I'm enjoying my new job and seem to be finding my feet now. I'm halfway through building a new website for the company and I'll be starting another one for a client next week.
I'm also in the process of building a professional blog - it's not finished by a long shot and I'm not finding a lot of time to update content but you can find my first post here:
The club is running well. I've signed up a few new members and last night I got a further four new members (I reckon I'll keep three of them). The club is getting extremely full. One of my new students is blind - my teaching skills are really being tested but I'm very much enjoying the opportunity.
So today we had our second crack at going out to Church Fenton to fly. This time we got all the way to Church Fenton, did the drills and actually managed to get two cadets into flight suits and parachutes. And then the cloud cover decended under 1500 feet and the flights were cancelled. Gutted.
I got to do the drills. Watched Tutors and Tucanos doing touch and gos from Air Traffic Control and saw a really good turnback manoeuvre. Got to have a good look at some Tutors in the hangar. Got an air nav lesson from a gorgeous pilot. And, excitingly, I have an enormous and amazing aerospace map of the UK on my wall now - complete with a key sheet. I've covered the wall next to my fish with it.
Ah well, I will try again when the weather is more reliable. I'm really disappointed that I didn't get to fly but it was a great day regardless. The Tutors are gorgeous planes so it was really cool to see them in action.
And next time I wont assume The Postition during the abandon aircraft drill until I've deployed my parachute...
I have also put together a new Pinterest board for aircraft.
This post marks my 100th post on The Pen & The Sword blog! The champagne and strawberry floating in it was a celebratory drink from the day I was appointed in my new job so I have many things to celebrate...
Today I was offered my dream job! No, not the one where I move to Brazil and become the national volleyball team's personal masseuse...
I had my second interview this morning and then had just got round the corner when they rang and asked me to meet them at a restaurant for 'some questions they'd forgotten to ask'. Which turned out to be a lovely way to get me a coffee and inform me that the job was mine. I am very excited indeed and can't wait to get started. I've had a massive smile plastered across my face all day. On the way home I wound down the car windows and sang along to Status Quo on loud.
I'm on the warpath for some work clothes (I'm used to working in gi pants...), have set up a session with my darling Dad for a set of professional portraits and am in the process of organising some training - which I'm hoping to be knee deep in by the time I start on Monday.
Having decided today that I really should see what all the fuss is about, I went to the site.
I find myself, disbelievingly, on a waiting list. LiveJournal and Gmail also used to operate on an 'Invite Only' basis but they swiftly grew out of it. The fact that they don't give you any further information about how long you might be waiting or WHY you are waiting is just childish and elitist. The fact that they don't clearly tell you that you're joining a waiting list when you plug in your email address is rude. I'm told by a current member that they're performing a background check on me - did Pinterest get it's head stuck somewhere during a cavity search on a new 'pinner'?
And all this when it seems that you can bypass the waiting list and background check by having a current user send you an invitation. Which makes these measures seem pointless, irritating and unnecessary.
I like the idea of Pinterest as I'm into visual media but I find the sign-up process and lack of information disgustingly off-putting. It puts your back straight up and turns you off. Social media is about 'right now' and 'easy'. So far, Pinterest is neither of those things.
At this point, if I didn't feel like I had a professional responsibility to check it out, I would be scrapping the Pinterest idea and refusing to use it. I actually don't mind and understand being checked out, as social media legal issues are rife at the moment, but the lack of customer care and information infuriates me, especially as it could be so easily added to the automated email I got...
I shant forget this Pinterest - and you have a lot of making up to do.
Today has mainly consisted of tweaking and masses of SEO for the CDC website. Happily, the CDC site is nowhere near as large as the LTMA site so it took considerably less time.
Actually made it to dog club last night, as range was cancelled. I am going to have to start making sure I go very regularly again as DF wants me and Taz to take our Gold Good Citizens Award in mid-March. Fat chance.
Taz was not himself at the club last night, very nervy - which is unusual for him as he's normally very comfortable at dog club. He's spent most of today hiding out under my chair while I've been working. The weather is very blustery and he doesn't like it. Have also discovered that he has a fear of bubble wrap. He is literally Scooby Doo - all stomach and scared of everything.
He's currently sniffing something in his sleep. I know what comes next: he'll start chasing it, then he'll start chewing it. Then he'll fart. I'll be waking him up when he gets to the chewing stage...
I caved and got Food Without Fuss it's own domain name. Have decided to add it to my portfolio for design purposes. The SEO can go screw itself for now.
Very pleased indeed, I received some more items for my weapons collection today!
My brand new bokken arrived, which completes my Red Oak Katana training collection. The lovely R at Blitz gave me a fantastic tip for getting my Saya (scabbard) to fit my bokken: heat up the mouth of the Saya (don't try this on the Saya for a Katana!) and slide the bokken in while the plastic is hot - makes for a perfect fit. Bam.
I also got a case for my Nunchaku and a Bo case. I'm missing a Bo but I have a Jo - I figured buying a Jo case is pointless as both a Bo and Jo will happily live in a Bo case together, whereas a Jo case would be too short. I'm also short a pair of Tonfa and respective case. I suspect that a Bo, pair of Tonfa and case my well find their way onto the next order...
The weapons section of the Blitz catalogue is undoubtedly my favourite part of the website. I really could do with a pair of metal Kama for display purposes (soon my pretties, soon...). J has promised to import me a sexy handmade, folded Katana from Japan. I can foresee me a Customs butting heads over that one.
It seems that Google and I have finally reached an understanding. Love you Google ;)
I have also launched the campaign for the next extra-curricular training course - Muay Thai.
Tuesday 21 February 2012
SEO is swiftly becoming a dirty word in this house. So is Google for that matter.
Despite the feud Google and I seem to be waging, I had a brand new potential student email me earlier today - apparently he found us on Google. Hmm. If complete strangers can find us on Google... WHY CANT I?
Now, when you consider that a third of my exhaust dropped off last night, to say that I had a fabulous evening must go some way to bringing across just how good my evening was. My official appointment stuff came through at cadets so I got presented with certification in front of the squadron, which was nice. I also took a group of slightly rowdy cadets for self defence. I had the genius idea earlier in the week of making little films with slow action replays of the techniques I'm going to teach - that way when it's something I'm not happy demonstrating I can just run the movie. Worked like a charm.
And then I came home and the exhaust dropped off... However, when I trotted in I discovered that J had cooked me a special meal and bought me a bunch of roses and carnations. Just because. How sweet is that??
He started his new job today and apparently it's going really well. Unfortunately another big chunk of exhaust dropped off on the way to dropping him off. He got offered that job at exactly the right moment it seems!
The fabulous RB dropped me off a military belt and a DPM jacket this morning so I'm close to having a full set of greens now. I just need to tuck pennies away to get myself a pair of boots.
Monday 20 February 2012
So today I've mainly being working on freshening up the LTMA website and doing some SEO. Do me a couple of favours?
Check out this page: Ju Jitsu Classes in Leeds. Stay on it for a few minutes and then have a look around the site and admire some of the updates.
If you want to go the extra mile do a link for that page on your blog and use the social media buttons at the bottom to link it onto your Facebook and Twitter etc :)
Sunday 19 February 2012
Google Reader and I are butting heads. In a big way. Grrr.
Saturday 18 February 2012
It's amazing how time gets away from you. I could have sworn it was still 3pm.
Aside from giving J a hand with an endurance race on Gran Turismo and watching the last episode of Star Trek Season One I've been glued to the PC all day. I actually feel as if my eyes are going square!
Aside from some work on the blog, I've been mainly sprucing up my e-portfolio. Putting aside all SEO for now, I've given the recipe site a complete facelift and spruced up the CDC site. Flashier version here: Calverley & District Dog Training Club. The last hour has been spent wrestling with Google Apps to get some domain email addresses up and running. Just waiting for the MX changes to go through so I can finish up and have some dinner.
I think I'll be giving the LTMA website a facelift as well. Can't have my flagship website looking downmarket! SEO will be kicking off in earnest tomorrow.
Mwahahaha! I have knocked up and installed a new Favicon for my blog! Look at the top left of the screen next to the page address. If it's still showing as the Blogger symbol then clear your browser cache. Here it is in large:
I've also changed my blog address to something more in keeping with the theme.
Finally got my butt in gear and sorted out my recipe site. I'm not bothering with SEO just at present as it's more of a convenient recipe archive at present and there are only a few recipes on it.
Anna - you want in on this? Got a couple of your recipes on here already...
It has been grandly decided that J and I should go on a series of short breaks so as to get away on holiday before the end of the year and not have to close the club. The choices rather amuse me:
J's choice: A spa retreat. Do I have the perfect fiancee? Quite possibly.
My choice: Pony trekking on the Brecon Beacons. J has never sat on a horse in his life! Despite this he's agreed to go anyway. I think I'd better get him some riding lessons...
I have never been asked a stupid question in a interview. But every single time I do interview training they always insist on asking ridiculous questions like: 'If you were animal what would you be and why?'. Or my personal favourite: 'If you were a biscuit, what kind would you be and why?'.
What could be better than a malted milk biscuit? They're not fussy, don't get sickly with over-exposure, understated, 100% reliable and they have just the right dunking dimensions for your mug.
I do wish that they'd make reverse designs of the cow on alternate biscuits though - so you can stick two biscuits back-to-back and get an entire 3D cow and not a pair of cows performing the 69 maneuver.
Had the fabest day ever yesterday! Up at the crack of dawn and armed with new haircut I set off to my interview. Am very pleased with result as have been given a second interview! Got a text while I was in there (obviously phone was on silent) which was a job recommendation for J. No less than an hour after my interview finished J had been given a full time job.
Someone must have liked us yesterday as I also managed to negotiate a workable price for LTMA's next Muay Thai course so it looks like we can run that too.
It's been a good week in general to be honest. Had a great afternoon with RB playing Rebel Star Fighter and Streets of Rage and a decent shoot on Wednesday night. Biceps are still a little sore but improving.
Had the boiler twiddled last night and discussed some home improvement projects with the landlord, who is, by the way, the best landlord in the UK. Unfortunately I don't think the twiddling has fixed the boiler so it might be time to go to the mattresses with Vokera.
Have invested in some blank mugs for art day next week. Mucho excited about seeing all the girls!
Wednesday 15 February 2012
So, great Valentines day yesterday. Normally we ignore Valentines so it was nice to have a change. We took a picnic to the Royal Armouries and spent the day looking at the very pretty weapons and doing the kids activities including a dragon hunt and petting zoo. I got to hold a scorpion and made friends with a yellow Burmese Python.
Watched a video on Katana forging and a live demonstration of Katana work also - I'm such a nerd. Right at the end J treated me to some bolts on the Cross Box range. I think I prefer a bow or a rifle to be honest but it was good fun.
We ran the class last night and, as expected, got low numbers but I do enjoy having a small class from time to time. It allowed me to do some really specific work with the students that turned up and I think they all went away considerably more dangerous than they came in. I'm looking forward to seeing them test their new tricks next week.
We ate very late as I cooked a special meal. Baked chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese, a selection of roast veggies and stuffed pepper. Will be adding recipes to website later as they were 100% triumph. Haven't eaten such a nice meal for a very long time.
Interview prep all day, off to get some practical coaching done later this morning. Hoping to see RB this afternoon for some fun and games and then shooting this evening. CO is looking into sending me on Range Management and Skill at Arms Instructor courses. Life is as exciting as you make it...
Sunday 12 February 2012
Great class today, numbers are filtering back up really nicely now that the blasted snow and ice has gone. Introduced the sign-up sheet for the Firewalk and it got blasted - I'm going to have to be quite strict about allocating places to other clubs otherwise my students will take them all. I anticipated it being popular but I didn't think it would be quite so popular.
Now shoulder and pulled biceps have recovered a bit I re-hit the weights again today and did a load of triceps work. It's unfortunate that the only time I can get to do it is during the warm up because it leaves my arms seriously weak afterwards. I'm having to rest them on the desk as I type.
Finished off season one of Sherlock with K last night, most disappointed to find that the BBC have already removed season two from iPlayer. Cracked straight on with Firefly and Oh. My. God. Nathan Fillion is the most lustworthy creature I've ever come across. Plus the premise is to die for.
ANNA: Please do a tutorial on classic plot writing for Westerns on your blog. As far as I can tell there are seven basic plots for the genre but a general guide would be much appreciated...
Had my hour of creativity for Creatives Unite last night and cracked on with some double loaded acrylics. The pictures never do my acrylics justice but in fairness the petals are awful. Quite happy with the leaves though...
Saturday 11 February 2012
Resisting the urge to stick goggly eyes on them...
Chick:
Fish:
Penguin:
It's been a fairly eventful couple of days... On the downside our flying day at Church Fenton got cancelled and my trip to the RAF museum got postponed. I also went hiking with CID and made fabulous progress with my map reading and navigation skills. I can use a compass! However, Taz managed to snap a dewclaw which, though not serious, gushed like a nicked artery.
Had a really good morning wandering round town with J and staring at the rodents in Pets At Home. Very nearly bought Kirk & Spock a Gladiator style arena to do battle in but resisted temptation at the last minute. I found these particularly funny:
The rats had been like that for sometime but the one on top had just shifted - up until I took the photo the rat on the bottom had been wearing the rat on top's testicles as very large, very amusing earings.
Last night I had a group of friends over for dinner and it was lovely to see everyone. Jay cooked and I made origami place settings - thus neatly fulfilling my origami goal quota. Pictures to follow.
In other news I have found my missing box of scalpel blades but my flower palette is still evading capture. It's driving me barmy, it really is.
Monday 6 February 2012
So last night was Castle night with K but we had a change of scene and watched Sherlock and True Blood. I'm at a loss for words, I really am. Between the creativity and comedy (Castle), the primal sexiness with a sweet squishy centre (Eric) and the sheer intelligence (Sherlock) I think I might have found my ideal man. What I wouldn't give to be the filling in that sandwich...
There's only one course of action, that I can see, available. I'll just have to become a Mormon and take all three as my beloved concubines.
Sunday 5 February 2012
Yesterday it was clear and now this. It's melting a bit but I'm assured the roads are grim. Really hope this doesn't torpedo today's class at LTMA.
Disgustingly we seem to be ankle deep in snow. Went for snow walkies with K and the mop dogs earlier, which was most entertaining.
Yesterday was fairly crap as days go. I went to the dentist and did bugger all else. Today, however, has been an absolute triumph. Fabulous day at cadets and to top it all off I've been offered a job interview. The world likes me today. Fate must have known the snow was coming and was trying to soften the blow...
Saturday 4 February 2012
Spent the majority of today running around HQ in surprisingly warm DPMs. A full day of shooting was most enjoyable and I even seem to have avoided getting a sore shoulder. The weight training must be paying off! Here are a couple of my better target cards from today:
The 97 was a personal best. All scored by the CO. Boom.
Anna, I've found your next Inspirational Wednesday photograph:
You can thank me later...
My latest creations:
The seal was easy and I quite enjoyed making him; the giraffe was a pain in the arse - plus there was definitely some veering off pattern towards the end...
This afternoon was my bi-annual trip to the dentist. Only a check up but I still managed to get myself worked up to the point of giving myself a headache, which I've been unable to get rid of. The silly thing is that I really don't have a problem with the dentist and never have. J thinks I'm associating.
It seems I've managed to book out every weekend in February now - many exciting things to happen in the forth coming month plus new series of True Blood starts day after tomorrow. Guh. My hormones are screaming and throwing their knickers already...
Ahh Mr Northman, you tick every single box. There was a much better picture but I couldn't think of a good reason to post it without seeming incredibly immature. Hour of Creativity tonight. Though once I get going it'll end up being much more than an hour I suspect. I will wear a bib try not to drool all over the paper.
Thursday 2 February 2012
Loving the Kirk Jitsu but is practicing in nothing but a pair of red tights really necessary?? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but still:
And from passable Ju Jitsu to, undoubtedly, the worst fight scene ever. Go ahead, laugh your ass off:
In terms of viability testing I think this might be taking it a bit far though:
Seriously though, what I wouldn't give to be able to do this:
I have to admit to being wildly entertained by this picture - which I found on Facebook earlier but will refrain from publishing on my blog in case you have a delicate nature. I'm warning you though, don't look...
Now that is dedication. I'm not sure what to though...
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Wierd-ass dreams last night. The bits that are particularly clear:
I was taking some sort of tour of the Enterprise set from the original series of Star Trek. We all teamed off and got given a Star Trek based quiz to fill out, which naturally I aced. I got the second to last question wrong and the last question was blank, which concerned me. Until I found out, to my delight, that the last question would be a fight scene demonstration by my team which we had to choreograph ourselves.
Obviously I was thrilled by the prospect and took charge. After a lot of umm'ing and ahh'ing about whether I wanted to be Kirk (double hammerfists!) or Spock (Vulcan nerve pinch...) I eventually came to the conclusion that out of the three of us, I was the only one that could breakfall and throw myself about safely and stylishly. Which meant that I got to be neither Kirk nor Spock and instead had to be the bad guy. On that disappointing note my subconscious threw the teddy out and I woke up. Gutted.
Seriously though, what's wrong with me?? And, how beaten do we think I'd get for wearing this on the mat / at competitions:
Tuesday 31 January 2012
In honour of this proverbial boot up the backside, I'm setting myself creative goals and targets:
1. Master five new origami patterns: Feb 14th
2. Complete two new drawings / paintings: Feb 14th
3. Write new poem: Feb 29th
4. Write another 5000 words in book: Feb 29th
5. Complete digital butterfly: 5th Feb
On a completely different note: this is my 69th post! *snigger*
I'm becoming shoddy at blogging! What I really need is an app on my smartphone that lets me update my blog remotely from my palmtop. No problem, thinks I. Blogging is so big that there's bound to be an app for that! Not a one. Unbelievable. I can get remote apps that work from my desktop but what's the point? I'm already sat in front of my PC. May as well just log into Blogger...
After much swearing and strife (not mine, NYRs still intact) my Valentines present turned up yesterday afternoon. Gorgeous new Lutador ProStar gi! I've wanted it for a long time so, unromantic though it may be deemed, I'm very pleased indeed.
Had a fairly chirpy day yesterday but a very upsetting one on Sunday. Jay found a cat that had been hit by a car on our grass verge and asked me to have a look and see if I could identify him. Sure enough it was our next-door neighbour's lovely cat Badger. What sort of inhuman bastard hits an animal and then just drives away? I wrapped him up and brought him away from the road then I had to break it to K. Not an easy thing to do and I really liked Badger. Did a lot of crying.
Left: Badger larking about on K's swivel chair. Right: Me & Badger playing with string in my front garden last summer.
Had a Castle night with K and then went for night walkies with the dogs. Had several large glasses of wine.
Took the cadets for self defence again last night and it went quite well, despite the challenges of trying to teach an inexperienced class with only two floor mats... I do enjoy the ATC, I'm really glad I got into it. There promises to be some very decent events over the next couple of weeks too. I've just had flying confirmed for a week on Friday and another date in March (hope I get a go!) and an extra long shoot on Saturday.
I am considering becoming a professional key finder. I am fabulous at finding lost keys. J had a small strop yesterday as he, yet again, lost his keys. After a fair while of watching him search I brought my expertise to the game. It wasn't difficult - wally had put them in the key safe...
Sunday 29 January 2012
I have been brought McDonalds porridge and orange juice for breakfast. This pleases me as we've now run out of Weird Marmalade from M. The porridge is because I was up at ridiculous o'clock this morning. Giving serious thought to going back to bed.
Had an afternoon packed with Vampires and Werewolves followed by an evening with more of the same, courtesy of G. I can see the distinct advantages of being a werewolf over a vampire but I just can't get round the idea that werewolves are so dam hairy. And they drool. And I bet they smell. Plus, vampires are sexier.
Today I am most definitely having a bad face day. It just isn't working for me.
I am thrilled to report that Kirk & Spock have finally twigged to the fact that when I pick up the jar of fish food it means they're getting fed. Last night they got extremely over excited, which was entertaining and gratifying to watch.
Had a massive alien fest last night and watched both the Men in Black films followed by Starship Troopers. Perhaps the fish were picking up the vibes.
In other news I have a fabulous new shower curtain which it blue and spotty. I plan to take comfort in the new curtain when the shower inevitably goes periodically glacial.
With much relish I have discovered that there is a Kobudo class running at the Royal Armouries! It happens to fall on one of my free nights too... As soon as the Groundwork course is over I'm SO there.
Said groundwork course ran very nicely indeed last night. The triangle and triangle escape is one of my personal favourites. Too many people just try to caveman their way through subtle techniques like these. For crying out loud, Ju Jitsu is all about finding and exploiting leverage - just because you're lying down doesn't mean you can chuck the concept out of the window!
Yesterday was wildly productive and am attempting to emulate that today. Not on quite as much of a roll but not doing abysmally. Last night I leaned how to make origami bookmarks - and yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds to everyone who's ever stuck an old receipt in a book to mark the page... Surprisingly it turned out to be the hardest thing I've made yet but it is quite snazzy:
Am currently musing on how unhygienic keyboards must be. I've just peered between the keys of this one and it's absolutely revolting. I feel distinctly dirty now. Am resolved to get one of those all rubber ones at the earliest opportunity. They are fully wipe clean and, to top it off, not susceptible to unfortunate spillages. So many of my keyboards have bitten the dust (*snort*) that way.
Due to my inability to get up when my alarm went off this morning (I consciously and maliciously turned it off...) I have been presented with a sausage and cheese sandwich for breakfast. Ordinarily I'm a fan of hearty breakfasts but I must admit to struggling lately. I've managed to forge through half of it but I think the other half may be beyond my comprehension.
We haven't had any post since the Lettergate Scandal. I'm hoping this is because bills have been abolished and not because the postman is surreptitiously filing them in the bin so he doesn't have to come back... Does this require me to try and catch the postman and proudly show off new letter cage?
Made considerable tax return progress yesterday. I'm hoping to complete the campaign today and march on Paris. Vive L'Anglais!
I am blogging because I'm avoiding getting in the shower. I know it's inevitable, I even know it has to happen quite soon. I just can't be buggered playing chicken with the damn thing. It's worse now. Showering has now become a matter of cowering at the wrong end of the bath, soaping up and then dashing under the spray as it turns lukewarm and frantically scrubbing as much soap back off as possible before beating a hasty retreat.
Nursing sore lips. They were getting better until I gave J a kiss earlier and he shredded them with his glass shard stubble. Sulking considerably.
This morning Taz went bananas (as usual) when the postman turned up. He thought it would be a good idea to grab the mail, yank it out of the postman's hand and drag it through the letterbox. There have been one too many toothmarks in important items now so I have been out and invested in a letter cage to go on the back of the door. HA!
Have been having inordinately too much fun with origami of late. Here are my creations thus far:
Top left: Crane. Top right: Wol Owl. Bottom centre: Frog. You can blow in the frogs rear end to inflate it...
Today, inspired, I assembled a paper fighter squadron, which I shall present to my CO later tonight:
Proudly showed it to J who promptly asked what it was. Quite put out.
Sunday 22 January 2012
I'm currently watching Taz trying to wake J up with the power of his mind. It's quite funny though I'm going to have to kick him out in a minute in case he succeeds. He's craning over the edge of the bed and staring at him. Then he yawns moderately loudly and changes sides.
Incredible, he's woken him up!
Friday 20 January 2012
Once again I find myself sat in front of the computer with no glasses on. Shame on me...
Range was excellent on Wednesday night, very small team in so I got to shoot every other detail. Prone decent, kneeling comfortable, standing bloody abysmal. Back to practicing positions with a 5k weight again me thinks.
Had a midday swim in the bath yesterday and got Jay to knead my shoulder out, which was tied in all sorts of knots from shooting. Of course I put them straight back in with the weight so have given up complaining about it. I have a sore arm :(
Training excellent last night, very small class so I actually (possibly for the first time ever) got to train the whole lesson at my own club. Could there be hope for us yet??
I also sat down and hashed out the requirements for my 1st Kyu and 1st Dan grades. I refuse to turn out black belts that are lacking in any way. If my signature goes on the certificate then they must know what they are doing and have performed outstandingly.
In other news, I totally love this picture: Bookshelf Porn. I want my own!
Wednesday 18 January 2012
This is the view out of my back window right now:
Sometimes living where I live is awesome - we get some amazing skies over the fields.
L was using the spare room last night so I turned the filter in the fish tank right down so it wouldn't splosh as much. This morning I turned it right up to it's most powerful setting to make up for the reduced filtration overnight and the fish went bananas. They absolutely love that filter!
It's like fish crack. They've basically been taking it in turns to swim up into the current and get washed across the tank. Kirk is the worst... I've taken the liberty of turning it back down as they are starting to look a little punch drunk.
And so, in the light of this discovery, I found myself coming up with new and even more inventive ways to avoid doing the finances:
I have decided that when I get a larger tank and a third fish I shall call him Dr McKoi.
I had a crack at painting Koi in the Chinese style today. I used watercolours instead of ground ink and a couple of watercolour brushes plus an old baster for the bigger strokes. I couldn't quite get the feathered effect that the ink leaves (see the donkey / pony's tail) but I don't think they came out too badly.
The black one is out of the book, the gold one was played by ear.
Tomorrow I shall be up with the birds. Or at least the rest of the household...
Groundwork went well, nice little matching set of guard orientated techniques. The hard part is not getting people to learn the techniques but to understand the underlying mechanics. Groundwork shouldn't be messy or thugish - it's a sly, patient art. It's a game, human Chess. Even at the bottom levels of my fitness I can roll for an hour quite happily without pushing myself because I can play the game. You have to be like a crocodile: control the space, wait patiently, seize an opportunity and act decisively with speed and precision.
It's times when I contemplate Ju Jitsu that I'm really grateful that I was born small. It forces me to use real Ju Jitsu and giant killing techniques. I imaging that it's very hard not to throw your weight and muscle around if you have it but in my experience it tends to leave you with a hole in your game if not spotted and nurtured properly.
Better to be fast and light than heavy and strong. And when I talk about heavy / light I'm not talking about physical weight. You don't even have to be flexible if the bio-mechanics are right. Most importantly, relax. There's a reason they practice BJJ on the beach in Brazil. No relaxation, no game.
Tuesday 17 January 2012
J has joining me in the noble art of Fish Watching. Dog disgruntled.
Fish are happy as larry now and are even (boldly) going up to the top of the tank for visits. Very pleased.
I am having am immensely frustrating day - but not sure why. For starters, my scalpel blades have gone the way of my acrylics palette and are now God only knows where. I will just have to keep tidying until I find them. The problem is that the blades have vanished as a direct result of tidying...
Time to go and hop in and out of the shower repeatedly.
Was quite concerned this morning to see Spock bullying Captain Kirk, even though Kirk is the slightly bigger fish of the two. Spock seems to have an attitude problem and thinks he's in charge. I have taken the liberty of moving a small plant pot into the tank and this seems to have intrigued them so much that they've called a truce.
Am tempted to write USS Enterprise on the pot but not sure what to use that wont be toxic for the fish... (Anna, this is your opportunity to pipe up with a pearl of wisdom...)
NB. I wonder if it's possible to get actual USS Enterprise tank decorations? Am tempted to design alien landscape in bottom of tank so they can do away missions.
They seem very industrious, pottering round (geddit?), picking up gravel, spitting out gravel. Flapping etc. My fish watching now appears to be wearing thin with J so will move fish behind my desk later so I can watch them and still appear to be working.
Monday 16 January 2012
And because clearly some people need further education:
Aside from the rabid excitement of getting my fish, I was also presented with a new jar of DE. Which proceeded to have a party in my mouth.
On the downside I had abuse shouted at me in the street by, of all people, Red Cross canvassers. Merely because I didn't have time to stop (on a fish mission) and they were bored and felt hard done by because they'd been stood out on the street all day. And I'm not extrapolating, they told me so. I was really polite too. I'm sorry, but they get paid (plus commission) for securing donations for charity - it's their job. If they don't like it, don't do it. And certainly don't scream abuse at people because they don't want to talk to you.
I also failed to find a Chinese brush painting kit, which I'm absolutely gutted about. I really wanted to start working on plants and Koi but I guess I'll have to put it on hold. I wanted to experiment painting Spock and Kirk as they both have a beautiful blend of colours. Really gutted, I've never been much good at the painting side of things and it was quite exciting to find a paint / ink based medium that I didn't suck at. I plan on seeing if I can use watercolours as a sufficient substitute for now so that I can get some practice in.
But back on the plus side, I now have a second pair of reading and close work glasses. They are identical to my other pair except that these ones aren't wonky. Win. Tomorrow I may wear them to Fish Watching...
Cadets rolled by, mainly consisting of revision on my behalf. For youngsters they certainly make a decent cup of tea! I also discovered this video...
This evening I executed a rescue operation in the garden and relocated my potted plants indoors. Not much I can do for the rockery but I did my best with the bedded rose:
Ingenious, no? I hope it survives the frost. It's bitterly cold but stunning outside. The garden looks like someone has blown a handful of fine glitter over it. My favourites are the Ivy leaves and the pebble gravel.
I've started doing the planning for my next poem, hope to get some structuring done tomorrow if time permits.
Spock is most obliging when it comes to having his photo taken but Kirk is a little bugger. He has the same mannerisms as the Family Guy version of Kirk. I will do my best to get a better photo of him tomorrow as he is really quite gorgeous. Whenever I start taking photos he goes and hides under the filter (being McKoi... ahem) or floats still and then zips off as the camera is capturing or gets right up to the lens:
He certainly is a little sod character...
They aren't quite settled in yet but seem to be getting there slowly. When I have the pennies I'll get a larger tank and a third fish and call him Spode.
Sunday 15 January 2012
Today is a training day, so I am attempting to potter about and plan and prepare as quietly as possible while J sleeps. Am having regrets about not getting properly dressed before I came downstairs as I'm using the computer in the living room which requires me to sit in the icy path of a an electric fan - otherwise it overheats and shuts down which is most annoying.
It is with infinite anguish and sorrow that I find the last spoonful of my Douwe Egberts, which I was so looking forward to drinking, gone. RIP Dowe Egberts, you shall be greatly missed.
We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our empty jar. And yet it should be noted that in the midst of our sorrow, this tragedy takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new taste - a taste that our beloved coffee gave its life to protect, to nourish. It did not feel this sacrifice a vain or empty one, and we will not debate its profound wisdom at these proceedings. Of my coffee, I can only say this: of all the coffees I have encountered in my travels, this brand was the most... human smooth.
After half an hour spent jumping in and out of a finicky shower, that brought a big smile to my face! Perhaps I need to print this and leave it where a certain someone may see it... Perhaps I will get grunted at less when I get caught with my head in a book at 2AM...
Perhaps not my finest work but it's such a huge topic I started to get wary of length. I already had to cull out all my material on visualisation. Going to do a seperate article for that!
I'm very good at budgets but they frustrate me a little. I don't like basing decisions on money that's supposed to be coming in. Or that might come in. Or cash that you know you're getting but could be late. Today is admin day. Oorah!
The bath has been resealed and a new panel put in and, I have to say, it looks fabulous. I'm actually enjoying the idea of having a bath, possibly with bubbles and wine and candles. Although you could club someone to death with my current book so it might be a stretch getting that in there as well. The bathroom does, however, stink. The stuff he's used is the most revolting thing I've ever smelled.
Very amusing to watch the dog trying to walk around with his 18 inch bone. He struggles to get through doors. I shouldn't laugh but there's a reason he gets one every Christmas...
Fish tank has not, as the fish lady said, gone cloudy. The pump is running and it's stayed clear as a bell. Have thought of the most amazing name ever for fish /es once it /they arrive.
Registration has opened for the BJJ opens in March. Now I'm waiting to see how much of a team I'll be taking. Funny, I was never nervous before any of my fights back when I was competing. When the first few of my lads went on at the last tourney my hands were shaking so much I had trouble holding the camera still.
I must find the time to write a new article for my Ju Jitsu blog. I should also really do something with the extra domain names the club owns...
Swahili:Sasa hivi Translation: Soon
Thursday 12 January 2012
There are many downsides to where I live but the view out the back is rather good and we do tend to get the most interesting weather. Really bright moons and gorgeous sunsets that set the whole horizon on fire.
Have just woken up from unexpected nap. Been a while since me and the dog have spontaneously passed out on the sofa. On the downside I now have nap-mouth but on the plus side I've started dreaming about lesson plans for the coming groundwork course. My mind is a twisted but useful tool at times.
Ironic how when I go to bed at a reasonable time I need naps during the day and struggle to get up. However, when I stay up until silly o'clock I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed. Odd.
The majority of my day was taken up with a trip to Leeds to pick J up. Although I love my new clutch (the Pug has never driven this well) there were accidents, idiots on the road and speeding emergency service vehicles all over the place. Plus I hate driving through Leeds city centre so all in all it put me in a bad mood.
I did, however, watch the most amazing episode of Due South ever when I got home which stuck me right back on my perch. Mounties, Paul Gross, Leslie Nielson and wolves literally parachuting in to save the day. You can't beat that. I followed it up with an episode of Red Dwarf and am struggling against the notion of using the Rimmer Salute next time I meet an authority figure.
I'm an insufferable Geek. But, in my defence, so is the dog...
Swahili:Gari Translation:Car
Am pleased to announce that today my alarm went off and woke me up! Of course, the ambulance that had been sat outside the house making loud blooping noises prior to that did help... And if all else had failed, the [insert language I've given up using] who knocked on my door at the crack of dawn would have done the trick instead. Isn't it a good thing I didn't want a lie in today...
So, to wake myself up, I jumped in the shower. As one does. The boiler is now not turning itself off. Instead it's shutting down for several seconds and booting itself back up intermittently. So instead of requiring me to go downstairs, turn it off, wait for it to reset, turn it back on, go back upstairs and wait for the shower to heat back up... The shower now goes stone cold, I leap out (usually saying something colourful like "Oh dear" or "My gosh"), it heats back up and I leap back in.
Honestly I think I'd have more fun playing in traffic.
Swahili:Habari ya asubuhi Translation:Good morning
Have changed name of sonnet. This one fits better: Paramour.
Taz was outstanding at dog club - for once not the disgrace of the class. Am a proud Mummy indeed.
I did mean to do some constructive things tonight, possibly tick some bits off my To Do list. Instead I managed to watch three hours worth of the BBC modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. It was actually awesome, they didn't butcher it and they didn't try to make Holmes into some sort of Hollywood superhero. I will continue to watch it I think.
Tomorrow I will definitely tick some things off my To do list. I will also clean the kitchen in preparation for art day with M on Friday. I need to pick a new subject to draw... Need to begin new poem also. Will have a think, perhaps inspiration will come to me in my sleep. Wouldn't be the first time.
Am going to leave phone on other side of room tonight and see what happens with alarm. Am tempted to use Red Alert as alarm tone but I've done it before end up starting the day with palpitations. Have gone with the Star Trek end credits as Taz loves them. If it doesn't wake me up Taz will - nothing like a fat-footed pooch getting all excited and proceeding to thunder round and lick you to give you a rude awakening. It doesn't half bring you round quickly when you open your eyes a little bit and the dog is staring at you, an inch from your face.
I should start Brisingr tonight but I know if I do then I simply wont sleep. Why then, I ask myself, did I bring it upstairs? On a side note, I may get new glasses soon. Mine have been wonky ever since I got them and they are getting pretty old. I should probably have my eyes re-checked and have the correct prescription made up but that will have to wait for now.
Music for today: Keane. Completely forgot about that little gem until, in search of something for my Wednesday Night Sing-Along, I dug it out of my CD tin on the way to dog club. I mean parked at the road side before I set off for dog club.
Crud. Alarm test successful. Time to start looking for some thrash metal.
Trying to fathom whether my Kama case will take a pair of wooden AND a pair of sharp...
My suspicions that my phone alarm hasn't been going off were reaffirmed today when I woke up naturally half an hour before I was meant to be somewhere. Luckily I don't spend three hours getting ready and it was only a five minute drive away. Had to skip breakfast though.
Upon checking my phone settings it says that the alarm is definitely set and all is well. I hope I'm not turning it off in my sleep again - I might have to change I Can See Clearly Now for some disturbing thrash metal. Not the most tranquil way to start the day but at least I'd be actually starting the day... I think I will do a test alarm later. Thank god I was in bed before midnight last night.
Busy, busy, busy and finishing off plenty of little jobs. Am putting together new Blitz order for the club. Have accidentally added more things to supplement weaponry collection. I really must invest in some sort of stand or rack at some point.
Swahili:Jina languni Translation:My name is
Bugger
Tuesday 10 January 2012
I have finally named my new English sonnet. Check out Unbidden. Feel like I can carry on with writing something else now :)
Very shoddy blog updating skills over the last couple of days - I have been kept insanely busy by J, who thinks I spend too much time sat behind my computer.
To be fair, he has been spoiling me somewhat. He took me out and upgraded my fishtank yesterday. It has a lovely new pump and gravel:
Fish to be obtained next week once tank has completed cycle. Very excited.
Boiler fettled once again, old cooker removed, lots of crap taken to tip and new bath panel and grouting on Friday. As consequence have spent almost the entire day cleaning and tidying. I hate cleaning and tidying. Did a fairly good job on the living room though to be fair. Looking forward to spring so I can get the front garden back in shape. It looks so pretty in bloom, I don't like to see it so bare. I don't have a back garden - if I pretend it's not there it doesn't exist...
I started the day with a phone call to HMRC, which is my favourite thing in the world. Nothing thrills me so much as being on hold with their Sims style music wearing a hole in my ear drum. Partnership tax return completed - but haven't submitted it as I'm paranoid that I've missed something or done something wrong. Oh well. Perhaps I'll pluck up the courage tomorrow.
I think at some point I'm going to need one of these: Red Jumper. Although I did see this and squeal a little bit. Yes, I'm know I'm a tremendous juvenile. Possibly the only child in my class at school that listed 'enroll in Star Fleet and serve on the Enterprise' as one of their career interests.
