When beginner's class ended I had 5 minutes to grab a sip of water from the drinking fountain, and advanced class began. My entire uniform was already utterly soaked in sweat, as were my underthings, but I didn't have a chance to get chilled, since it was about 90 degrees in our classroom, and we started right out with calisthenics as always.
By the time it was 8 PM and we were running forms, I realized that I hadn't eaten since lunch, and was getting _hungry_, and thirsty, and there wasn't really anything I could do about that. Besides, I was enthusiastic about learning my next couple of forms, and was in a small group for that, which was a lot of fun.
By 9 PM when Master Kim called a 5 minute break, I didn't have an appetite anymore, but was insanely thirsty, and wanted some carbs in a big way, so I grabbed some juice, and immediately regretted it. The cold liquid hit my empty tummy like a ton of bricks, and irritated me until it warmed up to my body temperature. At least I wasn't thirsty anymore.
Then we ran some palgwe chun pubs, and sparred until the end of class. By the time sparring came around I was downright slap-happy. At least I got a couple of good kicks on my opponents. We stayed two hours after class ended working on tournament stuff. Forest is helping me a lot, although I am feeling a little overwhelmed with tips and tricks. I think I'm going to stick to one of his ideas, and see if that will work. He suggested I clear my mind of all other things, and just watch for the openings. The rest would follow.
I see a big opening on the side of someone's head. A crescent kick naturally swings at it. There's an opening on the flank -- look, there went my sidekick. That sort of thing. I'm not sure if I can zen out like that, but I figure I'll try. The worst that happens is that I freak out, run away in utter terror, and never return to the ring. How bad can that be?
I also am working on some sort of mentality to hang onto when I get kicked; because it's pretty much guaranteed that I will get some abuse. It's my first tournament, and I just plain won't know what to expect until after it has ended.
I really don't care much whether I win or lose, though. I'm going there to learn things and for fun. I don't mind taking a beating, and I'm not afraid of close physical contact with a stranger. All in all, I'd just like to represent myself well.
I'm stiff today, but feel pretty good about how hard I practiced yesterday. I also wouldn't be suprised if I lost 10 pounds just in water. I'm going to have to keep an eye on that, or I'll end up down a weight division, and that wouldn't be very good. I've got three more practices just like that before the competition, and think they will leave me well-prepared.
I've decided to perform tae guk sa jang for the poomse competition. That's the form with the concept of 'thunder'. I've been having fun deciding on my own interpretation of it. I'm going for the crackling, distant sort of thunder, with the occasional loud, bass roll. I thought about the kind of deafening thunder that you hear when it's right next to your house, but I thought that sort of violence would likely lead me to overextension, and control is really important. Maybe when I've been at it longer and have a better handle on things I'll be able to do it more dynamically. I am pleased, because all of the work I've been doing on sidekicks is starting to pay off. I'm fairly confident that I can perform a nice matching set of them without overbalancing or anything like that.
Well, I suppose that's enough taekwondo babble for a while.
I'm a bit bummed, because the director of 'Musical Comedy Murders of 1940' called to cancel my audition. He filled the role this weekend, and didn't want to waste my time when he didn't need me. It really sucks, because the show was perfect for my schedule, and I would have gotten to try a new theatre (Spotlight), a new director, and work with Lamont again. I was also pretty excited about the show itself, because it sounds funny, spoofish, and fun to do. The character I would have had was a super-secret spy disguised as a chorus girl, who eventually solves the mystery. It sounded like a blast. The other problem is that because of this audition, which seemed really likely to pan into a role, I didn't attend auditions for Fools at Riverwalk as I had intended. I called them a few minutes ago, and indeed, the show is fully cast. Ah, well. C'est la vie, I guess. If I haven't figured out how to live with theatrical disappointment by now, it's never going to happen.
Last night Forest and I had an extremely late-night dinner, since it took us a while to work up an appetite after being so overheated. He revealed to me on the way home that he's gotten used to the heat after all these years of working in it every summer. I'm encouraged by that a bit. Perhaps after a while I'll get accustomed to it, and it won't feel so awfully hot. Whether he is used to the heat or not, he joined me in sleeping like a log for the short night remaining. I'm glad he got a good night's sleep, it's the first time in ages that's happened. I only hope it doesn't take that level of activity for it to happen regularly!
Tonight is gaming night, and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone. Forest and I have plans to possibly meet for coffee (him) and tea (me) after work, and then take his friend Will to an early movie before the game. That ought to be fun, if busy. At any rate I'm always happy to see my honey.
Tiff sent me a really nice email, that really made me happy. She said she is very happy that Forest and I found each other. She can't think of a more sweet man to keep me happy and treat me like the woman you deserve to be treated as. (I can't think of a sweeter man either.)
She also said "You guys are a perfect compliment to one another, and your happiness always radiates when I see you guys together. It's truly refreshing to be around and it's nice to have a new fun face around us."
Wasn't that sweet of her? I related her well-wishes to Forest at dinner last night, and he agreed with everything she said with an adorable romantic smile and a kiss. It's nice to have someone out there recognizing and understanding how incredible this experience is for us. I have honestly never been happier, and I'm glad that it shows.
Eilonwy learned how to drink cat-milk out of a saucer yesterday night. All I had to do was lay my finger in the surface of the milk and start her out licking that, and then slowly lower my finger into the milk. As long as she remembers to keep her chin tilted up, she seems to do just fine. I've also got her on some liquid vitamins, and am going to talk to the vet about what I ought to feed her. Maybe she will be ready for solids soon. The trouble is, she won't drink out of the saucer unless you plunk her in front of it and stand there while she eats. No matter how starved she is (I can hear her tummy rumble) she will wander around looking for company rather than eating. It's worrisome. Forest will be there with her part of today and tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.
Anyway, I have to run. Today is the day of multiple, hellish meetings, and I am zapping this to you via my palm pilot. Hope it works!
