Tai-Chi Update: Stopping the Class

Yes, you read right. I am no longer going to Tai-Chi class. *gasp*

Faithful readers may remember back in 2006, my teacher said, "It's useless for me to teach you anymore unless you get better balance and strength." At that point I had been attending for about two months. And now I'm stopping after having attended weekly classes for over *three years*?!

Here's the scoop: After the first year or so, I stopped practicing outside of class. It isn't that I didn't WANT to. I am just lazy. And now I've decided to put my teacher's lessons into practice: it is useless for him to teach me unless I start practicing outside of class! So, I'm not going anymore.

What I have committed to do, on the other hand, is PRACTICE TAI-CHI DAILY. And, since I stopped going to class a couple weeks ago, that's exactly what I've done. Practice daily. Maybe not for long, maybe not even in total more than the weekly hour that I had been going to. But that can change.

And of course, if I keep it up my daily practicing long enough, I'll reward myself with further instruction.

I think my teacher would be proud.

My Tai-Chi school in Indianapolis

Check out this link to my Tai-Chi school: http://aikiconcepts.org/programs-we-offer/t%E2%80%99ai-chi-ch%E2%80%99uan/.


That's me, on the right.

Tai chi master hoping his moving medication' cuts health-care costs -- chicagotribune.com

Lee put this article on the bulletin board at my dojo, and I thought it was worth sharing!

Tai chi master hoping his moving medication' cuts health-care costs -- chicagotribune.com

Tai-Chi Status Update

As far as I can tell from reviewing this blog, I've been in Tai-Chi since October 2006. That means in two months I'll have been doing it for three years. But instead of a black-belt (which, of course, there is no such thing for Tai-Chi anyway), I'M STILL WORKING ON THE FIRST FORM. No joke, I don't know it yet. The last few moves, at least, and we are still going over the basics in class.

That's one of the big differences between internal and external martial arts. External martial arts show results quickly. Internal takes YEARS to show progress. Oh well, it's probably about the journey or something.

His favorite food was soup

I have a board of director's meeting tomorrow at work (today we had a finance committee meeting). It's at 9:30a on a Saturday. I've put a note on my alarm to remind myself not to turn it off. Little notes to myself...reminds me of the movie "Memento" - wicked good movie, BTW.

I've finished my introductory Tai-Chi class down in Bloomy. Now I think I'm going to start one here in Indy (since half my students are from Indy (that is, one guy)). Adding his link reminds me...

Recently I've noticed TV pundits, hard-up for information on some suspect in a late-breaking news story, are prone to go to the perp's myspace page. They then say stupid stuff like "Johnny liked fast cars, and preferred blonds. His favorite food was soup.". I guess it's better than nothing, which is what they had before.

In chess news, I'm now an official tournament director, sanctioned by the United States Chess Federation. Oh yeah. Bring it. What does it take to be a TD for the USCF, you ask? Fill out some forms, pay some money, buy a book and promise that you'll "try and follow the rules". I predict some sort of fallout from the lax standards related to TDs by the USCF. [Edit 4/17/08 In reading the 5th edition rules, I'm no longer worried...I am only a "club" level TD...there are multiple levels and I am only qualified to run tournaments of under 50 people.]

But now that I think of it, there are a lot of things that people THINK are tougher to become than they are. I mean, to be a minister or a notary public, you don't even have to buy a *book*.

Well, it's no longer Friday, so I'd better motor.

Happy Easter season!

Northern Yang Style 108

Trying to be a better instructor, I spent about 30 min today looking on the 'net for my Tai-Chi form (Northern Yang Style 108 steps), and I've given up. I think it must be some sort of a sub-form or derivation of a more standard form.

I guess I'm going to have to document it myself at some point.

Here's a start (I learn Tai-Chi from Vinh Tran at Aiki Concepts in Indianapolis, Indiana...the studio these pictures were taken is The Lynda Mitchell Yoga Studio in Bloomington, Indiana):

1. Begin motion








2. Fair motion (horse stance, hands push forward, up under rib cage)









3. Jade lady catch the butterfly (hands sweep left, then right, left leg behind right)








4. Left leg lift


5. - 108. I'll add later (yikes!).

how, as a Monkey, I should offer the peach

This weekend:

Friday: Played games w/ Drew, and DavidK (Betrayal at House on the Hill, Citadels, then Wreckage).

Saturday: Went to Tai-Chi class (learned how, as a Monkey, I should offer the peach), then drove down to Bloomy with Daniel to teach Tai-Chi. In the evening, we went to the Legend w/ the Arvins, the Herbi, and the Murphys, then back to our house for gamage (Wit's and Wagers, then Would you Rather (NO, I WOULDN'T) then Taboo).

A couple of IU students walking their dog in front of our house came across $40 which had fallen out of my pocket (thanks Mom!), and were nice enough to bring it up to our door! We got to pet their cute puppy, Colombo. I figured I should blog about it, since I always put anything bad about the neighborhood...I should put positive things too, when they happen.

Sunday: To church at 9am (Maddie is the peer sponsor for one of her best friends, Jenny), then (while Court taught religious ed to a couple cute first graders) Maddie and Molly and I ate brunch at Bob Evans with the Leisings. It was nice to catch up with them. I also said "hi" to M&M's Godgrandparents.

In the evening Court's parents invited us over for dinner (KING RIBS), and more games (Time's Up). Dinner was good, but the game was a little "off", for some reason. I think it has something to do with the fact that, instead of using the game as designed, Court made up the names, which included such winners as "Charles" (Kelley's cat), and "Mallory" (Molly's friend).

This stupid laptop

Just watched Layer Cake - Court was out at the Movies with Julie, and Maddie and Molly were babysitting the Herbi. When Court got home we watched a couple episodes of "How I met your mother", which is a pretty funny TV show we got on disc from Dave and AmyL.

I had my favorite sandwich for dinner - Penn Station. That was dinner, not lunch. If I had it for lunch I wouldn't tell you.

Talked with Daniel at Lazy Daze - he said he might go down to Bloomy with me next Sat. to learn Tai-Chi and meet the 'rents (both of which I did today, btw...it was a good class...I think there were six in the class).

This stupid laptop is working (connecting to the internet wirelessly) now...which it hasn't been doing for a few days and I suspect will stop in about 10 seconds, so I'd better publish this NOW.

now that's just CRAZY

Got back a week ago from my three days of fun-filled board game playing in KY with 18 other guys. Finished the "990" at work, which is like the 1040 for not-for-profits (and, in our case, due on 2/15).

Here's what else I've been doing instead of keeping you up-to-date (I'm a bad boy):

1. Read the Tao Te Ching (which is the second most translated book in the history of the world)...so now I've read #1 and #2...I wonder what #3 is...let's see: Maybe Euclid's "The Elements" or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (per the guiness book of world records) which probably shouldn't count as a BOOK. Turns out there is no consensus for #2...let alone #3.

2. Started (today) going down to Bloomy to teach a beginner's Tai-Chi class (I have one real student).

3. Continuing to fix my new laptop to make it do what I want it to do (really, a neverending process). Hay, that reminds me - what do you all use as video conference software (free, of course) - since I have this built-in webcam, now I want to use it.

4. Going to a (very) late-night bible study (it starts at 10pm on Tuesdays...now that's just CRAZY). It gets over the next day.

5. Getting more and more behind on my chess dues tracking. It's the kind of thing that if you get too far behind, you feel you can never catch up.

6. Doing my taxes. Which reminds me - I need to get back to that RIGHT NOW.

I think I'm a Christian Taoist

We've got a new laptop in the family, named Acer. It's like $550 at Best Buy...2GB RAM, 120GB hard drive, etc., etc. I started watching "The Big Fish" on it. Someone must have recommended that movie to me.

It's working right now, thanks to DanD - my good friend and all-around knowledgeable systems geek (good guy to know).

Just came back from Tai-Chi. I haven't been practicing much. I'm a bad boy.

I replaced a wiper blade on my car, and (as you can see), there is a poll about it I'd like your input on. I'm experimenting with polls. In particular, I'd like to know if I can get a history of them, or how I archive them after they are done. It's open for 6 days.

The girls are out watching the concert-movie "Hannah Montana" right now.

I'm not going to say what I had for lunch, but I will say I finished the book "Humility" by Andrew Murray. I'm now praying each day to be humble (when I remember).

Court and I had a date-night last night, and we talked about all sorts of things - even a little about another book that I re-read recently (it only took a couple hours): The Tao of Pooh. I think I'm a Christian Taoist. Not sure yet if I'm allowed to be...I'd better check into that.

... Tao-Te Ching begins by asserting that words are not adequate for explaining the Tao: "The Tao . . . that can be told of is not the eternal Tao."{6} But if words cannot fully explain the Tao, they can at least suggest it. In chapter 25 we read:

There was something undifferentiated and yet complete,
Which existed before heaven and earth.
Soundless and formless, it depends on nothing and does not change. It operates everywhere and is free from danger.
It may be considered the mother of the universe.
I do not know its name; I call it Tao.{7}

...sound familiar?

showing ignorance

One interesting thing about my Tai-Chi instructor, is that he CHANGES THE FUNDAMENTALS every once in awhile.

If you think about it, this is pretty odd. Actually, I like it. I respect the fact that, even though he is WAY above me in terms of skill, he's still learning and changing, and improving his skill (and passing that on to us). I would think most instructors would hesitate to change things like that (I mean, they'd be a little self-conscious...showing ignorance and all that).

2007 Year-End Summary

This is my year-end summary post, so if you are a regular blog reader, feel free to skip it.

But, for those who hit me once a year - this bud's for you! To get more info (pictures of our August Disney trip, for example), find the "Archive" drop-down at the bottom of this page, on the left-hand side, and select the month you are interested in.

Maddie, at 12, had a few major "firsts" this year - growing into adulthood. Hanging at the mall w/ friends, junior-high dance, bombfire, and just in general being by herself or just with friends more and more. She went on a bus trip to D.C. in June with a million girl scouts.

Molly, at 9, is sweet as ever - sleepovers on the weekending being the rule. She enjoyed basketball and kickball this year (4th grade being the first time organized sports begin at OLL)

Chess club entered it's second year, and we joined the CYO competition against other schools, coming in 2nd city-wide.

At work, we started adding on in August (big time...doubling our warehouse space, and finishing a second story). When I say "we", I mean "others at work". Although, I do help when forced. We should be done by this time next year.

I continue to take Tai-Chi (having graduated to the intermediate class in September), but I don't practice daily like I used to. However, I do tend to stand a bit differently when I'm waiting in line.

Our Neighborhood continues to be interesting (crime-wise).

Working backwards through the year - here are the highlights:

In August, our family went to Disney in Florida (first time for me). When I was growing up, I always told myself that I'd like to take my girls to Disney when they are 12 and 9 (so they can appreciate it). It was miserably hot, but nice to spend it with family (my whole family was there at one point or another). Since it was at the same time as Gen Con, I went to Origins this year instead.

In July, the family (sans moi) took their annual trek to Michigan. It was sans moi, since I haven't enough vacation days (to be remedied this next year, since it'll be MY FIFTH at FAME, and I'll get 15 days instead of 10!).

In May, we had a block party - with a Keg no less (another first for me).

In February, Courtney bought $150 in chicken out of the back of a truck.

In January, we were invited to THREE superbowl parties, and I became a second cousin (I think).

Well, that about wraps it up! Please let me know if you start blogging, so I can keep up with your life and thoughts, and pop a comment on now and then to let me know you are reading my drivel.

disturbingly, she wouldn't tell me what it was

I dealt blackjack last night for the festival - in 90 minutes I probably made about $40.

Molly fixed us pancakes this morning. We only had to destroy about half of them. Her secret ingredient (which, disturbingly, she wouldn't tell me what it was until after I ate them) was cinnamon and sugar.

In about 2 minutes I've got to get ready for Tai-Chi. I've gone to one intermediate class, and I definitely feel like i don't know what I'm doing.

Court just asked me if I want some feedback on bacon-making. I told her "no".

Molly said she rode all the rides (except the octopus - "too scary") last night, she won a snake (fake), she spay-painted her hair (blue and green), and had a gay ol' time hangin' with her homeys.

Well, better motor! The sound of bacon frying is gone...I'd better hide before I get more "feedback".

I can't come back

Maddie and two of her friends just walked out the door, to participate in that right of passage: the first Junior High Dance (which I've been told is 7th and 8th grade only). Since when is Jr. High just 7th and 8th grade, anyway? I'm proud to say that they chose to dress properly - unlike some others I'm sure who will show up with bare midriff and more makeup than a clown.

Happy B-day to yours truly! I've been milking the day for all it's worth, eating up a storm, and kicking back and letting Court do all the chores. Wait a minute. That describes my life in general! Ah...sweet, sweet, life.

Court bought me a pair of Sunglasses I've been wanting (WileyX XL-1), which arrived today. I tried buying the cheapest K-Mart had to offer, and, one after the other, they kept breaking within days. This brand, on the other hand, are well-neigh indestructible (according to a military web-site I was looking at).

In other news, today my Tai-Chi instructor said that I can't come back...since I've been PROMOTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE CLASS! To be fair, it's really only since the beginner class is now full, and he needs the slot. I've been taking classes for about a year, meeting pretty consistently each week and practicing at least once a week. I'm still about 1/2 way through the form.

As you might remember, there are no ranks or "belts" in Tai-Chi. There is no competition per se. Which reminds me - Kelley was thoughtful enough to get me one of the books high on my "want list" (thanks, Amazon.com, and Kelley!): The Book of the 5 Rings.

At least 50 people

We just got back from celebrating Mass, after which were coffee and donuts (Court baked some stuff for it as well). There were at least 50 people after church! [edit 7/23/07: I just found out they renamed it "Fellowship Sunday" or something like that from "New Member Greeting" or something like that. Maybe that explains the increase? Probably not.]

Maddie goes to CYO camp today for a week.

Yesterday Court went to our neighbor's lake house for the day, and I played games with Leroy and DaveK. We played Confrontation, Shipwrecked (3x), and (believe it or not) Risk (all from noon to about 7pm).

I went to Tai-Chi yesterday morning, but no one else was there! And when I say no one, I mean not even the instructor. So I just worked out by myself for about 45 minutes, and left.

Not too hot, so I did it outside

The girls come back from Michigan today - ETA is 4pm.

Tai-Chi was supposed to be at 8:30 am this morning - way too early for me on a Saturday, so I slept in (til 10:30), and just did my Tai-Chi myself. It's a nice morning - not too hot, so I did it outside (on my back deck, so as to not alarm the neighborhood).

Last night I went to the 101st anniversary of the Cathedral downtown (they chose yesterday to celebrate since it is the feast day of S.S. Peter and Paul). There was a mass followed by a banquet and silent auction. I hope I won something.

On Wednesday TheHowell, Spank, his girlfriend Allison, and Robert came over for some 5-player werewolf. We played 9 games, and had fun (I won 5). Allison is pregnant, and Spank says their story is the same as "Knocked Up" (the movie). I wonder if he'll keep saying that once he's seen it. I'm so glad she's keeping the baby!

It's striking that the normal citizen of the world is allowed to kill family members (via abortion and euthanasia)...is that better than being allowed to kill strangers?

On Thursday I went over to DaveK's and we played a couple games (Twilight Struggle and Lightning Midway). I won and he won.

TONIGHT: FREE BEER

Bought a pony keg for the first time in my life this morning (for our block party). We're hoping free beer will attract people. Reminds me of that joke about a rock band named "Free Beer". On the marquee "TONIGHT: FREE BEER".

For the first time in at least a MONTH I actually learned a new move in my Tai Chi class (as opposed to just perfecting moves I already have learned). It has to do with breaking an elbow (not yours, your opponents).

I played TS with DanD last night, til about oh-dark-30. I won (I think...it was a bit confusing since we didn't finish, and the time clock was misunderstood a bit), but it was his first game, so we were just playing to "learn the rules". That's what I told him anyway...I still log it in the "win" column.

He Had a Zen Baby

We had some friends (The M's) over for dinner last night, and played 4 games: Wits and Wagers, Taboo, Password, and Werewolf. They are quite compatible with us, and we had fun.

Papa M (Pat) mentioned that he reads my blog sometimes (Hi Pat!), and that he noticed my post re: "When I am hungry...", and that he used to tell friends he had a zen baby (who ate when he was hungry...). Pat's the one who loaned me "The Book of the 5 Rings". It does my heart good when I hear that I have blog readers - please continue to comment on posts as you read them (even if it's just the occasional "hi Kieron").

I do have some statistics on blog readership (I've recently begun excluding hits from my home computer, to make them more reliable), but I like to know WHO is reading.

We (Maddie and I) are leaving in five minutes to wo-man the girl scouts garage sale - it's HUGE (two big tents, right on Emerson). It think this is the first year it's been done (at least recently).

I went to Tai-Chi today - I helped a new person (her first day), and worked on my hand position and some timing things. I've still only learned about 50% of the form, and am now working on perfecting it.

Pride and Prejudice

Whew - another week flew by...It's now Sunday (four minutes ago).

The whole fan-damily just finished the movie Pride and Prejudice...it was really good. We've got "total access" by blockbuster, which is a bit better than netflix since you get a free movie from the bricks and mortar store with each return (since, of course, we must never be without a movie).

I've set up a laptop (working now, except that I'd like to make it wireless). [Edit...1:14a...wireless is now working, and I'm blogging from my bed while Court is watching SNL]

Good news - the Tai-Chi school isn't going to close down...they are working on improving their marketing, etc.

Courtney bid on 10 hours of interior decorating work at the OLL silent auction awhile back, and boy are we getting our money's worth! Here's a pic of the husband-wife team hanging our blinds! Talk about going above and beyond!

Played DoA on Wednesday...here's a photo:


Well, Molly's yelling at me to tuck her in...later!

Courtney's Back!

Yippee, Courtney's back! We met her at the 'port this evening.

On the Tai-Chi front, after six months of daily practice, I am 50% through learning the basics of the form. Yikes.

In chess club news, there were 30 (yes, thirty) students at the club today. Also yikes.

In a final yikes, did I mention I leave for four days of intense gaming on Wednesday? I probably did....after a quick check of my blog history, I see that I haven't.