Wonderful Speech by Craig Ferguson

This is such a great speech, lovely lurkers. If you didn't see it last night, here 'tis (in a Scottish accent). ~Jenn

Craig Ferguson’s brilliant analysis of ‘Why everything sucks’ EW.com

Shared via AddThis. Image from this site.

Gnarly as a Fiction Fractal

I love this. ~Jenn
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/18/seek-the-gnarl.html

To Shin Do Black Belt Question

As I compile thoughts and inspiring quotes for elaborating on the last question on the To Shin Do Shodan written test, I realize much of what I'm writing would be of benefit to you lovely lurkers who come here to read about the movement arts and how they shape our world.

Why do you think that you should receive a To Shin Do Shodan black belt?

The center of my answer is that I've earned it. How so? To elaborate, I went to the "Black Belt Quality" section of the Special Testing Procedures handout to see if I could positively, honestly live up to the elements of black belt quality detailed there. I've condensed and answered them below. The image is from my Shodan test in ninpo taijutsu, August 2003.

• I understand the purpose of the technique / can demonstrate knowledge of technique details. ~I can say with confidence that my understanding has been there from day one (probably because of ninpo training), and my knowledge of details is vast. Any details I have missed, I make a point to focus on and refine in training. It helps that I'm not starting from square one.
• I rely on unified body movement / retain control of my balance. ~In the past, when I've observed myself in photos and videos of myself moving, I notice that I tend to get cut off at the waist. The cause of my lack of focus on my lower body is no doubt due to my bad knees. I have seen this improve more and more, until the most recent footage I've seen of my movement has shown centered balance, bent knees, and aligned spine for optimal power.
• I demonstrate mental focus /concentrated fighting spirit. ~Look at the picture in the Nexus post below: that's focus. I practice zanshin consistently. However, I must respectfully disagree with the "no grinning" clause I see on this handout. On the contrary, the joy and laughter I foster when teaching or practicing is an essential facet of warriorship. It's one of my best attributes, and is central to being a ninja. Shoto Tanemura said that the heart of a ninja should be "as peaceful, joyful, and lovely as that of a flower" (Ninpo Secrets). Stephen Hayes said it plainly in the recent Nexus interview: "it's fun; there's a lot of laughter." I'm all about laughter as power.
• I am ever carefully observant of safe and controlled technique practice. ~As a Stage Combat instructor, safety is key. So is doing techniques correctly as far as execution/effect. The balance of these two things makes for a good partner either onstage or on the mats.

To close, here's a verse from an old handout from Shoto Tanemura:

If one holds a sword,

one's spirit should be like a sword,

If one holds a staff,

one's spirit should be like a staff,

If one holds nothing but air then

one's spirit must be as air.

Earth Day

When was the last time we at Bonzuko wrote about not driving? Ah yes, it was Bike-to-Work day last summer. Well, today is Earth Day, when folks across America spend a moment to think about what they can do to improve the environment.

The Bonzuko hombu has done a couple things lately to be "greener"--using our wonderful computers and phones to explore non-paper ways of doing school and business. We brew our own beer, which way cuts down on our recycling-of-cans/bottles output.

But the main green thing we do here is something we've done since we met (and Jenn has done all her life): we don't drive, nor do we own a car.

Consider these questions for a moment today on Earth Day: what would your commute be like without your car? Where would you work if you had no car? What time would you have to have left your house today if you weren't driving to your destination? How much gasoline do you think you'll burn today? When was the last time you walked two blocks (a machine inside a gym doesn't really count)? Four blocks? A mile? What would you need to carry with you if you had no car today? How far can you carry five bags of groceries before you drop them? What kinds of errands would you be able to run today if you had no car, and how much time would it take you? How much will you pay in car insurance and parking this month, and what would you do with that money if you had it back?

Thanks to jaeger.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/msandifo.html for the image

Stage Combat Darwin Awards

The Darwin Awards are awards given to people who, well, do really stupid things to get themselves killed, or nearly so. I assume the Darwin name refers to his concept of natural selection. Obviously those who receive Darwin Awards should not be part of "survival of the fittest."

The Unbeatable Bonzuko Team would like to institute an annual Stage Combat version of the Darwin Awards, and we want you lurkers' input on what the name of these awards should be. Jenn has made the poll in the left margin with what we think are the best choices for the name, but certainly if you have a better idea let us know here. The name with the most votes (or any suggested name we deem better than these) will win, and we'll begin nominations for the awards as soon as may be.


Also let us know if you think non-theatrical martial arts stupidity should be included in these awards.

Question Answered

Hi, club members! Inquiring minds wanted to know about that J!nx website photo that got put up of me & Nick. The direct link to the picture is on August 5th's blog entry. So check that out-- the forum thread discussion below it is pretty amusing as well. :)

~Jenn

Jenn Likes These!

Who wouldn't want tabi with just a tad more arch support, and sweet colors to boot?

I've been addicted to wearing Royal Elastics day, night, fancy, casual, and on the mats for a while now. They're split-toe sneakers with (ahem) elastic wound around in fancy ways, and they breathe pretty well. I walk around everywhere and these nifty shoes can take it.

The only thing: they do tend to fly off when one is either thrown very hard or executes a very fast roll or cartwheel. And, since I haven't been able to perfect the art of aiming them at someone as it happens, I have taken to not wearing them in hardcore training situations. Also, they are a tetch "fem." Most of my Y chromosome pals find them borderline or downright too girly. Other than that, though, they stand up to, er, standing, walking a lot, running a little, hopping, ninja jumping, teaching movement or writing classes, presenting and accepting awards, and in general making people go, "oo, cool shoes!"


Also, I can dress my black ones up or down. But then, this is Boulder.


And they don't get caught in escalators. :)

Find them at: http://www.royalelastics.com/.


~Jenn

Find Solutions Today

Today is really up to you. What shall you discover?

What is your objective? Why is it vitally important that you achieve this objective? How will you achieve it? Perhaps you have multiple objectives. Identify them, and recognize that there will be obstacles to reaching them. It's no big deal; just make a game of it and look for a solution.

If you have played video games, you have learned that there is always a way out of the (room) in which you feel trapped. Everything you need is available to you. Sometimes it takes staring at the same thing for an hour, going away for awhile, and revisiting that scenario. There is a solution. The majority of human existence lies in this process, and it can be as fun as you wish to make it.

Remember also that your actions affect those around you. Always consider this and try to make your decisions in the highest good for all beings concerned.

Find solutions today.

~Jason