Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 22:07:19 -0500
From: Robert Hough
<rch@QSERVE.NET>
Subject: Newbie Adventures in Boulder! (Long)
Just woke up from a nice nap, and I'm ready to bore you all to tears with
my review! Muahahaha!
Friday Oct 6, 2000 -- 10:00 AM (or close to that time frame...)
Monica, Paula and myself arrive at the Boulder Aikikai Dojo, and I was
totally taken back. This place is amazing! You can clearly see that a lot
of passion, and hard work went into the design and construction of this
fine dojo. If you are within a 1000 mile radius, you *must* visit!
We met up with Mike Bartman, and cruised over to Bu Jin Design. Mike
had just bought this *HUGE* weapons bag, and was one happy customer. I
too became a happy customer, as I ended up coming out with a shiny new
weapons bag myself, and a really BIG belt (I think I should have
gotten the large, not XL)... The Bu Jin staff was beyond friendly, and
I give them big thumbs up for the awesome customer service.
Later on in the day, we took a walk through the mall and I spotted a
knife shop -- lust set in, and I instantly made a path to the place. I
was most disappointed however... Let me just say that I don't consider
a Highlander replica blade to be "Battle Ready"... I don't care what
that silly clerk said...
I later met up with Julian Frost, Michael Hacker and his buddy John? Sorry,
I didn't catch his last name, and I'm guessing at the first. :( We all went
up to Estes Park for the Freeze Fest (tm) held by Chuck Gordon and Emily
Dolan. James Baldwin later joined us, and we had quite a chilling party. I
won't complain too much though. I mean, it's not every day you get to see
your sensei demonstrate gorilla waza! Eventually we got thrown out, I can't
imagine why...
The first class Saturday was led by Ikeda Sensei, and this was also my
first real aikido class. I was thrilled, but lost... I want to thank
everyone that helped me out on the mat too, you guys were great. Ikeda
Sensei talked about having an open mind, and being willing to try new
things. A great opener, for a great weekend.
Philip's class was very informational to me. I liked how he took a basic
move, and built several techniques from it. It only confirmed the thoughts
I have on my own training. I am but an unshaped chunk of steel, awaiting
it's basic shape. Only after I have my shape and form can I then become a
piece of art.
Julian's class blew me away... I didn't feel confident in my ability to
take the ukemi for what he was showing so I bowed out, and watched from the
sidelines in awe. I tried to get some video clips of it, but he moved so
darned fast I didn't get very much. :(
The Jo class with Peter was great, though I felt really awkward through
most of it. I did however grasp a few things right off the bat, and felt
good about that.. I look forward to doing more stuff with the Jo. The
timing and distancing stuff will really come in handy in the future.
After the seminar dinner, we all went back to the buff, and watched bad
budo tapes and drank. Let me tell you all now... I am working on my death
glance, and aiiki... You will soon fear me! ...... hand throw!
Come Sunday, I was zombified. In fact, so much so that I decided to sit out
during Alan's class. I wish I was up for it though, it looked really fun.
Heh, and I wanted to slap someone too! :)
There were a few mini-classes as well, but I due to my state of mind, I
didn't really participate in them. I wanted to try and save what energy I
had for Chuck's class, just incase he called me up. I had that feeling all
morning, as he asked me how I felt every time he saw me... I now think he
was just trying to make me nervous. :)
During Chuck's class, I got to show the people I worked the things I knew.
It was a great feeling not to feel completely lost the entire time I was
there. I also want to thank Alan for stressing the "feather" thing to me. I
*think* I finally got it towards the end, but I don't know for sure. Hope
so! I also got to work with Ikeda sensei during this class, and let me tell
ya - it was a riot. We both were totally lost, and had no idea what we were
doing! It was refreshing to see a sensei just as confused as me!
Thanks to everyone for being great people. I had a blast, and look forward
to next years seminar! I'm probably leaving some stuff out, but I'm sure
other's will cover it all when they get the energy. :)
-Rob
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