From aikido@VICON.NET Wed May 27 11:53:55 1998
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 22:46:32 -0400
From: Jill/Jilda Green
Reply-To: Aikido List
To: AIKIDO-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU
Subject: Seminar
Fellow litska:
Well I have gotten through all 225 back messages and now have no excuse
to not pack or clean out my car except the need to say a few words about
SA.The only things I regret were not getting into the city proper and
not getting anyone to go two stepping at a cantina somewhere.
On the way United almost lost my gi bag but then found it. I only got
one small injury except for the self-inflicted headache from all of the
coconut rum Ivan kept MAKING me drink Friday along with the Long Island
ICed TEA Maria and Kjartan FORCED down my throat Friday at "breakfast".
I must say I suprised myself and hung much better than I expected until
Sunday when I threw Craig Philips(?) over my leg on koshinage and had to
bow out.
Basically I enjoyed everything but most of all the fact that we were
really all on the same wave length - which it doesn't always seem like
on here with guns and who is better and what did O ' Sensei really say
and so on. The instructors were great, the hosts were great and the
attendees were ALL friendly with Wiley especially being suprisingly mild
mannered and polite.
My roomates were very crazy ( I reserve the right not to be the first to
expose the nature of the pillow presents and gummy fascimiles of a -----
which greeted us upon arrival in Rm558) which was wonderful - as were
Wendy and JIM.
Emily was my idol of the liberated woman still able to be in a
relationship with a guy (I'll bet he is quite a guy).
Ivan was pretty much as I expected but looked different than in the net
pictures - I never did think he was all that bad so wasn't that
suprised. He was quite helpful on the mat and helped me "begin" to
understand koshinage which we haven't done in 20 years in our style- no
small accomplishment given my feasr of the fall.
Mike Burke and I realized we met 20 years ago in Chicago one weekend at
Toyoda's Evanston dojo where he introduced me to Quinine for a neck
strain and shared the experience of sitting zazen wrapped in blankets in
below freezing weather when the dojo heat was off.
Ross and the Austin crew were awesome - guess us Ki Society offshoots
seem to have a lot in common.
Thanks to Lee I was able to push myself way beyond what I have been
doing since my Spring 1996 knee injury - great soft mats! I actually
think I managed NOT to embarrass myself on the mat by being a wimp!
Maria and Lee and the SA folks were perfect hosts and had goodies for us
each day (the grapefruit was the best).
I was very impressed by Alan's book and Philip's "presentation" and
everyone's friendliness.
Bartman was great (and tall) and Jun, Tim and Dave were sweet guys.
As for the Budo Babes and the VIKING -Cady was very strong and smart,
Janet very organized and kind of sweet despite being from Brooklyn
(un-like some of my ex-in -laws), Maria was beautiful and Kjartan was a
perfect gentleman (by Budi Babes criteria anyway).
ALL of the instructors were impressive and demonstrated great AIKI
souls AND KI! George was as fruit - NOT!!!!
Carlos and Rocky and Philip were gorgeous ( atmosphere is important to
us women too)and very nice too ( unusual in men these days).
Charlie makes great Chili and Texans are pretty friendly although they
drive fast and rarely walk it seems. Even the cops were fairly pleasant
although they didn't appear to look anything like Chuck Norris and had
no cowboy hats.
I am now the proud new owner of a hat AND a pair of boots. PLUS I got a
great hat for my award as the Bella Abzug of the list. I still don't
understand what titemi is though - I mean Ivan had no qualifications for
that that I saw!
I know I forgot someone but it will come to mind eventually- as everyone
there in my room at least knows forgetting things is my trademark. (LIke
my gi the first morning).
I had lots of doubts about spending all of that money to meet a bunch of
people I only know on the list but it was hard to say goodbye to many of
them/you. I regret everyone couldn't go but am sure glad I did and
probably will even when the credit card bill balance is still there in
ten years! I vote for DC the next time unless Someone wants to pay my
way to Europe or Ireland.
It will definitely change how I see people's posts now that I can put a
face and personality to folks but I can live wiht the change. It is a
small price indeed for the experience of SA!
Peace (and Hugs to all of the SA folks) JILL
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