Well, I was looking for an inexpensive way to either buy or make new Bonsai tree pots.
In my searching I came across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sddOnjZhL0
This is Bonsai pots made out of a substance called Papercrete. Or newspaper and portland cement mixed together to make a peanut buttery consistent mixture. Which is then poured into a mold and left to harden. Hmmm good idea but how do I make the molds.? So I did some more research and came accross these two links which were very helpful:
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATPaperBonsaiPots.html
and
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/pots-f3/homemade-pots-t198.htm
So basically what im saying is for about five dollars (American) you can make a really nice Bonsai tree pot with just a few minutes a days of labor. Im looking at possibl starting my trek on this new hobby next weekend since I wont have the time right now. This will be complete with written instructions and pictures every step of the way..
Aikido
Friday, April 9, 2010
Aikido Training
Hello all,
Well I was able to get in some serious training this week. Single classes on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Then for a special treat traveled into NY to hit NY Aikikai for a double class on Wednesday.
Saturday brought joy to my heart as Sensei Rick Stickles presented us with our Yudansha books, and went on to say how respecting the Aikido lineage is the true way of Budo. Honoring your teacher, is honoring the lineage.
Sunday, Joseph our Deshi taught a great and spirited class. He called me up to take Ukemi three times and proceeded to throw me accross the mat in every direction. Which of course I loved..!!
The techniques were from a shomenuchi attack, and nage stepped in and did an ikkyo opening. Stepped off the line into different attacks from there. It was new for me so it took me a few minutes to get my bearing. But once I picked it up, it was very powerful.. Again, go Joseph..!!
Tuesday was Joseph again and taught something totally different. I can always expect a great class with him. Hes very versatile and loves to teach new and exciting things... You can see he really loves to teach and his movements are very fluid..
Wednesday, NY Aikikai..!! My friend Kenny who works in our head office in NYC was looking to take some sort of martial art. He knew I was doing Aikido for a few years and really liked it and asked for my opinion on the art. So of course from a highly biased opinion I explained why Aikido was my choice of martial art. He liked what I had to say and said he wouldnt mind trying it. So I pointed him in the direction of NY Aikikai, and he joined the following week and has been training the for over eight months. He has never been happier, takes classes everyday.. Just loves having something fun to do. But now he has been asking me for months to come down and train with him. Spend some time training there so he can show me everything he has learned. So I did..!
The first class I took that day was taught by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei. This gentleman is 72 years old and moves like a twenty something. He is amazing and powerful. We did attacks from Ryotetori for the whole class, and this was after his 4 minute warmup which consisted of breathing exercises. The class was fast paced and fun.
Next up, Douglas Firestone Sensei. Another very good teacher, just not up there in age. I have taken classes and seminars with him before and he never ceases to amaze me. Sensei Firestones stuff is really good, he is similar to my Sensei.
Thursday, back to my school for the intermediate/advanced class at ASNJ. It seemed like Sensei had four espressos and was on fire last night. Everything was from Morotetori attack, and moved fast. Of course I paired up with the higher ranked people so I could catch another beating. But it was a fantastic class, and im feeling it. I never knew your organs could be sore like you muscles. I somewhat feel like im eighty years old and should be walking with a cane.
If I had to give an opinion on how I trained this week, it would have to be awesome-ly..!!
Overall I feel great..!! Just need some sleep...
Well I was able to get in some serious training this week. Single classes on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Then for a special treat traveled into NY to hit NY Aikikai for a double class on Wednesday.
Saturday brought joy to my heart as Sensei Rick Stickles presented us with our Yudansha books, and went on to say how respecting the Aikido lineage is the true way of Budo. Honoring your teacher, is honoring the lineage.
Sunday, Joseph our Deshi taught a great and spirited class. He called me up to take Ukemi three times and proceeded to throw me accross the mat in every direction. Which of course I loved..!!
The techniques were from a shomenuchi attack, and nage stepped in and did an ikkyo opening. Stepped off the line into different attacks from there. It was new for me so it took me a few minutes to get my bearing. But once I picked it up, it was very powerful.. Again, go Joseph..!!
Tuesday was Joseph again and taught something totally different. I can always expect a great class with him. Hes very versatile and loves to teach new and exciting things... You can see he really loves to teach and his movements are very fluid..
Wednesday, NY Aikikai..!! My friend Kenny who works in our head office in NYC was looking to take some sort of martial art. He knew I was doing Aikido for a few years and really liked it and asked for my opinion on the art. So of course from a highly biased opinion I explained why Aikido was my choice of martial art. He liked what I had to say and said he wouldnt mind trying it. So I pointed him in the direction of NY Aikikai, and he joined the following week and has been training the for over eight months. He has never been happier, takes classes everyday.. Just loves having something fun to do. But now he has been asking me for months to come down and train with him. Spend some time training there so he can show me everything he has learned. So I did..!
The first class I took that day was taught by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei. This gentleman is 72 years old and moves like a twenty something. He is amazing and powerful. We did attacks from Ryotetori for the whole class, and this was after his 4 minute warmup which consisted of breathing exercises. The class was fast paced and fun.
Next up, Douglas Firestone Sensei. Another very good teacher, just not up there in age. I have taken classes and seminars with him before and he never ceases to amaze me. Sensei Firestones stuff is really good, he is similar to my Sensei.
Thursday, back to my school for the intermediate/advanced class at ASNJ. It seemed like Sensei had four espressos and was on fire last night. Everything was from Morotetori attack, and moved fast. Of course I paired up with the higher ranked people so I could catch another beating. But it was a fantastic class, and im feeling it. I never knew your organs could be sore like you muscles. I somewhat feel like im eighty years old and should be walking with a cane.
If I had to give an opinion on how I trained this week, it would have to be awesome-ly..!!
Overall I feel great..!! Just need some sleep...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Ikeda Semianr Yesterday
So I went to see Ikeda Sensei yesterday and had a pretty decent time. He didnt do too many techniques, but did do alot of teaching on how to take someones center. It was a little advanced for alot of the junior ranked people. But overall was somewhat beneficial.
The last class of the day was taught by Colin Smith Sensei from Bermuda Aikikai and was, As always, AMAZING. Very powerful Aikido. He did different openings including shome, and Katatori. If your ever around when Sensei Smith is teaching at a seminar it would be a great investment if you went to see him...!
At the end of the seminar my friend Kenny and Myself received our Shodan certificates..!! Woot-Woot...
The last class of the day was taught by Colin Smith Sensei from Bermuda Aikikai and was, As always, AMAZING. Very powerful Aikido. He did different openings including shome, and Katatori. If your ever around when Sensei Smith is teaching at a seminar it would be a great investment if you went to see him...!
At the end of the seminar my friend Kenny and Myself received our Shodan certificates..!! Woot-Woot...
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tomorrow..!!
Heading to ASNJ tomorrow for the Ikeda Sensei Seminar. It will be a good seminar not only because of Ikeda sensei. But also Colin Smith Sensei from Bermuda Aikikai will be making a guest appearance. That means I will be seeing some of my Bermudian friends also.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Ikeda Sensei's Koshinage and Iriminage. Some pretty amazing stuff and it would be great if he showed us some of those techniques.
So until tomorrow night, Peace out.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Ikeda Sensei's Koshinage and Iriminage. Some pretty amazing stuff and it would be great if he showed us some of those techniques.
So until tomorrow night, Peace out.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Bonsai Trees
So on top of all the other crazy stuff I do I decided to take up the hobby of collecting Bonsai trees. The good thing is I really dont have to spend money on it cause I can work around and take my specimens. Currently I have two, one's a juniper that was taken from my property. The second is also a juniper I purchased and cut it down and placed in a Bonsai training pot. Just to let everyone know im an extreme newbie. So most of my experience is coming from Bonsai forums and Bonsai websites. Ill post some pictures soon of my two specimens.
Update..
So whats new in the Aikido world and me. In December 2009 I passed my Shodan test and now have rank. Currently waiting on my certificate from Japan and my Yudansha book to come. The test went pretty well it was just the aftermath that irked me a little. As we had some falling out with my teacher due to the in-efficiencies of a few of the people who tested with me and my teacher decided to take it out on all of us. Of course he felt the need to take us into a room and be-little us like we were school children. But he apologized later on and now were off on a new start.
Training is still going well. I split up my time between Aikido Schools of NJ and Aikido of Red Bank. I've been attending alot of the weapons classes at Aikido of Red Bank. Due to alot of exposure to the Jo. Which is roughly a 4-5 ft staff and usually made out of a soft/hard wood like white oak or hickory. Aikido of Red Bank follows the Sugano sensei philosophy of Boken which is very nice and effective, and when your in a small class of more advanced people you really get to train.
Both my Boken and Jo are Applacian Hickory and hand made with no sand paper. Meaning they are made with files and rasps, so you can really feel the grooves and fit nicely into your hands.
They were made at Kingfisher woodworks and were a little costly. But you pay for what you get especially in nicely made wood weapons. If you feel a need to check them out theyre over here:
http://kingfisherwoodworks.com/
Mines in the hand cut section and are an Iwama brand.
Training is still going well. I split up my time between Aikido Schools of NJ and Aikido of Red Bank. I've been attending alot of the weapons classes at Aikido of Red Bank. Due to alot of exposure to the Jo. Which is roughly a 4-5 ft staff and usually made out of a soft/hard wood like white oak or hickory. Aikido of Red Bank follows the Sugano sensei philosophy of Boken which is very nice and effective, and when your in a small class of more advanced people you really get to train.
Both my Boken and Jo are Applacian Hickory and hand made with no sand paper. Meaning they are made with files and rasps, so you can really feel the grooves and fit nicely into your hands.
They were made at Kingfisher woodworks and were a little costly. But you pay for what you get especially in nicely made wood weapons. If you feel a need to check them out theyre over here:
http://kingfisherwoodworks.com/
Mines in the hand cut section and are an Iwama brand.
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