Living in Washington

Had to share this (it was passed on by my wife).

The sad part is they all apply to me

 

THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAS TO SAY ABOUT LIVIN’ in Washington State!

• If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don’t work there, you live in Washington.
• If you’ve worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live
• in Washington.
• If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.
• If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.
• If you have switched from ‘heat’ to ‘A/C’ and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.
• If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both doors unlocked, you live in Washington.
• If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Washington.
• If you design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.
• If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.
• If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.
• If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.
• If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.
• If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.
• If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk”
• signal, you live in Washington.
• If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.
• If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Dutch Bros, you live in Washington.
• If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.
• If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Abiqua, Issaquah, Oregon, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.
• If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.
• If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.
• If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.
• If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.
• If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.
• If you buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington.
• If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.

 

Progress through failure?

Last week at the dojo we were working on Shomenuchi Kokyunage (a strike to the top of the head defended by getting behind uke and taking their balance).

For whatever reason, I was having trouble throwing uke.

The evening went on, we finished up class went home and when I thought about the issue I was having the following day I was happy with my progress.

Progress?!?!?,

Yes progress. While I was having issues with the technique we were working on, I was NOT trying to muscle through it. I wasn’t getting upset or trying to figure out what uke was doing that was causing me to not throw. I just kept throwing (or trying to). While the specific technique we were practicing was not working as I wanted it to, I was able to remain calm and several times saw other things that would be just as effective against uke (but those were not what we were working on).

Progress. I’ll take it where I can get it.

Oh by the way, we worked on the same technique last night and I am pretty sure my issue was being too far from uke. Last night the technique worked with no issues as long as I stayed close .

Show a Thon 2009 (no fear and conquering fear)

This past weekend the girls dance/arts school had their annual Show a Thon.

This is a fund raiser the school does every year where the kids (and adults) perform in the middle of the local mall for 7-8 hours (some folks only perform once, some perform many times).

Teeny is in a pre-ballet class and they were performing their adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood. She had NO fear at all and her only complaint was that they didn’t get to spend enough time on the stage (the actual quote was, “all that waiting around for nothing”).

Here is her performance

Nana on the other hand was VERY nervous about her performance. She is in a group voice class (think pop star 101) and didn’t realize that solo performance meant she would be on stage alone. While her class did perform two group numbers first, she had to get on stage alone and sing. Based on her body language and comments before the show DW and I were expecting her to not be able to get on stage and make it through her performance.

We were wrong, she came through like a champ (although if you know her you can tell from the video she isn’t the most comfortable).

Here is her performance.

I am in awe of both of them, Teeny for her complete lack of fear and Nana for her conquering of it. I just hope I can learn from both of their examples myself.

Pictures in my head

I posted a while back about some memories that stick in my mind like snapshots. I hadn’t given it any real thought until I did so, but now am wondering “which memories are there in my head?”

Here is part of the list as it stands right now (these are not necessarily the most important memories I have, just the ones I get off the top of my head).

• the day my parents dropped my off at some friends to go pick up my sister (we are both adopted).
  My wife refuses to believe this one as I was only 2 at the time, but I can see the front of their house along with the stairs leading to the front door as clear as a bell in my head
• Running home from kindergarten to meet my best friend Guy and watch Speed Racer (note, I can’t recall the TV show at all, but the anticipation of it sticks like glue)
• Talking to my Dad on the CB when I was at home sick and he was on his way. He called to see what I wanted him to bring me so I would feel better.
• Sitting in the Living room with Dad, watching Gunsmoke while Mom was teaching a night class.
• Walking what felt like miles up Beacon hill to get home (and those concrete steps that were on top of the sidewalk)
• Listening to the 45 of Hotel California in Mr. Pumphrey’s 5th grade class on the school record player in the back of the class room (you know the ones I mean, the all in one unit where the top comes off so you can put a record in)
• The summer art class I took at the Junior High (the day we did watercolors specifically)
• A late night conversation with my Dad outside while I was splitting wood for the fireplace
• One specific evening with Lisa at her place with friends (man did I have a crush on her, I just never could tell her)
• A stage band performance in the elementary school
• Walking to Sunday school on May 18, 1980 and my friend Mary leaning out her window to tell me the entire north side of the mountain had exploded (I didn’t believe her)
• One fine day at the dunes in Pullman
• One morning about 5:45AM in the studio at BCC after a night on the air
• The view at the top of the hill at Guenoc winery in lake county
• The view over the ocean at our wedding
• Sitting on the roof of our first house, holding the electrical mast up while waiting for folks to get hardware
• Dakota playing catch with the animal control officer who came to see if she was the dog reported
• The look on the doctors face when Nana was delivered by forceps (and not C section)
• Teeny’s birth
• Walking into the gym for my first fall camp
• fall camp 2008 sitting there having lunch (already talked about this one).

There are many others, but this is the list that is on my mind right now. Everything on this list has a special place in my heart and I treasure each memory.

What memories do you treasure?

25 things about me

I got tagged with a note in facebook by a couple of old friends that said “Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.”

I thought it was an interesting exercise so I posted my list here as well.

1. Aikido is an incredibly important part of my life, (amazing how important considering how short a time I have been training)
2. The only thing right now that is more important than #1 is my family. I have 2 girls who I love more than you can imagine (I don’t know I can imagine quite a bit) and a wife who is both my best friend and staunchest ally.
   Bonus points for knowing where the quote is from
3. I plan on testing for Shodan (1st degree black belt) barring unforeseen complications
4. I still know all the words to WAY too many 80s songs
5. some of the most fun I have had in my life involved still being up at 5:30AM in a college radio station
6. I work from home (over 10 years now) so the girls have no idea what it is like for Daddy to commute
7. I like to run in the hot hot sun (sorry channeling Dr Seuss) but I do enjoy running as it helps me clear my head and relax
8. I have lost ~50 pounds on Weight Watchers (about 40-50 to go)
9. I still haven’t finished my Bachelors degree
10. I really enjoy Yoga
11. I am an optimist
12. I still don’t feel like I am as old as I am (when people say sir I still look for who they are talking to)
13. The Princess Bride is one of my FAVORITE movies
14. I am reading more lately thanks to my 8 year old
15. I write software, manage technology and manipulate data for a living
16. I HATE that when people find out my company runs a Horse Racing information website (www.trackmaster.com) their first question is, “so you are an electronic bookie?”
17. I really enjoy working on home improvement projects
18. I tend to procrastinate too much
19. I enjoyed living in the Bay area, but prefer living in Washington (especially since I get to travel to the Bay area for work several times a year)
20. I have only ever been to 9 states (11 if you count layvers in DC and NC) WA, OR, ID, CA, NV, AZ, SC, FL and GA
21. If I won the lottery I would build houses for Habitat for Humanity and go back to school
22. I think I enjoy shopping for technology more than actually buying it
23. I LOVE the reaction I get from the kids at the dojo when I step on the mat with them
24. I have been friends with my wife for 23 1/2 years (married for over 15)
25. finding 25 things to say about myself was a challenge

What is your list?

A look back and forward

It is that time again where many folks tend to reflect on the past year and look to the upcoming one. I am no different (although I don’t typically go in for resolutions, I do like to set goals for myself).

I plan to do the same this year, but first a look back at some of the high points of 2008.

Good things that happened (just a few highlights that stick out since I won’t remember everything).

• My family
  They will always tend to top this list as they give me the most joy and support.
• Teeny
  Yes I know I just mentioned family, but she stands out simply for her ability to make me laugh or cry just by knowing the right thing to say (and there is nothing like a 4 1/2 year old climbing in your lap for a hug to put life in perspective).
• Leigh
  Again, part of my family but also my best friend and one person who really understands me.
• Fall Camp
  This too will be on the list each year as it is always a joy to spend time with Sensei, seeing old friends and making new ones.
• The dojo
  In many ways this feels like repetition as this has become an extended family for me. I have so many wonderful people here who provide help and support that I can’t imagine what things would be like without them.
• Kids Aikido Summer camp
  To get to spend a couple of days with a wonderful instructor (thank you again Dennis Sensei) and my daughter doing something I love was an incredible experience.
• Nana and her moving into the Highly capable program at school
  To see her truly challenged and blossoming is a wonderful thing (and yes I am bragging about her, I am her Dad it is my right).
• Home improvement projects
  This is always a source of enjoyment for me as I get to make the house better as well as try new things.
• Kids Aikido (especially with Nana)
  This is perhaps the most fun out of all the things on the list. Getting to watch all of the kids we teach improve and become more comfortable on the mat has been a great source of joy over the past months. While all the kids are special, watching my daughter grow in her technique and love of the art is especially gratifying.

There are many others as well, but those are a few of the things that really stick out (hmm, notice how many things revolve around either the dojo or family…).

And now my goals for 2009.

• Continue my training and test for Shodan at fall camp 2009 in Arizona
• Take a family vacation (already have reservations for July)
• Add more distance to my running and run a 10K race at some point
  (my eventual goal is a 1/2 marathon, but my brain isn’t ready to commit to that yet
• Help Leigh to deal with whatever happens
  (some of you will know what I mean by this and some won’t, but lets just say that life tends to throw curve balls)
• Start a small home based business for computer consulting for added income
• Read MORE for fun
• Lose another 35 pounds
  (actually I want to lose another 50, but this is a good goal for this year, next year I will work on the other 15 if they are still there)

There are many other things I want to do, but that is enough for now.

What are your plans for the coming year and what has brought you joy over the past year?

Memories of fall camp

I don’t know about you, but I tend to have a few very precious memories that are like photos in my mind.

All I need to do is think about them and I can see the image in my head like it was in front of me (we won’t discuss how accurate that image may or may not be). Things like the day my folks dropped me off to go pick up my little sister (we are both adopted), running home from kindergarten to watch speed racer with my best friend Guy and the look on the doctors face when my oldest was safely delivered via forceps after many many hours of labor.

These things will be with me forever and I was fortunate enough to add to the list a couple of weeks back. I was at fall camp for Kokikai Aikido in San Francisco.

There were several things about camp that I enjoyed immensely (which I may talk about later) but one moment in particular stuck with me (and it wasn’t even on the mat).

I had already spent a good amount of time with friends enjoying camp and several of us we were sitting outside Sunday for lunch.

The day was sunny and warm, the view was spectacular (the Golden Gate bridge was visible over the buildings of the Presidio) and everything just seemed to gel and make sense for a moment.

One of those perfect moments of clarity that you don’t get often, but you really need to relish when you do.

Why am I running if nobody is chasing me?

I never thought I would be one of those people who enjoy running. I used to make all the usual jokes about “the only time I will run is if someone is chasing me”.

Now however I am enjoying it and starting to see what the attraction is.

I started trying to run last year after I tested for 3rd Kyu. The reason for this was simple, by the end of my freestyle I was much more winded than I felt I should have been (although I was still standing, barely) and wanted to be in much better shape before I tested for 2nd Kyu in front of Sensei.

I started by spending some road time on my bike, but here in the northwest winter is NOT a good time to be on the roads and be less than visible and as time went on it became more of a pain to get things ready for a bike ride and argue with traffic. Riding helped for a month or so and I still like to jump on the bike at times, but I decided to try running and see how it went.

It was good exercise for me but I still never understood why some folks enjoyed it so much.

Fast forward to January when the weather is nasty and cold but for some reason I am still making an effort to get out and run even though my test was in November (and yes I was happy with how it went thanks). I am not sure why but if I don’t get out and run at least once a week I don’t feel as well, something is different than when I started doing this.

Finally this spring it hit me, part of what I get out of running is a chance to try and employ the principles of Kokikai in a non confrontational situation completely under my control.

When I am running I find that if I relax the distance flows by more smoothly, if my posture is good then I am more comfortable while running, if I move from my center I move more easily and the runs are not as much work and finally if I keep a positive mindset I make better time and end up feeling better about the run.

I am now working on extending the distance I am running, and while my runs are pretty short to most runners, they work for me (working on 3 miles at a shot with 3 1/2 in sight).

I am finding running to be more and more enjoyable (I am turning into one of those people and while I don’t know that I will ever feel like running a marathon I will no longer say it won’t ever happen). I also have noticed that the end of the run is where I really get to see how I am moving that day, am I stiff where I shouldn’t be? do I allow myself to feel like I can’t go on and need to walk for a bit? or am I moving from my center, thus keeping things flowing and relaxed and does my mind simply tell me that I need to keep moving?

Rob at I dare posted his opinion of what defines a runner and I tend to agree. It isn’t distance or time (luckily for me) it is desire and planning both of which have become normal for me.

Tomorrow is curriculum night at Nana’s school, but before we go to that I have 3 miles or so to get in.

Back to school already?

Wednesday was another milestone for us as Nana and Teeny are now back to school (where did the summer go?).

Nana ready for School

Teeny ready for School

Nana is starting at a new school so she can take part in the district’s highly capable program (maybe this year we won’t hit the classroom boredom wall in March) and Teeny is back for her last year at her preschool before kindergarten.

They both had a hard time sleeping on Tuesday night since they were so excited for the school year to begin. I am curious if the excitement will keep up as they get older.
We dropped Nana off at the bus stop as her new school is too far to walk, then Leigh took me over by car so I could meet her before her first day (she wanted one of us with her, we will see how many more years that happens).

After dropping me off she took Teeny to school then came back to pick me up at which point we went to breakfast together. I think we are going to make an annual tradition out of that as well (Mommy and Daddy spend a morning out together on the first day of school).
Everyone LOVES their new classes and are really excited about this year so things are off to a good start.

How did your first day of school go this year?

The test that really matters

I got beat to the punch by Shevitz Sensei at Aikithoughts, but I still want to talk about this.

Last Tuesday night was testing at the dojo.

This is not an unusual event as we try to let people who are ready test for new ranks every couple of months, however it WAS unusual for me in that it was Nana’s first test as an Aikidoka. She has been training again for a while now and was very ready for her test.

Ready for her test

She went over all the questions she might have been asked, practiced her ki tests and techniques and generally did all the things she needed to in order to get ready for her test.
It showed, she did very well and was calm throughout her test (her only disappointment was that she didn’t get to throw me as part of her test, but maybe next time).

You can see her technique portion here.

She is my little girl and she did exactly what Sensei asks for, she showed her best. What more could I possibly ask for? (well maybe less guff at bedtime, but one thing at a time)

I have told her many times already, but perhaps someday she will read this and remember just how proud I am of her. Not because she passed her test, but because she did her best.