Details

Today I worked on the details of a couple extensions that have been giving me trouble.

Locked Wing, Calming the Storm.
Gift of Destruction, Glancing Salute, Gift of Destiny.

I practiced them each (at least) five times to burn in the correct motion, then worked on drawing a distinction between Gift of Destruction and Glancing Salute, pinpointing the similar moment and identifying the differences. I said the name of the techniques out loud to help the memorization process.

Tomorrow, check out my post on Dreams with Deadlines.

Techniques with my Aunt

My aunt and I ran techniques on new years day: 30 or so. Then we ran form 5.

extensions

Today I worked on my extension techniques, noting the ones that needed the most work.

What Have You Done Today?

Remarkably, someone asked me this question. "What have you done today [to get yourself to 3rd degree black belt]?" Thank you Melanie, I really needed that.

Today I listed the techniques that need the most attention.

Homework: TNT

In preperation for 3rd black I've written three letters on top of my technique list: TNT

It stands for TODAY NOT TOMORROW.

Today, I'm running all my forms twice and all my techniques (at least) twice. There isn't a day of the week where I can't put a half-hour down to practice a few techniques. Yes it's hard, but I know I hold everyday routines more strictly than more infrequent ones.

I'd ask for luck, but I don't need luck. I need people to inquire what I've done to reach my goal today.

Last Extension Techniques

We finished the list, some were so good they didn't warrant corrections! Yay!

Clutching Feathers - Outward Extended
Locked Wing - BK insert. 1 backnuckle: collar, 2 claws, pin sweep chin, stomp neck
Striking S. Head - step w/elbow
Thrusting Salute - =)
Shielding Hammer - claw
Grip of Death - =)
Scraping Hoof - rear crossover right rear stomp
-- back kick, drop kneel, front kick to chin. (spin version)
5 Swords - index eye slice
Glancing Salute - slices
Lone Kimono - out extended
L. Horns - =)
Gift Destruction - rebound
-skipped Dance of Death
Triggered Salute - =)

also, spar wars was amazing!

3rd Private

*Obscure Sword - fwbow w/chop, bring outward block up, hammer fist: face-solar, ... elbow, h.fist, STEP, plant, spin hands up!
*Twisted Twig - Knee on collar bone (diagram) 45º hammerfist, punch, kick.
*Thrusting Prongs - Step 90º, bounce knee, heel
*Buckling Branch - ... Backnuckle turns face, turn away with heel
*Reversing Mace - take 45º/keep it. toes down HOP w/stomps
*Obscure Wing - open hand palm down to start, turn while closing...
knee at end.

2nd Private

I've just returned home from my second private interview. I was late leaving work, so we had to reschedule to 7pm, but we worked through a good portion of the remaining techniques. Here are my notes.

Snapping Twig - elbow, hammerfist, PALMHEEL (shove head)
No twist w\uppercut.
Twirling Wings - Land close kneel
Evading the Storm - minor/major, TO 90º ... Land forward w/kick
wrist throw w/club to face, kick upwards
Captured Leaves - Lifting kick (end)
Crashing Wings - 2 kick end
Raining Claw - upper-body english (poke) - contact w/head
Repeating Mace - Step to rear 45, raking inverted fist (palm up)
kick leg, then go behind. side kick, cross elbow etc, end w/knee kick, stomp groin!

Private lesson

I had my first private lesson with Mr. White, a 7th degree black belt, and owner of the studio I love so much. He is a Professor of the art and has my utmost respect. His skill is ten times mine, at least. I could go on, but I think you get the idea: he's awesome.

Here are my notes from our meeting, unedited:

*Circling Wing
-crossing talon + knee.
bend wrist, maintain flat palm
contact. pull together
*Crushing Hammer
short palmheel, no step.
step 12, rt cross knee,
lf round face, rt knee kidney,
rt shovel (toe, heel same
direction) knee as pin, shuffle
kick.
*Leaping Crane
chicken L stomp, step wide,
back rising face, rt ribs
*Crossing Talon
-bring your body
with you w/step.
step farther.

I didn't have time to be writing stuff, but I knew I wouldn't be able to practice the way I needed to right away. I don't have time now to explain what all this means. If you know these techniques, you can see there are huge gaps in the notes I've just made. Those are the parts I don't need help on. These notes are the just corrections.

Still Alive

Check out my most recent ride, it was beautiful! I took five minutes off yesterday's time. Wow!

Tonight's techniques:
Reprimanding the Bears, Parting Wings, Menacing Twirl, Repeated Devestation, Circle of Doom, Twist of Fate, Thrusting Wedge, Thrusting Prongs, Reversing Mace, Thrusting Lance.

Ugh

As you probably know, I had two centuries planned. Well I didn't get to ride the second because of the cold rain. I did ride, but not even a quarter of the planned hundred miles.

As for my 10 techniques a night, I haven't been doing them. I'll just say that I've been tired, and realize this excuse is not good enough.

And thus, my ten:
Thundering Hammers, Scraping Hoof, Snapping Twig, Falling Falcon, Buckling Branch, Crossed Twigs, Encounter with Danger, Flight to Freedom, Gift of Destiny, Unfolding the Dark

Monday's Ten

Locking Horns, Squeezing the Peach, Retreating Pendulum, Glancing Spear, Defensive Cross, Sleeper, Hooking Wings, Raking Mace, Repeating Mace, Marriage of the Rams.

I very nearly just went to bed after the extra 30 miles I put in after work.

Friday's awesome classes, and ten techniques

First: my arms are numb, and shaking. I'm having trouble typing. Class was that good!

I just washed all my sparing gear (eeeeew) and only now have time to run techniques.

Glancing Wing, Securing the Storm, Parting of the Snakes, Dominating Circles, Squatting Sacrifice, Grasping Eagles, Deceptive Panther, Heavenly Ascent, Circles of Protection, Begging Hands.

Tomorrow I'm planning to do 75 miles on my bike. Wish me luck!

Thursday Techniques

Capturing the Storm, *Cross of Death, Destructive Twins, Gift in Return, *Cross of Destruction, Twin Kimono, Broken Ram, Bow of Compulsion, Raining Lance, Twist of Fate

*Starred techniques means I had to look up the technique in my notes to confirm which one it is. I get the three 'cross' techniques confused.

Last Technique

Intercepting the Ram is mine, along with 127 of it's closest friends. I own all of the Kenpo techniques.

To complete the set, however, I need 8 extensions (of 32 techniques with extensions).

3 miles in 21m28s, jog

Another minute off the 3 mile jog. Yesterday I powered through the second half, today through the first half. Then a regular set of pushups, crunches, weights, and squats.

Also, I learned one of my missing techniques last night. I even captured it on video.
All I have left is Intercepting the Ram and Squatting Sacrifice. I'll ask for one tonight.