<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>

<!--
	Downloaded: 05-23-2013 11:58 AM
	From AikiWeb Aikido Forums, http://www.aikiweb.com/forums
	Userid: 2817
	User Name: Dallas Kline
-->

<blogEntries>
<blogEntry id="205">
	<title><![CDATA[Sore Thumb]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[A week and a half. That is how long I have been a formal practitioner of Aikido. I looked into it maybe a year ago, but nothing really clicked for me. My Big brother offered to pay for some classes, and I said sure... I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.


I went into the Sowakan Dojo, which is a martial arts/ multipurpose room in our local leisure center feeling a bit of trepidation. I was clad in some track pants and a warm up shirt, whilst everyone around me was wearing thier dogi. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I tried to look past that, and get into the class. Friendly people, not a harsh atmosphere either, I really ate it up. I decided that I liked it so much, that I would show up for another class.

The next class I showed up to, I was somewhat prepared. About 4 months prior, I had bought a kung fu outfit. Not because I studied kung fu, but because it looked neat, and was comfortable to wear. On top of that, it was black. I dig black. Needless to say, once again, I stuck out like a sore thumb. This Class was a bit more structured- less testing for me to sit around and watch. I also got to get my feet wet in the ways of break falls.

I like breakfalls, why? Because they are hard to do. I do them because they are hard. If it is hard... chances are, it is worth doing. That's my motto. Taylor Sensei showed me how to do them... and I did them like a champ... in the sense that I didn't give up. Someday, and someday soon, I'll get it down, but till then, ill keep trying.

I like my kung fu-gi, but feeling the need to look more uniform, I convinced my mother to buy me a dogi. I bought one, and for about a day and a half, i felt somewhat normal in terms of attire in my dojo. When I put it on, however, I saw that it was about 2 sizes bigger than me. Once again... I stuck out like a sore thumb.


Maybe this week: 
Will be better
-
will see me learn to do breakfalls properly
-
I will talk to my Girlfriend on the phone(she lives far away)
-
I'll learn some of the japanese for various techniques
-
I'll grow out of video games
-
I'll stop wearing ninja socks for the hell of it

Maybe I'll get a life:)
-Dal ]]></body>
	<date>08-12-2003</date>
</blogEntry>
</blogEntries>