand to waist, palm east.

Draw both hands across body from your left to your right. rt hand is at chest level, palm north. Left hand is at waist level, palm east, fingers down.

When both hands reach rt shoulder line, switch hands. Now rt hand is at waist, palm west. Left hand is at rt shoulder, palm north.

Pull hands across body from your rt to your left. As you do this, step rt foot BEHIND left in scissor. (Note that thare are three Wave-Hands-Like-Clouds sequences facing north in the this form. This one- the second- is the only one in which you step BEHIND in a scissor step rather than bringing the right foot in beside the left.)

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot behind left.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot behind left.

Turn torso west and step west with left foot to make a forward stance. Rt hand drops to rt hip. Left hand drops to groin (palm to floor) and then does a small rising block as you turn to end groin level, palm out, fingers north.

Turn rt toe southwest.

Rt leg crescent kicks to west (inside-to-outside). Slap leg with both palms as arms move opposite direction (rt to left).

Immediately drop into a Snake-Creeps-Down pose. Squat all the way to the floor on rt thigh, left leg sticking out straight to west and torso facing north. Right fisted arm is in a ward at rt temple, left fisted hand is guarding groin (elbow turned out).

Stand up in a west-facing forward stance (left foot in front). Rt fist returns to rt hip. Left fist (palm toward you) is held out in front of belly as if you were holding a beach ball against your body.

Stand up straight on left foot, lifting rt knee up. Bring rt hand (palm toward you, fingers up) up between body and left arm and lift it up above head in a "stop" gesture. Hand turns palm-out as it clears the left forearm.

Stomp rt foot to ground, then step out to the rt with it to take a wider stance. Turn rt hand palm-toward-you and drop it to cover the left side of the body. As it passes the left elbow, left hand turns palm-out and lifts above head in "stop" gesture. Rt hand ends at rt hip, cupped. Lift left knee to stand on rt foot. This sequence comprises "Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg".

Do not set the foot down. Turn to look over your rt shoulder.

Turn torso northwest, drop rt hand to rt thigh, continuing the curve up to chest level. Then position palm facing west (wrist bent 90 degrees, fingers up) and push past chest to west. As you reach chest, left palm brushes rt palm and then pulls back to chamber. As you push and pull, the left foot retreats diagonally backward (to southeast). Weight shifts back ato this foot, rt toe comes up for a cat stance. This technique comprises "Repulse the Monkey".

Repulse 4 monkeys total, alternating sides.

On the fifth rep, the footwork is the same, but both hands (palms out, fingers up) reach up to almost arm extention above rt temple and pull diagonally down and across to left hip. Torso turns slightly southwest.

Bring rt foot straight back to east and lift left toe for a west-facing cat stance. Left arm folds inward at elbow and left palm goes to rt inside-of-elbow. Torso turns west. Arms split. Left drops to rt hip and then brushes left thigh before ending just outside of rt knee. Rt hand goes palm-out at left shoulder, then arcs over head to end above rt temple, palm out. Pause.

Turn torso slightly southwest as rt palm (facing south) passes in front of face, curves down to left hip, then moves to rt hip. Then turn torso slightly northwest as left palm (facing north) moves from left hip to curve slightly out and move across face, curving down to also end at right hip.

As left hand passes across face, turn rt toe and torso to northwest. As left hand reaches rt hip, bring rt palm up to cover right ear, and lift left knee up to stand on rt leg. Pause.

Step out west with left foot (heel first) into a fairly deep fwd stance facing west. As you step and your weight shifts to the left foot, left hand (fingers down and palm south) sweeps from rt hip to cover groin and sweep around left thigh to form Crane's beak at outside of left thigh. Simultanously, rt hand pushes forward in a blade hand strike forward to west at chin level. Thumb toward you, fingers up.

Bring left Crane's beak up to meet rt blade hand in front, chest level.

Spread both hands out to sides, chest level, not quite fully extended. Rt hand is now palm out. Pause.

Drop rt hand to rt knee, curve it down and around till it is above left hand. Shift weight back onto rt foot and lift left toe to make a cat stance. Pull both hands across from your left to your right, chest level. (Both palms facing north).

Switch hands so that left is on top. Turn both palms south. Pull both hands across from your rt to your left, chest level.

Switch hands so that rt is on top. Turn both palms north. Pull both hands across from your left to your rt, chest level.

Lift left knee so that you are standing on rt foot. Rt arm at side, wrist 90 degree angle, palm to floor (fingers to front). Left arm bent with elbow glued to ribs, palm up at rt shoulder, fingers forward.

Turn rt hand palm-up and bring to rt shoulder, then stab the palm-up spear hand to west shoulder level. Turn left hand palm up, form into a Crane's beak, and drop to left hip (beak pointing behind you to east). Step into a west-facing fwd stance with left foot fwd. The spear hand should strike as you step.

Lift rt foot and turn to your rt, setting down in horse facing southeast. Fist rt hand. Bring left hand curving down, out and around to place left palm on top of rt fist (which is vertical in front of chest). As you settle into the horse stance, hands drop and spread in a "smoothing your skirt" motion. When they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet. Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso southwest and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch waist level southeast. Torso turns southeast again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause.

Reach out with both hands (palms toward each other) in front of your rt shoulder to catch an imaginary basketball.

Turn left toe out and turn to your left, stepping in with rt foot to make a narrow cat stance (rt toe fwd) facing northeast. Pull the energy ball to your rt hip, then up and hold in front of chest as you turn.

Small step to northeast with rt foot, followed by small step with left foot. You are still in a cat with rt toe up. Push the energy ball diagonally, with both palms, to floor beyond rt hip.

Turn torso east while you form a Tiger's Mouth with left hand and push it toward east over top of rt hand. Rt hand pulls back slightly as you do this.

Turn torso north as you turn left hand palm up and pull it back to sit just below belly button. Rt hand forms Crane's beak (beak pointing down, wrist kinked upward) and floats up to chest level toward northeast. elbow is bent at not quite 90 degrees, elbow dropped. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, shifting into a gentle lunge (left leg straight) as your left hand floats palm-up to touch your rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

(Part 5- the "Close left, open right" section)

Drop rt hand to rt knee, draw across to left knee, then up to sit beside left hand (in front of left shoulder). Drop left hand to waist, palm east.

Draw both hands across body from your left to your right. rt hand is at chest level, palm north. Left hand is at waist level, palm east, fingers down.

When both hands reach rt shoulder line, switch hands. Now rt hand is at waist, palm west. Left hand is at rt shoulder, palm north.

Pull hands across body from your rt to your left. As you do this, step rt foot in to left.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot in to left.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from right to left, stepping left foot out west.

Switch hands again. Pull hands across body from left to right. Bring rt foot in to left.

Step left foot out to west while bringing crossed wrists to brow and then opening the arms out to reflect the feet.

Turn torso west and step rt toe west in a cat stance. Bring rt wrist to cross left wrist in front of throat.

Step rt foot backward to east. Transfer weight to rt foot.

Rock weight fwd onto left foot, then back onto rt. As weight goes rt, pull left foot back to step behind rt, and turn to south. As you turn, rt palm brushes left palm at chest level. Settle into south-facing horse with left hand chambered at waist and right hand palm-out near rt shoulder (elbow bent and dropped).

Pull rt foot in to left. Place left hand diagonally across chest with palm on rt shoulder. Drop rt hand and scoop it up to touch palm to left elbow, at your left hip.

Turn rt to northwest, stepping out with rt foot, toe turned WAY out. Arms split clockwise. Right goes palm-out over rt temple to ward. Left goes palm-down to left hip. Complete the turn by stepping left foot northwest to make a front stance (left foot in front). Arms continue the circle and end with left forearm held horiz across chest (palm down) and rt hand resting (palm down) on top of left wrist.

Rt crescent kick northwest, inside-to-outside. Slap leg with both palms as arms move the opposite way (rt to left).

Chamber the leg but do not set it down. Turn 180 degrees to face southeast. Hands make blades and make a scissoring slash as you complete the turn: Rt goes to the outside of your rt thigh (palm in) Left is at left cheek (palm in).

Set rt foot down, step left foot out a bit to sink into horse facing southeast. Bring both hands together at belly and then down-and-out in "smoothing the skirt" motion. When they reach almost horizontal to sides (palms down), they move to centerline (waist level) and meet. Leave left hand out there (palm pressing fwd). Turn torso southwest and draw rt hand back to rt hip.

Make a fist rt hand and punch groin level northeast. Torso turns northeast again as you strike. Left hand pulls back as you punch, to chamber at waist. Pause. (Note that all the other punches of this type in this form are horizontal to chest level. This is the only low punch.)

Make a finger-swirling grabbing motion with rt hand.

Turn rt fist palm-up and bring it up in front of your face as if you were looking at it. Elbow is bent 90 degrees. At the same time, turn left toe and torso northeast, and bring rt knee up so that you are standing on left leg.

Small step to northeast with rt foot, followed by small step with left foot. You are still in a cat with rt toe up. Push both palms to floor beyond rt hip.

Turn torso east while you form a Tiger's Mouth with left hand and push it toward east over top of rt hand. Rt hand pulls back slightly as you do this.

Turn torso north as you turn left hand palm up and pull it back to sit just below belly button. Rt hand forms Crane's beak (beak pointing down, wrist kinked upward) and floats up to chest level toward northeast. elbow is bent at not quite 90 degrees, elbow dropped. Pause.

Turn torso northeast, shifting into a gentle lunge (left leg straight) as your left hand floats palm-up to touch your rt wrist.

Turn torso slowly north, then keep going to slightly northwest. As you hit north, shift into horse stance. As you are turning, left hand turns palm out to north, fingers eastward, and pulls across face level on centerline. Elbow is bent and dropped.

As your left hand gets to northwest, turn torso back to north and settle into stance. Left hand turns fingers-up and moves just a bit back toward center. Pause. Your arms are extended to either side, just a bit forward of the torso. Elbows bent and dropped. Rt hand is a loose Crane's beak (beak down), left hand is palm facing northeast with fingers up. Pause.

Drop into Snake-Creeps-Down. Squat all the way to the floor on rt thigh, left leg sticking out straight to west and torso facing north. Right fisted arm is in a ward at rt temple, left fisted hand is guarding groin (elbow turned out).

Stand up in a forward stance facing west. left foot in front. Rt fist returns to rt hip. Left fist (palm toward you) is held out in front of belly as if you were holding a beach ball against your body.

Step rt foot west so that you are in a cat stance with rt toe fwd. (Note that this is a cat stance, NOT a seven stars stance.) Hold both arms out at extention west, chest level, wrists crossed.

Roll both hands under, ending in the same position but with a distinct press of palms to west.

Step rt foot back to east and turn torso north, bringing left toe in to make a north-facing cat stance with left toe in front. Hands are in a "basic karate guard) at chest level, palms to centerline, rt on top. This technique comprises "Straddling the Tiger".

Transfer weight to left foot, Turn rt foot as far around to the right toward south as you can. Let the left foot swing around and turn 360 degrees to your rt to face north again, ending in a cat with rt toe forward. Arms stretch out almost to extension and circle clockwise, opposite each other. Rt hand starts at 1 o'clock, left hand starts at 7 o'clock. When left hand gets to 12 o'clock, let it fall down centerline to end horiz across waist, palm up. When rt hand gets to 6 'oclock, it comes up centerline palm-up with elbow against belly button.

Rt hand continues to move up the centerline to above brow level.

Rt fist drops gently into left cupped hand.

Rt fist goes straight back up centerline to above bow level, rt knee comes up with it so that you are standing on left leg.

Left foot stomps down as rt Fist drops firmly into cupped left hand at belly button. Pause. You are now in horse.

Drop both arms in a "smoothing the skirt" motion. As arms come out to the sides horizontally, they move to the front (palm down) and are pulled in to the belly side by side. Press palms to floor at groin, wrists bent 90 degrees.

Step left foot in to stand straight.

Thee medium-sized openings and closings.

Salute.

Tuesday

A warrior is a master at facing conflicts, and conflict is what stands between us and the fulfillment of our desires. Daniele Bolelli, On The Warrior’s Path


MOnday's FOD is the Mantis Bo Form. I also worked some more on the transcript of the Tai Chi long form.

Tuesday: Silken Needle.

Lunchtime BJJ at Gracie Bellevue. I forgot my contacts, so I was working blind. Prof. Carlos was miming his Saturday experience of reffing Little Carlos' match, the one where he got smeared on points. I had been watching the Prof's unhappy face during the match, and the way his hand crept slowly and reluctantly up to signal the opponent's points.... today he was exaggerating it for humor, but it was all the funnier having seen the original.

Armbars from guard (good, reinforcing what we worked on at Cindy's last week), then transitioning to a triangle if the guy pulls his arm out. I need to make sure I don't let my knee turn out when I put my foot on the hip; Prof. Carlos wants me to have the leg tight to the opponent's side. The technique also seems to work better for me when I get a lapel grip for the second hand. Drilled with Kelly.

Spar with Ritchie. Working with Ritchie is always an exercise in humility. He's the teenager who informed me about a year ago (when he was a one or two stripe white) that I needn't worry about the fact that he didn't let go right away when I tapped, even though he "could have torn your arm off". Well, now he's a blue belt, and I admit he's gotten very good (although he plays a bit too rough), good enough to tool me effortlessly. However, he still hasn't learned what a tap means. I was already not having much fun getting worked over by him (and already feeling vulnerable because I was blind), and he was being slow to let go of his subs again. I made a comment about it the first time he did it; then a bit later, I tapped and he didn't let go, so I called "Tap"- still nothing, so I yelled "TAP, TAP TAP TAP!!!!!!" Goddammit. That brought both profs over right away. I told Rodrigo that the kid has a habit of not letting go when you tap, and he said he'd talk to him.


Evening BJJ at Gracie Bellevue. Ambars from guard again, a slightly different drill, and a whole lot of them. T-I-R-E-D. The hip-up into the armbar really is key, though, and if you're going to get lazy with that in the drills, why bother. So I gritted my teeth and whipped them out till the last few reps on my bad side simply could not physically be managed. A few more triangles, too. Very sloppy on my bad side. I'm making more of an effort lately to drill more reps on my bad side.

King Of the Hill from back mount. I was mounting Alison first, and now I have a bad beard burn all over my right temple! I also got to mount Prof Carlos, who stood up and hopped around the mat with me on his back. Yeah, it was funny, but it's sure a long way to fall!

One spar with a blue belt whose name I can't recall.... I got pretty smoked.

Sunday

Even some of the best people I know live by the “I just wanna do my own little thing.” Satisfied with the happy little island they created for themselves in the middle of the ocean of the surrounding disharmony, they look at life from their seat in the audience. I consider this attitude one of the main causes in the mediocrity in the state of things. Often for creative people the beauty of their inner world can become a handicap. Too caught up by their subjective experience to learn how to dance through the physical world. The result is that, limiting themselves to the cultivation of their own spiritual world, the most sensitive people leave to the most careless the management of collective reality. Daniele Bolelli, On The Warrior’s Path




The FOD is the White Crane Walking the Path fragment.

Evening BJJ at Gracie Seattle. I asked Lindsey about the weakness/exhaustion thing with tournament matches, and he feels it is all mental. He said that he was watching my face during the first gi match that he cornered for me, and that it all went out of me after I got taken down. He then spent much of the ensuing class calling me out on some of my defeatist attitudes. (sigh)

First we did some calisthenics, then we started with one person sitting while hir partner grabbed hir ankles and rolled hir backwards. The object was to try to tuck in nice and tight for the roll, and come out with one knee up, one leg tucked under, to immediately grab the standing opponent's sleeve cuffs and pop into butterfly guard. From there, triangle, sweep or armbar.

Then, rolling-the-shoulder-over armlocks from gaurd. I definitely injured something in my back/ribs/shoulder in that last no-gi match yesterday... the ribs on the right (same side as my previous rib injury- curses) and the shoulder on the left (at least it's balanced). I had a lot of trouble with the side where I had to engage my left shoulder to finish the sub, so I mostly did it on the other side.

Lindsey called me out on my having gotten trapped in mount in my first gi match. "What's the first thing you do?" The other students responded, "Hands on opponent's hips," I was like, "Uh, I don't want to do that, because he'll plump his weight down and break my wrist." I had that happen several times (not BROKEN, but painfully jammed) early on, thus I stopped bracing on people that way. I *need* my wrists. Lindsey wants me to put my hands on the opponent's hips far enough to the sides that my wrists won't break. Hmmmmmmm.

Second call-out: Kitsune assumes she can't hold front mount on anyone because she is too weak and lightweight- they'll just bench-press her off, or roll her over, so she doesn't even bother to try. Lindsey had me work on a high mount, although we ran into issues when we learned that I could not lean forward *AT ALL* without my weight (such as it is) immediately coming off the opponent's chest. Certainly I couldn't lean forward far enough for my little arms to reach the opponent's head, or for me to brace on the mat.