a life change?

ok so first of all I must admit that I am currently intoxicated (what's new?). Although I have been told that when I am drunk it is fairly hard to tell that I am drunk (and this has come from the person who knows me most when both sober and drunk, my gf). Apparently the only real difference is that I'm more confident, and I'm more honest about things (who isnt) and also some other effects that you (the general public) should not be privvy to ;P.

And so to soheb, as the sole reader of my blog (as far as I know, if you also read this blog please do comment so I know who you are) it falls to you to remind me of this in due course. Today I'm going to talk about my love of martial arts. In particular my martial art, Wado-kai. Just today after watching a movie with my housemate the conversation moved onto... punching me... upon which I started instructing my housemate how to punch properly.

Which brings me on to something which saddens me greatly. Since uni started, I have not continued my training. However, what I believe I am good at is teaching, and indeed you may have noticed that at any opportunity I will proceed to tutor my friends in the correct way to punch/kick/fight generally. Indeed it is of great sadness that I ever stopped training in my particular chosen style, due to a large number of reasons. However, I guess deep down, due to martial arts being a part of my lifestyle from the ages of around 10-17, and attaining a black-belt (which in my honest opinion... well thats another story, ask me when I have a few hours free and so do you) martial arts is a big part of me, and it has to be let out somehow.

SO, I ask you to remind me when you see me next, I want to get involved in any martial arts societies in UCL, and ULU. As far as I understand, students teach and learn here, and I would very much like to teach and to train. If I was to teach, I would gladly do it at no cost to myself. I would also very much like to learn martial arts in general, in the hope that I become a better person, and to help others (for that is what my martial arts training has taught me).

And finally, a lesson. Perhaps those who have already learn Japanese already know, but this has fascinated me since I learnt it. In Japanese, -jitsu means literally 'fighting', and '-do' means 'way of'. In recent times (since 20th century) many martial arts have changed from 'fighting' to 'way of'. In laymans terms, the style has changed from just fighting, beating the opponent, to a lifestyle choice, learning not just how to defend yourself, but to respect others, to do your part, everything. Hence jujitsu is now known as judo. And I still, after these 3+ years of hiatus from martial arts, agree completely with learning the way of a martial art.

And although I may not be the most disciplined student ever (hell ask anyone how much I drink), I believe I am still a good person, and I hope to bring this to those I meet :) .

p.s. Soheb, as I know you're the only one who reads this, with the possible exception of anyone who follows weej, remind me of this AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE to join some martial arts society at ucl/ulu, for I will not regret it. And please do, join with me. You will not regret it, after all, everything is best done with a friend ;)