I give water to the dead.
Sep. 8th, 2003 01:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serindeWhen I heard on the radio this morning that Warren Zevon had died, I thought "well, that's the suckiest thing I'm going to hear this week." (As well as "Requiescat in pace, mate, and may you catch up on your sleep now.") That thought met the usual fate of famous last words.
Upon reaching the dojo for class today, I found out that Mark, the black belt who had always been so kind and patient with me, died of a ruptured appendix over the weekend. He was 69 years old, and still a force to reckon with in class, in spite of a bad knee that kept him from rolling most of the time. I also learned that he was a Famous Mystery Writer, but I don't even know his last name so I can't check out his stuff. (Apparently it involved martial arts, though; go figure.)
I will take this moment to write down all the bits of advice I can recall Mark giving me:
- Always take two steps before doing anything else in the maneuver.
- Keep moving.
- If you move quickly enough, you may not even need to do a throw.
- The object in a fight is not to "drop the other guy", but to get out of there.
- [lots of advice and assistance on my rolling technique]
- If you're using more than 15 lbs. of pressure, you're doing it wrong.
- Take your time and do it slowly.
The last one in particular made me realize that part of the reason I imprinted on Mark like a baby duckling is because he reminds me a lot of my grandpa, who was similarly endlessly patient in coaching young over-hasty types. (And who is now in the hospital, Mom mailed late last night to tell me, though she says he is out of danger now. Thanks for keeping me on top of things, Ma.)
Fucking appendicitis. People aren't supposed to die of that anymore, or at least not in first world countries. It's not fair.
Upon reaching the dojo for class today, I found out that Mark, the black belt who had always been so kind and patient with me, died of a ruptured appendix over the weekend. He was 69 years old, and still a force to reckon with in class, in spite of a bad knee that kept him from rolling most of the time. I also learned that he was a Famous Mystery Writer, but I don't even know his last name so I can't check out his stuff. (Apparently it involved martial arts, though; go figure.)
I will take this moment to write down all the bits of advice I can recall Mark giving me:
- Always take two steps before doing anything else in the maneuver.
- Keep moving.
- If you move quickly enough, you may not even need to do a throw.
- The object in a fight is not to "drop the other guy", but to get out of there.
- [lots of advice and assistance on my rolling technique]
- If you're using more than 15 lbs. of pressure, you're doing it wrong.
- Take your time and do it slowly.
The last one in particular made me realize that part of the reason I imprinted on Mark like a baby duckling is because he reminds me a lot of my grandpa, who was similarly endlessly patient in coaching young over-hasty types. (And who is now in the hospital, Mom mailed late last night to tell me, though she says he is out of danger now. Thanks for keeping me on top of things, Ma.)
Fucking appendicitis. People aren't supposed to die of that anymore, or at least not in first world countries. It's not fair.
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no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 11:19 am (UTC)Those are some very good pieces of advice. Just out of curiousity, what style are you studying?
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 11:30 am (UTC)As for style, it's straight-up aikido.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 12:09 pm (UTC)Grant (not sure if you remember him from CU. I hung out with him alot. He occasionally came to GC) studied aikido for years before he was in college. From what he showed me, it looks cool. Definitely one of the styles I like better (because it's soft, and is primarily focused on getting you out of a fight safely rather than getting the other person out of a fight painfully).
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 08:44 pm (UTC)But yes, aikido is one of the joys of my existence; I recommend it highly. I know someone in Boston who is taking it--Ringel can probably introduce you to that person--if you're interested in more info.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 08:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-08 11:34 pm (UTC)Just don't be afraid to ask for anything you might need.
Oh, dear...
Date: 2003-09-08 05:18 pm (UTC)