lazy

for the last few days I’ve been staying up too late, and that’s putting a serious damper on the entire “get up early and swim.” So I’ve missed doing that the last two days. Hopefully I’ll be back in swing or swim by tomorrow.

I just realized that I’ll be out of the area (if you count last weekend) for four straight weekends. Last weekend we headed down to Corning NY to visit with a friend to work out, more on that later… This weekend I’m going home to celebrate my birthday with family. Next weekend I’ll be in Cortland for a Martial Arts seminar with Dan Inasanto (one of Bruce Lee’s closest friends and who Bruce hand picked to take over for him). The weekend after that it’s up to Toronto for Film Fest. So for the next couple of weeks I’m going to be one busy boy.

As for that trip last weekend, I’ve been continuing the Martial Arts research that I started at the Super Summers Seminar. To have things make a bit more sense, here’s a short history of the Martial Arts. Basically everywhere has some type of indigenous form of self defense/combat system. “Modern Martial Arts”, if they can be called that, began in China, it’s initial development influenced by a number of Indians who were living in China. It eventually spread to Okinawa by sea travelers (yes that same Karate Kid Okinawa). From Okinawa it spread throughout Japan. The Arts also spread from China across the Asian Subcontinent along trade lines. With each new local they mutated and were integrated into local fighting systems. Each culture’s values, ideals and needs were integrated into their approach to martial arts.

In the case of Japan the argument can be made that culturally they are much better at innovation than creation. They are not necessarily as gifted as Americans, for example, in the creation of wholly new ideas (this is not meant to be a cultural slam as everyone has areas where they excel and areas where they do not). However, when it comes to taking an idea and streamlining it or building off of it, Japan leads the world. As a friend put it, forget the art, Japan’s all about business (which is a bit of an overstatement, but as a broad comment works).

Anyhoo, why does all of that mater? Well most traditional martial arts are taught through the use of forms. Basically any given form (or kata in Japanese styles) contains a subset of moves from the whole style. Their use in the form teaches students about both the moves and the overall application of the style. In many cases (including my own) students are given the forms to work and have to decipher them on their own. I study Chinese Martial Arts. The Chinese tend to hide a lot of what martial techniques do in subtle actions or artistic display. So I’ve been beating my head up against a number of forms for a number of years, looking for clues to unlock them. At Super Summers, I found a key where I never expected.

I attended a seminar given by Sensei Kevin Jones, from Corning, where we were taught a kata from Goshen Ryu Karate (one of the oldest forms of Okinawan Karate). As I was working the form in the seminar I suddenly have the huge realization that the form incorporated aspects of Tai Chi, Wing Chun, and other Chinese Martial Arts (as these in turn were the basis for Goshen Ryu). But, because of the streamlining of the techniques by the Okinawans and Japanese, the application of said techniques was much more obvious. This was HUGE! I had found my Rosetta Stone. Looking at the Japanese interpretation I was able to immediately see the applications of techniques whose meaning had been escaping me. In turn, understanding those techniques, lead to understanding of other aspects of the forms. Thankfully, due to exposure to a number of other world-class instructors at the event, I was in the right mindset to receive that info.

Since then I’ve been working that kata as much as I can as to not to forget it. So, as I mentioned earlier, last weekend my self and a few friends took a trip to Corning to catch up with Sensi Jones, hang for a while, talk bad kung fu movies and work technique. One thing I love about the Martial Arts, and this is true of any hobby/passion, is the network of friends that it builds.

Any hoo that’s enough for now… I have to get back to work.

YMCA: Day 2

We’ll the morning laps went much better today. I got through three laps each of freestyle and side. Breast on the other hand is a different story. Boy, do my lats need work. Plus my tricked out right hip doesn’t help either (it’s angled off to the side a bit). I only got in one and a half laps. My goal is to work up to 10 laps in each. Tomorrow should be interesting as it will be my first pilates class. On the plus side, I also discovered that my YMCA pass allows for 2 hours of free parking at anytime in the East Ave garage. Which will make it much easier to go to Java’s during the day (as well as the Y of course).

Tonight it’s off to see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back! More on that later… Snoochie Boochies!

she’s leaving home… bye, bye…

Di left today. She arrived in last night and we got the chance to see each other for a bit. We slept in this morning. I left for work. She packed her things and headed off to Pittsburgh.

The apartment seems a lot bigger with her stuff gone and I realize that I’m struggling to understand the new friendship/relationship dynamic that we have. I know it will work itself out over time. We’ll see what things will be like when we see each other next (in mid October).

So, in the mean time I guess I’m back on the dating scene. So Alyson if you want to get together drop me an e-mail. ;-p

dear god I’ve gone girlie

I’ve also noticed that my blogs and some of my actions offline have been, well, rather “chick-like.” First there was the Alyson blog that was something out of an issue of Tiger Beat. Then I blog about joining the YMCA and doing pilates. Then yesterday in an E.A.T. Team (our employee activity team) I suggested we do a spa day here at Kodak.com. It was around that time that I noticed the disturbing trend. So I decided to forgo my original post today on my new diet I’ve also choose to cut upcoming blogs on the following subjects:

• How I’m planning to tighten my abs and butt

• Dreamy boy bands
• How Rosie is just misunderstood

In their place I’m planning a series of blogs on manly subjects like:

• Lifting heavy things

• Sweat
• Meat (especially Bar-B-Q’ed

famous face (my friends rock update)

Check out Julia’s Blog for a shot of her and Matt with a certain Junior Senator from NY.

young man, there’s no need to feel down

I went out and joined the YMCA yesterday. Been planning to do it for a while. It’s right down the street from me (in fact it’s directly between me and work). More importantly, while I get a good workout from martial arts, my cardio/aerobic conditioning is pretty poor right now and needs to be improved. Problem: I hate to run. I mean I hate it. Bleh, never have liked it, never will. Swimming on the other hand, I enjoy. So the plan is to go swimming every other day at the Y (as we in the know say). Plus they have great facilities and offer Capoeria (a Brazilian martial art that resembles a dance), yoga and pilates classes (which are free with membership).

This morning I went for my first swim. I dragged my sorry butt outta bed ’round 6.30, had a light breakfast, threw a bag together and headed out to the Y. As a bit of background, I grew up on the water. By my last year of high school, I was living on a canal. Every summer weekday until I was 16 was spent at swimming and sailing lessons. I completed the lifeguard-training course (but never took the test). However, since I moved to Rochester, I’ve spent very little time on the water. That being said, I think I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I eat very well and get a full body workout a couple times a week. Or at least that’s what I thought… This morning I confidently walked to the pool, planning to get in at least five laps of each of the three major strokes (freestyle, side, breast). One freestyle lap later, out of breath and body aching, I decided it’s time to re-evaluate my plan. I made it through 2 free style laps and decided it was time to shift stokes. Each stroke brings into play different muscle groups (breast stroke, for example, works your lats more than the other strokes). Well, I didn’t realize how unconditioned I really am and after one lap of each of the remaining strokes I decided it was time to quit.

I’m not upset about the experience. The cool part was that I could really feel it working muscle groups (which is what I need). Plus I have a goal to work to (like getting a solid two laps of each stroke in as a next step).

martha stewart nude

Aaron’s blog has been getting traffic from web searches on “Martha Steward Nude” (ugg… there’s a mental picture I won’t be rid of any time soon). Any hoo, I was curious to see where he popped up on Google. So I bravely plunked in “Martha Stewart Nude.” Among the sites I got back was Odd Google a collection of weird refers from Google to people’s blogs. Aaron, while Martha Stewart Nude (there goes that picture again) seems bad, read through the list ’cause you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. My personal favorite is the 6th entry from the top on this page.

in other news my friends rock!

That says it all! Abby just returned from LA and brought me this cool Muppet’s postcard from Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park. Plus she learned to surf while she was out there (which has been a long time dream of hers!)

Closer to home Julia once again met and talked briefly with both Senator Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer. She and Matt also got a picture snapped with the former first lady. (digression: is it former “first lady?” I seem to think that is usually the way the news refers to her and other first lady’s after their husbands leave office. Kinda sucks, I mean ex-presidents are still referred to as presidents, but their wives have the titles pulled out from under them.) Any hoo, it’s good to know that friends are, for the most part running Jamestown NY, and the surrounding areas.

But most importantly, about all my friends, they have all been very excepting of my Alyson Hannigan admission. Well, all of them except Joel… but he’ll get his… he’ll get his… mu-ha-ha-ha

correction

ok, as it turns out I got my questionable terms wrong. I was reminded it wasn’t “Lust Friend” but rather “Lust Boy” or in my case “Lust Girl.”

Sadly I also was informed that my blog seemed rather… *sigh*… girly. There goes that macho image I’ve been working so hard to foster.

restraining order

Some very nice lawyers contacted me about Saturday night’s entry. Apparently in some people’s opinion I went a little “over the top.” They expressed their concern and informed me that there was now a little thing called a “court order” preventing me from watching Buffy or ever discussing her in a blog again. I hope something similar was filed against the band that wrote the song about her.

… Oh, the nice lawyers also mentioned that after me they’d be talking to some girl who’s been obsessing over John Cusack… something about stalking him in Toronto.

Back in the real world: I have to admit that Saturday’s probably was a little too “rabid fanish” (like 12 year old N*SYNC fan style…. unfortunately being that I’m 27 it’s a hell of a lot more creepy). Joel has already shitcanned the idea of me every blogging again while in a strung out mood at 1.30 in the morning. In rereading it I did notice some phrasing really didn’t get the ideas across too well. So I have gone back and revised it a bit. I think it makes more sense, reads better… and even I have to admit the three paragraph graphic description of “our perfect date” was a bad idea.

Other than that, I have one hell of a kink in my neck. Yesterday, while working on some throws for martial arts, I must have taken a bad fall, as the right side of my neck doesn’t want to cooperate when it comes to tilting and bending. Looks like there is a visit to my chiropractor in the near future. Other than that I spent the weekend cleaning and working on Theatre stuff. Oh and I got to see Samurai Jack… very, very, very cool. An interesting mix of eastern and western animation/film presentation and ideals. With talking dogs of course.

side note I actually thought the AH blog was one of the funnier things I’d written. Which just goes to prove that humor is often a deeply subjective and personal thing…. It also goes to show that I’m probably much less funny than I think I am. And probably much more weird too…. :-P

shameless confession….

an old friend of mine, Heather, once told me about the idea of a “lust friend.” Not a boyfriend or girlfriend, a lust friend is a unobtainable (often celebrity… but doesn’t necessarily need to be) person you lust after (gee, I guess that was pretty obvious). Kinda like a “Crush” but different…

Example: Ben Afleck is Tina’s lust friend.

Well I want to come out and announce my current lust friend (as you tend to change from time to time). But before I do that, a quick apology:

open letter to Emma Thompson: Dearest Emma,

I’m sorry things didn’t work out for us as lust friends. I do apologize for making you dump Kenneth for me. I’ve moved on, I’m sure you can to… Matt

Now that’s finished I can announce my current “Lust Friend”: Alyson Hannigan. Ok I’ll admit it, she’s actually been my lust friend for the last two years (since I discovered Buffy on TV). Who is Alyson you ask? Blasphemers!!!!! To those of us in the know, she is Willow on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. For those of you not in the know, she’s best remember for her flute skills in American Pie (and American Pie II). The right mix of sensitive, red headed and awkward, she is the pinnacle of “geek chicks.” Plus she’s just slightly older than I am (only by a few months… god, I’m embarrassed that I know that). Sadly, because she is such a geek chick she already has a legion of fans that have made her their “Lust Friend” as well. But I won’t lose “Lust Hope”. Doggoned it, my lust is purer than their lust… (hmm that didn’t come out quite the way I meant it to).

Ok, that’s one more secret out of the bag. I hope you all don’t think less of me. Alyson, on the really odd chance that you’re reading this, I promise that you don’t need a restraining order. But should you ever visit Western NY drop me a note. I’ll be happy to show you my apartmen… err… I mean around Rochester, NY.

p.s. note to everyone else: See American Pie II, it’s really good. Lot’s of Alyson Hannigan!

p.p.s. Alyson: I promise I’m not an overweight, kinda off, fanboy (pretty fit, slightly off, fanboy is a far better description… I do swear I don’t drool)….

diane leaves for home tomorrow.

After that she will be back in Rochester for a night and then she’s off to grad school. She’s entering into an intense period. She’ll spend the next 10 months or so working on her thesis paper and final project for Carnage Mellon University’s Interaction Design program.

Cliff’s Notes Version of our Relationship

I’ve known Di for a year and half now. We met while we were both working on a production of Arthur Miller’s The American Clock for RIT. We started to date shortly after that. Di and I have spent the time between then and now doing a lot of growing together. Let’s just say she’s a little bit country and I’m a little bit rock and roll. Di’s gotten a lot more spontaneous and I’ve started to get better at planning and organization.

About four months after we starting dating Di left for CMU (located in beautiful Pittsburgh). We made the decision that we’d give a long distance relationship a go (I already had some experience in this, just ask Julia. [Digression 1: Pretty much every girl I've dated has up and left town on me… it's probably time I change my deodorant or something…]). So we both got very familiar with the drive between here and the city of rivers.

This summer

As her first year at CMU wrapped up we made the decision that she’d come to Rochester and live with me for the summer. I, in general, am not too keen with the idea of living with someone for extended periods. Don’t get me wrong, I want to do it eventually, but I also think that it presents a lot of problems (and have seen it cause many friends their fair share of grief). But we both knew that we needed to do it because it was a cheap way for Diane to live here and we needed to be in the same place for an extended period of time so we could work on our relationship.

So this summer represented the first time in five years I’d lived with someone else for an extended period (and the first time ever that person was from the opposite sex… ‘cept mom of course). And we both had a lot of adjustments to make. Some we did fine on… others, well….

All and all it’s been a wonderful summer. But over the course of it things changed. And we’ve hit a bit of a milestone [Digression 2: I hate it when there is perfect word to describe a situation and I just can't find it. I know it is there, just floating around in my head and I just can't grab it. The worst part is I know tonight at about 2.00am [Digression 3: I guess that's really tomorrow isn't it?] I’ll wake up and have it. That happened once with the title of a Van Damme movie. There is nothing worse for a guy to wake up thinking about the Muscles from Brussels, uggg. [Digression 4: My waking up thinking of Jean Claude has nothing to do with my current situation, I swear!]] and we’ve found ourselves (note for readers: I’m back at the milestone thing) more best friends than dating. That, coupled with Diane’s workload and my plans to go to grad school, have led us to where we are today.

In the last few days we’ve made the decision that we’re… hmmm I’m still not sure how to describe it… we’ve not quite broken up but we’re not really seeing each other any more either. I mean we’re still planning visits (just a lot less frequently, to give Di more time to work on her thesis). But they’re more to see a friend than a girl/boyfriend. I guess we’re both still wrestling with what that means (Which I think is why I’m writing this. I’ve been trying to lay this out everyway I can to try and wrap my head around it). Bottom line, just like everyone else, we’re going to take this one-day at a time and see where we end up. We’ll just be taking days a lot differently than we did before.

Perhaps the best way to describe it is that our relationship is in Purgatory. Over the next year we’ll see if we can find enough Indulgences to work out way out.

I’ll keep you posted as to what happens next. On a far lighter note:

Tina has a great blog up on sex tips.