Rae Roy's Blog, page 52
October 25, 2017
Warrior Wednesday – The Book of Five Rings pt 3
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In continuing on with The Book of Five Rings, today I’m giving my perceptions on the third chapter: Fire. The meaning of this book can be nearly as versatile as the Bible, so people draw different conclusions depending on where they are in their martial arts journey and their life experience. I’ll undoubtedly see this chapter and the other completely different in the years to come. In case you missed the first two, they are linked below.
Part I: Earth
Part II: Water
Part III: Fire
Musashi said that being overly concerned with perfection is a waste of time in training for battle because focusing on getting a couple of extra inches distracts you from achieving the real goals of defeating your opponent and living to fight another day.
That sentiment is interesting to me. It can be applied to almost anything. If you spend every waking hour agonizing over every comma you use, you might never actually get a book written. If you worry too much about being behind in readings for school, you might not get your assignments done. If you put too much into having everything perfect in a relationship, it can never be free to blossom naturally and become something that may be flawed, but also full of love.
He said the most important thing is to practice in the morning and train in the evening. This will give free and easy strength.
I think practicing might translate to kata and training to sparring in today’s world of martial arts. In writing, one might practice making a list of descriptions about objects in a room or people that walk by in a mall during the day and at night write the novel or script as it plays like a movie in your head. Similarly, in music, one might practice rhythms and scales before they try the songs that they would like to be good at playing. For other sports, one might practice kicking a ball around cones to learn to control it then they might scrimmage to try their techniques out before game day.
Musashi advised keeping the sun/fire behind you when preparing for battle. I think this is partly to obscure your face in shadow, which gives you an edge in terms of intimidating your opponents. It also might hurt your eyes to look at people when the sun is right behind them. He said if the sun can’t be behind you, keep it on your right side. I think this is so any shadow can help you hide what you’re doing with the sword on the left side. He recommended ensuring there is nothing in the way behind you. That was probably so you can get out of the way of the opponent’s sword without worrying about tripping on something. The same is true at night time.
Metaphorically one could assume that fire means more than light. Perhaps it is passion. Maybe there is a child behind that you are protecting. Maybe you are being pushed into battle by something you are passionate about like the writer who writes because their soul needs to. Maybe it is simply saying to hide as much of your intention from your opponent as possible.
Musashi then talked about chasing your opponent to your left and using the terrain against him. This, I believe, is because you want him in an easy spot to attack him and the further away he is from the back right corner, the more likely you are to win the fight. That back right corner is the hardest to deal with as a swordsperson.
He said to keep the opponent occupied so they don’t have a chance to assess the situation. Something politicians are good at is distracting everyone while they do something worse than what they allow us to find out about. Keep everyone talking about whether or not tipping should still be a thing and they won’t have time to talk about or stop more serious things.
He also talked about the three initiatives; attack, waiting, and body-body. These were about whether one attacks first or both attack at the same time. If you are the attacker, you must keep calm, be quick, and have complete focus. If you are waiting, you must be calm, appear weak, and watch for an opening. If you both attack, you want to mimic your opponent until you can disrupt their timing and cause them to falter.
He said to watch for signs that your opponent has intent to strike and suppress them as soon as possible unless the attack is a useless one. Then you let him do it. I’m betting this has to do with managing your own effort. Why expend energy you don’t have to? Basically, no matter what your opponent does, you find a way to make his efforts useless.
As if crossing a river, no matter what obstacles come, you keep heading towards your target. Others will undoubtedly give up, but you dig deep and keep going. Never give your opponent a second chance. It will likely be the end of you if you do.
Pay attention to your opponent’s weaknesses and use them to your advantage. You should always learn as much about your enemy as possible because you never know what will be helpful in ensuring your success in battle. In knowing them, you know which buttons to push to make them make a mistake.
He speaks of three voices. One voice is meant to intimidate your opponent; one is meant to align your spirit, sword, mind, and body; and the last is to celebrate victory.
One strategy is to set up a pattern then suddenly disrupt it to lull your opponent into a false sense of security before using a different technique to throw them off guard.
Many times you’ll have to utterly destroy your opponent’s spirit to win. In other words, you have to extinguish their fire with your own.
R~
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Filed under: Martial Arts Tagged: The Book of Five Rings
October 24, 2017
Theatrical Tuesday – Review: The Mist Season 1
[image error]I’ve been watching The Mist on Netflix and I’m enjoying it. I never saw the movie, but this show is making me want to read the book. There are some things that I don’t understand about Nathalie and I think reading the book would fill in some gaps. For a moment, I thought it was Mary Gross playing her because her voice reminded me of Janice Zuckerman in Feds.
One of the things I love about the show is seeing how many subplots there are and how they tie them in together. They convey a lot without a ton of exposition.
They’re also really good at heightening the stakes in a way that lets the secondary characters be more than cardboard cutouts.
There are so many plot twists that I don’t see coming even when there has been subtle foreshadowing because I’m just so busy following the main plot lines, which are full of chaos.
I’m a little confused how an entire mall has almost no food when there aren’t that many people that have taken refuge in it. Malls usually have food courts and stores that sell some food to thousands of people each day. The electricity is working, so they could freeze some things and cook. That piece seemed like a Deus Ex Machina plot point to me.
I’m caught up on all the episodes that exist currently. As such, I’ve been left on a cliffhanger. They’re good at those too.
As far as horror goes, it’s on the light side. It IS hard to scare me these days though. I think it may be part of keeping the budget low. The less they have to show, the cheaper it is. With everything shrouded in mist, most things don’t have to be clearly shown. Throw in some fake blood or some special contact lenses and a little face makeup and they get away with a lot for a little. There is a terrifying human element that is going on, but I can’t say that it has me really invested and I’m not sure why that is. I suppose I haven’t fallen in love with any of the characters. Maybe most of them I haven’t gotten to see enough. It’s kind of an ensemble piece, so it’s rarely told from one main viewpoint.
I think I can compare it to Walking Dead a little. The thing with Walking Dead is that we’re with Rick Grimes from day one. He wakes up in the hospital and has no idea where his family is and we spend a lot of time seeing the world through Rick’s eyes. Yeah, it cuts to Daryl and other people here and there, but you’re never in doubt who the main character is. The story is primarily about a former Sheriff trying to raise kids in a zombie apocalypse. I suppose I’m not entirely sure who the main character is in The Mist. It’s an apocalyptic story about some mysterious mist that seems to know things about everyone in town. Stephen King likes that as a theme. He used it in The Storm of the Century also. I think there are just too many unknowns currently to have me care enough about the story. I’m intrigued, but not completely hooked.
The acting isn’t Oscar winning, but it’s better than a lot of other shows I’ve seen. I wasn’t a fan of the acting in Bitten if you want an example. I think it’s got better acting going on than that. I feel like it’s not as good as Orphan Black and a far cry from The Walking Dead though. I’m also more invested in Stranger Things than this one.
Anyway, I thought I’d give my impressions of season one. I hope it gets better. In the meantime, I’m going to make some time to watch the movie this week since people have told me they liked it. Part of me feels like I may ruin some of what may be coming in season 2 by watching the movie, but I don’t want to wait a year to understand some things. Also, the movie came out first, so I’m really just catching up to where other people are with it.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Reviews Tagged: TV Shows
October 23, 2017
Merry Monday – Getting Back on Track
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Has it really only been a week since the Ontario Colleges strike started? It feels much longer for some reason. I don’t feel like I’ve been getting as much done as I want to. The strike has thrown me off course a little. I didn’t realize how much having to be at school for certain times was helping me ensure I did other things on time like laundry, groceries, etc. I was eating breakfast every morning before instead of sleeping in because I had nothing to eat for breakfast and didn’t want to go to the store.
Having had my life thrown off kilter a number of times now between going through a divorce and job loss, I’m a little quicker to see it and do something about it at least.
On Sunday, I learned about a man named Richard Hooker who helped restore the balance during a highly polarized time in human history. He said all humans have a basic sense of what’s right and wrong. He advised that the truth gets confused sometimes by passion and/or anger and we need to be able to allow logic to lead us back to the truth. It’s not about following every rule just because they exist. It’s about doing things that make sense. People who can overcome their passion and anger to let the truth in even when the truth proves them wrong are the people that help lead us away from war.
So after church, I hauled ass to get groceries, make a healthy breakfast, and put some laundry on to get back on track before Iaido and B-Movie Club. I grabbed some frozen dinners, so I could fit in a meal after Iaido and hopefully get time to see a certain little boy. All this made my day pretty busy, but I also felt good. He was having fun playing with his sister and auntie, so it was more adult time, but that’s always good too.
Iaido went well. It had me thinking about things like where I want to take my iaido in the future. Oh, we talk like that. There’s the art, then there’s how we as individuals perform the art. So the kata has key things that need to be there, but your timing and some feeling can be different like whether or not you immediately go into jodan after a cut or briefly pause at chudan to show ownership of the centre. This is not for my current level really, but it’s really cool.
Talking after class about Star Wars made me think about the next tattoo I want. I talked to my artist and he thinks it’s a cool one. It shouldn’t take long. I need to decide if I want to go colour or not. Probably will go with colour. I’m really excited about it. Hey, if I get it soon, it’ll be nicely healed in time for the movie 
October 21, 2017
Symphonic Saturday – Remakes
[image error]Most often remakes are done by newer bands reinventing a classic song such as Disturbed’s rendition of The Sound of Silence. Sometimes, they’re mind-blowingly awesome and become new favourites. Other times, they catch on for a couple of weeks and then fade away.
It’s a little unusual for a band to take one of their own nearly 40-year-old songs and reinvent it, but that’s just what a-ha has done with this version of Take on Me.
It’s less of an upbeat catchy tune now and more of a deep and loving, soulful experience to see and hear.
I’m digging it.
Not only is it an old favourite for many out there, but it can draw new fans. I’m now wondering if a new album is in the works.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Music
October 20, 2017
Frisky Friday – Cucumber Obsession
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There have been far too many posts online lately about cucumber cleanses. Here’s what you need to know:
VAGINAS CLEAN THEMSELVES!
This is why doctors almost never advise women to douche these days.
So unless you are in desperate need of an impromptu sex toy, leave cucumbers for eating or for one of those girly face mask things.
Also, it’s probably best to just head into a sex shop and get a proper toy. The people that work at those places can answer any questions you may have without making you feel weird. And buying your first toy is like a rite of passage into adulthood. If life were an RPG, you’d get points towards levelling your character just for having the courage to complete the quest.
Also, since it’s Friday, you could have a whole weekend of fun (assuming you aren’t a weekend worker).
Speaking of fun, I’m off to get ready for a party with classmates as I’m a busser and am lacking in rum. I’ll probably try and fit in a little more homework after my shower and pizza pancakes lunch. I may also try to fit in some music practice of some sort.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Courage, Sex
October 19, 2017
Thoughtful Thursday – Group Work
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There are times I really abhor group work.
Today is such a day.
Why?
Here’s the list of things we have to do that are worth marks:
A 10-Minute Play
A 7-10 Page treatment for our original TV episode for an existing TV show
A rewrite of an objective document for a term project
A presentation that is also a term project
A short film 1-pager
A revised 1-pager for a feature film
An outline for the feature film
Probably an outline for the short film
Act 1 of the TV episode
More steps for the feature film
Actually writing the feature film
Actually writing the short film
Acts 2 and 3 for the TV episode
A script for a PSA
Comedy show skits to help raise money for our pitching trip
Catching up on reading so that the assignments are done properly
But hey guys, let’s spend a bunch of hours filming something that probably doesn’t have marks attached to it. Clearly it’s a high priority because we would’ve been doing it if the strike wasn’t a thing. Also, don’t worry about the fact that the entire giant list of things will be due as soon as the strike is over. Or that you’ll have other things like quizzes on top of that to do.
I may be a little cranky today.
Sorry.
As a former project planner and manager, I truly struggle with patience when it comes to prioritization skills or lack thereof.
Generally, I can rip through writing things quick enough, but every once in awhile, there’s that project that is inexplicably difficult. The short film seems to be that for me right now. I can see it playing in my head, but as I put it down on paper, it doesn’t seem to convey what I want to convey. Some of it comes from my own brief experience living through it and I’m unsure if it’s something other people will be moved by. Part of me also just wants it done, so I can focus on the next important thing.
I also haven’t been sleeping well since the strike and have been desperately trying to catch up on this.
That’s life I guess?
Not really. In reality, lots of people will either flat out tell you that your low priority stuff isn’t getting done anytime soon or they’ll say they accept it and “forget” about it.
I can certainly see why our teachers refuse to read things that aren’t assigned projects.
Anyway, I’m going to try and finish this short film 1-pager before covering my naked ass and heading to the bus.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Musings Tagged: ROW80, School
October 18, 2017
Warrior Wednesday – Lost Battles
[image error]Today is a sad day as many around the country and world mourn the loss of Gord Downie. I was never really into The Tragically Hip, so I can’t say much about that.
Besides, I’m still mourning someone I lost eight years ago to Leukemia.
Before I tell you more about that, I want to take a moment to say FUCK CANCER!!!
I was chatting with a friend earlier today about how much money goes into things like sex toy development and if we spent even half that much on a cure maybe we could stop talking about how shitty cancer is and people dying from it could become a rare event. His thought was that short of a sex toy that cures cancer, it’s unlikely to ever happen. He’s probably right.
[image error]Leslie was a friend I had in high school. We ended up in college together in the Social Service Worker program at Canadore College in 2000. Neither of us knew we were taking the same thing until we saw each other there along with another friend also named Leslie.
She loved dragonflies.
As we grew older, Leslie met a cousin of mine and she became part of my family.
She was one of the kindest humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, but not in that overly wholesome way. She was very real and that was one of the things I loved about her.
Her social work career took her to some rough places. She did some work up north on reserves helping kids stay away from things like huffing gasoline. She did work at a place with troubled teens who got physically violent at times as well, but she just shrugged that off and kept showing them she cared.
We didn’t see each other much in those years. Her schedule sucked when she was back in the same city as me.
When there finally was time, she had very little left. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She was damn determined to fight her hardest though. She kept a blog in those days to update people. We messaged a lot when she was in the hospital. Sometimes it was about things like white blood cell counts and others it was about happier topics.
Unfortunately, she had the worst kind of Leukemia one can get and it won.
I miss the times we had chatting at family barbecues and the days in school. We bought a lot of scratch tickets in those days just because we could.
I miss my friend.
I know people are sad about Gord Downie, but for me October 18th will always be the day I lost my friend.
R~
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Filed under: Musings Tagged: Personal Loss
October 17, 2017
Theatrical Tuesday – RIP John Dunsworth
[image error]Today, I say goodbye to Canadian actor John Dunsworth.
He played the part of Mr. Lahey in Trailer Park Boys and he played it well. He was also in Treevenge and .
Rest in Peace John Dunsworth.
R~
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Filed under: Musings
October 16, 2017
Merry Monday – Another Busy Weekend
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My weekend was packed with learning, socializing, and martial arts. On Friday and Saturday, I attended Can-Con 2017. I had a fantastic time seeing old friends and made a few new ones. There were many panels over the weekend and I learned a lot of things such as that beer was literally a chunk-filled “smoothie” they used straws to drink in order to avoid the chunks at one point in history. Gross. The earliest was made in China, not Egypt as many think. To learn more about beer, check out Black Creek Brewery. Oh, apparently it’s also unclear whether or not beer or bread came first.
I’ve come out of the weekend with a list of Canadian Horror films I should check out, a list of absurdist UK comedies to watch, some screenwriting facts that I haven’t heard at school, some new perceptions about the world as it may be for others, some books to read, and a new appreciation for George A. Romero. I also enjoyed a lot of laughter with friends I haven’t seen in a while. I even have a few story ideas to file away for later, which is always a good thing.
The panel I was on didn’t have a large audience, but we had fun and I have some strange stories to post in my flash fiction area later this week.
Thank you to the organizers. This con has grown a lot and I always enjoy going. It gets better every year.
On Sunday, I was part of the Ottawa Welcomes the World event held at the Horticulture building at Lansdowne, which is next to Jack Astor’s if anyone ever needs to find it. My dojo demonstrated kata and other techniques in front of a large crowd of people. I was a bit nervous as I haven’t been making practices lately with homework and such, but it went well and we had a captive audience.
I have a few story ideas to file away for later, which is always a good thing.
Many drinks were had over the course of the weekend and a nap was needed when I got home.
I felt like I had to stay up late to find out about the strike. I also needed to relax after the busy weekend, so I tried a few TV shows. I didn’t find anything I really liked and I ended up watching Death Note while mending a pair of comfy pants. I found the romantic subplot a little hurried and twisted, but otherwise I enjoyed the story. It was fluffy enough that I didn’t have to think much, which is good after a weekend filled with learning and emotional stress, but had enough complexity that I wasn’t bored. I could tell it was an anime plot based on the backstory of ‘L’ though. There were a lot of plot twists that had me captivated.
It turned out that I didn’t need to stay up late to find out. As of 9PM, the strike was on. What a sad way to end an otherwise wonderful weekend. That’s life sometimes though.
I slept in this morning to recover from Can-Con. Despite the unfortunate situation, the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day.
It’s time to rustle up some food and then head to class to meet with my peers to figure out what to do about it.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Martial Arts, Musings Tagged:
October 13, 2017
Frisky Friday – The Silly Immune System
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Apparently, it’s really common to feel frisky when you have a cold. It seems like the most ridiculous time. I mean, not only are you feeling miserable, who wants to get it on with someone who’s nose resembles a chaos demon? Nonetheless, apparently orgasms can help boost the immune system and get you feeling better sooner. Check out this article for more information on this phenomenon. There’s also a sub-reddit on the subject, of course. There may have even been a Friend’s episode about it.
Writing Update
I’m off to Can-Con 2017 this weekend. I’ll be a panelist for the Spam Meet panel Saturday evening. I’m going to take some relaxation/homework time Saturday morning to hopefully kill the last of my cold by getting some much needed rest. Otherwise, I can be either found enjoying libations or taking in a panel myself.
It’s been a rather emotional week with the strike happening. We’ve also been working at an accelerated pace in some areas to ensure we can do as much as possible while the strike is going on. That’s been both exhilarating and exhausting.
Today was a sad day though. Hearing my teachers speak of the strike all week has been sad. They’re working hard to make sure we’ll be OK despite the situation and I think that says a lot about how much they care about us and our futures.
Well, I have to do a revision for my feature film treatment before the weekend ends, so I better get to it.
Guid cheerio the nou,
R~
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Filed under: Musings Tagged:
