Whenever you move to a new location your connection to your friends is invariably weakened. You and your old friends have a different response to this change in interaction. Technology helps in many ways to keep us together but also has a diminishing effect on our day to day interactions. I've found that speaking to another human's face is a different experience than texting with them. The older I get the more I learn about our interactions.
First, I live in a foreign country. I love it in Korea despite the obstacles in learning a new language. Despite what Koreans tell you, learning the language is not easy, at least for me. In their defense I have only recently taken any measures to learn how to speak. My reading and writing ability is significantly higher, but even then it is woefully pathetic how bad I am at it. This barrier can be daunting as it limits your interaction with the other humans around you. It fundamentally alienates you. Coping with it can be difficult, but it still fits firmly in the realm of a first world problem.
What I enjoy most about this experience is the mirror effect. People watching in this country is my favorite past time. The homeless man trying to look mutilated who's pushing a stereo down the street. The man/woman dressed to the 9s. The tourist. The grandmother. The barista. The foreigner who's high off of some successful cultural experience who wears an expression of absolute disdain as I walk by. The foreigner who just got here and is scared shitless at the immensity of this place. The hiker. All of them bring me back to earth, slap me in the existential face and remind me to just relax. I have the privilege to be employed in this awesome country of limitless possibilities. I am hindered by fear, motivation, and language skills.
Strangely, the hobbies that I took so much pleasure from as a kid are the ones that have given me the best opportunities and friends in Korea. All I had to do was look up tabletop gaming groups in Seoul, and I made 4 good friends. If I extend that to playing Magic, it extends even further to include 5-6 others that I hope to get to know much better next year when I'm living in the city proper. The hilarious irony is that the hobbies that used to isolate me are now my strongest networking tool.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Minnesota, You are Going to Hate This.
Normally I am not this negative. I am a by and large happy person who enjoys the company of other humans & this post does not summarize everyone I know out here, but is merely a reflection of the medium culture that I see. This is a venting post. You have been warned.
This place is hilariously stagnant. Their is an attitude that this place is home to so many people & that the rest of the world is this inhospitable land that can only be visited during your PTO. There is a magical age during someone's development that if they fail to leave home, they never will. They develop a fear of the outside world that forever taints and halts their development as a person. They become half of a person. A halfling. A HOBBIT. Trivial happenings from childhood become traumatic historical events that guide how you live your life. They trap you and leave you with no options in life, enslaving you to being a teenager forever.
Travel is only considered good as long as you 'come home to the midwest buyahousestartafamilythenquicklyforgetwhyyouloveyourwifewatchfootball.' This is not a jab at people who have families, this is a criticism of people who refuse to think about anything at all. I want everyone to have something in their lives that they are passionate about, or love to death (excluding television). Do not listen to your family when they are pressuring you into procreating when you feel like you have serious reservations about it. You have many choices in life that your family would not like to see you do. It isn't because they want to see you unhappy, it is because they worry. Or it is because they don't agree with your lifestyle and desperately want to see it fail so they can be vindicated in their decision to be depressed for the last 30 years. Not that I'm bitter or anything.
The hardest part about dealing with my family & friends is that nobody is really interested in trying to solve their problems. These glaring errors become 'character traits' in their eyes. The idea that a problem is easier solved by being ignored has taken a firm hold. Shortcuts are the way of the day and they never work. What I failed to learn from Minnesota as a kid was that 'Direct Confrontation' of a problem was the easiest way to exacerbate it, At least among shirefolk. We have to dilly-dally around, play politics, use sensitive speech, & show a whole lot of false empathy toward someone with a huge problem. Oh, and of course the problem never gets solved this way, only made worse. Now the person with the problem feels like they are justified in keeping the problem as their own private possession. But at least no one was offended! My goodness! What would happen if someone was offended? They would have to think about their behavior and perhaps fix it accordingly!.... Nah, I'm just kidding. If you try to talk to someone about a problem directly and try to help them solve it they just get mad at you. Minnesotans LIKE having problems with no solution. It enhances their personality and makes you think they are complicated people. Which they aren't.
I have met so many people in the shire who do nothing but watch TV the moment they come home from work. Nerds who used to have a vibrant imagination & creative drive who, due to the social alienation present these days, do nothing but play Call of Duty all day. I know why you do it, I'm sitting in front of a screen myself right now. Nerds have always been a hard lot to make friends with, and with all the time it takes to make new nerd friends it is no wonder we have all turned primarily to video games.
I don't care what it is. You can be fascist for all I care, just love what you do. And please, just use your head once and a while & ask yourself 'Do I REALLY have to do what everyone else is doing?' If you decide that you enjoy what everyone else is doing, then awesome! At least the question was asked and you gave it some thought.
Perhaps your family and friends will be upset at you for leaving them to go on your own journey. In that case you have a choice, stay in the shire & get high and fat, or go throw a ring into Mount Doom.
Ahhh, I feel so much better writing this aloud. Thank you internet for allowing me a cathartic complaint.
To quote the original badass hobbit: I think I'm quite ready for another adventure.
This place is hilariously stagnant. Their is an attitude that this place is home to so many people & that the rest of the world is this inhospitable land that can only be visited during your PTO. There is a magical age during someone's development that if they fail to leave home, they never will. They develop a fear of the outside world that forever taints and halts their development as a person. They become half of a person. A halfling. A HOBBIT. Trivial happenings from childhood become traumatic historical events that guide how you live your life. They trap you and leave you with no options in life, enslaving you to being a teenager forever.
Travel is only considered good as long as you 'come home to the midwest buyahousestartafamilythenquicklyforgetwhyyouloveyourwifewatchfootball.' This is not a jab at people who have families, this is a criticism of people who refuse to think about anything at all. I want everyone to have something in their lives that they are passionate about, or love to death (excluding television). Do not listen to your family when they are pressuring you into procreating when you feel like you have serious reservations about it. You have many choices in life that your family would not like to see you do. It isn't because they want to see you unhappy, it is because they worry. Or it is because they don't agree with your lifestyle and desperately want to see it fail so they can be vindicated in their decision to be depressed for the last 30 years. Not that I'm bitter or anything.
The hardest part about dealing with my family & friends is that nobody is really interested in trying to solve their problems. These glaring errors become 'character traits' in their eyes. The idea that a problem is easier solved by being ignored has taken a firm hold. Shortcuts are the way of the day and they never work. What I failed to learn from Minnesota as a kid was that 'Direct Confrontation' of a problem was the easiest way to exacerbate it, At least among shirefolk. We have to dilly-dally around, play politics, use sensitive speech, & show a whole lot of false empathy toward someone with a huge problem. Oh, and of course the problem never gets solved this way, only made worse. Now the person with the problem feels like they are justified in keeping the problem as their own private possession. But at least no one was offended! My goodness! What would happen if someone was offended? They would have to think about their behavior and perhaps fix it accordingly!.... Nah, I'm just kidding. If you try to talk to someone about a problem directly and try to help them solve it they just get mad at you. Minnesotans LIKE having problems with no solution. It enhances their personality and makes you think they are complicated people. Which they aren't.
I have met so many people in the shire who do nothing but watch TV the moment they come home from work. Nerds who used to have a vibrant imagination & creative drive who, due to the social alienation present these days, do nothing but play Call of Duty all day. I know why you do it, I'm sitting in front of a screen myself right now. Nerds have always been a hard lot to make friends with, and with all the time it takes to make new nerd friends it is no wonder we have all turned primarily to video games.
I don't care what it is. You can be fascist for all I care, just love what you do. And please, just use your head once and a while & ask yourself 'Do I REALLY have to do what everyone else is doing?' If you decide that you enjoy what everyone else is doing, then awesome! At least the question was asked and you gave it some thought.
Perhaps your family and friends will be upset at you for leaving them to go on your own journey. In that case you have a choice, stay in the shire & get high and fat, or go throw a ring into Mount Doom.
Ahhh, I feel so much better writing this aloud. Thank you internet for allowing me a cathartic complaint.
To quote the original badass hobbit: I think I'm quite ready for another adventure.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Humanity's Blessing: The Cardiovascular System
Running is one of the best things in the world. Nothing puts my mind more at peace than running around town with a smile on my face. When you think about all that your body can do, it is truly a wonderful thing.
So many obstacles we place before ourselves revolve around blocks that your head put in place that we see as insurmountable. Nothing seems impossible after 7 miles on snowy roads where everyone looks at you as though you're missing a few marbles up top.
So many obstacles we place before ourselves revolve around blocks that your head put in place that we see as insurmountable. Nothing seems impossible after 7 miles on snowy roads where everyone looks at you as though you're missing a few marbles up top.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Do I go running or do I fence?
Do I go for a run, or do I go fencing tonight?
Definitely haven't been to fencing more than once in the last two months. I should probably fence. Yeah, that would be the good thing to do. Okay I'll go fencing.
Excellent! Now I can play FIFA12 all morning! Merry Christmas to me!
Do you ever feel like you have nothing important to say at all yet you're still talking? Yeah, I'm totally that guy right now.
Definitely haven't been to fencing more than once in the last two months. I should probably fence. Yeah, that would be the good thing to do. Okay I'll go fencing.
Excellent! Now I can play FIFA12 all morning! Merry Christmas to me!
Do you ever feel like you have nothing important to say at all yet you're still talking? Yeah, I'm totally that guy right now.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Anthropological Field Study: Movers. Segment 1
My first experience with the tribe of movers has been very informative. I have learned much of their dietary habits as well mating rituals and language. In my first report I will give an broad overview on the diet of "Movers."
I. Diet
The diet of an average mover can be described as 'rocket fuel,' 'sludge,' or 'ulcertastic.' All movers acquire nutrition from the hunting fields of Super America, Holiday, 7-11, or any other region capable of refueling trucks. A new mover may make the mistake of informing the other mover(s) in his pack that he considers gas station food abhorrent and unappealing. This is a huge mistake that instigates no end of mockery for the poor new mover.
Tornadoes: frozen prepacked tortilla tubes filled with Cheese & Beef & left to sit for several hours or days on the wild savannah heat of a hot dog roller. They are referred to as 'poopsticks' by many movers due to their resemblance to the average turd and their resistance to digestion. I'll let you think that over a while.
Monster: This is an energy drink meant to corrode someone's natural reserve of energy and replace it with one laden with enough chemicals to explode your vascular system. While many movers claim to experience an arrhythmic heart after imbibing 3 over the course of an hour (average mover consumption), it does not stop or kill the majority of the tribe.
Cigarettes: All movers apparently smoke. Some may not know it, but they are inhaling at least 2 packs a week just by the close proximity to other smoking movers. Supposedly, a mover can survive for several weeks on a diet of nothing but cigarettes.
The above 3 sources of nutrition are the primary staples of the Mover diet. I will now expand upon the feasting traditions of the Mover tribe.
Chain smoking: When a Mover is done loading a truck or is sitting in the truck for any reason, he can be mistaken for being on fire given the amount of cigarettes he is able to smoke. Next time you see one in the wild, check to see if he is smoking. Chances are he is on his way to an exciting unload in some suburban wasteland!
Bathroom Destruction: Do NOT under ANY circumstances wait for a Mover to get out of the restroom. Go across the building and use that one. It will be perfectly safe. Given the above information this should be no surprise to you.
Colorful Projectile Vomit: The victuals of the average mover tend to be rather hard on all of their internal organs. As a consequence I have witnessed a mover drink a Potion of Pepto after several cigarettes, and blast a pink cone down the side of the truck. On a separate occasion I witnessed a new Mover attempt the Chain Smoking ritual with 15 Monsters. He stood over a garbage receptacle for 5 minutes expelling colors ranging from Teal, to Blue, to Red, then back to Teal again.
I hope this has been an informative report on the cultural practices of the Mover. I will be adding later editions as I collect data.
I. Diet
The diet of an average mover can be described as 'rocket fuel,' 'sludge,' or 'ulcertastic.' All movers acquire nutrition from the hunting fields of Super America, Holiday, 7-11, or any other region capable of refueling trucks. A new mover may make the mistake of informing the other mover(s) in his pack that he considers gas station food abhorrent and unappealing. This is a huge mistake that instigates no end of mockery for the poor new mover.
Tornadoes: frozen prepacked tortilla tubes filled with Cheese & Beef & left to sit for several hours or days on the wild savannah heat of a hot dog roller. They are referred to as 'poopsticks' by many movers due to their resemblance to the average turd and their resistance to digestion. I'll let you think that over a while.
Monster: This is an energy drink meant to corrode someone's natural reserve of energy and replace it with one laden with enough chemicals to explode your vascular system. While many movers claim to experience an arrhythmic heart after imbibing 3 over the course of an hour (average mover consumption), it does not stop or kill the majority of the tribe.
Cigarettes: All movers apparently smoke. Some may not know it, but they are inhaling at least 2 packs a week just by the close proximity to other smoking movers. Supposedly, a mover can survive for several weeks on a diet of nothing but cigarettes.
The above 3 sources of nutrition are the primary staples of the Mover diet. I will now expand upon the feasting traditions of the Mover tribe.
Chain smoking: When a Mover is done loading a truck or is sitting in the truck for any reason, he can be mistaken for being on fire given the amount of cigarettes he is able to smoke. Next time you see one in the wild, check to see if he is smoking. Chances are he is on his way to an exciting unload in some suburban wasteland!
Bathroom Destruction: Do NOT under ANY circumstances wait for a Mover to get out of the restroom. Go across the building and use that one. It will be perfectly safe. Given the above information this should be no surprise to you.
Colorful Projectile Vomit: The victuals of the average mover tend to be rather hard on all of their internal organs. As a consequence I have witnessed a mover drink a Potion of Pepto after several cigarettes, and blast a pink cone down the side of the truck. On a separate occasion I witnessed a new Mover attempt the Chain Smoking ritual with 15 Monsters. He stood over a garbage receptacle for 5 minutes expelling colors ranging from Teal, to Blue, to Red, then back to Teal again.
I hope this has been an informative report on the cultural practices of the Mover. I will be adding later editions as I collect data.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Search up "FIFA 2012 soundtrack"
Right now. Stop whatever you're doing that's inane and online and do this right now. Go to Grooveshark and search up the songs and listen. They are all amazing. Especially the song "Will Do."
Moving is an interesting profession. I have been moving pianos, 400 pound butcher blocks, gun safes, marble tables, bookcases & anything else you can think of. I have met everyone and everyone you can think of: poor, rich, buddhist, christian, sane, psycho, awesome, evil, & good. I moved a delightful Algerian family yesterday. Any physical working male should move for a little while. It really lets you see how other people live on a grand scale. Not to mention the obvious cross training benefits for most other sports. After moving a piano three flights of stairs, a single human seems little more than an ant in comparison.
Moving is an interesting profession. I have been moving pianos, 400 pound butcher blocks, gun safes, marble tables, bookcases & anything else you can think of. I have met everyone and everyone you can think of: poor, rich, buddhist, christian, sane, psycho, awesome, evil, & good. I moved a delightful Algerian family yesterday. Any physical working male should move for a little while. It really lets you see how other people live on a grand scale. Not to mention the obvious cross training benefits for most other sports. After moving a piano three flights of stairs, a single human seems little more than an ant in comparison.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Fond Farewell: The USA, MFA, MSC, & any other acronym I left out
This post is a long time coming in some cases & a bit premature in others. First I will start with MFA.
I knew how much of an impact the Missoula Fencing Association would have on my life the day I decided to formally leave. Nowhere is there a group of people who will restore your faith in humanity as the fencing club in Missoula. I gave entire lessons about the importance of mental game, where competitors draw their inspiration and drive from, how to deal with a manipulative opponent, blah blah blah.... But the most important lesson I learned from my students was love. Deep down past anger and any other lesser emotion lies the raw power of love. Love can carry you when anger would shoot you down. You can always trust in love. I love my students no matter where they go in life and will always be proud to see them succeed and be happy. Always know that because you choose to continue to fence that fencing in Missoula will improve. 6 years ago youth fencing did not exist in Montana & now you are pioneering a whole new era for fencing in the West. Welcome new fencers into the club with open arms; nurture new friendships as much as you treasure the old ones. I was told by arrogant people that if I left, fencing would likely wither and die in Missoula. I laugh every time I hear it now, secure in the knowledge that you daily impress me with your drive to succeed.
It may do you good to know that my long term plans include you. I plan to return to the United States someday and buy a house in Seattle. I am going to set up as many bunkbeds as I can in the basement as well as a current video game system, refrigerator, and kitchen. This house will always have an open door policy to fencers from Missoula to stay as long as they like for free. This is no grandiose dream, but a promise.
Second, I will bid a premature farewell to my country:
I have an intensely abusive relationship with the United States. As the son of a cynical government worker, my nation can only expect so much respect from me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE certain parts of my country. But saying I only like certain parts of my lover would make me rather unromantic. I want to live somewhere in the Pacific northwest like any self respecting hipster because I love it out there. It is easily where Soccer lives in the U.S., which most of you would understand coming from me. I regret not getting a chance to hike the PCT before I left, but it will hopefully be there on my return. I am not necessarily regretful about living for a year in Minneapolis, but I could have thought of worse places to be.
Here's my gripe about the Midwest: It's too nurturing. Nobody wants to leave mostly out of fear that the place they would be moving to isn't anywhere near as comfortable as it is here, and they are ALL 100% correct. Unfortunately it is precisely that lack of comfort that makes you grow the hell up. You could get shot by some sort of drug gang in the Southwest, die alone and freezing on a hiking trail in the Rockies, get mugged and murdered by a Meth head in Oregon, get treated 'in a rude fashion' on the East Coast, or any other odd fate.
I overheard something weird in Jurassic Park II but it had a profound impact on my subconscious. This story is going to wander WAY off the beaten track, so keep with me. The uber-manly expedition leader who wanted to shoot a T-Rex was having a conversation with the photo journalist about the merits of hunting one of the largest and most terrifying predators of all time. The photo journalist thought it was some machismo penis waggling contest; that the hunter wanted prove he was the baddest man in the valley. The hunter smiled and told him a story about a mountain climber who climbed K2 or some other rock without oxygen and survived to come back down. Reporters and journalists asked him if he went up there to die.
The man's response will live with me forever: No, I went up there to live.
Some of my old students will remember a lesson I gave about humanities strengths. Some of them are probably nodding and going 'yeah, AJ's a good motivator but he's not quite right in the head.' It is my closely held belief that humanity has 3 strengths.
1. We can run 100+ miles and not die
2. Verbal communication
3. Madness
Those three things are the highest values we can hold as humans. It is why I run. It is why I am 100% willing to move to a city of 15 million people with a completely alien culture where just across the border hundreds of nukes are pointed at my head.
I am an endorphin junkie. I get off by scaring the shit out of myself. I am truly happy when I am cackling like an idiot running away from something that could possibly kill me. I understand hunting down a T-Rex not because it is badass, but because something might go wrong. If you survived that encounter, you would have more respect for yourself and the world around you than you ever would have thought possible. Things that can kill you are GOOD for you. They keep you on your toes and keep you from going soft. Not that I think South Korea is super dangerous. Far from it. But all anyone who lives in the geographically isolated Midwest knows about anything Korea is Kim Jong Il.
Thirdly, MSC
I do a lot of Minnesota badmouthing, so I figure I will make an attempt at fixing some of that. I owe the direction my life has gone to the Minnesota Sword Club. This place gave a hostile, misanthropic, overweight nerd a place to socialize. While I may still be hostile & misanthropic, I'm sure as hell not overweight. I view life through the fencing strip even when I'm not fencing that much. I love the club to death and I hope the kids I see there now come to a similar feeling when they get older too.
I will miss my apartment in Minneapolis mostly because of the awesome location (read: epicenter of all running/biking trails in the metro area). I will miss being able to walk 10 feet to order a pizza, biking to fencing, biking to work, biking everywhere. I lived in an excellent neighborhood too.
I knew how much of an impact the Missoula Fencing Association would have on my life the day I decided to formally leave. Nowhere is there a group of people who will restore your faith in humanity as the fencing club in Missoula. I gave entire lessons about the importance of mental game, where competitors draw their inspiration and drive from, how to deal with a manipulative opponent, blah blah blah.... But the most important lesson I learned from my students was love. Deep down past anger and any other lesser emotion lies the raw power of love. Love can carry you when anger would shoot you down. You can always trust in love. I love my students no matter where they go in life and will always be proud to see them succeed and be happy. Always know that because you choose to continue to fence that fencing in Missoula will improve. 6 years ago youth fencing did not exist in Montana & now you are pioneering a whole new era for fencing in the West. Welcome new fencers into the club with open arms; nurture new friendships as much as you treasure the old ones. I was told by arrogant people that if I left, fencing would likely wither and die in Missoula. I laugh every time I hear it now, secure in the knowledge that you daily impress me with your drive to succeed.
It may do you good to know that my long term plans include you. I plan to return to the United States someday and buy a house in Seattle. I am going to set up as many bunkbeds as I can in the basement as well as a current video game system, refrigerator, and kitchen. This house will always have an open door policy to fencers from Missoula to stay as long as they like for free. This is no grandiose dream, but a promise.
Second, I will bid a premature farewell to my country:
I have an intensely abusive relationship with the United States. As the son of a cynical government worker, my nation can only expect so much respect from me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE certain parts of my country. But saying I only like certain parts of my lover would make me rather unromantic. I want to live somewhere in the Pacific northwest like any self respecting hipster because I love it out there. It is easily where Soccer lives in the U.S., which most of you would understand coming from me. I regret not getting a chance to hike the PCT before I left, but it will hopefully be there on my return. I am not necessarily regretful about living for a year in Minneapolis, but I could have thought of worse places to be.
Here's my gripe about the Midwest: It's too nurturing. Nobody wants to leave mostly out of fear that the place they would be moving to isn't anywhere near as comfortable as it is here, and they are ALL 100% correct. Unfortunately it is precisely that lack of comfort that makes you grow the hell up. You could get shot by some sort of drug gang in the Southwest, die alone and freezing on a hiking trail in the Rockies, get mugged and murdered by a Meth head in Oregon, get treated 'in a rude fashion' on the East Coast, or any other odd fate.
I overheard something weird in Jurassic Park II but it had a profound impact on my subconscious. This story is going to wander WAY off the beaten track, so keep with me. The uber-manly expedition leader who wanted to shoot a T-Rex was having a conversation with the photo journalist about the merits of hunting one of the largest and most terrifying predators of all time. The photo journalist thought it was some machismo penis waggling contest; that the hunter wanted prove he was the baddest man in the valley. The hunter smiled and told him a story about a mountain climber who climbed K2 or some other rock without oxygen and survived to come back down. Reporters and journalists asked him if he went up there to die.
The man's response will live with me forever: No, I went up there to live.
Some of my old students will remember a lesson I gave about humanities strengths. Some of them are probably nodding and going 'yeah, AJ's a good motivator but he's not quite right in the head.' It is my closely held belief that humanity has 3 strengths.
1. We can run 100+ miles and not die
2. Verbal communication
3. Madness
Those three things are the highest values we can hold as humans. It is why I run. It is why I am 100% willing to move to a city of 15 million people with a completely alien culture where just across the border hundreds of nukes are pointed at my head.
I am an endorphin junkie. I get off by scaring the shit out of myself. I am truly happy when I am cackling like an idiot running away from something that could possibly kill me. I understand hunting down a T-Rex not because it is badass, but because something might go wrong. If you survived that encounter, you would have more respect for yourself and the world around you than you ever would have thought possible. Things that can kill you are GOOD for you. They keep you on your toes and keep you from going soft. Not that I think South Korea is super dangerous. Far from it. But all anyone who lives in the geographically isolated Midwest knows about anything Korea is Kim Jong Il.
Thirdly, MSC
I do a lot of Minnesota badmouthing, so I figure I will make an attempt at fixing some of that. I owe the direction my life has gone to the Minnesota Sword Club. This place gave a hostile, misanthropic, overweight nerd a place to socialize. While I may still be hostile & misanthropic, I'm sure as hell not overweight. I view life through the fencing strip even when I'm not fencing that much. I love the club to death and I hope the kids I see there now come to a similar feeling when they get older too.
I will miss my apartment in Minneapolis mostly because of the awesome location (read: epicenter of all running/biking trails in the metro area). I will miss being able to walk 10 feet to order a pizza, biking to fencing, biking to work, biking everywhere. I lived in an excellent neighborhood too.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The End of This Blog
This post was originally going to be way more business and much less how I feel.
I am incredibly angry to be leaving Missoula. I don't want to leave my students behind, but I have to. My students have every right to be angry with me, and all I can do is apologize. I ask that you understand a dire financial situation conflicting with my own personal pride in not leaning on anybody. Neither Shelley or I are happy here any longer and if we suffer one more setback we will be on the streets. To avoid this, we are moving to Minneapolis to find jobs in a much stronger economy.
With my current situation not likely to improve, I remain without health insurance or any other insurance. It is embarrassing to have to air this, but I can't just leave people in a lurch with no explanation. My contribution to MFA has been substantial at great cost to my personal & financial life, and I would like to see others put in to keep it kicking and growing.
To my students... I am so sorry. I apologize for not being there to help you along. If it is any consolation, if you have been taking lessons from me for the last few years and fencing on a regular basis, you have likely learned the vast majority of what I have to teach you. I can only ask that you share what I have taught you to others so that saber can continue in Missoula.
I have been told that if I leave, MFA will dissolve and fencing will no longer exist in Missoula. I do not believe this will happen because I know who fences here. I will not be here to fight for you anymore, you will have to do it yourself.
Good Luck Missoula, and Goodbye
AJ DeWees
I am incredibly angry to be leaving Missoula. I don't want to leave my students behind, but I have to. My students have every right to be angry with me, and all I can do is apologize. I ask that you understand a dire financial situation conflicting with my own personal pride in not leaning on anybody. Neither Shelley or I are happy here any longer and if we suffer one more setback we will be on the streets. To avoid this, we are moving to Minneapolis to find jobs in a much stronger economy.
With my current situation not likely to improve, I remain without health insurance or any other insurance. It is embarrassing to have to air this, but I can't just leave people in a lurch with no explanation. My contribution to MFA has been substantial at great cost to my personal & financial life, and I would like to see others put in to keep it kicking and growing.
To my students... I am so sorry. I apologize for not being there to help you along. If it is any consolation, if you have been taking lessons from me for the last few years and fencing on a regular basis, you have likely learned the vast majority of what I have to teach you. I can only ask that you share what I have taught you to others so that saber can continue in Missoula.
I have been told that if I leave, MFA will dissolve and fencing will no longer exist in Missoula. I do not believe this will happen because I know who fences here. I will not be here to fight for you anymore, you will have to do it yourself.
Good Luck Missoula, and Goodbye
AJ DeWees
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sledding
We're sledding this weekend in Rainbow Park. Sledding is one of those awesome activities that I have fond memories of from childhood.
My favorite sledding game, which we never bothered to name, involved everyone starting at the top at the same time. The object of the game was to get to the bottom of the hill on someone else's sled. You could accomplish this in a variety of ways.
1. Wait for a wipeout, grab the poor sod's sled, laugh maniacally, & finish the hill on their sled.
2. Knock someone off their sled, and ride the rest of the way...laughing maniacally.
3. If (Heaven forbid) you have been knocked off of your sled, you can intercept another sledder on the way down (usually involving impact), and take their sled the rest of the way...giggling like an idiot.
This game favors the psychotic, creative, and physically superior. So it's best to try not to hurt other people, as it tends to ruin the game. You win the game if you reach the bottom of the hill on your third sled of the run. If their are two winners, then they have to sled off, meaning that only one person can make the bottom of the hill on a sled. If they both make it to the bottom, then neither of them win.
Fun Methods of Sledding:
Toboggan:
Wannabe snowboarder-Sled down the Hill standing up. See how far you can make it.
Head First-For those who lead from the front, laying down on the sled with your face leaning precariously over the edge. The Dentist's favorite.
Sitting down-Feet facing front, sitting upright is the easiest and often most hilarious way to avoid impact from the front. Can't say much for a bumpy hill though as your tailbone takes most of the shock.
The Tiger- Knees bracing the sides of the sled, hands gripping the sides of the sled, torso horizontal facing the ground with head facing forward. This is the position of the sledder who wants to Get Things Done. From here a sledder can actually steer a sled, perform a barrel roll, and other crazy stunts. If they are a sledder of truly exceptional skill, they can even stand up from this position.
Sledding rocks!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Road Trip Etiquette
This is one of those posts that I don't talk about fencing, but rather an aspect of traveling life in the US that most of us can relate to.Road trips are meant to be a fun bonding experience for all of those involved. Even back when we had to make do with Game boys and Game Gears instead of texting and other detractors, we still talked to each other over the course of the long car ride. The awesome part of the long car ride is that it forces you to socially interact with people in an enclosed space over long periods of time. From this environment you learn more about the people in your car and probably about yourself too.
What kills me is people's insistence on using their dumb electronic gadgets to avoid all conversation with the other people in the car. Or better yet, they ignore your conversation until it gets interesting and then quip in until it gets boring again. Thank you for contributing nothing.
I have nothing against sleeping over distances. I understand that someone is tired after competing and all they want to do is sleep. I'll even let reading slide, but the gadget festival in my backseat has to stop.
TALK TO ME! I don't care if you have anything worthwhile to say! I am driving and it is in everyone's best interest to keep me awake! The conversations about the dumbest things are often the best conversations on a long road trip. Don't shield yourself behind Apple, Verizon, Sony, or Nintendo. I am unable to immerse myself in technological escapism. I am within 2 feet of you. I can reach you.
And to continue my rant, do you ever wonder how annoyed your friends must be at you constantly texting them for the next 5 hours? They must think you have no life, or assuming that you texted all of them that you are on the road, are in a car full of boring people. What you have basically communicated to your text friend is that everyone else in the car is awful. I'm not talking about sharing your tournament results or a brief funny story, I'm talking about the 4 hour conversation by text.
The reason your texting your friends about your boring car ride? You are the one making it boring. Yes, you. Not the two people talking to keep conversation and morale up, no, it's you. So the next time you text someone with "bored LOL," think about your responsibility as a road tripping human.
Tournament in hindsight
The best part of the Nov. 20 youth tournament: My kids realized that they had to move their feet. I have been saying it over and over, so many didn't think it was necessary, so many thought that bladework would work. And those that did, realized very quickly how important movement is. I am looking forward to this week of instruction as I plan to utilize this new found understanding. You can say something to a group of people repeatedly, but some things have to hit you across the back of the head before you'll sit up and start paying attention.
We will also fix the schedule so it doesn't run as late in the day. We're starting it a good 3 hours earlier and moving a few of the events around. The u19 event shrank because of the bad scheduling and that's just not fair to the people who registered and fenced. At the same time I can hardly be upset at students who fenced all day and then decided that the toughest event at the end of a long day wasn't necessary. I'll admit I'm a slave driver, but even slaves need the occasional break.
We will also fix the schedule so it doesn't run as late in the day. We're starting it a good 3 hours earlier and moving a few of the events around. The u19 event shrank because of the bad scheduling and that's just not fair to the people who registered and fenced. At the same time I can hardly be upset at students who fenced all day and then decided that the toughest event at the end of a long day wasn't necessary. I'll admit I'm a slave driver, but even slaves need the occasional break.
Monday, November 15, 2010
To the Prevailing Attitude...
Despite my efforts at changing the perception of Saber within the Inland Empire, plenty of people still believe that Saber is more complicated than Foil or Epee.
All 3 weapons are equally deep and complicated. Just because Epee lacks priority does not mean that its easier. Foil is not easier because it usually moves slower than Saber. Saber is not easier because you don't need point control. Get over this. Now.
Each blade is complicated in it's own way. There's a reason why people like me can go on doing the same blade for 12 years and not get bored with it. I haven't stopped learning how to fence Saber and don't plan to reach the end for quite some time. The further you go in one weapon, the better you get at it. Period.
All 3 weapons are equally deep and complicated. Just because Epee lacks priority does not mean that its easier. Foil is not easier because it usually moves slower than Saber. Saber is not easier because you don't need point control. Get over this. Now.
Each blade is complicated in it's own way. There's a reason why people like me can go on doing the same blade for 12 years and not get bored with it. I haven't stopped learning how to fence Saber and don't plan to reach the end for quite some time. The further you go in one weapon, the better you get at it. Period.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Nothing Quite Like Failure
Failure motivates people to do crazy things. It breeds frustration, anger, confusion, and hopefully determination.
I crafted an internal ranking system that is designed to increase the desire to improve within my students. I normally wouldn't say this sort of thing out loud, but I have a reputation for honesty and forthrightness to uphold. I want my students to be able to achieve something outside the often times draconian ranking system of the Letters. The system is also utilitarian as it is designed to allow students to become assistant coaches @ MFA and give their own private lessons.
Since it's introduction a week ago, students have responded exactly as I wanted them to. With resolve and determination to acquire the rank. As of this posting, only two students have passed the test out of about 13 that have tested. It is designed to look deceptively easy, even though I warned everyone that technique had to be executed to perfection to pass the test. When I first started practice testing, the class thought I was kidding when I said "I expect nobody to pass this test the first time you take it."
After the first student failed, the news traveled quickly throughout the class. When the next 3 failed, a ripple of fear spread throughout the room. Kids were suddenly paying much closer attention to the white board and talking to those who had already failed.
Next week I got the desired response. Kids had studied before taking the test and were far more focused on their own technique.
I can't wait to administer the Red bar test. I'm hoping to invoke tears ;)
I crafted an internal ranking system that is designed to increase the desire to improve within my students. I normally wouldn't say this sort of thing out loud, but I have a reputation for honesty and forthrightness to uphold. I want my students to be able to achieve something outside the often times draconian ranking system of the Letters. The system is also utilitarian as it is designed to allow students to become assistant coaches @ MFA and give their own private lessons.
Since it's introduction a week ago, students have responded exactly as I wanted them to. With resolve and determination to acquire the rank. As of this posting, only two students have passed the test out of about 13 that have tested. It is designed to look deceptively easy, even though I warned everyone that technique had to be executed to perfection to pass the test. When I first started practice testing, the class thought I was kidding when I said "I expect nobody to pass this test the first time you take it."
After the first student failed, the news traveled quickly throughout the class. When the next 3 failed, a ripple of fear spread throughout the room. Kids were suddenly paying much closer attention to the white board and talking to those who had already failed.
Next week I got the desired response. Kids had studied before taking the test and were far more focused on their own technique.
I can't wait to administer the Red bar test. I'm hoping to invoke tears ;)
This Grand Experiment
Here we stand near the end of another year at MFA. This year has been one of unprecedented growth. I'm going to take this opportunity to gloat.
Things we have now that we did not have last year:
-Consistent space and schedule
-Meeting more than once a week
-Students with medals to their names
-observed skill growth in all program participants
-increased exposure within the community
-increased acceptance as a sport among parents
-consistent youth tournaments
-increased parental involvement
-social activities outside of fencing at the club
Boo-yah.
Things we have now that we did not have last year:
-Consistent space and schedule
-Meeting more than once a week
-Students with medals to their names
-observed skill growth in all program participants
-increased exposure within the community
-increased acceptance as a sport among parents
-consistent youth tournaments
-increased parental involvement
-social activities outside of fencing at the club
Boo-yah.
The Advantages of Youth Fencing
When I was younger I used to feel sorry for older fencers because I thought anyone past the age of 30 simply couldn't fence saber. I didn't know anyone who could move 30+ year old knees and feet at a speed that would allow you to beat people. Now I have seen that you can be a sneaky old guy and still fence the only weapon worth fencing. =)
It seems weird dealing with the exact opposite sentiments in students at MFA. They think that kids are completely inept at fencing while old guys are the terror that walks in the night. This needs some addressing from me.
Half the reason old guys seem so scary is that they started off exactly like you. I began as a 13 year old, overweight, goth kid that was socially awkward with no friends:
Except of course the few other goth kids at school and a friend I kept throughout childhood. I was not awesome and I still don't consider myself beyond mediocre at a national level. I did not like to move my feet when I started fencing, just like everyone else. I did not win tournaments when I started fencing, just like everyone else. I was jealous of people who were better fencers than me, just like everyone else.
Other old fencers in the division always talk down to you, especially after they've just beaten you: "Good bout, You really got me on **insert inane technical flaw here**"
I have good news for all youth fencers, especially the youngest ones who get their butt kicked all the time. Are you ready to hear it?
It stops. The lashings you get now will harden you into a machine on the strip. The more hard work you put in now, the faster you will get better. The more you beat your head against that wall fencing someone who plays with you like a kitty the better you get. The frustration you feel at losing while knowing why you lost is what moulds you into a good fencer. Once 2-3 years of competition goes by, you will look at this sport from a completely different angle.
Further, because you fenced through years that your body was still growing, you will have a degree of muscle memory that fencers who began later in life will never have. You will always be more comfortable on the strip than them no matter what happens.
But you have to get there first. Most people lack the patience to learn the fencing skills required to excel at the sport. Hang in there, and keep fighting.
It seems weird dealing with the exact opposite sentiments in students at MFA. They think that kids are completely inept at fencing while old guys are the terror that walks in the night. This needs some addressing from me.
Half the reason old guys seem so scary is that they started off exactly like you. I began as a 13 year old, overweight, goth kid that was socially awkward with no friends:
Except of course the few other goth kids at school and a friend I kept throughout childhood. I was not awesome and I still don't consider myself beyond mediocre at a national level. I did not like to move my feet when I started fencing, just like everyone else. I did not win tournaments when I started fencing, just like everyone else. I was jealous of people who were better fencers than me, just like everyone else.
Other old fencers in the division always talk down to you, especially after they've just beaten you: "Good bout, You really got me on **insert inane technical flaw here**"
I have good news for all youth fencers, especially the youngest ones who get their butt kicked all the time. Are you ready to hear it?
It stops. The lashings you get now will harden you into a machine on the strip. The more hard work you put in now, the faster you will get better. The more you beat your head against that wall fencing someone who plays with you like a kitty the better you get. The frustration you feel at losing while knowing why you lost is what moulds you into a good fencer. Once 2-3 years of competition goes by, you will look at this sport from a completely different angle.
Further, because you fenced through years that your body was still growing, you will have a degree of muscle memory that fencers who began later in life will never have. You will always be more comfortable on the strip than them no matter what happens.
But you have to get there first. Most people lack the patience to learn the fencing skills required to excel at the sport. Hang in there, and keep fighting.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Upcoming Week
This coming week will see the first youth tournament in the state of Montana. Currently we have two cities participating, Helena & Missoula. I am going to shoot for Spokane to jump on as well, but no guarantees yet.
Chris will be hosting a competition Q&A for parents of fencers today. I will give a group Saber lesson to the kids from Helena who are coming into our tournament without any real saber training. We have at least 5 fencers in Y14 & U19 with the possibility of more registering next week.
Chris will be hosting a competition Q&A for parents of fencers today. I will give a group Saber lesson to the kids from Helena who are coming into our tournament without any real saber training. We have at least 5 fencers in Y14 & U19 with the possibility of more registering next week.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Saber Pistol Grips?
First seen on Tim Morehouse's Blog, the pistol grip for the Saber is blowing my mind right now. This is the dumbest/smartest thing I've ever seen. I really want one just to see how it works. I wish the website wasn't in French so that I could read it and order one.
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Most Injury Riddled Games
We play warm up games for the first 15-20 minutes of class to get people moving before footwork. These are the current injuries for each warm up game throughout the course of MFA's existence.
1. Wall Ball
-1 broken collarbone, 1 concussion, 1 seizure
2. Capture the Flag
-1 broken nose, several twisted ankles, 2 bloody noses
3. Ultimate Frisbee
-countless hits, 1 cleating
4. Soccer
-2 bloody noses, 3 rolled ankles, 2 cleatings
5. Glove tag
-1 destroyed pair of shorts
Wall Ball's position at the top is unfair as it was one of the only games we ever played for the first few years. Capture the flag should probably be at the top because someone got hurt every time we used to play it. For some reason, people at this club get violent when they play CTF. Ultimate incites a bit of intensity but is otherwise pretty light. Soccer is what we usually play to warm up with. The students get competitive about it, but they also seem to respect the fact that no one is wearing shin guards, reducing injuries in one of the more intense games we play. Glove tag resulted in the destruction of my favorite pair of shorts when someone went to grab my glove, and basically clawed a hole into my pants.
1. Wall Ball
-1 broken collarbone, 1 concussion, 1 seizure
2. Capture the Flag
-1 broken nose, several twisted ankles, 2 bloody noses
3. Ultimate Frisbee
-countless hits, 1 cleating
4. Soccer
-2 bloody noses, 3 rolled ankles, 2 cleatings
5. Glove tag
-1 destroyed pair of shorts
Wall Ball's position at the top is unfair as it was one of the only games we ever played for the first few years. Capture the flag should probably be at the top because someone got hurt every time we used to play it. For some reason, people at this club get violent when they play CTF. Ultimate incites a bit of intensity but is otherwise pretty light. Soccer is what we usually play to warm up with. The students get competitive about it, but they also seem to respect the fact that no one is wearing shin guards, reducing injuries in one of the more intense games we play. Glove tag resulted in the destruction of my favorite pair of shorts when someone went to grab my glove, and basically clawed a hole into my pants.
Yay Progress!
We look and feel more cohesive with each passing day. Our first youth tournament looks better all the time I check it. Y14 and U19 Saber look to have the healthiest number of fencers and it looks like it will by a few more before the end of the week.
I want to say how proud I am of all the hard working fencers at MFA. I am consistently impressed with their motivation to improve.
We may have an intro class as large as 7 this week. That's insane!
I also want to thank all the students at Big Sky High School for letting us come in and run you around today. You guys were fun!
I want to say how proud I am of all the hard working fencers at MFA. I am consistently impressed with their motivation to improve.
We may have an intro class as large as 7 this week. That's insane!
I also want to thank all the students at Big Sky High School for letting us come in and run you around today. You guys were fun!
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