Wolf Tracks

Shinkendo, and the smell of 'deefeet'...

2008-11-18T19:06:11Z

Ok so many of you that follow my occasional rants and postings know that I'm actively training in Shinkendo (Japanese Swordsmanship for those new to this site). Since I last updated, we have moved to a new location that I feel will be of great benefit to everyone, especially Sensei Lynch.
]]> Come see our website).

As we settled in, training resumed and just last Wednesday I tested for Shiho, which is the 4th in a series of ranks in Shinkendo. The test went well, but I need to remember that I don't have to emulate the energy/force of the Sun when doing my routines or forms. Although there is something said for intensity in performance value. I made a few minor mistakes but overall Sensei said I tested where he wanted me to. Now I focus on correcting myself and learning the new things (and better remembering the old... *sigh*).

So to celebrate my newly earned rank, not to mention provide some "fun" er... practice... yeah that's it... practice... *ahem* I consulted with Sensei about purchasing some cutting targets. In Shinkendo, we test our technique and skills by performing actual target cutting on Tatami Mats (another shameless plug for a great supplier: Mugen Dachi). It allows us to ensure we are maintaining proper blade angles, distance, and a myriad of things you too can learn if you join us...(see earlier shameless plug for dojo website).

After a few phone calls, it just so happened that my company was sending me very near to where Mugen Dachi is located. What a coinkydink... A few more phone calls and my plane's callsign would secretly be Tatame One on the return trip *evil laugh*.

Ever resourceful and energetic, I completed my transaction with Sensei Jim Alverez who was kind enough to meet me at his dojo (shameless plug for his dojo as well). After a prolonged trip back to the airport due to a major injury accident where I got to spend nearly 2 hours playing medic like I used to "back in the day", I finally got the bails of tatame loaded in the baggage compartment.

Conveniently, my passengers wanted to get home a little early so everything worked out great. The flight home was smooth and after all was said and done, I loaded the 2 bails of mats in my car and headed home.

Now, little thing on tatame mats. For those of you who haven't played with them yet, they are made from rice straw that is finely woven. They have a unique smell when soaked in water and later cut. This smell is akin to ... sweaty feet. And these were the new mats.

Remember the part about putting them in my car? Well, take it from me, you DON'T want to leave them in your car overnight...especially when the next morning is pretty warm. Oy... I think I had a Han Solo moment... ('...and I thought they smelled bad on the outside').

Anyway, a few chuckles and some fabreeze later, the world is good.

The Show Goes On...

2008-08-29T07:38:57Z

It's been almost 6 weeks since mom passed and thanks to the love and support of many great friends and family, the pain of loss is pretty much gone and thanks to her many lessons in life, we are clearly focused on what lies ahead.

Several new adventures are brewing and I look forward to seeing them develop. No journey is without its pitfalls however. Without getting into a lot of boring detail, I am grateful to be working with a fleet lead who is not only a charismatic leader, but an honorable person as well. It truly sucks when someone who is supposed to be in a position of senior leadership in an organization doesn't know the first thing about it and interjects themselves into your affairs when they have no cause to, and in doing so causes financial turmoil simply in the interest of trying to be popular to a whiney < ahem >.

]]>

Suffice to say, my lead rocks and completely gets leadership, loyalty and honor.

*smiles sweetly and shows a certain digital gesture to the appropriate crooked doofus.*

On the Shinkendo front, things are going great. I passed my tests in July achieving the rank of Santen in Shinkendo and I also earned Rokkyu in Toyama ryu Kyu. (I really need to get some frames for those certificates...) I was glad to have my sister witness my testing and honored to dedicate the achievements in memory to mom. My work schedule has kept me pretty busy after being out unexpectedly in July and I haven't trained as much as I would have liked, but fortunately my Sensei is very understanding and an awesome teacher, so I get back on track relatively fast.

I was supposed to have my second trip on the BBJ this month, with Osaka, Japan, as the destination later next month. Unfortunately events have conspired to where the trip isn't going in September so I loose out. I should have had a trip early in August, but "the powers" at work decided coving a fraking trip on a Learjet that took 5 hours out of my day on a Saturday was more important than me flying 2 days on the BBJ. My wallet cried. Oh well, I have a couple of training flights for maintenance coming up this month so I get to get some stick time. I really miss that plane. October holds the promise of a trip to Asia so hopefully it (and I) will go.

I have sooo got to earn a full time position on the BBJ. I feel I'm stuck in Learjet hell. It would seem I don't get to fly the Gulfstreams anymore and I'm too important in all the things I do for work for them to put me where I would like to be. Apparently I work entirely too hard. I should screw off more and do less, then I might get ahead and be paid more. Everyone else that does seems to. Go figure.

Oh well, as the axiom goes "...silver lining..." and all that rot. Since I will be around next month I can attend a demo our dojo will be conducting at a local university. We are all very excited about it and besides, even though I'm still over-weight, it's slowly coming off and I even look pretty darn good dressed out from time to time. Maybe I'll have some pictures taken here soon and get them up in the photo album. My wife and her sister still say I look more Jedi than Samurai though. *grins and shrugs* Oh well, I have fun and they get a few laughs. Everyone wins.

Reflections on a final chapter...

2008-08-01T09:53:20Z

There have been several times I have sat down to write this and for one reason or another I found something else to do. How do you sum up the life of one who brought you into this world, let alone tell the tale of their final chapter? As has been said, this particular sad tale was inevitable, but I had hoped it would be a bit further on. I had hoped to share more of my accomplishments and milestones with my mother who was always so proud and protective. The lament of mortal man, always wanting more time.
]]>
How lucky was I to have a mom who touched so many people, and that was even remembered by one of my classmates and close friends more than 20 years after graduation?

Packing up her apartment and going through boxes of her memories held many bitter-sweet moments for my siblings and me. We found boxes containing photos of her as a baby and little girl, later a young woman and finally a mother. Letters and scrapbooks with all the "goings on" of the time. A folded newspaper front page from Shreveport, Louisiana, proclaiming that "GERMANY QUITS", the announcement of V-E Day.

Many personal treasures and mementos were there as well. It seemed she kept everything, even the letter I wrote to the Easter Bunny as a small child. The hard question, what to keep, what to let pass into the mists of history. One treasure my sister found was a letter written to me by my Great Grandfather the day I was born. I had never seen it until that day sitting on the floor slowly going through mom's things. Talk about goose bumps.

The packing took place over several days, my sister and I generally working 4-6 hours at a time with my brother helping to organize.

A strange blessing in all this was the time that I was able to have with both my sister and brother, whom we had not been together since my wedding, then only briefly, and before that, hardly since I graduated college. We resolved to make sure and spend more time together as a family, a tough thing with us on opposite sides of the country.

The three of us faced the challenges of making mom's final arrangements which were simple in nature. Mom was cremated and plans are underway to scatter her ashes at sea with the assistance of several of her dear friends and loved ones from the Del Rey Yacht Club where she worked more than 17 years. I think it only fitting that they are included in her final sending.

On Sunday, July 20th, we hosted an open house BBQ, food, and drink fest to celebrate mom's life. As for the "New Orleans Jazz Funeral" she wanted, iTunes came to the rescue. I was able to download many traditional songs used in the Jazz Funerals and set up the music in the backyard. It wasn't Bourbon Street, but I think she liked.

My friends came out of the proverbial woodwork to come and be with me and support me and my family during the party we hosted to bid a "Hail and Farewell" to mom. Without them and my wife, I doubt very much that I would have been worth a damn. Even members of the yacht club came to see her off. It really meant a lot. I hope they know just how much they mean to me.

And the sun rose the next day, just as it has for all time. I still have my moments where some trivial little thing or thought will have my throat caught, but it is because of the efforts and lessons of my mom that I am the success that I am today. My continuing success is the living testament to those who have gone before me and to her. I hope that when my time comes, I will have done right by the gifts given me and look back with pride and happiness and go to my ancestors with pride and peace.

Hail and Farewell my beloved mother...

2008-07-15T06:12:38Z

I wish it were happier tidings I was posting since I haven't in a while. There have been many happy events including my first Europe trip on the BBJ since I last clicked away, but it would seem tonight is not that night.

Earlier today my brother called me greatly concerned about our mom whom he has been caring for nearly daily for the last couple of months. Her health has been steadily declining since she had to quit working a year or so ago. Four days ago he noted a sudden change in her daily routine - essentially that she stopped smoking (which she had done all her life) and didn't have a single drop of Scotch (also a constant in her life and where I developed my love of the spirit). She also quit eating and my brother had a hard time getting her to take even a little food. He was going to take her into the emergency room and see what the doctors could do to help get her back on an even keel.

]]> This morning while making plans and arrangements to get her to the hospital tonight or in the morning, he showed her pictures of my sister and her 2 kids noting that she smiled and nodded in seeming recognition. He had also been talking to her about what I was up to with my flying. Later in the day he had to go run a couple quick errands before taking her into the hospital. She was fine and napping when he left. When he got home she had apparently gotten up to use the restroom and while on the toilet, put her right arm on the bathroom counter and laid her head down on it as if to take a nap. She apparently passed there and that is where my brother came home to find her. In retrospect, we think she may have had a mini stroke 4 days ago and may have had one tonight that took her.

In some ways I suppose that if she was going to pass anyway, she got to pass in the peace of her home instead of some hospital with a bunch of needles and tubes everywhere.

Mom was never long on ceremony and had always said that if she were "in a bad way, no heroic efforts. Just let me go."

We haven't made any arrangements yet and are all still in various states of shock and mourning. Most likely we will cremate her and have a nice memorial for her. She had stated many times that she wanted a New Orleans Jazz Funeral and that "you kids are to make sure that everyone has a bottle and has a great time."

Count on it mom.

It is my fervent hope and belief that she is now at peace and happy in the next life. I have prayed for her gentle transition through to the summer lands and boy will they have their hands full with the fireball that is my moms spirit.

So raise a glass my friends and toast a wonderful Lady, who loved her family, gave all that she had and then some to help them in times of need, was fiercely loyal and protective of her children, and whom is largely responsible for the success I am today.

Hail and Farewell my Honored Mother.

Nora Jean Sims Ferdon
January 17, 1932 - July 14, 2008

Up Scope

2008-04-14T01:49:02Z

*Taking a careful look around...

"Surface the ship!"

Ahh yes... still here. If a bit dusty and in need of updating...

]]> Well as we pick up the story from where we left off, the big FAA audit that was supposed to happen in January didn't. We had everything ready, were all sitting in the conference room, I wore a nice shirt and tie (shocking isn't it...) and I had all of my "cats" not only corralled, but sitting straight and pretty with all the books and documents laid out for the inspectors. 20 minutes after when they were supposed to be there, instead of a team of 8, we see 3 inspectors come in and join us. They sit down and tell us the inspection is off for now as the regional guy got sick. A good summation of this event would be that we were not the only unhappy people since there had only been 2 weeks notice on something that is normally given a minimum of 1 month notice. At any rate, the local office FAA has been working closely with us since then going over things and identifying areas where we can make improvements to better comply with the nebulous "Operational Control" issues that are out there.

The "big audit" has been rescheduled for May (sometime) and our Director of Ops has brought in our former principal inspector, who left the FAA, as a consultant and he is helping make things better all around.

In the end, the goal is not necessarily to have no findings (but I'd love that), but to ensure that we have processes in place to keep us in compliance and safe. Everybody wins. Making a mistake is ok, just don't make the same one.

As for my flying at work, I'm tired of waiting for the powers that be there to open a path for me. In life, it is true. The only person that will look out for you... is YOU. Therefore, I have decided to blaze my own path. I wanted to use dynamite, but thats not so socially acceptable these days. :P

I have, for quite some time, been cultivating a relationship with our BBJ people and have eagerly expressed a desire to come to work for them. Earlier this year it came to a head...fish or cut bait. I had a decision to make. I had an opportunity to go to work for them but it required me to get my 737 rating on my own. I shopped around and found a place to do it, but I was quite concerned about the cost. Fortunately, I have an awesome bride who, while not wild about the idea, still supported me in my efforts to get the rating and found a way to fund it. Fortunately my training costs will be repaid to her quickly by my work on the BBJ.

On last Sunday, April 6th, I completed my training and FAA checkride to earn my Boeing 737 type rating. That rating means I'm qualified to be Captain on one of those lovely planes. In fact I have a standing job offer on a private one that I plan on moving too, hence the rating. Me thinks the powers at work are now nervous...

As some of you are aware, the political situation at my work has had me in a state of flux where apparently I'm good enough to fly all of the owners of the planes we manage around in Learjets and also crew on Gulfstream II and III aircraft for high profile people, but not as a full time line Captain on the charter side of things. I decided that they have had enough time to make something more permanent happen for me and that I was going to not wait on them any more, thus I went and got the 737 rating.

So imagine my amusement as I'm driving around San Francisco with my co-pilot (yeah, we were up here flying some owners around) last night and the phone rings just before 10pm and its my fleet lead who calls to tell me that "after a chat he had with the owner earlier that evening, the owner finally decided to release me as a full line Captain". Hmmm upgrade by phone...how special.

Now don't get me wrong, I AM happy that they have finally gotten off dead center, but that joy is tempered by their 4+ years of inconsistency, empty promises, lack of movement on the subject, and the fact that in our fleet, several pilots have recently quit or are about to quit. Guess their resources are drying up and they are getting nervous.

I explained to my fleet manager that I was thankful but when he tried to assert that a Lear trip would take precedence over a BBJ trip, I politely (with minimum laughter - be proud) told him no, that as far as I was concerned the BBJ had precedence and that I was working on transitioning to it full time. I understand where he is coming from and the various "powers" just need to sit down and come to some agreement on my utilization, with the understanding that I am going to be moving into the BBJ in what could be as soon as 3-6 months. It's not that hard as we have had several other people fly one airplane and then contract fly another.

I will most likely still do the other things I do for the company like teach, manage the website, help put together and run our safety and security program, and other operations related things cause I enjoy helping out and have the background to do it. Plus I won't argue with the extra pay for doing so. But something that my fleet manager and the other powers need to understand, I'm not going to be a "lifer" in the Lears and your pilots do grow up and move to other opportunities.

I wonder if they have figured out that for the first time in 10+ years, a company asset has been hired onto one of these large planes that traditionally only involved a select few people, not associated with our company? Perhaps they should take pride in the fact that one of their own has been selected but, oh wait, I think they are too caught up in a Learjet Las Vegas trip...

*sigh*

My training in Shinkendo is going well. After the whole rented brain thing, I was able to reboot mine and press on with my training. I truly am having a lot of fun with it and enjoy the workout and destress aspects of it, not to mention that I get to train with some wonderful people who can easily become lifelong friends. In March, I tested and along with Anne and we promoted to the rank of Jiho (Shinkendo's 2nd rank). The journey continues.

Speaking of continuing journeys, March also marked the 5 year anniversary of Mashuu Dojo. Matthew Sensei hosted a WONDERFUL party at his house where I got to meet many other longtime students and friends of his, plus the rest of his family. I have pictures up in the gallery and a good summation for the party would be: "MMMmmm, Lemon Blop". I will have to get the recipe and make those at upcoming summer parties...

So in closing for now, yes Kevin, you can now finally fully tease me with: "CAPTAIN John Ferdon: Pilot, Hero, Leader of Men!"

It lives...

2008-01-27T08:00:07Z

*mumbling to self* yeah yeah, I know do something with the blog...

Ok, blame Malcolm for this one. He reminded me I should do this. Ok so it's partly out of a feeling of guilt and not Malcolm's fault for coming here and continuing the story and now that I know that there actually are people somewhat paying attention here, guess I better pick up the slack.

So.. where were we...

]]> OK work first I guess. As mentioned earlier in the blog October and November were insane for audits. It seemed just as soon as I had one dealt with, there was something else waiting in the wings to pounce on me. Nevertheless, I seemed to master the fine and ancient art of Cat Herding and we not only survived the audits of 2 separate industry ranking firms and the FAA, but I was able to earn us top rankings, something the company had not had for 4 years. If it hadn't been for the hard work and expertise of our new maintenance Chief Inspector, I seriously doubt that we would have been able to pull it off. I knew we had problems, but jeez, we were hosed up.

Fortunately, management gave me a free hand in running things and making the needed changes. Now we are looking more like the industry leader we should have been all along. There are still some things I would like to see in place, but as the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Guess that means I have job security. *sigh*

The audits ended by the end of November and off to training I went for a week. Who would have thought that I would consider a couple days in class and a couple in the sim a vacation. Well, upon my return to LA, my body decided to tell me that the several days I had off were going to be spent mainly flat on my back. I felt like one of those Capital One commercials with the attacking hordes where I had spent all my energy and then some and they were coming to collect...and boy did they. I haven't been that sick in a while.

When I could fly, I mainly spent time flying some owners around doing the usual Holiday runs to ski areas and places where rich people like to go that time of year. The rest of the time was spent teaching or fine tuning our operations section.

One of the biggest challenges I still face there is getting a full blown Safety Management System in place at work. The reason we got such good rankings from the audits was that we were in the process of getting the system written and in place. As one of my coworkers said to me after I announced our success, "You got us there, now we have to keep it". Truer words were never spoken.

In the midst of all the insanity, we held a Yule party that was off the scale fun. We started at 5pm and the last person didn't leave until 2am. Mission Accomplished. We had an awesome time with Kevin's Quadrped Chile, and Thom's Fish Stew. No one went home hungry and many toasts with fine spirits were had. It was great to have so many people over and for those that missed it... boy you missed it. :) Don't worry though. To quote one of my favorite all time movie lines from 13th Warrior, "Don't worry Little Brother, there are more!" (Herger the Joyous, my favorite...) Now to plot the next few parties...

Now that its a new year, all sorts of challenges await. Among them is one that starts this coming Monday where we get - wait for it... - another audit! I'm so thrilled I could just... yeah.

So, apparently our local FAA office got checked up on by the Regional FAA office. I guess the Regional guys found some problems with the local guys stuff. No surprise there. Unfortunately for us (me), this means that we get to get inspected by not only the local guys, but the regional people will be there too. Four Days, 8 FAA Inspectors. So instead of this being the general "turn your head and cough" routine, we got to collectively hear that tell tail "snap" of the rubber glove from somewhere behind us. The motto of "We're not happy until you're not happy" comes to mind. *sigh* I'm gonna need a lot more Single Malt after all this. Fortunately we got the checklist of what they want to see and since we just finished a bunch of audits, we are in pretty good shape, but there is still the last minute panic and run around to make sure that all our bases are covered. Just means a lot more office time for me and well, I won't argue with the money.

Once February gets here though, I'm outta here. Me and the G-III are on the road for 12 days. 5 in Miami and the rest in New Orleans and Chicago. Time to see some old friends, not to mention take pictures of me and my Shinkendo stuff different places.

Speaking of Shinkendo, my training progresses with another test coming on the horizon some time in March. I had a bit of a break with being out of town and then ill. Boy could I feel it. Firstly, I really was bummed about missing training. It's silly, but I look forward to that more than a lot of other things these days. The break really took a toll on me though. I've been pretty discouraged at seemingly loosing ground in my performance and retention. I made the comment in class one night to Sensei Lynch that I felt like I had a "rented brain" when stuff I was performing really well was being performed...not so well.

Unfortunately, loosing ground in my training wasn't the only thing I lost ground on. My battle with weight continues and over the holidays I lost some gained ground. Oh well, just means I'll have to focus on it even more now that they are over. I'm really tired of the extra weight and the glaring reality is, I'll be 39 in July and if I don't get it done over the next year, I could be in trouble later on as its harder to come off and my natural abilities at speed healing and having a resilient system will start diminishing.

Fortunately for me I'm stubborn, not to mention completely dedicated to my Shinkendo studies. It is difficult to adequately explain to someone how I feel if I should happen to miss a session. I completely understand and empathize with Sensei about the value of time at the dojo. Considering all that I have going on in my life, I never fail to find happiness, clarity and peace while I'm there. For me its equal to and many times far superior to the time I spend at the airport or around planes. For those that have known me for a long time, try not to fall out of your chair, but its true. For that, I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to train and learn.

Every once in a while I have to remind myself (or be gently reminded by Sensei), that "life happens" and it isn't a race to learn and test. It's ok to miss a night now and then. What is important, is to learn, and learn correctly.

Milestones will come whether we run or walk, as long as we are on the journey. Life is a journey. Jensei Shinkendo (Shinkendo is Life). Ergo Shinkendo is a life's journey.

Milestones in the Journey...

2007-12-04T19:04:41Z

So here I sit at the airport waiting to head home from annual training, way early "just in case". Bummer no early flights home so what to do. Ah. How about an update on the Shinkendo?

My training has continued twice a week with more precision and forms being added, but it is amazing how easy it is to learn the more advanced forms once the core forms and techniques are known. The workouts are still intense with my pores getting quite a workout in sweating. November held several public demonstrations and I was very happy to be able to participate. Pictures from them are over in the gallery (nods thanks to his sweetie for getting the links module working). Getting a chance to review photos and video, there is nothing like embarrassing yourself when you zig while others zag to motivate you to learn a form better. (Don't worry James, you still don't need to yell at me :P )

]]> Finally testing came around and our first formal evaluation of our progress came. The goal of the exam - survive it. I know I blew a couple things but for the most part did well. A bow and handshake later and we had all passed the Ichimonji exam and attained first rank in Shinkendo. W00t! Bring on the "poofy pants"! While I could have had a Hakama (aka poofy pants, formally the "chaps" like portion of the swordsman uniform) from day one, I chose to require passing my exam as the time to get them.

To celebrate making this first milestone, and with the advice of Sensei Lynch, Century Martial Arts became my supplier for my Hakama and I also bought one as a gift for Anne since she is the one responsible for getting me into Shinkendo. (Yes Matthew, its all her fault :P )

One of the other students in class who passed his exam to become an instructor (Malcom) gifted a box of cutting targets to the dojo and last Monday everyone, including Anne and myself, got to do practice cutting.

It was our first time doing a formal cutting and it really underscored how easy it really is to do a proper cut. I really had my eyes opened as I made multiple cuts on a full roll under Sensei Lynch's watchful eye and his gentle guidance. I really look forward to the next time we can do cutting so I can evaluate how well I'm learning the techniques.

I have much to learn still and improve on, but the workouts continue to be a benifit, especially with the stress level and the waistline.

It was bound to happen...

2007-11-16T05:40:51Z

Oh this is just too good to keep to myself. I got an email from a long time buddy who is also a pilot and he relates this story:

By now everyone has seen the iPhone commercial with the pilot looking at the radar and then talking to his dispatcher, yada yada...

I can't wait for the next ground delay or long taxi due to weather somewhere to get a smartass with a freaking iPhone shoving it in my face saying "Its NOT raining there... SEE?!"

]]> Too late...already happened to me. We push back, get advised of a ground stop in MEM [Memphis for you non pilots] due to storms in the area. Go to the penalty box [holding pad area] and wait. My Captain does the lecture over the PA...not a minute later, we get dinged [internal call from the back of the plane] from the F/A.

"Some guy with an iPhone says the weather is good, and wants to know what the real reason is for the delay. Is something wrong with the plane?"

I want to tell this clown what he can do with his idiotPhone - but the Captain does it even better. He gets on the PA and makes the following announcement:

"If the passenger with the iPhone would be kind enough to use it to check weather at our alternate, calculate our fuel burn due to being rerouted around the storms, call the dispatcher to arrange our release, and then make a phone call to the nearest Air Traffic Control Center to arrange our timely departure amongst the other aircraft carrying passengers with iPhones, then we would be more than happy to depart. Please ring your call button to advise the Flight Attendant and your fellow passengers when you deem it ready and responsible for this multi-million dollar aircraft and its 84 passengers to safely leave."

Needless to say, the pax was pretty embarrassed. The F/A later told us the rest of the plane was outright laughing at this dude. What a clown...

BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHA......to quote Bill Engvall...here's your sign.

Oh I would have SOOO paid money to have been there for that...but then there is the part of my brain that goes "so what about the part where all electronic devices are to be turned off on closing of the door". Heh, guy was stupid AND should have been violated.

So just remember my "slave to fashion" friends, you too can truly be the center of attention. But do you really want to be? *evil grin*

Hmmm, yeah I guess I should update once in a while...

2007-11-14T07:31:05Z

Ok, now that I have ripped the pink out of the site... ahhhhhhhhhhh much better. I love the cause but MAN that hurt my eyes. :P

I'm patiently (although its beginning to fade) waiting on a new module to come out for MT4 that will allow me to easilly add in external links on the site. Things like... ohhhh I dunno... my photo album would be nice?! I have sent forth the "hunter-gathering" kitty (the wife to those of you who aren't in on the joke) to forage for the new module. She tells me the person developing it is "close". Hmmm, wonder if that's related to Soon™.

I'm also playing around with a new theme for the site. Problem is, the nifty theme generator doesn't play nice with MT4 ... yet. Guess I have to get off my lazy butt and actually look at the code for the back end of this thing and go play there. We'll see what happens. Stay tuned!

Getting Pink to help those in need...

2007-10-02T06:43:30Z

So, you may have noticed a little change in the ol' website. It's a little...um...brighter...um...metro...erm...ok its really really pink, but this is for a great cause.

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and this guy Matthew Oliphant at Pink for October got this idea that "hey, I can get the word out if I get a lot of bloggers to help me".

Well, considering that my wife may be prone to getting it, and well, as a guy I could get it (yes dudes... we can get the Big C upstairs as well as downstairs...), I'm all about helping out so that a cure can be found and hopefully there will be affordable, well managed (ok, run with the dream here) health care that can help us battle Cancer should it arise.

My path is one of service, on multiple levels. I hope that I can serve those who need it by this simple gesture. I will also do this in memory of a little girl I never knew, who became a great warrior. She fought a mighty foe, yet was full of life and love even when it took her at the age of 14. My love to you Heather.

Cancer isn't just an adult disease.

One Month into the Journey...

2007-10-02T06:28:10Z

So it's been a month since I became a student of Shinkendo at Mashuu Dojo and I can honestly say that for the first time in many many years, I actually look forward to going to my workouts that last 2 hours a night, twice a week. I just wish I could attend more, but work and life being what it is, so be it. Plus, I don't want to over do it just yet.

It is really nice to have something like this to be passionate about and have that passion reflected in the dedication and professionalism of the Instructor and his student teachers. I have to admit that with the preparations for the audit at work winding down where I will be flying more once the audit is done, I'm a bit annoyed that I won't be in town to maintain the pace of my training.

I will say this about the workouts: The make you sweat! Lots of forms and movements that are aerobic and isometric. It kicks your butt after a couple hours :P With luck, I will be a lot less of myself in a hurry. We shall see. This art is a wonderful art and I highly recommend it for those with the passion and discipline to learn it. Jensei Shinkendo!

The end of a long journey begins with the first step...

2007-09-13T08:07:54Z

Ok sorry, a little over Zen, but hey, it's true. For a long time now, I have battled with my weight. A number of factor's and events in my life that I won't bore you with have cause my weight to go up to a number I'm not proud of. In fact, I'm down right annoyed with myself cause in the end, I can only blame myself.

Stress Sucks. Allowing it to get the better of you sucks harder... big fat hairy chunks of suck actually.

Enough.

So what do you do? Declare war in essence. Fortunately I have at least three things working for me in this fight - ediets.com, a wife who is dieting with me, and a new passion I'm sure I'll be writing about at length in the future, Shinkendo.

]]> It's all Anne's fault.

Since we first met several years ago, we have worked in eastern and western martial sword arts. As the wheel of time turned, we found ourselves in need of a new instructional path. Ever the researcher, she discovered something incredibly rare here in LA, a true place of study of Japanese Swordsmanship. The best part is, there is a school less than 2 miles from my house! Who slipped that in without me noticing?!

Those that have known me for some time know that I have always had a penchant for Japanese Swordsmanship. It would seem the time for me to study in earnest has finally arrived.

The technique I am studying is one that was created by Obata Toshishiro. Borrowing from his website, here are some details about my newest passion and "workout" routine. Obata Sensei is the founder and headmaster of Shinkendo Japanese Swordsmanship. "Shin (True) - Ken (Sword) - Do (Way)" is a system of Japanese swordsmanship which incorporates all aspects of sword study: Suburi (swinging methods), Battoho (drawing methods), Tanren Kata (solo forms), Tachiuchi (sparring) and Tameshigiri (target cutting). The Shinkendo World Headquarters is in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

After many years of study and mastery of many different schools in his native Japan, Obata Sensei came to America to distill all of the different aspects of Japanese Swordsmanship into one complete and comprehensive art. Obata Kaiso has dedicated over thirty years to teaching and researching the almost lost art of true Japanese Swordsmanship as it was practiced by the Samurai of Japan's feudal era.

Training revolves around our structure of "Gorin Goho Gogyo" (five equally balanced interweaving rings that symbolize the five major methods of technical study). This includes: Suburi (sword swinging drills), Tanrengata (solo forms), Battoho (combative drawing methods including Toyama-ryu Iaido), Tachiuchi (pre-arranged sparring) and Tameshigiri/Shizan (cutting straw and bamboo targets). Students typically train using a bokuto (wooden sword), and later advance to training with iaito (or mogito, non-sharpened sword) and finally with shinken, or 'live blade'.

While Shinkendo requires rigorous physical training, depth of coordination, and intense focus, one of the most important aspects of Shinkendo is the emphasis on spiritual forging, which inspires "Bushi Damashii" (the samurai/ warrior spirit), a quality that we feel is as relevant now as it was hundreds of years ago. Proper practice of Shinkendo should provide one with not only a strong body and mind, but also a calm, clear and focused spirit.

The instructors are awesome. I haven't yet met Obata Kaiso, but I'm sure it won't be long. I think what I like best about the instructors I work with at my dojo (Mashuu Dojo), is the simple and calm approach to teaching and none of the "militant, we will make you ub3r-n1j0r-hum@n-w3@p0n so you will compete and destroy the competition and bring us lots of shiny trophies" BS that is common in many martial arts schools today. It may be great for little kids and people who need to be in that environment, but its not my way. I wish those who train in that environment luck... and health. As for me, Mashuu Dojo (and its head instructor Matthew Lynch), an extension of Hanbu Dojo, is the answer to many long prayers.

For the first time in many years, I actually look forward to going and working out. Now if I can just find my marker to put a big "L" and "R" on my feet so they will know where to go... Trust me, its not been pretty getting started, but I am learning fast. :)

So for those of you who are used to seeing me live online at my computer, sorry, at least 2 days a week, I'm gone. :P

Now we will see how the weight comes off.

Jin-Sei Shinkendo!

A time to smile...

2007-09-13T08:00:14Z

You know, all too often in blogging you can get focused on things that may not necessarily be be wonderful, but every now and then, you have to pause and smile at someone's happiness. It gives you faith that somehow, its all worth it in the end.

My dear friend Jalini, who has had more than her share of unhappiness, finally got someone special in her life. She was telling me about it the other day and I swear I could see the grin and blushing through the chat window. It warms my heart to see someone so special to me so happy. You rock Jalini. :P

Now to sit back and reflect on the happiness in my life... :)

I swear I'm getting a cape...

2007-07-27T10:31:47Z

(Warning: Rant mode - ON)

Maybe I'll get some leotards and a snappy symbol for my chest *looks at body* well, maybe not. But still...

It is frustrating to the point of humor how often when the proverbial "Defecation hits the Westinghouse" (think about it...) the first person that people come running to at work is... ME. I swear I need to go to Toy's "R" Us and get one of those old school toy fireman hats with the red light on top and the built in siren.

]]> Apparently I'm qualified to repeatedly "save the day" when all heck breaks loose or something "OMGWTFBBQ111ELEVEN MUST GET DONE 2 WEEKS AGO but its today good luck". But do you think that they would give me a promotion to a nicer plane (additional type ratings), a permanent upgrade and shiny salary? Oh no, we can't do that", we want to ensure that everyone "fits in" (read look like the LA scene and GQ Cover). So I can fly the owners around in their planes as lead, but not on other revenue trips. WTF, over?

At least I have been given carte blanch to organize and direct a team consisting of key senior people from the different departments to address certain issues and prepare them for an independent safety audit at the end of August.

Oh well. No since in complaining, just a waste of energy and I am tired enough as it is. Fortunately, there are external forces at work who notice our efforts and constant supply of miracles. I wonder how the company will feel when someone else comes along and makes me the sweet offer. (Please someone make me the sweet offer"¦) Probably con some poor new hire into trying to do my stuff for no pay. Heh. Good luck.

Outside of work things otherwise are going ok I guess. Recently celebrated another birthday and while the actual day was pretty quiet (just dinner with the wife), the previous Friday rocked big as a large group of friends gathered to celebrate the bitter sweet conclusion to the Harry Potter series of books. Dinner was loud, rowdy, obnoxious, and more fun than may have been legal... but who cares. It was a good time where I got to spend time with some people who mean a lot to me that I don't get to see all that often. (And the waiter had nearly as much fun as we did and got a very nice tip for his trouble).

The house could be better. A nifty crack has shown itself in the spare room. Looks like someone patched it a while back, but now it has a sibling that parallels it. Guess the landlords better have the foundation looked it. The delaminating of the drywall in the bathroom is also a nifty touch. The back patio still could use another coat of paint and then the lights and mister system need to go back in place. It will make for much nicer back yard gatherings. Maybe I can actually get some help completing it.

One bit of good news on that front is that our dive instructor called the other day and has a schedule next month to help us finish off our advanced certification. I'm looking forward to "getting wet" again. I really miss diving. I know that Destiny dearly wants to get going again and go play with her camera. Hopefully by now her ankle is strong enough to take the stress of diving. A potential rub will be the cost of the 2 boat dives and rental gear. Things are oddly tight right now, but hopefully our accountant will come through and we can get a shiny and speedy joint tax return which can help pay off some bills for both of us. C'est la vie. There will be more money in 2 weeks. Now if I can just make it so that it isn't already spent on bills and stuff, I'll be doing well.

So Here we are, a Year and a Day

2007-06-21T08:21:50Z

Ok, well technically a little more by the time I actually get this posted but hey, my blog, my rules. So June 18th was our one year anniversary and we celebrated it by actually doing something intelligent like getting out of town and away from things where we could have rest and relaxation.

I surprised Destiny with a trip up the coast to a natural hot springs resort where we both got some much needed rest and relaxation. I remember the masseuse who was working on my back and shoulders agreeing with my warning that I would present him a challenge. Apparently I am very good at carrying lots of stress down deep in the muscles. Heh. Well after an hour of the occasional pained grunt as he removed the knots with what I'm sure must have been explosives and hydraulic presses, I was in much better spirits.

]]> Our room was quite nice with a hot tub on the back porch that was private and had an absolutely stunning view of the surrounding forest and stars once night fell. It was good to reconnect and to unwind. I realized just how much I miss the simplicity and beauty of the woods and mountains where I grew up.

Some day I can return, I hope.

Speaking of where I grew up, who hit the fast forward on the dang clock? This year will mark the 20 year graduation reunion from my high school. Where the hell did the time go? Unfortunately due to some schedule conflicts that have come up, I will not be able to make it, although I will attempt to send scans of a bunch of pictures to the organizers so they can hopefully put them togeather in a slide show. We'll see. Reading the bio's of my classmates, its interesting to see who went where and did what. It's also interesting to note that many stayed close to home.

At any rate, thoughts on a year and a day...

While walking along one of the trails enjoying what gifts the Gods have given us, we discussed where we were and the thoughts on being married a year. The concensus was that we have actually been togeather for so long that the vows we made were made long before. We just got around to getting it on paper and having one of the most kick ass weddings ever. (Pat yourself on the back Anne when you read this).

Yes, we rocked, had a great time, and kept it a simple celebration of life, our friendship and our love for one another. Who wants to spend hours in some building with tons of people you hardly know listening to someone drone on about whatever. No more then 15 minutes to get married. More than that, you are talking too much. We got it done in about 12. Also, whomever said that you won't remember your wedding afterward was wrong. Even today we giggle when we ask each other "so your still remember it all?"

So, the first official year of marriage. We've made it... somehow. :P Although we do periodically give Anne grief asking her if we can divorce each other. She always says "NO!!! I WON'T LET YOU" (that meany) I think the words of my father sum it up best as he was toasting us in the reception and hoped that the happiness we knew that day would only grow as time went on, and that we could look back and realize that was the least happiness we knew and our future together would only add to it. So far so good Dad.