So I’ve missed two weekend practices due to socializing, but no more! Especially with a tournament coming up, I do need to get a good deal more serious and just in general given how difficult the Fall will be. So now I have this book on core performance and will be doing my best to build a routine to grow the basic strength and flexibility which should help me move forward…

It’s been said that one’s priorities should be family, work, kendo, but I’ve too long reversed those. With Mark, I’ve missed a lot of practices, but hope to do better in the coming months… My new hardwood floors should let me practice more than ever…

This past month has been notable for the numerous missed practices, due to two basic reasons: the burdens of graduate school and a twisted lower back.

Last keiko of the year. No longer the Sunday-special, unfortunately, but plenty of leg-stretching goodness, kihon-waza, and not nearly enough kakari-geiko. I need to become much more conscious of who I practice with and how well I do against them, that sort of thing–I need to return to blogging or notebooking or something. In the past, this blog is more condensed, whereas the notebook is much more person-by-person notes. Somethign like that, but I’ve become not only unreflective but also lazy–skipping weekday practices, in part due to the lack of a metrocard, in part due to having too much work, but also largely because I’m just lazy. So instead, I’ve started doing a home-regimen, which I want to slowly ramp up. Right now it’s two sets of 100 seated suburi followed by 50 hindu squats. I need to build up slowly to zenshin kotai men suburi (standing, which will require moving around some furniture) with the four different suburito that I have, and sets of 100 hindu squats. But I’ll build up slowly. After sandan, I’ll do the whole 1000 suburi for 1000 days thing… Nothing else to report until kagami biraki!

Not only has this fallen apart, this entry will be a log of almost-didn’t go moments.

Thursday (23 February)

Tired, lugging bogu back, just after Structures class–really don’t feel like going, considering just dropping off the goods and going. Suit up anyway. Still very tired, but exhilarated. End up staying up late at night after before the Philly trip.

Tuesday (27 February)

After meeting at the central office with old work-chum. They overorder on food, so I stuff my face with chicken Caesar salad, cheese and soggy crackers, listless fruit, and not enough fluid. I end up showing up late (I even walk halfway to the Graduate Center), before something makes me turn around. I go, and it’s super-sweaty.

Thursday (1 March)

In this case, I don’t make it. I just don’t feel like heading into the city on a special trip. I go home and catch up on Netflix.

Sunday (today, 4 March)

Wake up at 10. Not really. Go back to sleep. 1030? Not really. Have to poop around 1045, so i do. Go back to sleep again. At 1115 I’m pooping again and decide to go. Make it there in time and all, and feel energized enough after to get dumplings and a haircut. (even though I pay for it later by passing out for three hours)

MORAL: I’ve never regretted going to a practice. The only regret is that when I don’t go I lose myself so fully that I forget the regret utterly!

Skipping practice to have drinks and dinner. Really should go and squeeze in some suburi, but too tired.