For whatever reason, I get what I am fairly sure is an inordinately high number of people mis-messaging me. They think I’m their parent, their cousin, their boy- or girlfriend, etc etc.
Sometimes it’s just someone randomly IMing people too, most of them seem to be foreign. Those are frequently the most fun too.
‘Mythago Wood’ by Robert Holdstock
Published in 1984, this novel won both the World Fantasy Award in 1985, and was generally well reviewed, so I had pretty high expectations. (more…)
People In My Country Are So Stupid
Okay, this story about southerners concerned that Halloween falls on a Sunday this year came across a Fields of the Nephilim list I’m on – where a few of us have been, not unnaturally given the band’s name and inspirations, discussing some theological items.
Now, to save you from having to read it all, here are a couple excerpts which convey the sentiments of those interviewed for the story: (more…)
Talked to a friend I haven’t talked to in quite a while, a few months I guess. (more…)
‘Signs of Life’ and ‘The Scar’
About halfway through The Scar I set it aside to read a book by M. John Harrison I’d gotten from the library, Signs of Life. Harrison is an author China Miéville, the author of The Scar admires and is recommended by man of his fans.
My nature, being what it is, I picked up the one Harrison book the local library had in, and then, figuring I should read it and get it back instead of just sitting on it while I finished The Scar, I did just that. (more…)
I finally tested for 4th kyu this past weekend. The weekend before didn’t work out for a combination of reasons, but it was probably for the better; I got a chance to refine a few things. The test went well. Sensei has an amazing ability to judge people’s stamina, he’ll take you right to the limit when he tests you (at least once you are past 6th kyu – there isn’t enough on the 6th kyu test to wear the majority of people out).
I discovered that the full court (so to speak) 4 on 1 randori is significantly more difficult than the 3 on 1 on. I only got seriously jammed up once. I was a little nervous about trying to do technique (it’s the first rank test where you are asked to do more than just evade), but once I started it was actually a bit easier, since I could usually throw the person I was doing technique on intothe path of someone else. Two birds with one stone indeed.
Funny anecdote from the night before. Jeremy was teaching, as he usually does now on Fridays. At the end of class he called one of the Jasons (we have 3, two unranked) up for a practice 6th kyu test. I went out and was uke for the whole thing. No big deal really, as I said above, it’s not a long test and he didn’t even have us do all the techniques.
What I didn’t think about is that he was going to practice test me too. Stupid, since I was closer to testing than Jason 3 was. Needless to say, I was pretty worn out by the end of it all!
Anyhow, it’s nice to have it behind me. I definitely feel back in the groove as far as my aikido goes. I’m sure Rachel will be happy that I’m not going to 4-5 classes a week anymore. 