Kendoism

2004-10-13T06:03:00.000-05:00

I am currently away as I am working on my PhD. I just wanted my friends to still know that I am alive and well. God knows I miss you all.

I will be back soon.

2004-08-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

More than us
And we are them
But they don't know
What's in their hands
It's more than you
And it's more than I
But it's more
And everybody calls it love
But I'm not really sure if it's love
At all
Not anymore

More than he
More than she
They all sleep
But we just dream
More or less
Means more for us
But it's more
And everybody wants a hand
But I'm too busy holding up the world
To carry on
No, not anymore

I wish that I
Could fly, fly, fly away
And if I should fall
And you hear me call
Would you stay

More than us
And we are them
But they don't know
What's in their heads
It's more than you
And it's more than I
But it's more
And everybody calls it love
But I'm not really sure if this is love
At all
Not anymore
Anymore
Anymore

Things have been so boring as of late. Nothing new, mostly old and stale. Tangerine Dreamer is back in the saddle, with a bald head hehehe! Her hair grows fast, so I wouldnt worry about her so much.

Been listening to Travis on the Roswell OST. I know its not a good day when this cd is playing.

2002-05-13T18:20:00.000-05:00

My very best childhood friend gave birth to a baby boy last Jan 15!!! Woohoo! This marks the 3rd baby for our "childhood barkada" and from the news it looks like another cute addition to the chinese race. Check out those cheeks! And those are the chinkiest eyes I have ever seen...

I've always been in awe of women who decide to have kids. Especially naturally and most especially when they opt to do so without drugs (yes people..no drugs). I mean, for a guy, we just help make it basically. Were not part of that 9-month blessing, though sometimes I wish we should be. Although biblically, to bear the pains of childbirth was brought upon Eve by God from eating from the forbidden tree. But Adam ate from it to and he just go banished along with Eve so why'd Eve get punished twice?

I'll remember to bring that up when its my time to meet God.

In the meantime..cheers to Gulaman Girl and her baby! May you continue to be the best and coolest mommy I know. Im missing a lot out of everyone's lives but we'll always be together in spirit.

2002-04-13T13:28:00.000-05:00

I was able to catch the show live and backstage thru my ex-girlfriend's sister and it was an experience! I can honestly say who is really hot in person and who isnt. Especially at the party..wooooooaaaaaaaah. My eyes were rolling pretty much everywhere.

Im still pretty much wasted and wondering how I even got back to the hotel early this morning so here goes my gripe list of those who won vs. those who SHOULD'VE won.

Best Video of the Year
-Eminem "Without Me"
(Linkin Park's "In The End" should've..that vid rocked and made you feel!)

Best Male Video
-Eminem "Without Me"
(like there was a choice in that bunch of noms?)

Best Female Video
-Pink "Get The Party Started"
(loved the way she kicked Britney's sorry ass outathere!!!)

Best Group Video
-No Doubt f/ Bounty Killer "Hey Baby"
(Linkin Park or POD should've for sheer GRIT)

Best Dance Video
-Pink "Get The Party Started"
(Kylie COULD'VE but America never really took that great a liking to her)

Best Rock Video
-Linkin Park "In The End"
(yeah baby!)

Best Pop Video
-No Doubt f/ Bounty Killer "Hey Baby"
(Shakira COULD'VE for sheer bootyliciousness)

Best New Artist
-Avril Lavigne "Complicated"
(yes yes OH YES!)

Best Video From A Film
-Chad Kroeger f/ Josey Scott "Hero" (Columbia/IDJMG/ Roadrunner) Spider-Man
(Will Smith's "Nod Ya Head" was more fun but the Spiderman shots were just too awesome)

Viewers Choice
-Michelle Branch "Everywhere"
(it could have been worse..Enrique could have won)

Breakthrough Video
-The White Stripes "Fell In Love With A Girl"
(mixed opinion on this one)

Best Direction In A Video
-Eminem "Without Me"
(anyone capable of having Eminem FOLLOW directions doesnt just deserve this award but sainthood)

Best Choreography
-Kylie Minogue "Can't Get You Out Of My Head"
(now THATS what am talking about! whatcha think of them apples Britney?)

Best Art Direction
-Coldplay "Trouble"
(this as good as it gets in the commercially sell-out world)

2002-03-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

Its that time of year and Toronto is happily saying goodbye to months of cold weather. I can see more people in the streets laughing and canoodling. Spring fever is on! I've been fascinated by this phenomena ever since I came across it in Archie comics as a kid. I asked my mom what it was and she said "go ask your father" who of course sent me back to my mother.

Spring fever commonly occurs with a sudden warm spell following a long cold period. When the temperature rises, the body has to get rid of heat. Dilation or expansion of blood vessels so blood can be carried to the body surface where heat can be lost quickly to the air. The energetic feeling experienced is the body's reaction to the large amount of work going on to cope with a warming environment.

I think its just an excuse to go plumb fun crazy after months of hibernation.

2002-01-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

First impressions of a Kendo bout could be that it is aggressive, loud and of course, being a full-contact martial art, appears to be somewhat violent. This notion could not be further from the truth. Kendo, without a doubt, is totally dynamic. Practitioners of the art (Kendoka) display high levels of skill and concentration, while encompassing a freedom of movement, co-ordination, grace and agility that any dance choreographer would appreciate. The spectacle of Kendo being practised can look almost theatrical. The pure energy and noise generated cannot fail to send a shiver down the spine of any spectator. It is truly awesome.

Kendo, the art of Japanese Swordmanship, has a long and rich history. It is arguably one of the oldest martial arts. The origins of the art, as we know it today, lie back in the HEIAN period of Japanese history (around the year 940). It was about this period when sophisticated sword techniques, especially designed for the Japanese foot soldier, utilising lightweight protective body armour, began to appear. These techniques were developed, refined and tried and tested on the battlefield.

It can be suggested that the Kendoka's great mental triumph is to become one with the sword. The Japanese phrase for this is Ki-Ken-Tai no icchi. They say that the spirit, sword and body should be as one. If you only follow your instincts in Kendo you will be defeated. In Kendo you are trained to see things with your eyes, react immediately to the situation and make instant judgements with your mind. During a Kendo practice, session or match, you observe your opponent with your eyes, react quickly and positively to his moves and create the initiative for your attack, as seen through your mind. You must look at your opponent's heart, his spirit and eyes. You must see him as he is.

To do this you must defeat not only your own ego but also the eye of your opponent. Your mental attitude is important: it can decide whether you beat your opponent or yourself.