Hello there, it’s me again. Well, I’m back to chilling at home. Yes, it’s been a while. Working hours and hours again. Part of the business. I’ve always been pretty lucky to finding long lasting work, because I work for those positions. The slow down has hindered those opportunities. That’s okay. We hammered out our job, beat the schedule because, that’s how we role. My gf, said to us, maybe a group of solid go getters like you guys maybe wasn’t the best idea for this time and material job, but, we made our management look good. As a very close friend of mine explained, that’s my job. To make management, my crew and most importantly, my union look good. In any event, I have been putting out resumes and applications to different businesses and trades. My hopes were humbled and basically a shot in the dark. I got a bite and I’ve started the application process. I’ve recently passed two parts of this new application process. And now I wait for part three. I’m nervous and scared of course I am. It’s new and unknown, what’s going to happen. But I stand tall and will just simply do my best.
Training is hanging around. I’m starting to push the weights around. Da mu shing, is on my mind and I have time again, so I’ll crush some reps. Back to staying in contact with Sifu. He’s my engagement right now, as S.R.K.F. is always on my mind. The time isn’t there, but my thoughts are. Unfortuanatly, the onoway kwoon has shut down. So, my classes are gone. External circumstances and greed played a huge part. That’s okay. I’ll join back with stony plain when finances allow. Right now finances don’t allow much, but, that’s okay. A good lesson in getting back to the basics and doing what important right now.
Lots has transpired in the last few months. I lost my buddy Bane. Had to give him up. He fell backwards really fast. Really fast! Got kinda scary there for a little bit, big god damn dog, with a bad temper that just kinda flared up. I think could I have done things differently? maybe. Could I have done more for him? maybe. I don’t know man. His breed really came out fast and honestly, I poured a lot of time and effort and patience and training and understanding into him. Was this the right home for him? Probably not. But, I couldn’t stand by and let him stay where he was. Locked in a cage all day and all night. Small amounts of freedom. Nope I couldn’t do that. Sometimes my heart is bigger than my brain. That’s okay. We all learnt very valuable lessons about dogs, training and understanding. Bane, I wish you the best buddy. Sorry I didn’t understand what to do with you. Sorry I failed you buddy. Always my puppy. Always my boy. Love you dude. My last words to him before I drove away from that farm.
Anyhow, I managed to face hardships and uncertainties clean and sober. I managed to call and ask for help. Managed to realize, this guy needs help. More importantly, realized most people can not help me. That’s okay. Stick to my roots. Prosperity and growth will come from these lessons in life.
Where am I, what am I doing, and who am I? Well, today I’m here being the best dad/provider I can be. That’s who I am, that what I am, that’s what I do.
Thanks for your time
Mr.Duncan
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
Friday, 15 September 2017
Eat, sleep, conquer, repeat
Hi, internet! It's me it's me mr.D! Fell down and floundered for a while there!I'm feeling good about me again. Last night I had a chance to hang with a real good friend of mine. Someone who understands me and understands the challenges I face. I forgot my basics. Forgot my goals, forgot who I was. Forgot?! No, ignored who I was. That's okay though folks. I learnt a lot about me in the last few days. Some times a sick mofo like me, has to fall down and rest in the shit of life before any self-realizations can appear. Sometimes, I need it dark and lonely, before, I can ask for proper help.
Not everyone can help people like me, and I forgot that. I thought that, you know, I was like most people, for a while, but I am not. Most people would quit life if they have to go through the mental tormenting, that people like me go through on a seemingly daily basis. That's okay. I forgot, people like me, are far too much for some to help. Sometimes, I need that reminder. I have a disease that is unlike many others. Not an excuse, but that's how I was treating it. It's not an excuse to be shitty and self-loathing. No, it's my reason to get out of bed and crush the day. It's my reason as to why I'm the warrior I am today. I'm not scared to look the devil in his beady little eyes again. I not afraid to kick that demon right in the groin. Bring it on truck face. You think you got Willie down? You think you got me backed into a corner? Ahh, Maybe, you do. You sure you want to keep pushing? Yeah you do, but, do not forget I get back up, every single time. And when I do, you best not be here. Some days, I forget, why, I went down that dark road for so, so many years. I remember now. I remember. I'm here to earn what's rightfully mine. I'm taking my place back, and if you're standing there in my way, you won't be for much longer!
This last while was a great reminder as to what can happen, when I prioritize life before happiness. Life happens, but, happiness is a choice. Yes, everything is a choice. I can choose miserable balogna or I can choose to be who I'm supposed to be. I have this burning desire in my belly, and when I chose to try to squash that fire, I always pay dearly. When I throw kindling on that fire, the results are always awe-inspiring!! Well, whoever is upstairs, gave me a great reminder, of what will happen, when I quit striving to be me!
Being "committed" to a way of life and not working for it just doesn't make any sense. Committed! Pfft, I'm committed to world peace, but, I'll still take you out when threatening me. Demons or people. I don't give one hoot who is stepping up, you'll fall, just like every other naysayer! But, That's what I was also doing. Started to fall into the sheep mentality, when in fact, I am the lion! Not a wolf, forget the wolf. Put a lion in a cage with a wolf, and well, it's not going to work out well for the dog. Lions are kings and wolves are dogs. Forget these excuses about planets and stars, and universal energiesand the trees blowing this way, and the grass growing that way. Simply more unneeded excuses. I, with the help of my higher power, create my opportunities and energies. No more cupping my nuts and waiting for it. I ask for help and guidance, and start pushing hard.
I'm paraphrasing and changing to suit here! "The lion doesn't loose sleep over the opinions of sheep, he just eats them!" Today that's where I'm at. Unless you are fighting in my corner, you are fighting my corner, and there's not too many who want to throw down with someone who fights with the devil on an hourly basis! Arrogant, nope! Determined, hell yeah! Confident, almost one hundred percent back there! Don't confuse confidence with arrogance! That's a sheeps mistake!!
Besides, this mofoing lion is hungry. You'll never know just how strong you are, until you get desperate for change and growth. Desperate people are the most dangerous. You'll never know what they will do to simply not fail! Unless you've been there you'll never ever know. Unless you've been there you'll never relate!! You'll never know what it like to be desperate until it's all you have left. I'm not scared to fall down and roll in the mud. Failure, that's a state of mind and in the last few years, I've not completely accepted failure in my soul. I learn. I grow.
"Eat, sleep, conquer, repeat"
Brock Lesnar 1977-present
Time to feast! I'll eat all you all later. Just wait your turn.
I'm hunting for mine, and if you got it, I'm taking it
Mr.Duncan
Not everyone can help people like me, and I forgot that. I thought that, you know, I was like most people, for a while, but I am not. Most people would quit life if they have to go through the mental tormenting, that people like me go through on a seemingly daily basis. That's okay. I forgot, people like me, are far too much for some to help. Sometimes, I need that reminder. I have a disease that is unlike many others. Not an excuse, but that's how I was treating it. It's not an excuse to be shitty and self-loathing. No, it's my reason to get out of bed and crush the day. It's my reason as to why I'm the warrior I am today. I'm not scared to look the devil in his beady little eyes again. I not afraid to kick that demon right in the groin. Bring it on truck face. You think you got Willie down? You think you got me backed into a corner? Ahh, Maybe, you do. You sure you want to keep pushing? Yeah you do, but, do not forget I get back up, every single time. And when I do, you best not be here. Some days, I forget, why, I went down that dark road for so, so many years. I remember now. I remember. I'm here to earn what's rightfully mine. I'm taking my place back, and if you're standing there in my way, you won't be for much longer!
This last while was a great reminder as to what can happen, when I prioritize life before happiness. Life happens, but, happiness is a choice. Yes, everything is a choice. I can choose miserable balogna or I can choose to be who I'm supposed to be. I have this burning desire in my belly, and when I chose to try to squash that fire, I always pay dearly. When I throw kindling on that fire, the results are always awe-inspiring!! Well, whoever is upstairs, gave me a great reminder, of what will happen, when I quit striving to be me!
Being "committed" to a way of life and not working for it just doesn't make any sense. Committed! Pfft, I'm committed to world peace, but, I'll still take you out when threatening me. Demons or people. I don't give one hoot who is stepping up, you'll fall, just like every other naysayer! But, That's what I was also doing. Started to fall into the sheep mentality, when in fact, I am the lion! Not a wolf, forget the wolf. Put a lion in a cage with a wolf, and well, it's not going to work out well for the dog. Lions are kings and wolves are dogs. Forget these excuses about planets and stars, and universal energiesand the trees blowing this way, and the grass growing that way. Simply more unneeded excuses. I, with the help of my higher power, create my opportunities and energies. No more cupping my nuts and waiting for it. I ask for help and guidance, and start pushing hard.
I'm paraphrasing and changing to suit here! "The lion doesn't loose sleep over the opinions of sheep, he just eats them!" Today that's where I'm at. Unless you are fighting in my corner, you are fighting my corner, and there's not too many who want to throw down with someone who fights with the devil on an hourly basis! Arrogant, nope! Determined, hell yeah! Confident, almost one hundred percent back there! Don't confuse confidence with arrogance! That's a sheeps mistake!!
Besides, this mofoing lion is hungry. You'll never know just how strong you are, until you get desperate for change and growth. Desperate people are the most dangerous. You'll never know what they will do to simply not fail! Unless you've been there you'll never ever know. Unless you've been there you'll never relate!! You'll never know what it like to be desperate until it's all you have left. I'm not scared to fall down and roll in the mud. Failure, that's a state of mind and in the last few years, I've not completely accepted failure in my soul. I learn. I grow.
"Eat, sleep, conquer, repeat"
Brock Lesnar 1977-present
Time to feast! I'll eat all you all later. Just wait your turn.
I'm hunting for mine, and if you got it, I'm taking it
Mr.Duncan
Thursday, 7 September 2017
the thought behind a thought
Well, this is real weird. The blogging on a Thursday, but hey, I got something to say. So, lately, I don't know. I've just been kinda messed up. Not really sure on where to go or what to do. Things in my professional life are at its worst. I have this kinda love to hate my career path. It feels like I've been living a fricken lie most of my life. I don't know what I'm after right now. There's literally no sustainable work for me. There's a shut down coming up, and another big money gig that I can chase. But here's the thing. I'm sick and tired of chasing the money. I'm sick and tired of running in circles for money. I know I'm kinda sounding like a wiener. I know, but, it's fucking true. A man can only handle so much chatter before the chipmunk gets it. And this mind is on over drive.
Listen, i am very thankful for my career. All the people I met. All the times I've had with these different walks of life. I have had a lot of fun hanging and banging iron. I truly love that job. But, honestly, I don't want to anymore and why should I? It's not why I was put on this Earth. It's not, Im not sorry. Truth is, is I'm not sure what is my reason. To be the best I can be at everything I do. Check. Trying to, working on it. Some days are for shit but others, others are the reason why I keep pressing forwards. The little things in life ya know?
So, I've been soul searching and thinking and pondering, and I wasn't getting anywhere. I was finding the skills I have, but, I was only focused on why I couldn't bring skills over from ironworking to another gig. And I was baffled. Still kinda am, note, my randoms through this blog! I was going in circles with my conversations and all because I don't understand! I don't get anything other than the ironworking world. Even the rest of the trades, the construction world, honestly, I don't care about. I've straight up with lots of don't belongs on the job site. Besides that, I keep minimal contact with the outside world, I don't like it when people I don't know, know my name. How the do you know me? Me and my mindset are fucked up. The way I think and see things versus what and how things work in the rest of the world. It's all sorts of off. I would have done great in the Wild West! Shit yeah. Ol' dead eye Willie. Except I would have been blind. (No eye surgery back then!) Gladiators!! Yeah!!
Wow, all of that up there because, I have no idea on writing resumes and cover letters. I know there's help. It's stupid. That's right I said it. It's stupid. Hahahaha. Basically because I don't understand why! I just don't get it sometimes. It's not stupid. Nothing is I guess, it's just understanding. I'm not a dumb guy. I just don't understand the language and I'm English speaking. Like, that's what I talk..... The need for evolution is here.
It's okay though. The awareness is there know. I do get the picture and in my experience, it's always stormiest before the calm! And if one or two rants and a blogfest is all Willie's freak out consists of today, oh wow! My reaction I can control, and I can fix that. That's great. That is progress and change. I just need more of it. I know one day I be as calm as calm is, but this is growth. Only two whack days! Not bad buddy, not bad at all!! Pat on the back. Oh if you only knew! Yeah, I third person myself I know. I'm kind of impressed on the ability to grasp and calm and breath I've managed to muster. Man was there a time. That's all wrapped up now though. That time is gone and over.
Fucking fear. It pisses me off. You know? I don't know, I can only speak for me. But fear it's a weird one. I've lived down there for years and I near died a lot, and today, there's parts that won't budge. I'm so scared to fail, that, it's just goes on repeat. You'll fail. You'll fail. Man, you don't try to listen, but, it's that little fucking squirrel again. Going on and on and on and on. Fire trucks!
I don't know, though, maybe I shouldn't say nothing. Maybe.....hehe
So, here's a curve ballio. I think all and all, it's been a good day. Egos hurt. Pride got kicked in the balls. I'm not getting my way, basically, everything I need to see before I will change. There's a few steps further if more drastic measures are needed, but, I get it. Im good, this is shitty enough. I'm a stubborn sob some days, but that's serves a purpose too. Just not today or tomorrow. I'm not scared to look at my part in the event, it is the work towards restoration that sucks sometimes.still, we trudge the road towards happy destiny" yeah we do! These are pivitol times and what my next step is scary, but, is the one that matters. There's no glue there anymore. Still, I've done what I can for today, tomorrow I will pick up my wreckage and start again. I'll try again. I'll never stop trying to get better. Not going to happen. Again, I'll muster my courage and try again. Maybe ask for more help? Maybe do more breathing? Hopefully, I can catch myself earlier in the moment and put a hold on things? Yeah, let's just start with breathing......
Well, internet survey says; I'm insomniac tonight and I'm should watch some Lucha Underground. It's a Fantastic show! It's like way better than wwe, fast hard hitting and it's Lucha! Crazy Mexicans flying around the ring in all sorts of fashions. It's visual happiness baby!
See ya around
Mr.Duncan
Listen, i am very thankful for my career. All the people I met. All the times I've had with these different walks of life. I have had a lot of fun hanging and banging iron. I truly love that job. But, honestly, I don't want to anymore and why should I? It's not why I was put on this Earth. It's not, Im not sorry. Truth is, is I'm not sure what is my reason. To be the best I can be at everything I do. Check. Trying to, working on it. Some days are for shit but others, others are the reason why I keep pressing forwards. The little things in life ya know?
So, I've been soul searching and thinking and pondering, and I wasn't getting anywhere. I was finding the skills I have, but, I was only focused on why I couldn't bring skills over from ironworking to another gig. And I was baffled. Still kinda am, note, my randoms through this blog! I was going in circles with my conversations and all because I don't understand! I don't get anything other than the ironworking world. Even the rest of the trades, the construction world, honestly, I don't care about. I've straight up with lots of don't belongs on the job site. Besides that, I keep minimal contact with the outside world, I don't like it when people I don't know, know my name. How the do you know me? Me and my mindset are fucked up. The way I think and see things versus what and how things work in the rest of the world. It's all sorts of off. I would have done great in the Wild West! Shit yeah. Ol' dead eye Willie. Except I would have been blind. (No eye surgery back then!) Gladiators!! Yeah!!
Wow, all of that up there because, I have no idea on writing resumes and cover letters. I know there's help. It's stupid. That's right I said it. It's stupid. Hahahaha. Basically because I don't understand why! I just don't get it sometimes. It's not stupid. Nothing is I guess, it's just understanding. I'm not a dumb guy. I just don't understand the language and I'm English speaking. Like, that's what I talk..... The need for evolution is here.
It's okay though. The awareness is there know. I do get the picture and in my experience, it's always stormiest before the calm! And if one or two rants and a blogfest is all Willie's freak out consists of today, oh wow! My reaction I can control, and I can fix that. That's great. That is progress and change. I just need more of it. I know one day I be as calm as calm is, but this is growth. Only two whack days! Not bad buddy, not bad at all!! Pat on the back. Oh if you only knew! Yeah, I third person myself I know. I'm kind of impressed on the ability to grasp and calm and breath I've managed to muster. Man was there a time. That's all wrapped up now though. That time is gone and over.
Fucking fear. It pisses me off. You know? I don't know, I can only speak for me. But fear it's a weird one. I've lived down there for years and I near died a lot, and today, there's parts that won't budge. I'm so scared to fail, that, it's just goes on repeat. You'll fail. You'll fail. Man, you don't try to listen, but, it's that little fucking squirrel again. Going on and on and on and on. Fire trucks!
I don't know, though, maybe I shouldn't say nothing. Maybe.....hehe
So, here's a curve ballio. I think all and all, it's been a good day. Egos hurt. Pride got kicked in the balls. I'm not getting my way, basically, everything I need to see before I will change. There's a few steps further if more drastic measures are needed, but, I get it. Im good, this is shitty enough. I'm a stubborn sob some days, but that's serves a purpose too. Just not today or tomorrow. I'm not scared to look at my part in the event, it is the work towards restoration that sucks sometimes.still, we trudge the road towards happy destiny" yeah we do! These are pivitol times and what my next step is scary, but, is the one that matters. There's no glue there anymore. Still, I've done what I can for today, tomorrow I will pick up my wreckage and start again. I'll try again. I'll never stop trying to get better. Not going to happen. Again, I'll muster my courage and try again. Maybe ask for more help? Maybe do more breathing? Hopefully, I can catch myself earlier in the moment and put a hold on things? Yeah, let's just start with breathing......
Well, internet survey says; I'm insomniac tonight and I'm should watch some Lucha Underground. It's a Fantastic show! It's like way better than wwe, fast hard hitting and it's Lucha! Crazy Mexicans flying around the ring in all sorts of fashions. It's visual happiness baby!
See ya around
Mr.Duncan
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
summer
Well another summer is done. This was the best time of my life. It truly was. I've wanted for years to chill at home with my kids for the summer, and lay-offs and a lack of work really helped me stay at home. I learnt a lot this summer. Had some good times, did some cool shit. It was great. Neato. Learnt a lot about gardening and planting and caring for my plants. Boy, we are going to have a great tomato cop this year. Peppers, best they have ever done. Did the peppers in pots this year, I think we will stick with that routine for a while now. I do have to do some serious work in the garden before winter hits. I'd like to clean out one of my compost bins and spread it into the garden. Normally it's a three year turn around on compost piles, but, I might shave a year and see what happens. It's defenitaly nice compost, just gotta do some more reaserch on using compost earlier than hopping for.
I was challenged early in the year with my son's bmxing. I didn't know much about bikes and such, but, after some crash courses with these awesome parents at the track, I picked it up, really quick. Now, I have a good understanding about the mechanics of the bike, I'm going to rebuild this "junker" we have sitting in the sun. And hopefully next spring I can give this rebuilt bike to a child that needs one. I'm not sure, but I might even repaint the thing! We will see, just how ambitious I get with th bike.
Kung fu wise, well. I took august off. I'm not overly sure what happened. But the training went the way of the dodo. I did do some forms and crap like that, but, I didn't train like I used to. That's okay. I have a few different things running through my mind. I have my end goals and in between goals, but,where I'm at in my training, it can difficult to train by myself. Especially when forms are driving a guy into boredom. Fuck, man, yeah I can do five forms of everything a day, but man does that get old fast. Like really fast. Oh look, doing this form again, and then the mind is off doing whatever and about half way through the form I'm like, pfft whatever. I have the form. I have the basics, just working on the fine details. Weird just like everyone one else. Whatever. Some days a guy just gets bored. When I get bored, I wander away, and I don't really pay attention any more. See for me, as an intense person, I like intense training, not just working up a sweat doing warm ups, like that stuffs very important, but, I like the intense side of things! I like to be pushed and put in situations that cause thought and growth. I really enjoy learning an application and then playing with it. How it works in different situations. Learning how things change when your opponent does this or that. Yeah, I know, there's more to a black belt then punching and kicking, but, it's a huge part of it. I don't want to learn something, that someone has thought up, and never put into application, and has no idea on if it's works or if it's just neat. If you don't know, then you don't know and that's okay, if you can admit that. I admit I don't know stuff all the time, that's how I learn and grow. Like that crane/elbow block that seems to be everyone's number one go to thing. Well, Listen man, that doesn't work very well. In fact it only works in a very few situations. It is a terrible way to block a thrust kick, a roundhouse, yeah I can't see that. A spinning back kick, kinda makes sense. But, Think about it. You are purposely taking away your grounding in order to block a pushing kick?! Sure, you can break a foot with an elbow to the top, but, you can get pushed around even easier. It's so easy to lift the knee watch you exert all the energy so you can simply break your ground and loose your balance to just push you over!! Hahaha. I enjoy the lead with a straight arm theory, too. Yeah, you are going to give me your gaurd and I'm going to stay away? Hahaha. Nope. It's called sticky hands and I'll pull you in and eat you for lunch if you give me an arm like that. Ever seen someone start a chainsaw on somebody? That's what will happen with that! No, you don't believe me? That's cool. Watch some pros do it. They will never give you their gaurd unless they are taunting you in. Not a good theory.
This year coming up, is going to be interesting. Neither of my boys want to do Kung fu anymore. That's fine. Kids need to explore and find what works for them, no matter what any respected person says. Kids want their own thing and I support that whole heartedly. Honestly, I do not know what is best for my kids, but, I can help my kids be the best they can be. That's what is important! Being supportive of your kids no matter the consequences. But, that does leave old dad wondering, well, how am I going to get to class? Am I going to be able to make classes? I don't know. I know some would like it if I didn't go, but, that's not in the plans. I will be obtaining my black belt under the guidance of Sifu Brinker and Sifu Wiebe. That's going to happen! Mark my words.
Well. To the no-one's that's reads this crap, talk to you soon.......
Hahahahaha
Mr.D
I was challenged early in the year with my son's bmxing. I didn't know much about bikes and such, but, after some crash courses with these awesome parents at the track, I picked it up, really quick. Now, I have a good understanding about the mechanics of the bike, I'm going to rebuild this "junker" we have sitting in the sun. And hopefully next spring I can give this rebuilt bike to a child that needs one. I'm not sure, but I might even repaint the thing! We will see, just how ambitious I get with th bike.
Kung fu wise, well. I took august off. I'm not overly sure what happened. But the training went the way of the dodo. I did do some forms and crap like that, but, I didn't train like I used to. That's okay. I have a few different things running through my mind. I have my end goals and in between goals, but,where I'm at in my training, it can difficult to train by myself. Especially when forms are driving a guy into boredom. Fuck, man, yeah I can do five forms of everything a day, but man does that get old fast. Like really fast. Oh look, doing this form again, and then the mind is off doing whatever and about half way through the form I'm like, pfft whatever. I have the form. I have the basics, just working on the fine details. Weird just like everyone one else. Whatever. Some days a guy just gets bored. When I get bored, I wander away, and I don't really pay attention any more. See for me, as an intense person, I like intense training, not just working up a sweat doing warm ups, like that stuffs very important, but, I like the intense side of things! I like to be pushed and put in situations that cause thought and growth. I really enjoy learning an application and then playing with it. How it works in different situations. Learning how things change when your opponent does this or that. Yeah, I know, there's more to a black belt then punching and kicking, but, it's a huge part of it. I don't want to learn something, that someone has thought up, and never put into application, and has no idea on if it's works or if it's just neat. If you don't know, then you don't know and that's okay, if you can admit that. I admit I don't know stuff all the time, that's how I learn and grow. Like that crane/elbow block that seems to be everyone's number one go to thing. Well, Listen man, that doesn't work very well. In fact it only works in a very few situations. It is a terrible way to block a thrust kick, a roundhouse, yeah I can't see that. A spinning back kick, kinda makes sense. But, Think about it. You are purposely taking away your grounding in order to block a pushing kick?! Sure, you can break a foot with an elbow to the top, but, you can get pushed around even easier. It's so easy to lift the knee watch you exert all the energy so you can simply break your ground and loose your balance to just push you over!! Hahaha. I enjoy the lead with a straight arm theory, too. Yeah, you are going to give me your gaurd and I'm going to stay away? Hahaha. Nope. It's called sticky hands and I'll pull you in and eat you for lunch if you give me an arm like that. Ever seen someone start a chainsaw on somebody? That's what will happen with that! No, you don't believe me? That's cool. Watch some pros do it. They will never give you their gaurd unless they are taunting you in. Not a good theory.
This year coming up, is going to be interesting. Neither of my boys want to do Kung fu anymore. That's fine. Kids need to explore and find what works for them, no matter what any respected person says. Kids want their own thing and I support that whole heartedly. Honestly, I do not know what is best for my kids, but, I can help my kids be the best they can be. That's what is important! Being supportive of your kids no matter the consequences. But, that does leave old dad wondering, well, how am I going to get to class? Am I going to be able to make classes? I don't know. I know some would like it if I didn't go, but, that's not in the plans. I will be obtaining my black belt under the guidance of Sifu Brinker and Sifu Wiebe. That's going to happen! Mark my words.
Well. To the no-one's that's reads this crap, talk to you soon.......
Hahahahaha
Mr.D
Sunday, 13 August 2017
heres a thought
Hello! What's crackalacking today? Sounds good. Me, I'm crushing this day. Grocery shopping and errands done by noon. Not bad. Not bad at all. Anyhow. I'm not sure where to go with this today, but I am compelled to share here today. Yesterday, I attended my in-laws wedding. Neat-o. I'm truly not big on weddings. Like, I really don't dig them. But, it's not about me. So, I went with a right on attitude and tried very hard to on,g say things that would be constructive to any kind of a relationship. And surprise surprise, I ended up, making peace with my brother-in-law. Honestly, neither one of us could remember why we "hated" each other. Not overly sure what caused that, but, we both did the right thing and spoke about progress moving forward and we both made admends to each other. Really, it was a freeing feeling. Both of us spoke about how the tension is no longer existent with us and, when I reached in for a hug, he wanted to kinda step back and reached out for the handshake. I said, a handshake doesn't signify a re-start my friend, but a hug will. He smiled and says okay will, and big ol' hugs were had. Okay. That's a great start to rebuilding on my wife's side. Not too mention, their ceremony was just simply beautiful.
Before the ceremony started, I was working on drawing on some inner chi. I wondered, if I would be able to tap into others chi and try to "see" the energy levels of this wonderful day. So, I took a few minutes and closed my eyes and started focusing. Within a few moments, things were flying. And I had not felt something like that seeming in forever. It was an amazing little experience. So, I tried all I could to stay engaged in the chi levels and still be attentive to the proceedings at hand. It wasn't hard to feel those levels skyrocket during their vows. I had fun with it. It was amazing how warm my hands and feet became, but not hot. How tingly they became, but not sore. Not to have purpose, but to just be a part of. Fantastically Amazingly cool!
And just an off the marker thought here. Something to chew on. My sister in law, is one of the neatest people I ever did meet. She lives a way of life that me and my family are striving for. She's......awesome! She is one of the most humble, thoughtful person I've ever met. Anyhow, we were talking afterwards around the kids and she looks at us and says, "I don't mean to mean anything, but, if women are so "equal" why are we still given away at "our" wedding? If no one "owns" me, why am I taken by my husband in matrimony? Just a thought." I was utterly dumbfounded and vapourlocked. I seriously stood there, semi-drool look, going what just happened here?? Finally I said. "Wow! That's a thought and a half!" So, that blew my mind! I had never seen it or even thought of that perspective!
"You can't erase your past, but, welcome to your future!"
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson 1962-present
Anyhow-a-dow, I'll talk at you later
Mr.D
Before the ceremony started, I was working on drawing on some inner chi. I wondered, if I would be able to tap into others chi and try to "see" the energy levels of this wonderful day. So, I took a few minutes and closed my eyes and started focusing. Within a few moments, things were flying. And I had not felt something like that seeming in forever. It was an amazing little experience. So, I tried all I could to stay engaged in the chi levels and still be attentive to the proceedings at hand. It wasn't hard to feel those levels skyrocket during their vows. I had fun with it. It was amazing how warm my hands and feet became, but not hot. How tingly they became, but not sore. Not to have purpose, but to just be a part of. Fantastically Amazingly cool!
And just an off the marker thought here. Something to chew on. My sister in law, is one of the neatest people I ever did meet. She lives a way of life that me and my family are striving for. She's......awesome! She is one of the most humble, thoughtful person I've ever met. Anyhow, we were talking afterwards around the kids and she looks at us and says, "I don't mean to mean anything, but, if women are so "equal" why are we still given away at "our" wedding? If no one "owns" me, why am I taken by my husband in matrimony? Just a thought." I was utterly dumbfounded and vapourlocked. I seriously stood there, semi-drool look, going what just happened here?? Finally I said. "Wow! That's a thought and a half!" So, that blew my mind! I had never seen it or even thought of that perspective!
"You can't erase your past, but, welcome to your future!"
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson 1962-present
Anyhow-a-dow, I'll talk at you later
Mr.D
Sunday, 16 July 2017
techniques
Well good day everyone. It's a fine day so far. Kinda windy and smokey, but still a good day. Any how. Been hitting up the open training the last two weeks. It's been a lot of fun. Two weeks ago I go a lot of help with 18 temple motions. I enjoy that form. Well, any thing kung fu, I enjoy. Hand forms are a lot of fun. Some of the basics of how to move are in our forms. This week, I had the pleasure of finally working with another human being! Out in the beach here, it's near impossible to find a training partner, let alone, have someone come out here, or meet with someone. Busy, everyone, including myself, are busy. A weird little word. So small, but has such a huge definition. Ah, sorry I'm busy. Doesn't explain much, but, it tells you eniugh. So that's cool, I don't mind, I'm used to it. But, in order to properly build and put techniques together, you need a person, in the final stages. Mr.S, was there to literally lend an arm, and you know what, we built and played with some really cool techniques. A few came outta nowhere. There was a few that turned to be straight up muscle and no tech. Put that one away! Some that came outta the books, and some that were like, wow! What was that? That was awesome. Let's do that again!!
I really enjoy playing with techniques. And, I guess it shows. I was complimented on "seeing" these techniques! Thanks, that was a nice compliment to hear. Honestly, I put a lot of time and effort into seeing ways the body can move in respect to our style. I'm not perfect of course, but, I'm darn close!! Just kidding! Constantly drawing in my book. Writing out techniques. Looking at the pros of this and the cons of that. Kung fu is always on my mind. Techniques and movements are almost always cycling in my mind.
I have this thought. A circle, is a very devastating shape. No beginnings and no ends. No corners or hard lines. Circles can be ovaled, or very large, or very tiny. Somebody moving in non-linear fashion, can be exceptionally hard to judge and predict. Circular motions, once started, can start slowly, but, the energy inside a circle continues to build and build until it is unleashed. Therefore creating something like a tornado! Don't believe me? Spin yourself in a circle, keeping your energy in constant and you will be in a continual state of acceleration. Try it. It's a solid test to my testimony.
The thing for me, is, all of my techniques have come out of our ciriculum. Mainly, from our hand forms. Here's another thought. If our hand forms are, ways to teach our bodies to move and adapt to different situations, then, we must learn to apply these forms to our realistic movements. I may be off the mark here, but, stay with me here. If our hand forms teach different ways to move or "how to move", and the techniques in our ciriculum tech us "How to strike" then, I feel, when we put all of that together with an opponent, you learn "when to strike"; therefore creating an endless supply of learning lessons.
For example. Yesterday before we called the afternoon, we were just playing. What would you do if I did this, or that? Nothing more than opening doors for different movements. How the body flows this way or that way, in regards to my partner and a knife or his foot, or his hand? From there, you can calculate timing, movement speed, and hopefully find the best way, for you, to diffuse a situation. Simply from him slashing his knife, I learnt, how his body moved, in an exaggerated fashion; therefore showing me, when I should compress or expand. The "how to move". That leads me to, depending on the circumstances of where the weapon is and where his body is, in respect to mine, I can see how I would try to dis-arm my opponent. What techniques will work here. The "how to strike". From there, while still in motion, while putting the first two steps together, you can feel and see the "when to strike". All three components put together create, your self defense.
While we practice and figure things out, there are failures, learning lessons. After trying that and trying this, will you truly find success. You'll get stabbed and slashed and punched and kicked, but, honestly, how else will you learn what works for you? That's why we train! Some of mr.S's techs worked great for him, and not so much for me, and vica-versa! I am me and he is him. It would work for me, maybe not the best for him. But, we will never know unless we train and try.
"It doesn't make you bad loosing to Rob Van Dam; it just makes you like everyone else"
Rob Van Dam (1970-present)
So, until next time everyone.
See you soon
Mr.Duncan
I really enjoy playing with techniques. And, I guess it shows. I was complimented on "seeing" these techniques! Thanks, that was a nice compliment to hear. Honestly, I put a lot of time and effort into seeing ways the body can move in respect to our style. I'm not perfect of course, but, I'm darn close!! Just kidding! Constantly drawing in my book. Writing out techniques. Looking at the pros of this and the cons of that. Kung fu is always on my mind. Techniques and movements are almost always cycling in my mind.
I have this thought. A circle, is a very devastating shape. No beginnings and no ends. No corners or hard lines. Circles can be ovaled, or very large, or very tiny. Somebody moving in non-linear fashion, can be exceptionally hard to judge and predict. Circular motions, once started, can start slowly, but, the energy inside a circle continues to build and build until it is unleashed. Therefore creating something like a tornado! Don't believe me? Spin yourself in a circle, keeping your energy in constant and you will be in a continual state of acceleration. Try it. It's a solid test to my testimony.
The thing for me, is, all of my techniques have come out of our ciriculum. Mainly, from our hand forms. Here's another thought. If our hand forms are, ways to teach our bodies to move and adapt to different situations, then, we must learn to apply these forms to our realistic movements. I may be off the mark here, but, stay with me here. If our hand forms teach different ways to move or "how to move", and the techniques in our ciriculum tech us "How to strike" then, I feel, when we put all of that together with an opponent, you learn "when to strike"; therefore creating an endless supply of learning lessons.
For example. Yesterday before we called the afternoon, we were just playing. What would you do if I did this, or that? Nothing more than opening doors for different movements. How the body flows this way or that way, in regards to my partner and a knife or his foot, or his hand? From there, you can calculate timing, movement speed, and hopefully find the best way, for you, to diffuse a situation. Simply from him slashing his knife, I learnt, how his body moved, in an exaggerated fashion; therefore showing me, when I should compress or expand. The "how to move". That leads me to, depending on the circumstances of where the weapon is and where his body is, in respect to mine, I can see how I would try to dis-arm my opponent. What techniques will work here. The "how to strike". From there, while still in motion, while putting the first two steps together, you can feel and see the "when to strike". All three components put together create, your self defense.
While we practice and figure things out, there are failures, learning lessons. After trying that and trying this, will you truly find success. You'll get stabbed and slashed and punched and kicked, but, honestly, how else will you learn what works for you? That's why we train! Some of mr.S's techs worked great for him, and not so much for me, and vica-versa! I am me and he is him. It would work for me, maybe not the best for him. But, we will never know unless we train and try.
"It doesn't make you bad loosing to Rob Van Dam; it just makes you like everyone else"
Rob Van Dam (1970-present)
So, until next time everyone.
See you soon
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 2 July 2017
A Blast Into The Past
Why good day there people! It's mr.D here. Live and uncut!! Uh-oh. Well, it's that time of the year again. That time of the year, that I celebrate putting down my poisons and picking up the big books.
Today, I don't know, I don't like to dwell in the past, but I can not close the door on my past either. It was funny last night I was talking to some folks and about 930 last night I said, oh look, six years ago at about this exact time, I started my last black out drunk. Oh the memories I do not have!! Haha. See I can laugh about that stuff today. I can joke and laugh at myself and my utter stupidity. There was a time, where I was absolutely embarrassed to even think about the wreckage of my past. But, as the mind clears and the works gets done, you realize just how much laughter does heal the soul. Pencil to paper, we fearlessly rip apart our past. We take an honest look at our side of the street. Our side only, is the key word there. I used to blame my drinking on my folks, and society and my job and my kids and my dog and the traffic and the weather and the moon and so on for forever more. Once I learnt the essence of the Program, I learnt a very valuable lesson. It's not other folks and their problems, that were my problems, it was my issues and mine alone. I took so much so personally, that, I didn't know whether I was coming or going. I drank to wash away my dreams and my life goals. I mean believe it or not, I was going to be a professional wrestler. That's right. I wanted to be like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Razor Ramon. Like some mutation of a Stone Cold Razor Ramon!! My heart pumped and emotions always rode tall when I turned on Monday night raw and Monday night Nitro. Yelling and screaming at the screen. Doing everything I could to cheer them on from my basement. I wanted to be on that main stage on tv, jaw jacking trash talking. Let's be honest right here, right now. When I started watching wrestling at the age of 5, I was in love. Those big strong guys doing all those really awesome stunts big moves and flying off the top turnbuckle. These guys turned into my idols. When all you see is negative self destructive lifestyles, the only heroes I had where fake ass people on some god damn fake tv show. They were the only positive thing I had in my life. No joke. Gotta pull from somewhere. Honestly, I mean happy I had at least that. Some people had even less than me.
Man I wanted it. I started training. Lifting weights, started to take my body and mind seriously. I started throwing myself and hitting the ground hard. I asked for a weight set, and the response was, why, you can't even pick yourself up! Truck off man, I'm trying here. No idea what I was doing, but, I was training!! I was about 15 when I decided, yup, that's what I am going to do! So I would push myself. I would stay up late and crush some sit-ups and push ups while watching the live broadcasting. I was in love. I would wander the town with tooth picks and matches in my mouth. I thought up promos and characters I could develope. Then I heard one day, that there was a wrestling school in Calgary, run by the Hart Foundation. Awesome. These guys where the best as it was. Brett and Owen Hart. I could go to regular school all week and hit hart foundation on weekends. I had it all figured out. Well, not really, but I had a plan. The wrestlers that came outta that school where always on tv. They were always top performers and their wrestling abilities were envious. Excellence of execution. I couldn't wait. I even had a job lined up to pay for the training and travel.
The day came where I finally worked up the courage to talk to my folks about this dream of mine. And it went like, That's stupid. Just like your karate and art work. It is not a way to make a living. You should be an engineer. In fact you will be an engineer. That's what you will do will. So stay in school. I figured out that my folks wanted to live their dreams through me. Not fair. Not cool. And in the matter of seconds another dream crushed and more resentments built up. It was about then that I said f&ck this, and walked into a depression and stayed there for almost eleven years. Shortly after hearing crap like that again and again, I hated that I could not dream for myself or have my own desires. My folks where hell bent on me Going to college or some crap, but, if anybody actually knew me, I hated school. I was there because I had to be. The kids, the teachers, the little clicks, the crap you learnt that doesn't do you any bit of good in the real world. Nobody gives two sweat craps that you can make gun powered outta limestone, that tid bit will not get you food. Nope I put it to the test. Fell flat on my face.
Even though, I started drinking way earlier in life, I didn't want it, like I wanted it after these constant let downs. I always knew, without the shadow of a doubt that, I wanted Alcohol in my life. Booze never ever let me down. It never told me no. It never showed me doubt or hesitation. It was always there for me, unlike a lot of people in my life at those times. I turned my back on a lot of people too, because, booze was there and they were not. And besides everyone else drank so I will too. If I can't chase my dreams then I will chase this bottle. At the time, I'm not sure if that's what I thought or if I just hated everyone and wanted the escape. And escape I did, right until I could no longer put the bottle down. I escaped alright, but I had no idea on how to come home. But, that's how I dealt with stuff as a kid. Then I learnt that with a few punches or aggressive behaviour I can get what I wanted outta people. I was not the biggest guy around, so I had to get crazy, and crazy, became my middle name!! Ol' Wild Willie was my nickname for years and years.
Boy, I'm kinda jumping around today, but, meh, whatever. Today, where am I? Well, listen here, even though, yes, it sounds like I blame a lot on my folks. The fact of it all, is this. They did the best they could have, with the tools they had. I could have chased that dream. I could have just packed my bags and left town. But I didn't. I chose not too. As much as the negativity wasn't my fault, the response, I was responsible for. I wish I knew that, but, I didnt. Today though, I am not able to chase my dreams of wrestling, but I have this gift of Kung fu. Kung fu, was another childhood dream. A dream that today's, after lots of works, I am allowed to chase. I will never be a WWE World Heavy Weight Champion, I know that. But, I can still be a Silent River Grand Champion. And that there folks, is all I need. I will cut my own promos! Like oh better watch yourselves cause at the Tiger Challenge, Wild Willie is coming back for a one event showing!! One time only, crazy eyes is coming to dance! Haha.
With all this being said. With having to go through all this crap and laying and living in ditches. Getting beat up and beat down. Running from and after people. Living in such conditions and flat out hating everyone, honestly, I would not change one thing. Not today. I'm happy with my life. I'm happy I'm living this life, they way I am. The God lord gave me a good life, it's up to me to accept it and make it better. I have a handful of really good friends, there's people who would fight for me, that's a first. But, most importantly, above all else, I am sober. I don't have to look for my vehicle or wonder if I ran someone over last night. I can just simply be.......
"You can talk of your Psalms 3:16 and your John 3:16, but Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass and that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold says so"
Stone Cold Steve Austin 1964-present
Anyways, I am going to enjoy my six year sobriety date. You guys enjoy your days
Until next time
Mr.Duncan
Today, I don't know, I don't like to dwell in the past, but I can not close the door on my past either. It was funny last night I was talking to some folks and about 930 last night I said, oh look, six years ago at about this exact time, I started my last black out drunk. Oh the memories I do not have!! Haha. See I can laugh about that stuff today. I can joke and laugh at myself and my utter stupidity. There was a time, where I was absolutely embarrassed to even think about the wreckage of my past. But, as the mind clears and the works gets done, you realize just how much laughter does heal the soul. Pencil to paper, we fearlessly rip apart our past. We take an honest look at our side of the street. Our side only, is the key word there. I used to blame my drinking on my folks, and society and my job and my kids and my dog and the traffic and the weather and the moon and so on for forever more. Once I learnt the essence of the Program, I learnt a very valuable lesson. It's not other folks and their problems, that were my problems, it was my issues and mine alone. I took so much so personally, that, I didn't know whether I was coming or going. I drank to wash away my dreams and my life goals. I mean believe it or not, I was going to be a professional wrestler. That's right. I wanted to be like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Razor Ramon. Like some mutation of a Stone Cold Razor Ramon!! My heart pumped and emotions always rode tall when I turned on Monday night raw and Monday night Nitro. Yelling and screaming at the screen. Doing everything I could to cheer them on from my basement. I wanted to be on that main stage on tv, jaw jacking trash talking. Let's be honest right here, right now. When I started watching wrestling at the age of 5, I was in love. Those big strong guys doing all those really awesome stunts big moves and flying off the top turnbuckle. These guys turned into my idols. When all you see is negative self destructive lifestyles, the only heroes I had where fake ass people on some god damn fake tv show. They were the only positive thing I had in my life. No joke. Gotta pull from somewhere. Honestly, I mean happy I had at least that. Some people had even less than me.
Man I wanted it. I started training. Lifting weights, started to take my body and mind seriously. I started throwing myself and hitting the ground hard. I asked for a weight set, and the response was, why, you can't even pick yourself up! Truck off man, I'm trying here. No idea what I was doing, but, I was training!! I was about 15 when I decided, yup, that's what I am going to do! So I would push myself. I would stay up late and crush some sit-ups and push ups while watching the live broadcasting. I was in love. I would wander the town with tooth picks and matches in my mouth. I thought up promos and characters I could develope. Then I heard one day, that there was a wrestling school in Calgary, run by the Hart Foundation. Awesome. These guys where the best as it was. Brett and Owen Hart. I could go to regular school all week and hit hart foundation on weekends. I had it all figured out. Well, not really, but I had a plan. The wrestlers that came outta that school where always on tv. They were always top performers and their wrestling abilities were envious. Excellence of execution. I couldn't wait. I even had a job lined up to pay for the training and travel.
The day came where I finally worked up the courage to talk to my folks about this dream of mine. And it went like, That's stupid. Just like your karate and art work. It is not a way to make a living. You should be an engineer. In fact you will be an engineer. That's what you will do will. So stay in school. I figured out that my folks wanted to live their dreams through me. Not fair. Not cool. And in the matter of seconds another dream crushed and more resentments built up. It was about then that I said f&ck this, and walked into a depression and stayed there for almost eleven years. Shortly after hearing crap like that again and again, I hated that I could not dream for myself or have my own desires. My folks where hell bent on me Going to college or some crap, but, if anybody actually knew me, I hated school. I was there because I had to be. The kids, the teachers, the little clicks, the crap you learnt that doesn't do you any bit of good in the real world. Nobody gives two sweat craps that you can make gun powered outta limestone, that tid bit will not get you food. Nope I put it to the test. Fell flat on my face.
Even though, I started drinking way earlier in life, I didn't want it, like I wanted it after these constant let downs. I always knew, without the shadow of a doubt that, I wanted Alcohol in my life. Booze never ever let me down. It never told me no. It never showed me doubt or hesitation. It was always there for me, unlike a lot of people in my life at those times. I turned my back on a lot of people too, because, booze was there and they were not. And besides everyone else drank so I will too. If I can't chase my dreams then I will chase this bottle. At the time, I'm not sure if that's what I thought or if I just hated everyone and wanted the escape. And escape I did, right until I could no longer put the bottle down. I escaped alright, but I had no idea on how to come home. But, that's how I dealt with stuff as a kid. Then I learnt that with a few punches or aggressive behaviour I can get what I wanted outta people. I was not the biggest guy around, so I had to get crazy, and crazy, became my middle name!! Ol' Wild Willie was my nickname for years and years.
Boy, I'm kinda jumping around today, but, meh, whatever. Today, where am I? Well, listen here, even though, yes, it sounds like I blame a lot on my folks. The fact of it all, is this. They did the best they could have, with the tools they had. I could have chased that dream. I could have just packed my bags and left town. But I didn't. I chose not too. As much as the negativity wasn't my fault, the response, I was responsible for. I wish I knew that, but, I didnt. Today though, I am not able to chase my dreams of wrestling, but I have this gift of Kung fu. Kung fu, was another childhood dream. A dream that today's, after lots of works, I am allowed to chase. I will never be a WWE World Heavy Weight Champion, I know that. But, I can still be a Silent River Grand Champion. And that there folks, is all I need. I will cut my own promos! Like oh better watch yourselves cause at the Tiger Challenge, Wild Willie is coming back for a one event showing!! One time only, crazy eyes is coming to dance! Haha.
With all this being said. With having to go through all this crap and laying and living in ditches. Getting beat up and beat down. Running from and after people. Living in such conditions and flat out hating everyone, honestly, I would not change one thing. Not today. I'm happy with my life. I'm happy I'm living this life, they way I am. The God lord gave me a good life, it's up to me to accept it and make it better. I have a handful of really good friends, there's people who would fight for me, that's a first. But, most importantly, above all else, I am sober. I don't have to look for my vehicle or wonder if I ran someone over last night. I can just simply be.......
"You can talk of your Psalms 3:16 and your John 3:16, but Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass and that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold says so"
Stone Cold Steve Austin 1964-present
Anyways, I am going to enjoy my six year sobriety date. You guys enjoy your days
Until next time
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 18 June 2017
For Today
Why happy Father's Day folks. How's it going? I'm great. My kids got me the awesome Macho Man Randy Savage shirt. Awesome!! Eventually I will have only a wardrobe of wrestling shirts! Well, it's all that wear as it is, so, I guess just expand on the wardrobe.
Anyhow, well, to been a while. Lots has happened and transpired. Getting out to different groups and meeting some different folks. One person in particular, after we are all done for the night, really liked what I had to say that night and we have been talking almost every day since then. At first I was a little reluctant to help out. I have learnt a hand and aid before, with it only to blow up in my face. That person went back out and I haven't seen them since. Believe it or not, when you're helping someone, literally change their entire lives, thought process and all, and they pull back into their shells and go back to how they used to live, it's really hard on me. I took it pe.rsonal, and had a rough time with it. Anyhow, we have talked about a lot. And at this time of the year, is pretty close to when I lost my cousin this disease, so many face. And so, I spoke with my buddy about my cousin. I explained to him, that, I could stay depressed about the whole situation. I could be sad that the only friend I had, at that time in my life, is now gone forever, and the impact that had on me. Or, I can continue to use his ultimate sacrifice as a lesson as to what will happen when I try to run the show. And that's what I do. When I feel like having a drink, I think back to my cousin, you know, being dead as to exactly what's going to happen. I love my cousin, he was this beautiful person, who just wanted people to be happy. And he tried to make people laugh so bad. I think robin williams said it best when he said, comedians and entertainers are some of the saddest people in the world. They try so hard to make others laugh, and they never laugh themselves. That's not word for word, but it's pretty close.
I think too, if not for people like my cousin, and others who never "got it" who showed the extreme example of drug and alcohol abuse, then the rest of us, would never know, just how good we got it. You think you're stressed out with your job? At least your not completely consumed with the thoughts of when your next drink is going to be. At least your not prostituting yourself to feed a fix of crack. Your kids are being shit heads, at least, your kids are still in your lives, being shitheads. I know a lot of people, like me, who aren't given the opportunity to try again with families and kids of yesterday's. And if that opportunity does come forward, it's full of fears and resentments and rules and regulations, and hoops people expect you to jump through, to try prove something to them. And it's never enough. The people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in this war against addictions and isms, I give full love and respect to. Yes, I have managed, with the grace of god, to stay sober. But only because, I truly didn't want to die. And I watched in fear what will happen if I go back out. So thanks Chad. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your sacrifice, so I can flourish. Gone but never forgotten.
Sorry, just had to pay tribute to a fallen soldier. And I not really that sorry, this is my blog, I'll write whatever the fuck I feel like writing. Hahaha.
Let's get back to Kung fu. So, I have been working on kempo III a lot lately. Extra practice before and after class, getting lots of feedback. And feedback from a lot of different people and levels too. Not just higher ranks. A young white bely asked if my foot should be turned just that little bit. Honestly, I didn't notice, but, he quietly brought it up, and I thanked him. I do have to work on that. Good eye. I guess, just because he's not the same level as I, doesn't mean, he doesn't know what he's talking about, he's just not as educated in his lessons. So, this young fella and I train together a lot, as much as I can. I'm pulled in all sorts of directions in the spring and summer. But, because I'm not around that much, it doesn't mean, I can slack off. My Sifu still asks that I train hard. And I have to train a touch harder because I'm in class on,y once a week. I have to ask more questions in a shorter period of time and produce solid forms when asked to. And my forms have to be as good as I can produce, so, Sifu can see where I need to work on. Becaus, it's a newer form, I might have missed a step and train unknowingly without that step. Only someone who has studied this form before me, would know of the missed techniques. So, as much as I need to train and push at home, I have to get to class, so Sifu can help straighten out my mistakes. Nothing worse than unlearning a technique just to learn the same techniques, just properly. That's frustration. Especially, if you think that it needs to be one way not the other.
I have been playing a lot with weapons again. I'm leaning on the stick and single escrimas lately. The single escrimas is a lot of fun because, now you can incorporate a lot of open palmed techniques with this vicious little weapon. I have found, that, single stick escrimas is far more fun than double sticks. I mean both are a good time, but, I really like only one. I think there's a lot more capabilities with one open hand and one small weapon. Arm bar, butt end to the face, andreally my feet don't move. Adjustments yes, but movements, not really. I have been having a lot of fun with weapons again. One hand to the other hand is becoming a fun little game to play. How fast I can transition from one stance to the next while keeping that weapon moving. It's really not that different from a stick, the escrimas are just smaller that simply it.
I remember someone saying the footwork was too complicated, when working the escrimas. And after studying these weapons for over a year now, it's not the footwork that's complicated, it was their thinking. We know how to move in Kung fu. This is one of the first things you learn. Stances and slide stepping. So I was puzzle d with that statement, and it just went on and on. After really spending time with these weapons and looking exclusively at the footwork, I have come to this conclusion. Like we have heard over and over, a weapon is merely an extension of our hand, therefore, everything else stays similar to our open handed techniques. If you are staying true to your traditional form, why would the feet movements have to get all weird and different? Never made sense. A jab and a strike with the escrimas are not that similar, but a knife hand and an escrimas strike are extremely similar. So with a knife hand, I still draw from the earth, through the hips into the shoulder and out the edge of my hand. Drawing that energy through the earth and out my extremities. I still targeting the same. I'm still looking at my target. The exact same motion for the escrimas. Draw through the earth and out my extremities. Minus the extra reach you have. Nothing really changes. I'm sure if I went to an Arnis school, I would learn different foot and body movements, but I'm not. One thing at a time. Like one of my biggest mentors told me, it doesn't matter what art form you are in. All martial arts are similar and different. But, in this school, we do things like this. In that school, they do things like that. Learn one art form, black belt it, then start dabbling in others. Nothing wrong with experimenting and learning, but how can you truly focus on one art form, when you are confusing yourself with techniques of another? It happens a lot. i see it a lot.
And I just wonder, is this hindering or helping the traditional school I'm involved with. If we are learning more than Kempo Kung fu, then why not just study at a MMA school where learning a little from every discipline is pushed more than focusing on the traditions and techniques of a single entity. I mean considering a lot of mma guys train to win and inflict mass damage quickly. That's not what a traditional school teaches. Nothing wrong with mma, it's just not a traditional art form. We all know traditional schools and art forms are far more than breaking someone's face, but mma schools aren't much more than that. I mean, let's keep it honest here.
So, I think today's lessons can be chalked up to, being aware of who you are learning from. Some people are great teachers and terrible students and vice versa and every other combination that out there. But, it's truly up to the student, to try to understand what and why they train.
"Snap into a slim Jim! Ohhhh Yeah!"
Mach Man Randy Savage 1952-2011
Anyways, the mini donughts are calling and I have a sweet Macho Man tee shirt to flaunt around town. Talk at you later
Mr.Duncan
Anyhow, well, to been a while. Lots has happened and transpired. Getting out to different groups and meeting some different folks. One person in particular, after we are all done for the night, really liked what I had to say that night and we have been talking almost every day since then. At first I was a little reluctant to help out. I have learnt a hand and aid before, with it only to blow up in my face. That person went back out and I haven't seen them since. Believe it or not, when you're helping someone, literally change their entire lives, thought process and all, and they pull back into their shells and go back to how they used to live, it's really hard on me. I took it pe.rsonal, and had a rough time with it. Anyhow, we have talked about a lot. And at this time of the year, is pretty close to when I lost my cousin this disease, so many face. And so, I spoke with my buddy about my cousin. I explained to him, that, I could stay depressed about the whole situation. I could be sad that the only friend I had, at that time in my life, is now gone forever, and the impact that had on me. Or, I can continue to use his ultimate sacrifice as a lesson as to what will happen when I try to run the show. And that's what I do. When I feel like having a drink, I think back to my cousin, you know, being dead as to exactly what's going to happen. I love my cousin, he was this beautiful person, who just wanted people to be happy. And he tried to make people laugh so bad. I think robin williams said it best when he said, comedians and entertainers are some of the saddest people in the world. They try so hard to make others laugh, and they never laugh themselves. That's not word for word, but it's pretty close.
I think too, if not for people like my cousin, and others who never "got it" who showed the extreme example of drug and alcohol abuse, then the rest of us, would never know, just how good we got it. You think you're stressed out with your job? At least your not completely consumed with the thoughts of when your next drink is going to be. At least your not prostituting yourself to feed a fix of crack. Your kids are being shit heads, at least, your kids are still in your lives, being shitheads. I know a lot of people, like me, who aren't given the opportunity to try again with families and kids of yesterday's. And if that opportunity does come forward, it's full of fears and resentments and rules and regulations, and hoops people expect you to jump through, to try prove something to them. And it's never enough. The people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in this war against addictions and isms, I give full love and respect to. Yes, I have managed, with the grace of god, to stay sober. But only because, I truly didn't want to die. And I watched in fear what will happen if I go back out. So thanks Chad. Thank you for your example. Thank you for your sacrifice, so I can flourish. Gone but never forgotten.
Sorry, just had to pay tribute to a fallen soldier. And I not really that sorry, this is my blog, I'll write whatever the fuck I feel like writing. Hahaha.
Let's get back to Kung fu. So, I have been working on kempo III a lot lately. Extra practice before and after class, getting lots of feedback. And feedback from a lot of different people and levels too. Not just higher ranks. A young white bely asked if my foot should be turned just that little bit. Honestly, I didn't notice, but, he quietly brought it up, and I thanked him. I do have to work on that. Good eye. I guess, just because he's not the same level as I, doesn't mean, he doesn't know what he's talking about, he's just not as educated in his lessons. So, this young fella and I train together a lot, as much as I can. I'm pulled in all sorts of directions in the spring and summer. But, because I'm not around that much, it doesn't mean, I can slack off. My Sifu still asks that I train hard. And I have to train a touch harder because I'm in class on,y once a week. I have to ask more questions in a shorter period of time and produce solid forms when asked to. And my forms have to be as good as I can produce, so, Sifu can see where I need to work on. Becaus, it's a newer form, I might have missed a step and train unknowingly without that step. Only someone who has studied this form before me, would know of the missed techniques. So, as much as I need to train and push at home, I have to get to class, so Sifu can help straighten out my mistakes. Nothing worse than unlearning a technique just to learn the same techniques, just properly. That's frustration. Especially, if you think that it needs to be one way not the other.
I have been playing a lot with weapons again. I'm leaning on the stick and single escrimas lately. The single escrimas is a lot of fun because, now you can incorporate a lot of open palmed techniques with this vicious little weapon. I have found, that, single stick escrimas is far more fun than double sticks. I mean both are a good time, but, I really like only one. I think there's a lot more capabilities with one open hand and one small weapon. Arm bar, butt end to the face, andreally my feet don't move. Adjustments yes, but movements, not really. I have been having a lot of fun with weapons again. One hand to the other hand is becoming a fun little game to play. How fast I can transition from one stance to the next while keeping that weapon moving. It's really not that different from a stick, the escrimas are just smaller that simply it.
I remember someone saying the footwork was too complicated, when working the escrimas. And after studying these weapons for over a year now, it's not the footwork that's complicated, it was their thinking. We know how to move in Kung fu. This is one of the first things you learn. Stances and slide stepping. So I was puzzle d with that statement, and it just went on and on. After really spending time with these weapons and looking exclusively at the footwork, I have come to this conclusion. Like we have heard over and over, a weapon is merely an extension of our hand, therefore, everything else stays similar to our open handed techniques. If you are staying true to your traditional form, why would the feet movements have to get all weird and different? Never made sense. A jab and a strike with the escrimas are not that similar, but a knife hand and an escrimas strike are extremely similar. So with a knife hand, I still draw from the earth, through the hips into the shoulder and out the edge of my hand. Drawing that energy through the earth and out my extremities. I still targeting the same. I'm still looking at my target. The exact same motion for the escrimas. Draw through the earth and out my extremities. Minus the extra reach you have. Nothing really changes. I'm sure if I went to an Arnis school, I would learn different foot and body movements, but I'm not. One thing at a time. Like one of my biggest mentors told me, it doesn't matter what art form you are in. All martial arts are similar and different. But, in this school, we do things like this. In that school, they do things like that. Learn one art form, black belt it, then start dabbling in others. Nothing wrong with experimenting and learning, but how can you truly focus on one art form, when you are confusing yourself with techniques of another? It happens a lot. i see it a lot.
And I just wonder, is this hindering or helping the traditional school I'm involved with. If we are learning more than Kempo Kung fu, then why not just study at a MMA school where learning a little from every discipline is pushed more than focusing on the traditions and techniques of a single entity. I mean considering a lot of mma guys train to win and inflict mass damage quickly. That's not what a traditional school teaches. Nothing wrong with mma, it's just not a traditional art form. We all know traditional schools and art forms are far more than breaking someone's face, but mma schools aren't much more than that. I mean, let's keep it honest here.
So, I think today's lessons can be chalked up to, being aware of who you are learning from. Some people are great teachers and terrible students and vice versa and every other combination that out there. But, it's truly up to the student, to try to understand what and why they train.
"Snap into a slim Jim! Ohhhh Yeah!"
Mach Man Randy Savage 1952-2011
Anyways, the mini donughts are calling and I have a sweet Macho Man tee shirt to flaunt around town. Talk at you later
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 14 May 2017
Who am I? What am I doing?
Who am I? What am I doing? Two very powerful questions I ask myself daily. I ring these questions help ground me, bring me back to reality, and also, puts my days journey in perspective.
Who am I? Well, I'm will Duncan. I'm a father, I'm a brother, a martial artist. I'm a cook, taxi service, consoler of hurt feelings, and a first aided to scraps cuts and gouges! I also dabble in bike mechanics and love to emerge myself in the music I enjoy. Like right now! To my close kids and family, I'm Big Bad Dad, the Suplex Machine! Im also known as Mr.Thursday Night, Will F'n Duncan, the whole f'n show.
What am I doing? Right now I'm blogging. But, I've been known to do other stuff as well. For example, I get into and go crazy for live wrestling, especially when MRB is in the ring. That guy is amazing. Finally got to shake his hand and thank him personally for his time and efforts. I've also done a lot of other cool stuff too. I've built cranes, put them up, taken them done, put buildings and crusher houses up. I've built one of a kind technologies at power plants! That's was a sweet job. I've been in martial arts tournaments, I've been a spectator, a fan and a winner and a looser. I've drank enough booze for you, me, my kids, your kids, your kids kids and half the population in Alberta! I've taught kids how to ride bikes, and throw a two-seam fast ball. I've showed children how to love, when all they have seen is anger. Shown kindness is not a weakness, it's the most powerful tool we, as human beings, have in dealing with others. So many other items too, that you may not think about.
Even with all that being said, these questions, who am I and what am I doing, are truly most useful when asked in the moment. These questions are structured the way the are for a reason. Do not re-write them. The above paragraphs should have said, Who was I and what did I do!! Yes, our past experiences build who we are today, but, that is not all of it. These questions are built to be answered in this moment in time, not in views of yesterday. Sure, we all have three pages of stuff we can fill in in the answers to these questions. But, in the moment, what are the answers? That's what is important. You see, being at home, there are times when things are too quiet and I fall victim to my mind. So, I stop and ask, the above questions. At that particular moment in time, if I can focus, for a few seconds, the true answer will come out. And laser focus is needed some times to regroup yourself. But, the desired outcome will always surface, if you are honest. I think, for myself, it's important to get to the most simple answer. Most days, the answer is easier to see than others, but, it's there. Usually it's ego that clouds our vision.
When I get up in the morning, I say thanks to the big guy upstairs that I woke up sober and guilt free, then I ask, what am I to do today. Immediately I have five thousand things come to mind. So I ask differently, How can I serve, my family and my fellows, with the best of all my abilities? Then the simple answer comes. Usually, I hear something like, just be cool today. Enjoy company of others, learn from your mistakes, help your neighbor and talk to somebody. And you know, my days just go smooth, if I remember My tasks at hand.
So, who am I and what am I doing? Well, it's depends on that moment in time. More importantly, it depends on your motives and intentions at that point in the day. If you are honest, the honest answer comes out, and you can build from there. Even if you're being selfish and bull-headed, honesty, will prevail, and the truth will be told, one way or another. But, if one wants to be honest with themselfs, one must learn to look at themselves, without any bias towards yourself. Only then will one see the whole truth.
In any event, it is Mother's Day, and I should get back to doing, whatever I need to do, to make my wife happy in this day. So today, I will be a faithful servant of my higher power, and a loving servant to my family. Today, I will fill the boots and roles I am asked to fill. Today, I will be Will F'n Duncan to the best and utmost of my abilities. And that's the bottom line cause I just says so.
"You can't live for a moment that may never happen, you gotta live in the moment"
Jake The Snake Roberts
Have a nice day,
Mr.Duncan
Who am I? Well, I'm will Duncan. I'm a father, I'm a brother, a martial artist. I'm a cook, taxi service, consoler of hurt feelings, and a first aided to scraps cuts and gouges! I also dabble in bike mechanics and love to emerge myself in the music I enjoy. Like right now! To my close kids and family, I'm Big Bad Dad, the Suplex Machine! Im also known as Mr.Thursday Night, Will F'n Duncan, the whole f'n show.
What am I doing? Right now I'm blogging. But, I've been known to do other stuff as well. For example, I get into and go crazy for live wrestling, especially when MRB is in the ring. That guy is amazing. Finally got to shake his hand and thank him personally for his time and efforts. I've also done a lot of other cool stuff too. I've built cranes, put them up, taken them done, put buildings and crusher houses up. I've built one of a kind technologies at power plants! That's was a sweet job. I've been in martial arts tournaments, I've been a spectator, a fan and a winner and a looser. I've drank enough booze for you, me, my kids, your kids, your kids kids and half the population in Alberta! I've taught kids how to ride bikes, and throw a two-seam fast ball. I've showed children how to love, when all they have seen is anger. Shown kindness is not a weakness, it's the most powerful tool we, as human beings, have in dealing with others. So many other items too, that you may not think about.
Even with all that being said, these questions, who am I and what am I doing, are truly most useful when asked in the moment. These questions are structured the way the are for a reason. Do not re-write them. The above paragraphs should have said, Who was I and what did I do!! Yes, our past experiences build who we are today, but, that is not all of it. These questions are built to be answered in this moment in time, not in views of yesterday. Sure, we all have three pages of stuff we can fill in in the answers to these questions. But, in the moment, what are the answers? That's what is important. You see, being at home, there are times when things are too quiet and I fall victim to my mind. So, I stop and ask, the above questions. At that particular moment in time, if I can focus, for a few seconds, the true answer will come out. And laser focus is needed some times to regroup yourself. But, the desired outcome will always surface, if you are honest. I think, for myself, it's important to get to the most simple answer. Most days, the answer is easier to see than others, but, it's there. Usually it's ego that clouds our vision.
When I get up in the morning, I say thanks to the big guy upstairs that I woke up sober and guilt free, then I ask, what am I to do today. Immediately I have five thousand things come to mind. So I ask differently, How can I serve, my family and my fellows, with the best of all my abilities? Then the simple answer comes. Usually, I hear something like, just be cool today. Enjoy company of others, learn from your mistakes, help your neighbor and talk to somebody. And you know, my days just go smooth, if I remember My tasks at hand.
So, who am I and what am I doing? Well, it's depends on that moment in time. More importantly, it depends on your motives and intentions at that point in the day. If you are honest, the honest answer comes out, and you can build from there. Even if you're being selfish and bull-headed, honesty, will prevail, and the truth will be told, one way or another. But, if one wants to be honest with themselfs, one must learn to look at themselves, without any bias towards yourself. Only then will one see the whole truth.
In any event, it is Mother's Day, and I should get back to doing, whatever I need to do, to make my wife happy in this day. So today, I will be a faithful servant of my higher power, and a loving servant to my family. Today, I will fill the boots and roles I am asked to fill. Today, I will be Will F'n Duncan to the best and utmost of my abilities. And that's the bottom line cause I just says so.
"You can't live for a moment that may never happen, you gotta live in the moment"
Jake The Snake Roberts
Have a nice day,
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 7 May 2017
Fear this
Well good Sunday to all of you. Wow, what a past few weeks. Eye surgery, followed up with new and old sports alike. Soccer twice a week, bmx racing three times a week and Kung fu in the mix. Unfortuanatly, some of the sports clash with Kung fu nights. Fortuanatly Sifu is really cool and understands. He just asks that I keep up on my forms. If nothing else, practice your forms please. Okay Sifu, done and done. Both of us are a little sad that I'm on,y going once a week, but, once a week is where I started fourish years ago. I worked through two and a half belts on once a week. And the big thing is, is that, I still have my goals and end results I'm shooting for. Nothing has changed except for routine. And change is good. New appreciations will come, less class time results in more work at home. More work at home equals more questions and points to ask for help. No matter what, I will come out on top, yet again. It's a common theme if I allow myself to believe that. One way or another, I will grow and learn and flourish. And that's the bottom line, cause WFD just says so.
I truly am enjoying staying at home and taking over my wife's roles in the house, and her taking over mine, in The work force. It's been a huge shake-up. Everyone feels it, obviously. But, we work as a family together, to get through it all. Sometimes, my dinners are terrible, sometimes I get working in the garden and forget about kids needing to eat, and myself too. So, I gotta fix that. Im learning though, that, by certain times of the day, I have to be doing certain tasks. Like, cooking dinner, or getting the boys off to school at the appropriate times.....haha. It has been fun. I try not to be too hard on myself though, when I drop the ball. I think, it took my wife almost ten years to become as efficient as she is in the kitchen. Me, I've never really tried to. I had my wife at home taking care of business for me. Now that I'm taking care of business, the wife gives me the business. Like, maybe you can cook more than eggs Will. I'm like, why? We have ten chickens, who pop out eggs everyday. They literally make them every day. Why not eat the every day? Okay, it's mondane, I get it.
I enjoy the days, the dropped balls, the small successes, like whipping up fantastic dinners, and the impromptu bike rides. I enjoy the figuring the day out, so things move fairly smoothly. It's been such a good perspective changing challenge, that, I might just stay at home longer than expected!!
I do have to say this though. My youngest boy, he is five. He is an adrenaline junkie, and loves taking calculated risks. He's got little to no fear. And, he really is becoming, someone who inspires me. I'll tell you why. He's doing bmx racing. It's awesome. But so much more different than bmx cruising or trick riding. Tall, skinny tires, like a road bike. Super light frames and one or two pumps and you are gone. The first night young blood was riding his 20" racing bmx. This bike makes me nervous, and it has spooked my youngest. He's not confident on this bike at all, whip out after whip out after whip out. But, he would let out a couple of whimpers whip his tears stand it back up and off he goes again. It's harder than I thought to watch your kids go head first down this "hill of certain death and disaster" and have him whip out eat dirt, and you try to stay back and let them get back up on their own. Way harder, oh my sweet mother, that's a tough one. So, after whip out number one hundred on the first night, I says, "how ya doing? You want to keep going?" Young blood looks at me, looks at the track, the kids and says, "Watch this dad, I am going to get to the top of this hill." And by goodness, he did it. His smile was huge and I could see it a mile away. His confidence, skyrocketed! But, as accomplished as he was, he was still really nervous, more of his bike than anything else. So, the next night, we brought his smaller bmx cruiser, and his racer. I had a plan. Get him on the smaller bike he's more confident on, build confidence on the track, than we will move back to the bigger race bike. But, with the young one, you have to make it his decision, other wise, you're talking to a wall. Sounds like someone I know!! Off to find a coach, and engage in conversation. By the end, my boy, was not only willing to, but wanted to be on his smaller bike. He understood the differences. Then he nailed that track! Yes, he has to work a lot harder to get up those same kickers, but, he's not speed wobbling all over the track and eating it in every corner. Frustration isn't growing. It's diminishing. Anger is subsiding and fun and enjoyment is flourishing. He was honestly terrified to start at the starting gates. Way up there. He had a bad spill on his fist go down out of the gates on his first night. So, I says to him, "well, everyone else is starting at the gates. You have your blue bike, you feel stronger on this bike, and coaches did say, everyone needs to do this once tonight. What do you say little man? Want to try again?" Again, make it his decision! Gears are turning, he's contemplating. "Okay, dad, I will do it just once though okay!" Line him up, give him the quick run down, coaches give all kids pointers and words of encouragement. And drop the gates and off they go. And you know what? Nailed it!! Every kicker, every corner, every thing. The whole track and not one spill. He comes back to the top and says, "did you see that daddy! I did it all. I'm going back to the starting gates! See ya later dad!" Quite honestly, I was blown away. Kids terriffied, not a chance am I going on that hill, to okay, see ya later, I am back going down that hill. I'm going to figure out how to go down that hill. Looked his fears in the eyes and biked right through them. Man, that's inspiring. It truly is. And again, I am a student to my children.
Fears are simply a thought that we have. Fear is an emotion. Emotions can and will lie to us. Emotions get our brains to react out of sorts and tell us crazy things like, you can never do that. Or that's not for me, or I can't kung fu in front of everyone. I'm can't go out there. Well, screw you brain, my five year old boy, just proved his fears wrong. My five year old, just kicked the crap outta his fear. . So......what's your excuse?
Anyhow, have a dandy day folks.
See you soon
Mr.Duncan
I truly am enjoying staying at home and taking over my wife's roles in the house, and her taking over mine, in The work force. It's been a huge shake-up. Everyone feels it, obviously. But, we work as a family together, to get through it all. Sometimes, my dinners are terrible, sometimes I get working in the garden and forget about kids needing to eat, and myself too. So, I gotta fix that. Im learning though, that, by certain times of the day, I have to be doing certain tasks. Like, cooking dinner, or getting the boys off to school at the appropriate times.....haha. It has been fun. I try not to be too hard on myself though, when I drop the ball. I think, it took my wife almost ten years to become as efficient as she is in the kitchen. Me, I've never really tried to. I had my wife at home taking care of business for me. Now that I'm taking care of business, the wife gives me the business. Like, maybe you can cook more than eggs Will. I'm like, why? We have ten chickens, who pop out eggs everyday. They literally make them every day. Why not eat the every day? Okay, it's mondane, I get it.
I enjoy the days, the dropped balls, the small successes, like whipping up fantastic dinners, and the impromptu bike rides. I enjoy the figuring the day out, so things move fairly smoothly. It's been such a good perspective changing challenge, that, I might just stay at home longer than expected!!
I do have to say this though. My youngest boy, he is five. He is an adrenaline junkie, and loves taking calculated risks. He's got little to no fear. And, he really is becoming, someone who inspires me. I'll tell you why. He's doing bmx racing. It's awesome. But so much more different than bmx cruising or trick riding. Tall, skinny tires, like a road bike. Super light frames and one or two pumps and you are gone. The first night young blood was riding his 20" racing bmx. This bike makes me nervous, and it has spooked my youngest. He's not confident on this bike at all, whip out after whip out after whip out. But, he would let out a couple of whimpers whip his tears stand it back up and off he goes again. It's harder than I thought to watch your kids go head first down this "hill of certain death and disaster" and have him whip out eat dirt, and you try to stay back and let them get back up on their own. Way harder, oh my sweet mother, that's a tough one. So, after whip out number one hundred on the first night, I says, "how ya doing? You want to keep going?" Young blood looks at me, looks at the track, the kids and says, "Watch this dad, I am going to get to the top of this hill." And by goodness, he did it. His smile was huge and I could see it a mile away. His confidence, skyrocketed! But, as accomplished as he was, he was still really nervous, more of his bike than anything else. So, the next night, we brought his smaller bmx cruiser, and his racer. I had a plan. Get him on the smaller bike he's more confident on, build confidence on the track, than we will move back to the bigger race bike. But, with the young one, you have to make it his decision, other wise, you're talking to a wall. Sounds like someone I know!! Off to find a coach, and engage in conversation. By the end, my boy, was not only willing to, but wanted to be on his smaller bike. He understood the differences. Then he nailed that track! Yes, he has to work a lot harder to get up those same kickers, but, he's not speed wobbling all over the track and eating it in every corner. Frustration isn't growing. It's diminishing. Anger is subsiding and fun and enjoyment is flourishing. He was honestly terrified to start at the starting gates. Way up there. He had a bad spill on his fist go down out of the gates on his first night. So, I says to him, "well, everyone else is starting at the gates. You have your blue bike, you feel stronger on this bike, and coaches did say, everyone needs to do this once tonight. What do you say little man? Want to try again?" Again, make it his decision! Gears are turning, he's contemplating. "Okay, dad, I will do it just once though okay!" Line him up, give him the quick run down, coaches give all kids pointers and words of encouragement. And drop the gates and off they go. And you know what? Nailed it!! Every kicker, every corner, every thing. The whole track and not one spill. He comes back to the top and says, "did you see that daddy! I did it all. I'm going back to the starting gates! See ya later dad!" Quite honestly, I was blown away. Kids terriffied, not a chance am I going on that hill, to okay, see ya later, I am back going down that hill. I'm going to figure out how to go down that hill. Looked his fears in the eyes and biked right through them. Man, that's inspiring. It truly is. And again, I am a student to my children.
Fears are simply a thought that we have. Fear is an emotion. Emotions can and will lie to us. Emotions get our brains to react out of sorts and tell us crazy things like, you can never do that. Or that's not for me, or I can't kung fu in front of everyone. I'm can't go out there. Well, screw you brain, my five year old boy, just proved his fears wrong. My five year old, just kicked the crap outta his fear. . So......what's your excuse?
Anyhow, have a dandy day folks.
See you soon
Mr.Duncan
Monday, 24 April 2017
A thought
Good day to you. Yesterday, I was pretty disappointed in myself. Kung fu and weight training have come to a sudden, screeching halt. Like who just pulled the e-brake? I did. I let myself forget about the promises I made to myself. The example of discipline and hard work I try to keep. The goals I set. Everything! It just walked out the door and was like see ya! Oh man. Like I say, yesterday, i was not happy in my past actions. But, with saying that, I accomplished a lot of chores in and around the house. Did a lot of hanging out with my kids. It was their spring break last week, so, I took the opportunity to gear down and hang with my kids. Nerf wars, and wrestling matches and bike rides and all sorts of jazz. Lots of great bonding and laughing. Just none of me taking time for my passion. It's always on my mind. I always talk about it and think about it, and write about it. Which is train in the art form of Kempo Kung Fu. But I think, sometimes, that, training can be very selfish and I should not do so much of it. I should go watch the telly with the missus. Or get something done around the house. That's just silly. Because I do train while watching tv, with the wife. Stances and kicks, punches and block. I just haven't been.
Not sure when, this plan of mine started to unravel, but, it doesn't matter. That is nothing more than a detail in the truth. Master Sifu said to me once, "There's nothing wrong with being heavily devoted to your family, but, don't forget, every man needs to do something just for themselves. Like Kung Fu."
Affirmative action is needed, and that's what I'll take. These feeling of worthlessness, is a mere reminder, to continue fighting the good fight.
"Tension and tightness acts like brakes, reducing speed and stealing energy"
Well, I'll see you soon
Mr.Duncan
Not sure when, this plan of mine started to unravel, but, it doesn't matter. That is nothing more than a detail in the truth. Master Sifu said to me once, "There's nothing wrong with being heavily devoted to your family, but, don't forget, every man needs to do something just for themselves. Like Kung Fu."
Affirmative action is needed, and that's what I'll take. These feeling of worthlessness, is a mere reminder, to continue fighting the good fight.
"Tension and tightness acts like brakes, reducing speed and stealing energy"
Well, I'll see you soon
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 9 April 2017
The layoff
Well, there comes a time in everyone's career that you might be outta work for a while. It comes with part of the construction industry. And I took one last week. So far, I'm cool. For the most part a layoff is scary and damning. But, I don't see it. Like it bothers me, ah crap no work, but, it's been a huge relief for myself. I was in a place I despised with very negative people and surroundings. I'm no angel, I played into the game as well. I hated my boss and my co-workers. I hated the drive, looking at people, listening to people who have no clue about what they are talking about, tell me my job is scary. So then, you educate these un-educated people, about your job, and they still shut you down, because, they don't know. I got bumped from, installing and being on front lines, to sorting bolts and doing nothing, but holding up my tool belt. I'm a proud man, and maybe that was why this pill was so hard to swallow. There is a reason, I don't sit out of work for long and it's not because of my "charming" personality!! It's because, I'm good at what I do, and I do try hard to learn and get better. But, you sluff me off, and you lost me. I won't even give you the time of day, if you treat me the way I was treated.
So, this layoff, as much as I didn't really want it, I was very happy to take one. Before the boss even finished his sentence, I was up and shaking hands and out the door. See ya later! I don't care what you have to say boss man, you've lied to me since august, just to keep me around. You don't bull sh!t, me, there buddy. I'm the wrong guy to think you've pulled the wool over my eyes. Maybe one of your drunk buddies, but, not me. Well, glad that's out now. And, enough of the negative crap, I just needed that out, not that anyone really cares, but, I didn't want it anymore.
Well, what am I going to do? Time for a solution. I put in for some ei, and I'm going to........not sure. I have made a list one country mile long of to do's and slowly one by one, I pick the list clean. Impromptu things pop up. Painted and installed new shelves in the front closet, Saturday. Hot water tank is to be installed Monday. Drywall removed to improve on my water pipes. Got a call from an old friend. That reminds me! Guns are cleaned and ready for shooting, and I pulled my bow out and whiped the dust off of her. Oh, I love my bow! It's so awesome. It goes twack and things fall down!! So, I have things and stuff to do. And I slowly do them. Oh and I've done some serious catching up on wrestling matches of the past! Can not forget about that, Pat! One of my favourite matches ever is Shawn Micheals versus Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania X!! Oh my god such a Great match! Like Tony the Tiger great! Seriously, why are you still here, reading this and not watching the match....
One of my favourite things about time off so far is the coffee taste testing I've been doing lately. Go have coffee at this guys house, not bad, let's go see what their coffee tastes like! Not bad. What about that guys coffee. Yeah, let's check it out there too. It's been good!! Hanging with some solid people, playing with horses. Fixing fences and building gardens. It's too bad I can't make a lot of money, just doing stuff for people. Nobody wants to pay for something, they can do on their own. Meh, whatever, that's cool. I enjoy work for conversation. Something else will come of this whole situation soon enough. I hope it better than before, but, if I need to eat poop sandwiches, for a while yet, then, well, so be it.
The one thing that has stayed fairly consistent is my Kung fu training. I find though, that, it's harder to laser in and focus, when I can train whenever. As opposed to squeezing in everything after work. You know? It's weird, as much as I love it, it's not something I do as much as I can do, now that I'm unemployed. But, that is okay. This is a new week coming up, and Kung fu is still on the front of my mind. The training will continue to build and in a few weeks I'll be like, "how am I going to fit in work here?" I'm committed to being the best I can, and I have been saying for a while, "Just imagine what I can accomplish with a couple of hours every day of Kung fu! Oh my sweet mother of pearl, I am going to blow the doors off of my training". It will come and I'm up for the challenge. I was recently showen the beginnings of kempo III. Wow, that's really cool. I am really enjoying it. But I want the next part now!!
Training for me, when I start to get to far into my head, is the best escape I have. Training helps me forget about the stresses of life. It helps me calm down and handle situations that used to baffle me. I can take my training out into the streets and know, that it will be okay, just be cool. Training has taught me, that I can and will achieve whatever I'm looking for, I just need time. No problem, right now, I got all the time in the world. I have this absolutely amazing gift, now, I have got to utilize it. There's is nothing scary about a lay-off. The only scary thing is the unknown gifts that are in a layoff, that we never see, until we pass it by. Like time. Like family. Like friends.
It's a good day people, don't forget that. At least I have a warm bed at the end of the day. Be thankful. Be gracious. This could be your last opportunity with a situation like this.I am going to use this quote again, seeing as how it fits so perfectly today.
"Hard work pays off
Dreams come true
Bad times don't last
But Bad Guys do!"
-Razor Ramon/Scott Hall-
Talk to you soon
Mr.Duncan
So, this layoff, as much as I didn't really want it, I was very happy to take one. Before the boss even finished his sentence, I was up and shaking hands and out the door. See ya later! I don't care what you have to say boss man, you've lied to me since august, just to keep me around. You don't bull sh!t, me, there buddy. I'm the wrong guy to think you've pulled the wool over my eyes. Maybe one of your drunk buddies, but, not me. Well, glad that's out now. And, enough of the negative crap, I just needed that out, not that anyone really cares, but, I didn't want it anymore.
Well, what am I going to do? Time for a solution. I put in for some ei, and I'm going to........not sure. I have made a list one country mile long of to do's and slowly one by one, I pick the list clean. Impromptu things pop up. Painted and installed new shelves in the front closet, Saturday. Hot water tank is to be installed Monday. Drywall removed to improve on my water pipes. Got a call from an old friend. That reminds me! Guns are cleaned and ready for shooting, and I pulled my bow out and whiped the dust off of her. Oh, I love my bow! It's so awesome. It goes twack and things fall down!! So, I have things and stuff to do. And I slowly do them. Oh and I've done some serious catching up on wrestling matches of the past! Can not forget about that, Pat! One of my favourite matches ever is Shawn Micheals versus Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania X!! Oh my god such a Great match! Like Tony the Tiger great! Seriously, why are you still here, reading this and not watching the match....
One of my favourite things about time off so far is the coffee taste testing I've been doing lately. Go have coffee at this guys house, not bad, let's go see what their coffee tastes like! Not bad. What about that guys coffee. Yeah, let's check it out there too. It's been good!! Hanging with some solid people, playing with horses. Fixing fences and building gardens. It's too bad I can't make a lot of money, just doing stuff for people. Nobody wants to pay for something, they can do on their own. Meh, whatever, that's cool. I enjoy work for conversation. Something else will come of this whole situation soon enough. I hope it better than before, but, if I need to eat poop sandwiches, for a while yet, then, well, so be it.
The one thing that has stayed fairly consistent is my Kung fu training. I find though, that, it's harder to laser in and focus, when I can train whenever. As opposed to squeezing in everything after work. You know? It's weird, as much as I love it, it's not something I do as much as I can do, now that I'm unemployed. But, that is okay. This is a new week coming up, and Kung fu is still on the front of my mind. The training will continue to build and in a few weeks I'll be like, "how am I going to fit in work here?" I'm committed to being the best I can, and I have been saying for a while, "Just imagine what I can accomplish with a couple of hours every day of Kung fu! Oh my sweet mother of pearl, I am going to blow the doors off of my training". It will come and I'm up for the challenge. I was recently showen the beginnings of kempo III. Wow, that's really cool. I am really enjoying it. But I want the next part now!!
Training for me, when I start to get to far into my head, is the best escape I have. Training helps me forget about the stresses of life. It helps me calm down and handle situations that used to baffle me. I can take my training out into the streets and know, that it will be okay, just be cool. Training has taught me, that I can and will achieve whatever I'm looking for, I just need time. No problem, right now, I got all the time in the world. I have this absolutely amazing gift, now, I have got to utilize it. There's is nothing scary about a lay-off. The only scary thing is the unknown gifts that are in a layoff, that we never see, until we pass it by. Like time. Like family. Like friends.
It's a good day people, don't forget that. At least I have a warm bed at the end of the day. Be thankful. Be gracious. This could be your last opportunity with a situation like this.I am going to use this quote again, seeing as how it fits so perfectly today.
"Hard work pays off
Dreams come true
Bad times don't last
But Bad Guys do!"
-Razor Ramon/Scott Hall-
Talk to you soon
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 2 April 2017
Hey Yo
Hey there internet world. Been a while since we last talked! How ya doing? That's great. I'm just itching to enjoy this wonderful day. So I had the opportunity yesterday to further some horsemanship skills of mine. I went and helped my friend break in a 2 year colt. That was really fun. I am proud to say, that I was the very first human to touch this horse with bare hand. It was awesome. Working him, to teach him to stop when I ask, and trot when I ask. Asking him to square up with me when he stops, and never once using my voice. It's in the body motions. The clear hand instructions. Pure intentions in the heart and the only motive of wanting to become a partner to a horse. And wow, even the fellow I was working with was I pressed on how quickly this horse and I connected. Within twenty minutes of working him around the ring and I had my fingers on his front legs. Man it was cool. You gotta push the horse to that limit of pressure, where he wants to move and then, you stop. Show him, that you are not a threat, and then get in closer, and eventually, you're petting the horse and he's not terrified of you. My friend really enforced the idea of the horse being prey animal, and everything we do, is to earn his trust, so, when the day comes, he will blindly trust his owner. So many awesome things happened yesterday with this horse, that, I don't even know happened. I know I missed a couple of moments of clarity, but, I was focused on the task at hand. I have to earn the horses trust, so, my friend can keep working this colt, for his owner. Boy, what a treat, that was.
In the Kung fu realm, boy, things are continuing at a good pace. I have been playing with weapons again, I feel very strong in Long form, and kempo continues to grow and eveolve with me. There are a few points in kempo, that I have really lasered in on. The sweeps. I am really slowing that part down to ensure, proper hand foot movement, and to ensure the closing of one technique flows nicely into the next. Especially around the sweeps. I found I wasn't flowing into it, I was stepping/falling. Which, is good to begin with, but, I want to be beyond that point of the form, so, back to the basics and continue to train with more intent. Train like I mean it damn it!! Haha
Something else I would like to touch on here, is we have been sparring a fair bit. And for me to spar, I love it, but, I truly don't like to make contact or even touch the head. Anything more than a finger touch, kinda bothers me. Back in the day, I used to hurt people and since I changed my ways, hitting people is actually really hard to do. Like I physically do not want to do. Don't get me wrong push too hard for too long and I'll remove teeth for you, but not in class, not with my fellow students. Well, Sifu, has been pushing my to start making contact again. She says, if you want to make a real impact in the tournaments you have to make real contact. You have these beautiful techniques and combos, and you get in the right places at the right times, but you never make contact. So, all that work, to set me up to make them move, you get me where you want, and then you pull your punches. Stop doing that. That's not word for word, but, it's pretty bang on. So, okay, I said, I will work on that. And, you know, I was kinda stressed about it, but, I did push back on a fear of mine in my training. I do worry about hurting somebody, and that holds me back to a certain extent. But, it also brings to light another part of my training. A huge part of all training I think, is control. Sure I can blast a heavy bag with hooks and uppercuts, but using that same technique with a training partner is a whole new level of control. Trying to use that same technique with the same outcome, on my end, but with respect to my partner, ya know. Sometimes, you miss calculate. I wasn't too fond of the outcome. Now, it's not like I hurt everyone, but, I did get a beaut of a punch in and it was a touch to hard. I was aiming for his shoulder, and he moved into me, I into him and I didn't pull the punch as much as I should have. Oops. I mean, you know when you get in a clean shot, and it feels good, nobody really gets hurt, it's more of a reminder to not lead with your teeth. But, there's still that thought in my mind of my control. Okay, gotta work on being able to adapt and speed up or slow down. The only way I can control my motions, is to continue to train. It's just goes onto the Kung Fu To Do List. It's like a mile long.....hold on here...I'm just double checking oh yeah.....it's it's already here, like ten times! Haha. Looks like I got some training to do eh;)
I'll leave you with this
"Hard work pays off
Dreams come true
Bad things don't last
But bad guys do!"
Razor Ramon
Well, that's all folks
Mr.Duncan
In the Kung fu realm, boy, things are continuing at a good pace. I have been playing with weapons again, I feel very strong in Long form, and kempo continues to grow and eveolve with me. There are a few points in kempo, that I have really lasered in on. The sweeps. I am really slowing that part down to ensure, proper hand foot movement, and to ensure the closing of one technique flows nicely into the next. Especially around the sweeps. I found I wasn't flowing into it, I was stepping/falling. Which, is good to begin with, but, I want to be beyond that point of the form, so, back to the basics and continue to train with more intent. Train like I mean it damn it!! Haha
Something else I would like to touch on here, is we have been sparring a fair bit. And for me to spar, I love it, but, I truly don't like to make contact or even touch the head. Anything more than a finger touch, kinda bothers me. Back in the day, I used to hurt people and since I changed my ways, hitting people is actually really hard to do. Like I physically do not want to do. Don't get me wrong push too hard for too long and I'll remove teeth for you, but not in class, not with my fellow students. Well, Sifu, has been pushing my to start making contact again. She says, if you want to make a real impact in the tournaments you have to make real contact. You have these beautiful techniques and combos, and you get in the right places at the right times, but you never make contact. So, all that work, to set me up to make them move, you get me where you want, and then you pull your punches. Stop doing that. That's not word for word, but, it's pretty bang on. So, okay, I said, I will work on that. And, you know, I was kinda stressed about it, but, I did push back on a fear of mine in my training. I do worry about hurting somebody, and that holds me back to a certain extent. But, it also brings to light another part of my training. A huge part of all training I think, is control. Sure I can blast a heavy bag with hooks and uppercuts, but using that same technique with a training partner is a whole new level of control. Trying to use that same technique with the same outcome, on my end, but with respect to my partner, ya know. Sometimes, you miss calculate. I wasn't too fond of the outcome. Now, it's not like I hurt everyone, but, I did get a beaut of a punch in and it was a touch to hard. I was aiming for his shoulder, and he moved into me, I into him and I didn't pull the punch as much as I should have. Oops. I mean, you know when you get in a clean shot, and it feels good, nobody really gets hurt, it's more of a reminder to not lead with your teeth. But, there's still that thought in my mind of my control. Okay, gotta work on being able to adapt and speed up or slow down. The only way I can control my motions, is to continue to train. It's just goes onto the Kung Fu To Do List. It's like a mile long.....hold on here...I'm just double checking oh yeah.....it's it's already here, like ten times! Haha. Looks like I got some training to do eh;)
I'll leave you with this
"Hard work pays off
Dreams come true
Bad things don't last
But bad guys do!"
Razor Ramon
Well, that's all folks
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 5 March 2017
Night Shift, oh gross
Hey there everybody. Well, I'm all done with the night shift, finally. Boy, did that take it toll on me. Mentally and physically, it was very tedious. But, I powered through and we accomplished everything, plus more we as a crew set out to do. What a good feeling. Seeing the beginning and the end of this elevator shaft is a good feeling. Some welding left to be done, but that is outta my realm, so, my tasks are done. Funny how nights mess with your head. Like for example, this night shift messed with me so bad, that my last night, I could not think clearly and I did some, well, a lot of welding that I wasn't supposed to have done. I hate welding. It's stinks and it's for puddle chasers, not me! Just for some reason, I did this welding! Like really?! Man alive, that's not me at all! I think, I might be in trouble for it, but, I will take my lumps like a man and own up to what I did. It was a really weird experience. It was one of those times that nothing registered from the brain to the body. Nothing. I kept saying to myself, this isn't my job, let the welders finish this, but, my body did not register! Like full on zombie mode!! Haha. All well. I had the right intentions....( insert shoulder shrug and a meh!)
Anyways, well like I say nights really messed with me and I honestly did nothing for two weeks but work and sleep. I had no go go! But, that's okay. Not moving gave me extra opportunities to sit and listen and think. I think I got a plan together. On paper it looks good. So, we will see in application. The real trick here, is consistency. Like in anything consistency in our words and actions is what makes or breaks us.
So, unfortuanatly this is a short blog. My boys just will not leave my side. Don't get me wrong, I love every second of the kiddos, being like, "dad, dad, dad, wanna do this, dad, dad, can we do this dad, dad what are you doing? Dad! Don't you love me? Play dad, play! Why are you sitting down, dad, dad, look at this, dad.... and so and so forth. I love it! Sometimes, yeah, you wanna pile drive them into oblivion, but, it is a beautiful monster! My boys are my life and that's always been my number one driving factor. Another example of consistency. My boys are consistently annoying enough for me to call it love! Hahahaha
Well. It's been a good week. A week of reading some good material, and good reflection and planning. Let's have a good week of action this week.
See ya on the next one
Mr.Duncan
Anyways, well like I say nights really messed with me and I honestly did nothing for two weeks but work and sleep. I had no go go! But, that's okay. Not moving gave me extra opportunities to sit and listen and think. I think I got a plan together. On paper it looks good. So, we will see in application. The real trick here, is consistency. Like in anything consistency in our words and actions is what makes or breaks us.
So, unfortuanatly this is a short blog. My boys just will not leave my side. Don't get me wrong, I love every second of the kiddos, being like, "dad, dad, dad, wanna do this, dad, dad, can we do this dad, dad what are you doing? Dad! Don't you love me? Play dad, play! Why are you sitting down, dad, dad, look at this, dad.... and so and so forth. I love it! Sometimes, yeah, you wanna pile drive them into oblivion, but, it is a beautiful monster! My boys are my life and that's always been my number one driving factor. Another example of consistency. My boys are consistently annoying enough for me to call it love! Hahahaha
Well. It's been a good week. A week of reading some good material, and good reflection and planning. Let's have a good week of action this week.
See ya on the next one
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 19 February 2017
hey hey
Well hidey-ho! How's it cracking today? We are doing great! I feel you what! I have had a very fantastic last few days. Friday turned out to be an amazing day! It turned from a craptacular day into a day of solid work and laughter. Everyone on the crew was in high spirits. It was a fantastic day that has turned into a run-on of a great weekend.
I'm not to sure on where to go from here. See, not being apart of the I Ho Cuban has left me with a fair amount of free time. Time I still spend training and pushing towards my goals of being a complete martial artist. I'm back spending a lot of time with techniques and strikes and blocks. It's awesome ya know. We are taught all these separate movements, and our sifus leave it up to us, to put theses singular techniques into into a free flowing amount of Kung fu awesomeness. I've been playing with elbow blocks and foot trapping. I realize these may be above my belt level, but, I can see these things in my mind. I can clearly see the strike, the energy and the blocks. I can see the movements I can and will do to separate myself from my opponent. Now the trick here is to put the de things into practical use if you might. One of my favourite parts of Kung fu is, building a technique, going to a black belt and saying, hey, what about this? And then Sifu tears things apart. Asks about blocking this or that. Using his knowledge to find the weaknesses of the technique and building from there. Some techniques I have "built" leave me way out in the open, just asking for a punch to the chin. Others are really solid and I wouldn't hesitate using them in the street. As for sparring with my fellow students, I wouldn't want to use the yet, as the control is not where it needs to be.
I have found, when first developing these techniques, things are fairly dangerous. Not working with a partner, for fear of hurting someone, really does slow down the development stage of the game. I train with a small group of people, and my options are limited. Each person I train with is talented in their own regard and all have something awesome to bring to the table. Even if it is just another opinion. That's what builds great teammates. Just recognizing each others high and low points and working with each other to push through our shortcomings. But, with that being said, I'm not confident enough in myself to grab a thrust kick, strike the knee, while pulling my opponent in towards myself and and driving through their chest with a palm heel strike. It's a sound technique, but it makes me nervous. Tweaking on one leg, while pulling the groin apart with their energies, to only use my energy, to plot through their rib cage. See what I'm saying?
So, I have a plan, extra padding on the ground and clear communication with my training partners. Slow and steady with them, and I'm very confident that things will work together. And extra help. Maybe this technique is silly and should just stay in my brain? But, I'm a firm believer, that if this same thing keeps running through your mind, it needs to be dealt with. Not just amused, it needs to be solved.
That's what I strive to be good at. Solving my problems so I can graciously accept tomorrow's challenges and new problems.
But, until next time folks,
Have a great day
Mr.Duncan
I'm not to sure on where to go from here. See, not being apart of the I Ho Cuban has left me with a fair amount of free time. Time I still spend training and pushing towards my goals of being a complete martial artist. I'm back spending a lot of time with techniques and strikes and blocks. It's awesome ya know. We are taught all these separate movements, and our sifus leave it up to us, to put theses singular techniques into into a free flowing amount of Kung fu awesomeness. I've been playing with elbow blocks and foot trapping. I realize these may be above my belt level, but, I can see these things in my mind. I can clearly see the strike, the energy and the blocks. I can see the movements I can and will do to separate myself from my opponent. Now the trick here is to put the de things into practical use if you might. One of my favourite parts of Kung fu is, building a technique, going to a black belt and saying, hey, what about this? And then Sifu tears things apart. Asks about blocking this or that. Using his knowledge to find the weaknesses of the technique and building from there. Some techniques I have "built" leave me way out in the open, just asking for a punch to the chin. Others are really solid and I wouldn't hesitate using them in the street. As for sparring with my fellow students, I wouldn't want to use the yet, as the control is not where it needs to be.
I have found, when first developing these techniques, things are fairly dangerous. Not working with a partner, for fear of hurting someone, really does slow down the development stage of the game. I train with a small group of people, and my options are limited. Each person I train with is talented in their own regard and all have something awesome to bring to the table. Even if it is just another opinion. That's what builds great teammates. Just recognizing each others high and low points and working with each other to push through our shortcomings. But, with that being said, I'm not confident enough in myself to grab a thrust kick, strike the knee, while pulling my opponent in towards myself and and driving through their chest with a palm heel strike. It's a sound technique, but it makes me nervous. Tweaking on one leg, while pulling the groin apart with their energies, to only use my energy, to plot through their rib cage. See what I'm saying?
So, I have a plan, extra padding on the ground and clear communication with my training partners. Slow and steady with them, and I'm very confident that things will work together. And extra help. Maybe this technique is silly and should just stay in my brain? But, I'm a firm believer, that if this same thing keeps running through your mind, it needs to be dealt with. Not just amused, it needs to be solved.
That's what I strive to be good at. Solving my problems so I can graciously accept tomorrow's challenges and new problems.
But, until next time folks,
Have a great day
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 5 February 2017
Rivers
Hey yo! How's it today? Man I'm doing great. Another great day and a fantastic weekend to say the least. It all started Thursday night, when for the first time in way too long I walked back into those rooms. Man that felt great. I felt like a massive weight was now lifted and I walk twenty pound lighter today. Saw and visited with some friends met a few new people, just an all around great time. The conversation turned to thoughts of extra-ordinariness versus ordinariness. People looking for defenitions of each if you might. No one really talked about reality per say. I do believe that each person has their own reality. It's made up of their experiences, their values, and what they have seen and experienced. So, even though we share this time here together, it's truly different for every person. From your own experiences you will see things differently than others and soon draw your own view points. Thus altering your own reality. But, we all share the same simple things in life. Like, living, eating, a warm place to sleep, and how our own journeys can and will be extra-ordinary. But, we need to see that first. What a lot of people forget or over look or completely ignore is the simple beauty in their own lives. Just how lucky we are to be alive and to be sharing these moments with others who are so like minded. That's pretty extra-ordinary in it's self. People like me, we like to sell our selves short, to the point that it becomes a massive shortcoming. Or a defect of character, what ever your fancy. Believe you are this amazing, extra-ordinary being and you will become one.
You will see what you are doing, and improve upon those steps. You slowly, will learn that what you are doing right now, just isn't good enough, and you will seek ways to change and improve. you will learn the power of asking for help, and smiling at strangers. Saying hello. How are you? Offering aid instinctively.
Through training my mind and body, I have learnt that this power inside me, is only useful, if I can use it to help others who are not as "trained" as I. Thursday night has helped me remember, my main goal. To be of service to my fellows. i had to remember, that, with my training, I can not hinder others, but, share all my knowledge to help them grow and blossom. That's my resbonsibility with all training I have aquired. I got it freely, I must give it up freely. Otherwise, the pure essence of all my programs will die.
What does all of this mean? A lot. But I try to sum it up in my mind like this. It is a bunch of thoughts and ideas smashed into one.
Flow like a great river. Smashing and carving its own path. Always flowing and always changing. Every single millisecond, every single water particle has changed, grown, moved, or dissipated. Always changing. What can happen over time is, this great river grows complacent and slows down. The water slows and does not change as much or as drastic. If movement stops, and their is no more change, this great river has turned into a pond. Still and silent. With more idle time, the water turns stagnant and it becomes poisonous. Growing algae, becoming sludge and stinking. The death of water. But, wait, if agitated enough, if poked and prodded, the water will start vibrating, moving again. Carving out a new path, and with enough time, the pond can become a great river again. Just be patient, and keep working at your own path. Soon, even the tallest mountains will crumble because of your river.
That's what I got about that
Talk to you soon.
Mr.Duncan
You will see what you are doing, and improve upon those steps. You slowly, will learn that what you are doing right now, just isn't good enough, and you will seek ways to change and improve. you will learn the power of asking for help, and smiling at strangers. Saying hello. How are you? Offering aid instinctively.
Through training my mind and body, I have learnt that this power inside me, is only useful, if I can use it to help others who are not as "trained" as I. Thursday night has helped me remember, my main goal. To be of service to my fellows. i had to remember, that, with my training, I can not hinder others, but, share all my knowledge to help them grow and blossom. That's my resbonsibility with all training I have aquired. I got it freely, I must give it up freely. Otherwise, the pure essence of all my programs will die.
What does all of this mean? A lot. But I try to sum it up in my mind like this. It is a bunch of thoughts and ideas smashed into one.
Flow like a great river. Smashing and carving its own path. Always flowing and always changing. Every single millisecond, every single water particle has changed, grown, moved, or dissipated. Always changing. What can happen over time is, this great river grows complacent and slows down. The water slows and does not change as much or as drastic. If movement stops, and their is no more change, this great river has turned into a pond. Still and silent. With more idle time, the water turns stagnant and it becomes poisonous. Growing algae, becoming sludge and stinking. The death of water. But, wait, if agitated enough, if poked and prodded, the water will start vibrating, moving again. Carving out a new path, and with enough time, the pond can become a great river again. Just be patient, and keep working at your own path. Soon, even the tallest mountains will crumble because of your river.
That's what I got about that
Talk to you soon.
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 29 January 2017
Monkey wrap-up
Whoop whoop! What a party that was! 2017 bringing in the rooster and helping the monkey out the door! Oh man alive, that was the best celebration yet! I really enjoyed all of it. From the set up to the tear down to the hand shaking belly laughing, fist pounding, lion dancing, dragon swinging, black belt promoting awesomeness of it all. Man, there's dishes flying and water spilling chicken balls hitting the deck, there's Kung fu flying about. Ahh man, I loved it. I'm still really pumped from it all. Can you tell? I don't know, I'm hiding it well ;)
Oh boy, well, since my first celebration, I have always gotten excited for the new year celebration. From first seeing it all three years ago, to being apart the planning of it all, to now and just for now, I'm stepping back from it all. Last night I went to bed, with lions in my head. Today, I woke up with a sense of uncertainty of what to do. Not sure on where to go next. Whoa, let's step back and take a breath. Okay, there we go. Blue belt. Then beyond. It's weird with the thoughts of not being on IHC this year, not having the commitments and such. That's okay, I can not forget, why I'm taking a breather. That's what's important right now. Today, I look forward to crushing the next few goals on my list. Like, really looking forward to it. I got some work to catch up on in an outside program, lots to catch up on in the house maintenance areas, and yes, of course, Kung fu to crush! Forms to continue to master and techniques further perfected. It's weird here though. My goals have not overly changed, but the people around me, will not be as fruitful. For two years I have had all of you to lean on and talk to. Whether we see eye to eye on everything, it does not matter. We all shared the same desire too better ourselves through Kung fu. So I decided, that I'm going to keep blogging along. I do enjoy blogging and reading about others journeys.
As long as I keep my mind open, things should turn out in the end. And they will. The kwoon the Kung fu and the folks that make it what it is, will still be there. It will be up to me to seek you out.
Well guys, thanks again for everything
And guess what, I will see you soon.
Mr.Duncan
Oh boy, well, since my first celebration, I have always gotten excited for the new year celebration. From first seeing it all three years ago, to being apart the planning of it all, to now and just for now, I'm stepping back from it all. Last night I went to bed, with lions in my head. Today, I woke up with a sense of uncertainty of what to do. Not sure on where to go next. Whoa, let's step back and take a breath. Okay, there we go. Blue belt. Then beyond. It's weird with the thoughts of not being on IHC this year, not having the commitments and such. That's okay, I can not forget, why I'm taking a breather. That's what's important right now. Today, I look forward to crushing the next few goals on my list. Like, really looking forward to it. I got some work to catch up on in an outside program, lots to catch up on in the house maintenance areas, and yes, of course, Kung fu to crush! Forms to continue to master and techniques further perfected. It's weird here though. My goals have not overly changed, but the people around me, will not be as fruitful. For two years I have had all of you to lean on and talk to. Whether we see eye to eye on everything, it does not matter. We all shared the same desire too better ourselves through Kung fu. So I decided, that I'm going to keep blogging along. I do enjoy blogging and reading about others journeys.
As long as I keep my mind open, things should turn out in the end. And they will. The kwoon the Kung fu and the folks that make it what it is, will still be there. It will be up to me to seek you out.
Well guys, thanks again for everything
And guess what, I will see you soon.
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 22 January 2017
The Year Of The Mokey
Well, well, well, it's just about time. Chinese New Year is almost upon us. A new year of challenges and goals to obtain is just about here. Now, I may not be joining the rooster team, but, I am carrying a lot of life lessons from I Ho Chuan into the future with me. There are lessons of great value that I have learnt about, in my time with IHC. Lessons that I simply can not forget about. These last two years have been great. I have truly enjoyed myself. Lessons about what it honestly means to be a black belt. The total package, not just someone who can throw kicks and punches. One of my greatest challenges has been, getting and staying motivated in kempo Kung fu. This last year has, well, sucked for myself. I have had some great success this year in some things, but, in other aspects it has sucked. Escrimas, as much fun as I have been having with them, I have had a hard time really evolving my form. I mean, it's okay. It's not bad even, but, I should be better. But, with saying that, it's also as good as it's going to get right now. Tearing it apart and trying to re-invent it at this point is, silly. So, all I can really do the time being is just, keep smoothing it out.
The hand form I started in the beginning of the year really stopped evolving in the spring time. Unfortuanatly, it's pretty well non-existent. That's okay. I have a place to start, I have an idea of where to go and how to get there, but I simply did not put the proper amount of time in. It's too bad, I was on a roll. I was cooking on high, with gas. Then, I ran out of gas, I guess. That hurt the old ego, and it proved to be a tough one to overcome. It's okay. There is always today. Today, can always be a second chance.
Smoking, well....that sucked. Numerous quitting attempts with Equal amounts of fails. Darn! That goal really, really crippled me. Every time, I would attempt to quit, I just, I don't know. That's the sum of it. I just fell apart. I'm positive, my biggest stumbling block, is "I want to want to quit". You follow? Me neither. I swore to myself, this year was going to be different. I swore I was going to breath cleanly this year. And I think I accumulated a few days and a ton of hours of non-smoking, but, nothing with any real bite behind it. So, this goal, proved to be an ongoing goal. I will defeat this demon of mine, but, I guess not with the bull headed approach I have been using, for the last twenty years. I won't quit trying to quit, until I finally do quit. It's something that really has to happen. Otherwise I'm only half of a martial artist, in my eyes anyhow. I spoke with Sifu about this and he has given me some great ideas to help quit. And I like the idea of not obtaining a specific belt level until I quit smoking, for a minimum set period of time. Monday at class we will continue this conversation, as I would like to achieve blue belt. But, the thought of still smoking and getting my next belt level, seems to me like I am cheating myself. Not giving myself the proper tools I need, to be a complete martial artist.
I did accomplish a few things this year though, that's for sure. I was out my bicycle a lot this year. Far more physical movements. Especially having to walk the mini horse that we call Bane. There were a lot of victories as a family. Very positively enforcing relationships with the kidos and wifey-poo. I have done far more reading this year than before and my temper is getting a lot better. I read Animal Farm to the kids. That was cool. The questions that came from that book. Awesomeness! I have continued to quite the screaming voices in my head. I have successfully looked relapse in the eyes and pushed it out of my path. I was able to resist the urge to completely fall into the old willie's ways. Thank sweet mother of pearl, I jumped outta that hole as quickly as I did. That was determination, that's what that was. Bull headed not doing that again, even if I have to sew my hands in my pockets, I am not picking that damn drink up again! today, you will have to kill me to get a drop of booze in my mouth again. Lots of help, though, lots of help from the big guy and my friends. Never can I say, I did alone. Nope, so many people helping me along the way. I must be blessed, because I sure feel like it some days.
For myself though, the most frustrating part of this year was the classes on Thursday nights. I remember last year saying to Sifu, that classes going to a Thursday night would, well, be near the end of my career in IHC. And that proved to be a very real fact. Every Thursday night I needed to make a decision. Do I go and hang with people like me, who share the same very treaterous way of life I face without the proper amount of spiritual backing, or do I go play with my escrimas with the team? A decision that weighed very very heavy on me every single week. Then, a guy has these guilty thoughts because he makes a decision, that he feels is best for his mental state. Not best for his training. And believe it or not, I did feel bad not being there. It's near impossible to be apart of the team, without being there in person. I mean, let's be honest here, blogging only goes so far as for team commitment. Unfortuanatly, I did not feel comfortable enough to start missing more meeting than I did. Even this month, I haven't been to a meeting yet, as I am really pushing hard for this new year celebration. And I feel it. I feel the sickness inside rearing its ugly head again. But, it's okay, because, we are almost there. And I know I will be okay, because I a man with good people and training partners. It's will be okay, simply put, because I am with The monkey teamies. Thanks guys.
One thing that I am extremely grateful for, is having the opportunity to jump back into the demo, at the end of the year. Like that's really right on guys, and I truly do appreciate you thinking of me and throwing me in a lion. Honestly, it means a lot to me. Thank you. It makes me feel like I didn't completely waste mine and everyone else's time this year. Coming back into the game, so late, in the game, and just having people like, hey man, jump in here and here. And that's that! Awesome. Seeing everyone pushing so hard on their forms and techniques, it's inspiring to say the least. Seeing the definite change in everyone is really fantastic. An opportunity, truly inspiring. A huge example of what can be accomplished with just, consistent effort. Thanks again everyone, on the monkey team. You guys are really right on. This last month has been a lot of fun. And there are memories that I know I will hold onto forever here after!
One of my greatest accomplishments this year has been learning the skill of asking for help. This has been probably my greatest victory, this year. I'm not as ego driven as I have been in the past, I know it doesn't seem like it some days, but, I know for a fact I am getting better. How, because it's getting easier and easier to ask. I don't know why, this is such a hard thing for me to do. I think mainly it's my pride and ego, but, hey, one day at a time.
So, to sum up my year as a monkey. It was more of a failure than it was anything else. Yes, I have had much of success, but, I don't think enough, to call a victory of a year. That's okay. I have learnt lesson over lesson again and again. Even in failure, I have come out on top. Simply because of the lessons I have continuously learnt. Complete failure, is, as I see it, accepting to your inner most self, that you lost. And that is something I refuse to do. Never, will I say, I quit. That's just not who I am, anymore. I have learnt that much. And that's much is still a huge victory.
Thanks for everyone's patience and acceptance this year. You guys have been really solid! Fist bumps for all, and for all a whoop whoop!
Well, untill next week,
I'll talk to you soon
Mr.Duncan
The hand form I started in the beginning of the year really stopped evolving in the spring time. Unfortuanatly, it's pretty well non-existent. That's okay. I have a place to start, I have an idea of where to go and how to get there, but I simply did not put the proper amount of time in. It's too bad, I was on a roll. I was cooking on high, with gas. Then, I ran out of gas, I guess. That hurt the old ego, and it proved to be a tough one to overcome. It's okay. There is always today. Today, can always be a second chance.
Smoking, well....that sucked. Numerous quitting attempts with Equal amounts of fails. Darn! That goal really, really crippled me. Every time, I would attempt to quit, I just, I don't know. That's the sum of it. I just fell apart. I'm positive, my biggest stumbling block, is "I want to want to quit". You follow? Me neither. I swore to myself, this year was going to be different. I swore I was going to breath cleanly this year. And I think I accumulated a few days and a ton of hours of non-smoking, but, nothing with any real bite behind it. So, this goal, proved to be an ongoing goal. I will defeat this demon of mine, but, I guess not with the bull headed approach I have been using, for the last twenty years. I won't quit trying to quit, until I finally do quit. It's something that really has to happen. Otherwise I'm only half of a martial artist, in my eyes anyhow. I spoke with Sifu about this and he has given me some great ideas to help quit. And I like the idea of not obtaining a specific belt level until I quit smoking, for a minimum set period of time. Monday at class we will continue this conversation, as I would like to achieve blue belt. But, the thought of still smoking and getting my next belt level, seems to me like I am cheating myself. Not giving myself the proper tools I need, to be a complete martial artist.
I did accomplish a few things this year though, that's for sure. I was out my bicycle a lot this year. Far more physical movements. Especially having to walk the mini horse that we call Bane. There were a lot of victories as a family. Very positively enforcing relationships with the kidos and wifey-poo. I have done far more reading this year than before and my temper is getting a lot better. I read Animal Farm to the kids. That was cool. The questions that came from that book. Awesomeness! I have continued to quite the screaming voices in my head. I have successfully looked relapse in the eyes and pushed it out of my path. I was able to resist the urge to completely fall into the old willie's ways. Thank sweet mother of pearl, I jumped outta that hole as quickly as I did. That was determination, that's what that was. Bull headed not doing that again, even if I have to sew my hands in my pockets, I am not picking that damn drink up again! today, you will have to kill me to get a drop of booze in my mouth again. Lots of help, though, lots of help from the big guy and my friends. Never can I say, I did alone. Nope, so many people helping me along the way. I must be blessed, because I sure feel like it some days.
For myself though, the most frustrating part of this year was the classes on Thursday nights. I remember last year saying to Sifu, that classes going to a Thursday night would, well, be near the end of my career in IHC. And that proved to be a very real fact. Every Thursday night I needed to make a decision. Do I go and hang with people like me, who share the same very treaterous way of life I face without the proper amount of spiritual backing, or do I go play with my escrimas with the team? A decision that weighed very very heavy on me every single week. Then, a guy has these guilty thoughts because he makes a decision, that he feels is best for his mental state. Not best for his training. And believe it or not, I did feel bad not being there. It's near impossible to be apart of the team, without being there in person. I mean, let's be honest here, blogging only goes so far as for team commitment. Unfortuanatly, I did not feel comfortable enough to start missing more meeting than I did. Even this month, I haven't been to a meeting yet, as I am really pushing hard for this new year celebration. And I feel it. I feel the sickness inside rearing its ugly head again. But, it's okay, because, we are almost there. And I know I will be okay, because I a man with good people and training partners. It's will be okay, simply put, because I am with The monkey teamies. Thanks guys.
One thing that I am extremely grateful for, is having the opportunity to jump back into the demo, at the end of the year. Like that's really right on guys, and I truly do appreciate you thinking of me and throwing me in a lion. Honestly, it means a lot to me. Thank you. It makes me feel like I didn't completely waste mine and everyone else's time this year. Coming back into the game, so late, in the game, and just having people like, hey man, jump in here and here. And that's that! Awesome. Seeing everyone pushing so hard on their forms and techniques, it's inspiring to say the least. Seeing the definite change in everyone is really fantastic. An opportunity, truly inspiring. A huge example of what can be accomplished with just, consistent effort. Thanks again everyone, on the monkey team. You guys are really right on. This last month has been a lot of fun. And there are memories that I know I will hold onto forever here after!
One of my greatest accomplishments this year has been learning the skill of asking for help. This has been probably my greatest victory, this year. I'm not as ego driven as I have been in the past, I know it doesn't seem like it some days, but, I know for a fact I am getting better. How, because it's getting easier and easier to ask. I don't know why, this is such a hard thing for me to do. I think mainly it's my pride and ego, but, hey, one day at a time.
So, to sum up my year as a monkey. It was more of a failure than it was anything else. Yes, I have had much of success, but, I don't think enough, to call a victory of a year. That's okay. I have learnt lesson over lesson again and again. Even in failure, I have come out on top. Simply because of the lessons I have continuously learnt. Complete failure, is, as I see it, accepting to your inner most self, that you lost. And that is something I refuse to do. Never, will I say, I quit. That's just not who I am, anymore. I have learnt that much. And that's much is still a huge victory.
Thanks for everyone's patience and acceptance this year. You guys have been really solid! Fist bumps for all, and for all a whoop whoop!
Well, untill next week,
I'll talk to you soon
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 15 January 2017
almost there
Hey ya, hey ya, how ya doing? I'm doing very good, I am. Another great day. Beautiful day today. Love it. Kids have been kicked outside, dogs not allowed in, and I'm doing some chores around the house. Clean out the chicken coop, fight with the dog while he's trying to eat the chicken poop. Uhh, dogs. Weird man. Never seen an animal get so hell bent on eating poop before.
Anyhow, nailed Long in class. Sifu was happy with the progress I've made. So, I'm happy. It's nice to have that form, no longer looming over my head. Yup, over that obstacle. Great stuff, indeed. Onto the next challenge. Not sure yet. I think I'm just going to continue smoothing out techniques and forms.
You know it's funny man. These escrimas were flying Thursday night before class. I smoothed out these parts that needed work. Now, I'm stubblinging on completely different parts of the form. Haha. Oh never ends. But, that's cool. Challenge accepted. This just re-enforces in my mind that these forms are their own personal entity. Each form, like us is unique and differs from one person to the next. As soon as one part of the form has been addressed, another part rears its head and is like, hey, look at this part over here. What about this part? And you're like, oh, right, now this part of the form sucks. Well, looks like I got to do some more work there.
My journey here, in the I Ho Chuan, is quickly coming to an end. I'm excited to be done, and kind of disappointed I'm not continuing with everyone on I.H.C. But, all good things must come to an end. I'll be back, I'll have to do this again to get the black belt, so when that day comes, I'll be back. Maybe IHC will be on an easier night for me to make it? Then I could make it. One can only dream.....But, to the next class. To the new members, I would like to say this to you guys.
I Ho Chuan is going to push you mentally and physically. These last two years has been some of the greatest challenges and overcomings I have faced before. If you are like me, maybe one day you'll be thinking to yourself, what did I get myself into? Maybe you're down and out, thinking, man, did I just make a mistake? I thought that numerous times. But, I had to remember why I was there in the first place. Because good enough is just not good enough anymore. Feelings of self doubt and thinking you just can't do it are part of the process. One must question what they are doing in order to see, just what great things you are achieving. And you won't even know you're achieving these amazing things. A lot of the "ah ha" moments I have had were direct results of IHC. If it were not for the IHC, I know for a fact I would not be the martial artist that I am today. And I have so much more to learn. I know so little, and I like it like that. Just constant reminders to ask for help. Constant reminders to push harder and harder. If I wish to achieve my dreams, I must remember the lessons I was taught in IHC. Like it's just fine, to make mistakes and fall apart. As long as we graciously learn from our mistakes. Something, I'm still working on. But, IHC made me see that realization. IHC as a program to the intense martial artist, is like feeding unlimited amounts of nitrous to a race car. Now, you are going to fly. Just be patient, and it will come.
Listen, the main thing I can say, is enjoy your time. Have fun with your training. Talk to your class mates. Build a friendship or two. Just have fun, and boy, the results will blow your minds.
Me? Well, I'm off on a different part of my journey today. I'm still focused on the demo and Chinese New Year, but, yes, I'll be off doing my own thing come February. Focus on a different challenge that I want to do. Oddly enough, this is something that I don't know if I would have the courage to do, if I didn't join I Ho Chuan first and foremost. So, again, another reason, why the IHC program is so successful. This personal challenge does depend very much on finances, but, if I can financially swing it, I going to enroll in a few wrestling camps over the next six to eight months. Not saying I am going to get picked up by a promoter, or anything like that. I'm not even saying, I'm going to be any good at it at all, but, more importantly, I want to try. I simply want to take wrestling camps off of my bucket list. And who knows, maybe by the stroke of luck and the skin of my teeth, I might just make something of another childhood dream. Who knows? But I'll never know unless I try. And truly there is no try. There is only doing. So, if I can financially swing it, I'm there. If, not, well, nothing really changes. I continue with training. One way or another, I'm going to be stronger, faster, and more fluent with the language of my body and how it works. And above all, I will still be able to continue towards my black belt. And that, folks, is exciting all in its own.
And if nothing else happens, I'm going to have fun. And to me, that's ninth percent of why I do everything that I do. I enjoy it. I am passionate about training and becoming stronger and faster. I am passionately about learning about how I am internally and what I can do when I feel like my tank is empty. So, I'm looking forwards to a exciting new year no material what happens, I hope you are too.
Have a good day
Mr.Duncan
Anyhow, nailed Long in class. Sifu was happy with the progress I've made. So, I'm happy. It's nice to have that form, no longer looming over my head. Yup, over that obstacle. Great stuff, indeed. Onto the next challenge. Not sure yet. I think I'm just going to continue smoothing out techniques and forms.
You know it's funny man. These escrimas were flying Thursday night before class. I smoothed out these parts that needed work. Now, I'm stubblinging on completely different parts of the form. Haha. Oh never ends. But, that's cool. Challenge accepted. This just re-enforces in my mind that these forms are their own personal entity. Each form, like us is unique and differs from one person to the next. As soon as one part of the form has been addressed, another part rears its head and is like, hey, look at this part over here. What about this part? And you're like, oh, right, now this part of the form sucks. Well, looks like I got to do some more work there.
My journey here, in the I Ho Chuan, is quickly coming to an end. I'm excited to be done, and kind of disappointed I'm not continuing with everyone on I.H.C. But, all good things must come to an end. I'll be back, I'll have to do this again to get the black belt, so when that day comes, I'll be back. Maybe IHC will be on an easier night for me to make it? Then I could make it. One can only dream.....But, to the next class. To the new members, I would like to say this to you guys.
I Ho Chuan is going to push you mentally and physically. These last two years has been some of the greatest challenges and overcomings I have faced before. If you are like me, maybe one day you'll be thinking to yourself, what did I get myself into? Maybe you're down and out, thinking, man, did I just make a mistake? I thought that numerous times. But, I had to remember why I was there in the first place. Because good enough is just not good enough anymore. Feelings of self doubt and thinking you just can't do it are part of the process. One must question what they are doing in order to see, just what great things you are achieving. And you won't even know you're achieving these amazing things. A lot of the "ah ha" moments I have had were direct results of IHC. If it were not for the IHC, I know for a fact I would not be the martial artist that I am today. And I have so much more to learn. I know so little, and I like it like that. Just constant reminders to ask for help. Constant reminders to push harder and harder. If I wish to achieve my dreams, I must remember the lessons I was taught in IHC. Like it's just fine, to make mistakes and fall apart. As long as we graciously learn from our mistakes. Something, I'm still working on. But, IHC made me see that realization. IHC as a program to the intense martial artist, is like feeding unlimited amounts of nitrous to a race car. Now, you are going to fly. Just be patient, and it will come.
Listen, the main thing I can say, is enjoy your time. Have fun with your training. Talk to your class mates. Build a friendship or two. Just have fun, and boy, the results will blow your minds.
Me? Well, I'm off on a different part of my journey today. I'm still focused on the demo and Chinese New Year, but, yes, I'll be off doing my own thing come February. Focus on a different challenge that I want to do. Oddly enough, this is something that I don't know if I would have the courage to do, if I didn't join I Ho Chuan first and foremost. So, again, another reason, why the IHC program is so successful. This personal challenge does depend very much on finances, but, if I can financially swing it, I going to enroll in a few wrestling camps over the next six to eight months. Not saying I am going to get picked up by a promoter, or anything like that. I'm not even saying, I'm going to be any good at it at all, but, more importantly, I want to try. I simply want to take wrestling camps off of my bucket list. And who knows, maybe by the stroke of luck and the skin of my teeth, I might just make something of another childhood dream. Who knows? But I'll never know unless I try. And truly there is no try. There is only doing. So, if I can financially swing it, I'm there. If, not, well, nothing really changes. I continue with training. One way or another, I'm going to be stronger, faster, and more fluent with the language of my body and how it works. And above all, I will still be able to continue towards my black belt. And that, folks, is exciting all in its own.
And if nothing else happens, I'm going to have fun. And to me, that's ninth percent of why I do everything that I do. I enjoy it. I am passionate about training and becoming stronger and faster. I am passionately about learning about how I am internally and what I can do when I feel like my tank is empty. So, I'm looking forwards to a exciting new year no material what happens, I hope you are too.
Have a good day
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 8 January 2017
lions and dragons and dogs, oh my!
Hey there! It's me it's me Mr.D! Another Sunday rolls upon us and another batch of pancakes, even the dog had one! Took it right out of the youngest hands! While he was walking to the table all proud he just "scoffed" a pancake from dad, then the dog, in one swoop stole wyatts pancake and it's gone! Good, now we get to listen to his allergies kick in. Bane, can not handle flour, pork and other additives! Awesome. Ever had a dog that allergic to everything? Oh the backlash is awesome! The sounds and the smells that come out of a dog with allergies is just great. Especially my one hundred and twenty pound Nancy pouch. Love him.
Any how, let's get to business. Thursday night was an eye opener. I honestly thought my form was doing not bad. Not bad, I thought to myself. Then the honest critiquing came. And whether the comments where directed at myself or not, I took them to heart. And Sifu Brinker was right. There was no intention, and it did suck. Okay I said to myself, I have to make this not suck. Like right now. Truth is, I've put so much time into the Long form, I didn't give the attention I thought I was to giving to the escrimas. I had the escrimas just flying before Christmas, and just a week later, it fell apart on me. Okay dokay. Well, that tells me, I have far more work to do wto get the escrimas back on top. Here's my big "dilemma". My goal I was shooting for was to have my blue belt by Christmas time. And unfortuanatly, I fell short. I was informed, that Long just wasn't quiet there. That's cool I thought, I can get it there, just need more time. So I laser focused on the Long form, and sidelined escrimas. I thought I was keeping them up, but, alas, I fell short there as well. Wow, I've never dropped the ball so many times in a row. Well, maybe I have, but, this time hurt. I am very confident in my Kung fu and my abilities and I think, that was my down falling here. Over confidence led to a false sense of ability. False abilities clouded my judgement of where my form truly was.
Alrighty then, lesson learnt. I want my blue belt, I'm there? I don't know, but, hopefully. Long I feel confident with, and escrimas are almost as strong as I want them to be. So, again, back to the balance dilemma. I want both so badly, I just need to properly train. Again, I need to find that balance and achieve it. I've had it before, just need to pay attention and watch what I am doing. So with all the above being said, in th escrima form, I have found a cleaner way to achieve moving into a horsestance, I think. This is the fourth change I think in the last little while. Obviously, I haven't practiced it enough, because it changes just a little bit each time. That tells me, it's more spontaneous than it is practiced. Not cool. Not to worry. But, I will have this sorted out by Thursdays class. That's a Mr.D gaurentee!
The lion/dragon dance, eh! Wow, that is cool. From what I've seen hiding in the back of a lion! Hard to see anything but feet in front of me!! I've never been in a lion, except, for one parade, for like, five minutes. So, this is awesome. I have wanted to train in the lions, just, never really embraced the opportunity. I've been working on the footwork, since Saturday afternoon. I am enjoying it. I hope I'm doing the right zombie dance! I think I may have confused my self. But, I will make a call and find out for sure in a few minutes today. My kids think it's hilarious what I'm doing. All hopping around and what not, but, I remind them that a lot of Kung fu, has been derived from dance. So, how you like them apples boys?!?
I'd like to end around here. I myself have always been really interested in our lineage or history if you will. With the untimely passing of Master Margie Hilbig, I felt I missed an opportunity. Know, I really want to know our history. History is important to me. It's where the traditions are. It's where we come from. It's who we are. From what little I have done, wow, what an individual! Just an absolutely amazing person, with her tanasity and her un-dying spirit. It's, to be honest, nothing short of inspiring. I never had the chance to meet this woman, and I wish I did, but, in an indirect way, I can still learn her lessons. Through our master instructor and the black belts he has raised. It's up to me, as a student, to indirectly learn her lessons through our teachers. That, is something I can do. I think. Honestly take the lessons we are being taught and grow with them. Take them teachings and turn around and learn how to apply these lessons.
So in short, I would like to thank all of my teachers, even if it's nothing more than showing me proper lion footwork, or teaching me tai chi forms at rotary park, or showing me knife defence in a school gym, I thank all of you. I now today realize, it's your lessons, that helps make me, well, me! I will make everyone very proud one day. I will show through example of what a determined martial artist can and will do. I may not be joining the team for rooster, but, I kid you not, I will be taking Kung fu to a knew level for myself this upcoming year. I will re-establish myself, as the martial artist I am supposed to be. Which, is miles ahead of where I am today. By god, I have a black belt to achieve and years of knowledge to re-solidify in my mind. After this new year is all wrapped up, look out, because willie wants what willie once had. And there ain't one person on this planet who is going to slow me down., or get in my way. Mentally or physically.
Finally thank you to Master Hilbrig for carving the path for the rest of us. I will never forget and I will do my best to keep the traditions you set forth alive and well.
Thanks for your time folks
Mr.Duncan
Any how, let's get to business. Thursday night was an eye opener. I honestly thought my form was doing not bad. Not bad, I thought to myself. Then the honest critiquing came. And whether the comments where directed at myself or not, I took them to heart. And Sifu Brinker was right. There was no intention, and it did suck. Okay I said to myself, I have to make this not suck. Like right now. Truth is, I've put so much time into the Long form, I didn't give the attention I thought I was to giving to the escrimas. I had the escrimas just flying before Christmas, and just a week later, it fell apart on me. Okay dokay. Well, that tells me, I have far more work to do wto get the escrimas back on top. Here's my big "dilemma". My goal I was shooting for was to have my blue belt by Christmas time. And unfortuanatly, I fell short. I was informed, that Long just wasn't quiet there. That's cool I thought, I can get it there, just need more time. So I laser focused on the Long form, and sidelined escrimas. I thought I was keeping them up, but, alas, I fell short there as well. Wow, I've never dropped the ball so many times in a row. Well, maybe I have, but, this time hurt. I am very confident in my Kung fu and my abilities and I think, that was my down falling here. Over confidence led to a false sense of ability. False abilities clouded my judgement of where my form truly was.
Alrighty then, lesson learnt. I want my blue belt, I'm there? I don't know, but, hopefully. Long I feel confident with, and escrimas are almost as strong as I want them to be. So, again, back to the balance dilemma. I want both so badly, I just need to properly train. Again, I need to find that balance and achieve it. I've had it before, just need to pay attention and watch what I am doing. So with all the above being said, in th escrima form, I have found a cleaner way to achieve moving into a horsestance, I think. This is the fourth change I think in the last little while. Obviously, I haven't practiced it enough, because it changes just a little bit each time. That tells me, it's more spontaneous than it is practiced. Not cool. Not to worry. But, I will have this sorted out by Thursdays class. That's a Mr.D gaurentee!
The lion/dragon dance, eh! Wow, that is cool. From what I've seen hiding in the back of a lion! Hard to see anything but feet in front of me!! I've never been in a lion, except, for one parade, for like, five minutes. So, this is awesome. I have wanted to train in the lions, just, never really embraced the opportunity. I've been working on the footwork, since Saturday afternoon. I am enjoying it. I hope I'm doing the right zombie dance! I think I may have confused my self. But, I will make a call and find out for sure in a few minutes today. My kids think it's hilarious what I'm doing. All hopping around and what not, but, I remind them that a lot of Kung fu, has been derived from dance. So, how you like them apples boys?!?
I'd like to end around here. I myself have always been really interested in our lineage or history if you will. With the untimely passing of Master Margie Hilbig, I felt I missed an opportunity. Know, I really want to know our history. History is important to me. It's where the traditions are. It's where we come from. It's who we are. From what little I have done, wow, what an individual! Just an absolutely amazing person, with her tanasity and her un-dying spirit. It's, to be honest, nothing short of inspiring. I never had the chance to meet this woman, and I wish I did, but, in an indirect way, I can still learn her lessons. Through our master instructor and the black belts he has raised. It's up to me, as a student, to indirectly learn her lessons through our teachers. That, is something I can do. I think. Honestly take the lessons we are being taught and grow with them. Take them teachings and turn around and learn how to apply these lessons.
So in short, I would like to thank all of my teachers, even if it's nothing more than showing me proper lion footwork, or teaching me tai chi forms at rotary park, or showing me knife defence in a school gym, I thank all of you. I now today realize, it's your lessons, that helps make me, well, me! I will make everyone very proud one day. I will show through example of what a determined martial artist can and will do. I may not be joining the team for rooster, but, I kid you not, I will be taking Kung fu to a knew level for myself this upcoming year. I will re-establish myself, as the martial artist I am supposed to be. Which, is miles ahead of where I am today. By god, I have a black belt to achieve and years of knowledge to re-solidify in my mind. After this new year is all wrapped up, look out, because willie wants what willie once had. And there ain't one person on this planet who is going to slow me down., or get in my way. Mentally or physically.
Finally thank you to Master Hilbrig for carving the path for the rest of us. I will never forget and I will do my best to keep the traditions you set forth alive and well.
Thanks for your time folks
Mr.Duncan
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