June1

LOL!!! Oh, my gosh! I never thought of that! That's a really scary thought! Here are a few more of mine: -Imagining myself in a plane that's falling -Reliving (in my head) awful, humiliating moments of my past, often ruining perfectly good days -(This one is fun ) Imagining myself as my favourite singer (who's actually a male (I'm not)), and standing in front of the mirror, lip-syncing an entire concert to thousands of adoring fans

I discovered an article on a website today (pm me if you would like the URL), and especially the discussion that followed it, that really made me think; it was about the little mind games many of us play, sometimes since we were kids, that happen everyday. I was amazed to see that so many people share the same little quirks and sometimes outright obsessive compulsive behaviour I do. It made me realize that we might think we're the only ones (possibly in the whole world) who do these kind of things, but it's comforting to see that we're not, and that the human mind/race really is amazing. So my little question to all of you is what are some of the weird mind games you play? To get the ball rolling, and clarify things for those who don't understand what I'm talking about, here are some of my weird little quirks: -I would (and sometimes do still) think that someone or something is watching me from the other side of mirrors -In the shower, when I'm washing my hair, I sometimes feel like when I open my eyes after rinsing, there, in front of me, will be some kind of demon or ghost. -I would sometimes take a random word and repeat it again and again until it lost all meaning, and just sounded weird -(MORBID ALERT!) I sometimes visualize what it would look like if I killed myself and my parents found me. -(One of my absolute favourites) I will occasionally scare myself by imagining if gravity were to disappear and everything, including me, started to float. The scary part? What if I were outside?! -Sometimes, when I'm driving, I like to pretend I'm really piloting a plane. -I used to mentally place an "X" on faces of people I didn't like. Well, there you have it. I'm sure many of you have lost respect for me, but that's okay! Now it's your turn to share what lies within the inner sanctums of your minds!

I've often heard it said that you can do a million sit-ups, but you won't have a six-pack if you don't add cardio to that workout. My question is: if one goes to karate class 2 or 3 times a week (that would be the cardio portion), and does sit-ups at home, would that have any effect on one's abs, or do the sit-ups have to be done at the same time as the cardio (i.e., in the same karate class)? If I've messed up the wording, and you don't get what I asked, please let me know, and I'll re-word it. Thanks!

Right now, as a blue belt, I'm working on Heian Godan. It's fun, but I'm not sure how high to make the jump.

Um... okay. Interesting and, actually, pretty pointless.

Wow... pink spots, eh? Could it possibly be the temperature of the room? Maybe the room was cold and your flowing chi was hot.

I've seen this before. I think it's actually pretty sad. Poor guy.

I've stopped asking for things, but it would be nice to get a new mp3 player...!

Ooh! A New Zealander! Welcome, welcome!

I HAD a mentor, but due to something that he is doing that I believe to be morally wrong, I've lost respect for him, and don't consider him to be a role model anymore. I do have another MA role model, though: one of my old senseis who left the country to travel the world. Right now, she's in China, and we keep in contact through e-mails. She has not only helped me with karate, but with making goals for my life, and giving me a well-needed nudge to start them.

He he. Oh, I remember when you first arrived, ShotokanKid. You had so many questions and participated quite a bit in the games and humour forum. Ah... how time flies.

Oh... my... gosh! I would just die... That's awful... for her, not the guys. Ugh! I'm mortified for her!

I finally saw "Kung Fu Hustle" yesterday! I thought it was pretty good for a Stephen Chow movie, but very different from Shaolin Soccer-- much more serious and shadowy. The only thing I didn't really like was some of the dialogue between Stephen Chow and his sidekick (I didn't catch their names!) Overall, I think it was all right, but I liked Shaolin Soccer more. For those who have seen it, what do you think of it?

I got my blue belt exactly one week ago! Ah... feels different, nice.

Dang, Laurie! Good height!

He he! No problem. Those are really strange moments. I recently had one on a subway... Hope no one noticed.

I think I heard that it has to do with an electrical signal in the brain that missed a jump from one synapsis to another, or something. Just a little zap, a glitch! Sometimes I have such strong deja vus, though, that I get a little freaked out. Another interesting tidbit of information: you know how sometimes, as you're falling asleep, you get that awful falling feeling and are jolted awake? Like a big twitch? A friend of mine told me that that's actually a mini seizure in your brain. Kind of creepy, no?

What happened, supajuice?

You know you're obsessed when... you run around speaking like characters in a Japanese movie whose voices are being dubbed over. Silly, I know, but...

"I'm bored." or *yawn* or "Again?! We did this last class!!!"

Thanks, Laurie! I think we're all really blessed to be doing what we're doing. There are so many people who think that the martial arts is all about kicking and punching and just being violent. They have no idea that there's a depth to it that only a martial artist can experience and understand.

Let's just say that the martial arts--karate, specifically--has permeated every aspect of my life. I feel that I am more confident in things I do, I feel safer when I'm out alone, I feel healthier, and most of all, I feel like if I can kick the way I do (something I NEVER could picture myself doing before) and do the things that I do on the dojo floor, I can do just about anything I put my mind to. I think the martial arts saved my life, plain and simple.

Welcome, my fellow Canuck!

Wow... weird that I saw this... I'm actually just talking to a friend on the phone about how glad I am that it's Friday. It's been a heck of a week... 4 tests! But I made it, and that's what counts. How was everyone's week?

Wow. That was beautiful. I really enjoy poems with that kind of dialogue, and even more so when natural things like trees or animals talk about serious matters. I think you've done a great job with it, and that you should continue writing in this style! Very nice!