04 Feb 2009 2354H

Hung kuen is like. . .

whatever you want it to be. Perhaps that is true of all martial arts; perhaps that is the art in martial arts. I had thought that the essential character of hung kuen is hard, short, crushing, steamrolling. But people don’t have to be big and beefy to play hung kuen. It helps only with the crushing parts. They can interpret the movements in another way. Or any way they want, really:

The Tao is called the Great Mother:
empty yet inexhaustible,
it gives birth to infinite worlds.

It is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.

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31 Jan 2009 1010H

From the State Department advisory on travel to Germany

In addition, hooligans, most often young intoxicated “skinheads” have been known to harass or even attack people whom they believe to be foreigners or members of rival groups. On occasion, American have reported that they were assaulted for racial reasons or because they appeared “foreign.” All Americans are cautioned to avoid the area around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates on the situation.

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29 Jan 2009 1119H

Some words from our CEO

“History teaches us that crises weaken the weak and strengthen the strong.”

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26 Jan 2009 1540H

Hagen’s, Fish Keg, Lawrence Fisheries

Hagen’s. I like to be able to taste my fish, instead of hardcasing it in cornmeal so thick the end result is a bit more like cornbread fritters of fish, instead of fish fry. Cost is a bit better too and I think the product is fresher. If in the neighborhood of Fish Keg, I would recommend a trip several blocks down to Bismillah, where a fantastic chicken boti, whole wheat naan, and also a fish fry can be had, but if you’re going to go to Bismillah you might as well eat as the locals do.

While we’re on the subject, Lawrence Fisheries, adjacent to the Chinatown neighborhood, on each visit has proven to be the worst: on one visit, the fish was encased in a coating that essentially steams the fish on the inside; one breaks the coating open and removes the fish inside. Absolutely atrocious. Go a few blocks to Chinatown and get yourself a decent Chinese meal instead.

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21 Jan 2009 2033H

On my iPod

My wife has twigged me onto the “Cat Who” series, and I assiduously have been following the audiobooks on my daily journey to and from work after a massive purchase from iTunes. The mellifluous tones of George Guidall have proven to be a calming influence. And while they are ostensibly cat stories, I strongly suspect the protagonist, Jim Qwilleran, to be a closeted gay man. Not that anything’s wrong with that. But wouldn’t it be more interesting if there was Cat Who slash fiction?

In addition, I have been following German and Japanese language lessons thanks to Deutsche Welle and NHK. DW’s course, the unfortunately named “Deutsch: Warum Nicht?” has been rather compelling. I hope I’ll be able to make use of these languages soon. The NHK one, Japan My Love, is unintentionally hilarious, as it involves a gaijin studying aikido in Japan, who meets a girl, and the dialogues seem to be going in a certain direction…

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21 Jan 2009 2030H

Last Friday

Was the first day I wandered outside after work and it was still light out. Just barely, but it was enough given how poor this winter’s been. Days are getting longer again, praise the Ancestors.

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21 Jan 2009 0929H

Inaugural musings

Call me racist, but, I used to think it improbable that a black man from the South side of Chicago could be elected president, but, then, we elected Harold Washington for mayor, and then, Barack rose to power, even with considerable resistance from within the black establishment here, first, to the senate, and now, it seems like a dream. I hope no one says, “It is a dream,” you know, all Pegasus-like. Still I can’t help thinking that it is easier to elect Barack president than it is for him to become mayor of the city of Chicago. Crazy huh?

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14 Jan 2009 1004H

I hate snow.

Ridiculous ridiculous driving. It’s not so bad when the plows get to the snow. It’s ridiculous when the event hits during rush hour. I’m resigned.

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09 Jan 2009 1855H

Comcast, you’re so not worth it.

We are paying $100 a month plus for internet (admittedly, quite fast but not worth it) and the rather thin assortment of HD cable channels, and yet there is no SciFi channel? WTF? I’m so going back to DirecTV when we move.

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08 Jan 2009 1209H

Kung fu restart

As I write this I am suddenly aware that fully three years have passed since I first started studying under my teacher and I have not made any progress at all. I am hopeful that this year is finally that year when I can finally focus on my personal growth. Last night headed to Rockford for a workout, and this morning my legs are quite sore but hope to get used to it in a month. Need to set goals.

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