(no subject)
Testing was, as always, a wonderful experience. The thought struck me the other day that I only have 4 of these left before I'm stuck sitting on the board, observing others but not getting to play along during this whole process. Granted, those 4 tests will be spread over the next 2 1/2 years, but it's still very few opportunities to enjoy all of this. And enjoy it I did.
No serious injuries this time, and none of the minor ones came at my hands, which might be a first for me. In fact, my sparring seemed smoother than normal, even if I did get hit far too much, and my multiple (3 on 1) was the absolute best I have ever done. The kind of time dialation that is portrayed in movies during those cool action scenes actually happens when you're in the middle of them sometimes and I did something that got an "oooohhh" response from the audience. I didn't do it intending to look cool, but it certainly worked out that way and I'm ok with that.
I think the most important thing that I learned from this test was that I can incorporate the Tai-Chi principles that I have into my combative actions, but that I usually don't unless reminded to do so. Sifu remarked that, when he said something about it, the change was very clear and I remember the entire execution of the trick I was doing became a good deal more smooth and refined. There were still a couple incidents where I managed to muscle someone to the ground, but my technique really felt better than it ever has. I know that, if I can do this consciously, then I can either learn to do it unconsciously, or else I can expand my consciousness and at least keep it in mind when I need it. Either way, as I said to Sifu, it shows that I can in fact be taught. ;)
Now I can relax a bit. Oh wait... there's that novel I'm writing... One chapter a week for the next 4 months. Here we go...
Oh! Here is a picture of a kitty. I took it while getting the sash picture and, well, it amuses me.
That is all.