An Ode to Bruises

[jennreese]

Before I started studying martial arts in 2001, I lived a fairly sedentary life (where “fairly” means “entirely”). I had been an active kid, but gave up sports in high school when I had to wear a brace for my scoliosis 23 hours a day. And after the brace…? Well, staying lazy was just too darned easy.

When I stubbed a toe or walked into a table and

Comments

[orbitalmechanic]

you’re always covered in bruises, but that you only know how you got half of them

I can always identify my mystery scrapes and bruises...when I do that move again and it hurts a lot more! If you asked me whether I brace with my elbows when climbing, for instance, I would say no, but the evidence says yes.

[jennreese]

LOL -- yes, I often find scrapes where I should not have them. The truth will make itself known!

In my case, the knuckles on my thumbs are usually bloody after punching drills...which means I'm not tucking them enough when making a fist.

[sartorias]

Boy ain't that the truth. I loves me a good revision letter that gets my brain to resee the project--though it always takes some time to dismantle the old image and reformat, in effect. Now there are few things more exhilarating than a "what I saw, what I didn't see" letter that makes sense.

[jennreese]

Ha! I think you know how timely this comment is. I know you're right, though, and that when I finally see the "solution" to the revisions, I will feel so much happier and better about the book as a whole. I just wish there were a way to jump to that part and skip all the panic I'm feeling. ("How will I ever come up with something that makes sense?!?")

[sartorias]

I hear ya. I'm waiting for one of Those on a project that I've been fighting hard for the last year. I'm counting on Subconscious Brain to come through again, though so far the tunnel I see has the train coming at me.

But the breakthrough, when it comes, just feels so good--akin to the body sing of a long walk or in my younger days, a good fencing or martial arts match. May you get there soon!

[wldhrsjen3]

I love this post so, so much.

[jennreese]

Thank you!!!

[akemiam]

Yeah, being bruised up doesn't mean squat anymore. I've taken capoeira for six years - a combination of kicks, grappling, acrobatics. I tried to land a flip yesterday, landed on my knee, injured my arm and i'm training today.

I've seen people limp into class, train hard for an hour which no discernible pain on their faces, then limp away after class. It's like you forget everything when that focused.

I haven't yet armored myself against rejection as a writer...but i'm sure i'll get used to it quick.

[jennreese]

Capoeria! How cool!!! My arm strength is terrible, but some day, I at least want to take a workshop in that style. I love how it looks, and I love the drums.

Sometimes getting rejections feels like the only thing we have control over -- you can never count on a sale. So I used to see them as my successes for a year. Every time you put yourself out there, it's a victory.

[offhercork]

Ha! This is so true! I was putting lotion on my arms today and said to Scott, "Huh, I have a bump on my elbow." "From knife training?" "Yes I think so." I'm so covered in bruises and bumps all the time I don't even really notice them unless they super hurt or are spectacular to look at. I get some really nice blue and purple marks on occasion. :)

[jennreese]

I'm sure you get some amazing bruises doing stick fighting -- yow! Those goose-egg types are some of the worst!