Parade

Saturday marked another Farmers Day parade with Silent River lion dancing down the street. It was by far the most time I've spent in a lion. It was exhilarating, nerve wracking and  exhausting. Mostly I was just trying not to step on the feet of the head or get to far behind. I definitely felt like like I was a few steps behind all the time. The biggest moment of panic was when we went to do a wave, which I have never done before. I wasn't sure what to do exactly so I just copied the head, hopefully it looked alright. 

Despite the bit of nervousness I had a great time. It was a lot of fun and I am glad to have had the experience. Being the tail sure gives the back a workout, mine is sore and stiff today. I was surprised that my shin is still aching from the bit of jogging I did. I smashed it pretty hard with my meteor hammer a couple weeks ago. It left a wicked lump and bruise which I manged to make even bigger while sparring during the pandamonium. Guess its not done healing yet if I can feel it while running.

Lion Dance

Fridays class was the first time I've been in a lion. It was pretty cool, I'm sure I had a big grin on my face. I was quite surprised at how little I could see as a tail. I was trying not to be Casper but bending over as far as I was I couldn't really see the feet of the head, which meant I had no idea what was going on. I'm guessing I just need to try and bend over but keep my head up. I tweaked my lower back and it was bothering me most of the week. Hunching over as a tail was a bit painful. It was neat playing around in the head, it was bit more awkward to hold up than I was expecting. Its pretty hot under the lion. I'm already a pretty sweaty guy once I start moving. I can only imaging how much I'd be sweating after a lion dance. Might have to waterproof the inside of one!

Sleet on the Beach

Monday was not exactly what I call beach friendly weather. It was the second night we've played volleyball. It was cold, windy and halfway through the first game sleet started to fall. It didn't last very long though and the sun eventually came out for a bit. I played in sweat pants, a fleece jacket and wool socks with no shoes. It was weird. Even with the bad weather we had a great time.  Our team is going to win the award for most laughter by the end of the season, I guarantee it. The first night we played I think we baffled the other team with our joking around and laughing fits. I've really been enjoying it.

My hands are blistered up pretty good from practising the meteor hammer. The index finger on my right hand just got a new one in a different spot as another one was healing. I am going to have to start taping up my hands or something so I can continue practising without losing all my skin. I've got to pick up some medical or athletic tape. I slowly feel like I am making progress. I'm still not very consistent with pulling off moves but I am getting better. I still don't have a complete form yet but I finally have some pieces. I feel comfortable enough now with the basics that its time to start putting the pieces together. Still a long way to go until I'm demo ready but I will get there.

I have a meeting with my realtor this Sunday. House hunting is about to get serious. I'm excited but also not looking forward to the extra stress. It's been a bit chaotic lately, I could use a vacation.

House Hunting

Things sure have been hectic lately. Work continues to be nuts, I've been working longer hours than usual. I've been working so franticly to get some projects out that by the end of work day I feel thoroughly drained. Its not helping me stay motivated, I'm not getting enough practice time in. I ran through some forms in the living room today, felt good, wish I had a bigger living room...

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but I have a goal of buying a house this summer. I'm looking for a place in Edmonton right now, I've been spending a lot of time searching listings. This will be my first time buying a place so I'm a bit nervous. I'm even more excited! The idea of actually having a place to call my own, a place I can do anything I want with, is pretty neat.

I am definitely looking for a Kung Fu friendly home. I get excited every time I see a picture of a big back yard or a large stone terrace. I think its funny that I'm looking at pictures scoping for good meteor hammer swinging areas. Really I just want a bi-level with an open basement that has 10'-12' ceilings, that exists right? I might be dreaming. I have also contemplated getting a big lot and then building a free standing structure such as the one below... some of you might recognize it.

Easter

I had a pleasant Easter. Spent time with friends and family, ate too much. Got some chores done, put my summer tires on and cleaned the inside of my car.  All in all pretty good. I signed up with some friends for beach volleyball with the Edmonton sport and social club. So for most of the summer I will now be playing volleyball on Monday nights. It should be fun. I haven't played volleyball since high school, going to be interesting to see how many skills I've retained. Its going to be pretty casual, I expect the will be more laughs than spikes.

Purple

It's been awhile since I journalled. I am pretty disappointed in myself for doing this yet again. Shortly after my last post I was sick for about a week, then the following week I was out of town for work. Unfortunately I didn't get much done during that time, the numbers definitely took a hit. Since then I've been trying to catch up. I've been trying to watch what I eat more, keeping track and weighing my self every day. I've been weighing myself in the morning right after I wake up, which I hear is the most accurate way to do it. Over the past two weeks I've lost about six pounds, I think anyway. My weight seems to fluctuate up to 7lbs during the day so I am hoping a consistent morning measure is accurate.

I've really been having a hard time getting practice time in with the meteor hammer. The only times I've been practising are on Fridays and Saturdays at the kwoon. Sometimes Fridays don't give me much practice time either. I'm not getting the hang of the weapon as fast I was hoping. I was expecting it to be a challenge since I've never learned a weapon like it before, and hinged weapons aren't my strong point, but its been harder than I expected. I knew I was going to have a slow start but I'm further behind the eight ball than I would like. The weather is finally good enough that I can start going outside. I'm going to start hunting for areas that are dry enough. Somewhere where I'm not going to get arrested. I hit myself in the side of the leg twice yesterday at practice which left a large, sore bruise. So far its the worst I've hurt myself with the hammer so I suppose I can't complain.

Ugh

Not much to say this post. Progress with the meteor hammer has been pretty slow. I am having a hard time being consistent. Even when I think I have a technique down I'll still mess it up 1/4 of the time. I'm hoping that will go away with more practice. Right now basically all of my practice time is at the kwoon on Fridays and Saturdays, which isn't that much. It will be nice when I can start practising outside. I was sick for most of the weekend which was a downer.  Friday during class I felt like I was fighting to throw up most of the time. Not quite a 100% yet but I am feeling better. Hopefully next week goes better.