2 1/2 years and 50 Posts later- what have I learned?

To start, I have learned I need to make more sensible resolutions, like finding a job so I can continue to pay for class, and working on what has become a muscular-puffy midsection. My body seems to keep reminding me I'm not ten. I know not to cheat on penalty push-ups, but gravity says otherwise. Monday we did 50 in succession. When I was a bitty gymnast, I could easily do that, but then again, I was 10 and weighed 60 pounds. Ah, the good ol' days.

I have learned that there are some things I cannot change- bratty children, the amount of bratty children, time and space restraints- all of which can affect my ability to be ranked at any one time without actually concerning my ability at all.

I have learned that no matter how I keep my interest in Japanese culture lowered, some freak always emerges and reminds me why it's become so uncool. And not children- adults- sink their money into what they perceive is a culture with all the answers only to end up with a whole lot of garbled information, trickets they don't understand, and an unattainable dream of becoming Japanese.

I have also learned that, no matter what, I will lose something important I need for class. It happens whether I check my bag before leaving or not.

I think we've all learned collectively that the ability to catalyze change is next to impossible. Like correcting kids on their Japanese pronunciation. There is a kata called Honto no Inochi... which kids constant say "han-toe no nocky"- I dunno where they got that from- it's not even close, but heaven help you if you try to point out it's wrong. And the bowing to sensei as they come in and leave? They still don't have that one.

I've also learned there is a double-standard for kids who have sane parents, and kids who have psycho parents. The latter are always the first in their rank to get promoted, whether they deserve to or not. And then, when they sit at a rank for a while because they could care less about coming in the first place, their parents will start asking questions like "Is he going to get promoted soon?" blah, blah, blah. These are the same parents who make their kids stay after class to get help even though they don't need to, and it cuts into aiki class. And of course, kids learn this behavior and think it's acceptable. Dumb parents.

Lastly, I have learned a dog does in fact have buddha-nature. My dog has never entered a martial arts buildign and yet, when driven by the promise of food, can do a perfect armbar.

New Year's Re-delusions

Okay, so all things considered, it's gonna be a hard year (that's if all goes to plan). I desperately need a job. Not too much going on...I'm going to the head dojo for a meeting. That should be interesting. Goth kid started aiki this week. He has a bad habit of leaning forward. I can see it now- a black pancake on the mat. Haven't see Pot Smoking Guy or Nerdverd recently, or Cig Man, or the T's for that matter. This must be the famous January attendance slump. Unfortunately, there are so many little karate kids, it's hard to notice. Still, far too many greenies.

New Year's Resolutions

• I will try to be nicer to the greenies *grumble*.
• I will work on my sparring more.
• I will try not to let it bother me when a kid gets snotty (even if he does outrank me), or when Nerdverd asks for help on something he should already know, or when somebody destroys a Japanese word's pronunciation.
• I will try to maintain a reasonable body- that is, I will not allow my waist to turn into a marshmallow....mmm, marshmallows.
• I will look more rested (even if I'm not) for class.
• I will try to make a new friend.

Well, that's about it.

You do know you have a brain, don't you?

Not much has really happened as far as martial arts is concerned. I've been thinking about getting a job, and school starting back up. Verizon Guy earned his stripe, and that I am happy. We are in desperate need of an adult brownie to keep those little tikes in line. I'm also working on designing a hanko for certificate signing. I figure I'll need it when we have the black belt (*cough* Dan) meeting at the Hombu at the end of the month. It's looking nice, though it's proving to be a lot harder than I thought. Here it is:

I've been wondering about maybe getting purple belt before the month is up, but now it doesn't look likely- there is sooo many kids. Head sensei has a pattern for ranking- first he ranks the kids from brown belt down, then the adults. Then, he'll either pause for waza work or spend time preparing the next in line for black belt. It appears he's in a pause period- the question is what kind? Prince Valiant doesn't like showing up for class more than once a week, and spring sports are starting up.

On another subject entirely, kids are a lot dumber than they used to be. I'd like to think that I think so because I'm an adult now? No! Kids are just freaking stupid. I was asked the other day if swords could cut bricks. And I said, "Probably not, but when the sword bounces back, it'll definitely cut your face." The kid thought about it for a moment, unable to get the subtlety of my sarcasm, and turned to another kid, who upped the ante with "Yeah, I saw that on Youtube so it must be true." Sometimes, I feel like I have failed as a teacher.

I like teaching kids, though. They are fun, attentive for the most part, and learn quickly. Then they become pre-teens and ask "Why?" or say, "but Sensei X does it this way." And then, they become teens, and some time before that stage, all their intelligence is sucked away by TV, video games, and dumb films. I think kids have just lost the ability to stop and think before they open their mouths.