Today is rainy rainy rainy and WINDY. There is a big storm settling in for the next few days. It is a good day to be next to a fireplace or in bed or both. I’m feeling a bit sluggish.

I’m on lunch break at work. There is a lot to do the next coupe of weeks before I head off to Nashville (yuk). Anyway we are now into the New Year. So far so good

This is lunar year of the Rat coming in Feb. I have to check on what that means to a Tiger Child:

“Expect a powerful year when people are firm about their goals, passions, and aspirations. Although there may be fluctuations in world economies, it is an excellent time to start a business, buy property, invest in long-term plans, or accumulate wealth. Ventures begun in the Rat year will prosper if well prepared, but it is not a time for foolish risks. Rat loves the pack, so this year is also a time for socializing, entertaining, and enjoying ourselves.”

TIGER Anticipate minimal gains and not too much advancement. Restless Tiger requires action, but money could be tight and compromises must be accepted. Rats think, plan, scheme, and ponder — which are not Tiger (nor Horse) traits. You will start a new fortunate life cycle in Tiger year 2010.”

hmmm ok. Well 2010 is just before we head to Nippon, that should help.

 

Also I may just for fun throw a I-Ching.

We had a quiet New Years Eve and Day. I spent NY eve day on the boat, since Lady Z had to work. I had a nice lunch, wrote for the Zensekai2 blog, a few misc chores, took pictures, etc. It was a good day.

NY eve night, which is NY day in Japan, we spoke with family in Japan via Skype that was fun.

Otherwise after we hung out. There was traditional food stuff out all day and we had left over for the next 3 days as there is no cooking. So whatever was made at NY or just before is consumed over the next few days…mostly cold.

loose Sushi cooling…

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We are off to Ch’an group practice this Sat. It seems like it has been ages since I’ve been. It has been at least a month for me, since I had that intenseness with the USCG study exam, which I passed!! ( sweet) In case you did not know. I finally got a Zafu ( meditation seat) cushion for Christmas. Even though we do not use them in Ch’an sitting. I got one anyway to help my knees. I would like to avoid that disabling suffering I went through last year. I did come across someone last year from Japan who did his Zen practice standing. We were in agreement that it is about the mind not the body. However… Fine for alone, but makes one standout (heheh) in a sitting group session.

I have a new office mate, no more solo in my office
Oh well he seems ok enough, any rate I can be the Bamboo unless he is a real pain. He does not seem the sort. However if I have to share a room with him whilst traveling to the on site convention jobs, I will not be happy! However I’ll cross that bridge if it happens. One of the things I am doing in my new capacity as Team Captain Concord-CA for the ecoflag/GSA organization, is change all ( ok most) the incandescent bulbs in use here at the office to low emission florescents. Anything we can do, even small things make a difference and with the light bulbs, the reduction in cost and emission is substantial. Do your share, we all pollute, we all can reduce! Reduce, Recycle, Reuse! Reduce waste in 08′

I’m reading a new book I came across called, Thank you and OK. Weird title ne! Is about a guy from the SF Zen center who goes to stay and train in Japan for a while. Interesting reading. Not a whole lot about Zen, but more so about his life in the monstery and the monks. It is an old book, kind of fun to read about his adventures in the land of the Rising sun.

Sisuk is in Tawain or Hong Kong or someplace like that, I have a couple of weeks of break from his intensity. I will need to prepare fro some serious Tai Chi training when he gets back. He is there training and will be all amped up when he gets back, and I have been told I need to make time to get in to the studio and practice with him. Think drill Sargent! It will do me good, but it will not be fun . He says, training is not suppose to be fun. That is a western concept, it should be hard work otherwise he say one can just go to a gym. There was no Holiday party this last year from his school as he had to go oversea earlier than planned. I missed my Shifu’s Christmas party as I was in LA doing the anniversary thing with my classmate. I want to keep my schedule fairly simple this year so I can have some time for training. I maybe heading back to LA to give a couple more seminars. Althouhg I will plan on teaching less stuff and just being more in depth with whatever I am showing, as the class there can not handle too much information at once. I’m thinking maybe a Kali/Arnis seminar would be good. Hmmm, well there is still time to think on it. Another classmate who runs the The South Wind School of Classical Chinese Martial Art gave a combat stick seminar and not sure how that will work with them having learned that it maybe ok, I’ll need to check. It is completely different but maybe not so much, to someone who does not know better. So maybe they will not be interested in learning Kali basics.

A student asked if I was going to do any ceramics this year. I would like to but… That maybe too much for right now, I really need to put in some Kung Fu time even through my heavy nautical studies are over for the moment. Maybe in the second half of the year. That will be in time for some Christmas gifts.

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Anyway on with 2008, minasan Ganbatte ne! (everyone do your best) & let’s be careful out there!