(no subject)
Hello my dear and faithful readers. Upon running into Huy and his gf Julie at the Taqueria this afternoon I got to thinking about how long I've been updating this journal. I'm sure I've done it before, but I'd like to stop and thank one Me Her, aka Lexi Her, for getting me started up with writing my own Xanga. I thought to myself, "Damn, a place where I can just throw down whatever I want to . . . and I don't need to write it out by hand!" Yeah, I could have done something much like this using MS Word, but I suppose it just didn't have the same appeal "online journal." For those of you who do wonder, I do put the more private journal entries into Word. I guess I'll begin . . .
These past couple of days have been utterly phenomenal. I'll start with my fencing classes on Thursday; it was the last class for this 4-week session. I was disappointed that not all of my students came to attend the last day of class. Yes, I'll admit that I don't know ANY of their names (for the first class anyway), but I do remember what each and every one of them looks like and what their behavior was like. I made the day's lesson simple enough. First there would be footwork, and then there would be free-fencing. I suited up and sported the UC Davis Fencing Club patch with PRIDE, which yielded many a "So do you wear that patch because you're a pirate?" My response, "Aye lad/lass it be what I am. I've a crew 'f many fighters trained jus' like yerselves, 'n I be thar captain, YAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!" Ahhh, and I also made a bit of headway with the cute ladies in the office when I saw some of my students talking with them and said something to the effect of, "You're not bothering the pretty ladies are you?" *smiles* I got the cute one to blush and look away while I smiled her direction; hahahah, Rock is SO right. I do enjoy the chase way too much *smirks*. I did indeed give a speech at the end of the class, spoke plainly, and ended with, "It's been a privelege being your fencing instructor. I thank you all and salute you *salutes them (imagine what TC does with the group salute)*." All of my kids walked out a little taller, feeling a little prouder, and smiling. A glorious way to end a fencing session indeed . . . "And there was much rejoicing in the land of Aljayville!" It's moments like these that make it all worth the effort.
The second class (12 to 16 yrs) was led by Jon, my co-coach. In speaking of Jon, I can say without a shred of envy that I can learn a lot from him and his coaching techniques. His explanations and the different games he brings to fine-tune the group are exemplary. It's already implied, but I like Jon. He's a good guy. During one of the games I accidentally batted one of the girls, Kristina, in the face (lower chin), and she promised me with cold determination, "I'll get you back." She did, a few turns later when I was trying to figure out who would start the game; a nice, solid crack to the side of my face which didn't seem to appease her *insert the "dunh dunnhh dunnnhhh"*. As we free-fenced and I took on student after student I got a chance to fence each of the Blaisey children, Meghan, James and Lindsay. Each of them was an amazing, human incarnation of civility and respect; I love having kids like that. I can only hope that my own children (when the time comes) will be as such. Well, my dear readers, I did indeed fence Kristina again, and I was toying with her just to see if she would riposte after a parry when I left myself completely open. *grins* Riposte she did, and it was spectacular. For a moment I could see it, that determination she had shown earlier, through her mask, and in my periphery I could see the power gathering in her blade-arm just before it exploded into action to land in my right pectoral. The force of it completely rocked my right side, causing the muscle to spaz out on me. Ahhh, the wonderful taste of teenage angst. It's a good thing that my mask was on to hide the shock, and my body didn't show the damage from the action. I couldn't give her that satisfaction *smiles* and simply said, "Nice touch, I was waiting for you to riposte." Jon had the closing words in this class, and we were thanked by each of our students. Moses (a student that is as enthusiastic about fencing as Chris Mikita) and the Blaisey children each had a hint of sadness as we shook hands at the end of class. Lindsay came up to me last to say, "You're a wonderful teacher, thank you;" to which I replied with, "My dear, the pleasure is mine." Mrs. Blaisey came by and told me about how wonderful she felt the class was for her children, and I told her the thoughts I expressed earlier about the kids. She gave the proud, loving smile one would see on a mother who had just given birth and was finally allowed to hold her child.
That night at fencing I was riding on an a wonderful high. It's a great feeling to be there at the salle with a new, fresh group of fencers eager to learn. I had a chance to impart some of the knowledge of Zen from my readings, but it was done in more of a comical way. I'll have to up the seriousness on Tuesday to do it the justice it deserves. I had a bit of fun yelling, "STAY FEARLESS!!! If you can dodge volleyballs, you can dodge blades!" with the bouncing volleyballs that caused some of my new guys to duck as they sailed through the air around them. One of the balls I saw coming towards me and stood firm as it whooshed centimeters from my right ear and shoulder; the look on the volleyball players' faces was priceless *smiles with glee* (honestly, I knew it wouldn't hit, but I was hoping it would). This of course gave me ample reason to turn to my newbies and yell, with more seriousness, "FEARLESS!!!"
Friday was filled with wonderful, little run-ins with possible nightengales *smiles happily*. To start off, I met Ashley (No, not Miss Lorenzen) from NYSP on the bus, and thought to myself, "DAMN . . . I never realized she was so hot this past summer!!!" She dressed a bit like a tomboy with the hair pulled back and the shorts that didn't show much leg *frowns*. I think I'll blame the children even more though. Yes, it was the kids and their flailing foils that made me not realize how hot their counselor was. Of course, I should have taken note when I went to visit them at the pool for swimming class or at the banquet where everyone wasn't dressed in "regulation" clothing. Then again, as Catherine, "Killer," was saying when I told her about Ashley, "Well, we all looked kinda scrubby at NYSP, Al Jay." *ponders the facts* Wonder how different I appeared . . .
I had fun in sociology discussion this past Friday. I started out by getting to know, and flirting with one of the members of the Stunt Team (Cheerleaders). Playing dumb (in the sense that I pretend not to know what I already know for sure, not imbecilic) is fun for an opening of a conversation, "So are you on the Stunt Team?" She recognized me as the one yelling over the stunt team to direct the newbies; *smiles* my infamy spreads!!! Ah, then there was the chance I passed up to lay the smack-hand of argument on the face of one of the girls in my class who thought she was the shit. I felt like letting it slide until I pick the battle of my choosing and lay ruin to her haughtiness, like in my feminazi English class. She's lost and doesn't have a clue it's coming *smiles contemplatively*.
Ah, then we come to the cute girl on the bus. On my way home on Friday a girl with a great deal of art supplies turned my way and said, "I see you on the bus like every day." Pulled away from my thoughts of fencing sabre the next day, I turn to see the face of the voice. *smiles* I was checking her out before we got on the bus, *turns to TC* long, gorgeous legs and shallow, defined dimples!!! I introduced myself to Danielle, and she continued by noting what books I had been reading the other times she saw me on the bus. *raises an eyebrow* OK, if I was a girl, and she was a guy I'd think "stalker?" *grins* Since I am indeed a guy, and she is indeed a girl I go with, "HELL YES!!! Stalker or not, this kicks ass." She hails from Napa, where according to the J-Man, "The women are beautiful but bitches." *to J-Man* I know I'm getting it wrong, do correct me. She seems amiable enough, and hey, I'm all for women approaching me *smiles*. She turned to leave before I could get any contact info from her, but as she left she said, "Oh, I'm sure we'll meet again some time" and smiled an "I know something you don't know" smile. Fantabulous!!! . . . I figure we'll run into each other again, she lives in my complex *grins happily*.
Ahhh, then we get to the party at TC's on Saturday. I picked up Melinda, one of the noobs *"To certain readers" coughs"Jenn"coughs "Yes she's beautiful, and no she's taken"* and got a chance to talk to her. She's an awesome cat, and she's from somewhere more country than myself! As a bit of an aside, I've decided that I'm not from the country; I fall under smalltown agriculture (there is SO a difference!). It has been reaffirmed that I do indeed enjoy the parties where I know a great number of the people present and get to meet a few new folks as opposed to the parties where I know a few and get to know a few of the rest. I got a chance to check out what Porto (sp.) was like, an amazingly-flavorful beverage. I didn't spy an alienated soul all night, and I learned about Dimitri's dancing abilities. The Bishop showed himself to be a great cook under the guidance of one Don Pimp (equipped with pimphat and pimpass trenchcoat). The Namson showed up and shared news of his new business, a website that sells the services of strippers. Albert showed up with his guest, Jose Cuervo *grins "OK, so his guest couldn't make it, but he was holding the bottle, and it just fit so perfectly at the time"*. Regina and her boyfriend Chris also joined us from San Francisco. Chris gets my stamp of approval if I haven't said as much already *smirks*, but I still think he should take up fencing. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison showed up also, it was great to see for myself that Tom is OK. Heh, the joke that Rock and I have kept silent on was finally told at the party, but not by either of us *shakes his head*. It felt great being around all of the fencers (yes, I didn't name them all. There were many more present and accounted for like Wild and the Fezz) and just kicking back to have fun. The night was filled with much fun and storytelling, but sadly it had to come to an end around 2AM before all the drunks started heading home from the bars. Melinda and I had to be up early today and were counting the hours, trying to figure a plan of action; I felt bad about not offering to go home earlier even though she said she was having a great time and enjoying herself. Seriously though, demerits to me for not offering. What kind of gent does that?
Ahh, then there was today. Took me long enough to get here, no? Today Chris Mikita, the Pimp, Simon, and I got together at the Alumni center to be filmed for some video/commercial/promo/don't remember what it was for thing for Mercy Hospital's new cardio unit. They wanted to show fluidity of motion depicted by athletes. We put on a show for them, and they picked out the best angles to shoot from. The Pimp and I did a number of theatrical moves that we made up as we went, and the camera got it all. I would yell out, "Prime!" he would parry, riposte to the head, and I would pick up the counterparry and counter riposte. We also did Florentine Sabre, which REALLY isn't a part of fencing (it's just fencers screwing around), and we made it look very showy. I would go in for a low-line doublecut to his right, and he would catch the parry first with his left blade, then the right as he spun and continued to hit flank with the right and to my head with the left. DAMN it looked good, in my opinion. It's a bit of a bastardization of fencing, but the guys seemed to like it. After all, they were paying for our time and abilities.
That's about it . . . yeah, that's about it. *smiles* Running into Julie and Huy was a nice bonus for the day.
These past couple of days have been utterly phenomenal. I'll start with my fencing classes on Thursday; it was the last class for this 4-week session. I was disappointed that not all of my students came to attend the last day of class. Yes, I'll admit that I don't know ANY of their names (for the first class anyway), but I do remember what each and every one of them looks like and what their behavior was like. I made the day's lesson simple enough. First there would be footwork, and then there would be free-fencing. I suited up and sported the UC Davis Fencing Club patch with PRIDE, which yielded many a "So do you wear that patch because you're a pirate?" My response, "Aye lad/lass it be what I am. I've a crew 'f many fighters trained jus' like yerselves, 'n I be thar captain, YAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!" Ahhh, and I also made a bit of headway with the cute ladies in the office when I saw some of my students talking with them and said something to the effect of, "You're not bothering the pretty ladies are you?" *smiles* I got the cute one to blush and look away while I smiled her direction; hahahah, Rock is SO right. I do enjoy the chase way too much *smirks*. I did indeed give a speech at the end of the class, spoke plainly, and ended with, "It's been a privelege being your fencing instructor. I thank you all and salute you *salutes them (imagine what TC does with the group salute)*." All of my kids walked out a little taller, feeling a little prouder, and smiling. A glorious way to end a fencing session indeed . . . "And there was much rejoicing in the land of Aljayville!" It's moments like these that make it all worth the effort.
The second class (12 to 16 yrs) was led by Jon, my co-coach. In speaking of Jon, I can say without a shred of envy that I can learn a lot from him and his coaching techniques. His explanations and the different games he brings to fine-tune the group are exemplary. It's already implied, but I like Jon. He's a good guy. During one of the games I accidentally batted one of the girls, Kristina, in the face (lower chin), and she promised me with cold determination, "I'll get you back." She did, a few turns later when I was trying to figure out who would start the game; a nice, solid crack to the side of my face which didn't seem to appease her *insert the "dunh dunnhh dunnnhhh"*. As we free-fenced and I took on student after student I got a chance to fence each of the Blaisey children, Meghan, James and Lindsay. Each of them was an amazing, human incarnation of civility and respect; I love having kids like that. I can only hope that my own children (when the time comes) will be as such. Well, my dear readers, I did indeed fence Kristina again, and I was toying with her just to see if she would riposte after a parry when I left myself completely open. *grins* Riposte she did, and it was spectacular. For a moment I could see it, that determination she had shown earlier, through her mask, and in my periphery I could see the power gathering in her blade-arm just before it exploded into action to land in my right pectoral. The force of it completely rocked my right side, causing the muscle to spaz out on me. Ahhh, the wonderful taste of teenage angst. It's a good thing that my mask was on to hide the shock, and my body didn't show the damage from the action. I couldn't give her that satisfaction *smiles* and simply said, "Nice touch, I was waiting for you to riposte." Jon had the closing words in this class, and we were thanked by each of our students. Moses (a student that is as enthusiastic about fencing as Chris Mikita) and the Blaisey children each had a hint of sadness as we shook hands at the end of class. Lindsay came up to me last to say, "You're a wonderful teacher, thank you;" to which I replied with, "My dear, the pleasure is mine." Mrs. Blaisey came by and told me about how wonderful she felt the class was for her children, and I told her the thoughts I expressed earlier about the kids. She gave the proud, loving smile one would see on a mother who had just given birth and was finally allowed to hold her child.
That night at fencing I was riding on an a wonderful high. It's a great feeling to be there at the salle with a new, fresh group of fencers eager to learn. I had a chance to impart some of the knowledge of Zen from my readings, but it was done in more of a comical way. I'll have to up the seriousness on Tuesday to do it the justice it deserves. I had a bit of fun yelling, "STAY FEARLESS!!! If you can dodge volleyballs, you can dodge blades!" with the bouncing volleyballs that caused some of my new guys to duck as they sailed through the air around them. One of the balls I saw coming towards me and stood firm as it whooshed centimeters from my right ear and shoulder; the look on the volleyball players' faces was priceless *smiles with glee* (honestly, I knew it wouldn't hit, but I was hoping it would). This of course gave me ample reason to turn to my newbies and yell, with more seriousness, "FEARLESS!!!"
Friday was filled with wonderful, little run-ins with possible nightengales *smiles happily*. To start off, I met Ashley (No, not Miss Lorenzen) from NYSP on the bus, and thought to myself, "DAMN . . . I never realized she was so hot this past summer!!!" She dressed a bit like a tomboy with the hair pulled back and the shorts that didn't show much leg *frowns*. I think I'll blame the children even more though. Yes, it was the kids and their flailing foils that made me not realize how hot their counselor was. Of course, I should have taken note when I went to visit them at the pool for swimming class or at the banquet where everyone wasn't dressed in "regulation" clothing. Then again, as Catherine, "Killer," was saying when I told her about Ashley, "Well, we all looked kinda scrubby at NYSP, Al Jay." *ponders the facts* Wonder how different I appeared . . .
I had fun in sociology discussion this past Friday. I started out by getting to know, and flirting with one of the members of the Stunt Team (Cheerleaders). Playing dumb (in the sense that I pretend not to know what I already know for sure, not imbecilic) is fun for an opening of a conversation, "So are you on the Stunt Team?" She recognized me as the one yelling over the stunt team to direct the newbies; *smiles* my infamy spreads!!! Ah, then there was the chance I passed up to lay the smack-hand of argument on the face of one of the girls in my class who thought she was the shit. I felt like letting it slide until I pick the battle of my choosing and lay ruin to her haughtiness, like in my feminazi English class. She's lost and doesn't have a clue it's coming *smiles contemplatively*.
Ah, then we come to the cute girl on the bus. On my way home on Friday a girl with a great deal of art supplies turned my way and said, "I see you on the bus like every day." Pulled away from my thoughts of fencing sabre the next day, I turn to see the face of the voice. *smiles* I was checking her out before we got on the bus, *turns to TC* long, gorgeous legs and shallow, defined dimples!!! I introduced myself to Danielle, and she continued by noting what books I had been reading the other times she saw me on the bus. *raises an eyebrow* OK, if I was a girl, and she was a guy I'd think "stalker?" *grins* Since I am indeed a guy, and she is indeed a girl I go with, "HELL YES!!! Stalker or not, this kicks ass." She hails from Napa, where according to the J-Man, "The women are beautiful but bitches." *to J-Man* I know I'm getting it wrong, do correct me. She seems amiable enough, and hey, I'm all for women approaching me *smiles*. She turned to leave before I could get any contact info from her, but as she left she said, "Oh, I'm sure we'll meet again some time" and smiled an "I know something you don't know" smile. Fantabulous!!! . . . I figure we'll run into each other again, she lives in my complex *grins happily*.
Ahhh, then we get to the party at TC's on Saturday. I picked up Melinda, one of the noobs *"To certain readers" coughs"Jenn"coughs "Yes she's beautiful, and no she's taken"* and got a chance to talk to her. She's an awesome cat, and she's from somewhere more country than myself! As a bit of an aside, I've decided that I'm not from the country; I fall under smalltown agriculture (there is SO a difference!). It has been reaffirmed that I do indeed enjoy the parties where I know a great number of the people present and get to meet a few new folks as opposed to the parties where I know a few and get to know a few of the rest. I got a chance to check out what Porto (sp.) was like, an amazingly-flavorful beverage. I didn't spy an alienated soul all night, and I learned about Dimitri's dancing abilities. The Bishop showed himself to be a great cook under the guidance of one Don Pimp (equipped with pimphat and pimpass trenchcoat). The Namson showed up and shared news of his new business, a website that sells the services of strippers. Albert showed up with his guest, Jose Cuervo *grins "OK, so his guest couldn't make it, but he was holding the bottle, and it just fit so perfectly at the time"*. Regina and her boyfriend Chris also joined us from San Francisco. Chris gets my stamp of approval if I haven't said as much already *smirks*, but I still think he should take up fencing. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison showed up also, it was great to see for myself that Tom is OK. Heh, the joke that Rock and I have kept silent on was finally told at the party, but not by either of us *shakes his head*. It felt great being around all of the fencers (yes, I didn't name them all. There were many more present and accounted for like Wild and the Fezz) and just kicking back to have fun. The night was filled with much fun and storytelling, but sadly it had to come to an end around 2AM before all the drunks started heading home from the bars. Melinda and I had to be up early today and were counting the hours, trying to figure a plan of action; I felt bad about not offering to go home earlier even though she said she was having a great time and enjoying herself. Seriously though, demerits to me for not offering. What kind of gent does that?
Ahh, then there was today. Took me long enough to get here, no? Today Chris Mikita, the Pimp, Simon, and I got together at the Alumni center to be filmed for some video/commercial/promo/don't remember what it was for thing for Mercy Hospital's new cardio unit. They wanted to show fluidity of motion depicted by athletes. We put on a show for them, and they picked out the best angles to shoot from. The Pimp and I did a number of theatrical moves that we made up as we went, and the camera got it all. I would yell out, "Prime!" he would parry, riposte to the head, and I would pick up the counterparry and counter riposte. We also did Florentine Sabre, which REALLY isn't a part of fencing (it's just fencers screwing around), and we made it look very showy. I would go in for a low-line doublecut to his right, and he would catch the parry first with his left blade, then the right as he spun and continued to hit flank with the right and to my head with the left. DAMN it looked good, in my opinion. It's a bit of a bastardization of fencing, but the guys seemed to like it. After all, they were paying for our time and abilities.
That's about it . . . yeah, that's about it. *smiles* Running into Julie and Huy was a nice bonus for the day.